What’s Your Favorite Position? Feng Shui for the Bedroom Design

I was recently interviewed for a news series that aired on FOX News called “Launch Your Libido”, with Dr Jo and Board Certified Clinical Sexologist Dr. Dae Sheridan regarding the ideal design for your bedroom as it relates to your relationship. We talked about color choices, fabrics + pillows, candles, a mixture of materials and also the placement and position of your furniture with in your room. And of course, since it was a “libido” focused series we naturally focused on the bed as the main furniture in the room.

Now although in this article I am specifically discussing the bedroom, these philosophies can apply to your garden, dinning room and all your entertaining spaces, creating environments for you and your guests to feel their best and happiest. {more to come in future articles so be sure to sign up for updates to your inbox here.}

Feng Shui, which literally translates to “wind and water”, is the ancient Chinese art of placement.

At its most basic level, feng shui {pronounced fung shway} can be used as a decorating discipline based on the belief that our surroundings affect us mentally and emotionally in many ways. Whether it is applied to the entire house as it relates to the land, the furniture in the room or specific objects, according to Feng Shui, the position of these items can have an effect on your chi or Qi, frequently translated as “natural energy”, “life force”, or “energy flow”.

Feng Shui Bedroom image #LaunchYourLibido #AnAppealingPlan

In feng shui, the first “commanding position” for the bed is its relation to the door and it’s distance from the door. Ideally position it as far away from the bedroom door as possible, but which still allows for the most control over the space and in turn your life. The corner of the room diagonally opposite the door is usually best {but you must use a headboard to choose this placement}, or against the wall furthest away from the door, but not in-line with the doorway.

Additional considerations when positioning your bed according to feng shui are windows, beams and bed access.

Try not to position your bed under the lower angle of a pitched roof, a ceiling fan or a heavy beam. These elements are thought to contain “depressing energy” that pushes down on you while you sleep. If you can not work around these architectural features, a bed canopy or fabric suspended from the ceiling are believed to be “cures” for the situation.

feng-shui-bed-positions via @AnAppealingPlan #design #interiordesign

{image by feng shui by angel}

Avoid positioning your bed under a window, which lacks the “support and protection” of a solid wall and can lead to a poor night’s sleep as energy enters and exits through the window.

Headboards, especially solid versions made from wood or fabric, are considered good feng shui because they provide additional strength and support behind your head. Footboards, on the other hand, are seen as blocking energy and your forward progress in life.

The Big No-No In Feng Shui Bed Placement

Make sure your feet do not point out the door while laying in bed! Traditional Chinese culture, refers to this as the “Death Position” because the deceased are carried out feet first to their coffins and believe sleeping this way can drain your life force. In Feng shui terms, when your feet are in line with the door you are losing your energy at night and your energy gets weaker, since it is not properly directed . If you can’t avoid it, use a footboard or other piece of furniture at the foot of your bed to act as a buffer {this is when the one exception to Feng Shui’s “no footboard” rule applies}.

Lastly, leave enough room around the bed for energy to flow freely, and for each partner to get up with ease.

What are your design challenges in the bedroom? Let me know your design concern in the comments.

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And, if you are looking for even more ways to celebrate everyday check out An Appealing Plan the book.

Call it a trend or a return to the past, but I believe we are bringing back entertaining at home, lingering over a table after a lovingly prepared meal with friends. It has been a way of life and passion of mine my entire adult life, and I am thrilled to be able to invite you on this journey with me through a year of celebrating every day. Filled with recipes, tablescapes, floral inspiration and seasonal entertaining ideas An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations, is a dream come true for me a true honor to be able to share it with you. To learn more about An Appealing Plan :: A Year of Everyday Celebrations here. And of course, share how you are celebrating everyday.

How To Decorate A Dining Hutch.

If you love dishes and glasses as much as I do, you will quickly find you run out of spaces to hide them, but you can also incorporate them into your decor by using open and glass front hutches.

@kraylfunch for ehow Decorating a Dining Hutch #design #AnAppealingPlan copy

In this short video for eHow.com I discuss incorporating your collections in to you home decor and decorating.

Many dining hutches have a glass front area as well as an enclosed area. When displaying items in the glass front area, it’s nice to group them into categories. Even though I have a collection of mismatched champagne glasses, organizing them together in one area creates a very nice display. Use the second shelf for other items that have a little bit more colorful design or are pitchers and stoneware. Use cake plates to add height for your smaller items.

Adding taller items to the top of this hutch, creates height as well as allows for space for those numerous glass vases that we have all acquired.

