As you move forward with New Year goals and action plans, keep in mind that Chinese New Year is arrives with the new moon on January 26th, 2009. These next few weeks are a wonderful opportunity for getting your physical space in order. Here’s a reprinted article from a past FFS newsletter with tips on preparing your home for the Lunar New Year.

One of the things I like best about Chinese New Year is that it provides a second chance to catch up on all those things we meant to get done before the Jan. 1 New Year, but didn’t quite get to. And, for those who have slipped a little on their New Year’s Resolutions, it’s an opportunity to refocus.

Traditional Chinese New Year celebrations focus on home and family, and on ensuring that the New Year will bring lots of good luck. Much of this activity centers on thorough house cleaning to clear out old energy and make way for the new. In the Chinese Lunar Calendar, the New Year marks the start of Spring, so it’s a good time for “spring cleaning” even if the weather is still wintry in your part of the world.

If you don’t have time to clean and de-clutter your entire home before the lunar New Year, concentrate on your kitchen. A clean, food-filled kitchen is the center of family life and a symbol of health and prosperity, so it is especially auspicious for the New Year. Here are some key things you can do:

- Clean out your refrigerator and freezer. Toss anything ancient, mysterious, or “iffy,” and refill or replace anything that’s less than half-full (such as condiment bottles and jars). Defrost the freezer and get the inside of the fridge sparkling clean.

- Clean off the outside of the refrigerator, too. If your fridge is covered with magnets, photos, take-out menus and grocery lists, clear them all off to create a clean slate (you can put any necessary ones back after the New Year).

- Declutter your pantry shelves, and use or toss anything that’s been in there for months. Wipe down the shelves and clean the cabinet doors.

- Clean your oven and stovetop, and replace burner pan liners if they’re no longer shiny and new-looking.

- Replace worn and/or grubby oven mitts and dish towels with new ones.

- Get out a broom and thoroughly sweep the kitchen, and then from the kitchen out the nearest door. This symbolically sweeps out the old energy and any lingering not-so-good luck, to make room for better luck to come in with the New Year. On January 26th, make sure your broom is hidden away in a closet out of sight, and don’t do any sweeping on that day. This will ensure that all the new luck (especially money luck!) that comes into your home with the New Year stays in the home and is not swept back out.

- Do a big grocery shop a day or two before the New Year, so your fridge and pantry will be filled with bounty when the New Year arrives. Make sure any canisters (flour, sugar, rice, etc.) are full.

- Buy nine of the biggest, most perfect oranges you can find, and place them in a bowl on the kitchen counter or in the center of the kitchen table. Or, on New Year’s day, roll the oranges one by one through your front door to symbolize luck coming in to fill your house. Then gather up the oranges and place them in a bowl in your kitchen or living room.

- Prepare some of your family’s favorite foods the day before, to serve on New Year’s Day. Plan ahead, because using sharp knives on New Year’s Day is thought to bring bad luck, instead of good! (This is more superstitious than symbolic, but it does mean you can enjoy a good meal with the prep-work already done.)

If welcoming in greater prosperity is high on your wish list, add these steps to your New Year preparations:

- Pay all your current bills before January 26th this year, and pay off as much as possible of any debts you may have. Even a small additional payment on a credit card bill symbolizes your strong intention to prosper and become debt-free in the New Year.

- A day or so before New Year, stop by the bank or ATM and withdraw an amount of cash that’s more than you usually carry around, so you enter the New Year with a fat wallet. If money’s tight, fill your wallet with one-dollar bills and your change purse with pennies. Having many pieces of money around for the New Year is more important than how much it adds up to.

- In addition to the nine oranges mentioned above, place more bowls of fruit and nuts around your home and in your office, as symbols of abundance.

- Buy a new red garment and wear it on New Year’s Day. You don’t have to dress from head to toe in red, so long as you wear something red and new - even a small accessory will do, if that’s all you can afford.

Remember that Chinese New Year is a time to celebrate family. Even if you don’t bother with any of these preparations, it’s a good time to pick up the phone and call your friends and loved ones to let them know they are important to you.

Wishing everyone a wonderful and joyous 2009,
Stephanie R.
Visit the original post at: Fast Feng Shui Blog

What to Wear, The deYoung Museum and Yves Saint Laurent

The YSL Vault

Every year I fumble through my closet and wonder what I have to wear for New Years Eve. And every year, I realize….I have nothing. Can you imagine having a closet full of haute couture clothes AND the places to wear them?! Not many can. And there is only one who had the imagination to fill a closet like that quite like Yves Saint Laurent.

