Eat Your Heart Out!
Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and offers a wonderful opportunity to include your children in this festive event. Here are a few simple heartfelt snacks that will make your little Valentine feel extra special.
Goodwill Home Décor 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
Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Feb 9, 2012 9:35:00 AM
Safari Valentine's Day Dinner
Serve up a romantic dinner for two this Valentine’s Day without a bit of red! Be adventurous- set a safari table.
Posted by
Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Feb 6, 2012 9:41:00 AM
Boxed In
If you’re like me, you take advantage of the cold winter weekends to get your house (and clutter) in order. Since I don’t have a lot of closet space, I’m always looking for ideas to organize my things in pretty and practical ways. If a decorative accessory can serve as storage, that’s even better.
Posted by
Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Jan 30, 2012 9:46:00 AM
Unclutter Your Home
Every January, many of us make resolutions. Some we keep, but most get broken by the end of the month. Here at Goodwill, our resolution for the New Year is to help you Live Amazing in 2012. For many people, reorganizing your home and eliminating clutter is a popular goal.
Posted by
Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Jan 24, 2012 9:52:00 AM
Upcycling: Transforming Old Frames Into Fashionable Trays
You’ll be hearing a lot in 2012 about a relatively new term called upcycling. Upcycling is converting a product or material into something more valuable by making it of higher quality or of higher environmental use.
Posted by
Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Jan 11, 2012 9:57:00 AM
Storage Solutions for Holiday Decor
Decorating for Christmas is a lot more fun than taking down the tree, safely storing your ornaments and finding a place to put everything until next year. When the time comes to dismantle your decorations and find closet space, try these storage solutions.
Posted by
Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Dec 28, 2011 10:00:00 AM
Ring in the New Year in Style
For many, holiday gifts have been opened and put away, but this week of celebration is far from over. If you're hosting a New Year's Eve party make it special and toast the new year with a bit of glam and bling.
