CasaSugar

Cool Idea: Frankensteined China, Two Ways

CasaSugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 15:00:56 -0700

Belarusian artist Vika Mitrichenka makes gorgeous tea sets by casting broken pieces of china together, which were picked up by Dutch Design Shop Frozen Fountain, as well as the Stedelijk Museum. At $5,742 for a limited edition set of serving tray, tea pot, dish, sugar and cream bowls, and cup and saucer, you'd better have a pretty tame tea party if you want to use them, but I think it's best to think of Mitrichenka's work as fine art sculptures. To hear who else frankensteins china, read more.

One of my Designer Spotlights, Jason Miller (of antler chandelier fame), designed a collection called "Seconds," teapots, teacups and saucers, and dinner and dessert plates which look to be mismatched pieces of china glued to china, but are actually produced by Areaware. Each set actually has one singular motif or imagery that runs through each piece, like his blackbirds. His artist statement for the collection reads, "Products that are 'seconds' are products that are not quite right. They are imperfect and therefore lesser value. But who made the rules? Who says the decoration has to be in the center? Who says a flower can't grow down? Who says a whole bird is better than half a bird?" Prices range from $90 to $132.

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Steal of the Day: Viva Terra Porcelain Branch Teapot

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 11:15:58 -0700

Even if you're a coffee person, the Viva Terra Porcelain Branch Teapot ($34, reduced from $69) is so woodsy and whimsically beautiful, I'd endorse using it just for decoration. Or, you can cut the stems of your favorite bouquet short, and fill it for a fresh, Spring-y centerpiece. It's true, the cream and sugar set is sold out, but I think the Michael Aram Twig Sugar and Creamer Set ($40) would work marvelously with it. I think maybe this is what Charlotte Moss was referring to when she said that, "Decorating a table is one of life's basic pleasures."

Nice and New: Urban Outfitters Tea for One Set

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 08:00:41 -0800

I'm pretty surprised by this ceramic pink botanical Urban Outfitters Tea for One Set ($24). The floral print is so different from their usual inventory—in a good way! It's classic and elegant, rather than seasonal and trendy. Each set comes with a single-serving teapot with lid and a matching mug that rests below it for easy storage. Maybe tea for one isn't as fun as tea for two (or three or four), but poured into this set, it's a treat! It would also make a great holiday gift for the single gals that you know.

Desire/Acquire: Tea Set Lamp

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:00:14 -0700

The Anthropologie One-Lump-or-Two Lamp ($198) is quite cute in a British country cottage way, and I adore its espresso cup finial. But, I'd say it's a tad overpriced for a table lamp that looks so crafty, and that doesn't come with a shade. Luckily, there's a more affordable alternative that can be customized to fit your color scheme. To see it, read more.

Etsy seller Vintage Renaissance hand-crafts these Tea Set Lamps ($100) from vintage dishes so that each one is unique. You can choose your preferred color of Krylon spray paint for the base to personalize the lamp. Unfortunately, the shade is not included. I can see this lamp looking really cool with the right palette and a not-so-country-bumpkin shade. Personally, I'd go with a glossy white base and perhaps a tall, black, silk drum shade.

How-To: Renovate Your Kitchen to Accommodate a Wheelchair

CasaSugar — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 10:00:25 -0700

Su Casa member Hihowareya recently updated her kitchen with a cool DIYed backsplash, some fresh paint colors, and new lighting. She also made an important, practical change to her kitchen as well: she added an island and sink that allowed her wheelchair-bound mother to maneuver around the space and use the kitchen to her best advantage.

To find out how Hihowareya created this island on a tight budget, read more.

She writes,

The island is lower so [my mom] can reach the sink. The sink is a bar sink and we picked out basically the cheapest sink and faucets out there that would suit our needs, and that total came out to be less than $100. The sink is 15 inches by 5 inches deep, so it's tiny but it serves its purpose. The countertop to this island is a butcher block we custom ordered from Home Depot for $227 (that's including tax) and measures 42 inches x 25 inches. We bought two unfinished oak wall cabinets, placed them back to back, and then I stained them with the same stain as our original cabinets so they'd match (my mom wanted matching). There's also an electrical outlet on it, so my mom can plug in her teapot to boil water and make her tea, or plug in her bread maker and make bread and such. It's awesome how something so little can improve someone's independence tenfold.

Hihowareya reports that the entire island and sink renovation cost less than $400. What a great investment! She was able to give her mom more independence in the kitchen, and I bet that now, Hihowareya has another set of helping hands in the kitchen now as well. Have you made any renovations that improved accessibility for a wheelchair-bound family member? How did you go about it?

