CasaSugar

Get the Look: Elizabeth Arden's "Pretty"

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 09:00:53 -0700

I've been coveting the look of the new print ads for Elizabeth Arden's new fragrance, Pretty. The vibrant flowering wallpaper in the background is over-the-top glam, as is the silk-upholstered loveseat. The print ad definitely borrows from Sofia Coppola's film, pushing a Marie Antoinette vibe.

To get the look, start with this Graham and Brown Traviata Wallpaper ($60 per double roll). I love its exaggerated, feminine blooms.

To find a loveseat similar to the one in the print ad, read more.

The look of the print ad relies heavily on the antique loveseat, so you'll want to find the perfect seating option. You can up the drama quotient and verisimilitude with this 18th-Century Gustavian Sofa ($10,950). Its bow carving and gorgeous wood detailing are simply stunning, and are a close match to the one in the print ad. For my suggestions for rounding out the look, check out the widget below.

The Little Dictionary Of Fashion: A Guide To Dress Sense For Every Woman - $19.95	Cire Trudon Marie-Antoinette - $85.00
Suzanne Vanity & Chair - $669.00	Domino: The Book Of Decorating - $32.00
"Naomi" Green Vase by Juliska - $48.00	Elizabeth Arden Pretty Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.3 oz. - $62.00

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Get the Look: Modern Marie Antoinette

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 15:00:36 -0700

I’ve recently become re-obsessed with Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette, with all of its sumptuous visuals and entrancing costumes and art design. If you’re anything like me, you’re aching to have your very own Versailles…or maybe just for Jason Schwartzman? Look no further: for today's Get the Look I’ve re-imagined the ole château with a modern twist.

To learn how to get the look I’m calling Modern Marie Antoinette in your maison, read more

The Palette: Pastel tones galore, with a hint of silky shimmer. Coppola has said that the film's production design was keyed to the colors she found in a box of macaroons. Try whimsical floral wallpapers or curtains.

The Furniture: To pay homage to Marie’s man, a Louis XVI chair is a must. The Phillipe Starck Louis Ghost Chair ($365) is the epitome of baroque seating-revisited. This ornate Open Carved Headboard ($599) creates the perfect place to get your royal shut-eye, and it comes in queen size.

The Accents: Vinyl wall decal silhouettes ($11) of the “dauphin” and his wife are very appropriate, and are an updated form of the classic artwork. Place them directly on your wall, or frame them on a candy-colored background.

The Lighting: Light up the luxe with the Duffy London Glo-Canvas CHA-03 ($475), a stretched canvas printed with your very own chandelier. A candelabra is also a necessity for wandering through the east wing of your castle at night, but it’s the 21st century, so try a Lucite one ($65).

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Cool Idea: A Bouquet of Macarons

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00:55 -0700

There's a reason Sofia Coppola keyed the palette of her film Marie Antoinette around a box of French macarons: the feminine pastel tones are simply chic and utterly delightful.

So, why not think inside the box and forgo a traditional bouquet for your flower girls in favor of an arrangement of macarons? Your little flower girls will be engaged by the sweet pastries, and your guests intrigued. Though the meringue-like domes are light, the sum of them may be heavy, so make sure to reinforce the bouquet sleeve - perhaps by starching a piece of lace or other fabric. You may even want to superglue the pastries to keep them looking nice; it's all about the illusion. Just save extras for your macaron girls to eat themselves!
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Casa Beta: Wall Candy Arts Rococo Chalkboard Decal

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:24 -0700

I know I said I am over wall decals, but I can make exceptions. The peeps from Wall Candy Arts approached me about their decals, and being the sweetheart that I am I gave their selection a gander. Most of their decals seem to be for children, which I'm all for: kids should have their fun. But, I was digging the Rococo Chalkboard Decal, so I asked to try it out. Wondering what that cryptic lettering is? Find out and hear my thoughts on the product when you read more.
It's "ART" backwards! (OK, I need to work on my handwriting.) Moving on . . . Functionally, I had no problems with the decal. It comes on a larger sheet, from which you must peel it off. Seeing as the design is a little ornate, it took a little time, to push back the smaller pieces to make the negative space. But, no more than five minutes. The decal was easy to apply to the wall. It pressed on perfectly the first time, no bubbles. It comes with a set of chalk, which is convenient. And, the chalkboard works just as an "old-fashioned" one would: you can wipe it clean with a paper towel, rag, or damp cloth. I also tried peeling off the decal and replacing it (seeing as it's reusable), and it reapplied flawlessly.

Onto the design. If you're someone who likes a modern Marie Antoinette style, you'll like this. It's a little girlish. Seeing as it's also both a chalkboard and a decal, it's pretty casual. So, I'd really only recommend using it somewhere like a kitchen, laundry room, or children's room where formality isn't key. I think it's a great alternative to painting an entire wall with chalkboard paint, which is popular these days, because really how many notes and grocery lists do you need to jot down? Wall Candy Arts also sells a simple, rectangular chalkboard decal for those of you who aren't keen on rococo.

