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Refresh Your Interior with Feng Shui for Fall

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We reached record breaking temperatures this summer and as we begin to reach cooler months, it’s almost time to prepare our home and make way for autumn’s harvest. I’ll be sharing some easy ways for you to refresh your space for fall for even more prosperity to fuel the rest of your 2023. It’s said that autumn calms our yang energy and makes our chi yin with nature in perfect harmony.The first day of fall is officially on September 23, but the good news is it’s never too early to get details in order now and start planning the interior of your space. The personality trait for fall is focused on relationships, gratitude, and self-reflection – all are key priorities to keep in mind.
  • A big signal for fall and an easy way to differentiate your home or office from summer is through color. Hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and earthy tones are all auspicious colors, but don’t forget metals too as these symbolize strength and intelligence. Earthy tones make your space cozy and inviting which is important as we enter a time of year when friend and family gatherings are frequent. Earthy tones also connect your home to the grounding energy of Earth, a great way to end the year. Colors can be showcased through pumpkins, fall foliage, home decor, photos, blankets, pillows, wreaths, dinnerware and other accents. Store your summer feng shui essentials in bins for the next year and label for easy access, it’s a great way to keep your home clean and easily switch seasons and reduce clutter.
  • Since the yin energy of fall will intensify, you can expect the yang energy of summer to settle as you enter a season of comfortable temperatures and an opportunity for higher abundance to enter your life. Autumn naturally has quite soothing colors associated so finding creative ways to spotlight these throughout your space can make all the difference. Add accents of metal as well and mirror the effect that fall has on nature, the season of letting go as leaves fall from the trees, we are similarly reordering our space for something new as well. Metal helps to cultivate more joy and focus, you can incorporate whites as this pairs well with metals. Do this by adding fresh white sheets to your bed. Just as the trees are releasing leaves, let go and declutter to make room for new opportunities and new growth.
  • A great way to refresh your home and increase prosperity is to cleanse your home at the start of a new season as well. This can reset your space for the next four months ahead and prepares it for the transformative energy in fall. Looking to balance fall chi energy? Yang energy settles down in fall, but you can attract some of it back with your home accents and that use of color we talked about earlier. You can also do this by activating fire energy, this can be through candles or the use of a fireplace if you have one in your home. You can also use string lights, fairy lights or battery operated flickering candles to brighten dark rooms or corners, this makes a room more inviting and relaxing. Candles are an easy way to create a soothing scent and energy in a room, want to boost this even more? Try out a soy based, crackling wooden wick candle! This adds a calming sound to the room especially if you want to pair it with an ambience video playing in the background while you work, cook or read. You can easily search “fall ambience” on YouTube if you have guests over or just want to add an extra touch while you’re at home or working. You might even get some decor ideas this way.
  • Don’t forget to set your intentions and start a gratitude jar! Both play a big role in autumn months and allow you to put into the universe what you are hoping to achieve and appreciate heading into September.

If you would like to get more tips on how to refresh your interior for fall, you can contact me at 512-740-1251 to schedule a consultation or appointment, or if you are interested in a space clearing for your fall reset.

Blessings,
Belinda

Incorporating Sustainable Design Elements into Your Home

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In the art of Feng Shui, the main goal is good health. We can have a successful career, a healthy relationship, money growth, and more with good health. When we discuss the importance of your environment to help you stay healthy, we mention several things: keep clutter to a minimum, keep a dust-free home and office, low EMFs (electromagnetic frequencies caused by electronics like TVs, power lines, etc.) and the harmonious placement of furniture as well as colors.

Here is an article with tips for designing a space to reduce negative impacts on the environment, and the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objectives of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimize waste, and create healthy, productive environments.

With the United States working toward a net-zero economy by the year 2050, sustainability has become a hot-button world in the real estate world. Simply put, there is no way that a resource-guzzling home will have a chance of standing out amid tightening government regulations and a more conscientious consumer base. Therefore, from improved durability to advanced energy efficiency, keep reading for some common sense ways to incorporate sustainable design elements into your home.

Durable Interior Walls Accents 

Stone has long been a favorite material to use in exterior projects. Its natural appearance and outstanding durability make it a great material to thrive outdoors. 

However, modern homeowners are looking for ways to leverage these benefits on the interior of sustainably-built homes. There are many advantages to stone veneer interior walls. Not only does their textured aspect add depth and dimension to interior design concepts, but they are far more durable than wallpaper or drywall. They will be extremely resistant to scratching, denting, fading, or any other type of damage, greatly limiting the resources required for ongoing maintenance and upkeep. 

