CasaSugar

Cheap and Chic: Slick Shawls

FabSugar — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 05:00:22 -0700

There are many reasons to love Kate Moss's celebratory ensemb. Her fringed Balmain booties and girlie hued tee are classic staples, but let's zoom in on her slick shawl. It's floral, gypsy-like, and utterly gorgeous. In fact, it looks vintage and very expensive.

Lucky for us, we don't have to pay a ton to get the same look. Go bohemian a la Kate and drape a floral print, or opt for exotica and don one in a fun animal print or bright hue. Here's a tip: grab an existing wide scarf from your closet and drape over your shoulders, classic style. Or, if you're up for the challenge, check out your local thrift shop for the ultimate throwback find.

Home Library: Cheap Chic

CasaSugar — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 09:00:08 -0800

Interior stylist, author, and owner of London shop Caravan, Emily Chalmers has made a career out of finding beauty in objects that require more ingenuity than income. Cheap Chic ($20), which was originally published in 2003 in hardcover, will be released at the end of this month in paperback, and is a perfect example of her talent at transforming overlooked secondhand objects into things of beauty.

I was lucky enough to take a peek at the book thanks to a review copy from the publishers. While I'm definitely a fan of Emily's philosophy to use "more dash than cash to create inspirational interiors," it's often hard to know how to style the thrifted, flea marketed, and found objects and furniture that many of us pick up on weekends and on vacations. If you've ever been stumped by how to integrate that dinged-up antique dresser into your home, then Cheap Chic is definitely a book to add to your home library.

The photos in the book come courtesy of Debi Treloar, who also partnered with Chalmers on her books Flea Market Style and Contemporary Country. The photos themselves are often shot with natural sunlight, and are imbued with a fresh, buoyant feel. While the book provides plenty of practical tips, exploring flooring choices, building materials, and sourcing furniture and accessories, it's truly the beautifully styled photos that bring this book to life.

For some of my favorite advice from the book, read more.

Check out five of my favorite tips from Emily, and then pre-order a copy of Cheap Chic.

Funky functional objects can easily be made to double as decoration - all they need is a showcase.
When it comes to furniture, it pays to acquire a few key items that have been chosen for their quality, particularly a proper bed.
Fabulous fabrics may have unlikely origins - your grandmother's shawls or your latest cast-offs, for example.
Old wrought-iron bedsteads from scrapyards and antique shops make romantic headboards and footboards for basic beds, while scaffolding poles can be turned into industrial-style curtain rods.
Decoration can cost no more than a walk on the beach. Collect objects such as striped pebbles, speckled seashells, and sculptural driftwood and put them on display.
Whatever you choose, ensure it is classic, since fashion fads are a waste of time and money.

Easy DIY: Swatch Portraits

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 07:00:48 -0800

Looking through Flickr photos, I was impressed with Jennifer's adorable guest room. The dark chocolate wall creates a soothing, cozy space, while the patterned Amy Butler swatch portraits create a dramatic focal point to the wall behind the bed.

This project is surprisingly inexpensive to re-create in your home. All you need are some wooden embroidery hoops and swatches of your favorite fabric. Learn how to make your own swatch portraits, and see a close-up of the swatch portraits in Jennifer's home, when you read more.

So pretty! I love the contrast between the vibrant fabric patterns and the chocolate brown wall. For the full tutorial on creating swatch portraits, head to The Purl Bee.

Source: Flickr User Special J

Casa Quickie: Keep Flowers Sparse

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:00:00 -0800

Flipping through Luc Roymans's photography portfolio, I was struck by this image of an oversize, sculptural vase on a dining table. While the tendency for a vase of this size is usually to fill it with tall, overwhelming blooms, I love the way that this vase has been underfilled.

Using only a few stalks of Bells of Ireland, the vase, not the flowers, takes center stage. Not only is it a striking design statement; it's also an economic one. Just because your vase is overwhelming doesn't mean your flower bill has to be as well!

Roundup: Stenciled Floors

CasaSugar — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 08:00:37 -0800

If you have worn floors in need of a pick-me-up, stenciling them is a good option. It's also a very affordable one. Instead of installing new hardwood or tile, or refinishing the flooring, you can use stenciling as a temporary - or even permanent - floor fix. Check out some examples of the beautiful designs that stencils can provide, and then pick up a copy of Stencil101 to get started!

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Roundup: Last Minute, Economical DIY Gifts

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 09:00:57 -0800

Are you running out of time and ideas for unique, heartfelt Christmas presents? I know the feeling! First, check out these ideas for inspiration. If nothing strikes your fancy, try these DIYs that I've found across the Internet. There's definitely some fun stuff here, much of which can be created from supplies you already have at home. Let's get started!

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Gift Guide: Thoughtful Gifts Under $25

CasaSugar — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 05:30:10 -0800

Whether you need to find a present for a Secret Santa exchange or pick up a last-minute gift for a party hostess or co-worker, there are plenty of design-forward ways to say Happy Holidays without spending a lot of cash. I prefer to keep the gifts small, pretty, and useful, to make sure that they'll be appreciated and utilized.

Since we often give small gifts to acquaintances who we don't know intimately, it's better to stick to simple gifts such as vases, ornaments, desktop items, or candles, instead of art or other more personal gifts.

For a quirky friend, these Mustache Pencils ($14) would be a great gift to present at a holiday party or gift exchange. Tie them with a pretty velvet ribbon, add a cute composition book, and you're sure to have a winning holiday present(ation). For more ideas, check out the widget below.

Have You Ever Bought a Floor Model?

CasaSugar — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:00:36 -0800

After waiting three months for Design Within Reach to restock the Coral Pendant that I'd ordered back in late August, I gave up and went down to my local store. After talking with a friendly store manager, he emailed other Bay Area DWR stores to see if we could track down a floor model of the Coral Pendant. Within two hours, he'd called us at home to tell us there was one 20 miles away that I could pick up that afternoon!

Not only was the floor model half price, I also didn't have to assemble it. And, as anyone who's assembled one of these David Trubridge pendants can attest, the assembly alone can take hours.

Casa Quickie: Mix Your Own Paint

CasaSugar — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 07:00:41 -0800

If you're an enthusiastic home renovator, chances are you have several cans of paint that are nearly empty sitting in your garage or storage space. You could donate them to a recycling center, but why not try using them for your next DIY project? As long as you have some flexibility in your color scheme, you can indulge your inner creative and mix. Start with the lightest color, and gradually add other shades until you have the shade you want.

I actually did this when painting a living room in an old rental house, and my friends were shocked when they found out that the color had been an experiment! Sometimes, the results are just that good.

Have you tried this technique at your house?

Su Casa: A Thrifty and Hip DIY Shelf

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:25 -0800

Often, home enthusiasts find a product that is perfect for their homes, but find that the price point is definitely less than ideal. Such was the case with Su Casa member Senorita.

She writes, "I had fallen in love with the CB2 Hancock bookshelf ($199). I wasn't keen on that exact color (a bright orange), but I loved the shape. I debated on buying two and repainting them, but at $200 a piece, that was a little more than I was willing to spend. So I started my search for a shelving unit that would work on this extra-large wall of mine."

To see what she found instead, and what fabulous color she decided upon, read more.

Senorita continues, "I happened to browse through Ikea and found a series called Lerberg. They were a little smaller than the CB2 shelves, but with a little paint could be whatever color I wanted, and for three (enough to cover the wall) a mere $60. So, I got to work and bought three shelves and three cans of lime-green paint. I am thrilled with the final product - they definitely pop with color!"

Have you come up with a smart DIY or home project? Then share it in our Su Casa group!
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