CasaSugar

Nice and New: John Derian For Cisco Brothers

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:00:16 -0800

John Derian, whose decoupage work we know and love, is collaborating with Los Angeles's Cisco Brothers to produce a seven-piece line of upholstered furniture.

Harking back to English styles from centuries past while incorporating a minimalist, modern sensibility, the pieces are nothing short of gorgeous. There's a timeless sensibility about these muted pieces, with their understated lines and simple color palette, which includes only four shades of linen. Stop by one of the shops that carries this line to feast your eyes on the Derian pieces in person. For now, get your furniture fix with these photos.

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This Just In: Target Takes Manhattan With Bullseye Bodegas

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:15:10 -0700

Target has launched four limited-time-only stores, pegged Bullseye Bodegas, throughout Manhattan to celebrate its pioneering designer partnerships, during one of the biggest design bonanzas: New York Fashion Week. Today through Monday, Sept. 15, those of you in Midtown, SoHo, the East Village, or Union Square can shop fab deals on home items (as well as fashion, accessories and beauty) from Target's team of design partners. Notables include Thomas O'Brien, Isabelle de Borchgrave, Michael Graves, Christiane Lemieux, Rachel Ashwell, Victoria Hagan, John Derian, and Sean Conway. And, in the case of John Derian, whose new line of home accessories hits stores next week, you'll have the exclusive privilege of shopping JD before his full inventory hits the stores. My girl FabSugar has already stopped in, and since I can't make it to NY Fashion Week, I'll have to shop vicariously through you!

This Just In: John Derian Coming to Target

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 05:30:19 -0700

On Sept. 14, home accessories dynamo John Derian will introduce a collection for Target based on the découpage pieces that made him rise to shelter world fame. The collection will feature antique print imagery like the fruit, flower, and animal prints that Derian typically layers and pieces together under his glass accessories, but instead they will be printed on melamine. "All my designs tell a story. And the prices allow you to live happily ever after," says Derian. To give you an idea of the fairytale prices, a 12-by-12-inch tray will go for $16.99; a set of coasters, $12.99; and a 5.5-inch plate, $5.99. I always love it when Target gets designers involved, and I'm a big fan of Derian's work. But, knowing how easy and inexpensive it is to DIY your own découpage on glass, I think I'd prefer to create the real thing on my own.
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John Derian

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 12:05:39 -0800

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Casa Interview, Part I: Domino Founding Editor Deborah Needleman (and an Awesome Giveaway!)

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:54 -0700

We design enthusiasts will admit that Domino will always hold a special place in our hearts - and bookshelves. But it was the stable of talented, creative people that truly made the beloved magazine an influence and an inspiration. So I was so delighted to have the chance to catch up with the founding editor-in-chief of Domino and co-author of Domino: The Book of Decorating, Deborah Needleman. It should come as no surprise that she hasn't lost her knack and passion for design.

Deborah's latest project is an exciting, interactive tool that she's created for HomeGoods, called StyleScope, which helps you find your own interior design style and learn to navigate the vast world of décor options. Home Goods, I hope you know, is a wonderful place to find designer home décor at prices 20 to 60 percent lower than department stores, and is also one of my favorite resources for stylish accessories. Deborah was kind enough to share some of her thoughts and tips on design and curating a stylish home that's uniquely you, and give us the lowdown on her life these days!

What are you working on these days? Any exciting projects on the horizon for you?
I am really enjoying the idea of just doing projects, consulting, writing, gardening - I probably shouldn't admit it, but it's quite a good relief to not be working so hard and to have a break from the pressure. I am considering on a couple book projects - one on table settings, another on decorators' gardens, and a more personal book on growing vegetables and flowers.

Before Domino, I was a garden writer - and it's nice to have time to garden like mad again. I'm also talking to people and companies about designing furniture and accessories and starting up new businesses. Sometimes I feel like I'm a professional meeting-taker. Last night the former creative director of Domino [Sara Ruffin Costello] and I hatched a plan to try to redesign all the ugly products at Duane Reade like Kleenex boxes, toothpaste, and shaving cream!

To read the rest of the interview, read more.

For the Summer, I'm just hanging out with my children, gardening, and being as lazy as possible. I've loved working with HomeGoods because oddly the store is a well-kept secret among design snobs - and I love spreading the word about great design sources. That was what Domino was about: sharing ideas and resources. And creating a style quiz was something we wanted to do but never got around to at Domino.

What current trends do you think have staying power?

Decorating that has personality and a sense of reality rather than rooms that are too matchy or too perfect. Rooms that are stiff and lifeless really depress me!! Mixing high and low design and price points will remain chic, and not simply for economic reasons - it shows personality and confidence. Also, now that nearly everyone is interested in design, there is no going back. It's a better decorated world than it used to be, and that is so nice!

What are your favorite go-to resources for furniture? How about accessories?

I am decorating my house upstate (well, really former Domino editor Rita Konig is!) and I can't get enough of the fabrics, rugs, cushions, and accessories from John Robshaw, Madeleine Weinrib, and John Derian.

