CasaSugar

Open House: Seasonal Storage

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 07:00:35 -0700

It may be officially Fall, but depending on where you live in the country, you may still be spending your time outdoors enjoying the warmth of Summer weather. The temperature is about to drop though, and you'll soon be sporting all of your 2008 Fall apparel and heading indoors for your extracurricular activities. I'm curious though: What you do with your Summer gear when things get chilly? Do you pack up your short shorts and send them to the attic? Do you put your surf board and your tennis racket in storage? Do you pull your heavy sweaters out of a cedar closet? Or, do all of your seasonal possessions have a place in your home year-round? Tell me by commenting below!
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Unfussy Fall Wreaths

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:39:58 -0700

Most of you don't bother much with changing your decor along with the seasons, but I'm always looking for excuses to switch things up and add some new home accents. Right now, I've been on the hunt for a charming and chic wreath that will look autumnal but not old-fashioned.

I'm torn between the sophisticated full foliage options, simple acorn-and-stick adornments like this Smith & Hawken Fall Leaf and Acorn Wreath ($99), or one very cool wreath made out of herbs. Either way, these would look great hanging on a front door, in the kitchen, or in another subtle spot. Do you decorate with wreaths? Check out my finds below and tell me which one you prefer.

How Much Do You Change Your Home Decor With the Seasons?

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 05:15:23 -0700

I've given you a few suggestions for how to prepare your home for fall, and I'm eyeing some rather autumnal must-haves for September. How much do you change your home decor with the seasons?

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Roundup: Weekend DIYs

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 09:00:07 -0800

Time to get your Thanksgiving DIY on! I've found some great seasonal projects that will add feast-day spirit to your casa, as well as a few other projects that are just too lovely to pass up.

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Before and After: A Traditional Swedish Clock Gets an Update

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:10 -0800

Su Casa member dezignerwannabe recently decided to update her traditional Swedish Mora clock. In case you didn't know, these Scandinavian floor clocks were created near the town of Mora, Sweden, around 1750, after bad farming seasons forced the Mora farmers to find another way to earn income. Many of the clocks were decorated with painted faces, but now, hardly any of the original artwork remains on the clocks, and most have been painted over with inferior, rosemaling-type designs.

Since dezignerwannabe wanted to update the look and color of her traditional clock, she decided to go for it, and, as she wrote in the title of her post, "I hope I don't regret it but after so many years it needed an update."

To see the update, read more.

I, for one, can't see how dezignerwannabe would have any regrets over this update. The teal-and-gold paint combination with rosemaling designs was really holding this piece back, and while it stood out, it didn't do so in a positive manner. The real beauty in this piece is its gorgeous shape, and the simple, white paint update that dezignerwannabe gave it allows its beautiful curves to really stand out.

Have you made any updates to any home accents, like a clock, credenza, or cupboard? If so, then share it in the Su Casa group.

How-To: Turn Pumpkins Into Candleholders

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:36 -0800

Your jack-o'-lantern may be rotting on your back porch like mine (oops!), but that's no reason to shun pumpkins altogether. You can make seasonal candle holders that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table from some inexpensive, mini pumpkins from your grocery store or local farmers market. I noticed this little trick within a DIY for making a mini pumpkin centerpiece on Martha Stewart, but I'm not so keen on the entire centerpiece idea. So, to make just the candle holders, you'll need a utility knife, a melon baller, tapered candles, and mini pumpkins. To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how to do it, according to Martha:

First, cut a round hole in the pumpkin's center with a utility knife, enough to hold a candle but not all the way through. You may want to trace the circumference of your taper onto the pumpkin first to make sure your hole isn't too wide.
Then, make space for your tapers by carving the inside out with a melon baller.
Then, slip your taper in.
You can also stack your pumpkin candle holders for a different look. If you do this, you'll want to use two pumpkins about the same size. Carve the top pumpkin all the way through, but leave a base on the bottom one.
Fini! So easy.

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Etsy Finds: Rocking Rugs

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:16 -0800

Need a doormat, wool rug, or other way to add some warmth to your Winter floors this season? There are plenty of options available on Etsy, but I've rounded up some of the best to save you the searching!

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DIY: Advent Calendars

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:00:40 -0800

The anticipation of Christmas facilitated by my mother's advent calendar was always my favorite part of the holiday season growing up. (These days, it's mulled wine.) But I've never been a fan of those store-bought advent calendars where you opened a little paper door each day. They're cute, but certainly not as fun as a calendar filled with treats or activities. The possibilities for making your own advent calendar are endless, but I thought I'd round up a few DIY projects to inspire you (and woo you away from the drugstore variety).

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Roundup: Gifts For the Dark and Elegant Decorator

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 05:30:16 -0800

I'm a huge fan of decorating with bright colors, but some of the most elegant women I know love to decorate with a more stark color scheme, including lots of black. It's an elegant and chic way to decorate, and as long as you add a few pops of color, it doesn't feel too dark and gloomy.

So, for all of you who have gal pals out there who love to decorate with lots of black, I've rounded up a few of the prettiest black accents that I could find online. Pass them on to a girlfriend this holiday season (or keep one for yourself!).

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Roundup: Silver Ornaments

CasaSugar — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 08:30:00 -0800

I love to add a few new ornaments to my holiday tree each year, and this season I'm really loving the metallic sheen of silver baubles. One of my favorites is this set of silver swirl ornaments. They have a great, antiqued look, and would look gorgeous against the dark green needles of your evergreen.

Are you loving the look of these silver ornaments? Check out my other favorites below.

Artecnica Garland Light - Black - $95.00	Bear Doorstop - $24.00
Diptyque Baies Noir Candle - $68.00	Marimekko ® Taikamylly wall hanging - $24.95
Vintage Poster Cognac Wall Art - $24.99	Raised Number Wall Clock - $39.95
A di Alessi Dozi, Magnetic paper clip holder - $24.00	notNeutral - Links Black Vase Set - $22.00
Ljusas Uvas Table Lamp - $39.99	Plush Living - Nook Daisy Silk Pillow - $64.00
looolo Can Can Linen Cushions - $146.00	CB2 one of a find palace portrait painting - $24.95
Black Paisley Serving Platter (14-in.) by Nautica - $29.95	Bjorkefall Candlestick - $5.99
Chilewich Dots Placemats - $6.99	Plush Living - Athena Black Label Pillow - $64.00

Michael Aram Twig Snowflake Christmas Ornament - $29.00	Glass Bird Ornament - $3.50
Metal Angels with Bells Set of Four - $11.80	Etched Mercury Vases - $12.00
3-D Snowflake Ornaments - $8.95	Peace Sign Ornament - $3.95
Silver Swirl Ornaments - $18.00	Barneys New York Old World Standing Deer - $38.00
Silver-Plated Sleigh Bell Christmas Ornament - $38.00	Silver Origami Crane Placecard Holders - $24.00
Horchow Sterling Silver Two Turtle Doves Christmas Ornament - $50.00	Holiday Lane Christmas Ornaments, Tube of 6 Silver Snowflake Balls 3" - $17.00
Kotte Decoration, Ornament - $2.99	Barneys New York Big Apple Ornament- Silver - $44.00
Silly Dog Ornament - $10.00	Orbit Ornament - $4.95