Feng Shui Tips For Home Remodeling & Succesfull Living

If you have ever wanted to incorporate Feng Shui Living into your space, there are some important things you need to know before you begin. Just follow these tips and enjoy the small, yet noticeable changes to your life.

These small benefits assists us to balance the entire positive chi, enhancing the positive and minimizing the negative. Our lives will be enhanced, allowing the positive Feng Shui Living energy to flow. If you don't balance and control the chi (energy), then you run the risk of having health, relationship and wealth problems.

Feng shui is a Chinese belief of beautifying a place, be it a residence or a building. Its purpose is focused on receiving positive energy by attracting good fortune and health in one's life. It utilizes certain instruments such as magnetic compass and bagua in defining correlation between the solar system and environment. It aims to balance a place and the forces of nature. Therefore when remodeling your home, make sure you apply feng shui principles, which are as follows:

1. An important factor when you start to use Feng Shui is to balance and control the chi, which is said to be the force of everything around us. Learn how FSL impacts your dwelling and office space. Set them up to function in harmony with the environment.

2. Another important consideration for Feng Shui Living is when you have existing space that needs addressing. It's critical that you search out good advice because your health, relationships and your wealth will be protected and improved. If you make sure that you do your research and read about Feng Shui or engage a Feng Shui Master, you will be fine.

3. You don't have to change locations in order to bring FSL into your world. All you need do to improve your chi (energy) is to start with small changes such as replacing burnt out light bulbs. Light, both natural and electric is a potent form of chi, so make sure that you replace dead light bulbs with new ones and introduce as much natural light into your space as possible. This will introduce positive chi into the room and you will feel the improvement in your chi (energy) immediately.

4. Have you considered fixing broken doorknobs, squeaky hinges and even broken doors? These little problems nag at us all day. It's not as difficult as you might think. All you need to do is spend a few minutes on the weekend fixing these things and your life will feel as if it is moving more smoothly.

5. Have a clean out. Reduce the clutter, get some space, and allow the energy to flow more smoothly. Clearing clutter whether it be making room in a closet or a garage, gives way for new opportunities to show themselves. Be open to the space. The universe likes to fill the vacuums in your space.

If you really want to start using FSL to improve your health, your relationships and your financial position, start by follow these steps to start improve the chi (energy) surrounding your home and office.

6. Play around with colour to add harmony in your home.
One principle feng shui experts use is the colour harmony. Various colours correspond to the 5 elements in Chinese astrology namely: fire, earth, water, wood, and metal. Each area in life such as marriage, career, health, and travel is also represented by specific colours. Depending on which area you want to give emphasis, the colour of choice must not be contradictory. When doing home renovation, if you want to ensure good health for your family, the dominant colours should include brown and green.

7. Put your kitchen out of sight.
Kitchen represents food, the ultimate source of sustenance or is equivalent to wealth. Therefore, it should be positioned at the center of the house, just as the heart is located at the center of the body. It should be in a place where it can't be easily seen by visitors. As much as possible, never place it near any access point as the nourishment may leak out of the house.

8. Flaunt a reflector.
Since kitchen means wealth, Chinese consultants would advise to put something that creates reflection. Its purpose is to multiply prosperity through the replica produced. It can be in the form of a mirror, stainless utensils, or anything that replicates an image.

9. Tap better source of lighting
The Chinese system we are talking about involves utilization of energy; and light is definitely the ultimate source of energy. Therefore, never take lighting for granted as this greatly influences the overall quality of your life. Monotonous brightness may cause boredom and stress while, wide array of light spectrum encourages creativity, enthusiasm, and happiness. Do not just go for plain, white light; instead try diverse light colours and intensities. The more shades of light present at home, the more drama it creates making your life more meaningful.

10. Counteract wealth drain in your bathroom
It is obvious that water is the prevailing element in the bathroom. Regular flushing is expected; therefore, it has to be counteracted because water is wealth. This is possible by placing earth element such as fresh flowers or vessel of pebbles directly above the toilet.

Although this belief contributes somehow in the quality of life of many people; however, this does not always promise a positive return. Hard work still plays a great role in creating your future. 

Garage Sale Scores--Scale, Birdcage and More

I really found some fun things at the garage sales this weekend--a  great old copper tub, a wooden box, a birdcage, a scale and some drill bits for my husband.

