CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Flora Pouf

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 07:00:55 -0700

As if I didn't have enough poufs to choose from, now I've found one that's made from flowers. The Flora Pouf ($549) features hundreds of laser-cut wool flowers that create an organic, tousled alternative to the sleeker Moroccan poufs I've often featured. Are you a fan? Or is it too busy for you?

Inspired: Big, Bold Florals

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 May 2009 15:00:43 -0700

I love this informal painting from artist Cy Twombly, which was featured during the preview of the newly built Brandhorst Museum in Munich, Germany. Inspired by the big, messy floral pattern in the painting, I thought I'd see if I could find anything similarly inspiring in the home decor world.

One favorite that instantly came to mind was the Terai Folding Chair ($198) from Anthropologie. While I was skeptical of this chair when I saw it in the catalog, after checking it out in person, I have to say that I'm crushing a little on the design and textile patterns used in the Terai. It's also surprisingly sturdy.

To see my other favorite florals, read more.

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Steal of the Day: French Floral Placemats

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:00:11 -0700

Much like shoes and handbags, you can never have too many placemats - or any table linens, for that matter. They're simply an effortless accessory that dresses your dining room up or down. Inviting the parents over? Go classic with simple white, perhaps a monogram. Having a casual brunch with friends? Try the Elsewares French Floral Placemats ($19.99, reduced from $26). Their bold poppy print will bring personal style to your table, while their dishwasher-safe polypropylene material makes them durable enough for everyday use. Available in burgundy, red, or black and white, you can buy all three and mix it up, depending on how rouge or noir you might be feeling each day.

Love It or Hate It? Teardrop Pendant Light

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:00:20 -0700

The Bodo Sperlein Teardrop Pendant Lighting ($5,500) is made of handblown glass and bone china flowers. It is pretty gorgeous, though I'd be too afraid of breaking it to enjoy it fully. How about you?

Summer Style: Flower Arranging Tips From Paul Lowe

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 07:45:18 -0700

It seems like I'm not the only one who thinks that one rule of Summer style should be keeping things simple. Interior and food stylist Paul Lowe, whose gorgeous floral arrangements I featured earlier this week, agrees that simple presentations can make a huge visual impact when it comes to flowers. I asked him if he could provide CasaSugar readers with some simple Summer styling techniques when it came to flowers, and he happily agreed.

Here's one of Paul's flower tips:

"When I work with flowers I always try to keep it simple. I don't like mixing too many types of flowers in a vase. I believe that one kind of flower in a vase makes a bigger statement then a mix of flowers. If you want to use a mix, put them in separate vases.

Want to hear another of Paul's tips? Then read more.

Paul also advises, "When you work with flowers you will always have some flower heads that fall of the stems. Don't throw them away. Fill eggcups with water and place the flower heads in them. This looks very cute on a side table."

To get more advice from Paul, read his blog, full of mouthwatering food photos and crave-worthy home and garden shots.

Photos by Frances Janisch

DIY: Botanical Prints

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:15:57 -0700

I found this great DIY on Design Happens, and it fit so well into this month's theme and Earth Day that I had to share.

Here's What You Need

Plant cuttings from your yard or a nearby park (remember to only take one from each plant)
Clear acrylic finish
Plexiglas frames to match number of cutting you want to frame
Matting to match number of frames
Watercolor paper
Hot-glue gun

To find out how to put these botanical prints together, read more.

Gather cuttings that you like from your yard or a local park. Let the cuttings dry to ensure that they'll maintain their colors.
Spray the cuttings with a clear acrylic finish, which will protect the color.
Purchase Plexiglas frames and mat board for the back.
Hot glue the clippings onto heavyweight watercolor paper.
You can also write each clipping's botanical name onto the watercolor paper.
Assemble into the frames.

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Crave Worthy: Botanist Flora Cocktail Table

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 12:00:29 -0700

Designed by Dario Antonioni and Brandon Lynne, the Botanist Flora Cocktail Table ($1,899) is a sleek choice for a number of design settings - including a chic poolside party. I'm particularly fond of how the floral designs balance the minimalist, modern lines of the table. Also good to know: the aluminum frame of this table, which is reinforced with a welded structural base means that the piece is both light and durable, so much so that it can be used as a bench, too. If you love this style but can't quite swing the price tag on this piece, check out these acrylic floral side tables.

The Card Shop: Blue Lupines

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:45:25 -0700

Make a friend's day by sending a "just because" card. One of these simple, pretty Blue Lupine Cards ($12 for a set of eight cards) from Etsy seller Blomma will brighten a mailbox with its simple, silhouetted flowers and pretty blue tones. They'd also be great for a dinner party invitation or as thank you notes for a new bride.

Midday Muse: Fun Retro Florals

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 12:16:04 -0700

As today's Midday Muse, I'm admiring this set of retro-floral notecards by A Punkin Card Company. The unlikely combo of hot pink and baby blue with olive green and brown shows how to give cutesy florals an edge. How could you use this idea in a room?

via Hostess with the Mostess

Trend Alert: 3-D Florals That Pop

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 06:15:00 -0800

Your garden may not be in full bloom, but the runways are flush with delicate and decadent 3-D florals. As I gazed at the parade of pretty designs, I couldn't help but notice some overlap with the three-dimensional petal-laden homewares spotted lately.

Forget floral prints. These flowers literally pop off of pillows, lampshades, and rugs for a look that's geometric and not at all grandma. Some are more romantic, like this Neiman Marcus Flower Pillow ($250-450), while others are downright edgy. Take a look at the trends I've spotted below.

Source

Pucker Kimono Throw - $198.00	Mum 18\" Square Pillow in Orange - $119.00
Merida Meridian Geometric Florals Hydrangea Red Star Modern Modern Rug - $609.00	Essenze Floral Pendant - $500.00
Thomas Paul Lighting Medium Drum Pendant Lamp - Botany - $230.00	Teal Floral Block Print Micro Jute Rug - $99.00
Merida Meridian Geometric Florals Dandelion Breeze Modern Modern Rug - $609.00	"Fashion Floral" Rug - $149.00
Effektiv Door - $55.00	Thomaspaul - Parasol Orange Floor Lamp - $416.00
Quarter to Pink Outdoor Print - $159.00	Terai Folding Chair, Floral Stripe - $198.00

Pearl Lotus Flower Chandelier - $329.00	nani marquina Roses Rug - $3,100.00
Emma Pillow - $59.95	De La Espada magnolia lighting unit - $3,145.00
Roost Flower Tealight Candelabra - $30.00	Flower Pillows - $195.00
Wallter - Teardrop Wall Application - $142.00	Emma Pillow - $59.95
Paige Velvet Lumbar Pillow Cover - $39.00	Smoke Lotus Flower Chandelier - $329.00
Festival Flower Knob, Sunflower - $6.00