THE HOUSE OF INTERIOR DESIGN

Guidelines For A Vastu Home

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GUIDELINES FOR A VASTU HOME

Vastu Shastra is an ancient sacred science of architecture and design. Spaces designed using these principals employ gifts of nature to attract enhanced wealth, health, prosperity and happiness. Because Vastu Shastra also unifies the science of astronomy and astrology, it can be said that it is an ancient mystic science for design and building. By incorporating some of these basic guidelines into your home, you can receive and welcome a blissful life as per your will.

Directions Are Significant

Each direction signifies an aspect of life and is governed by various gods. While North is the direction for wealth, south is for dharma, and West and East are for prosperity and overall success. Consult a Bagua Map for more.

The Front Door

Considered as the “archway to victory and progress in life”, the main door should face north, east or in the north-east direction. This door should be crafted with high quality wood, and of all the doors within your home this one should be the most appealing. Keep this area free from clutter, and avoid placing any water-centric decorative element near the entryway.

Designate A Spiritual Space

Designating a room in the house for meditation, yoga, and other spiritual activities will ensure spiritual growth. This room is best placed facing east, which is said to increase positivity.  Incorporate light yellows, beiges, or white into the room for best results.

The Bedroom Is About Balance

Vastu Shastra shows you how tweaking your bedroom can enhance positive energy and even improve relations between couples. Ideally, the bedroom in a south-west direction brings good health and prosperity. Mirrors and televisions should not be placed in front of the bed, and walls should be in neutral or earthy shades to radiate positive energy. Aromatic oils and consciously chosen lighting can help create this space as an oasis of calm.

Raise the vibration of your home or business utilizing Vastu Shastra. Together we can create a sacred space that dissolves obstacles, nurtures our souls, while bringing happiness, abundance, harmony, and health. Contact us today for a full Vastu Shastra design consultation.

How to Apply Feng Shui at Home

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HOW TO APPLY FENG SHUI AT HOME

When looking to incorporate feng shui into your home, you may initially feel overwhelmed. Where do you begin? What if the room is already decorated? Thankfully, once feng shui has been incorporated into your home, you will feel a lot more peace and far less overwhelm. We have compiled some basics to help you get started.

Check Your Commanding Positions

Feng Shui is often called the ‘art of placement’ and simply means positioning different elements to optimize energy or ‘Chi’. So the first step is to check your commanding positions. These positions apply to important furniture features in your home. Your bed represents you, your desk represents your career, and your stove represents your wealth. To receive optimal positive energy, position these items so that you can see the door when using them . Your back should not be turned to it, nor should you be directly in line with it, but you should be able to see it.

Apply Vertical Shapes Within Your Space

Vertical items represent growth and expansion. Vertical lighting, a tree in a corner, bookshelves, or an accent line painted on the wall are all great ways to incorporate the energy of expansion into your home.

Stay Fresh, Stay Clean

Clutter does nothing for your mental clarity, or your interior aesthetic. According to feng shui, this clutter can also prevent valuable incoming energy from making its way to you. Try to clean your workspace each day, and take the time to clean spaces that are often overlooked such as windows and baseboards. It is especially important to keep your entryway clutter free and open.

Add More Plants & Incorporate Metal

When in doubt – always add more plants! While there are specific ones that can benefit different areas of your life, overall any plant is a good plant as they all embody life energy, enhancing freshness and vitality within the space. Metal is also necessary to balance the increase of earth energy. This element can be added using sculptures or other accent pieces to help with clarity, sharpness, productivity, calming and balancing energies.

We hope these guidelines help you get started. If you are looking for a more in-depth dive into feng shui and how it can be applied to your interior space, feel free to get in touch with us today! Contact our amazing team for design assistance today at (416) 561-2691  or (647) 478-9240.

The Key Principles of Vastu Design

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The Key Principles of Vastu Design

Our lives are unfathomably influenced by cosmic energies, earth’s magnetic fields, and energy sources like the sun, wind, moon, water, and more. When we effectively harness these gifts from nature, we can experience wealth, health, success, and happiness. Vastu Shastra is an ancient science that uses directions, architecture, astronomy, and even astrology to harness these elements within our living space. Let’s dive into how you can apply these basics in your home.

