CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Flax Manhole Cover Floor Mats

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 08:30:38 -0700

These Manhole Cover Floor Mats at Flax Art and Design ($27.95) cleverly echo the designs of city sewer covers, with versions available for London, Paris, and New York. I don't think I'd want one in my house, but the indoor/outdoor rugs would look cute on a porch. What do you think?

Do You Have a Welcome Mat?

CasaSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 07:00:43 -0700

A welcome mat can add personality to the most mundane, run-of-the-mill exterior. It's inviting, and if you have a monogrammed mat, it's a great way to signal to your guests that you live there. Do you have one?Source

(Un)Welcome Mats

CasaSugar — Tue, 31 Jul 2007 14:04:15 -0700

A few years ago, I was getting a lot of mis-delivered mail meant for a local judge, so when I had accumulated a big batch, I decided to swing by her house and drop off her mail. I was immediately won over by the judge's door mat, which simply said "Come Back With a Warrant."

You can buy the High Cotton doormat for $15.99, and that's not the only (un)welcome mat I've stumbled upon lately. Here are two more funny ways for guests to wipe their feet.

The ingenious Come In/Go Away Doormat (about $30) projects a different message depending on which way you turn it.

One more, so read more
I love the color palette on this playful Chiasso Private Doormat ($28), which should make guests smile even as you're shooing them away.

Casa Quickie: Cool Down With Mats

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 06:15:50 -0700

Since Summer is fast approaching, I have been thinking about some ways to make seasonal changes in my home. While I think a good shag rug is great for creating a cozy wintry vibe in your home, when the temperature rises, it's time to switch it up. To achieve a cooler look and feel to combat the heat of Spring and Summer, go with a flat weave Dhurrie or plastic floor matting instead. This durable Floral Pattern Reversible All-Weather Floor Mat ($39), which is made entirely from recycled soda bottles, is a great option, and it will stand up well to messy foot traffic as you come in from your garden or the beach.

Nice and New: DwellStudio Petal Plus Bath Mat

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 04:30:56 -0700

It's hard not to love DwellStudio, especially considering all of designer Christiane Lemieux's talent and design expertise. I've long been a fan of the textile company's bedding designs, but unfortunately I'm not in the market for new bed linens. So, I'm delighted to see that DwellStudio has made its foray into la salle de bain. The DwellStudio Petal Plus Bath Mat ($67) is good, clean fun. Its pared-down "petals" are in essence colorful, iconic, First Aid symbols, which couldn't be more appropriate for the bathroom. The 100 percent cotton mat is also super plush and double-sided, making it a cinch to throw in the washing machine. You like?

Casa Verde: A Mat Made of Belts

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:15:54 -0700

In the last couple years, we've seen belts cinching their way up our waists. But did you ever think you'd find them covering your floor? That is, aside from in your floordrobe? The Branch Home Vintage Belt Floor Mat ($688) has rescued vintage leather belts destined for landfills by mounting them together to become a cushy mat for the floor of your home. The combination of rich, aged tones and textures of each belt comes together to resemble quite aptly the patina acquired by your hardwood floors — albeit you've probably never wrapped your floors around your waist. This sort of inventive design, which reconstitutes recycled parts for a new purpose is becoming more and more common these days. Have you seen designs with similar origins?

Mad Mats Recycled Rugs

CasaSugar — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 13:00:56 -0800

Think this rug is made of wool? Think again.

Mad Mats ($36 for 4-x-6-ft. rug) are made of recycled polypropylene (used soda bottles, milk bottles, packing), which make them great for indoor and outdoor use. Each rug is reversible and constructed with a flat weave and soft, tubular threads, making them dirt and stain resistant. Leaves, debris, and food spills are easily rinsed away with a mop or hose. Water does not get trapped, so there is no chance of mildew and they will not rot wooden decks. These inexpensive, pretty, and kid- and pet-proof rugs are also produced under fair-trade conditions.

Source

Etsy Finds: Rocking Rugs

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:00:16 -0800

Need a doormat, wool rug, or other way to add some warmth to your Winter floors this season? There are plenty of options available on Etsy, but I've rounded up some of the best to save you the searching!

View Slideshow ›

Cool Idea: New Orleans Water Meter Doormat

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:42 -0800

Anyone who's ever lived in New Orleans recognizes the starry, art-deco design of the city's water meter lids. Designed by Edwin Ford in the early 1920s, the crescent moon and stars became so sought after that people actually used to pilfer them, so much so that for a time the city tried to replace them with plain ones to try to stop the theft. Nevertheless, the 85-year-old design has become an iconic symbol of the city - along with the fleur-de-lys, of course. So, one clever local turned the groovy vintage meter cover into a Decorative Door Mat ($32). The high-quality, durable mat is as useful as it is nostalgic and charming, and you don't have to steal from the city to own it. Clearly, it's not for everyone, but it's a great gift for anyone who knows a thing or two about NOLA. Hint, hint.

Steal of the Day: Amara Bathmat

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 05:30:00 -0700

My beloved, fresh, and always-lovely India Rose just became a bit more accessible. The lush, plush, and oh-so-adorable India Rose Amara Bathmat ($40, reduced from $50) is on sale at Burke Decor (and normally $58 at India Rose). Considering that your basic hardware store variety of bathmat goes for $20, I think this is a great deal. The mat's raised polka dots and twisted hook fringe are downright precious, too. It's made from 100 percent cotton and measures 23 by 25 inches. Clearly, it's a bit feminine and youthful, so it's not for every bathroom. But, for those who can make it work, go for it!