CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Using Cabbage as a Centerpiece

CasaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:48 -0700

Glass vases are chic and timeless, but sometimes you need to stir things up a bit. And when you've used every old coffee pot and vessel you can think of, look to your kitchen or garden. Real Simple looked at a head of cabbage with an inventive eye, and decided to use it as a centerpiece. After cutting an opening into the top of each cabbage, they fit a piece of saturated floral foam inside, turning the produce into a vase! I love how they chose purple flowers to match the hue of the cabbage; it really makes a statement. For full instructions, go here.

5 Ways to Decorate a Non-Working Fireplace

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 12:00:00 -0800

There are a lot of fireplaces out there that have been closed up and cautious landlords who don't permit using working ones. Even for those of us who can use our fireplaces, they sit untouched at least six months of the year. Well, after you've taken my lesson on cleaning your fireplace, there are a few things you can do to spruce up your hearth and keep it looking from barren. Real Simple recommends sticking a plant inside your non-working fireplace to "brighten up that black hole." I have a few more ideas, so check out this slideshow to see them!

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How-To: 7 Ways to Repurpose Holiday Cards

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:00:40 -0800

What to do with that fat stack of last year's Christmas cards you've got stashed in a drawer? Well, if they're photo cards, save 'em. But if you've collected some cards with holiday-themed graphics, Real Simple says repurpose them! Cut up that old stationery into festive shapes like stars, Christmas trees, and ornaments. Then, scribe each of your guests name on the paper, hole punch, and tie the place card to your napkin with a ribbon or some red yarn. I have a few of my own holiday card repurposing ideas for you, so read more.

If there is no writing on the backside of your card cover (where the image is), you can cut off the top fold and use it as a postcard, writing your message on the blank back side.
You can slice card covers into four to six different rectangles and use them as gift tags. Punch a hole in the card and slide it onto your ribbon before you tie your bow.
Cut the card covers into festive shapes like Christmas trees, ornaments, and stars. Then punch a hole, and tie a loop through it with ribbon. Then, use it as an ornament on your tree. You can add additional ornamentation with glitter, beading, etc.
Cut the card covers into star shapes and letters to spell out "Merry Christmas." Then, make a garland out of them by stringing them together with red baker's twine, yarn, or ribbon.
Buy a pack of blank note cards. Cut up a few card covers into different shapes or stripes, and collage them with Mod Podge glue onto the front of the blank note card.
Or, you can send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a safe home that rescues abused, abandoned, and neglected children. It runs a 30-year-old recycling card program to benefit the children. The children participate in the program by making new cards removing the front of donated ones and attaching a new back made with recycled paper, and then they are sold. Cards may be donated by sending them to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

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Casa Quickie: TP For Your Tech

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 14:00:16 -0800

I just spied this inventive idea on Real Simple and couldn't help but pass it along, considering that my gadget cords all look like a messy ball of yarn. If you're anything like me, and you've got cords for your camera, iPod, computer, BlackBerry, blow-dryer, speakers, television, DVD player, etc. clogging up your outlets, God bless you. No really, if that's the case, then here's a trick for you. When you've finished a roll of toilet paper, just slide it over a collection of your cords to keep them contained and untangled. Or, you can use it to keep a single cord from coming unwound once you've folded it up for storage. This is particularly a great idea to keep in mind come Dec. 26 when you've got tree lights to store!
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Before and After: Real Simple Meets P.S. 346

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 05:00:44 -0700

The folks over at Real Simple (70 of them, to be exact) recently took part in New York Cares Day, and volunteered at the P.S. 346 elementary school in Brooklyn. In just five hours, they assembled 37 pieces of new Ikea furniture and applied their design expertise to an uninspired multi-purpose room. At the end of the day, the room had been transformed into a stimulating space that looks contemplated and composed. To see the after photo, read more.

