CasaSugar

Have You Built Anything?

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:30:16 -0700

Be it a fence, a bookshelf, a house, or a garden box, I want to know. Have you built anything? Source

Casa Quickie: Soap Up the Screws

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 05:00:00 -0800

Have you ever cursed your screwdriver for making your DIY job just a tad too painful? I have. I've dropped the screw too many times to count before even making a mark on the wall. Even power tools can be challenging. Lucky for me, my old man is quite handy and has given me pointers on putting things together. Thus far, one of his best kept secrets is adding a bit of gooey soap (a tiny glob goes a long way) to the tip of a screw before you put it into the wall or object.

Try it out and let me know how it works for you!

Casa Interview, Part I: Domino Founding Editor Deborah Needleman (and an Awesome Giveaway!)

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 09:00:54 -0700

We design enthusiasts will admit that Domino will always hold a special place in our hearts - and bookshelves. But it was the stable of talented, creative people that truly made the beloved magazine an influence and an inspiration. So I was so delighted to have the chance to catch up with the founding editor-in-chief of Domino and co-author of Domino: The Book of Decorating, Deborah Needleman. It should come as no surprise that she hasn't lost her knack and passion for design.

Deborah's latest project is an exciting, interactive tool that she's created for HomeGoods, called StyleScope, which helps you find your own interior design style and learn to navigate the vast world of décor options. Home Goods, I hope you know, is a wonderful place to find designer home décor at prices 20 to 60 percent lower than department stores, and is also one of my favorite resources for stylish accessories. Deborah was kind enough to share some of her thoughts and tips on design and curating a stylish home that's uniquely you, and give us the lowdown on her life these days!

What are you working on these days? Any exciting projects on the horizon for you?
I am really enjoying the idea of just doing projects, consulting, writing, gardening - I probably shouldn't admit it, but it's quite a good relief to not be working so hard and to have a break from the pressure. I am considering on a couple book projects - one on table settings, another on decorators' gardens, and a more personal book on growing vegetables and flowers.

Before Domino, I was a garden writer - and it's nice to have time to garden like mad again. I'm also talking to people and companies about designing furniture and accessories and starting up new businesses. Sometimes I feel like I'm a professional meeting-taker. Last night the former creative director of Domino [Sara Ruffin Costello] and I hatched a plan to try to redesign all the ugly products at Duane Reade like Kleenex boxes, toothpaste, and shaving cream!

To read the rest of the interview, read more.

For the Summer, I'm just hanging out with my children, gardening, and being as lazy as possible. I've loved working with HomeGoods because oddly the store is a well-kept secret among design snobs - and I love spreading the word about great design sources. That was what Domino was about: sharing ideas and resources. And creating a style quiz was something we wanted to do but never got around to at Domino.

What current trends do you think have staying power?

Decorating that has personality and a sense of reality rather than rooms that are too matchy or too perfect. Rooms that are stiff and lifeless really depress me!! Mixing high and low design and price points will remain chic, and not simply for economic reasons - it shows personality and confidence. Also, now that nearly everyone is interested in design, there is no going back. It's a better decorated world than it used to be, and that is so nice!

What are your favorite go-to resources for furniture? How about accessories?

I am decorating my house upstate (well, really former Domino editor Rita Konig is!) and I can't get enough of the fabrics, rugs, cushions, and accessories from John Robshaw, Madeleine Weinrib, and John Derian.

What’s your number one tip for finding great bargains?
I am married to a man who will buy something truly awful because he "saved so much." Something is only a great bargain if you would want it even if it cost more. I learned from Domino editor Dara Caponigro to never let anything in my house I don't love. Even free stuff is not a bargain if you don't need or love it - it is junk, clutter. Also, you must know your own style more if you're wading through a flea market or garage sale than if you're in a boutique where the owner has done all the taste-editing for you already!

What types of furnishings should one splurge on/invest in? Any to cut back on?

It's so personal. It really only matters what matters to you. I believe in expensive sheets. I like sleeping, and good sheets are a wonderful indulgence.

How did working at Domino influence your own decorating habits or design choices?
As a reader, I craved a magazine like Domino because I was a person who I felt had good taste, but not great style, if you know what I mean. I could never make a decision because I could never decide who I was stylistically or how to express myself!! I surrounded myself at the magazine with people who I thought had great taste and great style (and all rather different style sensibilities actually), and who were all also really smart and nice - so they could teach me and the readers simultaneously. I learned to edit! I learned I could have a lot of different styles I like but just not all at once!!! And I learned to both be braver and to loosen up more. You can't avoid making some mistakes. But truthfully, I also learned that there is a lot to learn, that decorating well isn't easy, and that there are people way better at it than me - and that I still want their help! I love the advice of experts. Sadly, for me, the more I know, the more I know I don't know! Domino also made me realize how important decorating can be to the life of a home, and the life of a family.

