CasaSugar -- Home sweet home.

Crave Worthy: Suzani Chair

casasugar — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 06:30:43 -0800

When a Central Asian textile is being replicated by an artist in Southern Vermont, you may start to wonder whether a trend has jumped the shark. But then, a discovery of an exquisite Suzani chair made by genuine Marrakechi artisans makes you believe once more. This exclusive Sheherazade Morroccan Chair ($950) is beautifully accented with nailhead trim and ultra suede armrests. It's a case in point for why some trends last, some designs are imitated, and others fall by the wayside. With this one-of-a-kind find, you can take comfort in the fact that it's all yours — and that your friends will be mighty envious of your find.

Crave Worthy: Neiman Marcus Carved Loveseat

casasugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:00:00 -0800

I've had 18th century design on my mind lately . . . I'm really feeling damask fabrics, carving wood, and gilding as of late. I guess I'd like a little Marie Antoinette-esque design in my life; but not too much, I'm a modern gal! The Neiman Marcus Carved Loveseat ($2,999) has all of those elements that I adore, that make me feel like I'm strolling the pavilions of Versailles. But I think it could be easily integrated into my modern home, perhaps beside a slick white side table or some mirrored furniture. Even if it doesn't make its way into my digs (long shot), I'll still "Ooooh" and "Ahhh" over it. Will you?

Crave Worthy: Psychedelic Circles Backgammon Set

casasugar — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 05:30:07 -0800

I’m going to cross my fingers here and just hope that a certain ex of mine isn’t reading. Two weeks holed up in a boring town with my boyfriend’s parents and — pulling my hair out not in the cards — the only activity that helped me pass time with his ‘rents was a competitive game of backgammon. Before Scrabulous and Facebook stalking, some people actually did entertain themselves with classic games, and lucky for me, I happened to be a wiz. Nevertheless, I’ve since come to find an unparalleled brand of inter-generational bonding power in such timeless recreations and have vowed to always keep one handy. Finances aside, the Barneys Handmade Psychedelic Lacquered Wood Backgammon ($795) may just be The One: its trippy hand-painting recalls my elders' Haight-Ashbury days and its lacquered wood frame is slick enough for my modern pad. If that won't do the trick, I don't know what will.

Crave Worthy: Pyrite Napkin Rings

casasugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 14:00:46 -0800

I recently rounded up Fall napkin rings for you, with a seasonal palette of warm tones. While I'm certainly a fan of all of those choices, I can't help but say I'd kill to have a set of the Thad Cline Pyrite Napkins Rings ($140). The stunning, handmade pieces are made from bronze wire wrapped around a natural Pyrite stone. The smashing sparkling rocks would make any dinner table glamorous this holiday. Do you like them?

Crave Worthy: Orten'zia Large Floor Lamp

casasugar — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 15:00:51 -0800

Bruno Rainaldi must have taken a note from the Talking Heads' catchphrase "This ain't no disco" when designing the Orten'zia Large Floor Lamp ($4,628). The luminary certainly has a disco ball aura to it, but its nickel-plated petals give it a unique flair that's light years away from the glowing dance floor of the Saturday Night Fever set. Unfortunately, with that price tag, it's also astronomically distant from my living room. Perhaps someone like Jade Jagger could set it on the glossy floors of her swank London pad, though.

Crave Worthy: Double Alexander Table

casasugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:00:18 -0700

Life isn't fair. Really, and truly. You know how I love Lucite. And, you know how I love Moroccan design. So, what if the two could become one? The White Webb Double Alexander Table ($2295) is both of those things, with its clean, crisp Lucite material and its exotic Moroccan pointed arches. But sadly it's a little beyond my reach — especially in these turbulent economic times. Okay, technically the table is based on historic Indian designs, but a quick Google image search (and a look back at this Moorish table) will prove me right. And my love for the exotic arches is all the same regardless of their origins.

