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Hello Beautiful! I’m thinking about you A LOT and hope you’re doing well. REMEMBER, your home has a HUGE impact on How Things Are Going--please reach out if you are feeling like your home (or your LIFE) needs an upgrade--I would love to support you. Feng Shui Design is magical--in just these last few weeks, I’ve heard clients say things like: “All of a sudden I’m sleeping ALL NIGHT LONG--it’s been an issue my whole life!” “We got married! We finally just did it--A Feng Shui WIN!” “I got a corporate contract for my coaching work--super happy about that!” And I see these kinds of results ALL THE TIME in my full-time practice--just think how amazing it would feel to have your dreams woven into the design of your home SO THAT you constantly have the support you need to freely move towards them… And speaking of dreams… Bob (lovely husband) and I are making our dreams come true, too! Bob has owned a 1950’s Mobil Gas Station in Blue Mounds, WI since the 70’s. He pumped gas and serviced cars there until the Interstate was built (Hwy 151)--this diverted the traffic and caused him to go to work in Madison. He pulled out the gas pumps but kept the station as his “toy box” to fix our cars, his friends’ cars, tinker and play with inventions (When the magnetic motor becomes the salvation for our energy crisis, you can say you knew the inventor ;) Last May, on vacation, I had a BIG brainstorm-- “Honey, why don’t we put an Airstream on top of the station for a little get-away?” “You do know that there’s a roof on top of the station and that it’s slanted…” “Well, what if we took it off and considered building a container home on top (the view is beautiful over the rolling hills…)?” “Hmmmm, I’m up for seeing if that would work…” (Bob is game for just about anything--don’t you love that about him? :) That was the start of it--I couldn’t get a paper and pencil in my hands fast enough--through last summer and fall we were on a fact-finding mission. In the winter, we had collected enough data:
Everything was going IN OUR FAVOR! So, this spring (what a quarantine project) we drew and drew and re-drew until we had the optimal space planned for a small-ish home on top of the Gas Station. And, on June 1, the work began:
At this point, a month later:
 It’s all very exciting and, I won’t lie, a teensy bit stressful from time to time--but we are moving full speed ahead, and by October, we plan to be moved in and living there! I feel like we’re giving birth to a BIG HOUSE-SIZED quarantine baby and (you guessed it) I’ve been going through EVERYTHING with a fine tooth comb getting the chi as high as possible--even checking in with my mentor to make sure I’m not short-changing ourselves (since, you know, it’s hard to see your own blocks). If you want to catch some of the short videos I’ve made of the progress check my Instagram feed. And, if you’re driving out that way, swing by, honk, wave--you can’t miss it, it’s the tallest building in Blue Mounds! I will keep you posted!!!! Big Love and MANY virtual hugs and kisses, XOXO  PS: We are moving out of a GORGEOUS 2bedroom/2bath Madison/West Side Apartment with STUNNING views of the back of Elver Park. If you want more info or know someone who may be interested, please forward this post or check here. We have 5 months to sublet--I KNOW there’s the perfect person/family who would LOVE our apartment with a pool, screened deck, gym and access to hiking and ski trails in the park.
