Ask Five: Q&A with Mark Montano

Introducing a new series on my blog: Ask Five. Ask Five is where I will periodically do a quick 5 question “Q&A” with experts on design, arts & crafts, and “DIY.”


Photo: MarkMontano.com

Today’s Ask Five is with Mark Montano, host of TLC’s 10 Years Younger and designer on TLC’s While You Were Out. Mark started out as a fashion designer in NYC, and moved into writing when he became editor for Hearst Publications’ Cosmo Girl! Magazine. Mark is an author, designer, and TV host, and has published 10 books on crafts, home decor, and DIY projects. He is currently working on the tentatively titled book, “The Big A*$ Book of Bling.” Aside from his TLC gigs, he is also known for his work on My Celebrity Home (STYLE NETWORK), She’s Moving In (WE TV), The Tony Danza Show (ABC), and My Home 2.0 (FOX).
For more info about Mark, his books and other projects, check out his website: MarkMontano.com, and be sure to visit his blog. So many great ideas can be found there!

[A couple of Mark’s books]

Q&A:

What are the top 5 “must-have” crafting/DIY tools that you can’t live without?

Elmer’s Glue All, E-6000, Fiskars Scissors, Krylon Spray paint and X-Acto knives. Hands down they are always on my kitchen counter.

What are some tips for someone who wants to create their dream room on a tight budget?

Sew your own curtains and pillows. It’s the easiest thing you can do and it’s not as expensive or difficult as you might think. Next, paint your walls a color you LOVE and that you look good in. Use a flat paint because the color saturation is just better and it hides flaws in the wall. With a little time you can recreate a room for less than $150.

What is the best way for someone to incorporate trends into their decor without having to completely redecorate every time something goes out of style?

Pillows are the easiest way to incorporate fabric trends. Accent walls either painted or wall papered are a great way to add color or pattern (though some people are really afraid of an accent wall for some weird reason). A good thrift store re-do will also add some charm. I think the real key to decorating is comfort and buying what YOU like. Trends are overrated.

What is your favorite item that you’ve ever made (or transformed) for your own home?

A dresser that I painted bright yellow and covered in upholstery nails. It’s by my front door and houses all of my mail and sunglasses. I love it!

Mark’s Dresser

What is your advice on finding decorating inspiration for someone who doesn’t know where to start?

This may sound corny, but follow your heart. Stop trying to create something that isn’t you. We all have likes and dislikes. Go with your likes, pick two colors that match and one accent color and get the things you want in those colors. That’s the simplest way to decorate. The problem with trend is that eventually you’ll grow tired of it and want something new. I prefer to invest in things I will truly love for a very long time.

More From Mark: If you want some fun decor projects to spruce up what you already have, make sure to join my blog at MarkMontanoBlogs.Blogspot.com and grab The Big A$$ Book of Home Decor. It’s filled with funky ideas and just in case we don’t have the same taste, each project has a technique that you can use to create the rooms you want.

Thank you to Mark Montano for contributing to DIY On the Cheap!

[If you would like to be featured on a future Ask Five, contact me here.]