As the seasons continue to change, from summer to fall, and fall to winter, design in our homes is likely to change along with them. In the feng shui philosophy, there is a theme and science to changing up this decor as you transition from warm, bright weather to colder weather that promotes staying indoors. Feng shui philosophy embraces the same sort of changes in fall and winter as the agricultural world, in which the planting and harvest are done, and it's time for rest and planning. So how do you make your space reflect this?
One great way is to change the color scheme up a bit. Adding earthy colors (like brown, orange, yellow) to your space promotes nourishment and brings the qualities of nature indoors. Natural colors are more soothing and nurturing, meshing perfectly with the idea of turning inward and providing the support we need to stay grounded during cooler seasons.
Bringing actual nature indoors is another excellent way to balance out your space and welcome nourishing energy. You can opt for seasonal decor, like gourds, pumpkins and the like, or turn to traditional green plants, which add life energy and help clean the air in our indoor spaces, a great benefit considering we'll be spending more time indoors!
One design update that definitely adds to your comfort level is swapping out linens and blankets from thinner, lighter summer options to thicker, cozier and more warming blankets and duvets. Opting for organic and Fair Trade takes this a level further, as you're adding warmth in addition to removing harmful chemicals that conventionally produced materials can bring inside.
It's also a good idea to ensure that all your furniture is in the commanding position, regardless of the season. In the feng shui tradition, sitting without a clear line of sight to the door, or directly in line with the door, makes the flow of positive chi difficult. With our backs to the doors, we are not able to see what may be coming at us, and if we sit directly in front of the door, we are hit with all the chi coming into our space at once. Neither is good! Instead, aim to kitty corner your most important furniture so that you can comfortably see the door, while you aren't directly in line. If this isn't a possibility, use mirrors or feng shui crystals to adjust. Both are available here in the Holistic Spaces shop!
Finally, check your lighting! When we're spending lots of time out in the summer sun, lighting in our spaces isn't as important, as we're taking in Fire energy while outdoors. When we begin to turn inward and stay indoors, it's important to ensure that the lighting in our spaces is ample for all our activities, from reading to cooking to preparing for sleep, and that it benefits us where possible (think full-spectrum lighting to imitate the sun).
Amanda Gates Talks Non-Toxic Furniture
Last year, Tennessee interior designer and feng shui expert, Amanda Gates, featured me on her podcast, Design 101. We talked how to improve your feng shui, Twitter stalking, crazy feng shui stories and more. This time, I'm excited to welcome Amanda to the Holistic Spaces blog to share with us her insight on choosing non-toxic furniture. We've got lots to learn!
AC: Tell us about non-toxic furniture and why someone would want to purchase it over regular furniture.
AG: What most consumers do not know is that much of the furniture made today is made overseas. In an effort to keep it cheap, they use cheap materials like plywood and particle board to assemble them. Cheap furniture is not only poorly made, but contains insecticides, herbicides, formaldehyde, and many other harmful chemicals. These chemicals can off gas for years.
Non-toxic furniture is better made and is made with solid wood. It appears to be more expensive, however the consumer is not comparing apples to apples. It’s more like comparing apples to a car engine. Non-toxic furniture is safer for our environment and creates better air quality in your home. If you have an infant with developing lungs and immune system, those toxins often found in cheap furniture can cause serious, long lasting health effects.
What is the first step to purchasing non-toxic furniture?
Education. EPA approval does not guarantee HUMAN safety. In fact the language gets real fuzzy and will say something unclear like “registered.” And most of what the EPA registers, is NOT approved for human health. So do your homework.
- What type of wood is it?
- Is there ANY plywood or particleboard anywhere? (This is important because many manufacturers back their products with particleboard)
- What is the fabric made of? Is it made with PVC, formaldehyde or other harsh chemicals?
- What type of foam is used? Where did it come from?
- What type of hardware is used? How was it made? Where was it made?
- Springs - What are they made of? Where were they made?
- Have veneers been used?
- Does it have fire retardant on it?
- Are the materials all-natural? (Like wool, jute, cottons, linens, etc.)
- Where was it assembled? Was ALL of it assembled in the same factory? (Another very important question. Many manufacturers will start the build process in China and then assemble stateside and then claim "Made in America.")
- What environmental partners are they associated with? SFI, FSC, Sustainable Furnishings Council?
- What is the company's philosophy on environment impact? Is it their hook, or do they truly believe in their mission?
DO your homework, because it's become a buzzword, and many are abusing it.
How can non-toxic furniture help create a holistic space?
We are inundated with chemicals EVERYWHERE. In our food system, all of our building materials, water, cleaning products, even mattresses are said to have more chemicals than an entire barrel of crude oil.
Cheap products that harbor a lot of chemicals cause cancer, damage our nervous system, suppress our immune systems, depress our T cells, cause endometriosis, reproductive issues, respiratory damage and much, much more.
Sounds scary, because it is.
That is not peaceful. Not to mention it’s not holistic in any way. Being surrounded by so many chemicals affects your health and well-being. And this can ultimately effect your happiness without you even realizing it.
A clean environment allows you to operate at a more optimal level. If your indoor air quality is substandard, so is your well-being, because they work hand in hand. If you’re suffering from headaches, insomnia, asthma, allergies, respiratory issues, and other ailments, are you going to feel good? Are you going to be happy? And what if you’re trying to get pregnant and can’t because the chemicals are throwing your body out of whack?
You are your best when your environment is at its best.
Thank you so much, Amanda, for offering your wealth of knowledge to our readers! Hopefully if you're looking to purchase furniture soon, you'll opt to go the non-toxic route if at all possible. It's an important way to help ensure your space is holistic and nurturing!
Amanda has a brand new book coming out next spring, and we're happy to say she'll be featuring some of this material there as well. Keep an eye out for her book, with even more information on sourcing your home goods sustainably!
Amanda is a professionally trained Interior Designer, and Feng Shui Practitioner and an amateur Environmentalist. She has been in the field of interior design and Feng Shui for over seventeen years. In the summer of 2015, Amanda became certified in Bau Biology, the study of our modern day environment and it’s effects on our health and home.
She works with homeowners who want to create harmonious, healing environments through intentional design practices. Sure, you can say all design is intentional is some respect, but Amanda's approach encompasses more than just a pretty space. It’s about environments that are truly healing.
Her goal with everyone she works with is to not only create spaces that have a killer cool vibe, and gives you the wow factor you could never achieve on your own, but design that honors Mama Earth along the way. As a leader in the world of intentional design, she design spaces that feel as good as they look.
Website: gatesinteriordesign.com
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Being Carefull Podcast: Feng Shui 101 with Anjie Cho
featured this month on Being Carefull Podcast
I'm very happy to be featured on Caroline Kwash's podcast, "Being Carefull". Caroline's podcast and blog are all about self-care, and feng shui aligns so well with that, not to mention it's perfect for the upcoming holidays! Listen in to the "Latest tracks" on the podcast or check out our media page!
