CasaSugar

Decorating Ideas to Steal From Andrew's Vegetable Stand

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 10:00:19 -0700

Readymade recently posted photos and an interview with recent grad Andrew Milauckus, whose aesthetically pleasing Michigan produce stand is beyond adorable. While the exterior of his stand, Summertime, has a '50s vibe, the eclectic interior is a mix of styles. Check out my favorite ideas from his shop.

Embrace a rustic look by painting exposed beamwork.
To create a focal wall, use stencils to create a pattern. This chevron wall is one of my favorites.

Check out more ideas when you read more.

Hang bare bulbs from the ceiling in multiples for an unexpected and cool look. Try these E27 Pendants for a fun, colorful take on the bare bulb.
Use apple boxes and baskets for rustic storage in your kitchen or entryway.
Repurpose a gilt frame as a chalkboard. The bigger the better!

This Just In: ReadyMade's Green Issue Available Online!

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:00:37 -0700

ReadyMade’s Green Design Issue is available in a paperless edition. And good news: this first installment of the online edition is absolutely free. Check out all of the cool DIYs, online exclusive pieces, and clickable table of contents. I don't know about you, but I'm a huge ReadyMade fan, and offering readers a tree-free version is super smart for this green design issue. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go read up on organizing my garden gear.

Source

Cool Idea: ReadyMade Magazine's DIY Hammock

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:15:04 -0700

I picked up the latest issue of ReadyMade over the weekend, and was delighted to find it brimming over with fun, easy projects for Summer living. One project I started nearly immediately was making their hammock project, which was explained in the article "Re-Kindle." Basically, all you need for this project is an old sheet, a sewing machine, and some rope. I used a duvet cover I'd made a few years ago, and which had been gathering dust in the linen closet. The project only took about half an hour from start to finish (threading the rope through and remembering my rock-climbing figure eight and water knots took the majority of that time).

If you want to make one for your own yard, pick up a copy of ReadyMade at your local bookstore. You can also check back tomorrow, when I'll share my own version of building this hammock. And yep, that's my hammock in the photo. It's surprisingly comfortable and strong, given that it's just a few layers of cotton. Are you going to make one for yourself?
Source

Andrew Wagner Named Editor in Chief of Readymade

CasaSugar — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 12:06:22 -0700

Andrew Wagner, soon-to-be former editor in chief of American Craft and a founding editor of Dwell, has been named the editor in chief of ReadyMade. The magazine recently relocated from San Francisco to Des Moines, the headquarters of Meredith Corp., so he'll start fresh there May 4. Wagner expects the magazine's website to pick up major steam thanks to his plans to broaden its online presence with a DIY project archive, some exclusive stories online, blogs, and photo galleries. I'd heard rumors that ReadyMade was ailing (like many of its peer shelter magazines), but it sounds like things are looking up!

This Just In: Dwell Launches New DIY Magazine

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 09:00:58 -0700

Dwell is one of my favorite shelter magazines, in part for providing informative, thoughtful, and succinct editorial and in part for showcasing coveted modern homes. But since I'm not on the house hunt or looking to make any architectural renovations, for me it's mostly a leisure read. When it comes to DIY projects, I tend to head to ReadyMade or read websites like Craftzine.

So, I'm delighted to announce that Dwell is making its foray into the DIY world. The mag has just unveiled its first special interest publication, Make It Yours, which expands on the topics of home décor and design with tips, tactics, and small- and large-scale projects to make the look of Dwell's coveted homes accessible and replicable for its readers. The publication will draw from Dwell's extensive image archive and divide them by zone - kitchens, bathrooms, etc. - and then dissect "each image for design ideas, sustainability, cost-efficiency, and style savvy," according to editor-in-chief Sam Grawe. Beyond that, it will act as a shopping guide, with the latest offerings in furniture, products, and materials needed to achieve Dwell's style. Look for Make It Yours on newsstands Sept. 22.
Source

DIY: From Blender to Blamp

CasaSugar — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 05:00:29 -0700

This one is an oldie but goodie. I tore the instructions out of ReadyMade magazine about three years ago, and ever since, I've been meaning to make a lamp out of my old avocado-green blender. Procrastination aside, this project is too great not to share; if you manage to get yours done before I do, I'd love to see the results.

ReadyMade suggests raiding an old lamp for parts, though you can easily buy all of your supplies at a hardware store, and don't forget to make sure the blender is unplugged before disassembling it! For a list of what you'll need and step-by-step instructions, read more

The Blamp
via ReadyMade

What You'll Need

Old blender
Fluorescent bulb
Lamp socket with 1/8" holder attached
8' Lamp cord with plug
1/8" threaded steel nipple (2" to 4" long)
2 1/8" nuts
Washers that fit over the threaded rod
Drill and small bits
Phillips and flathead screwdrivers
Pliers
Nut driver

Make It

Remove the blade assembly from the carafe. Use a nut driver to remove the cap nut. Turn the carafe upside down and remove that assembly, too. The carafe should now be free of metal.
Turn the blender base over and unscrew the bottom plate. Remove everything inside but the buttons. Tear out any wiring and remove the power cord.
If the blender has rubber bumpers in the base that are attached to the motor frame, improvise a method that leaves the bumpers intact once the motor is removed. [ReadyMade suggests detaching and hot-gluing them in place.]
Time for a bath. Clean the blender base housing, bumpers, carafe, and lid. Dry all parts well.
Screw one of the nuts most of the way down the threaded nipple shaft, add one of the washers, and feed the loose end of the lamp cord through the nipple.
Feed the nipple assembly through the bottom of the blender base and up through the hole, then through the bottom of the carafe. (The washer should stop the assembly from going all the way through.) Place the other washer on the end of the shaft poking up through the carafe and tightly secure with a screw.
Split the end of your cord into two wires to form a Y. With the blender base and carafe on their side, thread the split cord through the socket holder and wire the socket.
Pull the cord taut. Screw the lamp socket onto the threaded nipple. Screw in the bulb.
Drill a few vent holes in the blender's lid to prevent overheating.
Replace the lid, plug in, and frappé!