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Hello Beautiful! We’ve been Blown Away at how many of you have signed up for the event on Tuesday, 6/30 @12pm CST. There’s a limit to the number of spots, so click below to get yours now! Please pass this invitation along to your friends--everyone’s welcome to join us: CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS In these times, where there is a measure of unsteadiness in ALL of our lives, shifting the energy of your home can be a powerful and VITAL way to give yourself and your family a HUGE gift of peace, hope, security, grounding and strength: Especially by using COLOR! Even if nothing else changes, enhancing the color on the walls can upgrade your life in the most uplifting, seemingly-miraculous, life-changing ways. And while I’m SO PROUD of all of you who’ve been out there cleaning, clearing and beautifying your spaces over the last few months – adding the “RIGHT” colors to your space can greatly intensify your results! In fact, it’s the REQUIRED next step, if you really want to reap the greatest benefits of true Feng Shui. I see changes like this everyday in my full-time Feng Shui practice:
I want this for you, too. I hope you’ll join me: CLICK HERE FOR THE DETAILS And, even though most of my work involves full Feng Shui design services, I KNOW that color is the most powerful tool that I have. I’ll even tell you a little secret: It’s actually responsible for at least 85% of the transformation in any space I work on. Many mainstream designers are advocating for us to go with “warm creams”, “soft greys” or “clean and pristine whites” on the walls – but these colors are not helping ANYONE move their life and dreams forward. Sure, these grays and neutrals might feel trendy – but they are NOT encoded with the vibrations we NEED to feel joy, love, confidence and connection. Stark white spaces don’t generate any life. Drab, grey, lifeless colors dampen your heart. (PS: Just because a color is fashionable, or everybody’s using it in their space, doesn't mean it's GOOD for you! It just means it’s safe, and appeals to the masses. . . and we all know what a dreadful idea that is!) That’s why I’m doing this exciting live virtual event this Tuesday – so you can learn all about the hidden power contained within specific colors, and the special skills and knowledge required to choose the RIGHT colors – as a perfect healing tool for your space, and your life. So, join me for this “tell-all” about COLOR – where: • I pull back the curtain on exactly HOW I choose specific colors for my private clients • You’ll see many beautiful, inspiring, colorful before-and-after transformations • Hear exciting stories of how color has profoundly changed clients’ lives for the better THE FENG SHUI OF COLOR – 3 Secrets for Using Color to Increase the Vibration of your Space (and your life) Tuesday, June 30th at 12pm CST (A FREE Virtual Event) *Make sure to sign up – a recording will be available if you can’t make it! CLICK HERE TO JOIN US! Lots of Love, XOXO  Hello Beautiful! As you may have noticed, there’s never a lack of COLOR in my Feng Shui Design work. But that wasn’t always the case. When I first discovered Feng Shui, I didn’t realize the blessing I was receiving: This was no ordinary Feng Shui Consultant I had hired! I had “accidentally” attracted a Feng Shui Master into my life who deeply and intuitively understood the energy within COLOR. She used paint colors to immediately, and dramatically shift the energy within my home. (And the results were just as immediate… and dramatic!) I was amazed, but also quite shocked at her color choices. (And I’ll admit: I was actually outright SCARED!) I had #allthefeelings -- about painting every single wall (and even ceilings!) these “unusual” colors. Colors that I NEVER would’ve picked for myself in a million years. And after painting my entire home these wildly-wonderful colors (plus years of eventual study with her) -- I’ve discovered how incredibly and profoundly POWERFUL color is for enhancing a space and the lives of all the people who live there. In fact, it’s downright VITAL in true, life-changing Feng Shui design. (Plus: It’s also the easiest, least-expensive way to make massive changes in your life…) Color is the “ONE THING” that has the capacity to raise the Chi (energy) in a space -- even if nothing else changes. Many people ask me about this dynamic Feng Shui tool – the art of coloring a space – and every time I meet with a new client, it’s one of the first things we talk about. So, for those of you who are curious to learn more about how to use color too, I’ve put together a FREE virtual event for you –– on Tuesday, June 30th at 12pm CT: THE FENG SHUI OF COLOR – 3 Secrets for using Color to Increase the Vibration of your Space (and your life)  You can join us here Here’s what we’re going to cover:
This Virtual event is totally FREE –– just sign up HERE, and I will send you all the login details. I do this work because I KNOW the power of Feng Shui--first hand. And I see profound and often “miraculous” effects with my private clients, too. Feng Shui is something transcendent, powerful, intuitive, soulful, and profoundly life-altering... And it has the power to change you. Forever. In ways that are beyond your imagination… and COLOR is the most wonderful place to start! If you’d like to join the event you can do that here. Lots of Love, XOXO  Hello Beautiful! We’ve got a powerful community--I received so many messages last week from people joining me in holding space for humanity. Thank you--let’s keep it going!!!! I’ve been talking with clients and small business owners who are slowly getting back to the world and to work as safely as possible. Things have changed for EVERYONE and our spaces must change as well to support our new ways of being in the world--lots to think about! We have the honor of working with Ulla Eyewear, an amazing small business located at Hilldale Shopping Center in Madison... When we started our Feng Shui Design project together, of course the showroom was top of the list, and it turned out stunningly, but we also looked at the back offices, the storage area and the break room. The staff at Ulla are a creative, fun, dedicated bunch. And their fearless leader (and owner), Brittany, had just moved the store in the mall renovation to a new space in the upgraded Shopping Center BEFORE: There wasn’t a lot of room left for a staff break room, so the staff claimed a space at the back of the storage area:  Challenges:
After:  Upgrades: Painted a very high frequency color Added beautiful nature-inspired wallpaper on the “dead end” wall Added a large mirror on the “dead end” wall to reflect the light Removed the upper cabinet and put it below the counter Edited the cabinets and storage area so that the path to this space is clear Added a small pedestal table and low-profile chairs so the person on break can face the door Added a colorful rug for softness and to define the space Added FUN art (with glasses, of course) Added a new low-profile coat rack and staff storage cubbies to open up the space Ahhhhhhh, now, “go take a break” feels like fun, like a little vacation, a space designed to remind staff that they are valued, important and supported. Everything Matters and designing a break room space (even a socially distanced one) makes a HUGE statement to the people who work here. Kudos to Brittany for not only raising the chi of her showroom (stop by sometime and check it out!) but for giving her staff a beautiful space to take a break and rest so they can be feeling their best as they interact with clients. Lots of Love, XOXO  PS: Did you know that I offer a 20 min. complimentary call to discuss any design or organizing project you have in mind? Please reach out if you would like to chat. PSS: Also, we are also getting back to work with our private clients (in person) by following the Dane County Guidelines and our own common sense :) So, send me an email if you’re ready for a consultation. PHOTO CREDIT: Nancy Noet--Thank you! Hello Beautiful! How are you doing? There is so much happening in the world--so many intense emotions--I know you’re feeling it, no matter how you’ve chosen to participate or engage. I am holding space for humanity to step into the kindest, most loving, heart-aligned version of itself--will you please join me, if you can? As the sign at the Orpheum on State Street (Madison, WI) says, “LOVE TRUMPS HATE”  Here are some resources that resonated: How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change by Barack Obama Why You Need to Stop Saying All Lives Matter by Rachel Cargle Template For Holding Your Employer Accountable For Racial Justice by Rachel Cargle The Stages of What Happens When There’s Injustice Against Black People by Luvvie 75 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice by Corinne Shutack 1619 - A podcast from The New York Times Code Switch - A mixture of reading and audio materials from NPR For Children and Families: Coming Together: Standing Up to Racism. A CNN/Sesame Street Town Hall for Kids and Families - Saturday, June 6, at 10 a.m. ET. Please send me an email and let me know if you have additional resources you feel should be considered--I would be happy to add them here. Lots of Love, XOXO  PHOTO CREDIT: Channel 3000 Hello Beautiful! Are you soaking up the beautiful spring weather? Opening your windows to get the stagnant air out of your house? Getting outside, breathing the fresh air into your body and lungs? In this weird and wacky time, there are a few things that can instantly refresh us and help bring calm to our world. I look forward to getting out for a walk to center myself and enjoy the season as it unfolds. It is an easy way to instantly lift my energy.  When I’m out, I love to see how everyone is sprucing up their yards and entryways as the weather gets warmer. The new plants and flowers and all of the GREEN really lifts me up. A beautiful entry and front door lifts EVERYONE UP and when people notice, the homeowner gets a “CHI” hit--a deposit of chi (or energy) into their personal account--ie: more good stuff for you. In Feng Shui, the entry to your home AND YOUR FRONT DOOR are very important--it’s considered the “mouth of chi” where everything flows in--including Abundance, Confidence, Career, Relationships and Health. Here is a Before and After of a front door entry that we’ve started... BEFORE: Kris and Jason’s Front Door:  The Challenges:
