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Goodwill Home Décor Expert - Merri Cvetan

Goodwill Home Decor Expert Merri Cvetan

I started my career as an interior designer when we finished remodeling our home that was built in the 1890s. I loved the space planning, choosing finishes and decorating every little inch. It was trial and error, and we made mistakes, but I learned a lot along the way. Along with being a learning process, working on our home was also a hands-on project. We did everything ourselves (actually, my husband Tom did all the building and heavy work, I did the fun stuff!). I’ve had the decorating bug ever since I was a little girl, but I wanted to know everything about design, so, as a result I returned to college (Mount Mary) for a second degree in Interior Design.

I’ve been collecting antiques and vintage furnishings forever. My favorite shopping places are flea markets, antique stores and of course, Goodwill. I love DIY projects and saving money by taking an object and re-purposing it into something beautiful and useful. I’m also an amateur photographer, love to travel and study French (J’adore tous ce qui est franҫais)!

Although I love to entertain, I’m not much of a cook. My party philosophy is "if the table looks fantastic, it doesn’t matter what you serve."

My weekly column for Amazing Goodwill and my design blog, Design Coach, are about all things design, living a stylish life and entertaining (like setting a great table). I share DIY projects, decorating and design tips, as well as ideas and secrets.

If you have a specific question for Merri, feel free to email her at askmerri@goodwillsew.com.

Follow Merri on Twitter and Pinterest!

Watch Merri on Windy City Live! ... See more videos featuring Merri (and more) on our AmazingGoodwill YouTube channel!


Posted by Merri Cvetan on Jul 13, 2017 4:28:49 PM

Batter Up!

Baseball season is in full swing. Whether you’re a fan of the pros, or cheer on a Little League team, there is always a celebration. Take your tailgate party to the next level with personalized dishes!

Posted by Merri Cvetan on Jul 7, 2017 2:14:22 PM

Interior Design Tips - Decorating A Shelf

Watch as Goodwill Home Décor Expert Merri Cvetan explains how to utilize a 3-D look to enhance your shelf displays.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on Jun 28, 2017 6:56:04 PM

Celebrating the 4th!

What three words describe the 4th of July? Fireworks, parades and picnics! It’s a holiday worth celebrating with a bang. For me the day starts with morning brunch for family and friends. One of the best things about setting a patriotic table is the fact that you can reuse red dishes from Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on Jun 20, 2017 12:00:00 AM

DIY Cork Trivet

Wisconsin might be a beer drinking state by tradition and history, but wine is having its moment here and across the country. (The French and Italians are saying “Finally!”) In fact, I found a bag of wine corks at Goodwill for a couple of bucks. Someone probably had intentions of making something with them, but gave up. That person’s loss is my gain!

Posted by Merri Cvetan on Jun 15, 2017 4:02:52 PM

Father’s Day Gift for the Grill Master

Father’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate your dad than to make something special. If your father is the king of the grill, then a denim apron is the perfect gift. After all, he probably wears jeans all the time.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on Jun 7, 2017 1:02:03 PM

Upcycling a What is it?

I love the challenge of repurposing or upcycling an object. This month I found something very unusual. Can you guess what it is? It’s a metal basket of sorts on a narrow stand with bent, hook-like prongs at the top. I love the graphic look of it and the shadows it creates. It’s a great conversation piece.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on May 30, 2017 10:07:33 AM

DIY Pet Toy

Don’t forget Spot and Fluffy this summer when you’re shopping at Goodwill! (Do people still give their pets traditional, old-fashioned names?)

This t-shirt pull toy is perfect for any active puppy or kitten. Since Goodwill is loaded with t-shirts; you can make one in every color of the rainbow. They’re machine washable and when they get too ratty, simply make a new one.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on May 25, 2017 9:46:33 AM

Patriotic Craft for Memorial Day

Memorial Day is more than a day off from work to enjoy a picnic with family and friends. It’s a day set aside to remember fallen soldiers and military personnel who sacrificed their lives to protect our freedoms. To help you observe this special day, I came up with a patriotic craft project that even the kids can do. A cutting board flag!

Posted by Merri Cvetan on May 19, 2017 4:06:12 PM

DIY Ceramic Garden Art

It’s almost summer vacation. If you’re like most moms and dads, you’ll be looking for simple DIY projects the kids can do. Garden sculptures are not only easy, but fun to create. What I love about ceramic art is they add color to the yard or wooded area.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on May 11, 2017 1:53:59 PM

2 Down: Mother’s Day

One of the best things about Mother’s Day (besides spending time with the family) is opening home-made gifts. When my kids were little, we spent time making something special for their grandmas. Presents from the kiddos are right up there with sticky kisses. This crossword puzzle/Scrabble picture can be made by children of any age and describes mom or grandma perfectly.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on May 3, 2017 5:04:36 PM

Celebrating the Mother-to-be: Nostalgic Baby Shower

One of the most fun parties to plan is a baby shower. Celebrating the mother-to-be is a happy event for family, friends and the new parents. Shower themes are certainly diverse and can be based on animals, stories or the gender of the baby. In fact, hosting a gender reveal party is the latest trend in announcing to the world the gender of the baby. I decided to go “old-school” and decorate a shower table with nostalgic, vintage toys.

Posted by Merri Cvetan on Apr 28, 2017 4:43:16 PM

Color(s) of the Year ~ 2017

Did you ever wonder why a particular color or shade is popular one year, and 12 months later we’re decorating and wearing something totally different? Pantone, the Color Institute along with paint manufactures choose a color they think will resonate with people during an upcoming year. According to Pantone, “ the color of the year is a snapshot of what we see taking place in our global culture that serves as an expression of a mood and an attitude.”