CasaSugar

Nice and New: Saul Bass Posters at MoMA Store

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 11:00:20 -0700

I always struggle when faced with filling out personal questionnaires (they're lame), except when it comes to the "who I'd like to meet" field. My response to this question is always Saul Bass, undisputedly one of the greatest graphic designers of the mid-20th century. Bass's vision has given a face to long-standing brands like Minolta, AT&T, and United Airlines, and he was also a master of film title sequence and poster design, collaborating with the likes of Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger, and Martin Scorsese. Bass died in '96 of lymphoma, so the long-shot chance of ever meeting him will sadly never come. But, I delight in knowing I can still enjoy his work, as the MoMA Store now sells reproductions of his posters, such as Psycho ($12) and Vertigo ($12).

Crave Worthy: French Blow-Up Poster

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:30:02 -0700

OK, I may have had an irrational love for the 1966 Michelangelo Antonioni film Blow-Up (starring Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, and David Hemmings) since I was in the womb, but I am not alone in my love for the mod Brit film's killer poster. It often tops lists of the world's greatest and most iconic posters (see here and here), written by cinephiles and design fiends alike, and for good reason. The original 1966 Italian design is the one most fawned over, but there are actually several variations, almost all featuring a sexy model and her photographer. I for one have a soft spot for the French poster, designed by Georges Kerfyser, which is a variation of the original by its Southeastern neighbor. The design is confrontational, racy, and mod in a kitschy magenta and blue color scheme; what could be better? Those adjectives sound so tawdry, but I'd honestly kill to hang the eye-catcher in my house: if only it didn't sell for 450 smackers. If you haven't seen the film, Netflix it, and maybe then you'll begin to understand where I'm coming from.

Get the Look: Zooey Deschanel's Bedroom in 500 Days of Summer

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:00:06 -0700

After much anticipation, I finally saw 500 Days of Summer and loved it! Aside from the easy, romantic soundtrack, hip wardrobes, and counterintuitively hopeful plot, I fell for the movie's interiors, which are charming, inspiring, and easy to reproduce. In the film, Summer (Zooey Deschanel) is a recent transplant, and still has a few boxes sitting unpacked in her apartment. She also has plenty of interesting, vintage artwork in ornate gold frames, some well-traveled knickknacks, and as you might expect from any good indie flick, some cool posters. The most noticeable element of her apartment (a studio, I think) is the blue toile wallpaper you see upon entrance. French toile patterns date back to the 17th century, and they saw a rejuvenation in popularity about 10 years ago, when an antique or country look in interiors became popular. It's unusual to see it used in a city apartment, let alone that of a young woman. But somehow it works flawlessly for Summer, who rides around in a bicycle with a wicker basket, and is seen in conservative ensembles like wide-legged trousers with a vest (a girlish Annie Hall) or delicate, 1940s-style sundresses. To learn how to get the look of this room, read more.

You can find a similar blue toile paper by the Wallpaper Company at Home Depot. But, Thibaut Design is also known for making beautiful toiles.
A streamlined iron framed bed with a bit of a vintage feel to it is key. The Pottery Barn Savannah Bed & Headboard ($249-799) is a close match. Summer has strung Christmas tree lights on the frame of hers, giving it a romantic, ambient look when lit. Her nearly white bedding has a subtle pattern, giving it a well-washed, antique look. And, a patchwork throw pillow has nostalgic style. Here are a few products to help you get the look.

Source

Get the Look: Hipster Dude Haven

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 05:30:35 -0700

Is your man a hipster dude? Do his digs need to be decorated? This Get the Look will show you how to create a dude-worthy pad for your main squeeze, for which he will be forever grateful. If you get it right, maybe he'll take you out for green tea gelato and a Godard film!

The Palette: In one word, jumbled. No hipster dude haven should actually have a palette. That would be against the rules — anything goes for an apathetic decorator. Most of his furnishings and decorative accents can be described as found, hand-me-down, vintage, flea market, old, or belonging to his old roommate, Knoll (yes, named after the furniture designer). If by coincidence they match, it had nothing to do with him.

To find out about his furniture, lighting, and accents, read more.

The Furniture: Furniture will be mostly street finds, or pieces left over from roommates past. That's not to say that your man doesn't have an eye for design - he does, but he'd never pay full price for original pieces. He might, though, find a Wassily Chair on the street with a broken seat and fix it by placing a task chair from his art studio class in the center of it. And he has hobbies, too - like pinball (a non-contact sport). So, he might buy a custom-built pinball coffee table from Craigslist. If you have to ask about the bed, then you should probably remember who you're dating. Mattress, no box spring, on the floor (sheets could use a wash).

The Lighting: Hipster dudes aren't really into lamps, unless you're talking about the Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story. But they do like conserving energy, so be sure to pick up some CFLs.

The Accents: Accents are key for an HD.

Walls. To start, the Lit major will definitely want a book poster featuring a title by his favorite author (Urban Outfitters Book Posters, $29.99). And he probably picked up a poster at the benefit event for the radio he DJ'd for in college (try Aesthetic Apparatus). To get his dose of rebellion, he might also go for a Che wall hanging ($15).
Bedding. For sheets, what could be more rad than a Pabst Blue Ribbon pillowcase ($12)? To keep himself warm, he'll use an afghan blanket he found in the basement closet of his mom's house — Grams crocheted it.
Tableware. If he's a smoker, he will likely ash in the vinyl record bowl that you DIY'd for him. Glassware will consist of odds and ends, including but not limited to plastic cups from Mardi Gras parades, Solo cups (which also make great ashtrays), and beer glasses stolen from his favorite watering hole.
Muzik. HD is into tunes, too, so he's got to have a vintage turntable to play his vast collection of records (he's been a collector since he was 5). But don't be fooled; he probably has a fancy new iMac hidden under his pile of clothes somewhere to play — gasp! — mp3s downloaded from Soulseek. He'll also need a vintage projector for aesthetics, and to throw a Wes Anderson-appreciation movie night in the park.
Bathroom. Every man loves the toilet throne, and yours also loves his bike, so a 10 Speed Vinyl Toilet Graphic is only appropriate. While he's in the bathroom, he might also like to lather up with a Poor Boy Beer Vegan-Friendly Soap Bar ($4.75) made from PBRs.

Source, Source, Source, Source, and Source

Savannah Bed & Headboard - $249.00	Celia Bed - $799.00
Iron and Brass bed - $1,998.00	Areaware - string lighting by patrick townsend for areaware - $13.00
Copper Dragonfly String Lights - $14.99	Sanctuary Collection by L'erba "Tranquil" Bedding Collection - $89.99
Martha Stewart Collection "Textured Damask" 6-Piece Comforter Set - $200.00	Natori "Snow Leopard" Bedding Collection - $135.00
Millie Organic Patchwork Quilt & Sham - $49.00	Post Road - $19.99
Spring Fling Patchwork Quilt & Sham - $39.00