CasaSugar

Inspired: Richard Avedon's MoMA Exhibit

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 07:00:25 -0700

From now through the end of November, the San Francisco MoMA is featuring nearly 60 years of photography from American photographer and legend Richard Avedon. Avedon, who studied photography under Alexey Brodovitch at the New School For Social Research, rejected stiff portraiture for motion and emotion in his photographs. While I have yet to make it to the exhibit, I'm excited to spend hours poring over Avedon's photos.

This image, "Dovima With Elephants," is perhaps his most famous fashion photo. Before his death, Avedon commented, "The sash isn't right . . . It should have echoed the outside leg of the elephant to Dovima's right." No matter how "imperfect" Avedon deemed this photo to be, it has captivated decades of fashionistas, photographers, and pachyderm lovers. Inspired, I decided to round up a few elephants as well. My first pick was the Eames elephant ($295), which seemed only proper - one icon deserves another! To see my parade of pachyderms, read more.

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Nice and New: Elephant Porcelain Candle

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 11:00:56 -0700

I've told you before about my guilty pleasure of spending big bucks on candles, and most of you said you wouldn't spend more than $25 on one. But would your opinion change if said candle came in an elegant porcelain jar you could use over and over again? The Vivre Elephant Porcelain Candle ($85) is quite pricey, but I'd almost buy it just for the textured black Limoges porcelain vessel it comes in. Its 14-karat gold painted elephant clasp is downright dashing. I'd love to use the jar to store cotton balls or Q-tips in the bathroom. I can't testify to the candle's aroma, Vetiver D'Orient, but for $85 I'm sure it smells a lot nicer than your Yankee Candle.

The Card Shop: Smock Hello There Card

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 09:00:38 -0800

Sometimes all you need to turn your frown upside down is a little "Hello there" from a friend. And who doesn't love elephants? Ever since I saw Bruce Weber's infamous photos of elephants dressed in couture in a 2005 issue of W, I've had a soft spot for them. The elephant on the Smock Hello There Card ($14 for six) may not be dressed in Chanel, but it is sustainably letterpressed with a charming brick red design on bamboo paper, which makes it as stylish as ever. So, why not send a friend a little hello?

Roundup: Elephant Rage

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 09:00:19 -0800

When I spotted, and fell hard for, these two cute white elephant figurines that look peculiarly similar (left, West Elm Ceramic Elephant, $29, right, Jonathan Adler Elephant Figurine, $24), I figured I'd see if the large mammal was leaving its big footprints elsewhere in the interior design world. As it turns out, there are plenty of elephants in the room, and I've found myself with a new mania. The simple shape of an elephant translates very well to modern design and everyone from Charles and Ray Eames to West Elm to Jonathan Adler have picked up on that - making Ellie a must-have in any contemporary home. Here are a few more elephant-inspired décor items I've spotted:

What You're Wanting: The Pachyderm in the Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:30:09 -0700

When Danny Seo gave us a peek into his new home, I was taken with this flea market art find. Who doesn't love elephants? As you can see, Danny hadn't gotten around to hanging this print. So, for this week's What You're Wanting, I want to know how you'd decorate a room to complement this elephant art. First, what room would you put it in? A child's nursery? A retro kitchen? Maybe a lighthearted library? Next, pick furniture and other art and accessories that will complement this art piece. Will you add other elephant art? Maybe a circus theme? Add all the finds to your ShopStyle Living stylebook, and create a look tagged with the phrase elephant art room. Private message me if you have any questions. Oh, and as extra incentive, I'll give some Sugar schwag away to my favorite look!
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Crave Worthy: Eames Plywood Elephant

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 07:00:16 -0800

These limited-edition Eames plywood elephants ($1900) from Hive Modern are precious in every single definition of that word. Designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1945, they're constructed from molded maple plywood. And if you have the cash for more than one of these pachyderms, beware: customers are limited to only purchasing two.

