CasaSugar

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 11:00:52 -0800

Would you install a private screening room in your home with comfy chairs, recessed lighting, and a projection screen for watching movies?

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Found It! Gossip Girl Diamond Nailhead Folding Screen

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 15:00:25 -0700

In last night's episode of Gossip Girl, I couldn't take my eyes off of the diamond-pattern nailhead folding screen that Serena stands in front of. It's gorgeous, isn't it? A bit Hollywood regency, a bit classic, a bit masculine. I've been looking for a screen like this for ages, so I simply had to hunt it down. Wondering where you can buy one? Then read more.

It's the Faux Leather Divider ($379.99) in black with nailhead triple diamond outlines.

I'm also really loving the Four-Panel Full House Room Divider ($379.99), which is very similar. It's ivory instead of black and has an overlapping-squares pattern instead of diamonds.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Former Fixer-Upper of DJ AM Is For Sale

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:30 -0800

The former Beverly Hills home of the late DJ AM has been listed for $3.8 million. The 4-bedroom, 4.5-bath midcentury home is private and gated with both canyon and city views. It boasts "rich mahogany floors, custom built-in theater, Crestron system, and flat-screen TVs throughout, two-sided fireplace, office, large kitchen with stainless steel appliances and carrerra marble countertops," according to the listing.

AM purchased the property for $1.9 million in the Spring of 2007, and made some wonderful changes to it before his death. I love how he landscaped the pool with grass and slate tiles to complement its prismatic shape and chime in on its modern aesthetic. When he bought the property there were also some awful Ionic columns out front, which were completely amiss with the midcentury architecture, and it looks like he replaced them with something simple or just covered them up with shrubbery. He also added one and one-half bathrooms. He modernized the two-sided fireplace in the living room and had a custom built-in theater built above it. And I suspect he installed a television which rises from the foot of bed. It's unfortunate that he wasn't able to see the profits of his terrific renovations.

To look at photos from before and after he renovated, read more.

Before:

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After:

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Meg Ryan Reduces the Price of Her Bel-Air Mansion

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:00:11 -0700

Nearly a year ago to date, I let you know that Meg Ryan had listed her six-bedroom, seven-bath Bel-Air home for the tune of $19.5 million. With no bites, she took it off the market in February. Now, she's relisted the property with a new real estate agent, knocking the price down to $14.2 million. Even though Meg's been reeling in the big-screen bucks since the '80s, I suspect that even for her, a $5 million loss makes a difference. Think of all the Joe Versus the Volcano-style vacations she could take with that moola!

The listing for the Holmby Hills-area Spanish-style compound reads:

Museum quality restoration of a classic Spanish estate sited on promontory with wide open city and ocean views across layers of greenery. Wonderful arches, resort-like grounds and complete privacy. Stenciled and painted wood ceilings, tiles, ironwork, rich wood floors, doors and windows, arches, etc. French doors throughout open to loggia, dining pavilion, expansive lawn and pool. Stunning kitchen, generous living room and dining room, separate bar room, two family rooms and screening room.

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

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How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks" - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Coveted Crib: Julianne Moore's West Village Townhouse

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 06:15:00 -0700

You may remember Julianne Moore's living room, which was featured in Domino, and which she actually designed herself. That's right: the girl's got talent that extends beyond the silver screen and into her silver sitting room! Proof of that design skill set is Moore's very own West Village townhouse, which is on the market for $12 million.

The late 1800s home has been meticulously renovated, retaining original architectural details like crown moldings and wide plank floors, but was updated with the latest modern amenities. Moore chose my favorite color as of late - gray - as a base for several rooms. Overall, the rooms look well-traveled (heavy on the Japanese designs), a bit rustic, and comfortably polished. Who knows where she's moving, but suspicion tells me she's looking for another design project. Prepare to salivate when you see photos . . .

