Memorial Day

This weekend is memorial weekend, which is usually spent relaxing with families and barbequing in the outdoors.  For those of us who will be spending time with friends and families in the backyard I have some wonderful ways to decorate your dinner table while celebrating Memorial Day.  One great way to decorate your outdoor dinner table is to make DIY pom poms that your can use as a into jars, cakes, or cupcakes.  Using bamboo and ribbon this instantly adds fun patriotic flare to the table.  A fun candy centerpiece is another great way to glam up your outdoor décor.  Using candy, a square of cellophane, twisty ties and skewers you instantly have an edible and incredible candy centerpiece that will be a unique focal point.  Lastly you can create your own star glasses and also use them as party favors for your guests.  Using a template and paint you can easily transform any glass or plastic cup into a memorable gift.  

EBONY MAGAZINE

I am so honored to have been able to give my input on the subject of MAN CAVES in the June issue of Ebony Magazine.  Starting on page 118 I talk a little bit about what are some necessary accessories and furniture and also some rules that you need to create your very own man cave.  Be sure and pick up the June issue of EBONY in stores now.  ENJOY!!!!

Chet Chat 5

Spacious Sectionals

Some many times room layouts do not work because of the obstructed traffic flow and lack of seating.  To fix this problem some of our favorite "to the trade" companies have come up with a wonderful solution.  THE SECTIONAL!  The sectional is a wonderful way to add more seating in smaller interior and incorporate a good traffic flow.  Also a good hint is instead of using a coffee table try and opt for using an ottoman in replace of that to allow more seating.  Sectionals come in all different shapes, sizes, colors, and styles.  Believe me there is one for everyone.  Here are some that intrigue me.

CPD featured in LONNY ONLINE MAGAZINE

I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful Monday Morning!  Check out the great write up on unique places to shop on Magazine Street!  We are so honored that CHET POURCIAU DESIGN was featured.

http://lonnymag.com/issues/28-may-june-2011-issue/pages/1#p31

Mixing Patterns Successfully

            Patterned sofas, pillows, rugs, and curtains are always fun and can be the inspiration behind an interior room design but the question is how do you mix patterns successfully?  Well I have some wonderful tips on how to multiple different patterns together in a room.  First try and start with a solid wall color.  It is always easier to work with a solid color because that way the patterns are not overwhelming in the room.  Also you never want things to be too matchy matchy such as having the same pattern of wallpaper on the sofa and the 2 side chairs.  Make sure you play with the scale of the patterns. Use a larger pattern on a sofa and use layer the sofa with pillows that incorporate a smaller pattern.  It is all about layering upon layering.  You want to make sure that the patterns don’t get visually lost in one another.  Using different scales of pattern creates movement in the room as well as balance.  An easy way to add smaller patterns is in throw pillows and seat cushions on chairs.  Save the larger and bolder patterns for sofas and rugs.  Try and keep all of your patterns in the same color intensity.  If you are using bold colors then stick with other patterns that use bold colors.  Personally I would not use bold colors and pastels together.  You want your room to flow.

http://www.chetpourciaudesign.com/chetchat/5_11.html

Bently's Great Finds

The main hot trend this spring is mixing the outdoors with the indoors and doing this with new and interesting items.  By using items like these, your interiors will become current and stylish also making it eclectic.  With this trend, it's also important to remember to be green and eco-friendly.  


My name is Bently Graham and I am a decorator and a friend of Chet Pourciau's and I am going to talk to you about a couple of wonderful products that will help you achieve these hot trends:


1.  Recycled Newspaper Pillows, Place mats, and trash cans- These make a great statement because they help the environment by being made with recycled newspaper.  The pictures on the items are usually pictures of natural things and of the outdoors.  So this adds a new way of bringing the idea of the outdoors in.  

Newsprint pillow

Newsprint placemat

Newsprint trash can

2.  My Drap-These linen napkins are a fun way to liven picnics and outdoor parties up. Instead of using paper napkins, these linen napkins add an indoor element to the exterior.  They come in all different colors, which can add to your party's theme.  

My drap linen napkin.  Available in various sizes and colors.

