How to Stencil

Hey guys,

Stencils are a great way to achieve an interesting motif or design on a wall or piece of furniture without spending much money and over time it can easily be painted over and wall papered over as well. The great thing about stenciling is that you can create your own stencil by drawing a stencil by hand; using Adobe Photoshop or Adobe Illustrator to create one or you can even buy one from a craft store such as Hobby Lobby or Michaels. Figure out exactly where you want to stencil on your wall and envision how it will look on your entire wall. Make sure the surface to be stenciled is clean and painted with a non-glossy paint. You should always practice before you actually paint directly on to the wall. Lightly mark the area to be stenciled to coincide with guidelines on the stencil. Blot off excess paint onto paper towel until your brush is “dry” and seems almost out of paint. Place overlay of your stencil in correct position and adhere to surface using repositionable adhesive spray. Hold your brush as a pencil with bristles flat on surface and handle straight. Start at the outside edges of the cutouts and paint in a circular clockwise motion toward the center. Hold your stencil with the other hand. Begin with a light touch. Now reverse direction to a counter-clockwise motion, building up your color. You control the color in 2 ways-the amount of pressure applied on the brush and the number of times you go over an area of the design. Lift the stencil corner and check the color before removing the stencil.





Cheers,

-Chet

The New Orleans Design Awards

Some think that floral can only be feminine and girly but it really depends on exactly how and what you pair it with. Larger floral prints seem to be less frilly and also more modern. Floral prints on pillows and throws also can be more masculine if paired with a dark gray or brown wall. Darker colors always appear to be more “manly” also try greens, blues, and dark purples. This way the floral is just an accent piece and not taking over the entire room. If you are looking for something to place on your walls besides just paint then try a black and white framed photograph of flowers, if the photograph is zoomed in on the flower this helps the image to look abstract and interesting as well. Colorful floral print wallpaper can also add a graphic element to your walls that other motifs and patterns can’t. This is more of a modern twist that is very affordable and can take a once girly idea and make it masculine.

Take a Walk on the Wild Side

We’ve been seeing them everywhere in fashion trends, so why not decorate with them? Animal prints are a naturally wild pattern that can give any room an instant “Wow!” factor. Many people stray away from animal prints in fear that they will look tacky or the print will dominate the room and take away from other decorative elements, but when used tastefully, animal prints can add sophistication to a room. Whether you want a more subtle approach to the wild or a bold choice like the zebra-inspired wallpaper in the photo above, you’re sure to find an option to suit your taste!

Zebra is a great print to start off with if you’re more wary about animal prints. The black-and-white color scheme works well as a complement to other color schemes and also looks great when adding a visual element to a monochrome color scheme, as the rug does in the photo below.

If you’re looking for a bolder approach, choose a leopard, tiger, or giraffe print. Accents with these prints look trés chic in rooms with a more neutral color palette. However, you must be careful that the print does not compete with the rest of the room. A good rule of thumb to follow is to use only one print on one item in the room.

Before you venture over to the wild side, decide what print suits the room you’re looking to decorate and what statement you’re trying to make. If a printed rug is too much of a statement, opt for an upholstered chair or ottoman like the one in the photo to the right. Bedding, throw pillows, or a throw can do wonders in a bedroom or living room (remember only one print in one room) and towels, a bath mat, or even a shower curtain can revamp a bathroom!

West Elm has great rugs and throw pillows!

Check out these other home décor accessories from Anything Animals

New Orleans Design Awards Nominations

Hey Guys,

Do you know a designer who's worthy of some media coverage and attention? Nominate them for the 2010 New Orleans Design Awards, and get them the recognition they deserve!

New Orleans Design Awards Nomination Form
Nominations are due by July 23rd so take a few minutes and promote your favorite designer.

