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It seems that many people just have no idea where on the wall they should hang their pictures. I have seen people hang really small pictures in the middle of a wall as high as they can reach. You have to lean back and look up at them to see the subject matter. Very uncomfortable!

Most decorators and designers will tell you to hang them at eye level. I’ll tell you a little secret: They don’t actually mean EVERYONE’s eye level. The average is that the middle of the picture should hit around or a little above five feet. This is on an empty wall.

When you are hanging pictures or mirrors above furniture, you can hang them lower. There should be a gap of at least three to six inches between the top of a table, chair, sofa, or mantel and the bottom of the frame. The picture should look like it is part of the vignette you are creating, and not an afterthought.

If you are hitting your head on the frame when you sit on your sofa, maybe you should go lie down and take a nap! J I have never had that problem, but if you do just add another pillow to your back. (Just remember not to go overboard with the pillows!)

When you hang your pictures too high on the wall, when you are sitting you will not be able to see them very well. If you are going for a gallery effect, then the first pictures that you hang will be the ones at eye level. Then you can arrange the rest around those.

If you are hanging pictures in a hallway, use narrower frames to keep bumping into them to a minimum. (A few less drinks at cocktail time, though not as fun, will keep you from knocking them off too!) Save the larger, chunkier frames for spaces that are out of the way of traffic.

Remember, if you have to crane your neck unnaturally to see the painting, or stand on a stool to look in the mirror, it’s TOO HIGH! Décor should be about comfort and you shouldn’t have to hurt yourself to see the beauty.

Picture from photoxpress.com

Copyright© 2010 Christina Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

Your home can be a relaxing haven where you shake off the stresses of your day when you arrive. Peaceful, light-filled rooms that have positive flowing energy can be yours with just one phone call. Contact me, Christina of Diva by Design™, at info@divabydesign.org, or (956) 970-2040 to bring a new harmony to your surroundings.

Christina Rodriguez is President of Diva by Design™, an interior decorating, home staging, and redesign company. She is also a proud graduate and affiliate of The Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. If you would like to know more about home staging as a business, click here.

The Five Elements

There are five main elements in feng shui theory. They are wood, fire, water, earth and metal. Each element plays a crucial role within the space that you occupy, whether it is your home or your office. After you have used a compass and your home’s floor plan to create the bagua (energy map) the next step is to look at the elements that control each of the eight areas.

Each element has a particular life area that it influences. Knowing what areas those are helps with creating the design of your home and the use of furniture and accents that demonstrate that specific element.

• Fire – As you can imagine, anything that has to do with fire inspires a passion that burns deep within. The fire element also adds a high amount of energy to anything that you do. This includes your work (career), your leisure activities and for couples, your sex life.

• Water - Water is a refreshing element. Water flows freely bring with it an abundance of good fortune. In ancient rituals of many cultures, water was used as a purifying agent. Using the water element in your home adds purity, abundance of energy and a fresh feeling.

• Earth – Have you ever heard of someone who is “down to Earth?” The Earth element brings a feeling of stability and security to your home. Mother Earth nurtures all who live on it and within it. The same goes for the earth element in your home – it nourishes each family member.

• Metal – You may be wondering why metal is an element. It seems so hard and impersonal. Actually, metal is used to represent efficiency and clarity of mind and purpose. Your work will have both a well-defined purpose and good qualities when the metal element is present.

• Wood – Think of trees. They provide oxygen for all living creatures that need it. The wood element equals health to the body. Healing cures using feng shui include the wood element in their composition. Prosperity in your home is also governed by the wood element.

Each feng shui element serves a different purpose in the home. The associated colors and areas that work best with each element help you to build positive energy throughout your home. Each area will be strong in a particular element and give you a certain feeling when you enter that room.

Copyright© 2010 Christina Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

Your home can be a relaxing haven where you shake off the stresses of your daywhen you arrive. Peaceful, light-filled rooms that have positive flowing energycan be yours with just one phone call. Contact me, Christina of Diva byDesign™, at info@divabydesign.org, or (956) 970-2040 to bring a new harmony toyour surroundings.

Christina Rodriguez isPresident of Diva by Design™, an interior decorating, home staging, andredesign company. She is also a proud graduate and affiliate of The StagingDiva Home Staging Business Training Program. If you would like to know moreabout home staging as a business, click here.

This week’s decorating blunder  (#4) is near and dear to my heart. When I got married I had this discussion with my husband.  He now agrees with me. Let in the light! Don’t put up heavy curtains to block the light! And please, please don’t use aluminum foil either! It’s tacky. (I have seen this all too often!)

How can a diva shine in the dark?

