CasaSugar

How To: Wash Your Sheets

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 07:00:42 -0700

Ask the Decorator online home-improvement and decorating show host Meghan Carter interviewed Alan Jesseman, the creative director at Anichini, to learn the right way to wash your sheets. He offered some expert tips on the task, some of which may make you realize you've been doing it all wrong! I've summarized a few for you:

Sheets should always be washed; you don't want dry-cleaning chemicals close to your body.
Use a mild detergent or soap, something that doesn't have any whiteners or brighteners, and something that has minimal fragrance or colorings to it.
Test oxygen bleaches on a corner before using to make sure it won't take the color out.

There's more where these came from and a video of the interview, so read more.

Always dissolve your detergent in the water first and let it agitate for a minute before you put the clothes in.
Everything will last longer if you use a front-loading washer; they're much more gentle because they don't have the agitator in the middle.
Hot water is very harsh on the fibers and colors, and will shorten the lifespan of your sheets. Use cool or lukewarm water.
If you line dry your sheets, the wind will blow most of the wrinkles out of them, and you won't get lint (a sign of your sheets breaking down). If you live in a city and can't line dry, use your dryer on the air tumble (fluff dry) cycle.
Take your sheets out of your dryer before they're bone dry (hot and dry) because that's hard on the fibers.
Sheets smell best if you line dry them in the snow!

Check out Ask the Decorator for more videos and tips like these!

Ask Casa: Elle Decor Black and White Striped Rug

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:00:26 -0700

Dear Casa, I was thumbing through the July/Aug 09 issue of Elle Decor last night and fell in love with Monelle Totah's striped black and white rug on page 71. Any ideas on where I can find that rug or a similar one? I love the triple-stripe look. The Ikea rug is an off-white, and looks too busy, so I've already ruled that one out. Thanks for your help!! Pookie17To hear my suggestions for Pookie17, read more.

Hi there, Thanks for thinking of me! That's a beautiful rug; I can see why you asked. My first thought was that the rug is from Williams-Sonoma Home, seeing as Tonah is the company's VP of design and owns many other W-S Home furnishings. But, I checked out the shop and it's not in their current selection of inventory - although it very well may be an older design. She also takes regular scouting trips to Europe and points beyond, so it may be an antique. Nevertheless, here are some similar rugs which you might like:

Customized St. Tropez Indoor/Outdoor Rugs -Stripe - $119.95	Nautical Stripe Rug - $160.00
Striped Braided Indoor/Outdoor Rug - $65.00	Nantucket Jute Rug - $19.00

The Nate Berkus Kilim Stripe Rug ($23-159) has varying width stripes, but it's not available in black. Otherwise, Dash and Albert is my go-to place for cotton striped rugs, and you might also want to check eBay and your local antiques dealers and flea markets, as it's certainly a classic design.

Ask Casa: Decorating With a Puppy in Mind

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 10:00:34 -0700

Hi Casa,

We've just recently adopted an adorable puppy, and we're having a great time with her. The only problem is she's taken over the house! We had to move and hide anything she might eat or chew, so our living room and bookcases look empty.

Our kitchen is overwhelmed by her dog bed, and her doggy toys are scattered all over. Plus there's always that dog "smell." I know we need to just find the right system of organization and storage that will be safe for her and attractive to us, but I don't even know where to start! Any suggestions or tips?

Thanks!
Alex

To see my suggestions, read more.

Hi Alex,

As it happens, I'm pretty well-versed on this one, since my husband and I adopted a puppy back in June (that's him lounging on a friend's sofa a few months ago). It's been eight years since I dealt with a puppy, and I'd forgotten how much work it is! Here are the most helpful things that I've gleaned from my experience of living with, and decorating around, a puppy.

During the day, the puppy is crated, so I usually air out his dog bed on our deck, to keep it smelling fresh. This helps cut the doggy smell.
To organize his toys, I placed a blue tin bucket in one corner. It's actually a really cute container in itself. While Haiko, our puppy, will take his toys out (and won't return them, sigh), it's easier to just toss them all in this bucket once he's abandoned one. This keeps us from tripping over bones and balls, and also keeps the house tidier.
Try to teach your puppy to enjoy one place in common areas as her spot. You can do this by placing her bed in that area, and then rewarding her with praise and treats when she stays there. Eventually, she'll settle in that spot.
I sympathize with you and your empty bookshelves, but don't worry, your puppy will grow out of the chewing stage. I'd try replacing your books little by little. Make sure to sternly tell your pup "No!" if she tries to chew on them, and give her a Kong or bone when she approaches your books. Our puppy went through a long chewing phase, but with simple reprimands and redirecting, he's now left our books and records alone.
To cut down on the doggy smell further, air out your house by opening windows. You can also try a natural air freshener or Nature's Miracle to eliminate odors.
Since doggy smells tend to stick to upholstery, keeping your pets off of furniture will reduce doggy smells as well. If you can't bear to keep your pup off the sofa or bed, you can try laying down a fleece blanket where your puppy usually rests. Make sure to regularly wash the blanket to cut down on smells.
You might also want to look into investing in a dog bed that will fit into your decorating scheme easier. Check out these dog beds on PetSugar for more ideas.

