- Here’s a good one that I saw around the holidays, and it’s a great space saver as well! We all know that there are storage containers for wrapping paper, and if you have a room big enough in your home where you can wrap gifts and do other crafty things, that’s great! But for those of us in smaller spaces with limited storage options, this one is simply brilliant! Just use wire to make a space to store gift wrap rolls against the ceiling, rather than cluttering up the floor or shelves. It’s an easy, inexpensive fix and you avoided having to buy yet another odd shaped storage bin!

- If you have kids then it’s likely you bake cupcakes for various events, like school, games or other local community gatherings. But when you’re making mass quanities of the scrumptious little morsels, do you have enough carriers to store them in for transport? No? Then try this: make an instant cupcake carrier by cutting crosses into a box lid! Use any box lid, like a shoe box or paper carton box. So long as it’s strong and you can cut it, a box lid is an easy and FREE way to safely get your cakes where they need to go! Who needs all those plastic carrying tray?

- This is an idea that I should’ve included in my Vacation Organization blog because it’s the perfect solution for every time you pack your bags for vacation or work travel. Shoes are hard to work with only because when you’re putting them in your luggage they’re most likely to be the one thing that hasn’t been freshly laundered, so it’s very likely you run the risk of getting shoe dirt on your clean clothes. Why not utilize one of the free perks provided by your hotel: store your shoes inside shower caps to stop dirty soles rubbing on your clothes. This is a brilliant and one of the easiest clever ideas I’ve seen in ages. I’ve definitely incorporated this trick into my travels!

- I really love this one because it’s an idea born outside the box! If you look under your kitchen sink, you’ll see a cluttered mess of cleaning supplies and spray bottles, taking up more floor space than you have available. You’ll also notice that you have a certain degree of open air space above the cleaning supplies, doing nothing but, well, not being used. So why not use it? Simply install a tension rod from side to side under your sink to hang your spray bottles. It’s a great use of the empty space and frees up the floor space to better organize the other cleaning supplies for easier access. Simply genius!

It’s so cool to have so many great ideas to work with – I love trying them out myself, or seeing how my friends have executed the idea; it’s important that I apply the practical application of the concept if I’m going to share and endorse an idea. And I have to tell you, these are pretty darn simple – and have been tested! But really, when you think about it that’s just what makes a Clever Idea so great: it’s simplicity. If the intent is to make things better, or easier, or more organized but it takes a great deal of labor and time to execute it, it’s unlikely anyone will want to try it out themselves. If you’ve discovered something that’s just the bee’s knees of Clever Ideas and want the world to know what you found out and how you do it, send me an email and share how you utilized it in your life and home environment; just use the Share Your Thoughts window at the bottom of this blog, or the Contact Us link here, or simply click the email icon to the right. Go have fun, be smart and clever, and let me know what you come up with for MORE Clever Ideas! Chat more soon!

It’s easy to get intimidated by pattern. I know I can be, and I have experience working with such, so I only imagine what the average person must feel when they are trying to determine the pros or cons of incorporating a pattern into their look. Patterns can make a room come to life or kill it with TMI (too much information) overload. Patterns create subtlety in a decor scheme, or can fool the eye when worn. The important thing to consider is that the pattern has to look right for you in order to achieve the purpose you have in mind. Thus, not every pattern you wear or decorate with will fit that bill. For me, personally, I try not to mix patterns that are so vastly different from another that they create discord, garnering attention you DON’T want… like funny stares or questionable comments. One must be careful – and very conscious – of the patterns being chosen so as not to make such a mistake. The rule of thumb is K.I.S.S.: Keep It Simple, Stupid (noting that the ‘stupid’ is meant as levity, not disparagingly). The simpler, the better, and the more subtle and accepting the overall look will seem.

Better Homes & Gardens outlined it pretty well with theses simple ideas when it comes to decorating your home:

- Coordinated groups of fabrics and wall coverings can make it simple to combine two or more patterns. But even if you do it yourself, remember that by varying the scale of your patterns, you can combine them with confidence.

- Start with an existing carpet, wallpaper, or paint color. If you have nothing to start with, then search first for a favorite fabric to anchor your overall color scheme. In this room a medium-size floral pattern was selected for the bed.

- As a general rule, a good mix includes a small-, a medium-, and a large-scale pattern. Ideally, each pattern or the fabric’s color should be repeated at least once in the room through either fabric (like pillows or window dressing) or accessories (art or rugs).

- Mixing various types of patterns is a good way to get started. Think florals with stripes and checks. Start off mixing small amounts and see what combinations work for you.

