CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Light Bulb Candle Holders

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 10:00:14 -0700

The New York Times article "Thinking Like a Student" takes a look at the thrifty, creative home-design moves college students, particularly architecture students, are making during these difficult economic times to make their homes a better place, aesthetically and functionally.

Along with the article is a wonderful slideshow showcasing many of these "on the cheap" tricks. One of my favorites was a set of candle holders fashioned from recycled light bulbs by Lauren Chapman, a student at Yale School of Architecture. By now we've hopefully all made the switch to CFLs, but that doesn't mean we should just toss those standard old bulbs in the trash.

To find out more about this project, read more.
Why not turn them into candle sticks? I've actually shown you lamps made from light bulbs before, but those were much too pricey. My only concern is how Chapman got the bulbs to stand up. I'm thinking that by using a glue gun on the candle holders' bottom, you could create a flat base. Or, you could set a magnet inside the bulb, and then one underneath your table cloth, like those DIY magnetic vases. What do you think? Do you like it, or is it too thrifty-looking for you?
Photo by Phil Mansfield for The New York Times

The Fifth DIY of Christmas: A Candy Cane Pillar Candle Cuff

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:00:39 -0800

Welcome to the fifth project in my 12 DIYs of Christmas series! I'm a staunch candle enthusiast; no light bulb can ever re-create that ambient atmosphere. From tealights to tapers and pillars to Diptyques, I've got 'em all and I don't discriminate. I also own plenty of candlesticks and votives, but sometimes they just need an extra something something to dress them up. So for the holidays, I thought I'd give my white pillar candles a lift by creating a cuff for them made from candy canes! This year, I've been a bit nontraditional with my Christmas colors, so I went with Spree candy canes and a green polka-dot ribbon. But you can choose any palette you like.

Supplies:

2 packs of candy canes
A good chopping knife
A cutting board
Thick double-sided tape (or masking tape)
Ribbon

To learn the steps, read more.

The Steps:

Gently unwrap each candy cane from its wrapper; they can be fragile.
Cut each candy cane at about the line where the tip of its loop ends.
Stick a piece of thick double-sided tape all the way around the base of your candle. Or, fold masking tape in on itself to make it double-sided.
Gently stand each cut candy cane against the taped pillar candle. They should stick pretty easily. Continue all the way around the candle.
Now, tie a bow around your candle!

Since each candy cane is slightly different in size, if you cut at the line when the tip of the loop ends, the candy cane sticks won't be the exact same length. If you want a more polished look, line them up against each other to make they are the same length.

View 3 Photos ›

Ghislaine Viñas's Go-To Holiday Gift Ideas

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:00:24 -0800

As part of a fun holiday series, I've asked interior design "tastemakers," from designers and stylists to bloggers and shop-owners, to share their favorite go-to holiday gift ideas with me.

New York-based interior designer (and color enthusiast!) Ghislaine Viñas shared her go-to gift ideas for the holidays with me:

On gift-giving:

Year-round I come across things that absolutely delight me, and by the holidays I have usually forgotten what they are. Luckily I photograph everything and so it's easy for me to go back and see what things I have put a smile on my face. I am a huge fan of quirky items, baked goods, bath smellies, scented candles, or homemade items.

On handmade gifts:

Since I am surrounded by incredibly creative and artistic friends I really appreciate the handmade items the most. Some of my favorite gifts that I have received have been handmade. This year I am going to be giving out handmade gifts but I cant say what they are; it would spoil the surprise. But I must say that even for someone who spends her life selecting items for other people, gift giving can be tricky. My friend Vanessa made me a little embroidered piece that says "Err on the side of awesome." It's awesome and I love it!

See Ghislaine's favorite resources for gifts and some other tips for gift-giving when you read more.

Almost anything from Rose and Radish. You have to dig a bit deeper into your pockets but they really have some great unique things.

Goose Grease on Etsy makes delightful little mini replicas of your family. I think they started out as cake toppers for wedding cakes. If you send her some images of the individuals in the family you want her to create, even down to their outfits, she paints on the little forms. They are so fantastic and quirky and cute. I can't think of a more personal gift. My assistant Vané gave a set to our family last year. My set is in my house in Pennsylvania, so I am not there to photograph, but here is another family that is almost as cute.

