CasaSugar

Do You Decorate With Milk Glass?

CasaSugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:00:54 -0700

In this guest bedroom, the blue accent wall is perfectly offset by the two shelves of milk glass. Milk glass was a hot trend last year, but I think it has a lot of staying power. Are you decorating with milk glass?

Source: Flickr User hottholler

Ask Casa: Milk Glass Chandelier

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 09:15:00 -0700

Hi Casa,
I am loving this chandelier! It's the Martha Stewart Veneto Collection Five-Light Chandelier ($699). It would be perfect for our dining room, which is currently undergoing a major renovation, but the hefty price tag totally breaks our budget. Any suggestions? Thanks!
tmws1y

To hear my thoughts and suggestions, read more.

Hi Tmws1y,
Thanks for thinking of me! I understand your heartache; that's a beautiful chandelier. And, I am loving all things milk glass these days. Unfortunately, I doubt you'll be able to find a chandelier that is entirely made of milk glass like this one (oh Martha!), unless you take a trip to Venice. Although, chandeliers with milk glass shades are very common; see eBay.

To get a similar look, what I suggest you do is find a classic chandelier with curved arms like this one, and spray paint it in glossy white. I've seen plenty in this same shape at thrift stores, and have considered painting them myself. So, scour your local thrift stores and flea markets first. If you're out of luck, here are a bunch of more affordable chandeliers with similar designs:

If milk glass is what you're after, here are a few products that you may like:

Harriet Lamp - $195.00	Tea House Doorknob - $38.00
Milk Glass Lamp Base + Suite Dot Shade - $39.00	Milk Glass Canisters - $44.00
Somerson Single Sconce - $89.00	Holmegaard - 'shape' hand-blown vases by holmegaard - $74.00

Hope that helps!
Cheers,
Casa

Etsy Find: Dessert Please Cake Plate

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 14:00:39 -0700

You may not know this but Etsy, the online marketplace for handmade goods, also sells vintage items. When they first introduced vintage, I whined a little, saddened that it would no longer be 100 percent handmade. But, when I come across vintage items like this Dessert Please Cake Plate ($65), everything is okay in the world. You'll be hard pressed to find anything like this milk-glass beauty elsewhere, and if you do find a mass-produced version, retailers like Anthropologie will charge you upwards of $150 for it. I'd normally say that the combination of the rose garland, butterflies perched on top, raised polka dots, and teardrop doily plate are a bit too much, but this cake plate has a sort of Victorian, old-world charm that beguiles me.

Nice and New: Milk Glass Lamp Base

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:00:56 -0700

For once, PBteen offers a product in something other than pastel pink, blue, and green. Although I probably wouldn't go with the orange PBteen Milk Glass Lamp Base ($59) (doesn't match), it's a nice change. PBteen, I salute you for branching out. It's a good thing that this lamp base is sold separately from its shade; I'd switch it out anyways, or cover it with some grosgrain ribbon. A tall drum shade might give it a funky edge, right? The more I look at it, the more I'm in love with this lamp base. But, I must warn you, it's actually "faux" milk glass. Traditional milk glass has a tin oxide additive, which gives it its opaque quality. This base is actually just colored glass coated with white paint inside to give it that vintage look. Doesn't matter to me though, so long as it looks good!

5 Drink-Inspired Light Fixtures

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:00:56 -0700

It's time to get your drink on. From 2 percent milk to sauvignon blanc, the bottles we've been hitting may have inspired a few too many chocolate-chip-cookie binges and late-night dance parties. But milk bottles and wine glasses are also the source of inspiration for a range of light fixtures for your home. Want to take a look?

View Slideshow ›

Etsy Find: Reproduction Milk Bottles

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 15:00:04 -0700

I'm a sucker for vintage glassware and pottery, so these reproduction milk bottles ($30) are right up my alley, having been hand-cast from antique half-pint glass milk bottles. They remind me a bit of Jonathan Adler's Druggist Collection, with their smooth white surfaces and cheeky printing.

These reproduction milk bottles are from Etsy seller Alyssaettinger, and were modeled after bottles from Concord Dairy. They stand at a diminutive four inches tall, perfect for displaying summer blooms. You can also pop them in the dishwasher, which is always a plus.

Casa Verde: What Not to Recycle

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:45 -0700

In the past, I've given you the lowdown on which plastics can be recycled and told you 21 surprisingly recyclable things. But aside from the question of pizza boxes, I haven't gotten around to telling you what not to recycle. We all know that recycling is important, and San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom even thinks those who fail to should be punished. It's also pretty darn easy, especially if you've got a proper recycling bin system. However, tossing trash into your recycling bins can really complicate things for your local recycling crew. You'll have to check your local recycling guidelines to see what restrictions apply in your neck of the woods, but to get a general idea of what is not allowed in recycling, read more.

This list, from San Francisco's recycling program, offers good guidelines on what not to put in your recycling bin:

Batteries
Electronics
Ceramic dishes or cups
Coat hangers
Compostable plastics
Food soiled paper (i.e. paper cups, plates, napkins, towels, takeout boxes. and greasy pizza boxes)
Light bulbs
Liquids
Mirrors
Plastic bags or plastic films
Soy milk or juice boxes
Styrofoam
Waxed cardboard
Window glass

Source

Love It or Hate It? Water Bowl Set

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 15:00:14 -0700

Design Milk is loving this Water Bowl Set ($350), designed by Michael Benzer, John P. Gilvey, Wendy Gilvey, and Jennifer Smith. But while the frosted-glass serving pieces have an elegant look, I don't think I'd want them in my home. What's your take?

Love It or Hate It? Droog Design Milk Bottle Lamp

CasaSugar — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 09:30:47 -0700

Made from a sandblasted old glass bottle, the Droog Design Milk Bottle Lamp ($139) is a wholesome fixture that I'd happily hang in my kitchen. I like how its form is both familiar and surprising. What do you think?

Chelsea Chandelier - $299.00	Trenton 6-Arm Chandelier Antique Silver Plate - $30.00
Clarissa 3-Arm Chandelier - $199.00	Iron Candle Chandelier - $250.00
Crystal Ball 5-Arm Chandelier Antique Silver Plate - $30.00	Crystal Ball 5-Arm Chandelier Bronze - $30.00
Trenton 6-Arm Chandelier Bronze - $30.00	Contessa Chandelier - $129.00
Manchester 3-Light Pendant - $209.00	Bella Chandelier - $379.00
Montserrat Chandelier - $129.00	Kenley 4 Light Chandelier - $199.00