CasaSugar

Garden Therapy: Little Farm in the Big City

CasaSugar — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 08:00:06 -0700

Imagine the possibility of creating a low-maintenance, beautiful, and productive farm in the middle of a city. Such is the reality for homeowner Jennifer Carlson, a Seattle resident who turned her backyard into something extraordinary. For photos of her smart landscaping and gardening ideas, as well as some adorable animals, check out the slideshow. For even more information, head over to This Old House to see blueprints and more photos. Any city dwellers who wonder how they can turn their small patch of yard into something productive will delight in Carlson's home. Source

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Casa Verde: Attention-Grabbing Explanation of Water Conservation

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:00:21 -0700

As I've mentioned before, the shows and hosts of the DIY Network always bring a smile to my face, and that's definitely true with Desperate Landscapes host Jason Cameron, who transforms scrappy-looking lawns into things of beauty, often while wearing a tight t-shirt. I don't know about you, but there's no better way to have mathematics explained to me than by a cute, congenial guy. To find out how much water you can save by using rainbarrels, check out the clip below.

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Casa Verde: Collect Your Rainwater

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 11:15:59 -0800

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, we've been deluged with rain all Winter long. Most of this rain simply spills across the pavement and gutters and gets funneled back into the sewers. However, smart homeowners in this area put all of this water to work for them by saving it in rain barrels. Since the Bay Area has crazy amounts of rain in the Winter and hardly a drop in the Summer, water becomes a precious commodity come July (just when gardens are popping with life and demanding more irrigation). Instead of stressing the local municipality's water service, folks with rain barrels can simply irrigate their backyard gardens and lawns with the rain saved in their rain barrels.

To find out how to make your own rain barrel out of recycled materials, just read more.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:00:02 -0700

If you're in Austin, head to Lauren Levy's button art exhibit.- Craft
Check out four rain barrel options.- This Old House
Are you a fan of these retro-ktisch napkins? - Shelterrific
Check out this simple and smart workspace.- Daily Danny
Learn some ways to use wallpaper scraps.- AT:SF
Discover Sussie Bell's pretty interior photos.- Desire to Inspire
Explore this idea for small-space living.- Home by Sunset

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:00:22 -0800

Is your love for these chairs supernatural?- Shelterrific
Would you DIY fabric wallpaper?- Simply Stated
Round up fashion for your home.- PoppyTalk
Check out this amazing rain-barrel project.- Re-Nest
Find inspiration in window displays.- Danny Seo
If you live in Chicago, you'll need this DIY guide.- Charles and Hudson
Make a faux capiz shell lampshade.- Craft
I love these stenciled stairs.- AT:SF

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Roundup: Sunny Day

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 07:00:00 -0800

After months of a drought, San Francisco is finally getting a pounding of rain. I've had enough of it and all I want is a sunny day! So I thought I'd round up a collection of cheerful, sun-inspired furnishings to brighten my days indoors until the clouds go away. These Crate and Barrel Marimekko Tamara Guest Towels ($5.95) have a wonderful 1960s wood-block-print-inspired pattern, and their sunny yellow color is just what I need for a little warmth in my home. To see more beaming furnishings, read more.

Casa Verde: Removable Kitchen Sink

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 14:00:50 -0800

Considering the current water shortages around the world, it's scary how much water is wasted by simply running the kitchen faucet when washing dishes or produce, etc. So, I was delighted to come across the Australian-made Hughie Sink ($25), a removable kitchen sink that captures 80 percent of the water that would normally be wasted, so you can reuse it to water plants, wash your pets or car, etc.

The sink is made of biodegradable plastic, is lightweight, comes with a sturdy handle, and fits most kitchen sinks. It's also available in a range of colors, so you can find one to match your existing sink. If you don't have any current use for the graywater, you should consider getting a rain barrel to store it, so you have it when you need it! Pretty clever and simple, isn't it?

Open House: What's Your Green Resolution?

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 10:30:09 -0800

Resolutions are often made with the best intentions - and then promptly forgotten. This year, I'm going to try very hard to stick to my eco-oriented New Year's resolutions. Starting off, I'm going to try to keep a better attitude about living green. I won't complain when we keep the heat down, but I'll instead try to cheerfully don a sweater and a pair of slippers. After all, turning down the thermostat saves you green, as well as helping out the environment.

Other resolutions include finally buying rain barrels for the house, expanding my garden, and remembering to use carbon offsets for my plane travel.

What are your green resolutions for 2009?

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Casa Quickie: A Softening Rain Chain

CasaSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 13:00:35 -0700

Danny Seo recently shared a wonderful tip on his blog to keep water from rushing out of your gutters too quickly, and I had to share. "Just connect a chain to the downspout of your gutters and let the rain slowly and gently trickle all the way down the chain," he says. The softening rain chain creates a beautiful sound when the rain dances down the chain, adding a sweet musical element to your home. Much nicer than the harsh pounding of gutter water hitting the ground. If you've got plants to water though, you may want to just set a barrel beneath the downspout of your gutter to collect rain for watering.
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Casa Verde: Recycled Texas Houses

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:30:59 -0700

Yesterday I told you about some cool tiny Texas homes, and today I'm back with an amazing story about one Texas couple's vision to help anyone who wants to own a house to do so, with lots of hands-on work and about $20,000-$50,000. Phoenix Commotion was started in 1996 by Dan and Marsha Phillips, who mortgaged their house to start a business building affordable houses from free, salvaged, and recycled materials. The company caters their homes to the working poor, including single mothers, who need energy-efficient, affordable, comfortable homes. The homes are built with such unexpected materials as wine corks and frame samples, which are used in beautiful and innovative ways.

This program recently partnered with the program Brigid’s Paradigm, and built their first home together in Huntsville, TX. The next project will be a number of homes in Houston's 5th Ward.

To qualify for the project, potential participants must provide $500, good credit, and proof of a stable job. The homes are built by the future owners, along with mentors who help to guide the unskilled workers. A 1-person home will only be built at 240 square feet, which increases energy efficiency, along with the homes' uses of insulation, tank-less hot water heaters, and rain barrels.

To see a video about Dan's work, just read more.

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jes s gasca Nube Armchair - $1,698.00	Moooi - container stool by marcel wanders - $210.00
Emma Gardner - eclipse rugs by emma gardner - $2,400.00	Andy Warhol Setting Suns Rug 5x8 - $299.99
Golden Acres Shade - $78.00	Kartell fl/y - $293.00
Sunny Woods Rug - $68.00	Waterford Evolution "Amethyst and Amber" Lamp - $495.00
Missoni Home - jaid tabletop collection by missoni home - $67.00	Missoni Home - jo bedding collection by missoni home - $76.00
Marimekko Tamara Guest Towels - $5.95