CasaSugar

Do You Practice Feng Shui?

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:30:04 -0700

I personally don't know much about the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, and I've always felt like there's too much to learn to get it right. But, I have friends who swear that it's improved their lives by sending them "positive Qi." Do you practice feng shui? Have you made an attempt? Do you think it's a hoax? What's your take?Source

How-To: Take Advantage of a Corner Space

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:45:59 -0700

Currently, this is my favorite spot in my house. However, before I moved this chair into the corner, our giant television, which sat on an equally imposing Tansu chest, took up this entire area, and basically obscured the window. These tall, thin windows, which flank either side of our fireplace, are a lovely architectural feature, and I was, frankly, horrified that they'd been covered up by a television.

However, my husband was adamant that the television belonged in the living room. That is, he was adamant on this point until he came home one evening to find that the television had magically moved to the study. And guess what? Now he's adamant that the study is the best home for the television. While I don't advocate secret rearrangements, I do feel that if you're convinced of the advantages of your vision for the space, sometimes it's worth a mini battle (especially if you're certain of the outcome, as I was). With that in mind, I wanted to outline some ideas for taking advantage of a room's corner space. To see some of my thoughts, read more.

Decide what you want to use the corner space for. Storage? A reading nook? A mini art gallery? After you've decided what purpose the space will serve, make a list of what items will help the corner to reach its decorating potential.
According to feng shui, the Chinese art of arranging objects, furniture, and homes to create the best flow of energy, corners are said to create "secret arrows," which can cause anxiousness. Whether or not you believe in feng shui, corners can be rather harsh points in a room, and it's best to soften them. One easy way to do so is with plants, which I've done in my reading corner.
When using plants, use plant stands to create varying heights for the foliage.
If you're interested in using your corner to display objects, such as a dish collection, small art objects, or photos, invest in a corner shelf unit. I'm definitely a fan of the Harmony Media Unit, which provides media storage as well as a place for either displaying mementos or placing your flatscreen.
Another option is to use this area for seating. The Mellow Corner Sectional from CB2 is a great, affordable option.
Further soften your corner with textiles. My modern-looking armchair looked too staid and stuffy, in my opinion. By draping a vintage patchwork quilt over the back, it encourages residents to curl up with a good book, and tuck their legs under the colorful quilt.
Give it some light. If you're displaying art, or using this corner for a reading nook, make sure that you have a lamp to cast some light on the subject.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:00:14 -0800

To keep messes under control, try tidying before bed.- AT:LA
Make sure you've completed some Fall energy checkups.- Danny Seo
The ECO Showerdrop showerhead will save you money.- Forecast Earth
Check out the book Crafternoon.- Craft
What's your view of feng shui?- Simply Stated
I love these wooden bowls.- The Style Files
Would you buy a boogieman rug?- Shelterrific
See what it's like to live in a 100-square-foot home.- Charles and Hudson

Source

Top Design, Episode Four: "Bachelor Pads"

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:12 -0700

Poor bachelors. They never get a break it seems, especially when it comes to interior design. There's a reason for that of course, and this week's episode of Top Design exploits the belief that bachelor pads are "gross" as Shazia so succinctly expressed.

The designers were given the biggest amount of money yet to work on their bachelors - $10,000 - as well as the use of carpenters, seamstresses, and painters. Designers again were separated into teams, and they consulted with their individual bachelors to determine their design aesthetic (for James, it was "panty-dropping chic"). Bachelor Obi was very involved, and talked about how he wanted to have better feng shui in his apartment; he'd actually clipped design ideas from Elle Decor. Wow! The last bachelor, Eddie, had a mess of an apartment, with the only organized element in the house being his massive collection of shoes.

To see who rocked the bachelor bad, and who got booted from the show, read more.

To my delight, the individual "Pop Design" contest was back this week. I love that the designers get an opportunity to assert their individual tastes. This week, the Pop Design involved arranging flowers; most of the designers did a great job, and this was a challenge I would've loved to try my hand at as well. Nathan won for his sophisticated floral design.

Overall, the designers did a great job remaking the bachelors' apartments. James' apartment (you know, the panty-dropping-chic guy) looked way sophisticated with decoupaged screens, great updates in the bedroom and living room, and if anything, was simply too unbachelor-like. Obi's pad had a masculine Zen vibe going on, with neutral colors, dark wood, and a sophisticated, mellow vibe. Eddie's apartment was definitely an improvement, with the beginnings of clean, tailored lines. Unfortunately, the designers hadn't finished the main living room, and the judges weren't pleased.

At the judging (which included guest judge Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out, Andrea, Wisit, and Teresa's team had the top design for Obi's apartment. I had to agree that the designers did a great job keeping the apartment sophisticated while also remembering their client's personality and needs. The last team, of Shazia, Preston, and Nathan, were on the chopping block due to their inability to work together and their uninspiring design. Shazia definitely had a difficult time working with her team. When she tried to assert her opinion, she did it in an odd, petulant way that seemed really immature. In the end, Shazia was kicked out for her bad attitude and inability to assert her design sense.

Do you think Shazia deserved to go home? What stood out for you in this week's episode?

View 21 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Sale Alert: 20% Off Hennessey + Ingalls Books

CasaSugar — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:03:51 -0700

Hennessey + Ingalls, the largest art and architecture bookstore in the western United States, is now hosting their annual sale, offering customers 20% off all items through November 10. They have a huge selection of interior design titles, including books on minimalism, apartments, lofts, modern design, feng shui, storage, lighting, period styles, and books by all my favorite designers, from A to Z.