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Roundup: White Dining Room Chairs

CasaSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:57 -0800

The Blind Side, which opens today, promises to be a tearjerker. The movie, which is based on the true story captured in Michael Lewis's book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game, stars Sandra Bullock as Leigh Anne Touhy, the Christian, Southern mom who takes in Michael Oher, played by Quinton Aaron. Touhy's house is pretty standard for an upper-middle-class Southern family, but one element that caught my eye were these white dining chairs.

I love the idea of using white chairs in the dining room. The color can really lighten up the space, even if the chairs are geometric and wooden, like these. See some of my favorite white wooden chairs below.

Vintner Side Chair/Cushion - $39.95	Farmhouse Ladderback Armchair - $425.00
Circle-Cutout Chairs + Cushions - $189.00	Victoria White Ribbon Back Arm Chair - $359.00
Macau Armchair - $279.00	Ingolf Chair - $59.99
Olle Chair - $34.99	Le Mans Dining Chairs Set of 2 - $249.00
Cindy Crawford Home California Cottage White Farm Side Chair - $109.99

Get the Look: The Cullen Living Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 08:00:13 -0800

Twilight had some serious design eye candy, so it's no surprise that New Moon would follow suit. This photo of the Cullen's living room is making me a feel a pang of envy. The apple greens and beige mixed with the abstract artwork, flickering pillar candles, and plethora of flowers creates a moody vibe that is totally calm and almost otherworldly. These colors wouldn't normally be my go-to colors, but seeing this beautiful space has me itching to redesign my home. I thought I'd see if I couldn't re-create the look in case you're digging it too. Learn how to get the look when you read more.

Source

Tobi Opens Virtual Dressing Room

FabSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 10:00:22 -0800

Tobi, one of my favorite online boutiques, just got way cooler. The San Francisco-based retailer has opened up a virtual dressing room so customers can have a more hands-on shopping experience. "With Fashionista, not only could it possibly help customers answer, ‘How does this look on me?’, it’s also a fun and engaging way to help them discover new products that they wouldn’t have found through the normal shopping experience," vice president of technology Jeff Lee said.

You'll need a computer with a camera to participate. See yourself on the screen, pick which merchandise you want to "try on" and they will appear over your body. Of course, this technology doesn't help with fit, but it's innovative nonetheless. Curious how it works? Get started now.

Room Therapy: Help Me Choose Paint Colors!

Casa Community — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:00:14 -0800

Just in time for Color Theory month, Hvenbnd needs your help in choosing colors for her home! Read on to find out what she's looking for. Hi CasaSugar Readers,

I need your help ASAP! I recently experienced some water damage to my 1942 custom bungalow. As a result the wonderful insurance company has come through and has agreed to re-install new hardwood floors in my dining room and living room, paint the entire kitchen (including cabinets) laundry room, dining room, living room and to install a new kitchen floor.

My problem is choosing paint color for my rooms! I am so overwhelmed with all the options I have been researching. We are eclectic in our tastes, and have mixed antiques and modern midcentury pieces in our home. I collect Shag prints, which are bold and bright with lots of oranges and greens. I also collect tikis but hate the beachy thing. My husband is an airbrush artist and tends toward bold deep color.

For more pictures of this reader's home, and to hear more about what she's looking for,
Now, the house: We have 8 foot ceilings in the living area and dining area with coved ceilings and curved walls. I am installing recessed lighting in all three rooms. The red kitchen island that sits in the dining room in the pictures obviously belongs in the kitchen and will be painted as well. The house has lots of nooks and crannies and built in cabinets and bookcases. Can you help me pick some amazing paint colors? I will post the finished result for your viewing pleasure!

P.S. I am looking for a chesterfield sofa for the living room in what I envision to be olive green leather. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance!
Hvenbnd

Do you have advice for Hvenbnd? Leave a comment! Have interesting photos of your home to share? Then post them in the Su Casa group.

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What TV Series Did These Living Rooms Star In?

CasaSugar — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 09:00:06 -0700

You've all been kicking serious butt on my quizzes on kitchens featured on TV and houses featured in movies. So, why stop there? Take this quiz to see how sharp your eye is for TV living rooms!

Question 1 of 7

This stylish sitting area stars in what TV series?

Ask Casa: Help With My New Living Room

CasaSugar — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 -0800

Hi Casa,

I recently rented my first apartment and now I have to furnish and make it my own space. Eeek! I feel like I need some serious help. The apartment is not very big and I'm not allowed to paint the walls so they must remain white. Right now I'm focused on the living area. As of right now I have a couch, chair, and an accent table. I'm need of a coffee table, but I was thinking instead of going the table route, of doing a cocktail ottoman. I found one at Target, the Kerry Rectangle Ottoman, I thought might work well. If you could give me some pointers I would be truly grateful. I've included a picture so you can get some idea of what I'm working with. Thanks, xnieves

To hear my suggestions for xnieves, read more.

Hi xnieves,

Thanks for writing in! How fun? Your first apartment! The space looks great. Your parquet floors are gorgeous, and that fireplace nook is great.

