CasaSugar

Do You Have a Big Music Collection?

CasaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:00:27 -0700

I'm really excited to check out Whip It!, the Drew Barrymore directorial debut about roller-derby girls, which opens today. This scene, with lead actress Ellen Page, caught my eye, thanks to the retro music collection on display. While I definitely have vinyl records at my home, our electronics are a bit more updated, and we've tossed the cassettes. Still, I love the overall effect of the two characters being surrounded by so much music. What's the music sitch look like at your home?

Ask Casa: Best Ways to Store Vinyl?

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 09:00:39 -0700

Hi Casa,

I recently had the idea to start a record collection because I found some old vinyl albums that belonged to my parents and I live near a record store, and I also have a few CDs as well.

I was keeping one of my favorite vinyls in my bedroom but for some reason when I took it out of the cover it had cracked, now I'm wondering what is the best way to store vinyl records so this does not happen again as well as possible ways to store my CDs.

Do you have any design or organization tips? I've checked out Ikea or the Container Store but I don't want a bunch of separate containers scattered all over my room and I live with my parents so I can't just put a music collection in another room. Any ideas?

Thank you,
Peachy

To hear my suggestions for Peachy, read more.

Hi Peachy,

Between my husband and me, we probably have around 1,000 vinyl records at our house (at a minimum), so I understand your concerns! We used custom-made shelves that we bought inexpensively and stained (you can see them on the right side of this photo). Check out our other music storage solutions here.

Another great, inexpensive way to store records is by heading to Ikea and picking up some Expedit shelves. Record geeks note that each space holds 90-100 albums, so that should easily accommodate your needs (and the need to grow your collection).

I also love the solution that Gemma Ahern used in her apartment, which you can see in the top photo. She simply used a floating wall shelf from Ikea that she hung at a height about an inch above the height of a record, and then painted the shelf to blend in to the wall. This created instant storage, as well as space for books, a turntable, and sculptural objects.

As far as keeping your records in tip-top shape, always store them upright (not stacked) encased in the sleeve and a plastic or paper insert. Keep them out of direct sunlight, and if your record happens to warp, place it between two pieces of heavy glass, and lay it in mild sunshine for several hours, until the record lies flat.

Does anyone else have a brilliant storage solution? Tell Peachy about it in the comments!

Cheers,
Casa

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Do You Have a Turntable at Your House?

CasaSugar — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 05:30:48 -0700

No matter how convenient (and easy to store) digital music may be, I have a very hard time imagining getting rid of my Technics turntable and vinyl collection. There's something so civilized about putting a favorite album on the turntable. What about you?

Source: Flickr user skgh

Etsy Find: Recycled Album Jacket Coasters

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 08:00:03 -0700

If you're decorating a masculine bedroom or a hipster dude haven, or if you just want to show off your taste for rock 'n roll, add a set of Recycled Album Jacket Coasters and a Vinyl LP Bowl ($29) to your home.

Etsy seller Inoudid's Attic is repurposing her husband's vintage vinyl record album collection into these one-of-a-kind coaster and bowl sets (side note: my husband would never forgive me if I started deconstructing his vinyl collection). Each set has nine coasters, made by laminating the album jacket to a piece of Baltic birch plywood. They're then protected with a clear, moisture-resistant finish, and have felt pads underneath to protect your tabletops. Are these your style?

Guess Who Drew These?

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 11:00:07 -0700

You know him as one of the world’s most popular and acclaimed songwriters, musicians, and performers, but this rock icon also has a penchant for drawing. While traveling on tour between 1989 and 1992, the artist created a collection of drawings of his encounters and observations, including landscapes, still-lifes, nudes, and street scenes, which were later exhibited in Germany and London. Can you guess who he is? I'll give you a hint: Heath Ledger played him in one of his last roles, a biographical film about the artist's life.

Would You Hire Someone to Coordinate Tunes With Your House?

CasaSugar — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 05:30:50 -0800

The New York Times article "Does This Song Match My Sofa?" reports on homeowners who hire DJs to make custom mixes that coordinate with different rooms of their homes. One music stylist said, “Our clients are the type who send people all over the world to find the perfect spoon, or doorknob or type of marble. . . . My job is to find the perfect music.”
Hiroko Masuike for The New York Times

Do You Have Musical Instruments in Your House?

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:14 -0700

Growing up, I diligently practiced Mozart on a spinet piano, which was compact enough to fit snugly in a corner in the living room. My mother-in-law practices Rachmaninoff on a gorgeous grand piano by a picture window that overlooks downtown Seattle. While we don't have a piano in our home, I'd love to get one. I settle for playing Tchaikovsky on an open-holed flute instead. Do you have musical instruments in your home? If so, are they a part of your interior design scheme?

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Casa Quickie: Slim Down

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:00:09 -0700

If you live in a studio or are just low on space, after you toss any junk you don't need, you should consider slimming down on everything from furnishings to accessories to storage units. With so many great movies to see, for many of us, collecting DVDs is a hobby that leaves a growing footprint our homes. But that doesn't mean you should say goodbye to your favorite stars. Instead, just opt for slimmer DVD cases.DiscSox ($26.95 for 25) will do the trick, easily storing over 65 DVDs in 12 inches. Each sleeve holds all of the original DVD contents (2 DVDs, DVD graphics, and wrap), and its three layers of integrated fabric will protect your DVDs. Do you collect music instead? DiscSox can store movies, music, games, data, and photos. What other items in your home might require some slimming down? Bonus points for anyone who comes up with a unique way to repurpose those old DVD cases!

Weird Furniture: Music Dining Table

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:00:13 -0700

Forget conversation: Fumiaki Goto's Music Dining Table (inquire for price) allows you to rock out while you're chomping down. Built like a marimba, with copper bars inserted into its wooden bars of various size, which have holes, the table sings by amplifying the sound of the wooden bars like a loudspeaker. Each time you place your wine glass back on the table (if you're like me, often), the table will elicit different tones, depending on how much pressure is applied to various areas on the table's surface. Musical chairs are so last season! Let's just hope you have soundproof walls, or your neighbors may not be a big fan of your newest furniture find . . .
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Casa Quickie: Speed Cleaning

CasaSugar — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:00:07 -0700

Turn on some fast-paced tunes while you're making your house So Fresh and So Clean to help you keep up the pace. But, don't listen to the radio, which will go on forever. Make yourself a playlist at a set length of time, such as 40 minutes, or play just one album. Move on to your next task each time a song ends, and keep one song in mind (towards the end of the playlist) to remind you that it's time to finish up. Don't answer your phone or do anything aside from cleaning until the music stops playing. Otherwise, you may find yourself quitting before the job's done, or taking too much time to finish up.
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