CasaSugar

Assisted Living: Decorating PartySugar's New Digs

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 07:00:00 -0800

PartySugar asked the Assisted Living group for help decorating her new place:

Hey readers! I just moved and need to start decorating my new place. I have tons of white walls and am open to affordable and creative ideas. The bad news is, I can't paint because I don't own the place. I took a bunch of photos of the space now. It's a studio. I'm going with brown as a base color and pink, turqioise, and green as accents. I've also included photos of my inspiration board. Think Moroccan-inspired prints, leopard, and lots of textures. How should I decorate?

With her inspiration board and limited budget in mind, I've rounded up a few products that might help PartySugar achieve the look she's going for. I also have a few suggestions for her to keep in mind while she's shopping. Want to see my thoughts and offer your own?

House Tour: Johanna's Växjö, Sweden Studio

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 11:00:16 -0800

Small is beautiful, as Johanna proves in her pretty, hip, and organized Växjö, Sweden, studio. Take the tour with me to check out her Scandinavian style, and then pop over to her site to learn more about the woman behind the apartment.
Source: Flickr User Johanna.B

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Before and After: An In-Progress Studio

Casa Community — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:43:28 -0800

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member ChicConservator from the Su Casa group:

One of the main projects in my house is to go through and paint all the rooms. With all the snow days I've had this winter, I've had plenty of time to re-paint the room I am calling my studio. The paint color I chose is "Environmental" by Behr. We went with the Behr premium plus paint and it is so nice to work with! I also bought the fabric and made these simple curtains myself. Now that it is looking more like a finished room, I am having trouble deciding what furniture to put in this room. I would like to use it as an artist studio and workspace. An absolute must is a large worktable with a smooth, flat surface. Probably some sort of flat drawers, or storage would also be useful. Any ideas?

To see the after photo and suggest furniture for her room, read more.

Have you been doing any redecorating or painting in your home? Be sure to post photos and tales in our Su Casa group! Do you have any furniture ideas for ChicConservator? Post them below!

Cool Idea: A Storage Box Spring

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 05:00:56 -0800

The New York Times recently featured the 178-square-foot Brooklyn studio of Zach Motl, a junior designer for design firm Robert Couturier & Associates, who also worked for Miles Redd. The amount of stylish, sophisticated furnishings packed into Motl's one-room apartment is nearly impossible, but somehow it looks polished. One of the things that helps his digs look less cluttered is his Ikea Sultan Alsarp Box Spring ($220 and up). The clever design has a slatted base that can be lifted, allowing you to use the space underneath for storage. Of course, if you're smart, you'll have a bed frame and maybe even bed risers, too, so you can store things underneath your bed as well. If only I'd known about this when I lived in a studio! I wonder if it's comfortable?

Living Large in a Small Space: Marlies's Vibrant Studio in the Netherlands

CasaSugar — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:30:06 -0800

Marlies lives in the western part of the Netherlands, where, she writes, "It can be quite hard to find a nice affordable home in the city. This small (366ft) studio apartment was offered to me just six months ago, by a organization that provides affordable houses for working young people. I was very happy, because before this I lived in very expensive and even smaller(!) apartments." Marlies notes that although she works with a very small design budget, she loves to create a pretty, cozy home. Using thrifted and antique elements, Ikea finds, and Etsy artwork, she has created a lovely small home for herself. Take the tour to get ideas for creating your own small refuge in the city, and then check out her Flickr page for more inspiration.

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Coveted Crib: A Paper-Perfect Studio Loft

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:00:50 -0800

If I had my druthers, I probably wouldn't choose to live in a studio. But if I had to, I cannot imagine a more perfect space than this studio loft in Lägenhet, Stockholm (which is for sale). With tall ceilings, a bed and extra storage are tucked up high, making for a true living room. The apartment's bright white walls and beautiful natural light expand the space, while a select few gorgeously wallpapered walls give it depth and serious style. The kitchen has streamlined modern white cabinetry and one of my favorite elements: concrete countertops. The bathroom is complete with a towel warmer (woot!), a washer/dryer, and a sharp zebrawood sink basin. And better yet, it boasts what every girl dreams of: a walk-in closet. Take the full tour when you read more.

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How-To: Decorate a Dual-Purpose Space

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 12:00:55 -0700

Having lived in a studio in the past, I've experienced first-hand the trials and tribulations of trying to make one room play two roles. I have many friends living tiny apartments who try to cram the furniture meant for both a living room and a bedroom into the same room, and let me tell you, none have succeeded. It's not only studio dwellers that encounter these issues, though. Sometimes a home office needs to double as a living room, or a bedroom as a workout room. If you're in the same boat, I have a few tips for you.

Cool Idea: Real Size Roomscape Curtain

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 06:15:07 -0700

When you're living in a studio, or otherwise short on space, sometimes you must resort to trompe-l'œil effects to fool people into thinking your pad is bigger than it is. But, mirrored sliding doors on your closet are simply too '80s to even consider. Dutch artist Bauke Knottnerus knows what I mean. Knottnerus's Real Size Roomscape Curtain gives the illusion of more space, as it's printed with a photograph of a living room. Can't afford a sofa? Not enough space for a bulky TV? You've got one instantly with this curtain! And, like any old drape, it does a fantastic job of concealing your junk. I think this product is just a prototype for now, but I could totally see it in Urban Outfitters, couldn't you? What do you think?

Room Therapy: Any Suggestions For My New Studio?

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 06:15:09 -0800

Dear CasaSugar,

My application for my new apartment was approved, a down payment made, and now the apartment is officially all mine. I'm so excited, and can't wait to move in. My biggest concern was finding an affordable studio with as much space as the one I currently live in, and after much searching I found it. There is a large main room, which is the bedroom and living area. The kitchen is in a separate space, as well as the walk-in closet area, and the bathroom. I'd love it if other CasaSugar readers could offer me suggestions on maximizing the space, window treatments, and decor for my apartment.

Thanks!

Tiaramh

To leave a suggestion for Tiara, and to hear my advice, read more.

Hi Tiaramh,

Congrats on the new apartment! It's always exciting when you find the perfect spot, and I'm sure your cute pooch Coco is going to love your pad as well. My suggestion is to check out my posts on studios. There, you'll find petite furniture suggestions, featured projects and ideas from other studio dwellers, and smart ways to maximize your space.

Anyone else have suggestions for Taramh?

Congrats on your new flat!
Casa

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Casa Quickie: Studio Resourcefulness

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:00:57 -0800

TeamSugar member CityGal is throwing a holiday party in her tiny New York City studio, which has French doors dividing her "bedroom" (only room for a bed) from her minuscule living room/oven-less kitchen. In other words, her party will be a little bit like the Flight of the Conchords episode when Jemaine throws a party in his new apartment: the empty cleaning closet.

No one's gonna rain on Citygal's party, though! She's created room for her guests by flipping her mattress on its end, which she'll conceal behind a curtain. This opens up the bedroom, making more space for the party-goers. You gotta do what you gotta do! If her trick's not for you, try my primer on maximizing space for a party.
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