CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Monochromatic Bathroom

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 11:00:00 -0700

While this bathroom is certainly chic and beachy, the seagrass/sand tones of the room are a little overwhelming. Are you a fan of the monochromatic palette, or do you like a little color in your WC?
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Steal of the Day: Crate & Barrel Dash Lamp

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 05:30:00 -0700

I guess I must have monochrome living on my mind, but I'm really digging the Crate & Barrel Dash Lamp ($27.95). It's not shaped like a light bulb, covered in mirrors, or even ruby red. It's just simple, masculine, and understated. I love the way the ceramic base mimics the shape of the traditional shade, and it has a subtle embellishment almost like café barware. What do you think? For under $30, you've got to admit it's an unbelievable steal.

Crave Worthy: Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp

CasaSugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:00:36 -0700

OK, OK. My attention to monochrome design may have gotten a little out of hand lately, but I promise you it will eventually fade. And, even if you don't subscribe to monochrome living, you should still appreciate the beauty of a black and white lamp like the Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp ($1,700). The vintage ceramic lamps have little bubbles with matching finials that remind me of candy buttons; who can argue with that? They also seem really adaptable. You can use them in a stiff, sophisticated interior, perhaps set on matching nightstands. Or, you can play them up a bit in a room full of circles. What do you think?

Steal of the Day: Pottery Barn Overlapping Leaves Wallpaper

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:00:12 -0700

I recently introduced you to Graham & Brown's Paste the Wall wallpaper, which applies easily by pasting the wall not the paper, and peels off in full sheets. I was certainly won over by the retailer's new wallpaper technology, not to mention their vast selection of beautiful patterns and didn't think it could get any better. But it turns out that the Overlapping Leaves Wallpaper ($59.99, reduced from $84) not only pulls out in full sheets, but also has a preapplied adhesive that affixes effortlessly . . . and it's on sale! Unfortunately, the selection is limited to just this one pattern. But, that's not to say I don't love its monochrome leaf pattern.

Midday Muse: Monochrome Living

CasaSugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I'm not one to steer away from color or pattern, but I think there is something to be said for monochrome interiors. In a vibrant, busy space, shapes can become lost and ignored, but a more pared down design can accentuate your furnishings, reminding you each day of why you fell for them in the first place. Take the chandeliers in the photograph, for example. They're remarkable and the white walls make note of that, whereas a wallpaper might be a distraction from their unique, drippy form. I myself love white furniture but black has never been for me. In most cases I find black and white interiors a bit too modern for my taste. But here, the vintage trunk, traditional sofa, and painted hardwood floors prevent that. No, it's not the most conservative space, but it doesn't scream bachelor pad, either. What do you say? Yea or nay for monochrome living?
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Desire/Acquire: Pillar Umbrella Stand

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 15:00:22 -0700

This Aaron Thomas Hand Screen Printed Pillar Umbrella Stand ($389) was designed specifically for design fiend and international hotshot Kanye West. But, after Thomas carefully hand-illustrated the Roman-style pillar, burnt screens, and laid out the design, West ended up not purchasing them! It's made of acrylic and measures 10x 24 inches. If I had the dough, I'd snatch one up in a second. But, I doubt there are many folks out there who'd spend so much on, essentially, a waste basket. For those who dig the trompe-l'œil effect of this stand, and the monochrome palette, I've found a much more affordable alternative. To see it, read more.

The Umbra Loft Vazo Vase ($16.99) may not have a pillar design, but it is a very similar one. At 5.8-x-5.8-x-12.8 inches, it's about half the size of the pillar stand, so it'll certainly hold a smaller, purse-size umbrella. Or, you can use it as a vase! What do you think?

Have You Painted an Accent Wall?

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Painting an accent wall is the simplest way to create a focal point in any room of a house. It requires just a little paint and a little time, and it's not as risky as painting an entire room. I'm loving this yellow wall from Harts Lane, a rental cottage in Australia. The room is fabulous otherwise in many ways, but the sunny color is just the finishing touch that the monochrome palette needs. Do you have an accent wall?