Energy Efficient Appliances 

One of the most straightforward ways to improve sustainability in your home is to add energy efficient appliances. It does not take any major structural renovations to choose EnergyStar certified models over less efficient options. According to EnergyStar, if every home in the United States were to incorporate EnergyStar certified appliances into their homes, homeowners would prevent carbon emissions equal those of 215,000 cars. By doing your part and choosing more efficient appliances for your home, you are doing your part to help society reach this goal.

Sound Mitigating Panels 

How does sound insulation help in the quest for sustainability? 

Well, one of the prevailing aspects of sustainable design is an open concept that allows light to flow freely throughout a space. While this does wonders for controlling electricity consumption, it can cause some unwanted sound transfer within the space. 

Therefore, it is a great idea to use sound-absorbing panels as part of an open interior design concept. Modern panels are wrapped in decorative fabrics and cut into architectural shapes, such as hexagon acoustic panels, that add to the interior ambience of a space. As most acoustic panels can achieve their maximum noise reduction coefficient with only 15-25% wall coverage, it leaves plenty of open wall surface for other types of decor. 

In addition to their utility in promoting an open design concept, most modern acoustic panels are fabricated from recycled cotton, wool, or polyester, making them a sustainably sourced solution.

Quartz Countertops 

Most homeowners love the stately stone aspect of marble or granite countertops. While there is no denying the beauty of these surfaces, they can be a bit porous if not regularly sealed, leading to staining and bacteria growth that can require quite a bit of ongoing attention. 

Therefore, a lower maintenance countertop solution is quartz. Using the powder from mineral quartz and bound with a nonporous epoxy resin, engineered quartz surfaces are impermeable to any type of liquid penetration. They are also highly resistant to any kind of heat or impact damage, making them one of the lowest-resource countertop solutions for ongoing maintenance. 

LED Lighting 

Using LED lighting for an energy efficient interior has kind of become cliche at this point, but for good reason: LED lighting works. 

When choosing LED bulbs over standard options, homeowners are guaranteeing that more useful lumens are produced and less light is wasted. If you replaced all of the light

bulbs in your home with LED models, you would likely see a 60-70% reduction in energy use for lighting, with some homes noticing up to a 90% energy savings. 

Hurricane Grade Windows 

As mentioned earlier, the open interior concept is a strong choice in energy efficient design because it promotes the flow of natural sunlight. To leverage this concept to the fullest, homes must increase their window area to promote sunlight transmission. 

While this is largely beneficial from an energy efficiency standpoint, it can create some issues if the windows are not high quality. Weaknesses in the window-to-wall transitions can create some compromises in the home’s building envelope, leading to elevated heating and cooling costs. 

Therefore, if you are looking to add window area to increase natural light flow into your home, it is best to build with hurricane grade storm windows. These advanced windows use steel frames and fortified glass to withstand high winds and heavy projectile impact, keeping the building envelope well-sealed in all types of weather conditions. 

Get Started Today On Adding Sustainable Elements to Your Home 

Sustainability features are paramount in designing a high-quality home in 2023. Not only will it help you save on your utility bills, but it will guarantee that the home has a place in an increasingly conscientious market. For more ideas on how to add sustainability features to your property, contact Design for Energy today for a consultation! 

Natalie Akins is a freelance writer that loves sharing her knowledge and expertise on interior decorating and remodeling. She lives in her hometown of Austin, Texas where she enjoys spending time with her husband and decorating with her children. Natalie’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource site.

Home Designs for Millennials. Who knew they had a built-in sense of Feng Shui?

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There is often an exchange between newer and older generations that involves learning from one another. Many millennials are in the know of the latest trends and styles which can be a helpful way to update traditional feng shui practices and modernize them in a way that feels fresh and new.

Specifically, millennials have an approach to home decor that takes a special kind of eye. They are unique in that they grew up without things like technology but now are well versed in these spaces having grown up with the latest and greatest from this new era. That said, they are readily following social trends and know what’s in style when decorating a home and surprisingly, many of these styles follow feng shui practices.

Here are the 10 best millennial-approved home decor ideas with feng shui in mind:

1. World map artwork

Not only is this a great way to visualize one’s love for travel, but it acts as a vision board of sorts and can attract abundance with the colors but also with the intention. If you are wanting to travel, this is a great way to attract that. Similarly, a globe can also act as a symbol of knowledge, education, luck and career progression. Place it on the West wall of your office.

2. Tropical prints 

In feng shui, the color green represents the Wood element and it’s an auspicious color that attracts abundance and promotes good energy in a room. Tropical prints are a great way to brighten a room and make rooms feel more welcoming, especially when mixed with real plants throughout. You can even include this in your pillow decor for a pop of color and a representation of fresh energy, growth, and new beginnings.

