CasaSugar

Su Casa: Whittle03's New Apartment

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 05:30:34 -0800

Su Casa member Whittle03 and her boyfriend just moved to a new apartment near downtown Boston, and although her interior design work is not complete, things are looking great! A successful cohabitation is always a difficult balance when it comes to design, but Whittle03 sounds like she has it under control. She says, "Love is all about compromise. I hate leather, but my boyfriend loves it. So, I tried to find something more streamlined." Clearly, in this living room she's balanced a leather sofa, chair, and storage ottoman with other textiles on her cushions, throw, and silk lamps shades. I think her living room manages not to look overly feminine or masculine. And, although it certainly looks like a cozy lounging spot, it is also quite polished and neat. To see more of her home, read more.

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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!

This Just In: Tom Brady Likes to Lose

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 05:45:28 -0800

In light of Sunday's Super Bowl results, I'd have to say that Tom Brady is making a habit of losing these days. In addition to his team's Sunday loss, Brady has unloaded his 3,412-square-foot, three bedroom, three-and-a-half bath Boston condo for $5,285,000, according to Real Estalker. Property records show that he paid $4,125,000 for the 10 room condo four years ago, so I guess he's gained a million or so. The property's real estate listing calls the Burrage Mansion the "Back Bay's crowning jewel," so you might say the quarterback king has been dethroned.

The residence features "gorgeous museum quality lobby, elevator access to elegant foyer, [a] fabulous kitchen opening to [a] fireplaced family room, separate dining room, [and a] fireplaced living room," in addition to a "beautiful master bedroom suite with marble bath and custom closets." No pigskin off his back, though: I think his girlfriend Gisele prefers NYC better. To see floor plans of the Victorian manse, read more

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Get the Look: Joanna's Studio From Eastwick

CasaSugar — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:00:11 -0700

While not nearly as earthy as her friend Roxie, Joanna Frankel, the enterprising journalist and newbie witch from ABC's Eastwick still favors an eclectic look in her classically modern studio apartment. Find out how to get the look of this Boston transplant.
Photo Courtesy of ABC

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Ask Casa: Can I Tour a Green Home in Boston?

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:39:06 -0800

Hey CasaSugar,

Thanks for the informative green-living articles. I love being able to find information like that. You mentioned that if anyone was interested in touring a green home, to let you know. Well, I'm interested!!

I live just outside of Boston, and I wouldn't be surprised if there is a green home open for public viewing and what not. But I'm not sure. Could you possibly direct me to a great place? If there is one? Thanks again!

Thanks,
Peachy/Peaches

Dear Peachy,

I was able to track down a number of great options for you in the Boston area.

To see the rest of my response, just read more.

You can tour Nexus, a green living and green building showcase in Boston.
You can check out the Going Green Expo on February 2nd and 3rd.
Go take a look at Rollins Square.
Green Homes Northeast is another great resource.
Sage Farm is a solar home in Concord, Massachusetts.

I hope this list helps you find a great home to tour! Do any Bostonians have additional suggestions?

Yours,
Casa

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:00:57 -0700

See how one couple makes Ikea their own. - Decor8
Wow! Check out this hot-pink bedroom. - AT:Boston
Festive flowers for the Day of the Dead. - Craft
I adore these arty book jackets. - Shelterrific
Minimize chaos with a room divider. - Simply Stated
Decorate with branches this Autumn. - Re-Nest

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:00:28 -0700

Tour Shauna and Stephen's Philly loft. - The Nest
Would you sleep on a bed of hay? - AT:Boston
Transform a vase with yarn. - Craft
Get wowed by Paul Barbara's photos. - Desire to Inspire
Grab some cute coasters. - Shelterrific
Surround yourself with books. - Danny Seo
Visit online shop Patchwork Harmony. - Simply Stated

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 13:00:29 -0700

These personalized plates are divine. - PointClickHome
Tour 5 colorful New England homes. - AT:Boston
Make room for new possibilities. - SImply Stated
Take this organizing quiz. - ShelterPop
Learn how to paint a wall stripe. - The Nest
Check out these cool creative reuse ideas. - Re-Nest

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:00:50 -0700

Eric Zener's paintings have me nostalgic for Summer. - Wide Open Spaces
Tour this gothic bungalow. - AT:Boston
Make a corrugated glow tea light lantern. - Craft
I love these outdoor showers. - Charles and Hudson
Check out online shop Olio United. - Simply Stated
See how one family remodeled their kitchen for $645! - This Old House

Casa Verde: Custom-Made Furniture From Beeken Parsons

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I recently had the opportunity to tour the wood shop of Beeken Parsons, a Vermont-based furniture maker that crafts exquisite, handmade furniture. The workshop was established in 1983 by Vermont furniture makers Bruce Beeken and Jeff Parsons, who first met as students in Boston University's Program in Artisanry. For over 20 years, the partners have crafted exceptionally beautiful, sustainable furniture out of their small shop in Shelburne, VT.

Using FSC-certified wood, this eco-minded company creates a number of products, including tables, chairs, lamps, beds, and office chairs, such as this one. The company has also made custom furniture for colleges such as Middlebury, using trees from the college’s own grounds. Using trees such as these results in something Beeken Parsons calls "character wood."

To find out more about "character wood," and for more examples of Beeken Parsons's work, read more.

Beeken Parsons describes character wood as "dovetail[ing] beautifully with our design instincts, our love of the outdoors and our environmental sensibilities. Character wood tells the story of a tree, of dry summers, wet springs, storms, fires, wildlife activity, rich soils, or difficult growing sites. Grain textures reveal a history of growing conditions. Knots found near the center of the tree are the beginnings of branches formed when the tree was a sapling. Mineral streaks spring from injuries, insect or animal activity. Occasionally, we find spile holes in maple boards, an indication that the tree was tapped for sap to make maple syrup. Wood changes color around those holes. Knots and their surrounding grain have a deep, soft radiance when sanded and finished properly. Character wood has a remarkable range of color, from cream and salmon to auburn and chocolate. The beauty of nature is found, not in its regularity, but in its rich variety of shapes, textures and colors. This array of character lends a richness and vitality to the simple forms found in our furniture."

While some people may prefer "flawless" wood, I prefer the idea of telling a story within a piece of furniture, especially if this furniture is sourced from your own property. It doesn't get much more local or personal than that. Would you ever use character wood for custom-made furniture? Have you already done so?

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