CasaSugar

Armani on Fashion Versus Style

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 May 2009 06:15:32 -0700

"Fashion is often about trends, whereas style is about more eternal qualities. The essence of good design for me lies in the consistency of approach. ... Good design should aim to produce things that are both beautiful and functional - your work should deliver what it promises to the customer. If it’s furniture - say, a chair - it should be well made and a pleasure to sit in; if it’s a kitchen, then you should be able to cook in it with ease; if it’s a leather bag, it should hold its contents well and be comfortable to carry. In fact, comfort is a key quality in everything I do. People want to look chic and smart and well dressed and beautiful, but they also want to be comfortable. The same, of course, is true for furniture. If I design a bed, I want people to sleep well in it. Then there is the promise of quality. If you are in the business of creating things for a discerning clientele, you have to produce your work to the highest of standards. Great quality is related to great design; you rarely get one without the other." - Giorgio Armani, in the current issue of Metropolitan Home

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Open House: Would You Register For a Housewarming?

CasaSugar — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 08:30:18 -0800

In Philip Galanes's latest Social Q's column, a 32-year-old woman wrote in saying that she'd decided that marriage wasn't for her. However, since she'd been in eight weddings and had to contribute oodles of presents over the past decade, she wanted to register for gifts for her housewarming party.

Galanes advises,

But the difference between their weddings and baby showers and your housewarming scheme is that their sole intent was not to rack up gifts. Don’t get me wrong: a housewarming is a great idea, and you may nab some nice loot. No gift registry, though. The party should be for celebrating your new place with friends, not for telling them how to outfit your kitchen.

This situation reminds me of an episode of Sex and the City. Can you guess which one? Find out when you read more.

In season six, episode 83, "A Woman's Right to Shoes," Carrie's Manolos are stolen at a baby shower. To recoup her losses, Carrie decides to register at Manolo Blahnik, in celebration of her marriage to herself. In the end, her beloved shoes are replaced, and all ends well for our heroine. While I admire Carrie's nontraditional registering, I don't think I'd have the audacity to do something similar. Would you?

By the same token, do you agree or disagree with Galanes's advice for the woman interested in registering for home items? I know that in the past I've felt annoyed by the many, many baby presents, bridal shower gifts, and wedding presents I've purchased in my lifetime, but since I'm now married, I have absolutely no right to complain about these things anymore. However, I know that my attitude might be different if I were still single. What are your thoughts?

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Ask Angel: west elm's Advice for Holiday Entertaining (Part 3)

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:45:35 -0800

West elm designer Angel recently started a new TeamSugar group called Ask Angel to help you solve all of your design conundrums! Here's some advice from her latest post, which ties in perfectly with this month's Home Entertainment theme.

Angel writes:

One of the fabulous things about my job is being surrounded by great design minds. With the seasonal whirlwind of decorating and entertaining swiftly upon us, I tapped west elm’s creative director of design – who is also an exceptional entertainer - Alex Bates to share her expertise and show us how to create a modern and chic mood flawlessly and easily without breaking the bank! I hope you love these as much as I do.

To see what Alex has to say, just read more

Alex writes:

There are lots of ways to make your home festive and fabulous for the holidays, and reflect your personal style. This season is all about glam and metallic accents. Just like your favorite patent wedge makes every outfit feel chic, there are a few little things that will make a big difference in your home this holiday season. You don’t have to be overwhelmed and you don’t have to spend a fortune. These simple ideas will help set the stage for a stylish holiday and create a look with staying power that will last into the New Year.

Light up the season and your home

Last, but not least, don’t forget the lighting. Remember, lighting sets the mood of any holiday party or room so get creative and replace harsh bulbs with soft candlelight. Combine different sizes and shapes of glass lanterns in monochromatic groupings for dramatic effect over a table. Carry the look through the room with complimentary votives and candles sticks on the table or mantle. The room and your guests will enjoy a flattering glow.

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Ask Angel: west elm's Advice for Holiday Entertaining (Part 2)

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 06:30:28 -0800

One of the fabulous things about my job is being surrounded by great design minds. With the seasonal whirlwind of decorating and entertaining swiftly upon us, I tapped west elm’s creative director of design – who is also an exceptional entertainer - Alex Bates to share her expertise and show us how to create a modern and chic mood flawlessly and easily without breaking the bank! I hope you love these as much as I do.

To see what Alex has to say, just read more

Alex writes:

There are lots of ways to make your home festive and fabulous for the holidays, and reflect your personal style. This season is all about glam and metallic accents. Just like your favorite patent wedge makes every outfit feel chic, there are a few little things that will make a big difference in your home this holiday season. You don’t have to be overwhelmed and you don’t have to spend a fortune. These simple ideas will help set the stage for a stylish holiday and create a look with staying power that will last into the New Year.

Mix the primitive and polished

Animal prints have gotten a great makeover in recent seasons and this year, they are popping up in new styles and patterns everywhere. A little animal goes a long way, try the patterns as an accent piece in the home. Combine timeless and chic animal prints with gold metallic holiday decorations for a fun twist, such as a zebra stocking pairs perfectly hanging on the mantel next to a tree decorated with gold or vintage ornaments. Or toss a throw pillow on your sofa and get a whole new look anytime you feel like it.

