CasaSugar

Ask Casa: Sprucing Up Mirrored Closet Doors

CasaSugar — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:30:27 -0800

Dear Casa,

Our master bedroom has mirrored closet doors covering one whole wall. The house was built in the early '80s, so they are all silver and gold metal. It's awful because it really ends up being the main focal point of the room. My fiance doesn't want to cover them completely up as he says he likes the illusion of it making the room bigger, and I would like to at least keep one of the three panels as a full length mirror. Do you have any ideas for sprucing them up to look a bit more upscale and not as tacky?

Thanks! Kristen

Dear Kristen,

Check out my slideshow for ideas on improving mirrored closet doors. Some of these measures are more drastic than others. I hope one works out for you!

Best, Casa

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Ask Casa: Decorating With White Fairy Lights

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 14:30:27 -0800

Dear CasaSugar,

I love the white twinkle lights. But I cannot figure out a good thing to do with them in my new apartment that does not make it look like a college dorm room. Do you have any tips for me? Thank you in advance!

Liz313

Liz, I have many ideas for you! Check out the slideshow for inspiration. I hope this helps. - CasaSugar

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Ask Casa: Looking For Naeem Khan's Bedding

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:00:48 -0800

Hello Casa!

Loyal reader for a few years here... I was reading an Elle Decor book yesterday at work and saw this beautiful photo of Naeem Khan's bedroom. I love his bedding. That black and white cover is just to die for. I was wondering if maybe you could help me drag up something similar? I love the large, circular detailed pattern, it's just stunning. Thanks!
Reactionary

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Hi Reactionary,

I agree, that coverlet is absolutely stunning. Since the bedding was custom made by Naeem Khan Home, I'm assuming that it's either very difficult to come by, or very expensive (and likely both). Luckily, I've found some options that re-create the palette and design. The closest match I've found is the Alexander Julian Black and White Toile Bedding Set ($550 for a queen set), seen here.

Another option is the Zeus Toile Damask Comforter Set ($190 for a queen set). Traditional Hawaiian quilts, such as this one, also offer a similar look. You might also want to check out this Otami Black Fabric ($325). I hope one of these coverlets meets with your approval!

Best of luck,
Casa

Ask Casa: Kate Walsh's Egg Chairs

CasaSugar — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:00:45 -0800

Hi Casa!
I need your help. I recently saw Kate Walsh's home in In Style magazine. In her living room there are two egg chairs with a beautiful yet simple print on them. I am obsessed with finding these chairs or something very similar. They are all I think about! Please help. I am moving into my own my place soon and it won't be home unless I find those chairs or something similar.
Thanks,
Erica3am

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Hi Erica,

I adore those chairs as well! My best guess is that she had them custom upholstered. The Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair is a classic of modern design, and celebrated its 50th anniversary two years ago. You can buy licensed reproductions of this chair from stores such as Design Within Reach or Hive Modern, but they will cost you upwards of $6,000 apiece.

If you're not averse to buying a knockoff, I'd check out eBay for some choices, such as this custom-made Egg Chair, which comes in a variety of upholstery choices. You might even be able to specify the exact fabric you want. This Egg Chair, also available in custom colors (and perhaps, the exact fabric you are looking for), is also a very good deal, at just under $500 per chair. Again, if you are not opposed to the use of a knockoff, these are good routes to take to get the exact look you want.

Hope this helps!
Casa

Ask Casa: A Taller Stump Table?

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:00:33 -0800

Hi Casa,

I've been looking for a tree stump end table, similar to this one you featured from West Elm. The only problem is that I need one a little taller (closer to 26 inches), because it's going to sit next to my couch. I've been searching, but haven't found any others like it. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Classicsugar

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Hi Classicsugar,

I found a seller on Etsy who does custom orders of stump stools. Ted Frumpkin of Around the Bend Woodcrafts makes custom and heirloom pieces, including stump stools. His stools start at $120, plus shipping, for a 19-inch stool, but you can contact him for a custom height that would be closer to the height needed for your side table.

Good luck!
CasaSugar

Ask Casa: Revamp a Childhood Headboard

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:30:13 -0800

Hey Casa! I've been racking my brain and the internet looking for ideas for how to turn my childhood bed into an acceptable guest bed. The furniture in the room is nice and looks great - like a dark wood dresser, but this bed frame is awkward. A lot of the ideas I've seen work mostly for square headboards or just the headboard. The issue here is I have to somehow cover the head and the foot, and they're both semi-circles reminiscent of rainbows. Yikes . . .

Let me know if you or other readers may have some ideas! I'm attaching a photo of the frame. We don't want to exchange the headboard for something else since it's holding up the bed, just somehow transform it without changing the structure too much?

Thanks,

Nikkeeb

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Hi Nikkeeb,

That is definitely a kid's bed! This is a tough one, so I'll just throw a few different ideas out at you.

Regardless of anything else, the first thing you need to do is paint the bed. I'd recommend silver, bronze, or black.

If the two smaller semicircles are removable, that would make a big difference and instantly eliminate the "rainbow" effect. Can you try to remove them?

If you rearrange the bed lengthwise against the wall, it'll also put less emphasis on the head and footboards as focal points. Then, you can hang a piece of artwork above it to grab attention.

