CasaSugar

Do You Use a Chest For a Coffee Table?

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:00:09 -0700

I love the idea of using a chest instead of a simple table in the living room. Not only does it add an unexpected element to the room, but it also provides great, hidden storage for games, blankets, CDs, or DVDs. This particular chest (which I love - is that a checkers board pattern embedded in the top?) is from Lovely_1's new home, which you can tour here.

Roundup: Mirrored Cocktail Tables

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 04:00:41 -0700

I was taking a look at some set photos of Melrose Place and noticed this showstopping clover-shaped mirrored cocktail table. It was from Horchow/Neiman Marcus, but it doesn't look like it's available any longer - to be honest, this whole room looks like it could have been furnished by Horchow. Anyway, you know how I love mirrored furniture, so it's no surprise that this caught my eye. But seeing it makes me think if you're going to go for the glitzy trend, you may as well show it off to your cocktail party guests. So see a few of my mirrored cocktail table picks when you read more.

"Mirage" Cocktail Table - $1,199.00	John-Richard - $1,829.00
John-Richard - $1,529.00	Jonathan Adler - montmartre table by jonathan adler - $1,200.00
John-Richard - $799.00	Cappellini - cappellini ministeel table series by carlo colombo - $968.00
Clairemont Coffee Table - $699.00	Jonathan Cocktail Table - $2,195.00
Meridian Cocktail Table - $849.00

Photo courtesy of The CW

Have You Ever Built Your Own Furniture?

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:00:33 -0700

I can do a lot of crafty things, but I am not a builder. So I am super impressed with this coffee table that Chez Larsson's husband and son built. Aside from the fact that it's gorgeous and one of a kind, it's not just a table top and legs: it has shelves and wheels and curves. Do I hear applause?

A dear friend of mine did make me a gorgeous coffee table from Claro Walnut heartwood, and I'm in awe of it every time I plop down on the couch. Have you ever built your own furniture?

Cool Idea: Isabel Quiroga's StoryTeller Book Rack

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 15:00:00 -0700

I imagine some furniture lovers might find Isabel Quiroga's Storyteller Book Rack to be sacrilegious. Considering how many tables and desks sit abandoned on sidewalks and in thrift stores, many with dated or worn finishes, I think it's brilliant. Not only is this book rack made of old tables a great way to repurpose something that's no longer needed, but it proves that there's strength in numbers. While one coffee table may have held a couple art books and a set of coasters, the sum of them can house a whole library. Storyteller is the sort of the thing that'll make your friends say, "Wow. I wish I'd thought of that." Get out your chain saws.

Open House: What's on Your Coffee Table?

CasaSugar — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 05:30:42 -0700

A coffee table in some ways is a window to your soul. On my coffee table you'll find a plentiful stock of shelter magazines; DIY, design, and art books; expensive candles (a guilty pleasure); matches; coasters (for my wine habit); a silver dish to catch odds and ends; the workings of my latest craft project; and a deck of I ♥ NY cards. My mother's coffee table is much more formal, with flowers, decorative (useless) accents, and a big Taschen coffee table book opened to her favorite botanical illustration. Tell me, what's on your coffee table and what do you think it says about you?

Casa Quickie: Double Up

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 07:00:00 -0700

The difficult part about decorating is that sometimes we're drawn to furnishings that may look pretty in our homes, but simply won't work due to size or shape. It's kind of like the glass slippers that never quite fit Cinderella's stepsisters. Beautiful, but sorry girls, not for you. Well, when it comes to your coffee table, if you have a large room and lots of seating, sometimes the best thing is really a square or round coffee table, rather than a rectangular one. That doesn't mean you have to bypass that four-legged beauty you've been dreaming of, though; instead, just buy two and push them together! Now, your "table" will be nearly, if not equally, as wide as it is long, making it an ideal centerpiece for all of your chairs. Just make sure it has straight edges that won't interfere when pushed together. To see some rectangular coffee tables fit for this trick, read more.

