CasaSugar

How-To: Create Bold, Beautiful Stair Runners

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 15:00:12 -0700

Tired of your boring, old stair runner? Improving on the old standard may be as easy as breaking out a quart of paint. Don't stop there, though. Textiles, tiles, wallpaper, and other techniques and materials can add unique charm to your staircase.

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Before and After: Julie's Bright and Cheery Kitchen Makeover

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 07:00:21 -0700

Julie, who writes the awesome blog Mamaphunk, recently took her kitchen from drab to fab with a total makeover. She writes, "My husband and I did everything except install the cabinets and countertops, we're good but not that good! I wanted to go for an Anthropologie-like vibe and I think I did a decent job. I also love color and really wanted to make a splash."
Here's how the kitchen looked before Julie got started. To see how she infused this dull space with color and life, read more. I love the bright pops of green that have given this kitchen new life and energy. These two shades are ones that I would never have thought of putting together, yet I adore the effect. It's unexpected, lively, and fun. I'm also a huge fan of the tin tiles that Julie has used as a backsplash along the wall. And of course, the new cabinets and countertops are a huge improvement. Take the full tour when you check out the gallery!

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Casa Quickie: Clean Dirty Grout With Oxygen Bleach

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:30:00 -0700

While I work hard to keep my bathroom pristine, the tile grout on the ceramic tile floor can often look less than fresh. What to do? Well, it often requires a little elbow grease, and a lot of scrubbing. Here's another tip: don't use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach can often discolor grout, so instead, opt for oxygen bleach. And since oxygen bleach breaks down to oxygen and water, you can count this bleach on the more eco side of your cleaning routine.

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Love It or Hate It? Mirror Tiled Steps

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 11:00:30 -0700

You all seemed to love the tiled text staircase I showed you, which makes me think you may warm up to these mirror tiled steps. I think the juxtaposition of the old, wooden banister and the small mirrored tiles makes this look work. But on a modern staircase, it might look tacky and too disco. You must admit the light reflected by the tiles is beautiful, though. It's a good thing the tiles are petite, so you can't actually see your own reflection. What do you say? Yea or nay?
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Love It or Hate It? Tiled Text Staircase

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 14:00:22 -0700

The tiled French text in this staircase in the portfolio of stylist Laurence Pasquier translates to "I climb, You climb, He climbs, We climb." It's a little bit tongue-in-cheek, and I think it has a nice visual effect. But, it's not for everyone. What do you say?
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Cool Idea: Grass Tiles

CasaSugar — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 08:00:36 -0700

I just spotted these grass tiles in the portfolio of UK photographer James Merrell, and I'm absolutely charmed. I have no clue who makes them; I did a quick Google but no such luck. I think they'd be really fun in a small space like a bathroom or a closet, but in a large room the trompe-l'œil effect could be overwhelming. It also might be intriguing to use them in only part of large room, like an area rug. Regardless, I'm swooning over here. The possibilities are endless. Let me know if you have any idea who makes these.

To see some similar grass tiles, read more.

Imagine Tile sells a similar Grass Tile that offers a trompe-l'œil effect, but it doesn't have the same flower details, which I found quite charming. Both remind me a bit of Chair Couture's grass upholstery, which I also swooned over.
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Inspired: Stephane Rolland's Tactile Dress

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 06:30:43 -0800

I'm intrigued by this sublimely architectural dress from designer Stephane Rolland, which recently made an appearance at the runway at Paris Fashion Week Haute Couture. It immediately made me curious as to what home finds I could track down that match its textural interest and neutral beauty. One accent that matches its chicness is the Inhabit Braille Wall ($86). I love the unexpected tactile element that these pieces add to vertical space - so modern and cool.

To check out my other finds, read more.

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Before and After: Erin84's Bathroom Makeover

CasaSugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 07:45:00 -0700

Su Casa member Erin84 recently gave the "ugly 70's-style bathroom" in her new condo a major overhaul, and the transformation is a vast improvement. She gutted the space, and then "used subway tiles on the floor and ceramic tiles on the walls." She says, "A new vanity and chandelier make it look like a completely different space." While the original bathroom may not be the biggest eyesore you've ever seen, the new vanity and tiles certainly are much more sophisticated and classic, and the chandelier adds a touch of glamour. Replacing the original trifold mirror with a single wall mirror opens up the space, relieving the bathroom's former cramped feeling. To see the after, read more.

Beautiful, isn't it?

Do you have a home renovation you'd like to show off? Then post photos in my Su Casa group! Source

Love It or Hate It? Tattoo Tiles

CasaSugar — Thu, 15 Nov 2007 12:00:30 -0800

These Tattoo Tiles ($5.95 each) by ModWalls are made of glass tile and hand screened with custom tattoo designs. While I'm a fan of the well-placed and well-designed tattoo, I'm not sure about how I feel about inking them into my bathroom or kitchen. Maybe this would work for a rockabilly home?

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Nice and New: Mibo Tile Tattoos

CasaSugar — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:00:48 -0800

Seeing as you loved the Tattoo Tiles we featured a while back, maybe you'll love these Mibo Tile Tattoos ($16 to $18 for six). These heavy-duty stickers, which are impervious to water and moisture, are a quick makeover for your kitchen or bathroom tiles. They're available in three different retro patterns, in either taupe or dusty blue, for 4" or 6" tiles. They also leave no sticky residue when removed, so you can easily revert to your original white tiles if you so desire — a perfect solution for renters. What do you think? Do you love 'em?

Arturo Alvarez Gilda Wall Sconce - $2,125.00	Tin Roof Switchplates - $18.00
Tiled Mirror - $99.00	Tile Plaque - $325.00
Inhabit Wall Flats - Seesaw - $84.00	MIO - V2 Wall Tiles - $32.00
Tiled Bone Wall Mirror - $129.00	Bone Mosaic Pedestal Bowl - $295.00
Tiled Bone Console Table Lamp - $169.00	Elsie Rug - $109.00
Fish-Scale Silk Twill Pillows - $88.00	Mother-of-Pearl Candlesticks - $108.90