Blog

Written by Chrissie Haim

One Room Challenge (Week 1)

Oct 08, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

Today is a big day! It is the beginning of my 6 week journey with the One Room Challenge, presented by Better Homes and Gardens. If you are unfamiliar with the One Room Challenge, you can read about it here. I will be transforming a space in my own home, within the 6 week time frame, and will be sharing all my thoughts and design ideas with you each week on Thursdays. It begins with a plan, renderings, some shopping, and ends with a new space that is completely transformed. With a little DIY along the way.

If you haven't guessed already, the room I chose to makeover is our formal Dining Room. Why are we making over a room already when we just built our home 2 years ago? Well it is simple, it is a neglected room in the home. And if I can be perfectly honest with myself, there are a couple of them, but I digress. I never did anything with the dining room. The plan initially was simple: paint it, hang a chandelier, and use furniture from a previous home, just so we could move in. Now that my husband and I are both working from home, we use the dining room as a cut through to get to the office. And every day it is a reminder of "what needs to get done, but hasn't". I am ready to bring life into this space. And I am ready to share, with you, the decisions I will be making, and how on God's green earth I will be getting everything done in time.

Goals:

The goal of this room is two fold. The first goal is to update it with a couple of new pieces of furniture. The furniture is all brown. Was there a period in time where everyone only bought things that were brown wood? I hope it's not just me! I have a brown wood table, brown chairs, brown hutch, brown grandfather clock, brown sideboard. My husband (then fiancé) and I purchased this for our first home together and it was bought as a (gulp) set. I am ready to challenge myself a little bit more and add in some contrast and character, forgoing the matchy-matchy (which I otherwise love, but not for this space). The second goal is to have it cohesive with the surrounding spaces. The dining room has pocket doors that open into the office which is dark navy, and it also opens up into our sunroom, which is light and airy. I want a neutral space in that respect, but I do want some color and life. Think classic, tailored, and with a twist.

Design:

Here's where I got stuck. Dang, it's only the beginning! The wallpaper I picked out, is now no longer available during the time frame I need it. So I am not off to a great start. The wallpaper matched the drapes which matched the tape...and I'm starting over. Regardless of that, I did finalize my chandelier selection down to 2. You can vote on my instagram stories which you like the best! I will be keeping my table, but swapping out my chairs. I will be finding a lucite curtain rod for the drapes on the French doors. And I will be sourcing some new artwork, a neutral rug, and storage!

My plan over the next 6 weeks:

Pick a wallpaper (finally) and install

Pick drapes

Pick a trim

Find curtain rod (etsy)

Find new chairs (consignment?)

Something for storage-a sideboard with doors

Art

Ceiling molding

Paint Ceiling molding

Chandelier and sconces

Reupholster chairs if necessary

Find a rug

Say prayers!

Thank you for following along with me. I will post something new about the ORC every Thursday here on my blog. Additionally I will be updating all of my instagram followers as time goes on. If you want to see what others are doing for the One Room Challenge, including rooms of the 20 of the Featured Designers, find that information here!

-Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Discussion 1 comment

Building a Kitchen from Start to Finish

Sep 03, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

It is without a doubt that having a beautiful kitchen is one of the best selling points of your home. It is a wise place to invest, and will attract more buyers. But even if you are not selling your home, renovating your kitchen will improve the overall look of your home and help elevate the rest of the spaces. The kitchen is not only the place where we eat...we are doing homework here, sifting through mail and paperwork, and gathering with friends. I am sharing our journey, from start to finish, on how we built our kitchen.

Our kitchen started with blueprints, the blueprints from our home and the blueprints for the design of the kitchen. Tackling this first allows you to know what kinds of cabinets you want and where. A main point to highlight in this process is to have your sink, oven, and fridge near each other. Think of a "triangle" pattern. Our kitchen was built around a large window, showcasing water views. We wanted that to be the focus.