Crave Worthy: Lotus Bleu Lacquered Table Lamp

casasugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:00:34 -0700

I love lacquer. Trays. Tables. Anything, really. A layer of lacquer can really transform a humdrum design into something glamorous. If you pair a great design with a lacquered finish, you must be after my own heart.
Lotus Bleu can consider me swept off my feet, as I can't resist its Lacquered Table Lamp ($280). The luminary combines the the turned-wood trend with nine cheerful colors of your choice, a white silk shade, a three-way switch, and of course that glossy shine that weakens my knees. I love how its circular ledge will hold a pair of earrings, or a small personal knickknack; it's the ideal bedside table lamp.

Crave Worthy: Bespoke Silk Scarf Chair

casasugar — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 05:30:50 -0700

I've never been a fan of branding (logos, monograms, etc.), and in fact I pretty much detest it. It kind of makes me feel like I'm in a herd of cattle. That being said, even though the Suzan Fellman Bespoke Silk Scarf Chair ($6,400) may feature a prominently placed Chanel logo, I still totally heart it. Upholstered with vintage silk scarves, it transforms your basic slipper chair into a statement piece that's a little bit Art Deco and a bit mod. Its sleek, transparent Lucite legs are a non-competing counterpart to the bold patterns, and they contribute a bit of a 1930s vibe. Love it?

Crave Worthy: Jethro Macey Sideboard

casasugar — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:00:24 -0700

If you told me the words lace, sideboard, white, floral, lacquer, and modern could exist all in one breath, I wouldn't believe you — and I'd likely chastise you for being a tease. But impressively, those adjectives do exist all together . . . in the Jethro Macey Sideboard ($8,000 and up). The white sideboard has a lacquered surface and its doors shine with a textured rose pattern that emulates antique lace. I love how the masculine quality of its clean lines and mid-century-style legs are juxtaposed with the femininity of the rose pattern. It's subtly stunning, and would make killer storage for a modern bedroom, living room, or dining room. Macey also sells concrete lace tiles with the same repeating decorative rose pattern that's a really innovative style of surface design. To see the tiles,

Crave Worthy: Marie Christophe Lustre Cygnes Chandelier

casasugar — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 15:00:55 -0700

I try to be sensible about where I spend my money . . . invest in durable, timeless pieces that I use every day, cut back on trends and accessories, etc. And then, something comes along like a bolt of lightning on a clear day that's so unique and heart-wrenchingly beautiful, it makes me want to throw caution to the wind. A piece like the Marie Christophe Lustre Cygnes Chandelier (inquire for price) might not be the most sensible place to spend my hard-earned dinero, but it would certainly put a smile on my face each day. I simply adore its delicate, whimsical wirework and vibrant turquoise and amber beading. What I really love, though, is its regal swan heads graciously carrying baubled lamp shades in their beaks. What could be more charming?

Crave Worthy: Neiman Marcus Albright Bathtub Set

casasugar — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 04:30:03 -0700

I can't think of a more idyllic way to warm up this month than soaking in the Neiman Marcus Albright Bathtub Set ($6,489). Made of AcraStone, a chip- and wear-resistant material with a porcelain-like surface that is warm to the touch, it's a smart splurge if you're a life-long bath lover like me. Its Old World copper tub feet, faucet, and accessories have a classic appeal that will stay in style as long as its lifetime manufacturer's warranty. If that weren't enough to wash over you with heartache, it has a thermostatic valve, which maintains your desired water temperature to within 1°F, regardless of changes in the temperature or pressure of the water supply. Forget love, this is ever-lasting lust.

Crave Worthy: Pottery Barn Canton Floor Lamp

casasugar — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 05:30:37 -0700

One glance at the Pottery Barn Canton Floor Lamp ($599), which stands more than five feet high with an oversize shade, and you know you're in the presence of greatness. With a transparent glass base and a linen shade, it's the counterpart to tall, dark, and handsome; the Simon Baker to your Clive Owen. If good looks aren't enough to sweep you off your feet, you'll be happy to know that Canton offers a little personalization as well. Fill the lamp's base with branches, faux botanicals, or teddy bears for that matter to get the woodsy, floral, or playtime look you're going for.

Crave Worthy: Aluminum Wine Table

casasugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 05:30:06 -0700

This little Aluminum Wine Table ($399) won't break the bank, but it's still far from a steal. This is actually the type of crave worthy product I love: one that's within my budget.

