CasaSugar

Casa Interview: Ahmed Hassan From Blog Cabin

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 06:15:56 -0700

If you read my posts about the DIY Network, you may remember that Ahmed Hassan is one of my favorite hosts. Along with his fun show Yard Crashers, he also hosts Blog Cabin, a new show premiering Aug. 14 that follows the construction of a cabin that bloggers have designed. Oh, and did I mention that the DIY Network is also giving this cabin away to one lucky DIY Network fan?

Ahmed recently answered some of my questions about the show and the sweepstakes. To see the video, read more.

Source

Casa Verde: Attention-Grabbing Explanation of Water Conservation

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:00:21 -0700

As I've mentioned before, the shows and hosts of the DIY Network always bring a smile to my face, and that's definitely true with Desperate Landscapes host Jason Cameron, who transforms scrappy-looking lawns into things of beauty, often while wearing a tight t-shirt. I don't know about you, but there's no better way to have mathematics explained to me than by a cute, congenial guy. To find out how much water you can save by using rainbarrels, check out the clip below.

Source

In the News: Observing, Not Doing It Yourself

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 07:45:59 -0700

A recent New York TImes article, "If I Had a Hammer, I Wouldn’t Watch TV" by Michael Grimes, looks at the DIY movement through a most passive of pastimes - the television. Grimes spent an entire day watching the DIY Network, which is affiliated with two other get-up-and-do-it stations, the Food Network and HGTV. From the high class of This Old House to the writer's obvious boredom with knitting show Knitty Gritty (all right, yes, how exciting can a show about knitting really be?), a full day of DIY programming was critiqued from the safe confines of Grimes's recliner.

The obvious irony in this is that while do-it-yourself programs and books are meant to inspire ordinary people to pick up a power drill and get cracking, often the books, TV shows, and instructions never make it past the stage of observation. There's also, of course, something very seductive about watching a two-month-long kitchen remodel happen in the space of an hour. It's so much cleaner, cheaper, and less time consuming. On the other hand, it also means that the only home that's going to look any different is the one on your television screen.

To find out more about this article, as well as the DIY Network, read more.

With perhaps a tinge of sarcasm and the regret of a few poorly executed DIY projects behind him, Grimes observes, "In the world of DIY all measurements are precise, and all edges fit. No one bends a nail. Couples do not bicker. The tools are top quality, the hosts genial and omniscient. This is a world in which all problems get solved."

As an occasional DIY Network watcher, I know that there's a sweetness and sincerity to the shows' hosts and content that may strike some (including this NYTs writer, as cloying. I see it in exactly the opposite way though. These shows provide smart, commonsense advice on transforming your home and garden. It's always easier to sit back, turn on the tube, and start critiquing. It's much harder to pick up a hammer and actually get to work. With the DIY Network, that job becomes easier and more enjoyable. There's nothing wrong with that.

Check out one of my favorite DIY Network hosts, Ahmed Hassan, in the clip below.

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:30:58 -0700

Danny Seo tells you all about carpet recycling.
AT:SF tempts landlubbers with a book on floating home.
Craft introduces some wacky/practical cleaning slippers.
YumSugar reports on the Food Network's recent addition to Slow Food Nation.
A Way to Garden shows you three easy and tall perennials for your garden.
Shelterrific has acquired a stylish highchair.
SavvySugar dishes on a family that saved money by only using cash for a month.
This Old House tells you about another Frank Lloyd Wright for sale.
Decor8 has an easy DIY project showing you how to make patterned wall squares.

Source

Designer Spotlight: Kyle Schuneman

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 07:00:59 -0700

Whether he's designing for interiors, television sets, or as part of a challenge for a show on HGTV, Style, or the DIY Network, designer Kyle Schuneman remains loyal to his company's slogan: "Be You. Live You. Live Well."

I appreciate how Kyle's designs integrate trendy items into comfortable, livable interiors. This young (22-year-old) designer certainly knows his way around small spaces, which are his specialty. While he grew up in Chicago, Kyle is now based out of Los Angeles, where he's worked with companies such as Microsoft, Lipton, and Target. Kyle's style is definitely well-honed already, and I look forward to seeing what this very young designer does in the future years.

One of my favorite shots from the gallery is the tiled blue bathroom wall. Are you a fan as well? Then let Kyle instruct you on how to re-create it in your own home by following the directions here

View 14 Photos ›

Source

Welcome to CasaSugar!

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 14:19:28 -0700

Welcome to CasaSugar, the newest addition to the Sugar Network. Offering design ideas and inspiration, CasaSugar is the place to indulge all of your home-related hankerings, from decorating trends and gardening tips to strategies for getting organized.

If you have ideas you'd like to see on CasaSugar, please share them in the comments below. Meanwhile, here are some of the regular features you can look forward to:

Get the Look I'll present a decorating theme for a room and offer products to help you achieve it.
Trend Alerts I'll track the hottest trends in home decor and tell you where to find the choicest picks.
Love It or Hate It? Weigh in on the most outrageous designs.
Casa Verde Want to live a greener life? I've got tips to get you started.
Casa Shops So many stores, so little time. I'll show you my favorite online boutiques.
Su Casa Submit photos of your home-decorating accomplishments and get advice from readers.
Designer Spotlight I'll tell you about the hottest names in design and decorating.
DIY Projects and Other Tips Indulge your handy side with craft projects and home-repair advice.