CasaSugar

Get the Look: India Hicks's Bahamas-Style Workspace

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:00:12 -0700

I recently featured India Hicks's Harbor Island rental property, so when I came across an image of Ms. Hicks at her home in the Bahamas, I had to share its gorgeous Summer style with CasaSugar readers.

This workspace really works due to its mix of feminine and masculine elements. I love how the muscular campaign desk in Hicks's workspace anchors the room, while the wall, collaged with postcards, inspirational art clippings, and a curio box full of ocean souvenirs, adds a tropical femininity to the space.

To get the look, start with the biggest piece of furniture: the campaign desk. The desk will be the centerpiece of the room, so don't be afraid to splurge. I love this Rosewood and Leather Danish Campaign Desk ($3,200) from the early 1960s. For a contemporary option, try the Crate and Barrel Campaign Desk ($1,000).

For the rest of the look, read more.

Save special cards, postcards, or pages from art magazines to create a collage effect on the wall above your desk. While I'm not necessarily a fan of the curio box, I do love the way that India modernizes the box by sticking to one simple, organic element (shells) instead of creating a fussy knick knack collection. You can get a knick knack box through The Ancient Craftsman for $35.

Follow India's lead and use one object in repetition in the box. Think nature-inspired finds, such as rocks, shells, seed pods, or agates. Add some Summer blooms in a casual vase, and your look is nearly complete. For other ideas, check out my finds below.

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Summer Style: India Hicks's Cricket Pavilion

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 15:00:42 -0700

I recently caught a story about India Hicks in Coastal Living, and fell immediately in love with her beautiful island home. The laid-back, Bahamas lifestyle seems a perfect way to spend time with your family on a Summer vacation. Luckily, for those of us with the cash, we can rent out one of Ms. Hicks's properties on historic Harbour Island, Bahamas, which is lined with pink sand beaches and surrounded by tropical, turquoise waters.

One of the properties available for rent (for a cool $4,900 a week) is the Cricket Pavilion. This 2,000-square-foot, studio-style house boasts classical English architecture and a long, broad terrace, set back from the beach. Take a private path to reach the beach, where you can fish, scuba or snorkel, and take a dip in the gorgeous tropical waters. Around the house, you can relax in a hammock or in one of the thatched cabanas.

See more pictures of the house, and read about its interior when you click here

Top Design, Episode Eight: "Light It Up"

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:45:24 -0700

Three men (Preston, Eddie, and Nathan) and two women (Ondine and Andrea) remain on Top Design. Right off the bat, we are treated to more homesickness from Andrea (in case you forgot, which it is literally impossible to do if you watch the show regularly, she's Ricky Schroder's wife). As the episode begins, Andrea receives flowers and a love poem from her hubz, which she says makes her even more homesick. Many of you have been anti-Andrea, but I was actually starting to warm up to her. However, this display of adorableness has made me change my mind yet again. (And was it just me, or did Ondine seem a little sarcastic when she said she was thrilled to have met her?)

But on to the design challenge! Things started with a switcheroo, as the designers were asked to complete a pop design challenge before moving on to the main challenge. Using Jonathan Adler accessories, the designers styled the same sets of beige sofas. Eddie won immunity for the challenge (I did love his fern and floral table arrangement). Still, he continues to be a cheeky and, dare I say, rude, dude.

To see who won, and who had to leave, read more.

This week, the designers were challenged to create a room around one focal point: Swarovski crystal lighting. The fixtures were absolutely stunning, and the designers had $22,000 to spend on their rooms. I was in love with Nathan's super-funky rich girl's bedroom - I admired his bold use of the wooden horse and the Keith Haring-esque pop art colors and designs on the wall.

And yay! Jonathan Adler's hubby Simon Doonan was the guest judge for this episode. Though, sadly, this meant that we were denied the opportunity to observe more of Kelly Wearstler's wacky style. Luckily, Nathan helped us out with his bling-bling silver leather jacket, which he wore at judging.

