CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Reshaping Wood 2.0 Table

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:00:19 -0700

I was drooling over the dining room tables on Shop-A-Matic today when I came across this Reshaping Wood 2.0 by Jo Meesters Dining Table ($6,500) available at The Future Perfect. In a category that tends to be pretty tame, this bold yet delicate table could dominate a dinner conversation. It's like a hip, edgier take on Brocade Home. What do you think?

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Trend Alert: Reimagined Hunting Trophies

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:00:33 -0700

I'm willing to bet that most of you don't decorate with hunting trophies - those stuffed deer heads and mounted antlers typically found in lodges. I, for one, would never dream of hanging a deer head in my house. But I love that so many modern designers are reinterpreting the iconic look with antler-adorned accents.

From super-high end antler chandeliers - like the famed $1,500 fixture from The Future Perfect - to cheeky $10 wall plaques, there's a piece of hunting-inspired home decor to suit almost every style. Check out some of my favorite finds by clicking on the photos belows, and please, tell me what you think of this off-kilter look.

Coveted Crib: The Miller House

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:00:53 -0700

While most people associate Indiana with corn fields and basketball, there's amazing modern design to be found in this Midwestern state as well. Take the Miller House in Columbus, IN. Commissioned by J. Irwin Miller, a banker and industrialist, this family home was one of the few private residences designed by Eero Saarinen.

With interior decorating provided by Alexander Girard, and landscaping courtesy of legendary landscape architect Dan Kiley, this home is a stunning example of modern design. While the home has a minimalist, open look, Saarinen made allowances for private space. In the article "Indiana Modern," Martin Fuller notes that "Saarinen 'zoned' the interiors by consigning private functions to self-contained units in the outer corners: widely separated bedroom suites for the owners, their children, and guests, with the kitchen and other services in the fourth quadrant."

To see more photos of this home, and to hear about my favorite aspect of this property, read more.

While I love the interiors, including the gorgeous Alexander Girard-designed upholstery and rugs, my eyes stray to the exterior of the Miller House. The landscape's geometric, room-like trees, paths, and hedges are a perfect echo of the home's design. At the same time, however, the landscaping makes its own strong, beautiful statement. For more photos of this home and to find out what role the Indianapolis Museum of Art plays in this home's future, check out the whole article.

View 5 Photos ›

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How-To: Spring Organize Your Entryway

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your entry, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your entry, read more.

Relocate unnecessary furniture cluttering the space, as well as Winter clothing and boots you won’t need until next season. Furniture is likely unnecessary if you don't use it, or if it makes it difficult to move through the entryway.
Donate multiples of jackets, equipment, and other clothing. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail. (Or, try turning it into art.) To prevent future junk mail, get your name removed from mailing lists.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. But before you put it in the garbage, make sure that it's really garbage. For instance, lightweight, worn-out jackets can be cut into pieces for cleaning rags.
Add cabinets, baskets, or cubbies for jackets and shoes, a blackboard or corkboard for leaving messages, and a mirror. Check out my ideas for new organizational furniture below!

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How-To: Five Green Tips For Getting Rid of Wrapping Paper

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Dec 2008 05:30:55 -0800

The stockings may have been hung by the chimney with care, and all of your carefully chosen presents may have been perfectly wrapped, but when gift-opening time starts, you're sure to be left with a mound of paper. But don't throw it away! Here are some ways to make sure that the holiday paper doesn't go to waste this morning.

Ask a family member to gather all of the reusable paper, bows, ribbons, and boxes while the presents are being unwrapped. Stack these items in a neat pile, and then save them in a sturdy box, so they can be used again next year.
Save any packaging materials, such as packaging peanuts or foam, for mailing future packages. Alternately, you can take them to a packaging store.
Save paper for future projects, such as paper-making with children. You can also stock children's craft boxes with paper. You can iron the paper at a very low heat to get the wrinkles out.
Recycle any gift wrap that's too damaged to be reused.
Make sure to use recycled-content wrapping paper next holiday season!

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Casa Interview: Trish Beaudet From Design Star

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:00:14 -0700

If you've been watching Design Star, you know that we're down to the last two contestants. Last week's episode was a great challenge, with Matt, Trish, and Jen designing rooms for their family members. I thought that Trish's room was a perfect space for her parents, and definitely took their needs into consideration. Even so, she was the latest designer to leave the show.