Anyone else have a great puppy strategy? Tell Alex about it when you leave a comment.

Hope this helps!
Casa

Ask Casa: How Can I Create an Old Hollywood Starlet Pad?

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:39 -0700

Twitter user DefDulce asked me a question which, judging from current trends, I think is on a lot of young decorators' minds: "How can you turn an ordinary apartment into an old Hollywood starlet pad?"

Without seeing her apartment, I can't offer specific, tailored changes or updates. So I thought I'd respond by offering a few key elements essential to any old Hollywood home. Choosing just a few of them will give your home that overtone of glitz and glamour so evocative of Old Hollywood style.

Lacquer your furniture! And if you can't afford to, high gloss paint will do.
Choose rich materials like silk and velvet for drapery and tablecloths.
Bring in luxe details: crystals on chandeliers, fringe on lampshades, gilt accessories.

See more of these.

Ask Casa: Help With My New Living Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Hi Casa,

I recently rented my first apartment and now I have to furnish and make it my own space. Eeek! I feel like I need some serious help. The apartment is not very big and I'm not allowed to paint the walls so they must remain white. Right now I'm focused on the living area. As of right now I have a couch, chair, and an accent table. I'm need of a coffee table, but I was thinking instead of going the table route, of doing a cocktail ottoman. I found one at Target, the Kerry Rectangle Ottoman, I thought might work well. If you could give me some pointers I would be truly grateful. I've included a picture so you can get some idea of what I'm working with. Thanks, xnieves

To hear my suggestions for xnieves, read more.

Hi xnieves,

Thanks for writing in! How fun? Your first apartment! The space looks great. Your parquet floors are gorgeous, and that fireplace nook is great.

It's too bad you can't paint the walls, but you do have some alternatives. If you're allowed to, hang large-scale artwork to instantly bring color to the space. The wall above that fireplace is just begging for a big, bright painting. You can also hang textiles, tapestries, or curtains to bring in color. Another great trick is to wallpaper boards of plywood and just lean them against your walls - see what I mean here.

While I do like the idea of using an ottoman instead of a coffee table, I'm afraid it will be too hefty for this small space, especially in that dark brown color of the Kerry ottoman. If you really want one, I'd recommend getting two small ottoman cubes instead - something more like this. But honestly, I think the space would really benefit from a coffee table that's much lighter visually, such as a glass or Lucite one. For instance, the CB2 Smart Coffee Table ($199) would look great (and let those parquet floors peek through).

The biggest problem I see already here though is that you're headed in a very beige and brown direction, which is not very inspiring or intriguing. You need color in this space. I recommend adding colorful throw pillows to the couch, and maybe a small one to the chair as well. Since you can't paint the walls, your furnishings should take the lead on adding color and personality. You should also dress up that fireplace nook; read my post on Decorating a Nonworking Fireplace for ideas. Bring in color with accessories, too, such a candlesticks, books, vases, etc.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Casa

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

Show Me Your Casa!

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:00:21 -0800

Add any new additions to your home lately? A new pendant light? Have you wallpapered? Bought a new coat rack? Whatever you're doing, I want to see it!

To learn how to join and post in the group, read more.

To join the Su Casa group, just follow this link and click "Join Group" on the right-hand side of the page. Once you're subscribed, click New Post on the upper right-hand side and choose what type of post you want to create. If you have just one photo and some text, create a text post; if you have a bunch of photos you want to share, select "gallery." The Community Help Group has a great primer on how to create a text post, so check that out if you've never posted one before. Here's a rundown of the basic process:

Su Casa can be found by clicking on See My Groups & Blogs from your member name drop-down. Once on the group homepage, click on New Post and choose the type of post.
Add a Title and the Body (content for your post). Don't forget to click the Check Spelling link and Upload an Image to make your post stand out!
In Advanced Options, add appropriate categories and tags. Click on Save Post and voila!

Source

Show Me Your Casa!