- Be careful with pattern on the walls. Before you buy wallpaper or do a paint technique, always look at it from a distance of at least ten feet so you’ll have an idea how the pattern will look in a room. Because the first rule of thumb is to vary the scale, any wallpaper used on the wall should be stepped down in size from a pattern on upholstery or bedding.

- Don’t feel compelled to match colors perfectly. Choose colors that blend beautifully, and when set on the same neutral background, make the mix even more eye-pleasing. The bottom line: Make sure all of your patterns have at least one color that is similar, even if it is a background or neutral.

- Finally, in a room with multiple patterns, make sure there’s a place for the eye to rest. It could be as small as the lacy white pillow nestled into the chair. The pillow, poster, and other white accents also help separate and highlight the patterns.

So how would one be able to take these approaches to pattern and apply them to what you wear? Is it so different from decorating your home, or are there other things to consider when one wears patterns versus when one decorates with them? The folks at eHow.com show came up with some simple rules with regard to mixing fashion patterns, and I’d have to agree with their practice. One of the hottest fashion trends is to mix clothing patterns, a trend that opens up your wardrobe to dozens of new possibilities, provided you do the choosing right. You want to mix clothing patterns for an overall finished look not one that appears you got dressed in the dark. Here’s what they have to say about mixing clothing patterns with style.

- Stay in the same color family. You want your patterns to have the same overall hue with certain colors found in each. Brown and orange plaid can work with a brown and orange floral design but will not work with pink and green roses.

- Vary the pattern sizes. If your plaid happens to be large and loud, pair it with something that has a delicate pattern, like tiny roses with minuscule vines.

- Play with polka dots. Polka dots are an easy choice to mix, since they are not bogged down with a lot of details and can mesh well with a variety of other patterns.

- Make sure at least one item is tailored. Unless you want to end up looking like a giant drapery factory, choose a form-fitting blouse with a flowing skirt. Or go for a pencil skirt with a boxy top.

- Accessorize. Patterns don’t have to be limited to tops and bottoms. You can mix more subtly with a scarf, shoes, hat or belt that plays on the patterns you’ve chosen.

- Be scant with jewelry. Since your clothing is already making a bold statement, keep the jewelry simple and minimalistic. Do not wear giant baubles on top of two wild patterns or you could easily resemble a thrift store bin.

As you can see, the ideas and concepts aren’t too far off between decor and fashion. By adding a pattern with pillows or window dressing to your room, or a scarf or tie to your wardrobe, the possibilities for creativity are nearly endless. And best of all, you will have created a living space with that ‘wow factor’ in a comfortable setting, or increased the usability of your clothes by mixing and matching a few pieces you hadn’t considered. Now it’s up to you to see what you can do with your room and closet. See what you can create by following these few, simple techniques above. I bet you’ll get that POP you always wanted, all with pattern!

I first begin my research by visiting the various websites that carry well-made, quality outdoor furniture: Crate & Barrel, CB2, Room & Board, Macy’s, Target, Lowe’s, Home Depot, and the like. There are many stores and online sites that carry great products, so be sure you do all your research for the items you like best ad narrow your options from there. You must take into consideration that what you’re investing in should last you several seasons, or more if you store your items indoor during the Winter months. Investing in cheap, plastic items means you’ll be investing in them every year, replacing the bad and damaged ones annually as they aren’t meant to last; they’re just meant to be affordable (and I think many of them look cheap and unattractive, so I avoid recommending them). Another consideration is the actual space itself: make sure you measure the square footage and floor plan to accommodate the right sized pieces, and number of pieces, to meet your specific needs.

Many mass-produced items can have flaws and errors inherent in their manufacturing process; be mindful to inspect the pieces, if you are able to, before you buy them. If you are buying online, be sure to get information on return policies and the cost for return shipping as some companies charge an additional fee to return large items like these. If what you’re wishing to purchase is made mostly of powered coated or other metal with a weather resistant coating, make sure you inspect every inch of each piece, including areas that bend or connect to other cross bars or pieces. More often than not those joints and connectors can be the first to deteriorate over time. Once an integral support bar or joint corrodes, that’s pretty much the end of the lifespan for that item. If you purchase pieces and later have doubts as to the quality of the connection welds, you can always spray them with a waterproofing clear shellac that will closely match the finish of the furniture, whether it’s matte or glossy. That little added protection will also give you peace of mind, and added longevity to your investment.