The judges hated Eddie's use of his Swarovski chandelier, which they said looked cheap, but they loved Nathan's room, as well as Preston's, and Preston's sleek living room was declared the winner of the challenge. Before they could declare a loser, though, Andrea offered to leave, since she was homesick for her kids and husband. Did they let her go? Absolutely.

What struck you about this episode? Were you more annoyed by Eddie's attitude, or his obsession with Martha Stewart? Do you get the impression that Preston is a sweet shy nerd who's being ostracized by the cool kids? Tell me in the comments.

View 24 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Top Design, Episode One: "Impress the Best"

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 11:00:00 -0700

If you've been reading my interviews, you know that I'm excited about this second season of Top Design, so I was pleased to tune in last night for the first episode. First off, I was surprised by the amount of star power in the contestant pool (well, for reality television at least), including one interior designer, Preston Lee, who I'd already featured on CasaSugar. Also in the mix was a Martha Stewart Living senior style editor (Eddie) and actor Ricky Schroder's wife (Andrea), among other talented contestants.

For the first challenge, the designers had to furnish an entire apartment in two days, with the designers divided into four teams, working on four loft space apartments for four-star clients.

To find out who the star clients were and to see photos from the episode, read more.

Each team had to design for one of the show's judges or hosts, including India Hicks, Margaret Russell, Jonathan Adler, and Kelly Wearstler. I love that one of Jonathan Adler's design requirements was "very dog-friendly." Cute! Kelly Wearstler gave a strict no-television edict (I wonder how the Top Design producers reacted to that) and a place for displaying her flea market finds. Margaret Russell requested color and asked her team to stay away from beiges and neutrals. India Hicks asked for an apartment with a "Caribbean plantation feel to it."

Oh, and if this wasn't enough of a challenge, the designers had only $2,000 to work with to furnish and decorate the entire apartment! I actually loved the money limitation, since the designers were forced to use unusual sources, such as a salvage store and thrift shops, to create their spaces. Not only did this take their designs out of the usual retail box, it provided incentive to repurpose old, potentially tired pieces into something new.

Just as things were getting interesting, the designers were interrupted for a "pop design quiz," where they had to make individual shadow boxes out of everyday objects found in their rooms. I loved Wisit's shadow box, as well as Jennifer's, Eddie's, Kerry's, and Robert's pop designs. In the end, Wisit, Ondine, Eddie, and Kerry were all granted immunity, guaranteeing that they couldn't be eliminated in this challenge.

There were some incredibly silly mistakes made over the course of the episode, including ordering the wrong color of wallpaper, forgetting to turn off faucets, and seeping paint all over the floors. Some of the teams had a very difficult time cooperating, and already it seems as if there is some cattiness brewing between contestants. I loved the redesign of Kelly Wearstler's loft and thought Jonathan Adler's loft looked nice, too However there were some straight-up ugly additions to Margaret and India's loft spaces, with some truly incongruous choices. (Serge's akimbo mirror in the corner? Just. Weird.)

Kelly's team was granted the top design, which was well deserved, with Jonathan's team coming in second. India and Margaret's teams were in the bottom two. Ultimately, Serge was sent home, which I think was more than fair.

I think that this season is off to a promising start, and I love the low-budget limitation, which I hope will be carried throughout the season. I'm also grateful that the judge's deliberation process seems to be significantly shorter, with more time spent on the process of creating the spaces. All in all, a good introduction to season two.

What did you think of this episode? Did it leave you excited to see more?

View 40 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Bravo

Are You Tuning In to Top Design Tonight?

