CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Round Dice

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 06:15:12 -0700

Conventional wisdom would suggest that the Z Gallerie Round Dice Set ($17) is just for show. Clearly, the spheres would always tilt and roll, making it impossible for one number to be chosen. Well, not exactly. The round pieces have a mini-weight inside of them, which exposes only one arrangement of dots each time it's rolled. Suddenly Yahtzee just got a whole lot cooler.

Do You Own a Fooseball Table?

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 14:00:00 -0800

To me, fooseball tables are the epitome of bachelor-pad style. Read: Chandler Bing and Joey Tribbiani. If not relegated to McMansion basements, they stand out like a sore thumb in a single dude's apartment, refusing to heed to any accepted design rules. But, then I come across an exception like the one in this child's room photographed by Mikkel Adsbøl, and I find them absolutely charming. I love how the decor of the room coordinates with the table's color palette, don't you? Tell me, do you own one?
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Desire/Acquire: Luxury Rubik's Cubes

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 15:00:38 -0800

If your man is a Rubik's Cube whiz who has everything, the Barneys New York Rubik's Cube ($195) could be a fun Valentine's Day gift for him. Made of leather and chrome, it's much more stylish than the '80s original and will give his messy desk an instant face-lift. I can already hear you scoffing now, and you're right: The original costs less than 10 bucks. Well, if you don't plan to splurge on this luxe gift, you should know you can get it for less. To find out where, read more.

The same luxe Rubik's Cube ($155) made of solid chrome with leather inlaid sides is available from Zontik's Games for $40 less. Buy this one and maybe you can still afford to take your beau out for dinner, too! On second thought, if he's such a genius, he should know you'd prefer the V-Day din din be on him.

Good, Better, Best: Chic Backgammon Sets

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:00:49 -0800

Even if you haven't a clue how to play backgammon, these chic boards will put you on top of your design game. Laid out on a coffee table, backgammon sets are like the leisure-time equivalent of a pretty art book or an elegant bowl. Here are three to suit your budget, whatever it may be.

The Ballard Designs Backgammon Set ($70) looks like it could have been designed by Kate Spade. It's perfect for whiling away the days at a Summer retreat, or just making your living room feel like one.

For the even better backgammon boards, read more.

I can't get enough of the Barneys Handmade Psychedelic Lacquered Wood Backgammon ($795). Something about combination of hoity-toity and hippie-dippy puts me perfectly in the mood to roll some dice.

This luxurious Ralph Lauren Dawson Backgammon Set ($1,299) could easily be a set piece in a Gossip Girl Upper East Side living room. It's masculine and just a tad sinister.

Crave Worthy: Psychedelic Circles Backgammon Set

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:30:07 -0800

I’m going to cross my fingers here and just hope that a certain ex of mine isn’t reading. Two weeks holed up in a boring town with my boyfriend’s parents and - pulling my hair out not in the cards - the only activity that helped me pass time with his ‘rents was a competitive game of backgammon. Before Scrabulous and Facebook stalking, some people actually did entertain themselves with classic games, and lucky for me, I happened to be a wiz. Nevertheless, I’ve since come to find an unparalleled brand of inter-generational bonding power in such timeless recreations and have vowed to always keep one handy. Finances aside, the Barneys Handmade Psychedelic Lacquered Wood Backgammon ($795) may just be The One: its trippy hand-painting recalls my elders' Haight-Ashbury days and its lacquered wood frame is slick enough for my modern pad. If that won't do the trick, I don't know what will.

Open House: House Play

CasaSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 08:15:38 -0700

Yesterday, I talked about one designer who advocates play in public, but today I'd like to focus on play at home. At my house, there's always a deck of cards and a Scrabble board on hand, if not littering my coffee table, and one shouldn't be surprised to find trails of paper penciled with hangman games throughout my home. And there's always play going on when my dog, Ozzie, is in the room (or the backyard). What about you? Do you still play? Is there a designated area in your home for games? Do you have a card table? Do you have a swing set? An indoor swing? Where do your kids play? Do you play sports in the yard? At the park? Tell me by commenting below!
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Casa Craving Challenge: Good Looking Games

CasaSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 03:37:33 -0800

Since it's Home Entertainment month, I'm all about finding new ways to make my home a more amusing place, but not at the expense of aesthetics. So, for this Casa Craving Challenge, I'd like you to bookmark the best looking games for the home. They don't have to be board games . . . you can go for something like a vintage Knock Hockey set, if you like instead. But, they must be easy on the eyes. Next week I'll round them up and share the results with everyone. Show me all of your fabulous finds by creating Casa Cravings and tagging your cravings with the phrase good looking games. I'll feature the results next Wednesday, Dec. 19th. Please let me know if you have any questions. For a list of online home stores to try, read more

Amazon Home
Bed Bath & Beyond
CB2
Crate & Barrel
Design Within Reach
Gump's
Ikea
Jonathan Adler
Lekker Home
Linens and Things
Macy's Home
Pottery Barn
Restoration Hardware
Room & Board
Target
Urban Outfitters
Unica Home
West Elm
World Market

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Roundup: White Dining Room Chairs

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:57 -0800

The Blind Side, which opens today, promises to be a tearjerker. The movie, which is based on the true story captured in Michael Lewis's book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, stars Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Touhy, the Christian, Southern mom who takes in Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron. Touhy's house is pretty standard for an upper-middle-class Southern family, but one element that caught my eye were these white dining chairs.

I love the idea of using white chairs in the dining room. The color can really lighten up the space, even if the chairs are geometric and wooden, like these. See some of my favorite white wooden chairs below.

Vintner Side Chair/Cushion - $39.95	Farmhouse Ladderback Armchair - $425.00
Circle-Cutout Chairs + Cushions - $189.00	Victoria White Ribbon Back Arm Chair - $359.00
Macau Armchair - $279.00	Ingolf Chair - $59.99
Olle Chair - $34.99	Le Mans Dining Chairs Set of 2 - $249.00
Cindy Crawford Home California Cottage White Farm Side Chair - $109.99

Nice and New: Wisteria Folk Art Game Board

CasaSugar — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 08:08:21 -0800

Forget lacquer trays. Gimme a game board! This Folk Art Checker Board ($59) is new and nifty at Wisteria, not to mention the answer to my slatted Nelson bench/coffee table dilemma. This board is quite versatile. It can be used just as a tray on a coffee table, ottoman, etc., as wall art, or (duh) as a game board! Plus, it's pretty dapper. I'm always up for a game of checkers, and I know at least one person who'd be up for a challenge, so this playful home accessory is next on my shopping list. Right below all the other Nice and News I have yet to purchase.
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Casa Craving Recap: Good Looking Games

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 14:00:17 -0800

For this week's Casa Craving Challenge, I asked you to seek out some good looking games. Your finds were quite impressive, and actually I'm considering buying some of them as holiday gifts! Or, just for myself (one for you, two for me). I highly suggest taking a gander at these games if you too are looking for gifts or a little something to perk up the coffee table.

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