My "what's hot for 2010" featured this Saturday!!

Hey Guys,
Be sure to pick up a copy of Saturday's Times Picayune, as the "Inside Out" section will feature my "what's hot for 2010." A big thanks to TP Staff Writer Molly Reid for writing the piece! Below are some of the items in my showroom that will be featured:

Kemp Desk by Julian Chichester: $2595.00
Monaco Armchair by Julian Chichester: $2925.00
Too Sexy Sadie Chair by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams:$921.00

I also want to wish a very healthy and prosperous New Year to all!!

Cheers,

Chet

Decorating Ideas: Trend Alert: Tartan

Hey Guys,
Check out this great article from elledecor.com on Tartan! It's what's hot!!!

Decorating Ideas: Trend Alert: Tartan

Posted using ShareThis

New Live Segment to air this Friday!!

Hey Guys,
Be sure to check out my next live segment this Friday @ 8:40am on Fox8, as I will be sharing all of my ideas for this holiday season, so don't miss it. Also be sure to check back periodically and the video will be posted as it becomes available!!

Happy Holidays,

Chet

Soft Opening on Saturday!

Hello Everyone!

Join us this Saturday, December 5 for our "soft opening." We will be open for retail, so if you are on Magazine St, come stop by and check out the new space. We are located at 3650 Magazine St, on the corner of Magazine and Amelia, so be sure to check us out. I would also like to announce that my next segment on Fox8 will be Friday, December 11 @ 8:40. Check back often for more details....See you all on Saturday!!

Chet Pourciau Design Now Open For Retail!!

Hey Guys,
I am happy to announce that our new space at 3650 Magazine St. is now open for retail!! Come stop by to see our new Showroom!!

Fox 8 segment from November 13!!

Hey Guys,
My first segment on fox8 was a great success!! A special thanks to Kim Holden for assisting!! Be sure to tune in for our next segment on December 11 @ 8:35!! It will be all about Christmas!! Don't miss it!!

2009 Holiday Cards and Photo Cards from Scriptura

Hey Guys,

My friends at Scriptura are offering a WONDERFUL selection of New Orleans themed
Holiday Cards. They will also be offering Photo Cards with New Orleans
flair for the first time this season. Bulk orders are available and printing
turn around time is running 1 week after proof approval.
Cheers and let the good times roll this holiday season!

Fox8 segment tomorrow morning!!

Hey Guys,

Tomorrow morning is my Fox8 debut!! Tune in at 8:30 to learn how to transform your home from summer to fall on a budget! I also want to give a big thanks to Restoration Hardware for lending the props for the show!! 

New segment on Fox8 to debut this Friday!!

Hey Guys,

Be sure to watch Fox8 at 8:30 on Friday morning!! Chet Pourciau Design has a new segment on a new network! Check back Thursday for details!!

We've moved into a new office!!

Chet Pourciau Design has a new office!! Come check us out at 3650 Magazine St!! We will soon have a showroom available for viewing so be sure to check my blog weekly for new details as they arrive!!

Rendezvous with Singer-Songwriter, Mya

Chet Pourciau Design and the music industry collide as Chet & Joshua rendezvous with R&B singer-songwriter, Mýa.
We wish Mýa luck as she releases her 6th studio album due out this year on her independent label, entitled Planet 9.

Exciting New Project With The New Orleans African American Museum!!

Hey Guys,
I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to work with the New Orleans African American Museum! This will be one of my most gratifying projects to date and cannot wait to get started! Check back frequently for updates and details!!

Let Go of Your Summer Style to Embrace The Fall

It’s already time to let go of your final and fleeting memories of summer style. Like the season itself, your home design should be in a period of slight alteration. “Embrace the browns” and let go of those principal colors and pastels that have been cluttering your kitchen and living room for months now.  Cost effective decorating should be the over riding theme of the year. The foremost starting point should be your “table tops, counter tops, coffee tables, bars, buffets, end tables, consoles; even your bathroom vanities”. These are great places to insert warm Fall colors to otherwise vacant spaces. Learn how to create your perfect “autumn vignette” using a flowery display that’s personalized to your home. 

http://www.contracostatimes.com/home-garden/ci_13560163?source=rss

The Magnetic Curtain

Sheik style and innovative technology flawlessly come together in the latest trend for interior design.  Droog Design’s Magnetic Curtain has the capability to “shape to any form” which the consumer deems appropriate for their home. The product uses distinctive integrated construction and magnetic technology to stay to any shape that you could envision.  

