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Last week I gave a presentation on Feng Shui to The National Association of Professional Organizers (Seattle area chapter). They had invited me to talk to their members so that I could share my expertise on an issue that has relevance to their services.

Professional Organizers help people get their surroundings under control, especially when it comes to clutter, storage, organizational systems, and the like. In this modern day when we are constantly bombarded by stuff that needs to be put somewhere, more and more people are looking for help in this area. A Professional Organizer can come in to a home or office and objectively make sense of better ways to process the work and life flow and places to store things, and then can actively help implement the systems to make that happen.

At this meeting I met several amazing people from NAPO, and recommend their members to anyone looking for a little organizing help. ]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry071110-085032 My year of good press continues. A couple of weeks ago I did a redesign with a Seattle Times editor and photographer observing. The article and photos from that project are in the paper and in the online version today. Check it out!

Seattle Times article: "Redesign at the ready"]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry071109-005134
I had no idea how profound this work would be! It is incredibly moving and rewarding to be invited into peoples' homes, to get a glimpse of their lives, and to lend assistance and inspiration by creating supportive and comfortable spaces, by teaching and encouraging, and by infusing their environments with intention and energy. It has turned out that my *design* work is also *healing* work. I am honored and grateful for that; this services is enriching on many levels -- for my clients, and for myself. I am happy to strive to offer the best of my self in order to help people live more beautiful lives.


"We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us."
-Winston Churchill
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I'm about to make my annual pilgrimage to the Burning Man Arts Festival, and this time I'll be bringing sixteen sculptural lanterns that I made as part of the Tree Spires art installation. I and my fellow Tree Spires crew, who go by the name "Iron Monkeys", spent the summer constructing four 15'-tall steel trees with benches built around the bases, and the lanterns which will hang in the trees.

For those of you who don't know, Burning Man is an event which takes place at this time every year in a remote location outside of Gerlach, Nevada. The festival, which calls itself an "experiment in temporary community," gathers tens of thousands of participants from all over the world who co-create "Black Rock City" together. The city, raised on the blank canvas of an ancient seabed, is devoted to art, and all forms of personal expression. It functions as a gift economy; there is no vending or advertising. It is pure human creativity, ingenuity, generosity, and interaction. After Labor Day the event ends and all traces of it are removed. At least the physical ones... Burning Man is a powerful cultural force which has transformed many lives, including mine. It encourages personal empowerment and creative expression, provides a community of inspired people from all walks of life, and infuses a sense of joy and wonder at the possibilities that exist. I highly recommend visiting the web site, reading a bit more, and looking through the image gallery -- a picture is worth 1000 words!

I look forward to installing and sharing the art that I and my friends have created. I will share pictures after I return! Happy end-of-summer!]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070719-092401
"Interior Designers Use Your Own Furnishings"]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070614-071425

Did you know: when I'm not transforming spaces, I'm designing and building sculptural lamps. It all started about 6 years ago with a vision of creating gorgeous, transcendent light art that would remind people of their nature, which *is* nature. Lights that are beautiful and alive, like us! I am finally manifesting my creations and installing them at events, sharing their magic. Soon I will be offering them for special event rental, taking orders for fine art commissioned pieces, and offering a line of mesmerizing designs. It's another way for me to help make the world more beautiful. That is one of the things I'm here to do!

This image shows the piece I am currently working on right now... it is about 6' tall, and filled with color-changing LEDs. I call it "Luminous Tease". ]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070423-124225
Change your world with an interior 're-designer']]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070322-170826

Ah... sweet spring!

Growing up in Minnesota, where winters were long and frozen, I developed a deep appreciation for the return of spring. During the painfully cold and grey winters it would seem almost incomprehensible that the season would again change to one of warmth and life. But of course it always would, eventually. Sunny days in March (or April) would feel like a miracle, a surprise blessing from the universe. Spring's ecstatic return after a dark winter would remind me of the reliability of the change in seasons. That I could trust in nature! That change was inevitable. That new life wants to emerge... and that we all are given opportunities to renew ourselves, to grow and transform. Even now, living in temperate Seattle I am deeply moved by this time of transition and the energy it carries.

The Chinese theory of Yin/Yang complementary balance explains the normal change of the seasons in this way: winters show the Yin aspects of darkness, passivity, and coldness. The cycle in spring then naturally changes to the Yang conditions of brightness, activity, and expansion. This is why we are in harmony with nature when we rest and go inward in winter, and when in spring our energy raises and we grow and express ourselves.

Spring is here again, for the land and for us. What new discoveries will you find within yourself, what new activities will you begin, how will you grow and transform in this exciting, revitalizing time?]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070219-221004

Healthy indoor plants are incredibly beneficial to the beauty and energy of a home.

* They clean the air, taking in carbon dioxide and producing oxygen.

* Plants in potting soil bring both wood and earth elements into a space, which represent growth and stability.

* If placed in appropriate locations, plants will always have an extremely profound positive effect on the beauty and power of a space.

Following a few guidelines will help you best integrate plants into your home.

