CasaSugar

Open House: Can Design Talent Be Inherent?

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 May 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Drew University student and Charlotte Moss intern Maximilian Sinsteden made waves this week when his preppy, eclectic, and decorated-to-the-nines dorm room was featured in New York magazine. As it turns out, the 21-year-old senior, who has no formal design training, has already officially started his own interior-design company. He's had a knack for the art since before he was 12. So, where did he acquire his skills? It's “inherent and experience," he says. Do you think this is possible? Do you think interior design talent can be inherent? Or is it just picked up from experience? Do you think designers need formal training to succeed?
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Cool Idea: Decorate Private Spaces First

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:00:23 -0700

"Always start with the private rooms [when decorating your house] - this way you'll learn to decorate for how you live, rather than how you'd like others to see you. Home is where the family is. Forget about the formal living and dining rooms and see how you live in the kitchen, in the family room - this will help you understand who you are and what your style is. Then, let that style inform how you decorate public rooms."

-Designer extraordinaire Charlotte Moss, in the current issue of Canadian House & Home

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Home Library: Charlotte Moss's A Flair for Living

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 07:30:28 -0700

Designer Spotlight Charlotte Moss's sixth book, A Flair for Living will be published by Assouline this May. The full color, large format volume shares her ideas on gracious style, exuberant entertaining, refined glamor, and home couture. Chock full of images of her elegant interiors, it is likely to inspire traditionalists. While my sneak peek at the book did open my eyes to several overlooked truths of decorating, such as, "A good mirror is a great investment. Every room can handle one," I was admittedly disappointed by the mass of editorial "fluff" (and uninspired graphic design).

Speaking of centerpieces, Moss writes, "Decorating a table is one of life's basic pleasures. Three meals a day means a lot of decorating practice. Begin with a beautiful set of white china, . . ." I find it hard to believe that a woman who runs a successful interior design company, a home boutique, and designs her own furnishings has the time to decorate her dining table everyday. But, much like the interiors she designs, Moss's new book is evidence that she places importance in the simple details of life and home, a skill we should all attempt to cultivate.
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Designer Spotlight: Charlotte Moss

CasaSugar — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 10:34:24 -0700

Although Charlotte Moss's “couture living” design philosophy resonates more with my mother’s décor routine than my own, she really has an appreciation for the small details, which I admire. Moss is an interior designer with a knack for making even the most displeasing, mundane objects seem elegant to the eye. She’s “good to the last drop,” you might say. A Virginia native who now resides in Manhattan, East Hampton, and Aspen, Moss demonstrates a distinct, Old World, Southern charm in her décor, which, as a person who lived for years in the South, I welcome.

In 1985, Moss left an executive post on Wall Street to found her interior design firm, Charlotte Moss & Company. She has designed residential installations throughout the US, written five books, and become a sought-after lecturer. She recently opened the Townhouse, a five-floor home-furnishings store on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Whether or not you can afford her home furnishings, if you can make it to 63rd and Madison, you’ll find her shop to be a great source of inspiration for novice homemakers like many of us, as it is merchandised as if it were her own home. To see some of my favorites from Moss's shop, click the images below.

Your Favorite Female Interior Designer

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:15:33 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you named Charlotte Moss as your favorite interior designer. I do love Charlotte's couture living design philosophy and her attention to detail, so I see where you're coming from. But, I have to say I think the whimsical touches and bold color choices of Sheila Bridges' interiors are more my speed.
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This Just In: Maggie Gyllenhaal Makes Time For Housing Charity

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 16:00:46 -0700

Between shooting films, spending time with her beautiful daughter Ramona, and looking lovely at the The Met's Costume Institute Gala, you'd think that Maggie Gyllenhaal would have her hands full. However, she still has time to give back to the city of New York: Maggie's teamed up with Real Simple and Design on a Dime for the fourth-annual Design on a Dime charity event, which will benefit Housing Works in New York.

Taking place from Thursday, May 8, through Saturday, May 10, at the Metropolitan Pavilion in New York City, the Design on a Dime Benefit will feature designers such as Casa favorites Charlotte Moss and Jamie Drake

To see images from past benefits, and to find out how to go, read more.

The Thursday kickoff VIP event will include exclusive preview shopping, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and live entertainment. For tickets go to the Housing Works website. The Friday and Saturday sale is free and open to the public.

All proceeds from Design on a Dime go to Housing Works, New York City’s largest community-based AIDS organization. Founded in 1990, Housing Works provides housing, medical care, job training, and other lifesaving services to homeless and low-income New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.

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Steal of the Day: Viva Terra Porcelain Branch Teapot

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:15:58 -0700

Even if you're a coffee person, the Viva Terra Porcelain Branch Teapot ($34, reduced from $69) is so woodsy and whimsically beautiful, I'd endorse using it just for decoration. Or, you can cut the stems of your favorite bouquet short, and fill it for a fresh, Spring-y centerpiece. It's true, the cream and sugar set is sold out, but I think the Michael Aram Twig Sugar and Creamer Set ($40) would work marvelously with it. I think maybe this is what Charlotte Moss was referring to when she said that, "Decorating a table is one of life's basic pleasures."

This Just In: Archivia Re-Opens

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 12:59:39 -0700

If you're in New York and hankering for a good architecture, art, design, decorative arts, or garden book, stop by Archivia. Closed six years ago, the archicture and design bookstore has relocated to Lexington Avenue and doubled in size. Designers like Charlotte Moss and Carolina Irving have already visited. And as you might expect, the store, just like the books it showcases, is a testament to good design.

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