Chet Pourciau Design Featured in October 2009 New Orleans Magazine

October’s New Orleans Magazine features Chet Pourciau Design at its finest. The article walks the reader through a prime example of how Porciau’s unique blend of unrefined genius and malleable client vision come together to create a polished masterpiece.  Upon reading, one can take a virtual first hand tour of Pourciau’s work shown through Tony Clesi’s quaint, Victorian Uptown home. Pourciau seamlessly transforms the home into a voyage through a cache of world culture and personal achievement. The design blends perfectly an “eclectic taste for contemporary and traditional art” with an “envelope of color” that makes each room an inimitable and vibrant experience. 

New Orleans Magazine - October 2009 Issue 

Xmas Leaves

Place Settings

MARDI GRAS FINAL

PET Mardi Gras

Forum for Equality Event

The Forum For Equality Acclaim Awards XI for the celebration of the 20 years of service to Louisiana's LGBT community was a great time.

Silent auctions, great singers and entertainment, the honor of being the Master of the Ceremony and the enlightening speech by Leonard Pitts, Jr. made it an amazing night in which hilarious and serious moments blended together perfectly.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=27638&id=1587278320&l=dd42b9e6d2

The awards:

Leonard Pitts Jr.	Media Acclaim Award
Heidi Nagele Chapman	Community Health Acclaim Award
Ricky Graham	Arts & Entertainment Acclaim Award
James Wiggins	Political Activism Acclaim Award
Judge Michael Bagneris	Political Leader Acclaim Award
American Civil Liberties Union	Chair's Acclaim Award

Belle Reve Project

http://www.abc26.com/videobeta/watch/?watch=0e210271-2395-4ed6-a288-67d2ac79304e&src=front

Home Crashers

Forum for Equality & Chet Pourciau

The Forum For Equality is a statewide civil rights organization that, by educating our communities and making them participate in the political process, dedicates itself to the establishment of a society free from discrimination and to the support of good government.

Saturday, September 26, 6:30 pm the 20 years of service to Louisiana’s LGBT community will be celebrated and Chet Pourciau will be there to sustain the forum as the Master of Ceremony.

http://eqfed.org/ffe/events/acclaim_awardsXI/details.tcl

Green Trend

Going green with the energy usage in your home is a great way to invest in the future and this is being quickly and silently integrated into the design and structure of most modern homes. Wood coming from forests responsibly managed, lights and refrigerators that save up to 33% of the energy, cork planking milled from naturally regenerating tree bark containing no formaldehyde.

In the first image:

1) Walls: Western red cedar paneling by Eco-Lumber Co-op comes from forests that have been certified as responsibly managed

2) Lighting: Recessed LED lights by Permlight draw 33 percent less electricity than already thrifty compact fluorescents.

3) Refrigerator: is 16 percent more energy-efficient than federal energy-use standards require.

4) Heating: Radiant heating tubes—fed by an Apricus solar water heating collector on the roof—snake through concrete floors, warming the home's interior.

5) Floor: Cork planking from Natural Cork is milled from naturally regenerating tree bark and contains no formaldehyde.

In this second image:

Eco friendly building: Nanyang Technological University (Singapore). This art school blurs the line between landscape and building. The series of roofs create great green space and helps insulate the building. It also harvests rainwater for landscape irrigation. The high performance glass façade reduces solar gain and heat load, while providing great views and loads of natural light for creative spaces.

Amistad Center's Renovation

Recent visitors to Amistad have noticed no small amount of physical activity and a bit more noise around the Center since early July as Amistad has begun a renovation and expansion of its exhibition gallery. The renovation, designed by Chet Pourciau Design and remodeled by DiMacco Builders, will double the Center's existing exhibition space and provide conservation-quality display cases and lightning, which will allow staff the opportunity to provide more fully-developed exhibitions of its holdings.

