CasaSugar

Before and After: 1930s Club Chairs

CasaSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 06:15:14 -0800

I've seen plenty of antique upholstered chairs at flea markets and thrift stores at affordable prices that are just begging for a makeover. But the trouble is that I don't have the time or the know-how to reupholster them myself. And the price to have them made over makes the deal not so cost-effective. So I was really impressed (and envious) when I saw how one Livingetc reader reupholstered these 1930s club chairs herself - and did so several times before she was satisfied.

She made them over in a luxurious neutral velvet to let the beautiful curved back and poised legs steal the show, adding patterned throw pillows to give them a bit of flair. Want to see the final product?

Nice and New: Ikea PS Pendel Clock

CasaSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 05:30:01 -0700

Flipping through the latest issue of Living Etc, I was awestruck by a cool grandfather clock. The quirky and modern design has built-in shelving to hold your housewares - perfect for kitchenware or books.

"Must. Have," I thought. Then I realized it was from Ikea. Could the world be any sweeter? Unfortunately, the answer is yes, it could be, because the design doesn't seem to be available in the States yet. Until then, I'll just have to settle with these cool clocks. But, if you live in the UK, you can buy it for £129.

How-To: Get a Boutique Hotel-Feel Bedroom

CasaSugar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 11:00:37 -0700

James Lohan, who, along with his wife, authors the Mr & Mrs Smith boutique and luxury hotel guides, knows his way around a hotel room. So it's no surprise that LivingEtc recently asked him to share some tips with readers on the topic. His mission? To help ordinary citizens like you and me create a boutique hotel feeling in our own bedrooms.

To get his tips, read more.

Here are Lohan's tips:

Mix it up. Use different patterns in complementary colors, play with scale, or contrast masculine and feminine by upholstering a pretty chair in some masculine tailoring stripes.
Add vibrancy to all-white rooms with accent colors. Introducing a simple throw, colorful cushions or a piece of painted furniture is an easy way to lift neutrals and add character.
Go for glamour. Dark color schemes create a sensual atmosphere and tactile fabrics intensify the luxurious feel.
Indulge in some "gilty" pleasures. Gilt frames have real impact, or try other metallic touches such as Tom Dixon's Copper Shade lights or Osborne & Little's metallic wallpapers.
If space permits, bring your bath into the bedroom or replace a wall with a window so that the bedroom looks into the en suite. Baths in stone, brass, or even wood make a real statement.
Create a sense of individuality by adding personal treasures, finds from your travels, or artwork to create a focus.

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How-To: Make an Easy Message Board

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 07:45:49 -0700

Tired of corkboards? Can you not even stand to think about a whiteboard? Then try this alternative to message boards.

Simply hang a cord from one end of your room to the other. You can use something practical, such as picture hanging wire, or something more fanciful, such as grosgrain ribbon. Now, clip on some clothespins, and you're ready to go. Secure artwork, bills, messages, and to-do lists from your message "board." It's a fresh take on an old necessity.

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Get the Look: Modern Rustic Kitchen

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:15:13 -0700

Since my mind's on all things eco chic, I'm ready to move right into this kitchen, which features recycled wooden cupboards contrasted by a modern, steel floor and steel-front appliances. The laid-back, casual feeling of the room is achieved by using neutral and cool colors and "lived-in" furnishings and accents. Start by painting the walls a warm, khaki color, and taking down your drapes or blinds to let in the light.

Furniture: Reclaimed wood storage is key to this rustic kitchen. Bring in a soft, leather club chair that you can wear in — or already have — to achieve that lived-in look. Choose a no-frills, clean-lined oak dining table, and pair it with a set of industrial steel French café stools.

There's still lighting and accents to hear about, so read more.

Lighting: Set a table lamp on the kitchen counter; pick one with a shapely glass or iron base, and a drum shade in a a granite- or natural-colored drum shade. Overhead lighting should have the feel of the industrial age; look for a steel pendant to brighten your dining.

Accents: Any accents you use should be functional, aside from perhaps a black-and-white photograph hung on the wall. Grow herbs in a galvanized cache-pot. Cozy your leather club chair with a dark velvet pillow. Hold your fruits in a raw wood bowl, and odds and ends in a rubber tote. Pick a remarkable pepper mill that stands out on its own.

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Get the Look: Warm Minimalism

CasaSugar — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 07:00:33 -0700

This living room from Livingetc took me off guard because, while it's notably minimal, it still has a cozy, warm feeling unlike the sterile modern living rooms I'm used to seeing. The modern fireplace stove looks sleek and handsome, while the painted white floorboards give the living area a cottage-y feeling. I love how all of the furnishings sit low to the ground and relaxed, while the colored-glass vase appears to be the tallest item in the room. To learn how to get this warm minimalist look in your home, read more.

