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Eddie Ross's Go-To Holiday Gift Ideas

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 08:00:21 -0800

As part of a fun holiday series, I've asked interior design "tastemakers," from designers and stylists to bloggers and shop-owners, to share their favorite go-to holiday gift ideas with me.

I chatted with interior stylist, expert flea marketer, Etsy seller, former Top Design contestant, and blogger Eddie Ross - a man of many talents - about his go-to gift ideas for the holidays and here's what he had to say:

"A friend of mine, Susan Schneider, makes these amazing matchboxes that I always give as gifts throughout the year. They're covered with gorgeous wallpapers and trimmed in copper, and perfect for the holidays. The Greek key pattern is my favorite!"

"Libeco Home also makes some great kitchen linen towels. They're a nice thing to give, but also not so expensive. You can take an extra special step to have them monogrammed. They're also bigger than napkins which is nice, so you can buy a whole set to use at the dinner table. I like the ones that are simple, with red and blue ticking stripes."

5 Savvy Ways to Save and Spend Smart This Weekend

SavvySugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:30:43 -0800

If you spent Monday through Friday monitoring your spending and trying to be productive and efficient, don't erase all your hard work with a wild weekend of spending. Consider these smart saving tips before you whip out your wallet this weekend.

Save Big When You Eat Out - Tough times for consumers mean empty tables at restaurants - and to fill them, restaurants are making menu changes and slashing prices, or offering discounts. Take advantage of the deals by researching in advance.
Plan Inexpensive Things to Do This Weekend - More than half of you admit that spending more money on weekends is a given, but that doesn't always have to be the case. Challenging ourselves to occasionally be more mindful of our money on weekends may make us think twice before blowing our budgets on those days when watching our wallets isn't necessarily on our minds.
Shop For the Best Buys at Warehouse Clubs - Almost every list of saving tips includes some mention of buying things in bulk. But if you’re not the Gosselins or the Duggars, are warehouse clubs (like Costco, Sam’s Club, and BJ’s Wholesale) really that great of a deal? The answer is yes - if you know how to shop smart.

For the rest of my tips, read more.

Calculate a Purchase in Terms of Hours Worked - As much as we all promise ourselves that we'll only buy things we absolutely cannot live without, sometimes in the heat of the shopping moment that mentality is substituted by one of like, not love.
Take a Hands-Off Approach to Spending Less - Research shows that you don't necessarily have to stay out of stores altogether, but you should be mindful of where you put your hands if you want to refrain from spending.

Do you have a tip for readers? Join our How Do You Save? group and share your helpful suggestions. Here's a detailed guide to posting questions or posts to groups if you are new to the PopSugar Community.

Found It! Chuck Bass's Dining Table and Chairs

CasaSugar — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:00:17 -0700

In last week's episode of Gossip Girl, Chuck Bass's dining table and chairs caught my eye. Not only do they have a hip, contemporary style that's perfect for a young heir, but they're also very, very familiar. Wondering where you can buy them? Then read more.

Chuck's brick red chairs are the West Elm Leather Scoop-Back Chairs ($199-$796).

His dining table is also from West Elm. It's the Round Dining Table with Cutout Legs ($449-$599).

Home Library: Downtown Chic

CasaSugar — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:00:47 -0700

No academic course will teach you how to give a derelict house a gut renovation and turn it into a fantastically unique, high-style home. That skill comes with experience and serious design savvy, something which Robert and Cortney Novogratz accidentally learned they had.

After renovating their first home in Manhattan's Chelsea neighborhood 10 years ago, which then was a neglected, not-so-fashionable area, they realized they had a knack for building and decorating, together. Since then, they've renovated and designed numerous buildings in and around NYC, including an entire block in SoHo and a house in the country, and founded their own design powerhouse, Sixx Design. As a memoir of sorts chronicling seven of the couple's projects, the Novogratz clan - did I mention they have seven children? - published Downtown Chic: Designing Your Dream Home, From Wreck to Ravishing. Hear my thoughts on the volume when you read more.

The first seven chapters of the book each cover a house the Novogratz couple have renovated, including lots of before and after shots. The duo offer advice learned from each experience, such as how to handle contractors, tips for buying a wreck, how to make your house renter-friendly, and how to mix high- and low-cost furnishings.

