Has your home lost that feel-good factor? Do you feel nurtured when you are at home? Is it lacking vital energy that makes you feel alive and cared for? Maybe it’s time to add a dose of positive energy into your space.
In Fengshui, every physical object around us produces a corresponding effect, either good or bad. The smallest change in the arrangement of these objects can spell the difference between success and failure, between a bustling business and a doomed enterprise, between a happy marriage and one riddled with irritants, between long life and bad health.
Fengshui literally means wind and water. Wind represents the unseen in our lives and water represents the seen. A gentle breeze or a meandering stream symbolises the ideal flow of chi or energy in our environments.
Too little flow and air is stifling and water becomes stagnant. In other words, things are stuck. If chi is moving too fast, a hurricane or flood can result and everything goes rushing by us. In order to be balanced, and be along with the flow and become prosperous, the flow of chi in our surroundings should be in harmony.
The first step toward prosperity is to get the stuck chi (energy) within us and around us flowing again.
The main cause of being stuck is clutter. Clutter includes piling up things you no longer need, use, or love, anything in disrepair, unfinished projects; and dirty stuff. All of these things distract you at the subconscious level as it takes energy to manage all that stuff.
Clear that clutter, look carefully at items given to you by someone who didn’t want them anymore - they carry with them the energy of the previous owner and the circumstances under which the items were given to you (divorce, etc.). Take them away. By donating unwanted items to a worthy cause, you feel good and in the process are starting that flow of prosperity moving. As you clear the clutter, do so with the conscious intention that you are doing so to make room for the new in your life, to make room for desired prosperity.
One of the most important sectors of your home is the ‘prosperity sector’ which can be identified on the basis of your building orientation, main door and living room direction.
A very effective cure to enhance prosperity in Fengshui is the use of moving water. Water and fish are linked to prosperity in Fengshui and therefore, placing an aquarium in the prosperity corner would activate the good Fengshui of your home. The element associated with this sector is wood, so making this a good place for a healthy plant, especially one with rounded (avoid pointed) leaves would be quite good.
You could also use a painting of a prosperous looking scene, or something else that has meaning in your life. When you enhance this area with whatever you choose, do so with the conscious intention that you are doing so to bring more prosperity to your life.
If your house or office is missing out one or more corners, pay attention to those areas and correct them, lest they turn out to be your prosperity or relationship corner.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Spaces to furnish
A slew of new furniture designs and pieces are now available in the market. With a plethora of homes being launched and bought, customers are becoming discerning as far as furniture choices are concerned.
Whether you are doing up your home for the first time or redoing it as part of a makeover, furniture plays the most important role in decorating a home.
A slew of new furniture designs and pieces are now available in the market. V3 Engineers is launching a new series of standalone wardrobes. The product range starts from a standard wardrobe, sliding wardrobes, corner wardrobes, wardrobe with safes and walk-in wardrobes.
The internals are seeing a lot of change as they are now being planned very sensitively and sensibly and is no more a typical shelf, drawer and hanging space.
Tangent-The Furniture Mall has recently launched its new range called the Neon Leather Recliner Sofa Set, available in a set of 3+1+1 out of which four are recliners.
“A quintessential factor in these leather sofas is not just its colour and look but also its European design and aesthetics,” says Chintan Doshi, Director, Tangent-The Furniture Mall.
Recently, @home has introduced unique products like the laptop pad, relax chairs, couple dining sets, loungers, camping chairs, balcony furniture, living partitions and coat hangers apart from new designs in bedroom, sofas and dining.
Chic spaces
Westwood has also recently launched the ‘Fierro’ collection in India. Designed by experts at their European design studios, Westwood’s Fierro collection is a mix of contemporary
solid fruitwood, German accents and accessories and European designing.
Natuzzi showcases Cambré, Etoile and Metaphora, three new contemporary style models.
Cambré and Metaphora are modular sofas showcased both in linear and angular versions. Cambré offers soft and welcoming shapes with a natural fabric covering in hemp colour and accompanied by stonewashed fabric cushions to provide a shabby chic effect. Metaphora is a more squared sofa with a leather frame that incorporates the seat cushions and is showcased with a periwinkle leather covering. Etoile, with a light design and perfect symmetry is made special thanks to its covering in ultra-thick Cassidy leather.
