CasaSugar

Nice and New: Wisteria Call to Dinner Chandelier

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:30:04 -0700

I'm always on the lookout for interesting lighting, and while I do go gaga for hip, modern pieces, my traditional upbringing has left me with a soft spot for antiques and reproductions likely to be coveted by mother. The Wisteria Call to Dinner Chandelier ($349) is no exception. Its reproduction old hotel silverware and hemispheric iron frame give it the look of an antique, without the price. And, it has a quirky, creative quality that's characteristic of my wacky family. In fact, now that I think of it, my grandmother used to hang antique silverware on ribbons from the rafters in her kitchen — maybe that's why I'm fond of this piece.

Recipe For Clean: Silver Polish

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:00:01 -0700

When getting our homes so fresh and so clean, don't overlook your silverware. If you've assembled your home cleaning kit you'll have most of the ingredients for this Recipe For Clean. Use it to make your silverware shine like the top of the Chrysler building.

Supplies:

3-in. square of aluminum foil
1 tbsp. of salt
1 tbsp. of baking soda
1 cup of warm water

To learn the steps of this recipe, read more.
Here's how:

Dissolve the salt and baking soda in the warm water.
Then, submerge the foil and your silverware in the solution.
Let it sit for one hour.
Rinse the silver under the faucet, and then wipe it dry with a cloth.

Or . . .

Rub any tarnished spots on your silverware with a non-gel toothpaste (white paste kind) with a soft cloth, and rinse.
Source

Weird Furniture: Precious Famine

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 11:15:35 -0700

What's for dinner? The Precious Famine (inquire for price) limited-edition coffee table, made of entirely hundreds of pieces of Christofle silverware, was designed by Toni Grilo of Portugal/France-based Objection Design. While it's most definitely crazy, impractical, and possibly dangerous, I appreciate its inventiveness. I assume it's made from newly manufactured Christofle silverware, but I like the idea of recycling objects in your home for an entirely new purpose. Do you have any silverware or cutlery laying around to repurpose? What else could you make from old knifes, forks, and spoons?

Casa Quickie: Upgrade Your Silverware Drawer

CasaSugar — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 08:30:00 -0700

If you have a silverware drawer that's seen better days, take a bit of time this weekend to clean it and replace the drawer organizer. This is especially true if your silver is sitting in a stained or battered plastic organizer. Try replacing that drawer with something you'll actually want to look at (and keep clean), like this Beechwood Expandable Drawer Organizer ($25.49). Making small improvements like this will not only improve the look of your kitchen, it will also help you to up your organizational skills. A win-win, if you ask me! Want more tips on keeping your silverware drawer clean? Check them out here.

Cool Idea: Silverware Chandelier

CasaSugar — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 05:01:00 -0800

British-based lighting designer Ali Siahvoshi is the brilliant man behind Fabbian’s line of repurposed silverware chandeliers. Some of Siahvoshi's previous lighting designs have used recycled hangers, plumbing fixtures, and other recycled objects for light fixtures as well.

What do you think? Do you find them as cool as I do?
Source

Before and After: A Cutlery Tray Reenvisioned

CasaSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 08:30:30 -0700

Last week I showed you another use for a plate hanger, and today I'm back with some more inventive repurposing. DIY queen Twiggie had a spare cutlery tray lying around and a need to store some of her finest personal possessions, which had been piling up. With some basic household supplies and some decorative paper and knobs, she transformed her basic cutlery tray into something both feminine and functional. Can you guess what she made? To find out, read more.

She transformed it into a necklace and bracelet organizer! To learn how to make one yourself, check out the DIY instructions.
Source

How-To: Keep Your Flatware Drawer Tidy

CasaSugar — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 09:00:35 -0800

Over the holidays, some of my friends housesat for us for a few days. When I have someone stay at my house, I try to make it as tidy and welcoming as possible, and one of my go-to tasks is tidying and cleaning the flatware drawer. It's rather disconcerting, in my opinion, to open a drawer, looking for a spoon for your ice cream, and find yourself staring at a messy and crumb-filled flatware drawer.

To see my tips for keeping your flatware drawer tidy, read more.

Start by purging your drawer of all mismatched, mangled, or shabby-looking silverware. Send any decent, but mismatched, silver to a local thrift shop or charity.
Remove any non-silverware items from the drawer. Measuring cups, spatulas, and other kitchen utensils should be placed in a separate drawer or container.
Take out all silverware and give it a good rub-down with this non-toxic polish.
Take out the drawer and clean it thoroughly, removing any spills or stains.
Replace everything and enjoy your newly organized drawer!

Registry Roundup: Bedroom

CasaSugar — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 08:30:00 -0700

As you continue your wedding registry, consider your bedroom. I'm sure your first thought was to register for all of your entertaining necessities, like serving platters, silverware, etc. But where's all the goodness you keep to yourself? The bedroom, of course. As you may well know, a happy bedroom makes a happy marriage. So, that's one area you needn't omit on the registry. With our downloadable registry PDF as a guide, I've rounded up a variety of bedding and bedroom accessories that will be nearly all you need for ultimate nuptial bliss in the bedroom. Of course, these fab furnishings are all gender-neutral enough for both newlyweds to enjoy! Check out all of the Sugar network’s wedding coverage here.

Source

Who Sets Your Table?

CasaSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 11:00:10 -0700

Growing up, my siblings and I set the table each night while my mother cooked. Now, sadly, the habit is just to grab your own silverware and napkin before you down your grub. Is the table still set at your house? By whom?Source

Casa Quickie: Abracadabra, Fully Furnished!

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 14:00:23 -0800

Long before I started registering for gravy boats and Tiffany silverware, I lived in a studio that, let's just say, was a little light in the furnishings department: a couch, a table, one cloth napkin, one wine glass (highest return on investment!), and a Pyrex pan that doubled as mixing bowl. So, if you're looking in your cabinets thinking "How the heck can I feed 15 people with only six plates and six chairs?" then I empathize. But, when we get down to brass tacks, we all know that empathy won't save you from a paper-plate holiday dinner, and shopping isn't the answer in today's economy. So, my solution? Call on your friends and family who are leaving town for the weekend and hit them up for dinnerware, vases, table linens, spare chairs, etc. Then, come pick it up yourself and send a gift in return with a thoughtful thank-you note. You can bet your bottom dollar they won't be checking their serving dishes on the airplane, and they know you're good for it - I mean, really, who uses a gravy boat post Nov. 27?
Source

Heritage Washable Wool Blanket in Chocolate - $265.00	Area Harry Blanket - $155.00
PB Organic 400-Thread-Count Supima® Bed Skirt - $79.00	Draper Stripe Duvet Set F/Q - $249.00
Down Alternative Bed Pillows - $24.95	Blissliving Home Silk Duvet Fill - $335.00
PBK Waterproof Mattress Pads - $39.00	Baffled Box 95/5 Feather Bed and Cover in Full - $139.00
Blissliving Home Snow Sheet Set - $150.00	Blissliving Home Snow Pillow Cases - $40.00
Isotonic® Ultra Comfort Extra Loft Contour Pillow with Outlast Cover - $79.99	"Ella" Matelasse Coverlets and Shams - $84.00