Rendezvous with Singer-Songwriter, Mýa

Chet Pourciau Design and the music industry collide as Chet & Joshua rendezvous with R&B singer-songwriter, Mýa.

We wish Mýa luck as she releases her 6th studio album due out this year on her independent label, entitled Planet 9.

Addition to Chet Pourciau Design Team

Joshua Hill is a New Orleans native. He shares a natural talent for home decor and carries a keen interest in design. Joshua adds a colorful energy to the team with a forte in choosing fabrics. He brings a fresh and unique element to the table that compliments any room. This passionate, associate designer is backing Chet Pourciau with a dynamite design that will blow your mind! Joshua's style of choice is "Eclectic."

More Father's Day Ideas

Father's Day is this weekend, but if you haven't already figured out the perfect gift for your dad, it's not too late!

Here are two more easy and fun creative gift ideas, using some of Dad's old neckties (make sure they're ones he no longer wears!). It is very simple to personalize a pillow or chair - a great gift from the heart to show Dad how much you love him. Click here to watch the WGNO segment with step-by-step instructions, and check out the finished-product photo of the chair at right >>

Special thanks to Wish for supplying the chair, and to Janet Noble for creating the pillow!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Staging to Sell

In today's troubled economy, getting your home sold quickly can be a challenge.  One effective strategy for grabbing buyers' attention and making your home stand out is staging, the subject of my most recent segment on Good Morning New Orleans.

What is home staging?

Staging is dressing a house specifically to be shown to prospective buyers.  It is all about realizing your home's potential and then accentuating its assets while downplaying any imperfections or problem areas.  When you are selling, you really want to emphasize the home itself, not what's in it; therefore, stage your space to sell by de-cluttering and creating an attractive, neutral home environment.  Neutralizing and de-cluttering will not only highlight the architectural features of your house - by removing distractions, you will really help a potential buyer to visualize him or herself in the space.  It is important to note that staging is different from decorating!  Decorating your home is personal and reflects your life and style; when you are selling your home, you should think about the buyers' vision, not yours.

Why stage?

When you stage your home to sell, you create a very important first impression of the house for potential buyers.  This first impression is key in setting your home apart from other houses your buyers are viewing - the competition.  Studies have shown that a well-staged home will sell faster, and staging will often help you make more money in the sale.  According to US Housing and Urban Development Reports, staged homes sell on average 17% faster than unstaged homes; The New York Village Voice reports that the average time on the market for a staged home is 13.9 days, versus 30.9 days for an unstaged home.  On average, staged homes sell for 6.32% more than the listed price, while unstaged homes only sell 1.6% over the listed price.  Think about it this way - home staging is important because no seller wants their home to be on the market for an extended period of time or settle for an offer lower than what their house deserves, especially in today's economy!

How do I stage?

Many professional designers like myself offer staging as a service to clients, but there are several tips that you can follow on your own to stage your house to sell!

