CasaSugar

Nice and New: Fresh Finds at Ferm Living

CasaSugar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:00:33 -0800

One of my favorite wallpaper retailers, Ferm Living, has a few new things in store that I'm really loving. First of all, I think the way this Sewing Kit Wall Sticker ($57.50) is staged is absolutely hilarious. I think it would be clever to use it around a window or doorway in your home, especially one that doesn't have a lot of molding. See a few other new things when you read more.

I'm really digging the graphic, prismatic pattern of the new Monroe Wallpaper ($126.50). The black and gold have a really midcentury vibe, so I'd like to see it in other colors. But I think this would look great in a man's home office or small powder room with a statement-making chandelier.

I also absolutely adore the pattern and the palette of the new Peacock Pillow ($110). I only wish it complemented the colors in my home.

And last but certainly not least, the Tree Bomb Thermo Mug ($33) is so glam and hip. I'd use it to store jewelry or knickknacks, or as a votive holder.

Etsy Find: Edward Cullen Life-Size Wall Decal

CasaSugar — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:00:00 -0700

I've been pretty open about my subsiding feelings for wall decals. But upon finding this Edward Cullen Life-Size Decal ($60), I feel confident saying the trend has finally jumped the shark. This product is nearly as creepy as, if not creepier than, the Psycho-inspired shower curtain. On the other hand, I don't consider myself much of a Twilight fan - aside from the Cullen family's awesome coveted crib. If I were a Robert Pattinson fan, I'd prefer a photo of his brooding face on my wall. What do you think? Is this decal ridiculous? Or do you think it's fun?

Love It or Hate It? Underwear Set Wall Decal

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 11:00:42 -0700

This Red Velvet Art Underwear Set Wall Decal ($30) kind of cracks me up; it's pretty adorable. But I can't say I'd actually want to give it such a prominent place in my home (plus I'm sort of over wall decals). Perhaps the design would be better on pillowcases like these, or just on a little print. What do you think?

Before and After: My Chandelier Decal Wall

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 09:00:46 -0800

About a year ago, I gave a small corner of my home a little makeover by adhering a chandelier decal to the wall and DIY-ing a tablecloth from paper. As I mentioned recently, I'm over wall decals. And I wasn't feeling the girlish hot pink, either. So, it was time to move on.
I planned on painting my walls a blueish-gray anyway and was faced with the dilemma of what to do with the decal. Remove it entirely? Place a frame around it? Paint another chandelier in its place in a more neutral color? Decisions, decisions. I ended up painting over the decal and removing the vinyl once it dried, so that a chandelier shape was left in its place. The glories of negative space! To see the finished product, read more.

Voilà! It's amazing what a little paint can do. The color is Benjamin Moore's Amethyst Shadow, which was inspired by a favorite sweater of mine. It turned out more blue than gray, but I love it all the same. Stay tuned for another Before and After on the terrible linoleum floors and photos of the finished space!

Etsy Find: Flower Bloom Decal

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 05:30:00 -0800

I think I'm over wall decals - even my own. But I will make one exception. The Byrdie Graphics Flower Blooms ($79 for 16) offer the look of wallpaper - don't they resemble my Graham & Brown wallpaper? - but the self-adhesive graphics translate to easy application and affordability. I like how the graphics were used here on a painted wall; it helps to mimic the look of wallpaper. The gorgeous tufted fainting sofa gives the decals a leg up, too. What do you think?

Before and After: Pinupsweetheart's Gorgeous Boudoir Walls

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 08:30:51 -0700

TeamSugar member Pinupsweetheart recently wrote to tell me about her awesome DIY project for livening up her walls. She writes, "I have wanted to find an inexpensive way to decorate my boring white walls of my apartment ever since I moved in. Of course, my lease does not allow me to paint. I wanted to get removable wall decals, but they are so expensive! So I found step-by-step instructions on how to make your own wall decals using contact paper. I gave it a shot and it worked."

To see how well it worked, and to find out how to make your own, read more.

