trends

http://pinterest.com/sheffieldschool/interior-design-dining-rooms/

For interior designers it is extremely important to keep up with the current trends.  Currently we are seeing the resurgence of brass and gold, faux fur, bringing the outdoors indoors (live edge wood tables as shown above, driftwood walls, tree stump tables ...) and Emerald, the Pantone colour of the year. 

While I love following the current trends of design, I admit that many of these will never make their way into my own home.  I try desperately to only bring items into my space that I absolutely love, that work with my current decor and are functional for me and my family.  Lucite chairs are absolutely amazing, but they don't work well with my decor, nor am I crazy about polishing the handprints off of them.  Sadly, I will have to pass on the lucite chair trend.

In the same way that I decorate my own spaces, I will never suggest to design clients that they put brass kitchen knobs in their home unless they are a fan of brass and it works with their existing decor.  The best feng shui and the most successful designs come from surrounding yourself with items that you personally love and that represent the best parts of you and your family.  That means stepping outside the design magazines sometimes and daring to have your home reflect your family and your own personal style - choosing colours for your walls because you like them and adding a barnboard door because it holds special meaning or memories for you.

 

If you look around your own home, have you made design choices or received gifted items that are trendy, but not necessarily representative of your home, yourself or your family?   If you let those items go, would you feel differently about your space?

 

 

plant power

picture: www.tourismvancouver.com

 

 

I love Vancouver.  It is, without a doubt, one of my favourite places to visit and the fact that my Aunt lives there makes it even more special to me.  At this time of year, the cherry trees are blooming, tulips are on their way and spring should be in full swing. Here in Alberta, we are a bit behind the West Coast - my cherry tree is nowhere near blooming and my tulips are still under 3 feet of snow.  Desperate to trade in my winter boots for flip flops, I have purchased a gorgeous yellow gerbera daisy plant for my window sill, an orchid for my front entrance, as well as some tulips for my kitchen island.  Voila!  It feels like spring (until I step outside at least). 

Feng shui-wise, flowers and live plants are a quick “cure” for any area of the home.  They add positive living energy and they revitalize your space. Remember to keep them healthy, remove any dead leaves or dried flowers and enjoy.  Can you energize your space with the power of a plant?

think success and nothing less

I belong to a women’s networking group in my area.  Last month I attended a breakfast meeting and I came away from that meeting feeling more empowered than I have in the past.  We shared some great ideas, lessons learned and a few laughs as well.  During that meeting, one of the members spoke about inspirational financial success books that she has read and noted that all of those books seem to have a similar message:  that the belief, desire and intention to achieve success is essential in order to actually achieve it.  Successful people do not dwell on failures or mistakes, but rather use them as experiences that propel them forward. 

I believe this wholeheartedly, both personally and professionally, but that is not to say that I adhere to that thought every minute out of every day.  When I do find that I’m a bit more fearful, a bit more disheartened and a bit more exhausted, I tend to ... stall.  It is these times when I go back to my environment and edit my space for success, even if that means just moving a few things around so that I can appreciate them in a new light.  In addition though, I try to remember to lean on those people who are positive influences in my life.  For me, this is my friends, my family and this networking group.  They remind me to keep striving, to keep moving forward and most importantly, to think "success" and nothing less.  That is enough for me to hit the reset button and change my thought.  What or who do you need to help you hit your reset button?