Old is gold
In fact the past seems to be the inspiration for the future.
Concurs Joe Ranji, Director, HIndian – Furniture & Interior Solutions, “traditional articles like a box chest, half moon table, nest of tables etc have been created to give a feel of the royal bygone era, and have been finished by hand paint in vibrant contemporary colours with a mix of miniature design art on it.”
The products they design are made in sheesham wood, which is not only most durable and heavy, but also one of the varieties of wood available exclusively in India.
They are then trimmed with brass, iron, copper, leather and marble to provide added richness to the solid wood. Adds Joji Xavier, Partner, A C Francis & Sons, Furniture and Interiors, “straight lines and sharp corners have been replaced with a touch of old world warmth. Modern design meets mid-century interior concepts to create spaces that give us the best of both worlds - old and new. One word that best describes this would be ‘Eclecticism’ - this is when an antique piece of furniture can be placed alongside your contemporary straight-line sofas, and not look out of place.”
Bosco D’Mello, Director, Turquoise Handicraft says, “classic wooden furniture design is still the most popular and versatile because it provides flexibility when a look has to be changed or decor in the house is being changed. Very stylised furniture, besides being expensive, does not allow for much flexibility because the rest of the decor has to complement the furniture if it’s making a strong statement.”
Eco-friendly choices
With a plethora of new homes being launched and bought, customers are becoming discerning as far as furniture choices are concerned. Says Shyam Daga, Managing Director, Archidply, “the latest trend is that most house owners are opting for low formaldehyde emission materials conforming to Euro I standards.
“This helps keep the indoor air quality healthy and reduces the pollution within the interiors. The trend of laminates with different textures embossed on them is catching up. Trendy and modern looking furniture with a finish like velvet, glass square, high gloss and veneer finish is in.”
The Bureau of Indian Standards has launched an Eco Mark for all environment friendly products and this is the present requirement of most of the corporate houses and individual house owners along with the BIS standard quality mark.
Guru Prasad, Director –V3 Engineers says, “these days we see a mix of various styles in old and new feel with touch of chic Indian style or eclectic way. We also see some influences of trendy European styles with less of visual clutter.”
Eclectic style
The eclectic style is the latest trend in home furniture. “The furniture today is built for comfort and joy, and one should go for specially designed sofas, chairs, entertainment furniture, coffee tables, centre tables as well as recliners and stuffed chairs that offer the maximum ease of seating. With shape, the latest is simple and understated styling.
“For material, wood and leather are some of the most commonly favoured upholstery because of their good looks, durability and longlasting designs,” says Armaan Siddiqui, Joint Managing Director, Westwood Lifestyle Pvt Ltd.
Leather has always been the most popular choice and is used in collaboration with other material. Animal prints are back in the market, and can be used with antique and contemporary furniture.
Colour palette
Nitin Bahl, Country Manager (India), Natuzzi adds, “metallics are hot this year and it shows – furniture takes on a new finish with metallics.
Bright sofas occupy centrestage in living room furniture – out of the picture are neutral sofas with bright throw pillows, in the picture are bright sofas with neutral throw pillows. Curvy couches in heavier styles are often used in black and white decorated living rooms. Look for a couch that you can still use when colour hits the walls again. Gray is the hot neutral to showcase the bright furniture – a twist on the hot metallics for the year.”
Adds Ketan Gandhalikar, GM - Buying & Merchandising (Furniture), @home, “the latest trend is seen in the usage of new shades of walnut (lighter tones) in wooden products. Also elements of metal and textured panels are added with walnut wood to accentuate the lighter tones. In sofas, usage of fabric upholstery with earthen shades like red, brown, olive is in vogue.”
The classic theme with a modern colour scheme with a mix of classic and contemporary is in.
IN, OUT...
- Most house owners are opting for low formaldehyde emission materials conforming to Euro I standards.
- Leather furniture is not new but comes in new colours, designs and look.
