CasaSugar

How Would You . . .

CasaSugar — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 08:30:13 -0700

This adorable Jeu de Quilles (Bowling) Set ($575), designed to look like toy soldiers, is from 1940s France. With only nine pins left, it's probably a bit difficult to play a genuine bowling game. So, I'd like you to think outside of the alley and tell me how you'd use the set in your home as décor or a furnishing. If you're handy or know a good carpenter, you could certainly transform them into a playful and interesting furniture piece, by perhaps using the pins as legs for a table or arms for a shelf. Or, you might even hang them from the ceiling as a chandelier. I'd love to use them as small fence posts, or pedestals for outdoor candles. Tell me how you'd use them in your home by commenting below!

Su Casa: Erin84's Sweet and Simple Christmas Decorations

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 05:30:00 -0800

Su Casa member Erin84 responded to my Su Casa Challenge and posted some gorgeous pictures of her sweet and simple Christmas decorations. She got festive without going overboard by creating a dining table centerpiece with a few silver balls and a single poinsettia flower in a vase, which she then set inside a glamorous bowl.
Have you posted holiday decorating photos to Su Casa? In case you forgot, this month I'd like you to share photos of your own holiday decorating with the rest of us in the Su Casa Group. You have all month to get your photos in, and feel free to add a caption, talking about how you achieved your festive look, where your accents are from, or what your holiday traditions are when it comes to decking the halls!
Two lucky participants will win the CasaSugar swag of their choice, so it's definitely worth taking a snapshot or two of your home! I'm looking forward to seeing all of your inspired decor!

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Park(ing) Day: 10 Hints For Your Own Park

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 07:00:12 -0700

Last week, I told you all about my plans for Park(ing) Day. Now an international event, Park(ing) Day turns parking spots in urban areas into temporary parks, as a way to highlight the need for green spaces in cities, as well as to show how much physical room cars take up.

My Sugar friends and I had a great time at Park(ing) Day! Since several of you told me that your interest was piqued, and that you might want to participate in this event next year, I thought I'd give you some tips on how to make your Park(ing) Day as easy and stress-free as possible.

To see my tips, as well as a huge gallery of photos, read more.

Educate yourself on the history of Park(ing) Day before you're at your park. Here's a good place to start.
For step-by-step directions, download a PDF manual.
Be friendly! People may know what your park is about, or they might have no idea why you're putting down sod in a parking spot. Tell them about the reasons behind Park(ing) Day, and invite them to join you.
Make friends with traffic cops and meter maids. The friendlier you are, the harder it will be for them to be stern. And in fact, the traffic cop across the street from my park was incredibly nice and loved the park!
Sod is heavy. And dirty. Plan accordingly. You should wear something that can get grubby, and also bring gloves. Make sure to lay down a tarp in your parking spot before you start rolling out your sod.
Activities are fun, but you might spend nearly the whole day talking. I brought Scrabble and bocce ball to my park, but most of the time I was explaining Park(ing) Day to people or shooting the breeze.
Bring friends! Not only will this divvy up your workload, but it will leave someone at your park while you run to the bathroom or grab lunch.
People love treats. I brought a ton of candy with to the site, but the big hit of the day was a bowl of tomatoes that had been picked fresh from my garden. Another park was making fresh smoothies!
Have a plan for your sod. I posted the sod for free on Craigslist, and almost all of it was taken away by the man that responded to my post.
Make sure to have change for the meter, and most importantly, remember to have fun!

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How-To: Make Changes That Don't Cost a Thing

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 15:00:14 -0700

I've offered you some inspirational small changes that involve switching out hardware or painting an accent wall, but you don't have to spend money to see some big results! Take a look at my list of ways you can improve your home without spending a dime.

Start a collection. Choose a favorite color or theme, and then scour your home for items that fit. For instance, group white objects such as vases, small trinkets, statues, and bowls together for a surprisingly pretty collection.
Start with your closet, and organize!
Make your lingerie drawer smell lovely by assembling some no-sew sachets out of an old t-shirt or skirt.
Try grouping objects in 3s and 5s.
Take extra glasses or mugs out of your kitchen and use them as stash pots for your makeup, q-tips, and other bathroom necessities.

For other suggestions, read more.

Rearrange a room! It's fun, illuminating, and does your house a world of good. Look what it did for HarmonyFrance's dining room!
If you have a yard, arrange a nontraditional bouquet from tree branches, tall grasses, shrubbery, or a mix of these and flowers.
Clean out your junk drawer.
Take the time to transition your hall closet or entry closet from winter mode to summer mode. Store all of your heavy blankets, winter jackets, and other unneeded items elsewhere, and make room for sunblock, balls, bats, croquet mallets, and other summer necessities.
Switch up your photo display by making a Polaroid trellis. And don't worry - you can use regular photos, too!
If you're tired of some of your furnishings, have a garage sale, then use your extra loot to get something you truly want.

Have other suggestions? Leave them below!

Source

Love It or Hate It? Michael Anastassiades Bronze Ball Vase

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 14:56:43 -0700

I am a pretty terrible bowler, but this Michael Anastassiades Bronze Ball Vase ($2,500) is a bowling ball I can get behind. The sculptural piece is made from weighty bronze and offers a very dramatic way to display a single flower. What do you think?