Fabric plays an important part in your acquisition as well, and not just the color or design you choose. The fabric that you choose should be water resistant and fade resistant, two major elements that will break down the material – and inner cushion and batting – in no time. If you have to spend a little more for a higher quality fabric that includes a water resistant and fade resistant coating for your new seating arrangement, it’s probably a good investment. Think about it in terms of NOT having to replace them the next year or two – or more. Sometimes that initial upfront investment is worth every penny you reap down the road as you enjoy your furniture for an extended time. How many times have you or someone you know purchased cheap outdoor pillows just because they were inexpensive but wound up replacing them the following year? By investing in good quality with these attributes you’re more likely to get years of wear and enjoyment from them. And this same principle applies to the fabric of an umbrella if that’s the comfort and aesthetic you’re going for; in this case having the fabric be water resistant and fade resistant is even more important as the open umbrella takes the brunt of the weather conditions, more so than your cushions.

After you’ve selected your outdoor furniture to build an experience around, accessorizing the space is the final touch – and the most fun! By selecting items like lighting (fairly lights, candle lamps, strings of paper lanterns, or whatever look you desire), and table top components (dining sets, beverage glasses, small decorative pieces, and so on) will make the space come to life, adding a degree of personality, thrill, delight and magic to your newly decorated space. Should your space accommodate it, find an appropriate outdoor rug to ground and pull the area together, tying the space into a cohesive look as a main outdoor living space, just as you would do in your indoor living room with your couch, chair(s) and table(s). As the sun sets, and friends and family gather around for an evening of food and drinks, good conversation and memories in the making, you’ll appreciate the attention to details you put into selecting just the right, complimentary pieces for your outdoor enjoyment. If you can include a few floor accessories, like larger plant stands with lush, easily maintained plants, along with a few additional pieces of convenience, like occasional tables and chairs, you’ll see that your space now feels like you could live there, year ’round. And you’ll embrace the indoor out!

The office work space has always been a certain structure, a varying degree of the same set up anywhere you go. Most companies have the old-school set up of individual offices, big desks, filing cabinets, etc. In some larger organizations they’re more cubicle friendly – think Dilbert, the cartoon strip. In some forward thinking companies there’s the no-walls office, that whole “tech style” of doing business, a very open space where you are in close, and constant, proximity to your fellow work mate. But there’s a shift in the paradigm of the office structure, a new way of getting work done: the no-desk office, where you just grab a chair, or room, anywhere you can. This shift is a definite evolution on the mind set of how we relate to our space and how we better utilize it with less physical office. Some say this is the future of good workspace.

The “open range” floor plan isn’t new, but is becoming more popular as companies seek ways of cutting costs, i.e., rent per square foot for the space used. In some cases, these offices are used as mobile work stations by a wide range of workers; they’re often called hotel spaces that are reserved ahead of time and is a smart use of space when you have a more mobile workforce. Conversely, it’s not the best arrangement for a work environment such as a call centers. But like all things in life there needs to be a balance since some jobs require independence, others collaboration, and the spaces we occupy should reflect those needs. Conceptually, these “Open range” floor plans are intended to create collaborative work productivity and decrease the amount of virtual communication by being able to actually talk to someone face to face. I’ve seen it in action with my marketing team, who has an office that’s all “open range” with one conference room for client meetings. And having seen it first hand, I know it works well for this small group of people. But is it for everyone, for every office environment?

One person referenced this floor plan as “Activity Based Workspace”, where different people have different work space needs based on the nature of the work they perform, and how mobile they are. He stated that the days of generic “one type fits all” work space standards, monolithically applied across many different user groups, are passing quickly as businesses realize that such solutions poorly respond to the full range and diversity of employee work styles and attendant infrastructure support requirements (social, technological, spatial). As technology enables an increasing number of people to perform their work anywhere, anytime, on any device, the trend is persistent and will only accelerate going forward. This new reality insists that the workplace – both its purpose and design – be reimagined, and that companies become much better at assessing the varied needs of their employees in order to allocate appropriate resources.

Without assigned desks, employees may get storage lockers to store their various files work related supplies. Spots can be reserved in advance or snagged on a first-come, first-served basis, depending on company policy. But the new configurations also have brought some unexpected benefits — from encouraging workers to collaborate to reducing internal email (in one study email traffic dropped by more than 50%, while decision making accelerated by some 25% because workers were able to meet informally instead of volleying emails from offices and cubes), a benefit intended to spur creativity and save money by doing away with traditional office space. Studies show traditional office space has a utilization rate of just 50% due to sick days, vacations and travel, which doesn’t count wasted drawer space holding stacks of old paperwork, cookware, shoes and extraneous personal items. Though most workers in the studies adapted to their new work environment, some didn’t felt they had lost some of their identity in the office because they weren’t able to personalize their space. Other stated they felt less organized, that they had to unpack everything every day and recreate some semblance of their space before they get started.

