CHET CHAT

Rebuilding the city and community of New Orleans is a one step at a time process. Chet Chat is contributing to all aspects of the community in a big way. Each month non-profit organizations will be chosen to receive a one-room make over by Chet Pourciau and his design team.

There are so many facilities in our city that need our help in the rebuilding and renovation process of their buildings. Using only local stores and merchants, Chet Chat stimulates our local economy and gets the community involved. Each show the clients are interviewed about the space and asked what is needed to make it as useful as possible for that organization. As the process moves forward, the Chet Chat show uncovers the generosity of a community rallying up behind these organizations and many donations from local merchants are received. The experience and the journey each organization goes through are truly heartwarming and extraordinary.

Basing the team’s designs on the needs, functionality, and beauty of the space, Chet Chat unveils the beautiful transformation of the space at the end of each show. Rebuilding and believing in these vital organizations of New Orleans is what the Chet Chat show is all about.

Mardi Gras Ready

  

Carnival is already here and it’s time to start transforming your interior and exterior of your home.  Rex selected the official Mardio Gras colors in 1872.  The 1892 Rex Parade theme “Symbolism of Colors” gave meaning to the colors:  purple represents justice; green represents faith; and gold represents power.  Take these colors and adjust to fit in your interior.  You can keep the colors but change the tone.  Use colors in your home that is more subtle and subdued.  Keep Mardi Gras fresh and recent.

             Placing small glass accessories pieces around your home is an instant way to jazz it for Mardi Gras.  Jazz up your chandeliers in your home by stringing Mardi Gras beads on them. To transform your home create simple and easy looks with flowers. One way to do this is to use glass vases and fill them with colored water. Imagine yellow tulips in a vase filled with purple water or purple irises in a gold vase. In addition, you can fill a vase with branches that are spray painted green and yellow. Add glitter to the branches if you want it to be “sparkelicious.” This allows you to bring in the colors of Mardi Gras without being too obvious.

 Lighting is one of the most important and dramatic aspects that you can easily change in your home.  Replace your floodlights and outdoor lights with colored lights in purple, yellow, and green.  This will instantly change the mood of your home from the others on your block.  The dramatic colors will brighten up your Mardi Gras and your home will be a sight to see. Also, recycle those Christmas lights by placing them inside colored glass vases and then adding flowers to top it off.

A very special thanks to:


Brad and Dellwen Flags 2201 Magazine Street


Eclectic Homes 8211 Oak Street


Hove 824 Royal Street

New York Market

The past couple of weeks I have been at the New York market viewing the latest trends in interior and exterior home design.  I talk a lot about upcycling and recycling and apparently I have been on the right track.  The Green movement is now bigger than ever and is really utilized in accessories and designs I saw in New York.  Chandeliers made out of recycled bottles, rugs made from old ties, and also handmade pottery are just some of the Upcycled items that I saw and am going to talk about today.

Spring is in the air

Spring is in the air just by the change of our crazy New Orleans weather.  To pull us out of the dread of winter bright colors spring us into a new season.  Bright limes, pinks, and purples launch our imaginations and bring our interiors back to life.  Check out some of this great inspiration.

Valentine's Day

            Valentine’s Day is on Monday and if you are stressing over money issues then it’s time to resort to your creative side.  Instead of handing money over to the big corporations make all of your gifts and decorations yourself.  Make this a DIY Valentine’s Day.  To dress your interiors incorporate the color of 2011 honeysuckle and pair it with a vintage red, whites, and silvers.  Glass accessories in this color are always a great option to get into the Valentine’s Day spirit.  Valentine’s Day can really be all DIY when it comes to decorating and gifts.  Design your very own heart-inspired jewelry box using wrapping paper and ribbons.  To keep in the green fashion, give a seed starter as a gift this year.  Recycling the seeds to help the planet.   Create a heart shaped collage of pictures of you and your significant other on a wall in your home to show him or her how much you care.  Place small tea candles in red glasses to instantly set the mood.  For a romantic touch take out the original matting in some of your picture frames and replace it with decorative lace.  

Valentine's Day Inspiration

Valentine's Day is next Monday.  Here are some inspirational rooms that should get anyone in a loving mood:

A Rustic Vision

Combining modern design and rustic design is always visually pleasing.  The year 2011 is all about organic and clean visions.  Using the elements of nature incorporated with great design a new style is born.  Simple white and neutral wall colors combined with stone, brick, natural wood, and other elements added with a splash of color is emphasized in the photos below:  Become INSPIRED: