CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Decorate Private Spaces First

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:00:23 -0700

"Always start with the private rooms [when decorating your house] - this way you'll learn to decorate for how you live, rather than how you'd like others to see you. Home is where the family is. Forget about the formal living and dining rooms and see how you live in the kitchen, in the family room - this will help you understand who you are and what your style is. Then, let that style inform how you decorate public rooms."

-Designer extraordinaire Charlotte Moss, in the current issue of Canadian House & Home

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Decorating Dos and Don'ts For Obama White House

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:00:41 -0800

In the New York Times article "Free the Blue Room," writer and Domino magazine editor Deborah Needleman argues for a more modern aesthetic for the White House. Unfortunately, this is no simple task. Why? Because so many previous generations of White House first ladies have shown little imagination in decorating the capital home, since the initial redecoration in 1962 by Jackie Kennedy.

In order to revive the cringe-worthy decor of the White House, reports Needleman, Jackie Kennedy cleverly framed her dramatic makeover as an historical renovation, and had Congress designate the White House as a museum. Unfortunately, since this time, following first ladies have interpreted the preservationist mandate as something not to be tampered with. Thus, the White House's style has languished under a style that, while under Jackie's eye and stylish guidance, looked lovely, but in subsequent interpretations, has gone slightly sour.

To read more about Needleman's recommendations, and to see a video of Jackie Kennedy giving a tour of the White House, read more.

In the article, Needleman recounts,

As [Jackie Kennedy] understood, the White House, in order to truly be “the people’s house,” should reflect its living character as much as its history. Mrs. Obama’s appointment of Michael Smith, a Los Angeles-based decorator, is a promising start. He is well versed in the art of Gilbert Stuart and the craftsmanship of Duncan Phyfe, but is unlikely to shy from adding, say, modern paintings by Mark Rothko or furniture by Samuel Marx.

Needleman concludes that, "The White House ought to reflect the truth that people live surrounded by many historic periods at once - in our art, music, and literature as well as in the decor of the rooms we inhabit. To revive the spirit of Camelot, the Obamas need to show reverence for the past without living in it."

How would you like to see the White House decorated under the Obama administration? Are you a modernist who hopes decorator Michael Smith injects a sense of 21st-century life into the surroundings? Or do you think it's best to leave well enough alone?

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This Just In: Domino Magazine Announces White House Decorator

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:36:32 -0800

My favorite interior decorating magazine, Domino, has just announced the news that Los Angeles-based decorator Michael Smith has been given the nod for designing President-elect Barack Obama and family's private White House quarters. Although a formal announcement should come later in the week, a spokesperson from President-elect Obama’s transition team confirmed the selection with Domino.

Smith, whose clients include Steven Spielberg, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Cindy Crawford, is notable for his elegant mixing of both old and new world styles to create sophisticated yet comfortable interiors. His new book, Houses, offers advice on decorating your own home through the example of 20 projects, including Smith's own Bel Air residence.

To get a peek at Smith's style, read more.

Deborah Needleman, Domino’s editor in chief, said of the Obamas’ choice of Smith, “It will be exciting to see Michael Smith’s great talent for making grand spaces intimate and livable at work in the White House. Smith’s interiors mix furniture and art from a broad range of periods and styles in a way that is harmonious and modern. Smith has the right amount of reverence for the past and faith in the future that will hopefully allow the rooms to reflect both the history of our nation and the executive mansion and the change and progress that the Obamas want to bring to America.”

Head over to Domino's site to check out in-depth slideshows about Michael and his work.

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Love It or Hate It? Teen Girl's Bathroom

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:00:00 -0800

Interior designer Nancy Van Natta created a Plexiglas and glass panel of a teenage girl for a bathroom featured at the 2009 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. It's definitely a fun touch for a teen's bathroom, but I can't see this element having staying power beyond a year or two.

7 Steps to Becoming Your Own Decorator, Step 1: Be Inspired

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 09:00:12 -0700

As talented as our favorite interior designers are, unfortunately, we can't all afford them. But that doesn't mean all hope is lost for those of us without a decorator budget. We can still take inspiration from them, and then by thinking analytically, create utterly chic homes for ourselves, which will inspire our friends. You're only a few easy steps away from becoming your own decorator!The first step to becoming your own decorator is to be inspired. You've got a leg up on interior designers here because you don't have to play any guessing games as to what makes you smile. For further details, read more.

Pull ideas and images from your favorite books, magazines, and runway collections, and just start an inspiration board. If you see a paint or fabric swatch or a wallpaper sample you like - even if it's out of your price range - save it.

Then, let this all simmer. Now, see if there are any themes running through your picks. Do you like purple tones? Trellis patterns? Architectural details? Textured fabrics? Keep your eyes open and you're likely to see a single thread which will serve as a jumping-off point for your design.
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7 Steps to Becoming Your Own Decorator, Step 5: Measure and Plan

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 07:00:07 -0700

You're well on your way to becoming your own decorator. The next step is to measure and plan, something that educated interior designers are experts at. In fact, most interior design schools require that you draw a scaled design plan as part of the application process. To find out how to measure and plan, read more.

First, take measurements of all of your furniture, rugs, and larger accessories you're going to keep. Then, either using some graph paper and pencils or an online interior design software like Floorplanner, draw out a floor plan for your room. If you use paper, it helps to cut each furnishing out, so you can move them around. Play with various arrangements, thinking about things like lighting and glare, focal points (TV, fireplace), and seating arrangements. Keep your lifestyle in mind. If you have a lot of cocktail parties, you'll want to center your living room seating around a coffee table. If you're more of a popcorn and TV family, you'll want you seating to face your flat screen. Once you've arranged your existing furnishings, take note of what should be on your shopping list!

Color Theory: In the Pink

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 12:00:14 -0800

If you're not ready to go overly bold with pink, why not try a softer shade? There are other ways to add this color to your home without going over the top, too. To find out how, check out the slideshow.

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7 Steps to Becoming Your Own Decorator, Step 2: Abide by Your Lifestyle

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:00:27 -0700

Yesterday I kicked off my seven steps to becoming your own decorator series with step one. As you might have suspected, I'm back with more tips. My second important tip for you is that you must abide by your lifestyle. As much as we may swoon over the interiors in shelter magazines, the rooms we fall head over heels for aren't always practical for our lives. So, you must alter your inspiration to fit your lifestyle.To learn what I mean by this, read more.

Start by thinking about how you and your family live your lives before you step foot in a décor store. Do you have six kids who always have friends over for dinner? Do you need a landing strip to organize all of your junk when you walk through the door?

Even if you dream of throwing weekly dinner parties, if you spend most nights eating takeout and watching movies on the sofa, you should be honest about where your priorities lie. Do you have hobbies that need accommodating? Build your home for your life, not the one you wish you had.
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Love It or Hate It? Ladies' Garments as Wall Décor

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:00:04 -0800

I love the look of glam party dresses hung on the wall, but these gloves and vintage corsets seem a little risqué to me. Still, there's a vintage, feminine feel to this room, and the ladies' garments used here certainly contribute to that particular ambiance.

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How-To: Be Your Own Decorator

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:00:41 -0700

As talented as our favorite interior designers are, unfortunately, we can't all afford them. But, that doesn't mean all hope is lost for those of us without a decorator budget. We can still take inspiration from them, and then by thinking analytically, create utterly chic homes for ourselves, which will inspire our friends. You're only a few easy steps away from becoming your own decorator!
Source

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