CasaSugar

Inspired: Fab's Bohemian Rhapsody

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:30:24 -0700

I was intrigued by Fab's trend alert, Bohemian Rhapsody, which she describes thusly: "Bohemian style is poetic and a true bohemian rocks the theme utterly, completely." So, to follow this trend into the shelter world, I found some pieces that would work well with her finds, such as this Tracy Reese comforter, which is part of her plenty Home by Tracy Reese Fall 2008 collection.

To see my other finds, read more.

The key to making this look work is to mix some unexpectedly luxurious items, such as the Arturo Alvarez Gilda Table Lamp, with the more organic elements. If you're stuck, just pretend you're decorating for an Eastern European countess who's married to a wandering bard, and you'll be set.

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Inspired: Christian Dior's Fall 2010 Juicy Hues

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:00:08 -0700

Flipping through photos from Christian Dior's 2010 Fall Couture show, I noticed a theme of bright, juicy hues. As FabSugar noted, innerwear (corsets, garters, etc.) also played a major role, but considering how unpopular this corset-inspired chandelier was, I don't see lingerie motifs succeeding in the interior design world. These tangerine, pop pink, and chartreuse colors, on the other hand, would be a fun addition to any home - modern or traditional.

The citrus-colored seat on this Colorful French Accent Chair ($349) from Wisteria, for instance, pops against its carved oak frame, jazzing up what I imagine is a conservative room. To see more juicy couture colors for your home, read more.

Casa Beta: Chesapeake Bay Candle Signature Collection

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 05:30:21 -0700

I recently received the Chesapeake Bay Candle Signature Collection ($65) in the mail. The set contains six cream-colored, soy wax candles in six different fragrances. Each candle comes in a clear glass vessel, which is individually wrapped in cellophane and tied with a satin ribbon. I was excited to try all of the scents, but since I knew that it would take me a long time to get through all of them, I enlisted some help from my Sugar friends.

To see what we thought of the set, read more.

I loved the gift box that the candles arrived in, which features a beautiful tree motif. It's sturdy enough to re-use for another craft project or gift-giving opportunity in the future. However, one problem with it was that some of the oil from each candle was pooled in the cellophane of every packaged candle. This may have been due to the fact that the box was sitting on its side, and the problem could've been remedied by storing the box upright.

Green Bamboo Jasmine: PetSugar reported some pros and cons with her candle. She says, "The candle seemed to burn very slowly - I only had it lit for about an hour and there was barely any noticeable difference in melt rate, so it’d last for a while. When I woke up, I could still smell the effects from the night before. However, when removing from the packaging, this candle was wet/sticky and my hands smelled of strong fragrance even after I washed them. While burning, it still smelled very strong and distracting . . . but part of that could have been the residual scent from the liquid/ packaging on my hands. I think if I loved the scent, or loved smelly candles, I would have loved this. Its potency was but a bit too much for me to handle every day. "

Tonka Bean Fig: This candle was tested by FabSugar, who reports, "I lit the Tonka Bean Fig candle this past weekend and I loved it. It permeated through the house, smelled sweet, and reminded me of men’s cologne. It also burned great and didn’t leave a smoky residue in my house."

Amber Vanilla Hazelnut: Unfortunately, geeksugar's candle didn't live up to her expectations. "The candle was oily inside its packaging, which made it a pain to hold, and to light (it took me several tries and a burnt thumb). When I did finally get it lit, the smell - which was lovely to sniff cold - was very subtle. Too subtle, in fact. Not only did it not waft around the room with its smell, it didn't waft at all. The only way I could smell a scent at all is if I put my nose directly over the candle (far enough away that I didn't burn my nose hairs off, of course). I extinguished it after an hour since it wasn't smelling up my home like I'd wanted it to."

Sheer White Musk: I'm not normally drawn to musky scents, so I was surprised to enjoy this one. It was light, clean, and very earthy with some subtle notes of jasmine and violet. I used it in a room that was smelling a bit musty, and it definitely freshened up the room. But, it didn't really seem to waft well - my go-to candles can normally be smelled throughout the house.

Lily Orange Blossom: I love the smell of citrus blossoms, so I was excited to light this candle. While I loved the scent when it was unlit, once I struck a match to its wick, I had a hard time discerning the blossomy scent. I let it burn for about an hour, and while the scent was definitely there, it was very subtle, unless I was very close to the candle. I'm not a fan of overwhelming scents, but I would've enjoyed a more robust scent here.