Pinupsweetheart explains that, "The contact paper makes it cheap, removable and movable. If I didn't like where I put a decal, I simply removed it and placed it somewhere else. I just needed a step ladder (to get the high spots because I am 5'4"), scissors, poster paper to make patterns, marker and a credit card to smooth it down. I found my black contact paper on Amazon.com for around $35. I have had it up for a couple weeks and I have not had an issue with curling at the edges, leaving marks, or falling down. My apartment can get up to 100 degrees when I am not home - so this works!"

Want to make your own? Get all of the steps tomorrow when I show you how!

Love It or Hate It? Donnie Darko Rabbit Decal

CasaSugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 16:00:10 -0700

The Donnie Darko Rabbit Vinyl Wall Decal ($35) features the indie flick's unmistakable mascot, Frank, telling you to wake up! This thing scares me so much, I don't think I'd be able to get to sleep in the first place. But, I do love the combination of beautiful blues in the photograph and the wacky lamp with its upside-down shade.

Casa Beta: Wall Candy Arts Rococo Chalkboard Decal

CasaSugar — Thu, 07 May 2009 12:00:24 -0700

I know I said I am over wall decals, but I can make exceptions. The peeps from Wall Candy Arts approached me about their decals, and being the sweetheart that I am I gave their selection a gander. Most of their decals seem to be for children, which I'm all for: kids should have their fun. But, I was digging the Rococo Chalkboard Decal, so I asked to try it out. Wondering what that cryptic lettering is? Find out and hear my thoughts on the product when you read more.
It's "ART" backwards! (OK, I need to work on my handwriting.) Moving on . . . Functionally, I had no problems with the decal. It comes on a larger sheet, from which you must peel it off. Seeing as the design is a little ornate, it took a little time, to push back the smaller pieces to make the negative space. But, no more than five minutes. The decal was easy to apply to the wall. It pressed on perfectly the first time, no bubbles. It comes with a set of chalk, which is convenient. And, the chalkboard works just as an "old-fashioned" one would: you can wipe it clean with a paper towel, rag, or damp cloth. I also tried peeling off the decal and replacing it (seeing as it's reusable), and it reapplied flawlessly.

Onto the design. If you're someone who likes a modern Marie Antoinette style, you'll like this. It's a little girlish. Seeing as it's also both a chalkboard and a decal, it's pretty casual. So, I'd really only recommend using it somewhere like a kitchen, laundry room, or children's room where formality isn't key. I think it's a great alternative to painting an entire wall with chalkboard paint, which is popular these days, because really how many notes and grocery lists do you need to jot down? Wall Candy Arts also sells a simple, rectangular chalkboard decal for those of you who aren't keen on rococo.

Decal-icious Wall Decor

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:30:09 -0700

The first time I ever came across removable wall decals, from a little company called Blik, I thought they were some of the coolest things I'd ever seen. The removable designs look like murals or wallpaper, but since they are easy to apply and peel off, they're great for apartment-dwellers and the indecisive.

Now, wall decals are surfacing all over the shelter world, in more forms than I could have ever imagined. There are stick-on wooden decals, 3-D paper decals, and even Wallwords, which let you turn words and phrases of your choice into peel-off decals. I've rounded up the best stick-on wall art I can find; just click on the photos to learn more.

Nice and New: More Threadless Designs for Blik

CasaSugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:30:31 -0700

I introduced you to Blik in my post about decal-icious wall decor, and now the brand has partnered with another cool company you should know: Threadless. Threadless is an online t-shirt shop where artists submit designs, users vote on their favorites, and the winning art gets turned into t-shirts. Now, Blik has starting mining Threadless designs to turn into wall decals!

Each month, Blik chooses some of its favorite t-shirt designs and posts them on the Blik web site. As with Threadless, users can then vote on which art should be turned into wall decals. Nine of the winning designs have just gone up for sale, including Pirate Infested Waters ($60) and Summer Wind ($50) above.

In addition, Blik has also posted a batch of other Threadless designs that you can now vote on! To "blik" or "nix" the candidates, just visit the voting booth before the end of August, and your favorite just might get transformed into a decal design.