CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Insect Stool

CasaSugar — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 08:30:00 -0800

This Sculptural Insect Chair (at auction, starting at $1,200) has a leather-covered top and laminated wood body. It's pretty creepy but also fascinating. Can you imagine walking into someone's home and seeing this in their study? It would definitely be an unexpected and odd delight.

How-To: Get Rid of Moths in Your Kitchen

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:30:27 -0700

I just discovered a moth infestation in our kitchen. While I can handle a lot of creepy crawly things, finding moth worms in my nut mix is not okay. It turns out that in warmer climates, infestations like this are very common. In fact, it's unusual that it's taken me this long to get overrun by moths! While researching ways to send them packing, I came across some very handy how-to advice, which I've compiled here.

To find out how to get rid of moths if they've invaded your kitchen, read more.

Here's how to get rid of those pesky winged invaders, courtesy of How To Get Rid of Stuff:

Identify all of the places where the moths are present.
Clean these areas exceptionally well.
Remove all items from the areas.
Vacuum every surface, walls, shelves, cabinets, carpet, etc.
Scrub hard surfaces with a mixture of hot water and detergent. Scrub every inch because moth larva can attach themselves in even the tiniest of spaces.
If the shelving is removable, pull it out and clean the edges and walls around it.
Clean every surface that comes into contact with food, including your spice rack.
Follow up the scrubbing with a vinegar rinse. Either put some white vinegar into a spray bottle, coat, and wipe, or apply it directly to a cloth and wipe everything down.
The moths are likely originating from one or more of the food items previously stored in this area. Throw away every grain-based food item - even if it appears to be sealed well. Also dispose of nuts, raisins, flour, and tea.
Any remaining food containers and items should be thoroughly cleaned with the same detergent/water solution and vinegar rinse before returning to the freshly scrubbed area. A single egg or caterpillar left hanging onto something can start this whole thing all over again, so be thorough.
Kill any moths left flying around in the air. You can do this with a fly swatter, or use moth traps.

I'll be attempting all of these cleaning changes this weekend, and I'll let you know how it goes! Do you have any other ideas for getting rid of kitchen-lingering moths?
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Casa Quickie: Organic Bug Repellent

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:00:51 -0700

As much as a I hate to have bugs in my personal space, I'm also repelled by having chemicals on my skin. I prefer to be free of those artificial substances whenever possible. When it comes to keeping bugs away, I live by the same rules. One simple way to make chemical-free bug repellent is to mix witch hazel with a few drops of tea tree, lavender, or peppermint oil in a spray bottle. Just shake the bottle before each use and lightly mist your skin, and you'll be free and clear of that bothersome buzzing. Voilà!

Garden Therapy: Shake and Bake Bugs

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 05:30:06 -0700

Diatomaceous earth (aka, DE) is a naturally occurring, soft, chalklike sedimentary rock that is made from tiny, fossilized water plants and can be easily crumbled into a powder. In its powder form, DE dehydrates an insect's exoskeleton, killing them, so it makes a great nontoxic pesticide. You can disperse DE around your garden to protect your plants. To do so, fill a large spice shaker with it and dust it around the soil of your plants. Try Earthworks Health to order diatomaceous earth and a dispenser, if you need one.

How-To: Get Rid of Fabric-Eating Moths

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:00:34 -0700

If you've opened your closet and realized that your favorite cashmere sweater has holes all over it, you've probably got a moth problem. It's unlikely that the moths are attracted to just that one cardi, so there are a few steps you should take to ensure your whole wardrobe doesn't suffer the same fate. That is, unless we're talking about all those reindeer Christmas sweaters from grandma.

To learn how to kick those buggers to the curb, read more.