While the book jacket says each project proves "time and again you can bring charm to any four walls - and do so affordably," it actually just left me with a sense of envy, and with the reminder that the word "affordable" is all relative. The pair do have a knack for flea marketing and using vintage artifacts and architectural treasures in a unique way, but having the time to do so is a luxury in itself.

The book is full of tips like taming bold colors with neutral furnishings and mixing modern pieces with regional furnishings that in theory are helpful and affordable. But in reality it's the Cappellini coffee table, the luxuriously upholstered bed frame, and the couple's extensive collection of artwork that make me want to "get the Downtown Chic look."

This book is definitely a treat to read. It offers a sneak peek into one family's wonderful life as well as lots of inspiration, but in all likelihood, it won't solve the everyman's design woes. But then again, I guess you can hire Sixx to do that for you.

Found It! Glass and Chrome Side Table

CasaSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 12:00:47 -0700

In last night's episode of Melrose Place, Lauren was a bit broody beside a glass and chrome side table. I'm generally not one for this clubby décor, but I will say the table is an example of great modernist design. In fact, it's a pretty iconic piece. Wondering where you can get one? Then read more.

The table was designed by Irish furniture designer and architect Eileen Gray, who pioneered the modern movement in architecture. It's called the E1027 Table, and it has a glass top and a chrome-plated steel base. Originally designed for her sister, who was a fan of breakfast in bed, it has an open base which allows you to pull the table close, and a top that can be adjusted to four different heights.

You can find this original Eileen Gray Side Table ($467.50, reduced from $550) at Design With Reach, or you can buy a knock-off Eileen Side Table ($179.99) at Bed Bath & Beyond on the cheap.

Photo courtesy of The CW

Ask Casa: How Can I Create an Old Hollywood Starlet Pad?

CasaSugar — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:00:39 -0700

Twitter user DefDulce asked me a question which, judging from current trends, I think is on a lot of young decorators' minds: "How can you turn an ordinary apartment into an old Hollywood starlet pad?"

Without seeing her apartment, I can't offer specific, tailored changes or updates. So I thought I'd respond by offering a few key elements essential to any old Hollywood home. Choosing just a few of them will give your home that overtone of glitz and glamour so evocative of Old Hollywood style.

Lacquer your furniture! And if you can't afford to, high gloss paint will do.
Choose rich materials like silk and velvet for drapery and tablecloths.
Bring in luxe details: crystals on chandeliers, fringe on lampshades, gilt accessories.

See more of these.

Savvy Links: How to Stop Buying Clothes You'll Never Wear

SavvySugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 04:00:40 -0700

How to stop buying clothes you'll never wear - Get Rich Slowly

Pay restaurant tabs from the comfort of your table - The Consumerist

Are you still loyal to your favorite brands, even if they cost more? - Glamour

Send cash on Facebook with FaceCard - Wallet Pop

Be financially proactive - Consumerism Commentary

Label Able: Vegetable Glycerin

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 12:30:50 -0700

I was going on a trip and picked up some Kashi TLC Trail Mix bars. I trust their products completely so don't feel it's necessary to read labels before buying them. While in the car, I happened to check out the list of ingredients and saw vegetable glycerin.

If you're curious to know what it is or why it's used keep reading

Ikea Offers to Furnish Narrowest House in New York

CasaSugar — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 08:00:06 -0700

Last month, the "narrowest house in New York City" went on sale for $2.7 million, and it's still on the market. The terrifically narrow brick building, which was built in 1873, is located in Greenwich Village and built into an alley.

Now, Ikea's offering the future buyers of this squeezed-for-space home free design expertise and $10,000 in furniture.

"We know that space is at a premium in most homes and especially in this particular home. In fact, the Huffington Post quoted the real estate broker saying that you'd have to be 'clever in how you decorate' it," noted Janice Simonsen, Ikea design expert and spokesperson, in a press release. "We're so in love with small spaces that we're putting an offer on the table, albeit a skinny table – free furniture and design expertise to the eventual buyers."

Would the offer of free design advice and $10K worth of furniture from Ikea prompt you to buy this narrow and multimillion dollar home?

Source

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 13:00:16 -0700

Sew a table runner. - Craft
A DIY washing machine ottoman?! - Re-Nest
Create a yoga nook in your home. - ShelterPop
Would you buy a tattooed coffee table? - Shelterrific
Give your bedroom a budget makeover. - The Nest
Four household uses for lavender. - AT:SF