Home Expert Merri Cvetan | Amazing Goodwill Ask the Experts

" " " "

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 Mar 22, 2016 12:00:00 AM

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.

Posted by Jamie Klinger-Krebs on Apr 2, 2015 2:00:00 PM

Hop To It! Easter Dinner!

After a long, cold winter I’m so excited for spring! I’m also looking forward to Easter dinner with the family. I always volunteer to set the table, that way it gets me out of cooking. I’m really into indigo this month so instead of decorating with traditional spring colors like pink and green, I planned a table setting in blue.

All posts

Goodwill Home Décor Expert - Merri Cvetan

Set for Spring

Hop To It! Easter Dinner!