Clothes moths feed on wool, feathers, fur, hair, lint, paper, and even cotton, linen, silk, and some synthetic fibers. But in general, they especially crave fabrics that have been stained or soiled with food, beverages, perspiration, sweat, oil, and urine. In many cases, you can't even tell that your apparel has been stained, so you should always clean your garments before you store them.
If you've already discovered you have a moth problem, you should wash all of your clothes in the infested area in hot water and detergent or dry clean them.
When it comes time to store your out-of-season clothes, you should keep them in airtight containers such as plastic boxes and bags, metal containers, or wooden (cedar is ideal) chests.
Moths tend to develop under humidity. So, if your closet or storage space is near a bathroom or humidifier, you should ventilate the area by opening windows or using a fan.
Clothes moths also prefer darkness. So if you have an alternative place to store your apparel that is bright, consider moving your clothes. You might also leave on low-energy lightbulbs such as CFLs or LEDs to light your closet.
To capture the male clothes moths in order to stop the breeding process, use a pheromone trap in your closet.
You should also vacuum your closet thoroughly in all cracks and crevices, as well as carpeting. Use a flashlight to identify lint and hair at the baseboards, in air ducts, and corners of the room that you might not see otherwise. If you have upholstered furniture in your closet (lucky lady), make sure to vacuum it thoroughly as well.
As for moth repellants, mothballs are tried and true, but they can also be harmful to your health, and leave a strong odor on your clothes. So, you can make a sachet with these herbal mothball alternatives. Cedar chips tend to lose their effect after the wood has dried, but cedar chests, which are airtight, are often effective.

Inspired: The Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 05:30:18 -0700

The Darwin Centre at the Natural History Museum in London is a new $78 million scientific research and collections facility that opens to the public on Sept. 15, 2009. In this photo, a projection of butterflies shows on the hand of an employee. Besides the butterfly projection, the museum also houses a collection of 17 million insect and three million plant specimens. Inspired by the butterfly projection, I decided to see what other fluttery creatures the home lepidopterologist might love to add to her house.
For an absolutely magical addition to your garden, consider this Neiman Marcus Butterfly Bench ($2,500). Made of steel with a galvanized zinc and epoxy finish, it will stand up to the elements, as well as any little girls that are eager to climb aboard this fanciful, fluttering bench.

Check out my other favorite butterfly finds below!

Casa Verde: Custom-Made Furniture From Beeken Parsons

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I recently had the opportunity to tour the wood shop of Beeken Parsons, a Vermont-based furniture maker that crafts exquisite, handmade furniture. The workshop was established in 1983 by Vermont furniture makers Bruce Beeken and Jeff Parsons, who first met as students in Boston University's Program in Artisanry. For over 20 years, the partners have crafted exceptionally beautiful, sustainable furniture out of their small shop in Shelburne, VT.

Using FSC-certified wood, this eco-minded company creates a number of products, including tables, chairs, lamps, beds, and office chairs, such as this one. The company has also made custom furniture for colleges such as Middlebury, using trees from the college’s own grounds. Using trees such as these results in something Beeken Parsons calls "character wood."

To find out more about "character wood," and for more examples of Beeken Parsons's work, read more.

Beeken Parsons describes character wood as "dovetail[ing] beautifully with our design instincts, our love of the outdoors and our environmental sensibilities. Character wood tells the story of a tree, of dry summers, wet springs, storms, fires, wildlife activity, rich soils, or difficult growing sites. Grain textures reveal a history of growing conditions. Knots found near the center of the tree are the beginnings of branches formed when the tree was a sapling. Mineral streaks spring from injuries, insect or animal activity. Occasionally, we find spile holes in maple boards, an indication that the tree was tapped for sap to make maple syrup. Wood changes color around those holes. Knots and their surrounding grain have a deep, soft radiance when sanded and finished properly. Character wood has a remarkable range of color, from cream and salmon to auburn and chocolate. The beauty of nature is found, not in its regularity, but in its rich variety of shapes, textures and colors. This array of character lends a richness and vitality to the simple forms found in our furniture."

While some people may prefer "flawless" wood, I prefer the idea of telling a story within a piece of furniture, especially if this furniture is sourced from your own property. It doesn't get much more local or personal than that. Would you ever use character wood for custom-made furniture? Have you already done so?