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H&M to Launch Homewares Collection in 2009

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:33 -0800

I may just be speaking for myself here, but I think for most of us (despite good intentions), the new year is a time of failed resolutions. Sad, but true. Such is not the case for H&M, which will embark on a new venture in early 2009, making its foray into the arena of interiors with a range of home textiles and accessories. Whether you're looking for a quick bathroom update, a new look in the living room, or a punch of color in the kitchen, online and mail order shoppers in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Austria, and the Netherlands can count on H&M's expertise to inject a little fashion into your homes. And, of course, it will all come at an affordable price: cushions will range from $6 to $19, bed sets from $19 to $63, and towels from $11 to $19. Some key pieces in the range will be 35 different pillow cover designs and 15 bed linen sets. True to H&M’s clothing heritage, shoppers will be encouraged to mix and match, and with palettes of neutrals, monochrome, nautical blues and reds, and bright neons, it shouldn't be hard. There will be something for everyone, too: bold decorators might choose a Jackson Pollock-inspired paint splatter-printed cushions, while the back-to-basics person goes for H&M's organic bedding and cushions in clean white and soft beige. To see a bunch of photos of the collection, read more.

It looks fabulous, right? A bit of an Ikea meets Urban Outfitters vibe, with a little more pep! I can't wait until it makes its way to the States. All I can say is, Europeans, shop your hearts out and show H&M that they're onto something!

View 28 Photos ›

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Get the Look: A Mix of Styles

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:15:54 -0700

This living room, from Living Etc, mixes a variety of styles in a recipe that is one part eclectic, one part modern, and one part traditional, creating a look that doesn't seem to follow trends, but is certainly ornate overall. Each piece, be it embroidered, tufted, furry, or antique, but certainly not simple, works well with the others when surrounded by the minimalist white wall. Since this image caught my eye, I figured I'd show you how to Get the Look in your own home. To learn how, read more

When mixing styles like this, it's important not to go overboard. Start with a Chesterfield sofa, in leather perhaps, in a reserved color. Toss a trio of throw pillows on it, each bold in pattern and color, maybe with some embroidery; since the sofa is monochrome, you can get away with busy accent pillows. Throw down a natural toned Flokati rug to add texture and comfort to the room. Lay a Moroccan pouf in a bright color next to use as extra seating or as a footstool. Top the Flokati with a traditional coffee table, an antique in dark wood that's seen a thing or two, if you can find one; this will balance out the mid-century shag of the rug, and the squeaky clean look of the leather couch.

On top of the coffee table, choose a simple bud vase, and a chic box filled with old love letters or your postcard collection — something to keep the guests entertained. Then, for a bit more modernity, pick up an Eames shell chair in white; vintage ones aren't hard to find. Continue the ornate look with a Venetian mirror, stood up against the wall. Stack some art books next to the sofa, and top them with a glass vase filled with some fresh flowers. And last but not least, for the wall behind the sofa hunt down an interesting architectural element to hang, perhaps some sort of salvaged wood or a jigsaw porch bracket from a Victorian home. If you've got space to spare, paint a duo of stretched canvases in a color in your accent pillows that brings the room together. Check out this widget for some furnishings that will help you to Get the Look in your own home.

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Casa Quickie: Add a Dash of Color

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 07:15:42 -0800

One of the simplest ways to renew the look of any room in your maison is to add a dash of color. LivingEtc has a handful of quick tips that they say will "bring a room bang up to date," and give "an all white scheme" attitude:

Line curtain panels with "a hint of luxurious colored silk."
"Wrap chair legs in colored paper."
Offset "a group of monochrome ornaments with a colored one."
"Paint just part of a piece of furniture, leaving the rest white," and carry the color throughout the room by using it for lampshade trim or a cushion.
Paint a simple stripe in one corner to add depth to the room.
Line a cabinet with "brightly patterned fabric or wallpaper," and "use complementary accessories to pull the whole look together."

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