CasaSugar

European Union Phases Out Energy-Wasting Bulbs

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 14:30:58 -0700

As of today, it's going to be a whole lot harder to get your hands on a standard incandescent bulb in Europe. In an effort to improve energy efficiency by 20 percent by the year 2020, the European Union has mandated that factories must cease the production of frosted incandescents and 100-watt clear bulbs. The new, more energy-efficient bulbs consume up to 80 percent less energy.

These traditional bulbs will be restocked with halogen and CFL bulbs over the next few years. As of 2012, energy-efficient bulbs will be the only lighting available in Europe.

To hear about the controversy surrounding the switch, read more.

However, if you're a fan of the energy-sucking bulbs, you can still buy them in stores where the bulbs are already in stock. Apparently some Europeans have been busy hording the 100-watt bulbs, preferring the traditional bulbs for their color and light quality, or even for health reasons. Migraine sufferers have said that the lighting exacerbates their headaches. In addition, epileptics have also said that the energy-efficient bulbs exacerbate their seizures, and object to the change.

While CFLs have improved greatly in light quality throughout the years, many people still believe that the light quality is very poor, even though a Popular Mechanics study actually showed that CFLs performed incandescents in overall light quality.

If you're a European reader, have you been affected by this change? Are you hording traditional bulbs, or are you a CFL convert? And if this same ban occurred in the United States, how do you think Americans would react?

Tord Boontje Named Head of Design Products at the Royal College of Art

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:00:22 -0700

Dutch-born, London-based product designer Tord Boontje is no doubt a force in the design world (and even influences tattoo choices). But, he's about to become a direct influence on a group of budding artists, already talented in their own right. He's been named the successor to Israeli industrial designer and architect Ron Arad as head of Design Products at his alma mater, the Royal College of Art in London. The Royal College is the world’s only wholly postgraduate art and design institution, and also one of the most respected. Don't worry though, he'll maintain his role as director of Studio Tord Boontje; his whimsical, nature-inspired lighting and curtains aren't going anywhere.
To hear what he had to say about upcoming venture and see some of his designs, read more:

I am very excited about my appointment as professor of Design Products at the Royal College of Art. It is a great opportunity to lead and inspire a fantastic group of students, tutors, technicians, and administrative staff. The department has a fantastic pluralistic character, an experimental nature, a culture of innovation, and a very individual approach to student’s development. I am very keen to maintain these qualities and to build further upon them.

Artecnica Come Rain Come Shine Chandelier - Multicolor - $4,950.00	Artecnica - 'second shadow' garden lamps by tord boontje for artecnica - $95.00
Artecnica Midsummer Light - White - $95.00	Moroso Tord Boontje Wall Graphic - $1,380.00
Moroso - shadowly armchair by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $2,832.00	Artecnica - Fairy Tail 6ft greeting cards by Tord Boontje - $9.00
Artecnica - flora garland by tord boontje for artecnica - $5,251.00	Artecnica - thinking of you vase covers by tord boontje for artecnica - $44.00
Moroso - bon bon side table by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $623.00	Artecnica - come rain come shine light by tord boontje - $4,950.00
Swarovski - wall flowers by tord boontje for swarovski - $211.00	Artecnica - midsummer light by tord boontje for artecnica - $56.00
Moroso - tord boontje collection by tord boontje for moroso of italy - QUICKSHIP - $744.00	Artecnica - candle clamps by studio tord boontje for artecnica - $82.00
Artecnica - 'puddles' appliques by tord boontje for artecnica - $15.00	Authentics -table stories - fine porcelain dishes and crystal by tord boontje for authentics - $18.00
Artecnica - tranSglass mirrors by tord boontje for artecnica - $2,200.00	Artecnica -bright times tea light holders by studio tord boontje for artecnica - $32.00
Moroso - nest outdoor chair by tord boontje for moroso of Italy - $699.00	Moroso - closer chaise lounge by tord boontje for moroso of italy - $7,704.00

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Michelle Kaufmann Designs Closing Doors

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 12:15:02 -0700

I am very sad to report that Michelle Kaufmann Designs is closing, due in part to the credit crisis and the closing of factories used to manufacture MKD homes. The green prefab firm, located in Oakland, CA, designed homes guaranteed to achieve either gold or platinum LEED ratings, the two highest ratings from the US Green Building Council. Homes such as the Glidehouse and mkLotus won MKD international acclaim, and were proof that prefab and green were a natural fit.

According to the LA Times:

Kaufmann has been working with her clients -- some with houses in construction, others earlier in the design process -- to put them in a position to build their projects with other firms, if they choose. She said she has been in preliminary talks with large home-building companies that may be interested in producing her designs or working with her as a consultant.

While I've been saddened by a number of stories in the real estate and architecture world lately, this one definitely hits me the hardest. Michelle Kaufmann is truly an inspiration, and I wish her the best of luck in her next, undoubtedly impressive project in the world of architecture and sustainable living.

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Andrew Wagner Named Editor in Chief of Readymade

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:06:22 -0700

Andrew Wagner, soon-to-be former editor in chief of American Craft and a founding editor of Dwell, has been named the editor in chief of ReadyMade. The magazine recently relocated from San Francisco to Des Moines, the headquarters of Meredith Corp., so he'll start fresh there May 4. Wagner expects the magazine's website to pick up major steam thanks to his plans to broaden its online presence with a DIY project archive, some exclusive stories online, blogs, and photo galleries. I'd heard rumors that ReadyMade was ailing (like many of its peer shelter magazines), but it sounds like things are looking up!

