Room Redo

Floors represent the energy of grounding and stability since they are part of the feng shui foundation of your home. For the kitchen, cork and wood are ideal for flooring and surfaces. This will create slow-moving chi and will promote a more peaceful environment.

In other areas of the home you can also use natural materials such as stone, wool carpeting, granite, marble, or slate. Natural materials tend to carry the chi energy more easily than synthetic materials.

For more information about Pamela O’Brien and Room Redo design services, please visit us at www.roomredo.com.

Size Counts. Advances in technology have now allowed porcelain tile to be produced in sizes as large as 24 by 36 or even larger. When using these larger tile formats, there are fewer grout lines, making the area appear larger, and requires less upkeep (grout joints are the most difficult part of the floor to keep clean).

Faux Floors. Manufacturers of porcelain stoneware are now able to print amazing images of stone and wood on the face of the tile bodies which is then pressed to have a textured finish. Now you can specify “wood” for the floors of your projects, even in locations with very hot and humid weather.

Mosaic Madness. There are a multitude of options when it comes to mosaic designs. Tiny, smooth river stones, glass tiles in rectangles, trapezoids, penny rounds and colors so vibrant you could call them “eye candy”. Metal mosaics engineered at a fraction of the weight of solid metal. Travertines, granites and limestones combined with materials such as glass or metal, all mesh-mounted and ready to enhance your walls.

Contracting. Don’t spoil a beautiful design project by skimping on installation expenses. Check a contractor’s reputation and track record, not just on the aesthetics of their work, but on timeliness, quality and safety.

The main entry of your home is very important in Feng Shui because it is through the main door that the house absorbs its Chi, or Feng Shui energy. You can accomplish this by the following:

Exterior

• Maintaining a clear path to your door, remove recycling bins, cracked old flower pots or dead plants
• Have a front door that is well maintained

Interior

• Create a strong, welcoming “landing space” for energy, such as with a side table with a small lamp or a big round table placed in the center of your hallway with a flower vase on top. If space is limited, place a nice rug with vibrant colors, beautiful art and perhaps wall color as a focal point

Most days are hectic, sometimes they’re not. Either way, your master bedroom should be your own private luxury suite. I am getting more and more calls for romantic French design and Swedish style rooms. My clients are enjoying gray walls, lots of white woodwork, limed and distressed woods and a few curves here and there.

This featured French Style bed is teamed with soft gray walls with cream accents throughout the room. Try adding a few soft metallic items such as a wrought and gilded round table next to the bed, or a large carved framed mirror to reflect the design of your space.

If you share a bedroom with a gentleman, you might   incorporate more Swedish design. Gustavian style generally blends some straight edges with curves and can make the room a little more tailored. I am a firm believer in the bedroom being a retreat for both parties.

However, let’s face it, at the end of the day, most all of us enjoy a little quiet romance.