CasaSugar

Do You Layer Patterns at Your Home?

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 10:00:58 -0800

I love the eclectic look of the folksy, layered patterns in this living room. It looks so cozy and welcoming, but still appears pulled together, thanks to the cohesive color palette. Layering this many patterns can be intimidating, however, because it's sometimes hard to know how to pick and choose the best patterns for a space.

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Do You Decorate With Paisley?

CasaSugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:30:16 -0700

I have to say, I'm a little in love with this silk upholstered Simone Paisley Sofa ($4,999). I doubt that I could pull off such a bold design in my home, but I do think that a pretty paisley can really liven up a room, whether it's used in a throw or a pillow.

Roundup: Checks, Please!

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:38 -0700

Blame it on the retro costuming of Mad Men, but I'm seeing checkered patterns everywhere these days. Checks look great on copywriter Peggy Olson, and I have a feeling they'd look fab in your home as well.
Want to add some retro flair to your home with traditional checked patterns? I've found both subtle and not-so-subtle checkered patterns for your home-decorating pleasure. See them when you read more.

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Cool Idea: Stenciled Shelving

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 10:00:32 -0700

I recently stumbled upon Craftster member Retroeva's post on her kitchen makeover. While I love the new look, my absolute favorite part of the kitchen is Retroeva's stenciled open shelving.

As you know, I'm a big fan of open shelving. I especially love it when a homeowner paints the back wall of the shelving with a contrasting color, or adds wallpaper to the wall. However, until now, I'd never realized the potential oomph that a well-chosen stencil could give this kitchen feature.

Want to see the reset of Retreva's fabulous kitchen? Then read more.

Retroeva writes, "After much debate I decided to paint my kitchen red, so I stalked the paint sections at the hardware store and pillaged the paint chips to tape on the wall to gawk at as the sun made its way through the sky and decided on Eddie Bauer's 'Crimson' which is part of his bungalow collection at Lowes. This is the second color of that line that I've worked with and I'm pleased."

I'd be pleased as well! The kitchen looks fabulous. Nice work, Retroeva!

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Casa Interview: Bryonie Porter

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Bryonie Porter creates beautiful, brilliantly patterned furniture for her clients. Using both antique and modern furniture, she customizes each piece with wallpaper. For durability, she uses a water-based, environmentally friendly, high-gloss lacquer, which makes these pieces perfect for the hard knocks of everyday living. I recently chatted with Bryonie about her work and background.

CasaSugar: How did you start your business? Can you tell me a little about it?

Bryonie Porter: I started my business by covering pieces for myself at home, and when I saw how impressive the results could be it started from there. I was dealing antiques for a while before I started wallpapering, so I had access to a lot of furniture, which made it very easy to find nice pieces to cover.

CasaSugar: What are some of your favorite wallpaper companies to work with?

Bryonie Porter: I have a few favorite papers. They are made by Cole & Son and by Osborne & Little. I also like a lot of Timorous Beasties' designs as they are so unusual. This Autumn I am hoping to bring out some hand-printed wallpapers of my own.

See what Bryonie has to say about using pattern in your home, and see more of her work when you read more.

CasaSugar: Why do you like to work with wallpaper?

Bryonie Porter: Wallpaper is great as the right designs work so well on furniture. Personally, I would rather have my walls plain and my furniture and accessories very decorative, and also if you move then you can take it with you, but if you put it on the walls then it's very final - you can't move it once it's up!

CasaSugar: What are some of your favorite projects that you’ve tackled?

Bryonie Porter: I am currently wallpapering a piano for someone - that's pretty cool. I did a chest of drawers for a client that had a map of the world on it and that was great. I've also just done a UK map bureau for Selfridges which looks fantastic. Both of these pieces were very educational as my geography is rubbish!

CasaSugar: Do you have any advice for people who are shy about using pattern? How can they test the waters?

Bryonie Porter: Using patterns can be daunting, but I think if you like something you just have to go for it. Personally I like large, bold prints and enjoy the dramatic effect they have. It's a great way to change the look of a room or a piece of furniture.

View 23 Photos ›

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Love It or Hate It? All-Over Patterning in a Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:15:52 -0700

While it's likely that I would quickly tire of this vibrantly patterned wall and chest, part of me can't help coveting the exuberant design. What about you?