Trish was kind enough to chat with me about her experience on the show, and to fill me in on her future plans.

CasaSugar: What was your favorite challenge?

Trish: My favorite challenge was the Sara Evans Suite Challenge.

CasaSugar: Who was one of your favorite designers to work with?

Trish: Hands down Mikey V. Mikey is a great designer. I love his work ethic and his ability to get the job done. Mikey and I approach projects in the same manner. We instantly know what we want to do, make a plan, and quickly get it done.

To see what else Trish has to say, including her future design plans, read more.

CasaSugar: I loved the redesign of your parents’ home. It seemed perfect for them! Did you find that decorating for your clients’ expectations sometimes made it difficult to fulfill the judges’ criteria? What did you think was the most important part of the design, ultimately?

Trish: Thank you so much!! I found it very difficult to create a room that my parents would love and please the judges at the same time. I love creating modern-glam spaces, and I knew that this was something that the judges really wanted to see from me. I knew though that my parents would not have liked that type of design since they are very traditional. I knew that the right thing to do was to follow my heart and give my parents the room that they would truly love, even knowing that it would cause me to be eliminated. I would have liked to change the layout in the space, but I know too well how my parents use their room and the current layout really fits their needs. I tried different layouts, but it always compromised my dad and how he uses the room. I feel that installing the manufactured hardwood and encasing the fireplace really changed the look of the space. The most important part of the design, besides these two elements, was creating a room that my parents love. I think that as a designer, it's our job to inspire our clients with our designs. My parents love the room so much, they are continuing the design inspiration throughout the rest of their home.

CasaSugar: You are, as the judges have said, great on camera. Who else on the show (eliminated or not) did you think had a great camera/screen presence?

Trish: Thanks again! I would have to say that both Jen and Matt are very comfortable in front of the camera.

CasaSugar: If there was one design element from one of the challenges that you could go back and change, what would it be?

Trish: I try not to live my life in what ifs or should haves, but if I had the chance, I would make my room in the Oaklawn Challenge modern. I think it would have shown the judges just how versatile I am and that I can rock a mod room.

CasaSugar: Whose designs do you think were undervalued in the show?

Trish: I personally think that Mikey V wasn't give the credit for some of the amazing ideas he had during the challenges. I think that most people think that Mikey just builds, but he has an amazing eye for design.

CasaSugar: What are your future design plans?

Trish: My business partner Shannon and I have been very busy lately working with our existing clients and new clients here in Michigan. We have been expanding our design into the commercial area as well. I would love to explore the possibilities of doing something on TV. I would love to have a show with Mikey V one day. I envision a show where Mod Man meets Glam Girl.

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DIY: The Lotus Brick Path Quilt

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 09:15:49 -0700

Craftster member Lizap just finished this beautiful quilt. She says, "I finally finished my first quilt. The pattern is Amy Butler's Lotus Brick Path and I used mostly scrap fabrics from my stash. I'm really pleased with how it came out."

I can't think of much anything that's cozier than a handmade quilt, which makes this project perfect for house warming month.

Want to find out how to make your own? Then read more.

You can download this pattern for free from Amy Butler's website. To find out more about Lizap's quilt check out her post on Craftster. Are there any quilt making plans in your future?

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Get the Look: Timber Land

CasaSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:45:15 -0700

The wall of random planks of reclaimed timber makes a unique, eco-chic focal point for this workspace and dining area. You can re-create this look by scouring your home, friends' homes, demolition sites, and architectural salvage shops for used wooden planks and nailing them in a random fashion to one wall.

Furniture: Combine a simple white Parsons-style table, like the Poliform Trevi Table (inquire for price) shown here, and an assortment of different styles of chairs, like an oak Hans Wegner Wishbone Chair ($835) and modern white plastic dining chairs, like the Habitat Zucco Chair ($193) shown here.

Accents: For lighting, get yourself a table lamp with a traditional base shape in glass or ceramic with a glossy finish, in a fun but not overwhelming color, like hunter green. Or, paint a table lamp you already own with high-gloss paint. Pick up some of the tones in your timber wall with red project storage boxes and a Pantone coffee mug to coordinate perfectly. Keep a basket or box with a graphic cut-out pattern nearby to get finished and future projects out of the way, and toss a soft, gray, cabled throw on the back of your Wishbone chair to shield you from the occasional Summer breeze.

