Inspiration + Colour + Placement = Balance
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A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for – Grace Hopper
Ports and marinas are wonderful in any weather and have a magnetic attraction of water, sails, travel and adventure. It is all about the destination of leaving and arriving. The glamorous activity of summer with sleek machines gliding in alongside vintage boats announcing style and class. But my favourite time is winter with the melancholy stillness and boats saying, buy me.
French Renovation – The Bedroom
I am going to start with the bedroom first as that had the most challenges. Challenges It was a small room and we weren't sure about the bed size and how to have bed side tables. Measuring was important down to the last centimetre. A strange step platform also existed in the far top left corner that we didn't have a clue how to manage. This is where the wardrobe would go. After much thought, we selected adjustable feet for the wardrobe and it worked but we do need to add a piece of wood to stabilise it at the back.
Communication, Creativity, Children Sector
The Creativity, Communication and Children sector is aligned with joy and having fun. It is the area to review if you feel a need to move forward, to be creative and to harness a childlike energy. If you have children, it is also focused on your relationships with them. It is an area often missing in modern architecture and there are tips on how to activate this. Elements and Colours The key element is metal and colours are white, pastels and soft greys. The earth element can also be used as earth polishes metal in the Feng Shui cycle.
Remembrance for All
This photo was taken in Belgium on the side of road with poppies growing out of rubble. With this last week focusing on remembrance for many nations, faiths and people, it is a symbol of sorrow and a reminder of the need for kindness, compassion and peace.
French Renovation – Feng Shui First
Here we are are, the first post of our tiny Southern France apartment! Having found the space and place, top of the list was to check out the Feng Shui. Having used the Bagua map and consulted with my mentor, Clear Englebert, we selected colours for each area and also for any challenges. Rules for Colour Selection Designers often say, choose 3 colours that harmonise and if you are brave, add a fourth tonal one. There is a 60/30/10% method. 60% is the dominant colour which can include walls or floor space or a dominate piece of furniture - for us it
Relationship Corner
This is an area that should ideally be in your main bedroom or lounge area. It is about all relationships but particularly your primary one. The key aim is to send an intention and message that you are part of a partnership. Look to clear clutter, observe what your art work and ornaments say and avoid water, metal or wood elements, this is an area of earth with touches of fire to feed the earth. Key Elements of Earth and Fire Decorate with earth based textiles with porcelain and stone. fire element colors are often used, following the practice of
Champagne & Cocktails!
“There comes a time in every woman’s life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.” ― Bette Davis Champagne cocktails, gin gimlets, expresso martinis, I love a really good cocktail. Yes, I measure the ingredients and taste with a swivel stick. None of these tumblers of soda water, smidgeon of gin with half a garden's worth of mint! Give me 2 shot/oz of gin, 1 shot/oz of St Germain over fresh ice, add the tonic, spritz of lime and top with a great tonic water. An Espresso Martini? 2 shot/oz of vodka, 1/2 shot oz of Tia
French Renovation – Finding Our Space and Place
Our Space, Our Place It seems like a century ago with this post as we have since sold the studio but fun to read what we did! We finally arrived having driven over a couple of days in a massive rental car with lots of household stuff. We had carefully planned each room, using Feng Shui rules where we can, including managing some challenges. Our apartment was a tiny one-bedroom place on the first floor of an old French apartment building. We had furnished the kitchen/lounge area, the bathroom and the bedroom which you will see in later posts. Location,
