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Ripple Effect--Feng Shui Q & A

7/6/2018

I was in Des Moines last weekend, visiting (I mean--goofing around at) the parks, splash-pad, zoo, farmer’s market with our cutie grandbabies--

Nora--tongue out for balance

Camel riding at the zoo with the Harper and Jude--FUN!

And, in other (business) news…

Last week, in the middle of our AWESOME day of choosing tile, cupboards, granite and plumbing fixtures for her gorgeous new bathroom, a client asked me this outstanding question…

Q: “How do you see the Feng Shui work you do impacting the world on a broader, more expansive level? Because even though we’re having a BIG FUN DAY choosing items for the bathroom, I know this work goes deeper than faucets and colors and grout…”

A: That is a GREAT question and one that impacts the work I do with every client...

MY MISSION: To Raise the Vibration of the Planet by enhancing the energy of the environments in which my clients live and work.

There are layers to this work...

1--When your home or office has had a Full Feng Shui Design Enhancement and it’s humming at an optimal vibration--then you’ve got maximum support from your environment FOR YOUR LIFE!!! You feel better, you have extra energy and more space to invite in opportunities and gifts that will lift you up. AMAZING things happen when your home becomes aligned with your greater self!

2--Then...your fully supported self feels SO FANTASTIC that s/he carries those good feelings out into the world, impacting family, friends, coworkers and strangers all day long. The good vibes ripple out beautifully filling others with love and good feelings, too.

The better you feel, the more you can share the love with others and the more love and peace and goodwill in this world, the better.

3--Now...you feel so dynamic and empowered that not only are you a shining, brilliant beacon to others--you have space and energy to deliver your gifts and talents to the world--the cure, the art, the vision, the revelation, the invention, the innovation, the gadget, the gizmo, the discovery, the change, the shift, the theories--the (whatever it is!) that can only come from you.

Shifts big and small add up to a world where things are BETTER--WAY BETTER!

And--The Better It Gets, The Better it Gets!

So, this is not just about making the house look pretty--it goes WAY deeper than that…

This is about changing the planet! Spreading love, Spreading light, and Creating a Better World. Are you in?

Reply to this email if you would like to talk about how Feng Shui Design can support your life AND the planet. I would love to talk with you personally.

Lots of Love,
XOXO

What If I Don’t Like It?

6/22/2018

Soooooooo, here’s a question I get ALL OF THE TIME…

“What if I don’t Like it?” (As in...what if I don’t like the Feng Shui Design you’ve created for me?)

There’s a BIG leap of faith that happens when you put the design of your home in the hands of a Feng Shui Designer like me. Unlike a “normal” Interior Designer, not only am I going to create a beautiful space for you, I tune in and weave your dreams and desires of a gorgeous future right into the design of your home!

And, (here’s the “take your medicine” part…) the designs are not necessarily going to immediately feel “comfortable”. Because, Change. You may feel some resistance and even have Big Feelings. Sometimes they express themselves in the form of Yelling, Laughing, Crying, Refusal, Perspiring, or Shallow Breathing.

We have experienced this with nearly ALL of our clients:

“I HATE Blue!!!”--as I flipped to the blue section of the paint wand (Yelling)
“I HATE Yellow!!!”--as I flipped to the yellow section of the paint wand (Yelling)
“Wait, What, Really????? Rose Garden wallpaper on the ceiling? Huh???” (Perspiring, Shallow Breathing)

You’ve got to be kidding--that HUGE MURAL on my headboard wall?--HAHAHAHAHA!!!!!! Really?” (Distressed Laughing :)
“A red velvet sofa and crystal chandelier in MY Living Room?”--read: “I don’t deserve it.” (Crying)
“Coral Peacock Wallpaper in the bathroom? No Way, Nope, Not Happening…” (Refusal)

It’s OK! We can guide you through your feelings and if it’s really too much we can course correct.

HOWEVER, it’s the clients who embrace the resistance and move through it (like ALL of the examples above!!!!) who reap the biggest gifts in the end :)

Your home is a living, breathing journal for your life, so, if we create shifts in your home, your life will transform as well--this is BIG STUFF and it comes with BIG REACTIONS.

(I wouldn’t be doing my job if you didn’t feel it in some way!)

My goal in working with you is to turn your home into a MANIFESTING MAGNET--calling in bigger opportunities, exquisite love, overflowing abundance, superb health, deeper spiritual connection--anything your li’l ol’ heart desires!