In the News: Country Living Forges Ahead

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 07:00:32 -0700

While the shelter magazine category is having a hard time across the board, Country Living seems to be toughing it out best. When O at Home folded, its former editor, Sarah Gray Miller, took charge of Country Living and put its spine tagline of "Come home to comfort" on the cover, shining a spotlight on the relevancy of its crafting and home entertaining focus in this economy.

The magazine also got a boost from a contemporary face-lift, including new fonts, more product information, and the reappearance of the personal essay. As for numbers, its ad sales are only down eight percent, and its single copy sales are up 10 percent from last year. It's interesting to see which magazines stay afloat and which flounder. As we saw with Domino, despite its huge following, in the end, meager ad sales were the cause of its demise. Do you read Country Living?

Swiss Architect Peter Zumthor Wins Pritzker Prize

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:35:07 -0700

Swiss architect Peter Zumthor has been named as the winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, the architecture world's most prestigious annual award. Zumthor, 65, will receive his honor - which is often described as the Nobel of Architecture - at a ceremony in Buenos Aires on May 29, along with a $100,000 grant.

Zumthor's work is noted for its austerity, and his most famous buildings include the Therme Vals in Vals, Switzerland, and his St. Nikolaus von der Flue Chapel near Cologne, Germany, the former of which exudes meditational spareness with its thick walls, use of stone, and indirect sunlight.

On winning the prize, Zumthor notes, "That a body of work as small as ours is recognized in the professional world makes us feel proud and should give much hope to young professionals that if they strive for quality in their work it might become visible without any special promotion."

For photos of the Therme Vals, read more.

View 7 Photos ›

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In the News: Celebs Losing Big Bucks on Their Dubai Digs

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 07:00:17 -0700

As you know, the effects of the credit crunch are being experienced worldwide. Even some of the world's wealthiest celebs are being hit hard. Celebrities like the Beckhams, Michael Jackson, and Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are losing $110,000 a week as the value of their luxury Dubai villas crashes. For the last few years, stars have been snatching up vacation properties in Dubai like kids at a candy store, many at the World Islands developments, a series of artificial peninsulas in the Persian Gulf shaped like continents. A slew of British soccer players, Beckham included, bought six-bedroom villas for around $1 million for in 2002, which quadrupled in value over the past six years. They've since lost millions as Dubai was hit by a housing market crash in October. I'd assume that Brad Pitt's plans to design an eco-friendly hotel in Dubai have also threatened by the economy. While I certainly don't wish this sort of financial loss upon anyone, it doesn't seem like any of the celebs in question are actually struggling to make do, so I won't be throwing any pity parties.
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International Chair Design Competition Looking For Entries

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:00:05 -0800

Calling all aspiring designers! Suddenly "getting the chair" is a fruitful, not fatal, sentence. The 13th Annual Promosedia International Design Competition is asking architecture or design students under 40 for original, unpublished chair design submissions. Design a chair that makes significant use of wood and is suitable for mass production and you could have 4,500 extra smackers in your bank account. And, the winning design will be featured in a prototype exhibition.Shown here is the winner of last year's competition: the Nube Chair by Spanish designer Tomas Alonso. The design reinterpreted the classic bentwood style pioneered by Michael Thonet by using curved wood with contemporary form, color, and proportion. All submissions must be received by May 5, 2009, so get to work!
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Fresh Home Hits News Stands Today

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:17:12 -0800

Fresh Home, a new home improvement magazine launched through Reader's Digest, hits newsstands today, and if you're a new homeowner or someone who's keen on improving their living space with minimal expenditure, I recommend picking up a copy. With a wide range of content aimed at homeowners on a budget, this is the right magazine for the right time.

The magazine will initially launch as a quarterly aimed at the DIY inclined - which is why it's also available at Home Depot and Lowe's as well as stores like CVS, Borders, and Barnes & Noble.

Neil Wertheimer, editor in chief of Fresh Home, notes that "Fresh Home is dedicated to providing readers with clever, easy ways to personalize their homes, whether they want to roll up their sleeves and do it themselves or take a shopping trip with the family on Saturday afternoon . . . There is nothing else in the marketplace today with the creativity and unique concept of Fresh Home and this magazine is perfect for the growing number of people who find some of their best design ideas and home improvement inspiration online."

I received an advance copy, and have been poring through it for the past few days. To see my review of Fresh Home, read more.

There are some magazines I covet for their gorgeous home spreads and aspirational decor, and there are others that I love because they're absolutely essential for my home library. While the pretty magazines are usually recycled, I can guarantee that Fresh Home will find a place on my bookshelf for years to come. It's full of essential home improvements, great advice, and budget-friendly projects. This magazine is absolutely practical, but that practicality is presented in sleek photo spreads and reader-friendly text that belies the magazines seemingly fuddy-duddy roots. According to Comag Marketing Group, Fresh Home is the "best-performing test concept the publisher has seen in years." This comes as little surprise to me: As a DIY-oriented reader who fits its age demographic (between 25 and 50), I loved the magazine.

Don't pick up a copy of Fresh Home if you want to stare at opulent, multimillion dollar homes. However, if you want to learn how to build a beautiful stool for $30, design a front garden for maximum curb appeal, or learn the best ways to paint your home (and how to best choose colors), pick up a copy of Fresh Home. It's a resource you'll likely refer to for years to come.

In the News: Versace Launches New Home E-Boutique

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:00:40 -0800

It's practically a sin not to have an online shop, and Versace is well aware of this. The luxury Italian fashion label has launched its first online store, complete with a new housewares boutique, exclusive to the US. The shop features a range of accessories and furnishings for the home, including silk cushions and duvets, crystal and porcelain gifts, fine hand-painted china, lamps, and fabric. Forget cruising to Rodeo Drive; now you can shop from the comfort of your home! Wondering how Gianni Versace's home was furnished? Check out photos of his former digs here.
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