Last but not least, tips for wrapping:

Be creative when you wrap a gift. Look around the house and see what you have laying around. Sometimes by just looking around the house and repurposing items you can come up with some interesting, unexpected wrapping solutions. Take old tissue paper and try tying it up with simple cord; I think it makes for a much more interesting looking gift than store-bought holiday paper. Hang an unexpected item on it and write a message on it. Don't just stick to red and green. Hot pink and chartreuse look pretty festive this time of year, too. Think outside of the box and be resourceful!

Gift Guide: Thoughtful Gifts Under $25

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:30:10 -0800

Whether you need to find a present for a Secret Santa exchange or pick up a last-minute gift for a party hostess or co-worker, there are plenty of design-forward ways to say Happy Holidays without spending a lot of cash. I prefer to keep the gifts small, pretty, and useful, to make sure that they'll be appreciated and utilized.

Since we often give small gifts to acquaintances who we don't know intimately, it's better to stick to simple gifts such as vases, ornaments, desktop items, or candles, instead of art or other more personal gifts.

For a quirky friend, these Mustache Pencils ($14) would be a great gift to present at a holiday party or gift exchange. Tie them with a pretty velvet ribbon, add a cute composition book, and you're sure to have a winning holiday present(ation). For more ideas, check out the widget below.

How-To: Rid Your Candle Holders of Wax

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:00:00 -0700

I recently hosted a dinner party lit by dozens of candles, from votive holders on the coffee table to candlesticks in the dining room. Part of cleaning up after a candlelit soiree involves getting rid of all that wax. Thankfully I've learned a few tricks and tips over the years to make it easier. Here are a few of my favorite wax-removing solutions.

Before placing a candle in a votive holder, fill it with 1/4 inch of water. This way the wax won't stick to the glass and will be easier to remove.
If you skip the water step, after the party, put your wax-coated candle holders in the freezer for a few hours. This will allow the wax to shrink so you can easily pop it out with a screwdriver or other tool.
If the frozen wax doesn't pop out right away, try placing the candle holder upside down while it returns to room temperature, then try again.

Get three more tips.

Love It or Hate It? Acrylic Deer Candelabrum

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 07:00:17 -0800

I kind of love this Acrylic Deer Candelabrum ($175). It manages to put a new spin on the old animal motif theme, and look terrifically charming and holiday-appropriate with those gorgeous hand-rolled beeswax tapers. Of course, I think the candles are essential to pulling off this look. You couldn't stick any old candle in this candelabrum and expect it to look quite as festive.

DIY: Floral Foam Vase

CasaSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 14:00:00 -0700

If you read Casa regularly, you've probably noticed that people are making vases out of almost anything these days (pipes, plastic bottles, honeycomb, light bulbs). Quite frankly, a makeshift vase (coffee can, glass bottle) is not the hardest DIY. But, when I came across a DIY from ReadyMade for a vase made from floral foam that was cheap, easy, and most importantly, water retaining, I was pretty impressed. You'll probably find most of the supplies needed for this project in your house, too; who can argue with that?
Supplies:

Floral foam
Wax pellets or standard white candles
Baking paper
Cookie sheet
Toothpicks
Long, sharp knife
Cookie cutter or jar lid
Double boiler
Coffee can, slightly flattened to form a spout
Aluminum foil

To learn the steps, read more.

Draw half of an outline of a vase on a sheet of paper folded in half. Cut out the shape, and unfold so that you have a template for a vase shape.
Align your vase template with the base of your floral foam block.
Trace the shape of the vase with a toothpick onto both sides of the block.
Place the foam block flat on a table. Using the knife, cut out the traced shape, keeping the knife vertical.
Then, flip it over, and shave the edges smooth with the knife to make it clean looking and vase-like.
Using cookie cutters or jar lids, press a pattern into the foam (if you want one).
Fill your double boiler with water, and heat it up.
Put the wax/candles in your coffee can, and melt them.
Put a sheet of foil over your cookie sheet.
Put your vase upside down on the sheet, and pour the hot wax over it completely coating.
Stand it right side up, and slice off the top so that the foam is uncoated where you'll stick the flowers in.
Let it cool for an hour.
Soak the floral foam vase in water for an hour, and then stick your flowers into the top of the foam, making an arrangement as you wish. If the vase dries out, just run water over the top and it will soak it up.

