CasaSugar

Found It! Blair Waldorf's Silver Ottoman

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 05:30:01 -0700

In last week's episode of Gossip Girl, Blair Waldorf's silver ottoman cube caught my eye. It's a bit glitzy for my taste, but I think it's fun for a young co-ed like Blair and I love its quilted upholstery. Wondering where it's from? Then read more.

It's the Brocade Home Silver Metallic Cube ($199). What do you think? Do you like it? To be honest, I'm really swooning over her artwork!

Steal of the Day: JCPenney Canvas Cube Ottoman

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 05:30:34 -0700

Nailhead trim is like a great red lipstick. Both infuse even the most bare surfaces with eye-catching pizazz. Take the JCPenney Canvas Cube Ottoman ($79.99, reduced from $240), for example. You can't get more basic and blah that a canvas cube. Add nailhead trim in a greek key pattern and suddenly, you've got a fresh, elegant furnishing to use as spare seating or a side table in a contemporary or traditional home.

Steal of the Day: Hourglass Ottoman

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:00:00 -0700

Unless you're rolling in dough, spare seating is not something to spend a fortune on. The everyday gear should be your investment. So, it's a treat that the Gaiam Hourglass Ottoman ($60, reduced from $129) is on sale. Its sturdy metal frame makes it ideal seating for guests around your coffee table. The rest of the time, you can use it as a side table or a place to stack books. Better yet, lift up its removable lid and use it as storage year-round. Made from bacbac leaf, "a fast-growing, bark-like fiber used in thatched roofs," you can be reassured that your home is as organic as your grocery list.

Crave Worthy: Sea Urchin Poufs

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I think I have died and gone to heaven in the ocean. Poufs + sea urchins + yarn = three trends I love blended into one. I don't read a stitch of German, but I might have to sign up for Berlitz just to figure out how to get my hands on one of these Taschide Sea Urchin Poufs. Update: My German-speaking husband reveals that the description reads, "The pillows come in three sizes and several colors (presently: bright pink, grey, grey/brown). They are stuffed with wheat/spelt mixture, and the coverlet is hand-embroidered from wool. The coverlet may be washed. The pillows and coverlets are produced (i.e sewn, assembled and stuffed) in Germany."

The cozy creatures are utterly charming and would make sublime spare seating in my home, or even a footrest for my privileged feet. Beyond that, the palette is parfait, kind of like French macaroons - another love. Sigh.

Crave Worthy: Moroccan Square Ottoman

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 05:30:52 -0700

I am beginning to feel pretty pathetic and predictable about my love for all things Moroccan. Yesterday, I was flipping through a friend's cookbook, The Food of Morocco, and was literally salivating more and more with every turn of the page. She turned to me and said, "Why don't you move there already?" That's not going to happen any time soon. Until it does, I wouldn't mind soothing my yearning for the North African country with this Moroccan Square Ottoman ($1,195). Made of natural linen with meticulous black embroidery, it's a sight for wanderlust-filled eyes. I'm especially swooning over the black tassels with wooden beads in each of its four corners.

Etsy Find: Mookah Funky Pod Ottoman

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 05:30:00 -0700

As much as I love me some Moroccan poufs, I haven't been able to bring myself to drop $200 on what is basically a footstool. So, I was delighted to come across this cheerful Mookah Funky Pod ($35), which is essentially a pouf made of heavy-duty cotton fabric. I particularly love its little button top! It's available in several other fabrics, or you can have one custom-made with your fabric of choice. It ships unfilled, so you'll have to pick up some polystyrene beans or cotton fiber filling. At this price, you could order a few for less than the price of one pouf and create a cozy low sitting area!

Roundup: 10 Fresh Spring Ottomans

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:30:38 -0700

Whether padded and upholstered or minimal and sleek, an ottoman can serve your needs. It can serve as a temporary coffee table or just a place to put your feet up and relax.

An ottoman has many monikers: footstool, tuffet, hassock, or pouf, are all various identities for the ottoman. Some ottomans are hollow, and can be used for blanket boxes, adding valuable storage to your home. Since the changing season is inspiring me to put some fresh color in my home, the ottoman is a perfect way to add a color infusion. It's small enough to easily change rooms, but large enough to make a visual impact wherever you place it.

Love It or Hate It? Chalkboard Graffiti Storage Bench

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 06:15:22 -0800

I think I'm over the chalkboard trend. This Chalkboard Graffiti Storage Bench (out of stock), which is made of erasable washable vinyl and comes with white chalk, has just gone too far. I guess in a way this product is innovative, but since when does leaving notes and jotting reminders for yourself have to come at the expense of aesthetics? I don't see anything attractive about this bench, and vinyl is certainly not my textile of choice. I'd much prefer a beautiful Suzani bench and a traditional notepad instead. Take a look at all of these benches and tell me if you'd prefer this rec-room seating.

Desire/Acquire: Rattan Pouf

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:00:01 -0800

Though this Urban Outfitters Rattan Pouf ($88) isn't a huge splurge, I think nearly 100 bucks (when you add shipping) is a lot to spend on a simple rattan cushion. This is especially true for me since I'd like to buy a few of them! It's such a great durable indoor/outdoor product that you can pull up as extra seating when you've got a full house. I do know of a more affordable alternative that's just as versatile and handsome, though. To see where you can get it, read more.

The Ikea Alseda Stool ($29.99) will save you 50 smackers on your spare seating. Although not as "poufy" as the Urban Outfitters pouf, it's just as comfortable (I can attest) and certainly good-looking. This alternative also stacks up well since it's more flat, which is ideal if you're buying more than one.

5 Unexpected Armchair and Ottoman Pairs

CasaSugar — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:00:44 -0800

Anyone with cash to spend can walk into Design Within Reach, Room and Board, or some other fabulous store and buy a matching armchair and ottoman. But where's the fun in that? Like mix-and-match fashion, you can create far more surprises when you pair unlikely pieces. Even more daring: matching modern design with traditional styles.

For instance, rather than buy the footstool that goes with this Room and Board Astoria Chair ($500), why not put your feet up on the Anthropology Noctua Ottoman ($600) instead? Or, pair a Crate and Barrel lounger with a flea market ottoman. I've got plenty of modern/traditional chair and ottoman pairings, so to see them, read more.

Modernica Grasshopper Ottoman In Type I Fabrics - $420.00	Rush Ottomans Natural Finish (set of 3) - $89.00
Jellyfish Ottoman - $280.00	Caspar Ottoman - $1,395.00
Telly Ottoman, Linen - $498.00	Avery Ottoman - $99.00
Sutter Ottoman - Select Items - $399.00	Cole Ottoman in Valor Jade - $349.00
Allegro Ottoman - $149.00	Fatboy - Point - $89.00