CasaSugar

Etsy Find: Belt Buckle Frame

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

Since I recently suggested you repurpose your belt buckles as frames, when I came across a belt buckle for sale used in the same way, I couldn't help but share! The Domestikate Custom Belt Buckle ($26) was originally used to hold polished rock and gemstone pieces, and it has a D-ring on its back side, so it can actually be used as a buckle or just as a decorative frame. I love its 1970s Western theme, and think it just begs for a black-and-white cowboy image inside. The seller will print your photo to size and set it in the frame with a plastic protection sheet in front. Pretty neat, huh?

Casa Verde: A Mat Made of Belts

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:15:54 -0700

In the last couple years, we've seen belts cinching their way up our waists. But did you ever think you'd find them covering your floor? That is, aside from in your floordrobe? The Branch Home Vintage Belt Floor Mat ($688) has rescued vintage leather belts destined for landfills by mounting them together to become a cushy mat for the floor of your home. The combination of rich, aged tones and textures of each belt comes together to resemble quite aptly the patina acquired by your hardwood floors — albeit you've probably never wrapped your floors around your waist. This sort of inventive design, which reconstitutes recycled parts for a new purpose is becoming more and more common these days. Have you seen designs with similar origins?

Love It or Hate It? Z Gallerie Mode Pillows

CasaSugar — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 10:13:50 -0800

While I do understand that wide belts have been "in" for the last couple of years, I don't think I'd want one "in" my home, particularly on a pillow like this. For those of you who don't speak French, this Z Gallerie Mode Pillow is named "Mode" because that word means "in fashion." Do you think belted pillows are fashionable?

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Coveted Crib: Jenna Lyons's Brooklyn Town House

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:57 -0700

The September cover story for my favorite home decorating magazine, Livingetc, features J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons's relaxed, elegant Brooklyn town house. Lyons and her husband, artist Vincent Mazeu, spent two years turning the run-down house into a dream home for themselves and their son, Beckett. In the article, Jenna explains, "My trick has been to approach each area like putting together an outfit. You might start with an old pair of jeans, a cashmere cardigan, or a floral belt, and work around that central fashion statement." Take a mini tour of the space with me, and then pick up the September copy of Livingetc to get the full experience.

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How-To: Save Money on a Vacation House This Summer

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 07:00:20 -0700

While most of us have been tightening our belts when it comes to Summer vacations, there are still ways to fit in a getaway before Labor Day arrives. Even if it's just an overnight trip, you'll still reap the benefits of getting away from it all, falling asleep to the sound of crickets or waves, and lounging on the beach for a day. Think it's out of reach? See my tips for saving money on a vacation house when you read more.

Get a little help from your friends. If you've got a crew of friends or family who you wouldn't mind spending a weekend with, turn your romantic getaway for two into an all-out friends frenzy. Look for a large house through Vacation Rentals by Owner and then split the cost with your friends. The final price tag can be surprisingly small when it's split among several parties.
Try Home Exchange. Do you own your home? Then register it with Home Exchange. Essentially, the service allows you to trade your home with that of another party. For instance, if you lived in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, you could trade your hip home with that of someone living beachside in Capitola. No money required! It's simply a home switch-a-roo.
Be flexible. Do you have a flexible work schedule, or do you work on weekends? You're much more likely to get a cheaper rate on a cottage or bed and breakfast if you travel mid-week. Make sure to ask about mid-week specials when calling to inquire about a particular vacation cottage.
Try roughing it. If all else fails, why not try camping? Many of our country's state and national campgrounds are located on gorgeous beaches or lakes - perfect spots for beating the heat on a hot July day. If you can't stand the thought of a tent, you could borrow a friend's pop-up camper or charming vintage trailer, and park it at an RV-approved camping site.

Anyone else have other ideas for cheap vacation homes? Share them in the comments!

Designer Spotlight: Scott Weston

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 06:15:52 -0800

Sydney-based architectural, interior, and graphic designer Scott Weston has a slew of awards under his belt, including Best Commercial Interior and Best Use of Color from the Design Institute of Australia. His design of the Medusa Hotel was voted one of "the coolest hotels in the world" by Condé Nast Traveler. I find his innovative use of color awe-inspiring, and his theatrical designs, be it a bell-curved ceiling or stage-like curtains in a kitchen, make each room in his portfolio a treat to enjoy - like tickets to a Broadway musical. To take a peek at his work, read more.

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Wrap Star! Letterpress Buckle With Ribbon

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 04:30:39 -0800

When you're no longer stuck on stick-on bows and curling ribbon doesn't make the cut, spend a few bucks on the DSharp Letterpress Buckle With Ribbon ($7.50). This large oval belt, comprised of letterpress red striped printed paper, will replace your fussy bows in a cinch. The buckle arrives with ribbon, and that's all you'll need to dress your gifts: Just slide through and pull. No tape required! We all know a belt can easily transform a basic outfit, so why not use one to dress up your solid gift wrap or some brown packaging? Instant style.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 14:00:28 -0800

Make frosted doilies.- Make
I love this modern Christmas mantel.- AT:SF
Think outside the Christmas box.- Forecast Earth
Try these green DIY ideas.- Inhabitat
2009 will be big for modern, authentic, and handmade.- PoppyTalk
What do you think of this modular leather belt floor? - Re-Nest
Polli's a company that makes plastic fantastic.- Simply Stated
Nick Olsen loves the Klean Kanteen.- Daily Dose

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Casa Quickie: One, Two, Buckle My . . . .

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:45:50 -0700

I love this idea for repurposing old belt buckles that I found over at Martha Stewart. Take thrifted belt buckles and use them as miniature photo frames, or even better, stick a magnet on the back and display them on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface. Antique stores, flea markets, or thrifting adventures should yield plenty of great possibilities for frames. Try to stick to similar shapes and color palettes to really make the collection gel. Need step-by-step directions? You can learn how to make this craft yourself here.

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Su Casa: Amers230's Closet Solution

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:30:57 -0700

Su Casa member Amers230 recently shared an inventive solution to her overcrowded closet. She writes, "I recently switched rooms with my sister, and while the room itself is bigger, I lost some closet space in the deal. My bags were literally falling out of my closet and hanging off of my bookcase. I had no idea what I was going to do with them until I got the new Ikea catalog in the mail. Page 202 was my answer. It showed a girl's room with some pan racks hanging on the wall, holding various accessories."

"I also have a small entrance hallway to my room which was just dead space at the moment. I decided to go with three of the Grundtal dish racks because the silver matched other items in my room and it was a bit smaller than the other options. I also ended up buying five five-packs of the matching hooks (which I'm not exactly in love with because the hook portion is actually quite small. I may switch to regular S hooks at some point)."

To hear how Amers230's using her new closet solution, read more.

Amers230 goes on to write, "The angle on the picture is kind of weird, but the racks are centered between my open door and my dresser. I've played around with it for a few weeks now and while I had originally intended for it to hold more accessories (I've had my belts, headbands, and scarves there at various points), I think it looks best just with my purses and tote bags. It's by no means a perfect solution, but it really works for me. My closet is now more bearable and I've even been switching up my purses more now that I can see what I have (and don't have, I never realized I owned mostly black bags!). It also added a lot of color to my plain white wall, which I love. And it only cost about $40, which in my opinion is a big bang for my buck!"

Do you have a cool storage solution or home improvement to share? Join Su Casa!