CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: Endless Summer Decorating

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00:17 -0700

Just because we're reaching the end of the Summer season doesn't meant that your home decorating scheme has to bid the Summer adieu, too. While fresh-cut garden flowers will disappear after Indian Summer, there are other souvenirs of your beach season that can last all year round. Gather shells the next time you swing by the ocean, and then use them to decorate your home. Stack shells in a hurricane vase and position it on your mantel. Or, string them and hang them like a pennant across a bathroom window. That way, you can keep things beachy keen well into the Autumn.

Source: Photo by Elliston Lutz

Open House: What Do You Bring to the Beach?

CasaSugar — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 05:30:52 -0700

Sometimes it seems as if getting ready to go to the beach takes up as much time as your beach excursion itself does. Whether you're spending time at a Summer beach house, or taking advantage of a sandy-beached lake, if you're going to be in the sun and surf all day, you don't want to forget anything essential. On the other hand, you also don't want to be too weighed down.

I know people who bring coolers, sports equipment, umbrellas, chairs, and more to the beach. Some of my audiophile friends always bring an iPod mini speaker system to the beach, but I prefer to listen to the sound of the waves. My essentials include a big, fluffy towel, sunscreen, a good book, lots of water, and a yummy lunch that won't wilt in the sun. Of course, since my dog is often tagging along, doggy snacks, plastic bags, and a water bowl are also needed. I tend not to bring chairs or umbrellas, since I'm in favor of traveling semi-light for a beach day. What do you need to bring to your beach day?
Source: Flickr User Fevi in Cayman

Casa Quickie: Use an Oar as a Curtain Road

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:15:04 -0700

In an effort to stay within budget, and to cut back on consumerism, sometimes you gotta work with what your momma gave ya . . . or what you already own. When stars align, sometimes the furnishing that's a hand-me-down, a street find, or the like, is the perfect one for your digs. The owners of this beach shack on the Isle of Wight in the UK, recently featured on AT:NY, made the most of an old oar by using it as a curtain rod. In most homes, a paddling device used to hold up curtain panels would look out of place to say the least. But here, it's charming and a bit kitschy, and it has the worn-in, well-loved style that every beachside home should have. Have you used any unusual items as a curtain rod in your home?

Ask Casa: A Sand-Friendly Vacuum

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:00:59 -0700

Dear Casa,
I have seen posts on pet-friendly vacuums, but my problem is not just dog hair. It is massive amounts of sand that my beautiful Chow Chow drags in from Crissy Field [in San Francisco]. I need a recommendation for a vacuum for wood floors and carpets strong enough to pick up the sand. Any ideas?
Thanks,
MaryBeth

To hear my response to MaryBeth, read more.

Hi MaryBeth,
Funny you should ask . . . literally just two days ago, I spilled a fine-granule cleaning solution that is very much like sand, and used my Dyson DC24 ($399.99) to suck it up with no problems. I didn't even have to run over the sandy solution twice; first time was a charm! If you read Casa regularly, you may remember that I reviewed the Dyson DC24, so you can read about it for more details. If not this particular vacuum, I highly recommend Dysons in general for your dilemma, as they exhibit great suction power. Some other vacuum brands that I highly recommend are Electrolux (vintage ones are best) and Miele. I hope this helps!
Cheers,
Casa

Source

Su Casa: A Beach Backyard to Die For

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Su Casa member Scolls1583 recently snapped some photos at a friend's beach house party in Boston, and was so impressed she decided to share! She says that the host basically built his backyard area "from the ground up . . . put in a pool, built a bar, and decorated with great furniture." I'm certainly wowed by this home; it looks like the perfect place to entertain during an endless Summer. Aside from the obvious coveted Summer features (pool and beach), he's set up plenty of comfortable seating for all of his guests, what looks like a firepit or grill (in foreground), a volleyball net (not shown), and a beer pong table. Can anyone say PARTY?! If you're interested in posting pictures of superb pads like this, make sure to join my Su Casa group!

Roundup: Hit the Beach House

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:30:43 -0700

Do you have a weekend or extended stay planned at a house on the ocean this Summer? Make sure to take some essentials with you to keep comfy on the beach. To see some of my favorite accessories for the beach house, read more.

Source

Coveted Crib: Alys Beach Homes

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 15:00:14 -0700

I just came across Alys Beach, a community of resort homes on the Florida Panhandle, and I am completely infatuated with the place. With beautiful white stucco walls and white-ridged roofs, it's a cross between English and Spanish architecture with classic, old-world charm.

It's also outfitted with every modern convenience, and each home is built using green construction techniques. Many homes have gracious, private, and storm-resistant courtyards such as this one, but the community also has spacious central courtyards for getting to know neighbors. And with gorgeous ocean views, rooftop terraces are another luxury. As for the interiors, they're as magnificent as the exteriors with tall, vaulted ceilings, expansive windows, rich wooden ceiling beams, and a minimal, antique industrial aesthetic. Take the full tour of this house when you read more.

View 12 Photos ›

Love It or Hate It? Neon Beach Shacks

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 06:15:23 -0700

These brightly hued beach houses in Sea Bright, NJ, definitely draw the eye. But would you want to look at them every day?
Photo by Sister72

Have You Been to a Beach House This Summer?

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:00:17 -0700

Few things are as relaxing as a lazy weekend by the beach. Have you had the pleasure this Summer?

Steal of the Day: Lauria Beach Towel

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:30:44 -0700

Beyond your average, solid, monogrammed towel, sophisticated beach towels are hard to come by, particularly if you'd like a patterned one. So take note: the Pottery Barn Lauria Beach Towel ($29, reduced from $39) is on sale and completely chic. Its artfully rendered botanical graphic is inspired by the vintage watercolor books that decoupage artist John Derian makes a living on. The towel has a thick cotton velour top, and is backed with cotton terry, making it the ideal thing to dry you off after a dip this Summer. And, you can also have it monogrammed to add a personal touch to your pool décor.

Nordstrom Print Beach Towel - $28.00	Veneto Adjustable Folding Chair - $750.00
Retromodern Mini Grill - $98.00	Horseshoes Game Set - $79.00
Anybody Out There? - $14.95	Picnic Basket - $19.95
Round Market Umbrella - Solid - $99.00	Royal Botania - beacher sunlounger by royal botania - $35.00
Pierantonio Bonacina - beach house by mary bloch for bonacina - $339.00	Koko - Trees Plastic Floormat 6 x 4 - $51.00
Saratoga Sling Chair - $19.00	Natural Fiber Beach Mats - $6.99