3. Gold accents

Metal and brass are essential in feng shui and can greatly improve a sector so implementing furniture, stools, carts, or stands with gold or brass accents into your decor can be helpful. You can even find planters with brass/gold accents to create balance and harmony. The Metal element is represented by round shapes and metal colors or items and represents wealth and money. We often recommend adding a metal wu lou luck gourd to a room or a brass bell as energy balancers for specific issues. These types of additions to your decor are all great ways to stabilize negative energy.

4. Circular rugs

Rugs are a great way to make a space feel cozy, but also circle rugs in particular represent peace and help calm energy down in your space for good chi flow. The round shape is considered harmonious and follows feng shui recommendations and doesn’t disrupt energy but rather enhances it. There are many different styles and patterns to choose from and give rooms extra character in a way that doesn’t take up space or create clutter.

5. Gallery wall

Photo walls, or gallery walls, are excellent ways to organize photos in a living space. In feng shui, photos are a great way to improve energy flow and represent your home or office in a way that feels true to you. The only exception is the bedroom which is typically where you would instead put furniture ‘pairs’ to create symmetry and attract love. In other rooms, photos increase the positive chi and bring your environment into alignment with your goals and your life. This is a great opportunity to showcase loved ones, people who inspire you, people who have guided you and other images of important moments that were captured. It is best if all photos are on one focal wall and not all over the house as it enhances family, friends, and unity. The East wall is considered the family wall.

6. Rattan decor

Wood elements represent vitality, growth, and opportunities. Wood is also a great way to expand and attract good energy while improving creativity. Similarly, rattan furniture and accents are very popular today and come in a variety of forms including picture frames, tables, mirrors, wall art and shelving. This is especially popular among millennials and as part of the wood category, it’s a symbol of both life and growth.

7. Diffuser or incense

Aroma diffusers have quickly gone mainstream in the last few years and are a hit for younger generations who use them to improve their mental well-being. The power of scent is important in feng shui and can promote love, joy, creativity, peace, and harmony. Diffusers are closely tied to self-care and scents like lavender are great for sleep.

8. Succulents

Live plants like succulents are easy ways to improve the air quality and energy of a room. They are easy to maintain and require little upkeep which is likely why they grew in popularity. Plants are easy additions that increase abundance if taken care of and watered. They attract prosperity, good health and good luck.

9. Natural healing crystals

Many stores have made healing crystals a must-buy for millennials, but they are great items when thinking about feng shui because they can be placed in different rooms for different purposes. For example, rose quartz (an earth element) in the bedroom attracts love. Clear quartz for clarity and harmony – tied to water and metal elements. Amethyst has a high spiritual vibration that boosts spiritual growth, wealth, and abundance – tied to the wood element. Bonus: amethyst clusters (or geodes) attract true abundance and enhance your energy even further. Jade for good health, harmony, and protection including activating family – tied to the wood element. Citrine for wealth and abundance – tied to the earth element. Tiger’s Eye for your overall well-being – tied to earth element. Pyrite for wealth and abundance – tied to the metal element. This also helps to balance masculine and feminine energies. Hematite can absorb negative energy and is helpful for focus and wisdom including your career – tied to the water element.

10. Agate coasters

Taking healing crystals one step further, agate coasters are stylish but purposeful as agate has a calming and grounding effect that can balance yin and yang energies for optimal alignment and balance. Agate can also be used to cleanse the aura of a space and is often used to provide gentle healing and energy replenishment.

There are other ways that modern home decor can translate into feng shui improvements, but these should get you started. To learn more about home decor that best suits your space, contact me at 512-740-1251. To learn more about which crystals and oils best suit you or your issue, schedule a free 30-minute phone session with me anytime.

Spring Feng Shui Tips to Boost Your Business

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The first day of spring is officially Sunday, March 20 and as we count down the days to warmer temps and more opportunities to be outside, we are also preparing for a new season with spring cleaning and decluttering.

Practicing feng shui for Spring is similar to practicing the art of meditation – you get the same relaxing and restoring effect while also refreshing the chi (life) energy in your home and office.  In feng shui, we often hear that the state of our spaces mirrors the state of our minds so finding moments to clear negative energy makes all the difference especially if you’re looking to boost your business ahead of summer.