DIY: Homemade Hammock

CasaSugar — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:00:51 -0700

Yesterday I told you about how I sewed a hammock for my backyard by riffing on instructions from the Getaway issue of ReadyMade magazine. If you want to get the exact instructions from the magazine, head down to your local bookstore and pick up a copy. In fact, I urge you to do so, as there are a ton of other cool Summer projects that will keep you occupied and crafting this month.

Want to get comfy in your own hammock? Then read more.

What You'll Need

Sewing machine
Thread
Queen- or king-sized sheet or duvet cover
Rope for hanging hammock

How To Do It

Fold your sheet or duvet cover in half lengthwise, pin the edges, and sew. I only sewed the three open edges, leaving the folded side loose.
Now, after you've finished sewing, fold the top and bottom edge down about four inches. Pin, then sew each pinned edge, leaving the sides open. The sides are where you'll thread the rope through to hang the hammock
Sew this pinned edge a lot. After all, it has to support your weight in the hammock. I sewed it eight times on each side.
Cut your rope so you have about five feet on each side (or more, depending how long you need it to be to hang from your tree/deck/porch). Scoot the rope through the ends that you've just sewn

Tie each end to a sturdy object, such as a tree or a beam on your deck or porch. Knots that I recommend are double overhand stopper knot, water knots, and figure eight follow throughs. Gingerly test the strength of your knots and hammock. After you've determined the strength, kick back.
Grab a book and a lemonade, and enjoy the afternoon!

Gift Guide: Creative Gifts for the Crafty Girl

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 06:07:28 -0800

Crafting is experiencing not just a revival, but a virtual revolution, what with the popularity of blogs like Craft, magazines like ReadyMade, and handmade fairs and shops popping up all over the country. If, like me, you have some craft-savvy ladies in your life, you may want to consider gifting them with one of these project-promoting presents.

If you have a girlfriend who can't help but redesign everything she sees for the better, get her the D.I.Y. Design It Yourself Deck ($16.95), which includes step-by-step instructions for creating hip D.I.Y. projects. For the tool-savvy lady in your life, give her these blueprints ($35) that will show her how to build her own modular dwelling. Perfect for the carpentry enthusiast! For the all-around craft enthusiast, give her a handsome boxed set of Craft: magazine's first year ($59.99). This magazine rocks, as do its projects.

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 10:00:25 -0800

Design*Sponge's latest sneak peek of Andy Beers' home has me calling the movers already.
Todd Oldham is in San Francisco and calling all DIY videos.
ReadyMade is challenging you to repurpose your old games. Since it's Home Entertainment month, I say go for it!
Decor8 rounded up some gift-worthy perky prints for Domino.
If you haven't yet been convinced, More Ways to Waste Time proves why red rocks.
Poppytalk has rounded up some magazine holiday-decorating inspiration.
Remodelista baffles me with furry furniture.
I'm ready to order the floor mats on shelterrific's wish list.
Shop Friends warmed me up to Carol Hummel's cozy creations.

Source

Artist of the Day: Jill Bliss

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:05:28 -0700

A week ago, we gave you a peek into Jill Bliss's home. This week, we're going to show you her beautiful artwork. And check back in later today, when we give away a set of her beautiful native herb art prints!

Jill is a talented artist and craftsperson who works in a number of mediums. Her artwork has graced journals, stationary, and notecards, and has been featured in magazines such as ReadyMade. To find out more about Jill's nature-inspired artwork, take a look at my interview with her when youread more.

Casa: What attracts you to drawing flora and trees?
Jill Bliss: Originally i began drawing plants as a way to remember their names [which actually didn't work within my visual brain!], but then i found the design repetition and small details within them intriguing-both individually and collectively. Drawing the subtle movement and growth within plants suits the meditative quality of my drawing style. Whenever i try and draw people or people-made things now I'm distracted by their "speed."

Casa: When did you first think of yourself as an artist? What prompted this realization?
Jill Bliss: It wasn't until a few years ago that i was willing to accept that i was an artist! This realization only came about after a business deal went wrong and i stood to lose everything I'd created.

Casa: Have you had any "big breaks" in the art world?
Jill Bliss: Having a series of stationery published by Chronicle Books certainly seems like a "big break," and I'm very happy to have fulfilled my childhood dream of designing a line of stationery! But unfortunately it's not the financially rewarding endeavor that everyone assumes it to be. I continue to juggle various day jobs to make ends meet.

Casa: You recently moved to Portland. Any plants up there that you find particularly intriguing?
Jill Bliss: There are different weeds up here! There are also many more types of nut trees, and lots of mosses now that the rainy season's started, which i love. My dog gets annoyed on our daily walks because I'm constantly stopping to inspect things!

Casa: What other artists' work do you find inspiring?
Jill Bliss: Working with Saelee Oh and visiting her studio she shares with several other artists is always so inspiring. There's always so much to see there!

Casa How do you use your artist's eye to your home's best advantage?
Jill Bliss: I'm pretty handy with fabric, paint, and a table saw-or a jig saw in a pinch. I have a constant list of home improvement projects no matter where I live or work, and no matter how long I plan to be there! There's something in my DNA that needs to constantly improve my surroundings with whatever materials I have on hand. With our current place, I'm excited to have a yard for the first time as an adult and explore working with native vegetation and a vegetable garden. And poppies, of course!

View 19 Photos ›