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Quick and Easy Guide to Feng Shui

Thursday, November 10th, 2011

decoracion sala feng shui

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art of creating a harmonious, balanced environment. It is believed that with Feng Shui, you can maximize the positive energy in your home, and promote prosperity and good health. It’s not just some trendy Hollywood craze; it’s a very practical and compelling way to design your home. If you are interested in Feng Shui, there are some simple and easy ways to start. You don’t have to overhaul your entire house, just start by focusing on the design of one room at a time.

De-Clutter

One of the most important aspects of Feng Shui is that you don’t have too much stuff. Eliminating clutter is an easy way to achieve positive energy in your home. Too much stuff can create stress, but an environment with a minimal amount of stuff is more peaceful. Start by getting rid of the things you don’t need, including seldom-used furniture.

Fresh Air

Stale air can be bad for your health and your Feng Shui. Open your windows whenever possible to allow fresh air to flow freely through you home.

Live Plants

Keeping a few live plants in your home adds to the life force of your environment. Plants can be calming and beautiful, and they help purify the air.

Water

Japanese Garden

Water is one of the most important things in life. It keeps living things alive, and it is an ancient symbol of prosperity. Consider buying a small fountain for your home. The continuously moving water will bring peace and calm to a room.

Mirrors

It is well-known that adding a mirror to a room will help open it up and appear larger. It will also bring in light from other areas of your house. A mirror will instantly brighten up your space and increase the positive energy in it.

Colors

Color is very important in Feng Shui, and you can consider the meanings of different shades when choosing colors for the interior of your home. Green is a color for improving health and family life. Blue is for prosperity and good career growth. Yellow signifies happiness and joy and is often used in the kitchen. White is a good color for inspiring creativity, especially good in an artist’s studio, for example. In your bedroom, choose a color that is a skin tone, such as a shade of white or brown, to promote healthy sleep and rest.

Artwork

When you are selecting artwork or photographs for your home, be mindful of what you choose. You’ll want to select images that reflect the type of environment you want your home to be. Don’t post paintings of people who are sad, for example, or images of destruction. Hang only happy and comforting artwork that reflects the hope you have for your home and family.

If you are interested in Feng Shui, you can delve deeper. Many elements of good Feng Shui, for example, are based on the directions of the compass or the time you were born. But for anyone who just wants to promote the positive energy in their home, the guidelines listed above are easy ways to incorporate Feng Shui into your design elements.

Terry Ford delivers superior content across the web with a focus in topical and grammatical excellence. She leads the writing team at Grammarly, the most powerful grammar checker on the Web.

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Posted in interior design

Mix-Up Your Decor with Geometric Patterns

Monday, October 24th, 2011

Many decorating trends are fleeting—gone just as quickly as they appeared. While in the case of shag carpeting, this was probably a good thing, we are fortunate that there are some exceptions. One such exception is geometric patterns.

Geometric Bedroom

Geometric prints have been used in Indian and Southwestern decorations for decades, and more modern versions became especially popular in interior design in the 60s. Today, geometric prints and patterns can be used to add a contemporary touch to rooms using stylish geometric artwork or painting, rugs, and accessories. They can also be used to create a focal point in a more rustic space by way of Indian or Southwestern prints.

Because these patterns are typically bold and attention-grabbing, only a few pieces are necessary. So for decorators on a budget, geometrics are perfect way to spice up current design without breaking the bank! Read on for a few tips on how to incorporate the patterns into your décor.

1. Start Small

A little goes a long way with these bold patterns. So begin with a throw pillow or two in the living room and a few decorative plates in the kitchen. Be sure to maintain a balance when using geometrics. Mix classic shapes with the more modern style.

Geometric Patterns in Kitchen

Here, geometrics are used sparingly—in the stool cushions and in the stars above the sink. The clock offsets the sharp edges of the stars, while the cushion covers are bold, the white of the rest of the room keeps them from taking over (see tip #4).

2. Pick the Right Patterns

Some geometrics are easier than others to incorporate into design: hexagons, diamonds, stripes, and the Greek key pattern. Patterns with curves, like concentric circles or waves will keep things on the softer side. For example, a honeycomb throw or a zebra print rug will keep the décor from becoming too rigid.

3. Color Is Key

When incorporating geometric prints, be sure to pick colors that are in the same subtle color family to keep them from competing with one another. In a kitchen or bathroom this may mean picking your prints based on either your granite counter top or the cabinetry—whichever is more reserved in color. If you’re working with a busy print, color is especially important. Neutral colors will keep the pattern from taking over.

Geometric Rug

The zig-zag pattern in the rug works because it’s in the base colors—white and navy. Stick to the neutral colors (as opposed to the baby blue or yellow here) to keep your geometrics under control.

4. Stay Grounded

Geometric prints and patterns add flair and style, but may confuse your eyes if they’re all over the room. Use some solid color pieces to ground the patterns and keep the room from feeling too busy. Refer to the kitchen picture above for an example of this. The white counter tops, floor, and cabinetry provide the perfect backdrop for loud geometric prints.

5. Experiment

Bottom line, using geometric patterns is going to require some experimentation to learn what works in your space. Once you’ve mastered level one of geometric prints, try layering with different patterns, like floral. Stay within with your color palette and go wild!

Guest author Maggie Voelker is a fashion writer in Indianapolis for a discount sunglasses provider specializing in aviator glasses. A recent college graduate and apartment dweller (read: poor and under the control of a landlord), Maggie must restrict her interior designing to cutting pictures out of magazines and giving advice to readers.