Significance of Direction

The four cardinal directions, as well as the intercardinal directions, all signify an aspect of life that is governed by various gods. North is associated with wealth, South is associated with Dharma, while West and East signify prosperity and success.

Basic Principles of Vastu

  • If you are purchasing a plot for construction, the rules of Vastu prefer you purchase a plot in the south and west directions. The cut into the plot should have a square or rectangular shape, and any sloping should be in the North or East direction
  • Trees have been worshipped by people for centuries. According to Vastu Shastra, constructing a house in close proximity to certain trees is considered very auspicious. Likewise, some trees should be avoided. Such as mango and banana!
  • Your interior should consist of wide open spaces that allow easy flow of energy and proper ventilation. High ceilings are recommended in the South and West part of the home. The center of the home is one of the most important areas of the house. This area denotes Brahmasthan and should be free of any sort of obstruction, sch as beams, pillars, staircases, or even walls.
  • The entrance of the house should be placed in the North or East direction to bring luck, prosperity, and harmony into the home. It should also be well lit and free of clutter. The entry door should be larger than any of the other doors in the house.
  • A living room of the house must be in the east, north, and northeast direction which will enhance the livelihood of the place.
  • A bedroom is one of the most important rooms of the house to bring harmony in relationships and boost personal connection. According to Vastu Shastra, a bedroom should be positioned in the south-west, south or west direction of the house.
  • The kitchen is a vital room in Vastu Shastra. Food is the source of life and cooking it in the right place boosts the health of the members of the family. It is best to construct the kitchen in a south-west direction
  • If you have a study room for yourself or children, the ideal colours for this space are yellow, white or pink. These bring positive vibrations into the room and increase peace and concentration.

These principles of Vastu Shastra have been tried and true to guarantee happiness and prosperity in life. Just by following some of these basic principles, you can recreate your life as per your will. All you need is to follow them and welcome a blissful life.

 

Feng Shui: Understanding The Water Element

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Feng Shui: Understanding The Water Element

The water element, both graceful and gentle, is simultaneously one of the most powerful forces of nature. Water has the ability to take on many forms, either flowing with ease past obstacles or forcefully washing away and destroying whatever stands in its path. This same element can exist as a vaporous gas or a solid brick of ice. Water is, indeed, the Queen of All Elements. If you are craving flow, freshness, and freedom in your life and home, then the water element is calling.

What Is The Water Element?

Water gives you a place to regenerate yourself, a spiritual and physical wellspring of refreshing nourishment. It can be still and reflective, or it can be moving and changing. The water element is predominantly represented by the color black, but can also be represented by dark blues, reflective surfaces, grays, and even shades of purple. Shapes that harness the water element tend to have curved edges.

How To Incorporate The Water Element

The water element can welcome the flow of chi, help reach new depths of your soul, and new heights in your abundance. In this way the water element bodes well in entryways and career or altar areas of your home. It is also important to remember how to balance the water element. Metal will nourish the water element and boost creativity, while water in turn will nourish the wood element. If you sense too much water, the earth element can control and create boundaries where the water flows. Remember to balance all the elements when showcasing a particular one. Too much water, with it’s yin energy, can lead to lethargy and depression.

Decorating With The Water Element

  • Flowing, Wavy, or Sinuous Shapes: Water is connected to wavy, undulating and formless shapes. You can find this in textured objects or on blankets, table linens, pillows, or other decor that includes a pattern of undulating waves.
  • Black, Blues, or Other Dark Colors: Try adding black throw pillows, art, furniture, accent walls, vases, or other accessories to add more water to your home. You can also try deep charcoal gray or navy blue.
  • Mirrors, Glass, Crystals: The reflective surface of mirrors and glass represent the stillness of water. These make excellent additions to your home.
  • Water Fountains: Water fountains placed at the entry of your home are a beautiful addition to your space. The soothing sound is calming and also welcomes the flow of chi into the home. Tabletop fountains, wall mounted fountains, or even outdoor fountains are all excellent options.

Have any questions? Contact us!





Feng Shui: Decorating With The Wood Element

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Feng Shui: Decorating With The Wood Element

Feng shui is a powerful and fun way to not only decorate your home, but enhance the vibrant, loving, and positive energy in your space. We know that successful feng shui stems from properly utilizing the 5 elements throughout your home, but in this article we will take a closer look at how to incorporate the Wood Element.

