CasaSugar

Ikea Offers to Furnish Narrowest House in New York

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:06 -0700

Last month, the "narrowest house in New York City" went on sale for $2.7 million, and it's still on the market. The terrifically narrow brick building, which was built in 1873, is located in Greenwich Village and built into an alley.

Now, Ikea's offering the future buyers of this squeezed-for-space home free design expertise and $10,000 in furniture.

"We know that space is at a premium in most homes and especially in this particular home. In fact, the Huffington Post quoted the real estate broker saying that you'd have to be 'clever in how you decorate' it," noted Janice Simonsen, Ikea design expert and spokesperson, in a press release. "We're so in love with small spaces that we're putting an offer on the table, albeit a skinny table – free furniture and design expertise to the eventual buyers."

Would the offer of free design advice and $10K worth of furniture from Ikea prompt you to buy this narrow and multimillion dollar home?

Source

Milla Jovovich Hawks Her West Village Townhouse

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 09:00:08 -0700

Milla Jovovich has apparently tired of only selling clothes and decided to sell real estate as well. Her own, that is. The model-cum-fashion-designer has listed her four-bedroom, two-bath West Village townhouse on the market for $7 million. The Greek revival townhouse features a lush garden, cast-iron railings, mahogany banisters, stone heated floors, exposed beams, a terrace, a master suite with a grand bath, sitting/dressing room, walk-in closets behind mirrored French doors, a solarium, and five fireplaces throughout. There's no word on where Jovovich will be moving, but I'd assume her engagement to film writer and director Paul W. S. Anderson, and the recent birth of her daughter, Ever Gabo Anderson, has something to do with it. To see interior photos, read more.

View 5 Photos ›

Source and Source

Get the Look: Topshop New York

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Yesterday, UK clothing chain Topshop opened its first stateside outpost in New York City, kicking things off with a new Spring/Summer '09 collection designed by Kate Moss. Of course, the racks are filled with fashionable gear, but the store itself is also furnished to the max in quirky Brit style. I'm loving the modern rock 'n roll edge of this dressing room corner, so I thought I'd try to re-create the look. To see my finds, read more.

For the wallpaper, I went straight to stylish British wallpaper company Graham & Brown. The Chantilly Wallpaper ($60) isn't a perfect match, but it's a close runnerup, with the same sexy, stormy vibe.

You can learn to make your own record bowl in my rockin' DIY here.

For more furnishings to help you get this polished Brit-punk look, check out this widget:

Graham and Brown Barbara Hulanicki Wallpaper - Viva pattern - in Black Gloss - $60.00	Moooi - pig table by front for moooi - $2,277.00
Noguchi Table in Black by Herman Miller - $1,349.00	Dupioni Silk Pole Pocket Drape - $109.00
Ibride Sultan Red Dog Stool - $350.00	Ritva Pair Of Curtains With Tie-backs - $29.99
40x30 Infinity Mirror in Stainless Steel - $349.00	ludwig mies van der rohe Barcelona® Stool - $2,046.00
Knoll barcelona chair - chrome plated - $4,328.00

Source

Ask Casa: A Backstage Sitting Room

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 09:00:17 -0700

Hey Casa,
I've been loving all of your bedroom ideas lately! Since I am currently thinking of redoing my bedroom and sitting room, I was hoping you'd be able to help me with some imagery or ideas. I want darker walls, vintage movie posters, and a dresser like the ones they use "backstage" in movies with rows of light bulbs. I'd like to incorporate a bit of a Broadway theme into my room. I want the sitting room to be colorful and crazy, but still comfortable and cool. Do you have any thoughts for me?
Thanks,
Elle

To hear my suggestions for Elle, read more.

Hi Elle,
You've imagined a very inspired space. How fun!

I assume when you say "dresser" you mean a vanity, where you sit down to get all dolled up. I've gone ahead and rounded up a bunch of furniture to help you achieve this look you've dreamed up. First, you'll need that vanity, and I've selected a few for you. I think a dark wood one would be ideal, but you can always paint a more affordable white one. If the vanity you choose doesn't come with a mirror, I've picked one for you. If you want the real thing, check out this 1970s Mirror From a Dressing Room in the Moulin Rouge ($750).

Beside the mirror, you'll want to install bathroom light bars on the wall. Depending on the size you want, you can find them at Bathroom Lighting Source for $37.50 to $93.50.

For seating, go with a tufted velvet stool for your vanity and a relaxing fainting sofa. Set a mirrored coffee table beside it. Velvet curtains will coordinate and add glamour. To achieve that "crazy" quality you're aiming for, choose a theatrical rug, which will become the focal point of the room.

I'm partial to original movie posters, and MoviePoster.com is a great source for them. Pick a few of your favorites and have them framed. Try La Dolce Vita ($16), Barbarella ($16), My Fair Lady ($15), or Lolita ($16) to add some color and spice.

Source

Home Away From Home: Gwyneth Paltrow's Fave NYC Hotels

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 12:08:28 -0800

In today's edition of Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletter, she has offered six of her favorite hotels in New York City to her readers, should they be planning a trip to the Big Apple anytime soon. So, I thought I'd offer a little of my design insight on each locale. Paltrow says she's stayed in all but one of them, as she's been redecorating her apartment for a year or so. Considering how stunning her Hamptons digs are, I'm sure her NYC apartment will be worth the wait! To see which spots made it to Gwyneth's top six, check out this slideshow! Not interested in NYC? Here are Gwyneth's fave Los Angeles hotels. Source and Source

View Slideshow ›

Guess Who Wants to Live in Central Park?