What started off as a traditional side table is suddenly delightfully modern thanks to the material it's been cast in. Instead of hardwood, the table's been rendered in hand-cast aluminum. I love the contrast between the table's traditional shape and its high-tech aluminum. Do you?

Crave Worthy: Thonet Bentwood Settee

casasugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 14:00:33 -0700

I can't resist bentwood furniture, a style pioneered by German manufacturer Michael Thonet in the 1800s, even in its more modern interpretations. Try as I might, I never cease to be surprised swept off my feet by the timeless creations. Bentwood café chairs seem to be ubiquitous these days, and I never tire of them, but it is refreshing to see bentwood in another shape, such as the Thonet Bentwood Settee ($1494). The design is a licensed reproduction of an original Thonet, and is built by hand at one of the original Thonet factories located in Eastern Europe. With a cane seat and a slender, curved, walnut or
beechwood frame, it's simply sophisticated, without a stitch of trend appeal. What more could you ask for?

Crave Worthy: Sunflower Zebra Chair

casasugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 05:30:16 -0700

While I do think the zebra trend is pretty played out at this point, and I'm certainly not keen on animal hide rugs, I find myself pleasantly surprised by the Horchow Sunflower Zebra Chair ($2,199). Not only does the winged accent chair look super comfortable and have great lines, but it's incredibly cheerful in its sunny zebra pattern. And you know how I love nailhead trim. Despite the bold pattern, the chair integrates well with more traditional pieces, such as the Persian rug shown here. But, it would also really be the center of attention in a minimal, modern interior. You like?

Crave Worthy: Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs

casasugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 15:00:01 -0700

I love a good plush seat, but sometimes I can't help but sacrifice comfort for good looks. And, that time is now. The Antique Ebonized and Turquoise Silk Chairs ($1,300 for pair) from Paris Hotel Boutique don't look one bit comfortable, but they're just so ravishing. I think it's the juxtaposition of the contemporary turquoise Dupioni silk with the 1900s ebonized and gilt design. I imagine the chairs were originally upholstered in a fussy floral, but the lack of pattern here really lets the chairs' beautiful shape shine. I'd set them at the heads of a dining table, paired with some basic black Louis XV chairs, or station one in a quiet hallway to provide a pop of color.

Crave Worthy: French Blow-Up Poster

casasugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 04:30:02 -0700

OK, I may have had an irrational love for the 1966 Michelangelo Antonioni film Blow-Up (starring Vanessa Redgrave, Sarah Miles, and David Hemmings) since I was in the womb, but I am not alone in my love for the mod Brit film's killer poster. It often tops lists of the world's greatest and most iconic posters (see here and here), written by cinephiles and design fiends alike, and for good reason. The original 1966 Italian design is the one most fawned over, but there are actually several variations, almost all featuring a sexy model and her photographer. I for one have a soft spot for the French poster, designed by Georges Kerfyser, which is a variation of the original by its Southeastern neighbor. The design is confrontational, racy, and mod in a kitschy magenta and blue color scheme; what could be better? Those adjectives sound so tawdry, but I'd honestly kill to hang the eye-catcher in my house: if only it didn't sell for 450 smackers. If you haven't seen the film, Netflix it, and maybe then you'll begin to understand where I'm coming from.

Crave Worthy: Peacock Chair

casasugar — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 15:00:22 -0700

If you're feeling regal, take a seat in this Peacock Chair ($1,699). Made with an alder frame and available in luscious colors like ruby, chocolate, and sage (shown here), it will dress up any room. To keep it from looking too fussy, pair it with unexpectedly modern accessories, such as sleek white sofas and ottomans or wooden pieces lacquered in bright, poppy colors.

Crave Worthy: BDDW Captain's Mirror

casasugar — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 15:00:46 -0700

Starburst mirrors, ornate, Rococo mirrors, mother of pearl inlaid mirrors, Venetian mirrors. I'm kind of over them all. I liked the whole Dorothy Draper/Kelly Wearstler Hollywood Regency thing for a while, but now I thinking if I'm going to drop a small fortune on a mirror, I want it to be timelessly stylish, not trendy. I suppose I could say that about a lot of furnishings, but who am I kidding? Each year I fall hard for plenty of trends. That's not the case with the BDDW Captain's Mirror ($1600, $1199 on sale), though. I ache for its uncomplicated round shape, distressed leather frame, and how it hangs with perfect posture from a cast bronze puck. But, it's not a bit ephemeral, it hasn't a stitch of trend appeal. That's what I'm talking about.

