Kendra from Raleigh, NC asks:

Q. I was so excited when I read your story in Black Enterprise. I became an instant fan!! Like you, I have a passion for both cooking and interior design. I wondered how could I fuse the two to make it work in the best way possible. You've seemed to master them both in such harmony. Your presentations are works of art. How do you make it work? What suggestions would you have for me? I am eclectic by nature. I have to feed my creative flow all the time..writing, art, cooking, design, etc..please tell me its not ADD (lol). Help!
A. I appreciate your enthusiastic response to the Black Enterprise Article. Doing multiple things is a catalyst for staying busy. It's a lie when people tell you that you can only do one thing well. You have God-given talents and the blessing of multiple passions. Don't be afraid to share your passions with others. Doing so will only allow them to grow. In sharing my joy of design and food, my friends told me when it was time to print some business cards and start to sell it. Remember that my design career is over twenty years old and my food career is five years old. I am still building and growing and I have surrounded myself with an awesome team of talented, like minded people.

My advice to you is, GO FOR IT! Never settle for less because people remember extraordinary. My interior and food design mantra is, "just when you think it's enough, do just a little bit more." Please feel free to keep me posted on your soaring career. Good luck!

 

Victor from Decatur,GA asks:

Q. I am searching for a bookshelf that uses compression poles do you know of any shelving systems that I may consider?
A. Thank you for your interest in Chez Montier and for contacting me. I must admit that I'm not familiar with that type of system, though I haven't done the research. However, that is how visionaries fill niches. If it doesn't exist and you can envision this system, call me and let's design it, file a patent and make some money!

Good luck in your search. If you do find a ready made system, please let me know. I'm always looking for great new products (HINT: Start with shower rods. They are pre-made compression poles).

 

Elizabeth from Owings Mills, Maryland asks:

Q. In one of your makeovers there is a beautiful painting on the wall of the bedroom showing a lady with a rolling pin and dough. Where can this painting be found or purchased?
A. Thank you for contacting me. You have a really great eye. This room and this piece is also one of my favorites. The artwork you are referring to is an original charcoal on paper called "Yo' Mary" by Charlie Newton of Chattanooga, TN. The painting depicts the Holy Spirit coming to Mary to let her know she was pregnant. This beloved piece is part of the collector's permanent collection and is not for sale.

Please let me know if there is anything else I can assist you with.

 

K'la from Virginia Beach, Va asks:

Q. I am interested in purchasing an entire collection of "good" quality cookware, which I can use for a long time to come. Do you have any suggestions for someone on a modest budget?
A. My recommendation is that you don't buy a whole line of pots but that you "lovingly" collect excellent quality pieces as your budget allows. This will ensure that instead of purchasing several low quality pieces that will not last and provide you the performance you need, you are buying one-time pieces that will serve you for a lifetime. The characteristics that I would look for are:

All metal so they can be put in the oven

Good weight

Comfortable, easy to grip handles and tops

Stainless steel (dishwasher friendly)

 

Sandra asks:

Q. Love listening to you and hearing about your food on the STEVE HARVEY morning show. I have the same problems with insufficient lighting in my home. What are light cans?
A. A lighting can is a bulb in a metal cylinder. There are two basic types of lighting cans. Lights that are recessed in the ceiling are called "recessed can lights" and require construction. However, the "up-light floor can" is a quick, easy lighting solution that allows you to create directional highlights from a plug in fixture resting on the floor. The best application is to "up-light" each corner of your room. Floor cans can be found at your local home center for as little as $10 a piece. Note that the bulb will cost you $10 as well but for an investment of $20 a piece, it is a worthwhile way to introduce sexy, accent lighting to your rooms. To take full advantage of creating the desired mood, add dimmers. This can work for every room of your house.

 

Patsy from Katy, Texas asks:

Q. What do I do about my mass of unattractive electrical cords?
A. Hide them by adding a surge protector that will allow you to organize the “Mass” of plugs out of sight, thus allowing only one plug into the wall to be visible.

 

Andre from New Jersey asks:

Q. Our loft is an entire floor of an old factory and is too large. How do we inexpensively cordon it off?
A. Anchor cotton duck fabric to the ceiling in panels and weigh the bottoms to the floor with a rod or pipe. Gang them together to create a wall.

 

Laura from Manhattan, New York asks:

Q. I have ’Puck’ style lights under my kitchen cabinets. The heat from them is so hot it melts my kids “Gummy Bear” vitamins. What do I do?
A. First add vent holes in the top of the cabinets to release the built up heat, then just add a dimmer to the light switch. Chances are that you won't need them full blast all the time.

 

Carol from Austin asks:

Q. Even though we put the brightest bulb we could find in our living room ceiling light, the room still feels dark. How can I make it feel brighter?
A. Light all the corners of the room. If you provide indirect light in the corners by using floor cans, you would not only brighten the room, but create a sexy environment as well.

Thank you
Juan H. Montier III
Montier Designs Inc.

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