There are other methods for blocking out sunlight besides heavy, dark curtains (and foil). During the day you can put up sheer curtains that will filter the harsh sunlight. Letting in the light can help make a small room feel bigger than it is. Dark and dim won’t necessarily make your room cooler. Just stuffy.  

Sunlight plays a big role in Feng Shui also. One of the reasons that windows should not be completely covered is that Chi enters and leaves through the windows as well as the doors. If yours are covered with dark, heavy curtains most of the time, you are causing the energy in your house to become stagnant.

Keeping your rooms dark can also bring on depression. Our bodies need sunlight to stay healthy. Using dark curtains in the evening, when the sun goes down, makes the room feel dark and small. Instead, use shades that filter light but also help to illuminate the room and provide privacy in the evening hours.

Copyright© 2010 Christina Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

Your home can be a relaxing haven where you shake off the stresses of your day when you arrive. Peaceful, light-filled rooms that have positive flowing energy can be yours with just one phone call. Contact me, Christina of Diva by Design™, at info@divabydesign.org, or (956) 970-2040 to bring a new harmony to your surroundings.

Christina Rodriguez is President of Diva by Design™, an interior decorating, home staging, and redesign company. She is also a proud graduate and affiliate of The Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. If you would like to know more about home staging as a business, click here.

 

You Can Stage It!

Hi, fellow divas! Next month will be a chance to ask any decorating, home staging, and Feng Shui questions you may have in person. I will be giving a free workshop at the Harlingen Public Library here in Harlingen, Texas. There will be giveaways and refreshments (who doesn’t like free food?).

When you come to the workshop you will be training in what to do when staging your home for sale, and basics in Feng Shui. You will leave knowing how ...

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OK Sassy Decorating Divas! You’ve all seen this BIG mistake!

Putting in furniture that is too large for the room! I know, you’ve read and heard decorators saying to use larger furniture in a small room to make it feel bigger. They don’t mean EVERY PIECE OF FURNITURE IN THE ROOM.

Please don’t buy every piece of a ‘Michelin Man’ size furniture set, pack into a room and say “Done!” It is so not sassy or stylish!

Large furniture is okay for a large room that needs to be divided up, but most people get larger furniture than they need. A living room set comes with a loveseat, sofa and probably a side chair. You don’t have to use all three pieces in your living room especially if it is too small for them.

Just choose the main piece and then mix in some furniture that ‘goes’ but doesn’t necessarily match. Matchy-matchy is just not that cute or creative. I know that you are creative (just go back and read my post If You Can Dream, You Can Create).

Refer to your vision or style file to see how others have put rooms together and then measure the dimensions of the room (bedroom, bathroom, family room and living room) before purchasing furniture to be sure it will fit.

You have to leave space around the furniture groupings for Chi to flow smoothly around the room. Too large furniture makes for a ‘stuffed’ room and stuck Chi, or energy. You won’t feel comfortable and neither will your guests.

Next time we will discuss Decorating Blunder #4!

Copyright© 2010 Christina Rodriguez. All rights reserved.

Your home can be a relaxing haven where you shake off the stresses of your day when you arrive. Peaceful, light-filled rooms that have positive flowing energy can be yours with just one phone call. Contact me, Christina of Diva by Design™, at info@divabydesign.org, or (956) 970-2040 to bring a new harmony to your surroundings.

Christina Rodriguez is President of Diva by Design™, an interior decorating, home staging, and redesign company. She is also a proud graduate and affiliate of The Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program. If you would like to know more about home staging as a business, click here.

If you are reading this article, comments are welcome! Make sure to leave one below. I try to answer any questions you may have.

Last week’s decorating blunder was using too many accessories! Remember….remove at least one thing!

This time we will discuss:

TOO MANY THROW PILLOWS!

Pillows are fun, but if you have to throw them on the floor to make room on the couch (or the bed),  you have WAY too many! If you can’t decide which ones to keep, put some of them away in a closet and bring them out when the seasons change. If you don’t have room in a storage closet, you ... << MORE >>

Photo from photoexpress.com

What is Feng Shui?

It sounds like something you order at a Chinese restaurant, but Feng Shui is actually a method of organization and design that brings harmony and peace to your home or office.

Feng Shui is a spiritual system that began in ancient China about 3,000 years ago. There are many complex notions that go into Feng Shui but a simple paring down of the philosophy has ... << MORE >>

Blunder #1

 

Though divas strive for perfection in all that we do, mistakes are a fact of life.   But that doesn’t have to include home decorating. Knowing what to avoid can save you both time and money! This week’s blunder is……..

Using too many accessories

It is a well known fact that a diva can never have too many shiny things. It is also a fact that you can knick knack yourself to death. Give your rooms a break! Don’t cover every surface ...

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