CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Gilt-y as Charged

CasaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 12:00:51 -0700

Check out the luxe look of the interior of this credenza and the table lamp atop it, thanks to their gilded interiors. I love the idea of a secret, gold lining to a furniture or accent in your home. It lends an unexpected, glam touch. The Ikea Trollsta Sideboard ($349) seems like an obvious choice for a gilded interior; don't you think? You can add a touch of gold to your furniture with gold paint or gilt cream. Have you done this to any furniture at your house?

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Inspired: Frieda Pinto's Glam Gold

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:30:37 -0800

Actress Frieda Pinto, who stars in my one of my favorite movies of 2008, Slumdog Millionaire, looked stunning in this golden dress, which she wore at the Dubai International Film Festival. I love the Lotus Flower Dish ($24-48) and Mister Knorr by Philippe Starck Stool ($1,555), which both reflect that same gold glamour as Pinto's gown.

To see the rest of my Frieda-inspired finds, read more.

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Roundup: Gilt by Association

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 07:00:38 -0800

Gilding, which is defined as covering something thinly with gold leaf or gold paint, can add a glamorous touch to common objects. While the luxurious look of a gilt item may be specious, it's all the while beautiful, and I can't help but want one for myself. Be it a gilt twig bowl or a perfume bottle painted with gold flowers, that metallic shimmer is every bit elegant. So, I've rounded up some of the most glamorous gilt interior décor items around, and they're yours for the taking. Go for the gold when you read more.

One Room Two Ways: Sitting Areas in Silver and Gold

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 08:00:47 -0800

Silver and gold are perfect colors for decking out your pad for a New Year's Eve party, and you can continue the theme into 2009 by creating a sitting area that echoes those glam metallics.

For my silver seating area, I relied on white and plum tones to offset the blingy silver. The look of this sitting area is refined, feminine, and warm, even though the colors are cool. My favorite piece, by far, is the Timber Table ($235), whose faux bois pattern looks surprisingly fresh when it's interpreted in lucite.

To go for the gold, read more.

The more masculine look of this sitting area is due to the rich chocolate browns. The Leucos Stacking C Floor Lamp ($236), is a truly crave worthy piece, with stacked blown glass cylinders assembled to create a luminous centerpiece for your sitting area.

Guess What This Product Is?

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:37 -0800

This product looks like a bar of gold but it's actually made of aluminum and cast iron. According to the product description, it "shows complete carelessness with money." Can you tell me what this product is?

Before and After: A Traditional Swedish Clock Gets an Update

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:00:10 -0800

Su Casa member dezignerwannabe recently decided to update her traditional Swedish Mora clock. In case you didn't know, these Scandinavian floor clocks were created near the town of Mora, Sweden, around 1750, after bad farming seasons forced the Mora farmers to find another way to earn income. Many of the clocks were decorated with painted faces, but now, hardly any of the original artwork remains on the clocks, and most have been painted over with inferior, rosemaling-type designs.

Since dezignerwannabe wanted to update the look and color of her traditional clock, she decided to go for it, and, as she wrote in the title of her post, "I hope I don't regret it but after so many years it needed an update."

To see the update, read more.

I, for one, can't see how dezignerwannabe would have any regrets over this update. The teal-and-gold paint combination with rosemaling designs was really holding this piece back, and while it stood out, it didn't do so in a positive manner. The real beauty in this piece is its gorgeous shape, and the simple, white paint update that dezignerwannabe gave it allows its beautiful curves to really stand out.

Have you made any updates to any home accents, like a clock, credenza, or cupboard? If so, then share it in the Su Casa group.

Crave Worthy: Gold-Leafed Hand-Carved Mirror With Birds

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:00:33 -0700

I thought I was over faux bois mirrors, but then some sweet little birdies chirped when I came upon this beautiful Gold-Leafed Hand-Carved Mirror (inquire for price), making me fall for them all over again. This gilt wood mirror from the late 20th century was carved by the Carvers Guild of Massachusetts, a company run by a couple recognized for their old-world craftsmanship and exceptional design. The Carver's Guild began in 1970 but they could have fooled me: this hand-carved mirror looks like it dates back to Colonial Williamsburg. It's nice to see that some designs transcend time.

Nice and New: Fresh Finds at Ferm Living

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:33 -0800

One of my favorite wallpaper retailers, Ferm Living, has a few new things in store that I'm really loving. First of all, I think the way this Sewing Kit Wall Sticker ($57.50) is staged is absolutely hilarious. I think it would be clever to use it around a window or doorway in your home, especially one that doesn't have a lot of molding. See a few other new things when you read more.

I'm really digging the graphic, prismatic pattern of the new Monroe Wallpaper ($126.50). The black and gold have a really midcentury vibe, so I'd like to see it in other colors. But I think this would look great in a man's home office or small powder room with a statement-making chandelier.

I also absolutely adore the pattern and the palette of the new Peacock Pillow ($110). I only wish it complemented the colors in my home.

And last but certainly not least, the Tree Bomb Thermo Mug ($33) is so glam and hip. I'd use it to store jewelry or knickknacks, or as a votive holder.

Casa Interview: The Good Wife's Stephen Hendrickson and Beth Kushnick

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:00:28 -0800

As I've mentioned in the past, I'm a huge fan of the new CBS series The Good Wife. In particular, I adore Alicia Florrick's (Julianna Margulies) apartment. With classic styling and great use of color, it's definitely a look I'm currently coveting. Luckily, I recently had the opportunity to chat with the two people responsible for the look of that very apartment. The Good Wife's production designer, Stephen Hendrickson, and set decorator, Beth Kushnick, answered my questions about the look of Alicia's home.

CasaSugar: How did the production designer and set decorator define Alicia (as a starting-over mom, lawyer, etc.), and how did this play into their concept of her new apartment?

Hendrickson and Kushnick: We defined Alicia as a working mom who wanted to make a comforting life for her kids as they had to downsize from a large house in the suburbs to a much smaller apartment which she purchased and had renovated. We kept some furniture from the old house like the kids' beds and the dining room furniture. In addition the show creators wanted to keep Alicia's king size bed as a visual - that it was too big for her new bedroom and show that one side of it was now empty. We also created a maid's room in the back of the apartment for all of her husband's belongings.

CasaSugar: How did Alicia’s style as a North Shore mom change when she moved into Chicago proper?

Hendrickson and Kushnick: Her new apartment had a sophisticated color palette . . . Alicia's apartment also has more contemporary living room furnishings and an upgraded kitchen.

Read the rest of the interview, and check out photos of the set.

Ask Casa: What to Do About Burgundy

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:14 -0700

Su Casa member Pretty Little Things got this overstuffed burgundy chenille burgundy chair at a garage sale for only $50. She wants to integrate it into her awesome new apartment, but her "theoretical color scheme involves grays, golds, whites, neutrals, dark wood, no burgundy!" And aside from the color, she also finds the chair bulky. So she asks, "Can someone suggest a nice color palette that would match with burgundy (in keeping with the other colors I had in mind, or something like them) or should I just give up and get a slipcover?"

To hear my suggestions for Pretty Little Things, read more.

Hi there-

Good question!

First of all, is the chair in good condition? If not, I wouldn't invest any money in even a slipcover. While $50 seems like a bargain for a chair, with some more garage sale trolling and Craigslist, I think you can find another used chair in good condition that may eliminate the burgundy issue.

Next, do you mind the shape? Personally, that overstuffed look is not my style, but if you like it, keep it. If you don't like the bulky shape and you're just keeping it because it was cheap, I think you should just sell it. Don't bring anything into your home that you don't love, or that you can't alter (to be loved).

That said, I think it's a good decision to get a slipcover for the chair, or have one made. Your theoretical palette sounds beautiful and I would love to see how you put it all together. While the burgundy wouldn't exactly clash, I think it might stand out as more of an eyesore than anything else. And, if we're talking aesthetics, I've never been a fan of burgundy furnishings, either!

I suggest getting a white or off-white slipcover that's NOT fitted - and even wrinkly if you can find one. I'm thinking of the chairs in Stockholm's Hotel J, which I think are cool and relaxed. This look works really well with overstuffed chairs, and will give yours a modern-meets-shabby-chic vibe.

Hope this helps! Let me know what you decide!

Cheers,

Casa

Twig Bowl - $89.00	Knot Mirror - $575.00
Honeycomb Mirror - $429.00	Driftwood Lamp - $415.00
Gilded Monstera Leaves (Set of Six) by Tozai - $135.00	Michael Aram Sona Triple Heart Bowl - $265.00
Evoca Judaica By L'objet - $100.00	L'Objet Aegean Gold Charger - $250.00
Luxor Perfume Bottle - $28.00	Kartell gold gnomes - limited edition - $374.00
Marie Nightstand - $698.00	Vintage Gilt Accent Table - $1,895.00
Vintage Gilt Sofa - $4,195.00	Martha Stewart Collection with Wedgwood "Garland Moss" Accent Salad Plate, 9" - $40.00
Gilt Candle Sconce - $195.00	PB Gilt Frames - $24.00
Bond No. 9 New York Chelsea Flowers/6.4oz - $85.00	Metallic Bark Candles - $29.00
Pair of Silver-Gilt Boxes - $2,200.00