CasaSugar

Get the Look: Cozy Autumn Fireplaces

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 10:00:52 -0700

I love spending a chilly Autumn night in front of a crackling fire. And nothing says Fall to me as much as a cozy fireplace. There are many ways to transition your Summer fireplace into the Fall spirit, so, on this first day of Fall, let's check out some beautiful and cozy Fall fireplaces.

View Slideshow ›

How-To: Create a Cozy Corner

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 12:00:20 -0700

While the brick walls and built-in seating areas on the perimeter of this living room have the potential for chilliness (in looks as well as temperature), this possibility is assuaged by the super-cozy seating area tucked into the corner.
Creating your own cozy corner is a perfect way to transition into Fall weather. And, if you have kids returning to school, you can make this corner serve double duty as a reading corner as well.

If you're creating this space on the floor, as opposed to the built-in seating shown here, start by laying down a small area rug (3-x-5 feet is a good size). Then, pile on floor pillows, poufs, or bolster pillows. A light throw blanket is always a good addition as well. While this type of floor-level corner may not work well in all rooms, a more relaxed or bohemian interior can easily adapt to accommodate it.

To see some of my favorite finds for creating your cozy corner, read more.

Do you have your own cozy corner already at home? Share photos and details in my new Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Shali Bolster - $228.00	Sutter Jacquard Bolster Pillow Cover - $49.00
Lima Alpaca Charcoal Throw - $169.00	Poufs - $179.00
Felted Wool Stones - $298.00	Thomas Paul Rugs Blossom in Chocolate and Cream - $270.00

Source

Inspired: Handknit Sweaters

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:30:28 -0800

On a chilly Winter's night, who doesn't love pulling on a bulky, handknit sweater? The wool knit is so cozy, and the intricate stitching patterns are a delight to the eye, whether it's a chevron stitch, a basketweave, or a moss diamond. This Design History Sweater (on sale for $79.99) uses a variety of knititng patterns, including diamond shapes, which are reflected on this Ballard Designs Pierson Diamond Console ($599), which would be a lovely entryway piece.

I've rounded up some other home items that are inspired by sweater stitch patterns. To see my finds, read more.

Desire/Acquire: Warm Wool Throws

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Nothing's cozier on a Winter evening than cuddling up under a cozy throw on your sofa. I love this Gump's Sweater Knit Throw ($325), which resembles your boyfriend's oversized sweater, and whose handknit cables give it an extra touch of authenticity. It's a great color and looks silky, but it's an acrylic/wool/poly blend, which is not my favorite cuddling fabric combination. And that price tag is a bit of a turn off.

To see something that I think is even prettier, and way more affordable, read more.

Available in a soothing feather gray or oatmeal heater hues, the Lutz & Patmos Cable Throw ($89) is about the same size as the Sweater Knit Throw, but a fraction of the price. Available through West Elm and designed by luxury sweater and knitwear designers Tina Lutz and Marcia Patmos, this textural cable knit is pretty, cozy, and a much more sophisticated home accent than the higher-priced throw. While it's still a blend of acrylic and wool fibers, I'm willing to overlook that fabric faux pas, given the throw's great price and dashing good looks.

Cool Idea: Fireplace Substitute

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 08:30:14 -0800

CasaSugar reader DailyCrush wrote to me with a great tip on a cute space heater. Since everyone's looking for ways to stay cozy this season, I knew you'd appreciate the tip.

DailyCrush says, "I use the Dimplex Compact Electric Stove to heat up the living room in my very tiny house (my living room is only about 10 x 15). It works really well; plus it's just really nice to have the fireplace ambiance in a place I'm renting, since I obviously couldn't install a real fireplace!"

Do you have a space heater that simulates a fireplace? I love the effect, and think it looks great in DailyCrush's cute living room!

Tips For Keeping Cozy

CasaSugar — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 08:30:55 -0800

I've shared a lot of good tips, products, and how-tos with you for keeping your home warm and cozy this Winter. Take a look at the slideshow to review some of my favorite stories. Source

View Slideshow ›

Gift Guide: The Cozy Cuddler

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 10:30:27 -0800

I have a tendency to want to hibernate a little when Winter rolls around, so out come the blankets and the comfy throw pillows. I love spending a snowy day curled up under a blanket with a mug of tea and a good DVD.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who indulges in some wintertime hibernating, so if you have someone in your life who's known for cozying up on the couch, give them what they want: more ways to get cozy!

With that in mind, I've rounded up a bunch of gorgeous throws, pillows, and blankets that will have the cozy cuddler in your life swooning (and then disappearing onto the nearest sofa) when she opens her present.

To see my finds, read more.

