CasaSugar

Roundup: White Dining Room Chairs

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:57 -0800

The Blind Side, which opens today, promises to be a tearjerker. The movie, which is based on the true story captured in Michael Lewis's book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, stars Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Touhy, the Christian, Southern mom who takes in Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron. Touhy's house is pretty standard for an upper-middle-class Southern family, but one element that caught my eye were these white dining chairs.

I love the idea of using white chairs in the dining room. The color can really lighten up the space, even if the chairs are geometric and wooden, like these. See some of my favorite white wooden chairs below.

Vintner Side Chair/Cushion - $39.95	Farmhouse Ladderback Armchair - $425.00
Circle-Cutout Chairs + Cushions - $189.00	Victoria White Ribbon Back Arm Chair - $359.00
Macau Armchair - $279.00	Ingolf Chair - $59.99
Olle Chair - $34.99	Le Mans Dining Chairs Set of 2 - $249.00
Cindy Crawford Home California Cottage White Farm Side Chair - $109.99

Do You Use Placemats at Every Meal?

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:00:54 -0800

Since my husband and I inherited a gorgeous table from his mother, we always use placemats to keep hot foods or condensation-laden glasses away from its wood surface. With other tables, I haven't been as careful, and even think that a few water stains added to the charm of the older, imperfect tables. Still, for our current table, I like to take precaution. The thick felt used in these screenprinted felt placemats ($17.50 for 2) would definitely do the job.

Decorating Ideas to Steal From The Good Wife

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0700

I've been enjoying Julianna Margulies's new series The Good Wife. Margulies stars as Alicia Florrick, a wife and mother who heads back to the work force after her husband (played by Chris Noth), the Cook County state attorney, is jailed for a sex and political corruption scandal. Alicia's new home, which she shares with her two children, shows a great mix of classic style that's updated with some more modern touches. Check out my favorite ideas from the kitchen and dining room.

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10 Fabulous Mismatched Tables and Chairs

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:00:58 -0700

I love the look of mismatched dining room chairs. When done right, this look can be absolutely charming. Check out 10 of my favorite chair looks, and see why they work so well.
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Ask Casa: Where Can I Find This Chair?

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Dear Casa,

We're currently shopping for a new dining room set, and I've been searching for chairs similar to your office chair. i think it would be a great way to keep the space open and deter from the high back chairs that come with all the Mission/ Shaker tables we like. Do you know the manufacturer or style? Most furniture stores don't understand what I'm trying to describe. Your insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Meghan

To see my answer for Meghan, read more.

Hi Meghan,

Thanks for saying kind words about my office chair; it's a favorite of mine (read the crazy backstory about this chair's origins here, if you're curious). The chair was designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball in the 1950s, and is made of maple. Not only is it handsome, it's also very comfortable. I think it would be a great choice for your dining room. While these chairs can go for quite a bit of money (two are on 1st Dibs right now for $950), I'd do some snooping around to see if you can't find anything cheaper. Look at antique stores, on eBay, at flea markets, and on Craigslist. There's actually a set of six Russel Wright chairs and a dining table on sale for $2,995 right now on eBay.

If you want to buy something off the rack, so to speak, you can also check out my finds below.

Good luck chair hunting!
Casa

Salt Chair - $98.00	Ikea Stockholm Chair - $99.99
Halden Side Chair Beech - $249.00	Osaka Round Back Armchair - $119.99
Kyoto Chair - $125.00	Wegner Wishbone Chair in Black - $699.00
Knoll straight chair - $634.00	Carl Hansen & Son ch20 elbow chair - quick ship - $980.00

Get the Look: John Loecke's Cozy Dining Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 10:00:26 -0700

Cruising through the portfolio of New York-based interior designer John Loecke, I fell hard for this cozy dining room. First and foremost, I love the arrangement of the furniture here. It works perfectly with the oddly shaped room, and the sectional, round table, and upholstered dining chairs make for super-comfy dining. A careful combination of colors in the accessories here makes this room interesting to me. My favorite thing is how he's painted the door frame to match the Chinoiserie chandelier. I also love the natural light in this space. Those plants have an ideal home in that sunny window! Lucky for you, this room is easy to re-create with a few readily available furnishings. See my finds when you read more.