Desire/Acquire: Chandelier Canvas Light

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 08:00:39 -0700

I've been fawning over the Duffy London Glo Canvas ($339) ever since I included it in my Modern Marie Antoinette Get the Look back in September 2007. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten any cheaper, and I'm reluctant to spend so much on a transient style. Luckily, I've just come across a much more affordable alternative. To see it, read more.

The Chandelier Print Canvas ($17) was designed by Linda Barker, who designed my wallpaper. No, it's not a light fixture, but it could easily become one by installing it as a sconce in front of a narrow bulb or attaching small LED lights to the interior of the frame. What do you think?

ferm Contest: AcornTree's Wall

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:41:25 -0700

We've been running a contest all month long for Dress Your Walls month, this time with the fabulous ferm LIVING, which is giving away a wall's worth of gorgeous wallpaper to one lucky reader.

Here is the (perhaps last!) wall in need of some wallpaper rehabilitation.

To see what AcornTree says about her wall, just read more

Ever since watching Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette last year I have been totally obsessed with the style of that time period. As you can see by my robin's egg blue chest of drawers, I have made a start on my dream for a Marie Antoinette-esque bedroom. However as much as I love the beautiful pastel colours and intricate ceilings of Versailles, I would probably find living in a bedroom packed full of elegance a little stuffy, so I have decided that my bedroom shall be a modern version of Marie Antoinette's, with hints of pastel blues and pinks. With Ferm's "Berry Black Wallpaper" I would also be able to add a touch of nature to my bedroom (a theme that Marie herself loved). At the moment my bedroom is this awful "blah" oatmeal colour (that looks as if it has been there since the house was built - 100 years ago!) and I think that a crisp white would be so perfect and make all of the beautiful pastels stand out that much more. Wall dimensions: 8 feet up x 14 feet across.
AcornTree has chosen this ferm LIVING wallpaper for her wall. While the contest will be judged by myself and the lovely Christiana Coop, ferm LIVING’s wallpaper expert, I'd love to hear your comments, too!

Before and After: Hair Salon by Scott Weston

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:00:51 -0800

If you caught my latest Designer Spotlight, you know to expect a masterpiece from architect and interior designer Scott Weston. His residential work is phenomenal but I've also got to give him cred in the commercial department. I was blown away by his design of this Sydney hair salon. It must be an absolute dream to step into. He went for a Marie Antoinette vibe with luxe silk curtains, faux boiserie on the walls, and a cotton candy palette. Shown here is his client model of the space. To see the finished product, read more.

It's stunning, isn't it? I'd love to re-create this confectionery look in a bedroom, bathroom, or sitting room. It's just magical.
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Crave Worthy: Neiman Marcus Carved Loveseat

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

I've had 18th century design on my mind lately . . . I'm really feeling damask fabrics, carving wood, and gilding as of late. I guess I'd like a little Marie Antoinette-esque design in my life; but not too much, I'm a modern gal! The Neiman Marcus Carved Loveseat ($2,999) has all of those elements that I adore, that make me feel like I'm strolling the pavilions of Versailles. But I think it could be easily integrated into my modern home, perhaps beside a slick white side table or some mirrored furniture. Even if it doesn't make its way into my digs (long shot), I'll still "Ooooh" and "Ahhh" over it. Will you?

Nice and New: Garden Plan Tray

CasaSugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 12:00:16 -0700

Formal gardens have gone out of vogue since Marie Antoinette's time, and most of us can't afford the upkeep anyhow. But, we can still appreciate their beauty. And, now we can do so in our very own homes, with the Garden Plan Tray ($135) from the New York Botanical Garden Shop. The beautiful black lacquer and silver plate tray features a garden plan from Détail des Nouveaux Jardins à la mode, by Georges-Louis Le Rouge, a book published in Paris in 1776. The combination of its silver plate greek key handles and the period garden image balances modernity and antiquity with poise, making it the perfect piece of history for a contemporary home.

Ask Casa: A Peculiar Armchair Question

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 06:15:38 -0700

Hey Casa,
I'm wondering if you can help me with a peculiar armchair question. I've been looking for a picture or the name of a certain French/ Parisian upholstered armchair that is quite iconic. It is quite similar in design to this chair shown here (at least, the arm rests are). I've always seen the chair upholstered in white with black detailing. It's very elegant, and I'm pretty sure it's originally French. I hope my description isn't too obscure! Thank you!
SundayGreen

To see my response, read more.

Hi SundayGreen,
Peculiar armchair questions are my favorites!

The chair (I think) you're referring to is called a "bergère," which translates to "sheperdess." It is an enclosed, upholstered French armchair with an upholstered back and sides, often sloping armrests, and a loose, but tailored, seat cushion. In its traditional form, the wood framing is exposed and has fine carving and painted detailing, and sometimes padded elbowrests. What classifies a chair as a bergère is the closed area between the arms and the seat, which make it ideal for lounging in comfort. If it has a concave back, rather than a flat back, it is known as a "bergère en cabriolet." The chair first appeared between 1715 and 1723 in Paris, and was made for Marie Antoinette in the late 1700s.

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa

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