CasaSugar

Midday Muse: Everblooming California

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 12:00:58 -0700

Since I grew up in the Midwest, I associate mid-September with falling leaves, chilly temperatures, and apple picking. However, here in California, where I've lived for seven years, I'm still getting used to the concept of mild seasons. As if to prove this to me, my rosebushes, which were just blooming back in May, are back in full yellow-and-red splendor again. I suppose I'll get used to it eventually, right?

Garden Therapy: Can You Help With This Rose?

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 10:09:30 -0700

TeamSugar member Davie_K wrote in, saying

Okay, my fiancè is the most romantic guy. He bought us a white rose bush for our place. The thing is, I know very little about roses and I can't even find out what this one is. It's called "princess snow" and it's a small tree with light green-colored foliage. It's been outside a couple of days and I'm worried that we're not looking after it properly. It's a white rose, as I said, with occasional pink spots and dark stamen. I'm not even sure if the foliage is supposed to be light green. Can someone help me out please? It's seriously deteriorating. ANY and ALL advice is greatly appreciated!

Your fiancè is indeed a romantic-and appropriate-gift giver, Davie_K, since white roses are traditionally thought of as the bridal rose. They also represent true love, purity, innocence, sympathy, and spirituality. But this symbolism doesn't really aid you in your question, does it?

To see my advice, read more
You say that your rose is outside, but I don't know if it's still in its container or in the ground. If you still need to plant it, dig a hole for your rose that's 2 ½ times the size of the root ball. It is a good idea to put some well-composted organic matter in the hole, and mix more composted matter with the soil that you removed. Take the rose plant out of the container and put it in the hole, packing dirt under and around the rose. Make sure to put a straight stick across the hole to see if the dirt level of the rose is the same as the ground level. If it's planted above or below ground level, it may have a difficult time growing properly.

Also, make sure to water thoroughly, but not in the heat of the day. Consider planting garlic or chives around the roses to aid their growth. And finally, since we're into autumn, your rose plant will want to hibernate for the season, so after the end of October, don't fertilize it anymore. It may drop leaves, but with some luck, it's just settling in for the hibernation season.

Anyone else have rose advice for Davie_K?

Roundup: Modern Roses

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 05:30:10 -0700

Do you think that roses should be relegated to old ladies' perfume bottles and shabby chic pillows? If so, I'd like to change your mind.

You'll be happy to hear that an updated take on the beautiful bloom is easy to find and decorate with. In fact, the rose is making a comeback in hip, modern homes. Take this Je Taime Poster ($40), for example. With a modern font and a blockprinted rose outline, I dare you to find anything fuddy duddy about it.

To find roses that are more modern than the norm, look for designs that utilize abstracted designs and simplified color palettes. See some of my other favorite modern rose finds when you read more.

Su Casa: The Bloom's on These Roses

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:00:26 -0700

Su Casa member Demure20 snapped some photos of her beautiful rose garden. The color and variety of roses she has at her home is impressive - as is the beautiful health her roses appear to be in! We only have three rose bushes at my house, and although I've never considered myself a rose type of girl, I think that Demure20 has changed my mind.

If you're interested in posting pictures of lovely flower gardens like this, make sure to join my Su Casa group!

View 6 Photos ›

Do You Have a Ceiling Rose?

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 14:00:46 -0700

A ceiling rose is a round, ornamental decorative element affixed to the ceiling from which a chandelier or pendant is suspended. They're common in historical Victorian and Edwardian homes (especially in the UK), but they can easily be added to new homes. And so long as your home isn't super modern, they look elegant and relevant with many styles of design. Do you have one?

Photo by Graham Atkins-Hughes

Trend Alert: Rose Motifs

CasaSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:51 -0800

What's not to love about roses? Their beautiful, curling blossom structure has made them one of the most popular flowers in the world; their scent has been transferred to perfumes and linen sprays, and their diversity enables them to flourish in home gardens across the world. Of course, roses are also popping up in the world of interior design. Take this rose round ottoman (on sale for $412). Made of wool rosettes, this unique furniture piece would add a touch of glam to a living room or bedroom. I can even think of some feminine modernists who would adore it.