So now perhaps the question is not “should we do this?” but “how do we do it right?” Some companies don’t fully understand the malleable nature of work and often rush to employ certain work space trends simply to cut real estate costs – without much regard for the resulting impact on business performance or employee satisfaction. And other companies truly do understand the concept and execute well by attacking new ways of working not as a problem but as an opportunity. They are able to connect the dots between work effectiveness and work space allocation, understanding different people have different mobility profiles, different needs for collaboration or concentration, different resource requirements. The result is that they design for these differences, and that’s the kind of company most people choose to work for. I know that for me it’s the kind of company that, were I to work for them, I’d feel they had good financial sense and a future forward thinking for how to effectively and efficiently use space and planning to encourage productivity and collaboration. So take a moment, those of you with office jobs, and observe the arrangement in your work environment. Do traditional office and cubicle meet your needs, or do you feel you could benefit from an “open range” environment? Write in an share your thoughts! Talk to you soon!

First, I’m going to start with the obvious: ME! Or I should say, ReDo, as one of your resources. I write about of lot of things, subject matter covering design, decor, decluttering, organization, helpful hints and tips, self improvement… you name it! I try to draw upon my own life experiences and past projects to come up with reasonable solutions to common problems. But how do you think I get additional information I need on subject, some extra bits of knowledge to add to my own? I do what most people do, I research what I’m writing, either through talking with friends, networking with other professionals, or, more often, on the internet. When I want to find out something more about a color trend, or a paint technique, or even a better way to organize files, I’m searching Google for that. A friend of mine calls Google “The Oracle” because Google knows all, and after all my experience using it, I’d have to agree. Just by typing my query into the search bar, as though asking a question, I tend to find the answers I’m seeking relatively quickly and best of all, easily.

In a recent blog I wrote about being interviewed by Town & Style Magazine for an article on organization. For the article I was asked to be a ‘source’ of info on this subject matter as I’ve had plenty of experience in this arena. The article was published this week (here’s the link to the Adobe Flash Player version of the magazine with the article on page 36, “Resolutions Get Organized!”), and it references the information I spoke of in my previous blog posting. This is a great example of doing your internet research for information on how to prepare for organizing, or facing some of the difficulties you may not have considered. With the vast amount of knowledge and information out there, you’re bound to find something useful on the web, all by conducting a few simple searches. And the best part is that all this information is free – all it costs you is a little bit of time and effort, along with some passion for your project. I think those are pretty good odds for you finding an answer to any question!

The web is an amazing resource for any type of project, whether it’s home improvement, cooking a dish that’s new to you, or finding out more about any topic of interest. If you want to know more, or have a question, just Google it. That’s what I did when I wrote my three part series on Feng Shui. I’d had a little bit of knowledge on the matter, but wanted to know more about the history and the various aspects of utilizing it with design and decor. So I sat down and asked Google my questions and soon enough I had more than enough resource material to write a blog on it – and not just one blog, but three! The content of my research was so in-depth and intense that writing a single posting wasn’t feasible – it couldn’t contain all the information I’d gathered, wrote and edited, so I was able to take the one subject matter and break it into three sections. I was super happy with the results, as were those who wrote in about it. The point I wish to stress is that the web helped me with my research in finding answers on how to do something, and the end result was a smashing success.

Whether your passions are geared toward design and decor, or organization and staging, or for any other subject that strikes your fancy, the web is a great source for feeding your passion and perhaps creating more hunger for knowledge and learning. Searching the web for content (and searching sites like ReDo) for your queries will inevitably help you find what you’re looking for. So why don’t you take a look at your list of projects lining up, and see if you can get more information on it from searching the web. At least you’ll learn a little more than you knew when you started! And that’s a valuable resource you can share with someone else!

First, you really DO need to have a buyer’s and real estate agent’s perspective on the visual appeal, which is why it’s best to have a third party – like ReDo – to help point out the small things that are noticeable. We’re not talking about viewing the home for sale from a major repair or renovation point of view; no, that’s the kind of thing that should be kept up on at all times, the home maintenance and DIY. These are the little things, the tiny yet noticeable omissions or inclusions that catch the eye, making it pause just long enough to ponder ‘why’ that particular thing is the way it is. It takes the attention away from everything else that’s NOT wrong or out of place and creates an unnecessary focus on an unimportant item in your home.

Second, look at your paint job in each room, starting with the baseboards all the way up to the ceiling and including your window and door frames. Are there any chips or missing paint sections in the trim or boards? If so, I guarantee you the prospective buyer will notice such things and add them to the list of concerns they don’t want to deal with when purchasing a new home. Be sure to take the time to freshen the paint in each room and, if necessary, add a coat to the ceiling as well to brighten up the space. If you’re like many do-it-yourselfers, you probably did the paint job when you had a free weekend and you may not have done the best job you could do. Take note of the areas that need extra paint attention and diligently correct the problems before the open house starts.

