As we start this new year, I always suggest going through a mental survey of your home. There are the practical matters involving general maintenance items such as, do I need to change my air filter and how’s my hot water heater doing … but what about the overall feeling of your house? Does it bring you joy, peace, and a feeling of  “ahhhh, I’m so glad to be home”? This is the goal that I strive for in all of my client’s homes as our lives are so busy, and our homes should be a place of rest. With the proper decorating and placement of furniture and accessories, I try to achieve peace in homes.
Although I am not a Feng Shui decorator, I do enjoy reading and learning about the concepts. I reached out to Feng Shui expert, Sally Miller, owner and founder of Soul Style Life and a current member of the makeover team on the ZLiving Network show, Natural Reboot and posed these questions to her:
How would you describe Feng Shui?
Feng Shui is an ancient practice of following the laws and natural order of Nature using the five elements, Water~Wood~Fire~Earth~Metal, and applying them to your home and your life. Â It is as simple as this:Â Your space and style mirror what is happening inside of you. Â The goal, of using Feng Shui, is to get your space in alignment with who you really are and what you really want in your life by harmonizing your organic energy with the space of your home, office and even personal style. Feng Shui is living your life inspired by your surroundings as nature inspires us!
What would you say are the top 3 important aspects of incorporating Feng Shui into a room?
1:  CLUTTER!  Clutter is the biggest obstacle to energy flow.  Nothing can flow in or out of your life when you have clutter. Energetic side effects to clutter in your life are scattered brain, low self-esteem, and depression.  I always recommend that you first start with a closet, as your closet often holds things you hide away from the world. Cleaning out your clutter will give you more energy and help you feel overall better about yourself and your home.  Organization = Clarity.
2:  COLOR!  Color is an essential piece to Feng Shui and has many meanings.  Before redecorating a room, I recommend standing in the space and closing your eyes asking yourself a few questions. How do you wish to feel when in this space? Hold a visual of this area exactly how you want and need it to function. Once you have your vision, start to pick a color scheme that flows with the organic energy of that room and inspires what you want. Â
3:  ENERGY:  Everything is energy!  Take an energy inventory of the items around your home and make sure they clearly represent and support who you are and how you wish to feel.  Holding on to items and decorations that we have outgrown or just flat out don’t like is creating negative energy in your space and entire home. Fill your space with beautiful items and memories that generate positive energy and mirror how you feel about yourself. Tips: Update your picture frames, move or eliminate some furniture to create better flow, add a live plant or fresh flowers to promote healthy air quality.Â
If someone wanted to sell their house, what could they do today, incorporating the principles of Feng Shui into their home, to help them sell their home quicker?
1) Start at your front door. Â Make your entryway inviting by painting your front door, adding a new welcome mat and some plants with rounded leaves in red pots. Â
2) Awaken the senses and stimulate energy by adding the soothing sound of a wind chime to the front right corner of your home.
3) Bring in the light! Â Open all blinds and curtains allowing the light to illuminate your home, light brings in good energy.
Thank you, Sally, for being a guest on my decorating blog this week and offering this fascinating information! For more information on decorating with various colors using Feng Shui concepts, click here for details.
For all your interior redesign and home staging needs, contact Debbie@RedesignRight.com or call 610.955.8202 to make an appointment!