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Ask Angel: west elm's Advice for Holiday Entertaining (Part 1)

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 07:02:20 -0800

One of the fabulous things about my job is being surrounded by great design minds. With the seasonal whirlwind of decorating and entertaining swiftly upon us, I tapped west elm’s creative director of design – who is also an exceptional entertainer - Alex Bates to share her expertise and show us how to create a modern and chic mood flawlessly and easily without breaking the bank! I hope you love these as much as I do.

To see what Alex has to say, just read more

Alex writes:

There are lots of ways to make your home festive and fabulous for the holidays, and reflect your personal style. This season is all about glam and metallic accents. Just like your favorite patent wedge makes every outfit feel chic, there are a few little things that will make a big difference in your home this holiday season. You don’t have to be overwhelmed and you don’t have to spend a fortune. These simple ideas will help set the stage for a stylish holiday and create a look with staying power that will last into the New Year.

Mix up glam and nature

You and your home should shine this holiday season. A small detail can make a big impression with minimal effort. Gold or silver banded glasses are an easy way to add drama when setting the table or when setting the mood for a chic cocktail party. Simple lines can mix and match with holiday patterns or you can create a whole metallic table for a more dramatic statement. In the living room, add a mirrored coffee table. It will soften the room and the table adds a sophisticated decorator touch, especially when mixed with a natural sheep skin area rug. Mix the earthy and the elegant. A large vase filled with natural Manzanita branches and hung with crystal strand ornaments makes quite the statement in a hall or on a table, and reflects candle light beautifully. Carry the festive sparkle through your home when decorating your tree and mantle. Create an all silver Christmas tree with silver and crystal garland, adding a mix of silver and white ornaments. Collect vintage ornaments and mix them in to create your own style.

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Home Away From Home: The Madonna Inn

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:30:01 -0800

Looking for a kooky, kitschy hotel experience? Then check out San Luis Obispo's own Madonna Inn. This 51-year-old hotel is an absolutely unique experience for visitors, featuring an overwhelming pink color palette and rooms with themes including "Love Nest," "Caveman," and "Portugal."

If you're in the market for a unique wedding reception venue, the Madonna Inn can handle your reception. Fully equipped with a steak house, day spa, convention center, and bar, the Madonna Inn can supply all of your needs - especially if those needs involve gaping at the Swiss-Alps-meets-Old-West decor. One last piece of advice: don't forget to direct your male friends to the rocks and waterfall urinal if they need to take care of business - it's apparently a tourist must-see.

Take the full tour.

Hvenbnd's Beautiful Wall Colors

Casa Community — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:00:43 -0800

Su Casa member Hvenbnd recently asked for your advice on wall colors. See how her painting quest has progressed since we last checked in with her.

I posted an earlier entry asking the community for help with picking paint colors. I just could not narrow it down! Finally I discovered Inspired Design. Diane really helped me choose colors that work with my vision, furniture, art and personality. Here is the kitchen in process! All paint is from Sherwin Williams.

Have you made any recent improvements to your home? Show them off in Su Casa!

View 5 Photos ›

Design Advice and Special Sale This Saturday at West Elm

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Are you going to be up early this Saturday morning? Tomorrow morning (June 20), all west elm stores are hosting Fall Design Events. The events will take place prior to opening (the time depends on the location, but most events are either from 8-10 a.m. or 9-11 a.m.). At the event, west elm's in-store team will talk through Fall design tips and show the new pre-Fall assortment.

Interested? Call ahead to your local stores for details and to RSVP. Oh, and best of all, you'll receive 10 percent off all purchases made that day just for attending class!

The graceful Woven Pendant ($199), made from textured layers of palm leaves, is one of the sneak peeks you'll get this Saturday (I'm coveting it!). For a preview of some of the other Fall products, read more.

View 4 Photos ›

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Tips For Decorating With Cool Colors

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:54 -0800

This week, we've looked at cool colors during Color Theory month. See my advice on decorating with gray, with lavender, and with turquoise. Or click here for all of my coverage so far. Today, I'm going to offer some tips for using a variety of cool colors to their greatest advantage.

View Slideshow ›

How-To: Design Smart in Small Spaces

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:00:27 -0700

Recently, I gave you a glimpse of a Calgary apartment that interior deisign firm Corea Sotropa renovated. One of the firm's specialties is designing for small spaces. Corea Sotropa was kind enough to share some tips for designing for small spaces. Want to see all of the firm's great advice? Then read more.

Here are a few tips from Corea Sotropa on designing for small spaces:

Choose common materials, fabrics and colour palette throughout all the rooms to bring unity to a small condo or house.
Fresh flower arrangements are a quick and inexpensive way to add luxury to a small space.
Ensure there is a place for everything - if there is not appropriate storage for everyday necessities like magazines or CDs a small space will quickly look messy.
Place accessories sparingly - overloading a small space with accessories will look cluttered.
Choose furniture pieces to suit the scale of the space. When down-sizing from a house to condo it is unlikely that you will be able to re-use many of your existing upholstered pieces due to this change in scale.