AFTER:  Kris and Jason will get a lot more attention with this new door color as neighbors pass by! I predict people slowing down to stare and gasp at the beauty of it all :) The color is Raspberry Pudding (B. Moore) and provides exciting FIRE energy for that “have to look” chi hit. We painted the door and ALL the trim to extend the energy in this tall entryway. The posts were painted Iron Mountain (B. Moore) so that they resemble iron, projecting strength and balancing the elements. Future enhancements include upgraded lighting, welcome mat, beautiful flowers and planters. This new entryway definitely raises the energy for Kris and Jason’s family, calling more to enter their home and their lives--abundance, relationships, health and clarity. So, stand back and take a good look at your entryway--what could enhance the chi for your home? If you need help, send me an email -- I’d love to discuss your project with you. Lots of Love, XOXO  PS: If you are interested in a Mini-Virtual Feng Shui Session -- Email me and I will be happy to talk with you! PHOTO CREDIT: Kris--thank you Hello Beautiful! It’s my Birthday WEEK!!!!! I’m incredibly grateful for 61 years of such a good life--full of amazing people, a beautiful home (and plans for a new one this summer, stay tuned) and a kick-ass career.  My Birthday Wish is that I can see you and hug you SOOOOOOOON!!!! I miss you ALL terribly. I’ve talked to many of you recently, #saferathome, and ACUTELY aware of how your home is/isn’t supporting you...it is amazing, isn’t it, to be faced with it all day, every day? There are things we can do NOW that will make a huge difference in your space OR we can PLAN for the time when we can work together to create a space that feels:
It’s different for everybody and every design is unique--just know that I’m here for you and happy to have a conversation about what that could look like. Feel free to reach out by replying to this email :) And, in the meantime, here’s a fun Before and After for you to dream into... BEFORE: This was Kris and Jason’s Living Room at our first visit--and they were EXCITED for a BIG Feng Shui Adventure)!!!  The chairs face the fireplace and the TV--  Also, they have 2 adorable kids and love to watch movies, read and play games with them in this space, too. The Challenges:
So, we started over--they are so brave! AFTER:   This room was transformed! A big, red, soft couch with 4 seats and a chaise was the first addition to the space--big enough for everyone plus the pets :). This couch is a BEACON for “Come, Sit, Relax and Snuggle-up”. The walls were painted a soft greenish blue--Pleasant Valley (B. Moore). This room is in the wealth corner, so from a Feng Shui perspective, the color supports abundance flowing into their lives, too. The love seat was replaced with two little swivel rockers which are like having FUN amusement park rides in the living room. The swivel feature allows them to turn to face the TV, the person in the kitchen or each other--swivel chairs are magic! The art over the sofa is a photo of a place they love to vacation as a family--a soothing beach shot of Turks and Caicos. Do you see how it pulls in the color from the kitchen--feeling SO cohesive? The wavy-shaped mirror (more water energy) helps bounce light around and reflects the art, too. The rug is BIGGER, made of totally cleanable Stainmaster Nylon--super soft to play on. The teal ottomans, of a soft ultrasuede fabric, can be shifted around to wherever they’re needed and also keep the space feeling casual and soft. You can’t see in the pics, but we also added built-in cabinets on either side of the fireplace to hold toys, books, games and extra blankets--a great way to finish off that wall and create useful storage. Just FEEL the difference--the balance of the elements and the beauty of the carefully chosen colors, textures, shapes, EVERYTHING creates a balanced, uplifting room. And, in the spirit of-- “The Better it Gets, The Better it Gets” --this family has gone on to transform their dining room, kitchen, craft area, master bedroom and we are currently working on their lower Level Family room, Home Office/Exercise space, bathrooms and exterior colors. Because once you start… Lots of Love, XOXO  PS: If you are interested in a Mini-Virtual Feng Shui Session --Send me an email and I will be happy to talk with you!
