CasaSugar

Do You Practice Feng Shui?

CasaSugar — Sat, 13 Sep 2008 08:30:04 -0700

I personally don't know much about the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui, and I've always felt like there's too much to learn to get it right. But, I have friends who swear that it's improved their lives by sending them "positive Qi." Do you practice feng shui? Have you made an attempt? Do you think it's a hoax? What's your take?Source

Would You Dine at This McDonald's?

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 07:15:19 -0800

McDonald's recently opened their first feng shui inspired restaurant in Hacienda Heights, CA. There are water elements, earth tones, red accents and exotic fauna. The franchise owner said they did this to create a soothing environment for their customers to enjoy their dining experience. So tell me, do you think you'd enjoy this feng shui-ed McD's?

Having Trouble Sleeping? Try Feng Shui

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

Do you have a hard time falling or staying asleep? Do you wake up in the morning feeling uneasy or irritated? It may have to do with the Feng Shui in your bedroom. Feng Shui, which literally means "wind and water," is the ancient Chinese art of placement. The goal is to enhance the flow of "chi" (energy) and to create a harmonious environment that supports health and happiness.

Here are some basic Feng Shui tips to hep you get a better night's sleep:

Shut out the outside world by removing the TV, computer, and exercise equipment. The bedroom is your place of serenity, where you need to get away from the stresses of life, so if your desk or office must be in the bedroom, separate the space with a curtain or folding screen.
Use calm and friendly earth tones such as copper, cream, tan and chocolate to create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Light blue, mint green and lavender will give a tranquil feeling and invite healing energy. Vibrant colors such as red and bright orange stimulate the mind, so this may not be the best color for your bedroom.
Your bed should be in the commanding position. This means it should be far away from the door, but you should still be able to see the entrance. This will give you a sense of safety and protection. You also don't want the foot of your bed to be pointing towards the door. In traditional Chinese culture, this is called the "Death Position," and thought to drain life force energy since the deceased were carried out feet first.
There should be room on either side of the bed so it is approachable from both sides and energy can flow around you freely.

Want to hear more about your bed? Then read more

Try not to put your bed under a slanted ceiling, heavy beam or ceiling fan. This position is thought to contain depressing energy that literally pushes down on you while you sleep. If you can't avoid this position, hang tapestries or other fabric above the bed.
Also avoid positioning your bed directly under a window. A solid wall symbolically can support and protect you, while glass allows energy to flow in and out of the window, which may cause restless sleep. Solid headboards are great since they'll provide even more protection and support while you sleep. Footboards on the other hand block forward progress in life and are only recommended if your bed has to point towards the door.
Reduce clutter in your bedroom, under your bed, in your closet, and on your night stand. Clutter represents unfinished business, which can disturb your sleep.
Cover windows with curtains so that you can have a cocoon-like feeling at night, and they'll keep the sunlight out in the morning. Being exposed to sunlight first thing in the morning is said to influence your serotonin levels and affect you for the rest of the day. Once you're ready to wake up, you can easily pull the curtains open and flood your room with natural light.
Make sure not to hang a mirror next to or opposite the bed as this is thought to bounce too much energy around the room and prevent restful sleep.
Hang up art that exudes happiness and calm energy.

You obviously don't have to do all these things, but as long as you can walk into your bedroom and feel relaxed and comforted, then you're on your way to a good night's sleep.

Source

Good Reads: Fur Shui

PetSugar — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 00:30:36 -0700

You've heard of Feng Shui, right? It's the idea that the Chi (or energy) that flows through your home should be balanced. If you are a believer in the practice, author Paula Brown says the same principal can be applied to your pets! In her new book Fur Shui, Paula tells us how balancing your pets' chi can create a more balanced life for both you and your furry pals:

Animals are full of natural energy and have a pervasive desire to provide emotional support to their caretakers. By understanding the simple principles in FUR SHUI, you'll immediately see that our pets have the power to improve our health, protect our homes, and commiserate with us on work, money, and love.