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Professional Help: Refinishing This Craigslist Find

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:15:00 -0800

Su Casa member Katedavis recently asked for some help with refinishing a cool bar she found on Craigslist. Since it's Renewal month here at Casa, I thought that her post fit in perfectly with our theme.

I felt like I was in a little over my head with giving great advice on this issue, so I thought I'd pull in Chris Howard, who you might remember as the awesome midcentury-modern furniture refinisher I highlighted in my Adventures in Craigslisting posts. Let's see what advice he had for Katedavis.

Chris labeled the necessary steps as, "Strip, sand, repair, prime, paint . . ."

He says,

If this project is taking place indoors, I'd recommend hand painting. If you have access to a garage or exterior space, spray painting will get the best results. For color, black is versatile and modern. Black will go with any color pallet. Unfortunately this is the hardest finish to perfect.

To see all of the steps, just read more.

Remove any hardware, adjustable shelves, and any moving parts that can be done separately. Prepare space with tarp, dust covers, etc.
Strip. It's important to strip away the old finish (dirt, grease, remaining glues, etc.) to guarantee the paint's adhesion. Otherwise the paint might not stick; the finish may orange peel; or, the paint could chip off. In addition, furniture strippers will soften/ripple the contact paper, making it easier to pull off.
Sand. Always in the direction of the grain, sand from low grit to higher e.g. 150-180-220. When sanding veneer be sure not to sand through.
Repair the damaged corner with Bondo. First use a razor to cut triangles, dig holes - crevasses, whatever is necessary so the Bondo locks/grabs in place and won't pop out in the future. Read the directions. Mix. (You'll have 15 minutes to work with the mixture.) Push the Bondo into the space, slightly higher than it needs to be. Once the mixture gets firm, wait 5-10 minutes and use a razor to gently slice the Bondo into shape. Allow it to fully cure for about an hour. Then use 180-grit paper to do the final shaping. For other significant fills use Bondo (or plastic wood for small chips) and a Spackle knife.
Do a final sanding with 220 over the entire surface. Use a cotton towel to wipe off any dust from the surface and grain. Repeat until there is no evidence of dust on the towel. In addition you can vacuum the surface.
For home painting projects, I'd recommend either Rustoleum professional, or Rustoleum Painters Touch. They're readily available at OSH, ACE, Home Depot . . . and generate a durable, smooth factory-like finish. If you're confident with your brush and fanning skills, go for it. Brush lines can be finely sanded out. Rustoleum also sells Aqua, a child-safe, water-based paint. Color charts and MSDS available at Rustoleum's site.
Apply two coats of Rustoleum Primer. Working from one side to another (Left to right, right to left, half-way overlapping each line). Allow the wood to soak up the primer. The can says it dries in two hours . . . but let it dry one to two days. Then lightly smooth with 220-grit paper (or #0000 steel wool), and remove the dust. If the sand paper gums up quickly, the primer needs additional time to dry. (Drying times may vary depending on weather conditions.)
Apply two coats of FLAT (in the color of your choosing). Flat sands easily and the dry time is much less than the primer. Let dry for 1 day . . . sand with 220, then dust.
Apply two to three coats of semi-gloss. This will create a strong finish, which will last for years to come. Use #0000 steel wool to buff between coats one and two . . . make sure there is no dust anywhere before you spray the final coat. This will be dry to the touch within two hours. . . . But will not cure for two weeks. (The can does not say this).
(For tabletops spray a clear coat of nonyellowing scratch-resistant enamel.)
For a heavy-use bar, consider custom glass cut for the top, and a mirror behind the liquor shelf. Also available are tiny halogen light fixtures for cabinets, to create a high-end modern touch.
Lastly, pour a stiff drink, relax, and admire your work.

Thanks, Chris! That's some excellent advice that I'm sure Katedavis will appreciate, as will other readers interested in a refinishing a project.
If you have other technical home project questions, send me a private message with the subject line Professional Help, and I'll do my best to find an expert to answer your queries!

Registry Roundup: A Splendid Table

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 07:00:03 -0700

If you've found the perfect place settings thanks to YumSugar's registry picks, you're well on your way to having a beautifully dressed dining room for future dinner parties. But don't stop there - you'll still need table linens, candlesticks, candles, and other essentials to have your table looking its best. If you're not sure where to even start when it comes to registering for your wedding, take a look at my downloadable registry PDF. And for all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.

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