- Another new trend is the usage of new shades of walnut (lighter tones) in wooden products.
- The classic theme with a modern colour scheme in a mix of classic and contemporary styles is in.
- Bright sofas occupy centrestage in living room furniture.
- Out of the picture are bright sofas with bright throw pillows, in the picture are bright sofas with neutral throw pillows.
- Gray is the hot neutral to showcase bright furniture, a twist on the hot metallics for the year.
“Leather furniture is not new but come in new colours, designs and look. This furniture is more comfortable and designed universally. There is plenty of good leather furniture in colours and designs that was never seen before in leather,” says Ketan Sheth, Director, Goldmine Project Consultant Pvt. Ltd.
Along with being small, modern furniture also tends to have folding options for easy keeping. Earlier, rooms were adjusted according to furniture but now furniture is being made according to space available. And that’s saying a lot!
Whether you are doing up your home for the first time or redoing it as part of a makeover, furniture plays the most important role in decorating a home.A slew of new furniture designs and pieces are now available in the market. V3 Engineers is launching a new series of standalone wardrobes. The product range starts from a standard wardrobe, sliding wardrobes, corner wardrobes, wardrobe with safes and walk-in wardrobes.
The internals are seeing a lot of change as they are now being planned very sensitively and sensibly and is no more a typical shelf, drawer and hanging space.
Tangent-The Furniture Mall has recently launched its new range called the Neon Leather Recliner Sofa Set, available in a set of 3+1+1 out of which four are recliners.
“A quintessential factor in these leather sofas is not just its colour and look but also its European design and aesthetics,” says Chintan Doshi, Director, Tangent-The Furniture Mall.
Recently, @home has introduced unique products like the laptop pad, relax chairs, couple dining sets, loungers, camping chairs, balcony furniture, living partitions and coat hangers apart from new designs in bedroom, sofas and dining.
Chic spaces
Westwood has also recently launched the ‘Fierro’ collection in India. Designed by experts at their European design studios, Westwood’s Fierro collection is a mix of contemporary
solid fruitwood, German accents and accessories and European designing.
Natuzzi showcases Cambré, Etoile and Metaphora, three new contemporary style models.
Cambré and Metaphora are modular sofas showcased both in linear and angular versions. Cambré offers soft and welcoming shapes with a natural fabric covering in hemp colour and accompanied by stonewashed fabric cushions to provide a shabby chic effect. Metaphora is a more squared sofa with a leather frame that incorporates the seat cushions and is showcased with a periwinkle leather covering. Etoile, with a light design and perfect symmetry is made special thanks to its covering in ultra-thick Cassidy leather.
Old is gold
In fact the past seems to be the inspiration for the future.
Concurs Joe Ranji, Director, HIndian – Furniture & Interior Solutions, “traditional articles like a box chest, half moon table, nest of tables etc have been created to give a feel of the royal bygone era, and have been finished by hand paint in vibrant contemporary colours with a mix of miniature design art on it.”
The products they design are made in sheesham wood, which is not only most durable and heavy, but also one of the varieties of wood available exclusively in India.
They are then trimmed with brass, iron, copper, leather and marble to provide added richness to the solid wood. Adds Joji Xavier, Partner, A C Francis & Sons, Furniture and Interiors, “straight lines and sharp corners have been replaced with a touch of old world warmth. Modern design meets mid-century interior concepts to create spaces that give us the best of both worlds - old and new. One word that best describes this would be ‘Eclecticism’ - this is when an antique piece of furniture can be placed alongside your contemporary straight-line sofas, and not look out of place.”
Bosco D’Mello, Director, Turquoise Handicraft says, “classic wooden furniture design is still the most popular and versatile because it provides flexibility when a look has to be changed or decor in the house is being changed. Very stylised furniture, besides being expensive, does not allow for much flexibility because the rest of the decor has to complement the furniture if it’s making a strong statement.”
Eco-friendly choices
With a plethora of new homes being launched and bought, customers are becoming discerning as far as furniture choices are concerned. Says Shyam Daga, Managing Director, Archidply, “the latest trend is that most house owners are opting for low formaldehyde emission materials conforming to Euro I standards.
