CasaSugar

Vern Yip's Transformation in the Tenderloin

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:00:31 -0800

Vern Yip and Bank of America recently teamed up to transform a worn community center at an affordable housing complex into something much more vibrant. You can see the before shot here. To see how the space was transformed, check out the slideshow.

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In The News: 60 Years Later, "Temporary" Homes Occupied

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 07:45:36 -0700

During a housing shortage in England after World War II, planners turned to prefab to help with the rapidly expanding populace. The Excalibur estates in the town of Catford (located in the borough of Lewisham in greater London) were built to shelter new families temporarily and were only expected to last for 10 years. Now, 60 years later, those houses are still inhabited.

The 185 prefabricated houses are scheduled to be torn down by the Lewisham Council, which owns 80 percent of the houses. According to a spokesperson for the council who was interviewed for the BBC, "These buildings were originally constructed for a temporary life - 10 years or so - and have been standing for over 60 . . . The estate is one of the few areas where refurbishment is unaffordable and achieving modern standards of decent homes is only possible through replacing existing homes with a new build programme."

To see if there's hope for these homes, read more.

Understandably, residents are very attached to their homes, and many people have lived in these homes for decades. There is some hope for those who love their prefab homes, as the Department for Culture, Media, and Sports may list them as historical houses, which would prevent their demolition. While I can understand the need to upgrade the homes, and the insurmountable expense in doing so, I can also see how the residents wouldn't want to leave, even when offered alternate housing. A house becomes a home, and it's hard to see that taken away.

What would you do if it were your home?

Source

Happy Anniversary HFH-East Bay!

CasaSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 16:00:37 -0800

My local chapter of the amazing home building organization Habitat For Humanity is celebrating its 20th birthday! Habitat for Humanity East Bay was founded in 1988 to create successful homeownership opportunities for families with limited incomes by building sustainable housing and revitalizing neighborhoods. The organization's next goal? To complete 200 homes in just 5 years, a quarter of the time it took to build its first 200!

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Casa Verde: Solara

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:45:45 -0800

Solara, a new apartment community in San Diego County, California, is the first apartment complex in the country that is completely powered by solar energy. But that's not all-these homes are also affordable, and are built for families that make only moderate incomes.

This project was made possible through a collaboration with the city of Poway, California, Community Housing Works, and Global Green USA. People who make 30 percent to 60 percent of the area's median income are eligible to live at Solara, which means that a family of four is eligible if their annual income is less than $41,100, or a single person is eligible if she makes less than $28,750 Residents pay between $388 and $1,075 per month, depending on their incomes and whether they are renting a one-, two- or three-bedroom apartment. Utilities are included in the rent.

The apartments are made even more affordable given that they include such energy-saving features as passive solar orientation, cool roofs, low-e windows, Energy Star appliances, and tankless boilers for hot water. The homes also feature low-flow restrictors, dual flush toilets, and native landscaping, which saves on water. The homes also feature recycled materials such as linoleum, green carpet (with carpet pad from recycled clothing), plastic-composite decking material, and fly ash in concrete. Healthy indoor environmental quality is provided by natural cross ventilation, low-VOC paints and finishes, formaldehyde-free insulation and cabinets, chlorine-free air conditioning, and ample mechanical ventilation.

To see how this project was funded, just read more
The project’s renewable energy systems, such as the solar panels, were financed almost entirely by energy rebates and tax credits, including rarely used state and federal financial incentives for multifamily housing. Funding for the $16.3 million project comes from Union Bank of California, the City of Poway, the County of San Diego, the California Energy Commission (CEC) and National Equity Fund.

SOLARA has the lowest carbon footprint of any apartment complex in California, a full 95 percent lower than a conventionally powered community! This means that Solara is able to avoid producing more than 1,800 tons of carbon dioxide each year, which is equivalent to planting 5,446 trees or taking 300 cars off the road annually.

Source

Ask Casa: Post-Grad Style

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:56 -0700

Hi Casa!
I'm 22 and I just started my first job out of college. Unfortunately, I still live with my parents. But I figure that if I have to do so then I might as well have a room I enjoy coming back to after a long day of work. I've been wanting to redecorate my room for a while now. However, I don't have a lot of money to spend on new furniture or décor. Most of my furniture is mismatched, and I've had it all since college. Do you have any tips on how I can update my room on the cheap and make it a place that I enjoy spending time?
Thanks! - Kerry

To hear my suggestions for Kerry, read more.

Hi Kerry,

Congrats! I don't think you're alone in this query. Luckily, there are a few easy and affordable things you can do to perk up your bedroom. The idea is to give your room polish and a distinct style, separate from how your parents may have decorated.

First of all, shed everything! If you'd moved into your new apartment, you wouldn't bring everything you've owned since grade school that's still sitting in your parents' house. So, go through it all and recycle, donate, or toss won't you don't want or need. This will give your room a more grownup, less cluttered feel.
Next, create symmetry. The easiest way to do this is to use matching nightstands or bedside table lamps. You can find very chic, affordable lamps at places like Target and HomeGoods. A nightstand can be just a simple side table.
Get a headboard. A headboard will instantly give your room a focal point, and curb any mismatched feel your other furniture gives off. If you can't afford a headboard, try any one of these 10 cool alternatives to off-the-shelf headboards.
Paint your mismatched furniture in one color - glossy white always works - to give the space cohesion.
Create a designated sitting area for reading, having your morning coffee, or making phone calls, etc., with a chair, small accent rug, and small side table. Then you won't feel trapped on your bed or hanging with your parents.
Paint your walls. Color is an easy and cheap fix for any room!
Give your bed a grownup makeover with white bedding, and add color and pattern with throw pillows or a bedskirt.
Find cheap artwork at flea markets, garage sales, or student art sales, or create your own.
Make the space cozy with a rug.
Go "shopping" in other rooms in your home. Look around your parents' home for furnishings that might facilitate the above. With an open mind, you never know what you may find.

