Blog Posts by CasaSugar

CasaSugarSource: Summer Decorating Tips From Anthropologie's May Catalog

Anthropologie's catalogs always inspire us, and the May catalog is brimming over with Summer decor ideas. Keep clicking for incredible photos that will inspire you to spruce up your home's facade and interiors for the warmer months, as well as party decorating tips.

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Source: How to Make Your Home Feel Like a Luxury Hotel

There's something so calming about stepping into a fancy hotel - if only you could channel that same getaway sensation at home, right? Whether you long for a sleek, streamlined design or something more rich and elegant, with a few quick tricks, you can turn your home into a sophisticated haven. Interested? Follow these guidelines, room by room, to make your home feel more polished:

In the living room:

• Make bold style statements, like choosing a gorgeous, grand chandelier over a simple lamp.
• Step outside the box and consider an eclectic design for a more contemporary look.
• Choose knick knacks wisely and be picky about which items are visible in the room.

• To capture the serene quality of a hotel room, stick with a light, monochromatic palette.
• Include several storage options to stow away your clothing and create open space.
• Add a posh chair or bench to make the bedroom feel a bit more

Source: Three Beautifully Different Ways to Decorate With Floral Sofas

On last night's episode of Mad Men, Don's new secretary, Dawn, and Peggy shared some beers and office stories on Peggy's floral sofa. Here's hoping that the sofa was comfortable - Dawn had to sleep over on it to avoid riots in her BedStuy neighborhood and deal with an awkward interaction between herself and Peggy before the night was over.

Truth be told, I actually love the look of floral sofas, even one as seemingly dated as this one. I know that's not the majority opinion, though - most decorators choose to add their floral splashes in the form of throw pillows, curtains, or artwork. However, if you're a fan, here are a couple of ways you can really make this look work in your home.

Make Your Couch a Chameleon If you like the idea of embracing a floral pattern on your sofa but aren't sure you can totally make the commitment, there are options. If your couch is from Ikea, the best option is Bemz, a company that

CasaSugarSource: Decorating With Soft but Sophisticated Pastels

Pastel shades are quintessential of Spring, but many of us might prefer them on our Easter eggs rather than our furniture or walls. Before you dismiss the idea of incorporating these hues into your decor, consider the new approach to decorating with pastels. It involves a more minimalist approach to decorating that feels anything but cold. So, instead of designating them to nurseries, check out this gallery to see how surprisingly sophisticated pastel palettes can be.

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Source: A Blackboard Wall For Commitmentphobes

While I might have dismissed blackboard walls as a trend just a year ago, their unflagging popularity is making me reconsider. Home decorators continue to embrace the look, and for good reason - they offer an unexpected color contrast in a room, and are also incredibly useful. A blackboard wall in an entry is a great spot for scribbling notes for housemates or family members, while one in the kitchen is perfect for writing up your grocery list. They're also a good way to satiate scribble-happy toddlers: our kitchen blackboard wall is a great place to redirect our little guy when he's interested in crayoning over one of our other walls.

However, if you're not sold on the concept, or, if you're positive you'll tire of the look in a few short months, you don't have to paint an entire wall. Try painting a black "board" instead.

Take for instance this lovely living room. A large piece of plywood has been used to create a blackboard, which

Source: Color Pop: Paint a Band of Brightness Across a Room

For those of us who shared a bedroom with a sibling growing up, the idea of delineating your space thanks to a line (often times marked with masking tape) is no new concept. This, however, is a much more sophisticated take on the idea of bisecting a space. The owner of this Parisian apartment embraced a bright color palette when decorating, relying on bright splashes of yellow and green to augment white walls and furnishings. In the bedroom, a band of green has been painted from the walls, over the ceiling, and across the window. Instead of relying on paint for the window, though, a plastic adhesive was used to create the effect.

While I'd automatically assume that painting a single stripe across a room would create a preppy or sporty effect, in reality, this room looks much more avant garde and artistic than anything else. The competing shades of green also amp up the effect of the stripe, creating a simultaneously

Source: Easy DIY: Use Washi Tape For Party Decor

Do you want to create colorful banners or bunting for an upcoming wedding or party, but your sewing skills aren't up to snuff? Simplify the process by skipping the fabric store and picking up some washi tape instead. This DIY couldn't be simpler. Start by picking up several rolls of your favorite washi tape - the washi tape shown here is from Lotta Jansdotter's exclusive limited-edition line. Lotta is offering several different types of washi tape, but my favorite of her designs is the Aqua Berries Washi Tape ($10.50 for three rolls).

You'll need something to "string" your washi tape to. I love the look of hemp or jute twine, but you could go for a more refined look by choosing circular or flat satin ribbon or grosgrain ribbon. Then simply fold your washi tape in half over your ribbon or twine at regular intervals. Finish the look by clipping the ends into your design of choice with a pair of sharp scissors. You could round the tape,

Source: 7 Tips For Creating Interior Design Boards on Pinterest

You can pin pictures of puppies, wedding gowns, and mouthwatering cookies, but if you are looking to better organize your design-centered Pinterest boards, it helps to have some quick tips to keep you organized and focused. Here are some interior design board themes:

• Home redecoration: Create boards for each room you are redecorating, and post pictures of furniture, paint colors, and designs you love to help you visualize your project.
• Fantasy dream homes: Perhaps you will never be an owner of a ski lodge or a beach vacation home, but that doesn't mean you can't dream about them via the Internet.
• Seasonal: Whether it's a season like Winter or Summer or a specific holiday like Valentine's Day or the Fourth of July, create a board to inspire your seasonal decor or decorations for an upcoming party.
• Mood or color themed: Pick a mood like romantic or a color like blue, which beautifully and instantly unifies