CasaSugar

Shia LaBeouf Moves to Sherman Oaks

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 15:00:19 -0700

It seems as if Transformers star Shia LeBeouf is moving on to bigger and better digs. According to RealEstalker, Shia has moved into a stunning 1958 modern home in Sherman Oaks, CA, which he snapped up for $1.825 million.

This is a beautiful piece of real estate, and while I may question Shia's taste in movie roles, I'm not arguing with his taste in midcentury homes. With massive expanses of glass throughout, the 2,463-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 4-bathroom home makes up in charm what it lacks in ostentation.

To take the full tour, read more.

While I'm not so sure about the saltillo tile floors throughout much of the living space, I'm a fan of almost everything else about this home. I covet the L-shaped pool, the expansive kitchen, and the paneled ceilings. I can't wait to see how Shia dresses this place up - hopefully he'll restrain from hanging framed posters from Transformers.

View 17 Photos ›

Source

Ask Casa: Where Can I Find This Chair?

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Dear Casa,

We're currently shopping for a new dining room set, and I've been searching for chairs similar to your office chair. i think it would be a great way to keep the space open and deter from the high back chairs that come with all the Mission/ Shaker tables we like. Do you know the manufacturer or style? Most furniture stores don't understand what I'm trying to describe. Your insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Meghan

To see my answer for Meghan, read more.

Hi Meghan,

Thanks for saying kind words about my office chair; it's a favorite of mine (read the crazy backstory about this chair's origins here, if you're curious). The chair was designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball in the 1950s, and is made of maple. Not only is it handsome, it's also very comfortable. I think it would be a great choice for your dining room. While these chairs can go for quite a bit of money (two are on 1st Dibs right now for $950), I'd do some snooping around to see if you can't find anything cheaper. Look at antique stores, on eBay, at flea markets, and on Craigslist. There's actually a set of six Russel Wright chairs and a dining table on sale for $2,995 right now on eBay.

If you want to buy something off the rack, so to speak, you can also check out my finds below.

Good luck chair hunting!
Casa

Salt Chair - $98.00	Ikea Stockholm Chair - $99.99
Halden Side Chair Beech - $249.00	Osaka Round Back Armchair - $119.99
Kyoto Chair - $125.00	Wegner Wishbone Chair in Black - $699.00
Knoll straight chair - $634.00	Carl Hansen & Son ch20 elbow chair - quick ship - $980.00

Who Designed This Chair?

CasaSugar — Sun, 12 Jul 2009 05:30:33 -0700

While it's not meant for use as outdoor furniture, this chair looks so luxurious on this deck. Which famous mid-century designer is responsible for its classic design?

Found It! Aleksandr Petrovsky's Dining Room Chairs

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 10:00:11 -0700

I recently saw a few re-runs from season six of Sex and the City, and I was blown away, yet again, by Aleksandr Petrovsky's chic Manhattan loft apartment. From the to-die-for views to the sheer size of the place, it's utterly crave worthy.

In this scene, from episode 92, "Splat!" Aleksandr and Carrie's dinner party isn't going very smoothly, to say the least. SATC fans will recall that talk of vibrators and Billy Joel do not impress Aleksandr, and Carrie's pals all write him off as a snob. However, one element of the dinner party that everyone can agree on (in my humble opinion) is the fabulousness of the dining room chairs.

Want to know where to find them? Then read more.

They're the Cherner Side Chairs ($679) in walnut. Reproductions of the 1958 original, which was designed by Norman Cherner, the side chair features a molded plywood seat constructed from laminated plywood in graduated thickness. The chair is a true classic of modern design, and absolutely beautiful. See? Petrovsky might be a snob, but he's a snob with great taste.

Photo courtesy of HBO

Coveted Crib: The Miller House

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:00:53 -0700

While most people associate Indiana with corn fields and basketball, there's amazing modern design to be found in this Midwestern state as well. Take the Miller House in Columbus, IN. Commissioned by J. Irwin Miller, a banker and industrialist, this family home was one of the few private residences designed by Eero Saarinen.

With interior decorating provided by Alexander Girard, and landscaping courtesy of legendary landscape architect Dan Kiley, this home is a stunning example of modern design. While the home has a minimalist, open look, Saarinen made allowances for private space. In the article "Indiana Modern," Martin Fuller notes that "Saarinen 'zoned' the interiors by consigning private functions to self-contained units in the outer corners: widely separated bedroom suites for the owners, their children, and guests, with the kitchen and other services in the fourth quadrant."

To see more photos of this home, and to hear about my favorite aspect of this property, read more.

While I love the interiors, including the gorgeous Alexander Girard-designed upholstery and rugs, my eyes stray to the exterior of the Miller House. The landscape's geometric, room-like trees, paths, and hedges are a perfect echo of the home's design. At the same time, however, the landscaping makes its own strong, beautiful statement. For more photos of this home and to find out what role the Indianapolis Museum of Art plays in this home's future, check out the whole article.

View 5 Photos ›

Source

Su Casa: A Cool and Modern Sunroom

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 08:00:16 -0700

Su Casa member Nikolem2 recently posted photos of her gorgeous sunroom, and I love her mix of furnishings, as well as the color palette she used.

She writes, "These are photos of the sunroom in my 1920s bungalow. After living in this house for almost two years and working on collecting furniture and making it our own, this is our first truly completed room! It has a mix of truly vintage furniture, new furniture with a vintage feel, and some modern touches."