If you follow me on Facebook, you’ll find that I’ve already shared these tips to boost your business:

  • First, let’s start with your desk. It’s where you spend the most time working so you’ll want to make sure it’s free of clutter to bring in new opportunities and clients for success.
  • Activate your Southeast (Wealth Sector) for more money by placing money symbols, cleaning out old financial records or even by adding a lush green plant.
  • Advance your career by adding a water feature to your office and placing it in the North corner of the space.
  • Write intentions for your business and place them in a green envelope with some real money. Place the envelopes with your intentions in the Southeast or Northeast areas of the room as these will activate money sectors this year.

There are many other ways to boost your businesses and finances this spring including these foolproof tips for success:

  • Declutter other areas in your space
  • Make sure your entryway is not only mess-free by welcoming, bright and inviting for good energy to enter
  • Buy plants or fresh springtime flowers for other parts of the office, some can even improve air quality and focus
  • Burn a sage stick to clear and purify the air or contact me for a space clearing if you’re overdue for one
  • If you can, let fresh air in! Open a door or a window, fresh air can open a space and release unwanted energy that may be stagnant but it also invites the benefits of nature and spring inside for a peaceful moment of zen
  • Position your desk in a command position to ensure control and success as you take on meetings and see clients
  • Add pops of color to promote joy while working
  • Dust away dirt and debris as this represents a clear mind and a form of self therapy
  • Add crystals to enhance a space even more as these can be targeted for different purposes including manifesting prosperity

Don’t forget spring is a bright season. Stiff muscles? Don’t forget to get up and stretch! It’s easy to go, go, go but harder to remember when to take a break. Spring is about finding time to pause, take a walk, join a meditation, have a relaxing lunch and practice balance. We can enjoy success that comes from feng shui more when we are our best selves.

Happy Spring,

Belinda

Fall Decorating with Feng Shui

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Our previous post, Feng Shui Tips for Fall, touched on the basics when welcoming fall into your home, but this post is an in-depth tutorial on how to fully transform for the season!

Decorating our homes can be fun, but overwhelming at anytime, but decorating for the upcoming holidays is an even greater challenge. There are so many different ways to decorate your home and office. What are the best ways for you? What is it that you want to achieve? We’re here to help!

Lighthearted laughs, delicious dinners, stress-free weeks and money in our pockets are just some of the things we want to achieve with Feng Shui. Do you have rooms set for company? Do you have mirrors in the right place? Have you managed to incorporate the right color scheme for maximum abundance?

A touch of intimacy

When you think of the holidays, you typically think of those special moments with family and friends. Everyone gathers together and for a moment there is a brief moment of utter peace and closeness. The tables are set beautifully with floral and unique centerpieces, the fireplace is lit on cold winter days and these elements combined make the moment all the more memorable. In Feng Shui, intimacy can be achieved through seating. Keep the chairs close, but not too close. Faced towards each another versus apart. The type of energy you want to achieve comes with the arrangement of furniture. Warm conversations and happy gatherings!

Clear the way

The first things guests see when they walk in for a gathering is the hallway. In Feng Shui, the entryway is a place of vitality and abundance. It’s naturally where the energy enters and exits. A strongly-colored area rug, reds are always a good idea, or a cozy side table can help decorate the space and it allows you to create a space for fall decor like pumpkins and candles. Mirrors in the foyer are helpful – just be sure it’s not directly facing the door! One key tip… make sure your front door opens completely to ensure that you welcome the most energy and prosperity into your home. 

Light the room

If you’re really lucky, you’ll have rooms throughout that are adorned with natural lighting. If not, incorporate ways to put elegant fixtures and chandeliers so that you can stay far away from dark corners. The more lighting you have, the more your decorations (and energy) will shine! 

More Metal

Coins and special feng shui symbols often bring us moments of abundance in money, love and happiness. These little trinkets are very meaningful during the holidays and it’s a great way to highlight on how powerful they can be. Not only do they make great gifts, but they are also great for distributing on your dining tables at Thanksgiving and Christmas for prosperity for all! Entertaining can act as a way to attract the positive energy that metal can bring.

Candles of course

When we think of fall, most likely we think of the cozy moments when we can incorporate the fire element. We can leave warm and humid days behind (for a moment) and bask in the warm and delicious scents that cold weather can bring. What are your favorite types of candles? Toasted marshmallow, cinnamon, apple and vanilla are some of our favorites. The wonderful thing about candles is that they can be placed in bathrooms for relaxation, dining tables for intimacy, foyers for warming up the entrance and to beautify fireplaces. Using different scents can trigger lovely memories from previous years. 

Contact us to help you set up your living room, dining room or entire home for entertaining this season. It will help to promote harmony and peace-filled holidays.

Happy October and Autumn Season!

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