Room Redo

As with every beautiful experience, it is good to record memories whether on paper, camera or small tokens. Record a few of your favorite holiday memories this Memorial Day and find a way to bring them into your space.

Pick up a few shells on the beach and incorporate them into your décor. Larger shells make great looking bookends or work as an accessory on a stack of books or decorative boxes. Smaller ones can be scattered on a tray or added to a potted plant for a coastal update. Buy a package of very small shells at a souvenir store or craft store and glue them to a picture frame. Fill it with a favorite holiday photo.

Purchase an orchid while shopping for cook-out supplies and use it as a simple centerpiece on your kitchen, dining or coffee table. Keep a fresh bouquet of herbs on your counter to use and enjoy over the long weekend.

The simple pleasures of a few days off in anticipation of summer are a nice counterpoint to busy days. Slow down and enjoy a bit of nature in your home and in your spirit.

Our sophisticated baby boomers know a lot about design. They want beautiful finishes in their homes that are easily maintained. Hard surface flooring and smooth surfaces on countertops are preferred.

Boomers want to relax and not be worried about repairing and replacing things. They want to do it right and not do it twice. One story homes, airy lofts, and stylish spaces with pedestrian access to grocery stores, restaurants, theaters and coffee shops is a bonus.

The majority have a “me-centric” vision with little interest in catering to their kids or aging parents’ needs, though many happily make exceptions for grandchildren. Baby boomers are intent on renewing their spaces to reflect their own renewed outlook on life and to enjoy their homes.

The fire element of Feng Shui provides dynamic enthusiasm, desire and passion as well as joy, laughter and love. Summer is a GREAT time of year to take action on all of those dreams and goals. At work, you can focus on sales, marketing, advertising and public relations. At home, you might be tempted by travel and romance! A person with a healthy fire element will feel happy, compassionate, light and playful.

Find your fire area, which is the back center area of your home, office, or desk. By adding Feng Shui friendly elements, you can become more visible to others, enhance your reputation, improve marketing, make more sales and enjoy improved public relations.

Here are a few easy ways to light up the fire in your home or office:

Paint the room red or perhaps just an accent wall.

Use red, gold or wooden decorative items, including items that represent animals (art, animal print fabric, leather).

Add fire by using candles, lights, and electronic media.

Select decorative items or art that are oriented upwards and contain motifs like arrows, mountain peak and pyramids.

Now that the peak of baby boomers are turning 50, they are creating a new model of adulthood and a new emphasis in their home decor.

Boomers like to be different with eclectic pieces, including items picked up during travel. Worldly boomers want guests to know where their furnishings originated.

Not keeping up with the Joneses is how boomers are keeping up, i.e., by being different. Style-defining color from relaxed neutrals to energetic (and retro) orange and lime green and shades of red and yellow are boomer favorites that cross state and style lines.

This generation wants upscale living with less complication, and they want their homes to be manageable, temperate, affordable, flexible and accessible with the option of aging in place.