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Home Away From Home: The Langham in London Reopens

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 07:00:20 -0700

One of the largest, oldest, and best-known "grand hotels" in London, The Langham, reopened yesterday after a $130 million refurbishment. Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the hotel's managing director Katie Benson officially reopened the hotel yesterday with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting. The historic hotel was built in 1865, and over the years, has been frequented by the likes of Mark Twain, Napoleon III, and Oscar Wilde, and even became the set of several of Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes stories. You'll find it in London's West End neighborhood, steps away from some of the city's best shopping on Regent Street, Bond Street, and Oxford Street, as well as Regent's Park.

Take a peek at the new digs when you read more.

London-based architect David Collins was pegged to redesign the hotel's Landau restaurant, its private dining room, Postillion, and Artesian, its glamorous cocktail bar. The resulting designs are chic and romantic, with a rich sense of heritage as well as a fresh, avant-garde quality. Meanwhile, Richmond International created five new design schemes for the guest rooms and suites, as well as redesigned the renowned Palm Court, which has been serving afternoon tea since the hotel was founded. Richmond chimed in on the hotel's heavy sense of "Englishness," but used contemporary finishes and other decorative details to give it character. For instance, you'll see traditional artistry methods like glass-blowing and metalwork used to create modern light fixtures and hardware.

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Etsy Find: Four-Tier Antique Jewelry Stand

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 08:00:20 -0700

I recently asked whether or not you display your jewelry, and the response was mixed. Well, I have a sneaking suspicion that if you all were the proud owners of this Who Made It Four-Tier Antique Jewelry Stand ($80.50), the answer would be an unequivocal, resounding YES! This gorgeous and delicate stand is one of a kind, made from both new and antique dishes. It's ideal for hanging earrings and setting bracelets and necklaces, but it would also make a beautiful stand for desserts and hors d'oeuvres at your next tea party! So feminine and elegant. Ordering one now, unless you beat me to it . . .

Steal of the Day: Glass Tealights With Garden Stakes

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 07:00:45 -0700

Ready to throw a garden party? With this set of Glass Tealights and Garden Stakes (originally $59.99, on sale for $29.99), your garden will be the hit of an evening party, as the glass tea lights gently illuminate its blossoms and greenery.

This set includes 12 powder-coated black metal stakes that are almost three feet high, and different colored glass tea light cups. They'd also look lovely illuminating a walkway at an evening wedding or reception. For extra garden party glamour, consider planting some moonflower seeds, which will bloom at night. Can't you imagine the night-blooming flowers twining up the garden stakes?

DIY: Teacup Candles

CasaSugar — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:00:00 -0800

When I spotted these beautiful gold-trimmed antique tea cups at a flea market, I knew that I had to take them home. But how to use them? Instead of using them for a tea party, I decided to transform them into eco-friendly soy wax candles. Making them was super easy, and the most time-consuming part of the entire process was waiting for the layers of soy wax to dry. You can find all of the candle-making supplies at a craft store or candle/soapmaking supply store (such as Juniper Tree Supplies).

What You'll Need

antique, pretty teacups, with or without saucers
enough soy wax to more than fill each cup
essential oil for scent (I used Lily of the Valley)
wicks that equal your number of cups
double boiler
Pyrex cup or funnel
chopsticks or wooden skewers
stirring tool, such as a rubber scraper

To find out how to make it, read more.

Pour the soy wax into the double boiler. Let it simmer until the wax is clear liquid.
Center the wick in the bottom of each teacup. Put one chopstick or wooden skewer on either side of the wick, balanced on the rim of the teacup, to keep the wick centered.
Add a small amount of your scented oil to the melted soy wax. Mix with your rubber scraper, and then pour into your Pyrex measuring cup.
Pour the wax into the bottom of each teacup. If the wick gets a little off-center, you can reposition it before the wax sets. Let wax harden. Repeat this process until the cup is half full. Repeat a third and fourth time until the cup is full. You'll want to continue adding small amounts of the scented oil to make sure that the candle is scented throughout.
Wipe off any spills with a warm, wet rag.
Clip the top of the wick so it's about half an inch taller than the rim of the cup.
Light, and enjoy.

I've found that the simplest way to clean wax out of my double boiler and other utensils is by heating them, and then wiping them down with a paper towel. This makes the clean-up really quick and easy!

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Casa Verde: 10 Green and Glam Gift Wrapping Solutions

CasaSugar — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:00:43 -0800

Did you run out of wrapping paper? Maybe you're looking for a less environmentally taxing way to give this holiday season? Here's an idea: Wrap a gift with another gift. I love the graphic pattern of this typographical tea towel ($18), which would definitely be a showstopper under the tree. Include another kitchen-related gift, such as a teapot or some green cleaners, and you're set. For nine other ideas, check out the slideshow.

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