eHow.com Video: Separating The Area In A Studio Apartment By Using A Curtain

Separating the Area in a Studio Apartment by Using a Curtain

Separating the Area in a Studio Apartment by Using a Curtain

This is for you urbanites living in studio apartments.  I know how it is!! I lived in one for many years.  Learn how to separate your space with a curtain

see more eHow.com videos here

Video transcript:

Hello, I'm Anjie Cho, and today I will share with you some tips to separate an area in a studio apartment by using a curtain.

The most challenging aspect of living in a studio apartment is separating your public active space such as your living, dining, kitchen and work areas from your private passive sleeping area. It's very important to visually and physically separate your sleep and public areas when designing the layout of your studio apartment. 

One way you can achieve this is with curtains. In this example I've used a ceiling mounted curtain track. There are also curtain wires that will work but in my experience, depending on how long the span is, the wire will begin to droop with the weight of the curtain and this doesn't look good. The ceiling mounted curtain tracks and rails are rigid and end up looking the cleanest. Regular curtain rods will also work well if you can mount the supports on the ceiling.

Make sure you get the correct types of screws and anchors for the ceiling you have. I have concrete slab ceilings here so I used a hammering drill and concrete anchors. Be sure to measure out the space you have so the holes are located correctly. In this application I used a semi opaque fabric so there is visual for that privacy but you still see some light pass through. If sound is an issue, it might be better to use a heavier fabric. The other advantage of drapes is flexibility. When you need more space you can open it up like this because after all a studio is a small living space.

I'm Anjie Cho, and this is how to separate areas in a studio apartment by using a curtain.

by Anjie Cho

eHow.com Video: How to Keep Warm Without Raising the Thermostat

It's still winter... and really cold in NYC.  Here are some tips to weatherize your home.  You know, these tips are not just for the winter. These adjustments are just as useful to keep hot air out in the summer. GO GREEN!  save some green... and it's for winter and summertime!

see more eHow.com videos here

Video Transcript:

Hi, I'm Anjie Cho and this is how to keep warm without raising the thermostat.

Raising the thermostat not only adds to your utility bills, it uses precious resources. I'll show you some inexpensive and simple weatherization tips for keeping warm and also to keep cool in the summer.

First, be sure to have the air on only in the room that you're occupying. If you have central air, you can close or seal the vents in the room that are not in use.

Next, seal air leaks to increase the energy efficiency of both heating and cooling. You can use a variety of products to seal any gaps to the outside where air can come in. For instance, just painter's caulk will do; go for the lower or no VOC option. This rope caulk is less messy in it because it doesn't need to dry. Foam weather stripping also works; just cut, peel and stick. All of these options are for use with windows, ceiling cracks, filling holes, door perimeters, walls, siding openings and masonry cracks.

Next, let's look at the door. A lot of air gets infiltrated in through doors, even in a closed position. This is a self-stick door strip. It's quick and easy, easy to install, just cut to size and stick it into place.

Finally, let's look at your outlets and switches. Air can come in this way too. So, you can insulate and seal that drafts through a switch and outlet covers with these gaskets. Just unscrew the outlet cover, place the gasket in, screw back on. Keeping warm doesn't have to be expensive with some simple weatherization tips. This upgrades will pay for themselves very quickly because you'll immediately see savings on your utility bills.

by Anjie Cho

eHow Video: How to Decorate with Hanging Crystals

How to Decorate with Hanging Crystals

How to Decorate with Hanging Crystals

Feng shui hanging crystals are one of the most common feng shui adjustments. We call it one of the "Methods of Minor Additions" -- a way to add something small to make a huge impact on the chi and energy of your space.

see more eHow.com videos here

Video Transcript:

Hi, I'm Anjie Cho and I'd like to share with you how to decorate with hanging crystals from a Feng Shui perspective.

There are different types of crystals. This amethyst is an example of a natural mineral crystal. These are less common to use for hanging. Instead one would decorate by placing these on stands or just sitting on a horizontal surface. There are also different types of hanging crystals. There are many shapes and sizes, tear drops, stars, hearts, ovals as well as different colors, clear, red, blue, etc.

Today I'm specifically speaking to you about how to decorate with clear crystal spheres that are used in many Feng Shui applications. The Feng Shui crystal spheres are shaped somewhat in between a ball and a tear drop shape. They are multifaceted and typically clear. This is a Swarovski leaded crystal Feng Shui ball, 40 millimeters round. You can purchase one here in the Holistic Spaces store. I prefer leaded crystal over regular glass. The lead is added to glass to add to decorative qualities because it has a much higher index of refraction. So the more light that's reflected, the more sparkle you will have. No worries, the lead is not a health risk as you are only hanging them and not having significant skin or food contact. 

Faceted crystals are very beautiful as decorations in a bright window. They can catch the sun, the light can product beautiful rainbow colors as the sunlight is refracted through the facets. And in Feng Shui, it is also very important to hang them using a red cord. Red is a very auspicious color and represents protection. It's even better if the cord can be a length that's equal to a multiple of nine like nine inches, 18 inches, 27 inches. These Feng Shui crystals are easy to find online. They come in various sizes. For Feng Shui purposes, most interior spaces should use crystals of 40 millimeters or larger. Since the crystals are multifaceted, just like with sunlight, the Feng Shui crystals take a strong burst of energy and disperse it so it's more gentle on your life and the energy of your home.

Beneficial locations for Feng Shui crystals are a strong angle such as a strong corner. We call that Shachi or poison arrows. The crystal can disperse that negative energy. A second application is a dark entry. It can attract positive energy and then disperse it into your entry and then into your home. A third application is if you have a desk or bed right in line with the door. That's a lot of energy coming right at you when you are sitting or sleeping in a place for a long time. The crystal will take that rushing energy and disperse it.

I'm Anjie Cho, Feng Shui interior architect with Anjie Cho Architect and founder of Holistic Spaces and this has been how to decorate with hanging crystals.

by Anjie Cho