Honey Lemon Crème: This candle has a lovely, rich scent that reminds me of sugar (or should I say honey?) cookies. Its scent, too, was quite subtle, but added a lovely, cozy smell to my home. Who needs to bake when you can simply light one of these candles?

Inspired: Tracy Reese Fall 2009

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 08:00:00 -0800

While my girl FabSugar has been running all over New York Fashion Week, I've had my eye on the runway from a distance. It's not even Spring yet, but I'm already anxious to perk up my Fall wardrobe once again, thanks to so many gorgeous designs coming down the runway. I was particularly swept away with this look from the latest Tracy Reese collection. The combination of the cozy sweater coat with the glitz of the beaded dress and the sleekness of the black accessories is so unusual, but it totally works. It's such a great day-to-night outfit, and the kind of ensemble that I'd like to emulate in my home: casual meets cocktail. So, I scoured the shops and built a living room based on this look. To see my finds, read more.

Celeste Coffee Table - $2,250.00	X-Based Stool - $895.00
Contessa Chair - $1,989.00	Cashmere Throw - $475.00
Dupioni Silk Tie-Top Drape - $109.00	Dot Table - $229.00
Petite Claire Chandelier - $149.00	Golden Settee - $3,859.00
Baccarat - $625.00

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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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Trend Alert: A New Pastel

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 12:00:16 -0800

FabSugar has found the Spring couture runways dominated by very pretty pastels this year. Everyone from Christian Dior to Eli Saab to Christian Lacroix is using a delicate, powdery pigment. I've been noticing the same trend in the home décor world. A part of me is reminded of Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada snapping sarcastically, "Florals for Spring? Groundbreaking." I mean, are pastels so revolutionary? No, they're not. But, I've come across soft shades that are a far cry from that not-so-distant memory of your Laura Ashley-ridden tea parties. You'll see what I mean when you read more.

Trend Alert: Not So Trad Plaid

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 08:30:44 -0800

While I've often considered plaid to be way too traditional for my pad, I've recently had a change of heart. I love the way that actress Nina Hoss turns tartan on its head with this outfit, as well as how Ralph Lauren reimagines plaid in crystal in the bowl below. FabSugar rounded up some appealing plaids in her Trend Alert back in September, and I thought it was high time that I highlighted some plaid for your pad.

To keep the look from going overboard in your home, make sure to edit scrupulously, and to add some plaid in unexpected places. Throw a richly patterned cashmere tartan throw into an all-white bedroom, or choose a plaid chair as an offset for a modern, streamlined living room.

To check out some plaid basics, read more.

Crane - $227.00	Zenitex Hampton Silk Plaid Energy-Saving Window Collection, Set of 2 - $229.00
Silk Ombre Plaid Photo Boxes & Albums - $65.00	MacKenzie-Childs - $1,750.00
London Chair - $599.00	Rugby Plaid Sheet Set - $28.00
Highland Plaid Quilt & Accessories - $40.00	Closeout! Dorm Life Plaid Comforter Set - $60.00
Linden Street Meridian Plaid Shower Curtain - $49.99	Sari Jacquard Tablecloth - $399.00
Darra Chair - $2,499.00	Rock River - $49.99
CLOSEOUT! Tommy Hilfiger "Grand Cay" Bedding Collection - $47.00	Tiago Bed Linens - $249.00
Denby "Caramel Plaid" Large Mug - $39.00	LOWEST PRICE OF THE HOLIDAY SEASON! Momeni "New Wave NW-35 Multi Plaid" Area Rug, 3' 6" x 5' 6" - $549.00
Flutter Dishtowels - $24.00	Tartan Table Linens - $72.00
Bunkhouse Bed Linens - $100.00	Glen Plaid Bowl - $133.50
Plaid Kitchen Towels Sets of 2 - $5.98	Dempsey Chair - $599.00
New! Linden Street® Double-layered Valance - $35.00	Plaid Cashmere Throw - $368.00
Whitredge Plaid Throw - $295.00	Tartan Plaid Needlepoint Pillows - $98.00
Ralph Lauren Blue Label Holiday Classic Candle - $45.00	CLOSEOUT! Boathouse by Lauren Ralph Lauren - $28.00
Millbrook - $109.99	Supreme Antique Satin Plaid Scarf - $110.00
Cameo Chair - $699.00	Silver Tartan Box - $98.00

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Casa Beta: Sumo Omni

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 16:00:04 -0700

Recently, I got to test the Sumo Omni ($149). While it's technically a bean bag, it's a lot cooler than the bean bags I grew up with. The Omni is close to indestructible, made from rip-proof nylon and filled with Sumo Beads (aka tiny white foam balls). It's big, too, measuring in at 4.5 by 5.5 feet.

