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Great Decorating Ideas From the Hotel Saint Cecilia

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 09:00:15 -0700

Austin's South Congress Hotel Saint Cecilia expertly mixes styles, eras, and patterns in the design of its rooms and public spaces. The uniting factor throughout the space is the hotel's inspiration. The hotel was named in honor of the patron saint of music and poetry, and the Rolling Stones circa early '70s, writer William S. Burroughs, and artist Andy Warhol all serve as muses for the hotel. Comprised of five suites, six poolside bungalows, and three studios, this hotel is a must-visit spot the next time you hit Austin. See my favorite decorating ideas from the Saint Cecilia.
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Coveted Crib: Judy Aldridge's Textured Texas Home

CasaSugar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:00:40 -0700

It's no secret that fashion designer Judy Aldridge (mother of Jane, the high school "It" girl fashion blogger, aka Sea of Shoes) has a passion for design - take a gander at her blog, Atlantis Home. Each ensemble she puts on is more innovative than the next. So, it comes as no surprise that her home is equally chic. After spotting some stunning furnishings in the background of one of Jane's photos, I was determined to get a peak at the fashion-centric family's Texas digs. As it turns out, the Aldridge home is more crave worthy than I imagined.

After a divorce, Aldridge snatched up a home in Trophy Club, Texas that had great bones including cathedral ceilings and a big galley kitchen. Before dressing it to the nines, she had to do some major gut work. "There were railings everywhere, like a country-Western bar; beige carpet; creepy, hideous ceiling fans with little flowers painted on them," she told Dallas News. With a base of white walls and pretty sealed floors, she curated a mix of Pottery Barn upholstery, vintage finds, and some designer pieces (including Philippe Starck's Louis Ghost Chairs and Verner Panton's S Chair). Overall the design is heavily white and natural in tone, with plenty of texture thanks to fur accessories and well-worn wood. Aldridge was really disciplined in designing in her home and it paid off: the result is utterly relaxing, chic, and full of personal style. Take a look when you read more.

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Coveted Crib: A Sculptor's Retreat

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:00:43 -0700

Lake/Flato Architects, whose work I've featured before, creates modern, sustainable, and landscape-sensitive structures that never fail to impress. For one client in San Antonio, TX, the firm was asked to create a house with an adjoining studio for her sculpture work and art collection.

Other important features for the client included the need for copious space for displaying her collection of contemporary art, as well as a great deal of natural light. The firm responded to these requests with a building that is filled with light. Anchored by generous use of stone and natural materials, the home's restrained use of furniture and decor lets the art speak for itself. Raised clerestory windows, cupolas, and shaded monitors all cooperate to infuse this home with light. Outside, a series of courtyards accommodate the sculpture garden, and tall walls make this space feel like a sanctuary.

For additional photos, read more.

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Etsy Find: Love, California Cactus Pillows

CasaSugar — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 05:30:45 -0700

Etsy seller Love, California was born and bred in Texas, and she's got the pillows to prove it. She makes charming wool-blend felt pillows bearing an icon of the Lone Star State, the cactus. Her Cactus With White Blooms Pillow ($125) is entirely hand-stitched in the shape of a cactus, while the Cactus Topiary Felt Pillow ($60) is square and hand-stitched with a colorful cactus appliqué. If you hail from Japan, you may prefer her hilarious Sumo Pillow ($109); Hawaii, her Hula Girl ($125); New Orleans, her Fleur-de-Lis Pillow ($55); and if you're just an average Joe, her Dark Cross Pillow ($55) might be for you.

Home Away From Home: Kimber Modern

CasaSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:00:30 -0700

If you ever find yourself in Austin, TX, look no further than Kimber Modern for a contemporary crash pad during your stay. Designed by Burton Baldridge Architects, the hotel has a clean-lined, low-slung design and is set on a multileveled environment that is never more than one story from the ground. The interior is furnished with high-design pieces by the likes of Offi, Eames, Philippe Starck, Arne Jacobsen, and more. Its cool palette has a surprisingly inviting warmth that will give you the feeling of stepping into a relaxing spa. The rooms are modern and minimal and have an overwhelming sense of "clean" - a far cry from the cringe-inducing patterned carpets of your average American hotel. Beyond that, you'll rest well during your escape on 500 thread count Egyptian cotton sheets and stay in touch with WiFi throughout. See more photos when you read more.

