CasaSugar

Sale Alert: 50 Percent Off Home Titles at Taunton Press

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 12:00:12 -0800

Hurry! Until Thursday (yes, that's tomorrow), Taunton Press is having its biggest sale of the year on home, garden, design, and crafting titles. There are some excellent titles here that will help you renew your home in different ways, and if you're planning on trying the Thing-A-Day challenge, there are some inspiring craft titles as well. Finally, for all of you Midwest and East Coast gardeners dreaming through the Jung's catalog this Winter, there are a bunch of garden titles at 50 percent off to have you planning garden rows through the rest of this chilly season.

Love It or Hate It? Quentin Tarantino Tribute Posters

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 13:00:17 -0800

Whether or not you're a fan of decorating around a favorite film, it's hard to deny that these Tarantino Tribute Posters ($32-95) are a lot cooler than your average movie poster. Created by artist Ibraheem Youssef, all posters are limited editions, hand-signed and numbered. I love the subtle reference that each poster makes to the movie. Definitely check out the link to see all of the posters.

Inspired: Nanette Lepore 2010 Spring

CasaSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 08:00:51 -0700

New York Fashion Week continues to wow with design inspiration, and Nanette Lepore's Spring 2010 show was no exception. I loved the subtle Moroccan references, as well as the bold splashes of floral prints and bright use of color. See how I translated her looks to the home design world (and when you're done, check out her amazing townhouse).

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:00:28 -0700

A gypsy wagon? Yes, please. - Shelterrific
Frank Lloyd Wright furniture at DWR. - AT:SF
Find out how to check your contractor's references. - Charles and Hudson
Make wall storage folders from old books. - Craft
Check out these 2010 calendars. - PoppyTalk

On the Market: Melrose Place Apartments

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:00:36 -0700

If you ever dreamed of living in West Hollywood's most scandalous courtyard complex, now's your chance to make life at Melrose Place a real estate reality - sort of. To promote the new series of the '90s prime time drama, a fake real estate listing for Melrose Place Apartments has hit the web, complete with photos of an apartment in the complex and a panoramic tour. Features include "hardwood floors, an absolutely killer kitchen, vintage appliances, water pressure to-die-for, huge bedrooms, French doors, an original clawfoot tub, and closet space for two."

Sound appealing? A rental application is available for any of you interested parties. Be prepared to list your publicist, agent, mistress, and long-lost child as references, and answer questions like, "Do you consider yourself a strong swimmer/ skinny dipper?" to be accepted, though. If you're curious about the complex demographics, you can also check out links to the Twitter pages of some of the building's "satisfied residents." Want to take a peek? Take a video tour and see some photos of the digs when you read more.

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Get the Look: Lovely Little Vignettes

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 12:00:39 -0700

Earlier today, I told you about our new community features on CasaSugar. One of the new groups I'm establishing is Lovely Little Vignettes. This group is a place for you to post a photo or two of your favorite corner of your home, or of a home, shop, or corner of the world that inspires you. In literature, a vignette refers to a scene in which a small incident or description gives clarity to a character, idea, or setting. In the same way, a home décor vignette illustrates the beauty or style that you hope to embody in your home overall. Lovely Little Vignettes is the perfect group to post your photos of these small scenes of beauty. Need help on creating a post? Learn how here.
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Cool Idea: Wavy Rails on a Beach Shack

CasaSugar — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 08:30:00 -0700

I love architecture that mimics nature, but nautilus-shaped houses are sometimes a bit too wacky for my tastes. Instead, I like the subtle reference. Take this porch railing, for example. Instead of a boing, straight-as-an-arrow top rail, it's been outfitted thusly. The gently undulating rail mimics the shape of ocean waves, which residents can easily appreciate from a chair on the porch. The wavy rail adds an unexpected sense of whimsy and fun to the porch, and is perfect punctuation for a Summer getaway home.
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Ask Casa: Books on Spanish Colonial Architecture

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:00:58 -0700

Hello Casa,

My dream is to buy or build a Spanish Colonial home for myself one day. I was wondering if you could recommend some books on this architectural style for me. Some coffee table books would be fine, or something on the construction of the homes too and interior design . . . anything at all I would greatly appreciate. I also remember that you wrote a post about Reese Witherspoon and that her new house was a Spanish Colonial. That house was absolutely lovely too. Thank you in advance!

Always, PeachyKeen19
To hear my suggestions for PeachyKeen19, read more.

Hi PeachyKeen,

Thanks for thinking of me! I'm with you on this one; Spanish Colonial is one of my favorite styles of residential architecture as well. This is especially true of homes with original architectural details. There are a few books I think might be right up your alley.

