How Accessories Can Make a Home Look Chic

Enter the exciting new world of textiles for a flair of tone and color that is replacing a once customary collection of modern pillows. Designer contemporary room details are making news with an artistic flair that was once thought reserved for the stylish elite. No longer does one have to accept the same design and material pumped out by the millions to compliment a room.

With the 21st century, a new and creative group of designers are leaving no stone unturned when it comes to adding pizzazz to home decor. Swedish award-winning artist, Lena Bergstrom, led Swedish textile manufacturer, Designers Eye, into the millennium with soft, appealing designs, perfectly bringing an air of opulence to any living room group or rooftop garden. The felted, virgin wool in simple, yet elegant floral shapes or horizontal stripes have been noted throughout the world.

TV and Film Art Director, Madeline Rogers, is another inspiration to gaiety in accessories with her company's, Mibo, line of fine products. Pillows and lampshades stand out in any room with large, blossoming floral designs in modern day eggplant, grays, greens and reds. Inspired by the British seaside resorts with their brightly striped lounge chairs, Mibo can change any setting into a day at the beach with handmade pillows, stuffed with allergy free filling.

The United States soon entered the realm of pillow design when two mutual coworkers from Atlanta, Georgia, decided to quit their jobs and follow a dream into the textile and design world. In 2001, Modern Basics started by Page Ikeda and Rhonda Holloway, steadily marched forward a little at a time but possessing a great work ethic and a knack to make a difference in modern style. Crib bedding and pillows are now found in many contemporary specialty stores throughout the nation.

The Japanese have had a traditional type of seating for centuries that is referred to as the zabuton. Unlike American culture, the zabuton is a pillow type floor mat made out of natural muslin fabric. Because this mat is used daily and in the place of chairs, they are made to last an average of eight to ten years. Americans have become intrigued with this 'seat-cloth-sphere' (zabuton translated) and they are beginning to appear in homes across the US. The muslin fabric can be covered with any type of fabric to match the decor of your choice and will stretch its life even further.

Art no longer just belongs on a wall as a way to enjoy the best of beauty and creativity. With the flow of new designers discovering a different type of canvas in material, pillows can become dramatically stunning. The modern age is booming with fresh ideas and energetic inventiveness in home decor and pillow covers are a perfect route to take in providing the public with functional, mood pleasing workmanship. Allow yourself to browse the invigorating artists of today in textiles and let yourself live comfortably with art.

 

 

 

The Thoughts Behind Burning Frankincense

The ancient practice of aromatherapy: the burning of herbs and other botanicals to achieve desirable results. The practice of burning frankincense has been done for hundreds of years if not thousands, in places linked with worship and meditation. The popular practice of burning frankincense sparked some people to incorporate the adding of frankincense essence to a lot of things that rely on scent to make relax people and make them feel good, things such as shampoos, lotions, perfumes and other aromatherapy items! .

Feelings Soothed And Meditative

The act of burning frankincense for many meditative people signals a desire fro introspection. The fact that many people believe that burning frankincense can expand one's meditative prowess as well as help to deepen and slow breathing. The scent of frankincense can induce a potent introspection that many believe to be beneficial for themselves due to its calming and soothing effect.

While burning frankincense may be the traditional way of experiencing its effects, when used as massage therapy oil, frankincense’s essential oil works well also. Not only does frankincense essential oil help to soothe and relax muscles and tissues but it also has anti-inflammatory properties and can act as an anti-septic agent. Regular massages with frankincense essential oil, can also promote better digestion as well as an improved reproductive system in women.

The relaxing and calm atmosphere that burning frankincense promotes is most desirable for people under a great deal of stress. The deeper and slower breaths that occur to a person inhaling burning frankincense or the smell of frankincense help with some respiratory conditions. There are many other conditions that may improve with the aid of this scent.

The Ways Of Burning Frankincense

There are several different ways to burn frank incense. The most common in households is done via a candle burner, with a diffuser and through the burning of incense sticks. Burning frankincense with a candle burner and a diffuser is similar in the way that the essential oil is burnt. Candle burners usually have a small pool with some oil in it half filled with a tea light candle burning beneath it. Diffusers on the other hand do not use candles to generate the heat; instead they use electricity to speed the frankincense. Burning frankincense incense sticks is the usually done in places of worship and prayer.

The centuries old method is still the most common means being used for burning frankincense; this is done by taking hardened resin, called "tears", and placing them on live coals. This is the method that people in the Middle East discovered a long time ago and still find it the best.

 

Its Green And Its Clean Solar Power Technology For The Modern Home

Solar power 101 - How Does Sunlight Turn Into Electricity.

Solar power has long been proven as a viable source of renewable energy; however it was then too expensive for household use. But with new innovations and more affordable home solar power systems, more and more people opt to get hold of this cheaper power solution. Before installing such system to power up your home, it is essential to understand what exactly is solar radiation and how does it work in the generation of solar energy.

No to Costly Solar Panels

Presently, utilizing solar power for your home does not require costly solar panels and other equipment because it is very simple to make your own system with which to heat up and light your home with solar power. With the ease of conversion of homes to solar power, even an entire residence can be hooked up to the system, thereby freeing you from dependence on the electricity grid.