On the center shelf area, add personalized items such as ceramic bowls or fondue pots from your childhood.

In the enclosed area, you can hide votives, napkins and other accessories that don’t need to be as organized quite as well. There’s really no wrong way to display these items but by grouping them into collections, you will find it really creates a more appealing look.

Did you like this video. SHARE using one of the buttons below and SUBSCRIBE to my YouTube Channel here.

Read more on eHow.com

Mother’s Day Gift Round Up

We love our Mom’s and you want to give her the best right? Our gift guide is full of all the gifts mom deserves this year.

 

AnAppealingPlan Mothers Day Gift Round up 7736x20001 

SOURCES:

  1. Rest Candle / Mind Body Soul Collection – Marie Todd Candles – $54
  2. Green Amythest Pendent Necklace ~ Amy Holton Design – $217
  3. Lavender Body Lotion ~ Wholistic Inc. – $28
  4. Quilted Sari Throw Orange ~ Buy The Change USA – $89
  5. Sea Salt Goat’s Milk Soap ~ Simply Caprine – $7
  6. “HOME” Paper Quilling ~ Paper Liberated – $520

Visit the links above to read more about each gift. We have sampled and approved all gifts to ensure authentic quality and craftsmanship. Please share the love by sharing this post with the buttons below.

Gardening: What is a Topiary?

Topiary Quote #GardenTip @AnAppealingPlan

topiary     noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Art of training living trees and shrubs into artificial, decorative shapes. Topiary is known to have been practiced in the 1st century AD. The earliest topiary was probably the simple development of edgings, cones, columns, and spires to accent a garden scene. This architectural use gave way to elaborate shapes such as ships, hunters, and hounds. The fashion reached its height in Britain in the late 17th and early 18th century but was displaced by the so-called natural garden.

What is your favorite style of gardening, Formal or Country or somewhere in between? Tell me about your favorite garden in the comments below. And of course if you like this post be sure to sign up to receive our FREE updates by completing the form below.

 

April Showers + Spring Love + A Book Giveaway

#AnAppealingPlan April Cover Image #hunteryellowboots #aprilshowers 2

Spring is a magical time around the An Appealing Plan table, studio and potting shed! I love the fresh mix of flowers, colors, scents and herbs that come with this season of renewal, it brings new life to every project I am involved with.

Entranceways need new spring containers to welcome guest home; Easter gatherings call out for abundant tablescapes filled with the colors and flowers of the emerging gardens outside the windows; Home offices and guests room are ready for a fresh coat of paint and stylish seasonal accents. I love creating posts to inspire everyone here on the site just as much as working directly with clients on projects to create environments to gather and connect.

But what I really inspires me is hearing from YOU!  I want to hear what you love most about the month of April, the entire Spring season or how you plan to celebrate this season.

{Plus I need a little help choosing the cover… would you mind?}

Take a moment to let me know in the comments by posting your #1 favorite things about Spring along with which book cover you prefer and you will be in the drawing to win a copy of my book coming out in just a few months. Easy Peasy right?

Krayl Funch Book Cover OPTION 1                    Krayl Funch Book Cover 2

{Winner will be randomly selected from all entries submitted 4.1.14 12:01AM EDT – 4.31.14 11:59PM EDT. Winner be announced via blog post, social media and notified by email.}

Office Style. The Perfect Office Side Chair.

You schedule a meeting in your office and you have to drag in chairs from another room for your clients to sit on. Your assistant comes in everyday to talk with you and has to stand while you talk. Occasionally you want to sit and read a report in a chair that is not practical desk side chair.

If any of the above statements ring true for you it is time to consider finding the perfect office side chair to fill that void in your space.

 

 

Luckily chairs come in a variety of sizes, colors, shape and budgets there is one guaranteed to suit your needs.

Factors you will need to consider when purchasing your chair are:

  • Scale of the chair to space.
  • How often will you move the chair(s).
  • How does the style compare to the other furnishings in the space.
  • One chair vs Two chairs.
  • How much time will you or your guests spend in the chair.

The above round-up includes the following styles.

  1. Seville Leather Chair from Room and Board
  2. Sloan Upholstered Chair West Elm
  3. Louis Ghost Chair by Philippe Stark Design Within Reach
  4. Ikat Fabric Club Chair
  5. Devon Spitfire Chair in Leather by Restoration Hardware
  6. The Bracelet Chair Barbara Barry by Henredon

Side chairs are great was to add style and functionally to a space. Choose wisely but have fun with it too. Let your personality or brand show through your selection.

