Happy New Year . . . Chinese Style!

I haven’t forgotten that it’s not January 1st, even though I did previously proclaim I wanted to slow down the year of 2011, rather watching it zip by as in 2010.  I think it’s going to be a great year and I want to savor every minute!

I’m just happy to have an excuse to think of another new beginning.  We’ve literally stepped into February, so it’s the start of a new month and today is the start of the Chinese New Year!

2011 is the Year of The Rabbit! 

Rabbit years are supposed to be calmer and more serene.  They are a respite from the previous Year of the Tiger and the upcoming roller coaster Year of the Dragon.  I kind of imagine it as the year of happily hopping along!

According to USA Today writer, Rhonda Adams, The Year of the Rabbit should allow us to expect it to be good year for:

Creative and artistic. This is a good year for developing new products or new marketing campaigns, redesigning your logo or store. Use your imagination!  (How ironic, I’m in the process of that, right now!)

Calm. Rabbit years are traditionally more peaceful years. This means fewer things are likely to faze you, so you should approach problems with equanimity, expecting that you'll be able to handle them successfully.  (Since I always ponder how to do everything better, this should help move decisions forward, faster.)

Luck. Here's good news: Rabbit years are traditionally quite lucky years.  (No matter how much luck we may already have, an added bonus is always welcome!)

Some other fun factoids:

Paint it red.  This color is thought to promote a welcoming energy.  It also is a symbol of good luck and happiness.  The Chinese will often put a fresh coat of red paint on their doors and windows to bring both into the New Year.

Clean out the old.  The Chinese believe this is a great time to get rid of anything not useful or things which may be in disrepair.  The idea is that it opens up for the possibility of good fortune to arrive.  Hanging onto these things are thought to bog you down and stop the flow of good energy.  (If you missed getting on board with your January organization, here’s your “do-over”.)

Gifts of money are placed in red envelopes.  They are exchanged in the morning, amongst family members.  (I found some special ones, on Etsy, decorated with cherry blossoms.  Wouldn’t they be lovely keepsakes, showcased in a shadow box?)

Firecrackers are set off to scare away evil spirits and misfortunes at the beginning of the New Year.  The noise is also intended to wake up the sleeping dragon to bring rain to crops in the summer.  (It might wake up some sleeping neighbors, too, and your wish just might be fulfilled if they opt to turn the water hose on you!)

 

Gung hay fat choy, y’all! –

To great beginnings . . . again! ~ Wanda

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Fresh Interiors For 2011

After The Holidays . . . One Step At A Time!

If your holiday decorations have made their way back to storage, you might be experiencing withdrawal from all things sparkly and bright.  It could make you feel a bit turned upside down!

The great reason for continuing to have all of those “pretties” placed about could be to distract you from some of the household “to-do” items you may have missed back in the fall.  (I have seen decorations left up until Easter!)

 

Now that the New Year has arrived, are you feeling a little challenged by the notion of adding one more thing to your list of resolutions?  How about considering this option?  Create a “love” list instead!  Isn’t it time to make 2011 the year of “Loving The Home You’re In?”™

 

I’m here to share with you how simple it can be by taking small steps, which add up in a big way.  You can lead a well-designed life! 

Rather than have you immediately focus on big areas or big projects, in the next couple of weeks, I’m going to share small steps to help you better embrace those projects when you’re ready for them. 

Here’s a good “Love List”, to start:

1.  Start with one room or a small cluster of spaces.  Getting one area completed not only makes for a positive impact, psychologically, it’s allows for a better focus of how the dollars are invested.  Trying to spread a one room budget, throughout an entire home, still leaves for projects unfinished.  Of course, expansion to other areas is totally up to you!

2.  Clear the clutter.  While this might seem obvious, clutter is not only about “junk”, but unless something serves a purpose, is a true treasure, or enhances the room, it’s hard to see the proverbial forest for the “stuff”.  This doesn’t mean you are 100% permanently removing those things, it just allows you to start with a fresh perspective.  For example, I’ll often have clients strip down bookcases, before I arrive, place the items on a table in a dining room, and we’ll “shop” in there, first, before eliminating or deciding to add or update the shelves.  The transformations are always amazing!

3.  Take a room assessment test.  Now that the room has been somewhat cleared, take a look at what’s going on in the background.  Do the floors or floorcoverings need attention . . . cleaned, replaced, or a new area rug?  Are the walls and trim scuffed and in need of touch-up or repainting?  Does the ceiling show stains from leaks?  Without lamps, is the room dark and relying on one lone ceiling fixture?  Do you have any trim molding details which are not in proportion to the size of the room or any molding at all?  As a designer, I take a good look at the bones of a space.  I can often tell if the homeowner is spending more dollars on furniture and accessories, in effort to compensate for some missing architectural definition or function.  Temporary or cover-up solutions are only band-aids and don’t necessarily address what the “design doctor” might really need to order.

No matter the style of your home, when completed, there are certain items that will make it sparkle and shine!

I’ll continue to share some special tips and advice, throughout the month, along with some regular posts.  I’m in the process of practicing what I preach, so the Horton household has been receiving some attention to the little things, as well as some business housekeeping.  A new logo, an updated website, and even a name tweak is in the works!  (Thanks to Aimee O’Boyle, at Creative Montage for her amazing talents!)

Stay-tuned!  2011 is going to be a great year for “Loving The Home You’re In”™ !

All my best! ~ Wanda

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