CasaSugar

Midday Muse: Romantic Work Areas

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:00:31 -0700

I recently rearranged and prettified my gardening work area. While it's nowhere near as romantic and lovely as this photo, I can say that just having a clean, organized, and pretty area to repot plants and start seeds makes me even more motivated to get outside and garden. Do you find that "prettying" your work space, whether it's inside or outside, has the same effect on you?

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Ask Casa: A Desk For My Bedroom

CasaSugar — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Hi CasaSugar,
I am thinking of setting up a work space in my bedroom. I don't have much space and I would like to get one of those high desks, like a standing desk. Do you have any examples of cute ones? And cute stools to match?
At this point, I would put aesthetics and price over comfort for the stool. I will mostly use the space for browsing the Internet and doing a little work, so storage isn't completely necessary. I have a space that is about 40 inches wide and 20 inches deep.
Thanks,
Citygal

To hear my response and offer your own, read more.

Hi Citygal,
Thanks for thinking of me! What I'm envisioning for your space is essentially a bar table with a bar stool. But, in my search for a high desk for you, I've found some other great options as well. I'm really loving the Crate & Barrel Sloane Leaning Desk ($129) which has a great price, a couple shelves for storing knick-knacks and a small footprint. The West Elm Jay Desk ($99) is really handsome as well, and petite, although it's not very high. The Ballard Designs Tavern Bar Table ($199) is simple, classic, and tall, although it may be a couple inches too big. West Elm just released their Parsons Mini Desk ($229) which is quite cute, and would fit perfectly, although again, it's not very tall.

Another option is to install a deep shelf at the desired height, and use decorative brackets to hold it up and give it a little flair. If you can't find one that's the right height, you can have your local hardware or lumber shop cut one to size. You can also have a desk surface made to the correct proportions and order some table legs that you like. Or, if you're really low on space, you can have a piece of wood cut to size and instead of installing a shelf you can install a pair of hinges on the under side, and a hook and eye on top so it folds down from the wall when you need it. Then, adhere a framed piece of artwork or poster to the underside so that when it's not in use, the "desk" is hidden.

Here are a few desk options:

And some stools:

I hope that helps! Check out my Home Offices As Stylish As You Are slideshow for some work space inspiration. And, be sure to add photos to the Su Casa group once you've made your purchases.
Cheers,
Casa
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Cool Idea: Closet Case

CasaSugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:00:20 -0700

If you were thorough with your Spring cleaning this year, you might have found yourself with a closet to spare. For some of us, storage space is at a premium, but others might just be short on work space. If you fit this profile, consider turning a spare closet into an office.
You can store your books and files on high shelves and then install a plywood shelf across the closet to serve as your desk. The greatest thing about this trick is that when guests arrive, you can easily shut your closet door to hide all that paperwork that inevitably piles up. If you already have a chair in the room which can serve as your desk chair, you're all set. And if not, you can store a folding chair under the desk to pull out when needed.
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How-To: Organize Your Desk

CasaSugar — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:00:19 -0700

Although Eric Abrahamson and David H. Freedman's book A Perfect Mess claims that there are hidden benefits to being unorganized and cluttered, I'm not sure I'm a believer, and I stand by the aesthetic reasons for being organized. So, I thought I'd give you a few tips on streamlining your workspace that seem to have helped me out. I know that many of you are super organized already, so this is for the rest of you!

First and foremost, rely on a computer filing system. Save your documents on your hard drive and back them up. Keep your computer organized as one would a filing cabinet. Scan your paper documents and save them to your hard drive, then recycle them.
Say no to paper. Only print out paperwork if it's completely necessary. If you do print something out, recycle it once you've completed the task you used it for.
Ditch the pens. You shouldn't have more than three pens, a pencil, and if needed, a marker, at all times. Once you have them, don't be tempted to add to the collection by stealing from your hotel or office supply closet. Leave your writing utensils at your desk; don't carry them away with you in your purse.

To hear more of these organization tips, read more.