The LA Times breaks down the history of the rose thusly:

The ancient Romans associated the rose with their goddess of love, and European aristocracy in the 17th century prized them so highly they were accepted as payment for debt. The tradition of beauty continues with a new crop of rose-inspired furnishings: ruffled-edge bowls, tiles with digital imagery, linen fabrics - even a whimsical chair upholstered in paper roses.

To see my picks for rose motifs in interior design, read more.

Do You Have Roses in Your Garden?

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:00:43 -0700

Roses add elegance and color to any garden space. While many modern-day cut rose varieties are bred for looks rather than scent, my favorites are the old, fragrant varieties. They may not have a perfect appearance, but they smell wonderful.

Source

Nice and New: India Rose Fabric Lanterns

CasaSugar — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 08:00:26 -0700

Don't get me wrong: white paper lanterns will never lose their cool in my book. But that doesn't mean I don't crave a little color and pattern every now and then, too. Today I have a soft spot for the new India Rose Fabric Lanterns ($35-43), which are made of 100 percent cotton with a batik polka dot pattern in brown, green, and sky blue. I love this view of them hanging from the trees, but they'd also look très casual chic used indoors. Have you checked out India Rose before? It's my go-to place for feminine textiles, and actually where I got my shower curtain!

Casa Quickie: Add Pink With Flowers

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:00:19 -0800

If you live with someone who has a total aversion to the color pink, you can still add it to your house in small doses. The easiest way? By using flowers, of course! Try pink sweetheart roses, carnations, snapdragons, or cyclomen to get that gorgeous, feminine hue in your casa, without upsetting any anti-pink people you may live with.

Source: Flickr User shimelle

Do You Decorate With Rose Petals?

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 11:00:42 -0800

Rose petals are pretty cliché when it comes to Valentine's Day or Honeymoon décor. But unless they're spread all over your mattress, they can be charming. For kitschy V-day dinner décor, you could scatter them around your candlesticks. Or, you could just go with these rose soap petals from Gianna Rose Atelier. What say you?

Twinkle Living Rose Walnut and Grape Bedding - $52.00	Marseille Soap - Rose - $25.00
Indonesia Square Serving Tray, Floating Roses - $30.00	Blissliving Home Jenna Pillow - $75.00
Avalisa Imagination Collection Rose Stretched Wall Art - $59.00	Linen Rose by Court Of Versailles - $113.00
Plush Living - Nook Rose Silk Pillow - $64.00	Area Rose Pilow - $85.00
Novica Jasmine Rose Jar - $44.99	Graham and Brown Hemingway Design Wallpaper - Macintosh Rose pattern - $60.00
nani marquina Roses Rug - $3,100.00	3D Rose Vase - $175.00

Graham and Brown Hemingway Design Wallpaper - Macintosh Rose pattern - $60.00	Snowball Perfume Bottle, Rose - $20.00
Helen's Arbor Curtain - $108.00	Portmeirion "Botanic Roses" Sandwich Tray, 12" x 5.5" - $50.00
Rose Wood Tree, Small - $49.00	Carmen Pillow - $29.95
Madison Gray Rose Candle by Fringe - $22.50	Rosewood Kissing Ball - $19.00
Red Rose Ball Candle in Gift Box - $1.75	nani marquina Roses Rug - $3,100.00
Rose Pop Chandelier - $299.00	3D Rose Vase - $175.00
Rose Bowl Enamel by Michael Aram - $165.00	Rose-Quilted Linens - $50.00
Waterfall Rose Rug - $149.00	Hand-Painted Silk Pillows - $175.00
Rose Wood Wreath, 24" - $89.00	Koko - Metallik Rose Bay Pillow - $90.00
Rose Round Ottoman - $515.00