The Furniture: Pick up a dark colored (navy, green, gray) sofa with clean, modern lines that's low to the ground, or cut the legs on an existing sofa loose to shorten it. Find a white coffee table with a funky shape that's also low to the ground, like the Cappellini one shown here. Choose a simple, contemporary, white side chair that also sits low to the ground; try a design classic like the Nelson Coconut Chair or the Fritz Hansen Space Lounge Chair. Use other white seating for empty corners and nooks in your home.

The Accents: Go for a tall, colorful, blown-glass vase to set on your funky coffee table. Set down some interesting reading the table as well, and lay a cowhide rug in natural brown on the floor below. Finish off the couch with a traditional, navy-striped accent pillow. Hang an old sign or a meaningful word printed onto canvas above a doorframe or on an empty wall. Pick up some roll-up roman shades in natural linen to shield some of the light. Replace your old fireplace with a sleek modern one.

Overall, restrain yourself from buying or displaying too much "stuff." Create a clean space by using a near-white palette with an uncomplicated color used on the couch and a punch of color in an accent. Find warmth on your throw rug and fireplace, rather than in bright colors.

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Coveted Crib: Jenna Lyons's Brooklyn Town House

CasaSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 09:00:57 -0700

The September cover story for my favorite home decorating magazine, Livingetc, features J. Crew creative director Jenna Lyons's relaxed, elegant Brooklyn town house. Lyons and her husband, artist Vincent Mazeu, spent two years turning the run-down house into a dream home for themselves and their son, Beckett. In the article, Jenna explains, "My trick has been to approach each area like putting together an outfit. You might start with an old pair of jeans, a cashmere cardigan, or a floral belt, and work around that central fashion statement." Take a mini tour of the space with me, and then pick up the September copy of Livingetc to get the full experience.

View Slideshow ›

Get the Look: Mary Portas's Brilliant Living Room

CasaSugar — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 08:30:41 -0700

One of my favorite shelter mags, LivingEtc, recently shot UK retail queen Mary Portas's London home. Her bright, enthusiastic take on color and her eclectic mixing of styles is refreshing. When LivingEtc asked her about her use of bright shades, she responded, "Neutrals just don't make my heart leap." A woman after my own heart!

To find out more about this home, as well as to see some similar pieces that I've rounded up for you, read more.

Mary Portas's show, Mary Queen of Shops, a six-part series broadcast on BBC Two, is currently broadcasting its second season. The show focuses on struggling fashion boutiques that, with a little help from Portas, attempt to turn their businesses around.

Portas's innovation and think-outside-the-box mentality is obvious not only in this show, but in her house as well. I'm absolutely in love with her living room's graceful, teardrop-shaped amber chandelier, which reminds me of a very high-end version of this steal of the day. I found some similar products to those seen in Portas's living room, including that Noguchi lamp. If you're interested in checking out more of this beautiful, eclectic home, see the entire slideshow here.

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Ask Casa: Adding Color With Linens

CasaSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 07:00:18 -0700

Hi Casa,

I've loved your recent posts on gender-neutral bedrooms, partially because I'm looking for a bit of a revamp. I was disappointed, though, that so many of the linens in the sample rooms were so neutral. Most of my furniture is very simple, with clean lines (and I'm not allowed to paint my rental), so I'm trying to find some unique (and affordable) brightly colored linens, including a duvet cover. I love pop art and eclectic UK style, so I was wondering if you had any suggestions on where I should start looking. Thanks very much!

poissondujour

To see my suggestions, read more.

Hi Poisson,

I decided to use the image above as a jumping off point for my suggestions. The photo is from Livingetc, my favorite UK interior design magazine. I think it does a great job of showcasing that eclectic British style you love.

I also rounded up a variety of linens that continue the eclectic, colorful theme you're looking for. And, to keep it affordable, they're all under $200, and the majority are under $100. I've included a variety of colors and patterns, so I hope you find something you love.

Good luck!
Casa

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Photographer to Watch: Gaelle Le Boulicaut

CasaSugar — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:15:30 -0700

Gaelle Le Boulicaut has been a shutterbug ever since the age of 15, when she unwrapped a Rolleiflex from her father. But she picked up formal training at the Universite Laval in Canada and at the Australian Centre for Photography in Sydney, where she lived for 10 years. Le Boulicat now lives in France, and travels extensively for her work, which is characterized by a mix of natural and studio light, which create a casual feel in her subjects. Her laundry list of clients include ELLE Decor (Italy, France, England, Germany, Sweden, Norway), Marie Claire Group, Harper's Bazaar, Livingetc, House & Garden (UK, Germany), and more. So, it's no surprise that the interiors she shoots are as beautiful as her technique — styled to the nines and one-of-a-kind. To see for yourself, check out this gallery of some of her interior shots.

There's more where these came from, so read more.

View 42 Photos ›

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