Designing your own Home Spa

Hey Guys, 
 
Everyone likes a trip to the spa but going weekly or even monthly can get expensive.  What if you had a spa in your very own home?  With small changes to your bathroom you can create a spa like atmosphere for you to relax in.  Opt for a lighter paint color for your walls.  Try pale blues, light mint greens, light grays, and of course a white or off white.  The same thing goes for the shower curtain.  A light colored canvas material looks amazing as a shower curtain and can brighten up your space.  Try to not clutter your bathroom with too many accessories on the walls and counter tops.  Large simple prints placed on your walls will help to soothe and relax.  Also to enhance some spa-like features, customize your shower with steam options and showerhead and wall and wall-mounted sprays, though always opt for the water-saving fixtures such as energy star products.  Warming drawers in the bathroom are becoming more and more popular these days.  With warming drawers you can get out of the shower and wrap a warm towel around your body just like you’re at your favorite spa.  Some items that help create an atmosphere resembling a home spa that we have in our showroom are the environmentally friendly potpourri by Hillhouse Naturals called Purify.  At Chet Pourciau Design we also sell Wild Cotton all natural bath salts and glycerin soaps which are created by Rain.  Some other great items from Belladonna are the bath salts, candles, and lotions by Elizabeth W in a lavender scent which helps relax and soothe you in your bath.  Light colored prints and accessories are also great for the bathroom such as this silver print from Source and the translucent glass dish from Dwell will add sense of serenity.  

Cheers

Chet

Achieve a Bohemian Look in Any Room

Bohemian-inspired rooms have a distinct draw, most likely thanks to the comfortable, lived-in vibe they give off. Fortunately, a Bohemian look is one of the easiest and least expensive styles to achieve, so use some of these décor tricks and create a new-old look!

Mix things up. Combine furniture pieces from different styles and periods. You can mix eclectic pieces to create a cohesive, rich look. Remember that each piece could stand out on its own, but instead you’re grouping them together to make an entire setting. In the photo shown to the left, the nightstand, chair, and chandelier are all statement pieces that would stand out on their own, but mixed together, they create a wonderfully Bohemian look!

Texture, texture, texture. Bohemian style is all about updating an old look, so embrace worn and weathered pieces, especially wood pieces. You can consider painting some pieces and stripping others. And of course, if you have exposed brick walls or wood floors, take advantage of these gems!

Get personal. Mix prints and patterns, depending on your personal favorites. If you want to create a well-traveled feel, use ethnic rugs, throws, and tapestries as shown in the photo below. If you feel more whimsical, opt for a canopy in the bedroom and add gilded and iron accents with mirrors, frames, lamps, and candlesticks. Also play with photographs, artwork, and books to incorporate your personal style.

Throw them off.  Get creative and add an element of surprise like we see with the mounted antlers in the photo above. You can also think of new ways to use old furniture pieces, such as this cabinet as a bathroom vanity. 

When trying to achieve a Bohemian effect, throw out the rulebook and keep in mind that changes can be just as subtle as adding new knobs to wooden drawers and adding Boho chic accessories!

Create your own art with these framed tile displays!

Check out these great knobs from Anthropologie

Summer Style

Guys,

Here are a few tips to help you lighten your home for summer, cause it's gonna be a scorcher. Green is the color for the summer, if you want to lighten things up, and adding a ceiling fan will help keeping your room light an airy. So keep your things light and airy and have a great summer.

Cheers

Chet

Designing with stripes

Guys,

Some may believe that when it comes to fashion, vertical stripes always appear to make someone look thinner than they already are. Well the same can be done with interior spaces. Vertical stripes on the wall may elongate the room and draw more attention to specific items. Stripes automatically create movement, energy, and a pattern in a room. If you are a little nervous about bold stripes on your wall start with some upholstered dining chairs that have a vibrant horizontal stripe on the seat. This draws the eye to the chairs and allows you to mix and match fabrics that may be in the color way of the stripes you used. However you stripe your space it will create a fresh and interesting outlook for you. Check it out below.

Cheers

Chet