Last weekend, I jumped in the car with family in tow to San Francisco for the day. The first thing on the schedule was the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park where an amazing exhibit of inspiring fashion representing the forty years of the Yves Saint Laurent Fashion House was on display. I could have stayed for hours. Dresses, coats, pant suits, jackets, shoes, hats…..what could be a more wonderful way to spend a cold winter day, but surrounded by the luxury of it all?

Yves Saint Laurent was particularly well known for redefining what a woman should/could wear. From the late 50’s on, YSL was creating new silhouettes like the trapeze dress for women,and borrowing from men’s wardrobes :the pea coat, the safari jacket, the trench and the pinstripe suit creating new classics that would eventually end up in every woman’s wardrobe.

His imagination was limitless. Drawing inspiration from imaginary travels, art, literature, flora and fauna, YSL created a body of work that is hard to surpass.

African Inspiration

Russian Bohemian

Shakespearean Fantasy Wedding Gown

Ode to Picasso

Tribute to Matisse

Evening Gown with “Bust” sculpture in galvanized copper created by Claude Lalanne

Sequin “Scales” Evening Dress

Cape of Rooster Feathers

Ostrich Feather Gown

Evening Ensemble with Pheasant and Vulture Feathers

YSL loved glamour and a woman’s body. His creations were meant to celebrate the feminine form sometimes baring all.

Spring Summer Cocktail Dress

Sheer Evening Dress with Ostrich Feathers

Evening Gown in Tribute to Marilyn Monroe

There was so much to see…I went through the exhibit three times while the rest of the family toured the rest of the deYoung. This is just a small smattering of the lusciousness. There are over 125 outfits fully accessorized with amazing attention to detail. Sketches of many of YSL’s works, videos and a biographical life history brings it all to life.

The exhibit runs through the 5th of April for those of you in the Bay Area between now and then. To find out more click here and here. For those of you who cannot attend, I highly recommend this:

Available through Amazon, this book should be on your “must have” list. Full of beautiful photos and many many sketches that are not part of the exhibit, you can see the genius that was Yves Saint Laurent. It is a perfect way to celebrate the life and imagination of YSL. (1936-2008)

I want to give my most heartfelt thanks to all of you who have come to read katiedid this past year. You have provided such a great support and wonderful network of design loving friends. This coming year is no doubt going to be full of challenges for us all. Here’s to handling all of the challenges with huge imagination, wit and a positive outlook. Cheers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!

Visit the original post at: katiedid

Serious Materials
There are some exciting innovators in the construction material business. These are business leaders that not only manufacture products that are Green for the end-user (contributing to energy efficiency, durability, health and sustainability) but are also committed to greening the manufacturing process. 

 Ray Anderson from interface is probably the best known of these pioneers. Please follow the previous links to learn more. 

Another Company that has come to my attention is Serious Materials. They manufacture sheet drywall, windows, doors and coatings. I’d like to focus on two of their offerings.

EcoRock , which will be available in the spring of 2009 (western US), is the better drywall. 

• It uses 80% less energy to produce than standard drywall. 
• It doesn’t contain gypsum. In fact, it’s made with 80% post industrial recycled waste.
• It doesn’t generate any mercury during the manufacturing process. 
• It resists mold, up to 50% better than even mold resistant drywall.
• It is less dusty which cuts down on airborne contaminants.
• Application and installation process is like standard drywall so additional installer training is not needed.

ThermaProof 1125 Windows

These are fiberglass frame windows that come in picture, casement and awning styles. They also have a sliding door. The frames are insulated with soy based foam and along with the enhanced AlpenGlass+ (TM) glass, these are high performance, low maintenance and amazing. They achieve a R11 and a U factor of o.09.

Here’s a comparison chart from the ThermaProof site:

Both of these product lines are really exciting. With the Energy Tax Credits coming back online in 2009, these would qualify for a 10% tax credit (up to $200.00) for the cost of these windows and doors.

  

 

  

Visit the original post at: Green Building and Remodeling

Tori Mellot’s Fantastic Home & Eclectic Style

I just wanted to share with you a

Honestly, it has great ideas and rooms on every page.

Visit the original post at: Alkemie

It’s not too late I hope!!!!!! More Blogger Trees

I must apologize for being away! Having family stay with us for the holidays and our annual Christmas Eve party put me a little behind. But I have been seeing such lovely trees on so many blogs, I thought it might not be too late to share. I mean….you all keep you own trees up til at least the day after New Years, right? I remember one year growing up, we kept the tree up well into February.

