CasaSugar

Get the Look: Eclectic Open Plan Dining Room

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 07:00:59 -0700

This open plan dining room is so eclectic, it's almost silly. But I love it! The mish-mash of the Victorian fireplace with the retro table and lime-green chairs, along with the quirky accents like the oversize letters, baby carriage, and glass dome, create the impression that someone really artsy lives here. But, it doesn't have that messy, bipolar look of some artist studios: it's polished. You can see people entertaining here, especially considering the extra chairs stacked in the corner. I could go on, but I thought I'd just help you get the look in your home, if you dig it as much as I do. To see my finds for re-creating this room, read more.

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Coveted Crib: Laurel's Rainbow Bright Home (Part One)

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 09:19:32 -0700

When I knocked on the door of Laurel's home, I knew I was in for a treat. Laurel, a visual artist who works in low-relief wall pieces, bought her two-bedroom, one-bath 1928 Craftsman home from her grandparents five years ago. Since then, the space has been extensively renovated and personalized. Laurel says, "I want people with really different aesthetics and visions to find some humor in my home and to be inspired by it." To come along on a colorful home tour, check out the slideshow. Here, I'll take you through Laurel's amazing collections of furniture and art finds showcased in her living room, dining room, and kitchen.

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Room Therapy: Mixing Styles With Success

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 07:45:35 -0700

Hi, Casa!

A friend and I are moving into an apartment together, and we're facing the challenge of decorating and furnishing it. We'd both like to figure out how we can mix vintage, Ikea, and new decorations and furnishings and still make things look good. We have a color palette picked (light green, white, light gray, hints of yellow, and light wood). Any ideas or tips you could give would be great! Thanks!

Tee0206

To see my suggestion, and to leave a suggestion of your own, read more.

Hi Tee,

My house is definitely furnished and decorated with an eclectic mix of pieces as well (we have Ikea chairs around a beautiful, expensive Parsons table, for instance), and I think that most enthusiastic home designers use this same strategy.

I also love the color palette you and your friend are using in your new home. It seems like it will be simultaneously cheerful and meditative, which is a nice combination.

I'm going to direct you to three books that I think are really helpful in mixing styles. The first, though meant for couples, also works great for housemates. The Nest Home Design Handbook has great advice for mixing styles, as well as ways to balance two people's ideas on style and home layout.

Another great resource is written by one of my favorite interior stylists, Selina Lake. Bazaar Style is the perfect inspiration for integrating thrift store finds and flea market furniture into your home. Combine Lake's advice with the inspiration and ideas offered in Found Style, and you'll be well on your way to sorting out your and your friend's combined styles.

Cheers,
Casa

Anyone else have advice for Tee?

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Get the Look: Mary Portas's Brilliant Living Room

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:30:41 -0700

One of my favorite shelter mags, LivingEtc, recently shot UK retail queen Mary Portas's London home. Her bright, enthusiastic take on color and her eclectic mixing of styles is refreshing. When LivingEtc asked her about her use of bright shades, she responded, "Neutrals just don't make my heart leap." A woman after my own heart!

To find out more about this home, as well as to see some similar pieces that I've rounded up for you, read more.

Mary Portas's show, Mary Queen of Shops, a six-part series broadcast on BBC Two, is currently broadcasting its second season. The show focuses on struggling fashion boutiques that, with a little help from Portas, attempt to turn their businesses around.

Portas's innovation and think-outside-the-box mentality is obvious not only in this show, but in her house as well. I'm absolutely in love with her living room's graceful, teardrop-shaped amber chandelier, which reminds me of a very high-end version of this steal of the day. I found some similar products to those seen in Portas's living room, including that Noguchi lamp. If you're interested in checking out more of this beautiful, eclectic home, see the entire slideshow here.

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Get the Look: A Mix of Styles

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:15:54 -0700

This living room, from Living Etc, mixes a variety of styles in a recipe that is one part eclectic, one part modern, and one part traditional, creating a look that doesn't seem to follow trends, but is certainly ornate overall. Each piece, be it embroidered, tufted, furry, or antique, but certainly not simple, works well with the others when surrounded by the minimalist white wall. Since this image caught my eye, I figured I'd show you how to Get the Look in your own home. To learn how, read more

When mixing styles like this, it's important not to go overboard. Start with a Chesterfield sofa, in leather perhaps, in a reserved color. Toss a trio of throw pillows on it, each bold in pattern and color, maybe with some embroidery; since the sofa is monochrome, you can get away with busy accent pillows. Throw down a natural toned Flokati rug to add texture and comfort to the room. Lay a Moroccan pouf in a bright color next to use as extra seating or as a footstool. Top the Flokati with a traditional coffee table, an antique in dark wood that's seen a thing or two, if you can find one; this will balance out the mid-century shag of the rug, and the squeaky clean look of the leather couch.