Source

Casa Quickie: Easy Cleaning For Votive Holders

CasaSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:03:04 -0800

Do you detest peeling the melted wax off of your votive holders? You do? Well, stop whining, and use my easy trick. Just pour 1/4" of water into the bottom of your votive candle holder. The melted wax from the burned candle won't stick to the glass, and the candle (and the wax) will be easy to pull out and replace.
Source

Ask Angel: west elm's Advice for Holiday Entertaining (Part 3)

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 05:45:35 -0800

West elm designer Angel recently started a new TeamSugar group called Ask Angel to help you solve all of your design conundrums! Here's some advice from her latest post, which ties in perfectly with this month's Home Entertainment theme.

Angel writes:

One of the fabulous things about my job is being surrounded by great design minds. With the seasonal whirlwind of decorating and entertaining swiftly upon us, I tapped west elm’s creative director of design – who is also an exceptional entertainer - Alex Bates to share her expertise and show us how to create a modern and chic mood flawlessly and easily without breaking the bank! I hope you love these as much as I do.

To see what Alex has to say, just read more

Alex writes:

There are lots of ways to make your home festive and fabulous for the holidays, and reflect your personal style. This season is all about glam and metallic accents. Just like your favorite patent wedge makes every outfit feel chic, there are a few little things that will make a big difference in your home this holiday season. You don’t have to be overwhelmed and you don’t have to spend a fortune. These simple ideas will help set the stage for a stylish holiday and create a look with staying power that will last into the New Year.

Light up the season and your home

Last, but not least, don’t forget the lighting. Remember, lighting sets the mood of any holiday party or room so get creative and replace harsh bulbs with soft candlelight. Combine different sizes and shapes of glass lanterns in monochromatic groupings for dramatic effect over a table. Carry the look through the room with complimentary votives and candles sticks on the table or mantle. The room and your guests will enjoy a flattering glow.

Source

Casa Verde: Greening Your Heating

CasaSugar — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 10:35:00 -0700

Casa reader and TeamSugar member Tdamji writes an excellent green living blog called Minimal Harm. She tells me that she'll be officially launching a new version of the blog in early 2008, which I'm very excited about. Tdamji recently posted about greening your heating, which she adapted from a Treehugger post. Since it's starting to get chilly in many parts of the northern hemisphere, I thought everyone might like some tips on keeping their energy bills lower and their homes cozier. Thanks Tdamji and Treehugger!

1. Seal the leaks!
Sounds dull I know, but heat loss is one of the biggest obstacles on the road to a comfortable home in the winter. Good thing that sealing those darn leaks -- or draft-proofing, to get technical -- is a breeze. Plus, come summer time, good insulation will make it harder for heat to beat a path way into your home. All you need is a tube of exterior silicone caulk or insulation strips, which you can attach to your windows, plumbing and wiring holes, doors and fireplace dampers.

To find the leaks, light a stick of incense or a candle on a breezy day, close all the windows and doors, and wander around your rooms searching for places toward which the incense smoke drifts. Those are your target zones. For the space between your doors and the floor, consider installing a nifty, cheap door sweep on the bottom of the door.

2. Cover your glass
Installing clear plastic barriers or storm windows on your existing windows can cut heat loss by 25% to 50% by creating an insulating dead-air space inside the window. Storm windows cost about $7.50 to $12.50 per square foot. Exterior storm windows will increase the temperature of the inside window by as much as 30°F on a cold day, keeping you more comfortable.

3. Stay ventilated
The better you draft-proof and insulate your home, the more you’ll need good ventilation. Pollutants (especially from unflued heaters) can accumulate and excess condensation can cause mould and mildew to grow. Open some windows for a few minutes several times a day (cross-ventilate, if possible), rather than leaving a window partly open all the time.

