CasaSugar

Get the Look: Twilight's Modern Patio

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 12:00:26 -0700

Yesterday, I showed you photos of the gorgeous Pacific Northwest house used as the Cullens' home in Twilight. The home was designed by Portland, OR-based Skylab Architecture, and is fantastically designed both inside and out. I'm particularly fond of the minimalist, clean-lined patio. The white Eames furniture brightens the misty outdoor environment, and complements the chunky modern farm table and wood paneling.

To get the look, read more.

Eames® Molded Plastic Side Chair - $249.00	Kartell - prince aha stools by philippe starck for kartell - $110.00
Modernica nelson bubble lamp - cigar - $269.00	Walnut Table Kubus 55" Square - $2,150.00
Eames® Molded Plastic Armchair Rocker in White by Herman Miller - $479.00	Bullet Planter Short - $159.99

Nice and New: Bubble Lamp Shade

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 13:00:34 -0700

In 1947, George Nelson decided to create his own collection of lamps, when the silk-covered Swedish hanging lamp he coveted was out of reach financially. The resulting collection, known as the "bubble lamps," became an iconic one, still used prolifically by interior designers today (in fact, Vern Yip is using them in his reno of a community center). The lamps, made by coating a steel-wire skeleton with a plastic coating, were first produced by the Howard Miller Company in 1950. The collection includes a range of pendants in various shapes and sizes, as well as several sconces. Unfortunately, the most demanded type of shade - a table lamp shade - was never produced by Nelson. Thankfully, though, Modernica, the official manufacturer and distributor of the collection for the last 12 years, has recently released a table and floor lamp shade based on Nelson's original designs. The Bubble Lamp Shade ($225 and up) is available in three sizes, and will fit most traditional bases. At long last!

Crave Worthy: Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp

CasaSugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:00:36 -0700

OK, OK. My attention to monochrome design may have gotten a little out of hand lately, but I promise you it will eventually fade. And, even if you don't subscribe to monochrome living, you should still appreciate the beauty of a black and white lamp like the Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp ($1,700). The vintage ceramic lamps have little bubbles with matching finials that remind me of candy buttons; who can argue with that? They also seem really adaptable. You can use them in a stiff, sophisticated interior, perhaps set on matching nightstands. Or, you can play them up a bit in a room full of circles. What do you think?

Less or More: Glass Bubble Lamp

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 09:45:31 -0800

In the wise words of The Real World, "You think you know, but you have NO idea." For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these glass bubble lamps, and then see if you can answer my questions about them.

Take the quiz

Sale Alert: YLighting First-Ever Warehouse Sale

CasaSugar — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 08:30:56 -0700

YLighting is holding its first-ever warehouse sale, with discounts between 40 and 80 percent off of floor, ceiling, table, and wall lighting. The sale runs through Oct. 3 and features brands like Flos, Artemide, Vibia, and Luceplan. This Miss K Table Lamp, for example, is going for $169, reduced from $325. The Globo di Luce Pendant Light ($800) is reduced from $1,250, and the George Nelson Bubble Lamp ($348) is reduced from $652.50. Pretty sweet, eh? Go shop your hearts out.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:00:34 -0700

I'm crazy for this glorious pink.- Desire to Inspire
Learn how to customize IKEA magazine files.- AT:SF
Got a basic shower curtain? Why not "pimp" it?- Chez Larsson
I crave these modern LA patios.- Remodelista
George Nelson's bubble lamps have been reenvisioned.- Shelterrific
Maps will make you an armchair traveler.- Urban Sardines
Get the lowdown on working with contracts.- Vicente Wolf Blog
I wish I could actually live in this playhouse.- Malo Blogg

Love It or Hate It? Champagne à Deux à Trois Lamp

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 07:00:27 -0700

I've seen wine bottle lamp kits before, but the Sam Baron Champagne à Deux à Trois Lamp (inquire for price) takes the notion of a wine bottle base to the next level. The lamps are luxurious and modern, but they're pretty cheeky, too; it's almost as if your favorite bubbly is hiding from you. What do you think?

DIY: Map Coasters

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 04:30:45 -0800

I've shown you a map lamp, so now's the time to match up that luminary with something for your tabletop: coasters, to be exact.

What You'll Need

Coasters
Map or other decorative paper
File folder or cardboard for template
Scissors
Mod Podge
Foam brush

To find out how to make them, read more.

Here's how, from The San Francisco Chronicle:

Turn coaster upside down on file folder and trace. Cut out template.
Trace template onto decorative paper and cut out.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to coaster and back of paper. Adhere paper to coaster and press out bubbles, starting at the center and working outward.
Apply a thin layer of Mod Podge to top of papered coaster. Let dry.
Serve your new coasters with your favorite drink!

Source

Before and After: Tenderloin Family Apartments, Transformed

CasaSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:00:19 -0800

Remember when I told you about how Vern Yip was teaming up with Bank of America to transform two Bay Area nonprofits? Well, this morning, I was fortunate enough to attend the unveiling for the Tenderloin Family Apartments. Managed by the Chinatown Community Development Center, it's a safe, high-quality affordable housing property in the heart of the Tenderloin district, one of San Francisco’s lower income neighborhoods challenged by issues such as homelessness, safety, and drug use.

Renovations of the community room were just completed, with the reveal and ribbon-cutting ceremony taking place this morning.

Here's how it looked before Vern worked his magic:

To get a sneak peek of the transformation, read more.

Here's how the room looked for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. There's so much about this room I adore, from the George Nelson Bubble Lamps to the renovated kitchen space and updated flooring. Check back on Monday for more photos of this great space!

Source

Nice and New: Crate & Barrel Bing Table Lamp

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:00:09 -0700

Maybe I'm still seeing rouge, but I've really been seduced by the new Crate and Barrel Bing Table Lamp ($59). Its petite size and bubble shape of its hand-blown red glass base is certainly charming, but what I really love is how its over-sized fabric shade matches the base in color. It's rare to see matching shades and bases, and while it could look a bit overwhelming, in this case I think it's refreshingly delightful. To be bold, you could put it in an all white kitchen, or it would be subtle in a room with lots of patterns and texture in similar hues. What you think? Do you love it?