CasaSugar

This Just In: Michael Phelps Cashes in His Winnings

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 04:30:43 -0700

Olympic golden boy Michael Phelps has just acquired a crave worthy pad, paying $1.69 million for a 4,080-square-foot condo overlooking Baltimore's revitalized Harborfront, according to the Maryland Leader. The pad features amenities sure to win over any young Olympian, such as a rooftop terrace with fireplace, a private screening room, a state-of-the-art gym, a clubhouse with pool tables, and a Jacuzzi. He also recently purchased the Meadowbrook Swim Club and Northwest Ice Rink in Baltimore, which he and his coach plan to turn into an elite Olympic training center, and on the car front, he has been looking at "some Aston Martins and some Maseratis." Ohhh, new money. Let's hope those endorsement checks start rolling in fast.

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Midday Muse: Olympic Wreaths

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Come November, many people worldwide will hang wreaths on their front doors, celebrating the holiday season. But, who says wreaths should be reserved Christmas? One San Francisco city dweller decided to celebrate this year's Olympic games by making and hanging their very own set of Olympic rings . . . in wreath form! The symbolic five intertwined rings were reimagined with plastic fruits in the iconic colors white, red, blue, green, yellow, and black. Does your home have Olympic spirit? What other ideas for decorating like a champion do you have? At the very least, one of you must own an Olympic poster . . .
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Get the Look: It Takes Two

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 16:00:03 -0700

I may have been mystified by the synchronized swimmers during the 2008 Olympics, but they're not the only proof of value in symmetry. By using symmetry as a starting-off point for decorating your interiors, you can create a strong visual theme that looks polished, but not necessarily stiff.

To get this look, you should start by centering your sofa on one wall, preferably in front of a window. Then, pair a set of bookcases and a set of chairs on either side. In front of your sofa, set a trio of modular side tables and an area rug beneath them. Set a pair of matching throw pillows on the sofa. You've now created your room's architectural focal point, so it's time to offset that with some accents. To learn how to choose your color palette, offset the symmetry, and see products that'll help get the look, read more.

Stick with no more than four colors. Here, the palette includes chartreuse, gray, black, and white. Note that there are no patterns: add interest instead with texture.

Try a set of white faceted vases filled with tall flowers or greenery to make a bold statement. Then, fill in the space with a mix of decorative accents, such as vases, trays, and bowls, that share the same color palette. Below are some accents and furniture that I've rounded up to help you get this look.

The Furniture:

Lillberg Rocking Chair - $149.00	Leksvik Bookcase - $179.00
Sloane Leaning Desk/Bookcase Set - $377.95	Parsons Cube Side Table - $169.00
Shelton Side Table - $299.00	Knihult Sofa - $349.00
PB Square Slipcovered Sleeper Sofa - $1,749.00

The Accents:

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On The Market: Nicolas Cage Relists Bel Air Manse

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 15:00:51 -0700

Nicholas Cage is one busy real estate hobbyist. Having put his Vegas manse on the market in July, he's now relisting his sprawling Bel Air mansion. Previously owned by such legends as Tom Jones and Dean Martin, Cage bought the mansion from Jones in 1998 for $6.49 million. I'm not exactly sure what huge changes Cage has made to the place, but they've got to be extensive to justify the initial asking price of $35 million. To get the details on this Bel Air English manor-style mansion, read more.

The nine-bedroom, nine-bath, 11,817 square-foot mansion, which is now back on the market at a reduced asking price of $29.99 million, features a wine cellar, Olympic-sized pool, and a theater. Cage, who owns properties across the world, piqued my interest last year with his purchase of a haunted NOLA house.
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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 09:19:41 -0700

Elements of Style suggests that you use art as a headboard.
Charles and Hudson shows you a green built garden shed.
The Hardware Aisle introduces a green enzyme cleaner.
Dwell reflects on past Olympic logo designs.
PoppyTalk shows you how to make downloadable letters for wall stickers.
SavvySugar helps you manage money as a couple.
AT:SF is soliciting responses to this new version of the Keep Calm poster.
Danny Seo's made a decision on a good outdoor table.
AT:NY shows you some milk painted walls.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