On top of the coffee table, choose a simple bud vase, and a chic box filled with old love letters or your postcard collection — something to keep the guests entertained. Then, for a bit more modernity, pick up an Eames shell chair in white; vintage ones aren't hard to find. Continue the ornate look with a Venetian mirror, stood up against the wall. Stack some art books next to the sofa, and top them with a glass vase filled with some fresh flowers. And last but not least, for the wall behind the sofa hunt down an interesting architectural element to hang, perhaps some sort of salvaged wood or a jigsaw porch bracket from a Victorian home. If you've got space to spare, paint a duo of stretched canvases in a color in your accent pillows that brings the room together. Check out this widget for some furnishings that will help you to Get the Look in your own home.

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What Adjective Best Describes Your Decorating Style?

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Jul 2007 04:11:00 -0700

Most of us incorporate many styles into our home decor, but if you had to choose one adjective to describe your overall vision, what would it be?

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Get the Look: Demetri and Zoey's Apartment in FlashForward

CasaSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:00:39 -0800

Newly engaged couple Demetri and Zoey, from ABC's new series Flash Forward, share a totally covetable LA loft. The style, which is decidedly modern, is tempered by accents that reflect their heritage - African and Asian elements are seen throughout the space. Overall, though, the space is eclectic, modern, and gorgeous. Take a tour, and see how you, too, can get the look.

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Do You Layer Patterns at Your Home?

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:58 -0800

I love the eclectic look of the folksy, layered patterns in this living room. It looks so cozy and welcoming, but still appears pulled together, thanks to the cohesive color palette. Layering this many patterns can be intimidating, however, because it's sometimes hard to know how to pick and choose the best patterns for a space.

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Room Therapy: Help Me Choose Paint Colors!

Casa Community — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:14 -0800

Just in time for Color Theory month, Hvenbnd needs your help in choosing colors for her home! Read on to find out what she's looking for. Hi CasaSugar Readers,

I need your help ASAP! I recently experienced some water damage to my 1942 custom bungalow. As a result the wonderful insurance company has come through and has agreed to re-install new hardwood floors in my dining room and living room, paint the entire kitchen (including cabinets) laundry room, dining room, living room and to install a new kitchen floor.

My problem is choosing paint color for my rooms! I am so overwhelmed with all the options I have been researching. We are eclectic in our tastes, and have mixed antiques and modern midcentury pieces in our home. I collect Shag prints, which are bold and bright with lots of oranges and greens. I also collect tikis but hate the beachy thing. My husband is an airbrush artist and tends toward bold deep color.

For more pictures of this reader's home, and to hear more about what she's looking for,
Now, the house: We have 8 foot ceilings in the living area and dining area with coved ceilings and curved walls. I am installing recessed lighting in all three rooms. The red kitchen island that sits in the dining room in the pictures obviously belongs in the kitchen and will be painted as well. The house has lots of nooks and crannies and built in cabinets and bookcases. Can you help me pick some amazing paint colors? I will post the finished result for your viewing pleasure!

P.S. I am looking for a chesterfield sofa for the living room in what I envision to be olive green leather. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!
Hvenbnd

Do you have advice for Hvenbnd? Leave a comment! Have interesting photos of your home to share? Then post them in the Su Casa group.

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Coveted Crib: An Eclectic Georgian in London

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Take a gander at FabSugar UK or a peek at Jade Jagger's London pad, and you'll see that British style is hard to beat. Pair that eclectic fashion with gorgeous architectural details and you've got an Olympian on your hands. The great bones of this large Georgian home in London are dressed with unique, luxurious furniture like an antique daybed and roll-top tub and cheeky accessories like a Mad Hatter lamp shade, a Cameroon headdress, and Fornasetti plates. The eclectic interior of this homestead is definitely top-notch in my book, but those of you with more reserved tastes will still drool over the beautiful natural light and stunning original architectural details. To see more photos, read more.

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Bensen canyon lounge chair - $1,495.00	Bond 60 Round Dining Table in Stainless Steel - $799.00
Aero Chair - $160.00	Bellesol Mirror - $199.00
Espresso Mantle Shelves - $49.00	Thin Metal Profile Frames - $19.99
Oversized Letters - $19.00	Roost Glass Museum Dome - $58.00
Kadota Fig Plant - $98.00	Noir Vase - $149.00
Inglesina Classica Pram in Azzurro - $1,099.00	Benson 48 or 54 Round Dining Base in Stainless Steel - $649.00
Uttermost Amberlyn Wall Mirror - $219.99	Bensen little rock lounge chair - $775.00