CasaSugar

Guess What This Chair Is Made Of?

CasaSugar — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:00:22 -0800

This chair, which I spotted in a clothing store, is upholstered with something that practically everyone on the face of the planet - or at least the US - owns. Can you tell me what it's made of?

Before and After: A Sad, Sad Daybed, Rescued!

CasaSugar — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:00:19 -0800

One Living Etc reader had been looking for daybeds by Ercol, a British furniture manufacturer known for its bentwood designs, for ages and finally bought this one off of eBay for a good price. But it required a bit of work. She "sanded it all down, oiled it, replaced the webbing which had crumbled to dust." And it needed a cushion! So she embarked on her first upholstery project and also made throw pillows to go on top. You'll be wowed when you see the finished project, so read more.

Doesn't it look great!? The shape of the daybed really is beautiful, and I'm so glad that she rescued it. I love the mixture of pattern pillows, too.

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How-To: Get the Red Out

CasaSugar — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:00:36 -0800

As we get closer to the holiday season, you can virtually guarantee that all of the festivities and merry making will lead to a red wine stain or two. But don't worry, you can usually combat that stain, especially if you act fast. Learn how to get the red out when you read more.

First, make sure to blot (not rub or scrub) the stain with paper towels. However, if the fabric is "dry clean only," skip this step and get it to the cleaners posthaste.
Position a dry washcloth between the layers of the fabric (such as the front and back of a blouse) to prevent staining on the back of the material.
Mix one teaspoon of laundry soap or dish soap and one cup hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Dip a sponge in the bowl, and gently blot the stain.
Review and follow any special washing directions for the type of fabric.
If the fabric is machine washable, wash in cool water and air dry.
If not, wash by hand with a mild detergent.

Ask Casa: What to Do About Burgundy

CasaSugar — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:00:14 -0700

Su Casa member Pretty Little Things got this overstuffed burgundy chenille burgundy chair at a garage sale for only $50. She wants to integrate it into her awesome new apartment, but her "theoretical color scheme involves grays, golds, whites, neutrals, dark wood, no burgundy!" And aside from the color, she also finds the chair bulky. So she asks, "Can someone suggest a nice color palette that would match with burgundy (in keeping with the other colors I had in mind, or something like them) or should I just give up and get a slipcover?"

To hear my suggestions for Pretty Little Things, read more.

Hi there-

Good question!

First of all, is the chair in good condition? If not, I wouldn't invest any money in even a slipcover. While $50 seems like a bargain for a chair, with some more garage sale trolling and Craigslist, I think you can find another used chair in good condition that may eliminate the burgundy issue.

Next, do you mind the shape? Personally, that overstuffed look is not my style, but if you like it, keep it. If you don't like the bulky shape and you're just keeping it because it was cheap, I think you should just sell it. Don't bring anything into your home that you don't love, or that you can't alter (to be loved).

That said, I think it's a good decision to get a slipcover for the chair, or have one made. Your theoretical palette sounds beautiful and I would love to see how you put it all together. While the burgundy wouldn't exactly clash, I think it might stand out as more of an eyesore than anything else. And, if we're talking aesthetics, I've never been a fan of burgundy furnishings, either!

I suggest getting a white or off-white slipcover that's NOT fitted - and even wrinkly if you can find one. I'm thinking of the chairs in Stockholm's Hotel J, which I think are cool and relaxed. This look works really well with overstuffed chairs, and will give yours a modern-meets-shabby-chic vibe.

Hope this helps! Let me know what you decide!

Cheers,

Casa

Vivienne Tam Launches Upholstery Furniture Collection

CasaSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 06:15:39 -0700

Fashion force Vivienne Tam is taking her modern Chinoiserie home - to your home. She's partnered with Rowe Furniture to create a new collection of custom upholstery furniture, including multiple sofa groupings and accent pieces. While designing furniture is a natural extension for many fashion designers, I think Tam's strength lies in textiles, so I'm excited to see a range of exclusive fabric designs used in the collection. "I want to bring beautifully designed prints, fabrics, colors and textures to create a truly unique line with subtle and sophisticated pieces inspired by my Chinese roots," she explains.

As for the furniture designs themselves, I'm most impressed with her Adler Sofa (shown here). There's a really harmonious balance between its sleek legs and plush cushions, blending formality and comfort. The way the rectangular shape of the legs is built into the sofa's arms themselves is very unique, but also derivative of Eastern styles. To see her chair designs and hear more details, read more.

