CasaSugar

Do You Leave the Lights on When You Leave?

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 10:00:21 -0700

When I know that I'll be returning home from work after dark, I always make sure to leave at least the entryway and porch light on. I hate to fumble with keys in the dark! I'm sure that if I didn't have a big dog inside the house, I'd leave even more lights on. How about you?

Summer Style: Paper Lanterns in 500 Days of Summer

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 08:00:26 -0700

500 Days of Summer doesn't make its debut in theaters until July 17, but I've already got an eye on the sets. Here, Zooey Deschanel and Joseph Gordon-Levitt stand on a rooftop in full Summer style. Of course, the pair look quite dapper in a beautifully patterned sundress and a sharp suit, but it's the paper lanterns that complete the scene. The concrete wall looks a little gritty but the lanterns instantly give the space early evening elegance. Paper lanterns are very inexpensive and easy to hang on a string of outdoor lights. Do any of you use these at home? If not, try replicating this look in your backyard or on your rooftop! To see where you can pick up some paper lanterns of your own, read more.

Maru 30" White Round Paper Lantern - $12.99	Aki Curved White Paper Lantern - $9.99
Yoko Square White Paper Lantern - $19.99	Kyoku Triple Ball White Paper Lantern - $14.99
Blue Maru Round Paper Lantern - $6.99	Taro Double Ball White Paper Lantern - $9.99
Maru Round White Paper Lantern - $4.99	Hexagon White Paper Lantern - $7.99

Photo courtesy of Fox Searchlight

Cool Idea: Stoneage Lighting

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

Once you've decked out your patio or deck with an outdoor dining table and other furniture, it's time to make sure the space is well-lit. You could go the route of candles or standard light fixtures, OR you could go the route of earth-friendly LED lights . . . in your patio's stonework. Denmark-based company Stoneage Lighting ($100 and up) makes paving stones (cobblestones, flagstones, etc.) with built-in lights which are embedded with LED lights, 100 percent waterproof, "vandal-proof," "road-worthy," and energy-saving. The lights will be set directly into your driveway, walkway, or patio, so you can light up your living space from underneath. Since LEDs have a very long life and require little energy, there'll be no more changing bulbs or pricey electricity bills. And, you don't have to worry about hitting your streetlight when you're backing out the driveway - always a plus.

Love It or Hate It? Smoon Ombrella

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0700

The Beau & Bien Smoon Ombrella ($1854) is a wireless and rechargable "light sculpture" for your indoor or outdoor space that acts a parasol in the day, and a lantern at night. But, to be honest, it looks more to me like an alien starship from It Came From Outer Space . . . kinda creepy! What do you think?

Midday Muse: Light in the Garden

CasaSugar — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:00:34 -0700

While I can't condone open-candle use in trees, I have to admit that I'm completely in love with this idea conceptually. Just add a few LED candles to replace the open-flame variety, and you're set.

Are you a fan of this idea? How would you interpret it in your backyard?
Source

String Lights: Illuminate Your Summer

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:58:38 -0700

White holiday lights, when used tastefully, can be a good outdoor adornment year-round. But string lights are such a bargain, why not buy yourself a special set for Summer?

These outdoor accessories add an elegant effect to al fresco dining, and depending on the style you choose, string lights can give your patio an entirely new vibe, from Euro cafe style to down-home charm. Here are five of my favorite string lights for Summer.

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Cool Idea: Lighting the Dark Garden

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 12:00:58 -0800

I've been pretty bummed about the time change, since it's usually dark by the time I get home from work. This means that any outdoor chores, gardening work, or frolicking with the dogs is done in near pitch black, or lit from sharp, glaring porch lights.

Kathy LaLiberte, director of gardening at my favorite gardening store, Gardeners Supply Company, has come up with a pretty solution to combat the darkness. Besides using solar lights along pathways, she's also indulged her inner artist with a cool project.

She writes:

Last Fall we came up with a combination art project/all-season, outdoor lighting solution. We made an orb with two rusted steel bands from an old whiskey barrel planter. They're held together at the top with a rusted-iron hose guide, which fits into a metal pipe that anchors the whole thing to a cedar post. Around the center of the pipe I wove a loose ball of wild grape vines. Then I stuffed the ball with a 24-foot string of small LED lights (these are the warm white ones - I don't like the cool blue lights).

How do you light your yard or garden after the clocks fall back?

