Room Redo

With the holidays upon us, it can be difficult to find time to deck our homes with holiday cheer. Follow these easy tips and you will have your halls in tip top shape in no time:

Stick with a color theme – Visit department or boutique stores for ideas so you can visualize and try arranging items before taking them home.

Add a little texture to the room – Use interesting decorative arrangements, pillows and throws. Try a hint of metallic shimmer to make the room feel warm and lavish.

In the dining room — Keep it simple with a centerpiece that blows everyone away. Use real flowers to add life to your table setting. Add a few fabulous ornaments and some evergreen to bring a little of the Christmas tree to the table.

Warm it up — Change lamp shades to warm colors and make the room richer. Placing metallic accessories under lamps help reflect light. Use lots of candles.
Showcase your family – No matter whether you’re traditional or modern, family photos in designer frames can add to your color scheme and they make it fun for everyone to peruse.

With the holidays in full swing, you may wonder how your Christmas tree will affect the Feng Shui in your home or apartment.  That’s a wise question to ask, since a Christmas tree — life chi, along with the wood element — will change the Feng Shui balance in a room. In addition, you’ll be adding a lot of electrical energy with Christmas lights, shiny balls and other brightly colored ornaments.

Yang Energy and Your Christmas Tree

The Christmas tree is yang energy.   Yang energy in the wealth sector of the home or in the center is a good thing — but too much of it can be overwhelming. During this time of year when many people feel rushed and stressed, too much visual and mental stimulation can add to anxiety levels.

Try to reduce the clutter and confusion by creating a simpler holiday style.  Consider a “less is more” theory and use a single color of lights.  You may even consider a themed tree with just a few colors for simplification.

Ornaments You Love

If you have a lot of ornaments you love, you may like the busy look of a multi-colored tree because it reminds you of your childhood.  Use care when selecting the ornaments for your tree and place only those that you love and that bring you joy when you look at them.
If ornaments carry negative memories or you just don’t like them anymore, donate them.  Evaluate Christmas ornaments as you do other objects in your home and be sure to either repair or discard broken decorations.

Keep a sense of balance in mind when you place and decorate your tree.  You’ll find it becomes a meaningful gathering space and a strong symbol of this happy season.

There comes a point when you simply can`t deny that winter has set in and your bright and pretty rooms might need a little cozying. Here are three ways to warm up your living areas:

1. Pay attention to color. We use color everywhere in our lives and it affects nearly everything we do. For the cooler months, darker, richer hues are ideal for creating a cozy, winter look in your living room. Rich browns, burgundies and aged metallic shades make it feel warmer inside. Add these hues economically with a few pillows, throws and holiday accents.

2. Use plenty of texture. Texture adds a lot of personality to a room. This is easily accomplished with the pillows and throws or perhaps a handmade ceramic bowl or oil painting.

3. Literally warm it up. If you have a fireplace, real or electric, use it! Keeping things cozy and warm with flames automatically makes the living room a place that feels like a retreat from the blustery world outside. If you don`t have a fireplace, you can create warmth and glow with candles.