CasaSugar

Before and After: My Curtain Call

Julia Millay Walsh — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 10:45:00 PST

When I moved into my apartment over a year ago, we were left with a simple set of brown curtain panels. I'd always intended to swap them out for bright white panels, but it took me about 12 months to do so. When my roommate moved out in November, and took an armchair of hers along with her, it was time to give the living room some updates. I put a set of armchairs and a little side table there as a temporary place holder, but the scale was definitely off.

To see the updates I made to my living room, continue reading!

Su Casa: A Renovated Kitchen Table

Casa Community — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 11:00:37 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member Ella1978 from the Su Casa group:

Just wanted to post a quick renovation we did.

It wasn't super difficult, but it was my first attempt at refinishing furniture!

We have a kitchen table in our breakfast nook that we really use as more of a console table. After years of abuse, this table was a mess. I really wanted to fix it up as part of the nook renovation. I will post about that later, once it's all complete. But for now, here is a quick table photo.

Before:

Keep reading to see the finished table!

Roundup: Cool, Contemporary, Circular Coffee Tables

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 16:00:52 PST

I'm mad for this living room belonging to NYC psychiatrist and socialite Samantha Boardman, which was recently featured on Vogue.com. From the splatter-paint pattern rug to the oversize Cy Twombly painting to the blow-up dog sculpture by Jeff Koons, the room itself is also mad. But the pièce de résistance of the room, in my opinion, is the expansive circular sofa that anchors the room. I haven't a clue where to find a sectional like this, and in fear of its price tag, I wouldn't want to know. But a girl like me can afford a cool, circular coffee table like Boardman's - if only that. I've rounded up a few of my favorite round, contemporary tables. One day, when I strike gold, maybe I'll swoop up a luxe velvet sofa to surround it.

Cool Idea: Turn a Door Into a Dining Table This Thanksgiving

Elka Karl — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 05:00:50 PST

Many of us are hosting huge Thanksgivings this holiday. I'll be at my mother-in-law's cottage, where we'll dine with 17 guests. The largest Thanksgiving I ever hosted involved 22 friends, who were spread out over two tables in the dining room. It was fun, but the tables, which were folding Ikea-bought tables covered with long red tablecloths, weren't the most unique in the world. Wouldn't it be great to wow guests with a custom-made table instead? Blogger Settling West created this table out of a door, and I think it looks pretty amazing. You can find out how to make it here, but if you're pressed for time, you can set up something similar to this with an on-the-spot DIY. Just add a door to a few sawhorses, cover with a pretty runner, and serve! You may want to add a few screws, mounted on a small board on the sawhorses, to the underside of the door to make sure that your table doesn't topple, but otherwise, this is a unique, no-fuss solution for handling plentiful holiday guests. Have you ever tried something similar?

Cool Idea: A Well-Read Stool

Julia Millay Walsh — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 05:00:41 PST

I headed to New Orleans to celebrate Halloween this year, and while I was down in the Crescent City, I also spent a couple days at Voodoo Fest. When I tired of the rowdy MGMT and Ozzy Osborne crowds, I snuck off with some red beans and rice to the "Cinema" lounge, which was furnished entirely out of upcycled materials. I fell hard for these stools made of rolled up offBeat magazines (NOLA's local music pub). Each stool was made of a few dozen magazines or newspapers, which were held together with a nylon belt or strap.

Always suspicious, I tested out the stools myself, and they were super sturdy! Of course, you could also use them as side tables for books and small accessories. In any case, I must say they're clever and easy on the eyes! What do you think?

View 3 Photos ›

Lovely Little Vignettes: An Autumn Remix

Casa Community — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 08:00:43 PST

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member nyclq from the Lovely Little Vignettes group:

Here's a recent seasonal vignette I had set for Fall in our Florida townhome, mixing old, thrifted and found objects:

Thrifted buffet - $30
Thrifted glass globe lamp - $5
Thrifted blue-gray acorn - $3
Repurposed old retail fitting room wall art - $0 (yes - free!!)
Glass bottle and horseshoe - free, found on a farm in Georgia
Branch - free, found on the side of the road
Three Fall leaf sprays - on sale for $1.50 each at a local craft store
Mirror and vases - existing accessories from Homegoods
Black metal candle holders - only $15 for a set of three about 12 yrs. ago at Pier 1

More vignettes, table styling, and makeovers can be found on my blog. Stop by and say hello! Thanks!!

Have you been doing any decorating lately? Be sure to post your arrangements in the Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Roundup: Candles Fit For a Thanksgiving Table

Elka Karl — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 11:00:47 PDT

After you've polished the silver and folded the napkins, finish your Thanksgiving table's look with a well-chosen candle and holder. Since I'm spending the holiday on a woodsy island, I thought that the Roost Mandara Pine Candlesticks ($35) were the perfect candles for our table. Inspired by an antique candlestick found in Vietnam, they're made from weathered Himalayan pine with pewter-finish candle cups and feature a turned wood design.

Looking for something in a metallic? How about an autumnal design? I've rounded up these and more for your holiday table. Take a look at some of my favorites below.

Before and After: A Moroccan-Style Side Table Makeover

Casa Community — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 11:00:40 PDT

Here's a post from CasaSugar Community member h2urHome from the Su Casa group:

My husband recently picked up a couple of side tables from a garage sale that were well made and a great price but just needed some sprucing up.

To see how h2urHome transformed her tables, continue reading!

Guess What This Table Is Called?

Elka Karl — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 07:00:48 PDT

Maria Shriver and Jessica Simpson exchanged a few laughs at the Women's Conference, which ends today in Long Beach, CA. While the two women are definitely lovely, my eyes were on the even lovelier lines of this classic modern design. Can you tell me the name of this table?

Desire/Acquire: Davis Side Table

Julia Millay Walsh — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 05:00:21 PDT

I've been lusting after this Davis Side Table ($525) from Tonic Home for months. I love the heft of the round basket weave base and the glamour of the gold finish. It also has a bit of midcentury style, but it's more updated. And the mirror top gives it even more polish! I'm thinking of painting my living room a dusty gray hue, and I know the gold would look fabulous against my walls. The thing is . . . it's a little bit over budget.

Luckily, I located the luxe side table at a more affordable price somewhere else. Wondering where?