After picking out our cabinets and working on the design with a cabinet company, we picked out our appliances. It was going to take a few weeks to be delivered, so this needed to be done early. We then headed to the stone yard to choose countertops. Schedule this early in your renovating plans so you have time to find the right one. Sometimes it can take several trips to find the slab you like, and for us we were slightly at the mercy of needing a particular quantity of slabs. Our island is just over 10 feet long and required its own slab.

It was snowing when we went, and it took a few visits, and a few photos sent to us of slabs that were newly in, before we found the right ones. We knew right away that we wanted marble. (If you're on the fence, check out my instagram story highlights for more details on marble and how we ultimately decided).

Our kitchen was then delivered, with each cabinet in its own a box. The cabinets are then assembled and laid out where they are going to go. It was at this point we decided upon hardware. Drawers had long pulls, long cabinets had medium pulls, and smaller cabinets had smaller pulls. We bought a few extra just in case we miscounted, or changed our mind on a cabinet.

The shaker style cabinets went up and the drawers went in. And all I can say about that is...Rome wasn't built in a day-and neither was this! It took a few days to get them in the right place and assembled.

The appliances and the sink went in, and we were ready for more of the details. We have two dishwashers that are on either side of the sink. What can I say, we are a big family and I don't regret it for one second! It would have been a big project to add it later, and so for us-it just made sense. And having the sink in front of the window makes for a nice backdrop.

The hardware went up, and the details started coming together. We painted our pantry door a soft blue, just to break up the white in the kitchen. And we put a lock on the door because we have some liquor in there and thought maybe one day that would be helpful. It's actually helpful now because the kids always try to grab snacks 2 minutes before dinner is served!

I hand painted our brass chandeliers the same color blue as our pantry door. And it became a statement piece for the kitchen. The space became a little bit more thoughtful looking once the details came together.

One of the final stages of our kitchen build was the backsplash. We chose a carrara marble subway tile to coordinate with our marble countertops. And we wanted something decorative over the range to pull the look together, with the blue pantry door and other subtle blue touches.

Finally, we added this Schumacher 1889 fabric to a motorized roman shade. It is the perfect blue but the shade doesn't take away from the view. Other kitchen details we later included were these sconces that frame this large window. They are fabulous at night and just showcase a bit more character with their delicate lines.

Hope you enjoyed this kitchen tour, from start to finish! Kitchens are certainly the workhorse of the home, but a space you can find much enjoyment in. Thank you for reading! -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Where to Spend and Save, at Home

Jul 08, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

From the very beginning stages of building our home, I knew I wanted to find a balance between where to invest and where to save. Because let's face it, you can't splurge on everything. And if you can, lucky you! We had to really decide where it was important to spend money. Where do you spend so that you get a return? Where do you save on products that you won't continuously need to replace or fix? How do you build and decorate a home of quality but within your budget? How can you be frugal without sacrificing function and design? I broke down some important elements for you, below.

Where it's important to SPEND;

FLOORS (for the main area of the home). Of course one of the biggest investments in your home is not one I think you should try to save on. Sorry! Surely you should do your research as to what type of floor is suitable for your household. But after that, think about how often you will be replacing the floors. Probably never. If they start to buckle or separate, you'll be sorry that you didn't spend money in this area. A more expensive wood or tile doesn't necessarily mean the best outcome, either. Be sure you are sourcing someone reputable to do the install. Trust me on this one.

FAUCETS. Nothing hurts more than using a faucet for 6 months and you realize how junky it is. It starts to leak, you discover there's plastic inside, and the finish wears. And if that's not bad enough, its typically not something you have the knowledge to replace. Up next, a phone call to the plumber. Instead, use the money that you would put towards a plumber, and get the better quality faucet. And never worry about it again. In the very least, steer yourself away from the cheapest option.

MAIN FLOOR BATHROOM. Believe it or not, everyone thinks the Master Bathroom is where it's at. But actually, everyone in your household likely uses the main floor bathroom. All day long. You will be using it far more often than any other bathroom in your home, especially if there are children in the house. Find the gorgeous tile, get the nice faucet, and pick out the wallpaper of your dreams. Seriously!

