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.

5 Tips to update your Bedroom

Swap out nightstand hardware 

Give your nightstands and dressers more personality and a different look.

Bring in textiles

Bring in a punch of color with decorative throws and pillows

Change out your mirror

If you have a matching furniture set, change out the mirror for a custom feel

Loose the overhead lighting. 

Overhead lighting often gives a room a harsh sterile feel. Instead, opt for floor, table lamps or sconces, which lend a softer, more flattering illumination.

Swap light bulbs 

Swap fluorescent and incandescent bulbs with vintage looking Edison bulbs

Chet Chat January 2014

5 Tips for Decorating Your First Home

Organize what you already own 



















Donate furniture and junk that will hinder the design in your new home. If you have a piece that is the wrong color, but you love, paint it or gold leaf it.


Start with the living room












This is where you will spend most of your awake hours and where you will entertain guests in your new home. If you are on a tight budget, start off with the basics. Choose paint colors

Invest in lighting

There are 3 types of lighting: ambient, task, and accent. Ambient lighting is used to help create a particular atmosphere or mood within a space.Task lighting typically refers to the higher level of light provided on work areas such as kitchen islands, countertops and desks. Accent lighting focuses light on an "accented object" or "area" or draws attention to a picture, vase or other focal point. 

Make it yours

Take time to think about what makes you and your partner unique. If you love to travel, make a gallery wall with pictures from your travels. If you love to watch movies, make sure to put up black out drapery in your living room. 

Fight the urge to match

There are a ton of stores where you can buy a ready living room, even with accessories. Retail stores love to sell things in sets. Focus on proportion, scale and balance of your furniture and accessories within each room

Mix and match patterns – tie everything together with color  

2014 Interior Design Trends

Watch an all new Chet Chat this Wednesday January 15th at 9pm. Design Time is about the new trends for 2014. Check out the photos below for a sneak preview.

Additional showings every Saturday at 5:30pm

Black and White Geometrics

Glamour 

Mixing metals 

 Navy Blue 

Colors of the 2014 - 

Benjamin Moore Breath of Fresh Air and Pantone Radiant Orchid  

Watch Chet on Yahoo Shine - Tool Free Storage Solutions

Check out this LINK to watch Chet on Yahoo Shine- Tool-Free Storage Solutions

http://shine.yahoo.com/team-mom/tool-free-storage-solutions-170437145.html#!osnni

Please share and let Yahoo know what you think!

You can also tweet Yahoo at @YahooEasyDoesIt , @ChetPourciau and the host Ereka @ErekaV. They would LOVE to hear from you 

A New Year, a New You!

Did you include home care in your New Year resolutions? Below are some home care resolutions you can be sure to keep!

Clear the Clutter

• Go room-by-room periodically clearing anything that you don't use, wear or love and donate it to charity. 
• Hide DVDs, remotes in decorative boxes. Also, hide shoes in bins,  
• Group similar items together on sleek trays.
• Clear your counters of everything you don't use on a daily basis

Make your home safe

• Check batteries on fire and carbon monoxide detectors
• Clean out dryer lint

Go green and save money

• Use less water
• Change out incandescent light bulbs with an energy saving florescent bulb.
• Turn off lights when you are not in the room
• Adjust A/C or heat when you leave the house
• Install low flow shower heads. Not only will you save money, you will be saving the environment!

Get your place ready for entertaining

• Decorate with plants and colorful pots, using accent colors in your home
• Display a colorful accent rug/throw pillows
• Rearrange furniture into conversation groups

Curb appeal

• Clean windows
• This is your home’s first impression.
• Plant low maintenance flowers
• Power wash walkways and home