CasaSugar

Etsy Finds: Cozy Cable Knits in Wool, Porcelain, and Paper

Elka Karl — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:06:03 PST

Nothing says cozy like chunky cable knits. Whether you're cozying up with an actual woolen blanket or just riffing on the pattern with a cool coaster or porcelain pendant lamp, adding cable knits to your casa is a great way to winterize your decor. See a few of my favorites when you keep clicking!

Find Warmth in Woolen Decor Inspired by ABC's Suburgatory

Diana Nguyen — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 04:00:50 PDT

It's a rude awakening for Manhattanites George Altman (Jeremy Sisto) and his daughter, Tessa, when they move from the busy city and into the suburbs in ABC's new comedy Suburgatory, but just because George went from walk-up to cul-de-sac doesn't mean he had to ditch his modern, urban style.

Ever since the pilot, I've been coveting George's gray tufted headboard. While masculine at first sight, it can feel effortlessly softer with a few floral or light-colored throws. But the reason I really love this headboard is because its fabric and subtle color are perfect for Fall!

If the typical Fall palette (orange, yellow, brown) is not your cup of tea, opt for moody monochromatic gray. Think Fall's shorter days, ominous clouds, and dark holidays. Too drab to be fab? Bring in shots of color with Anthropologie's Pendleton Throw ($248) or JefDesigns Bubble Wool Rug ($120).

Just like adjusting your wardrobe for the cold and inclement weather, bring warmth to your home as well. West Elm's Upholstered Dhurrie Slab ($250, originally $299) is not only cozy enough to throw your feet on and enjoy a cup of hot cocoa, but the wool dhurrie patches add texture to any room. Also, leather chairs can be uncomfortably cold at first sit; instead, instantly relax on the wool Modern Florence Style Arm Chair ($360). And while Fall's nature motif is great, go a step further with wool and feature Needle Felted Acorns ($12 for six) in a glass vase or hang a Layered Fall Leaves Felted Wool Sweater Wreath ($14) on the door. It's a creative alternative to the real stuff, and way less messy. Click above to shop the rest of my picks.

Nau Fluent Stash Holds Your Tech and Then Some

Kristen Hawley — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 05:00:36 PST

The Nau Fluent Stash is unlike any gadget case I've seen; its origami-style design allows for three distinct pockets and one zippered mesh pouch for storing your tech (or anything else you're toting).

The case is constructed of classy die-cut felt with an aluminum buckle. When it's open, the case hangs on the back of a door, in a closet, or anywhere else for fast access. And, it's eco-friendly too; both the wool and aluminum are made from 100 percent recycled materials. Another bonus: Portland-based Nau will donate 2 percent of the purchase price to a charity of your choice.

Check out the rest of these awesome wool accessories; each one is prettier than the next!

Etsy Finds: Felt Up

Elka Karl — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:00:45 PDT

Many of us have accidentally created felted wool by throwing a favorite sweater in a load of laundry washed at a high temperature. Plenty of craftspeople intentionally create wool felt in a similar process, and then use the sturdy, warm material to create everything from hats and slippers to rugs and potholders. Today, I've rounded up some of my favorite felted wool products for the home. Check them out!

Casa Quickie: Fluff Your Wool

Elka Karl — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 05:00:39 PDT

If you haven't already, now is definitely the time to trade in your stash of cotton throw blankets for the woolen ones that have been in storage for the past several months. There's nothing as cozy as curling up next to a fire in a soft woolen blanket - that is, unless your wool blankets fresh out of storage are flattened and stale-smelling. What to do? Soften up your woolens by adding two cups of white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle of the wash. The vinegar will eliminate any stale odors (without adding a vinegar tang to it). Additionally, the elixir will fluff and soften those blankets. Is there anything white vinegar can't do?

OnSugar Blog: Woolly Chair

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:00:00 PDT

Here's a post from OnSugar blog Think Magazine:

Did you ever think to reupholster a chair with leftover yarn you had stored somewhere? The Giramundo Swivel Chair may look like a woolly mammoth but it really is covered with recycled yarn, making it a really cozy soft chair to curl up in and read on a rainy day. Or just relax with a cup of tea.

The yarn is hand-knotted and hand-woven so it immediately has that rich texture that only handmade things seem to have. It's being sold through a company called Environment Furniture. The company prides itself on using reclaimed, recycled, or sustainably-sourced wood. If you're a home décor junkie and are planning to attend Dwell on Design, this company will be showcasing their latest collection.

Want to see more? Start following Think Magazine or start your own OnSugar blog! Maybe your posts will be featured on CasaSugar!

Ask Casa: A More Affordable Option For This Rug?

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:00:45 PST

Hi CasaSugar,

I would love to have the Room and Board Cable Rug ($1,119) for my living room. It is so soft, and I love that it looks like a cozy sweater. But it is way out of my price range. Do you have any suggestions for a similar rug that would be less expensive?

Thanks,
jmintheam

To see my answer,

read more.
Hi jmintheam, What a gorgeous rug! I agree, though, that the price is rather steep. That's why I'd suggest west elm's Makena Rug ($479). At less than half the price of the Room and Board rug for a similar size, it's definitely more affordable. The color is a little more natural than the Room and Board option, but I actually prefer it. Hope that helps! Casa

Found It! Vibrant Orange Bedspread at Seattle's Hotel Max

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:00:26 PDT

Seattle's Hotel Max is a vibrant boutique hotel that provides luxuriously hip accommodations for travelers. Located in downtown Seattle, the hotel features quirky-cool interiors as well as over 350 original paintings and photographs. Since I'm on an orange kick, I also had to give the hotel props for its beautiful bedspreads and pillows.

Want to know where you can find them for your own home? Then

read more. The bedspreads are the Wallter Premium Wave Wool Bedspread ($580). I'm a big wool-blanket fan, and I love this modern update on the fabric. If you're not wild for orange, they're also available in a neutral camel color. While the coordinating pillow doesn't seem to be available, you can buy a close match, the Wallter Tree PIllow ($120-$160) in the same vibrant orange.

Desire/Acquire: Looolo Fly Cushions

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:00:55 PDT

The Looolo Fly Cushion is super chic, and I love that it's made of organic Melton wool with no nonbioegradable closures. But still, at $140 to $180 per cushion, these are some spendy pillows! If you don't have the cash to burn on the Looolo, I've found some pennypinching pillows that are near matches. To see them,

read more.
This Contemporary Felted Pillow ($24) from Etsy sellers Twinfiber (Cute! They're twin sisters!) is made from felted, repurposed 100 percent wool clothing and has a vintage button-back closure, so it's about as eco-oriented as the Looolo, for a much more affordable price. In fact, I'd ask the twins to make several of these pillows for you!

Etsy Finds: Stylish and Wooly

CasaSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:00:52 PDT

On delightfully nippy Fall nights, I love to curl up with a warm, woolen throw. There are a lot of great looking blankets, throws, and wool pillows on the Etsy market right now, to help keep you cozy on a chilly Fall evening. See my favorite ways to keep cozy.