Be sure to head over to Simply Stated to hear more about the project and see another photo. Wanna read about more deserving design makeovers? Be sure to check out this slideshow, post, and interview with Vern Yip about his facelift of two Bay Area community centers.
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Casa Quickie: Easy Autumn Display

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:00:00 -0700

To get the look of Fall on your coffee table, dining room table, or fireplace mantel, try this tip from Real Simple. Simply clip some pretty turning leaves from trees in your yard. The leaves should have a bit of stiffness to them, so they can stand up on their own. Next find a pretty container, such as a galvanized-steel ice bucket (as shown here), or a ceramic bowl or urn, and arrange the leaves as you would a floral bouquet. Easy peasy! Source

Making Small Changes Real Simple

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:00:18 -0700

In the latest issue of Real Simple, I spotted an article that was absolutely perfect for this month's theme of Small Changes. "Ready, Set, Redecorate" shows how several families, with the help of redecorators, were able to reimagine their homes by simply rearranging their furnishings. That's right - not a vase, lamp, or frame was added from outside sources. All of the fabulous changes were made by simply rethinking and rearranging. How's that for a cheap thrill?

To see my favorite rearrangement, read more.

My favorite rearrangement was implemented by Dawn Falcone for the Gitonga/Delarama family, whose 12-foot-wide living room needed some rethinking. She moved the sofa out of the corner and gave it a great view - that of the family's fireplace. Another important change she made was to get rid of the massive entertainment cabinet and place the television out of the main sitting space (it's now near the back windows, where family members can watch a show while others visit in the main space). I think it's a great change. How about you?

For all of the other great rearrangements, check out the latest issue of Real Simple.
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This Just In: Maggie Gyllenhaal Makes Time For Housing Charity

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:00:46 -0700

Between shooting films, spending time with her beautiful daughter Ramona, and looking lovely at the The Met's Costume Institute Gala, you'd think that Maggie Gyllenhaal would have her hands full. However, she still has time to give back to the city of New York: Maggie's teamed up with Real Simple and Design on a Dime for the fourth-annual Design on a Dime charity event, which will benefit Housing Works in New York.

Taking place from Thursday, May 8, through Saturday, May 10, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, the Design on a Dime Benefit will feature designers such as Casa favorites Charlotte Moss and Jamie Drake

To see images from past benefits, and to find out how to go, read more.

The Thursday kickoff VIP event will include exclusive preview shopping, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. For tickets go to the Housing Works website. The Friday and Saturday sale is free and open to the public.

All proceeds from Design on a Dime go to Housing Works, New York City’s largest community-based AIDS organization. Founded in 1990, Housing Works provides housing, medical care, job training, and other lifesaving services to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

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How To: Dust

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 07:45:54 -0800

Dusting: a simple, crucial, and often overlooked task of housekeeping. No pointing fingers here, but you may have noticed that letting dust accumulate amounts to a heavy-duty grime job that's not good for your house or your immune system. What you might not know is that new houses are more likely to acquire dust quickly because they don't have the air circulation that older, draftier homes do. To learn a few tips I've picked up from Real Simple on the best way to dust, read more

Ditch the feather duster, and update your cleaning supply with microfiber cloths and a good vacuum with a brush attachment. Microfiber cloths will eliminate most dust and dirt, and the vacuum can pick up the rest from just about any surface.
Dust from high to low. If you've brushed any dust from your high shelves, you can still vanquish it when you hit the floors.
Dust before you disinfect, so you're not just pushing particles around with a mop or sponge later on.
Dust surfaces at eye level regularly with a dry microfiber cloth— at least once a week.
Use a vacuum cleaner brush attachment to dust upholstery or textured wood furniture.

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Casa Quickie: Double Your Closet Space

CasaSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 13:00:39 -0800

I just came across a Real Simple tip that is arguably the simplest way to renew your cramped closet, and I felt obliged to share. Hang a second rod below the existing rod to store short clothing items like scarves, pants, tops, and sexy minis. You don't need a handyman for this installation; you can buy an extendable rod with rubber stopper ends to fit your space perfectly. Or, buy a standard rod that easily screws in.

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