COUCHES. Couches are where we relax, watch tv, chat with friends and family, and spend holidays. Furniture shopping is hard though! If you don't spend wisely here, you will notice the quality deteriorating faster than you hoped. Good couches can always be reupholstered if they wear down. If you don't have the funds to purchase a brand new, good quality couch, try your local home consignment shop. I have found many "diamonds in the rough" for half the price.

MATTRESS. I don't know why, but sometimes we always put ourselves last. A mattress is something we use every single day, so find the one you love! Think of your health finally getting its "return on investment". Get a good night's sleep, you deserve it.

MOLDINGS. One of the first things I notice in a home is the moldings. Is that weird? Is there a support group for this? Anyway, details like moldings can make a space go from okay to WOW in 2 seconds flat. This could mean crown moldings, raised paneling, or chair rails. If you're handy, you could even do a simple chair rail yourself! I like more substantial moldings for the main living floor, and simpler moldings upstairs where ceilings tend to be lower. Moldings make the home look more customized and less "builder grade", so add where it packs a punch and it won't go unnoticed.

KITCHEN. If you ever find yourself needing to sell your home, the kitchen is the first place people look, and an area where you will see a return on investment. Find yourself a great sink, a 5 burner stove or whatever the space can hold, and a dishwasher. Even if it's a space saving one. Maximize storage as best as you can. Avoid heavy trends in a kitchen so you don't feel the pressure to redo it sooner than you hoped.

CURB APPEAL. While it's not in everyone's budgets to landscape their entire property to perfection, I would encourage just about anyone to at least pay attention to the front of their home. After all, not only does this encourage more buyers if your house is for sale, but it definitely makes you feel happy and proud when you come home every day. Do you need the expensive planters? Well, that's up to you. But definitely have plants, flowers, nice lighting, and a nicely painted front door. I could go on and on about curb appeal...

Items that I believe it's important to SAVE on;

RUGS. And many designers might not agree, so hear me out. I am a mom of 4, and I have seen more rugs get trashed than anything. Spills, rips, stains, pets, ketchup, baby oil...I've seen it all, and cried over it all. The more expensive rugs don't always mean more durable. Or easier to clean. They just mean....more expensive and more panic attacks. Manufacturers make terrific indoor outdoor rugs now, and I am seeing more and more people use them inside. And when something spills, it cleans up nicely. I have even brought them outside in the summer to hose down, and they come out like new minus the price tag of professional cleaning. I also find it nice to change the look of a room with a new rug every once in awhile ("every once in awhile" is up to interpretation). I have an indoor outdoor rug for my staircase runner and upstairs hallway, and I have never looked back!

FLOORS (in guest and kids bathrooms). I am not saying that as a homeowner you should enjoy the expensive stuff and the kids should sacrifice it....well yes, that's exactly what I am saying. In my experience, kids do not appreciate the finer things. In fact it's quite the opposite. Get the reasonably priced tile for the floors in their bathroom(s). Have it be easy to clean, and easy on your wallet. Oh, and dark grout helps, especially if you have boys-we'll leave it at that!

CABINETS. Kitchens are where we spend the most time now. Not only are we cooking here, but we gather, chat, do homework, and chances are you have an area that's a dumping ground. But I will say that cabinets are expensive, especially custom wood cabinets in a large kitchen. Consider adding some open shelving that won't require a custom buildout. And while recessed cabinetry is a dream to have, overlay cabinets can be just as nice with beautiful hardware. Be sure that you have someone qualified to put the cabinets together. You can even customize the inner drawers down the road by sourcing drawer dividing products at places like The Container Store or Home Goods.

ACCENT FURNITURE. I am a really big believer that accent furniture can, and should, be moved around your house. You grow tired of looking at it in the same place and then you decide it comes to life again somewhere else in the home. It's an item you can easily swap out, sell on FB Marketplace, and especially not an item you should worry about ruining. That doesn't mean that you shouldn't spend money on that end table of your dreams, it just means that often times accent furniture can be interchangeable with your style and function. Don't over think it. Get that chair from Home Goods if you love it! Pair it with your beautiful end table and voila! You now have the perfect mix of high end and low end, and nobody will know. It's a great feeling and a tactic used by many designers.