If you’ve ever had the experience of challenging your beliefs or mindset, either with someone guiding you or on your own, then you know--personal growth is not always comfortable :)

A Feng Shui Adventure should feel like a stretch but it should not feel TERRIFYING!

In a private consultation, I listen carefully to your ideas for your space, ask about your lifestyle, AND take in any information you’re inspired to give me. I also listen on a deeper level--what is your heart aching for? How can your home create a pathway to your greatest desires and dreams. EVEN if you can’t completely articulate them in the moment--I can always feel them.

The process might feel a bit distressing (change usually does…) but the results are ALWAYS WORTH IT!

Let the GOOD STUFF flow!

Lots of Love,
XOXO

Tiny Home OR Gypsy Wagon, Anyone?

6/8/2018

We went to Iowa last weekend to visit 2 of our Grandbabies, Jude and Nora, it was THE BEST! Such darling tiny humans and so hard to leave them (with their adoring parents) 4 hours away!

Amazing to see them living NOWNOWNOW--crying, laughing, eating, playing--totally in the moment and enjoying life!

One night after they went to bed, I was goofing around on Pinterest (my fave :) and started a board called Gypsy Wagons (I couldn’t believe the WOWOWOWOW images--so much fun!). If you know me really well, you know that there’s a teensy part of me that’s a jewelry-wearin’, fortune-tellin’, run-off-to-somewhere-exotic kind-of-a gypsy. Personally, I love the wild colors, the velvets, silks, funky lighting, tassels AND the romantic idea of living in a Feng Shui-ed Gypsy Wagon with Bob!

For me it wouldn’t be a newfangled Tiny Home--even though I totally support the movement--they don’t seem quite as intriguing as a Gypsy Wagon, amiright?

This got me thinking again about the whole idea of living SMALL...

Two of my current clients live (by choice) in very small spaces.

The Tiny House movement has really taken off and maybe you, too, have had the fantasy of living with only the essentials, a few precious, and perhaps luxurious, items and experiencing life without all of the EXTRA STUFF (that you clean, heat and air condition)?

And, tiny spaces are PERFECT for Feng Shui!

First--The clutter HAS TO BE GONE! There’s just no room for tubs of files or old papers, closets of yarn, or 5,000 books. I KNOW you’re not going out to rent a storage locker, right? So, to “go tiny” you’ve already made the decision to keep less--only precious items or things you absolutely NEED.

Second--Your space has to function like a Swiss Army Knife--everything chosen INTENTIONALLY--you have to love it or need it AND it has to fit!

Third--You become more conscious about what you buy--if items are coming in, then most likely items will need to also be going out--because it won’t take long to feel STUFFED!

The best part of living in a smaller space, though?

You can choose MORE BEAUTY, MORE LUXURY and MORE ELEGANCE!

In the case of one of my clients who’s moving into a studio apartment, there were only 14 major items to acquire and the only items he’s bringing with him are a small (watermelon-colored velvet!) swivel chair and a TV.

That’s it!

It is an amazing study in Upscale Minimalism (Is that a thing?) to consider:

One oversized gorgeous piece of art
One luxurious, bottle green(!) Ultrasuede sleeper sofa
One beautiful, handsewn leather ottoman
One stunning black credenza
One small marble cafe table
Two leather sling chairs with a brass base
One HUGE mirror (small spaces ALWAYS need the Feng Shui enhancement of a mirror)
One dazzling light
Two spectacular side tables
Two reading lamps
One very soft, thick-pile area rug

Can you imagine moving and needing just 14 major items to create a gorgeous Feng Shui design? It is totally possible.

Can’t wait to show you the pictures when this studio is complete...

Even if you have No Intention of downsizing to that degree, you can still use the ideas of clutter-clearing, choosing items intentionally and focusing on a few simple, BEAUTIFUL pieces for your space, too.

When the clutter is gone, you’re surrounded by beauty and your space is balanced, unbelievable shifts can happen in your life--and incredible gifts begin to arrive! I’ve seen it happen over and over again…

We would LOVE to support your personal Feng Shui Adventure--just reply to this email and we will get back to you right away!

Lots of Love,
XOXO

DreamBank Event--Feng Shui for Health and Wellness

6/1/2018

Our DreamBank event last Wednesday--Feng Shui for Health and Wellness--was SUPER FUN! Laura was the big winner of our door prize give-away (WOOHOO!!!), I met Nicole, talked with Mariah and Bev and even saw Lisa at the grocery store later that day! Thank you all so much for spending your lunch hour with us...and welcome to our e-community!