Sale Alert: Up to 60% Off at West Elm

CasaSugar — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 08:30:43 -0800

Sixty and sexy. No, I'm not talking about your aunt Louise. I'm talking about West Elm's latest sale. The contemporary shop has carved up to 60 percent off of furniture, rugs, window decor, mirrors, wall decor, lighting, bedding and bath items, pillows and throws, accessories, and entertaining and outdoor items. Can you say "score"? S-C-O-R-E, score! Here are a few of my picks from the sale:

Cadman Spine Bookcase - $169.00	Chunky Plaited Wool Rug - $119.00
Faceted Glass Pendant Lamp - $129.00	Chunky Wall Shelves - $29.00
Organic Clover Bath Mat - $29.00	Textured White Vessels - $24.00
NEW - $119.00	Grid Tufted Headboard - $379.00

Get the Look: Colorful and Portable Rooftop Décor Part I

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 May 2008 11:00:50 -0700

If you have rooftop access to your city apartment building, or even your own house, you'll be a popular gal this Summer. Be it breezy or balmy, your friends will be pounding on your door in hopes of taking a gander at your lofty views. Even if the sun's gone down, you can create a warm, colorful, and comfortable rooftop for your entertaining (or escaping) needs by picking up some portable décor. You may need to avoid leaving your rooftop furnishings out day in and day out due to landlord restrictions or bad weather, so I've hunted down and compiled some products for you, in a look that's both easy to carry and set up as well cheerful. To hear about rooftop lighting and furniture, read more.

Rooftop Lighting: Combine tiki torches, citronella candles, a lightweight or tabletop firepit, and ethnic, patterned lanterns to give you light and warmth, keep bugs at bay, and create instant style.

Portable Furniture: The temporary, portable furniture solution is to surround a folding tray table with folding beach chairs, or opt for a plastic or rattan tray to set on the ground as your "table." But, you'll need something to keep things from flying away and in place. If you'll be serving a meal on your rooftop, rather than just hanging, you can make it a bit more formal with folding café or director chairs and small folding table.

Stay tuned to hear about rooftop accessories and textiles!

Before and After: J Paige's Amazing Kitchen Transformation

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:00:02 -0700

Su Casa member and artist J Paige bought her house six years ago, and while it was, as she notes, "dirt cheap," it also hadn't been updated in over 40 years. "The bedrooms had shag carpet and the kitchen had indoor/outdoor carpet (eck!) and ugly cabinets and plain laminate counters and matching laminate backplashes," she reports.

Instead of lamenting over the ugly, outdated look of her new house, J Paige set about remaking it into her dream home. She writes, "First, I tiled the floor, since that was in our budget at the time. Then we had new cabinets, a new counter, a dishwasher, and new lights installed. After that, we put French doors out the back of our kitchen and actually put a fan over the stove! But it took me over a year to finally figure out what I wanted to do with the backsplash. I am a mosaic artist and sculptor but it is always hard to get to work on your own house."

Well, even if it took a little while for J Paige to ruminate on the perfect kitchen backsplash, I've got to say that it was time well spent. To see the magnificent results, read more.

Wow! It's hard to believe this is the same space. I love J Paige's use of color and pattern in her mosaic backsplash. The whole kitchen is absolutely stunning. Want to see what else she's up to? Find out on her house blog.

Have you changed anything in your home? Post photos and stories in my Su Casa group!

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Tabletop Gel Firepit Small - $92.50	Oil Lamp with Clear Glass Shade - $115.00
Golden Globe Lights - Clear - $39.00	Striped Torch - $7.95
Bamboo Torch - $7.95	Citronella Bucket Candle - $16.95
Citronella 3-Wick Striped Cache Pot - $14.99	3-Wick Citronella Candle in Striped Bowl - $19.99
Solar Tiki Torch (Set of 2) - $19.99	Torch Lights - $12.99
Copper Fire Bowl - $139.00	Gondolier's Lantern - Square - $74.00
Clear Hanging Swirl Lantern - $19.99	notNeutral NotNeutral Season Lantern - in black - large size - $180.00
notNeutral NotNeutral Season Lantern - in persimmon - $50.00

Format Tray - $34.95	Palau Bed Tray - $54.95
Lacquer Bed Tray - $49.95	Folding Tray Table - $59.00
Hapao Scallop Tray - $50.00	Wood Beach Chair - $39.99
Bali Club Chair or Canvas - $20.00	Veneto Adjustable Folding Chair Sunbrella® Cushion - $130.00
Folding Cottage Side Table - $79.95	Set of Two Cafe Folding Chairs - $119.00
notNeutral - Melamine Tray - $17.00	Patio-Perfect Tray - $28.00
Rattan Serving Tray - $49.00