Hitting the “Wow” Factor: Decorating a Shelf

Anjie Cho October 26, 2022

Photo and design by Anjie Cho Architect PLLC

I’ll let you in on a little decorating secret. The difference between a well-designed room and a “WOW!” designed room lies in the details. After you’ve picked out the right wall color and cozied up to your new favorite furniture, it’s time to pull together the finishing touches, like decorating a set of shelves. Go for the “wow!” by following these five tips.

Balance

Even voracious readers need bookshelves with more than just books. If books are a component of your shelving plans, create pockets of reading material balanced between decorative items such as framed photos, small sculptures and other collectibles. Intersperse your favorite reads with your decorative elements. The same applies to the functional shelving dedicated to your crafting supplies, your bathroom, kitchen and more!

Group sets of like items with other functional or decorative elements between them. In a bathroom, place a basket with your make-up between two different sets of towels. In the craft room, organize your fabric in complimentary tones, for example, and pepper baskets of sewing supplies, favorite photos and other trinkets in between the stacks. Try out different combinations!

Embrace Empty Space

A shelf stuffed full can crowd and overwhelm your space. Leave some wiggle room and blank spots. This isn’t about gaping holes. It can be more subtle than that. For example, try stacking taller books on their sides instead of placing them in the shelf upright. Leave space between the top of the stack and the shelf above it. Don’t wedge your items in tightly together. Leave small gaps to give a little breathing room and a peek at the back of your shelf unit or wall.

Jazz Up The Background

The oft ignored back panel of a book case is a canvas waiting to bring your space to life! Paint the inside of a bookcase a few shades darker than your wall color. Alternatively, go for a complementary paint color, decorative patterned paper or mirrors. Get creative. If you’re really up for something different, try alternating two complementary colors or a solid and a simple pattern behind every other shelf.

Get Eye Level

Grab a seat in the room and take a good look at which shelf falls at eye level. This should be your focal point. Use that shelf to feature your photos, artwork or other favorite elements. Then sit back and enjoy the view.

Layer It Up

You can create the illusion of deeper shelves by layering items. Push a grouping of books toward the back and place a small piece of art in front of them. Use natural items like coral and stones in front of framed and matted prints. The one-two (or three!) punch of elements will trick the eye into seeing a space with more depth than the shelf really has.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Why It's a Good Idea to Declutter Your Closets in Feng Shui

Guest User May 25, 2022

Have you ever wondered what your closets mean in feng shui? One way to look at this is to see where your closets fall in the feng shui bagua. The bagua is a mandala that we overlay on a space, with different areas that represent different parts of your life. If you lay the bagua on your home, take note of where your closets are. Pay extra attention to any closets that are the most cluttered or the most neglected, since these can represent issues that you may be hidden.

Depending on where your closet is located in the bagua, this can symbolize different things. For example, a cluttered closet in the Helpful People area might mean that there are helpful people in your life that you haven’t been aware of. A cluttered closet in your Abundance area could signify your wealth being hidden behind blocks. In your Partnership area, a neglected closet might mean that it’s been hard to find a relationship.

If you do have a closet that is cluttered or unused, it can be as simple as going through it and looking at what’s inside. If there are any areas you’re especially hesitant to go through, pay special attention to that. This can be an indication that there’s a block there that you could uncover. I invite you to look a little deeper at any neglected closets, and be curious about what it might represent. What area of the bagua does it relate to? Feng shui principles encourage us to look at areas in our homes that we normally neglect. Are you open to looking into the dark closets and starting to shift the energy in your home?

It’s also interesting to note how our modern society is so full. When we can let go of the things in our closets that we don’t need, our hearts and minds can also open and release unwanted things in our lives, like stress and harmful people. Clearing out your closet is one way to create space to invite in new energy. In feng shui, our goal is to let go of stagnant qi (life force energy) and let in fresh, healthy qi. If your closet is full, you will not have room for anything new. This applies both literally and metaphorically — you may have decluttered your closet and then noticed that you quickly fill it up with new things. A full closet may also mean that you have no room to grow and no space to accept new opportunities, friendships, or partnerships.

As you’re going through your closets, I would suggest setting aside a box for items that haven’t been worn in the last three years. You can donate these to organizations that collect used textiles and shoes. Even items that are no longer wearable can be recycled and made into something else.

I encourage you to open up your closets, let go of what you don’t need, and create space for the universe to bring something new and wonderful into your life!

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

5 Ways to Add More Relaxation to Your Home

Anjie Cho August 11, 2021

After a day jam-packed with full-speed busyness, (and let’s face it, for most of us that’s pretty much a normal day), slipping your shoes off and melting into your favorite, comfy spot at home is likely high on your evening to-do list. That is, until you get home and that transition from ‘doing’ to ‘unwinding’ isn’t as smooth as you’d hoped. Don’t give up. Try these five simple steps to convert your home into a more serene, relaxing sanctuary.

Dedicate a space.

There are areas of your home that are ideal for work and for play. Set aside a space dedicated to relaxing, too. It doesn’t have to be an entire room. Create a nook or corner dedicated to relaxation. Folding screens can help differentiate the space from the rest of the room. If a good book is your ideal way to unwind, add comfortable seating, a shelf of books or a small table to hold your current reads, and proper lighting to the space. If music or movies are more your style, design your space accordingly.

Get organized

It’s hard to relax amidst clutter. Set-aside some time to organize and properly store your stuff. Look for storage solutions that complement your personal style. Look for baskets, bins and other containers that work as décor accents, as well as functional pieces.

Light matters

Sunlight is a natural pick-me-up, but too much can be more stimulating than calming. Use light filtering shades for some privacy, as well as to create a softer, more tranquil effect. In the evening, use dimmer lights and candles to create a spa-like ambiance. As an added bonus, use a lavender scented candle to help promote relaxation.

Colors count

Bright colors energize; soft, earth-toned shades soothe. If you’re looking to add more peacefulness to your home, incorporate tranquil blues, greens, and neutrals like gray, tans and white into your sanctuary spaces. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for accessories, too. Whether that peaceful space is a nook or whole room, stick with serene hues for your furniture, pillows, rugs and other accents.

Unplug

Your dedicated downtime space should be free of high-tech distraction. Learn to leave the phone, tablet and laptop aside. That reading nook we talked about above should be device-free to eliminate the urge to check your email just one more time or to count how many likes your last Instagram post garnered.

Above all else, make your space yours. The best way to relax and unwind is to create a space that you feel most comfortable in.

by Anjie Cho