Kick Post-Its to the curb. Post-its look messy and are easy to lose track of. Keep a notebook on your desk, next to your keyboard instead, and get in the habit of using it. If you use it every day, you're bound to see your reminders written down.
Build a system to manage your paper. If everything has a place, you won't need to search for it. Whether you use file folders, letter trays, accordion files, or L.L. Bean tote bags, delegate a location for each type of paperwork you have. That means, an inbox, an outbox, an on-hold box, a reference file, files for active projects, files for finished projects, and of course, have a recycling bin or shredder on hand.
Maintain a time frame. Find a way to categorize your inbox by day, week, and month. That way, your work each day will have a better shot of getting done, and you'll have a sense of how productive you are. If you're not ready to handle your paperwork, or not sure how to deal with it, put it in your on-hold box.
Keep books on your bookshelf. Bookcases, not desks, were invented for the sole purpose of storing your books. So, use them! Keep your books off of your desk unless you are actually, physically reading them. Read my how-to on organizing your books for more tips.
Your desk is not a dining table. Don't eat at your desk. Ever. And keep your lunch, silverware, etc. off of it as well. You can keep one glass of water or coffee, etc. there, but only one.
Display your photos on your computer. Nix the family photo frames, and opt instead for a rotating slideshow of personal photographs on your computer, or choose your favorite photo to use on your desktop background. Frames just add clutter, which we're trying to lose here.
Schedule digitally. Use your computer calendar or PDA to schedule meetings, etc. Ditch your ratty planner. Set alarms to remind you of important dates.
Tidy up. Take five or 10 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your work space, making sure all of your papers are in the appropriate files, and then everything is set up for the next day. Wipe down your desk at the end of each week with a damp cloth to keep dust from accumulating. Jot down reminder notes in your notebook if you have any.

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Found It! Trompe-l'œil Grandfather Clock

CasaSugar — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 08:00:50 -0800

I spotted this photo in the portfolio of photographer Joanna Henderson and I'm absolutely in love with it. Not only is the light beautiful, but the space couldn't be any more understatedly elegant. The trompe-l'œil grandfather clock is simply great for that white wall, and it pairs perfectly with those bentwood chairs. The little floor lantern gives this antiquey corner a bit of Eastern flair, and the horse print is so sweetly styled. But back to the clock - it looks familiar, doesn't it? Wondering where you can buy it?

Ask Casa: Help With My New Living Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Hi Casa,

I recently rented my first apartment and now I have to furnish and make it my own space. Eeek! I feel like I need some serious help. The apartment is not very big and I'm not allowed to paint the walls so they must remain white. Right now I'm focused on the living area. As of right now I have a couch, chair, and an accent table. I'm need of a coffee table, but I was thinking instead of going the table route, of doing a cocktail ottoman. I found one at Target, the Kerry Rectangle Ottoman, I thought might work well. If you could give me some pointers I would be truly grateful. I've included a picture so you can get some idea of what I'm working with. Thanks, xnieves

To hear my suggestions for xnieves, read more.

Hi xnieves,

Thanks for writing in! How fun? Your first apartment! The space looks great. Your parquet floors are gorgeous, and that fireplace nook is great.

It's too bad you can't paint the walls, but you do have some alternatives. If you're allowed to, hang large-scale artwork to instantly bring color to the space. The wall above that fireplace is just begging for a big, bright painting. You can also hang textiles, tapestries, or curtains to bring in color. Another great trick is to wallpaper boards of plywood and just lean them against your walls - see what I mean here.

While I do like the idea of using an ottoman instead of a coffee table, I'm afraid it will be too hefty for this small space, especially in that dark brown color of the Kerry ottoman. If you really want one, I'd recommend getting two small ottoman cubes instead - something more like this. But honestly, I think the space would really benefit from a coffee table that's much lighter visually, such as a glass or Lucite one. For instance, the CB2 Smart Coffee Table ($199) would look great (and let those parquet floors peek through).