“This helps keep the indoor air quality healthy and reduces the pollution within the interiors. The trend of laminates with different textures embossed on them is catching up. Trendy and modern looking furniture with a finish like velvet, glass square, high gloss and veneer finish is in.”
The Bureau of Indian Standards has launched an Eco Mark for all environment friendly products and this is the present requirement of most of the corporate houses and individual house owners along with the BIS standard quality mark.
Guru Prasad, Director –V3 Engineers says, “these days we see a mix of various styles in old and new feel with touch of chic Indian style or eclectic way. We also see some influences of trendy European styles with less of visual clutter.”
Eclectic style
The eclectic style is the latest trend in home furniture. “The furniture today is built for comfort and joy, and one should go for specially designed sofas, chairs, entertainment furniture, coffee tables, centre tables as well as recliners and stuffed chairs that offer the maximum ease of seating. With shape, the latest is simple and understated styling.
“For material, wood and leather are some of the most commonly favoured upholstery because of their good looks, durability and longlasting designs,” says Armaan Siddiqui, Joint Managing Director, Westwood Lifestyle Pvt Ltd.
Leather has always been the most popular choice and is used in collaboration with other material. Animal prints are back in the market, and can be used with antique and contemporary furniture.
Colour palette
Nitin Bahl, Country Manager (India), Natuzzi adds, “metallics are hot this year and it shows – furniture takes on a new finish with metallics.
Bright sofas occupy centrestage in living room furniture – out of the picture are neutral sofas with bright throw pillows, in the picture are bright sofas with neutral throw pillows. Curvy couches in heavier styles are often used in black and white decorated living rooms. Look for a couch that you can still use when colour hits the walls again. Gray is the hot neutral to showcase the bright furniture – a twist on the hot metallics for the year.”
Adds Ketan Gandhalikar, GM - Buying & Merchandising (Furniture), @home, “the latest trend is seen in the usage of new shades of walnut (lighter tones) in wooden products. Also elements of metal and textured panels are added with walnut wood to accentuate the lighter tones. In sofas, usage of fabric upholstery with earthen shades like red, brown, olive is in vogue.”
The classic theme with a modern colour scheme with a mix of classic and contemporary is in.
IN, OUT...
- Most house owners are opting for low formaldehyde emission materials conforming to Euro I standards.
- Leather furniture is not new but comes in new colours, designs and look.
- Another new trend is the usage of new shades of walnut (lighter tones) in wooden products.
- The classic theme with a modern colour scheme in a mix of classic and contemporary styles is in.
- Bright sofas occupy centrestage in living room furniture.
- Out of the picture are bright sofas with bright throw pillows, in the picture are bright sofas with neutral throw pillows.
- Gray is the hot neutral to showcase bright furniture, a twist on the hot metallics for the year.
“Leather furniture is not new but come in new colours, designs and look. This furniture is more comfortable and designed universally. There is plenty of good leather furniture in colours and designs that was never seen before in leather,” says Ketan Sheth, Director, Goldmine Project Consultant Pvt. Ltd.
Along with being small, modern furniture also tends to have folding options for easy keeping. Earlier, rooms were adjusted according to furniture but now furniture is being made according to space available. And that’s saying a lot!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Fengshui - Career
If you are planning to start your own venture or look for a new opening in an establishment, Feng Shui strongly recommends the support of the earth element and in turn the earth energy.
Career and a secure job are very important and we take that journey every day of our lives. An unfulfilling job may even cause depression which could filter into other aspects of your life setting in a feel of negativity in your family relationship and affect your health too. The fear of pink slips. Appraisals and layoffs create insecurity, scare and make you feel emotionally down and weak.
Feng Shui could help you tide over the situation and support you as life is all about changes and transitions. With a clear intention and a vision, think about that dream job or the career you wish to pursue. Feng Shui is all about change which includes energy, emotions, situations and environment. As nature moves in cycle, things also change around us or else it becomes stagnant. Moving from one career or job to another is opening a new chapter in your life and for sure it takes time to accept such changes.