• Make necessary repairs.  If it's broken, fix it!  Buyers overestimate the cost of repairs and will often deduct it from their offers.  Buyers will also assume that needed repairs suggest that your house hasn't been well-maintained and that there are likely to be other problems they can't see.  Pay attention to burnt light bulbs, chipped or peeling paint, nail holes in the walls, peeling wallpaper, leaky faucet, cracks in caulk or grout, ease of opening windows and doors, any unfinished home improvement projects, and any designated mechanical areas in your home (make sure to dust off this equipment and paint the walls and floor).  Of all the repairs you should make before putting your home on the market, painting (interior and exterior) is the best place to invest your money, and it is a simple way to make a dramatic change.
• Clean and re-clean.  Everything in your home should be spotless, organized, and squeaky clean!  Before showing your house, vacuum thoroughly, dust all surfaces (don't forget ceiling fans/curtains/blinds), polish all shiny surfaces (windows, mirrors, appliances, counters, sinks, etc.), wash all walls/light switch plates/door knobs/etc., clean carpets and upholstery, and make sure that your garage is clean and well organized.
• De-clutter.  Don't distract your buyers with too much "stuff."  Free up space on your walls, tables, counters, and dressers.  Get rid of anything you don't use, clear out 50% of the contents in your closets, remove 50% of items in kitchen drawers and cabinets, and remove 90-95% of personal items from the entire house (this includes family photographs, collectibles, awards, trophies, etc.).  A good idea is to rent a storage unit for anything you won't need for the next 1-2 months, any out-of-season items, and any collections - including DVDs and CDs.  Remember, when staging, less is more.
• Decorate and accessorize.  Staging is not the time to show off your own taste and style, but it is important for your space to be attractive to buyers.  Make sure rooms have neutral colors, include fresh flowers or live green plants to liven up a room, put out a few well-placed pretty accessories, open draperies, turn on all the lights, and play soft calming music.  Don't forget your patios and decks - these should be treated as rooms with well-arranged furniture.
• Remove pets.  Send any pets to live with relatives while your house is on the market, and remove all evidence of pets from your home.
• Be attentive to maintenance.  Keep your house vacuumed and dusted at all times, make sure shiny surfaces have no fingerprints or smudges, clean and put away all dishes and laundry, don't let mail pile up, and remember to do the everyday little things - making beds, putting toilet seats down, cleaning hair from drains, etc.   Buyers will notice!
• Create curb appeal.  The exterior of the home is the first thing buyers will see, so this is your first chance to make a positive impression.  Start off the buyer's experience with a neat yard, bright flowers, clean pathway, and inviting front door.  Remove clutter, leaves, garbage, and lawn ornaments; create an attractive atmosphere by planting fresh flowers, trimming trees and hedges, and making sure grass is freshly cut.  The outside of your house should show no chipping or peeling paint, your siding and gutters should be power-washed free of debris, and your screens and shutters should be hung straight.  Ensure that walkways are clean and safe for buyers, and make entering your house a positive experience - put out a new doormat, shine up your door hardware, and make sure that your doorbell works and key turns easily in the lock.

Check out these before and after pictures to see what a difference staging can make!

Before:  This living room seemed both bare and cluttered - white walls, too many furniture pieces from different periods, and a significant amount of personal items.

After:  A neutral paint color warms up the space and shows off the architectural lines of the room while also drawing attention to the fireplace and windows.  Coordinating furniture (in a smaller quantity) and a few fresh accessories create an inviting space for buyers.

Before:  The seller's home office had a LOT going on - shelves loaded down with books and knicknacks, a messy desk, and children's toys scattered on the floor.

After:  Simply removing the clutter makes the room look much larger and shows off all the available shelving, so buyers can easily imagine their own items in the space. 

Graduation Gifts

(Click here to watch my Wake Up New Orleans segment about Graduation Gift Ideas)

Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Jazzfest Flags & More

T-1 day until the second weekend of Jazzfest 2009 kicks off! Are you as excited as myself and the hosts of ABC 26's Good Morning New Orleans? If not, hopefully this guide to making your own flag will get you in the spirit!

Flags have become sort of an art form at Jazzfest...people fly them proudly to say who they are, where they came from, and they are excellent tools for keeping track of where you set up camp!

In the spirit of recycling and upcycling, I'm suggesting that you use materials you already own such as old sheets, t-shirts, etc. Paint whatever creative design you'd like on your flag with acrylic paints. To make a flap for the pole, you can use a stapler (make sure you staple the top shut, or else your flag will slide down!)

Check out the step by step process in the segment below!

Also, as I mentioned yesterday, I highlighted several artists and featured local and visiting artists. These included some glasswork, belt buckles, and painted scarves. There is A LOT of Louisiana flair in these pieces, like water meters, fleur de lis, crabs, and oysters.

So make sure you get out to the Fairgrounds this weekend and pick up some art of your own to take home or give as a gift!!! These are affordable and timeless pieces that will help you treasure your memories at Jazzfest...

Don't forget to keep up with me on Twitter!!! (@chetpourciau, posting under the conversation #jazzfest)

Exciting Jazzfest Segment Tomorrow, Wednesday Morning!

Hey everyone!