Haciendas ($34.95) by Linda Leigh Paul, from Rizzoli Press (one of my favorites), highlights the interiors and exteriors of 25 Spanish Colonial homes, both traditional and modern, in Mexico and the US, and will give you a broad overview of the style. This book is quite photography-heavy, with 250 rich photos, but I think this is key for understanding the architectural elements. It also gives a great historical background on the style, with information on the hacienda's origin as homes for Spanish nobility, up to newer styles today throughout the US.
Spanish-Colonial Architecture in the United States ($16.95) by Rexford Newcomb traces Spanish architecture throughout the US, including Florida, the Gulf Coast, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. This book is a must-have reference, much more text-heavy than the former, although it is illustrated with 195 photographs and 50 measured drawings. Newcomb is a distinguished architectural historian who's written several books on various styles of architecture. This book is well-documented (no fluff here), and offers a range of perspective views, detailed close-ups, measured front elevations, and floor plans to get down to the grit of the style.
Another title out of Rizzoli Press, California Romantica: Spanish Colonial and Mission-Style Houses ($40.95) is co-authored by actress Diane Keaton and LA-native D.J. Waldie. In architectural circles, Diane Keaton is praised for her preservation of historic California homes, and considered a committed preservationist. California is basically the hub of Spanish Colonial architecture in the US, so this is a must-read even if you plan to live elsewhere. The book features residential examples of both California Mission and Spanish Colonial styles, and introduces you to influential architects like George Washington Smith, Wallace Neff, Richard Requa, Lilian Rice, and Paul R. Williams.

Beyond that, with her cinematic eye, Keaton made a point to specially commission the photography for this book, so the photos alone are must-see. The book also gives you a tour of Keaton's own Spanish-style home, which I've actually written about before.

Hope that helps! And good luck finding your dream home.

Cheers,
Casa

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How-To: Weave a Willow Pergola

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:00:54 -0700

Last week, I showed you this beautiful willow pergola, which was featured at Sunset's Celebration Weekend. You can tour the Mod Cottage where the pergola was featured, if you missed the great photos of this cool house.

The woven technique used in the pergola is referred to as wattle. Wattle is an ancient technique that was used for traditional homes and fences. Its beautiful, natural look enhances the Mod Cottage, but you can easily weave a willow wattle for use as a trellis, fence, or arbor around your home. Want to learn how to make this willow wattle pergola? Then read more.

What You'll Need

Six branches approximately four feet long and about as thick as your thumb
100-120 small, straight, recently cut willow branches one to three feet long, none thicker than your pinky finger, stripped of leaves and other branches
Hammer
Pruners

Here's how to do it:

Using your hammer, pound posts into the ground in a straight line, spacing each post about 10 inches from the next.
With one of the longer, thinner willow branches, weave the branch in and out of the posts, leaving three inches on the end you started with. When you have gotten to the end of the branch, start where you left off with another of the longer, thinner branches.
Start over at the first post, but this time start on the opposite side of the post. Weave on the alternate side of your first branches.
Continue weaving in this manner, making sure to start with new branches on different posts, so you don't have an obvious seam.
Continue to weave back and forth until you've run out of branches or until you have reached the height of your posts.
Assess your weaving, and then weave small branches into any remaining gaps.
Take your pruners and trim the posts evenly, about 1 inch above the top row. Continue trimming until everything looks even and pretty. Your pergola should be about four feet wide and about three feet tall.

Does this project seem like too much for you to attempt? You can also order a willow weaving from The Willow Farm.

Ask Casa: Taylor Swift's Duvet Cover

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 05:30:00 -0700

Dear Casa,
I know how much you love Moroccan-themed décor. I was watching a Dateline special Sunday night featuring Taylor Swift, and they showed her Moroccan-themed bedroom. Do you know where she bought her comforter/duvet cover (or where I could get a similar one)? I've been dying to find a bedspread for a Moroccan bedroom.
Thanks so much!
khameel

To hear my suggestions, read more.

Hi Khameel,
Thanks for writing in! I found this photo of Taylor Swift's bedroom at People.com, which I assume is what you're referring to. Her duvet actually looks to be a coverlet made from Indian saris.

If that's what you're looking for, I'd first check local import stores. You can also find similar items on eBay. I'm partial to the Pottery Barn Kantha Patchwork Quilt & Sham, but it looks like the quilt is no longer available.

What I actually suggest you do is make your coverlet yourself. Choosing fabric remnants yourself will allow you to cue the palette to your tastes and existing furnishings. Another CasaSugar reader recently wrote in asking how she could get started making her own quilt from sari fabric, and I gave her some tips in this post. So be sure to check that out!

Hope this helps. If you're looking for more traditional Moroccan textiles, let me know, and I'll hunt that down for you!
Cheers,
Casa
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