While this plywood elephant was designed as a toy for children, I can't imagine spending this much money on myself-let alone a kid. I remember how careless I was with my furniture and toys as a child. It was meant for jumping on and scrambling across, not for meditatively appreciating. Could you imagine spending this much money on something that was essentially child's play?

Gift Guide: White Elephant Gift Exchange

CasaSugar — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 08:00:04 -0800

If you're not familiar with this fun custom, I insist that you try a white-elephant gift exchange in the future! In this gift exchange, guests bring anonymous gifts to a pile, and then determine a random order in which to grab presents from the pile. Guests can then steal other guests' gifts, or take another wrapped gift from the pile.

My friends always have a white-elephant book exchange during the holidays, and other people I know specify dollar amounts for white-elephant presents to make things fair. I've rounded up gifts at low-price points that would appeal to a variety of folks at a white-elephant party. Let the stealing begin!

What You're Wanting Revealed: Start With Elephant Art

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:00:40 -0700

When Danny Seo gave us a peek into his new home, I was taken with this flea-market art find. So, for this latest What You're Wanting, I asked you to decorate a room to complement this elephant art.

This week, you provided me with lots of inspiration for how to use art in unexpected places - including in the bathroom. Check out my favorite looks below.

I was really impressed by the look that Grits put together. She writes, "I decided to do an office/guest room. I didn't go overboard on the elephant theme, but tied it in a couple of ways. I couldn't pass up the side table for the sofa (which would serve as a nightstand when it's pulled out) - the legs look too much like tusks! "

Grits wins the CasaSugar schwag of her choice for the look she put together. Congratulations!

To see two other lovely looks, read more.
Mletrav designed a cool bathroom around the elephant print. She writes, "I love quirky art in the bathroom - what a great place to have fun! I'm antitheme, though, unless the theme is 'pretty things.'"

I also loved the craft room put together by Hippiecowgirl, who writes, "The first thing that came to mind when I saw the elephant art was bright color! I decided to incorporate it into the type of room I've been wanting lately: a craft room. Workspace and storage were my primary focus. Comfy seating would be perfect for taking breaks to brainstorm or hosting crafting parties with friends."

What inspiring rooms! Check in tomorrow for the next What You're Wanting challenge.
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How To: Fold a Towel Like an Elephant

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:00:44 -0800

If you've ever been on a cruise, especially one patronized by kids, your maid may have transformed your towels into fun, yet somewhat disturbing, animal shapes. I have to admit I always wondered how to make them. Learn how to fold up your very own Babar when you read more.

Lay a full-size towel flat.
Roll the long edges of the towel until they meet.
Find the center of the rolls and fold them together inward, making sure the center seam is on the outside.
Fold a face cloth loosely, as shown below.
Loosely roll and shapes its ends towards the center.
Curl the trunk and shape the ears.
Place the head on the body and accessorize with sunglasses, etc.

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Home Away From Home: Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel

CasaSugar — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:00:00 -0700

If travel ever takes you to the country of Laos, you'd be well advised to pamper yourself with a night of luxury at the Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel in Luang Prabang. The town of Luang Prabang is a perfect destination for armchair architects, since this UNESCO World Heritage Site beautifully illustrates the fusion of traditional architecture and Lao urban structures.

The Maison Souvannaphoum Hotel was once home to Laotian royalty, and its current decor alternates between bygone colonial era furnishings in some wings of the hotel and more modern furnishings in others. Throughout the hotel, however, guests can expect beautifully furnished and luxuriously appointed quarters. After a day of exploring temples, ruins, or the city's architecture, guests can dine at the hotel's restaurant Elephant Blanc, which offers a variety of French, Laotian, and Indochinese cuisine. Or, choose to relax with a massage, facial, or other spa treatment at the Angsana Spa.

To take a full tour of the hotel, read more.

The hotel has been honored with many awards, including being noted as one of the world’s best new hotels in the Luxury Travel Awards and making the Condé Nast Traveler Hot List.

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