CasaSugar

Weekly Faves: 5 Inspiring Outdoor Spaces

Angela Swinderman Elias — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:00:48 PST

This week, I'm drawn to outdoor spaces that incorporate beautiful trees as part of the design. Whether the tree is located in a neighbor's yard or even a part of the home's structure, it can serve as a major focal point and change the feel of an outdoor space. If you're a new homeowner and are considering planting a tree or two or have inherited one in your yard, check out this gallery for ideas on how to let your tree take center stage.

Spotted: Fiddle Leaf Fig Tree

Angela Swinderman Elias — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 10:51:10 PST

What is that tree plant that keeps popping up in the pages of our favorite shelter glossies? This question fueled an image search that led to an answer as well as a trail of inspiring images. The Fiddle Leaf Fig tree is a slow-growing plant that acquires height and leaves over time - which says a lot about the owners of some of these thriving giants! Apparently, upkeep goes a bit beyond the usual pruning, watering, and light regulating to include dusting. That's right. A layer of dust on those big, beautiful leaves will keep the tree from taking in an adequate amount of sun. But, if a green thumb challenge doesn't dismay you, read up on these helpful maintenance tips, and click through our gallery to decide how you'll display your Fiddle Leaf Fig.

Love It or Hate It? Colored Christmas Trees

Tara Block — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 12:00:00 PST

When I saw Making it Lovely's pink Christmas tree last year, I couldn't believe how un-kitschy the full-sized faux tree looked. I have a small silver tree I like to dress up with multicolored baubles to spruce up my office desk space every holiday season, but I'll admit I've never been brave enough to go as dramatic as this. When done right, like in Nicole Balch's chic pink/neutral living room, I find the look appealing. What do you think of technicolored trees?

Source

Do You Decorate Your Tree For Other Holidays?

CasaSugar — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 08:30:32 PST

I recently polled you all about how long you keep your Christmas decorations up, but it never occurred to me that anyone would keep their tree up year-round. That is, until my pal Molly sent over this link to Bronner's Christmas decorating tips which suggests decorating your artificial tree for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Halloween, etc. Could it be!? Do people really do this?

Well, I've done a little research, and I've found a Valentine's Day tree, a St. Patrick's Day tree, an Easter tree, a Fourth of July tree, and a Halloween tree! The world is a peculiar place, my friends. Do you keep up your artificial tree year-round, or decorate it for other holidays?

Guess Whose Christmas Tree This Is?

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:00:10 PST

A Southern songstress recently tweeted this photo of her Christmas tree with the caption, "One of my christmas trees..white butterflies, white doves, white owls...ect. This is my tree of peace :)" It's a beautiful tree; I like that she kept the palette to white and gold. It's too bad that she no longer has a big hunky boyfriend to share it with this holiday season, but at least she has her hair stylist. Can you name the owner of this glittery tree?

My Christmas Tree

Casa Community — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 06:15:20 PST

This is a post from Lovely Little Vignettes member Lauren of the CasaSugar Community:

Who needs a real Christmas tree when you have a glitter one? My husband and I are never home for the holidays. So instead of going all out in the decoration department, which seems a little silly, I pulled out my sparkle tree to bring a little holiday cheer to the house!

Have you done any holiday decorating lately? Be sure to post photos and tales to our Lovely Little Vignettes group!

Casa Quickie: Wrap It Up

CasaSugar — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 05:30:14 PST

If you don't own a tree skirt, or don't want to spend money on one, take a cue from Gap and wrap your Christmas tree stand up like a present! You can use any old piece of fabric to do so, be it a scarf, a tablecloth, or just a remnant. Lay the fabric down, place the tree in the center of it, and then lay packing peanuts or any other sort of stuffing around it to create a more round shape. Then, pull up the corners of the fabric and tie it with a simple knot! Voila!

Would You Want a Nontraditional Christmas Tree?

CasaSugar — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 05:30:56 PST

One of London's grand, historical hotels, Claridge's, has commissioned Christian Dior creative director John Galliano to create a custom Christmas tree for its lobby, to debut Dec. 1. He'll create a papier-mâché tree dripping with with crystals, sparkling leaves, and orchids in a shimmering white and blue palette. "I hope to bring a twist to the traditional tree," he said. "I want to combine the festive with the innovative, the spirit of Dior with the beauty of Claridge's, and create something spectacular that will inspire the perfect start to the season!"

While the tree certainly sounds glamorous - it looks it from the sketch - and will no doubt make a statement in Claridge's luxurious lobby, I think I might be too traditional to forgo a classic red-and-green palette. Would you want a nontraditional Christmas tree?

Do You Have a Swing on Your Property?

CasaSugar — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 05:30:00 PDT

Lately I am loving swings hung indoors, like the one in Padma Lakshmi's home. But really nothing beats an old swing hung from a sturdy tree outside. I love the idle oscillation of a heavy wooden bench. It's a great place to read or chat with a friend. Do you have one?

Name This Tree

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 08:30:00 PDT

I spotted this tree, which had been trained along a fence to grow low and long, instead of tall and bushy, at the Sunset magazine kitchen garden. This tree yields delicious Mediterranean fruit, and doesn't grow in colder climates. Can you guess what it is?