Hope you all enjoyed the first weekend of Jazzfest and are getting revved up for this upcoming weekend! Make sure you watch ABC 26's Good Morning New Orleans tomorrow where I will be doing a live segment highlighting some of the featured designers and artists from the Louisiana Marketplace, Congo Square, and Contemporary Crafts areas.

Featured will be:

Kate Beck

Michael Eddy

James Vella of Vella Vetro

Sweet Bird Studio

Mitchell Gaudet of Studio Inferno

ALSO, I just got a twitter account! Visit my twitter page by clicking here, and if you are already a twitter member make sure to follow me at @chetpourciau. If you are not yet, definitely take a minute to sign up...it's really easy! 

This weekend at Jazzfest I will be highlighting the same artists as on Good Morning New Orleans as well as many more! I will also be giving you sneak peeks on artwork as we head into the second and final weekend of the festival. All of my updates will be posted under the conversation #jazzfest, so please tune in!

I look forward to chatting with all of you and hearing what you have to say about this year's artwork!

St. Charles Avenue Magazine Appearance!

If you haven't already seen it, I'm pictured in the April issue of St. Charles Avenue magazine with friends and colleagues of mine at the NO/AIDS Task Force's 22nd annual art auction and holiday gala December 6...

Here I am with Jack Sullivan and co-chair of the organization, Ms. Shari Harrison.

Pick up the magazine and check it out for more information and to see the great pictures from the event!

Paparazzi: Out on the Town

Nothing like a good night out with friends in NOLA!! I especially like going to gallery events...

The Golden Brick Egg

Need a fun, easy idea for an Easter gift? Want a cool, ecofriendly way to usher in the Easter bunny this year? Follow these simple steps to create a classic, sparkle-icious basket!

First, to make the "basket" itself take some lemon leaves and a foam block (a BIG shoutout to local florist Urban Earth for supplying our materials!!) and create a leaf barrier around the block with stickpins. Then twist some curly willow to create a "handle". Finally place the handles in the completed leaf "basket"...

For the finishing touch.... Attach foam eggs to a stick, spray them with a spray adhesive, and roll in glitter. Try out all different colors, but make sure you have a special golden egg!!!

I bought all my materials for just $15! You can find all these items in your local craft shop, hardware store, and florist.

So try out my cheap, easy, and fabulous Easter idea and have fun!!!

Redefining the Term "Car Bed"

Furniture designer Joel Hester and his company The Weld House have created really awesome pieces out of industrial steel and sheet metal, much of which comes from old cars, making these amazing heirloom pieces.

Especially notable are the beds, which comes in a variety of styles. They are edgy and definitely would be the focus of a room!

Go to The Weld House to check out more of his creations!

Also, I will be taping my first LIVE segment on Good Morning New Orleans this Thursday between 5-7am!!! Make sure you tune in or set your DVR!

Spreading the Message About Home Staging!

If you think back a few weeks you may remember me posting an article on home staging and how it can help you sell your home in this tough economy...

Well, today I was lucky enough to be welcomed into Latter & Blum's Garden District office to give a brief seminar with my friend Mark Arenales of NolaGreen Landscaping on home and landscape staging.

We want to thank everyone at the office for having us and we hope to see more of you soon!

A Special Thank You!

Hi all!

This past weekend’s New Orleans Home & Garden Show was a huge success in spite of the terrible, terrible weather (yuck!). Of course, my set could not have been as splendid as it was without the help of all my supporters and contributors! I want to give a big thank you to Perch, Bellanoche, Scandinavia Furniture, Arthur Roger Gallery, Urban Earth and Ariodante Gallery.

I’ll keep you posted on when my next segment will air on Good Morning New Orleans!

Here's a peek at what was going on at the Home & Garden Show...

New Live Segment Friday!!!

Please join us Friday where my BFF Anna Adair and I will be shooting a live segment from the New Orleans Home & Garden Show at the Louisiana Superdome! The segment will air between 5-7 am on ABC 26's "Good Morning New Orleans", so set your DVR!!

54th Annual New Orleans Home & Garden Show Approaching!

