CasaSugar

This Just In: USPS to Release Charles & Ray Eames Stamps

CasaSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:00:26 -0800

Next Summer, the United States Postal Service will release a pane of 16 stamps honoring and recognizing husband and wife design partners Charles and Ray Eames for "their groundbreaking contributions to architecture, furniture design, manufacturing and photographic arts." To get all the details, read more.

The designs featured include the Wire-Base Table, the Hang-it-All, the Lounge Chair and Ottoman, the House of Cards, the Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, the Aluminum Side Chair, the Molded Plastic Side Chair, the Storage Unit, the Wire Chair, and the La Chaise. Design Notes writes that "it may also be the only time you can get an Eames La Chaise for 41 cents." It's interesting (and fun!) to see these designs in a new form (much like the coasters). It's also fitting to use the designs as stamps, since as the USPS points out, "Charles and Ray Eames used new materials and technology to create high-quality products that addressed everyday problems and made modern design available to the American public."

Wedding Planner: Make Your Own Stamps

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 12:00:08 -0700

One place where I splurged when planning my wedding was designing and ordering custom postage stamps. Since I'd put so much time into designing my invitations, I didn't want to muck up the pretty envelopes with the pink, overly saccharine Love stamps that were my option from the USPS (plus the pink stamps would clash horribly with my celedon green envelopes). Instead, I decided to design postage stamps through Zazzle, which has partnered with the USPS to provide stamps to folks who are interested in designing them to mark special occasions or to just add a little bit of fun to a letter.

To see how to make your own stamps, just read more.

The process is very simple. Just upload a photo, add text, and then click and drag the image or text until you have it perfectly placed. You can even choose between a wide range of font sizes and styles, and also choose the size of your stamp. Stamps are also available in a number of postal rates, from Postcard to Priority. I think this is a great way to add a little something extra to an invitation and a bit of a couple's personality to the envelope or RSVP card. Granted, it will cost you a bit more. A sheet of 20 first-class stamps in the small size on Zazzle is $14.95, while a sheet of 20 at the post office would only run you $8.40. Still, if you order more than one sheet, you get $2 taken off each order. I figured that I ended up paying an extra $75 for all of my postage, and even though we're trying to keep a tight rein on our budget, my fiancé and I both agreed that this was one place we were happy to splurge.

To get started, just go here, and for all of our wedding coverage, check out IDoSugar.

Nice and New: Charles & Ray Eames Stamps

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 07:45:32 -0700

Back in January, I wrote that the United States Postal Service would release Charles and Ray Eames stamps featuring the Eames Wire-Base Table, the Hang-It-All, the Lounge Chair and Ottoman, the House of Cards, the Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, the Aluminum Side Chair, the Molded Plastic Side Chair, the Storage Unit, the Wire Chair, and the La Chaise. Well, the time has come folks. You can pick up your own pane of 16, self-adhesive 42–cent Charles and Ray Eames stamps ($6.72) at your local post office. That's right, if Eames furniture wasn't already out of your budget, stamps now cost 42 cents. I plan on framing one sheet, and saving another for letters to my favorite design-fiend friends.

Roundup: Modern-Look Houseplants

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 07:00:19 -0800

There are plenty of reasons to keep houseplants healthy and prolific in your home, including improved air quality. But if you're looking for modern planters to complement your modern home, it's often hard to find a pot that's not terra cotta, stamped, or a little too organic-looking.

Luckily, there are more and more pots on the market now that will fit in with your more streamlined decor. One of my favorite pots out there is also very easy on your pocketbook. The Grobal Self-Watering Flower Pot ($15 and up) is available in a spectrum of colors. Designed by Karim Rashid, it makes it easier for even the blackest-thumbed indoor gardener to keep her plants looking gorgeous.

Want a few other options? See some of my favorites below.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 12:00:16 -0800

Learn more about NYC store Haus Interior, as well as the owner's delightful design blog, The Cultivated Home. - Simply Stated
Want to improve your bathroom on a budget? Try one of these vanity DIYs. - AT:SF
Wrap your Valentine's Day gift in a super special way with spooled stamped fabric. - Craft
Learn about a new budget cleaning product that's also environmentally safe. - Re-Nest
This Valentine's Day, get creative and think outside the candy box. - Shelterrific
Try these five simple steps for getting your kitchen tidy and organized. - ShelterPop
Find out where to pick up a bargain alternative to a fancy Murano glass chandelier. - Copy Cat Chic

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:00:12 -0800

Take a look at Coco Chanel's Paris flat. - AT:NY
An artist resolves to photograph a collection a day in 2010. - A Collection a Day
A hamster owner hacks an Ikea cabinet to build an expansive pet home. - Ikea Hacker
Thirteen portraits of a parrot in different media make the perfect gift. - The Crafts Dept.
Easy DIY chevron art gives your walls some graphic goodness. - Decor8
The UK's latest stamps will feature iconic album cover art. - UnBeige

Casa Beta: Linnea's Lights Fir Candle

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:00:46 -0800

You may remember that I am very picky about my candles - and willing to spend big bucks on one that I love. Beyond that, I am skeptical of "seasonal" scents, because I often find them gimmicky or simply rushed to the market. So even when Linnea's Lights' new limited edition Fir candle ($28) arrived at my desk in its elegant box, I wasn't yet sold.

Scent:

Pulling the candle out of its box, I noticed the very light scent of a fir tree scent. But would it fill the room and waft well? I lit the candle in my living room and went about my puttering. Within 10 minutes, I thought, "It smells like Christmas!" completely forgetting that I'd lit the candle. The scent was warm and fuzzy and full of memories, and completely natural, just like a freshly cut Fraiser fir. The aroma is simple and elegant, and will fool your guests into thinking you've got a big, sparkling Christmas tree in the house - even if you live in a closet.

Hear more of my thoughts on the candle.

Casa Quickie: Archive Your Magazines

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 08:00:04 -0700

I've been stockpiling shelter magazines since before I had my own apartment to decorate. But as my beloved pubs continue to fold (RIP House & Garden and Domino), I want to protect my issues more than ever.

I was delighted to learn of a magazine binding service offered by Denver Bookbinding to aid my archiving efforts. Send the company your ole Dominos and they'll bind your mag stack into as many hardcovers as you'd like. You can choose from 20 different colors of grade F buckram material, a highly durable, acid-free, library-quality canvas, and have the title, volume, year, and months printed on the spine. Foil stamping can be done in gold, silver, white, or black. One book up to 12 inches in height and two inches thick will cost $50, but the price per book decreases when you order more books. And if you want to get fancy, you can pay extra for front cover stamping, imitation leather, or decorative lines.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 13:00:13 -0700

Could a shack ever be so cool? - Oh Joy!
Oh no. This is not happening. Banksy art wall decals. - AT:NY
I'm envious of these intricate paper cuts by Helen Musselwhite. - Automatism
Learn to make a pennant rubber-stamp roller. - Craftzine
I adore this printed pottery. - Decor8
Have yourself some colorful eye candy. - Peacock Feathers

Etsy Find: Table Talk Napkin Rings

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 12:00:28 -0700

If you were tempted by the customized wedding ring bowl from artist Paloma's Nest, chances are that you'll also fall for these Table Talk Napkin Rings ($48 for four). Made from reclaimed wood, the rings are stamped with a message of your choice. Need a wedding present for a newlywed couple? These, stamped with their wedding date, would be a great choice. Want to commemorate a special occasion or gathering? These rings can do just that. Since each ring is only two inches in diameter, the text is limited to 30 characters and spaces. The text is printed in uppercase letters in black ink, and the wood is sanded to a smooth finish to accommodate your favorite linens.