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Inspired: Project Runway Winner Leanne Marshall's Collection

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:00:19 -0700

I'm totally infatuated with Project Runway season five winner Leanne Marshall's final collection. I loved how the palette was so restrained, just neutrals and a gorgeous turquoise; it really let the sculptural shape of the clothes shine. And although the collection did have an architectural quality, the pieces were still full of movement, with pleats that fluttered like a flock of birds bursting into the air.

I thought I'd see if I could capture the essence of the collection with a few home furnishings, and as usual, I was able to come up with some inspired finds. Not only did I discover a range of products in the same palette, but I also came across a handful of pieces with similar sculptural pleats, folds, and curves. To see for yourself, read more.

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This Just In: More Interiors from Project Runway

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 15:00:33 -0700

Did you catch the first episode of Project Runway season 5 on Wednesday? While I was initially afraid that I couldn't put season 4 behind me, luckily, I was hooked on the new cast of designers within the first 10 minutes. (I was definitely lured in by Blayne and his insane tanning obsession, as well as his leotard creation).

I recently found even more photos of the contestants' living quarters. You were split about the first photo, which many of you found too Ikea-heavy.

To hear my thoughts on the other interiors, read more.

The other bedrooms reveal an Ikea emphasis as well, and I'm assuming that the box store is one of Project Runway's sponsors. What I'm really surprised by, though, is the retro look to these rooms. What with the checkerboard carpeting and the patterned wall stickers, it's definitely eye-catching, though not necessarily in a good way. What do you think? Have you taken note of Project Runway's interiors in the past? Do you think these are underwhelming in comparison?

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This Just In: Sneak Peek the Project Runway Digs

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 07:00:12 -0700

I'm sure that many of you, like myself, will be tuning in to the first episode of season five of Project Runway tonight. I only hope that there are as many great designers this season as there were in season four!

While I can't predict the talent level of this season's contestant pool (though I suspect it's high), I can tell you that contestants, who had previously been housed at New Gotham for the last season, are back to the original digs at Atlas New York.

To find out more about Atlas New York, and to see a photo of the contestants' bedroom, read more.

Atlas New York is located close to Parsons, which is a boon for the contestants since they pretty much spend every waking hour there anyway. However, if the contestants do find themselves with time to spare, they could take advantage of the Atlas Fitness Club and Lounge, the building's complimentary daily breakfast, and the 4,000-square-foot 48^th floor Atlas Sky Terrace. I'm betting they barely have time for a Luna bar though, let alone a full breakfast or a fitness session.

One thing contestants definitely do at the Atlas is sleep, and while I'm sure the contestants were happy to have a place to lay their heads, I must admit, this bedroom is pretty darn dull. What do you think of the interior design for this season's apartments? Is it to your liking, or a little too Ikea heavy for your tastes?

Photos courtesty Gotham Organization, Incorporated

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 13:00:56 -0700

Go shopping in LA's Little Tokyo with Project Runway's Santino Rice.- Design*Sponge

Check out some very earthy and organic Australian style.- Desire to Inspire

See and hear about Eddie Ross's first styling job.- Eddie Ross

Learn to start plants from seeds.- AT:LA

Interiors by Lucyina Moodie are coveted cribs.- AT:SF

See what's hot at Target's red-hot shop.- Shelterrific

Polish up on 30 years of This Old House.- Charles & Hudson

Learn to mend torn upholstery.- Craftzine

Home Library: French General: Home Sewn

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 07:00:47 -0800

On Project Runway, co-host Tim Gunn's most dismissive comment on a garment was that it looked home sewn. Given this unfavorable recent pop culture reference, it's refreshing to see a beautiful book proudly bearing a title of the same name.

Kaari Meng, owner of the adorable Hollywood crafts and notion store French General, has extended her expertise to the book world with French General: Home Sewn ($24.95). The book takes readers through through 30 projects for the home, from scalloped tablecloths to luxurious toile shower curtains, and makes adding traditional French style to your home pattern-book easy.

To find out about Kaari Meng's book and Hollywood store, as well as to see more photos, read more.

With photography from Jon Zabala that will give you major home lust, the book includes six pattern pages, embroidery transfers, and color photographs, as well as illustrations. Helpful guides outline the difficulty level for each project, and the directions are simple and straightforward. Though this isn't a book the first-time sewer would want to tackle, anyone with basic curtain-making skills could easily excel at most of these projects.

If you're in the Los Angeles area, stop by French General for special events, workshops, or simply some fantastic browsing. And of course, even if you're halfway across the world, you can enjoy some of French General's goodness by browsing products online.

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Top Design, Episode Three: "Window Display"

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 10:00:38 -0700

In the third episode of Top Design, the designers switched from outfitting bunkers to backdropping high fashion. Working in teams of two, the designers were challenged to create window displays for gorgeous fashions designed by Jeffrey, Sweet P, Daniel, Andrae, and Santino, contestants from prior seasons of Project Runway.