If you leave the bed arranged as is, you can easily hide the rainbow shapes at the head with two big Euro shams. On the other end, you can try to hide it by setting a bench at the foot of the bed, and maybe leaning a couple throw pillows against it.

Hanging a throw over the head and footboards would do wonders in the camouflage department. The circular shape might make it slippery, but I have confidence that you can make it work.

Another idea is to wrap the frame with rope to give it a sort of nautical look. This might require a glue gun, but you can play around with it.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,
Casa

Ask Casa: Help Me Find This Wallpaper!

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 11:00:51 -0800

Hi Casa,

I visit your website daily to look for your great decorating ideas. I recently saw your post How to: Decorate With Turquoise and fell in love with a bedroom in that post that has amazing turquoise and gold wallpaper. The photo was taken by Mark Lund. I have been searching and searching for this wallpaper online but have had no luck. I was wondering if you can please help me out. Keep up the good work with the web. Happy holidays!

Best,
Alexa

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Hi Alexa,

I love that paper as well! Unfortunately, I've had little luck in tracking the exact paper down. Perhaps one of the readers can come to your assistance.

In the meantime, I've found some gorgeous alternatives that have a similar palette and look, including this Harlequin Azita Wallpaper ($60 per roll). It features a pretty decorative design of tiny metallic circles on a weathered effect background.

I'd also recommend checking out Harlequin Passion, which has a more floral effect, and Harlequin Venezia, which also uses a similar palette in a paisley motif. I also think you may like Graham and Brown's Dazzle Paper by Julien Macdonald and Graham and Brown's Chinoise Paper by Basso & Brooke.

Good luck wallpapering, and if you need any tips on how to do it yourself, check out these posts.

Best,
Casa

Ask Casa: Help Me Choose Paint Colors

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 08:00:19 -0800

Hi Casa,

My boyfriend and I are about to move into our first house and I couldn't be happier! I can't wait to get in there and start putting our touch on things! The only problem is that I am having a tough time picking a paint color for the living room.

A few years ago, I bought a set of three prints that I absolutely love. I want to hang them above the sofa in our new place, but I'm having a tough time finding the right paint color to highlight them. When we first bought the prints, our living room was white and they popped beautifully. But now I'm a little sick of white and want to add some color, but I'm not sure what direction to go. The living room in our new place opens onto the dining room, so whatever color we choose will have to continue into the dining room too.

Any suggestions?

Thanks for the help,
KatieMise

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Hi Katie,

Great prints! I love them. This isn't a tough one. When choosing a wall color for a wall with artwork, my rule of thumb is always to choose a hue that's an accent in the art piece, but not the primary color. You should choose a complementary color, too. In this case, the background colors of two of your prints are a greenish-blue and a true blue, and in all three prints there is reddish detailing. So, I think a red or watermelon hue would really make your prints pop. Not only are they on the opposite side of the color wheel from those greens and blues, but reddish walls will make the red detailing in your prints pop!

I made a couple of mock-ups to give you an idea. But the best thing to do is head to your paint shop and grab a few samples in these colors, and then bring them home to see what works with your prints. Then, test the paint on your walls before you paint the whole thing. If a whole room in a red color is too much for you, you can always just paint an accent wall and then leave the rest of the walls white. I think it works with the artwork, too, because red is a really important color in Asian culture.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Casa

Ask Casa: A More Affordable Option For This Rug?

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 10:00:45 -0800

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

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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

Ask Casa: A Color Palette Query

CasaSugar — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:00:47 -0800

Hi Casa,

I am moving into an apartment soon with roommates and want some help decorating. I get my own room and can style it any way I want but can't decide on the color palette.

I love dark moody lounge type colors (dark grays, reds, purples, etc.) and bright bold colors for furniture, but the room is not that big. I'm scared the dark colors would shrink it even more. Not a big fan of light pastel colors since most of my rooms in the past has been light blues and such but I love different shades of white. I'm aiming for a space where I can dim the lights and put on some music and chill but at the same time can transition into a workspace. Any suggestions? Thanks, Tiffany

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Hi Tiffany,

What a great question for Color Theory month! If you remember my post on cool colors, the hues that range from blue-green to blue-violet, including gray, you know that cool colors tend to recede, which has a calm and relaxing effect. Warm colors, the hues from red through yellow, browns and tans included, on the other hand, advance, with a more stimulating effect. So to achieve the effect you're looking for, you should paint your walls in cool colors.

Take note, cool vs. warm is not the same as light vs. dark - it's about the actual hue. That's not to say you can't use dark colors. But if you do, just pick one that's more blue, green, or gray, or a purple that's more violet, instead of a dark red or brown.

Then, you can use lighting to turn your dark and moody bedroom into a stimulating workspace. Obviously your workspace should be bright, whether your set your desk near a window or just have proper overhead lighting. But you can actually purchase tinted bulbs, for instance soft pink, to bring warm colored (stimulating) tones to your workspace.

I like your concept of using bright bold colors on furniture. Whatever dark moody wall color you choose, just choose complementary colors (on the opposite side of the color wheel) for your bold furniture pieces.

Hope this helps!

Cheers,

Casa

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