* In terms of plant shapes to choose, keep in mind that form defines energy. Which plant would you imagine would have more harmonious energy -- one with sharp spiky leaves, or one with soft rounded clusters? In general, choose plants that have rounded or oval leaves rather than spiky leaves or cacti.

* Choose plants that are appropriate to the light levels and other conditions in your home.

* Place plants in pretty pots that are big enough (but not too big) for their roots to grow and expand. Repot them when necessary for their continued radiance.

* If well cared-for and healthy, plants' vitality will generate chi (life-energy) for their environment. If they're unhealthy or contain dead plant-matter, they will actually have a negative effect on the energy of the space. It is therefore important to take good care of your plants, to pay close attention to their health, and to trim off dead bits when necessary.

Life is better with plants!]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070129-100654

From a Feng Shui perspective, the front entrance is one of the most important features of a home, strongly affecting the experience of its inhabitants as well as its guests.

The front entrance (or the entrance used mainly) is the face of the house, and in that sense it represents a home's image and character. It greets you as you return after each excursion. It greets guests as they enter. And it leaves the final imprint as we depart into the world. It is the window between the inside sanctuary and the outside environment, the vital passageway through which chi energy flows. The entrance therefore has a very important role and should be given appropriate care and attention.

The following should be considered:

* The entrance should be clear, visible, confident. It should not hide behind overgrown bushes or plantings.

* The front porch is not a good place to store clutter or belongings which don't have a place inside the house. Many people spend time and energy carefully arranging the interiors of their houses to create a good feeling, but if the front entrance is cluttered then the experience will still suffer; by the time they and guests have arrived in to that space, they have already been negatively affected by the entrance's first impression.

* The flow of energy into the house is affected by the objects in its way. So in addition to affecting humans' perception of the home, clutter and overgrown foliage will hamper the ability for chi to enter and vitalize the space.

* Design front entrances with care and intention: clear of clutter, with a few beautiful objects arranged in a simple, balanced, harmonious way. This will provide a positive first impression, visually and energetically, for you and your guests.

* The area just inside the entrance should also be arranged well, providing a welcoming and spacious place for us to transition between the outside and inside.

Next time you enter your front entrance, pay attention to the subtle impressions it creates. What simple changes could you make to optimize this facet of your home?


[photo: front door designed by Morris Sheppard]]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry070108-184544
Our mechanical world of electric lights, alarm clocks, and year-round availability of all manners of food has confused our bodies' instinctual alignment with natural principles. However, becoming conscious of this fact we can make choices to better honor nature's seasonal intelligence. We should not necessarily try to keep a constant and unchanging state of work, rest, and eating throughout the year.

Many people I've been encountering lately (myself included) complain of being tired due to the winter weather. Instead of seeing this tiredness as a problem to be resisted, why not simply respond to it with more sleep?

As nature finds in winter a time of rest and renewal, so should we. So give yourself permission to go to bed a bit earlier or to sleep a bit later. It's OK to take a brief nap in the afternoon. It's just fine to spend Saturday night snuggled up with a book. We are simply flowing with natural principles when we subtly allow our energies to cycle seasonally.

Spring and its burst of new energy and life will be here soon enough, joyfully pulling us with it... so let's all help each other remember to delight in the calm inward restful nature of winter. ]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry061228-225742

The pictures above are from a Redesign I did today... I'll let them tell the story of the incredible feeling a room gets as soon as it has a place to gather, a "conversation area".
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It is important to keep in mind that authentic Feng Shui is not about products, it is about principles. It is also not about seemingly arbitrary remedies. Feng Shui makes sense, it is intuitive, and it is practical.

So what does that mean for mirror placement? For the most part, mirrors are appropriate under four conditions:

1. To see yourself for grooming and dressing. Of course!
2. To artificially extend a space, to make it feel larger.
3. To create more light.
4. To reflect something beautiful.

Be sure that when hanging a mirror you do so with intention and purpose, and know which of these conditions you're satisfying. I also always try to satisfy #4, regardless of the original purpose of a mirror. That is because mirrors are essentially amplifying whatever they reflect -- why give yourself two of an unattractive area of your home when you could double the effect of something beautiful instead?

It is also important to use extra care when placing mirrors in bedrooms and at entrances. Mirrors are dynamic and create some chaotic energy, so in bedrooms they need to be used sparingly (or large ones covered at night), and placed in such a way that we're not forced to look at them as soon as we get out of bed. And at our front entrances we want to draw the energy and attention into our homes rather than reflect it back out, so that means that mirrors should not directly face the front door.

In other words: What do you want to see?

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It makes sense, then, that our bedroom would affect us significantly. And it does -- it sets the tone for the end and start of our days, and directly contributes to the degree to which we're nourished by the nights in between. That impacts our physical and mental health, our energy level, our relationships -- everything.

It is therefore very beneficial to arrange our bedrooms in accordance with some basic principles of Feng Shui.

The first is that the bedroom is essentially a Yin room, as opposed to a Yang room. Yin is the quiet, calm aspect relative to the bright, dynamic Yang. We should do our best to create a room that is tranquil and nourishing at night by covering up large windows and mirrors, keeping the lights low, and decorating simply and subtly with soothing objects and colors.

