Tag Archives: feng shui

Home Decor: Chinese New Year: Year of the Rabbit decorating ideas

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After the tumultuous year of the Tiger this Chinese new year offers a tranquil and serene bunny as it’s “mascot”.  According to Chinese tradition, for feng shui purposes the rabbit is a metal symbol that coordinates with colors of purple, gold and metallic surfaces.  Is it just luck that purple is popular and that a tranquil pink color is the new color for 2011 or do those ancient Chinese scholars know something we don’t?  After all, turmoil and struggles seem to define the past couple of years so I say we are all due for something new.  To invite the influence of the Rabbit into your home you might want to use some of these ideas.  Who knows….it might work?!

  • Metallic surfaces have been popular for a while now.  Wallpapers and fabrics featuring a metallic sheen are available and brass has been making a comeback.  Switch out that tired old wooden coffee table for a pretty brass and glass table or add some brass lamps to your design.  Replace your dusty window coverings with a fabric that has a touch of shine or add some throw pillows to your current sofa.
  • There are so many shades of purple available; deep rich plum, pretty violet, saturated grape or a rich burgundy that has a purple tone to it.  These various shades make it possible for you to introduce purple into many different color schemes.  A simple purple vase or an entire accent wall painted purple–you choose the amount of purple you want to use.  Remember, it is supposed to be a lucky feng shui color this year.
  • Gold is another color that is recommended for this year of the rabbit.  As with purple, there are many shades of gold to choose from.  Again, introduce it in small doses as a casual throw on the back of a chair or paint an entire wall a rich golden tone.
  • Just for fun, add some rabbit accents.  Not too many!  How about a cute rabbit pillow tossed on a chair or a collection of rabbit figurines you have collected over the years?

  • How fun is this little rabbit pillow from www.velocityartanddesign.com?
    High Quality Photo

It is always fascinating to familiarize yourself with other cultures and to introduce just a touch of their customs into your own home.  So hop on out (sorry for the pun, couldn’t help myself) to the paint, fabric or home decor store and see what you can find to help you celebrate the year of the Rabbit.

Colors for Home Decorating: Pink

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I can hear all the men now “not in my house you don’t!” and women are thinking ” How lovely but my husband will never allow it.”  Pink in all its glorious shades has become very popular in home decorating, and for good reason.  Everyone looks good in pink so if you don’t wear it you might as well surround yourself with it in your home.

When we talk about pink we are not talking about little girl pink.  Shades can vary from bright in your face fuchsia to soft and romantic coral tones.  And when we talk about pink we are not suggesting that an entire room be decorated with pink fabric, paint and accessories.  Adding just a pop of this color can have real impact.  Don’t believe me?  Take a look at these suggestions and see if you might agree that this color can work in your home.

  • Coral is a beautiful shade of orangey pink and is a great compliment to masculine colors such as brown, grey and navy blue.  Choose a drapery fabric with a touch of coral in a den or library; he’ll never notice.
  • Deep magenta  warms up a room and looks great  as accent pillows on a black and white tweed sofa, for example.  Add contrasting welting to a pair of gray flannel club chairs for a sophisticated family room or master bedroom sitting area.
  • Certain shades of terracotta offer a hint of pink.  Team it with  the 2010 color of the year, turquoise, and you get a gender neutral southwestern combination that is relaxing and casual.
  • If the feng shui of a room is important to you pink is considered the color of love and found to be soothing and relaxing.  For feng shui purposes you do not have to use this shade in your paint and bedding but could simply place a bowl of beautiful rose quartz crystals on a table.
  • If your home was built in the 1940′s you may already be the proud owner of a pink and black tiled bathroom but don’t despair.  This is a very popular combination and looks great with black wrought iron accessories to tone down the pink or embrace the pink and highlight it with crisp white.

Wherever you choose to use this versatile color in your home just remember that real men decorate with pink!

Feng Shui and Window Treatments

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Just exactly what is feng shui (pronounced fung schway)?  Simply put, it is the ancient “science” of learning to live in harmony with our surroundings.  Where you place your furniture, what natural elements like water and earth are in the room and what colors you choose can all affect how you feel in a room.  Some even believe that certain areas of the room affect your finances, love life and health.  We all know that color and light can affect our moods so why not compass direction, window placement etc.  Can’t hurt to try it!

When it comes to interior decorating something as simple as your window treatments can make all the difference in how you and the room get along.  According to the principles of feng shui, for example, curtains should be open during the day and closed at night, they should hang to the floor in full and soft folds and should never be hung with plastic rings!  Pastel colors are best and it is important that you switch the curtains out for different seasons i.e. heavier fabrics for winter and lighter fabrics for spring and summer. Window shades and blinds should be made of natural materials like woven woods.

Color is important in feng shui decorating and is supposed to produce specific energies pertaining to the room.  In the bedroom if you are looking for love you will want to choose colors like pink and green; red in the dining room will keep people energized and ready to feast.  On the other hand, kitchens should use yellow and orange for a revitalizing energy and living rooms will benefit from a calm green.

Try a new color, add a plant and water feature and you just might find love and riches by simply redecorating your home.