The biggest problem I see already here though is that you're headed in a very beige and brown direction, which is not very inspiring or intriguing. You need color in this space. I recommend adding colorful throw pillows to the couch, and maybe a small one to the chair as well. Since you can't paint the walls, your furnishings should take the lead on adding color and personality. You should also dress up that fireplace nook; read my post on Decorating a Nonworking Fireplace for ideas. Bring in color with accessories, too, such a candlesticks, books, vases, etc.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Casa

Color Theory: Mix Pink and Red

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

When you're talking fashion, there are a lot of rules about color. No white after Labor Day. Black and brown clash. A lot of these rules have fallen by the wayside now that people dress a bit more bohemian, but for interior design, they've never really applied. You can be more liberal with the colors in your home. There's no doubt about it that red and pink clash, but if you mix them purposefully, it works!

I love the color pairing of these photos from stylist Olga Naiman. The solid red corner headboard and solid magenta bedspread on the left were very clearly designed to be used together, and it looks chic in a bold way. On the right, patterned and textured pinks and reds were mixed in a very playful manner. Since it's a low, lounge-y space, there's no need for those formal rules to apply. You'll see in both images that neutral colors were used on the walls and furniture; this tames the palette a bit. Mixing these colors also gives them a new association. On their own, pink is girly, while red is seductive. Together, they are lighthearted and fun. Try this at home!

Advice For Creating a Pretty and Practical Work Space in Your Home

CasaSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:00:34 -0700

Have you ever considered working from home? Whether you want to create a home office or a home business space, there are a lot of things to consider, not the least of which is creating a space that's both attractive and productive. Jennifer Nelson of Home Sweet has done just that by transforming a bedroom in her Craftsman home into a workspace for her business. She writes, "I love that I have my own space to work. Block printing takes up a lot of room and makes a lot of mess, so having this space is essential!"

Her space accommodates a lot of tools, including a sewing desk trimmed with yardsticks, filing crates, task lighting, miscellaneous tools and books, a large printing table, and a fabric roll, among other things. Jennifer also has a television and DVD player in her studio, where she watches movies such as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and Norma Ray.

Interested in hearing Jennifer's advice for working out of your home, and seeing more pictures of her space? Then read more.

Jennifer offers this advice for working out of your home:

On distractions: There are a few things that help with that, but were never really conscious decisions. For one, fabric printing isn't very tolerant of interruptions - ink dries out quickly and becomes unusable. So as much as I may be tempted to float off into blog-land, I don't want to come back to a pot full of gummy ink! This way, breaks are automatically kept short. Also, the studio is as far as you can get from the living areas in our house, so family members have to make a special trip to interrupt me. That makes a big difference, I think.
On prioritizing tasks: I do find myself wanting to work when I have household things to do, and for that I just try not to procrastinate - knock those chores out and then get to work! Plus, it means a lot to my husband when I don't leave him with everything to do while I'm printing away in my little studio, and a happy partner is a supportive partner!
On balance: I'm still working on the concept of balance. Somewhere in there must be some time to relax, reconnect with family, and work on things unrelated to chores and printing . . . but in the meantime at least I have a lovely place to work and a craft that I'm passionate about.

Check out more photos of Jennifer's home studio, and many products, when you visit her site and blog.

Do you work out of a home studio space? How do you create balance while keeping productive?

View 5 Photos ›

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Artists Plan to Freeze a Vacant Detroit Home

CasaSugar — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:00:27 -0700

This Winter, photographer Gregory Holm and architect Matthew Radune plan to freeze one of the thousands of abandoned homes in Detroit to draw attention to the city's foreclosure crisis. The house will be sprayed with water and gradually covered in ice, and Holm will photograph its transformation for the project, called Ice House Detroit. The property that's chosen will be one that is already due for demolition, because it is fire damaged or dangerous to the public. After the freezing, the duo will work with Architectural Salvage Warehouse Detroit to salvage what they can from the house to be recycled. It will then be demolished, and they hope to donate the lot to a group like Greening of Detroit or Earthworks Urban Farm to be used as a community garden or other public space.

