CasaSugar

Are You Over Shabby Chic?

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:00:59 -0700

When Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic business filed for bankruptcy last January, it was a sign that the style she had single-handedly spawned 20 years ago was on its way out, if not already. But last month, the Shabby Chic name was bought of bankruptcy and she found herself stocking two new stores - one in Santa Monica and one in New York - so it seems that her signature ruffles, vintage florals, and crumply sofas still have fans out there. Are you over shabby chic or still an enthusiast?

Before and After: From Scary to Shabby Chic

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 07:00:23 -0700

Côté Maison reader Serge purchased a dilapidated retirement home in the Bordeaux region of France after leaving a duplex in Paris. The exterior had already been partially restored but the house still needed a lot of work. Two years and thousands of euros later, he and his wife had redone the roofing, floors, bathrooms, bedrooms, electricity, tiles, garden, pool, and even planted 360 saplings! They also converted an old barn into a photo studio, a small house into a guest room, and a garage and shed into spare apartments.

As you can see, the room above was a scary sight that needed a lot of work, but it did have beautiful, rustic ceiling beams. So, they transformed the space into a calm, shabby chic living room that I'd kill to own. See it when you read more.

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Get the Look: A Sunroom Bathed in White

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:00:00 -0700

Browsing through Swedish shelter magazine Sköna Hem, I caught myself daydreaming about dozing off to a scandalous Philippa Gregory novel in this sun-drenched indoor porch. Everything about the space facilitates a three o'clock siesta. The double doors close off the outside world. The cozy, ruffled settee tucks you right into sleep. The nearly all white décor has a visually cleansing effect. The lush green view is dreamlike. And the glamorous crystal chandelier and mirrored sconce give you the royal illusion that you deserve to take naps whenever you feel moved to. Are you convinced yet? See a few finds that will help you replicate this look when you read more.

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Casa Quickie: Take Shabby Chic to Black and Sleek

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 May 2009 07:00:16 -0700

If your love for shabby chic is waning, don't resort to selling your white furniture just yet. Simply slap a coat of high gloss black paint on your white and worn furnishing. First, take some fine sandpaper over the piece and scuff the surface. A coat of primer sealer follows, and then two coats of black paint will finish the look. This is an easily accomplished weekend project that has big payback in transforming the look of a room.

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Cool Idea: Old Windows as a Room Divider

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 May 2009 05:30:56 -0700

I recently showed you a few ways to decorate with old windows, and I've seen another instance that I just had to share. I stumbled across the Le Créme Spa in San Francisco, and was charmed by its shabby chic interior design. Here, the salon hung an arrangement of five white windows from the ceiling to separate the front desk from a bench used for pedicures. It instantly divides the room into two separate spaces visually, but the glass panels still allow the beautiful natural light to shine through. You can easily and affordably replicate this trick in your home, by simply repurposing old windows from your house or tracking some down at a salvage shop.

Guess What's Missing?

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 11:00:54 -0700

Rachel Ashwell, who created the shabby chic style, was quoted in O Magazine saying that there are a few items every home should have. According to Rachel, these coveted items include "Candles not too far burnt down, yummy flower arrangements, a ___________, and lovely china." Can you guess the missing word?

On the Market: Shabby-Chic Queen's Compound

CasaSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 16:00:54 -0700

Whether you love it or hate it shabby-chic style is here to stay, and you can thank (or berate) Rachel Ashwell for that fact. Ashwell, who created the style almost 20 years ago, went on to found the Shabby Chic home-furnishing store, as well as design slipcovered furniture, bedding, and fabric under the Shabby Chic by Rachel Ashwell label. If you can't get enough of Ashwell's style, then you'll be happy to hear that according to Big Time Listings you can now claim her Los Angeles home for your own, for $4.395 million. It's chock full of shabby chicness, though this seems like a situation you could remedy upon moving in and ponying up the many millions to own this 3,000 square-foot-plus property.

The listing reads:

Situated on 2 separate lots. Private extra-lg apx 20,000 sq ft lot. Feels like a country retreat in the heart of prime Brentwood. 4BD, 3BA totally remodeled Traditional, move right in. Bright & open floor plan w/good indoor & outdoor flow. Extra-large family room opens to lovely brick patio & backyard featuring paddle tennis court, sparkling pool & spa. Hardwood floors, wood-beamed ceilings, custom tile work & more. Luxurious master & master bath, gourmet kitchen. Lush backyard and landscaping.

To see photos of this property, read more.

Ashwell bought the house four years ago for $3.17 million. The home features an open-floor plan, a family room, hardwood floors, custom tilework, a gourmet kitchen, three baths, a pool, spa, paddle tennis court, and brick patio. Most appealingly to me, it's situated on two lots, giving the buyer plenty of room to spread out. Ashwell also owns a 3,276-square-foot house in Brentwood and a 1,783-square-foot home in Malibu.

