CasaSugar

Would You Buy a Bright Sofa?

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:30:39 -0700

Many people prefer neutral colors when choosing a sofa, but bright jewel tones can really pack a design punch. What's your style?
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Su Casa: Bright and Beautiful in Washington DC

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 08:30:55 -0700

Su Casa member Katiepwise recently moved to Washington DC, where she's done a fabulous job of making her apartment simultaneously vibrant and cozy. Describing her style, she says, "I love bright colors and am not afraid to use them. I mix Ikea furniture with hand-me-down pieces from family. I attempted a 'salon-style' art wall over my couch and I live to color out just about anything! If I could paint my walls, I would, but since it's a rental, all the walls are beige. My dream is to have an eggplant-colored library and hot pink Moroccan themed sun deck." Check out her cool apartment in the slideshow!

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Summer Style: Ketchup Bottle Candle

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 04:30:00 -0700

For some reason, I think of Summer as the most casual of all the seasons. Maybe it's the memories of running around barefoot in the grass, the low-key attitude given off by shorts and T-shirt ensembles, or that Summer vacations inherently equate ditching your suit and tie, but whatever it is, it certainly allows for a little kitsch. That's why I'm so enamored with this Ketchup Bottle Candle ($13.95): it's the ultimate kitschy lighting for your leisurely Summer barbecue. And actually, empty bottles of actual ketchup may be just the right size to hold a tapered candle: a condiment candlestick — but even that might be too formal for a hot dogs and hamburgers crowd.

Love It or Hate It? Martini Olive Throw Pillows

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 03:30:00 -0800

I have a martini- and olive-addicted friend who would love love love these pillows. But me? Not a fan. Just the thought of either of those flavors makes me queasy. What about you?

Are You Bold With Pattern?

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:29 -0800

This raspberry-toned bedroom is certainly a delight for the senses. From its bright colors to its striped textiles to its metallic, patterned wallpaper, this bedroom seems more likely to wake one up than lull her to sleep. When you decorate, are you this bold with pattern?

Source: Flickr User Plum Pretty Sugar Loungerie

Color Theory: Fearless, Fabulous Pink

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:24 -0800

Want to make a statement in your home? Then decorate with bright pink. Almost nearing the hot pink region, this shade is a great, bold way to really make a color impact in a room. Use it as an accent color, or show no fear and paint an entire room in this shade!

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Ask Casa: A Color Palette Query

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:47 -0800

Hi Casa,

I am moving into an apartment soon with roommates and want some help decorating. I get my own room and can style it any way I want but can't decide on the color palette.

I love dark moody lounge type colors (dark grays, reds, purples, etc.) and bright bold colors for furniture, but the room is not that big. I'm scared the dark colors would shrink it even more. Not a big fan of light pastel colors since most of my rooms in the past has been light blues and such but I love different shades of white. I'm aiming for a space where I can dim the lights and put on some music and chill but at the same time can transition into a workspace. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tiffany

To see my suggestions for Tiffany, read more.

Hi Tiffany,

What a great question for Color Theory month! If you remember my post on cool colors, the hues that range from blue-green to blue-violet, including gray, you know that cool colors tend to recede, which has a calm and relaxing effect. Warm colors, the hues from red through yellow, browns and tans included, on the other hand, advance, with a more stimulating effect. So to achieve the effect you're looking for, you should paint your walls in cool colors.

Take note, cool vs. warm is not the same as light vs. dark - it's about the actual hue. That's not to say you can't use dark colors. But if you do, just pick one that's more blue, green, or gray, or a purple that's more violet, instead of a dark red or brown.

Then, you can use lighting to turn your dark and moody bedroom into a stimulating workspace. Obviously your workspace should be bright, whether your set your desk near a window or just have proper overhead lighting. But you can actually purchase tinted bulbs, for instance soft pink, to bring warm colored (stimulating) tones to your workspace.

