1. Declutter/appropriate storage
Clutter is symptomatic of our hectic lives
The goal is ease and order, not perfection
Make “SPACE” – Use Julia Morgenstern’s (author of Organizing from the Inside Out) idea
S – sort: keep only what you genuinely love and truly use
P – purge: recycle, donate, throw away
A – assign a home: closet, file, sweater box, bin or basket
C – containerize: NOW buy the containers you need
E – equalize: daily, weekly, monthly - put away/throw away
Decluttering means discovering and displaying your true treasures.
2. Make the most of your connection with nature
Maximize your views of nature, let in sunlight and fresh air
Keep window treatments simple, avoid swags and valances.
You can have daytime privacy with full or half sheers
Bottom up shades give privacy, let in light and sky views
Keep you windows clean, let the chi shine in.
3. Bring the Outdoors In
Nature is healing - it calms and restores
Place plants and flowers through out your home
Use natural materials for furniture or decorative objects:
Wood, stone, terracotta, natural fabrics, water fountains, candles or fireplaces.
Create a “Nature Tray” - display the pebbles, shells, leaves and other treasures you pick up on your walks.
4. Lighting: Human beings like plants are drawn to light.
Place a chair, desk or work table a sunny window
Use incandescent (regular light bulb) light as much as possible – the antidote to working in fluorescent offices. Place lamps (pools of warm light) where you want people to gather
- on both sides of a sofa in living room or family room
- above a kitchen or dining room table
5. Color – the interplay of color and light
Always choose a wall color in the room you are going to paint. The cool sunlight of New England makes the use of warmer paint tones important: use warm tones of your favorite colors.
6. Gathering spaces/cozy corners
Position chairs and sofas away from traffic areas.
Conversational distance is 6 feet – farther than that will prevent easy interaction.
Enhance gathering by wise placement of lighting.
Throw pillows add color and make a space more inviting
An area rug is a great way to cozy up a space.
7. Bedrooms as retreats
Make your bedroom different from any other room in the house
Use warm tones, sensual textures, adjustable lighting
No computer, and ideally no TV in the bedroom.
Place a table lamp on each side of the bed – make the bed a gathering area
8. A room of one’s own - This is especially important for mothers.
Every person needs some real privacy.
Set up an extra or under-used (guest) room with an upholstered chair, lamp, side table, and perhaps a desk or work table. If no extra room, then a private corner which only you can use.
9. Objects that nourish your spirit
Personal mementos
Things that remind you of people, places and events you love.
Inspirational pictures and decorative objects that remind you of who you are and your personal goals.