Paige Velvet Lumbar Pillow Cover - $39.00	Lutz & Patmos Cable Throw - $89.00
Barneys New York Reversible Cashmere Throw- Black/Ivory - $750.00	Felted Wool Stones - $298.00
Bexley Throw - $49.95	Missoni Home - funny blanket by missoni home - $748.00
Brown Berry Neckroll Cover - $25.00	Kantha Throw - $99.00
Italian Wool and Cashmere Throws - $275.00	Olive & Brown Striped Lambswool Throw - $249.00
K Studio - Neighborhood Pillow - $98.00	Merino Wool Throw - $359.00
Missoni Home - fresia throw by missoni home - $265.00	Lion Zardozi Pillows - $98.00
Adrienne Landau Rabbit-Fur Throw - $954.90	Judy Ross - Tropical Blue/Chocolate/Cream Ricrak Pillow - $190.00
Winter Garden Throw Pillow - $159.99	Prized Aviary Pillow, Green Phoenix - $78.00
Lutz & Patmos Cable Pillow Cover - $39.00	Jolly Pillow - $39.95
Sheepskin Pillow Cover - $39.00	Nancy Koltes Fine Linens Lido Throw - $327.00
CLOSEOUT! Linden Street® Sweater Throw - $49.99	Nordstrom Faux Chinchilla Fur Throw - $125.00
Nancy Koltes Fine Linens Angora Throw - $175.00	Chunky Hand-Knit Throw - $89.00
Chirp Pillow - $29.95

Source

Do You Snuggle Up on the Sofa?

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 16:00:18 -0800

Now that the temperatures have dipped, I've added a few lap blankets and afghans to the living room. They sit in a pretty crate next to the sofa, and are the first thing I reach for when I crack open a book or watch a DVD. Do you snuggle up with blankets on the sofa, too?
Source

Midday Muse: Sumptuous Ceiling

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:00:59 -0700

Supper, a restaurant in NYC's East Village, was given an updated look by Site Specific Design. However, the updated look took it back in time, with its burnished, antique-look ceiling and dark interiors. I'm particularly fond of those jellyfish-like pendant lamps seen above the bar. Are you a fan of dark, cozy interiors, like this one? Source

Artist of the Day: Carol Hummel

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:00:45 -0700

An overt sign that the growing crochet trend has been taken to new heights, literally, is artist Carol Hummel's Tree Cozy. As part of a two-year exhibition of eight works by sculptors in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, Hummel crocheted a cozy with brightly colored nylon and synthetic material for a tree in front of Cleveland Heights City Hall, which wouldn't impede "the growth of the tree or [harm] wildlife." In her artist statement, Hummel refers to the tree cozy as "an emphatically handmade blanket representing femininity and comfort" which covers "a natural object representing masculinity and strength," a piece that personifies the tree "keeping it cozy and colorful throughout the year, enhancing the beauty of nature," and evokes "memories of bygone times and places when life was good," as well as "softens the strong tree form while also emphasizing it." She says, "The cozy covering the tree fluctuates between comforting blanket and suffocating cover-up; it conceals as much as it protects; it hides as much as it reveals." Tree Cozy was on display from 2005 through 2008, and landed Hummel an award as the winner of the Heights Public Art Competition. There's more to learn and see about this project, so read more.

Hummel has also "cozied" a companion tree in India to the one in Ohio, bound another tree in India with rope, was commissioned to crochet a tree in Orlando, Florida, macraméd a mountain in Utah, and has also been known to dress trees in underwear. Hummel's Cleveland Heights Tree Cozy, which took her 500 hours and the use of a hydraulic lift, recently spawned a tree crochet movement in Yellow Springs, Ohio, which has become a community art project and conversation piece, "made up of panels of yarn knitted individually by residents and visitors alike."

View 14 Photos ›

Source and Source

St. Charles Mirror - $249.00	Barneys New York Diamond Grid Throw- White - $995.00
Thomas O'Brien "Martine" Rug - $1,329.00	Plush Living - Athena Black Label Pillow - $64.00
Alhambra Rug - $109.00	Zigzag Console - $2,379.00
Area Chanel pillow - $85.00	Hand-Woven Ikat-Pattern Rug - $2,950.00
Diamond Lattice Curtains - $169.90	Diamond 20\"x13\" Pillow in Chocolate - $119.00
Diamond Weave Braided Jute Rug - $179.00	Missoni Home - jaylin bedding collection by missoni home - $424.00
Mint Green Chevron Towels Sets of 2 - $9.98	Pierson Diamond Console - $599.00
Kartell - stone stool by marcel wanders for kartell - $245.00	Moroccan Zig-Zag Rug - $3,950.00