CasaSugar

How-To: Decorate With Velvet

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 09:30:00 -0800

Velvet is probably my favorite fabric, but using it too generously can put your home in danger of looking like a mafia pad. Decorating with velvet sparingly is key. But you can use it all around your home, from ottomans to quilts, and there are a few upholstery tricks that will help you make the most of the fabric. Want to see some of my favorite ways to use velvet?

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Inspired: Tufted Velvet at the International Rome Film Festival

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 06:15:10 -0700

When I spotted this picture of director Laurent Tirard at the International Rome Film Festival, my eyes immediately wandered to the gorgeous tufted velvet cubes to the director's right. They look so luxe that I immediately wanted to add one to my own home.

Tufted velvet combines two sumptuous decorating ideas: that of tufting, which is achieved when upholsterers thread through layers of fabric and secure the ends of the thread with a knot or button, and velvet, which is one of the richest fabrics used throughout history.

Tufted velvet is all over the decorating world, and I'm particularly smitten with this Scandinavian chaise ($7,995). This gorgeous mid-century piece features a tufted purple velvet cushion suspended on a rosewood frame. While I could never splurge on this piece, a girl can dream, right?

See some other dreamy tufted velvet finds when you read more.

Get the Look: Red Gossip Girl Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:30:11 -0700

In last night's episode of Gossip Girl, Blake Lively and Tyra Banks got cozy in their silk robes on a red velvet settee. The showstopping piece certainly makes the room, but the matching red damask wallpaper and blue velvet curtains continue the baroque theme throughout the room. Then, accents like the black and white embroidered pillows, brass bird wall sculpture, and rope tassels add another element of luxurious detailing. To get the look in your home, read more.

Start with the Ballard Designs Sofia Settee ($1,159) as a base. You can have it upholstered in red velvet. Or, search 1st Dibs for "red velvet settee" to find something more precise.

For the rest of the look, read more.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Found It! My Feather Pillow

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:00:39 -0700

Over a year ago, I picked up a pink velvet throw pillow screen-printed in gold with a feather (at right) on sale at a San Francisco boutique for $14. Since then, I've always wondered who made it, and I haven't seen it anywhere else. As it turns out, the pillow sells for over 10 times more than I bought it - score! It's also available in a variety of colors and with other imagery printed on it, such as a deer, a lobster, and chainlink. Want to see where you can buy one? Then read more.

Maison24 sells a sky blue, 12"x16" Feather Pillow for $145. I also like their peacock-blue velvet pillow with gold-metallic deer screen print. But, to be honest, I wouldn't buy either for over $100.

Like my trompe l'œil headboard? Learn how to make one here.

Do You Own a Velvet Sofa?

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 07:00:54 -0700

Velvet sofas can look Victorian, like this one, found at the Mill Rose Inn in Half Moon Bay, CA, or they can look decidedly modern, such as the West Elm Blake sofa ($1,199). Either way, they add a touch of luxury to your living space.

Source: Flickr User Wonderlane

Nice and New: Urban Outfitters Tufted Velvet Throwbacks

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 08:00:00 -0800

Urban Outfitters is reclining retro-style with its latest tufted velvet furniture. In addition to the Lana Tufted Velvet Pouf, the Antoinette Fainting Sofa ($575), now in more colors, nods to the old-time look with its name.

If you've been coveting that Mad Men headboard, there are plenty to choose from, including the Dauphine Velvet Headboard ($325) and the lush brown Velvet Tufted Headboard ($300). If it's a chaise you're chasing, check out the Tufted Chaise, a steal at $550. Are you swooning over any of these pieces?

Guess What This Upholstery Technique Is Called?

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 06:15:42 -0800

The Margot Loveseat ($2,950) has gorgeous velvet upholstery, whose back is decorated with a popular upholstery technique. Upholsterers achieve this technique by threading through layers of fabric or leather, often in a pattern, and securing the ends of the thread with a knot or button. What is this technique called?

Crave Worthy: Adam and Viktoria Andromeda Chair

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 05:30:47 -0800

Be still my beating heart: This chair has sent me into a pre-Valentine's Day love swoon. With a curvaceous, modern shape that contrasts beautifully with its luxe velvet upholstery, the Adam and Viktoria Andromeda Chair (inquire for price) has pierced me like Cupid's arrow.

This chair, as well as other textiles, furniture, screens, and pillows, are the work of Swedes Viktoria Nygren, a fashion and textile designer, and Adam Gistedt, an industrial, interior, and furniture designer, who've worked together for the past nine years. Their designs, which reflect an array of diverse influences, are the exact type of style I find fascinating: sophisticated, eclectic, relaxed, and absolutely inspiring.

Nice and New: Urban Outfitters Lana Velvet Pouf

CasaSugar — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 05:30:27 -0800

I wish the Urban Outfitters Lana Velvet Pouf ($89) had been on my radar when a TeamSugar member asked me to find an ottoman featured in Teen Vogue. This cushy, tufted velvet number is a close second to the one she had her eye on, but its spring green, chocolate, and royal purple fabrics are more versatile colors. The pouf itself is also quite the Renaissance piece; you can use it as seating, a foot rest, a table, or simply a decorative place to stack pillows or throws. The drawback is that the pouf is made from polyester velvet, not silk or cotton, but for $89 you get what you pay for. What do you think?

Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Velvet Linen Quilt and Sham

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:00:27 -0800

I’m not even in the market for new bedding, but there’s something about an exceptional piece of velvet that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside (i.e. want to shop). Pottery Barn knows what I’m talking about: the retailer’s new Velvet Linen Quilts and Shams (originally $39-$299, on sale for $24-$179) have that soft, weighty, and wintry texture and elegant diamond hand-quilting that instantly win my attention. Throw in the wide range of colors available (choose from sherwood green, sapphire blue, chrome gray, green apple, glacier blue, deep wisteria purple, orange, espresso, or ivory) and the reduced price, and where do I sign? That was easy. Now, getting me out of bed is another story . . .