It truly is my pleasure to share my passion for how our environments can be instrumental in transforming our lives. When your environment supports your life--with color, furniture placement, balance and beauty, THEN you have the energy to spread your joy and love around in the world--the ripple effect is AMAZING!

So, to recap our event (for those of you who couldn’t make it…) we focused on three areas that could give you a HUGE boost in the Health and Wellness department!

Feng Shui for Health and Wellness

CLUTTER:
Oh, yeah, I’m going to “mention” it again :) If you know me, you know that I will never stop--letting go of chaos, clutter, and stagnant chi is the single most powerful thing you can do to raise the energy of your space. AND, it’s the part you can most likely do for yourself...

If you’ve misplaced your Design Essentials Kit, reply to this email and I will get you a fresh copy--inside is a Clutter Quiz and a Clutter Clearing Checklist--a great way to begin if you’re new to this!

In Feng Shui you can’t hide (!) so IF you have clutter and chaos dragging you down (even if it’s in a closet, basement or off-site storage locker and you can’t “see” it) most likely you can FEEL IT--stress, lethargy, overwhelm, overweight, insomnia, confusion, headaches… Anyone?

Ask yourself these questions to help you decide what to keep--

Do I LOVE it?
Do I NEED it?
Do I CHOOSE it?

Start SMALL! But, do start :)

KITCHEN:
Take an inventory of your kitchen--the space you use DAILY to support your health. A powerful place to start shifting and improving your health:

My refrigerator/freezer is clean and fresh
My refrigerator and pantry is full of healthy, unprocessed, and fresh food
My cupboards are clean, spacious, and easy to access
My kitchen is beautiful and welcoming
I have plenty of room to cook, chop, and prepare healthy food

DINING AREA:
Now that your kitchen has had an energy boost, let’s take a look at the spot where you’re actually eating--your dining table! (if you’re not eating at the dining table, check in with yourself, is this best for your optimal health?)

My dining table and chairs are comfortable enough to sit long enough to enjoy my meal and my dining companions

My table has a beautiful centerpiece of some sort--low enough to see others at the table

I have place settings that I LOVE and use them regularly to celebrate every meal

I have lighting options in the dining area--perfect for every mood and occasion

The view from every chair at the table is uplifting, stress-free, and beautiful

Could you make a couple of these shifts (or even one?) in your kitchen and dining areas? Is it time for a clear-out or an upgrade? Working with the energy of your kitchen and dining area can create a HUGE difference in your eating experience, your connection with family and guests, and your overall health and well-being.

If you decide to give yourself even just one of these Feng Shui boosts--let me know--I would love to hear from you!

And, if you want support to get your home or office feeling FENG SHUI AMAZING--we would love to support you--just reply to this blog post and we will be in touch!

Lots of Love,
XOXO

Laura’s Guest Room and the Rest...

5/24/2018

Now, I really know it’s Spring (lovely husband) Bob, brought home some Lily of the Valley yesterday--they smell SO GOOD! Sometimes it really is the little things that have the most meaning :)

We are in the midst of SEVERAL BIG Feng Shui projects (SO FUN!)--can’t wait to share with you when they’re completed!!!

And, since we’re on the subject of kick-ass projects--I wanted to wrap up our 3-part series and share the rest of Laura’s beautiful St. Louis home with you today...

The last rooms to show you are the Guest Room and the Master Bathroom.

Guest Room BEFORE:

AFTER:

The guests who stay here will never want to leave!

Feng Shui Upgrades:

The puuuuuurfect paint color: (Morning Sunshine--Ben. Moore)
Happy bedding
A cheerful chair
A gorgeous rug
A soft headboard to use as a place to sit and read
Matching low-profile bed tables and lamps
A gorgeous piece of art (in the relationship corner)
Replacing the blocky dresser in the doorway with a lighter, lower, more simple piece
Everything has a place and is beautifully put away--there’s EASE and FLOW!

The Master Bathroom BEFORE:

AFTER:

Feng Shui Enhancements:

Simple, Zen, strippable wallpaper, balancing the flowery bedroom mural in the Master Bedroom
Easy-going rug
Upgraded Shower Curtain
2 hooks for towels--(she’s interested in relationship, remember?)
Everything beautifully put away

Laura says “I can’t believe I live here!” and with the energy in her place vibing SO HIGH--we can’t wait to see how her life blossoms as well.