Third, which is just an additional note to the above Second point, is that if you are refreshing your paint in each room, and you’re using different colors on various walls and ceiling, be sure to tape off and make the corners where your different colors meet crisp and clean. Bleed marks and overlapping paint mistakes, no matter how small, are still noticeable. Taping off the areas to create a smooth, clean transition from one color to the next looks professional and well maintained; use a small artist’s brush with a flat tip to cover up the bleed without the possibility of making a bigger mess of things. The right tool for the right job!

Fourth, which ties into the second and third points, is to be mindful of wall textures that may have become damaged due to secondary damage from water or other external sources. Even if the water damage has been corrected, the walls and ceilings inside the room may have been affected by this and you might have rust or brown color water damage, which is obvious and noticeable. And if it’s on a textured wall, like an orange peel surface in modern homes or plaster in older, you’re going to have to match the patch job texture to the surrounding area. Research what types of quick fixes and texturizing products are available at your local home improvement stores. With a little scraping, spackling, sanding, texturing and treating and painting, you make that old water damage appear as though it never happened.

The Fifth thing on the list is cabinets and floors, which can be easy or difficult, depending on what you already have in your home. If you have carpeting throughout, clean it. Rent or borrow a carpet steam cleaner and steam the heck out of all the built up stains and traffic areas; make that carpet shine! If it’s hardwood floors, keep them clean and dust free, and apply a light coat of wood floor wax to give it luster and appeal. For your cabinets, whether wood or melamine, be sure to keep them clean, the doors aligned within the frames, and the handles tightened and secure. If the kitchen hasn’t been updated in a while and if there are any obvious needs to the space, talk to your agent about down talking the existing space and up talking the potential for a new kitchen to the new owner’s specifications.

The Sixth thing – which is not necessarily the last thing, and for most, should be the very first thing – is curb appeal. Think about how you would react driving up to a potential home to buy and there was nothing redeeming about how it was presented from the street – an unappealing, unattractive yard being the first thing you saw in front of this home. You’d drive off, wouldn’t you? Unless you have a background in or penchant for landscaping, most of us want a yard that’s already in good shape and adds a warm, welcoming look from the moment you see it as you drive by. Take the time to trim along the hardscape areas, add plants to the front of the lawn, build up a small retaining wall with concrete blocks to frame the entrance. Just a few of these things will add both value and the necessary curb appeal to warrant a visit from a potential buyer.

Like my previous blog on perspective, with the help of ReDo or another third party, take a critical look at your home before you put it on the market, make your lists of TO-DO’s to spruce up what you can, and invest a little money and sweat equity in making it ready for view at an open house. You’ll be glad you did when it’s SOLD in no time!

The idea behind this redo was simple: provide my client with a new look, a new wardrobe to help update and remarket him after a recent divorce. We hoped to also provide additional self esteem and personal presence to meet other people for social engagements and the like. As I said, he was recently divorced and was looking to get back into the dating scene – not easy for some, but having a third party help get you set up for success can take the trouble and concern out of beginning again. And I was glad I was there to help. An easy-going, professional man, my client had no trouble with new encounters, but he needed to update his look and create a newer version of himself after his recent life change. Not changing the man, just how he looks – adding a little extra style. And Spring is the perfect time for this as the clothes can generally be carried over into Summer and, with a bit of layering, Fall and Winter.

The first thing that need to be done was determine his clothing size and body type shape; this is important to get the right fit and the best look. Next, we researched the brands that would look best on him based on his clothing size and body type. We then discussed a budget to work within so that we could have a goal in mind of how much we could spend; this was followed by finding various coupons and online savings to maximize the budget funds. The last step was to map out the destinations so we could spend less time traveling and more time shopping; this is important when you’re running all over the place looking for bargains, finding great deals, and getting a client a whole new wardrobe. You don’t want to waste a single minute!

We started off at the local outlet mall where we were able to hit a variety of stores for great basic pieces, awesome looks and, of course, fantastic bargains. Combine these with a few coupons and we stretched the budget pretty well! As my client is a slender, athletic man, we began shopping at a store that would compliment his body type best: Banana Republic. With a pair of extra hands to help the process, we pulled together a variety of jeans and pants, shirts (tee’s, dress, casual), and accessories, like belts and casual shoes. We were looking for base, staple items, so we chose colors that would look best on his skin tone and styles that would enhance his appearance. With a handful of items we pulled tougher approximately 10-12 new outfits, just from one store, and saved my client a bundle!

