CasaSugar

Do You Have a Floor Runner?

CasaSugar — Thu, 14 May 2009 12:00:00 -0700

A floor runner is never the first item on a home decor shopping list, but it can be a smart addition. If you have the right space for it, that extra sliver of texture can instantly warm up a room, and the dose of pattern can add a bit of visual interest or tie colors together. Do you have one?
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Steal of the Day: JCPenney Hemstitch Table Linens

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:00:32 -0700

Even if you don't entertain often, every home should have a classic and simple set of table linens, for the occasion that guests drop by and to nudge you to actually sit down and enjoy your brunch every Sunday morning. If you've inherited some antique linens, that's wonderful, but you may want to keep them in good shape for parties. There's no need to drop big bucks on your tabletop, especially when the JCPenney Hemstitch Table Linens ($12-$27, 50% off) are so affordable. You can choose from seven color choices, or mix and match for a table setting that's just for you. Why not buy several color options and see where the mood takes you? Also, if monogramming is your thing, your runner and napkins will be monogrammed free — how 'bout that for a steal?

How-To: Create Bold, Beautiful Stair Runners

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Tired of your boring, old stair runner? Improving on the old standard may be as easy as breaking out a quart of paint. Don't stop there, though. Textiles, tiles, wallpaper, and other techniques and materials can add unique charm to your staircase.

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Love It or Hate It? Bold Stair Runner

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 11:00:37 -0700

I just watched the 1966 Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole film How to Steal a Million, which is chock-full of talking points when it comes to interior design. But the one thing that truly blew me away (aside from the armoire that leads to a secret staircase) was the purple staircase and banister in Hepburn's character's foyer. In contrast to the rest of the reserved, gilded, French furnishings in the Parisian mansion, the purple stair runner is a very bold choice. Several important scenes take place on the staircase, so it was smart of production designer Alexandre Trauner to make it a focal point. Clearly, the décor in this home is dated and a little glitzy for most of our tastes, and this shade of purple isn't very popular these days. But what do you think of this effect in general? Do you like how they've used a stair runner to create visual impact? Would you want to replicate a similar look in your home with a powerful color, pattern, or stripes?
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Steal of the Day: Silk Ikat Table Runner

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:45:50 -0700

Give your guests something to talk about when you dress your table with this gorgeous Silk Ikat Weaving ($89, originally $179).Hand-woven in Thailand, this table runner will complement many different table settings, from casual affairs to fine dining. I'm certainly still in love with ikat. How about you?

Etsy Find: Ikat Table Runner

CasaSugar — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 07:38:03 -0800

If you hadn't noticed that I'm obsessed with Ikat, let me wave the Ikat flag once again. Last time, it was placemats, and now I'm back with a beautiful Ikat table runner by Mimosa, who picked up the fabric when she lived in Uzbekistan. Not only is the fabric to-dye-for, but the Moroccan hand-crocheted buttons along the edges (which are found on the garments worn by men and women in Central Asia) add charm and tradition. I'd love to design a holiday table around this elegant rouge color! You like?

Table Dressing for Holiday Entertaining

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:50:39 -0800

This Alexandra runner ($44.95-$54.95) from Crate & Barrel is available either in shades of gold or ruby red, and even though I love to mix up colors in my holiday decorating scheme, I still have to choose the rich red over the autumnal gold for my table. Any party that you hold this month would be instantly prettier thanks to the opulent silks, velvets, and brocades that are joined together in this runner. Absolutely perfect for Home Entertainment month.

Kate's Chic, Budget-Beautiful Sun Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:25 -0700

Kate Abney, an editor at Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine, recently sent me a TwitPic of her fabulous sun room. I asked her if she'd send me a few more photos, and some background on her room and decorating style, and she graciously obliged.

Kate's apartment is on the second floor of a large, historic (1916) yellow-brick apartment building in the heart of midtown Atlanta. She notes, "We do have quite a lot of windows in the place (beautiful light!) but the interior is well-insulated and we are always more than cool enough - or toasty enough - in the summer or winter, respectively."

One of the rooms that really shows off this light beautifully is Kate's sun room. To see more photos of the room, and to find out all about how she decorated it, read more.

Since I know that readers are often curious as to where people sourced the objects and furniture in their homes, Kate was nice enough to let us in on the details. She notes that she picked up the printed cotton rug from Urban Outfitters for about $25, while the green upholstered chair was discovered at a vintage store for $50. "I'm still on the hunt for a cool Suzani lumbar pillow to toss on it," she notes.

Kate couldn't find the exact drinks table she was seeking, so she craftily created one using two Ikea planters, turning them on opposite ends and filling one with plaster-of-Paris.

"The Shaker-style blanket chest is an antique that's been in my family for years and once belonged to my great-grandfather. My uncle refinished it for me last year to the perfect matte warm brown finish. It's even gorgeous on the inside and perfect for stowing my laundry until I have a chance to take it to the laundry mat," Kate says. "The green botanical print cushion I actually made from a $10 CB2 table runner, just removing the seams, stuffing it and then sewing the end back up."

Kate ordered the mid-century upholstered footstool from an antiques store in Florida via eBay, while the arc lamp is a Bed Bath & Beyond knockoff, and the desk is from Target. Other room elements include a Jonathan Adler ceramic vase and a bent plywood chair shipped straight from France that she found through eBay.

What a great space, Kate! I wish I could visit and relax in your lovely sun room. I also admire your savvy sourcing of diverse accents and furniture. Nice work!

Do you have a well-decorated room to show off? Share it in my Su Casa group!

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How-To: Keep Your Wool Rug From Shedding

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 06:15:10 -0700

Wool rugs are beautiful and natural, so they're a wonderful addition to your home. But since wool comes from an animal that sheds itself, rug shedding is inevitable. But it's also not a major battle if you learn a few tricks to deal with the shedding.

First of all, you should put your rug in a low-traffic area. People treading on it causes friction, which in turn causes it to shed its fibers. So a wool rug is better placed under a dining table than as a runner in a busy hallway or in a living room where you spend most of your time. To learn some other tricks to deal with shedding, read more.

You should vacuum your wool rug regularly. At some point, your rug will cease to shed, so if you vacuum it regularly you will expedite that, and you'll be removing the fibers as they shed - essentially forcing them to shed.
Furthermore, when you vacuum, you should use your vacuum's attachments. Wool rugs are sensitive, so this will prevent you from sucking the rug itself up into the vacuum.
As I mentioned, shedding is inevitable. But you can conceal your rug's fibers by purchasing a rug similar in color to your upholstered furniture. For instance, the shedding from a white wool rug will be very obvious on your navy blue sofa.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:16 -0700

Sew a table runner. - Craft
A DIY washing machine ottoman?! - Re-Nest
Create a yoga nook in your home. - ShelterPop
Would you buy a tattooed coffee table? - Shelterrific
Give your bedroom a budget makeover. - The Nest
Four household uses for lavender. - AT:SF