Cheerful Flowers Chase Away Winter Doldrums

Winter days can be short and dark, and it's really beneficial to find some new and interesting strategies to add more cheerfulness and color to your home. Nothing quite comes even close to the loveliness of flowers and live plants in relation to chasing away the winter doldrums. When you really need your house to be freshened and brightened, here are some ways in which you can do so with flowers.

Attractive Cut Flower Bouquets

Even when your backyard flower garden is deep in its winter sleep, you are still capable to decorate your home with gorgeous vases of flowers. Florists, gift shops and even your local supermarket sell beautiful cut floral bouquets year-round, which makes it an easy task to add a touch of color to your house. You can include an opulent look to your bathroom using a container of beautiful flowers. Inside the living room, a floral arrangement will add a classic decorator's touch to the mantel. Or you can add some style as well as beauty to your kitchen counter or dining room table with a vase of fresh cut flowers.

The Beauty of Floral Wall Art

If you don't have any flowers to display, add beauty and color by choosing floral wall art. Displayed in picture frames, art prints and paintings depicting floral scenes can be a fantastic way to cheer up your home's decor. You may even decorate one of the walls by having an oversized floral print or canvas, creating a striking focal point in the room. Reprints and enlargements created from your own floral-themed photographs can also bring a lovely and decorative touch to the walls. In fact, when spring finally comes, you might take some photographs of your own flower garden and use them as wall art. You can create your own beautiful wall decorations using the photographs of your personal garden for only the price of some picture frames.

Living Flowers and Plants

Nothing can beat live flowers and plants for their ability to include a touch of spring in your winter decorating theme. Lots of houseplants have low light requirements, which makes them perfect for growing indoors during those short winter days. If the plants that you'd like to cultivate require more light, just make sure that they are placed near your indoor lights. With a little bit of planning, you may even trick spring-blooming flower bulbs such as daffodils and tulips into blooming in the cold winter months. These kinds of bulbs need to be chilled throughout their regular winter dormancy period, so you're able to imitate this process with your refrigerator. When you plant a pot of springtime bulbs and put them inside your refrigerator for three or four months, you are able to enjoy some beautiful springtime blooms inside while there is still snow outside. Some excellent choices are paper whites or amaryllis, that are designed to bloom indoors. In the late winter months you may add some fragrance and beautiful color to your house with branches which you force to bloom indoors, that are cut from such flowering trees and shrubs as forsythia bushes and apple trees.

So help your house be more lovely and brighter with some sorts of flowers. You will be very happy you did!

Autumn Lockwood writes for Your Picture Frames. When you need a way to display your most treasured photos, you can find a wide assortment of classic 5x7 picture frames when you visit our website. Check out our selection of beautiful photo frames now or call us at 800-780-0699.

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Moroccan Decor for Coziness, Tranquility and Laid Back Ambience

To turn a home into an exotic oasis of coziness and tranquility is easy when Moroccan decor is the theme selected for a more luxury ambience and true profusion of patterns, colors and hues. The sumptuousness of colors and Oriental patterns typical of the African country of Morocco lends a new charm to a home ambience and brings the Mediterranean atmosphere of warmth, peace and quiet, with Moroccan furniture and Moroccan bedding conveying sensuality and spirituality of a culture that has existed for centuries, perfecting craftsmanship to create true masterpieces, items of furniture and bedding that are gems in themselves.

In fact, the Moroccan style atmosphere can be created with a number of details, and walls are areas where the Oriental spirit can be expressed; not only colors and hues, but decoration and selection of patterns complement an Oriental ambience by means of landscapes abounding in palm trees, majestic mountains, or views of the Mediterranean or the Atlantic Ocean. Such views create crisp images and evoke memories of vacations spent in Mediterranean resorts, in places soaked in sun and smelling of sea water.

Moroccan furniture and Moroccan bedding are the most preferred items for home decoration, when people choose to refresh their home ambience with Moroccan decor. The Moroccan spirit decor is especially appropriate for bedrooms where Oriental elements create the perfect atmosphere for rest and relaxation. Furniture made by hand, especially beds, armoires, mosaic tables, creates a truly unique atmosphere conforming to Moroccan traditions which have been shaped for centuries. Furniture items evoke images of Arabian princes and princesses and the sumptuousness of their palaces where such furniture is a must and a perennial backdrop. Oriental style bedding takes the best traditions of Moroccan craftsmanship, with exotic throws, pillows and bedspreads as if coming out of some Arabian Nights tale, inviting for a rest with a difference, with starry night patterns, paisley elements, tassel decorated pillows, beadwork, hand made to achieve perfection.