PHOTO CREDIT: Mason, Hegeman, Nancy Noet--Thank You! Hello Beautiful! Feeling like getting FANCY for your weekly shopping trip? Campbell (grandbaby #5) rocking her favorite look, in case you need ideas--  *We have been having A BLAST in our FaceBook “Conquer Your Clutter” group (feel free to join, we’re going until the end of May)--members are working on projects, I’ve been LIVE every Friday to share updates, tips and inspiration AND, for fun… ...I offered members of the group a short 30 min. Virtual Feng Shui session to work on a design or organization issue that has them blocked. What a HUGE response--I’ve been blown away by the results of these 30 minute sessions over the last couple of weeks! We have--
These short sessions are POWERFUL and FUN! While we can’t do EVERYTHING in such a short time, as you can see, I can give you specifics to get you started with some “CHIFUL” ideas to get your space (and YOU) feeling good in no time! Let’s face it, being at home should feel good right now and I can help with that :) Cost for a 30 min Virtual Session with me-- $75* (I’m only opening 10 spots, for now) If this lights you up or feels like a big “YES”, or you have questions about it, just send me an email and I will respond as soon as I can! Lots of Love, XOXO  *Offer good through 5/29/2020
CLIENT LOVE (rec’d by text): “Good morning. I’m watching CBS This Morning Show and Gayle King needs you. 😆 I can hardly look at the background behind her in her NY apartment where she has a group of pictures, looking very much in need of your touch. I hope you are well--so grateful to be sitting in my beautiful kitchen, the whole space feels SO SUPPORTIVE ❤️--Thank You!” Hello Beautiful! How’s it going? I’ve been thinking about you all! Is your world still feeling Topsy-Turvy?  Campbell (grandbaby #5) -- in her "new perspective" mode As I scroll through Social Media, it seems as if those of us with more time on our hands these days are still putting cleaning, decluttering, organizing near the top of our to-do list. I’ve been cooking more--not my favorite thing, but, all of a sudden, it seems interesting--so you never know! So, here are some fun ways to get started! 12 Tips to Clear Out Clutter-- Challenge-based Tasks: 1. Take the 10-10-10 Challenge--10 items to throw away, 10 items to donate, 10 items to return to their “home”. That’s it--repeat as necessary :) 2. Take a Large Trash Bag--fill it as fast as you can with items to donate. 3. Sort Through a Pile of Junk Mail or Paper--has it piled up on the kitchen counter, coffee table, dining table? Go through one pile at a time--touch each piece of paper ONCE--recycle, shred, take action, file or scan/file digitally.  4. Set a Physical Boundary for Toys--I’m not a huge fan of making your kids declutter their stuff unless you’ve set a good example and can teach them how, so don’t start with this challenge. But when the time is right, take a look at the toys in your home and create a physical boundary for them (a shelf, closet, bins, etc.) and then help your child curate their toys to fit. Time-Based Tasks: 5. 15 Minute Family Challenge--If you’re all getting tired of being inside, see if you can talk them into this fun game--Take 15 minutes as a family and see if you can find 100 things to remove from your home. Give them instructions to scatter, declutter only things that belong to them, and see if your total numbers 100 things by the end.  6. 20 Minute Linen Closet Clean out--Set a timer, and clear out all the old towels and linens in your linen closet, you’ve been meaning to, anyway--now’s your chance! 7. Declutter One Room in 45 minutes--Take a look around your home and see if there’s a lived-in room that you can declutter entirely in 45 minutes. Maybe your living room, dining room, family room? Challenge your assumptions about what needs to stay in that room. Remove as much as you can--and then take a break and enjoy the peace and calm of a clutter-free room. Maybe take on another room tomorrow? Area-Based Tasks: 8. Clean Out Your Car--So often our cars fill up with unnecessary things: Old CDs, sunglasses, toys, receipts, coins, empty water bottles, trash. Grab two bags, one for trash and one for items to relocate--ready, go! 9. Clear Out Clothes You Don’t Wear--Open your closet and drawers, notice how you wear less than half of what you have? Now’s the time--get rid of the items that don’t fit, clothes that are old, out of style, need repair or that you just don’t CHOOSE!!!! Studies have shown that we (women) spend at least 1 year of our lives standing in front of the closet asking that age-old question, “What should I wear?” Curate your closet so that everything is possible! 