Stale Nursery Trends It’s Time to Say Goodbye To

Anjie Cho October 24, 2018

featured on Domino by Caroline Biggs

Ask any parent-to-be and they’ll probably say the same thing: Half the fun of prepping for a baby is designing the nursery. But before you go pinning up a storm on Pinterest, it’s important to take a minute to think about the trends that are actually worth putting in your little one’s room. While some ideas might offer initial appeal—much like other outdated home décor crazes—a lot of nursery fads are fleeting.

Luckily, we have a lot of designer friends to call upon for help. We asked these interior aficionados what nursery trends are on their way out, and they had a lot to share. From animal prints to crib mobiles, read ahead for the trends the experts say it’s time to bid adieu to.

Gendered Colors

As gendered stereotypes become more and more passé in the real world, it’s no surprise that hip designers are making a concerted effort to create gender-neutral nurseries.

“Gender roles in society are beginning to be revisited, and so are the traditional go-to hues (i.e. pink for girls and blue for boys) used in nurseries,” says designer Anjie Cho. “Gray—my favorite is Benjamin Moore’s Gray Owl—is the new yellow of non-gendered nursery colors; it works with pastels and is both soothing and neutral.”

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If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish.

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Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui and Pregnancy

Anjie Cho June 17, 2018

Is there any sort of feng shui I should pay special attention to if I'm pregnant?

Stephanie C., Washington D.C.

Hi Stephanie,

First of all, congratulations on your pregnancy!

There are a few things to consider when we look at feng shui and pregnancy. For one, I would encourage you not to do any kind of house renovations during your pregnancy. Your home represents your body, so during a pregnancy, you don’t want to do any renovations or move things around or rebuild things. Not only does this disturb your body's natural chi, any chemicals or substances that become airborne during a renovation can be harmful to an unborn baby.

Since your body, for the next nine months, is your baby's only space, do your best to keep this space healthy, both emotionally and physically. Avoid high-stress situations and instances where you might come into contact with anything physically harmful for your baby's growth. Check out my recipes for DIY non-toxic cleaners and laundry detergent, and if you feel the need to nest (which you most likely will!) aim for a green cleaning approach, natural space clearing and the like. And don't do any painting yourself, but check out how to create a relaxing atmosphere, use the color wheel and incorporate other feng shui aspects into your baby's space.

Don't forget to take time out for yourself to eliminate stress too! Meditate, use essential oils or do any other activities you can to calm down without changing the overall chi of your baby's temporary space.

In feng shui, there are also some important factors to consider before you get pregnant, when you are trying to have a baby. One of the most important is to avoid cleaning out from under your bed during this time. Though feng shui recommends keeping space beneath your bed clear, it is important to understand the concept of "ling particles" as it relates to pregnancy.

Feng shui practitioners believe that there are what we call "ling particles" in the air that help create and support life. When a baby is conceived, a ling particle gives the embryo life, and these particles are said to collect under the bed. For this reason, if you're hoping to become pregnant, you don’t want to clean under your bed. I would also encourage you not to do any renovations when you’re trying to get pregnant.

For the most part, feng shui advocates creating a healthy, positive space for your baby. This means not making any drastic changes to the environment you've already created, and doing what you can to maintain a stress-free, healthy lifestyle. This will also help to create a holistic space in which for you to welcome your baby to the world!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

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Q&A Sunday: Making Space for a Baby, But What About Storage?

Anjie Cho July 16, 2017

In your post about pregnancy and feng shui, you mention making space as much as possible, but her closet is storage for our home too. Thoughts on how to handle?

Laurie E., Los Angeles, CA

Hi Laurie,

Thanks for reading our Q&A about pregnancy.

I actually do not suggest making as much space as possible in this post, nor would I necessarily recommend that. But maybe you read this post, where I suggest creating a space for a baby to come into your home. You don’t want it to be so full that there’s no room for the new little person.

However, it sounds like your situation is a little different. You do have a room for your baby, but you happen to have a storage closet in that room. Functionality is very important too when it comes to feng shui, as with most things in life. If that’s the storage closet and you have no other space for it, that’s totally okay. What you can do is make sure the closet is organized and what you do have stored there is necessary and in good condition. You can also use functional furniture that serves as storage as well!

I would also consider what sorts of things you have stored in the baby’s closet. Obviously things like knives and guns are not appropriate. If possible, store baby-related and soft things like pillows and linens. Do the best that you can and move things around if necessary. Just try to store objects with good energy around your new baby.

It would be wonderful if we could have completely separate spaces for each person in a home, but realistically that doesn't always happen. In this case, it seems you've definitely taken the time and intention to make some space for your new family member, so as long as you maintain a good, positive energy in her room, your feng shui should be fine. :)

by Anjie Cho