DIY Mardi Gras Deco Mesh Garland

Deco mesh is easy to work with, light weight and water proof. Deco mesh garlands are perfect for railings, around doors and along fireplace mantles. Follow the instructions below to make your own garland:

What you will need:

• 2 large rolls of 10 yd Deco Mesh (I used Mardi Gras colors for this garland)
• 1 Small roll of 10 yd Deco Mesh
• Wire
• Pipe cleaners 
• Scissors 

Join tables together so that you have a long work surface.

Unwind the wire and secure it on either side of the work surface. This makes the garland much easier to create. I secured the wire to a door handle and a chair.  

Use pipe cleaners that match the deco mesh in your garland. Cut the pipe cleaners in half.

Attach the pipe cleaners to the wire leaving a space of 12" between each pipe cleaner. 

Bunch and gather the deco mesh and twist the pipe cleaners to keep the mesh in place. Make sure you use the same amount of deco mesh for each bunch.

Continue forming puffs without cutting the deco mesh. 

Once you are done with the first color, you can start on the second.

Use the same process to create the second line of puffs. 

Now you can use the smaller size deco mesh to add a third layer.

Deco mesh will keep its shape if you secure it well.

Happy Mardi Gras!

Chet on Fox 8 - 5 Tips on How to Pick the Perfect Area Rug

Chet in Saint Charles Avenue Magazine - Feb 2014 Edition

Pops of Bright Color

Transform your home with bold color. Color can completely alter a room, whether you are painting an accent wall or simply adding pops of color with accessories. Check out the photos below for some striking color ideas.

Paint your Built Ins.

 The photo above is a great example of how you can use this year's IT color, Radiant Orchid. Mount colorful art to the outside of bookshelves to break up space and create a unique display.

Paint your Ceilings. 

If you are lucky enough to have high ceilings in your home, this is a great wall to emphasis and bring attention to them.

Paint an Old Piece of Furniture

Paint a traditional piece of furniture with a bold color to help it fit into a more modern room.

Make your Windows Pop.

Install bright window coverings to highlight the colors of nature outside your windows.

Modernize with a Mural 

A wall mural can be a fantastic way to show off your personality.

5 tips on how to update your bedroom

2014 Trend Radiant Orchid

Pantone Color Institute, the world’s leading color authority, recently named Radiant Orchid – which it described as “a captivating, magical, enigmatic purple” -- as the “it” hue for 2014. If you’re eager to add pops of Radiant Orchid or similar hues to your life, I wanted to post some inspirational home decor photos to get you pumped for this year's color

Mix different shades of purples with golds for a warm look

You can easily add a pop of Radiant Orchid with a blanket or throw.

Vases and flowers are the traditional way to bring in a color

Paint built in cabinets and add touches of bright orange for a bold look

Carrara Marble VS Quartz

There is nothing more striking or top of the line then Carrara Marble. Carrara comes in varying shades of whites and grays, making it extremely versatile. Unfortunately, the maintenance is too much work for some. Carrara requires sealing and polishing and it shows if you don't keep up!

Thankfully there are alternatives.  While not necessarily any cheaper than the real thing, quartz has recently become a popular alternative to  marble.

Quartz is a very hard material and can give you a natural stone look with consistent color and texture throughout the quartz countertop. Each slab looks the same, which helps minimize the visable seems that you will get in marble countertop installations. Quartz is easy to maintain and doesn’t require the annual sealing required by natural stone.

So if you are looking for a hard surface that is stunning; made to last; scratch resistant and non-porous, look no further! Consider Quartz.