Now her home is a beautiful sanctuary to rest and relax and call in all of the goodness that is already hers--I’ll keep you posted!

If you are feeling the urge for “more” for yourself, too, reply to this email and we will get back to you right away--we would love to support your transformation, too!

Lots of Love,
XOXO

Can Feng Shui Improve my Health?

5/18/2018

I’ve been in Colorado this week working, relaxing, and enjoying some time with my daughter, Morgan and her hubby, who live in Boulder.

I went over to Steamboat Springs for a couple of days to visit my friend, Monica--Steamboat is beeeeeautiful!

Also, I had a wonderful opportunity to give a talk in Boulder (Thanks for setting it up, Jocelyn!)--So fun!

We all had a lovely evening together cozying up to the idea that Feng Shui can have a HUGE impact on our lives--whether releasing clutter, or creating a beautiful high-energy space through Feng Shui Design, So Much Can Happen through harnessing the energy of your space.

So, WELCOME(!) everyone!!!!! We are so happy you have joined our e-Family! I will be back in Colorado later this summer--hope to see some of you again very soon!

The mountains are SO healing, I’ve been hiking almost every day, catching up to the altitude and enjoying the beautiful weather.

As I’ve been marinating in the fresh mountain air, I have had a few ideas pop in on how to keep moving toward “healthier” when I return to Madison (‘cuz, I could be a little healthier, how about you?)

Do you ever come back from a vacation or an inspiring event, with BIG NEW IDEAS--but then very soon fall back into the status quo and abandon your desires to move forward?
Did you ever consider that it could be your home that is holding you back, weighing you down or BLOCKING YOUR FORWARD-MOVING ENERGY?
Your home can ABSOLUTELY keep those good vibes going OR slow your momentum to a screeching halt.
The energy of your home is 100% impacting your life--Feng Shui is working from the outside IN!
It’s about taking a good look at this energy that is in EVERYTHING. Wherever you’re sitting right now, take a look around. There is life, there is something moving…

There is no such thing as an inanimate object.

There is molecular, buzzing chi. There is intangible-to-the-human-eye energy in EVERYTHING. And it’s palpable to those of us who are sensitive to it. Take a look at everything as having a life and also having a voice--WHAAAA???????
Everything in your space is a reflection of your thinking. You selected everything--or agreed to it--allowed it in your house--one way or another.
You can’t really hide in Feng Shui--it’s a very intimate process--your energy and that of your home are completely intertwined. When you understand that everything has LIFE to it (and it has a little VOICE too) everything just comes to life and is chattering away at you!
Every object represents a belief: “I feel good about myself--I’m going to paint this bold color. I don’t feel good about myself, I”m going to pile stuff up in the corner. I feel depressed, I’m going to just let the mess go.... I’m full of energy, I’m going to clear out the basement” Everything’s going to reflect something about you.
So, your home is talking to you 24 hours a day. And if it feels heavy and like it’s weighing you down--like a backpack of rocks--then moving forward, especially moving forward with your health, is going to be tough!
BUT...turn your home into something that’s totally and completely forward moving--and everything speaks to who you’re wanting to be. So NOW everything is talking to you about how fabulous you are, deserving of XYZ, how confident and smart and perfect and healthy you are--that whatever is special and whole about you is TRUE!
Your home can talk to you so powerfully and TOTALLY propel you forward.
It’s like downloading a new program to your computer or updating your OS. It can CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF YOUR BRAIN. And you start to notice, “I feel better! I have more confidence, I have FUN bubbling up inside--I’m Happier, Healthier!”
And, in terms of your HEALTH and WELLNESS...next week we will shine the light on specific things you can do to boost the Health Chi in your space.
Stay Tuned!

Lots of Love,
XOXO

Do you have a friend who would love to read this today? (Forward to a friend link)

PS: I’ll be at the Dreambank, Madison, WI, on May 23rd at noon talking about Feng Shui for Health and Wellness--bring a friend and join us!

REGISTER HERE

Living Room Love!

5/11/2018

We had so many comments from last week’s post--it was fun to hear from all of you--thanks so much for taking the time to reply!

Today we continue the tour of Laura’s charming St. Louis home today with the Living Room…

As you recall, Laura moved to her new home this fall when her last little one (I mean really big, grown-up one) went off to college.