It's too bad you can't paint the walls, but you do have some alternatives. If you're allowed to, hang large-scale artwork to instantly bring color to the space. The wall above that fireplace is just begging for a big, bright painting. You can also hang textiles, tapestries, or curtains to bring in color. Another great trick is to wallpaper boards of plywood and just lean them against your walls - see what I mean here.

While I do like the idea of using an ottoman instead of a coffee table, I'm afraid it will be too hefty for this small space, especially in that dark brown color of the Kerry ottoman. If you really want one, I'd recommend getting two small ottoman cubes instead - something more like this. But honestly, I think the space would really benefit from a coffee table that's much lighter visually, such as a glass or Lucite one. For instance, the CB2 Smart Coffee Table ($199) would look great (and let those parquet floors peek through).

The biggest problem I see already here though is that you're headed in a very beige and brown direction, which is not very inspiring or intriguing. You need color in this space. I recommend adding colorful throw pillows to the couch, and maybe a small one to the chair as well. Since you can't paint the walls, your furnishings should take the lead on adding color and personality. You should also dress up that fireplace nook; read my post on Decorating a Nonworking Fireplace for ideas. Bring in color with accessories, too, such a candlesticks, books, vases, etc.

Hope that helps!

Cheers,
Casa

Kate's Chic, Budget-Beautiful Sun Room

CasaSugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 08:00:25 -0700

Kate Abney, an editor at Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine, recently sent me a TwitPic of her fabulous sun room. I asked her if she'd send me a few more photos, and some background on her room and decorating style, and she graciously obliged.

Kate's apartment is on the second floor of a large, historic (1916) yellow-brick apartment building in the heart of midtown Atlanta. She notes, "We do have quite a lot of windows in the place (beautiful light!) but the interior is well-insulated and we are always more than cool enough - or toasty enough - in the summer or winter, respectively."

One of the rooms that really shows off this light beautifully is Kate's sun room. To see more photos of the room, and to find out all about how she decorated it, read more.

Since I know that readers are often curious as to where people sourced the objects and furniture in their homes, Kate was nice enough to let us in on the details. She notes that she picked up the printed cotton rug from Urban Outfitters for about $25, while the green upholstered chair was discovered at a vintage store for $50. "I'm still on the hunt for a cool Suzani lumbar pillow to toss on it," she notes.

Kate couldn't find the exact drinks table she was seeking, so she craftily created one using two Ikea planters, turning them on opposite ends and filling one with plaster-of-Paris.

"The Shaker-style blanket chest is an antique that's been in my family for years and once belonged to my great-grandfather. My uncle refinished it for me last year to the perfect matte warm brown finish. It's even gorgeous on the inside and perfect for stowing my laundry until I have a chance to take it to the laundry mat," Kate says. "The green botanical print cushion I actually made from a $10 CB2 table runner, just removing the seams, stuffing it and then sewing the end back up."

Kate ordered the mid-century upholstered footstool from an antiques store in Florida via eBay, while the arc lamp is a Bed Bath & Beyond knockoff, and the desk is from Target. Other room elements include a Jonathan Adler ceramic vase and a bent plywood chair shipped straight from France that she found through eBay.

What a great space, Kate! I wish I could visit and relax in your lovely sun room. I also admire your savvy sourcing of diverse accents and furniture. Nice work!

Do you have a well-decorated room to show off? Share it in my Su Casa group!

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Before and After: Deanna's Admirable Craft Room Makeover

CasaSugar — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 09:00:08 -0700

Craftster member Deanna recently bought a house, and one of her first priorities was setting up a well-organized and workable craft room. She writes, "Naturally I chose the largest of the two extra rooms and started to get to work. The carpets were blue and new flooring is not in our budget right now, so I worked with them instead of against them. There was great space and lighting in this room, also a decent closet." Here's what Deanna started with. See what she has to say about how she created the perfect crafting space.

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Color Theory: Fearless, Fabulous Pink

CasaSugar — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 12:00:24 -0800

Want to make a statement in your home? Then decorate with bright pink. Almost nearing the hot pink region, this shade is a great, bold way to really make a color impact in a room. Use it as an accent color, or show no fear and paint an entire room in this shade!

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Do You Have a Chandelier Over Your Dining Room Table?

CasaSugar — Tue, 12 May 2009 06:15:00 -0700

The dining room is one of the most natural rooms in which to place a chandelier. In this home, the antique wood table is beautifully complemented by this glass chandelier.

John-Richard Collection - $950.00	Karlstad 2 Chaise Lounges + Sofa - $997.00
Orient Express Rugs White Shag Rug - $1,899.00	Horchow Emporador Console - $1,269.00
Banjara Fretwork Pillow - $195.00	PB Pillar Candle - $5.00
Acqua di Parma White Cube Candle - $70.00	Vitra place sofa - ottoman - $1,840.00
Wilder Floor Lamp - $650.00	Mikasa Vase, 12" Avenue - $72.00
Horchow Faux Roses - $295.00