I'm sure these four frozen walls and a roof will stand out against the landscape of thousands of other vacant homes throughout what was once Motor City. But it's not Detroit natives who need a reminder of the plight of the city, which is why it's nice to see that this project, not yet begun, is getting attention on a national stage. I'm intrigued to see Holm's photographs of the house in frozen form.

Ask Casa: Post-Grad Style

CasaSugar — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 08:00:56 -0700

Hi Casa!
I'm 22 and I just started my first job out of college. Unfortunately, I still live with my parents. But I figure that if I have to do so then I might as well have a room I enjoy coming back to after a long day of work. I've been wanting to redecorate my room for a while now. However, I don't have a lot of money to spend on new furniture or décor. Most of my furniture is mismatched, and I've had it all since college. Do you have any tips on how I can update my room on the cheap and make it a place that I enjoy spending time?
Thanks! - Kerry

To hear my suggestions for Kerry, read more.

Hi Kerry,

Congrats! I don't think you're alone in this query. Luckily, there are a few easy and affordable things you can do to perk up your bedroom. The idea is to give your room polish and a distinct style, separate from how your parents may have decorated.

First of all, shed everything! If you'd moved into your new apartment, you wouldn't bring everything you've owned since grade school that's still sitting in your parents' house. So, go through it all and recycle, donate, or toss won't you don't want or need. This will give your room a more grownup, less cluttered feel.
Next, create symmetry. The easiest way to do this is to use matching nightstands or bedside table lamps. You can find very chic, affordable lamps at places like Target and HomeGoods. A nightstand can be just a simple side table.
Get a headboard. A headboard will instantly give your room a focal point, and curb any mismatched feel your other furniture gives off. If you can't afford a headboard, try any one of these 10 cool alternatives to off-the-shelf headboards.
Paint your mismatched furniture in one color - glossy white always works - to give the space cohesion.
Create a designated sitting area for reading, having your morning coffee, or making phone calls, etc., with a chair, small accent rug, and small side table. Then you won't feel trapped on your bed or hanging with your parents.
Paint your walls. Color is an easy and cheap fix for any room!
Give your bed a grownup makeover with white bedding, and add color and pattern with throw pillows or a bedskirt.
Find cheap artwork at flea markets, garage sales, or student art sales, or create your own.
Make the space cozy with a rug.
Go "shopping" in other rooms in your home. Look around your parents' home for furnishings that might facilitate the above. With an open mind, you never know what you may find.

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Dave Laptop table - $17.99	Jay Desk + Hutch - $249.00
Mikael Computer table with casters - $49.99	Alve Secretary - $199.00
Jay Desk + Hutch - $199.00	Sloane Leaning Desk - $149.00
Sloane Leaning Desk - $129.00	Sloane Leaning Desk - $129.00
Tavern Bar Table - $179.00	Utby Bar Table - $119.99
Circa High Dining Table - $169.00	Vika amon/ vika curry Table combination - $34.99
Billsta Bar table with 2 tops - $229.99	Silhouette Bar Table - $399.00
Parsons Mini Desk - $249.00	Blu Dot - Additional D2 Shelf - $35.00

Upholstered Bar Stool - Ivy - $299.00	Tufted Barstool-Pear - $299.00
Overlapping-Squares Barstool + Counter Stool - $229.00	Radius 26h Counter Stool in Black Leather - $179.00
Bryce Adjustable Barstool - $199.00	Window Seat Barstools - $99.95
Weller Counter Stool - $229.00	St. Tropez Stools - $199.00
Kartell charles ghost - $170.00	B-Pop Barstool - $280.00
Cendy Bar stool with backrest - $49.99	Stoolstool - $179.00
1951 Barstool - $415.00	Franklin Bar Stool With Backrest, Foldable - $19.99
Blu Dot - Knicker Stool - $299.00	Blu Dot - Real Good Stool - $199.00