CasaSugar

How-To: Steal Decorating Ideas From an Artist's Studio

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:00:59 -0700

In its latest men's catalog, J. Crew features the work of several artists and also takes behind-the-scenes shots of their studios. One of the studios that caught my eye was that of artist Billy Sullivan. See some of my favorite ideas to steal from the painter's studio.
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Coveted Crib: Victoria's Deco Dream Apartment (Part One)

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:40 -0800

It only makes sense that Oakland, CA, artist Victoria Skirpa makes stunning sculptures and covetable jewelry from her one-bedroom apartment overlooking Lake Merritt. After all, the lake is known as "the jewel of Oakland," and Victoria's apartment, location, and beautiful jewelry (she's having a special invite-only sale this upcoming weekend) are all equally treasurable. When I visited her home, I was literally drooling over her crazy views, as well as her very cool vintage furniture finds, original artwork, and unbelievable closet space (I am incredibly envious of this last item). Since there's so much good stuff to see, we'll take this tour in bite-size pieces, starting with her entry and studio/living room.

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Coveted Crib: Amy Butler's Studio

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 07:00:03 -0800

While I've been a fan of Amy Butler's fabric, products, and patterns for some time, now I'm also in love with her studio space. Take the tour with me, and you'll be wishing for an Ohio fabric studio as well! Source

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In the News: A Fiery Fix-Up

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 06:45:54 -0700

The New York Times' Light and Space Where Fire Alarms Once Rang visits the Providence, Rhode Island home of artist couple Wendy Edwards and Jerry Mischak, which was originally built in 1931 as a firehouse. The couple, who were living in a mid-19th-century house on Brown University's campus and also renting two separate spaces for their studios, wanted to find a place where they could both live and work. When Mischak saw a sign for a new firehouse going up in East Providence, he stopped into the old headquarters, and spoke to the firemen about the digs. A year later, they'd paid $185,000 for "a hazardous wreck," complete with "lead-base paint and asbestos." An architect helped them to transform the space, removing the fire poles, unearthing gorgeous steel beams, raising the ceilings, creating an open dining and living area, and making two artist studios. Some architectural details were salvaged as evidence of the structure's origins, like French doors, subway tiles, and fire pole openings. But in essence, the building was renewed, instilled with the kind of light and space that only artists could see in a perilous, old structure — the same kind of vision that has transformed ancient cathedrals and chapels and frat-boy dwellings into modern homes.
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Advice For Creating a Pretty and Practical Work Space in Your Home

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:34 -0700

Have you ever considered working from home? Whether you want to create a home office or a home business space, there are a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is creating a space that's both attractive and productive. Jennifer Nelson of Home Sweet has done just that by transforming a bedroom in her Craftsman home into a workspace for her business. She writes, "I love that I have my own space to work. Block printing takes up a lot of room and makes a lot of mess, so having this space is essential!"

Her space accommodates a lot of tools, including a sewing desk trimmed with yardsticks, filing crates, task lighting, miscellaneous tools and books, a large printing table, and a fabric roll, among other things. Jennifer also has a television and DVD player in her studio, where she watches movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Norma Ray.

Interested in hearing Jennifer's advice for working out of your home, and seeing more pictures of her space? Then read more.

Jennifer offers this advice for working out of your home:

On distractions: There are a few things that help with that, but were never really conscious decisions. For one, fabric printing isn't very tolerant of interruptions - ink dries out quickly and becomes unusable. So as much as I may be tempted to float off into blog-land, I don't want to come back to a pot full of gummy ink! This way, breaks are automatically kept short. Also, the studio is as far as you can get from the living areas in our house, so family members have to make a special trip to interrupt me. That makes a big difference, I think.
On prioritizing tasks: I do find myself wanting to work when I have household things to do, and for that I just try not to procrastinate - knock those chores out and then get to work! Plus, it means a lot to my husband when I don't leave him with everything to do while I'm printing away in my little studio, and a happy partner is a supportive partner!
On balance: I'm still working on the concept of balance. Somewhere in there must be some time to relax, reconnect with family, and work on things unrelated to chores and printing . . . but in the meantime at least I have a lovely place to work and a craft that I'm passionate about.

Check out more photos of Jennifer's home studio, and many products, when you visit her site and blog.

Do you work out of a home studio space? How do you create balance while keeping productive?

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Scenes From the 20th Century Modernism Show

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:00:05 -0700

This weekend I attended the 20th Century Modernism Show and Sale at Fort Mason in San Francisco, which featured 50 national and international exhibitors (many local) of decorative and fine arts from all design movements of the 20th century. I was excited to see up close some works by artists I follow, like David Wiseman's porcelain blossom and bronze branches (and I even caught a glimpse of the artist himself) and a large collection of original works by the late great American Modernist Charley Harper from the Charley Harper Art Studio.
A few of my other favorite exhibitors were Battersea, R 20th Century, Peter Fetterman, 20th Century Interiors, Antik NYC, Off the Wall, and Eric Firestone Gallery. Peter Fetterman sells a range of black and white photographs, including many well-known pieces such as this image of Andy Warhol with Edie Sedgwick and Chuck Wein by Burt Glinn, which was fun to see. See more scenes from the show when you read more.