Her home was a blank slate (well, with a little clutter tossed in)--and she was very open to allowing a BIG JUMP in energy for her home and her life--very BRAVE!

Here are a few before pictures (previous owners) of her living room:

And so the Feng Shui challenge began…

...To lift the CHI of this space to match Laura’s gorgeous, glittering energy and beautiful life unfolding and blossoming right before her…

Before and After Master Bedroom--WOW!

5/3/2018

Big news this week! We had a photo shoot of a completed Feng Shui Design project in St. Louis...

Here is Mark Schepker, super-photographer, in action…

Today, I wanted to share just the Master Bedroom transformation…

First let me tell you a little bit about Laura…
She is newly single, moved this fall to an adorable home in an up-and-coming neighborhood--upgrades happening all around her, including a french bakery on the next corner--Oooooo lala!

Laura’s kids are now all off to college (and beyond) and she is MORE THAN READY for a fresh new place to live as she begins this new, fab phase of her life. Her Feng Shui requests were support for abundance, health and ROMANCE!

This is the before shot of her room:

She sent this pic to me as she was looking at the house…

“My bedroom??? What do you think?”

My answer:
“Well...here are the challenges:

The room is in the basement (the only bedroom big enough for her King-sized bed)
The room feels cold, a cement floor (even though beautifully painted, you can’t ignore that)
The ceiling is low--a bit less than 7 ft.

But...I can see that IF we raise the chi to the UPPER LIMIT and IF you’re willing to really go for it, it will be beautiful, bring you So Much Joy and your sparkly, light hearted attitude will ignite change and forward movement in your life!”

Later we discussed...

This basement bedroom (unless it’s really, really, really WOW!) will never call you down, you will have to make an appointment--to go down the steps, to the cement floor, make a hairpin turn at the bottom of the steps and go down a long narrow hall to get there--all of that requires effort. And it’s effort that we are usually NOT WILLING to make...the only exception is if we pull out all the stops and GO FOR IT!!!!!

And, she did...

3 Surprising Ways to UP the Chi in Your Home

4/26/2018

Are you feeling the Fresh New Spring Energy? It just arrived (for me) today :) Maybe it’s urging you to get silly, dance, play around with the kids or get after your clutter.

More selfies--Harper & Nana :)

Maybe you WANT TO but you don’t feel like you have the time or energy to clear clutter or lift the design of your space. Here are some fabulous Feng Shui clearing techniques that you can do to UP-UP-UP the chi of your home.

Sometimes, our spaces are so stagnant and jammed up that it feels daunting and hard to take the first step or make any significant headway toward creating a home that feels AMAZING.

Check out the list below and feel into what you can do to raise the energy of your space FIRST so that you will want to keep the good vibes moving and shifting higher and HIGHER!

As we go through life the energy from all of our experiences (the highs AND the lows) can build up in our homes, furniture and belongings...

Get in the habit of doing regular space-clearings and it will keep you and your space feeling fresh and light.

Think of it as an energetic dusting!

3 Ways to Feng Shui Ways Clear Stagnant and Stuck Energy

Essential Oils--Orange, Lemon and Rose are some of the best essences for space clearing. They have a fresh light aroma and do wonders to wake up the energy of a space. Use a high quality brand such as Young Living. This company also makes an oil blend called Purification which is AMAZING for uplifting a space, as well. Put a few drops in a diffuser or even just in a clean spray bottle filled with distilled water and spray it around, especially in places that feel stuck. Contact Connie, our rep, if you are interested in learning more about how essential oils can support you as you work through your home.

Does YOUR Art Match Your Hopes and Dreams?

4/17/2018

WOW! Last week’s post got a huge response--people checking in about their clutter, getting after their kitchens AND quite a few of you having reactions to the idea about how the images and art pieces you surround yourself with impact your life.

I think it’s FASCINATING to think about how the art that hangs on the walls and adorns our homes can impact our health (and the rest of our lives, too). Are you with me?

Art is SO POWERFUL and so many of us buy it, hang it and “forget” about it. But, the energy of the piece lives on and even if you no longer are actively paying attention to it, it’s energy permeates your home AND your life.

Here’s a great example…

Meghan, a long-time member of our Feng Shui family, sent this message and picture after last week’s blog post:

AS FEATURED ON:

© 2016 Jane Antonovich