CasaSugar

Fall Garden: Scarlet Jewell Maple

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 05:30:00 -0700

If, like me, one of your favorite parts of Fall is taking in the gorgeous colors of leaves, you might want to consider purchasing trees for your yard that are known for their Fall colors. For instance, if you love brilliant, fiery red tones, you might want to check out the Scarlet Jewell, a variety of maple tree that gives you bright red color typically two weeks ahead of other maple trees. Growing to a height of 70 feet and a width of 30 feet, its leaves are dark green in the Summer, and it grows in zones 3-7, preferring moist, slightly acidic soil.

To find out more about this maple, read more.

And as an added bonus, the Scarlet Jewell also showcases tiny, bright red flowers each Spring. This gorgeous tree was selected in northern Minnesota by Terry Schwartz of Bailey Nurseries, and is grown exclusively by that nursery as well. It's only available at independent garden centers across the country, so check mom and pop operations in your neighborhood for this tree. If you have garden catalog lust, you can also check out the Bailey Nurseries catalog here, and save a tree!

Source

The Card Shop: Maple Leaf/Thanksgiving Boxed Notes

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 12:00:04 -0800

No, it's not tradition to send cards at Thanksgiving. But, take one look at the Dingbat Press Maple Leaf/Thanksgiving Boxed Notes ($24), and you'll be convinced. This gorgeous boxed set of six notes features soft-red maple leaves in varying sizes falling from a vivid-orange maple tree. The notes arrive tied with a ruby-red ribbon, and enclosed in a sturdy chocolate box. So, whether you'll be sending these autumnal notes or just gifting them, you'll be sure to impress.

Midday Muse: Autumn Maple Leaves

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:30:00 -0700

I saw these Japanese Maple leaves the other day when I was walking home from work. Their deep colors make me wistful for a more autumnal fall-such as the type I grew up with in the midwest.
Anyone else seeing some beautiful fall leaves?

Etsy Find: Handmade Maple Bench

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 10:00:30 -0700

Need to add some organization to your entry? Then try this Handmade Maple Bench ($279). With its streamlined, modern design, compact size, and multiple compartments, it's the perfect place to tuck away everything from shoes to laptop cases when you come home at the end of your workday. This pretty bench is handcrafted from Forestry Stewardship Council-certified Maple, and finished with a clear lacquer that highlights the wood's natural beauty. I also love that its built-in handles make it easy to move. I can see this coming in handy as extra seating for a party - just pick it up by its handles and move it to your living room or dining room.

The builder, Josh Ganshorn, an Oakland-based designer and contractor, will add hinged front panels to this piece if you want to keep the look even more streamlined, and also offers different finishes or paints to match your home.

View 4 Photos ›

Love It or Hate It? Chartreuse Tufted Headboard

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:00:57 -0700

Chartreuse is one of those colors that people have a hard time feeling neutral about. This Chartreuse Tufted Headboard ($1,709) is built on a maple frame that's been covered in tufted, chartreuse suede. Part of me loves it, but I doubt that I could handle the color - or decorating around the color - for very long. What about you?

Roundup: Autumn Leaves

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:30:43 -0700

Are you lucky enough to see turning leaves in your neighborhood right now? Even in the Bay Area, red maple leaves and crisp orange oak leaves are dotting the sidewalks and parks around my home. I love the hues and shapes of turning Fall leaves, as well as how designers translate the pattern into their work. One of my favorite finds is this Autumn Mirrored Chest ($1,699). This handcrafted chest is hand-painted with curling Autumn leaves, and features mirrored veneers and a hardwood base. True, it's a splurge, but what a beautiful spurge it is!

For some more reasonably priced Autumn finds, see below.

Etsy Find: Maple Bench

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:02:47 -0700

View Slideshow ›

Roundup: Flower Power

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Want to add some blossoms to your home that will never fade? Then try using floral-patterned furniture to put some flower power in your personal space. I'd start with this Celery Sofa ($2,899), which features a birds and blossoms print that looks strikingly similar to the Thomas Paul Lovebirds print. With a cotton/linen blend fabric and maple legs, this sofa is a standout, but its classic shape will help it stand the test of time and trend.

Curious about my other favorite florals? Then read more.

Ask Casa: Where Can I Find This Chair?