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Great Decorating Ideas From the Hotel Saint Cecilia

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Austin's South Congress Hotel Saint Cecilia expertly mixes styles, eras, and patterns in the design of its rooms and public spaces. The uniting factor throughout the space is the hotel's inspiration. The hotel was named in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, and the Rolling Stones circa early '70s, writer William S. Burroughs, and artist Andy Warhol all serve as muses for the hotel. Comprised of five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios, this hotel is a must-visit spot the next time you hit Austin. See my favorite decorating ideas from the Saint Cecilia.
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Roundup: Pencils Ready . . . Go!

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 05:30:27 -0700

Whether you're returning to school or not this Fall, it always pays to have pencil and paper near at hand. Who knows when you might be struck by a flash of genius? I know that I always keep a notebook in my bag to jot down ideas about home decorating, a post for CasaSugar, or the plot for the great American novel. Whatever your writing habits may be, you can start your day's notes in style by carrying this To Do List Notebook ($6.50) from Brookline Street Studio. Inspired by the artist's collection of vintage, 1940s Dick-and-Jane flashcards, the covers are letterpress-printed with an antique, treadle-operated press using soy inks and 100 percent recycled cardstock.

For more of my favorite pencils and notebooks, read more.

Do You Have Any Large-Scale Artwork in Your Home?

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 11:00:18 -0700

Large-scale artwork tends to be more expensive than small pieces by the same artist, although with that higher price tag comes a grander impact. Then again, some say bigger is not necessarily better. But if you take Nick Olsen's advice, bigger is better, especially if you live in a studio because it makes the space seem more expansive. Regardless, do you have any?

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Tord Boontje Named Head of Design Products at the Royal College of Art

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:22 -0700

Dutch-born, London-based product designer Tord Boontje is no doubt a force in the design world (and even influences tattoo choices). But, he's about to become a direct influence on a group of budding artists, already talented in their own right. He's been named the successor to Israeli industrial designer and architect Ron Arad as head of Design Products at his alma mater, the Royal College of Art in London. The Royal College is the world’s only wholly postgraduate art and design institution, and also one of the most respected. Don't worry though, he'll maintain his role as director of Studio Tord Boontje; his whimsical, nature-inspired lighting and curtains aren't going anywhere.
To hear what he had to say about upcoming venture and see some of his designs, read more:

I am very excited about my appointment as professor of Design Products at the Royal College of Art. It is a great opportunity to lead and inspire a fantastic group of students, tutors, technicians, and administrative staff. The department has a fantastic pluralistic character, an experimental nature, a culture of innovation, and a very individual approach to student’s development. I am very keen to maintain these qualities and to build further upon them.

Artecnica Come Rain Come Shine Chandelier - Multicolor - $4,950.00	Artecnica - 'second shadow' garden lamps by tord boontje for artecnica - $95.00
Artecnica Midsummer Light - White - $95.00	Moroso Tord Boontje Wall Graphic - $1,380.00
Moroso - shadowly armchair by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $2,832.00	Artecnica - Fairy Tail 6ft greeting cards by Tord Boontje - $9.00
Artecnica - flora garland by tord boontje for artecnica - $5,251.00	Artecnica - thinking of you vase covers by tord boontje for artecnica - $44.00
Moroso - bon bon side table by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $623.00	Artecnica - come rain come shine light by tord boontje - $4,950.00
Swarovski - wall flowers by tord boontje for swarovski - $211.00	Artecnica - midsummer light by tord boontje for artecnica - $56.00
Moroso - tord boontje collection by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $744.00	Artecnica - candle clamps by studio tord boontje for artecnica - $82.00
Artecnica - 'puddles' appliques by tord boontje for artecnica - $15.00	Authentics -table stories - fine porcelain dishes and crystal by tord boontje for authentics - $18.00
Artecnica - tranSglass mirrors by tord boontje for artecnica - $2,200.00	Artecnica -bright times tea light holders by studio tord boontje for artecnica - $32.00
Moroso - nest outdoor chair by tord boontje for moroso of Italy - $699.00	Moroso - closer chaise lounge by tord boontje for moroso of italy - $7,704.00

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Le Carnet Pad - Large - $8.00	Graphite Pencil, Quill - $46.00
Ikat Journal - $20.00	Set of 12 Twig Colored Pencils - $9.99
Edition Notebook - $9.95	Barneys New York Mondrian Pencil Box- Multi - $85.00
Bleeker Notebooks - $18.00	Tidy Oriole Pencil Cup - $18.00
Rhodia Essential Box - $20.00	Colored Pencils Set Of 16 - $14.95
Graphite Pencil, Leaf - $55.00	Spotted Deer Notebook - $12.00