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In Honor of the Kentucky Derby, Shop 14 Statement Pieces Inspired by the Horse

Noria Morales — Fri, 04 May 2012 22:48:52 PDT

Saturday's Kentucky Derby is an occasion to celebrate one of Earth's most revered animals - the horse - and we're paying homage with 10 equestrian-inspired pieces that promise to add strength and whimsy to any room. The horse will never go out of style, and whether you choose a statement-making bust to display on your mantel, or an oversized print hung above a bed, these items will bring beauty and timelessness to your home style. Click through to start shopping.

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!

8 Simple Ways to Style a Rented Space

CasaSugar — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 04:00:22 PDT

If you're a city-dweller, chances are you're living in a rented apartment. If you love home decor, this can prove to be quite a debacle. You have to deal with landlords, city regulations, and you have to consider how long you'll really be in a space. Instead of breaking the bank, or living in a world sans design, consider these eight simple ways to bring style to your rented home and make it your own.

Talk to your landlord. If your landlord is anything like mine, tracking them down can be a little bit of an issue. It's best to lay out the ground rules of what kinds of changes you can make as soon as possible. Are they OK with you painting? What's the deal with hanging artwork or putting in new lighting fixtures? If there's an appliance or floor that looks super dated, or makes you slightly queasy, don't be afraid to ask if they're willing to update it before you move in.
Eliminate clutter. I know this sounds like a giveaway, but trust me, it's not. In the process of packing, be sure to purge the things you are totally over. But this may all change once you make your way into a new space. You'll find that much of what you thought would work doesn't fit the bill. Put it on Craigslist. Sell to a friend. Donate to Goodwill. Just please, don't give up any of your precious space for something you don't like or need.
Look to the light. Rearrange furniture in a way that allows the sunshine to come in. Get rid of those boob lights - a technical term, of course - that typically come in rentals and consider a new fixture. A ceiling fan with good lighting or a beautiful chandelier can transform the vibe of a room. Just be sure to hold on to the original lighting fixtures so there are no issues when you're ready to move on to bigger and better spaces.
Buy versatile pieces. When shopping for your new space, make sure that pricier pieces reflect your style and not solely the confines of your new rental. If you're going to invest in furniture, make sure it's something you could see yourself loving years from now.

Get the rest of the tips for styling your rented space!

Babycotpod's Metro Swinging Crib: Ga Ga or Gag?

Rebecca M Gruber — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 08:35:22 PDT

Rockabye baby! Babycotpod, the futuristic baby crib design company, has introduced its latest entry to the world of modern nursery design. Resembling a cradle more than a crib, the Metro ($575) merges a wooden frame (available in light, dark, or white finishes) with a white swinging bed. Between the crib's wide slats, the company injects a rainbow of colors in the form of acrylic panels. Unlike traditional box-like baby cribs, the Metro features warm, curved slats to comfort newborns.

This isn't the first time Babycotpod has given us a contemporary crib to ogle - its egg-like Cascara crib caused quite a stir last year. Would the Metro crib work in your nursery?

Add a Hint of Geek to Every Room in Your House

Angelica Marden — Fri, 13 May 2011 11:15:59 PDT

Want to incorporate your nerdier tendencies and passion into your decor? You know, without committing to using beakers as glasses and painting a robot mural? You can decorate your house with a hint of your personality without tipping over into certified fangirl territory. Here's some inspiration for simple, subtle, and inexpensive ways to geek up your space.

For Easter Brunch, Paint the Table With Pastels

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:34:57 PDT

It's easy to create a beautiful tablescape for an Easter brunch: simply use the holiday's iconic symbols (eggs, baskets) and colors (pastels). Cover the serving table with a yellow table cloth ($120) and offer the food on large white platters ($70). Throw in striped cocktail napkins ($3) and colorful plates ($2.50) and glasses ($12). Add a few Easter baskets ($4) and a gorgeous bouquet of flowers and call it a day!

How are you decorating for Easter?

Come Party With Me: Picnic in the Park - The Look

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 04:32:07 PDT

Pack up all your party supplies for a picnic in the park! Instead of using a normal picnic blanket, bring a festively printed tapestry ($189). Put the nonparishable foods, like the Polynesian snack mix and chocolate chip cookies in a large farmers market basket ($49) along with cotton napkins ($8) (they're more environmentally-friendly), paper plates, and plastic wine glasses. Fill colorful Chinese takeout containers with chicken wings, Summer rolls, and cucumber salad. An acrylic pitcher with a lid ($16) ensures that no pink lemonade spills while in transport to the party spot. Throw in a frisbee for some fun and you are ready to go! Click on the images above to shop these items.

Translate Pat the Bunny Into a Literary Baby Shower

Rebecca M Gruber — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 11:01:34 PDT

April showers may mean raincoats and wellies for some, but here at LilSugar, it means baby shower season has arrived! We're celebrating mamas-to-be all month with real-world baby shower coverage that takes the dread out of these festive rites of passage.

Expectant moms may recoil when someone wants to pat their belly, but they smile with delight when someone mentions the 70-year-old Pat the Bunny. The classic baby book, which invites tots to use their senses to touch, sniff, and lift their way through the book along with Judy and Paul, is a standard on many lil ones' bookshelves. Whitney Smith invoked all of the interactive portions of the book into an adorable baby shower for her friend and chronicled them on her blog. Check out the pictures and plan your own baby-book-inspired baby shower!

Source: Whitney Smith

A Cozy Moroccan Tablescape

Julia Millay Walsh — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:00:00 PDT

YumSugar editor Katie Sweeney recently hosted a Moroccan-theme dinner party and shared a photo of her decor with the Lovely Little Vignettes group. She writes, "Here is the tablescape from my half birthday dinner party last night. I did a Moroccan menu and had everyone sit on the floor around my coffee table." The table setting looks fabulous, doesn't it!? Not only do I love this exotic style, but it caters to those of us (like yours truly) who don't have a dedicated dining room. I have a small bistro table that seats a few guests, but my large coffee table would much more easily seat a party of eight for a cozy bash like this one.

Now I'm feeling inspired to whip up some couscous and a lamb dish for friends in my own home. So I've done some shopping and rounded up some Moroccan tabletop decor for the fete. Check it out below!

Come Party With Me: St. Patrick's Day - The Look

Katie Sweeney — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 03:43:19 PST

Shades of green are the perfect foundation for a St. Patrick's Day tablescape. Set the table with green chargers and white plates. Top with green napkins and shamrocks. Serve the Irish cheddar on a wooden cheese board ($15-$30) and place a clear ramekin ($2) with the smoked salmon mousse close by. Cook the traditional corned beef and cabbage in a slow cooker ($130) and offer the pot de cremes in festive champagne coupes. Fill a bucket with beer bottles and let guests pour it into their own Guinness glasses ($16). Don't forget a beautiful bouquet of white and green flowers. Like the above items? Click to shop!