CasaSugar

Roundup: Checks, Please!

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 11:00:38 -0700

Blame it on the retro costuming of Mad Men, but I'm seeing checkered patterns everywhere these days. Checks look great on copywriter Peggy Olson, and I have a feeling they'd look fab in your home as well.
Want to add some retro flair to your home with traditional checked patterns? I've found both subtle and not-so-subtle checkered patterns for your home-decorating pleasure. See them when you read more.

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Love It or Hate It? Rotary Phones

CasaSugar — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 05:30:52 -0700

I remember using a rotary phone at my grandmother's when I was a little kid; in fact, I'm pretty sure she still has one in her home! Now that we're all fully loaded with cell phones, BlackBerrys, iPhones, and the like, I'm feeling a little nostalgic for the look, and the ritual, of dialing a rotary phone. Plus, they look so much better than your standard cordless.

You can snap up a cute Crosley Kitchen Phone ($54) at Urban Outfitters, but it's a push-button phone, not a rotary dialer. For the real deal, check your local flea market.

Source: Flickr User Qole Pejorian

Found It! Retro Side Table in Away We Go

CasaSugar — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:00:54 -0700

The rusty blue side table beside Maya Rudolph's character in Away We Go looks like it has seen better days. But I do love its retro charm. It brings character to a little corner of a lush garden beside a comfortable bench. I'd love to have a fresher version though, perhaps in a more versatile color. Luckily, that wish is not far off. To see where you can buy one, read more.

The Retro Metal Side Table ($64.95) from Sporty's Tool Shop has a similar shape with more tailored legs in white. With four legs, Crate and Barrel's Balcony Side Table ($49.95) is a more affordable buy.
Photo courtesy of Focus Features

What You're Wanting: A Retro-Modern Kitchen

CasaSugar — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 13:00:00 -0800

I've become a little obsessed with the Life archives, which were recently added to Google Images. If you're not careful, you too could be pulled into hours of poring over images from America's past. This image, of Joan Wilson whipping up something yummy in her stylish circle skirt, was taken in 1950. I love the look of her kitchen, which would be a classic look in today's midcentury modern-obsessed kitchen world. Of course, you don't want to simply re-create this look in your home, though. You also want to add a modern, up-to-the-minute touch to the retro look and, of course, a lot of your own style.

So, for the latest What You're Wanting, I want to know how you'd furnish, accessorize, and style a retro-modern kitchen. What table would you choose, or would you keep the one shown in the photo? How about chairs and benches? Would you choose a different clock? What color scheme would you work with?

Add all the finds to your ShopStyle Living stylebook, and create a look tagged with the phrase Retro Modern Kitchen. Private message me if you have any questions. Oh, and as extra incentive, I'll give some Sugar schwag away to my favorite look!

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Guess the Decade

CasaSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 12:00:53 -0800

The delightful site Found in Mom's Attic documents vintage advertising from the 20th century. I've rounded up some of the best home ads from the site. Can you guess which decade each ad is from? Source

Question 1 of 10

Which decade is this ad from?

Retro or Modern?

CasaSugar — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:00:07 -0800

Think you're au courant on current-day styles and those from thirty-odd years ago? Put that belief to the test when you take my quiz! Some of these photos are from slideshows of current houses, while others are from the 1971 book Decorating and Design by Jacqueline Inchbald. Can you tell the difference?

Question 1 of 10

Retro or modern?

How-To: Decorate With a Retro-Look Fridge

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:00:02 -0700

I love the look of '50s-era fridges, and appliance company Big Chill gives you the appearance of a 60-year-old fridge while updating its efficiency and function. To see how to integrate this fridge into a variety of kitchen decorating plans, check out the slideshow. Source

View Slideshow ›

Midday Muse: Retro Pink

CasaSugar — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 12:00:02 -0700

I love retro-tech accents, and this pink telephone is definitely hitting all the right buttons for me. Do you have an old-school telephone in your house? Source

Roundup: Retro Tech Accents

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 09:15:44 -0700

Before the general populace relied on key cards, laptops, iPhones, and cars to get through their busy days, such technological advancements as the typewriter, the skeleton key, and the bicycle were the height of fashion. Not only are these classic shapes superbly functional, they're also quite beautiful, which makes them the perfect inspiration for home accessories.

To add some retro tech flair to your home, read more.

I found some great accents that rely on 19th- and 20th-century motifs. Do you love them, too?

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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?

View 9 Photos ›

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W.A.C. Lighting Model G526 Pendant Shade - $260.90	Checkered Gustavian Chair - $289.00
Graham & Brown - Checker Wallpaper - $40.00	Checker Knob - $6.00
Winter Cotttage - $19.99	Matignon Silk Checked Curtain - $159.00
Magnetic Board - $39.00	14" Couture Hardback Lamp Shade - Small Black Check - $35.00
Missoni Home - kody bath collection by missoni home - $22.00	Folk Art Game Boards - Blue Checker Board - $64.00
Gingham Reese Chair Slipcover - $149.00	Gingham Boutis Napkins, Set of 4, Yellow - $28.00
Check Chenille Rug - $139.99	Ballard Check Ribbon - $15.00
"Padova" Blankets - $420.00	Gingham Boutis Runner, Red - $64.00
Karastan "French Check" Blue Check Area Rug, 2' 9" x 7' 10" Runner - $599.00	Mono - mono tea-towels by mono - $8.00
Chiellini Chess Set- Black / Brown - $450.00	Big Frills Apron - $38.00