I was thrilled to find this old Wayrite scale.  But....the biggest bummer of the day was that a girl right before me grabbed the cutest rusty old blue scale.  And she paid $3 for it!!  I would've preferred to have not even seen it.  :)  But, I keep telling myself that I have LOTS of scales, so it was not for me this time....  And, this scale that I did find is very fun!

Here it is in the house with some other recent garage sale finds (and a bird feeder from HomeGoods).

This little birdcage caught my eye.  I didn't care for it in black, but figured I could paint it.

Now it's blue/green.

I love this old box!  It's a perfect size to hold lots and lots of magazines.

 My husband is in the process of cleaning up the copper tub.  I will post about it when it's all spiffed up. 

Thanks for your visit!

Pam

I am linking to the following parties:

Reluctantly Accepting that Summer is Ending

I love summer.  I love everything about summer.  I'm probably one of the few people who doesn't eagerly anticipate fall's arrival.  Yes, I enjoy the coziness of fall and love to watch football, but I know that soon after fall comes snowy, non-gardening winter.  :)

It usually takes me awhile to buy fall flowers, as my summer flowers are generally still doing well.  Unfortunately, if I wait until my summer flowers look horrible, it's too late to get fall flowers.  Oh the dilemma.  haha

(Full disclosure here--this was the pot at its prettiest a few weeks ago.  It did not look this good yesterday when I pulled all of the flowers...)

 I love the Wave Petunias and Cosmos in here.  I will definitely be planting Wave Petunias in all of my pots next spring.  They get huge!

 This and the next two pictures are right after I planted the pots in May. 

And now I have Mums.  The plants I bought were so big (thank you Costco!) that I wasn't able to fit anything else around the edges.  Maybe a simple planting is perfect for now.

 

Thanks for visiting! 

Pam


I am linking to the following parties:


Debbiedoo's Newbie Party with a Twist
Thrifty Decor Chick's Before and After Party
 

DIY Coasters

I'm going to a "Favorite Things" party tonight hosted by my friend Ali @ Just Me and decided to do another coaster project for it.  We have them all over our house and I've given several sets away as gifts.  I really do love the look of them.   

HERE is a link to my other Omni-gel projects.

I started with 4" tiles from Lowe's.  They are called Agora Almond and were 33 cents each.  I put a piece of cork on the bottom of it, cut to just a little smaller than the tile.  I bought a roll of self stick cork at Michael's.

I used graphics from The Graphics Fairy (the Ball Jars, Watering Can and Cloche) and the Bicycle and Ampersand images I found on Etsy.  I printed them off on my laser printer using the normal print (not mirror image).  Remember, if you don't have a laser printer, just print the graphic off any printer and make a copy at Kinko's, then you'll have the right type of copy.   I used the wallet size on Picasa and did one graphic per page.  (I tried to do 2 and 4 graphics per page and they printed too closely together).

I used a foam brush and applied even coats of Omni-gel.  (I buy Omni-gel at Michael's.  It's not easy to find, so you may have to ask a salesperson where to find it there.)   You'll want to brush it on in one direction, let that dry completely, brush it on the opposite direction, let that dry, then brush it on diagonally and let that dry.  Be sure to cover enough of the graphic and surrounding paper so it'll easily fit on a 4" tile.  I then cut the graphic to about 6" square so it's easier to work with.

Once it's all dry (I let them sit overnight after the 3 coats), set the graphic in a tub of water.  I used a dishpan from the Dollar Store.  Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.  If you leave it longer, it's fine.

I took it out and set it on a piece of wax paper.  I used a damp microfiber cloth and rubbed the paper off in a circular motion.  Be sure to get all of the paper off.  I usually run it under some water to try to get everything off.

I then set the wet graphic on the tile and carefully cut to fit the tile.  (it works best if the graphic is wet so it doesn't slide around on the tile while you're cutting it)  Be sure not to cut too small or too big. The edges of the graphic will fit nicely in the grooves at the edge of the tile and you won't be able to see them.

Carefully lift the cut graphic off the tile (it shouldn't be delicate as it's kind of rubbery at this point), spread Omni-gel in a thin layer on the back of the graphic and the top of the tile.  Use your finger to spread the Omni-gel and get rid of any air bubbles.  You can apply some Omni-gel to your finger to spread it easily.  You will have to peel the Omni-gel off of your hands.  :)

Set the tiles aside to dry overnight. 