Crave Worthy: Martha Stewart Gate Rug

casasugar — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 10:30:53 -0700

I’ve shown you plenty of crave-worthy rugs in the past with bold patterns and colors that really command attention in a room — rugs that really wow you. But there’s something to be said for understated luxury. For example, the simple lattice design of the Martha Stewart Gate Rug ($359-$4,099) is distinguished and subtly beautiful, with a single color (salmon, blue maize, curry, or mist) and an uncomplicated repeating pattern. Its hand-knotted wool and silk material gives it a luxurious, glamorous sheen that’s hard not to love. This is the type of rug that elevates your handsome furniture pieces to heights of sophistication . . . and who can argue with that?

Crave Worthy: Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp

casasugar — Sun, 24 Aug 2008 08:00:36 -0700

OK, OK. My attention to monochrome design may have gotten a little out of hand lately, but I promise you it will eventually fade. And, even if you don't subscribe to monochrome living, you should still appreciate the beauty of a black and white lamp like the Lum A Little Bubbly Anyone? Lamp ($1,700). The vintage ceramic lamps have little bubbles with matching finials that remind me of candy buttons; who can argue with that? They also seem really adaptable. You can use them in a stiff, sophisticated interior, perhaps set on matching nightstands. Or, you can play them up a bit in a room full of circles. What do you think?

Crave Worthy: Cherner Armchair

casasugar — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 14:00:31 -0700

Designed in 1958 by Norman Cherner, the Cherner Armchair ($949) has a dramatic and elegant sloping shape, achieved by molding plywood, that sweeps me off my feet, literally and figuratively. Made of solid beech, it's built to last. This particular chair is a reproduction of the 1958 design, manufactured to the exact original specs by Cherner Chair, a company run by Norman Cherner's sons. Some of you purists might demand the 1958 original, if you're to shell out nearly a grand on a chair, but to me it's of no consequence . . . so long as I can share a lifetime with one of my many true loves. Everlasting love. Sigh.

Crave Worthy: Modern Cellar Skylight Wine Credenza

casasugar — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

I'm a big fan of any piece of furniture that serves my drinking habit . . . and I don't mean a Tower of Power. I'm speaking more along the lines of a bar cart, but something about them sort of screams bachelor pad to me. So, when I came across a handsome credenza that doubled discreetly as a wine rack, I really had a reason to pop the cork. The Modern Cellar Skylight Wine Credenza (inquire for price) stores wine, stemware, plateware, and serving accessories: nearly all the necessities for a sophisticated dinner party (add friends and food, and blend). Hand rubbed with a walnut oil finish, made of one-pieced sides and top, it's truly beautiful, and will take on a wonderful patina as it ages. And, its sliver of glass on the top reveals your beloved wine collection. Just make sure to store your two buck Chuck on its lower level . . .

Crave Worthy: Fendi Crocodile Linens Set

casasugar — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 09:15:00 -0700

You know you're in the money when you can drop some serious cash on Fendi Crocodile Linens ($275-3,450). This linens set features 300-thread-count Egyptian cotton in a chocolate crocodile-pattern, two shams with flange, and a flat sheet. It's definitely a status symbol for the boudoir. Would you want this in your bedroom?

Crave Worthy: Ingo Maurer Birds Birds Birds Chandelier

casasugar — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Ever since I spotted the Ingo Maurer Birds Birds Birds Chandelier ($5,928) in Christiana Coop of Ferm Living's dining room (shown here), I've been preying for one of my own. Made of aluminum wires that can be turned, bent, or stretched, and are attached to goose-feather wings, the chandelier resembles a flock of birds fleeing the coop, taking on a life of its own and allowing for a bit of personalization. I'm a huge fan of the German artist and lighting designer; I love the eccentricity that he brings to his pieces. Of course, there are countless crave worthy chandeliers out there, but Birds Birds Birds is a statement piece that speaks wonders in an uncomplicated interior, such as Coop's.
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Crave Worthy: Philippe Starck Royalton Sofa

casasugar — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 07:45:00 -0700

Though I'm not a mathematician by trade, I still believe that the Royalton Sofa ($9,335) — designed by Philippe Starck in 1991 — can be expressed by the following formula: Settee + Headboard = Royalton. The ever-resourceful and always surprising Starck is responsible for many unique designs, including my fave, the Louis Ghost Chair.

