CasaSugar

Casa Verde: Got Junk Mail?

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 15:00:37 -0700

One of the clever editors at AT:SF recently decided to turn her junk mail into something much more lovely. She started out with some of the papers that were cluttering up her mailbox.

To see what she created and learn how to turn your junk mail into something gorgeous, read more.

She turned it into some lovely and sophisticated wall art. To get directions, check out the entire post on AT:SF.

Source

Casa Verde: Banish Junk Mail

CasaSugar — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:00:06 -0700

If you want to get your home so fresh and so clean this month, don't stop with simply scrubbing surfaces. You can limit the amount of garbage coming into your home by cutting off the supply of fliers, catalogs, and other junk mail that often floods mailboxes.

Want to know how? Just read more.

Here are some smart, easy fixes for junk-mail issues:

Just say no to catalogs: Catalogs often report your purchases to Abacus, which is owned by a company that profits by selling or renting your information to other catalog companies and publishers. You can stop more catalogs from coming your way by writing to optout@abacus-direct.com with your name and address.
Cut Off Solicitations : Did you know that companies often sell your personal spending information to credit bureaus, which then compile information based on consumer characteristics and rent this information out to marketers, credit card companies, and insurance industries? The result: unsolicited junk flooding your mailbox. Call (888-567-8688) to tell the credit bureaus to stop renting out your info.
Take Action Hop on over to the ForestEthics' site to sign a petition to stop junk mail.

Source

How-To: Spring Organize Your Entryway

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Spring is the perfect time to get your home clean and organized. To help you get inspired, I've whipped up a Spring Cleaning Checklist, which you can download and print out. The PDF lists cleaning and organizing duties room by room to keep things simple. Earlier today, I expanded on my PDF tips for cleaning your entry, so if you haven't read my post on cleaning, definitely do so.

To see my tips for organizing your entry, read more.

Relocate unnecessary furniture cluttering the space, as well as Winter clothing and boots you won’t need until next season. Furniture is likely unnecessary if you don't use it, or if it makes it difficult to move through the entryway.
Donate multiples of jackets, equipment, and other clothing. Choose your favorite local charity, or go with one of the bigger, national charities that does great work, such as Goodwill or St. Vincent de Paul.
Recycle newspapers, magazines, junk mail. (Or, try turning it into art.) To prevent future junk mail, get your name removed from mailing lists.
Toss anything not in good enough condition to donate. But before you put it in the garbage, make sure that it's really garbage. For instance, lightweight, worn-out jackets can be cut into pieces for cleaning rags.
Add cabinets, baskets, or cubbies for jackets and shoes, a blackboard or corkboard for leaving messages, and a mirror. Check out my ideas for new organizational furniture below!

Source

Cool Idea: Spam Mail Wallpaper

CasaSugar — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 08:00:08 -0700

When I spotted Linzie Hunter's Spam One-Liners, I thought, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, apparently Hunter wasn't the only one inspired by her spam box: Italian design studio ToDo created this Spam Ghetto Junk Mail Wallcovering (inquire for price) after being roused by the bizarre subjects and unsolicited offers that flooded their mailboxes everyday. Look closely at the seaweed-like word bubbles and you'll read phrases like "$99.95 100mg x 30 pills buy now," "Save on generic drugs," "Your wife need your attention," and "Britney strikes again" - have you ever seen a more entertaining wallpaper? What's more is that if you provide the studio your room's dimensions, they can produce a unique design that wraps and folds around all the objects that sit on your wall's surface, making mass mailings one-off. To see closeups of the wallpaper, read more.

View 5 Photos ›

Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 10:30:37 -0700

Check out the second half of my interview with destination wedding planner Alison Hotchkiss.
How green are you? Take this quiz to find out.
Try installing a slide by your staircase.
Get inspired with some Romeo and Juliet style.
What did you think of the Grey Gardens interiors?
This inflatable shower curtain is compelling and claustrophobic.
Too much junk mail? Here's a decorating solution.
See how a Su Casa member made a simple and stylish bedroom update.

Casa Shops: Beehive Kitchenware Company

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 04:30:47 -0700

While Beehive Kitchenware Company does make measuring cups and lemon juicers, their range of fanciful metal accents ensures that you can use them in any room of your home. I have my eyes on Beehive's Paisley Hooks ($27) myself, though there are plenty of other pieces that have enchanted me. The company, which is located in Massachusetts, is owned and operated by Jim Dowd and Sandra Bonazoli. The metalworkers' collaborative work has been exhibited at the Museum of Arts & Design.

