DIY: A Zen Pathway to Your Home

Here's a fun diy project you can do to add some colour to your home, particularly to an entryway.  I found this idea - colourful tin planter cans - online and knew I would love trying this and I did.  And it was easy ...

1. Using a thick nail and hammer, hammer in a few holes on the bottom of each can.

 2.  Using water-based acrylic paint (which is what I used here) paint your tin cans.

3. Any colour really will do here, choose your favourites!  I stuck with lighter, pastel-like colours.

4. Finally, once the paint is completely dry, fill each tin can with soil and your favourite house plant.

Having plants in the entrance way to your home is very feng shui.

Everybody Feng Shui Tonight

A Look at How to Feng Shui your Home

So, I have never actually tried Feng Shui before or even considered it really but with the new apartment, all freshly painted and what not, I thought why not consider the art of Feng Shui now for our new home.

So, What is Feng Shui?

In it's simplest definition, Feng Shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China (source).  It is an art and science that essentially shows you how to balance the energies of your home to assure the good health and fortune for the people inhabiting it.

Feng means wind and shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health, therefore good feng shui will bring good fortune and health (source).

"Feng Shui is based on the Taoist idea that the land is alive and filled with Chi (energy) and understanding of nature  Chi, or energy. The ancient Chinese believed that the land's energy could either make or break the kingdom, so to speak. The theories of yin and yang, as well as the five feng shui elements, are some of the basic aspects of a feng shui analysis that come from Taoism" (source).

Honestly, it gets way more complicated and detailed then that but who has time for that.  I am just looking for the basics, the Feng Shui for dummies, i.e. where do I put my bed or what colours do I paint the walls, etc. etc.

Image Source - I WISH this was my bedroom!

Let's Simplify this Shall we ... 

In Feng shui the focuses seems to be on using the five elements: water, wood, fire, earth, and metal to  synchronize and harmonize areas of the home for maximum benefits (source).

In regards to decorating the home, The Spiritual Feng Shui website lays everything out very nicely for me.  So here are some tips I got to Feng Shui your home:

The Main Entrance

• Keep it cluster free


• Clean at all times


• Add a Fountain or small plants along the path to the house (water & earth)


• Pathways to the house lit at night (fire)


• Flowers at the entrance are a nice welcome (earth)

The Living Room

• No furniture with sharp bends or corners


• Try not to have too many knick knack objects or decorative items


• No paintings that represent loneliness, violence fear or solitude


• Don't have too many metal appliances, remotes or wires visible - keep them hidden (metal)


• Good to have a warm fireplace (fire)


• No fireplace? Add a warm earthy shade rug to the floor, votive candles and a few good books to the room; they also suggest a fountain (water, earth & fire)


• Have warm lighting, not too bright


• Have cushions that synchronize with the wall colour and curtains

The Kitchen

• Kitchen burners should be so placed so that the kitchen door is visible when you are cooking


• More burners and shiny tea kettle kept on burner, brings health happiness and longevity (metal)


• Keep clutter free, ingredients organized and shut in containers


• Do not keep sharp elements like knives in public view


• I love this one: Taps in the kitchen should not drip as it is said that wealth will flow away! (water)

The Dining Room

• Tabletops made of wood (wood)


• Green is the ideal colour of the dining room


• Food is best served in round or oval plates without sharp edges


• Do not keep many things on the table top


• Chairs are comfortable and roomy

The Bed room

• Ideally located at the back of the house


• Place your bed in a way so that you can see the door to the room


• No mirrors to see yourself sleep


• One book you are reading nearing the bedside


• Keep tidy, clothes neat and folded


• Do not stack things under the bed

The Bathroom

• Keep bathroom clean


• Add candles, bamboo luck pots or aroma oils for a nice ambiance (wood & fire)


• Toilet seat closed and bins shut


• Drains covered when not in use

So, now that I have done some research on Feng Shui I have, so far, learned two things: A - I could have written the book on  Feng shui seeing as I am already doing about 92% of what is listed here and B - I want to learn more!

Cleansing your Home: Spring Green Cleaning

photo source

It's never too late to start your Spring cleaning and with Summer just around the corner, now is as good a time as any to start (or finish).

I personally love to spend my hot summer days outdoors either walking, cycling or playing/doing my many other various sports or activities.

But sometimes it's nice to stay indoors (especially on rainy days) to relax and unwind ... and clean!? Yes, well cleaning for me can be relaxing and therapeutic. It's all in how you look at it ...

* I love going through my old stuff because one, I can find new uses for it sometimes or a new home for it at least (donate) and two, it reminds me of the past good times

* Cleaning your home can be therapeutic, in an odd way I feel like it helps to also clear my mind

* Who doesn't want and love a clean home!?

* The fresh scent of a clean space is refreshing and rewarding and though it may seem like a small thing, it can be very rewarding

* If you don't want to do it alone and find the whole cleaning thing boring or daunting why not bring the family together to help!  Ask your partner to help (wine helps with this scenario) or get your kids involved, you can even make it a game for them so it doesn't have to feel like a chore

The best part of cleaning nowadays is being able to do it the green and chemical-free way! There are so many "green" products now available that there really is no excuse not to use them, especially when you can even make your own!

For some great green cleaning tips check out Treehugger.com or TLC.