Of course, I'm more likely to spend 10G on my garden than on this piece of furniture — let's face it, if your dog secretly jumps on your sofa, it's never a good idea to drop a lot of money on such a royal piece. However, a girl can still dream, right? The Royalton, a few Louis Ghost Chairs, a luxurious rug . . . my dream living room's out there somewhere, even if it's only in my imagination.

Crave Worthy: Casablanca Six Drawer Chest

casasugar — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:00:54 -0700

If I had the dough, I'd buy the Cottage & Bungalow Casablanca Six Drawer Chest ($3,440) based on its name alone; you know I'm a fan of anything with Moroccan roots, and 1940s romances get me every time. But thanks to this chest's good looks, that wouldn't be necessary. Despite its hardware-less minimalism, it's stunning and truly eye-catching. I love its clean lines, plaque-like imprints, and unfussy, cerused oak. If the pennies added up in my bank account, I'd buy this beauty in heartbeat . . . and then write my own romance about it.

Crave Worthy: Sergio Silva Oyule Lamp Set

casasugar — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 15:00:37 -0700

Using reclaimed light bulbs to build the Oyule Lamp Set ($650), Sergio Silva transformed "a modern object into the very thing it was meant to replace." Beyond its symbolic shrewdness, it's just plain beautiful. Thanks to the strong spherical magnet Silva put inside the bulb, which attracts to a steel component in Oyule's acrylic base, the bulbs balance uncannily at an angle. The limited-edition (only 66 sets) design is available exclusively through 66degrees, and is made handmade by Silva in his Brooklyn studio. Can't pony up for your own? Consider making recycled light-bulb vases.

Crave Worthy: Acrylic Lounge Chair

casasugar — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:00:55 -0700

Much like the Philippe Starck Louis Ghost Chair, the Aaron R. Thomas Acrylic Lounge Chair ($1,480) takes a modern twist on a design classic by re-envisioning it in acrylic. In this case, the classic is the Molded Plywood Lounge Chair, designed by Charles and Ray Eames in 1946. Maybe classic-gone-acrylic's been done before by Starck, but that doesn't mean I wouldn't go to great lengths to seat this Acrylic Lounge Chair in my living room. And it doesn't mean Thomas doesn't have original designs: he does. A browse through his shop and you'll be tapping into your savings account and hitting up your rich relatives for spending money. Get it quick before it makes its way to the window display of every Design Within Reach store in the country.

Crave Worthy: Jayson Vintage Chair and Ottoman

casasugar — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:00:00 -0700

I've never met a French furnishing I didn't like. The French are relentless purveyors of style, and they win me over again and again, be it with a Chanel frock or a Philippe Starck chair. The Jayson Home & Garden Vintage Chair and Ottoman ($2,995), seating from mid-20th century France reupholstered in dark gray linen, is no exception either. I love how this glamorous gilded Louis XV is juxtaposed with the masculine tone of the fabric. No, it's probably not the most comfortable chair and ottoman
on the block, but it would look darn good in my living room.

Crave Worthy: Nicola Cerini Rugs

casasugar — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 13:00:24 -0700

It's not often that I come across a rug that's really the focal point of a room. Rugs tend to be used to bring the colors and furnishings in a space together, simply making things look more composed, and also to soften up a room with hardwood floors. So, it's refreshing (and rare) to see a design that goes above and beyond that, serving itself up as a focal point that owns the space like a bold piece of artwork would. Nicola Cerini Rugs ($899, $1499) do just that with their visually arresting designs and expertly chosen color combinations. Seed Pod (left) is inspired by assorted small seed pod shapes, but gives off a nautical look with its smart red and bluish-gray tones and star-like motifs. The Alhambra rug (right) takes its geometric patterns from the Moorish fortress of the same name. And the others, botanical or oceanic, prove that with attention to composition and color, even the smallest things can be celebrated in large format.

