CasaSugar

This Just In: Sienna Miller's House Vandalized

CasaSugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 05:30:36 -0700

The London house of Sienna Miller - who has recently been getting slack for dating married actor Balthazar Getty and appearing topless in photos with him - has been vandalized, spray-painted with the word "SLUT" and a pseudo-Satanic circular symbol, according to the Sun. The vandalism apparently occurred despite a burglar alarm system and security lights at the house. We all can think what we want about the couple's relationship, but I think it's pretty terrible that this should happen at Miller's own home. It would certainly make me feel unsafe.

Has your home ever been vandalized? Your neighbors' homes? What security measures do you have installed to prevent and protect yourself from this sort of thing?
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Ask Casa: A Home Security System for My Rental? (Part 1)

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 05:30:02 -0800

Arielb38 wrote to me asking,

I am about to move into a new rental in a new neighborhood, very different from where I have been living for the last 15 months. I was wondering if you are aware of any places that do a comprehensive review of home security systems. My roommate wants one, and I've never had one and don't really think that it's necessary. Looking at some of the consumer complaints about both ADT and Brinks makes me cringe, and I would rather not be stuck in an expensive, manipulative contract. I know it's not really your thing, but if you have any tips, or feel inclined to pose the question to your readers, I would be grateful.

To offer some advice for Arielb38, and to hear my response, just read more

Even though I've lived in some really rough neighborhoods in the past, I've had the good fortune to never have had my home broken into (though I have been held up at gunpoint). Two of my rental homes had functioning security systems (which the landlords paid for). Our house currently has no security system besides our dog. I also know of families who don't have security systems installed, but have placed signs in their windows advertising that they have an alarm. This may work, to a degree: The Greenwich Study of Residential Security found that homes without alarms were 2.7 to 3.5 times more likely to be burglarized, and that the most effective deterrent was the alarm monitoring company’s yard sign. For more tips on home security systems, go here.

My first word of advice is to find out the crime statistics in your new neighborhood. You can easily access this information through your city's police department website. After that, if you still think you need a security system, talk to your landlord about having him or her install a system and possibly increasing your rent slightly to offset the cost. Your landlord can reset the code for new tenants after you move out.

To see more tips, tune in later today for the rest of my home security advice.
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Ask Casa: A Home Security System for My Rental? (Part 2)

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 16:00:22 -0800

Recently Arielb38 wrote to me asking about whether or not a home security system was necessary for her new rental home. You can read the first half of my response here.

To see the rest of my tips, just read more

Are all of your window and door locks in working order? When you move into a rental unit, the landlord should be willing to either change the locks or have the tumblers replaced. If he or she is not, invest the money and do it yourself. Many communities now require rental properties to have deadbolts that can only be opened with a key. Check your local and state rental laws and request that your landlord meet these standards.
Additionally, if you live in a sketchy neighborhood, you may want to request that your home has bars installed on ground-floor windows. Though not the prettiest to look at, they do deter theft.
Make friends with your neighbors - they are your best allies in keeping your neighborhood safe. Join or consider founding a neighborhood watch organization in your building or on your block.
Buy renters insurance! It's cheap (as little as $150 a year) and is a small price to pay if you lose your belongings due to theft or natural disasters, such as a fire or earthquake. Most major insurance companies underwrite renters policies, and many online insurers specialize in providing coverage to renters.
If you still need a security system, and your landlord won't work with you to provide one, look into the company Protect America, which recently began offering its wireless GE home security systems with an innovative program that allows renters to take the system and the monitoring service with them when they move.

Good luck with your move, and be safe!
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This Just In: Tori Spelling Lists Her 90025 Digs

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 10:00:53 -0700

Donna Martin . . . er . . . Tori Spelling has listed her 3,300-square-foot, five-bedroom, 3.5-bath Westwood, Los Angeles, home for nearly $2.4 million, according to the LA Times.The listing for the property reads:

Nestled in a charming pocket of Westwood, this home is ideal for entertaining featuring French doors off the main rooms that lead to lushly manicured yard w/ saltwater pool & spa. The property boasts a grand living room with designer fireplace, media room and formal dining room. Spacious family room opens to recently updated gourmet kitchen w/ imported marble counters & top-of-the-line appliances. State-of-the-art sound system throughout & security system featuring gated entry w/ remote access.

To hear more and see plenty of photos, read more.

Tori, don't let this get to your head . . . but I'm actually pretty impressed with the décor of this home. I suppose I was expecting something more like the nouveau riche interiors of Faith Hill and Tim McGraw's home, but this manse is quite sophisticated. Wait, wait. There are a few exceptions. The glare of bubble gum pink in the nursery might just make me break out in a rash, and the turquoise walls should only be viewed with sunglasses on. That is, unless you want to give your children migraines. Otherwise, love it!

View 16 Photos ›

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This Just In: Mena Suvari Is the Merchant of Venice

CasaSugar — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:30:35 -0700

Mena Suvari is selling her 2,442-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 2-bath in Venice, California for $1,795,000, according to Real Estalker. The beautiful craftsman property went into contract a mere 45 days after it was first listed — record time! Suvari purchased the property in June 2005, shortly after her marriage with cinematographer Robert Brinkmann went south. The listing for the property reads:

Spacious separate master suite on top floor with huge walk in closet. Elegant gourmet cook's kitchen with black granite center island and breakfast bar leading to a stylish formal dining room. French doors open to a landscaped large back yard – Great for entertaining, to a studio, guest house, surround sound through out, security system, and more.

I think it's a charmer, and great for a single girl — an American beauty, you might say. The Fauna Balsa Leopard Wall Hanging also plays well with her Amenity bedding, don't you think?

