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Lil Community: A Toddler Room Update

Lil Community — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 03:16:27 PST

This post was submitted by member Perkinswood in CasaSugar's community.

Over the weekend I updated our almost 2-year-old son Seth's room so that it would be more functional for him. It was definitely in bad shape. No space to play, curtains that were way too short and boring. It basically felt like a box with a ton of wood furniture in it.

There really wasn't a budget to do anything extravagant, but changes needed to be made. So I got rid of a dresser, made curtains from a flat sheet, stole storage from our own closet for better and more accessible toy storage, added some free art, and painted a wall with chalkboard paint we made at home.

Keep reading to see how the transformation was made!

Back-to-School Dorm Design Ideas For Your Tech Gear

Kristy Korcz — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 03:12:28 PDT

Unfortunately for college students, dorm rooms have a tendency to be small and cramped, which can make tech organization and design tough for new students. But armed with smart design, you can make your dorm room a place you actually want to be, and a place you can study.

Best Home Tech Design Ideas From the 2012 Ikea Catalog

Kristy Korcz — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 10:29:16 PDT

The 2012 Ikea catalog is finally here, and you don't even have to wait to get one of your own in the mail - you can browse the catalog right now online! Though the pages are stuffed with affordable and stylish home furnishings, it's also ripe with home tech design ideas that you can steal for yourself. I've combed through and highlighted some of the best ideas here for your inspiration.

Design Ideas to Steal From the Messe Frankfurt Press Center

Julia Millay Walsh — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 06:00:00 PST

Last month, I attended the Ambiente consumer goods fair at Messe Frankfurt, the world's third-largest trade fair, in Frankfurt. While the primary point of my trip was to check out the trade show, discover trends, and see the new collections from international decor brands, I couldn't help but find design inspiration along the way. As a journalist there, I had access to Messe Frankfurt's Press Center, which was designed by Italian architect and designer Matteo Thun. The space is a much-needed escape from the push-and-shove of the fair's busy exhibition halls, and I couldn't help but notice that the center's thoughtful, modern design played a major part in putting me at ease after a long day - that and the daily happy hours for press!

Come along and tour the Press Center, and take a few of my tips for re-creating this relaxing vibe in your home!

I Think I've Found the Dumbest Design

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 11:10:00 PST

Swiss furniture manufacturer Vitra has produced some of the world's most iconic - and beautiful - designs, like Charles and Ray Eames's La Chaise, Sori Yanagi's Butterfly Stool, and George Nelson's Ball Clock. But someone over at the offices of the design giant has been smoking something. In particular, Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena, who "designed" one of its new products, Chairless.

Described as "a seating device for the modern nomad," the un-genius product is a simple strap that allows a person to sit hands-free with neither a seat nor a backrest. The design was inspired by a similar support system used by the Ayoreo Indians in northern Paraguay, which is tightened around the legs and back. And because no product would be contemporary without personalization options, Chairless is available in four colors and three sizes.

It is my greatest hope that this product is just a conceptual joke. While it's recommended to use Chairless at "lunch in the park, while waiting in a crowded airport, a picnic on a lawn, sitting down at a concert, reading on the beach or on countless other occasions," I certainly couldn't keep a straight face doing so. And if I were to see a friend "lounging" in it at a music festival, some LOL-ing would most definitely ensue. What has the world come to? Are we so high-maintenance that we can't sit on the grass without the help of a $30 product anymore? Whatever happened to spontaneity? How can we have a relaxed lunch in the park on a sunny day when we're concerned about how to even sit down? Tell me if I'm missing something.

Lil Community: The 'Kinderzimmer' Is Done!

Lil Community — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:05:31 PST

This post was submitted by member MrsThrasher in our Mommy Club group.

I've shared the inspiration board for Käfer's nursery decor a long, long time ago and I'm thrilled to announce that our project has been completed two weeks before the arrival of our little baby girl. Can't wait to hear what you think!

