CasaSugar

Coveted Crib: Emily Walker's Canadian Charm

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:00:01 -0700

With talents like Philippe Starck and Tord Boontje and magazines like Living Etc and Marie Claire Maison, Europe always gets props for turning out great interior design. But our neighbor to the North, Canada, deserves a round of applause as well. Canadian House and Home is one of my favorite shelter magazines, and it comes as no surprise that the pub's staff has envy-inducing style as well. Merchandise department designer Emily Walker turned her rundown bungalow into a stunning home with a perfect balance of patterns and solids, a smart mix of splurges and steals, and a unique, cohesive color palette.
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This Just In: Halle Berry & Her Man Buy Canadian Country Crib

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:37 -0700

Rumor has it, according to Real Estalker, that Halle Berry and her Canadian native model man, Gabriel Aubry, have purchased a gorgeous lakefront 63-acre spread for $1.85 million in Saint-Hippolyte, Québec, a small town about 30 miles north of Montréal. Aubry's parents live not far in a suburb of Montréal, so it will be nice for the couple's daughter, Nahla Ariela Aubry, to be near her grandparents. Aubry is reportedly excited about moving back to his native neck of the woods, saying, "It feels great. Anything we can do in our own hometown is always a good feeling." It also can't hurt to move into this stunning cabin. With a clawfoot tub, platform bed, and a pair of Adirondack chairs overlooking the lake, it looks downright serene. What a wonderful escape from the bustle of Hollywood. To see additional photos, read more.

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Casa Verde: Ontario Okays Clotheslines

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 05:47:14 -0800

According to Energy Minister Gerry Phillips, Ontario will lift its ban on clotheslines in time for residents to take advantage of warm summer breezes. Various municipal bylaws and contracts with home builders have outlawed the use of clotheslines until now. The lifting of the ban will mean that anyone living in a detached, semi-detached, or row house will be able to let their clothes flap in the breeze. The measure will not include condominiums or high-rise apartments.

Clothes dryers use approximately six percent of residential electricity consumption in Canada, and hanging just 25 percent of laundry on clotheslines could reduce bills by $30 a year while also helping to reduce greenhouse gases.

What do you think? Does your community or building outlaw clotheslines? If the ban was lifted, would you think about line drying your laundry?

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Room Therapy: Pendants in Canada

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 16:30:23 -0800

Tdamji recently wrote in saying:

Hi Casa,
Just a quick question: do you happen to know of any online or otherwise stores in Canada (or that delivers to Canada) for pendant lights under $100? Sorry, I know this is a pretty specific question, but I can't seem to come up with anything. - Tdamji

To see my response, just read more

Hi Tdamji,
Good question! Since I'm not a native Canadian, I'm not in on the best Canadian home décor resources. But, here is a list of US stores that are willing to ship to Canada, where you're likely to find pendants under $100:

Alluminare
Amazon.com
CB2
Crate and Barrel
Ikea Canada
Restoration Hardware

Also, try:
Living Lighting
Lighting Universe

Does anyone else have any suggestions for Tdamji? Any Canadians out there?
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Do You Celebrate the Day of the Dead?

CasaSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:30:00 -0800

The Day of the Dead, which is also known as El Día de los Muertos or All Souls' Day, occurs on Nov. 1 and Nov. 2 (All Souls Day).

During the holiday, people pray for, honor, and remember friends and family members that have died. It is primarily celebrated in Mexico and by Latin Americans in the US and Canada. Here in the Bay Area, families build beautiful altars, and celebrations take place at local museums and cultural centers. And of course, panaderias are filled with delicious treats, sugar skulls, candied pumpkin, and other baked goods that celebrate the holiday.

Source: Flickr User sfmission.com

Casa Verde: EcoDrain

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 06:15:46 -0700

I'm not going to lie and say I don't love a hot, hot shower. And, I'll admit, I fancy myself a long, hot shower sometimes, too. But I pay for it, and so does the environment. Unfortunately, every time I shower, that hot water disappears down the drain, instead of being harnessed for another purpose. Thanks to the EcoDrain, that needn't any longer be true. The unique heat exchanger transfers the heat from hot shower waste water to cold incoming water, cutting water heater use down by 25 to 40 percent. This small handy device is easy to install directly in the shower drain line, and separates the fresh water from the waste water to prevent them from mixing. Unfortunately, it's currently only available in Canada, but I hope one day to see it in homes worldwide.

Etsy Find: Jennifer Squires 2009 Photo Desk Calendar

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:15:23 -0800

It's that time again. Well, actually, it was time for calendar-shopping in December, but you can't expect a person to think ahead, can you? Canada-based photographer Jennifer Squires has fashioned a beautiful desk calendar ($20) out of 12 of her stunning black and white and color images to carry you through the year in style. A chilly tree in January, a retro fan in July, and a bursting daffodil in June, Squires's photography is subtly appropriate for each month, but charming enough to enjoy year-round. The calendar also arrives in a plastic jewel case, which folds back to serve as its convenient stand.

Photographer to Watch: Gaelle Le Boulicaut

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:15:30 -0700

Gaelle Le Boulicaut has been a shutterbug ever since the age of 15, when she unwrapped a Rolleiflex from her father. But she picked up formal training at the Universite Laval in Canada and at the Australian Centre for Photography in Sydney, where she lived for 10 years. Le Boulicat now lives in France, and travels extensively for her work, which is characterized by a mix of natural and studio light, which create a casual feel in her subjects. Her laundry list of clients include ELLE Decor (Italy, France, England, Germany, Sweden, Norway), Marie Claire Group, Harper's Bazaar, Livingetc, House & Garden (UK, Germany), and more. So, it's no surprise that the interiors she shoots are as beautiful as her technique — styled to the nines and one-of-a-kind. To see for yourself, check out this gallery of some of her interior shots.

There's more where these came from, so read more.

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Ask a Designer: Origins and Influences

CasaSugar — Fri, 02 May 2008 04:30:09 -0700

Christiane Lemieux, the founder of DwellStudio, has kindly offered to answer several reader questions. Here's our second one.

Hi Christiane,
Where did you grow up? Were you influenced by any designs in your childhood?
Just curious,
FinnLover

Hi FinnLover,
I grew up in Canada. Canadians have a sort of Scandinavian, European, and American mix thing going on. I also traveled a lot growing up and I think that has really influenced my designs. I have put all those influences in a mental blender and then made it modern.
Cheers,
Christiane

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Win an Organic Style Garland and Wreath!

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 20:10:33 -0800

To kick off December, our month dedicated to Home Entertainment, we've teamed up with Organic Style to bring you some hall-decking greenery. One lucky winner will win a fragrant evergreen wreath ($54.95) and a beautiful bay leaf garland ($64.95) from Organic Style!

What better way to usher in holiday guests than with a decorative wreath on your door? This wreath is comprised of Douglas fir, Oregon boxwood (a cool-season evergreen shrub), delicate wisps of bear grass, and pine cones. Made fresh to order and shipped direct from the farm, this lush wreath averages 18 inches in diameter.

This prize package also includes a fresh and fragrant 6-foot bay leaf garland, which adds an elegant holiday touch to your home during the festive holiday season. To enter to win this prize package worth $119.90, just leave a comment in the comment section below by 5 p.m. PST on Friday, Dec. 7. (Unfortunately, the giveaway is available only to readers in Canada and the United States. Read the complete rules here.) Happy holidays and good luck!