Crave Worthy: Oly Studio Jordan Entertainment Console

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 07:00:59 -0700

In general, the words "entertainment console" conjure visions of bachelor pad-style black tempered glass TV stands you'd pick up at Best Buy with your flat screen. Why people find it acceptable to ignore the rest of their decor when choosing entertainment storage is beyond me. But, I will admit it can be difficult to find stylish TV furniture. If only beauties like the Oly Studio Jordan Entertainment Console (inquire for price) were more pervasive, living rooms everywhere might get a face lift. Its sliding doors are ideal for concealing the spines of all those Sex and the City DVD box sets you own. I love the weathered look of its light brown finish and its clean-lined, well-balanced shape. What do you think?

7 Steps to Becoming Your Own Decorator, Step 5: Measure and Plan

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:07 -0700

You're well on your way to becoming your own decorator. The next step is to measure and plan, something that educated interior designers are experts at. In fact, most interior design schools require that you draw a scaled design plan as part of the application process. To find out how to measure and plan, read more.

First, take measurements of all of your furniture, rugs, and larger accessories you're going to keep. Then, either using some graph paper and pencils or an online interior design software like Floorplanner, draw out a floor plan for your room. If you use paper, it helps to cut each furnishing out, so you can move them around. Play with various arrangements, thinking about things like lighting and glare, focal points (TV, fireplace), and seating arrangements. Keep your lifestyle in mind. If you have a lot of cocktail parties, you'll want to center your living room seating around a coffee table. If you're more of a popcorn and TV family, you'll want you seating to face your flat screen. Once you've arranged your existing furnishings, take note of what should be on your shopping list!

Before and After: Maebyfunke's Darling DwellStudio Bedroom

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 08:00:44 -0700

Two weeks ago, Maebyfunke asked me for advice on painting her bedroom to match her new DwellStudio Regency Bedding. I advised her to try a soft color, such as a cool, blueish green or a warm, pale yellow.

Well, Maebyfunke made quick work of repainting her bedroom. Here's how her bedroom looked before she started painting. Curious as to see what color she ended up with? Find out when you read more.

Maebyfunke explains, "I ended up going with a pale grayish blue (this is after I tried a pale mauve which turned out bright lavender up on the wall...think girl's nursery lavender - not what I was going for). The shade is called Yarmouth Blue from Benjamin Moore. I think it really makes the inside of the design on the bedding pop."

Regarding the rest of the room, Maebyfunke writes, "I got the headboard from a rummage sale for $12. It's a room divider/screen with removable picture frames. I removed the picture frames that slipped into each square hole and spray painted everything silver. Then I decided to put the frames up on the wall instead of back in the screen. I had two lamps from ikea that I just mounted to the headboard - instant reading lamps."

I love the Yarmouth Blue, and the screen looks very cool as a headboard. Nice work, Maebyfunke!

Gossip Girl Producer Sells in Los Feliz

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 11:00:56 -0700

Josh Schwartz, who's best known for producing and writing shows such as Gossip Girl, The OC, and Chuck, has sold his Los Feliz, CA, home for $2.15 million.

The beautiful 1928 home was originally listed in April for $2.4 million. Given that other celebs have been forced to lower their prices by close to half a million, this price drop doesn't seem particularly harsh, especially given the real estate market's current woes.

The house itself is absolutely lovely, with great bones and much of its original Spanish detailing. Updates like tropically landscaped outdoors areas, a koi pond, heated pool, and a grotto spa perfectly accent the charming house's Spanish-style edifice. Inside the 3,468-square-foot home, the new owner (who's the former creative director for 7 For All Mankind), can enjoy such features as vaulted ceilings, a downstairs screening room, Saltillo tile floors, five bedrooms, five-and-a-half baths, and numerous fireplaces. I also love that this home's library has a sliding bookshelf that opens to the wine cellar. Overall, this is one of the more charming celebrity homes I've seen in a good while.

Want to take the full tour? See lots and lots of photos when you read more.

View 36 Photos ›

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