CasaSugar

The Card Shop: Hydrangea Letterpress Notecards

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:39 -0700

Hydrangeas are my favorite flowering plant. They're so delicate, yet they have such a bold presence, and I love how their color changes based on the soil pH. So, how could I not swoon over this gorgeous set of Hydrangea Letterpress Notecards ($16 for eight)? Each card is printed in light and dark purple and pink inks on natural recycled paper and comes with a recycled envelope. The cards are made by a favorite of mine, Yeehaw Industries, and inspired by finds at their local farmers market - other floral and veggie cards like carrots, artichokes, zinnias, poppies, and more are also available.

Cool Idea: Petal-Filled Vase

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 14:00:20 -0700

I'm not a flower snob. Pick a couple of wildflowers from alongside the Interstate and toss them in a Starbucks Frappuccino cup, and I'll be just as happy as if you'd charged a floral masterpiece to your Black card. But I do appreciate a little innovation when it comes to flower arrangements. And sometimes, it's not thinking outside the box that brings about innovation, but rather, inside the vase. The Kartell Pantagruel Vase by Phillipe Starck ($198) was re-imagined here, filled to the brim with pink hydrangea, highlighting its feminine curves. This new genre of bouquet can be achieved with any flowering plant, dried or fresh, and works best with a clear glass vase with a nice shape. Try it with grasses for a more masculine arrangement.
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What's the Soil pH?

CasaSugar — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 06:15:56 -0700

If you remember my post on soil pH readings, you'll know that the color of a hydrangea is determined by the pH of the soil. One pH reading creates pink flowers and one creates blue flowers. Since these flowers are blue, do you know what the soil's pH must be?

Take the quiz

Nice and New: CASA Carlos Mota Hydrangea Flower Bouquet

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:00:55 -0700

In general, artificial flowers are sacrilegious to me - the beauty of fresh flowers lies not only in their form, but in their transiency. So, I wouldn't normally recommend bringing fakes into your home, but I will make an exception. Independent stylist and special projects editor for Elle Decor Carlos Mota has released a new collection of silk floral arrangements for HSN that are seriously chic and quite deceiving to the eye. My favorite is this CASA Carlos Mota Hydrangea Flower Bouquet ($49.95), with its sultry blues and Spring greens. Each arrangement comes in a modern, rippled, white ceramic vase. In the case that you do pick one of these up, please do not use it as a centerpiece; instead, use them to brighten a corner, where they can fit into your home in a more subtle manner.

Room Therapy: Has Anyone Used Rust-Oleum on Their Counters?

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:00:19 -0700

Dear Casa,

I just recently moved into a house and am excited about making it "my own." The problem is I'm broke. The house is old and I've already made peace with the fact that I'm going to have to live with some things (such as the horrendous '70s-era orange countertops in the kitchen) for the next few years until I can afford to replace them. But then today, while researching inexpensive options for refinishing my tacky gold light fixtures, I stumbled across this, a paint made just for countertops! Can it be?!

The product claims to be simple and effective (and the video-demo shows this to be true, ha) but it sounds suspiciously too good to be true. I do not want to get my hopes up if this product is really just crap. I was wondering if you knew anyone that had used this product with success or if I'm headed towards a horror story?

Thanks!

Rainey

To see my suggestions, and to leave comments, read more.

Hi Rainey,

I haven't personally tried this product, but I found this blog post from a homeowner who used this product on her counters. The results, at least from this picture, look great, and she says she's very happy with the results.

However, on the blog Tattered Hydrangeas, multiple readers commented that the paint doesn't hold up well at all. Perhaps if you used a sealant on it, it would be more wear-resistant. However, these users seem to think that one should proceed with caution.

Has anyone else used this product? Have you tried to paint your countertops with other products? What were your results? Leave your thoughts about the experience in the comments.

Good luck!
Casa

Photographer to Watch: Kari Herer

CasaSugar — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 11:00:05 -0700

I came across the work of Portland, ME-based photographer Kari Herer on Etsy and was absolutely swept off my feet. She does commercial, portrait, and fine art work, but it's her floral photography that really gets me.

Fresh peonies and hydrangea make wonderful subjects for anyone behind the camera, but take a look at Herer's work and you'll be convinced she's truly a stylist at heart. Here, she's arranged and captured a delicate magnolia on a gorgeous botanical illustration - buy an eight-by-10 print here for $25. In Peony No. 9364, flower buds prove to have strength in numbers in her well-composed arrangment. A pinecone in a teacup? Unusual, but ethereal. Herer's composition is flawless and she almost gives her subjects a vintage feel, which I adore. See more of her work when you read more.

