Residency New York: Winter Greening

featured in the Winter 2014 issue of Residency New York this month:  Sales in the City by Kelly Kreth

How to Prepare your Home for the Change in Season:  Winter Greening

by Kelly Kreth

According to Anjie Cho, architect and feng shui interior designer, one should pay close attention to respecting the environment and conserving energy (and money), even before aesthetics.  She suggests removing your air conditioner because air infiltrates through its vents; if it is impossible to remove it or if storage is a big problem, fit the vent with a fabric cover that can easily be found in a hardware store.  Do not use plastic, as it is not breathable and may cause condensation, which can damage your appliance.

"Heavy drapes will also help to keep the cold air out and heat in," Cho advises.  "Weather sealing on doors or getting a door sweep (or even putting a heavy towel at the bottom of the door) will block the gap, preventing cold air from getting in."

"Don't forget about your foliage!" Cho adds.  As it gets colder it is a good time to move plants from window sills or outdoor spaces.  "The extreme difference between temperatures can kill your house plants.  Instead, move greenery a foot or two from the sills or doors, or get an indoor grow light set on a timer for the colder months."

by Anjie Cho


Using Feng Shui to Create a Harmonious Living Space

featured in "Sales In The City" by Kelly Kreth in  
Residency New York this month

ContentImage-13270-291429-201305ResidencyNYcover.png

Anjie Cho, a Feng Shui consultant and licensed architect who is also at work on a book to be called "108 Ways to Create Holistic Space:  Feng Shui and Green Design for Healing and Organic Homes," suggests:

  • "Because most New Yorkers are so career-oriented and short on space, look at the clutter on your desk.  If it is in the left-hand corner, you might have stuck energy in financial aspects of your life; if it is in the middle top, your reputation may be suffering and if it is the top-right corner, you need to open up your relationships."  Bottom line: clear that clutter--everywhere!
  • She continues, "not only is it important to keep your door and entrance tidy, but I once lived in a NYC apartment with a broken buzzer.  In feng shui your entry symbolizes opportunities to find you.  How will an amazing project find you if your door cannot be found?"  Greeting guests with a new doormat would also assist in inviting in energy.
  • Storage space is in high demand in NYC.  But in feng shui most things should not be stored under your bed.  Cho warns, "This can represent subconscious blocks in your relationships.  You spend many hours in a passive "yin" state while sleeping.  What is underneath you affects you.  If there is a box of old love letters lurking it may be the reason you are single. Store only soft items related to sleeping such as sheets or pillows."
  • Never work out of the bedroom; it should only be a place for rest and relaxation.

...read full article

by Anjie Cho