7 Painting Tricks

1. To avoid getting covered in paint, spray exposed skin with cooking spray. The paint should come right off-without scrubbing. This method is effective with latex or oil-based paints.

2. To neutralize the strong smell of any type of paint, add one tablespoon of vanilla extract (a natural deodorizer) per gallon. It won't affect the color of the paint.

3. To help paint stick to metal surfaces, dampen a sponge with vinegar and rub it over the surface to be painted.

4. To help paint stick to plastic surfaces, rub the surface with a used fabric-softener sheet.

5. To tint white paint, add a packet of powdered drink mix in the desired colored directly to paint.

6. To clean up spilled paint on carpeting, remove as much paint as possible with a paper towel. Cover the spill with a large amount of white flour, which will absorb the paint. Vacuum clean.

7. Clean paint off your hands with solid vegetable shortening. This technique is good for latex or oil-based paints

Guest Blogger Janie Glade of Old.New.Blue gives us her BEST AND WORST DRESSED FROM THE OSCARS

One of the highlights of the Academy Awards is the fashion. Which stars sparkled…and who fizzled on the red carpet? Here’s my list of this year’s best and worst dressed from the Oscars:

Best Dressed:

1. Charlize Theron – This actress looked Stunning in a white Christian Dior Couture gown.  The dress featured a deep-V bodice with a structured and embellished peplum shape. While keeping her neck bare, which only accentuated the cut of the dress, Charlize kept her jewelry classic and stunning.  She wore diamond post earrings and two diamond bracelets. My favorite look of the evening.

2.  Jessica Chastain - Jessica wore a Giorgio Armani Prive' flesh tone dress embellished with an overlay of swarovski crystals. The dress accentuated her naturally red hair, which she wore down in soft waves, perfectly.  Jessica accessorized with diamond earrings and a diamond bracelet from Harry Winston. Absolutely breathtaking!

3.  Naomi Watts - The best surprise of the evening.  Naomi wore a custom designed Giorgio Armini dress covered in pewter sequins. What makes this dress so spectacular is the contemporary cut-out at the bodice.  This dress is the perfect mix of Hollywood Glamour and Hollywood Sexy.  Naomi wore her hair in a messy updo which gave the structure of the dress a more casual feel.  The pewter color played perfectly against her blue eyes and soft pink lips. Gorgeous!

Worst Dressed:

1.  Brandy Glanville - What was that?  Brandi Glanville wore a self-designed dress from her "Brand B" line.  I did not think it would be possible to over kill sexy and sensual on the Red Carpet.  I stand corrected.  Ms. Glanville's dress is inappropriate for even the most liberal critic.  The bodice is to low and the slit is too high, it's so distracting that you don't pay attention to any other aspect of the dress.  Definitely done in poor taste.

2.  Helena Bonham Carter - I am usually a big fan of Vivianne Westwood, but one look at this frock and all I can say is Huh?  The black and white dress is poorly designed for Helena's shape and could not be less flattering.  Although, being honest Helena Bonham Carter isn't known for her fashion forwardness. You would think Vivianne Westwood would want to be better represented at a venue where the world is judging what the stars are wearing.  Definitely my pick for "oddest choice" of the evening.

3.  Melissa McCarthy -  Melissa make the worst dressed list last year!  Who is dressing this woman?  Her choice of a David Meister silver/grey gown left everyone wondering what she was thinking.  Now Melissa is a full figured women, but hanging cloth over a full figure with no structure is simply a bad idea.  Slapping sequins on an ill fitting dress doesn't make it better, it just makes it more noticeable.  For such a talented actress and beautiful woman, Melissa has the wrong people dressing her.  She should get in touch with Octavia Spencer's people. They do a much better job at celebrating the fuller figured woman.

Janie Glade is a New Orleans wedding coordinator and owner of Old.New.Blue, a wedding accessories boutique and gift shop located at 6117 Magazine Street.

Chet Featured on Nola.com

Check out this LINK where you will find an article about Chet on Nola.com! Chet will be on The Food Network show "Worst Cooks in America" which airs on February 17th at 8 pm CST

DIY Bacon Roses

If you know someone who LOVES bacon. This is the perfect Valentine's Day gift for them! Follow the instructions below to make your own bacon bouquet. 

What you will need:

• Thick cut bacon
• Aluminium foil
• Tooth picks
• Baking pan
• Oven
• Faux flowers

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Line a baking pan with aluminium foil

Make small cones with foil

Roll up bacon and rest in the cones.

Put bacon in preheated oven and bake about 45 minutes. You might have to bake longer - make sure the bacon is fully cooked.

Now you can start destroying the faux flowers you bought

Rip off the petals - the above photo is what you will be left with.

Insert a tooth pick into the end of the faux rose

Insert the bacon rose onto the tooth pick

Enjoy

Stripe It!!!!

Spring 2013 for fashion and home is all about black and white stripes. We love stripes here at Chet Pourciau Design because it brings movement and drama to a room. Stripes are also a universal print that can be used in anything and anywhere. From vase to walls stripes can be incorporated into your design very easily. Stripes can hide flaws in your interior however they can also change the space perception. Wider horizontal stripes make the room looks bigger. Using black and white stripes creates a high contrast between the stripes which creates a more complex and jazzy they look. Vertical thin stripes make the walls look taller. Stripes can be painted or found in wallpaper. If it’s too costly or difficult to do then it is better to stripes in fabrics and upholstery around the interior. Striped pillows, rugs, furniture, curtains, bowls, vases, bedding, plaids, coverlets, and even lighting can add boldness to your design. The great thing about black and white stripes is that it works with almost any scheme out there. Not all stripes are straight. Zebra print can add luxury touch to your interior design. Mirrors or mirrored furniture is great for stripes because of the reflected pattern creates a greater sense of depth.

Books, Books, and more books

While recently in a vintage and used book store the owner told me there are two two types of book lovers.  The first are voracious readers who always have a book with them and buy a new book before they finished with their current book.  The second are book collectors, people who love books because they are beautiful and remind them of certain times in their life.  Well I have a confession to make, I am a book collector who buys books for their beauty. I admire books for their beautiful covers and history.  I love to display them so I can see them each day. I uses books as props for coffee tables, nightstands, console tables and the list goes on. A collection of the right books can add to a design... Sounds crazy but trust me. The best place to get great books at the best prices is a vinatge/ used book store or often libraries will have sales of books they no longer wish to keep. One of my favorite book stores here in New Orleans is McKeown's Books at 4737 Tchoupitoulas St. In honor of all the book collectors out there, I've put together a compilation of my favorite libraries and bookshelves. Enjoy. 

Brass is Back!!!

Brass is back and bigger than ever. From the runways to the kitchen brass is big once again this season. Hear at Chet Pourciau Design we are loving brass. Dont be scared to mix brass with other forms of metals, this gives a layered and more updated current look. 

Leather Masks in the February issue of Gambit's Cue Publication

I'm excited to say that our leather masks (made by Nadia Ramadan of Chet Pourciau Design) are featured in the February issue of Gambit's Cue Publication!

Check out this LINK for more information or to learn how to make your own leather Mardi Gras mask.