 

What Is The Wood Element?

The wood element resonates with the energy of vitality, growth, kidneness, flexibility, and good-heartedness. If any of these areas of your life feel out of balance, incorporating more of the wood element can help shift the energy. The wood element is represented by brown, green, and even teal tones. The green symbolizes upward growth and unlimited expansion, which is only possible from a place of strength, stability, and groundedness – cultivated by the brown.

 

When And Where To Incorporate The Wood Element

If your life has been feeling stagnant and your energy is low, it may be time to harness the energy of the wood element! The wood element is perfect for those times that you may be feeling confused, need a breakthrough, or want to strengthen your health.

According to the Classic Bagua Map, the wood element should be focused in the East, Southeast, and Southern areas of your home. If you are more familiar with the Western Bagua Map, then incorporate this element into the Health + Family, Money + Abundance, and Fame + Reputation quadrants of your home.

Decorating With The Wood Element

    • Indoor Plants: Perhaps the simplest (and arguably most beneficial) way to decorate with the wood element is by adding living plants to your interior space. Choose plants that resonate with you, and watch as your life begins to bloom. Taking care of other living things will help you to cultivate kindness and compassion. In return, the plants will add life affirming chi to your space by purifying the air.

 

  • Paint An Accent Wall: Bring more of the wood element into your space by painting an accent wall! Living room, powder rooms, or even bedrooms can all benefit from a teal, green, or blue accent wall. These colors are also known for their calming and healing properties, bringing more than the wood benefits into your home. If you are feeling more adventurous, you can opt for wallpaper with botanical imagery or long, vertical shapes.
  • Home Accessories: Decorative items are a skillful way of incorporating all five elements into your home. For wood specifically, you can incorporate decorative pillows in the associated colors. Or go bold with a teal couch or green armchair. Since wood is also represented by tall shapes (like a trunk!)curtains or decorative columns are another decorative element that can harness the energy of wood. Don’t be afraid to play around with decorative trinkets, linens, and even artwork.

 

 

Flowers For Activating Energy In Your Home

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Flowers For Activating Energy In Your Home

Flowers are living chi, holding the powerful ability to heal, soothe, and attract. Enhancing your living space with flowers is one of the easiest ways to lift your energy, shift your focus, and (based on your goals) help you attract more abundance, romance, or balance in your life. Let’s dive into how you can combine the principles of feng shui with the magic of flowers to activate the desired energy in your home.

  1. Peace Lilies

Our modern life can be a bit hectic at times. Peace Lilies can be used to achieve more peace and balance from day to day. Their white flowers serve as a symbol of your surrender to the flow of life. Not only will you gain more stability, but these plants also remove pollutants such as ammonia and formaldehyde from the air. And if your thumb is on the not-so-green side, you’ll be pleased to know Peace Lilies thrive in low light and will bounce back if you forget to water them.

  1. Orchids

Budding plans for expanding the family? Place orchids on the far right corner of your bed to enhance the positive fertility energy. That being said, orchids and fertility are not mutually exclusive. These gorgeous flowers can also be used to attract love, soothe the soul, and deepen friendships. Luckily, orchids are not as hard to care for as you may think! Simply allow the soil to dry before watering again. 

  1. Roses

Roses, and their wide array of colors, can be used throughout your home. Yellow roses can be placed in the kitchen to stimulate appetite, or placed in a common living area to promote joy, improve happiness, and increase health. Deep red roses, of course, represent passion. Pure red roses, ideally de-thorned, can be placed next to your bed if you wish to attract more romance into your life.

  1. Marigolds

If you want to pay homage to all the ancestors who came before you, place Marigolds inside your home. This act of honor will promote loving energy among family while simultaneously bringing the wisdom of your ancestors into your home. Marigolds can also be used to embrace the change of seasons. Each season is a new adventure, set your intention and place marigolds nearby to embrace your life and your opportunities. 

There are many more flowers, herbs, and plants that can be used throughout your home. Purple flowers will promote abundance, Lucky Bamboo can promote meaning and wealth, and Sage can be used to purify energy. We encourage you to explore various plants and find which ones make you happy to be around!