View 5 Photos ›

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How-To: Save the Honeybees

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 May 2009 11:00:24 -0700

Over the last couple of years, honeybees have been disappearing at an alarming rate. Seeing as the buzzing creatures are responsible for pollinating many of our nation's crops, including a wide range of fruits and vegetables, their disappearance is a crisis. According to Zac Browning, VP of the American Beekeeping Federation, “Every third bite we consume in our diet is dependent on a honeybee to pollinate that food." It's not all out of our hands, though. There are actually a few things you - yes, you - can do about it. It all has to do with growing bee-friendly flowers in your garden, windowsill, or your community park. To learn a few of these tips, read more.

This one may sound like a big fat DUH, but, don't use pesticides! Pesticides kill insects.
Plant nectar and pollen-producing flowers. Try geraniums, iris, foxglove, cosmos, zinnias, snowdrops, sunflowers, dahlias, asters, marigolds, hyacinths, crocuses, daisies, marigolds, daffodils, tulips, valerian, or catmint.
Since bees can see ultraviolet, colors like blue, purple, orange, and yellow are more attractive to them, but they cannot see red. So, plant flowers based on those colors as a guide.
Grow flowers that bloom over a range of seasons. This way, there will be food for the bees year-round.
Plant large patches of flowers in close proximity to one another.
Also, planting 10 or more species of plants will attract the largest number of bees.

Read more of my posts about bees here!
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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:00:53 -0800

Catch up with this flooring progress.- Desire to Inspire
Get help for dealing with dust.- Shelterrific
Refresh your home with these odor eliminators.- Simply Stated
Wow! I am in love with these insect hinges and hardware.- PointClickHome
Take a tour of my favorite Oakland, CA, yarn shop, Article Pract.- PoppyTalk
Find out how single stream recycling works.- Re-Nest
What do you think about words in your house? - Daily Dose
Make felted oven mitts.- Craft

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Roundup: Busy Bees

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I may hate to find moths in my kitchen, but when it comes to bees, those little striped insects can do no wrong. That's why I'd gladly decorate my house with bee wallpaper, stock bee glasses in my cupboard, and sweep curtains back with bee curtain holders. Of course, it's probably due in part to the fact that I'm the daughter of a beekeeper. Bees are also thought to represent a happy, well-organized life, and satisfaction in love. Who can argue with that?

To see some of my favorite bee home accents, read more.

Black Florafauna Vinyl Shower Curtain - $19.99	Butterflies Set of Four Coasters by Fringe - $55.00
Butterfly Rug - $3,300.00	Uttermost Farfalla Table Lamp - $405.00
Delight Shade by Innermost - $90.00	Waiting-In-The-Wings Hook - $24.00
Audrey Drape - $79.00	Assouline Botanicals - $50.00
Diamantini Domeniconi - butterfly clock by diamantini & domeniconi - $253.00	Hybrid-Home Butterfly Geometry Limited Edition Print - $40.00
Nature's Wonders 5-Piece Snack Table Set - $149.99	Warhol, Butterflies 1955 Poster - $79.00
Plush Living - Nook Butterfly Silk Pillow - $64.00	Christopher Marley Xantha Duo - $400.00
Christopher Marley Butterflies - $325.00	Antique Butterfly Trunk - $475.00

Bee Pillow - $49.00	Dolittle Dishtowel, Critters - $18.00
dVider - Kids 07 Wall Sticker - $33.00	Garden Toile shade - $78.00
Set of 3 Entomology Plaques - $39.00	Napoleonic Bee Tieback - $20.00
Bee Wallpaper -Charcoal Double Roll - $59.00	Set of 24 Style Tacks - $24.00
Honey Bee Rug - $49.00	Parvez Taj - Busy Bees Stretched Canvas - $44.00
Bee Curtains - $200.00	Bumble Bee Glasses, Set of 4 - $24.00
Flight of the Bee Bedding - $58.00	Bee Sheeting - $154.00
Bees & Flowers Ceiling Fixture - $415.00	Bee Chandelier Shade - $26.00