CasaSugar

Coveted Crib: A Multigenerational Mountain Retreat

CasaSugar — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 11:00:56 -0700

I love the idea of creating a getaway that's all about family. Those were exactly the intentions of architect Kyu Sung Woo, when he decided to build a three-home compound outside of the small town of Putney, VT.

When Woo was forced to flee his hometown during the Korean War, he decided that he would re-create a family home for his extended relatives when he had the opportunity. Now, the sleek, understated, and pristinely beautiful home provides a retreat for his wife, children, and grandchildren.

For the complete tour, read more.

Constructed from wood and metal, large glass windows and sliding glass doors emphasize the importance of the 11 acres the home is built upon. The acreage, which is marked by heavily wooded terrain and large outcroppings of stone, is in stark contrast to the home's angular, boxy lines, though somehow, the structures appear well-suited to the landscape. Built around outcroppings of ledge, the houses are separated into one building for sleeping quarters, another for living quarters, and a third for storage and equipment.

In an article in the Wall Street Journal Mr. Woo's daughter Ilyon notes that the home is a "four-generation-and-beyond house, with the memory of my grandparents behind it."

What a beautiful, and ideal, way to define a home.

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House Tour: A Net-Zero Energy Home in Vermont

CasaSugar — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 10:00:34 -0700

I recently visited beautiful northern Vermont, and the South Farm Homes development in Hinesburg. This six-home development aims for "net-zero" status, meaning that the homes will generate as much power as they use over the course of a year. Environmental features include active PV solar panels integrated into the metal roofing of each home and significant southern glass, which provide solar gain (as well as lovely views of the surrounding valley). The project is a collaboration between Rolf Kielman, AIA and Lee Grutchfield, AIA of TruexCullins Architects of Burlington, VT, and Reiss Building of Hinesburg, VT. The home that I visited also served as a temporary showcase for pieces and products made by local Vermont artisans and companies. I snapped photos of some of my favorite pieces in the house, which are definitely worth a peek.
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Guess Which President's Son Lived Here?

CasaSugar — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 12:00:00 -0800

The only child to survive into adulthood of one of America's most prominent presidents built this Georgian Revival Summer home on 500 acres of land in Manchester, VT, at the turn of the 20th century. It was home to only his descendants until 1975, when it was purchased by a historical society; today, it lives on as a museum, preserving the family legacy. Can you tell me the name of his father, the former president?

Guess Who Is Moving to Vermont?

CasaSugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:45:34 -0700

A certain German fashion designer has taken a liking to the Green Mountain State, having purchased a six-bedroom, 1840 landmark building on an island in Lake Champlain, VT. Of the move, the designer said, "I love it. It’s very much Emily Dickinson." Can you name him?

Nice and New: Gardener's Fall Finds

CasaSugar — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 06:15:15 -0700

Vermont-based gardening company Gardener's is one of my absolute favorite resources for gardening and landscaping supplies and advice. I recently received its Fall catalog in the mail, and I was impressed with all of the great Fall-related gardening finds that are currently available through the retailer.

I'm totally coveting this Orchard Rack ($99.95). It's the perfect way to store "keeper" crops such as apples, Winter squash, onions, and potatoes. Set up the rack in a cool, dark space such as a shed, basement, or cellar, and you'll be able to preserve your Summer harvest without canning or freezing for months to come. It's also great for drying herbs.

I've also rounded up some of my other favorite Gardener's products for Fall, including insulated rubber boots, leaf buckets, and more. Check them out below.

Modern Vermont Farmhouse

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 15:28:37 -0800

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Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:30:00 -0700

Here's how you can Marimekko your whole house.
I showed you how to weave a willow pergola.
Tour the net-zero energy home I visited in Vermont.
Brad and Angelina are renting some fancy digs in Long Island.
Learn how to découpage your walls.
Arm yourself with a few tips for increasing your home's curb appeal.
The producer of Gossip Girl sold his Los Feliz home.
Here's a few steps to get you on your way to becoming your own decorator.

Casa Verde: Custom-Made Furniture From Beeken Parsons

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I recently had the opportunity to tour the wood shop of Beeken Parsons, a Vermont-based furniture maker that crafts exquisite, handmade furniture. The workshop was established in 1983 by Vermont furniture makers Bruce Beeken and Jeff Parsons, who first met as students in Boston University's Program in Artisanry. For over 20 years, the partners have crafted exceptionally beautiful, sustainable furniture out of their small shop in Shelburne, VT.

Using FSC-certified wood, this eco-minded company creates a number of products, including tables, chairs, lamps, beds, and office chairs, such as this one. The company has also made custom furniture for colleges such as Middlebury, using trees from the college’s own grounds. Using trees such as these results in something Beeken Parsons calls "character wood."

To find out more about "character wood," and for more examples of Beeken Parsons's work, read more.

Beeken Parsons describes character wood as "dovetail[ing] beautifully with our design instincts, our love of the outdoors and our environmental sensibilities. Character wood tells the story of a tree, of dry summers, wet springs, storms, fires, wildlife activity, rich soils, or difficult growing sites. Grain textures reveal a history of growing conditions. Knots found near the center of the tree are the beginnings of branches formed when the tree was a sapling. Mineral streaks spring from injuries, insect or animal activity. Occasionally, we find spile holes in maple boards, an indication that the tree was tapped for sap to make maple syrup. Wood changes color around those holes. Knots and their surrounding grain have a deep, soft radiance when sanded and finished properly. Character wood has a remarkable range of color, from cream and salmon to auburn and chocolate. The beauty of nature is found, not in its regularity, but in its rich variety of shapes, textures and colors. This array of character lends a richness and vitality to the simple forms found in our furniture."

While some people may prefer "flawless" wood, I prefer the idea of telling a story within a piece of furniture, especially if this furniture is sourced from your own property. It doesn't get much more local or personal than that. Would you ever use character wood for custom-made furniture? Have you already done so?

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Do You Have a Picnic Basket?

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 May 2009 12:00:22 -0700

One of the true pleasures of warm weather is eating outside. I love picnicking on a blanket with a bottle of wine and some delicious picnic goodies. My old picnic basket had seen better days, so I was happy to pick up this lovely Vermont-made picnic basket at a flea market over the weekend. Do you have a picnic basket at your home?

Coveted Crib: A Modern Farmhouse

CasaSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:00:47 -0800

If you happen to be traveling through the Green Mountains of Vermont, you may be taken off guard by a decidedly modern interpretation of the classic farmhouse. Set on 44 acres of rolling hills and open farmland, this passive solar house, which won the 2008 AIA Vermont Honor Award in Sustainability and Design, manages to successfully marry vernacular architectural traditions with modern sensibilities.

The home, which was designed by Pill-Maharam Architects, has a laundry list of green features, including a LEED platinum rating, a 5+ Energy Star rating, a ground source heat pump, high efficiency lighting and appliances, and a 10KW wind turbine that supplies all of the energy for the home's heating, hot water, lighting, and appliances. Its wind turbine ensures that the home has a net zero energy output, and results in zero carbon emissions - incredibly impressive.

To see what this home looks like on the inside, read more.

This home manages to combine all of these fantastic green design features with a beautiful, modern look both inside and out. I love the minimalist furnishings in the rooms and the calming and warm color palette.

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