View 9 Photos ›

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 13:00:19 -0700

This beautiful house in progress looks perfect to me!- More Ways to Waste Time
This minimalist mag rack makes the word go round.- 2Modern
See the beauty of dried hydrangeas.- AT:LA
Put a foot up on this ottoman made from recycled, fair-trade coffee bags.- Shelterrific
Could you live in a converted church surrounded by gravestones?- Desire to Inspire
Learn to prep your outdoor space for a party.- AT:SF
Arm yourself with 101 green remodeling links.- Charles & Hudson
Have some crocheted bouquets made for your wedding.- Craftzine

Cool Idea: A Workbench Bath Console

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:00:02 -0800

Brisbane, Australia-based design blogger Absolutely Beautiful Things recently shared photos of her home, which is the epitome of elegance. I couldn't help but be swept away by the design of her bathroom, where she used an inexpensive old timber workbench she found on eBay as a sink console, painted white. Paired with white subway tiles, hexagonal mosaic floor tiles, and two mismatched antique mirrors, the workbench has a glamorous rustic look that is so refreshing and understated. A wicker basket stores towels, and a vase of hydrangeas finishes off the look. So sophisticated.
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Good, Better, Best: Handcrafted Pillows For Ring Bearers

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:15:21 -0700

If you're including a ring bearer in your wedding, you're probably looking for a beautiful, classic pillow for him to transport the rings upon. While you can always find a satin-and-lace pillow at a bridal shop, why not make your pillow a little more unique? I've rounded up some hand-crafted pillows and one even more unique choice for your ring bearer in this Good, Better, Best.

Good: This Handmade Silk Pillow ($36) can be customized with the couple's initials. It's a perfect, understated pillow for a classic couple. You can also specify the ribbon color and embroidery stitch, or even send in your favorite ribbon or flowers to use on the pillow.

For two more choices, read more.

Better: I love the look of this Purple and White Dupioni Silk Hydrangea Bow Ring Bearer Pillow ($39). The pillow is topped with a silk sash and bow, and finished with a high-quality silk hydrangea. This pillow measures in at eight inches square and features thin satin ribbons to attach the rings and a ribbon on the back to help the ring bearer carry the pillow safely. It has also been hand tufted with a mother-of-pearl button. It would be perfect for a bride who'd like to put a little punch of drama into her ceremony.

Best Even though this Tiny Text Ring Bowl ($21) is the least expensive choice, I believe it is the most elegant, unique, and charming of the bunch. You can keep the quote that's on the bowl, or customize it with a quote from your ceremony, or with your names and wedding date. After the ceremony, you can use the bowl to hold jewelry, or you can hang it by a cord on your wall, or place it in a shadow box or in a display with your wedding photos. Each bowl is handcrafted of fine pure white clay, and fired in a kiln, and each has a protective matte finish applied to the surface and are designed for decorative use.

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How-To: Ten Garden Uses For White Vinegar

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 08:30:11 -0700

Now that you know the household uses for white vinegar, I thought you might like to know how you can expand its use to your garden. As you may remember, white vinegar is an eco-friendly product, and it's also cheap: You can buy a gallon of white vinegar for less than $3.

The word "vinegar" is from the French term vin aigre, meaning "sour wine." White vinegar is made from allowing a distilled alcohol, like white wine, vodka, or gin, to oxidize. This changes the chemical components of the alcohol, making it more sour, but also more useful.

To find out how you can use white vinegar in your garden, read more.

Pesky raspberry leave stains on your palms? Banish berry stains by rubbing your hands with white distilled vinegar.
Make sure your hummingbirds avoid toxic cleansers in their nectar by cleaning feeders with white distilled vinegar.
Rust on your tools or spigots? Soak them overnight in white vinegar to loosen and get rid of rust.
Dingy plastic patio furniture gets cleaner with a solution of one tablespoon white distilled vinegar to one gallon of water.
Hate slugs as much as I do? Say sayonara by spraying them with one part water and one part white distilled vinegar.
Azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and gardenias are all acid-loving plants. Add a cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water, and water them generously every month or so.
If you have weeds or grass in cracks in your sidewalks and steps, pour white vinegar in the cracks to get rid of the greenery.
If your terracotta pots have white mineral bits on them, soak the pots for an hour or two in a sink filled with half white vinegar and half water.
Make your cut flowers last longer by adding two tablespoons of white vinegar and a teaspoon of sugar to each vase. Fill with water, and enjoy.
Stop the ants from marching in by pouring white distilled vinegar on their paths, as well as in ant hills.

Do you have other garden uses for white vinegar? Tell me about them by commenting below!
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