ACCESORIES. Buy what you love, and only what you love. Go antiquing, find something unique that speaks to you, and collect what makes you happy. Use items already in your home to accessorize, like books. Chances are good that your guests will not appreciate that you spent $250 on that vase, and the topic will likely (hopefully!) never come up. If you like the finer things in life, try mixing a few of your sophisticated pieces with discounted items for the perfectly curated vignette.

RADIANT HEAT. Wouldn't it be unbelievably grand to have radiant heat throughout your home, especially if you live in an area with cold winters? If you can't afford it, consider adding it to a small area of high appreciation, like your Master Bathroom. Radiant heat could encourage buyers, but it won't hurt you by not having it.

All things considered, I will leave you with 3 final thoughts. It is of upmost importance that you purchase within your means and budget. The trouble over spending brings is really not worth it. Secondly, and especially if you are in the building/renovating stages, please prioritize home efficiency. An inefficient home means a higher cost to live in it. Do yourself a favor and insulate properly, explore solar panel options, and price out high efficiency appliances. Thirdly, only buy what you love. And only surround yourself with items in your home that make you happy.

I hope you enjoyed my Spend and Save thoughts! I definitely have a lot more to say about this topic and will write more about it soon. Do you want to hear more? Let me know. You can reply here or find me on my social media channels. Thank you for reading! -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Feng Shui: Garden

Apr 10, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

I have been spending a lot more time outside these days. Not only entertaining our children but also trying to get some more Vitamin D. After moving into our house about a year and a half ago, we decided that many of the outdoor projects would have to take a back seat in order to get our interior together. This year I will be focusing more on the outdoors (and sharing projects with you) and this includes the garden. Having good Feng Shui in your garden does not mean you need to have a large yard. You only need good flow combined with natural elements that are in harmony with the direction it faces.

GARDEN ELEMENTS WITH GOOD FENG SHUI

1. Flowing and curved paths, not straight

2. Natural shaped rocks for a pathway, to emulate how things are naturally

3. Wind Chimes create a sense of calmness and vibrations and are said to be healing.

4. Water element, such as a pond, birdbath, or fountain. This is especially important if you have a garden that faces southeast, east, or north.

5. Solar garden lighting to add the "fire" elements. Either candles, ground lighting, or torches

6. A Buddha sculpture is said to bring peace to your garden, but any sculpture that brings you happiness will allow for good "chi"

7. Flowers to nourish the birds, especially if you are attracting them with birdbaths. Try bird friendly plants that are native to your area. A rule of thumb is to use colors: Red and pink flower attract hummingbirds, orange flowers attract orioles and warblers, and yellow flowers attract goldfinches, warblers, and hummingbirds. Whatever you choose, the plants should please you and be manageable for you to upkeep.

8. Furniture. This doesn't need to be a 7 person conversation set. Just a place to sit and rest to enjoy the outdoors and the serenity a garden brings. It can be one or two adirondack chairs, or a sweet little bench.

9. Fire element. Try a fire pit/chimnea for a larger yard or torches for a small yard, to illuminate and purify.

10. Metal Sculpture. This could mean a metal animal or gazing ball. Something that is reflective like a gazing ball does what a mirror does inside your home, it bounces the negative energy out.

GARDEN ELEMENTS TO AVOID:

1. Poor lighting, or areas with no lighting

2. Straight lines either from straight paths or straight manmade rocks

3. Narrow pathways that feel cluttered or unkept

4. Clashing colors

5. Clashing sounds (either with too many wind chimes)

6. Dirty furniture either from moss or exposure to the weather elements

Thank you for reading my Feng Shui series. Please check out some of the others if you haven't already. And as always, thank you for reading! Please share any comments here on my blog or on my other social media platforms. I love hearing from you! Be well.

-Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Feng Shui: Decor

Apr 09, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

Assuming you have already decluttered your space and you have the ability to work on surrounding yourself with items you love, it is time to create healthy energy with decor. There are some decor pieces that are known to lift moods and spirits. The overall energy or "chi" needs to feel positive and your home should allow you the space to decompress. Here are some ideas;

1. Plants:

Plants near windows are said to bounce the chi back into the room instead of going out the window. Some examples of plants with great Feng Shui are Bamboo, Peace Lily, Rubber Tree Plant, Palms, or Spider Plant

2. Fruit:

A bowl of fruit is said to ground the home, especially if it's a vibrant yellow color.

3. Fountain or Water source:

I like to use floating fish in a small bol of water. Alternatively you can float a flower bloom in a bowl of water. The color blue, as in water, brings peace and calmness to a space. It is said to be relaxing and healing.

4. Something natural:

This could be rock or crystals. For me, I use coral pieces

5. Metallic Accents:

I like an abstract decor piece, like a paper weight, or perhaps a decorative votive. They are said to bring luck and prosperity

6. Candles:

Candles are said to create warmth and make the environment feel more serene. They should be placed in the central area of the home.

7. Lamps and lighting

Appropriate bright lights. In bathrooms it is ideal to have globe shape halogens. In the kitchen it is best to use LEDs. And in the bedroom use warm LEDs (the bright blue LEDs do not promote sleep). In living areas use overhead LED lighting, or bright bulbs

8. Something tall in any dead space

Moves any stale chi around the room. It can be a tall standing lamp, plant, or wall art

So, how did you do? Do you have any of these items in your home? Many of the items listed will improve energy and give you the tools to create good flow in your home. Using these elements will help you to build a comfortable living space for you, your family, and your guests.

Thank you for reading!

-Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Feng Shui: Bathroom

Apr 08, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

The Feng Shui Trinity is said to be the Kitchen, Bathroom, and Bedroom. These three areas are most connected to your well being. If you recall in my Kitchen Feng Shui blog, one of the guidelines was to never have a bathroom off of the kitchen. One of the reasons why is because bathrooms are said to leak energy. So generally speaking, bathrooms don't typically have good Feng Shui because this space of water represents emotions and finances. And with all the drains in a bathroom....well, you get it. I am here to help you fake it as best as you can. Below I list some tips to creating a bathroom that has good energy (good "chi").

GOOD BATHROOM FENG SHUI:

1. Fire and Earth colors to balance out the metal from typical bathroom fixtures and faucets

2. Keep the bathroom door closed at all times, even when not in use

3. Maintain good energy by having candles and diffusers accessible

4. Keep the toilet seat down

5. Keep your counters/vanity tidy for clear thoughts

6. It is said to put a mirror on the back of the door for good Feng Shui. And also above the toilet (so energy doesn't go down the toilet)

7. A tray for the bath so you can place candles or water (ahem, wine!)

8. Keep the bathroom warm

9. Artwork or decor that is appealing to you for good energy

10. Use air purifying plants in addition to appropriate ventilation

11. Circular shaped rugs

WHAT TO AVOID WITH BATHROOMS:

1. The bathroom door being visible from the front door

2. The bathroom above the front door or in the center of the house

3. The bathroom door is facing the master bed (you could consider hiding it with a screen or partition the space with a bench, or utilize a bed with a footboard to block the view)

4. Poor light quality, especially if your bathroom has no window

I hope you will consider taking some time to improve the Feng Shui in your bathroom and to have it be a relaxing oasis for you at the end of a long day. We could all use a little extra self care these days. And as always, thank you for reading! -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Feng Shui: Kitchen

Apr 07, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

This next addition to the Feng Shui series this week is the kitchen. This is undeniably the most used, and loved, area of the home. It is considered the heart of the home, where good energy meals are made, and great conversations are had. But it should not stop there. The Feng Shui guidelines in your home should also be applied to your kitchen, as it is part of the "Feng Shui Trinity" (Kitchen, Bedroom, and Bathroom). Feng Shui in your kitchen is mainly all about placement and layout. But I also included Feng Shui guidelines for preexisting kitchens to nourish both your body and your heart.

