CasaSugar

Before and After: From Thrifty to Nifty

CasaSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 11:00:40 -0700

On a thrifting adventure with some friends, I spotted this corkboard tucked among the frames. It had definitely seen better days, but I liked its patterned wood frame, and it looked like it was in decent structural shape, so I decided to take it home. If you remember my post on decorating with thrifted goods, you'll know that a scruffy item often has endless potential.

To see how I spruced up this sad corkboard, read more.

First, I gently pried out the rusty staples, which were attaching the cork to the frame. Then, I mixed some acrylic paint colors together to create a soothing, deep blue-green color, and added some decoupage glue to add shine. I applied two coats of paint, and let it dry overnight. The next day I measured and cut out a length of Amy Butler fabric slightly larger than the corkboard, tucked it tightly around the cork, and staplegunned it into place. Then, I simply popped the fabric-covered cork into the frame, secured it with some finish nails, and hung it in the entry.

This new entry item has actually added a lot of necessary space on the wall for posting letters, messages, and notes. Do you have something similar in your home?

DIY: Embroidery Hoop Corkboard

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:00:28 -0700

I recently fell head over heels for this hoop.dee.do bulletin board ($22), sending it to the top of my wish list. What a perfect way to add style and function to your home office!? So, when I came across a DIY on how to make them on my own, my excitement skyrocketed. I do love to support all the lovely hand-making Etsy studios, but sometimes it's nice to just have a project for myself. Luckily, this one doesn't seem too intimidating, time-consuming, or expensive. I'm thinking of making several hoops in varying sizes and patterns to cover the wall above my desk.

Supplies:

1 wooden embroidery hoop
Cork board (an old board, or cork board squares)
Pencil
Drywall saw or sharp craft knife
Upholstery-weight fabric
Picture-hanging tooth w/nails
Hammer
Staple gun
Glue gun w/glue sticks

To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how, from Sweet Jessie:

Lay your embroidery hoop on top of your cork board.
Trace the the hoop onto the board in pencil.
Using the drywall saw or knife, cut the cork board to the shape of your hoop.
Lay your fabric on top of the cork circle, and wedge it into the interior hoop.
Set the exterior hoop on top of that, and tighten it.
Staple the fabric, securing it to the back of the cork board.
Using the glue gun, fill in any crevices in between the fabric and the loop.
Hammer the picture-hanging tooth to the back of the loop's wood blocks.
Hang!

Source and Source

Casa Quickie: Frame Your Cards

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00:07 -0800

Instead of propping your cards on your fireplace mantel this holiday season, why not pin them inside a pretty frame? It's an instant art display, and it also organizes the cards in a more manageable way.

You can make a corkboard display like I did and then use it year-round, long after the holiday cards have been tucked away.

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Steal of the Day: Graham & Brown Frames Wallpaper

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:00:53 -0700

Say goodbye to your corkboard. Showcasing your mementos and photographs just got a whole lot easier. Now through Aug. 31, the Graham & Brown Frames Wallpaper ($40/double roll) can be yours for 20 percent off. Just enter the code SummerSale at checkout, and it'll be yours for only $32. I think an entire room wallpapered in this print might be a little overwhelming, but it would be great on one wall, perhaps behind a desk, or even in just a small area like a closet.

How-To: Spring Organize Your Entryway

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your entry, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your entry, read more.

Relocate unnecessary furniture cluttering the space, as well as Winter clothing and boots you won’t need until next season. Furniture is likely unnecessary if you don't use it, or if it makes it difficult to move through the entryway.
Donate multiples of jackets, equipment, and other clothing. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail. (Or, try turning it into art.) To prevent future junk mail, get your name removed from mailing lists.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. But before you put it in the garbage, make sure that it's really garbage. For instance, lightweight, worn-out jackets can be cut into pieces for cleaning rags.
Add cabinets, baskets, or cubbies for jackets and shoes, a blackboard or corkboard for leaving messages, and a mirror. Check out my ideas for new organizational furniture below!