The other basic consideration in the bedroom is that of the bed placement. It is important that the head of the bed is against a solid wall, not against a window or floating in the room. If possible the bed should be placed such that the entrance to the room is visible across the room, but not directly in front of the feet -- ideally at a diagonal. This placement makes us feel the most supported and safe and comfortable in our rooms.

Try it and you'll see!

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It is this universal concept of balance that is at the heart of good Feng Shui practice.

It is also at the heart of good Life practice.

I am reading an amazing book right now which deals with this very subject. It is called "Living in Balance: A Dynamic Approach for Creating Harmony & Wholeness in a Chaotic World". It was written by Joel and Michelle Levey, two highly-respected spiritual teachers who I've been lucky enough to meet. Their authentic presence and sweetness carries over into their writings, which are incredibly accessible and warm.

This book is a powerful yet simple guide for gaining personal insight, growth, and empowerment. By showing us how to honor our place in the natural rhythms of life it teaches us skills to increase our ability to make our journey harmonious. I highly recommend it for a winter read...

Warm blessings!]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry061210-230728
Thankfully there are ways to give gifts that aren't stuff and that don't come with all that baggage: giving experiences. Experiences shared or given can come in any form... a special meal, a visit to a museum or concert, a gift certificate to a class or a performance or for a service, a massage, tickets to a sporting event, a donation to charity in someone's name, even home-made coupons for home-made events. Giving experiences can support local arts and services, and/or encourage spending time with the people we care about, which is truly a meaningful gift to us all.

I recently discovered that King County is running a program called Waste Free Holidays which has a web site listing discount offers on experiences from 140 participating businesses and organizations. There are a lot of great options at great discounts -- and ideas to build on.

In our modern world of marketing and retail we are constantly bombarded by messages to buy stuff, and that pressure is particularly intense over the holiday season. Be careful out there! And be strong, and be thoughtful, and be inspired...]]> http://www.spacetransform.com/pblog/index.php?entry=entry061205-095752
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Interior Redesign utilizes Interior Design concepts, but approaches projects attempting to use only the client's existing furniture, art and accessories. This puts the focus on the Redesigner creatively and powerfully arranging those items, whatever they are. The end result is balanced, beautiful, and comfortable -- and because it is made up of the client's beloved items, it is always the perfect style for them.

I chose to start a business focused on Redesign for several reasons:

* I feel it's a necessary alternative to Interior Design. Everyone wants a home that looks and feels amazing. But not everyone is interested in hiring an Interior Designer for a more involved and more expensive makeover. There are many excellent Interior Designers in the area, so I wanted to offer a different service for people who'd rather try to work with what they have and see how great that can be before buying anything new. I get to make their things look fresh and fabulous!

* I also feel really good standing up for the idea that having a nice home doesn't have to be about the stuff that's in it. By using Interior Design and Feng Shui principles to rearrange what people already have, I can turn rooms into spaces they'll love without them needing to buy more stuff. This feels good from an economic and an environmental standpoint. It's not about more stuff!

* I've always been "in my zone" when i'm massaging a space into harmony. By concentrating on doing this I've been able to become an expert at finding creative solutions to make even challenging spaces work and feel great. I really enjoy what I do.

* I love how instantaneous the transformation is. Traditional Interior Design can be a bit of a long process of planning and shopping and implementing. With Redesign I give people fabulously designed rooms in a day or less -- wheee!

* It's very hands-on. I show up to a job with furniture-sliders and tools and get to work moving everything, bringing a room into harmony. Since I'm very kinesthetic, and sensitive to spaces and energy, it's really satisfying to work this way.

* My services make a profound difference in people's lives! I have been overwhelmed and touched by my client's appreciation for my services. People tell me they love their homes after I do my magic. I am grateful for the opportunity to help transform their lives by transforming their spaces.

So THAT'S why. Now don't you think Redesign is cool?

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To begin with, let's make sure we can all pronounce it. To say "Feng Shui", say "fung shway".

The words "Feng Shui" literally mean "Wind and Water". Wind and water are two of the most dynamic forces in nature which are constantly changing and in search of balance. Therefore, the words Feng Shui refer to this universal quality of dynamic balance. And Feng Shui as a philosophy deals with how we as humans live in balance with our environment.

Feng Shui states that we are significantly affected not just by the visible "form" aspect of our environment, but also by an invisible "energetic" aspect. This invisible energetic aspect is known as "Chi", which is a concept used throughout Chinese culture to refer to the life force constantly flowing through us and around us. In Feng Shui practice we aim to create and arrange environments for an optimal flow of Chi, which nourishes our spaces and ultimately our lives.

For guidance as to the optimal flow of Chi we need only to look to nature. Authentic Feng Shui is based on observations of nature, and human's relationship to nature, over thousands of years. It is the body of knowledge which describes how, and how well, humans live amidst particular configurations of their land, cities, homes, and rooms, and it provides guidance for creating and arranging our living environments in ways that are in harmony with universal laws of balance. Being in harmony with nature in this way, we feel more peace and vitality in our lives.

Therefore, at its essence Feng Shui simply aims to help us live better by acknowledging our relationship to our environments. Stay tuned as I build on this basis with more concepts...

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