If you’re in NOLA March 26-29, come by the Superdome to check out the New Orleans Home & Garden Show! Tickets are inexpensive ($10 and free for kids 12 and under) and you can even get a $2 discount by requesting a coupon on their website. This is a great opportunity to catch up on trends, and most importantly, see my work in the Living Large in Small Spaces exhibition where I will be featuring items from Perch on Magazine Street.

I want to give a shout out to fellow New Orleans blogger/designer Valorie Hart for promoting the exhibition on her blog. Make sure you check out Visual Vamp, as it is an excellent forum to read up on décor, fashion, interior design, travel, trends, and culture…

See you at the Superdome!

Join the YaYa Movement!

If you missed it this morning, my new segment on ABC 26’s Good Morning New Orleans aired highlighting the artwork of the kids of YaYa, Inc. (Young Aspirations/Young Artists). The organization is about 20 years old, and gives local kids an opportunity to create artwork which they later sell and use the profits to develop college funds for the participants.

Host Anna Adair and myself visited Helm Paint for this segment to show you how to make beautiful mosaic tiles and use your creative skills to upcycle chairs by painting them in the same manner as the YaYa kids. The tiles are great to make as gifts or to decorate your home with…and our one of a kind painted chair idea is a great way to add pizzazz to your home while keeping eco-friendly and inexpensive. Make sure you use Aura paint, one of the greenest around, when painting your chairs and you can find it at Helm Paint.

For a step-by-step guide, watch the clip below!

Spaces with Places - New Orleans Magazine Feature

Please check out one of my most personal and inspired creations...my own home! You can take a peek inside by picking up the March issue of New Orleans Magazine or visiting MyNewOrleans.com.

I'm so excited to be featured and share my home design with all of you!

Crib Crashing the Eclectic Home of Bryan Batt!

The long awaited first segment of Crib Crashers on ABC 26’s Good Morning New Orleans has debuted! Watch as host Anna Adair and I take over SAG award winning actor Bryan Batt’s home in search of fun and inspired design.

You can really see that Bryan’s New Orleans heritage is present throughout his design scheme as he includes pieces that have unique character and infusion of the local flavor. Some highlights are his original brick flooring stamped with plantation initials, an extremely lifelike dog sculpture, and a distinctive bar setup and collection of glassware.

If you missed it Wednesday check it out now!

If You Are in the NOLA Area - Go To This Event!!

Happy Thursday everyone! Aren't you glad it's almost the weekend?

If you're in the New Orleans area this Saturday you should definitely stop by the gallery opening of a friend of mine, Michelle Y. Williams.

This is going to be a really fun grand opening event, and her gallery has a lot of great, affordable art!

So come by 835 Julia Street (intersection of Julia and Baronne) this Saturday, March 7, at 7pm to celebrate this milestone in her career.

For more information on Michelle Y. Williams, go to www.michelleywilliams.com.

See you there!

Crib Crashers Airing Tomorrow!

The "Crib Crashers" segment for ABC 26's Good Morning New Orleans will finally be airing tomorrow morning!

Make sure you tune in between 5 and 7 am to watch me interview actor and New Orleans native, Bryan Batt!

Sustainable Furniture Out of Brooklyn

Check out this awesome sustainable furniture company I came across based in Red Hook, Brooklyn NY! It's called uhuru and they work with a lot of reclaimed materials, especially wood. They make everything by hand which gives them a really rustic feel that is timeless.

I especially liked this cast iron and glass table pictured below. They even make custom ordered items, and you can see all the details here!

Tune in to "Crib Crashers" on Good Morning New Orleans next week!

Hey everyone!

Next week tune in to ABC 26's "Good Morning New Orleans" where I will be hosting a segment called "Crib Crashers"...Watch as I interview Mad Men actor Bryan Batt -- a New Orleans native and owner of the local gift and housewares boutique, Hazelnut.

See you then! I will post the segment once it airs for those of you who aren't able to tune in...

Sparkle-icious Your Dog for Mardi Gras!

Check out my segment from this morning’s “Good Morning New Orleans” on ABC 26 where I headed over to Canine Culture on Hampson Street to show host Anna Adair how to make fun accessories to dress up your dog for this year’s upcoming Krewe of Barkus parade Sunday, Feburary 15.