Top Hotel Lobby Design Tips

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TOP HOTEL LOBBY DESIGN TIPS

Your lobby is your business’s first impression. Not only does a lobby’s interior design set the tone for the overall service, style, and ambiance of the building, but it also directly impacts the perceptions and satisfaction of the people who visit it. More than just a room, a lobby is the bridge from stranger to beloved client. 

We believe a lobby should be an experience for everyone who walks in. The aesthetics should be splendid enough to encourage guests to stop and take it in, while simultaneously being easy to navigate and operational for business. By following our Top Hotel Lobby Design Tips, your lobby will transform from a room into a striking and functional space that embraces your guests every time they walk through the doors. 

1. Design your lobby according to your guests.

Your lobby should attract your dream clients – who are they? What are they attracted to? What draws, and further holds, their attention? How should they feel within your walls? By asking yourself these questions, you can get an idea of where to start. Are they the type that have to go from A to B as quickly as possible? Meaning a more streamlined space. Or are they the type that can stop and have coffee first? Meaning more seating and strategically placed outlets.

 

2. Showcase your hotel’s unique personality.

Your hotel lobby is akin to a person’s smile – it expresses everything about who they are. Your lobby is a showcase for your hotel’s personality and brand. Is your hotel minimalistic, or grandeur? You can communicate these things in the details. If your brand is understated, a simple vase of flowers can be all the decor you need. If your brand is bold, you may choose instead to showcase an ornate chandelier. Colors, textures, and style should be cohesive throughout the hotel. And no matter what your brand, be sure to utilize indoor plants and greenery to promote relaxation as well as detox the air.

 

3. The space should be multi-functional.

A hotel lobby can be likened to a city center – this is where all the magic is happening. Check-ins, check-outs, meet-ups, pick-ups, you name it. For this reason, the lobby should have everything your guests may need. A comfortable place to wait for a tour or recharge after a flight. An inviting area with food and beverages where one can meet a friend or colleague. A designated desk/service center to connect with the staff. Seating areas should also be complete with little details that can alleviate strain on employees, such as maps and books about the local area’s entertainment options.

 

Are you ready to transform your lobby from a room into an experience? The House of Design team is here to help you apply these tips to your hotel interior. Contact us for more information today.

What is Vastu Interior Design?

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WHAT IS VASTU INTERIOR DESIGN

What if the secret to your happiness, health, and wealth lies in the placement of your home’s interior design? For followers of Vastu Shastra, an ancient Indian system of architecture and design, this is exactly the case. Similar to Feng Shui, Vastu Shastra is believed to encourage positive energy, wellbeing, and prosperity throughout your home by balancing the five elements. While many practitioners apply the principles of Vastu Shastra to the overall construction of a home, Vastu can also be used in the interior space to fully envelop the home’s inhabitants in harmonious energy. 

What Is Vastu Shastra?

Vastu Shastra elegantly merges science, artful design, and astrology to create an environment that radiates positive energy and flow. The five elements of nature serve as guidelines for the design, designating anything from which colours and materials to use to how much light and ventilation there should be. It is believed that when the elements of water, earth, air, fire, and space are perfectly aligned, the home will result in improved finances, health, relationships, and personal satisfaction.

Utilizing Vastu Shastra In Interior Design

Even if you aren’t a believer in the power of Vastu Shastra, the science still offers a practical way of creating an open, bright, and liveable space. Much of Vastu Shastra relies on the 8 directions, so carefully selecting your floor plan is essential. If your home is already completed, applying these Vastu principles to the interior design will still bring benefits:

  • Have A Designated Pooja Room

A pooja room is a dedicated space for your rituals – whether you pray, meditate, or do yoga. This space is used to energise your environment and raise the vibrations. The color palette should consist of whites, lemons, and lighter blues, and copper vessels or candles can be used to decorate the altar.

  • Keep Your Space Clutter Free

Clutter obstructs the flow of energy, which can diminish your sense of wellbeing as well as your productivity. These days there are plenty of clever storage options to keep your home neat and tidy.

  • Plants, Plants, Plants 

Indoor plants will invigorate your home’s natural energy and aid in detoxification of the air, so place as many of them in your home as you like. The more, the better. Plants to explore could be bamboo, orchids, money plants, and jasmine.

Want to learn more about how interior design can transform your life from the inside out? Contact us today. 