Source

Home Library: Downtown Chic

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:47 -0700

No academic course will teach you how to give a derelict house a gut renovation and turn it into a fantastically unique, high-style home. That skill comes with experience and serious design savvy, something which Robert and Cortney Novogratz accidentally learned they had.

After renovating their first home in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood 10 years ago, which then was a neglected, not-so-fashionable area, they realized they had a knack for building and decorating, together. Since then, they've renovated and designed numerous buildings in and around NYC, including an entire block in SoHo and a house in the country, and founded their own design powerhouse, Sixx Design. As a memoir of sorts chronicling seven of the couple's projects, the Novogratz clan - did I mention they have seven children? - published Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home, From Wreck to Ravishing. Hear my thoughts on the volume when you read more.

The first seven chapters of the book each cover a house the Novogratz couple have renovated, including lots of before and after shots. The duo offer advice learned from each experience, such as how to handle contractors, tips for buying a wreck, how to make your house renter-friendly, and how to mix high- and low-cost furnishings.

While the book jacket says each project proves "time and again you can bring charm to any four walls - and do so affordably," it actually just left me with a sense of envy, and with the reminder that the word "affordable" is all relative. The pair do have a knack for flea marketing and using vintage artifacts and architectural treasures in a unique way, but having the time to do so is a luxury in itself.

The book is full of tips like taming bold colors with neutral furnishings and mixing modern pieces with regional furnishings that in theory are helpful and affordable. But in reality it's the Cappellini coffee table, the luxuriously upholstered bed frame, and the couple's extensive collection of artwork that make me want to "get the Downtown Chic look."

This book is definitely a treat to read. It offers a sneak peek into one family's wonderful life as well as lots of inspiration, but in all likelihood, it won't solve the everyman's design woes. But then again, I guess you can hire Sixx to do that for you.

Casa Quickie: Plywood Pleasure

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 06:15:37 -0700

Can't afford to wallpaper your whole room? Not allowed to wallpaper your rental? Instead, cover a cheap sheet of plywood or even cardboard with a patterned wallpaper. This trick still makes an artistic statement, but it's not permanent and it's also portable. Take it with you when you move! You can make more of an impact by papering a couple of panels, or several, and placing them around your room to give it cohesion. Check out House & Home for more budget-saving tips.

Room Therapy: Has Anyone Used Rust-Oleum on Their Counters?

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:19 -0700

Dear Casa,

I just recently moved into a house and am excited about making it "my own." The problem is I'm broke. The house is old and I've already made peace with the fact that I'm going to have to live with some things (such as the horrendous '70s-era orange countertops in the kitchen) for the next few years until I can afford to replace them. But then today, while researching inexpensive options for refinishing my tacky gold light fixtures, I stumbled across this, a paint made just for countertops! Can it be?!

The product claims to be simple and effective (and the video-demo shows this to be true, ha) but it sounds suspiciously too good to be true. I do not want to get my hopes up if this product is really just crap. I was wondering if you knew anyone that had used this product with success or if I'm headed towards a horror story?

Thanks!

Rainey

To see my suggestions, and to leave comments, read more.

Hi Rainey,

I haven't personally tried this product, but I found this blog post from a homeowner who used this product on her counters. The results, at least from this picture, look great, and she says she's very happy with the results.

However, on the blog Tattered Hydrangeas, multiple readers commented that the paint doesn't hold up well at all. Perhaps if you used a sealant on it, it would be more wear-resistant. However, these users seem to think that one should proceed with caution.

Has anyone else used this product? Have you tried to paint your countertops with other products? What were your results? Leave your thoughts about the experience in the comments.

Good luck!
Casa

Found It! Light Fixtures From Eastwick

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:00:14 -0700

I wouldn't say that the witch-centric drama series Eastwick is on the top of my faves list of this year's Fall TV lineup, but I will give the show set designers props for boldly mixing three very different (and busy) light fixtures in this kitchen. Each of the chandeliers in this photo would be a show-stopper on its own, but combined they create a space that's more about being an eclectic than a specific theme, such as Moroccan or midcentury. Wondering where you can pick up any of these three light fixtures? Then read more.

In the forefront is a mirrored star chandelier. There are plenty of retailers who sell these, but the Circa Lighting Mini Antique Mirror Star ($123) is a good and affordable match.

The other light fixture in the front is a traditional Moroccan lantern. Tazi Designs sells many variations of these, including this Bahia Pendant ($95).
The chandelier off to the right is a 1950s Italian lamp called a "Sputnik" chandelier. You can easily find these at auction houses like 1st Dibs, such as this Brass Sputnik Chandelier ($1,600).

How-To: Take Your Bathroom From Simple to Swanky

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 09:00:41 -0700

Bathroom and kitchen renovations are often the most expensive kind. But with dated cabinetry and tiling plaguing homes across the country, they're also often the most crucial! Su Casa member Ckim8120 has taken the matter into her own hands, showing us that you don't need a contractor or a loan (!) to take your bathroom from simple to swanky. For well under her initial budget of $350, she transformed a spare bathroom into something that looks straight out of the pages of House Beautiful. You can do the same to your overlooked bathroom with just a few simple and affordable steps.

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