Apr 7, 2017
Featured, Interior Design
Bringing Nature Inside
Where do you go to de-stress? After a long week of work at the office, we unwind with a walk through the Saratoga State Park. Have you noticed how relaxed you feel when you're surrounded by nature? Organic and natural elements have a way of making us feel calm and at peace. When you bring bits of nature into your home it increases health, happiness, and productivity according to the Chinese philosophical system, Feng Shui. The term Feng Shui literally translates as "wind-water" in English. Here at Sensory Six, we believe your home is a haven for you and your family to unwind and spend quality time in. As Spring finally makes it’s appearance, we are doing all we can to bring the season into our homes. Here’s how:
- Light: The more we are exposed to natural light, the better we feel physically, emotionally and mentally. After a dose of Vitamin D, we feel like we’re on cloud nine! Make your home magical by opening up the shades and curtains to let in as much natural light as possible. Sunshine has an effect that instantaneously lifts our mood and creates a healthy atmosphere. If you have minimal natural light in your home, opt for full-spectrum light bulbs to create "indoor sunshine."
- Flowers: Fresh flowers are a super simple and easy way to bring vibrancy, color and life to any space. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they have a healing energy that naturally lifts our mood and relieves anxiety and stress. When choosing a bouquet, choose flowers in the Feng Shui color palette. Pink roses nurture love, red gladiolas encourage motivation, yellow gerbera daisies aid in health, blue hydrangeas further relaxation, purple orchids boost spirituality, orange marigolds promote inspiration, and white calla lilies stimulate purification.
- Flowing Water: Do you love long walks on the beach? The sound of water rolling up onto the beach brings us a sense of peace and tranquility. Incorporating a table-top or wall-mounted fountain in your home brings beauty to your eyes, music to you ears and harmony into your home. In Feng Shui, water is associated with abundance and the continuous flow of life. The sound of water gently flowing and splashing masks unwanted noise and creates a sense of well-being and ease. By incorporating a water feature in your home, like this one from Alan Mascord Design Associates Inc., you will have constant source of peace and serenity.
- Color: Which colors give off mood-enhancing energies? Green, suitable for any room, is a healing color and is associated with plants and trees. Blue, reminds us of the sky and ocean, brings a sense of serenity to a space and is perfect for bedrooms and bathrooms. Yellow is a cheerful color which reminds us of the sun, working best in dining rooms and kitchens. If you’re seeking colors that encourage love and romance, go for pinks, peaches and red hues.
- Art and Decor: The easiest way to bring nature in is through artwork and paintings that display seascapes, landscapes, flowers and wildlife. They offer inspiration and harmony, especially if you live in a busy city with little to none green space. When designing your home, integrate nature motifs in kitchen tile, curtains, wall coverings, pillows, rugs and bedding. This will create harmony throughout your space and tie together all Feng Shui aspects.
- Natural Elements of Wood and Stone: According to Feng Shui, wood is considered yin (feminine) and stone is yang (masculine) and when combined they create a grounding balance in your home. Use wood for flooring, tables, cabinetry and furniture. While stone works well as flooring and countertops in kitchens, bathrooms and fireplaces. This glass-enclosed abode on Bainbridge Island, WA is a contemporary space with an earthy appeal. The home’s interiors mimic nature, featuring a palette of natural materials and a Feng Shui pleasing layout yielding to the laws of heaven and earth. This kitchen surrounds you in wood, stone and beautiful views.
- Aromatherapy: Here at Sensory Six Our main focus is designing spaces that resonate with you on all levels and with your senses. Natural candles, diffusers, and essential oils tap into a sense often overlooked. Looking to relax? Choose scents like chamomile, lavender, cedar wood, and rose. Eucalyptus, juniper, lemon, and pine scents bring energy to the space.
One specialty area of Sensory Six is health and wellness. This means designing spaces that bring nature inside, utilize health-conscious materials and incorporate the latest technologies relevant to air, water, nourishment, light, fitness, comfort and mind to promote wellness for our clients. Ready to let Spring in? If you have a project in mind, please contact us at 518-306-1099. We would love to help you fulfill your vision and share our own.
Content References:
http://freshome.com/2013/10/01/10-ways-to-bring-natural-organic-elements-into-your-interiors/
http://jaymebarrett.com/blog/2016/03/bring-nature-inside-for-good-feng-shui/
Photo References:
http://0.lushome.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/modern-living-room-designs-interior-decorating-1.jpg