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

After getting my Project Runway fix tonight, I'm settling in for another hour of reality fun. Top Design returns tonight for its second season, with head judge Jonathan Adler and host India Hicks, whom I recently interviewed. Are you going to tune in, too? Photos courtesy of Bravo

Interview: India Hicks on Top Design

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 10:00:59 -0700

In anticipation of Top Design's second season, I recently had the chance to participate in a conference call with the new host, celebrated fashion model and design aficionado India Hicks, as well as world-renowned designer Todd Oldham, who has a moved over to a new role as the contestants' mentor. And, I shared with you Todd's thoughts on everything from the judges to design no-no's. Now, I'm back to you with more from the interview, this time sharing the highlights of what India Hicks had to say. For those of you not familiar with India, she is daughter of famed interior decorator David Hicks and Lady Pamela Hicks, and is the author of several interior design books. Here are some of the highlights:

On the show's new look:

The main difference is going to be that we are really designing outside of the box. [In] Season One they were designing inside these white boxes, and this time we’ve taken our kids out into real places and real settings. You have real professionals designing in real places.

On designing on a budget:

My father, who was a very great designer in the '60s and '70s, had a very famous quote that he said which was, "Good taste and design are by no means dependent upon money." We see it more than ever with the group of contestants we have. I think the producers were very canny about keeping the budgets down low because that really does show who has the good eye and the good talent. If you can make something wonderful from a very small budget, you really do have talent.

To hear more of what India had to say during the call, read more.

On common design mistakes that people fall into:

Now there is this huge trend to have your plasma screen TV right out there in the room. Of course, I was very much brought up hiding the television. The television was an obscure, terrible object that needed to be hidden under a table or inside a cupboard. And indeed, I still live like that. We have televisions hidden in different places throughout the house. Trends change and obviously as times change, we adapt. Of course, my children have a plasma screen TV that they want out and they want to show off that they have this plasma screen TV. I find it’s the height of vulgarity. So, you know, it is a very sensitive question depending on who you’re talking to.

On whether she's ever done set decoration:

Well, I’m constantly being accused that my house is one big set decorated. But I take pride in that and I think that if you care, then you’re constantly reshaping and reformatting the way your house looks.

On the importance of your interiors these days:

I think there’s nothing nicer than having a home that is inviting and tastefully decorated. I think it’s good that we do care and I think this show is going to be very relevant because I think we are seeing a trend in the general public of people beginning to care.

I think also with the economic downturn that we’re going to be seeing, people are going to be spending much more time in their homes. They’re going to be cutting back on the restaurants, holidays and nights out, and I think we want those places to be stylish, warm, and inviting. And they’ve got to be a reflection of who we are as an individual.

I think Top Design is going to be very pertinent right now because of that economic down trend. We are going to be at home watching TV and this is a show that’s going to be showing you how to make your home that stylish, warm, and inviting place.

On Todd's role

Todd is very, very compassionate and I think it fills that role incredibly well, and these kids really relate to him. And I would go in and have to wag my horrible finger, and Todd got the nice bit of being nice and giving them a pat on the back.

On keeping a nicely interior designed house with kids:

My whole life is about kids. But having said that, I’m also very aware that they need to have their area and I need to have mine. And I think I’m blessed with living with space around me so we do have the space, that they’ve got a big playroom where they can be kids. I think even if you live in an apartment in New York, it is very important to keep that compromise. We do need to have room for ourselves to live in an adult environment with usefully styled tables and for the kids to have their space.

On what each contestant brings to the show:

What’s interesting about the contestants that we have on this show is that there’s such a wide variation and background. We have some very, very highly trained professionals which obviously brings a very different edge to the show. There’s a set designer from the Sex in the City. There’s a style editor from Martha Stewart. But we also have some very fresh, new blood on the scene. It’s interesting to see that the collaboration really stimulates the imagination in this instance and that you’ve got the 20-year-old who’s just come out of school, really fresh new look at the world, and then you’ve got the very experienced set designer who’s been on the game for some time.

On designing for your own home:

I think it really is nice to have a home that is a reflection of who we are as an individual. I find that in New York I could have a very minimalistic apartment but I live with a family on an island and so I design in the vernacular. I’m very aware of maintaining the integrity of where I live. When we build here we build in the old style of pitched roofs made of cedar shingles. But there has to be a unique and original twist to it as well. I like to also keep a sense of humor in the designing.

