Goodwill Home Décor Expert - Merri Cvetan

Set for Spring

This year I decided on an (almost) monochromatic color scheme for my Easter table. Maybe because winter is so long, gray and dreary I’m in the mood for fresh, clean colors. So, white and buttery-yellow are perfect for the transition of winter-into-spring. 

For the napkin ring, I twisted a 24-inch thick chenille stem around a folded napkin. Bend the ends so it resembles bunny ears. Since this is a traditional table setting, lay the napkin next to the fork on the right side of the plate.

Lucky Shamrock

We all celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, even those who aren’t Irish at all. It’s a great excuse for a party and to indulge in corn beef and cabbage. If you’re cooking for family on March 17, make place card party favors for everyone to take home. 

Vanity Fair

Do you ever have one of those days when you need a little “me” time? When the urge to pamper yourself is overwhelming? If time at the spa isn’t in the near future, try revamping your vanity. Make getting ready in the morning a special indulgence. 

In Bloom: DIY Decoupage Bowl

Spring is almost here; warm weather, green grass and flowers. Those of us who live in northern climates can’t wait for the snow to melt and temperatures to rise. While we’re (not so patiently) waiting, spring is an ideal time to get a head start on redecorating. Once the spring cleaning is finished, don’t you just love to rearrange furniture and accessories? I do! 

Chop-Cook-Eat!

Sometimes a DIY project is so simple, you want to make one for everyone you know. This personalized knife block would be the perfect wedding gift for the couples who like to cook.

It’s a Table! It’s a Seat!

When living in a small space like an efficiency apartment or dorm room, it’s important that furniture do double duty. You just can’t afford to waste valuable floor space. A perfect example is an end table that can also be used for extra seating.

I found this cute little vintage coffee table at Goodwill for less than $7. It’s sturdy, in good condition and has the added bonus of a second shelf. Pull up floor pillows and you have a game table or dinner for two. Put the pillow on top and you have a bench.

Love Chain

Valentine’s Day might be the day to celebrate love, but it’s also a good reason to decorate the house. If you live in the north, you’re still feet-deep in snow, so a little red will brighten things up.

I made a little heart garland to hang in the window, but it would be just as cute hung horizontally on the mantle.

Chinese New Year ~ 2016 Year of the Monkey

Chinese New Year, or Lunar New Year, falls on February 8th this year. People around the world will celebrate the year of the monkey with lantern parades, festivals and parties.

Shades of Light

Decorating a Winter Mantle

Last week I promised to show you how to decorate your mantle for winter. It’s usually the focal point of a room during the holidays. So, instead of bringing back a non-seasonal group of items, I chose to continue the winter theme with snowmen! I know a lot of you display your snowman collection during Christmas, but they really belong to winter (if you want to get technical).

Decorating for Winter

I think of January as a transition month when it comes to decorating. Christmas decorations are packed away so the house is virtually empty and dark. I miss all the Christmas lights and candles. But, it’s also a clean slate. Before I bring back the accessories I put away to make room for holiday décor, I like to decorate for winter. Spring is a long way off and since we’re stuck in the deep freeze for months, we might as well embrace it. At least from the indoors; I admit it, I’m a wimp when it comes to cold!

New Year’s (Decorating) Resolutions

If January had a definition in the dictionary, I bet it would say something like “the first month of the year when people go crazy making plans to lose weight, get in shape and improve their lives. Most fail!”