4. Spread the heat
Who knew a fan could be useful for heating your home? Turns out that a well-positioned and slow-rotating fan can help ensure that heat from your radiator or heater doesn’t just drift up to your ceiling but spreads throughout your room, warming you toe to head. One great option is a heater fan, which sits atop woodstoves or gas room heaters and relies on a thermodynamic module to keep them running on heat alone (look ma, no batteries!).

For six more smart heating tips, just read more

5. Heating wisely
Heating the rooms to tropical temperatures isn’t just unnecessary, but uncomfortable. Throw on your most comfortable sweater and turn your thermostat down a few degrees. Each degree Celsius less will save about 10% on your energy use. And don’t forget to close doors to keep the heat contained in the rooms you’re actually using. Also, reduce temperatures at night, when you’re under the blankets. A programmable thermostat might be your most effective weapon.

6. Peel a drape
Since most heat loss in your home occurs through and around the windows, draw your drapes, especially at night. During the day, leave north-facing windows uncovered in order to take advantage of the winter sun. If you can line your drapes with old bed sheets or other material, they’ll prove even more effective in cutting down on your heating costs. You can also buy insulating drapes, which incorporate layers of insulating material, a radiant barrier, and a moisture-resistant layer to prevent condensation.

7. Start a fire (but not like a caveman)
What are fireplaces good for? Gathering the family around, hanging stockings on, putting photographs on top of. And what are they not good for? Entering the house (unless of course you’re Santa), throwing trash into, and heating. Yes, heating. On average, fireplaces are only about 10% efficient. That is, about 90% of their energy is lost through the chimney, along with loads of your home’s warm air and energy dollars.

But if you can’t resist the crackle and the glow, lower your thermostat to about between 50° and 55°F so your system doesn't keep trying to replace the warm air being lost through the chimney. Also, open the window nearest the fireplace slightly and close nearby doors so the fireplace won’t easily draw heated air out of the house. Installing glass doors on the fireplace, which can be closed when the fire’s dying or out, will prevent indoor heated air from escaping through the chimney, as will closing the chimney damper when the fireplace is not in use.

Consider using EcoBrics, which, made of compressed sawdust, have the same energy value as brown coal equivalents, with one-third the water content and a fraction of the ash and sulfur emissions.

Some upgrades to consider are the EcoFire Super-Grate, which increases burning efficiency, an outdoor air intake, which cuts down on heat loss from your home, or a high-efficiency fireplace insert, offering stricter air control.

If you don’t use your fireplace at all, plug and seal the chimney flue. You can keep your family photos where they are.

8. Get into (cheaper) hot water
Water heating is the third largest energy expense in an American home, typically accounting for about 13% of your utility bill. There are four ways to cut your water heating bills: use less hot water, turn down the thermostat on your water heater, insulate your water heater, or buy a new, more efficient water heater.

To use less, consider aerating faucets, which enhance spray while minimizing water usage, repair leaky faucets, and opt for showers over baths. To insulate your heater, you’ll need blankets that shouldn’t cost more than $20 and will save you around 4-9% in heating costs. Remember not to cover the thermostat; if insulating your hot-water storage tank, don’t cover the thermostat, top, bottom, or burner compartment.

9. Be passive
So-called “passive” techniques earn their name from being unobtrusive, requiring little tending or cost. But they’re anything but passive when it comes to heating your home. Installing larger, insulated windows on south-facing walls and locating thermal mass, such as a concrete slab floor or a heat-absorbing wall, close to the windows, will help your home absorb solar heat with a minimum loss of inside heat.

Keep in mind that for passive solar heating, the optimal window-to-wall area ratio is 25-35 percent. Ensure also that your south-facing windows are clean, and that objects do not block the sunlight from hitting concrete floors or other heat-absorbing materials. If you’re constructing a new home, make sure the longest walls run from east to west, allowing the sun’s rays to enter the home in winter, while allowing in as little sun as possible during summer.

10. Cuddle up
Or throw a get-together, and tell everyone to wear their coolest (no pun intended) sweaters. The more people in your home (or bed!) the hotter it is. Gather around the fireplace -- but if you’re cold, think twice before actually lighting it up. No matter what, sweeten the deal with some hot cider or cocoa!