On working with the judges:

I hadn’t met any of them before. Margaret was known to me because my brother and sister-in-law are very much in the design world and they had said, you know, she’s going to be wonderful. Margaret is extremely authoritative with reason. She has a great deal of knowledge. Jonathan, obviously his work I knew because he was heavily influenced by my father, David Hicks, and referenced my father continuously which I respected enormously, as did Kelly. Jonathan is out there in the field, as is Kelly, and so they know and they have both worked their way up to the position they’re in now, so they know what it takes, so that they are in a position to be able to sit there and criticize may be too strong a word, but certainly give their point of view. These are real professionals judging and I think that makes a big difference.

On the guest judges:

Hold onto your seats, guys, because there are a couple of comments coming up from our guest judges that will make you sit up!

On American architecture:

I am a traditionalist, certainly. So naturally, I gravitate towards a tradition style in architecture as well. But, you know, America is a melting pot of so many different nationalities of people and design. From a European point of view or an English point of view, you know, Los Angeles is startling but that’s also what makes it quite special and unique, is the fact that you do have your Disney world of craziness going on there.

On environmental responsibility:

I am a great believer in zoning and in following the guidelines of the area that you live in. I’m very, very, very aware that, you know, island life is very precious and I live in an environment that is - you know, needs to be tended and loved. It is very important that we are very careful with our environment. I live a very responsible life. I do not live a fanatically green life, but I live a responsible life. I want my children to be brought up understanding how fragile our world is.

On the design styles of the wealthy:

Especially in England, you know, you have these wonderful estates that are done in impeccable taste. And then you have these new Russians living in London who can afford things that we couldn’t possibly begin to imagine and design in a very different way. I probably would tend towards the old, slightly dustier way of designing. I was brought up very much with the notion that it was terribly non-you to have actually bought your furniture. You were obviously meant to inherit it.

Stay tuned for more coverage of Top Design in the future!
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This Just In: India Hicks to Host Top Design

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 13:00:07 -0700

I just heard from BuzzSugar, that "Top Design will return in the Fall with new host India Hicks," and Todd Oldham will stick around to mentor the designers, as well as all the judges from the first season, including Kelly Wearstler, Jonathan Adler, and editor in chief of Elle Decor, Margaret Russell. If you're not familiar with India Hicks, she is the daughter of "famed interior decorator, David Hicks, and Lady Pamela Hicks," as well as the god-daughter of Prince Charles. But, Hicks is not without a keen eye for design and notable skillset herself, she is a celebrated fashion model and design aficionado, and has published interior design books on island living. Possibly not coincidental, India Hicks' breezy Bahamas home was just featured in Domino. For more details, go here.
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Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:30:40 -0700

I want to go stay in this modern house on the fjords.
Replicate India Hicks's cool workspace style
I've got a serious case of craft room envy.
Check out these Summer living ideas based on all-American films.
See my suggestions for rugs for cork floors.
Would you position your bed within mirror's view?
Trina Turk's making outdoor fabrics!

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:30:03 -0700

Jakob Dylan found a buyer for his Spanish-style spread.
Read how Jonathan Adler and Simon Doonan describe their Greenwich Village home.
Splendid scallops are the latest trend.
Learn seven steps to becoming your own decorator.
Tord Boontje was named Head of Design Products at the Royal College of Art.
Take a peek at James Bond style throughout the years.
Check out India Hicks's beautiful Harbour Island home.
Madonna wants to re-create her former English manor in NYC.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:21 -0700

I'm swooning over this pink perfection.- Absolutely Beautiful Things
Read an interview with and profile of India Hicks.- All the Best
Make a blue ribbon badge card for Father's Day.- Chronicle Books
I want to move right into Prue Ruscoe's photographs.- Desire to Inspire
I adore these custom papercuts.- Made by Julene
Tour and be wowed by designer Doug Meyer's colorful Miami Beach house.- Peacock Feathers
Learn to chicly salvage a broken mirror.- AT:LA