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Posted in Design, Tips/Advice, home improvement

Building a Home Office for Successful Productivity

Friday, October 21st, 2011

window

Whether you’re working at home or furthering your career with online courses, your workspace is as important as the task at hand. With so many employees telecommuting, at home businesses starting up and students taking advantage of the convenience of online studies, the home office you once knew is a thing of the past. Today more emphasis is placed on proper and modern office design that promotes productivity. If you find yourself spending countless hours working or studying at home, consider your home office and decide if it is time for a modern makeover. Here are the latest home office trends that will offer style and productivity.

Lighting:

lighting

Before deciding on your home office remodel, you should first decide on the type of lighting you work better in. If natural light brings you to life, you will want to consider large modern windows giving you plenty of light to read and write in. Bay windows are a popular option as it also offers extra seating or work surfaces.

If you prefer artificial lights, you will want to consider your office layout. Recessed lighting is extremely popular and can light up various sections of the office. It is not suggested to work in softer light as it may cause fatigue and you will find yourself falling asleep and falling behind. If you are planning to use lighting and lamps but don’t want to give up the option of natural light, you may want to consider small windows with blinds or thick window dressing. This will allow you to use natural light when the feeling arises.

Storage:

storage

There never seems to be enough space, so when you remodel, be sure to take storage into consideration. It is important to stay organized when you are working or studying. Utilizing free wall space with built in shelves or modern storage cabinets will give you plenty of storage while keeping your new style. Office furniture with tucked away storage space is also a good way to get a few extra square feet to hold your books or files.

Noise:

There is nothing more distracting than noise. When you decide to remodel you may want to reduce outside noise in order to allow for concentration. Using absorbent materials inside the office and thick wall materials outside the office will reduce echo inside and noise outside. This will create a quiet environment with less interruptions and more productivity.

Color:

color

To some, correct color choices escape them. Many people choose colors they like rather than learning the science behind colors. Just like there is a reason why fast food restaurants use red in their advertising, certain colors spark certain feelings. If you are creating a space that will be used to work or study, you want to use a color that will spark creativity and energy. Bright and vibrant colors will help increase productivity as well as keep you energized to put in long hours.

Style:

We all have our own individual styles. Modern lines and cuts however, can help your productivity. Sharp corners and thin lines offer a professional and stylish feel that can keep your mind on work and studies. If you are more traditional you might find that the soft tones and curvy lines of antique style furniture will remind you more of a relaxing study rather than the productive office you need. With modern designs you can still find a style that meets your taste without compromising productivity.

There is a convenience to working and earning your degree at home. With no commute to the office or campus, you have more time in the day to be productive. However, without proper office design you may find that it is harder to get the results you hope for. Take into consideration the science behind home office design and you will find a space that is full of energy and creativity.

Terry Southerland is a career counselor and content contributor for thebestdegrees.org, a site providing lists of top degrees as well as rankings of colleges with the best accounting degree programs.

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Posted in Design, home improvement, remodeling

Using Granite in your Bathroom

Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Your bathroom is the room in your home where you go to relax, re-centre yourself, and go over the events of your day. Bathrooms of old were often loud and colourful in an attempt to distract from the functional aspect of these spaces, but modern designers are moving towards a simplification of the space, and one of the materials that they are increasingly drawn to using is granite. Here are three reasons why granite is perfect in the bathroom.

Your bathroom is the room in your home where you go to relax, re-centre yourself, and go over the events of your day. Bathrooms of old were often loud and colourful in an attempt to distract from the functional aspect of these spaces, but modern designers are moving towards a simplification of the space, and one of the materials that they are increasingly drawn to using is granite. Here are three reasons why granite is perfect in the bathroom.

Durability
Using stone furnishings in your bathroom makes sense on a number of design levels. Firstly, it is incredibly durable, and granite in particular is not likely to crumble or crack because of moisture damage. This sturdy stone is ideal for bathroom floors, tiling, shower floors, and shower tiling. The hardy rock is guaranteed to withstand any onslaught from the bathroom elements that in the past were responsible for so much unsightly damage.

Colour
Granite comes in an extraordinary array of colour variations, from the subtle to the extreme. Most shades are based in a very metallic grey, but seems of colour that range from black to blue are present upon closer inspection. This is ideal for the neutral palette that has accompanied the bathroom design revolution. Designers want to keep the bathroom as a clear, clean space that afford you privacy and comfort, and using granite as a soothing colour base, many designers will incorporate colours that will achieve this effect.

Feel
Granite is a very warm stone, despite its cooler, neutral colour, and this warmth is becoming popular with home owners across the globe. The soothing, smooth rock, which has enough textural variations to add depth, will add to a naturalistic, modern days in ways you would never have dreamed of. Even if you do not opt for granite tiles, a basin or countertop, or possibly a focus piece in granite, will automatically make you think of nature, as if your shower is a waterfall that you alone can access. This link between granite and rugged nature is a powerful draw card that contrasts nicely with many modern bathroom design trends.

Your bathroom is a sanctuary, and may be one of the few places in your home where you can be genuinely alone. Think about using granite if your bathroom needs a revamp – it will not let you down as a design choice.

This guest post was written by Victoria. She loves learning Canada FAQ such as about the finance in Canada.

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Posted in Bath Transformations

Granite Countertop Colors: Making A Beautiful Home

Thursday, January 7th, 2010
Some Granite Countertop Colors
Some Granite Countertop Colors

Choosing the right color is a crucial step in granite countertop installation. While having a granite countertop installed will inevitably add beauty to your home, the perfect color will help tie the room together. A good rule of thumb is to go with a color that contrasts well with the colors of the room in which the countertop is being installed.

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Design, Granite and Trend stone