Catherine

It is Easter in France with lovely chocolate shaped as chickens, rabbits and even bells, as ancient signs of fertility, a new life and beginning. I love a piece of dark chocolate and it is an ingredient and colour that symbolises warmth, comfort and luxury. In Feng Shui practice, it represents Earth, the centre, and a sense of safety, reliability and grounding. Use carefully as it settles and calms down energy, particularly water. If you are looking to activate a sector's energy, other elements such as fire or water make more sense as they add growth and dynamism.  

We have two thirds of a kitchen! It is small but well designed and a throwback to our New York kitchen. I recall that Julia Child created her famous recipes in the most basic of spaces and said, "there is nothing nicer than a kitchen really made for a cook". It is all about the design. We have had big kitchens, galley design, country cottage style and an open bench kitchen. Our most challenging time was two years without hot water in a Penang apartment. You become resourceful and we used one of the three bathrooms; washing up dishes

“You create your own decoration. You choose your color, you choose your mood..if you are depressed, you put on some bright yellow and suddenly you are happy.” – Phillip Starck. A perfect quote as it is particularly true at the moment. Daffodils and multi-coloured anemones are appearing in local markets and I find myself drawn to cherry red roses and purple iris to brighten a room. Brighter fabrics and interior accessories are appearing in stores and we all need a spot of happiness.   Move Out of Your Comfort Zone! It is not suggested that you suddenly break out

Wealth comes in many forms including abundance in health, wealth, wisdom, love and friendship. Whatever you are activating, do it with intent but ensure you are focused. Our key focus is on wealth to sell our first Antibes apartment for a great price to lovely people and quickly. There is my intent - a lot to ask for during a pandemic but I am putting it out there! Our living room is where we spend most of our time and it is in the Wealth sector. This means brighter colours and decor which we love to use to activate

Charles Schulz said, "All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." Today is Valentine's Day, a day when many seek affirmation of love and happiness. Some friends have the full blown romantic dinner with chocolate hearts, another friend made heart-shaped pizzas with his two daughters and my husband as always, started my morning off with a cup of coffee in my favourite cup with just the right amount of milk. In 2021, relationships are key to supporting many of us getting through a bewildering time. Some friends are separated by water from the

Fran Lebowitz  said, "A woman's quest in life should be to find the perfect apartment. And I have found the perfect apartment. The perfect apartment is the first floor of the Metropolitan Museum. With a sofa." Now that sounds like perfection to me! Sofas, after beds, are probably the most sought after places at the moment. It is the first place to land with a morning coffee, then to relax for five minutes after meetings and then the final seat for the evening. It is a big investment and you need to test drive them and go for what

My Feng Shui mentor, Clear Englebert has counselled me through so many living spaces from a Malaysian apartment, an 18th century townhouse, classic New York high rise shoebox, German Hof space and now in France in a small but lovely final location. Although I believe I am good student, I seek his wisdom to help me balance the space for my interior harmony. There are some key tools that are constantly needed and some great tips that you can consider immediately. I do recommend his book Feng Shui Demystified and you can read my interview with him in another