GUIDELINES FOR GOOD CHI ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE BUILDING A HOME:

1. Keep the kitchen away from the front door. The kitchen will have the greatest positive energy if it is not near your front door. It is considered bad "Chi" if your front door opens into your kitchen and it is the first space you see.

2. The oven and stove should be out of view from the front door.

3. Have the kitchen island placed in such a way that it is the first thing you see when you walk in. You can display flowers and decor on the counters to create even more appeal.

4. No bathrooms off the kitchen. For obvious reasons :) But additionally, it is said that you want to keep the Chi in the kitchen, and not leaking out into other areas.

5. Main staircase should not be near the kitchen as they are opposing energies

6. Do not place the kitchen in the center of your home. And it is optimal to have it facing East, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast or North

7. Appliances in a triangle, and not next to each other, for the optimal flow: refrigerator, sink, and stove.

8. Sink should have a window in front of it

GUIDELINES FOR GOOD CHI IN YOUR EXISTING KITCHEN:

1. Clutter-Free. It shouldn't surprise you that a kitchen with good Feng Shui is a kitchen that is completely free of clutter. There should be an appropriate balance of function and design. If there is a mess in this room you likely frequent the most, there is no doubt that it could be effecting you. Simplicity is the basis for good Feng Shui, so make good use of your drawers, cabinets, and pantry.

2. Good Lighting. This means bright working bulbs (with an optional added dimmer). And enough fixtures to provide lighting for all areas such as cooking areas and over the island and/or table.

3. Uplifting flowers or fruit. Flowers bring an enormous amount of positive energy to any space. Even a bowl of colorful fruit will lift your mood, and signifies abundance and health.

4. Color. The optimal colors for a kitchen according to Feng Shui guidelines are wood; Cyan or Green. White and green are said to work well in kitchens because they are light and relaxing. Another modern day option to this is to combine colors that blend well together and make you feel good too.

5. Avoid black and red colors which tend to promote bad temperament

6. If you have a mirror in your kitchen, be sure it doesn't face the stove which is said to block the God of Wealth.

7. A clean refrigerator. If you clean the inside regularly, you will reduce the presence of bacteria which will in return promote your luck for wealth.

8. Something green in between the stove and sink such as a plant or pot of herbs. For me, it's a topiary!

9. Avoid keeping dirty dishes in your sink overnight

10. Avoid broken items such as cabinets or utensils. Dispose of (or fix) anything broken

11. Keep knives sharpened, but away in a drawer to eliminate feelings of discomfort

12. Add wood elements to strengthen the family bond (utensils, trays, and cutting boards)

13. Keep trash cans hidden

14. Avoid eating in the kitchen, as it is meant strictly for preparing meals. Move to a table if you can. If you are in a apartment or smaller home, be sure these two spaces are distinctly separated.

Good Feng Shui in your kitchen simply means that the space is clean, counters and floors are clear, and there is a logical flow for optimal function. By following any of the guidelines listed above you will start to create a healthy space in the kitchen for you and your family. Now, what's for dinner?

Thank you for reading! -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Feng Shui: Front Door

Apr 06, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

This week I am starting a series on Feng Shui, focusing on different rooms and areas of the home. Feng Shui is the Chinese art of balancing our physical environment to promote harmony and a sense of well-being in our surroundings. How we arrange objects in our home creates a certain energy, either positive or negative, and makes us feel welcome. Learning more about this will hopefully give us the tools to provide better energy at home. Amidst this COVID pandemic, many of us are home re-arranging furniture and there is no better time than now to learn about this ancient art!

I am going to start with the front door, where the Feng Shui at your home truly begins. This is the first area people see when they come into your home (It is called the Qi-or the mouth of the home). This is that first impression that you can't get back. If you don't feel good here, then it's likely that others won't either.