Vibrant colors are typical of the Moroccan Oriental decoration style. Crisp colors of wall decorations or courtyards tiled with Moroccan ornamented tiles are the most typical places in the home where vibrancy is preferred to lend liveliness and uniqueness to modern homes and freshen stern and more conventional modern elements of decoration. People who add water features in the Moroccan style such as murmuring fountains or inviting ponds recreate other staples of Moroccan decor, and Oriental water features are worth adding to any home for the tranquility it inspires as crystal water murmurs or splashes to invite for a laid back weekend.

It is now a common preference to decorate homes in Moroccan style. People are tired of the hectic pace of contemporary life; they are longing for a transfer of Moroccan home style where a laid back atmosphere pervades homes painstakingly furnished with hand crafted items, Moroccan furniture, exquisite tables and chairs, cedar beds decorated with Moroccan bedding. Such homes really provide unsurpassed comfort and relaxation for all people who take fond care of their homes.

Hisham Ben Arbi is the author of this article on Moroccan Decor. Find more information on Moroccan Furniture here.

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Feng Shui & Wind Chime Placements in Your Home

Feng Shui is a Chinese tradition that is centered on the correct placement of objects. These items include wind chimes. According to this tradition, energy is everywhere. The attraction of this energy, whether good or bad, depends on where you have placed the objects. Sound is also part of the Feng Shui tradition. It is believed that the enormous sound of fireworks will bar bad spirits or energy from entering your home. However, there are people who do not believe in Feng Shui and use the chimes as garden accessories. According to Feng Shui, there are specific areas where a wind chime should be placed and areas where it should not be placed.

The chime can be placed at the entrance of a building. This is a way of preventing bad chi from getting into the building. One of the beliefs is that the chime will alert you when unauthorized people try to break into the building. The wind chime is hung depending on the direction the entrance is facing. For example, if it is in the northern direction, the chime is hung for vitality purposes. Entrances that face the north are normally deemed unattractive.

When building a house and wish to have many children, ensure that the entrance faces the western side. This is because when the wind chime is hung on this direction, it will increase the flow of a good atmosphere, hence establishing unity in the family.

You need chime if your building is blocked by another, right in front of it. This is a sign of bad luck as you will stagnate in your life. The chime will help to prevent you from stagnating. The chimes can also be put in the garden to enhance productivity. They are also used to protect the food stuff from harsh weather conditions and animals. Wind chimes should never be hung inside an office. This is considered as bad luck. This is not only tradition but common sense. The chime is likely to distract your clients and co-workers.

Wind chimes are also made of different materials. The most common ones are wood, metal, ceramics and bamboo. The metal chime is the best when you want to practice Feng Shui. Studies have shown that metals on the earth are getting reduced day after day. It is believed in Feng Shui that this creates a negative energy. This means that hanging the metal chime in your premises will definitely counter the negative energy and bring positive chi. This sounds like a way of being rewarded for conserving metals, which are part of nature.

Harry Pearce is a freelance architect and has been part of the field for the past ten years. Harry is very passionate about his job and has been involved with several different projects including landscape gardening with the use of strange ornaments such as wind chimes. For further information on any of the topics raised in the article please visit The Wind Chime Shop.

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How Feng Shui Water Energy and the Color Blue Can Calm You

Water is the most sensitive element in the environment for it is the universal solvent and can dissolve most substances. Its chemical composition allows great sensitivity and water can pick up the most minute of vibrations. In Feng Shui practice water placements are used to balance the energy of a home, release energy locks, stimulate peach blossom luck and promote career among many things.

All living things need and gravitate towards the life giving properties of water. It provides moisture and oxygen. Good Feng Shui and positive chi resides where the terrain can capture auspicious water energy. When water moves-- like in waterfalls, fountains, the ocean surf or even a shower-or when heat evaporates water-- all these produce free oxygen and negative ions in the air. The negatively charged ions attract positively charged pollutants, so, for example, after a rain the air smells fresher and we also feel better. Negative ions elevate our moods, lift depression, increase our hemoglobin/oxygen affinity and decrease respiration while calming the body. Negative ions also speed up oxidation of excess serotonin in the blood alleviating stress, depression and pain. Studies have also shown that negative ions can also relieve hyperactivity in the body, promote alpha brain waves and assist hormone balance all while alkalizing the body, amazing! Water is one of our largest natural sources of healthful negative ions.

In traditional Feng Shui, placement of the 5-elements have the strongest effect in changing or adjusting the energy of a home, so the water element would be the first choice in placing a remedy where water may be needed. Color is the second choice when it is impractical to place an element-- because color has a subtler effect. Color is (light energy) and the blue light wave (light or pigment) has a very similar effect on the human organism as actual water. In Feng Shui the color blue and black are traditionally equated with water energy.