10. Sort Through Your Pantry--Seems like now is a pretty good time to take a good look at your kitchen essentials--Remove anything old, expired, or unlikely to get used. Note which essentials need replenishing.  11. Food Storage Containers--Get the kids involved, match lids to containers, and then have a good look at what you NEED and what can be donated. Consider containers that stack easily and ditch the rest. If you haven’t heard, glass is better :) 12. Clear Your Desktop--A clutter-free desktop is such a beautiful place to get your work done--whether it’s career-based or home-based work. So find some time and finally clear yours--process piles of papers and remove unneeded supplies to create a space that supports your work. You never know what new opportunities you may be paving the way for…  I hope that something in the above list will light a spark for you--send me an email and let me know -- I would love to cheer you on! Lots of Love, XOXO  Hello Beautiful! How’s it going? Still settling into your home routine? I’m missing our grandbabies SO MUCH (well, their parents, too :) --I’m hoping you and your families are safe and well. Here’s Lucille (grandbaby #6) this week--thank goodness for FaceTime!  She just turned 1, such a cutie!!! I wanted to finish up my monthly Feng Shui “Too Much” series… If you want some catch-up reading--the first four in the series are here: Too much Earth Too much Fire Too much Wood Too much Metal So many people ask me about one of the most basic Feng Shui Tools--the balance of the elements--it’s SUCH an important key in creating a beautiful feeling space-- There are 5 Elements in Feng Shui:
When they are all in balance, it feels wonderful, the vibes are GOOD and you never want to leave the space. You can instantly feel when the elements are in harmony or when one or more of them have gotten out of balance. Today let’s focus on the element of Water: The WATER Element is represented by:
Examples of Too Much Water in a space: 
The above rooms may have won design awards, but from a Feng Shui perspective, they are out of balance and if you were to live in these spaces you might feel:
Examples of the Element of Water BALANCED in this client’s family room and bedroom...  This Family Room has a beautiful blue sofa and some touches of blue in the gorgeous art but it is balanced with color, shape and texture of the other pieces in the room.  This Master Bedroom has a beautiful shade of teal blue on the walls and in the mural but it also includes the balance of other elements through the bedding, lamps, additional colors, and wood furniture. When the Element of WATER is balanced you feel--
So, check your own home, how do the rooms feel? In general, can you identify water elements in your space? Notice the element of water--does it feel like you have too much, too little, or does it feel juuuuuuuust right? There are always “corrections” that can be made in a space to balance the elements--when I work with clients to harmonize, balance and upgrade a space, I am always aware of these foundational principles and use very specific design “remedies” in the form of paint color, fabric choices, furniture, space planning, flooring, and art to correct or cure the energy of a space that has gotten out of balance. And, if you would like to have a conversation about working together, just send us an email and I will be in touch right away--we work virtually, so no reason to wait! Lots of Love (and Virtual Hugs and Kisses), XOXO  PS: If you missed last week’s Virtual DreamBank Event--you can catch the replay HERE
PHOTO CREDIT: Jake Boyd Photography |
Jane Antonovich
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