CasaSugar

Love It or Hate It? Kumi Kookoon Silk Sheets

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 11:00:46 -0800

There's something remarkably luxurious about the idea of sleeping between these Kumi Kookoon Silk Sheets ($240-$1125). But given that they're dry-clean only, I can't imagine that the upkeep would be worth it. What's your take?

Crave Worthy: Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:00:01 -0700

I love a good plush seat, but sometimes I can't help but sacrifice comfort for good looks. And, that time is now. The Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs ($1,300 for pair) from Paris Hotel Boutique don't look one bit comfortable, but they're just so ravishing. I think it's the juxtaposition of the contemporary turquoise Dupioni silk with the 1900s ebonized and gilt design. I imagine the chairs were originally upholstered in a fussy floral, but the lack of pattern here really lets the chairs' beautiful shape shine. I'd set them at the heads of a dining table, paired with some basic black Louis XV chairs, or station one in a quiet hallway to provide a pop of color.

Steal of the Day: Silk Floor Pillows

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 08:45:56 -0800

If you can't swing the tansu shelves then Gump's can provide you with these super-on-sale silk floor pillows ($69.99, originally $150). These tailored Silk Floor Pillows would work equally well for meditation or entertaining a group of friends. Inspired by traditional zen pillows, the dupioni silk cushions are tailored with soft pleats and a mango-hued top panels and filled with naturally resilient, supportive kapok fivers.

Nice and New: CASA Carlos Mota Hydrangea Flower Bouquet

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 07:00:55 -0700

In general, artificial flowers are sacrilegious to me - the beauty of fresh flowers lies not only in their form, but in their transiency. So, I wouldn't normally recommend bringing fakes into your home, but I will make an exception. Independent stylist and special projects editor for Elle Decor Carlos Mota has released a new collection of silk floral arrangements for HSN that are seriously chic and quite deceiving to the eye. My favorite is this CASA Carlos Mota Hydrangea Flower Bouquet ($49.95), with its sultry blues and Spring greens. Each arrangement comes in a modern, rippled, white ceramic vase. In the case that you do pick one of these up, please do not use it as a centerpiece; instead, use them to brighten a corner, where they can fit into your home in a more subtle manner.

Etsy Find: Mix Tape Kitchen Towel

CasaSugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 04:30:07 -0700

If, like me, you have fond teen memories of the beloved mix tape, then you might find yourself breathing a nostalgic sigh at the sight of this Mix Tape Kitchen Towel ($9.50). Each 100 perent cotton flower sack kitchen towel is silk screened with a print of a large mix tape in blue ink. Since each one is screened by hand, yours will be unique, just like that mix tape from 1992 that your first high school boyfriend passed to you in the hall between Algebra I and AP Biology.

Ask Casa: How Can I Create an Old Hollywood Starlet Pad?

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:39 -0700

Twitter user DefDulce asked me a question which, judging from current trends, I think is on a lot of young decorators' minds: "How can you turn an ordinary apartment into an old Hollywood starlet pad?"

Without seeing her apartment, I can't offer specific, tailored changes or updates. So I thought I'd respond by offering a few key elements essential to any old Hollywood home. Choosing just a few of them will give your home that overtone of glitz and glamour so evocative of Old Hollywood style.

Lacquer your furniture! And if you can't afford to, high gloss paint will do.
Choose rich materials like silk and velvet for drapery and tablecloths.
Bring in luxe details: crystals on chandeliers, fringe on lampshades, gilt accessories.

See more of these.

Get the Look: Red Gossip Girl Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 05:30:11 -0700

In last night's episode of Gossip Girl, Blake Lively and Tyra Banks got cozy in their silk robes on a red velvet settee. The showstopping piece certainly makes the room, but the matching red damask wallpaper and blue velvet curtains continue the baroque theme throughout the room. Then, accents like the black and white embroidered pillows, brass bird wall sculpture, and rope tassels add another element of luxurious detailing. To get the look in your home, read more.

Start with the Ballard Designs Sofia Settee ($1,159) as a base. You can have it upholstered in red velvet. Or, search 1st Dibs for "red velvet settee" to find something more precise.

For the rest of the look, read more.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Do You Decorate With Paisley?

CasaSugar — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 05:30:16 -0700

I have to say, I'm a little in love with this silk upholstered Simone Paisley Sofa ($4,999). I doubt that I could pull off such a bold design in my home, but I do think that a pretty paisley can really liven up a room, whether it's used in a throw or a pillow.

Fall Style: Chic Pink and Orange Halloween Décor

CasaSugar — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:00:11 -0700

Now is the time to start thinking about your Halloween décor. But before you go deck your house in all black and orange, consider another color. Lovely Little Vignettes member Bonchic1 chose a pink and orange palette, rendering her Halloween décor more chic than spooky, yet still festive. She also used glittery pumpkins, crystal candlesticks, and a mirrored tray, creating a truly glamorous display. I love it! I know the Halloween season is short, but I've always been cautious of having a black and orange palette in my home; it doesn't look right for some reason. So I'm really inspired to expand my Halloween colors now!

To see some more Lovely Little Halloween Vignettes, read more.

Of her Halloween decorations, Lovely Little Vignettes member Cocoangel says, "When I didn't have the size or color of candles for my candle holders, I just used ceramic pumpkins and silk fall leaves instead." Fun! I can't wait for Halloween!

Etsy Find: Red/Purple Quarter Whorl Suzani Pillow

CasaSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 06:15:33 -0700

The Suzani trend doesn't seem to be going anywhere any time soon. But the trap with most trends is to buy into a big retailers' interpretation. For instance, Suzani is an intricate, beautiful, and colorful style of needlework that hails from Central Asia, but Natori sells a bedding set that is actually only printed, inspired by patterns often seen in Suzani work. These sorts of products are fleeting in fashion, so if you're going to go for a trend, get the real thing. The Red/Purple Quarter Whorl Suzani Pillow ($148) will do the trick. The pillow is made from a one-of-a-kind recycled antique Suzani textile, which was naturally dyed and embroidered with handspun silk on natural cotton ground. You can't get much more authentic than that.