Looking for more personal support in styling your office space? Consider scheduling an in person or virtual consultation today by clicking here.

Office Style. Organized + Chic with Decorative Trays.

 Creating an office space that is not only organized and functional, but also aesthetically pleasing, will allow you to feel more inspired and to be more productive the entire year. Use stylish trays to organize your desk, keeping your work space free for you to be creative and productive.

If your office is neutral use colorful patterns or solids to bring that much needed pop of color to the space.

Head out to your favorite local shop, or hit your attic to find a long forgotten tray, and fill it with papers and pens or picture frames and keepsakes. Then let me know how you did by sharing your pictures and comments with me below.

Looking for more personal support in styling your office space? Consider scheduling an in person or virtual consultation today by clicking here.

Pantone Color of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid

Pantone picked a purple hue for its color of the year for 2014: Radiant Orchid (Pantone 18-3224).

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An appealing {we love that they used this word!}, versatile shade, Radiant Orchid has wide applications for both fashion and home.

“While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today’s society.”

radiant orchid - via @instyle #AnAppealingPlanpantone radiant orchid color block - via @AnAppealingPlan

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

In interiors, Radiant Orchid complements olive and deeper hunter greens, as well as when combined with turquoise, teal and light yellows, Pantone said. It also can liven up neutrals, including gray, beige and taupe.

Check out my Radiant Orchid Pinterest Board  here!

What two ways will you use this color? Let me know in the comments below.

A Bountiful Fall Entranceway

Fall Entranceway design is one if my favorite services and topics. {interested in learning more about my design services? Set up a FREE telephone consultation by visiting the contact me page here}

This time of year is all about the bounty and harvest of the season, so head to your local farmers market and create a welcoming display using baskets to hold your treasures.

How to Decorate an entranceway for Fall. via @AnAppealingPlan

What treasures did you find this year? Let me know in the comments! Like & Share with your friends!

 

Interested in learning more about my seasonal design services? Set up a consultation by visiting the contact me page here}

Decorating the Front Door for Thanksgiving Harvest

In this video for eHow I discuss how to decorate the Front Door for Thanksgiving or Harvest Dinner. This is something you can easily do even  if you live in an apartment.

how to decorate the doorway for thanksgiving ehow #FallDecor #AnAppealingPlan final

Decorating your front door for Thanksgiving  and harvest is an easy seasonal decorating project you can do to bring the Fall & Harvest season to your entranceway. If your entranceway is smaller this is perfect for you!

 
 
You may live in an apartment,  or may not have a lot of room near your entrance way. There are still things that you can do to decorate the entrance way  to make a very festive for your Thanksgiving or your harvest dinner.
 
 
SUPPLIES NEEDED:
  • Large Heirloom Gourds. If you find large gourds at your local maybe your  pumpkin patch. Maybe your farmer’s market or your corner store may have some of  these heirloom varieties. I find they actually  last longer then some of the conventional large orange ones that you may find. I use these right from the beginning of October on through  Thanksgiving. These varieties come in many, many different  colors. Blue which I love. And then some of the different  green ones, and Mexican hat variety. And really, really brings a lot of  different texture and variety to the door if you are able to find a really nice  selection.
  • Indian Corn
  • Basket with a Variety of Gourds.
  • If you don’t have a door where you can place a wreath, a sign is nice. You  can just prop that up really nicely. Maybe put a little pumpkin in front of  that.
  • Stalks of Wheat. We can just tuck those in. And if  you keep them to the side they really shouldn’t interfere with too much with the  in and out of the doorway.
  • Preserved Leaves in various colors. Tuck them in around the larger gourds. Just giving it an effect. If you have a beautiful maple tree outside go and clip those. However, if you live in an apartment this  is a great opportunity to use some of the preserved leaves that you may find in  your craft store.
  • White Pumpkins.  Leaning and stacking them in a little bit of an angle.

What is your favorite type of gourd or pumpkin in this video? Leave a comment below and share this post with your friends.

Gratitude to the Home & Lifestyle Universe.

Some weeks are better than others. This happened to be a particularly challenging one for me. But hey, we all have them right? Then tonight I come home and what do I see, the bounty that this week has brought me in the mail.

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Town & Country, Martha Stewart Living, HGTV Magazine, Traditional Home and House Beautiful all in one week! And all right before a forecasted rainy weekend. The home & lifestyle gods are looking down on me and smiling. Gratitude.

What is your favorite magazine you subscribe to? Why? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.

Enjoy your weekend ahead!
Krayl