CasaSugar

Casa Quickie: One, Two, Buckle My . . . .

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 07:45:50 -0700

I love this idea for repurposing old belt buckles that I found over at Martha Stewart. Take thrifted belt buckles and use them as miniature photo frames, or even better, stick a magnet on the back and display them on a refrigerator or other magnetic surface. Antique stores, flea markets, or thrifting adventures should yield plenty of great possibilities for frames. Try to stick to similar shapes and color palettes to really make the collection gel. Need step-by-step directions? You can learn how to make this craft yourself here.

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Before and After: Don't Fence Me In

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:15:42 -0700

These tired-looking redwood boards were left over after my friends replaced a section of their backyard fencing. While they were full of rusty screws and were only half an inch thick, I saw potential.

Curious about what I did with this old redwood fence? Find out what happened to it when you read more.

I made another garden box out of them! Because I was concerned about the relative thinness of the boards, I doubled them up for each side, and then added a single board halfway down the doubled sides. I also used four-by-four redwood posts for the corners, which were left over from another garden-box project.

The most time-intensive part of this project was turning the soil, which was really impacted from years of use as a lawn. Then, I had to sink the four-by-four corner posts into the soil, and level the entire box. After filling the box with some rich soil, I planted strawberries, artichoke, and other seedlings that I'd already started. I'm pretty pleased with the results, and also happy that I was able to reuse wood that might've ended up in a garbage dump somewhere.

Coveted Crib: Balinese Dream

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 May 2008 06:15:28 -0700

If you're susceptible to daydreaming about packing it all in and running off to a tropical island then I advise you to avoid this slideshow, as it will tempt you to book the first plane to Bali. If you have a strong will, though, check out the home of the Hardy family, who live in a five-story pagoda home that uses repurposed, recycled, and creatively rethought materials to create a gorgeous, dreamy home. You've got to see it to believe it! Source

View Slideshow ›

In the News: An Inspiring Outdoor Space

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 May 2008 06:15:28 -0700

Since Summer is soon on its way, it's natural to think about creating functional, beautiful outdoor spaces where you can entertain and relax. In a recent LA Times article by Debra Prinzing, a family does just this, using repurposed, recycled, and found objects. Greta and Mike Jarvis, along with their daughter Annika, were tired of the awkward, unused backyard at their Manhattan Beach home, so Greta, an adept flea marketer, decided to transform their 30-x-40-foot backyard into something more family friendly. They started by getting rid of a small, underused grassy area, as well as their unused hot tub. By expanding the doors that led to the backyard, they also made the space more accessible.

To see what materials they used, read more.

Bougainvillea and a trumpet vine were planted on salvaged trellises, and handmade Mexican chairs were upholstered in weather-resistant, colorful fabric. Antique planters and hanging containers hold geraniums and other plants. A horse trough was repurposed as a fountain, with antique spigots spilling water into the trough. The family also built a wood-burning fireplace from stucco and a rusted grain bin that became a chimney. The backyard also features an outdoor dining room - perfect for the balmy climate.

I find the Jarvis's outdoor space inspiring, and it makes me think about some of the small changes I want to make in my own yard. Do you admire it as well? Find out more of their easy-to-copy ideas over at the LA Times.

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Casa Link: Repurposed Lanterns

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 11:30:13 -0800

Danny Seo shares a new use for these lanterns that were left over from a Country Home shoot. He said he got tired of using them for candles, so he came up with another unique use instead.

To see how he used them, just read more.

Danny lined the inside of the lanterns with moss and other natural elements. I love how they make portable curio cabinets. To read the whole story, go here.

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Cool Idea: Silverware Chandelier

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:01:00 -0800

British-based lighting designer Ali Siahvoshi is the brilliant man behind Fabbian’s line of repurposed silverware chandeliers. Some of Siahvoshi's previous lighting designs have used recycled hangers, plumbing fixtures, and other recycled objects for light fixtures as well.

What do you think? Do you find them as cool as I do?
Source

How-To: 7 Ways to Repurpose Holiday Cards

CasaSugar — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 11:00:40 -0800

What to do with that fat stack of last year's Christmas cards you've got stashed in a drawer? Well, if they're photo cards, save 'em. But if you've collected some cards with holiday-themed graphics, Real Simple says repurpose them! Cut up that old stationery into festive shapes like stars, Christmas trees, and ornaments. Then, scribe each of your guests name on the paper, hole punch, and tie the place card to your napkin with a ribbon or some red yarn. I have a few of my own holiday card repurposing ideas for you, so read more.

If there is no writing on the backside of your card cover (where the image is), you can cut off the top fold and use it as a postcard, writing your message on the blank back side.
You can slice card covers into four to six different rectangles and use them as gift tags. Punch a hole in the card and slide it onto your ribbon before you tie your bow.
Cut the card covers into festive shapes like Christmas trees, ornaments, and stars. Then punch a hole, and tie a loop through it with ribbon. Then, use it as an ornament on your tree. You can add additional ornamentation with glitter, beading, etc.
Cut the card covers into star shapes and letters to spell out "Merry Christmas." Then, make a garland out of them by stringing them together with red baker's twine, yarn, or ribbon.
Buy a pack of blank note cards. Cut up a few card covers into different shapes or stripes, and collage them with Mod Podge glue onto the front of the blank note card.
Or, you can send them to St. Jude's Ranch for Children, a safe home that rescues abused, abandoned, and neglected children. It runs a 30-year-old recycling card program to benefit the children. The children participate in the program by making new cards removing the front of donated ones and attaching a new back made with recycled paper, and then they are sold. Cards may be donated by sending them to:

St. Jude's Ranch for Children
Card Recycling Program
100 St. Jude's Street
Boulder City, NV 89005

Source

Found It! Repurposed Oil and Vinegar Bottles

CasaSugar — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:30:39 -0800

In my recent post on how to transform a small space, I showed you how shop owner Trey Russell repurposed oil and vinegar bottles to display and store body oils in his bathroom. I myself have done the same trick, using an oil bottle to hold dish soap at my kitchen sink. So, it's no news to me. Regardless of what they're used for, I couldn't help but swoon over Russell's double-walled oil and vinegar bottles. So, I did some detective work and found out where I can snatch up some of my own. To learn where, read more.

Russell's bottles are the Ichendorf Double Walled Oil/Vinegar Pourers ($21.50 and up). Available at Unica Home, they're handblown, and create the illusion of one container floating inside another. Stunning.

Casa Quickie: Take It Outside

CasaSugar — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:32:41 -0700

As we all know, furniture, even high-quality furniture, is not everlasting. Years of wear and tear will get the best of your tables and chairs. But that's not the end of them. So long as it is stable, a ghastly, dinged-up, chipped sideboard can find new life outdoors. Consider using your old tables, storage units, and seating in your garden or garage or as a potting station. A worn finish will integrate flawlessly with your potting soil and those aged terracotta planters. Turn your own home into a recycling plant!

Photo by Trevor Tondro

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:00:35 -0700

Would you want a swinging bed? - ShelterPop
Green design for Rachel Ray. - Danny Seo
Add personal style to your home. - Simply Stated
13 ways to re-purpose old clothes. - Re-Nest
The shop is open at Pink Loves Brown! - Making it Lovely
I want these funky terrariums. - PointClickHome