CasaSugar

Guess What This Picnic Set Is Made From?

CasaSugar — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 08:30:41 -0700

While it's always best to go with reusable picnic tableware, sometimes you've got to deal with disposables. Luckily, this disposable picnic set is made from a biodegradable plant fiber. Can you tell me what the fiber is? (Hint: It's sweet indeed.)

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?

Deck the Haus: Branch Home Felted Birds

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:45:30 -0800

These adorable Branch Home felted birds ($18 for 2) can be used for holiday decor, and would also fit in well in other decorating schemes for parties throughout the year. Made of eco-certified felt and satin ribbon, they come in sets of two, in either red and white or two green birds. These would look great hanging from a centerpiece over a dining table, or strung across a mantel. How would you use them in your home?

Source

Su Casa: A Soft Touch of Nature

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Aug 2007 05:30:08 -0700

Today's Su Casa comes from a lovely gallery that Vina recently added to the Su Casa group. (Want to share your photos? Here's how to join Su Casa.) Note how the very simple combination of an ethereal lamp with a delicate branch and moss-colored fabric gives off an enchanted forest vibe. Also, check out the cool-looking clock on the far right of the photo.

How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks" - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

How-To: Weave a Willow Pergola

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:54 -0700

Last week, I showed you this beautiful willow pergola, which was featured at Sunset's Celebration Weekend. You can tour the Mod Cottage where the pergola was featured, if you missed the great photos of this cool house.

The woven technique used in the pergola is referred to as wattle. Wattle is an ancient technique that was used for traditional homes and fences. Its beautiful, natural look enhances the Mod Cottage, but you can easily weave a willow wattle for use as a trellis, fence, or arbor around your home. Want to learn how to make this willow wattle pergola? Then read more.

What You'll Need

Six branches approximately four feet long and about as thick as your thumb
100-120 small, straight, recently cut willow branches one to three feet long, none thicker than your pinky finger, stripped of leaves and other branches
Hammer
Pruners

Here's how to do it:

Using your hammer, pound posts into the ground in a straight line, spacing each post about 10 inches from the next.
With one of the longer, thinner willow branches, weave the branch in and out of the posts, leaving three inches on the end you started with. When you have gotten to the end of the branch, start where you left off with another of the longer, thinner branches.
Start over at the first post, but this time start on the opposite side of the post. Weave on the alternate side of your first branches.
Continue weaving in this manner, making sure to start with new branches on different posts, so you don't have an obvious seam.
Continue to weave back and forth until you've run out of branches or until you have reached the height of your posts.
Assess your weaving, and then weave small branches into any remaining gaps.
Take your pruners and trim the posts evenly, about 1 inch above the top row. Continue trimming until everything looks even and pretty. Your pergola should be about four feet wide and about three feet tall.

Does this project seem like too much for you to attempt? You can also order a willow weaving from The Willow Farm.

Do You Display Your Jewelry?

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 15:00:56 -0700

I've written before about how apparel as home decor is a growing trend, showed you how to make my shutter earrings display, as well as the DIY tree branch jewelry stand of a Su Casa member. In this photograph by Todd Selby, fashion designer and artist Natalie Wood displays her necklaces on the wall of her Sydney home like artwork. So, how about you? Do you subscribe to this trend?
Source

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 16 May 2009 10:30:03 -0700

A Su Casa member made this cool branch jewelry stand.

Need a chic shower curtain? I found some.

Tour a beautiful home on Whidbey Island.

Orange Beautiful, maker of stellar stationery, is having a big sale.

Getting hitched? Incorporate this wedding ring bowl in your ceremony.

I love, love, love this beautiful handmade furniture from Beeken Parsons.

Scoop up this steal of a desk.

Create This Bridal Shower Table Setting

CasaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 07:00:03 -0700

Why settle for boring floral arrangements when you can create a chinoiserie-inspired table setting instead? If you're in charge of hosting a bridal shower at your home this Spring, take inspiration from stylist Rebecca Thuss's look for this table setting. To re-create it, simply purchase bird figurines, vases, and branches. Alternately, you can take advantage of Spring blossoms and trim flowering trees or hedges to use, which will cut down on the cost of this look.

Feeling ambitious? You can also create a matching overhead light. The look is so seasonally appropriate, and would be sure to impress the bride, as well as the other bridal shower guests. Have you created a similar look at a bridal shower?

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:00:26 -0700

Here's another way to decorate with books.- SFGirlByBay
Give your bar stools a makeover.- Re-Nest
Learn more about cool, eco home-furnishing line Branch Home.- Design*Sponge
Remember to get yourself some free art.- Simply Stated
Add modern, floating house numbers to your residence.- Sheterrific
Get your outdoor entertaining lighting ready with these recycled hurricane covers.- Craft
What do you think of this new print from Keep Calm? - PoppyTalk