Room Redo

Clearing the clutter from your home and office this spring can stop your ship of fortune from sinking, keep your wealth flowing, and help make your bank account recession-proof even in a troubled economy. When you clear your clutter, you open up space for wealth to flow. And whether that translates into a bigger salary, more clients, or more shopping bargains, the bottom line is a fatter bank account.

In Feng Shui, clutter represents postponed decisions and the inability to move forward. Think about that as you stare at the piles on paper on your desk, the unworn clothes in your closet, and the months of unread magazines in your family room. Since nothing new comes into your life until you make room for it, you need to clear out at least 25% of your clutter “collection” to make room for wealth.

Here is one simple way to do that. Take a good look at all of those things you have been keeping in your closets, your drawers, your spare room, your garage, your attic, your basement. If you can’t decide whether an object is clutter or a keeper, ask yourself these six questions:

1. Do I love it?

2. Do I need it?

3. Does it reflect who I am now in my life?

4. Does it have positive emotional attachment?

5. If it needs to be repaired am I willing to do it now?

6. If I moved tomorrow would I pay a mover to take it with me?

Did you answer “no” to any of these questions? If you did, the object is clutter and it’s time to move it out of your home or office.

In the south we are practically addicted to our ceiling fans and we are always looking to lower our air conditioning bills.  However, did you know you can be more comfortable and save money if you use your ceiling fans correctly?  Here’s how:

To get maximum comfort and energy savings, it is necessary to choose the correct size fan for a room. Blade span is the key. A fan that is too small or too big for your room may look awkward. A fan that is too small probably will not move enough air and a fan that is too big might overpower the room. We recommend the following:

Large Rooms – up to 225 square feet (15′ x 15′) and larger, use a fan with a blade span of 50 – 56″

Medium Room – up to 144 square feet (12′ x 12′) we recommend fans with blade spans of 42 – 44″

Small Rooms – up to 64 square feet (8′ x 8′) should use a fan with a 32″ blade span

Select the right direction during summer and winter for better heating and cooling. In winter, run your fan clockwise and in summer, counter clockwise.

Ceiling fans can provide year-round energy efficiency and savings.  A ceiling fan can save up to 40% on summer cooling costs, and during winter, it can move heat trapped near the ceiling back into the living area, reducing heating costs by up to 10%. This is especially valuable in rooms with high or vaulted ceilings. Savings will vary depending on local climate conditions and energy rates.

There are many new styles and functions now too so your fan can be elegant or sleek or just blend into the décor.  It will go a long way in making your home look and feel better.

It has crept up again, that one night of the year when women dream of the “perfect” date and men panic. Even if you are not sure what to do or maybe even with whom you want to celebrate, you can bring more romance into your environment through color and accessories.

In Feng Shui there are three colors that can activate your relationship area. Relationships can be business, social or romantic but for Valentine’s Day we will concentrate on love.

Use the following colors depending on your status:

RED- if you are in legally binding relationship like marriage or married, engaged with a set wedding date

PINK- if you are single and looking or dating

PEACH – if you are single and not looking for a relationship

Integrate the color into your bedding (pillows, throw, sheet sets), flowers, tableware (napkins, placemats) and wardrobe options.

We already discussed the BIG THREE design mistakes: over furnishing a room, clutter and disorganization and not paying attention to quantity versus quality. Once you have corrected those major issues, here are two tips that will make your spaces look fabulous. Improving in these two areas will give your rooms a polished and elegant look, no matter what your design style or your budget.

Hanging artwork too high – Hang art around 66″-72″ to the top of the piece from the floor. This is most visually appealing in a room with an eight-foot ceiling. There are exceptions when the art is very large or it is hanging above a large furniture piece. Also, many rooms are taller so you may have to raise the art in order to balance very high ceilings. Don’t hang art in a diagonal line. Instead group smaller pieces together to create one focal point.

Bad lighting - Have several light sources in a space, not just one overhead ceiling fixture. Incorporate floor and table lamps for reading. Hanging fixtures offer overall ambience and illumination. Track and recessed lighting provide accents for art and tasks. Today’s options are endless so attractive, quality lighting is available for nearly any room.