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President Bush Buys a Post-White House House

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 16:00:53 -0800

As President-elect Barack Obama prepares to move into the White House, President Bush has picked up some new property for his life post-1600 Penn, when he leaves office in January. George and Laura have ponied up for a 8,501-square-foot, four-bedroom, ranch-style home in Preston Hollow, a wealthy North Dallas neighborhood where they lived before he became governor of Texas in 1995. I guess George is saying goodbye to the Georgian style.Preston Hollow counts some other prominent residents, including Dallas mayor Tom Leppert, Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, former Dallas Cowboys Roger Staubach and Chuck Howley, and billionaire investors Harold Simmons and T. Boone Pickens, among others, so the Bush family should feel right at home, and perhaps their new neighbors won't be starstruck. The word on the sale price is that the property sold for "considerably more" than its $2.1 million appraisal price. There's also rumor that the couple is under contract to purchase an adjacent home, which they may tear down, use for an office, or for secret service. To see photos of that property, read more.

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Casa Verde: Texas Approves Wind Power Superhighway

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:30:00 -0700

According to an Associated Press article, Texas has preliminarily approved "a $4.9 billion plan to build new transmission lines to carry wind-generated electricity from gusty West Texas to urban areas like Dallas," and "build a slew of new turbines." The Lone Star State already stands as the nation's leader in wind power, generating about 5,000 megawatts with the nearly 4,000 wind turbines already in place, but a lack of transmission lines has prevented that energy from being used. The new plan will mobilize about 18,000 megawatts, "enough to power more than 4 million Texas homes." Texas electric customers will see a $3-4 price increase on their monthly bills, but it is likely to be offset by lower energy prices. The plan awaits final approval later this year, and the lines won't be ready for use for three to five years. It looks like Chicago may no longer be "the Windy City" . . .
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Cool Idea: Tiny Texas Houses

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 07:45:12 -0700

Need another option in small-space living? Then check out
Tiny Texas Houses. This company constructs minuscule and beautiful homes ranging in size from 8-x-16 feet to 12-x-20 feet. These cool little houses are built with about 95 percent recycled materials, and look like original, older homes. Recycled materials include vintage lumber, original period windows, period doors, and original hardware. The houses are built to standard building codes and are well insulated and Tyvek wrapped. They come in five styles, including Victorian and ranch, and clients can choose from the company's huge warehouse of doors, windows, flooring, bead board, and other original detailing salvaged from older homes that have been torn down. Take a look at the gallery for some examples of these cool, tiny homes.

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Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 13:00:34 -0700

A pair of Parisian designers built their own kitchen island entirely out of Legos! - The Cool Hunter
9 projected artworks illuminate indoor and outdoor spaces. - Woman's Day
These notecards are a treat for typography geeks. - Poppytalk
York House is pretty in Portugal. - Shelterpop
Enid in Texas is my new fave design shop. - Simply Stated
These scary candy apples are absolutely gorgeous. - Shelterrific

Casa Verde: Recycled Texas Houses

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 08:30:59 -0700

Yesterday I told you about some cool tiny Texas homes, and today I'm back with an amazing story about one Texas couple's vision to help anyone who wants to own a house to do so, with lots of hands-on work and about $20,000-$50,000. Phoenix Commotion was started in 1996 by Dan and Marsha Phillips, who mortgaged their house to start a business building affordable houses from free, salvaged, and recycled materials. The company caters their homes to the working poor, including single mothers, who need energy-efficient, affordable, comfortable homes. The homes are built with such unexpected materials as wine corks and frame samples, which are used in beautiful and innovative ways.

This program recently partnered with the program Brigid’s Paradigm, and built their first home together in Huntsville, TX. The next project will be a number of homes in Houston's 5th Ward.

To qualify for the project, potential participants must provide $500, good credit, and proof of a stable job. The homes are built by the future owners, along with mentors who help to guide the unskilled workers. A 1-person home will only be built at 240 square feet, which increases energy efficiency, along with the homes' uses of insulation, tank-less hot water heaters, and rain barrels.

To see a video about Dan's work, just read more.

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