If you really want your dog to stand out from the rest, play around with these costume ideas and make a jester collar, a glittery vest, or a Mardi Gras themed dog bed made of recycled fleece. Your pooch is sure to love these, and when embellishing for the holiday always remember…the more the merrier!

Canine Culture is a great local boutique for all your dog’s needs, so visit canineculturenola.com to find out more or stop by their store at 8110 Hampson Street in Riverbend.

Home Staging Article from New Orleans Magazine

Hey everyone,

Here is an article on home staging that may be of interest to you! It is from New Orleans Magazine this past November...

Home Staging: The Key to Selling a Home in Today's Real Estate Market

New Orleans, LA – November 19, 2008 – As the current economic situation remains uncertain, the real estate market, in particular, is in an especially precarious situation. Many current homeowners can no longer afford their homes and are looking to sell quickly, but are finding it increasingly difficult to sell their properties. This crowded and competitive housing market can be a seller's nightmare, and many times the key to selling a home lies in differentiating it from the crowd. 

'Home staging' refers to the concept of making a home more attractive to potential buyers by making relatively minor cosmetic changes. 

"The ultimate goal of home staging is to minimize the amount of time your house is on the market while maximizing the amount that it sells for. Staging can allow a homeowner to emphasize or highlight the best aspects of their home while downplaying its flaws, and can lead to a very positive first impression on potential buyers, " said Chet Pourciau of Chet Pourciau Design. 

Home staging provides a competitive edge for those looking to sell quickly and at the right price, and is often what sets apart a house that sells from a house that sits on the market.

While staging might initially seem like an unnecessary expense, there is overwhelming evidence proving that it works. Studies have shown that home staging often adds a significant amount to property values, with even the most minimal of investments in staging netting huge returns. In a 2007 Home Gain Survey of over 2000 realtors, it was discovered that sellers who spent as little as $500 on staging services for their home recovered over 343 percent of the cost in the sale of their home. In fact, according to a recent report by the office of U.S. Housing and Urban Development, a staged house sells, on average, over 17 percent higher than an un-staged house.

"Using just a few simple staging techniques can make a real difference in getting your home sold," explains Pourciau. Changes such as cutting down on clutter and personal items, painting rooms neutral colors, increasing curb appeal with basic landscaping, and using the appropriate-sized furniture for each room can have a huge impact on how potential buyers see a house. Hiring professional home stagers who are aware of housing and design trends and are well versed in 'what sells' can provide a significant advantage as well. 

Chet Pourciau Design is a premier interior design firm in New Orleans, Louisiana. Chet Pourciau attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette and Delgado Community College where he received an Associate of Arts degree in Interior Design. He has been featured in several publications including New Orleans Homes & Lifestyles, Gambit Weekly and The Times Picayune Wish Magazine. Chet is a member of the American Society of Interior Designers. For more information, visit www.chetpourciaudesign.com.

Please Donate to Belle Reve!

A current project of mine that I’m very excited about and would love continued support for is the renovation of Belle Reve New Orleans. Belle Reve provides permanent and transitional housing as well as support services for individuals and families living with AIDS or HIV-related infections. Opened in 1993, Belle Reve was the first facility of its kind to exist in Louisiana and since has expanded to an additional location, Belle Esprit.

Both facilities were impacted by Hurricane Katrina and are still in the rebuilding process. While the structures are almost completed, Belle Reve is lacking furniture and other accents that make it feel like home. I have been donating my time to help with a design scheme, and in the coming weeks, donations will be needed to obtain the furniture and various other items.  Aside from donations and monetary contributions, volunteers are needed to help paint, move furniture, etc. For more information on Belle Reve and Belle Esprit visit their website.

Please consider giving your time and resources to this cause, I promise it will be a fulfilling experience!

Scraplab

Scraplab is an interesting cooperative out of Bangkok, Thailand, where leftover industrial waste and materials are reused and re-circulated through design. For example, one of their products is a “Black Nest” chair and stool set made of black plastic edge trimmings and designed by Khatiya Chatpetch. For more information, visit Scraplab.org.