What’s your number one tip for finding great bargains?
I am married to a man who will buy something truly awful because he "saved so much." Something is only a great bargain if you would want it even if it cost more. I learned from Domino editor Dara Caponigro to never let anything in my house I don't love. Even free stuff is not a bargain if you don't need or love it - it is junk, clutter. Also, you must know your own style more if you're wading through a flea market or garage sale than if you're in a boutique where the owner has done all the taste-editing for you already!

What types of furnishings should one splurge on/invest in? Any to cut back on?

It's so personal. It really only matters what matters to you. I believe in expensive sheets. I like sleeping, and good sheets are a wonderful indulgence.

How did working at Domino influence your own decorating habits or design choices?
As a reader, I craved a magazine like Domino because I was a person who I felt had good taste, but not great style, if you know what I mean. I could never make a decision because I could never decide who I was stylistically or how to express myself!! I surrounded myself at the magazine with people who I thought had great taste and great style (and all rather different style sensibilities actually), and who were all also really smart and nice - so they could teach me and the readers simultaneously. I learned to edit! I learned I could have a lot of different styles I like but just not all at once!!! And I learned to both be braver and to loosen up more. You can't avoid making some mistakes. But truthfully, I also learned that there is a lot to learn, that decorating well isn't easy, and that there are people way better at it than me - and that I still want their help! I love the advice of experts. Sadly, for me, the more I know, the more I know I don't know! Domino also made me realize how important decorating can be to the life of a home, and the life of a family.

This interview will be continued, so stay tuned for more. And we have a special giveaway for you CasaSugar readers on the way! One of you lucky readers will win a $500 gift card to HomeGoods. Check back for the rest of the interview and details about the giveaway tomorrow!

Steal of the Day: Lauria Beach Towel

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 May 2009 05:30:44 -0700

Beyond your average, solid, monogrammed towel, sophisticated beach towels are hard to come by, particularly if you'd like a patterned one. So take note: the Pottery Barn Lauria Beach Towel ($29, reduced from $39) is on sale and completely chic. Its artfully rendered botanical graphic is inspired by the vintage watercolor books that decoupage artist John Derian makes a living on. The towel has a thick cotton velour top, and is backed with cotton terry, making it the ideal thing to dry you off after a dip this Summer. And, you can also have it monogrammed to add a personal touch to your pool décor.

Your Favorite Home Décor Chain Store of 2008

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 11:00:27 -0800

As part of our Best of 2008 polls, you named Target as your favorite home décor chain store this year. It's no wonder: this year the Bullseye introduced some fabulous designer pieces by DwellStudio, Cynthia Rowley, Sami Hayek, Graham & Brown, and John Derian, and as always, charmed us with affordable prices. I must agree to disagree with you on this one, though. This year, I fell hard for CB2, which, perhaps not coincidentally, opened a new store in my 'hood (San Francisco).
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In the News: Sofa Studies

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 05:30:38 -0700

Faced with renovating a crumbly brick townhouse in Manhattan's East Village, and building a home for her children that they could participate, ex Kate Spade partner Pamela Bell abandoned the tendency to create a "trophy home" and invited her daughter's 7th grade class to graffiti her John Derian muslin sofa with fabric markers. The result is an example of ideal imperfection, the kind that's engaging because of its flaws, that wins you over because it can't be reproduced. Bell's home is full of furnishings with this laissez-faire attitude towards design — spray-painted bittersweet from the farmers market for a chandelier, a pile of suitcases for a side table, walls embellished with Marimekko stickers, and a chalkboard-covered fridge — and it's all the better for it. Read more about it in The New York Times' "When Perfect Is Not the Goal."
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Good, Better, Best: Moroccan Poufs

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 12:36:53 -0800

Morocco is home to some of the most beautiful hand-crafted items and colorful graphic textiles. One of these items that is a great choice for any interior is the Moroccan pouf, a round leather embroidered ottoman. It comes in a full range of color options, and in metallic or non-metallic leathers, and can be as ornate or as simple as you'd like. Poufs often come filled, or you can order them unfilled and then just buy polystyrene balls or cotton filling locally. They're also really versatile and can be used for seating, as a foot stool, as a small table, or just to look pretty! Just one pouf is a lovely touch for your living room or bedroom or you can go with multiples; "the more the merrier" definitely applies here. To see my picks for Good, Better, and Best, read more

Good: Authentic Morocco's multi-colored, gold-detailed poufs ($75), while beautifully hand-crafted, are a little too ornate for most homes. With the right décor, they could definitely be pulled off, but I don't think they're the best option for most homes. They also do not come filled. But, Vogue did feature them, so maybe I'm wrong...

Better: Tazi Designs has a large selection of poufs ($155-$185) in almost every color with very sophisticated embroidery, in some cases in a contrasting color. Their poufs come unfilled, but can be filled for an additional $30. Another plus: shipping is free!

Best: Mosaik Moroccan Interiors is my pick for best poufs ($249-$990) because of their great color choices, elegant embroidery, and their selection of over-sized table-like ottomans. They actually even sell an Oversized Leather Table that is embroidered with the look of poufs.

If these poufs aren't good enough for you, I've also spotted some great ones at John Derian, Calypso, Just Morocco, Momo Interiors, and Plantation.

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