GOOD FENG SHUI GUIDELINES:

1. The door opens inward to the home, not outward. And is tall enough for all guests to walk through

2. The door is substantial and secure (not loose, no rust, and properly working hinges) and should be the grandest door in the home

3. The door is clean and free of dust or pollen

4. A clean, bright light fixture over your door (no cob webs or broken bulbs!)

5. A visible house number so no confusion is created

6. Everything about your entryway is in working order including the doorbell

7. The door opens up easily into an entryway that is free of clutter. This means a clear pathway leading up to the door and once you enter the home

8. Any mirrors in the entryway are placed to the sides and not straight ahead when you walk in. If a mirror is placed in front of you, it bounces the energy (The "Chi") back out of the home.

9. A front door that opens into the living room

FRONT DOOR COLOR GUIDELINES:

South facing home- Yellow, Purple, Orange, Pink, Coral, Red. Secondary: green, brown, wood

North facing home- Dark blue or Black. Secondary: White, Gray or Metallic

East & Southeast facing home- Natural Wood Color or Earth tones. Secondary: Blue or Black

West & Northwest facing home- Ochre or Yellow, White, Gray, Metallic. Secondary: Beige, Clay, Sandy tones

Southwest & Northeast facing home- White, Beige, Light Yellow, Clay or Sandy tones. Secondary: Red, Yellow, Pink, Coral

EXTRA "Bonus Points" Feng Shui Tips:

1. Have a water feature near your front door to attract prosperity and luck. This feature can be outside or inside.

2. Plants on either side of the front door

3. Presence of Fu Dogs

Here are some things you may want to AVOID;

1. Sharp objects near the entryway, such as plants with thorns. It is said to disrupt the first impression

2. A front door that opens with a direct path to a back door or window. This brings the Chi into your home and right back out. Separate these areas with a piece of furniture if possible.

3. A staircase directly aligned with the front door. I realize many center hall colonials have this, and you can mask it by drawing your attention elsewhere with bold furniture or flowers.

So, how did you do with your current Front Door Feng Shui? While this Chinese method provides incredible guidelines to living in harmony with your surroundings at home, my biggest clue to good Feng Shui is; does this space make you happy? If you don't feel at ease walking through your front door then others won't either. Make it a priority to declutter this space so you enter the home feeling refreshed, calm, and at peace.

There will be more to come this week on Feng Shui and different areas of the home. And as always, leave any thoughts below in the comments or on my social media platforms (Facebook or Instagram). Thank you for reading! -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Stovetop Potpourri to Make Your Home Smell Like Spring

Mar 26, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

Stovetop Potpourri to Make Your Home Smell Like Spring

Lately I have really needed "feel good" activities, in light of what is going on in the world. It's finally spring and I thought a great way to get in the spirit would be to make a stovetop potpourri with ingredients you may already have. If you have a lemon that's on it's way out that you may not want to eat-this is the perfect way to find a use for it. Your house will smell amazing and we need to have a good sense of home and health right now. My recipe is listed below, but feel free to be creative with ingredients. You can't mess this up, and you don't need to go to the store for any items-use what you have. These ingredients will become a natural air freshener in your home. Have fun with it and enjoy making your home fresh for spring!

Ingredients:

1 Bunch of mint

1 Lemon

1 Lime

Spring of Rosemary

2 Cinnamon Sticks

Optional, an orange (I used a variety of blood orange)

Slice and combine all ingredients into a pot. Add 3 1/2 cups of water. Bring the potpourri to a boil and then simmer for the rest of the day, continuing to replenish water when necessary.

Thank you for reading! I wish you good health and happiness in the comfort of your home. -Chrissie

Written by Chrissie Haim

Spring Cleaning, for the Home and Mind

Mar 19, 2020

Written by Chrissie Haim

I have to admit, what sparked this blog post was figuring out how to stay sane at home with the recent spread of the Corona Virus. I wanted to create a list for myself which would do two things: spring clean around the home as we typically would do this time of year, but also make these certain activities heal and comfort my soul. Here is my spring cleaning list, a little different than most, considering the times we are in;

1. Delete Emails

This is one of the most freeing things we can do in this age of cell phones and social media. Emails can build up, and I had thousands! Getting rid of the email clutter is just like getting rid of clutter in your home. In the end, both clutter your mind and we don't need that. Especially now!

