CasaSugar

9 Ways to Decorate With Terra Cotta Pots in the Winter Season

Elka Karl — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 10:00:27 PST

The natural, rustic look of terra cotta pots is such a sweet way to add charm to annual flowers in the Spring season. But terra cotta pots shouldn't just be relegated to the warmer months. There are other ways you can use these pots inside your home - planted and not - throughout the year. Keep clicking for a few ideas.

Casa Verde: Break Up the Terra Cotta

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 10:00:00 PDT

They may know how to grow the lushest shrubs, but even green thumbs are known to break a pot every now and then. When a terra cotta pot bites the dust, don't toss it in the trash. Take the shards and turn them into something useful. Break the bits into small pieces (carefully of course!) and add them to the bottom of other planters. The broken shards will help with drainage and keep plants perfectly moisturized!

Source: Flickr user englishsnow

Guess What This Pot Was Formed With?

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 May 2009 11:00:02 PDT

This terracotta pot was formed using a recycled product that we all have in our recycling bin. You can even use it to make a seed pot in a pinch.

Dress Me Up: Full of Fall

FabSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 08:00:08 PST

Donna Karan's Fall collection is the epitome of Autumn. Warm browns, vivid rust, olive green, terra cotta, mustard, and burgundy were the plush colors the designer used to spice up her line. Now is the perfect time to draw inspiration from it and fill our closets with similar pieces. You can even get inspired from the changing colors of the leaves outside. Stick to one or two colors at most. I've found that gray tights are the perfect accent to any autumnal color. If you're still frazzled, study the Fall collections, see my suggestions below, and be full of Fall.

Source

Buying Guide: Find the Best Planters For Your Garden

Stylelist Home — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:00:34 PDT

We're happy to present a post from one of our favorite sites, Stylelist Home!

Like a great tailored jacket over a casual ensemble, the right planters can instantly "pull together" any outdoor garden space. (Even if it's the size of a postage stamp.) However, getting the right one can be tricky. Planters like metal ones hold water better than porous containers made out of wood, while lightweight plastic pieces are not the sturdiest choice for larger plants. So, we've rounded up the basics you should know about planters.

Keep in mind that the style and size of your planter depends on your garden and the type of plant you're looking to use it for. But, if you're looking for one to amp up the look in your garden, here are some very general things remember when shopping for planters.

A good size. Generally, a good size planter is one that can hold a healthy amount of soil for the plant and also allow room for roots to grow. And, you should see more of the flowering plant than the planter. So, generally a good-sized container is one where the plant is about two times more visible than the actual pot itself.

Consider the materials. Planters made from wood and metal are affordable and easy to move around. Wood is porous so it provides better drainage (since it soaks up water) and it's also more resistant to the elements than metal, which may rust over time. Also, wood planters are generally not used for planting inside directly. Instead, they're great for concealing plastic pots. Because wood planters are so porous, they can get mildewed if not carefully cleaned. But if you have a plant that requires a lot of water, go with metal or plastic, which will keep the water from evaporating. However, metal (as well as dark color planters) absorb more heat, so you'll have to keep a close eye on the plants to make sure the soil doesn't dry out completely. If you're looking to really amp up the look in your garden, go with ceramic or terra-cotta planters, which come in an array of colors. However, these are usually more expensive and are most breakable out of all the materials. On the contrary, lightweight plastic planters are the most cost-effective, but they're also the least sturdy, meaning they're not best-suited for heavier plants nor hold up in harsh weather.

Keep reading for more tips on selecting the best planter for your garden!

Casa Capsule: Trend Forecasting, House Hopping, Clever Organizing, and More!

CasaSugar — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 10:00:40 PST

See the items and destinations that are a must this month.
We flipped over the citrus tones in Maybelline's 2012 calendar.
Tour NYC-based jewelry designer Jennifer Fisher's edgy family home.
Find new ways to decorate with terra cotta pots this weekend.
Get the scoop on trend forecasting for 2012.
Add elegance to a room with distressed antique mirrors.
Kick shoes into shape with genius storage solutions.
Browse our favorite trends from Serena & Lily's Spring 2012 collection.
Get this modern circular artwork on the cheap.

Sugar Shout Out: The Most Anticipated Films of 2012

Mackenzie Wagoner — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 23:55:22 PST

Get the Dish on Different Kinds of Dinnerware

Susannah Chen — Mon, 23 May 2011 03:35:52 PDT

Future newlyweds, are you thinking of investing in a full set of china? It's a big, big porcelain world out there, and there are a few things you should probably know before settling on the perfect set of china. First things first: not all ceramic dinnerware is the same! The quality of china depends on a number of variables, from firing temperatures to clay content - but familiarize yourself with these four categories, and you'll be one step ahead of the game. Learn more when you keep reading.

DIY: Fabric Corkboards

Casa Community — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 06:00:00 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member srnewell from the Su Casa group:

I recently made a couple of fabric-covered corkboards for my office re-do. I started with some beautiful terra cotta geometric fabric. I measured and lined up the fabric. I cut it to size and stapled the fabric tightly over the boards. After completing the fabric portion, I placed nail heads approximately one inch apart for the finish. You can see more of this project on my blog.

Have you been doing any DIY projects lately? Be sure to post your photos and tutorials in the Su Casa group! Has anyone ever tried this project?

Make Seasonal Plants Last Year-Round With Oversize Pots

Elka Karl — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 11:42:03 PDT

Today, Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary posed with their children outside Grasten Castle. The castle grounds are lush and lovely, but come Winter, it will be quite a different scene. Chilly temperatures and snow cover often mean that gardeners give up on planting favorite shrubs or vines that prefer a more temperate climate. In areas like Denmark, New York, Vermont, and other colder climates, jasmine, palms, and other favorites won't deal well with being outside year-round. Take a tip from the Danish royals and plant your favorite mild-temperature-loving outdoor plants in oversize pots. This way, you can move them indoors when the seasons change. To make things easier on your back, make sure to borrow a hand truck to transport plants from outdoors to indoors at the first sign of frost. Keep reading to see what famous Midwestern designer has used this same gardening technique.