There's so much I love about this room, from the restrained use of color to the pop of turquoise thanks to the Eames rocker in the corner. I'm also coveting her midcentury-modern stereo cabinet. For more photos of the room, read more.

View 8 Photos ›

On the Market: A Frank Lloyd Wright Home in Central California

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 12:00:51 -0700

If you have a love for midcentury architecture and $2.7 million to spare, then consider moving to California's Central Valley to live in the beautiful, wonderfully maintained Fawcett House. This 3,700-square-foot home was designed by the famous modern architect Frank Lloyd Wright in 1955, and it was completed in 1961, two years after Wright died. The six-bedroom, four-and-a-half bath home is situated on 80 acres, and hunkers down into the farming landscape, with a low-pitched roof and angular wings that reach out into the fields.

The home was owned by Randall and Harriet Fawcett, who raised four children lived, worked, and died within its walls. The couple were ardent lovers of Wright's architecture, and even though the home's construction was delayed by a few years, they were always enthusiastic about their house.

To see interior and exterior photos of the Fawcett house, read more.

Designed in a modified U-shape, the home's rooms feature Wright's signature designs, including stained glass windows, concrete walls, built-ins, and expansive walls of glass that look out onto the home's swimming pool and gardens. The impressively large living room fireplace dominates the room, at six feet tall by twelve feet wide. The home also features woodwork from George Nakashima, as well as gorgeous Japanese garden design from Fresno-based landscape architect Jim Kamimato.

A recent San Francisco Chronicle article notes that

The building, while not among Wright's best known, is an articulate expression of his design philosophy at the latter stage of his career. He was attempting to create a uniquely North American architectural lexicon, free from classical and European influences, that also eliminated unnecessary elements to ensure homes were within reach of the middle (or at least upper-middle) class.

Interested? Contact the Fawcett House for information on touring or purchasing the house.

View 22 Photos ›

Source

Get the Look: Revolutionary Road

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 06:15:44 -0800

Among the many reasons to see Revolutionary Road - stellar performances, dark humor, a haunting story - I managed to find another: the stunning interiors inhabited by Frank and April Wheeler (played by Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet). Set in 1955, the movie, much like Mad Men, captures a bygone era with authentic pieces that still look oh-so-stylish.

I found myself coveting just about every chair in the Wheelers' living room, not to mention the adorable accents in their kitchen. The story may be tragic, but the decor is a delight. For my recommendations on how to get the look in your rooms, read more.

Both the formal living room and the more casual sitting area incorporate near-neutral tones with hints of pale color. I love the way everything coordinates but isn't too matchy-matchy; notice how the room above mixes pale and dark woods.

The kitchen is bright and clean, with white walls, blond cabinets, and pale blue pots. But a darker wooden dining table and round-backed chairs add an unexpected studiousness to the space.

Oval Back Dining Chair - $159.00	Harvest Table - $2,900.00
Ceramic & Stainless-Steel Storage Collection - $26.00	Striped Cafe Curtain - $19.00
De La Espada 006 atlantico sideboard - $4,495.00	Martha Stewart Collection Blue Enameled Cast Iron Round Pot, 7 Qt. - $119.99
Martha Stewart Collection Blue Colander, 5 Qt. - $22.99	Alessi Bombe Miniature Teapot - $30.00
Vic Firth Mario Batali 7" Walnut Mills - $37.00

Photos courtesy of Paramount Vantage

Desire/Acquire: Modern Sideboard

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 05:30:07 -0800

A sideboard is an incredibly useful piece of furniture. At large dinner parties, it can be used as an additional serving area, or even as a temporary cocktail bar. And in everyday living, it adds attractive storage space for your finer dishes and table linens. A modern sideboard can easily fit into a number of decorating schemes, and its sleek lines and simple silhouette make a natural addition to many a dining room.

The 006 Atlantico Sideboard ($3,295) is available in American white oak, American cherry, or walnut finishes, and features tapered legs and a long and lean profile. Sliding doors access three storage drawers on one side, and a central shelf on the other side allows for the inclusion of larger items, such as serving bowls. It's definitely a gorgeous, well-made piece, and it's also worth noting that the Atlantico, which is made by Portugeuse furniture company De La Espada, sources all wood from sustainable forests.

For a more affordable option, read more.

The Simply Modern Sideboard (on sale for $899, originally $1,599), embodies a classic mid-century modern style. Its walnut veneers create a handsome, rich surface. Four doors, layered in veneers, provide access to deep storage space for all of your dinner party needs.

Guess Who Designed This?

CasaSugar — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 08:30:13 -0800

This chair was designed by a very famous mid-century designer whose home I recently featured on CasaSugar. Can you name the designer?

Simply Modern Glass Coffee Table - $699.00	Surya "Naya" NY-5070 Ivory Beige Area Rug - $140.00
Mina Chair in Moore Spice - $699.00	Reese 85\" Sofa in Troy Flax - $1,200.00
Seascape Lighting Penelope Table Lamp - $230.00	Seascape Lighting Phil Table Lamp - $250.00
Knoll risom square side table - $460.00	Quinn Chair in Bezel Spice - $749.00
Hutton 98\" Two-Cushion Sofa in Vance Cloud - $1,799.00	Cappellini - cappellini low pad chair by jasper morrison - $1,492.00