We then stopped off at a discount shoe outlet for some dress shoes and boots by designer brand names; pairing these accessories with the new clothes really completed the look and added style and sophistication to the new wardrobe. Our next stop was lunch because, well, you gotta feed the beast if you’re going to be running all over kingdom come for a day! Once we refueled, it was off to another mall, where we hit Macy’s for a few affordable designer pieces, then H&M, Buckle, and Express for some more basics items, like khakis, tee’s and belts. These latter retailers aren’t high-end, expensive designers, but they offer good quality clothing at affordable prices. And they’re great places to build a base for a wardrobe. One can always hit Saks, Neiman Marcus, or any other high-end store that carries designer names at designer prices and supplement a look with a special piece. But for every day needs, and simple ready to wear pieces, the stores we visited were plenty good for our needs.

After we finished shopping, and taking pictures of the outfits we created, we discussed the next step for the client: downsize his existing wardrobe by donating the things he wasn’t wearing, which will make room for the new wardrobe he’s just purchased. As I’ve written about before, when new things are brought into your closet, something old has to go away, either through donation or resale. I call it ‘perpetual wardrobing’, and it’s a great way to keep your look fresh without filling your closet with needless items. My client opted to donate what he no longer wanted so that others could benefit from his downsized wardrobe – hey, as they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure – and someone could definitely get additional value from what he no longer needed. It’s great to know that such organizations like Goodwill can take virtually anything and resell it, pouring the money back into the community for a variety of job programs and neighborhood assistance. Check out this past blog for more information on them and their services.

As you can see, ‘being green’ when it comes to new clothes and a new look isn’t a hard thing – it just takes time and due diligence, and a little help from a third party to ensure you’re getting a look that’s right for you. We all see ourselves in a certain light, but others see us totally different, and it’s that perspective that will help us look our very best and put our best foot forward. When it’s time for you to get a new look, take a friend that has your best interests at heart so you can be sure they tell you the truth, like if you look good in those jeans, or if that color really isn’t you. And always take what you don’t want and resell it or donate it; let someone else get some more use out of the things you no longer need. Getting dressed is fun and easy when you know how and have have a little help with your ReDo!

I was recently interviewed by a local St. Louis magazine about this annual event and what I do to help my clients manage and maintain their spaces year round. I was asked to be ‘the source’ of info on this subject matter, so I sat on the phone with the interviewer and told her how I go about doing this, taking care of my clients needs with a few simple, well practiced techniques I employ. The first of such is that half my work is “armchair psychology”; sometimes it takes a lot of hand-holding to get a client to let go of the junk and clutter in their homes. By understanding that “it’s just stuff” (and you know my thoughts on this as I’ve blogged about it before, like here and especially here), you can take the position that since it’s just “stuff” you start to remove the emotional attachment, the sentimentality that we often apply to things we acquire. By keeping this easy, practical perspective, you’ll find your attachment to such needless things will be less and less as you continue to practice this approach.

Another tidbit of learned knowledge I shared with the reporter was that we live in a consumer society – and world. We take in more than we give out and in doing so our homes, and lives, become overrun with excess objects, extra things, and unnecessary junk and clutter. If we make rules that guide our ‘consumption’ we’ll have a better time learning to live in this market place society we inhabit and an easier chance of learning to live with less and less. For me, one of the rules I employ is that when I bring a new pair of shoes into my home, an old pair has to leave. Or jeans. Or shirt. Or jacket. You get the gist. Remember, we wear 80% of 20% of our clothing, so our closets are full of garments, raiment and accouterment that never sees the light of day. If we’re just going to continue to accumulate stuff until we run out of room or have a meltdown because we don’t know where all that stuff came from or how we’re going to continue to store it, there’s not point in even trying to adopt rules to help guide us to a better, decluttered existence! But if we truly have a desire to downsize our things and learn to live with less stuff, rules such as the one above will provide guidance and a way to achieve that harmonious result.

If you notice anything about these concepts and ideas above, you’ll see they come from a perspective of a practical nature, and approach that is both pragmatic and sensible. By keeping an arm’s length distance emotionally from our possessions – or learning to apply this remoteness when it comes to our need to possess, you’ll find it can be an easy task to NOT consume unnecessary and nonessential things. In this day and age, our incomes are not disposable, so we have to be mindful of how our money is spent – taking a wise and often harsh approach to the joys of life by balancing that thrill of retail therapy with the cost of the future credit card bill. That, and the potential that the money spent could have gone to a better cause or fund, like vacation, or an upgrade in home appliances or electronics, or retirement. Stepping outside the here and now of that momentary high will help you keep a better perspective on life, living it well, and being wise with your space and belongings. So the next time you have that nagging voice – that conscience, or “Jiminy Cricket” – telling you something you may not want to hear, or challenging your decisions on what you should or shouldn’t do, it’s just perspective stepping in to lend a hand.

