CasaSugar

Before and After: Boring China Cabinet to Fabulous Bookcase

Casa Community — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Su Casa member LittleLeo recently transformed a dated china cabinet into a fabulous bookcase:
We inherited this piece from a friend who was getting a new dining room set. My husband couldn't understand why I wanted the cabinet and not the dining table too. I explained I had a vision for my home office. I sanded it all down and painted it matte black, wallpapered the back, and had acrylic shelves made. It has set the tone for the room and now the "office" doesn't take away from the living room. It actually adds an extra layer of function to the room, at least I think so.
To see LittleLeo's finished project, .

Have you made over any furniture lately? Be sure to add photos to our Su Casa group!

IKEA France Celebrates the 30th B-Day of the Billy Bookcase

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:08 -0700

It's been 30 years since IKEA designer Gillis Lundgren debuted the wildly popular Billy Bookcase ($89.99). The product is a classic, streamlined design that's been used to store everything from pantry items to novels, and has been personalized every which way in homes around the world. So to celebrate, IKEA France is running a promotion called Your Billy, where the bookcase's fans can send in photos of how they've DIY'd it to enter to win IKEA gift cards. The retailer has also released a limited-edition Billy collection printed with graffiti/doodle-style words, as well as a special anniversary book recounting the history of the bookcase, and some cute related products like "B" Bookends. IKEA US doesn't seem to be running the same promotion just yet, but the US is usually the last. So we'll stay tuned!

Casa Quickie: Paint Your Home Library

CasaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:15:00 -0700

If you don't read and you don't want other people to know it, you can fool your guests by painting a faux bookcase on your wall. New York interior designer Amie Weitzman had a trompe-l'œil bookcase put in this sitting room of the New York residence of one of her clients. As you can see, the homeowner appears to have a mighty colorful and extensive book collection that makes a powerful focal point. But if you look closely you'll realize it's not what it seems. Literacy is overrated anyway, isn't it?

Cool Idea: Isabel Quiroga's StoryTeller Book Rack

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

I imagine some furniture lovers might find Isabel Quiroga's Storyteller Book Rack to be sacrilegious. Considering how many tables and desks sit abandoned on sidewalks and in thrift stores, many with dated or worn finishes, I think it's brilliant. Not only is this book rack made of old tables a great way to repurpose something that's no longer needed, but it proves that there's strength in numbers. While one coffee table may have held a couple art books and a set of coasters, the sum of them can house a whole library. Storyteller is the sort of the thing that'll make your friends say, "Wow. I wish I'd thought of that." Get out your chain saws.

Cool Idea: Books by the Foot

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 15:00:26 -0700

I am on a never-ending quest to expand my home library, and fortunately my home is small enough that I'm not plagued with any bare bookcases giving guests the illusion that I'm illiterate. But, if I did live in a sprawling space with lots of storage, why not fill those built-ins with books? Enter Wonder Book, which sells books by the foot. Prices for "like new" hardback books begin at $6.99 per foot. Depending on what look you're trying to achieve, or what you're interested in, you can choose from modern cloth hardbacks, vintage club books, oversized coffee-table books, vintage kids books, sets, books by subject, books by color, and more. I love the look of the Vintage Club Books ($49.99). I would prefer a collection of books I've bought one by one myself, so that they're not only decorative functional, and so the collection tells a story. But you never know, maybe you'll find a gem around foot 2.

Do You Store Books in Your Bedroom?

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:15:10 -0700

In many homes I visit, books are displayed in the living room or other public spaces for guests to peruse, and many living rooms have built-in bookcases. But, seeing as I usually read curled up in bed, it makes sense to keep an unread collection of books in the bedroom.

Cool Idea: Chair, Stool, and Bookcase in One

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 08:00:46 -0700

Perusing the portfolio of interiors photographer Rachael Smith, I did a double-take when I saw this bookcase in a designer's home. A side chair and stool were designed to slide into the form of the bookcase itself. I'm not sure who makes this bookcase, or if it's a one-off creation. But I think it would be ideal for small spaces like studios where storage for spare seating is at a minimum. And yes, the bookcase also cues in on the tetris-inspired bookshelves trend. And that baby blue! Love it.

Sale Alert: Ikea Expedit Bookcase

CasaSugar — Sat, 23 May 2009 08:30:02 -0700

Ikea doesn't really ever have sales. But, it does have an occasional Seize the Days event, a limited time offer on only a few products. Today through Monday, the Expedit bookcase can be yours for $49, reduced from $89.99. The Expedit is a classic that works wonders as a room divider, which is ideal if you live in a studio. Its simple shape works with any room, though, and you can always pick up more to fill an entire wall (though this sale is limited to one per customer).

Nice and New: Ikea PS Pendel Clock

CasaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:30:01 -0700

Flipping through the latest issue of Living Etc, I was awestruck by a cool grandfather clock. The quirky and modern design has built-in shelving to hold your housewares - perfect for kitchenware or books.

"Must. Have," I thought. Then I realized it was from Ikea. Could the world be any sweeter? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, it could be, because the design doesn't seem to be available in the States yet. Until then, I'll just have to settle with these cool clocks. But, if you live in the UK, you can buy it for £129.

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

CasaSugar — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 05:30:00 -0700

. . . would you hang this new work by Tel Aviv native and artist Ron Arad in your home? "Oh, the farmer & the cowman should be friends" will soon be on exhibit at the Timothy Taylor Gallery in London. It's made of stainless and Cor-Ten steel and forms the shape of the United States - if you hadn't noticed.Source