I like your concept of using bright bold colors on furniture. Whatever dark moody wall color you choose, just choose complementary colors (on the opposite side of the color wheel) for your bold furniture pieces.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Casa

Source and Source

Inspired: Christian Dior's Fall 2010 Juicy Hues

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:08 -0700

Flipping through photos from Christian Dior's 2010 Fall Couture show, I noticed a theme of bright, juicy hues. As FabSugar noted, innerwear (corsets, garters, etc.) also played a major role, but considering how unpopular this corset-inspired chandelier was, I don't see lingerie motifs succeeding in the interior design world. These tangerine, pop pink, and chartreuse colors, on the other hand, would be a fun addition to any home - modern or traditional.

The citrus-colored seat on this Colorful French Accent Chair ($349) from Wisteria, for instance, pops against its carved oak frame, jazzing up what I imagine is a conservative room. To see more juicy couture colors for your home, read more.

Room Therapy: Help Me Choose Paint Colors!

Casa Community — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:14 -0800

Just in time for Color Theory month, Hvenbnd needs your help in choosing colors for her home! Read on to find out what she's looking for. Hi CasaSugar Readers,

I need your help ASAP! I recently experienced some water damage to my 1942 custom bungalow. As a result the wonderful insurance company has come through and has agreed to re-install new hardwood floors in my dining room and living room, paint the entire kitchen (including cabinets) laundry room, dining room, living room and to install a new kitchen floor.

My problem is choosing paint color for my rooms! I am so overwhelmed with all the options I have been researching. We are eclectic in our tastes, and have mixed antiques and modern midcentury pieces in our home. I collect Shag prints, which are bold and bright with lots of oranges and greens. I also collect tikis but hate the beachy thing. My husband is an airbrush artist and tends toward bold deep color.

For more pictures of this reader's home, and to hear more about what she's looking for,
Now, the house: We have 8 foot ceilings in the living area and dining area with coved ceilings and curved walls. I am installing recessed lighting in all three rooms. The red kitchen island that sits in the dining room in the pictures obviously belongs in the kitchen and will be painted as well. The house has lots of nooks and crannies and built in cabinets and bookcases. Can you help me pick some amazing paint colors? I will post the finished result for your viewing pleasure!

P.S. I am looking for a chesterfield sofa for the living room in what I envision to be olive green leather. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!
Hvenbnd

Do you have advice for Hvenbnd? Leave a comment! Have interesting photos of your home to share? Then post them in the Su Casa group.

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Fall Style: Orange Exteriors

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:00:42 -0700

Orange isn't just for pumpkins. While it's one of the more unusual colors for painting the exterior of your home, it can look great when executed well. I especially love the bright, poppy colors of this home. While it's a bold choice, I think that the colors work really well together. The turquoise blue outlining the door frame offsets the orange of the exterior, as well as the bright colors of the door panels.

Have you ever considered painting your house orange? If not, take a look at the gallery and see if you might reconsider.

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Source: Flickr User A National Acrobat

CLOSEOUT! Bardwil "Beach Brights" Placemats, Set of 4 - $20.00	Momeni "New Wave Original NW-15 Tibet Multi" Area Rug, 2' 6" x 12' - $949.00
Luceplan - costanza table lamp by paolo rizzatto for luceplan of italy - $3.50	Kartell la boheme 2 - $198.00
Vitra panton amoebe chair - $1,670.00	Pony By Eero Aarnio - $3,329.00
Vitra .06 lounge chair - $1,230.00	Driade - samiko vases by julia dozsa for driade - $43.00
TrueModern Spot on Sheets and Case Set - in orange - twin size - $129.00	Nautical Signal Flag Accent Pillow - Teal/Orange - $69.00
Crypton Doodle Dog Pillow - Persimmon - $40.00	Crypton Doodle Dog Pillow - Gipsy - $40.00
Crypton Doodle Dog Pillow - Kermit - $40.00