CasaSugar

Art Basel Miami Beach Kicks Off Today

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 05:30:40 -0800

Generally acknowledged as the most important art show in the US, Art Basel Miami Beach, the sister event of Switzerland's Art Basel, kicks off today in Miami's hip Art Deco District, and will run through Dec. 7. Art collectors, artists, dealers, curators, and plain old art lovers alike come to this special mass exhibit to enjoy artwork from over 250 leading international art galleries, parties galore, and events featuring music (Yelle performed last night), film, and architecture. For those who've got the dough, Art Basel isn't simply a trip to the museum: it's a shopping event. At Switzerland's Art Basel in June, Brad Pitt picked up a cool $500,000 worth of artwork. And for others, it's a chance to be recognized in front of their peers; this week, the Campana Brothers will be honored with the prestigious Designer of the Year award. The event will also be a debut for less seasoned artists. If you happen to be in South Florida, I beg of you to check it out. If not, we'll just have to wait for the first photos to arrive! Until then, you can see some spectacular images from June's Art Basel event in Switzerland when you read more.

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This Just In: Oprah Lists Her Miami Island Pad

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:30:08 -0700

According to Real Estalker, Oprah has put her 1,838-square-foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo on Miami's Fisher Island for $2.09 million. The listing for the property reads:

Spectacular direct ocean views through walls of sliding glass and from covered privacy on a gracious seaside terrace [. . .] gorgeous design, inviting layout, and fantastic features combine to achieve a supreme level of plush waterfront, tropical living. Beautiful upgrades and details within this bright and airy Seaside Village home include wonderful water views from every room, custom wood built-ins and more!

There's no way this is the only property Oprah, who earned $275 million last year, calls home. She also sold her Buckhead, Atlanta property this year. Considering that she bought the property in 1996 for $660,000 cash and that the condo is notably understated for someone with her income, I'm guessing that this may just have been an investment property. Don't get me wrong — the views are magnificent, the décor calm and elegant, and the built-ins were beautifully executed. But, I'd expect something more along the lines of a Viking range and Sheila Bridges interior design, if she actually stayed there.

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Coveted Crib: Casa Casuarina

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 May 2008 07:00:18 -0700

This Miami Beach manse, the former home of fashion designer Gianni Versace, is a study in opulence. Check out the slideshow to find out more about its history, architecture, and star-studded grounds. Source

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Home Away From Home: The Townhouse Hotel

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 05:30:28 -0700

The hip, modern, and totally fresh Townhouse Hotel in South Beach, Miami, FL, combines creature comforts with cutting-edge, minimalist design. Take a look at the slideshow to learn more about this cool (and surprisingly affordable) hotel. Source and Source

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This Just In: Rupert Everett Leaves Miami in the (Star)dust

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 05:45:43 -0800

According to Big Time, Rupert Everett has put his two-bedroom, two-bath, 1,350-square-foot pied-à-terre condo in Miami’s South Beach on the market for $1.15 million. The property, which he purchased for $670,000 in Sept. 2004 is on the seventh floor of 200 Ocean Drive, opposite Ocean Beach Park. Word has it, "He doesn't come to Miami that much anymore." Either that, or he couldn't appreciate his picturesque ocean view because his beautiful brown eyes were permanently damaged by his blinding "hunter" orange bedspread. I guess Ricky Martin isn't the only one leavin' la vida Miami.

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This Just In: Ricky Martin Leavin' La Vida Florida

CasaSugar — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 05:11:46 -0800

According to Real Estalker, Puerto Rican songster Ricky Martin yesterday put his prestigious North Bay Road, Miami Beach, residence on the market for $19.5 million. Martin originally purchased the property in May 2005 for $10 million then listed it for sale for $16.9 million in February 2007, and then took it off the market five months later. Apparently the 9,491-square-foot, seven-bedroom, eight-bath Mediterranean masterpiece didn't undergo any renovations or improvements during the time it was off the market, so the $2.6 million price increase seems somewhat unjustified. But, if you've got a spare $20 mill in your bank account and you're eager for the Florida sun, there's a travertine marbled, fully fireplaced, gourmet kitchened, wired media roomed, mahogany doored, jacuzzied, four-car garage bayview residence awaiting your hard-earned dollas. Does that make you want to shake your bon-bon or what?
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This Just In: Campana Brothers Named Designer of the Year

CasaSugar — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 05:30:22 -0700

Brazilian designers Humberto and Fernando Campana (known as the Campana Brothers and one of our Designer Spotlights) will receive the prestigious Designer of the Year Award at this year's Design Miami in December, one of the most influential global design forums, according to Dexigner. The pair will also create an exclusive installation for the show, called Diamantina. The show will feature a "rattan-like fiber woven around ready-made plastic garden chairs and other plastic objects, such as discarded toys, dolls, flip-flops and tires." They will also introduce native Brazilian amethyst crystals into the woven chairs, "creating a series of biomorphic islands that visitors will be encouraged to sit on and explore." And, for very important attendees, the duo will also design a VIP lounge for collectors and special guests for the event's principal sponsor HSBC Private Bank. Of the choice for designer of the year, Craig Robins, Design Miami's Principal, said:

They are designers we have been captivated by for years. The Campanas form a bridge between commercial production, handicraft, and the possibilities of limited edition design. Their work emanates from Brazilian urban culture, yet they also transcend their roots through designs that are just as relevant in New York, Berlin or Tokyo. Their installation promises to be a central talking point of this year's Design Miami.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:30:07 -0700

Tour this much-loved boho family home. - AT:SF
A Miami Beach apartment comes to life with bright colors. - Desire to Inspire
Check out paper products from Chronicle Books. - Simply Stated
Would you reupholster with a vintage blanket? - Re-Nest
Here's a solution for watering your plants while you're away. - PoppyTalk
This cool house has a decidedly warm look. - Sunset
Forget one color. Go for a Louis Vuitton paint job on your house. - ShelterPop

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:00:21 -0700

I'm swooning over this pink perfection.- Absolutely Beautiful Things
Read an interview with and profile of India Hicks.- All the Best
Make a blue ribbon badge card for Father's Day.- Chronicle Books
I want to move right into Prue Ruscoe's photographs.- Desire to Inspire
I adore these custom papercuts.- Made by Julene
Tour and be wowed by designer Doug Meyer's colorful Miami Beach house.- Peacock Feathers
Learn to chicly salvage a broken mirror.- AT:LA

Are You Preparing For Hurricane Season?

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 14:00:20 -0700

If you live in an Atlantic coastal area, chances are your mind's on hurricane season. Today marks the official start of hurricane season, which runs from today through November. Gerry Bell, lead hurricane forecaster at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, says residents should "[p]repare for each and every season regardless of the seasonal outlook. Even a near- or below-normal season can produce landfalling hurricanes, and it only takes one landfalling storm to make it a bad season."

Residents can protect their homes and families by contacting companies such as Family Shutters. In this shot, an employee of Family Shutters places Plexiglas hurricane panels on a home to help protect it from high winds in Miami.

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