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:00:00 -0700

When asked of his dream NY address, a celebrated interior designer recently told Page Six Magazine, "If I could, I would create a house in Central Park. It would look like a tree and be invisible to passersby. And, yes, I recognize what a selfish gesture it would be." Can you guess who it was?

In the News: Something to Bank On

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 08:30:27 -0700

New York magazine's "The 72-Room Bohemian Dream House" unveils what is perhaps "the greatest real-estate coup of all time": 190 Bowery Street. In 1966, thanks to much pressure from his real estate agent, photographer Jay Maisel scrounged up enough money, $102,000 to be exact, to purchase the abandoned 1898 Germania Bank building in Manhattan's Bowery district, which then was largely middle-class and German and by no means a "hot" neighborhood. 42 years, Meisel still lives there with his wife, Linda, and daughter, Amanda. The six-story building, which measures around 35,000 square feet, is now valued upward of $30 million. The first three floors are used as gallery spaces. Although Maisel hasn't let a broker set foot in the building, one agent said, "I would do anything to get that building." The building has undergone no major changes to its interior, and maintains many of its original features including the safe-deposit vault, an ornate copper elevator cage, a verdigris-coated copper roof trim, tin ceiling and wall tiles, and the bank's original kitchen, which was once used by staff who cooked for the bankers. Talk about a good investment! Check out the article for more details and a slideshow of the space.
Source

This Just In: Versace to Design NYC Clock Tower Interiors

CasaSugar — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 14:00:46 -0700

Donatella Versace has been contracted to redesign the interiors of Manhattan's Clock Tower Building on 5th Avenue, according to the New York Observer. Once the MetLife building, the Clock Tower is being transformed into a 55-unit condo building by international holding and investment company, Africa Israel. Rotem Rosen, the company's CEO, told the Observer that the building is shaping up to be "the highest-end residential building in New York." He said, "the whole interior design of [the Clock Tower will be] Versace, from the lobby to the spa to the restaurant designed specifically by Donatella herself. Everything inside will be 100-percent Versace design." The building's restaurant club will be the world's first designed specifically by Donatella, and the rest of the building will be designed by the Versace Group.There's more to learn about this luxe megaplex, so read more.

The units have yet to be sold (or constructed) but Africa Israel is expecting a lot of excitement from Russians, who make up a lot their client base and love Versace as well as "top celebrities." Aside from Donatella Versace herself and her daughter, he declined to comment on which celebrities had plans to live there, but he did say, "To give you an idea we connected with Versace through Guy Oseary." Guy Oseary is the CEO of Maverick Records and a talent manager, whose clients include Madonna, Lenny Kravitz, Katharine McPhee, and Alex Rodriguez.

According to Reuters, "Africa Israel paid $200 million for the Clock Tower building last year," and the "completed complex is expected to be worth about $1 billion." The penthouse alone will be over 10,700 square feet. Yowsers! Tell me, would you like your pad to be designed by Versace?
Source

This Just In: Scarlett Johansson Makes a Midtown Move

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:45:38 -0700

Remember how Scarlett Johansson sold her TriBeCa loft? Well, you didn't think she'd stay in a hotel her whole life now, did you? Course not. According to Big Time, she has purchased a four-room penthouse in Midtown Manhattan for $2.1 million. The listing for the 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo reads:

Triple Mint Penthouse designed by architect/owner with the most discriminating taste! Elegant and simple with clean lines, top-of-line finishes, and an extraordinary chef's kitchen. In addition, both bathrooms are exceptionally renovated with stone and wood. The terrace is large and beautifully landscaped and features open city views. Additionally, there is a lovely greenhouse off the bedroom. Superb closets and much more!

Sounds pretty fabulous to me. Those open city views are certainly an exceptional selling point. Maybe she can have deal hunter Nick Olsen who lives nearby come over for a design consultation, or just stop by the MoMa in the 'hood for some interior inspiration . . .
To see interior photos of Scarlett's new apartment, read more.

View 14 Photos ›

Source and Source

Casa Verde: Waste Management, One Man's Trash

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:00:22 -0700

Justin Gignac, a graduate of New York's School of Visual Arts, picks up trash off of the streets of New York City. But, you won't find him in a sanitation department uniform. He actually fills bags with subway passes, Broadway tickets, coffee cups, phone book pages, and other NYC junk and carefully arranges them in plastic cubes, which are then signed, numbered, and dated in slick Helvetica typeface and sells them for 50 smackers — "making them perfect for anyone who wants their own piece of the NYC landscape," he says. Gignac has sold over 1,000 of his trash cubes, each unique, leak-free, and smell-free. The initiative to repurpose trash spawned from a conversation with a colleague who said package design wasn't important; "I figured the only way to prove them wrong would be to try to package something that absolutely nobody in their right mind would ever want to buy," he rebutted. A fresh way to look at recycling . . . or exporting: his cubes can now be found in 41 states and 91 countries.
Source

Portman Vanity with Mirror Espresso - $1,370.00	Plum Ottoman - $820.00
2Modern & Emma Gardner - Blossom Rug - $995.00	Tufted Chaise - $2,399.00
"Trevi" Mirrored Cocktail Table - $569.00	Bussolari - apollo round table by bussolari - $590.00
Velvet Drape - Select Items - $249.00	Mirrored Vanity & Stool - $470.00
Loft 30x40 Mirror in Ebony - $349.00	Greta Table - $245.00
Meredith Smart Technology™ Vanity Desk - $499.00	Vinstra Dressing Table With Mirror - $249.00
"Modern Phoenix" Rug - $229.00	Gandia Blasco Flower Red 5x8 Rug - $2,030.00
"Mum Falls" Rug - $99.00	Classic Wall Mirror - $265.00
Treasure Trove Vanity - $998.00	Crosby Stool - $1,550.00