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YumSugar Gift Guide: The Grillmaster

YumSugar — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:30:45 -0800

For the friend who lives for the backyard grill, there's no shortage of ideas. Indulge him in gadgets that do the grunt work, like this electric vacuum marinator, or give him the chance to sample new flavors with applewood planks and citrus rosemary skewers. He can finish his signature dish with a monogrammed flourish. And when that grilled steak is ready to eat, your gifts will keep on giving.

Want more gift ideas? Browse the selection below or check out all the gift guides on HolidaySugar.

Gift Guide: The Feminine Modernist

casasugar — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 06:15:44 -0800

While I love the simplicity of modern, minimalist design, it often seems a little chilly. That's why I love it when my design-savvy friends warm up their sleek homes with touches of girly wonder. From pink throw pillows to simple, curvaceous vases, these ladies know how to make a design statement that's both modern and wonderfully feminine.
If you have a friend or family member who appreciates modern design that's a little bit on the pink side, then

What You're Wanting Revealed: Start With Elephant Art

casasugar — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 15:00:40 -0700

When Danny Seo gave us a peek into his new home, I was taken with this flea-market art find. So, for this latest What You're Wanting, I asked you to decorate a room to complement this elephant art.

This week, you provided me with lots of inspiration for how to use art in unexpected places — including in the bathroom. Check out my favorite looks below.

I was really impressed by the look that Grits put together. She writes, "I decided to do an office/guest room. I didn't go overboard on the elephant theme, but tied it in a couple of ways. I couldn't pass up the side table for the sofa (which would serve as a nightstand when it's pulled out) — the legs look too much like tusks! "

Grits wins the CasaSugar schwag of her choice for the look she put together. Congratulations!

To see two other lovely looks,

What You're Wanting Revealed: A Room For This Vase

casasugar — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 14:00:59 -0700

Since I first posted this challenge, my love for the Charles Catteau Deer Vase ($3,900) has only grown. Created in 1925 in Belgium, its brilliant colors and crackled surface are decorated with four deer. Its unusual appearance is just begging for a room to be decorated around it, don't you think? For this last What You're Wanting, I wanted to know how you'd decorate a room to complement this vase.

Cocochic designed a chic, subdued bedroom for the vase. She writes, "The ivory color of the vase is echoed in the linens with blues on the bed and in the art work. A deep purple throw and deep woods add dimension to the room. With glass and metal side tables and metal lamps with black shade, the room has a bit of glamour. I would put the vase on the dresser with some white orchids in it."

Congrats to Cocochic, who wins the CasaSugar schwag of her choice for her cool look!

For another cool look,

Get the Look: Mad Men — Helen Bishop's Living Room

casasugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 12:17:00 -0700

AMC's Mad Men hits the mark on so many levels, from its spot-on, witty dialogue to its vintage geekery and sexy '60s looks. I, of course, am all atwitter over the awesome interiors.

The next room I'll break down is Helen Bishop's living room. Helen, neighbor to the Drapers, is the (scandalous!) single mom in the show. It's fairly casual, since it's mainly used for entertaining her son and watching TV. I love the individual elements of the room, and I've created some updated takes on the original look.

The Sofa: For a slight update, I chose solid color sofas with slightly cleaner lines than Helen's sofa, but which maintain the same period authenticity.

For the rest of this look,

Do a Doodle on MyPetLamp

PetSugar — Mon, 08 Sep 2008 10:50:52 -0700

It may be meant for kids, but I think HoweePup is pretty cute . . . even adults need lights! This lamp comes in six colors and a range of species (from cats to piggies), making it the perfect alternapet for any household. My fave feature is that it comes with a washable marker – write right on the animal to draw silly faces, fancy outfits, or even leave notes to yourself. I'd love to have the whimsical glowing doxie on my nightstand, how about you?

Inspired: Blue Sky For the Inside

casasugar — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 15:00:47 -0700

When I recently spent some time in my home state of Wisconsin, I was wowed by the gorgeous skies. It seems as if we never get the same dramatic, cumulus cloud formations in the Bay Area, so I was excited to stare at the sky in the late afternoons, enjoying the view. Of course, these clouds also made me think of ways they could be adapted into your home.

To see some of my favorite finds,

Roundup: Needlepoint

casasugar — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 09:15:00 -0700

Historically, needlepoint may be thought of as women's work, but needlepoint was practiced by some totally fierce women. My favorite mythological needleworker is Penelope, who, in Homer's The Odyssey, fooled all of the men around her for three years with her needlework. Penelope's husband Odysseus was out on various adventures and presumed dead, and her new suitors were put off by Penelope's promise that she'd choose one of them after she finished stitching her father's death shroud.

The clever Penelope, who was convinced that her husband Odysseus would return (as he well did, just 20 years later), wove during the day, and then unwove each day's progress at night. Now that's faith.

To see some modern-day examples of needlepoint,

What You're Wanting: Redecorate Johnny Knoxville's Boudoir

casasugar — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 07:45:52 -0700

For someone who plays a Jackass on television, Johnny Knoxville has surprisingly good taste in real estate. His soon-to-be-sold '20s Mediterranean villa has great bones and gorgeous features. However, I think that whoever staged this bedroom for photos fell a little short when it came to dressing up the room. The colors are drab, and the artwork less than desirable.

So, for this week's What You're Wanting, I want to know how you'd redecorate this boudoir to take advantage of its basic structure. How would you highlight those dark wood floors? What type of curtains would you hang across those tall, narrow windows? Add all the finds to your ShopStyle Living stylebook, and create a look tagged with the phrase Knoxville Bedroom Redecorated. Private message me if you have any questions. Oh, and as extra incentive, I'll give some Sugar schwag away to my favorite look!
Source

What You're Wanting: Redecorate Johnny Knoxville's Boudoir

casasugar — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:45:40 -0700