Featured
Trend Alert
Trend Alert: Advanced Etching
Dating back to the 1500s, etching, using acid or mordant to cut into a material, is certainly a thing of the past. There's actually an old cliché that I love: in an effort to entice a woman home with him, a man will say, "Want to come up and see my etchings?" as an offer to come look at something artistic.
Are You Mad For Plaid?
The fashion and design world has named plaid as a major trend this season. But are you behind the hype? Check out my trend alert if you need some help making up your mind about this trend.
Trend Alert: Pink and Orange Interiors
I'm a big pink fan, but I love it when the color is paired with another, unexpected shade. And what better pairing for Fall than orange? Since pink and orange share a uniting red undertone, they blend perfectly, and are a great, modern mix of colors for your home.
Trend Alert: Updated Crewelwork
Crewelwork is a decorative form of surface embroidery that uses wool and a variety of different embroidery stitches, and dates back at least 1,000 years. The technique was trendy in the '90s (think granny tapestry) but it's been "out" for at least 10 years now. Back then, fabrics with crewelwork also tended to have a common style of pattern — see this bench — which now just looks stale.
Trend Alert: Asterisks
It might seem odd that a shape could be trendy, but hearts, quatrefoil, teardrops, and circles have all made an appearance on these pages in the past. The latest in the group is the asterisk. In this Australian home, the magenta asterisk is far from subtle, but the star-like shape is popping up in more understated forms and equally bold ones as well.
Trend Alert: Union Jacks
The Union Jack flag is the official flag of the United Kingdom, and it's also an officially hot decorating must have. Here's a little history, since most of us Yanks don't know the background on the flag. By the early 1700s the flag was called "The Union," and since it was flown from a jackstaff on Navy ships, popular legend has it that the flag got its full name, the Union Jack, from the jackstaff.
Trend Alert: Converted Barns
Think barns are just for livestock? With outstanding renovations of existing barns, as well as new designs inspired by vernacular barn style, they're more than fit for human habitation. And while you may not have been born in a barn, after taking a look at some of these designs, I bet you'd be proud to call one home.Source
View Slideshow ›
Trend Alert: Multi-Paned Mirrors
While looking for a mirror to coordinate with a friend's very graphic bedroom dresser, I noticed a developing trend: multi-paned mirrors. Some, like the CB2 Perspective Mirror ($149), have various shapes of mirrored glass, each angled differently to create a carnival "funhouse" effect. Others have varying shaped panes which sit flat on a single plane or are even overlapped.
Trend Alert: Splendid Scallops
Scallop patterns are showing up all over the design world lately. I'm particularly fond of the scalloping pattern on Catherine Hammerton's Scale wallpaper. Scalloping looks like the wavy pattern found on the edge of a scallop's shell.
Trend Alert: Feminine, Elegant Chairs
In the current issue of Vanity Fair, writer Bob Colacello interviews Nancy Reagan on everything from her late husband to stem cell research in his article "Nancy Reagan's Solo Role." While the article is full of fascinating information about the former first lady, my eyes were immediately drawn to this photo on the website. The green expanse of lawn, framed by the diminutive Reagan perched upon an elegant, feminine chair, seemed to be the perfect portrait of the quiet, composed woman.
More on CasaSugar
Fall Award Season
Top Brands
Petite Mendigote
Alexander Wang
Haburi