Feng Shui is all about the five elements in nature and is quite similar to the life cycle of a human being. Water, wood, fire, earth and metal which exist in nature also have a corresponding reference to season, shape, time of the day, colour and the kind of energy it exudes.
If you are planning to start your own venture or look for a new opening in an establishment, Feng Shui strongly recommends the support of the earth element and in turn the earth energy. Earth represents firmness, strength, stability and balance and enables you to tide over the situation when you are in between two careers or planning to restart. Act steadfastly but cautiously and this will make you emerge transformed and filled with passion and drive.
There’s a resting state between transitions hence, rest and seek a quiet centre within you, meditate facing the compass direction West which would inspire you to seek new avenues by letting go the past and the feeling of remorse and hurt due to your previous job. Let go of the feeling of being dumped which will allow you to see more clearly and work on your strengths and weakness.
Look around your place of dwelling, try to bring about small changes and add more earth features around you. It could be in the form of terracotta artifacts, murals or colours especially yellow, peach, beige, terracotta and even ceramic artifacts, crystals could help you strengthen the core energy. In addition, Pictures and paintings of earthen landscapes, stone sculptures would also help.
Wood represents growth and Feng Shui recommends adding wood energy to the right side of your home to bring in new opportunities. Healthy plants, striped fabric, torchs, lamps, and wooden ornaments will all help employers to recognise your true potential. Look around your main door thresholds, if your threshold is obstructed and cluttered in any way, in turn the threshold in your life would be obstructed and cluttered. Finally adding generous splashes of the color green to the right side of your home can also be helpful in finding a new job.
The implementation of the right and effective Feng Shui career guidance is crucial to open up and activate the career of an individual. Therefore go through the process of changes and transformation systematically and stay focused.
Career and a secure job are very important and we take that journey every day of our lives. An unfulfilling job may even cause depression which could filter into other aspects of your life setting in a feel of negativity in your family relationship and affect your health too. The fear of pink slips. Appraisals and layoffs create insecurity, scare and make you feel emotionally down and weak.Feng Shui could help you tide over the situation and support you as life is all about changes and transitions. With a clear intention and a vision, think about that dream job or the career you wish to pursue. Feng Shui is all about change which includes energy, emotions, situations and environment. As nature moves in cycle, things also change around us or else it becomes stagnant. Moving from one career or job to another is opening a new chapter in your life and for sure it takes time to accept such changes.
Feng Shui is all about the five elements in nature and is quite similar to the life cycle of a human being. Water, wood, fire, earth and metal which exist in nature also have a corresponding reference to season, shape, time of the day, colour and the kind of energy it exudes.
If you are planning to start your own venture or look for a new opening in an establishment, Feng Shui strongly recommends the support of the earth element and in turn the earth energy. Earth represents firmness, strength, stability and balance and enables you to tide over the situation when you are in between two careers or planning to restart. Act steadfastly but cautiously and this will make you emerge transformed and filled with passion and drive.
There’s a resting state between transitions hence, rest and seek a quiet centre within you, meditate facing the compass direction West which would inspire you to seek new avenues by letting go the past and the feeling of remorse and hurt due to your previous job. Let go of the feeling of being dumped which will allow you to see more clearly and work on your strengths and weakness.
Look around your place of dwelling, try to bring about small changes and add more earth features around you. It could be in the form of terracotta artifacts, murals or colours especially yellow, peach, beige, terracotta and even ceramic artifacts, crystals could help you strengthen the core energy. In addition, Pictures and paintings of earthen landscapes, stone sculptures would also help.
Wood represents growth and Feng Shui recommends adding wood energy to the right side of your home to bring in new opportunities. Healthy plants, striped fabric, torchs, lamps, and wooden ornaments will all help employers to recognise your true potential. Look around your main door thresholds, if your threshold is obstructed and cluttered in any way, in turn the threshold in your life would be obstructed and cluttered. Finally adding generous splashes of the color green to the right side of your home can also be helpful in finding a new job.
The implementation of the right and effective Feng Shui career guidance is crucial to open up and activate the career of an individual. Therefore go through the process of changes and transformation systematically and stay focused.
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