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?

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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

House Tour: Rhiannon's Affordably Cool SF Pad

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0800

CasaSugar Community member Rhiannon138 posted photos of her cooler than cooler apartment in the Su Casa group, and I just had to ask her to give us a house tour. Rhiannon and her boyfriend, Victor, both students at SFSU in their 20s, and her dog Mayo live in San Francisco. They've worked very hard to make their home comfortable and stylish on a modest budget. She says, "We're renters and also tried hard to work with and disguise carpeting, linoleum, and an average kitchen. I've gotten a lot of ideas and inspiration from seeing other people's homes on blogs, so hopefully mine could inspire someone in return!" Come take the full tour!

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Mischa Barton Lists Her Beverly Hills Mediterranean Manse

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Mischa Barton's high-paid days as Marisa Cooper are long over, and unfortunately her career hasn't picked up as she expected it might when she left The O.C. after its third season. So the mortgage on the 7,600-square-foot, six-bedroom, 10-bath Beverly Hills home she scooped up in 2005 is one that I suspect she simply can't afford, and she's listed it on the market for $8.4 million. Seeing as she bought the property at the height of her fame for $6.4 million, she's set to make a pretty penny on this one if her asking price is met.

In a past interview about her home, Mischa said, "When I arrived in LA, I looked at 10 houses. This was the last one on the list. It was a little beyond my price expectations, but I immediately fell in love with it. It's almost as if I would be living in the country. There's no traffic, no loud cars, simply heavenly quiet."

The house boasts two detached guest suites, a lush courtyard, a large terrace, a pool, and beautiful Mediterranean architectural details. Barton's décor choices, are on the other hand, are less crave worthy. She's washed it with a peach and neutral palette, and outfitted it with gaudy, gold tables and ostentatious, swagged valances. I expected so much more from a fashionista like Mischa! Check out the photos and tell me what you think.

See dozens more photos when you read more.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:00:00 -0800

Old-timey fair cutouts get a shot of artsy cool. - ReadyMade
Using a hammer anytime soon? Check out these tips and tricks. - DIY Life
See what films' interiors are "nominated" for an Oscar. - ShelterPop
Real Simple debuts a line of organizing items for Bed Bath & Beyond. - Shelterrific
Can you name the 10 Oscar-nominated films these houses starred in? - Hooked on Houses
A new line of Martha Stewart paint colors has debuted at Home Depot. - Making it Lovely
Scoop up the Zuo Modern Escape Dining Chair's more affordable doppelganger. - Copy Cat Chic

Living Large in a Small Space: Marlies's Vibrant Studio in the Netherlands

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:30:06 -0800

Marlies lives in the western part of the Netherlands, where, she writes, "It can be quite hard to find a nice affordable home in the city. This small (366ft) studio apartment was offered to me just six months ago, by a organization that provides affordable houses for working young people. I was very happy, because before this I lived in very expensive and even smaller(!) apartments." Marlies notes that although she works with a very small design budget, she loves to create a pretty, cozy home. Using thrifted and antique elements, Ikea finds, and Etsy artwork, she has created a lovely small home for herself. Take the tour to get ideas for creating your own small refuge in the city, and then check out her Flickr page for more inspiration.

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Desire/Acquire: Missoni Karl Duvet Cover

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:00:52 -0800

Italian fashion house Missoni is famous for its colorful, patterned knitwear. Since the brand teamed up with Italian home-textiles producer T&J Vestor in the '80s, its luxurious kaleidoscopic stripes, geometrics, and abstract florals have found a magnificent place at home, too. With bold, vibrant stripes, the Missoni Home Karl Duvet Cover ($458 for a twin) would make a statement in any bedroom. Unfortunately, it'll cost you an arm and a leg, before you even buy shams! Luckily, I've found bedding with the same look for a fraction of the price. Want to see it?

Cool Idea: Spray-Painted Lace Wrapping Paper

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 10:00:29 -0800

My pal Eddie Ross never ceases to impress me with his creative styling skills. Earlier this week he was making ornaments out of thrifted men's plaid shirts for Kathie Lee's house which took preppy chic to the next level, and now he's moved on to Christmas wrapping paper.

His latest project is spray-painted lace wrapping paper, made from simple and affordable white wrapping paper (or kraft paper), spray paint, and sheets of inexpensive lace fabric. Check out this video of Eddie giving the full DIY instructions to a crowd at the Virginia Historical Society, and read his post for more tips on the project. Still stumped on what gifts to put inside those pretty boxes? Check out Eddie's go-to holiday gift ideas.