CasaSugar

Coveted Crib: Haute Helsinki

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 10:00:12 -0700

In this Helsinki home, a mélange of various design styles (Hollywood Regency, mid-century, French, traditional) and eccentric pieces come together seamlessly, creating an interior that is calm, inviting, and unique. To take the full tour, check out this slideshow. Source

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Fab Fall Photos: Twinkle's Finland

CasaSugar — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:39:16 -0700

Twinkle posted photos on Team of some beautiful fall scenes, and even though they look like they might have been taken in Vermont or Ontario, they are in fact from Finland.

Twinkle writes:

We live in a tiny seaside hamlet on the West Coast of Finland that has about 200 residents, most of whom speak Swedish as a first, and in some cases, only language. The area is part of the Kvarken Archipelago which was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The landscape is comprised of forests, wheat fields, inlets, and islands dotted with the occasional summer cottage or farm house. The closest city is 20 miles away and has roughly 57,000 inhabitants, so we’re not too far away from civilization. Autumn here is typically pretty miserable with chilly temperatures, lots of rain, mud, and gray skies. Leaves seem to fall to the ground within days of turning, and I often miss my chance to get any fall foliage shots. This autumn, however, has been gorgeous with fair skies, mild temperatures, and very little rain. So I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to get out and photograph my neighbourhood in all its glory. I especially love the beautiful leaves set against the traditional red ochre painted houses.

Take a look at the gallery for more of Twinkle's beautiful fall photos.

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H&M to Launch Homewares Collection in 2009

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:33 -0800

I may just be speaking for myself here, but I think for most of us (despite good intentions), the new year is a time of failed resolutions. Sad, but true. Such is not the case for H&M, which will embark on a new venture in early 2009, making its foray into the arena of interiors with a range of home textiles and accessories. Whether you're looking for a quick bathroom update, a new look in the living room, or a punch of color in the kitchen, online and mail order shoppers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands can count on H&M's expertise to inject a little fashion into your homes. And, of course, it will all come at an affordable price: cushions will range from $6 to $19, bed sets from $19 to $63, and towels from $11 to $19. Some key pieces in the range will be 35 different pillow cover designs and 15 bed linen sets. True to H&M’s clothing heritage, shoppers will be encouraged to mix and match, and with palettes of neutrals, monochrome, nautical blues and reds, and bright neons, it shouldn't be hard. There will be something for everyone, too: bold decorators might choose a Jackson Pollock-inspired paint splatter-printed cushions, while the back-to-basics person goes for H&M's organic bedding and cushions in clean white and soft beige. To see a bunch of photos of the collection, read more.

It looks fabulous, right? A bit of an Ikea meets Urban Outfitters vibe, with a little more pep! I can't wait until it makes its way to the States. All I can say is, Europeans, shop your hearts out and show H&M that they're onto something!

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Source

Etsy Find: Marimekko Throw Pillow

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:00:14 -0700

We all know that Marimekko is too darn hot right now. It's made appearances in the Sex and the City movie (in Carrie's apartment), at H&M stores worldwide, and in major retail catalogs such as CB2. I'm personally loving the color and pattern on this Marimekko Red on Red Pillow ($19), from Etsy seller WhiffletreeFarm. Made from Samovarri, a pattern designed for Marimekko in 1970 by Maija Isola, it's 100 percent cotton and made in Finland. It would make a dramatic splash when displayed on white sofas. Where would you use them?

Home Away From Home: Lainio's Snow Village

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 06:00:11 -0700

Before I bid Winter a final adieu, I thought I should bring you some awe-inspiring photos of a unique hotel, bar, restaurant, and art gallery in Finland. The Lainio Snow Village is located in the smal town of Lainio in the western part of Finnish Lapland, about 150 km north of Lapland's capital Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle, and opens on December 1st every year. Consisting of an Ice Bar, a Snow Hotel, a restaurant, and an art gallery, the space is made of snow and ice, and features colorfully lighted ice sculptures and snow sculptures. There are also amusements for kids as well, with an ice maze and snow slide.

If you're daring, you can rent one of the 20 double igloo rooms at The Snow Hotel, or one of six ice suites. If you get chilly, you can descend to the subterranean floor where there's a sauna, showers and bathrooms, and a large room with a fireplace. I'd love to have an ice adventure by staying over at the Snow Hotel; would you?

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Source

Casa Verde: Ikea's in the Housebuilding Biz

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 16:00:11 -0800

Thanks to a heads-up from Tdamji, I was reminded of the smartly affordable housebuilding business, BoKlok. BoKlok (pronounced "book-look"), means ’live smart." Based on the idea that everyone should be able to afford quality and attractive homes that are roomy, safe, and have access to green space, the homes have an open layout, lots of light, high ceilings, and a modern look. And yes - these homes are made by Ikea.

To find out more about these homes, and to see a gallery of photos, just read more.
Ikea has teamed up with construction firm Skanska to construct these modern, flat-pack homes. The homes, which are available for sale in Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark, and England, all come with the same package and features, including Ikea kitchens, solar panels, and energy-efficient heating. Available in either terrace-style buildings or flats, the two- to three-bedroom homes use natural materials and make smart use of space. Aimed at first-time homebuyers and young families, the homes offer an alternative to the crowded, over-expensive housing market. While the final product is yes, a little generic and overwhelmingly Ikea-like, I do like the company's commitment to green building and affordable homes. What do you think of these homes?

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Source

New and Noteworthy: Graham & Brown Eco-Chic Wallpaper

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 12:33:59 -0700

Graham & Brown, the 60-year-old company well-known for its magnificent wallpapers, has taken sustainability to the next level with their range of eco-chic wallpapers made using sustainable materials and production processes. They've asked 22 students from Central St. Martins University in London to submit design briefs for sustainable wallpapers, five of whom were chosen to have their designs produced and displayed at this year's 100% Design in London. The company stayed green by using materials from sustainable forests in Finland and omitting tape and plastic from packaging. They even recycle heat given off by furnaces, reduce drainage to prevent local flooding problems, and use vegetable oil within tractor hydraulics to keep forest floors clean.

via Inhabitat