Crave Worthy: Kokoon Free Standing Hammock

casasugar — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 08:30:44 -0700

If you're too lazy to DIY a hammock and have got money to burn, the Kokoon Free Standing Hammock ($10,620) might be right up your alley. The luxe outdoor furnishing will bring Summer Style to your terrace or lawn, and serve as a private escape from whatever ails you this month, especially if you add its optional set of curtains. You might want to have someone check in on you every once in a while: I don't know that I'd ever want to leave it. And, when it's not in use it'll just look good in your yard; I love its x-shaped base . . . as much, if not more than those x-base tables and stools I've written about.

Crave Worthy: Vitra Kast Tall Storage

casasugar — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 09:07:02 -0700

When you've got storage like the Vitra Kast Tall Storage ($10,695), even your Encyclopedia Brittanica collection can look sexy — all the way from aardvark to zygote. The modular unit has a shelf and wall cupboard combination with colorful sliding doors. Although there's a lot going on with the color palette (pink, dark green, bronze grey, dark blue, sulphur yellow, and bright white), the clean lines and perfect proportions of the unit give it a restrained look that's elegant and distinguished. This is the type of piece that you could build a room around . . . starting with an accent rug with a small pattern, a sofa in a complementary color, bold-printed accent pillows with a happy dose of yellow, a Danish-modern armchair with similar lines, a glass-top coffee table that doesn't compete, and perhaps some silk window panels to add sheen. What do you think?

Crave Worthy: Gold-Leafed Hand-Carved Mirror With Birds

casasugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:00:33 -0700

I thought I was over faux bois mirrors, but then some sweet little birdies chirped when I came upon this beautiful Gold-Leafed Hand-Carved Mirror (inquire for price), making me fall for them all over again. This gilt wood mirror from the late 20th century was carved by the Carvers Guild of Massachusetts, a company run by a couple recognized for their old-world craftsmanship and exceptional design. The Carver's Guild began in 1970 but they could have fooled me: this hand-carved mirror looks like it dates back to Colonial Williamsburg. It's nice to see that some designs transcend time.

Crave Worthy: Beach House by Mary Bloch

casasugar — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 08:30:08 -0700

You may not be the owner of an actual beach house, but you can still getaway from it all with the Beach House by Mary Bloch ($2,097- $4,474), designed in 1962. That is, if you've got nearly seven grand to drop on this little, woven cabin and its stool. The petite lounge-chair-like hut will give you a bit of privacy from the neighbors, and its waterproof canvas roof will keep you dry. I love its gingerbread house-like cutout, roll-up windows and its guillemet-esque shape. But, we all know I'm a dreamer (and a sucker for Summer style) . . . what do you think?

Crave Worthy: Wilhelm Coffee and Alexander Dining Tables

casasugar — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:00:14 -0700

I'm in love all over again. The Justin Couch Wilhelm Coffee and Alexander Dining Tables (inquire for price) have the clean lines of classical furniture, like the Brocade Home Silhouette Table, but their Rorschach-esque walnut veneer gives them a contemporary aesthetic that's sophisticated and overwhelmingly captivating. The table involved an exhausting process of cutting and clamping baltic birch, and since its walnut veneer was so fragile, it had to be cut with an X-acto knife. If that's not fine art, I don't know what is. I'd give anything to have one in my home; I think they've topped my list of favorites this year.

Crave Worthy: Lily.mgx Lamp

casasugar — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 11:00:17 -0700

Obviously embodying a form that's been inspired by nature, the Lily.mgx lamp ($502 for small table lamp shown here), is the type of small, precious object that could make an otherwise sparsely decorated room glow. Designed by Janne Kyttanen for Materialise, the lamps are said to resemble a lily-pad flower, though I think they look a lot more like an artichoke myself. While the lamps may look simple, apparently they were designed using a 3-D material printing process that sounds rather geeky and complicated. But hey, if you're going to geek out, you might as well make it as impossibly chic as this lamp.