Jim and Sandra's work has been featured everywhere from Gourmet to Architectural Digest. They were first influenced to create their metal home accents after seeing how beautiful antique kitchen items were. With the goal of melding form with function, they started their line of products. Birds and bees are a repeating motif in the company's metalwork, as are delicate petaled flowers. You can order these products online, or find them at a local retailer.

To see images of the products, and to hear about the company's environmental commitment, read more.

Beehive notes that, as part of their environmental policy,

We use only recycled paper in our office and recycle all our paper, junk mail, and cardboard (no small feat!). Our packing peanuts are made from bio-degradable material. Our products come in boxes that are made from recycled, unbleached paper, and are most often nestled in a natural, compostable material. There is very little in the manufacture of our products that creates waste: any reject castings get re-melted, and we recycle every bit of our scrap metals. And of course all of our pewter is lead-free, without any electroplating, to protect the health of our water.

The company also only works with local and national suppliers to cut down on their carbon footprint. While these items are definitely not "needs" for a home, they will complete a home's look and add a whimsical, beautiful touch to any room. I like to think of Beehive's products as things that you might not necessarily buy for yourself, but would be on the top of your list for thank-you gifts for your favorite friends and family.

View 14 Photos ›

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 09:15:15 -0700

AT:SF has some thoughts on good hostess gifts.
GiggleSugar finds you some real estate that goes beyond your expectations.
Craft clues you in on some gorgeous new fabric from Jessica Jones.
Dwell visits the Edible Estates demonstration garden.
Shelterrific advocates stealing these thrifty decorating ideas.
Daily Dose helps you to make an affordable canopy bed look luxe.
YumSugar asks if you care about nutritional information.
Desire to Inspire features the gorgeous interior design of Kelly Hoppen.
Re-Nest shows you art made from junk mail.

Source

Eco Chic: ReVision Furniture

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:30:35 -0700

Artists For Humanity (AFH) is a Boston-based group whose mission is to "bridge economic, racial, and social divisions by providing urban youth with the keys to self-sufficiency through paid employment in the arts," essentially offering youth apprenticeships. A group of teen artists working with AFH were inspired by the AFH's EpiCenter, Boston's only LEED Platinum building (the highest designation of the US Green Building Council) and in response, decided to create a green furniture line, as they'd noticed a need in the market for innovative sustainable design. After months of research and development, the teens and their mentors launched ReVision Tables, a collection of small tables constructed from reclaimed junk mail and magazines, finished with a water-resistant , no-VOC, eco-friendly resin, which is also easy to clean with other eco-friendly products. The tables range from $300 to $650, and are available for purchase online here. Although they may not quite be my style, I certainly find the collection innovative and a great example of sustainable, eco-chic design. I can see them in a coffee shop or lobby-type setting, or perhaps a modern, urban loft. What do you think?

View 2 Photos ›

Clear Out the Clutter: Take Fifteen

CasaSugar — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:00:08 -0800

Clutter is my enemy. While I am a thorough cleaner, I am a terrible clutterer. More often than not there's a pile somewhere in the house consisting of equal parts junk mail, dog leashes, stocking caps, and work bags. It drives the person who I live with crazy, and I have to admit, it's a huge visual distraction for me as well. So this year, as part of my home resolutions, I'm going to try a lot harder to deal with my clutter. With that in mind, and as part of Renewal month, I'm bringing you an ongoing series of tips on how to get rid of that clutter. For my first tip, I advise starting off short and sweet. Just declare 15 minutes a day for decluttering, and see how much smaller your messes get. I know it's started to work for me already!

Source

Barrel Stave Blackboard - $195.00	10 Degree Coat Rack - $49.95
Barrel Stave Coat Rack - $99.00	Barrelhead Mirror - $229.00
Ceres Console - $299.00	Flora Fabric Storage Boxes - $12.99
Wood Storage Box - $149.99	Village Black Armless Bench/Natural Cushion - $79.95
modernlink - Ryder Entryway Table - $3,450.00	Samantha Entryway Collection - Charlotte Blue - $299.00
OFFI - Perf Boxes Storage/Shelves - $299.00	Belhaven Corkboard - $149.00