CasaSugar

Get the Look: A Homey Office

CasaSugar — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 05:15:18 -0800

I've been thinking about the "homey" office that Vanessa De Vargas of decor8 designed for a client, which I wrote about as a Cool Idea. Although it's not my favorite room in the world, it is really well-composed, has character and color, and manages to function as an office despite decorative accents untraditional of one.

So, I fished around for some products to help you Get the Look (and for less), if you're so inclined. Most of my finds are really affordable, if not "cheap." Although, as you may have guessed, the sofa is the biggest expense. I couldn't track down the exact gold birds that Vanessa used; so, stencils, to be used with gold paint, will have to do. You can choose from the Ikea fabric or Urban Outfitters curtain to re-create the curtain paneled sofa, and the other items should be self-explanatory. Enjoy!

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Cool Idea: A Curtain-Paneled Sofa

CasaSugar — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 06:00:31 -0800

Vanessa De Vargas of decor8 was recently confronted with the challenge of re-designing a client's record label office so that it felt like she was working from home. She brought in a tufted sofa from JCPenney (no longer available) to cozy up the room, but its plain vanilla fabric had no kick to impress her high-profile rock and pop clients.

She got inventive without dropping big bucks on reupholstering the entire thing and instead had her upholsterer "sew a red and white curtain panel from Urban Outfitters right down the center." I think the result is chic and youthful, and certainly not your average Victorian sofa.
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Found It! Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart

CasaSugar — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 07:30:40 -0800

In the next installation of Found It!, I bring you the Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart ($799) from American Furnishings. You may have seen this cart used as a coffee table in the boho-modern living room of a couple living in Malmö in my Coveted Crib. In my post, I wrote, "I also adore their coffee table, which looks like a re-purposed dolly (with wheels) of some sort." Apparently, I adored it so much that when I saw decor8 and sfgirlbybay's posts about American Furnishings, I immediately recognized it. Funny thing, the Malmö home was originally featured on decor8, and once again in a post about the couple's previous apartment. For more details, and to see this charming old cart up close, read more

American Furnishing's "Vintage Industrial" collection is comprised of "found objects in abandoned factories repurposed into useful everyday items." For example:

Work benches from a decrepit Packard Motor Car plant become a kitchen island. Steel part carts from a General Motors plant in Detroit become rolling liquor cabinets. Long forgotten wooden foundry objects become "high art" when placed on metal stands or hung on a wall. Large metal shoe racks from a foreclosed Ohio factory become book shelves.

The steel Vintage Industrial Peg Leg Cart is said to have been found in Middle America, but no other specifics are given in the product listing. Since the living-room cart lives in Sweden, it'd be interesting to hear about its origins. In another life, before Samantha and Grant found it worthy of their home, where did it come from and how was it used?

Designer Spotlight: Selina Lake

CasaSugar — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 08:45:01 -0800

In today's Spotlight, the designer is actually an interior stylist. In other words, as Selina Lake said in her recent interview with decor8, her "role is usually to produce images, which are used to sell products, and to inspire magazine and book readers," rather than "to design residential and commercial properties," as an interior designer would. Her editorial experience ranges from decorating and house features to styled shopping shoots and makeovers. At only 26, her client list already includes Marie Claire, LivingEtc, Ikea, House Beautiful, Real Homes, Elle Decoration, and more. She also
recently shot a book called Bazaar Style for Ryland Peters and Small which will be published and on sale this Spring. She's a staunch advocate of shopping for vintage treasures in flea markets and charity shops, and, trained as a surface pattern designer, she's also really interested in decorative fabrics and wallpapers, which you can spot in her shoots. To see an inspiring gallery of Selina's work, read more

View 21 Photos ›

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Coveted Crib: Boho Modern in Malmö

CasaSugar — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:45:54 -0800

Decor8 readers Samantha and Grant recently shared images of their home in Malmö, Sweden with Holly, and I am completely in awe of their space. To find out more about this great space and to see a gallery of pictures, just read more.

They're calling the space "Boho Modern," which I find to be an accurate description. It features bright white walls and painted hardwood floors, and an eclectic mix of furnishings. Many pieces have a bit of an antique and flea-market feel, but they are complimented with contemporary décor like the Tord Boontje Midsummer Light ($78) and the Mooi Random Light ($660-$860). My favorite by far has to be their Gothic pew, which is beautifully carved and undeniably unique. I also adore their coffee table, which looks like a repurposed dolly (with wheels) of some sort. And, although I don't covet its design, I'd kill to have a towel warmer in my bathroom! If you like their French café chairs, you can find some of your own here. Be sure to check out the original post and the follow-up with photos of Samantha and Grant's previous pad.

View 7 Photos ›

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Real Simple Paper Food Constructions

YumSugar — Thu, 28 Jun 2007 16:01:39 -0700

One of my favorite things about Real Simple magazine is their beautifully bland photos. They're so stark and serene, I absolutely love them. However what I love more are those amazing paper contructions. Artist Matthew Sporzynski really does an amazing job, I mean he makes paper look droolworthy! In fact, I usually have to look twice before comprehending that it's entirely made from paper. I recently learned that Real Simple has beefed up their online content to include galleries of some of their projects including centerpieces, fall scenes, paper construction and more. I've included some of my favorite food constructions below, but be sure to check out the rest of the images when you have a chance.

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Source: Decor8

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 13:00:11 -0800

Make this easy DIY statement sign. - AT:SF
Learn to sew a patchwork pillow. - Craftzine
This home is a Moroccan dream. - Desire to Inspire
Get a peek at Joan Rivers's kitchen. - Shelterrific
Take a peek at one of my favorite SF shops, Eden & Eden. - Decor8

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 12:30:23 -0800

It's all in the details. - Decor8
I love this old clam shell used as a dog bowl. So chic. - Absolutely Beautiful Things
The Macallan Ice Ball Machine is the coolest thing ever. Very futuristic! - NotCot
Poppytalk Handmade launches its Valentine's Day market. - Poppytalk
Polaroid is back! - Shelterrific
These carved baseball bats are gorgeous! - Craftzine

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 13:00:20 -0800

The work of Florida-based interior designer Nacho Polo is jaw-droppingly beautiful. - Desire to Inspire
Learn to make gift bows from magazine scraps. - Laissefaire
I'm loving these folksy letterpress prints from Australian design duo Wilkintie. - Decor8
These cardboard furniture silhouettes are absolutely adorable. - Craftzine
Build a faux fireplace mantel out of MDF. - Chez Larsson
Give your home's doors some flair. - AT:NY

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:00:24 -0800

Get inspired by interior styling in real homes. - Decor8
A family downsizes gracefully into an 1,100-square-foot home. - AT:LA
Use bamboo steamers for organizing craft supplies. - Craft
Check out five fun ways for recycling old t-shirts. - Re-Nest
Beat back those gray Winter days with some vibrant art. - PoppyTalk
Learn how to refinish wood floors. - This Old House
Find out how much it costs to live at P. Diddy's house for a month. - ShelterPop