 

4 Tips for Choosing a Home Colour Palette

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4 Tips for Choosing a Home Colour Palette

Nothing is more personal than color. Choosing a color palette for your home is one of the most important, yet daunting, tasks when it comes to decorating your interior space. Read on for our best tips to create the color palette that will best suit your style, personality, and lifestyle. 

  1. Choose Your Colors

Start by working with the color wheel. Use the color wheel to create your own color scheme that best fits your personality. There are 4 possible color schemes. Monochromatic uses tone on tone of the same color, with the addition of white or black, to alter the color. Analogous color schemes use colors that appear next to each other on the color wheel. For example, yellow will be used with green or orange to create a colorful and soothing palette. Contrasting color schemes are more dramatic. These use a triad of contrasting colors to introduce more color and energy into your home. Complementary color schemes use two opposing colors to create a dramatic and bold energy color scheme. 

  1. Psychology of Color

Remember that color also has a psychological effect – changing your mood and energy levels. Incorporating a color’s psychological effect with the function of the room can make a world of difference.

  1. Lighting

Lighting is imperative for the overall ambience of the room and can change the way color looks from day to night. Take color samples home to see how they interact with fixtures and natural light throughout the day.

  1. Personal Preference

Ultimately, the color palette you choose will come down to personal preference. Are you drawn to a particular color or colors? Start there, then look at the varying light and dark hues of that same color. A great example is if you have chosen green, and one shade has grey undertones and one shade has blue undertones. One hue could be used for the living room, and the other one could be incorporated into the dining area. Tied together by a neutral color in both rooms along the trim. 

Just remember that it is all about balance. An accent in one room can be the main color in another room. It is also wise to choose your desired colorful furnishings and other small items, such as curtains and pillows, before doing something drastic such as painting a wall. We hope these tips help you on your journey to creating the interior space of your dreams!






What is Feng Shui Interior Design?

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What is Feng Shui Interior Design?

As more and more people begin to awaken in the world around us, so too has the interest in energy and well-being practices. Part of this trend has included an increase in Feng Shui as a way to enhance and balance your living environment. The positive effects of which will flow through to other areas in your life, such as your personal relationships and mental health. Today we will take you on a journey of discovery to unearth what Feng Shui Interior Design entails, and the many benefits it can bring.

What Is Feng Shui?

“Feng Shui” can be literally translated to “Wind Water.” The two vital elements for human existence that move and flow freely all over the world. This ancient Chinese art form, also referred to as the art of placement, is simply about positioning different elements to optimize “chi” or energy. Because Feng Shui relies on the use of colour, light, space, and object placement to build harmony and manipulate flow, it can be easy to see why incorporating it into your interior design will impact the ambiance of the overall space.

Incorporating Feng Shui Into Interior Design

Your home is your safe space. The way you feel and how you interact with your daily duties are vital to your wellness. That is why it is so important for this entire space to be open, welcoming, efficient, and serene. Since one key factor in Feng Shui is to harness positive energy everywhere, the garage and closet should get the same attention as the kitchen and living room. So how can the art of Feng Shui be incorporated into interior design?

Harness The 5 Elements: Wood, Metal, Earth, Water, and Fire

Wood promotes abundance and vitality. Wooden furniture and plants are an easy  way to add this element into your home. Metal symbolizes logic and intelligence. To promote knowledge and mental sharpness, you can include metal frames or sculptures in your home. Earth symbolizes stability and balance, and helps to ground. Bring the Earth element into your home with rocks and crystals Water, which symbolizes wisdom and serenity, promotes clarity and relaxation. Water elements can include mirrors, reflective surfaces, or small aquariums and fountains. Fire symbolizes passion and energy, encouraging transformation and expansion. Candles and red objects will enhance that energy. To understand which areas of the home to include the 5 elements, Interior Designers often use a Western Version of the Bagua Map. They simply lay the grid over your floorplan to determine which areas of your life will correspond with specific areas in your home.

General Feng Shui Interior Tips

  1. Keep it open. Attracting good energy into your home starts with the front door. 
  2. Keep it clean. Too much clutter will cloud your brain and prevent energy flow. 
  3. Air and light need to be able to flow within the home, bringing good energy and rejuvenation.
  4. Place the bed and desk towards doorways to increase power and minimize vulnerability. 
  5. Add a houseplant to every room to purify the air, increase health, and improve energy.

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