2Modern shares stunning Olympic images.
AT:LA contemplates matching walls with upholstery.
AT:SF spots an inventive use of old skis.
Daily Danny gets handy with plaster.
Decor8 is inspired by Nicky Hilton's pad to plan a party.
Shelterrific talks about fighting termites the green way.
Real Simple knows five pendants you'll love.
Desire to Inspire flickr finds some coffee tables.
Craft: shows us how to make flip books from video.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:00:00 -0700

AT:LA has a thorough guide to Eames designs in pop culture.
Craft shows you how to bleach stencil placemats.
Daily Danny turned his old CDs into dumbbells.
Design*Sponge reveals a fun before and after studio.
Desire to Inspire stalks a church conversion.
The Moment interviews Bulgarian artist Nedko Solakov.
More Ways to Waste Time looks at the Olympic topiary gardens in Beijing.
Poppytalk spots some inventive mosaics.
Remodelista contemplates flashes of crimson.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:00:04 -0700

Dwell notices the unupholstered chair.
Decor8 shares photos of a friend's gorgeous home.
YumSugar invites you to an Olympics party.
AT:SF explains how to add color to a drab living room.
Design*Sponge has a home sneak peek of Carrie from Two Trick Pony.
Daily Dose shares a source for discount fabric.
Craft finds some cute rub-on decals.
SavvySugar gives you the lowdown on FreeCreditReport.com.

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This Just In: Brad Pitt Drops Big Bucks at Art Basel

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 12:41:52 -0700

Are you sick of hearing about Brad and Angelina yet? I hope not, because I've got some more "news" on the Brad Pitt front for you. According to Bloomberg, Brad Pitt was in Switzerland on Tuesday at Art Basel, an annual international contemporary art exhibition which has been pegged "the Olympics of the art world." After being chauffered there in a BMW, he snapped up two Max Lamb Bronze Poly Chairs ($25,000) and the Family Lamp by Atelier van Lieshout, made of foam and reinforced fiberglass, the Cinderella Table ($293,000) by Dutch designer Jeroen Verhoeven, made of a solid block of Carrara marble, and the Silver Sky rug ($175/sq. ft.) by Colombian designer Jorge Lizarazo, woven from aluminum thread. At the very least, Pitt's little shopping spree, (perhaps not coincidentally the day before Angelina's birthday) cost him a cool $500,000. But, we know Brad and Angelina have a new house to furnish, and Brad's interest in design and architecture is no secret, so this comes as no surprise. I've got to give it to him; he does have a good eye . . . the birch version of the Cinderella table sits in The Collection of New York's MoMA. Perhaps, Brad picked up the contemporary art as inspiration for the new building he's designing in Dubai?
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Architect Stories: Zaha Hadid

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 11:00:07 -0800

The first woman to win the Pritzker Prize for Architecture in its 26-year history, Zaha Hadid has defined her architecture with sensual curves and a lack of right angles. She creates buildings that revel in multiple perspectives and seem to mirror the fragmentation of modern living. Born in Baghdad in 1950, Zaha Hadid currently resides in London, but her architectural mark is seen across the planet, with projects such as the Rosenthal Center for Contemporary Art in Cincinnati and the BMW plant in Leipzig. She's also designing the 2012 Olympic aquatic center in London, which is typical of her style, with its sinuous and fluid lines.Take a look at some of her innovative and futuristic designs and buildings. Source, Source, and Source

View Slideshow ›

Tempo Velvet Chartreuse Pillow - $36.95	Tetra Rug - $299.00
Pure Ceramic Vases, Woodland Whites - $29.00	Baldwin Table Lamp - $149.00
Bamboo Thermal Roman Shade - $60.00	Bussolari - brac lacquered tray by bussolari of italy - $150.00
Denby "White" Serving Bowl - $67.00	Lucy Vase - $5.95
Jonathan Adler Tamarind Vase- White - $198.00	Eklo - Green Vase - $24.99