CasaSugar

Coveted Crib: Eli Manning's Jersey Digs

CasaSugar — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 10:00:49 -0700

Electronic House recently toured the home of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his wife Abby in Hoboken, NJ (although he's actually a New Orleans boy), which is decked to the nines in the latest technologies. Although the condo is decidedly high-tech, it's also quite understated, traditional, and sophisticated. To see for yourself, check out this slideshow. Source

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Design Ideas From My Tour of the Ace Hotel New York! Part II: The Lobby

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

If you saw Part I of this slideshow (The Loft Suite), you know I was recently invited to tour the new Ace Hotel in New York. I've always been a fan of the boutique hotel chain's vintage industrial aesthetic, but I particularly loved the prep school/university library feel of Ace NY's lobby. Tall ceilings, original floor tiling, old wooden tables, giant columns, cozy, quiet seating, and a well-bound collection of dusty books made me feel like I'd stepped into a scene from School Ties - although Matt Damon was nowhere to be found. There are plenty of clever design ideas for you take from this lobby, even if a trip to the Big Apple isn't in your plans.

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In the News: Celebrating the Outdoors in a Manhattan Penthouse

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:00:49 -0700

What's the first thing you do when you buy a $4 million penthouse in lower Manhattan? If you're Matthew Blesso, you don't move in; instead, you allow two Yale professors to use the space as a giant experimental classroom.
Fred A. Bernstein's recent New York Times article In the Penthouse, a True Garden Apartment, celebrates this collaboration between architect Joel Sanders, landscape architect Diana Balmori, and real estate developer Matthew Blesso. The professors teach a course called Interface that integrates architecture and landscape architecture, the latter of which is often overlooked in projects. And so, with Mr. Blesso’s blessing, the two professors turned his $4 million apartment into an extended classroom. Luckily for all parties involved, the results were more than satisfactory for everyone, with Sanders and Balmori getting their living lab, and Blesso a truly unique living space.

To find out more about this penthouse, read more.

After renovating the penthouse for around $1 million, Blesso moved back in. Now, he performs his morning ablutions at a sink that's overshadowed by a large vertical garden on one wall. Striped dracaena add life to the staircase; outside, an outdoor shower and lush vegetation mingle, and mint plants climb up the bulkhead. The effect is soothing, design-forward, and wild at the same time.

Of course, I can't forget about this home's other design elements. The interior design is also a mix of chic and wilder elements, with products such as Tom Dixon lamps framing a graffiti mural, Livingstones scattered on the sofa and floor, Hans Wegner shell chairs lending a mid-century vibe, and other lovely pieces, which are wonderfully integrated in the home. Blesso, who's currently working on affordable housing developments in Central America, among other projects, definitely has a coveted crib. If you know what's good for you (and your need for real estate eye candy), head over to The New York Times to check out the full slideshow of his home.

Laurie Lambrecht for The New York Times

How-To: Set the Table For a Fab Party

CasaSugar — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 07:00:33 -0700

In a recent New York Times article, interior designer David Serrano (pictured at right, seated), who also owns the glamorous shop Downtown and Outside Downtown, offered some advice on setting a party table. Serrano says, "[Setting a table] is emblematic of your personal style . . . My job has always been to create a beautiful tabletop that will complement the great food and wonderful guests.”

Here are my favorite tips from Mr. Serrano:

Consider serving everything family style. This allows you to mix china patterns, display funky glasses that might not match, and in general, create a more festive atmosphere at the table.
Don't be afraid to mix things up. As Serrano notes, “I like new things mixed with old things, cheap things from Pier 1 mixed with fancy things from Hermès.”
If you're decorating for a birthday party, include party favors for everyone at the party. They don't have to be expensive; just make sure they are beautiful and useful. For instance, a tiny potted herb tied with a ribbon would be a great present for a chef or gardener's birthday party.

For the rest of the tips, read more.

Set the tone of the table with one unique, eyecatching object, such as an unusual vase or decorative urn.
Avoid distracting objects, such as giant, fragrant floral arrangements.
If you use candles, make sure they're unscented.
Don't forget dessert! You can even coordinate frosting color on your cake or cupcakes with the colors of your tablescape.

Source

This Just In: Conan Moves to Brentwood

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 09:00:02 -0800

It seems that getting back to hosting Late Night hasn't kept Conan O'Brien quite busy enough. The red-haired funny man has also been real estate shopping, and recently purchased a 6 bedroom, 8.5 bath New England Traditional-style gated home on Tigertail Road in Brentwood, California. This will be quite the geographic move for Mr. O'Brien and his family, who currently live in New York City at The Majestic on Central Park West, which he purchased in late 2006 for a reported $9,950,000.

To hear more about the Brentwood home and to see some pictures, read more.

The Brentwood house is a massive and well-appointed beauty, featuring six fireplaces, six en suite bedrooms, a 1500 bottle wine room, a paneled library with bar, and a 60 feet-long veranda. The master bedroom suite comes replete with balcony, sitting room, dual baths, and giant fitted closet. Other awesome amenities include a screening room, a spa, an outdoor kitchen, and a heated pool.

What do you think of the new house? Is it too East Coast trad for the West Coast, or do you think it's big and beautiful enough for any entertainment mogul, regardless of locale?

Photos courtesy of NBC and Source

Accessories For Your Furniture?

CasaSugar — Fri, 02 Nov 2007 05:14:56 -0700

The New York Times recently reported on the trend to "accessorize" furniture with items such as giant charm bracelets. According to the article,

The idea that furniture should wear jewelry may strike some people as, well, nuts. But the notion behind it - that the kind of personal style associated with fashion can and should be expressed through home accessorizing, in ways that go far beyond throw pillows - has become a guiding principle of the furnishings industry.

Funny-I was under the assumption that the artwork we choose, the family photos we display, and the furniture and wall colors we decide upon, showcased our personalities. And as much as I may love interior design, its main purpose has always been, in my humble opinion, to make residents and guests happy, healthy, and comfortable.

What do you think? Any interest in this home accessories trend? Or do you think it's ridiculous, too?

Source