Crave Worthy: Eco Chic Brasilla Table

casasugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:00:49 -0700

This sleek, modern table isn't just pretty to look at it, it's also also eco chic, since it's made from sustainably harvested woods. The Brasilla Table ($3,450.00 – $5,295) is available in walnut or birch, and was designed by Eero Koivisto and Ola Rune. Crafted in Sweden, it reminds me a little of something that might be found in a Scandinavian spaceship, given its V-shaped corners and design-forward angles. Are you a fan?

Crave Worthy: Hudson English Reading Chair

casasugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 16:00:38 -0700

For those of you hoping to get the look of a modern rustic kitchen, the Hudson English Reading Chair ($2,850) couldn't be more appropriate. The vintage leather chair from England with a blue and brown plaid wool cushion and nailhead trim is a perfect stand-in for the handsomely worn leather chair tossed with a velvet pillow in that kitchen. But the Hudson chair is also a Pandora's box of sorts: its arms open to expose a pen tray on one side and a writing table on the other! I'd argue that this is absolutely the best chair for reading the morning paper while your eggs are cooking — after all, you can grab a pen from the arm if you need to fill in the New York Times crossword. What's not to love?

Crave Worthy: Camel Back Zebra Print Chair

casasugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 08:30:08 -0700

While I've shown you plenty of zebra print home items, I've never shown you one as crave worthy as this Palacek Camel Back Zebra Print Chair ($1,250). Made of high-quality zebra faux fur upholstery, the chair is built upon a black-wood, camel-shape frame. I love the refined lines of this chair, and the upholstery, while commonly seen on floors all over chic homes in the past year, is less commonly found on a formal sitting-room chair. There's something both spontaneous and classically timeless about this piece. It'll be a hit anywhere you choose to showcase it.

Crave Worthy: Cotswold Chair

casasugar — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:30:48 -0700

You were understandably enthusiastic about the aptly named Lady Chair. However, I have a hard time imagining those of you who cohabitate with a manly man getting even the smallest, riveted corner of the Lady Chair in your door. If that's the case, then I present you with a testosterone-friendly option: the Cotswald Chair ($1,998) from Anthropologie. With a wide seat, leather whose coloring is described as "bourbon," (it doesn't get much more manly than bourbon), and a mahogany finish, this is a chair that even the most furniture-apathetic man can get enthusiastic about.

Crave Worthy: Time Occasional Table

casasugar — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 14:00:07 -0700

Designed by Prospero Rasulo in 2006, the Time Occasional Table ($1459) comes in a variety of glossy lacquer finishes, but I'm partial to this candy apple red shade. I'd love to see these flanked by black chairs in front of some gorgeously designed Parisian cafe. There's just something so compellingly cinematic about this table's eye-catching ruby shade and elegant, willowy stem. Wouldn't it be très magnifique as a set piece in a movie — perhaps a remake of An American In Paris?

Crave Worthy: The Rug Company Durbar Hall Rug

casasugar — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 14:00:19 -0700

It's no wonder I felt an instant attraction to The Rug Company Durbar Hall Rug ($1,795- $25,920); the chartreuse and charcoal flocked rug is designed by Designers Guild — a favorite luxury home furnishing brand of mine. Made of 100 knot, Tibetan wool and silk, it's a high-quality rug that would probably outlive me, if I could ever afford to make the splurge. Its flowing branches and botanicals are certainly feminine enough for a bedroom, but I'd love to see it in a formal dining room with a glossy credenza and a noir chandelier, tempered by a slightly rustic wood dining table. What do you think? Do you love it, or am I all alone on this one?

Crave Worthy: Bodo Sperlein Niagra Chandelier

casasugar — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:00:24 -0700

From a young age, like many little girls, I fawned over butterflies, scribbling them everywhere in crayon. In fact, I even wrote this poem in kindergarten:

Butterflies are pretty things
Floating lightly with their wings
Higher, higher in the sky
Oh how I love the butterflies.