The first item on your shopping list should be a tole Chinoiserie-style chandelier like this Red Bells Pagoda Fixture ($1,500). Hunt flea markets and antique shops for this. Or, find one on 1stDibs.com by searching keywords "Pagoda" and "Chinoiserie." Whatever color it is, paint a door or window surround to match. If you like this lime green or have a specific color in mind, paint the light fixture accordingly! Here are a few more furnishings:

Before and After: A Real Housewife's Dining Room

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:00:35 -0700

Jill Zarin of The Real Housewives of New York City redecorated her family's Upper East Side apartment with the help of interior designer Brad Boles of, not coincidentally, Zarin Fabrics, her family business. The makeover was featured in Traditional Home. I'm not going to lie: as dreary, new money (sorry), and dated as the apartment was before, I'm still not keen on all of the updates. But I did see a major improvement in the dining room, which previously had elaborately swagged draperies, heavy mahogany woodwork, and a Venetian/Tuscan theme gone wrong. See how she changed the look, and the mood of the room, when you read more.

Jill replaced the ostentatious drapery with pleated roman shades, making it instantly more modern and fresh. And, she chose a beautiful sea-foam green color palette, which brightened the room up and made the city views the spotlight. As for the furniture, she went with quiet, understated pieces like white-tufted chairs and a round glass-top table. A few stylish accents like a set of Foo dogs and an art-deco chandelier made it seem a bit more of the moment.

Way to go, Jill! I applaud you. What do you think? If you love it, it can be yours: the apartment is for sale for $3.2 million.
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Casa Quickie: Make It Pop

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:30:08 -0700

The dining room is often the most formal room in our homes. But, seeing as we've thrown formality to the wind in nearly every other aspect of our culture, why stop there? Why not pair lively conversation with lively design?
I absolutely love love love this dining room in the portfolio of Francesco Lagnese, and I can't imagine any of my dinner guests disagreeing. From the pop art lips to the tall, bursting centerpiece to the cantaloupe-colored chairs, it's a breath of fresh air and a conversation starter. And the polished white floors and sleek black walls allow the personality pieces to shine. If you've got the guts, go for it!

Do You Use Tablecloths?

CasaSugar — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 07:00:25 -0700

A tablecloth can instantly improve a less-than-perfect dining table. It can also add a note of elegance to a dinner party. Do you have one on your table?

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Get the Look: Cut-Back Summer Chic

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 12:00:51 -0700

When you're blessed with stunning architecture and a gorgeous view, sometimes less is more. With so much design inspiration and great furnishings everywhere, it's hard to say no to the shopping habit. But, I think this summery dining room and deck is a prime example of how clutter-free comfort can be impressively chic. So, I figured I'd choose a few (just a few) products to help you get this look. The architecture and the ocean vistas are up to you. See my product finds when you read more.

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Monroe 48" Round Dining Table - $999.00	Ribbon-Border Roman Shade - Oatmeal - $109.00
Blake Sectional - $1,199.00	Natural Wonders Giclee Prints - $199.00
Large Typesetter Plaque - $29.00	Potted Aloe Plant - $24.95
Succulent Cube Set - $79.00	Saigon Planters - $79.00
Hand-Dipped Taper Candles Set of Six - $12.95	Medallion Panel - $69.00
Waterford "Gadroon" Candle Holders Console Pair - $120.00	Waterford "Gadroon" Candle Holders Tapered Pair - $175.00
A Poet's Likeness Sculpture - $129.00	Sylvia Armchair - $795.00
Sylvia Side Chair - $695.00

Thomas Paul Anchor Jute Pillow - $70.00	Fitzgerald Armchair - $695.00
Michael Aram for Waterford Wood Grain 12" Hurricane - $174.99	Chesapeake Rocking Chair - $33.00
Oxford Stripe Pillow Cover - $29.00	Maritime Crisscross Rope Pillow - $88.00
Organic Olive Tree - $95.00	Teak Adirondack Collection - $35.00
Parsons Expandable Dining Table - $599.00	Santa Barbara Side Table - $435.00
Thomas Paul Moby Jute Pillow - $70.00	Couture Pillow - $99.00
Taylor Hurricanes - $6.95	Nils Armchair - $79.99