CasaSugar

Best of 2008: Love It or Hate It

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:00:20 -0800

This year you were divided and unified over umpteen Love It or Hate It polls. But, there was one thing that not only united 76 percent of you (in hatred), but also sent you into to a fury of conversation: a poll on Ivanka Trump's decorating skills. When Trump made over her assistant's apartment with every trendy decor piece known to man, and infused it with a migraine of clashing colors and pattern, you had a lot to say!

Love It or Hate It? Ivanka Trump's Decorating Skills

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 May 2008 06:20:53 -0700

Heiress and Apprentess Ivanka Trump recently made over the "dump" of her assistant out of her own good will and PR motive and shared the process with Glamour, offering up her "expert" decorating tips to their readers. To furnish the apartment, she used "antiques, flea-market finds, and lots of patterns." To me, it looks like she picked up every trendy dècor piece she could find, and barfed it all over the poor girl's pad. John Robshaw ikat comforter? Check. West Elm overlapping squares daybed? Check. Zebra rugs? Check. Lucite? Check. Ornate chandelier? Check. Then, she topped it off with some metallic Flavor Paper wallpaper, clashing reds and pinks, and big bold stripes. What I find funniest is that the article suggests that readers get one "statement" piece "that's totally whimsical and conversation-worthy," but she herself combined numerous statement pieces, creating a room that for me brings up more gag reflex than conversation. But then again, I am blogging about it, so that counts as conversation, right? What do you think? Am I totally off base here, do you love it?
Source

Ask Casa: Silver Striated Walls

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:00:31 -0800

Hi CasaSugar,

I'm wondering if you can help me. I want my bedroom walls to look like this silvery/striated color on the Z Gallerie Borghese Chest ($799). Is paint an option or must I find this wallpaper? Can you help a clumsy DIYer?

Thanks!
Boatygirl

To see my advice, read more.

Hi Boatygirl,
I wouldn't recommend attempting to achieve this look with paint, unless you're a professional. The antique finish of the mirrored dresser would be difficult to replicate (unless you had mirrored walls), and metallic paints are notoriously unsatisfying if used on a large canvas like an entire wall. That said, I think your best option is to hang wallpaper, or hire a professional who specializes in faux finishes to paint your walls.
When redecorating her assistant's apartment, Ivanka Trump chose to dress the living area in a wallpaper that's the spitting image of the dresser you have your eye on. She used the Silver Pony Skin paper ($100 a roll) from New Orleans-based Flavor Paper. If the price is too steep for you, consider wallpapering a single wall as a focal point, such as the one behind your bed.

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa
Source