Source

Roundup: Out of This World, in Front of Your Sofa

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:00:16 -0700

Let's face it: when we're not hovering over the kitchen counter, our lives revolve around the coffee table. So why not make yours the center of attention, style-wise? I love the Barbarella-esque look of this Mondo Coffee Table ($273) from Overstock. I think it would be fun to make an extraterrestrial, otherworldly table the focal point of a room. Kind of like saying, "I know I'm crazy, so what!?" So, I've discovered a few more:

Found It! Julia Restoin-Roitfeld's Coffee and Side Table

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Art director and daughter of Carine Roitfeld, the longtime editor-in-chief of French Vogue, Julia Restoin-Roitfeld recently let photographer Todd Selby into her New York apartment. Selby has a knack for making everything look stylish (as does this beauty), but I was particularly taken with Restoin-Roitfeld's marble coffee table and side table. Her apartment may be decked out with fancy, fashionable accessories, but I thought there was something understated and unpretentious about these tables. Yes, they do contribute to the digs' stark minimalism, but in a casual way. As it turns out, they're pretty attainable - even for those of us who are not fashion royalty. To see where you can buy them, read more.

The tables are the CB2 Smart Side Table ($149) and Coffee Table ($199). They don't seem to be available any longer with a marble top, just glass. But, the CB2 Smart Round Coffee Table ($299) does have a marble top.
Photo by Todd Selby

Cool Idea: Architectural Elements as Furniture

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 05:30:16 -0700

I spotted this living room in the portfolio of New York-based interior designer Andrew Kepler, and couldn't help but notice his use of a column capital as a coffee table. It's not unusual that I see an un-traditional item used as a furnishing, but in most cases, it's in a modern home. Here, the alternative table makes the room look more classic and masculine in style and makes a historical reference. I'm sure there are plenty of other architectural elements that could be used in a similar way. I'd love to head to an architectural salvage shop for some inspiration! Would you like to replicate this effect in your home?
Source

Ask Casa: Furnishings For My New Sofa

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 12:00:40 -0700

Hi Casa,
I read your post about your new favorite color - that slate color with the blue/purple undertones - and I have to say that I totally agree. In fact, I just moved to a new apartment and bought a couch from West Elm in that color. I love the couch! It's called light charcoal, but I saw the fabric in the store and it has wonderful blue undertones. Anyway, I bought the couch and don't know what else to do in my living area! I thought decorating it would be so much fun, but I don't know where to go with chairs and the coffee table. I want to make the space have a light feeling, so obviously I need to start incorporating some lighter pieces. Do you have any suggestions? I have tons of space, so size isn't too much of an issue.
Thanks!
Aflower

To hear my suggestions for Aflower, read more.

Hi Aflower,
Great question! I'm glad I'm not alone in my love for this color! While I think the blueish slate color looks great with dark elements, I know what you mean about wanting to keep your space light. I'm not sure what your aesthetic is or exactly which sofa you chose, so I'll do my best to help you.

I think something like this West Elm Bridge Coffee Table ($299), which has a beautifully grained natural sungkai wood veneer, would look fantastic with a blueish gray and keep things light.

You can also lighten the room by choosing an upholstered chair or ottoman with a white pattern on it. For example, I think this Urban Outfitters Lulu Chair ($425) with its smokey background would look great with charcoal, but the white design really brightens things up. Head to your local fabric store to find a textile with a light or white pattern that works with your tastes and have a chair reupholstered in it.

If you go with drapery with a bit of shimmer to them, like these West Elm Silk Dupioni Window Panels ($69-$109), you'll instantly lighten things up. Or, you can go nearly transparent with simple Sheer Linen Window Panels ($24-$44).

You should definitely also hang mirrors on your walls to reflect your natural light. As I've mentioned before, mirrors do a fantastic job of opening a room up. You can even try using mirrored furniture to really reflect light around the room!

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa

Chequer Coffee Table - $599.00	Map Coffee Table - $599.00
Fritz Hansen plano low table; small - $1,924.00	Jonathan Cocktail Table - $2,195.00
Vista Coffee Table - $599.00	Modular Coffee Table - $399.00
Caliente Coffee Table - $199.00	Teak Thin Coffee Table 47" - $600.00
Pacifica Coffee Table - $499.00	Blu Dot Minimalista Coffee Table - $599.00