So just how does Fur Shui work? Find out more and check out a video when you read more.

Just like Feng Shui, Fur Shui works off of the ancient Chinese principal that energy areas in your home correspond with a color. For example the health and knowledge area is yellow, and the family section is green. So theoretically, if you tie a yellow ribbon on your doggie's crate, he will have good health! And if your kitty is having socialization or family issues, put a green bell on him to nurture healthy family chi. Although Fur Shui is not a substitute for regular veterinary care, I'm not opposed to new ways to make sure North and I are in total energy harmony. If you want a more in depth look at how it works, check out this video and watch Paula school us on the ways of Fur Shui.

Source

Feng Shui This CD Player Into Your Living Room

GeekSugar — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 12:04:03 -0800

Designed by Matteo Bertanelli, Michele di Monte, Chiara Cremona, and Andrea Biraghi this Square CD is a new, completely chic edition to the flat panel world. This player can be mounted directly on the wall and is controlled by touch. Once a CD is turned on, a light displays the interface and a soft back light illuminates all around the square. As chic and high-tech as the actual design is, CDs are so last year, well more like so 1990s. What are your thoughts on this new invention? Would you be willing to pull out your old Dance Mix 99 CDs and purchase this gadget?

Go to Yanko Designs for more info and to check out more pictures.

How-To: Take Advantage of a Corner Space

CasaSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 07:45:59 -0700

Currently, this is my favorite spot in my house. However, before I moved this chair into the corner, our giant television, which sat on an equally imposing Tansu chest, took up this entire area, and basically obscured the window. These tall, thin windows, which flank either side of our fireplace, are a lovely architectural feature, and I was, frankly, horrified that they'd been covered up by a television.

However, my husband was adamant that the television belonged in the living room. That is, he was adamant on this point until he came home one evening to find that the television had magically moved to the study. And guess what? Now he's adamant that the study is the best home for the television. While I don't advocate secret rearrangements, I do feel that if you're convinced of the advantages of your vision for the space, sometimes it's worth a mini battle (especially if you're certain of the outcome, as I was). With that in mind, I wanted to outline some ideas for taking advantage of a room's corner space. To see some of my thoughts, read more.

Decide what you want to use the corner space for. Storage? A reading nook? A mini art gallery? After you've decided what purpose the space will serve, make a list of what items will help the corner to reach its decorating potential.
According to feng shui, the Chinese art of arranging objects, furniture, and homes to create the best flow of energy, corners are said to create "secret arrows," which can cause anxiousness. Whether or not you believe in feng shui, corners can be rather harsh points in a room, and it's best to soften them. One easy way to do so is with plants, which I've done in my reading corner.
When using plants, use plant stands to create varying heights for the foliage.
If you're interested in using your corner to display objects, such as a dish collection, small art objects, or photos, invest in a corner shelf unit. I'm definitely a fan of the Harmony Media Unit, which provides media storage as well as a place for either displaying mementos or placing your flatscreen.
Another option is to use this area for seating. The Mellow Corner Sectional from CB2 is a great, affordable option.
Further soften your corner with textiles. My modern-looking armchair looked too staid and stuffy, in my opinion. By draping a vintage patchwork quilt over the back, it encourages residents to curl up with a good book, and tuck their legs under the colorful quilt.
Give it some light. If you're displaying art, or using this corner for a reading nook, make sure that you have a lamp to cast some light on the subject.

How to Eat Mindfully

FitSugar — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

As someone who loves food but wants to eat healthy, I'm always looking for ways to savor the process of eating - from chewing my food more to making meals last at least 20 minutes. If you also like to think what you eat, then you'll appreciate this recent Huffington Post column in which Pavel Somov, author of Eating the Moment, offers some pointers on eating mindfully.

From the way you eat to the way your table looks, many factors affect how mindful you consume your food. So in the interest of not scarfing it all down, check out Somov's tips when you read more.