Nowadays my adoration of the insect is fleeting, and I actually find them rather lame when reproduced (thanks Mariah Carey). But, when a product like the Bodo Sperlein Niagra Chandelier for Lladró ($45,000) sails my way, I resort to that childhood fascination. The design pays tribute to Lladró's love for nature, taking the magic of the forest and its ethereal creatures and turning them into contemporary fixtures for the home. If this chandelier doesn't have you penning poems, what really does?
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Crave Worthy: Vermicondo

casasugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 05:30:47 -0700

Levitt Goodman Architects, known for their fab prefabs, decided that worm composters posed an ugly problem for modern apartment dwellers, who lack access to backyard gardens. So, they designed the Vermicondo ($1,500), a multilevel condo for worms. Vermicondo consists of a series of shelves, an element that eliminates the need to muck through worm leftovers. When the upwardly mobile worms have finished eating everything they can find, they move up a layer, leaving behind a tray of beautiful organic soil. The top layer of wheatgrass just looks pretty, and serves as a "garden" of sorts for city dwellers who don't have one, mimicking the growing trend in real-life architecture of rooftop gardens. The structure's modern design, slick back-painted acrylic sitting upon a stainless-steel colonnade, doesn't just look pretty either — it protects the little wigglers from light and arid conditions. This is most definitely the only time you'll find the words "worms" and "crave worthy" within a mile of each other; the Vermicondo proves that "good design will save the worms." If only Levitt Goodman could design a price tag that's more palatable for moi . . .
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Crave Worthy: Sans Parapluie Cabinets

casasugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 14:00:30 -0700

Lucas Risé, an Argentinean artist who spent most of his childhood painting street signs in Buenos Aires, now makes a living by creating wonderfully colored cabinets inspired by carnival, circus, and park imagery. His experiences on trips to Europe, the U.S., South Africa, and Brazil have influenced the style of these cabinets, known as Sans Parapluie ("without an umbrella"), the edges and borders of which he says, "disappear to become an open space where different cultures come together and which reflection is life itself." The names of the cabinets (painted with enamel on wood) are as whimsical as the bright and busy designs themselves, such as "Carousel," "Circus," "African Breeze," "Violin," and "Flower Park." Inquire for price.

Crave Worthy: Anthropologie Lady Chair

casasugar — Fri, 30 May 2008 04:30:40 -0700

Scallops? Rivets? Anthropologie is right on for saying their Lady Chair ($1,498) reminds them of a French Madeleine cookie. All sweets aside, the chair looks très comfortable, and that's what's most important when I sit down to read Victor Hugo or watch Jean-Paul Belmondo on screen. The shell shape of the chair (and Madeleines) would be quite appropriate for the beach, perhaps along with some trendy natural curiosities, but I'd plop this natural linen chair down anywhere in the house. Do you love it?

Crave Worthy: Worlds Away Bennito Side Table

casasugar — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:00:09 -0700

What could be more glamorous than a combination of hand-applied gold leaf, a mirror top, and feminine curves on an Art Deco side table? Nothing seems to come to mind. The Worlds Away Bennito Side Table ($1180) is an Eva Zeisel-meets-Grace-Kelly furnishing for the modern woman. Use it as console table in your foyer to stash your fab clutch, luxe cell phone and your favorite lip product, or simply set it next to a crave worthy sofa. And, don't be surprised if guests think you're actually the Princess of Monaco . . .

Crave Worthy: Rian Rae Moorish Table

casasugar — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:15:47 -0700

I think I need to quit my job and move to Morocco, or Spain, because if the gorgeous horseshoe-shaped arches on this Rian Rae Moorish Table ($780) are any indication of the architecture there, I can guarantee I'll be happy. Until then, I'll settle for drooling over this intricately hand-chased aluminum table in the comfort of my own home. Don't blame me if I fib and tell friends I picked it up during "my travels." It's items like this one that prove that handmade is oh so much better. Do you love it? Do you want to move with me?

Crave Worthy: The Folly Chair

casasugar — Mon, 26 May 2008 11:30:47 -0700

I must admit to nursing a little crush on The Folly Chair ($950). I even love how its name represents the silliness of having two chair backs for one chair seat. Made of mahogany (though it resembles bamboo), it's paneled with handwoven caning. Each chair is made by individual artisans, and features dowels and corner braces to guarantee that, if you really wanted to, you could utilize those two chair backs with two people, and this chair would stand up to the weight. Do you love it too, or is this too much folly for you?