It was definitely fun to see each of the fashion designers' looks, from Santino's macabre, black-swathed mannequin to Sweet P's bright, color-drunk mannequin. But beyond the fashion, there was also the complication of egos. There are bossy, opinionated egos (Jeffrey, though I love him), diva-esque egos (Andrae), and then there's Daniel. While his dress was beyond fabulous (it's shown here), Daniel is beyond hilarious. To express his vision for the window display, Daniel read the designers a poem he'd written. I always felt as if he was a blowhard on the two seasons of Project Runway, and this high-school-journal-worthy poem only confirmed this feeling. He's the kind of guy who, on a first date, would try to feed you strawberries in front of a roaring fire while playing Mariah Carey records and find nothing off about it. Or maybe I'm just the anti-romantic.

To find out who won and who got kicked off, read more.

I thought Ondine and Natalie's design for Sweet P's dress was lovely and would definitely sell to the ladies, and Preston and Andrea's design for Daniel's dress (OK, maybe that poem was a good idea) hit it out of the park, too. In the end, Ondine and Natalie were awarded for their efforts with the win. Sadly, Kerry was sent home, which made me very sad. I will miss his presence on the show!

Highlights for me? Jeffrey's nickname for Kerry ("Big Daddy"); Wisit's inability to stop saying "Rococo,"; Kerry's awesome turns of phrase ("I was about to drop kick you into Jesus right there on the spot, but I smiled, like a true Southerner"). And, of course, Kelly Wearstler's fabulous ensemble (where can I get a purple sequined hat?).

What did you love (or hate) about this episode?

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Photos courtesy of Bravo

Are You Tuning In to Top Design Tonight?

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 16:00:00 -0700

After getting my Project Runway fix tonight, I'm settling in for another hour of reality fun. Top Design returns tonight for its second season, with head judge Jonathan Adler and host India Hicks, whom I recently interviewed. Are you going to tune in, too? Photos courtesy of Bravo

Are You Tuning In to Top Design Tonight?
Definitely! I've been waiting for this show to start.

Maybe, if I can't drag myself off the couch after Project Runway.

No, I'm not going to.

Other, I'll tell you in the comments.

Casa Quickie: Keeping Track of Cords

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 14:15:42 -0800

Have you ever gone to unplug your laptop and accidentally turned off your DVR, right in the middle of recording the latest episode of Project Runway? If so, you're not alone. Given the amount of electronic equipment we all have in our homes, it's not a surprise.

If you get confused by which cord in your power strip leads to what piece of electrical equipment, then try labeling each cord. Just take a printer label and write the name of the appliance or electronic equipment on the label, and then wrap it around the end of the cord. That way, you'll never miss hearing Heidi say, "Auf Wiedersehen!" again!

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Designer Spotlight: Todd Oldham

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 05:16:54 -0700

Todd Oldham got his start stitching dresses together from pillowcases at age 15, and progressed to designing elaborate gowns for Hollywood stars like Julia Roberts and Susan Sarandon. He was, for 15-some-odd years, a fixture in fashion, even hosting a segment called "Todd Time" on MTV's House of Style in the '90s, which focused on America's growing fascination with fashion and the lives of supermodels. Oldham made his segue from the runway to the living room by creating a home and dorm room collection for Target in 2003, and also a line of furniture and accessories for the messiah of recliners, La-Z-Boy, both of which reflect his desire to make smart design accessible to a mass market.

Nowadays, you can see Oldham on Bravo TV as a host of Top Design, delivering challenges and inspiring the designers to be the most creative and original, and he was named the creative director of Old Navy last month. Oldham has also taken his pen to the page, sharing his passion for mid-century modern homes with over 52 do-it-yourself projects, as the author of Handmade Modern. He also designed The Hotel and The Fairfax Hotel in South Beach, Miami. As you can see, Oldham's career has developed to include all areas of design, from interior design, film, and photography, to furniture and graphic art. I can't imagine what's next!

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"Design Star": And the Winner Is...

CasaSugar — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 09:37:45 -0700

Who caught the finale of "Design Star" last night? All 11 designers were brought back for the final episode of the show for a look back at memorable scenes from the season (somewhat like the Reunion episode from "Project Runway.") Still, it was sweet to see all of the designers again and to hear how hard it had been for judges Martha McCully, Cynthia Rowley, and Vern Yip to eliminate one designer every episode.

So who won? To find out, just read more

It was Kim!

Kim seemed to be the favorite not only with the American public, but with Casa readers as well. Are you interested in applying to be HGTV's next "Design Star"? Then apply for season three here. And make sure to stay tuned next spring for Kim's new design show!