When sitting down to a meal, suggests Somov, take a page from the feng shui philosophy to create a sense of calm. First thing's first, turn off the TV. Here's what he recommends:

Clear the table so it's free of reading material and other distractions. As Somov points out, "The less there is on the table not directly related to your eating, the more room there is for your mind to focus on the food."
To create even fewer distractions, create a place setting that uses minimalist tableware, possibly something Asian-inspired.
If you want to get really extreme, create a separate eating space in a spare room. With just a table and chair, try dining all alone with nothing else to focus on.

I am definitely guilty of reading while eating, but when I really take the time to focus on my food, I appreciate it more. How about you?

Source

TV Pillowcase For Boob Tube Addicts

GeekSugar — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 07:00:53 -0800

After hearing Oprah say that she refuses to have a television in the bedroom, I guiltily placed my flatscreen at the end of my bed during my last apartment move. I know, bad feng shui, energy, whatever you want to call it, but how great is it when a good Netflix movie arrives and you get to crawl into your cozy bed and watch it - chip crumbs and all?! This product may be my next best option - or a good Oprah option - the Eight Hours of Fame Pillowcase. Made from Egyptian cotton, this TV-imprinted case gives you your TV fix, while you sleep. No word on pricing.

Link Time!

CasaSugar — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 14:00:14 -0800

To keep messes under control, try tidying before bed.- AT:LA
Make sure you've completed some Fall energy checkups.- Danny Seo
The ECO Showerdrop showerhead will save you money.- Forecast Earth
Check out the book Crafternoon.- Craft
What's your view of feng shui?- Simply Stated
I love these wooden bowls.- The Style Files
Would you buy a boogieman rug?- Shelterrific
See what it's like to live in a 100-square-foot home.- Charles and Hudson

Source

Top Design, Episode Four: "Bachelor Pads"

CasaSugar — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 10:00:12 -0700

Poor bachelors. They never get a break it seems, especially when it comes to interior design. There's a reason for that of course, and this week's episode of Top Design exploits the belief that bachelor pads are "gross" as Shazia so succinctly expressed.

The designers were given the biggest amount of money yet to work on their bachelors - $10,000 - as well as the use of carpenters, seamstresses, and painters. Designers again were separated into teams, and they consulted with their individual bachelors to determine their design aesthetic (for James, it was "panty-dropping chic"). Bachelor Obi was very involved, and talked about how he wanted to have better feng shui in his apartment; he'd actually clipped design ideas from Elle Decor. Wow! The last bachelor, Eddie, had a mess of an apartment, with the only organized element in the house being his massive collection of shoes.

To see who rocked the bachelor bad, and who got booted from the show, read more.

To my delight, the individual "Pop Design" contest was back this week. I love that the designers get an opportunity to assert their individual tastes. This week, the Pop Design involved arranging flowers; most of the designers did a great job, and this was a challenge I would've loved to try my hand at as well. Nathan won for his sophisticated floral design.

Overall, the designers did a great job remaking the bachelors' apartments. James' apartment (you know, the panty-dropping-chic guy) looked way sophisticated with decoupaged screens, great updates in the bedroom and living room, and if anything, was simply too unbachelor-like. Obi's pad had a masculine Zen vibe going on, with neutral colors, dark wood, and a sophisticated, mellow vibe. Eddie's apartment was definitely an improvement, with the beginnings of clean, tailored lines. Unfortunately, the designers hadn't finished the main living room, and the judges weren't pleased.

At the judging (which included guest judge Jeff Lewis from Flipping Out, Andrea, Wisit, and Teresa's team had the top design for Obi's apartment. I had to agree that the designers did a great job keeping the apartment sophisticated while also remembering their client's personality and needs. The last team, of Shazia, Preston, and Nathan, were on the chopping block due to their inability to work together and their uninspiring design. Shazia definitely had a difficult time working with her team. When she tried to assert her opinion, she did it in an odd, petulant way that seemed really immature. In the end, Shazia was kicked out for her bad attitude and inability to assert her design sense.

Do you think Shazia deserved to go home? What stood out for you in this week's episode?

View 21 Photos ›

Photos courtesy of Bravo