Nice and New: Lace Shopping Basket at the Container Store

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:00:45 -0700

You might have seen the Design House Stockholm Carrie Shopping Basket when I featured it in my Not Your Grandma's Lace Trend Alert, or even snuck a peek of it used as a magazine holder in my very own house. I must admit, I shelled out $44 for the basket from Zinc Details - kind of a lot for my shelter mag storage, but I couldn't resist! When I caught it selling for $37 at Unica Home, I felt a little cheated. Now that I've seen it selling at the Container Store for $29.99 (what a steal!), I really just feel as dumb as a rock. But, perhaps this means I can snatch one up to use as an actual shopping basket. : )

Ask Casa: Plastic Lace Basket

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 12:00:28 -0700

Hi Casasugar,
I was recently browsing your site (very nice!) and saw something I hope you can help me get more info on. I saw a DIY on making your own cereal box magazine holder, and there's a pierced plastic lace basket that I love. If you have or can get any information on this, you'd be my best friend forever. Or, how about I would be so very much grateful to you? Thanks in advance!
Your new fan,
Sweetonu

To hear my response, read more.

Hi sweetonu,
Good question; I love my lace basket! The basket is the Design House Stockholm Carrie Shopping Basket. I recently wrote about how the basket is selling at the Container Store for $29.99. It's also available as a bicycle basket with hardware. Hope that helps!
Casa

Secrets for Moving In: The List

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 15:30:00 -0700

You all gave me loads of great advice for the latest Open House, Secrets for Moving In, to pass along to my closest confidant. There was a lot to work with here, so I took the liberty of paraphrasing a bit, and adding some tips of my own. I've divided your thoughts into several different categories: pre-moving, cleaning, moving, painting, decorating, befriending neighbors, and studio-related tips.

Pre-move:

Stay organized during your packing phase. Mark your boxes well, and label them with what room they're going in ahead of time. - Queen Lizzy
Check out your new place thoroughly. Look for bad paint jobs, missing items, scuffs and other marks. Take an extra look at the kitchen and bathroom, and other high traffic places. Make sure all your light fixtures and appliances work properly.- sweetpeabrina

For more tips, read more

Cleaning

If you can afford it, hire a cleaning company. It will save you a lot of time and effort. - QueenLizzy
If your wood floors are trashed from previous tenants, get them to sparkle with a straight razor, a bowl of water, and some elbow grease. - lemonfizz
Clean BEFORE you unpack, not after you move your precious items in. - JessNess
Install some air freshener plugs (try Method) when you first get in, so it'll start smelling like home, not someone's else musty pad. - sweetpeabrina
Check out all of Method's products. They have something for everything and will make your place smell fresh, clean, and green. - littlemiss

Moving:

Put your boxes where they belong and where they'll be unpacked (i.e. glasses and dishes in kitchen). - sweetpeabrina
If you have a pet, unpack he/she first! Get their litterbox and/or food and water bowls in place, and give him/her the house tour. - sweetpeabrina
Set up your bed and important bathroom accessories first. That way, if you get sick of unpacking, you'll at least be able to shower and sleep. - sweetpeabrina
Make sure that everything has a place before you start putting it away. If you need a certain type of storage container, buy it before your temporary storage spot becomes long-term. - ella1978

Painting:

Give your new place some time before picking colors and painting. Live with the rooms for a bit, and see how you are using them, what the lighting is like at different times of the day, and what the room temperatures are like. Let the paint colors come to you naturally. - QueenLizzy, JaimeLeah526
Make your bathroom feel like a spa by choosing calming colors, and nothing too bright. Get crisp linens, oversized bath towels, and great baskets for storage. - ella1978
Hit the hardware store. Have palettes in mind and pick up all the color cards you can get away with. Cut apart your favorite colors and make a board of compatible colors. Make sure the colors in each room goes with those of the other rooms. - ella1978
Choose an underlying set of colors that you want to carry through all rooms (i.e. in trim, details, décor, etc.). - ella1978

Decorating:

Take photos and measurements of every room from every angle. - kdupps, tdamji
Look at your existing home furnishings and decide if they will be moved to the same room in your new place (bedside lamp to bedroom or living room?). - kdupps
Don't buy everything at once. Live with the space for a while and see what you might actually need. - tdamji
Bring your photos shopping with you and try to visualize the new items in your home. - tdamji
Decorate and clean one room at a time so at least you have one room to retreat to while you are working on the others. - tdamji
If you live in a small space, you have to be organized. Make sure you have good storage containers with doors, so your clutter isn't visible. - sweetpeabrina
If you have friends or family that sew, paint, or craft, ask them to make something for your new place. - sweetpeabrina
If you have a lot of things in your closets that don't go on hangers, add a second shelf to make room for more folded clothing, boxes, etc. - ella1978

Befriending Neighbors:

Give a gift to your neighbors as a way to get acquainted. - The City Girl
Everyone loves baked goods. If it's the holidays, make sure they are kosher.
If you're a talented crafter, make your neighbors a one-of-a-kind gift. Don't make anything that appeals to only certain tastes. - The City Girl

Studio-related Tips:

If your kitchen has minimal counter space, buy a kitchen island on wheels to store your kitchen essentials and use as an additional surface. - JessNess
Get a pull-out couch or armchair. It will be a life-saver when you have guests. - JessNess
Get a partition, or folding screen to separate your living from your sleeping area. - JessNess
The number one appliance to buy initially is a toaster/convection oven. You can cook a surprising amount of meals in such a small appliance. - tdamji

If you've got anything to add, feel free to comment below!

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