2. Organize Drawers

My favorite two areas to organize are spice cabinets and junk drawers. Both are used daily or almost daily, so when you open them and they are neat and organized, you will feel happy. Instead of burdening yourself with the hefty task of "tidying your entire kitchen" just pay attention to one or two special areas that you use most.

3. Doorknobs and hardware

I don't know about you but I have a couple of doorknobs with loose screws and each time I touch the doorknob it drives me crazy. Things like that must be addressed as it's a reminder of "oh I didn't do that yet". I also will also walk around with WD-40 and spray any door that creaks when it opens. Surely you have them too! This includes vacuuming the sliding door tracks so they door glides open and closed with ease.

4. Spring Decor

Nothing says Refresh better than putting away anything winter and getting out your spring items. This includes pillows or pillow covers, wreaths, plants or faux flowers, lighter blankets for your couch, and maybe a new tablecloth and dish towel. Whatever it is, making the switch with a new color palette will lift your mood.

5. Wash your couch

If you have washable couch covers, now is a great time to wash them and freshen them up as we enter a new season. Tackle this task over a couple of days. I, for one, know that washing removable couch covers is a daunting task! But there is nothing like the feeling of sitting on your freshly laundered linens so it is worth it.

6. Clean your lanterns and outdoor sconces

After the winter comes to a close and you start to spend more time outside, you will notice cob webs, spider webs, dirt, and more, on your outdoor light fixtures. Grab a broom or hand brush and some windex and clear them of the debris left behind from Old Man Winter. The difference will be like night and day, you will see! If you want to make your own cleaner, simply use vinegar and a wipe.

7. Dishwashers and Washing Machines

These are work horses in our homes. We should be cleaning these regularly, but in case you are not it's time to pay attention to them. My washing machine has a sterilizing/cleaning cycle that I use with bleach and special cleaning tabs. For the dishwashers I use a cleaner and special tab. If you choose to skip the fancy cleaners, for your dishwasher you can use a cup of vinegar in the top rack and baking soda sprinkled on the bottom, and run a hot water cycle. There are many online remedies for these, so you can skip a trip to the store!

8. Clothing

One of my favorite things to do is wash all the winter jackets, gloves, and hats, and stow them away. Winter clothing takes up a ton of space in our mudroom (especially for children) and by this time of year I want to clean them and bid them adieu! I fold them neatly and store them in a bin until next Fall/Winter. The space immediately feels cleaner and more open! It becomes a blank canvas to decorate. If you have a mudroom, and especially if you have a smaller space like an entryway that doubles as coat and jacket storage, you will surely appreciate this small step!

9. Heal your mind and pay attention to YOU

In case you need ideas to keep busy in your home, here is what I have been doing;

*Make stovetop potpourri (tutorial coming soon)

*Light that special candle you've been saving

*Cut greenery outside and challenge yourself to an arrangement

*Meditate with apps such as Calm-they are offering select free services right now

*Write a hand written note to a friend or loved one

*Take a bath

*Try a short yoga video

*Full body stretching

*Give yourself a manicure/pedicure

*Turn off the TV/news and turn on some music

*pick up a new hobby (I will be stitching and doing needlepoint again. A hobby passed down to me from my mother)

I hope you will use this time of year to not only take care of things around the house, but also to take care of YOU. Thank you for reading, and Happy Spring! -Chrissie

Previous
Page 4 of 5
Next

Products

Posts & Pages

Blog

One Room Challenge (Week 1)

Building a Kitchen from Start to Finish

Where to Spend and Save, at Home

Feng Shui: Garden

Feng Shui: Decor

Feng Shui: Bathroom

Feng Shui: Kitchen

Feng Shui: Front Door

Stovetop Potpourri to Make Your Home Smell Like Spring

Spring Cleaning, for the Home and Mind