CasaSugar

If Money Weren't an Issue . . .

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 12:00:41 -0700

. . . would you set this Neiman Marcus Monkey and Books Side Table ($2,099) beside your favorite reading chair?

Claude and Francois-Xavier Lalanne's Sculptures to Graze on Park Avenue

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 05:30:19 -0700

In conjunction with the Paul Kasmin Gallery, the New York City Parks Public Art Program will debut the first ever, large-scale outdoor exhibition in the US of Claude & François-Xavier
Lalanne’s sculptures along Park Avenue from Sept. 13 to Nov. 20.

The exhibit, on multiple sites along Park, will include more than eight monumental works by the influential couple, including François-Xavier’s famed "Moutons," which I've featured on CasaSugar before. The epoxy and bronze woolly animals will be featured in a life-size flock of 12 sheep and lambs.

Hear about other works in the exhibit when you read more.

Some of the exhibit's other best-known works will be featured, including Claude's "Pomme de New York," a large-scale bronze sculpture of an apple, epitomizing the city’s iconic image; François-Xavier’s "Singe Avisé," a pensive, cross-legged monkey; and Claude's "Choupatte," an anthropomorphized cabbage with bird’s feet.

If you happen to be in Manhattan during the exhibition, you simply must stop by. Not only is it the first major outdoor show of the Lalannes’ work, but it's also a very rare treat to see the pieces in person. That is, unless you are Marc Jacobs, who owns his very own Lalanne sheep.

Photo courtesy of Paul Kasmin Gallery

The Card Shop: Iomoi Memo Note Pads

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 05:30:01 -0700

I've written in the past about Iomoi stationery and how I think it's important to have cute personalized stationery for those occasions when you need to write a hand-written note. But, there's no reason you shouldn't write on smart-looking paper when you're jotting notes to yourself! Iomoi has released a new memo pad ($48) in a variety of stylish patterns, 250 five-by-seven-inch pages set in a custom-designed Lucite tray. Enjoy the cute pattern of your choice (monkey, pagoda, anchor, coral, etc.) during your daily list-making 70 percent of the year, and then use the Lucite tray as a catch-all when you've torn the last sheet! Or, if you're anything like me, you'll let the note pad sit there unfinished for years, as you collect lots of other cute stationery to clutter up your desk.

Love It or Hate It? Natural Display Candleholders

CasaSugar — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 08:00:55 -0700

If you're a fan of monkeys or parrots, there's no going wrong with these Natural Display Candleholders (on sale for $59). For the rest of us, though, I'm not so sure . . .

Great Art Online: The Decoder Ring Design Concern

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:09:13 -0700

The Decoder Ring Design Concern creates both lovely and edgy silkscreened concert and art posters (thanks for the tip, Penelope829). Founded in 2004, their mission statement is simply "Do work we love for clients we admire." Partners Christian Helms, Geoff Peveto, Paul Fucik, and Derrit DeRouen have worked with clients including Leo Burnett Worldwide, Levis Jeans, Toyota Yaris, MTV, Sony BMG's Epic Records, Capitol Records, South By Southwest, Modest Mouse, Dave Matthews Band, Erykah Badu, and Wilco. Each project Decoder undertakes reflects what they love about design: collaboration with companies, groups, or individuals who have something important to say and deserve to be heard.

To find out how to contact The Decoder Ring Design Concern for custom orders, and to see a gallery of their work, just read more

According to their site, this group of designers decided on this odd, long name because a decoder ring "is used to solve complex problems, and design concern is an historic term that references the rich heritage of our industry." Since, they also mention that everything is better with bacon or monkeys, I'm not sure if I can take everything this talented crew says too seriously. Though I do believe that GiggleSugar would agree with them about the monkeys.

You can contact The Decoder Ring with questions or custom orders here.

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Deck the Haus: Anthropologie Tree

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:00:25 -0800

This adorable little Anthropologie pewter tree ($98) features laser-cut partridges frolicking in a pear tree. Look close to see even more details, including fruit, flowers, and even a monkey. I think this would fit in well in the home that wants to display a bit of holiday cheer but not go over the top with festooning the festivity.

Midday Muse: Honoring Elvis

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:55:20 -0700

Anyone who has been to Graceland knows that the decor is inspiring in its own way. So in honor of the 30th anniversary of the King's death, I thought I'd feature Presley's famous TV room as today's Midday Muse. The navy-and-yellow room, which looks even cooler in person, includes several TV tuned to different channels and a delightful ceramic monkey statue.

Source

Home Library: Budget Living Home Cheap Home

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:26:01 -0700

I'm still mourning the demise of Budget Living magazine, which - in case you missed it - was one of the most wonderful and short-lived magazines ever. Guided by a "spend smart, live rich" philosophy, the surprisingly stylish periodical covered all things thrifty: cheap and chic fashion, entertaining on a budget, investing for dummies, and home decorating. The homes they featured were some of the most creative I've ever seen, and the fact that they were done on a budget made it even more impressive.

Thankfully, the editors left behind a book to remember them by, called Budget Living Home Cheap Home. I think it may be out of print, but you can find tons of copies online. If you opened to any page, you wouldn't know that this was an "on-the-cheap" decorating book: It looks more like a mix of stunning, chic design and DIY ideas.

Offering quick fixes and long-term solutions, the guide is divided up by room and style and features the best of Budget Living's home galleries. There's a crave-worthy living room that measures just 290 square feet, a Victorian mansion in the Catskills with a playful Addams Family look, and a bedroom decorated with massive collections of sock monkeys and ladies' gloves (trust me, it's awesome). I've gotten tons of ideas from Home Cheap Home about decorating and rearranging rooms, and it's also full of fun craft and home-improvement projects.

Did you ever read Budget Living? If so, have you checked out this book?