Besides the “ceylon yellow” I’ve written about before, you’ll find a plethora of wonderful bright, cheerful, mood-enhancing colors that will make you smile. Think vivid purple and soft lavender, or lush coral pink and lilac; let’s not forget mossy green, robin’s egg blue, and tangerine orange either! Along with tones and hues across the color spectrum, there’s always the usual standby Spring neutrals, like dark and deep navy blue, black, white and tan. These work well as a base for supporting the brighter tones. If you think about clothing fashion and home decor fashion, they’re not too far off conceptually with how you make the best impressions with the color statements. Using a neutral base, the color hues you employ will pop more than if you bring a lot of colors together in either an outfit or a room…sometimes when you do that it can be a real disaster. Been there, done that – and learned from my failure!

The thing to keep in mind about color is that ‘trendy’ and ‘hip’ colors change regularly, depending on the season and the year. What’s popular this Spring may not be next year, or it might be popular in a different hue or tone. The point is that when you’re shopping for that new look, that ReFresh your home needs, that you keep in mind that the choices you make are ones you have to live with. And unless you have an endless supply of disposable income, you may find you’re stuck for some time with what you’ve purchased. Research your color “wants” and see what’s available in accessories and decor at the various shops; I tend to peruse CB2, Crate & Barrel, Crate & Barrel Outlet, West Elm, Chiasso, and other stores that feature a more modern, clean and sophisticated aesthetic. Spending quality time and effort looking into your future decor and look will save you a lot of heartache and pain should you choose the path of instant gratification and dive in head first, without any care or thought in to the design process of what you’re looking to achieve.

I’m a firm believer in due diligence, where, conceptually, investigative work is performed prior to an act with a certain standard of care. In layman’s terms, try it before you buy it! Make sure you’ve looked into the colors you want to use, you’ve visited your local furniture stores and businesses that carry home decor and really checked out the type of furnishings and accessories you want to use, compared the colors with other complimentary shades and hues you want to decorate with, and see if those colors will continue to trend in the coming seasons and year. Also, take the time to price out all that your design project entails; doing your due diligence reduces the amount of unexpected surprises or costs that may be associated with under estimating or not fully researching your subject matter. With today’s world economic concerns and personal financial woes, the last thing anyone needs is to pay out more than they need or expect to.

Color is a part of what motivates us and shapes our attitude. From a smile or laugh, to a moody or contemplative feeling, color is a part of what affects our well being and emotions. Embrace the seasonal colors, learn about what defines them as “seasonal” and discover how you can incorporate them into your life. Let this be your first step into a whole new look, and brand new expression in color. Trust me, you WILL fall in love with it!

Last week we learned what cures are and made a a short list of these decorative items. Remember, when placing a cure for best results you should work with both the bagua areas, as well as the best directions criteria. Let’s take a look at what this means so you can more easily understand how correct placement of cures works. Let’s say, for instance, you want to strengthen the love and marriage energy in your life. Sounds good! You found a perfect cure for love in a mini-sculpture of two lovers holding hands and looking in a specific direction. You will place your cure in the Southwest (love and marriage feng shui area) but you will position it so it can face your lucky feng shui direction for love.

If you are Kua # 4, for example, you know your lucky feng shui direction for love is East, so you will place the feng shui cure facing East to attract a stronger flow of love energy. In case of using art as a feng shui cure, sometimes you can easily define the facing direction (art with people’s faces, or animals) and sometimes you just can’t (abstract art.) You should always be sure, though, that you place the art with the right feng shui energy for the specific bagua area. If you have a predominantly red color art – which is a fire feng shui element – you should place it in the South area to complement the Fire energy of the South, or in the Southwest, to nourish the Earth energy of the Southwest.

So now we’re on a role, placing our feng shui cures! But another consideration to ponder is how to define the facing direction of a specific cure, such as a plant, or a crystal, for example. When decorating your home with feng shui, it is important to focus on the big picture (your whole house, apartment or office), as well as “zoom in” into each specific area of your home in order to create best energy in all your rooms. Below is a short list of things to think about, with a link at the bottom for where to go for more details.

Front Door / Main Entrance: The entrance into your domicile, your sanctuary, is the front door of your house and is called “the mouth of Chi” in feng shui, as this is how your house absorbs essential Chi, or energy. When a house has enough good Chi coming in and the flow of Chi is harmonious, the people living in the house experience heightened levels of well-being. Learn to take good care of the feng shui of your front door and help your home absorb the best energy nourishment.