To hear what I thought of the Omni, as well as the opinions of some of my fellow Sugar friends, read more.

The Omni is definitely comfortable, and it's become a favorite spot for breaks in the office as well as for casual office meetings. I'd definitely recommend it for a children's room or a rumpus room arrangement. However, I don't really see how any grown-up home could integrate it successfully into most rooms. It's one of those classic decorating problems: Sometimes, the more comfortable something is, the less you want to actually see it in your home.

Here's what some of my coworkers thought:

CitizenSugar said: "I loved it. Very moldable and good for your posture."
FabSugar: "I love it. So comfy!"
GiggleSugar: "It’s not much to look at, and the exterior could be a softer material, but I could lay back and read in that thing for hours."
BuzzSugar: "So, basically, I was comfortable on it, but it was also a lot harder than I thought it would be. I didn’t get that beanbag feeling of really sinking into something. It was more like, I sat down, and suddenly this hard plasticky material was all around me. Kind of disconcerting. But, on the other hand, it was nice to have something a little more solid to lean against than what I was expecting. "

Get the Look: Phillip Lim Spring 2009

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 07:45:28 -0700

FabSugar has been staying on top of her New York Fashion Week coverage, and I've fallen hard for Phillip Lim's Spring 2009 collection, an eclectic mix of metallics, long dresses, and streamlined layers. For all of you home-oriented fashion mavens, I thought you might like to see a reinterpretation of these looks for the home décor world. Check out this slideshow to see a range of Lim-esque products. Source

View Slideshow ›

Get the Look: Monique Lhuillier Spring 2009

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 07:45:35 -0700

FabSugar has been staying on top of her New York Fashion Week coverage, and I've fallen hard for Monique Lhuillier's Spring 2009 collection of billowy, island-chic dresses. I love the collection's corn field color palette, and feminine tulles and lace. So, I thought I'd try to get the look with some home décor items that emulate these fab gowns and cocktail dresses. Here, a natural tulle ball gown trimmed with floral ornamentation and cinched with a shimmering gold belt is a picture of luxury in an understated palette. Check out this slideshow to see a range of Lhuillier-esque products. Source

View Slideshow ›

CLOSEOUT! Bardwil "Beach Brights" Placemats, Set of 4 - $20.00	Momeni "New Wave Original NW-15 Tibet Multi" Area Rug, 2' 6" x 12' - $949.00
Luceplan - costanza table lamp by paolo rizzatto for luceplan of italy - $3.50	Kartell la boheme 2 - $198.00
Vitra panton amoebe chair - $1,670.00	Pony By Eero Aarnio - $3,329.00
Vitra .06 lounge chair - $1,230.00	Driade - samiko vases by julia dozsa for driade - $43.00
TrueModern Spot on Sheets and Case Set - in orange - twin size - $129.00	Nautical Signal Flag Accent Pillow - Teal/Orange - $69.00
Crypton Doodle Dog Pillow - Persimmon - $40.00	Crypton Doodle Dog Pillow - Gipsy - $40.00
Crypton Doodle Dog Pillow - Kermit - $40.00

Kate Spade Gwinnett Lane Turquoise Dinnerware by Lenox - $19.99	Ditte Sofa, Lotus Floral - $3,498.00
Yellow Light Frame - $20.00	Salviati -drops glass vases by salviati of italy - $145.00
Calvin Klein "Luster Bramble" Area Rug, 5' 6" x 8' - $1,569.00	James Chair - $1,250.00
Tonal Stripe Organic Duvet Cover & Sham - Honeydew Green - $39.00	Thomas Paul Lighting Judd Table Lamp - $209.00
Decatur Street Shade - $78.00	Waterfall Rose Rug - $149.00
Elizabeth Stripe Silk Drape - $209.00	Pink Lamp - $240.00
Pink Gator Hairhide Bench - $1,599.00	Venetian Glass Fruit Chandelier - $1,198.00