The tree above is by the talented Maison 21 blogger, Christian May. A fairytale in white. Please visit and see Christian’s wonderful pets, Richard and Mona, and how Christian translates his love for animals into the Christmas Spirit, here!

If you haven’t seen the Devine Life of designer and blogger Michael Devine, you can check it out here. Michael has conjured up two trees this year. His “city” tree is pictured above.

And this is his “country” tree. I cannot have just one tree either. (Mine are farther down!) I love that Michael has a celebration with friends to decorate both trees.

My friend Kevin at Journal 703 has had a particularly poignant Christmas this year. This is his beautiful tree. If you want to find out just what the Christmas spirit is and what a very special person Kevin is, please visit Kevin here and send him your best wishes. Love you Kevin!

For a very cool tropical Christmas, visit Linda at Lime in the Coconut blog. She has a fantastic house and shows all of her wonderful decorations here. For another very powerful Christmas message from Linda, pause for just a moment …. click here.

This is blogger Paloma’s tree from La Dolce Vita. She has included some pics of her house along with her decorations, so if you LOVE to see what other bloggers do with their decor like I do, click here.

I have a new blogger friend Lecia who writes A Day that is Dessert blog…..and who doesn’t want a day that is dessert?!?!? Lecia lets us in to her warm and cozy life with wonderful recipes and her adventures with her family. She sent me this picture of her beautiful tree, and I hope you have a moment to visit her blog. You will be hooked.

This is my tree. I love blown glass ornaments, and add to the collection with gifts to my daughters every year. Some of the ornaments I have enjoyed since I was a very little girl.

This elf is from my childhood.

And so is this angel on the moon.

The mermaid was my favorite growing up. The swan and fruit basket have been added in more recent years.

The reindeer is also newer and came along the same year as this Santa:

The soldier is an oldy.

My older daughter loves all things Japanese. I found this glass lantern just last Christmas for her.

I love this squirrel, a gift to myself, because of the little acorn ornament attached to the hook at the top.

Like Michael Devine, I have more than one tree. I have collected straw ornaments over the years…. and added more from IKEA lately. I also love carved wooden toy ornaments. So in our basement library/office/kid space, I have this little tree.

Visit the original post at: katiedid

Holiday Gift Wrap-Up
Now that the gift-giving holiday is over, I have to say that I’m relieved. I absolutely love the holiday season as it marks the perfect time for family and friends to gather together after months of emails and phone calls throughout the year, but I am elated that the stress of finding gifts has come to a close. Although shopping for people on your holiday list can sometimes be frustrating, there’s never a better feeling than seeing a close family member or friend love your gift!

My older brother just moved into a brand new condo and is in the process of buying furniture to fill the space. I see furniture as a very personal commodity and it would be difficult for me to pick out something so large when I’m not exactly sure on the style he’s going for in his new home. I found that Pottery Barn was a spectacular place to visit for my brother’s gift and for any person on your list that is a bit difficult to shop for. I knew that he wanted to make the loft in his condo an office so I thought Pottery Barn’s Beaded Pocketwatch Clock would be the perfect office accessory. It’s a modern take on a traditional clock design and really brings out a classic yet chic element to any room. He loved it!

Visit the original post at: Modern Design Blog

Greenovation could help save the nation

Numerous studies have shown that investing in energy efficiency in buildings is the most effective way to create American jobs and revitalize the economy. Ed Mazria and the Architecture 2030 team have a stimulus plan before the President-elect’s Transition Team that could be the catalyst for enormous economic activity throughout the U.S. Simultaneously the plan would lower the cost of home ownership and CO2 emissions while increasing energy-efficiency and the creation of new jobs. In just two years the plan would:

• Create at least 8.445 million new jobs
• Create a $1.6 trillion renovation greenovation market 

With this plan a homeowner can bring their mortgage rate down 2, 3, or 4 points by improving the energy efficiency of their homes. It’s an offer that’s hard to ignore because, ongoing, you can save hundreds in monthly mortgage payments and reduced energy bills.  Achieving net zero-energy, carbon neutral or whatever other name you want to call the benchmark of net zero energy consumption for your home could reduce your mortgage rate to 2%!  What incentives could be possible if you achieve enough efficiency to sell power back to the grid? This is an initiative that really has the potential to act as a massive defibrillator for our nation.

CLEAR!