Home solar power is indeed easy to harness for the reason that there are numerous things that can gather heat and light from the sun including mirrors, and glass as well as metals that are readily available and at relatively low cost. Once these materials draw the power from the sun and then transfer this stored energy to batteries, you have for yourself a home powered by solar power.

There are a number of DIY-home solar power programs that you can also consider trying out and which does not require more skills than to be literate and able to follow instructions. Home solar power systems nowadays are also easy to upgrade, giving you the option to upgrade your system from a small one to a more extensive one to meet the additional requirements in your household.

One of the advantages in using home solar power is that there is no cost involved in getting the basic ‘raw materials’. The only expenses that are most likely to be incurred are the cost of acquiring materials with which to construct the system that will heat up and light your home with solar power; even then, there are many items right within your home that can be used to create a basic system which will provide heat and light.

At the very least, you would be required to have solar cells, soldering iron and flex, and tabbing to start off with your DIY-home solar power system. With the right equipment and parts as well as a good guide, you will have a home solar power system running in no time.

Finally, the best part about home solar power is that it has already been certified to have a high return of investment. This investment is in terms of the equipments and supplies in addition to your effort in building up the system. The costs and effort that you put in making solar panels for your home are essentially low and incomparable with the amount that you will be saving from electricity bills.

Discover What Feng Shui Is

Learning Feng Shui

It’s important that we use the term “real” feng shui simply because there have been many practices that have been called feng shui when in reality they have nothing to do with this special custom and what it represents.

Feng Shui - What is it?

The simplest explanation of what feng shui is, can be said as the placement in the most ideal locaations of human-built elements, so as not to disturb but rather encourage the natural energy emenating from the environment around. The main goal is to have all the elements work in harmony, including nature, the celestial bodies, and even those elements seemingly clashing with each other, such as hot and cold or female and male. Ensuring that all such elements harmonize assures you of the proper implementation of feng shui.

Feng Shi And Nature

The cultures of asia and in particular China have utilized nature to understand their own standing and place within the universe. For many, they have also replicated the many elements of nature for their own pursuits and gains such as the movements and techniques in the various forms of martial arts designed to mimic the movement of different animals. At a time, music was often even supposed to replicate the sound and rythm of nature such as the wind, and further more instruments were made from the elements of nature such as the shells and reeds.

For the Chinese nature has always played a role in their lifestye, where in herbs were used for medicine, plants used to adorn their houses indoors and so on.

This respect for nature is very important in the teachings of feng shui, as its beliefs include the thought that everything in nature must be respected equally and all parts must harmonize.

Qi or Energy

For the Chinese, they believed (and for many today still do) in qi, or in other words the natural energy that is created from all living things.  Qi is believed to be a kind of life force or spiritual energy.  It is frequently translated as “energy flow,” or literally as “air” or “breath.”  This energy is thought to flow freely from not only humans and animals, but from the earth itself.

In feng shui, not interfering with this energy is of great importance. This energy or qi mush be allowed to flow freely throughout the home and any other establishments. It will be discussed further about how qi is not interfered with and ensured that this is followed in the home.

The Stars and The Sun

Astronomy was also very important in ancient Chinese culture.  Many structures were designed around the placement of the sun at the time of building.  It was also very important that homes be built so as to allow adequate sunlight in as many rooms as possible.

Bringing All The Elements Together

To re-iterate, in the ancient Chinese culture it was of great importance to ensure that all these elements worked together so that harmony is encouraged for any individual and the environment around them. This way of thinking is indeed how the practice of feng shui began many centuries back.

Arranging The Nursery For Feng Shui

feng shui tips

You’ve probably heard of feng shui, the Chinese system for arrangement and placement of furniture in a room. It’s often used in businesses and homes as a way to create positive energy in your environment. Even if you’ve never used feng shui colors in your own space, why not consider it for your baby’s room? Feng shui is now making its way into the nursery, and for good reason, too. Feng Shui proposes that by arranging and aligning the room correctly, energy will flow better in the room. Positive energy flow will create an environment to thrive for people of any age, especially a baby.

To maximize the energy in baby's room, there are several important factors to consider, such as room location, safety, colors, and furniture arrangement. Using feng shui placement in the nursery will help to make babies less fussy, who will feel more comfortable in their surroundings, and who will be healthy and flourish. How does it become accomplished? Following some basic considerations will help both baby and parents create a room that makes them both happy.

First of all, put the baby’s room in a good location. A new baby should not have a bedroom that is placed over a garage area or some other kind of empty space below. The bedroom also shouldn't be located where there is excessive noise that might keep the baby from sleeping, such as close to a living room where the TV is on, or close to a noisy street or neighbor.

The bed should not be against a window or be directly in line with the door. Make sure the baby does not sleep or is placed against a slanted wall. Avoid placing the baby against a wall that is shared with a bathroom, toilet, storage, or utility-type room. Have soft music playing in the room, create soft energy and movement, and hang mobiles near a window that moves gently in a breeze.

The baby’s nursery should always be clutter free. Nothing at all should be underneath the crib. Few things should line the walls, keep it minimal. Each night, the dirty diapers should be taken out so a clean, fresh smell circulates the room. A small air filter can be placed to ensure clean crisp air all day long.