CasaSugar

Cool Idea: A Workbench Bath Console

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:00:02 -0800

Brisbane, Australia-based design blogger Absolutely Beautiful Things recently shared photos of her home, which is the epitome of elegance. I couldn't help but be swept away by the design of her bathroom, where she used an inexpensive old timber workbench she found on eBay as a sink console, painted white. Paired with white subway tiles, hexagonal mosaic floor tiles, and two mismatched antique mirrors, the workbench has a glamorous rustic look that is so refreshing and understated. A wicker basket stores towels, and a vase of hydrangeas finishes off the look. So sophisticated.
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Love It or Hate It? Black & Spiro Christmas Tree

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 08:30:00 -0800

Anna Spiro created this Christmas window display for her shop, Black & Spiro, in Brisbane, Australia. The display has a blue, white, and pink color palette and uses old Delftware to decorate the tree, as well as silver bowls and pink roses. I think it's a very festive, imaginative design for a window display, but I can't say I'd recreate it in my own home. What do you think?
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Before and After: Armchair, Oh to be Young Again!

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 07:00:57 -0700

Absolutely Beautiful Things recently took on the challenge of reupholstering an old armchair. I suppose this senior citizen has its charms, but it's also clearly been through a lot of wear and tear over the years. She chose a gorgeous, lattice-like pattern for the fabric, and "decided to replace the gathered arm detail on this chair with face and piping detail." Then, she topped it off with an interesting, geometric embroidered pillow. To see the transformation, read more.

Wonderful, right!? It's amazing what a few yards of fabric and a keen eye for design can do. Be sure to see what Anna has to say about undertaking this type of project.

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Ask Casa: Help Me Choose Paint Colors

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:19 -0800

Hi Casa,

My boyfriend and I are about to move into our first house and I couldn't be happier! I can't wait to get in there and start putting our touch on things! The only problem is that I am having a tough time picking a paint color for the living room.

A few years ago, I bought a set of three prints that I absolutely love. I want to hang them above the sofa in our new place, but I'm having a tough time finding the right paint color to highlight them. When we first bought the prints, our living room was white and they popped beautifully. But now I'm a little sick of white and want to add some color, but I'm not sure what direction to go. The living room in our new place opens onto the dining room, so whatever color we choose will have to continue into the dining room too.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help,
KatieMise

To see my suggestion for KatieMise, read more.

Hi Katie,

Great prints! I love them. This isn't a tough one. When choosing a wall color for a wall with artwork, my rule of thumb is always to choose a hue that's an accent in the art piece, but not the primary color. You should choose a complementary color, too. In this case, the background colors of two of your prints are a greenish-blue and a true blue, and in all three prints there is reddish detailing. So, I think a red or watermelon hue would really make your prints pop. Not only are they on the opposite side of the color wheel from those greens and blues, but reddish walls will make the red detailing in your prints pop!

I made a couple of mock-ups to give you an idea. But the best thing to do is head to your paint shop and grab a few samples in these colors, and then bring them home to see what works with your prints. Then, test the paint on your walls before you paint the whole thing. If a whole room in a red color is too much for you, you can always just paint an accent wall and then leave the rest of the walls white. I think it works with the artwork, too, because red is a really important color in Asian culture.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Casa

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 13:00:12 -0700

This moss wallpaper is super rad. - AT:SF
Add a dreamy French book to your home library. - Absolutely Beautiful Things
Umbrella Prints is my new fave textile house. - Bloesem
An expansive faux needlepoint window display is painstakingly beautiful. - Craftzine
I'm cracking up over this embroidered frying pan. - Design Milk
I'd love to live in this beautiful bus stop! - Shelterpop

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Anna Spiro was featured in Australian Vogue Living! - Absolutely Beautiful Things
Decorati is decorating's answer to online dating. - New York Times
This pleated ottoman upholstery is gorgeous. - Design*Sponge
Max Attenborough is my new favorite stylist. - Decor8
Find your next paint color in your closet. - The Scoop
A vase, a shelf, and a hook all framed. - Oh Joy!

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Sally King Benedict is an artist to admire. - Nick Olsen
Even kids' desks can be cool. - Anh-Minh
The Black & Spiro website has arrived. - Absolutely Beautiful Things
Finally bistro chairs that make you stay and chat a while. - Simply Stated
Selina Lake shares some of her recent work. - Selina Lake Stylist
I'm loving barn door fittings used indoors. - Remodelista

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:00:49 -0700

Check out these pretty blue vignettes. - AT:LA
Get stylish home accents for under $100. - The Nest
Find inspiration in antique clocks. - PoppyTalk
Drool over this gorgeous room. - Absolutely Beautiful Things
Visit Seattle shop Hermitage. - Home by Sunset

Roundup: Striped Table Linens

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Stripes are the little black dress of tabletop décor. They're always in style. You can never go wrong with a good striped or broad-plaid tablecloth. For instance, I'm absolutely in love with the Designers Guild Dickenson print, and I don't see that changing . . . ever. It's a good thing, because a table cloth and six napkins will cost me $195. For now, I might have to treat myself to a set of four napkins ($40). But why stop there? There are so many striped table linens to love. See my other beautiful finds when you read more.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:00:20 -0700

Get ready for a new shelter magazine.- Absolutely Beautiful Things
Chartreuse and turquoise: what a great color combo!- AT:SF
The Homewrecker is the latest and greatest demolition tool.- Charles & Hudson
Learn to sew pleated grosgrain trim.-
Try some motivational (or kitchen) art.- Decor8
Save space with an ironing board mirror.- Design Milk
Beautiful art is black and white.- Style Court
Check out this small kitchen before and after.- Simply Stated

CLOSEOUT! Home James Jabberwocky Placemat and Napkin Collection - $45.00	Calvin Klein "Tonal Bands" Linen Collection - $10.00
Chilewich - $62.00	Confetti Indoor/Outdoor Umbrella Tablecloth - $14.99
Calvin Klein "Tonal Bands" Table Runner, 15x90" - $100.00	Unison - Porter Tablecloth - $64.00
Feed Sack Table Runner - Blue - $399.00	Fiesta Rainbow Burst Napkins, Set of Four, 17x17" - $22.00
Bardwil "Broadway" Blue Stripe Napkins, Set of 4 - $30.00	Martha Stewart Collection "Canopy Stripe" Placemat Collection - $9.00
DwellStudio Table Woodblock Runners - in ink - set of 2 - $160.00	Tuxedo Stripe Collection by Chilewich - $25.00
Striped Table Runner - $25.00	Savona Stripe Tablecloth/Napkin - $4.95
DwellStudio Table Woodblock Lake Napkin - set of 4 - $64.00