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Cool Idea: Good Grips MagTacks

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:00:49 -0700

Corkboards are helpful for displaying things that aren't "keepers," but using pushpins on your child's artwork or a memorable invitation can really ding it up. The obvious solution would be to use a magnet, but what if you don't have a magnetic refrigerator or other surface? If that's the case, then Good Grips MagTacks ($3.49, reduced from $6.99) are for you. These helpful objects are a pushpin and a magnet in one, which allow you to slip your precious photos or artwork between the top magnet and its pushpin base to avoid ruining them with holes. You can also store the tack head in the magnet base, if you are using a refrigerator or some type of steel message board. Pretty clever, eh?

How-To: Make an Easy Message Board

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:45:49 -0700

Tired of corkboards? Can you not even stand to think about a whiteboard? Then try this alternative to message boards.

Simply hang a cord from one end of your room to the other. You can use something practical, such as picture hanging wire, or something more fanciful, such as grosgrain ribbon. Now, clip on some clothespins, and you're ready to go. Secure artwork, bills, messages, and to-do lists from your message "board." It's a fresh take on an old necessity.

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DIY: Scrabble Coasters

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 05:15:29 -0800

If the words "Triple Word Score" mean anything to you then this project is for you. You can put a retired Scrabble set to work by recycling it into coasters. If you don't want to part with your beloved Scrabble set, you can purchase batches of Scrabble tiles on eBay for little more than five bucks.

Supplies:

Scrabble tiles (64-100 for a set of four)
Cork board or cardboard and felt
Hot glue gun with glue sticks
Mod Podge or a stronger sealant (polyurethane)
Grosgrain ribbon (the width of a Scrabble tile's height)

To learn the steps, read more

Here's how:

Take out a pen and paper and brainstorm some four- or five-letter words related to drinks (wine, cafe, pinot, etc.) that you'd like to use on your coasters. Play with their configurations, and come up with a blueprint for your letter arrangements, either 4-x-4 tiles or 5-x-5.
Measure the dimensions of your square of tiles, and cut the corkboard or cardboard accordingly.
If you're using cardboard, cut a piece of felt to the same size and glue it to the cardboard base.
Glue your Scrabble-tile arrangement to your base. Let dry.
Seal the top of the tiles with Mod Podge. Let dry.
Glue the grosgrain ribbon around edge of the coaster. Let dry.
Uncork some vino and drink up!

You can also purchase new Scrabble tiles from Hasbro, but it's best to recycle! Try thrift stores, yard sales, and eBay for vintage ones.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:59:22 -0800

SFgirlbybay shares her weekend flea-market finds.
AT: SF has a top ten list of cloth napkins.
The Hardware Aisle has a great tip on saving energy and money with the Home Joule.
These cool light fixtures on Sub-Studio Design are made from vegetables.
Better Homes and Gardens reveals nine nature-inspired decorating ideas, just in time for Thanksgiving.
These Markow and Norris woven glass sculptures on MoCo Loco take over 100 hours of kiln time to make.
AT: NY spotted some pretty versatile apple racks that can be used as storage at home.
Design*Sponge's custom baroque-style cork-board DIY project have me reaching for the push pins.
NYC subway grab-holds ($45) are for sale to the general public, and both Danny Seo and I are itching to own a bite of Big Apple history.
Shelterrific and I have our eyes on this pagoda-esque bamboo wine rack that holds nine bottles of wine of choice, just enough to get me through Thanksgiving.

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Good, Better, Best: Classical Computer Armoires

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 15:30:33 -0700

Not all of us have the luxury of a separate home office. And for anyone who works in a multi-purpose room - such as a living room or guest room - a computer armoire is a great buy.

These workstations are large enough to contain all of your tech needs, and the elegant doors let you hide your clutter when the desk isn't in use. So for this Good, Better, Best, I've rounded up some classically styled computer armoires at three different price points.

Good: When the doors are shut, this Hampton Computer Armoire in White ($500) just looks like a cabinet. But inside are thoughtful touches like a keyboard tray, corkboard, and a dry-erase board.

Two even better classical computer armoires, so read more

Better: The grass-green finish and shuttered doors give this Pottery Barn Seymour Home Office Armoire ($1,999, via Outblush) a touch a hipness. It's designed to hold a computer or a TV.

Best: I love the old-world Japanese elegance of this Gump's Shinto Office Armoire ($3,400). It's made from solid walnut and joined without a single nail, and details include sliding doors in the back to help manage your wires.