This interview will be continued, so stay tuned for more. And we have a special giveaway for you CasaSugar readers on the way! One of you lucky readers will win a $500 gift card to HomeGoods. Check back for the rest of the interview and details about the giveaway tomorrow!

Love It or Hate It? Bold Stair Runner

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:00:37 -0700

I just watched the 1966 Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole film How to Steal a Million, which is chock-full of talking points when it comes to interior design. But the one thing that truly blew me away (aside from the armoire that leads to a secret staircase) was the purple staircase and banister in Hepburn's character's foyer. In contrast to the rest of the reserved, gilded, French furnishings in the Parisian mansion, the purple stair runner is a very bold choice. Several important scenes take place on the staircase, so it was smart of production designer Alexandre Trauner to make it a focal point. Clearly, the décor in this home is dated and a little glitzy for most of our tastes, and this shade of purple isn't very popular these days. But what do you think of this effect in general? Do you like how they've used a stair runner to create visual impact? Would you want to replicate a similar look in your home with a powerful color, pattern, or stripes?
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Sale Alert: 20 Percent Off at Ace Hardware

CasaSugar — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 05:30:28 -0800

I don't tend to write about hardware store sales, but this one is so good I couldn't pass it up. Head to your local Ace Hardware store today, and you'll receive 20 percent off of whatever you can fit in your shopping bag. The deal excludes sale items, city stickers, gift cards, online purchases, and Benjamin Moore Aura paint; power tools and small appliances will only receive a 10 percent discount. But that still leaves a lot to work with! I'm thinking of painting a room in my home this weekend, so I think I'll stock up on paint supplies while I can. Do you have any fixing up to do at your house? Any little projects you can finally complete?

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 14:00:36 -0800

Three cheers for ribbon wallpaper.- Craft
Get inspired by Sacramento's Greens Hotel.- AT:SF
Cool: A garbage truck powered by garbage.- Inhabitat
Spring daydreams are occurring when it comes to house exteriors.- Making It Lovely
Try out some eco-friendly painting tools.- Re-Nest
Too cute: This grocery tote is super adorable.- Shelterrific
Swoon over architect Columbe Stevens's pretty interiors.- Desire to Inspire
Get pumped for new DIY mag Fresh Home.- Charles and Hudson

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Gift Guide: The Handyman

CasaSugar — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:15:55 -0800

Each holiday season I inevitably find myself searching for gifts that the men in my family will actually enjoy. For some reason, furry suede slippers never do well. And, you can only give a man a tie and a set of cuff links so many times before he starts to think you want him to spend more time at work. But anyone with a Y chromosome wants to think he's useful at home as well as the office. So, whether you need to encourage the men in your life to do a little more work around the house, or you want to reward them for all the picture-hanging and deck-building they can't seem to get enough of, a handyman-style gift is just the thing to put a smile on your dudes' faces this year. I've collected some items I know they'll love, and perhaps laugh about (overalls). But I also recommend checking out your local hardware shop and some old standbys like Duluth Trading and L.L. Bean. If you're working with a beginner handyman, the ideal gift is a sturdy toolbox or bag filled with all of the essential household tools. Also, listen closely, there may be some sort of power tool your very own handyman is already aching for. To see my suggestions, read more.

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For more gift gifts, holiday home decorating tips and more, check out HolidaySugar!

DIY: Shutter Earrings Display

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 06:15:59 -0700

If you liked my transformation of a shutter, then check out this DIY, where I show you how to make an earrings display out of some low-cost materials. This is a fun and fast DIY that will instantly transform an earring collection.

What You'll Need

One shutter (check out an architectural salvage store or a junkyard for cheap shutters)
Wallpaper samples, or heavy paper
Mod Podge or wallpaper paste
Scissors or a razor blade
Paintbrush
Flat edge tool, such as a credit card
Three screws: two short screws for the back of your shutter, and one longer screw for the wall
Screwdriver or power drill
Picture hanging wire

To hear the steps, read more.

Working on a flat surface, cover one edge of the shutter with the wallpaper. Run your finger firmly against the wallpaper where it meets the edges of the shutter. You'll be able to see raised marks on the edges of the paper if you press hard enough. Use these edges as your guides for cutting the paper.

Repeat these steps on all of the outside edges of the shutter. This will provide the "frame" for your earrings holder.
Now, use your wallpaper paste or Mod Podge to glue down the wallpaper. Use your flat edge tool to make sure that the wallpaper adheres smoothly to the wood.

After your wallpaper dries, turn over the shutter and screw two short screws onto each side of the shutter, near the top. Then, twine your picture hanging wire on each end.