The 2030 Challenge would spur a wave of residential greenovation across the country. Ed Mazria gives an example:

Say you’re a homeowner with a $272,000 mortgage at 5.55%, paying about $1550 a month. You decide you want your mortgage rate to drop to 3%. In order to qualify for the reduction, you have to improve the energy efficiency of your home 75% below code, and it’s going to cost you a pretty penny: about $40,000.

Existing tax credits would take care of about $10,000 of that cost. The rest would get tacked on to your existing mortgage, bringing it up to $302,000. But, at 3%, you’d be paying only about $1280 — saving almost $300 a month on the mortgage alone, plus another $150 in reduced energy costs. The value of your home rises, you have more disposable income, you’ve given work to someone to do the upgrades for you — and s/he’s now paying federal taxes, and you’ve reduced your carbon footprint.

Since we’re in quote-mode, remember Obama’s challenge to Americans:

I’m going to open the doors to government and ask you to be involved in your own democracy again.

Obama leveraged the power of the Internet to get elected. We have the same resource at our disposal. I’m going to join my friend Matt Hoots and ask you to excercise your index finger and your power to vote again. Please surf on over to Change.org and vote for the 2030 plan as one of their top ten ideas for change in America. These ideas will be presented to the Obama Administration when he’s inaugurated.

For more on the 2030 Stimulus Plan, view the pdf.

CLEAR!

Visit the original post at: Journal

Modern Bathroom Makeover
Thank you to everyone that voted on my most recent poll which asked “Which room in your home are you most proud of?”. I appreciate your participation as each poll gives me an idea of which topics I need to currently focus on. For instance, we found that only 6% of visitors are most proud of their bathroom so I felt today would be the perfect opportunity to highlight some amazing products and design ideas that will get your bathroom high on your “favorite room” list. Over the next few posts, I will highlight key components to your modern bathroom makeover.

Bathroom Lighting
When upgrading your bathroom’s design, the most efficient way to achieve your desired look is to work with what you’ve got! If you simply can’t spare the money for updated plumbing fixtures, splurge on a few key lighting accessories that will have your bathroom looking stylish in no time. Replace any old or traditionally styled fixtures with simple, modern items for your bathroom vanity or bath/shower area. For large areas above the bathroom sink, invest in a sophisticated vanity strip or pair of wall sconces to mount on either side of your mirror. If décor is what’s lacking, use unique lighting that takes on more of an art deco approach or incorporates bold color to give your bathroom the style it needs. Here is a sampling of modern lighting that will steer you in the right design direction so that you can be more proud of your wash room! Stay tuned for more modern bathroom makeover tips.

Visit the original post at: Modern Design Blog

Circles in the sand
Many thanks to our Joburg bureau chief, Kerstin Eser for today’s post.

Ceramicist Loren Kaplan was previously in partnership with renowned local potter Anthony Shapiro, who is best known for his minimalist tableware in soft celadon glazes. Having since embarked on a solo career, Loren’s flair for embellishment has come to the fore in the exquisite patterns she applies to her light diffusers, lamp shades, tealight holders and vessels of various sizes.

Inspired by sand patterns, her latest collection is once again beautifully adorned with her intricately detailed, handmade markings. She has obviously found her voice and a singular one at that.

See more of Loren Kaplan’s recent work at Amoeba Concepts.
Visit the original post at: Elle Decoration SA

Bed head
It’s the holidays, and time to relax! Our design assistant at the ELLE DECORATION offices, Amy Reid, must have been planning how to spend her time off when she put together this post all about… beds!

Looking to burst the four-poster paradigm and leave sleigh beds in the snow? Well, finding an attractive variation on the traditional rectangle is not that simple, but rest easy knowing that I’ve hunted down a few viable alternatives. With a focus on nature and, of course, relaxation, dreams in these beds are bound to be sweet.

Waking up after a night in this womb-like bed from LOMME could well feel like a re-birth. LOMME stands forLight Over Matter Mind Evolution, and incorporates light, sound and massage therapies in its designs.

This romantic “nest” by Shawn Lovell invites the outside realm into your bedroom, creating a magical suspension of disbelief.

Cross a hammock with a Sealy Posturpedic, and what do you get? It’s the Gazebo Floating Bed by John Huff, that’s what! I wonder if it comes complete with a gorgeous view?

Daybeds urge afternoon slumbers and lazy, dozy siestas. The Salome Daybed is one of many organic options available from the Lifeshop Collection.

Imagine a rocking chair that you would allow you to nod off comfortably. Get your own Private Cloud, and you’ll be sleeping on Cloud Nine for sure!

Happy siesta, everyone!

(posted by Amy Reid)

Visit the original post at: Elle Decoration SA