Blue light (contained in white light) adjusts our circadian rhythms or sleep cycles and stimulate the body's serotonin production during daylight hours. This hormone allows us to sleep and relax. Then when the light becomes lower, the body will convert the serotonin to melatonin so we can sleep. Even as blue light helps adjust our sleep cycles-- blue light after hours can actually keep us awake--as our bodies need regular long periods of darkness (or low light) to be able to make this conversion so we can sleep. Computers, TV's or iPhones can continue to shine blue light into our eyes even after the sun goes down. The blue light effect happens even if a person is blind because melanopsin, a light sensitive protein in our skin, effectively reacts to the blue light wave of 446-447 nm (nanometers). The color blue also lowers our blood pressure and heart rate (unlike red, which elevates it) and makes us feel cooler. It is interesting that blue light which fades to darkness (black) are also the colors associated with calmness and sleep --and water-- which likewise has a calming effect on us. Asians have observed this connection for thousands of year through the practice of Feng Shui.

Blue is a favorite color for many people. Men especially like shades of blue. It is a soothing shade and a favorite for meditation. Blue represents clear skies, no storms, and a peaceful ocean --and thousands of years of this conditioning have instilled it into our brains and bodies. Beautiful blue skies bode peaceful times. New studies have shown that when rooms are painted blue that it can even boost our creative thought with more expansive thinking. As we relax our defensive mechanisms, we also become more open to new ideas and possibilities. New tests in psychology and marketing continue to show how different colors can affect the thinking processes of our brains. The physical environment does affect us more than we know. A classically trained Feng Shui consultant can advise you of the best areas in your home to use water and guide you in making the best choices to balance and promote your home's natural healing energy. The skillful use of water is very important in traditional Feng Shui and can boost your life in many positive ways.

© 2011 Lynda Lee Abdo Feng Shui consultant and author of "Heal Your Home"

Lynda Lee Abdo is a certified professional Feng Shui consultant, author, artist and has been a commercial designer for more than 25 years. She specializes in Feng Shui analysis, color and Zi Wei Dou shu. You can find her services online for your convenience. Please visit my website at: http://www.fengshui2bliss.com
lynabdo@gmail.com

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Using Mirrors To Feng Shui Your Home

Mirrors are wonderful as both functional and decorative pieces hanging in your home. They come in handy for a number of different reasons, including getting dressed for the day. They help create depth and light in any part of your home. They are ideal when you have a really small space that you want to enlarge. Mirrors are also extremely critical when it comes to Feng Shui. People use mirrors as a way to alter, move, and attract certain energies into their houses.

In Feng Shui, you place mirrors to correct any problem you are having in your home. You will need to follow strict laws on where to hang them. By placing a mirror across from something wonderful you can bring a positive change to your energy flow. Position a mirror across from a beautiful landscape or piece of art. This is to help bring more of this stunning energy into your house. The best areas to hang mirrors for good Feng Shui are the east corner for health and family, the southeast side for wealth and abundance, and the north side for career and life path.

Don't place a mirror directly across from a door or window. This can bring unwanted outside energy into your house. You also do not want to hang two mirrors facing each other. This will cause stuck energy between them. You will feel restless in your home. You also should never use broken, dusty, or unframed mirrors. Don't ever position a mirror on the wall across from your bed or on the south side of your house.

As long as your oval wall mirrors are framed, look and size will not matter much. Be unique and fun to match your favorite looks. There are an unlimited number of options such as vintage and antique mirrors, black or round white mirrors, or sleek modern mirrors. Feng Shui papers often discuss convex mirrors and bagua mirrors. Convex mirrors are known in Feng Shui as the watchful eye. They deflect speedy moving chi, and keep your home from being overpowered by bad features outside of your house. Bagua mirrors are to be hung outdoors only. They keep negative energy from entering your house.

Feng Shui can be a fun and unique way to bring positive energy in and decorate your home. Hanging a mirror in the right place can be both functional and beautiful. Mirrors are useful for getting dressed and making a small area appear bigger. The ideal mirror placement brings a nice energy into your home and life. You can get mirrors everywhere, including the internet and big chain box retailers.

OvalandRoundMirrors.com has been manufacturing hard-to-find picture frames, round white mirrors, oval wall mirrors and related products since the mid 1980's. With us you buy directly from the manufacturer and pay the lowest prices. You can choose from multiple sizes, variety of frame styles, and dozens of color options. Avoid the middle man and enjoy getting the highest quality for the best price anywhere. Many of our frame styles are not available anywhere else.

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