3.  Gold and Silver Books-These decorative books are made from recycled books.  The spine of the book has been covered in a metallic gold or silver finish.  These books give a glamorous statement while keeping in with the environmentally friendly aspect.

Gold recycled books

Silver recycled books

4.  Recycled Mirror-These recycled mirrors are made from found farm equipment.  This is not only an eco-friendly aspect, but it also keeps in with the aspect of being natural indoors with it's rust spots.  These would look great in any room adding a new design twist to your space.  

Mirrors

5.  Terrariums-These recycled glass terrariums are perfect for bringing the outdoors in.  Just fill them with air plants or anything else found in nature.  They add a fun and interesting element to any room.

Large Terrarium

Small hanging Terrarium

6.  Carve Vases-These vases are made from a stoneware.  The design on these vases have a texture that's found outside.  So, this is again keeping with bringing nature into your home.  

Curved Carve Vase

Carve Vase

All of these items may be purchased online at http://chet-pourciau-design.myshopify.com/ or at 

Chet Pourciau Design

3652 Magazine Street 

New Orleans, LA 70115

New Episode of Chet Chat

http://www.chetpourciaudesign.com/chetchat/5_11.html

DESIGNING WITH TECHNOLOGY

Almost everyone now days has a large flat screen television that takes up half of their wall space in their home.  We are going to show you how to cohesively livea and design around technology that isn’t always appealing to the eye.  An easy fix to blend in the large and sometimes unflattering television with your interior is to make it look like a picture.  Surround your tv with other portraits and framed pictures on your wall.  A brighter wall color also sometimes helps merge the two.  Larger accessory pieces such as vases and candleholders help to provide more a balance between the television and just a wall.  Adding shelving also eliminates the tv as being a focal point.  Hiding your speakers on shelves among other accessories pieces also helps out a lot.  Also these days keeping up with technology can almost be a fashion trend. Try and use interesting laptop covers and cases to hide your computer when you’re not using it.  

Mother's Day

Though we celebrate our mothers regularly here in the city of New Orleans, Mother’s Day is very special occasion.  Thought everyone likes material things this Mother’s Day give your mama some gifts that come straight from the heart.  Anyone can go out and purchase jewelry but it’s really special when you make your own gift for someone and today I have a lot of great and affordable DIY gifts for Mother’s Day.  First off to start her day right create your very own newspaper for your mom.  This is perfect for children to draw and decorate their newspapers and will add that personal touch that she is longing for.  This template is available at chetpourciaudesign.com.  Click on the blog and print it out.  Another great DIY gift is to create your own tassel bookmark for her.  Using colored cardstock cut out the shape and attach a small tassel using either hot glue or you can cut a hole and tie it off.  You can write sweet adjectives that describe your mom on the cardstock so that every time she is reading her favorite book she will think of you.  If your mom is handy and likes to sew create her very own sewing kit in a jar. With just a little retrofitting, an old-fashioned Mason jar can become a new sewing kit with a built-in pincushion on top. To begin, separate the lid's sealer and screw cap. Trace around sealer on cardboard. Using a compass, draw another circle on linen or cotton, 1 inch larger in diameter than the first. Cut out both circles; make cushion by placing batting between fabric and cardboard. Turn screw cap upside down, and apply hot glue to inside edge of rim; quickly press cushion into lid until cloth protrudes smoothly above screw cap's opening and cardboard is flush against rim. Apply hot glue around edge of cardboard, fold over excess fabric, and press down. Glue top of sealer to cardboard. Fill jar.

PATTERNED SPRING SOFAS

Large bold prints are in for interiors this spring but what are you thoughts on bold patterned sofas?  Patterns are great in the spring time when a lot of new color is blooming all around us. It helps us stay fresh, pristine, and interesting.  A great idea is to invest in a bold patterned sofa then create a neutral slipcover for that piece.  Here at CHET POURCIAU DESIGN we make custom slipcovers for any sofa.  All we need are the exact measurements and we can even help you pick out the fabric.  As for now here are some great pictures of some bold patterned sofas that will leave you grabbing at your computer screen!  

ENJOY!!!!