CasaSugar

How-To: Turn Pumpkins Into Candleholders

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:00:36 -0800

Your jack-o'-lantern may be rotting on your back porch like mine (oops!), but that's no reason to shun pumpkins altogether. You can make seasonal candle holders that would be perfect for a Thanksgiving table from some inexpensive, mini pumpkins from your grocery store or local farmers market. I noticed this little trick within a DIY for making a mini pumpkin centerpiece on Martha Stewart, but I'm not so keen on the entire centerpiece idea. So, to make just the candle holders, you'll need a utility knife, a melon baller, tapered candles, and mini pumpkins. To learn the steps, read more.

Here's how to do it, according to Martha:

First, cut a round hole in the pumpkin's center with a utility knife, enough to hold a candle but not all the way through. You may want to trace the circumference of your taper onto the pumpkin first to make sure your hole isn't too wide.
Then, make space for your tapers by carving the inside out with a melon baller.
Then, slip your taper in.
You can also stack your pumpkin candle holders for a different look. If you do this, you'll want to use two pumpkins about the same size. Carve the top pumpkin all the way through, but leave a base on the bottom one.
Fini! So easy.

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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.

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Tips For Decorating With Cool Colors

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:54 -0800

This week, we've looked at cool colors during Color Theory month. See my advice on decorating with gray, with lavender, and with turquoise. Or click here for all of my coverage so far. Today, I'm going to offer some tips for using a variety of cool colors to their greatest advantage.

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How-To: Go Subtle With Lavender

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:00:01 -0800

Earlier today, I showed you how to decorate with lavender walls. If you're not ready to make the commitment to that much lavender, though, you can always work with accents. Try using textiles in a lavender shade. Or, paint the interior of a cabinet or cupboard with your favorite lavender shade. Accent decor is also an option as well. See some of my favorite lavender accents below.

How-To: Get the Red Out

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:36 -0800

As we get closer to the holiday season, you can virtually guarantee that all of the festivities and merry making will lead to a red wine stain or two. But don't worry, you can usually combat that stain, especially if you act fast. Learn how to get the red out when you read more.

First, make sure to blot (not rub or scrub) the stain with paper towels. However, if the fabric is "dry clean only," skip this step and get it to the cleaners posthaste.
Position a dry washcloth between the layers of the fabric (such as the front and back of a blouse) to prevent staining on the back of the material.
Mix one teaspoon of laundry soap or dish soap and one cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Dip a sponge in the bowl, and gently blot the stain.
Review and follow any special washing directions for the type of fabric.
If the fabric is machine washable, wash in cool water and air dry.
If not, wash by hand with a mild detergent.

How-To: Decorate With Suitcases

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:00:24 -0700

Suitcases are good for more than just lugging your unmentionables when you hit the road. They also look lovely when displayed artfully in your home. See some of my favorite ideas for decorating with suitcases.
Source: Flickr User LBCaro

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How-To: Create Bold, Beautiful Stair Runners

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Tired of your boring, old stair runner? Improving on the old standard may be as easy as breaking out a quart of paint. Don't stop there, though. Textiles, tiles, wallpaper, and other techniques and materials can add unique charm to your staircase.

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How-To: Organize Out in the Open

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 09:00:14 -0700

Sure, you can hide your media materials, linens, and glassware away in a closet or drawer, but what's the fun in that? Check out these ideas for organizing out in the open, and looking great in the process.

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How-To: House Backyard Chickens in Style

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 08:00:24 -0700

My friend Beth, who I've known since high school, recently started a blog to update her friends and family on her latest domestic adventure - raising backyard chickens. Since Beth never does anything halfway, she and her husband Craig built a chicken coop that is super cute and matches their 1922 Craftsman home.

She writes, "I paid my way through college 10 years ago raising and killing chickens and also had laying hens. I wanted to get another batch of layers, but was resigned because a) we have a teeny tiny backyard; and b) my husband isn't much of a farmer."

However, all was not lost. Beth notes, "This spring, I convinced the man who drank a case of Diet Mountain Dew each week when we met (he has thankfully kicked the habit since) to build raised beds and start an organic garden. I gave up on the idea of having chickens, but he took up the cause and was convinced we could fit a small coop next to the garden."

To find out more about Beth and Craig's chicken-raising adventure, and to see how well their chicken coop matches their home, read more.

"We bought our chicks on July 9th and went on Seattle Tilth's coop tour the following weekend," reports Beth. "Craig took lots of photos and took all the best ideas from the coops we saw for his own design. Some materials were recycled: he salvaged the window and built the window box out of scraps we had from this and other projects. The coop is painted to match our house, white trim and all. Craig thinks the finished product took about 100 hours to build. It's a little over the top, but that's my husband. (By the way, not only has he stopped drinking Mountain Dew, but he's off all high fructose corn syrup and is quite the label reader. Weird. Now he's all about organic veggies and can't wait for the hens to start laying.)"

I have total chicken coop envy now, and I'm also envious of Beth's hubby's building skills. What a great coop! You can keep up with Beth and Craig's chicken adventures on Beth's blog. In the meantime, check out the gallery to see images of the decoupaged interior of the coop, as well as the coop's perfect match to their Craftsman.

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How-To: Declutter Your House For Fall

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 09:00:13 -0700

When the seasons turn, it's time for a changing of the guard in your home as well. Check out my tips for decluttering and organizing for the Fall season.

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