CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Fire Design Extinguishers

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:30:25 -0700

We build our homes - and fill them to the brim - through design. So, it only makes sense that we should save them, and salvage all of our beloved possessions, through good design as well. French company Fire Design has created a range of embellished fire extinguishers to make the most of a necessity that's long been hidden under the kitchen sink.Depending on your preferences, you can choose an extinguisher that will blend in with your decor, or one that will become a focal point - in a good way. Would you prefer stainless steel to match your new Viking kitchen appliances? A flower motif to lighten the mood? A cow pattern to give your guests a laugh? Or would a taxi-cab yellow I ♥ NY motif show your solidarity? It's up to you! Think of Fire Design as the SIGG bottle of the security apparatus industry. Get yours online here for $133.

Cool Idea: Fireplace Painting

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0800

For those of you with a decorative mantelpiece, or just a nonfunctioning fireplace, you can still have a roaring fire without installing a chimney. Brand consultancy firm Partners & Spade has commissioned artist Ann Wood to create custom hearth paintings made to measure for your mantel with prices beginning at $1,500. Customers can specify the style of the andirons and mantel border, and even the color of the flames. Before you wait the estimated four to five weeks for completion, though, if you're in the NYC area, check out the real thing at the Partners & Spade outpost at 40 Great Jones Street. How 'bout that for throwing Wood on the fire?
To see a close-up of the painting, read more.

Source and Source

Have You Ever Been in a Wildfire?

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 16:00:25 -0700

In Southern California, homeowners have been in close proximity to wildfires, which have been made even more dangerous by gusting Santa Ana Winds. Even closer to my home, a Napa Valley area fire has threatened homes and wineries. I have, luckily, never been in or close to a wildfire. Have you?

Source

DIY: Make Your Own Eco Outdoor Fire

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 07:00:51 -0700

As the nights get chillier, many of us crave the warmth of an outdoor fire, but might be concerned about the pollutants that a roaring wood fire produces. Leave it to green designer Michelle Kaufmann to create a solution to this problem. She's come up with a great, inexpensive, and very modern-looking way to create an outdoor fire on your patio, deck, or in your yard.

Here's What You'll Need

A few cans of Eco Fuel
A big metal or ceramic planter box
River rocks

To find out how to do it, read more.

Check out the video to learn how to make your eco outdoor fire.

Source

Crave Worthy: Beach Burner Recycled Steel Fire Pit

CasaSugar — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 07:37:32 -0700

Elegant fire pits are essential for outdoor entertaining at the end of summer, so I simply had to share this Beach Burner Recycled Steel Fire Pit ($449) from Etsy seller John T. Unger.

Each of Unger's one-of-a-kind bowls is made from 100 percent recycled materials, and the 24-inch basins are both sturdy and portable, so you could take yours to the beach or just move it around the backyard. And, as the Etsy page notes, the flame cut-outs would make great rests for marshmallow sticks.

via Hostess With the Mostess

Do You Have a Fire Pit?

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 10:00:02 -0700

I've shown you several fire pits before, and you can find them at many home furnishing and hardware stores. For more of an investment, you can also have one built into your property. Regardless, they're great for entertaining on chilly Spring, Summer, and Fall evenings. Do you have one?

Good, Better, Best: Elegant Fire Pits

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:25:11 -0700

It's already August, but that doesn't mean you have to stop entertaining in the backyard. All you need to transition from hot Summer days to cooling-off nights is a good outdoor fire pit. These have become incredibly popular in recent years, but some of them are a bit too tacky and down-home looking for my taste. Here, I've rounded up three sleek and elegant fire pits to fit any budget.

Good: The Frontgate 40" Copper Fire Pit ($299) keeps things simple and traditional, with a broad shallow bowl for firewood and a wrought-iron stand.

For two even better options, read more

Better: A bit more modern is the Blomus Stainless Steel Fire Basket ($638), which is about half the size of Frontgate's but twice as sassy.

Best: Finally, this Conmoto Outdoor Fire Pit ($1,000) is a design and outdoor-dining junkie's dream, with a 27-inch bowl perched atop geometric legs.

How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.

While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Want to know how to protect your family and your home from a wildfire? Check out these smart pointers from the City of Napa, CA's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks" - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

How-To: Create Festive Fall Votives

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 05:30:22 -0800

Want to add some pretty autumnal style to your Fall Thanksgiving table? Then try this great, simple trick from Better Homes and Gardens for transforming a holiday Autumn table. For a beautiful twist on boring old votives, collect colorful leaves from your backyard or nearby park. Then, tie the leaves to the votive with ribbon, twine, or yarn. Voila! You have a no-cost centerpiece for your Thanksgiving table. Just be careful not to get any of the leaves close to the flame. While I do love the fiery reds of Autumn leaves, I don't actually think that I want them on fire.

For another votive idea, read more.

If you have some extra time, you can also decoupage leaves onto the votive's exterior. This will give the votive a frosted effect, and will illuminate the leaves.

Source

How-To: Protect Your Family and Home From a Wildfire

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 05:30:12 -0700

As most of you probably know, California has been ravaged by fires this Summer. As I write this, one of my friends awaits evacuation notice at her Southern California home, and several others are keeping a close watch on fire patterns in their area. Fire scares me - it is erratic and unpredictable and frighteningly fast. And while I can understand why some homeowners are reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house. It's the nonmaterial things you fill it with - namely your family, pets, and memories - that make it truly a home. This is why I urge readers to listen to firefighters' warnings, and to leave their homes if a mandatory evacuation is issued. Your life is much more important than any piece of property, no matter how much you love it.

Here are some smart pointers from the City of Napa, California's fire safety page:

Maintain a "defensible" space around your home by clearing all flammable vegetation a minimum of 30 feet around all structures.
Clear dead leaves and branches to leave widely spaced ornamental shrubbery and trees.
Clean all needles and leaves from the roof, eaves, rain gutters, and yard.
Trim tree limbs within 10 feet of your chimney and trim all dead limbs hanging over your house or garage.
Cover your chimney outlet or flue with a spark arresting half-inch mesh screen.

To see the rest of the tips, read more.

Make sure your address is clearly visible for easy identification in an emergency.
Check to see if a fire hydrant is located near your home. If not, you should have a water storage supply of at least 2,500 gallons for use in an emergency situation.
Stack woodpiles at least 30 feet from buildings, fences, and other combustible materials.
Clear all vegetation and other flammable materials from beneath your deck. Enclose undersides of elevated decks with fire-resistive materials.
Remove "ladder fuels." They link the grasses and the tree tops.
Create "fuel breaks - these can be driveways, gravel walkways, or well-maintained lawns.
Maintain your irrigation system regularly.
Prune tree limbs so the lowest is between 6-10 feet from the ground.
Dispose of cuttings and debris promptly, according to local regulations.
Keep at least two means of escape (either a door or window) in each room.
Mark your driveway and access roads clearly.
Keep ample turnaround space near your house for fire equipment.
Prevent sparks from entering your house by covering vents with wire mesh no larger than 1/8 inch.
When possible, use construction materials that are fire resistant or noncombustible.

Source