I put a little sprinkle of salt on them, then spray with a clear sealant.  I found that the salt keeps glasses from sticking to the tiles later on.

I hope whoever gets my 'favorite thing' likes them as much as I do!

Thanks for coming by!

Pam

A BIG Thank You to Palatin Remodeling, Inc. for naming my blog "Best Innovative Blog 2012"  I am thrilled to have won!!

Presented by:
Palatin Remodeling Inc  I am linking to the following parties: Debbiedoo's Newbie Grad Party  Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesday   

Some Simple Updates

I have had this metal bird decoration for several years.  Recently it occurred to me that I needed to hang some things from the hooks on it.  (Sometimes I'm very slow!!)  :)

I got the watering can and birdhouse in the Christmas clearance section at Target last year.  I cut the lavender from my yard and the key was from a set that I bought from Hobby Lobby.

I recently found these miniature Mason jars on ebay.  OMG, I was so excited!  Unfortunately it's hard to see the details, but they are adorable in person!

Last week when I found the old scale and typewriter, I also found this bright blue, green and yellow birdhouse.  I loved the galvanized roof and dragonfly on it, but didn't love the bright colors.

 I sanded most of it down and taped off the metal parts.

 I painted it white.

 Now I like it much more by my front door. 

Thanks for your visit! 

Pam

Remodeling Advisor - Kitchen Remodel?

Are you serious about remodeling your kitchen? Remember a kitchen remodel is more than fresh paint. This is a project that requires a lot of consideration and planning.

The kitchen is the centre of almost all family activities. It is the only room where so much can occur such as meal preparation, dining, homework, socializing, playing table games and more. Since the kitchen has so many functions it is important to carefully review how kitchen remodeling can better facilitate all these activities.

Kitchen remodels are one of the most common updates done to all homes. Of course one reason for this is that the kitchen is so a hub of activity. Another reason is that statistics show that a kitchen remodel adds more value to a home than remodeling of any other room.

However don't wait until you are planning to sell your home to remodel the kitchen. Remodel your kitchen when it seems right to you. You will be adding value, but more importantly you will be able to enjoy the benefits of your new kitchen now.

If you always have your eye on the overall value and marketability of your home you should stick with a contemporary style for your remodel. If your own pleasure is more important than choose something that pleases you, perhaps a French country style kitchen. Maybe early American kitchen styles are your favourite.

Do not eliminate any particular style until you have done your homework. Having an open mind to various kitchen styles will help you successfully find a style for you and your family. Researching and planning a new kitchen can be half the fun.

Consider these points in your remodel: To function well, the refrigerator, the sink, and cook top each need to be surrounded with an adequate amount of floor and counter space. The refrigerator door needs a clear swing and, if possible, enough room for two people to reach in simultaneously. The doors of any cabinets around the fridge should not conflict with its door. And the refrigerator also needs an 18-inch run of counter as a staging area for foods going into or coming out of it.

Here some important considerations for your project. You must plan ahead. You should sketch up a plan and get some price ideas from your local super hardware store. Once you have these basic concepts and pricing ideas you can enlist an interior design professional to firm up your plans. While you can truly remodel your kitchen as a do it yourself, if you have never taken on a project this large, do consider professional help such as an interior designer. Having this experienced person review your sketches may help you to improve your ideas as well as save you money on your kitchen remodel.

These ideas should get your kitchen remodel off to a good start. After that it is up to you to follow through and make your remodel work!

Another Successful Garage Sale Saturday

My Saturday morning garage-saling ritual paid off again this week.

My most fun find today was this Dayton Scale. 

The people were having a 'backyard' sale and there was a huge bottleneck to get to any of the items.  I saw the scale when I first walked in, but couldn't get to it for quite some time.  I finally got to it and, after the guy selling it told me someone told him it was worth a fortune, he sold it to me.  :)

Now it's time for my husband to restore it. He did an amazing job on this scale a couple of years ago, so I have high expectations for this restoration too.

Here is the link to that restoration

 I also found some other things--the typewriter is newer than most of them that I collect, but it was $3.  I just couldn't pass it up and that price!  There is also a Baldwin candlestick that I was thrilled to find, and some birdhouses.  I love the metal roofs on them.  The cookie tin was free. 

 I'll be sure to post about the scale after it is redone. 

Thanks for your visit.

Pam

 

I am linking to the following parties:

Debbie Doo's Newbie Grad Party

Wow us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style