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:00:04 -0700

Add any new additions to your home lately? A new pendant light? Have you wallpapered? Bought a new coat rack? Whatever you're doing, I want to see it!

Show off all of your home views, both interior and exterior, in my group Su Casa, where readers can share snapshots and stories related to home decorating, crafts, organizing, and gardening. A Su Casa post could be anything from a photo of a loved-one's home to a tiny nook you're tickled by. Think of it as a look book for home style. If I see something I like in Su Casa, I might ask you if I can feature it on CasaSugar.
To learn how to join and post in the group, read more.
To join the Su Casa group, just follow this link and click "Join Group" on the right-hand side of the page. Once you're subscribed, click New Post on the upper right-hand side and choose what type of post you want to create. If you have just one photo and some text, create a text post; if you have a bunch of photos you want to share, select "gallery." The Community Help Group has a great primer on how to create a text post, so check that out if you've never posted one before. Here's a rundown of the basic process:

Su Casa can be found by clicking on See My Groups & Blogs from your member name drop-down. Once on the group homepage, click on New Post and choose the type of post.
Add a Title and the Body (content for your post). Don't forget to click the Check Spelling link and Upload an Image to make your post stand out!
In Advanced Options, add appropriate categories and tags. Click on Save Post and voila!

Source

The Iconic Egg Chair's Guide to the Galaxy

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:15:19 -0700

If, like me, you're a fan of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books, good news: the latest book in Douglas Adams's series has recently been released, with And Another Thing . . . written by Irish author Eoin Colfer. But what does this have to do with interior decorating, you ask? Well, a lot! Since the iconic Arne Jacobsen Egg chair is featured in Colfer's book, a limited-edition version of the egg chair was created by Fritz Hansen in collaboration with Lost Weekend and Penguin Group. The redesign features an embroidered, colorful array of lines on the back of the chair, representing an exploding Earth. Each chair is made from white hide and comes with a coordinating cowhide pillow. A matching footstool will also be available for sale as well. Only 42 chairs will be made, so these are definitely collector's items.

If you're in New York, stop by the Union Square Barnes and Noble at 7 p.m. this evening to check out a reading by Colfer, and one of the iconic chair redesigns, in person!

Ask Casa: Petrified Wood and Ceramic White Stools?

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 08:00:37 -0800

Hi CasaSugar!
I am working on wrapping up my living room and would love to get a petrified wood stool and a ceramic white stool similar to those in Monique Lhuillier's house (that I am totally in love with), which was featured on an Elle Decor cover a year ago.

I've talked to Hudson Furniture in New York - they have the petrified wood but they sell at $1,200-2,000 each. I'm looking for something in the $800 range. As far as the ceramic stool, I've seen one from West Elm, but I'm not sure about the quality. I'm willing to spend up to $500 on something nicer.

Thanks in advance for your suggestion!

Pookie17

To see my suggestions, read more.

Hi Pookie17,

Monique Lhuillier's house is indeed gorgeous, and the accents that caught your eye are particularly beautiful. Unfortunately, one of the other sources for petrified wood stools I found came in above the Hudson Furniture quote - Jayson Home and Garden carries a variety of petrified wood stools for around $1,500 each. The Chicago-based store Primitive also sells petrified wood stools, and you may have better luck securing a lower price through them. One suggestion I have, in lieu of the petrified wood stool, is the Roost Enchanted Forest Stool ($385), which is made of ceramic instead of petrified wood, but whose matte gunmetal finish gives it a rather realistic appearance.

As for the white ceramic stool, I'm a fan of (again!) Jayson Home and Garden's White Lattice Stool ($275). Instead of a geometric design, as employed in Lhullier's ceramic stools, this one uses an open lattice pattern to create visual interest. I also think that the west elm stool would be a good choice, though I welcome other readers' opinions on the durability of this particular piece.

Definitely check out the widget below to see if there are any pieces that strike your fancy as well.

Good luck!
CasaSugar

Source

Thorsten van Elten - van amburgh stool by thorsten van elten - $150.00	Zig Zag Stool - White - $375.00
Roost Spool Stool - $250.00	Convex Drum Table - $159.00
Roost Ribbon Stool - $290.00	White Garden Stool - $195.00
Lattice Stool - $275.00	Petrified Wood Q - $1,495.00
Roost Eyelet Stool - $310.00	Petrified Wood K - $1,495.00
Gus* Modern - Pawn Stool - $365.00	Grove Stool - $225.00
Helix Stool - $114.00	Roost Enchanted Forest Stool - $385.00
Petrified Wood O - $1,495.00