Cool Idea: Pink Walls and a Patterned Floor

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 10:00:28 -0700

Creative lady extraordinaire Medley recently turned a forgotten attic at a Craftsman home into a patterned and pink wonderland. She explains, "I have a degree in Architecture, and when I work full time, that's my main profession. I think that makes me a little bolder in my color selections than is typical. I also design jewelry, but that's mostly for fun. The inspiration for my room started with a similar shade of pink in an old article in Domino magazine. I went to the craft store with that in mind, and went through scrapbook paper, picking out a pallette with 2 shades of pink, robin's egg blue, and a dark purple. I planned all along to accent with black & white. The original plan was to have all black and white furniture and a robin's egg blue chenille or matalesse bedspread. At this point it's a work in progress. The scroll pattern for the floor was inspired by this floor in the Lena Corwin contest, though mine is more geometric and precise."

For more pictures of the attic room and to find out what paint colors medley used, read more.
For the walls, Medley used Behr paint matched to Ralph Lauren's Belmont Pink. For the floor, Medley used Behr Evening Violet for the scroll designs and Black Orchid for the background. The trim is Behr Swan Wing, and the radiator is Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch in Berry Pink.

I love the contrast between the pink and the patterned, darker floor. And as a lover of bold color myself, I appreciate Medley's choice of pinks. Beautiful work!

View 5 Photos ›

Open House: Do You Play It Too Safe?

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 09:00:24 -0700

This lovely vignette, from stay-at-home-mom Shella Anderson's house, beautifully works with color and pattern. She referenced pattern in an interview with Cookie, when asked about decorating mistakes that people often make. In her opinion, the number one decorating mistake is "[p]laying it too safe! Not having any of their personality in their home because they're maybe a little worried to add color or pattern."

I love to use color and pattern in my own home, but I know that vibrant colors and patterns aren't everyone's first choice when it comes to decorating their homes. There are other ways to play it too safe, though, from not taking a risk on a new furniture design to refusing to think creatively about use of space. Do you play it too safe when decorating your home? Or do you take wild risks?

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Inspired: On the Grid

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 06:15:59 -0800

This immense grid is actually a test picture on a large-scale, touch-sensitive projection display at the IBM stand at the CeBIT technology trade fair, which is running right now in Hanover, Germany. Inspired by the pleasing simplicity of the grid pattern, I thought I'd find some other grids that are less tech-oriented, starting with this CB2 Grid Pillow ($24.95). Check out my other grid finds below.

Meridian Placemat - $9.95	Tiki Placemats - $4.95
Gaia & Gino - grid vase collection by jaime hayon for gaia & gino - $990.00	Knoll x3 stacking chair - $434.00
Grid Pillow - $24.95	Barneys New York Diamond Grid Throw- White - $995.00
Tango Lighting Olav Ceiling Light - $413.00	Metric Bed - $1,699.00

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Are You Over Ikat?

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 14:00:00 -0800

Ikat (the textile used on these shades) has been trendy in the décor world for over a year now. I tend to tire of trends quickly, but ikat still holds my heart. How about you?Source

W.A.C. Lighting Model G526 Pendant Shade - $260.90	Checkered Gustavian Chair - $289.00
Graham & Brown - Checker Wallpaper - $40.00	Checker Knob - $6.00
Winter Cotttage - $19.99	Matignon Silk Checked Curtain - $159.00
Magnetic Board - $39.00	14" Couture Hardback Lamp Shade - Small Black Check - $35.00
Missoni Home - kody bath collection by missoni home - $22.00	Folk Art Game Boards - Blue Checker Board - $64.00
Gingham Reese Chair Slipcover - $149.00	Gingham Boutis Napkins, Set of 4, Yellow - $28.00
Check Chenille Rug - $139.99	Ballard Check Ribbon - $15.00
"Padova" Blankets - $420.00	Gingham Boutis Runner, Red - $64.00
Karastan "French Check" Blue Check Area Rug, 2' 9" x 7' 10" Runner - $599.00	Mono - mono tea-towels by mono - $8.00
Chiellini Chess Set- Black / Brown - $450.00	Big Frills Apron - $38.00