View 12 Photos ›

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This Just In: Modern Man Matthew Perry Makes a Baller Buy

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 11:00:13 -0700

According to Real Estalker, Matthew Perry purchased a 2,893-square-foot, 3-bedroom, 3.5-bath home in Los Angeles's Outpost Estates near Runyon Canyon for nearly $4.5 million. The home is every bit contemporary, architecturally stunning, and looks straight out of a scene from Entourage. In the real estate photos, it's decked head to toe in quite baller furnishings (i.e. shag and animal print carpet, fur comforters, Eames task chairs) I must say, looking super staged, but who knows what Perry will do with the place. The listing reads:

Presenting a spectacular modern home with soaring mountain, city, and ocean views. Located at the end of a quiet, hilltop cul-de-sac, this one-of-a-kind gated estate flows effortlessly, lives graciously, and speaks lifestyle. Full-floor master suite, white terrazzo floors, disappearing walls of glass, state-of-the-art audio, visual, and security systems, chef's kitchen, pool/spa.

Perry also owns a condo above the Sunset Strip and a swank ocean view house in Malibu. Ohhh to be a bachelor in Hollywood . . .

Lots more where these came from, so read more.

View 42 Photos ›

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Do You Live in a Healthy Green City?

CasaSugar — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 08:58:38 -0700

Why should a city go green? Well, for one thing, a green, healthy city means that the air and water will be cleaner, which means that the residents will be healthier and less likely to suffer from conditions like asthma. There's also a rapidly growing green economy, which means that there will be better job security in a green city. And cities that have more parks and access to green space are just nicer to live in. My hometown of Berkeley, California, made it on the recently released list of the United States' top green cities, thanks in part to its park systems, biking and public transit use, and environmental organizations.

To see if your city made the cut, just read more

Austin, Texas, makes the list for its green energy plan, among other great green features this city can boast.
Charlottesville, Virginia, makes the list for its vast parks and its Environmental Sustainability policy.
Over 85% of Eugene, Oregon's power comes from hydroelectric and wind sources.
The beautiful midwestern city of St. Paul, Minnesota, has preserved t25% of its land as green space. To meet C02 level goals by 2020, the city is completing a light rail system and working to achieve 25% renewable energy.
Ann Arbor, Michigan, made the cut for its residents' commitment to public transit as well as its huge network of parks.

There are 22 more cities on the list. To see if your city is one of them, check here for the full list of green cities.

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This Just In: Mariah Carey Buys in Bahamas

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 05:18:18 -0800

Rumor has it, according to Real Estalker, that songstress Mariah Carey has purchased a 4,000-square-foot, 4-bedroom, 5-bath home on Windermere Island in the Bahamas. Windermere Island, where Prince Charles and Princess Diana once honeymooned, is an exclusive and private vacation destination marked by luxury homes and pink sand beaches. The home, which was last listed at $4.9 million, is composed of four detached buildings connected by marble walkways and terraces, featuring a fully updated "kitchen house" with a large storage area, laundry facilities, and a bedroom and marble bathroom, two deluxe cottages, a "40-foot-long, infinity-edged pool and a beach cabana" facing Savannah Bay, and a "computer operated camera security surveillance system." On top of that, Carey is said to be doing some renovating — a recording studio, perhaps? And, I'm sure she'll adorn it with butterflies, rainbows, and lots of glitter, naturally. To see additional images, read more

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DIY: Grass Skirt TV Stand

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:15:02 -0700

I first saw Hawaiian grass skirts used to conceal clutter in one of my favorite decorating books, Pad. A few years ago, frustrated with the lack of stylish TV stands available, I decided to create my own grass-skirted version with a shelf I bought at Ikea. (Please forgive the poor quality of the photo; I've since upgraded to a new stand and couldn't take another one.)

By attaching the grass skirt to swiveling curtain rods that open and close like cabinets, you have a fun and funky way to conceal your DVD player and DVDs underneath. It's an easy and fun project you can do even if you don't have a lot of hardware expertise. For a list of what you'll need and step-by-step instructions, read more

What You'll Need

An unfinished wooden shelf large enough to hold your TV. (I used one from Ikea's Ivar system.)
Paint or stain in the color of your choice, plus a medium-sized paintbrush.
A pair of swing arm curtain rods in the finish of your choice. These come with hinges; all you have to do is screw them in.
A screwdriver
A grass skirt
String or twine
A hammer and nail or a drill

How to Make It

Before you start the skirt portion of the project, paint the shelf and allow it time to dry.
Next, measure the width of the front of your TV stand, and adjust the telescoping curtain rods so that when they meet in the middle, they will fully cover the front of the shelf. To adjust the rod, you simply loosen the screw, pull out the telescoping rod to the desired length, and tighten the screw in the right spot.
Lay the curtain rods on the floor, and line up the waist of the grass skirt beneath the rods. Cut two lengths of skirt so that one fits on each rod.
Using one long piece of twine, secure the skirt pieces to the rod by "lacing" it. Thread the string between the spaces in the grass, wrap the string around the rod, and repeat for the length of the rod.
Once each piece of skirt is secured to the curtain rod, you're ready to install the poles to the shelf. The rods will come with hardware, so you can easily affix it using the accompanying screws. Hold the rod where you want to attach it, and mark the location of the holes with a pencil.
Get each hole started with a fine drill bit or simply by hammering a nail partway into the wood. Then, hold the curtain rod brackets flush against the wood and tighten the screws through each hole and into the wood.
Ta-da! Your TV stand is now skirted, swiveling, and ready to go.