Living Room / Family Room: These are some of the busiest areas of your home; much of life’s traffic runs through these rooms – with our lives always on the go, you’d be surprised how many people don’t use these rooms to their fullest potential. Check the bagua area(s) of your living room and family room and decorate them accordingly by using the right element colors and cures. Remember to be sure you place your cures with a practical approach so you can live in the space accordingly.

Main Bedroom & Guest Bedrooms: From what makes a good feng shui bed, to mistakes to avoid in your bedroom, to choosing the best colors for these spaces, dealing with all your bedroom challenges in the most practical feng shui way is key as your bedroom is the most important room in your house – treat it wisely. The guest room should be inviting and restful to those who visit, and the master bedroom should be used for the purpose it was intended – to heal, to rest, and to love.

Kitchen: The kitchen has always been considered the heart of a home; it’s where the sustenance – literally – of the family is created. The kitchen is a vital part of every home, and the energy in the kitchen is also connected to the energy of wealth and abundance. Explore solutions for many feng shui kitchen challenges – from a very small kitchen to a kitchen located in an undesired feng shui area of the Bagua. Be sure to understand the relationship of the kitchen with the elements of water and wood.

Bathroom: Bathrooms have always had a bad reputation in feng shui, as they are a challenge due to their location and the element of water. However, this doesn’t mean you can’t create good energy is this small, intimate space. All you need is some good tips and a bit of effort. Find easy solutions for various bathrooms challenges, such as a bathroom in the feng shui money area or a bathroom over the bedroom. Use your many resources to find out what will work for you!

Children’s Rooms: Happy children grow up and become happy, well-rounded adults. A good flow of feng shui energy in the space will inevitably lead to a happier, healthier child, while a room with a poor energy flow will contribute to a child who can’t sleep well, is cranky, and tends to get sick often. Use feng shui to create a healthy and happy space for your children; determine the right colors, elements and cures that will work for your children’s rooms – but be practical in your approach.

Baby Room / Nursery: Again, just as you would do with a child’s room, treat your newborn’s senses with respect by learning how to create a good energy nursery, or baby room. The right colors and scents, practical cures and decor, along with how to choose the best room for a nursery, all the way to dealing with the most common challenges of having a new member in your family – use feng shui to make the best of it! Your baby will benefit from the wealth of good energy you provide!

Home Office: Though not everyone has a home office – and those of us who do appreciate them – we should still try to understand the nature of keeping it tidy, neat and practical to the work perfomed. Use feng shui to become more productive, feel creative and really enjoy your work. From good home office tips to best air purifying plants, to your personal best colors to achieving success, your work space should give you positive energy to succeed, to be your very best!

Dining Room: It’s unfortunate that in many homes the dining room is nothing more than a room to pass through on the way to another, or a place to drop your belongings instead of where they should actually go. Explore the feng shui basics for your dining room to help you enjoy your dinners and use the dining room more often. Choose best colors according to the Bagua area, find out the recommended guidelines for your dining table and let feng shui help you create good times and good food with your family and friends.

Garage, Laundry, Storage & Basement: Though these are some of the most used spaces in our homes, they are also the most neglected areas we live in. Whether you use these rooms to simply pass through, or for storage, or for actual day-to-day living, you might prefer to think that the garage, laundry or basement is not part of your home bagua, but it is. You might also prefer to think that closets are not important in feng shui, but they are. Garages and storage spaces contribute to the overall energy of your space; be sure it is a good contribution. Use them well and keep them organized.

Small Apartments / Dorm Rooms: At some point in our lives, we have all lived in a small space, whether a college dorm room, studio or small apartment. Finding a good use for these spaces is challenging, so applying feng shui in a small apartment or studio can be a real stimulating proposition, as often there is little or no separation between living, working and sleeping spaces. Even though feng shui in a small apartment or studio can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating experience, be sure you can have good energy in your small space.

For more in depth information on each section of your home, check out this link for achieving the maximum feng shui for each room in your home.

And that, dear reader, is that for now with regard to Feng Shui Decorating – and you must admit, THAT is A LOT of information! If Feng Shui decorating is something you’re interested in, or always wanted to try, there are innumerable resources out there in book stores and online dedicated to this subject matter. I spent a fair amount of quality time researching feng shui for this three-part blog; should you be inclined to infuse your home or office in feng shui decor you should also spend some time as well looking into what will work for you, practically, to bring good energy, harmony, love and success into your home or office. I hope you enjoyed these articles, and I look forward to seeing you back here real soon. Namaste!