When I looked for paint for the walls, I wanted to make sure to buy VOC-free paint only. You know, no chemicals, no toxic fumes, none of that. I was excited to find this color at The Land Of Nod and after requesting a color swatch, I thought it matched my color palette perfectly. Well, unfortunately, it didn't turn out to be what I expected. Too bad I only realized that after my dear husband and our wonderful friend Yuko had painted the walls. Yes, there is 'pain' in painting!

Read more about the entire room renovation, including some adorable wall hooks, here. Show off that sweet lil nursery or big-kid room you just decorated! Join our Revamping Baby's Room group and share your before and after pics. You could be featured on LilSugar!

15 Reasons Design Buffs Will Love SFMOMA's "How Wine Became Modern" Exhibit

Julia Millay Walsh — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 14:45:00 PST

When I was invited to tour the SFMOMA's "How Wine Became Modern" exhibit - which YumSugar visited in November - I wasn't quite sure how relevant it would be to my field of art, design, decorating, and architecture - you know, considering that it's about wine. I thought, "Maybe there'll be some cute tabletop decanters to decorate with." What I expected was a discussion about how wine had marked its place in contemporary culture and everyday life (cocktail parties, conversation, television, etc.), rather than in the broad world of modern design. Both, as it turns out, are true.

Leaving the exhibit, I couldn't help but think about how much the fields of modern design and architecture are under the influence of that buzz-inducing grape juice. From industrial design to photography to sculpture, there are dozens of artworks related to the topic that are not only beautiful and thought provoking, but also created by some of the most influential artists of our time. Like the exhibit's curator, Henry Urbach, who admitted he had no interest in wine or winemaking before dreaming up the project, you don't even have to like wine (or even drink) to enjoy this show; the artwork alone is intoxicating.

FabSugarTV: Kate Moss Leaves Topshop, Refreshed Fall Neutrals, and Michael Kors at the WWD Party

FabTV — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 10:00:03 PDT

This week on Fab Flash: Kate Moss debuts her final collection for Topshop in London, and we take a monochromatic cue from Sarah Jessica Parker and Sienna Miller by mixing and matching neutral colors. Plus, a one-on-one interview with Michael Kors at the WWD 100th Anniversary bash, and Ashlee Simpson tells us her style secret!

Project Runway's Mondo Talks Tech, Design, and His Shocking Reveal

Leta Shy — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:00:44 PDT

If you are a Project Runway fan like myself, you've seen the designers sketch on those HP TouchSmart tm2 tablets while they brainstorm designs.

But for contestant Mondo Guerra, teching out on the show turned into a life-changing experience in last week's HP Challenge episode. Like last season, the designers had to create a fabric based on a family memory using HP TouchSmart PCs. When they entered the room, the large PCs were loaded with photos of the designers' families on the TouchSmart's completely customizable interface, allowing the user to drag photos around the screen, add notes, and more.

I had a chance to speak with Mondo, the winner of the challenge, whose plus design was a workroom favorite but had some of the other designers curious as to his inspiration. It came as a huge shock when he revealed during judging that he has been HIV-positive for 10 years.

View 5 Photos ›

Find out what he had to say about using the technology to design and what his big reveal was like after the break.

My Favorite Design Elements From Tom Dixon's Circus Restaurant in London

CasaSugar — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:27 PDT

During my trip to London in June with Visit London, I had the pleasure of dining at the cabaret restaurant and cocktail bar Circus in Covent Garden, the heart of the city's theater district. The innovative West End venue was designed by iconic British designer Tom Dixon, an all-time favorite of mine. Circus' exterior is quiet and understated, but walk through its doors, and you'll step into a surreal space that's glamorous, lively, and theatrical.

While I was blown away by the mandarin and passion fruit mojito, spiced crab cakes, and chicken and tiger prawn skewers I ordered, as well as the fire-breathing performers, it was most definitely the stylish, otherworldly design that made my visit a memorable and much-enjoyed one. Come along and I'll show you some of my favorite design elements from the restaurant!