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 08:00:22 -0700

Dear Casa,

We're currently shopping for a new dining room set, and I've been searching for chairs similar to your office chair. i think it would be a great way to keep the space open and deter from the high back chairs that come with all the Mission/ Shaker tables we like. Do you know the manufacturer or style? Most furniture stores don't understand what I'm trying to describe. Your insight is greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Meghan

To see my answer for Meghan, read more.

Hi Meghan,

Thanks for saying kind words about my office chair; it's a favorite of mine (read the crazy backstory about this chair's origins here, if you're curious). The chair was designed by Russel Wright for Conant Ball in the 1950s, and is made of maple. Not only is it handsome, it's also very comfortable. I think it would be a great choice for your dining room. While these chairs can go for quite a bit of money (two are on 1st Dibs right now for $950), I'd do some snooping around to see if you can't find anything cheaper. Look at antique stores, on eBay, at flea markets, and on Craigslist. There's actually a set of six Russel Wright chairs and a dining table on sale for $2,995 right now on eBay.

If you want to buy something off the rack, so to speak, you can also check out my finds below.

Good luck chair hunting!
Casa

Salt Chair - $98.00	Ikea Stockholm Chair - $99.99
Halden Side Chair Beech - $249.00	Osaka Round Back Armchair - $119.99
Kyoto Chair - $125.00	Wegner Wishbone Chair in Black - $699.00
Knoll straight chair - $634.00	Carl Hansen & Son ch20 elbow chair - quick ship - $980.00

Ask Casa: Getting Nail Polish Off of a Wood Table

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:00:39 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,

Last night I spilled clear nail polish on my boyfriend's Room & Board end table. I’m not exactly sure what it was, but I think it might have been solid maple, cherry, or walnut with a lacquer finish on it. Needless to say, he was not happy. Is there anything I can do about it? Or am I just going to have to live with a lifetime of guilt?

Thanks,
Susannah

To see my advice, read more.

Hi Susannah,

Oh no! I can relate! No need to live with a lifetime of guilt quite yet. My first question is whether or not you allowed the polish to dry as is, or if you smudged it with a cloth while it was still wet. If you let it dry as is, great! This is easier to deal with. Once the polish is dry, use a razor blade to carefully chip at the spot. Once it is chipped off, gently rub at the area with steel wool and furniture polish, to blend in the spot. However, if you scrubbed or wiped at the nail polish while it was still wet, you may have to have it professionally refinished. If you get an estimate, make sure to see if the table can be refinished only on the spot damaged by the polish, which will be much cheaper than having the whole table refinished.

I found some interesting home cures for this ailment online. I haven't tried any of them yet, so I can't guarantee they'll work, but here are a couple ideas:

One homespun method is to mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil and rub this mixture on the nail polish. Use a cloth dipped in warm water to rub the mixture into the stain and repeat as necessary.
Scrub the spot with mineral spirits, and then spray hair spray on the spot, let it sit for a few seconds, and gently wipe it off with a wet cloth.

Hope this helps, and good luck!

Casa

Mathilda Runner - $25.95	Martha Stewart Collection Serveware, 20" Park Leaves Platter - $43.00
Mum Floral Organic Shower Curtain - $59.00	Delightful Doormat - Green Leaves - $34.00
Angelica Pillow - $59.95	Dogwood Platter by Michael Aram - $99.00
Leaves Mirror-Candleplate - $89.95	Emma Gardner - fallen leaves rugs by emma gardner - $2,160.00
Rustic Leaf Candleholder - $32.95	Oval Serving Platter (18-in.) by Mikasa - $99.95
Howard Elliott Wooden Shadow Box with Carved Leaves - $475.00	Falling Leaves Organic Standard Pillowcase, Set of 2 - $24.00
twenty2 Montague Pillows - $115.00	Vera Turning Leaf Table Linens Collection - $35.00
Leaf Metal Soap Dish - $13.95	La Vie Pillow - $49.95

Blacksmith Blossom Chair - $248.00	Iannone Design - Flower Long Dresser - $3,000.00
Driade - miss lacy chair by philippe starck for driade - $3,369.00	CLOSEOUT! Morning Magenta Accent Chair - $999.00
Remy Chair, Amarantha - $1,298.00	Moroso - closer chaise lounge by tord boontje for moroso of italy - $7,704.00
Crewel Blue Chair - $1,999.00	Terai Folding Chair, Floral Tapestry - $198.00
Celery Sofa - $2,899.00	Monica Chair - $999.00
Floral Chair - $1,029.00	Moroso - Nest outdoor chair by Tord Boontje for Moroso of Italy - QUICKSHIP - $699.00