CasaSugar

Less or More: Industrial Cart Tables

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 12:00:32 -0700

For the next installment of this game, take a look at each of these industrial cart tables, and then see if you can answer my questions about them.

Take the quiz

How Would You . . .

CasaSugar — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 05:57:54 -0700

Dating back to the 1920s, this Pair of Bindery Carts ($1,750) from Bond and Bowery are a rare and interesting find. These super-strong carts were once used to ferry books and paper around binderies. But, as you may have suspected, I am not in the business of sourcing furniture for publishers.

So, for this latest How Would You post, I'd like you to think outside the home-decorating box and find some creative ways to repurpose this unusual, but handsome, pair of objects. How would you use them in your home? In what room? For what purpose? Would you leave them right side up or turn them on their sides? Remove the wheels? Deconstruct them all together? Add anything to them? What would you put on them? Leave a comment below and let me know how you'd fit these cool carts in your home.

Found It! Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:30:40 -0800

In the next installation of Found It!, I bring you the Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart ($799) from American Furnishings. You may have seen this cart used as a coffee table in the boho-modern living room of a couple living in Malmö in my Coveted Crib. In my post, I wrote, "I also adore their coffee table, which looks like a re-purposed dolly (with wheels) of some sort." Apparently, I adored it so much that when I saw decor8 and sfgirlbybay's posts about American Furnishings, I immediately recognized it. Funny thing, the Malmö home was originally featured on decor8, and once again in a post about the couple's previous apartment. For more details, and to see this charming old cart up close, read more

American Furnishing's "Vintage Industrial" collection is comprised of "found objects in abandoned factories repurposed into useful everyday items." For example:

Work benches from a decrepit Packard Motor Car plant become a kitchen island. Steel part carts from a General Motors plant in Detroit become rolling liquor cabinets. Long forgotten wooden foundry objects become "high art" when placed on metal stands or hung on a wall. Large metal shoe racks from a foreclosed Ohio factory become book shelves.

The steel Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart is said to have been found in Middle America, but no other specifics are given in the product listing. Since the living-room cart lives in Sweden, it'd be interesting to hear about its origins. In another life, before Samantha and Grant found it worthy of their home, where did it come from and how was it used?

Crave Worthy: Bordbar Recycled Airplane Trolleys

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:00:14 -0700

I know a collector of all things airline-related who wheels out an authentic airplane drink cart whenever he has a party. It looks like German company Bordbar has the same idea. The company refurbishes old airplane drink carts to create infinitely hipper portable storage cabinets, with bright, bold patterns and user-friendly enhancements. (Thanks to Inhabitat for the tip!)

In Bordbar's online store, you can design and customize your cart with the prints, boxes, shelves, and drawers you want. Prices start around $1,225 for the units, which could be used in the kitchen, the office, or anywhere you need a little compact storage. Another bonus: These carts have survived years of turbulence, so their durability is time-tested. Just get used to the idea of owning a piece of furniture that's more traveled than you are.

Do You Have a Bar Cart?

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:00:06 -0700

I've been on the hunt for a retro bar cart lately, and was recently tempted by a Lucite one on Craigslist. To be honest, I don't even drink liquor - I prefer vino and Hefeweizen - but I just love the way they look. Admittedly, I also dream about having groovy cocktail parties, serving up spirits to my pals in my growing collection of highball glasses, while doing the twist. I wish I were that cool. Do you have one?

Fall Style: A Seasonally Colorful Corner

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 06:15:06 -0800

Lovely Little Vignettes member Deemurph created this colorful Fall corner in her home with a handsome Danish bar cart and some other finds from her favorite vintage store in Los Angeles, 45 Three Modern Vintage. I love how the warm colors are seasonal, but not in a kitschy way. I don't see any pumpkins or Indian corn here, but this lovely little vignette certainly feels timely.

The great thing, she points out, is that it will be "easy to change up this corner as the seasons transition." She says, "All I have to do is change the painting and my flowers . . . and VOILA! . . . a whole new scene!" Looks great, don't you think?

Have you created any lovely little vignettes in your home recently? Please add them to our group!

Mandatory Composting Begins in San Francisco Today

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:15:23 -0700

Beginning today, the city of San Francisco will require both businesses and residences to compost food scraps and biodegradable products or risk a fine for not properly sorting their garbage. While other cities require recycling service and participation, the law, which Mayor Gavin Newsom signed into effect in June, is the first nationwide to require the collection of food scraps and other compostables.

A study by the Department of the Environment found that 36 percent of what San Francisco sends to landfills is compostable, primarily food scraps, and 31 percent is recyclable - which is mostly paper. Seeing that SF already has an impressive 72 percent recycling rate, the legislation could send that rate soaring to 90 percent.

To facilitate the program, the city will offer free green compost carts to apartment buildings and businesses, as well as free kitchen pails for renters. Fines will be capped at $100 and are meant primarily to raise public awareness and encourage compliance. Has your city or town made any moves to require composting? Has your city had success with any recycling fines or mandates? Tell me by commenting below!

Source: Flickr User MayorGavinNewsom

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:00:48 -0700

Fall in love with Carolyn Barber's lovely vignettes.- Desire to Inspire
Wheel your bar carts into the great outdoors.- AT:SF
Check out the scene at Celebration Weekend.- Home by Sunset
Choose your favorite mode of inspiration.- SFGirlByBay
Take your pick of colorful throw rugs.- Simply Stated
Peek in on this charming office.- Design*Sponge
Check out some handy iPhone home-improvement apps.- Charles and Hudson
Discover two topsy-turvy tomato-growing methods.- Shelterrific

Found It! Ace Hotel Table

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 16:42:12 -0800

The Side by Side Suite at the new Ace Hotel in Palm Springs cultivates a moody vibe with its curtained-off, king-sized bed and vintage furniture as well as great tech products, including 42-inch flat screens, MP3 plugs, and vinyl record players.

My eye was drawn to this great vintage coffee table. I'd seen it before. Do you remember it as well? To jog your memory, read more.

It's the Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart ($799) from American Furnishings. It was also seen in this Coveted Crib post.

Source

Steal of the Day: Wisteria Aluminum Side Table

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

I've always been a fan of industrial furnishings, like this vintage peg leg cart, but use too much of them and your home starts to look like a factory. The Wisteria Aluminum Side Table ($165) has an urban, industrial edge, but its polished aluminum makes it a bit more contemporary, and appropriate for my oh-so-avant-garde digs. I think pairing it with natural materials, like the stones here, can even make it work in a more traditional interior. And, its light-reflecting finish will make any space seem larger. What do you think?