CasaSugar

Etsy Find: Decorative Adhesive Labels

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:41 -0700

For those of you who don't find organizing traditionally fun, I bring you Remake Decorative Adhesive Labels ($5 for 16). Filing away your utility bills? Organizing your pantry? Slap these beauties onto your file folders or flour, sugar, coffee, or even makeup jars, and getting your house into shipshape might actually be fun, or at the very least, chic. This set has an aqua, chartreuse, turquoise, and periwinkle color palette, but other colors are available if you're not looking for a cool palette. What do you think? Do you dig them? I think I might have to go on a Spring cleaning binge, just to make use of these purdy things . . .

Casa Quickie: Sayonara Adhesive Residue

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 08:30:06 -0700

Has the label on your brand new uterus vase left you with a sticky residue that's not so pretty? If you have one handy, you can scrape away the adhesive with a craft blade, but that could potentially scuff up your fab new home accessory. A simpler solution, though, is to rub the residue with a cotton ball soaked in nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. That should kick the stick instantly. Then, you can focus on explaining to your guests why you bought a uterus vase in the first place . . .
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How-To: Make Your Own All-Purpose Cleaner

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0700

It's not always easy being green - or clean. Combining the two can be downright impossible, but making your own products can cut chemicals, crud, and cost. I simplify things even more by using one all-purpose cleanser nearly everywhere in my pad.

To make the cleaner, just combine equal parts water and vinegar in a spray bottle and shake to mix. Before storing, label and date your homemade mixture. It should be good indefinitely, but it doesn't hurt to mix up a fresh batch every couple of months.

Spring cleaning on the mind? Other DIY options include a heavy duty surface cleanser, a window solution, and a tub and tile scrubber.

Desire/Acquire: Eames La Chaise

CasaSugar — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 -0800

It's no secret that I adore most everything, OK everything, that has the Eames label attached to it. Unfortunately, I can't afford one bit of it . . . until now. The Eames La Chaise ($9,475) has had me drooling for a while, especially the red-hot one used by Ben Affleck. But for that price, I'd rather something with doors, four wheels, and a gas tank. Alas, someone has knocked the design right off and given us not-so-flush folks the opportunity to pretend we live like royalty. To see the impressive copycat lounger, read more.
Can't tell the difference? Neither could I. The Alphaville Design Deco Chaise is about what the taxes would be on the authentic version - $1,149! It's still not cheap but it beats the original asking price. That is, unless you want the real deal. Which one would you buy?

Desire/Acquire: Eames Walnut Stool

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:00:00 -0800

Charles and Ray Eames have won over my heart but not necessarily my paycheck. Even still, I've had my eye on the duo's iconic Walnut Stools ($829) from the day I spotted them in the corner at Room & Board. Originally made in 1960 for the Time Life Building in New York, the steep price tag is more reflective of modern times. I can't stomach spending nearly a thousand dollars on the splendid stool even if it does double-duty as a foot rest, side table, and extra seating. Fortunately I stumbled upon a similar design but at less than a third of the price. To see the budget-friendly option just read more.
House Eclectic's Spool Stool ($305) is strikingly similar in design and nearly the same exact size as the walnut stools. While it does lack the famous label, beautiful finish, and solid wood construction, it makes up for it with color - the Spool is available in 10 different color choices! The options are endless with this fun replica, but I especially love that a trio of the economical furnishings cost less than just one of the Eames's famed stool.

Etsy Finds: Marching Right Along

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 09:00:00 -0800

Left, right, left. When the third month of the year hits, many minds start seeing green and thinking of clovers, but I can't help but drift to the literal side of the label. Are you equally charmed by all things marching?

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Home Away From Home: Maison Moschino

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 11:00:00 -0800

Italian fashion house Moschino is testing out its style skills in the wonderful world of interiors with its brand new Maison Moschino hotel in Milan. Set in an 1840 neoclassical building and former train station, the hotel was designed by the label's creative director, Rossella Jardini, along with its art director Jo Ann Tan, and fully restored with respect to its original façade.

Much like Moschino's apparel, the interiors have a fanciful, surrealistic quality that just toes the line at fantastical. Each room has a fairy-tale-inspired name - including "Alice's Room," "Red Riding Hood," and "Gold" - which coincides with its equally dreamy design. My favorite parts are the tart pillows and cookie chandelier! Meanwhile, the lobby is marked with fluffy origami cloud lamps and Moschino dresses and accessories turned into floor and table lamps. To see photos of the hotel and hear what Jardini had to say about the hotel, read more.

Here's what Jardini had to say about the boutique hotel:

When I enter, I feel as if I’m at home. Like all familiar places, its warm, welcoming atmosphere makes you feel protected. I’d love to preserve it just as it is, as if it were an installation, but I know that, by nature, it is destined to change. And yet I believe it will never betray its origins. It is completely unlike other hotels, and it also has the courage to reveal the high-quality workmanship that built it. It’s a special place, which is why it’s called Maison Moschino.

You can book your room through DesignHotels.com, and if you book today, you'll score an opening rate special!

Check out photos of the hotel rooms below.

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Can't get enough of designer hotels? The world's first Armani Hotel is opening later this month, and Christian Lacroix's Hôtel du Petit Moulin in Paris is another sight for sore eyes!

Casa Quickie: Sayonara Stickies

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:00:28 -0700

If you've got stubborn adhesive labels on any of your home purchases (bottles, plates, books, etc.) or gifts, there's a simple way to remove them that doesn't involve picking at them with sticky fingers. Just blast your hair dryer onto the label for a few seconds, and then use a basic craft blade to scrape it off. The heat from the dryer will loosen up the adhesive, making it a cinch to peel off the label. Ahh, if you'd only known . . .
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Liberty of London Coming to Target!

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 09:00:35 -0800

Textile and luxury accessories company Liberty of London will introduce an exclusive collection of chic Spring home must-haves for Target on March 14. The designs will feature the British brand's iconic micro-floral prints on bedding, gardening tools, planters, piggy banks, lamps, candles, storage boxes, ceramic and melamine dishes, and even a bicycle! As always, the line will be an affordable one, with most accessories under $10 or $20, while a quilt rings up at $70 and a floral beach cruiser at $200. Liberty, which has an archive of more than 43,000 print designs, has reworked a selection of its signature floral prints into the collection. So if you've long been a follower of the label (which dates back to 1875), you may come across a few of your favorite patterns to bring home.

Take a look at a few more of the designs.

When Was the Last Time You Moved?

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Moving is one of my least favorite activities, and I'm happy to say that, unless we sell our house, I won't have to move again for many years. One great organizing tip that I always employ when moving is to clearly label boxes by room; it makes a huge difference in terms of time and stress when you get to your new home. Of course, the upside to all of the hassles of moving is getting to decorate an entirely new home!

Source: Flickr User karenmonsters