View 12 Photos ›

Source and Source

Shabby Chic Double-Wide

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:45:46 -0700

I just stumbled upon the Kentucky double-wide mobile home of Theresa and Craig Smith, that was featured in Country Living, and I am utterly in awe of it. The Smiths run an antiques business and travel most of the year, selling at shows around the country, and have decorated their home with what they've found along the way. Their 2,016-square-foot home is chock full of salvaged materials and antiques, and is, to say the least, very inspiring.

It's the epitome of shabby chic, and certainly challenges the negative stereotypes associated with mobile homes. I'm still baffled somehow at why this couple is living in a double-wide; I guess it makes sense for a couple that travels most of the year, though. The beautiful images speak for themselves, so click below to get the full tour.

View 11 Photos ›

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This Just In: Denise Richards Lists Her Shabby Chic Crib

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Denise Richards has put her traditional 5,600-square-foot house in Hidden Hills, a luxury gated community in Los Angeles, on the market for $4.25 million, according to the LA Times. It has five bedrooms, including a master retreat with a sitting area. The property description lists:

Graceful foyer entry with sweeping staircase, gleaming wood floors, rustic stone floors, expansive living room with soaring ceilings and cast stone fireplace, great room accented by fireplace and library bookshelves, gourmet country kitchen with imported tiles and Carrera marble, state of the art stainless steel appliances, sun-filled breakfast room opens to kitchen, stately formal dining room features charming bay window and wainscotting, master retreat with comfortable sitting area, large walk-in closet, spa-like master bath with island tub and fireplace, five spacious bedrooms with private baths, inviting upstairs office, expansive grounds over an acre of mature landscaping and trees, [and] pebble textured pool and spa.

Richards has apparently listed the property for about $100,000 less than she paid for it — further evidence of this uncertain real estate market. If you're looking for a New England style "country" house in Los Angeles that's decked to the nines in shabby chic and leopard print toilets, then maybe this one's for you.

View 11 Photos ›

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Ask Casa: What to Do About Burgundy

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:14 -0700

Su Casa member Pretty Little Things got this overstuffed burgundy chenille burgundy chair at a garage sale for only $50. She wants to integrate it into her awesome new apartment, but her "theoretical color scheme involves grays, golds, whites, neutrals, dark wood, no burgundy!" And aside from the color, she also finds the chair bulky. So she asks, "Can someone suggest a nice color palette that would match with burgundy (in keeping with the other colors I had in mind, or something like them) or should I just give up and get a slipcover?"

To hear my suggestions for Pretty Little Things, read more.

Hi there-

Good question!

First of all, is the chair in good condition? If not, I wouldn't invest any money in even a slipcover. While $50 seems like a bargain for a chair, with some more garage sale trolling and Craigslist, I think you can find another used chair in good condition that may eliminate the burgundy issue.

Next, do you mind the shape? Personally, that overstuffed look is not my style, but if you like it, keep it. If you don't like the bulky shape and you're just keeping it because it was cheap, I think you should just sell it. Don't bring anything into your home that you don't love, or that you can't alter (to be loved).

That said, I think it's a good decision to get a slipcover for the chair, or have one made. Your theoretical palette sounds beautiful and I would love to see how you put it all together. While the burgundy wouldn't exactly clash, I think it might stand out as more of an eyesore than anything else. And, if we're talking aesthetics, I've never been a fan of burgundy furnishings, either!

I suggest getting a white or off-white slipcover that's NOT fitted - and even wrinkly if you can find one. I'm thinking of the chairs in Stockholm's Hotel J, which I think are cool and relaxed. This look works really well with overstuffed chairs, and will give yours a modern-meets-shabby-chic vibe.

Hope this helps! Let me know what you decide!

Cheers,

Casa

A Poet's Likeness Sculpture - $129.00	Linen European Furniture - Natural Linen Settee - $1,399.00
Quilts & Quilted Shams - $115.00	Camilla 3-Arm Chandelier - $199.00
14" Toulon Planter - $69.00	Sandy Chapman Small Mirror Sconce - $315.00
Chloe Accent Tables - $39.99	Tempo Velvet Port Pillow - $36.95
Ribbon Quilt - White - $199.00	Scalloped Pedestal Table - $399.00
"Flamenco" Sheet Sets ME By Peacock Alley - $50.00	Triple Medallion Settee - $1,099.00
Terra Cotta Lady Planter - $65.00	Post Road Eyelet Throw Pillow - $99.99
Tree Chandelier - $299.00	White Metal Wall Sconce with Mirror (Set of 2) - $49.99
Verdi One Light Chandelier - $199.00