Screw the longer screw into the wall of your bedroom or bathroom (or wherever you want to display your earrings).
Hang your earrings, and enjoy the display!

How-To: Clean Your Deck with a Pressure Washer

CasaSugar — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 05:30:06 -0700

As much as I love to sit and muse over the saturated sunset views I have from my deck, eventually it comes time to clean the deck after the long winter, and prepare for Summer entertaining. If your deck has seen better days, there are several options for cleaning it, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. Today, I'm going to tell you how to clean it with a pressure washer. But before we get to that, you must remove everything from your deck (furniture, grills, plants — small children and adorable small animals included. Then, sweep your deck to rid it of dust, leaves, tree droppings, cobwebs, and other debris. To learn about the process and the steps, read more.

Pressure washers, which you can rent if you don't own, are very popular because they save a lot of time. But, the high-pressure stream of water agitating the surface of your deck can be so powerful that it destroys the surface of the wood, eroding the fibers of the wood. If used properly though, as professionals use it, with a pressure that is not too high, and not held too close to the surface of the wood, it can be a very effective and quick method for cleaning your deck. You should consider though, that these power washers use gasoline or electricity to pressurize the water from your garden house, which is not exactly the greenest cleaning tool.

Before you wash, put on safety goggles and gloves.
Then, test the washer on an inconspicuous area (maybe the under side of your deck), to get comfortable using the wand (hold on tight!) and determine what the correct distance is to hold your wand.
Next, lightly wet the entire deck.
Then, wash the deck in a sweeping motion, beginning at one end of the deck and working your way to the other side.
Then, mix a non-toxic cleaner, like oxygen bleach Stain Solver, with warm water, and apply it to the deck with a sprayer, mop or brush.
Let it sit for about 30 minutes.
Then, use the power washer to give it a good rinse off.
Once the deck is dry, apply a sealant like Thompson's Waterseal with a paint roller or a brush in a quick sweep; it shouldn't take long to dry. That's all folks!

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DIY: Build Your Own Garden Box

CasaSugar — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 07:45:47 -0700

This weekend, I decided to expand my vegetable garden space by building another garden box. If you know how to operate a power drill, you can build this box, too. Here are some tips to make it easier: If you're a first-time builder, go to a small hardware or lumber store with a friendly clerk who can help you work out the details. Also, have the hardware store folks cut all of your lumber to the correct lengths; this will save you loads of time and headaches. Finally, remember: This is going to get filled with soil, so it doesn't have to look perfect! Tune in tomorrow, when I tell you how to securely place, fill, and plant your box.

Here's What You Need

4 longer pieces of redwood, cut to specified length (I used 8 ft lengths)
4 shorter pieces of wood for the ends, cut to specified length (I used 3 ft lengths)
4 4-x-4-inch square pieces of redwood cut to match the height of 2 boards (in my case it was 12 inches). You can also opt to cut your 4-x-4s to a slightly longer length (such as 2 inches longer). This way, you can use the longer length of the 4-x-4s to anchor your box when you have to dig it into the ground.
Galvanized 4 inch-long screws (galvanized screws will resist rust)
Power drill (preferably with other battery pack charged)
Flat, large surface for working, such as a patio, deck, or garage
A willing helper, who can hold ends of lumber and fetch tools as needed

To find out how to build this garden box, just read more.

Take two of your 4-x-4s and place them beneath each end of your long pieces of lumber. Line them up so the ends are flush.

Drill 2 screws into each end of the board, keeping the screw straight and screwing smoothly through both the longer piece of lumber and the 4-x-4 piece of lumber. As you can see from this photo, I had my 4-x-4s cut to a slightly longer length, which will help to anchor your garden box in the ground. However, if you do this, make sure to keep the longer ends of the 4-x-4s on the same side!

Repeat the prior step with the other 2 long boards.

Now, take your 2 long sides with the 4-x-4s screwed into them. Have your helper take one end, and you take the other. Now, turn each side on end, as if it was the wall of the garden box. If you have had your 4-x-4s cut so they are an inch or two longer than your other boards, have the longer end of the 4-x-4s sticking up in the air

With your helper, space the long ends so that they're about the same width as your short boards.

Have your helper lightly hold up the bottom corner of the boards, with the end of the short board and the long board flush in her or his palm. Screw the short board into the 4-x-4. Make sure to alternate your placement of the screw, so the screws won't overlap with the ones in your long board.

Repeat this process on the other corner. Then, stack your second short board on top of the first one use your power drill to screw it in. This is what it should look like.

Secure the other short boards on the opposite end.
You're done! Check in tomorrow when I tell you how to anchor, level, and plant your new container box.