To me, her Peony chair looks too much like a cross between the Artifort Apollo chair and the Ikea Skruvsta - not very original. Her Daniela chair is a slipper chair we've all seen before. And the Greek key arms on her Camelia chair are amiss paired with her cherry blossom print and Chinoiserie-style legs. But I do praise the textiles; each is understated, elegant, and youthful.

The line will start shipping at the beginning of next year, but will be unveiled at the Las Vegas World Market in September as well as the High Point furniture market in October.

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Nice and New: Trina Turk Outdoor Fabrics for Schumacher

CasaSugar — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 08:00:53 -0700

Back in October, I let you know about Trina Turk's foray into interiors with a collection of home furnishings and an outdoor upholstery fabric line. Well, her collection of California-inspired indoor/outdoor printed fabrics is here. The line features signature patterns from her apparel collections as well as many inspired by the SoCal architecture, landscape, and lifestyle. Her bright, breezy colorways are ideal for outdoor Summer décor, including watery blues, citrus shades, and earth tones. My favorite is the Fronds Print, which has a leafy, decidedly graphic look. Her Trellis Print is a must have for those of you with a thing for Hollywood Regency style. And the Sunglass Print has a vintage, Jackie O. look that just makes me laugh. Check out the other prints and colorways when you read more.

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Do You Have an Upholstered Headboard?

CasaSugar — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:00:30 -0700

Metal or wooden headboards are often more timeless and versatile than upholstered ones, which is a plus if you've invested in your furniture. But, upholstered headboards are much more comfortable and ideal for those of you who like to read in bed. I love this sunny yellow floral headboard, but I might tire of the pattern quickly. I'd prefer to own a headboard with a solid fabric, or a more subtle print. Do you own one?
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Love It or Hate It? Cane Chair Screenprinting

CasaSugar — Wed, 27 May 2009 14:00:21 -0700

I recently caught up with Danny Seo for breakfast at the Philippe Starck-designed Clift Hotel in San Francisco, and couldn't help but stop to take a gander at all of its surrealist furnishings while I was there. This cantaloupe-colored armchair, which is screenprinted with an image of cane chair, struck me as something that'd be easy to replicate - if you've got drawing and printing skills up your sleeve. It has a tongue-in-cheek trompe-l'œil effect, elevating a simple seat to something out of the ordinary. The Ikea Ektorp Jennylund Chair ($199) would be ideal for this DIY. What do you think?

Before and After: Eddie Ross's Chairs From Eek to Chic

CasaSugar — Mon, 18 May 2009 10:00:12 -0700

Here we go again. Eddie Ross has accomplished yet another fabulous makeover. What impresses me most about Ross is his ability to see the potential in overlooked furnishings. With a habit of scouring flea markets, he really has a keen eye for affordable items that can be transformed. This time, he spotted four of these 1970s modern chrome chairs, but he said the "padding was like dry rot and the fabric a filthy micro-suede." So, he headed to his favorite fabric store and had them reupholstered in a cheerful (clean) fabric. To see the transformation, read more.

Beautiful, right? I love how the clean, rectangular lines of the chair pair with the trellis pattern of the fabric. The fabric also looks great with the wallpaper. It seems like it'd be too busy and clashing, but it's an unexpected touch that works! So fun and chic. Hear about this project and see photos of two of the other chairs he upholstered in a different fabric here!
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Before and After: An Antique Chair, From Eek to Chic!

CasaSugar — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:00:32 -0700

If you caught my recent Before and After, you know that interior designer Eddie Ross is a wizard when it comes to makeovers. It's kind of like Cher in Clueless: "Her main thrill in life is a makeover, it gives her a sense of control in a world full of chaos." So, it should come as no surprise that Ross was able to transform this dated antique chair with hideous fabric into something completely à la mode. He sanded the frame and painted it white. As for the fabric, he wanted "a thick, horizontal stripe that felt casual and slightly askew," but couldn't find one, so he decided to DIY it. To hear how he created his ideal stripes and see the finished product, read more.

Ross made the stripes by taping off canvas fabric and spraying it with silver paint. Isn't it fabulous!? Check out his blog to hear more about the project.
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