Episode 183: How to Feng Shui Your Living Room

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

Episode 183: How to Feng Shui Your Living Room

Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash

Your living room is an important common space in your home where friends and family gather together. In order to create more harmony throughout the home and encourage everyone to get along, you can apply some simple feng shui principles to this room. Tune in to learn some of our best feng shui living room tips.

We cover: 

  • How and when to energetically clear your living room

  • Our recommendations when it comes to decluttering

  • The best feng shui colors for a living room

  • How to arrange your living room furniture for optimal energy flow

  • How to create a softer, more harmonious flow of qi in your living room

  • The benefits of having plants in your living room

Mentioned in this episode:

Our feng shui certification is open for enrollment!

Episode 124: All About Space Clearing

Feng Shui 101: The Bagua Map: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3

Download our free bagua kit

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Episode 169: Too Many Plants?

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

Episode 169: Too Many Plants?

Wooden table with bowls of fruit, surrounded by many potted plants. Behind the table are shelves filled with books and plants.

Photo by Brina Blum on Unsplash

You probably know by now that we love plants…but is there such a thing as too many plants? A lot of us went a little plant-crazy these last couple years, and we’ve gotten some questions from people who feel overwhelmed by their indoor jungles. In this episode, we’re sharing what an excess of plants could indicate, our experience with having too many plants, and how to let go of plants when you have more than you can care for.

We cover:

  • The different ways clutter shows up in our lives

  • What to do with sick plants

  • What to do when you feel overwhelmed by your plants

  • Why many of us have felt the need to adopt so many plants during the pandemic

  • The lessons you can learn from having too many plants

  • Cultivating generosity and sharing plants with others

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

MORE QUESTIONS

Hire one of our Mindful design school Grads for a 1-1 consultation. We know so many personal questions come up. That's why you need a 1-1! Laura and Anjie offer all these freebies, but if you want to learn more it's time to ask a professional. learn more HERE

NEW EPISODES OF THE HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST BY MINDFUL DESIGN ARE AVAILABLE EVERY MONDAY.

Episode 153: What’s Your Decluttering Style?

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

EPISODE 153: What’s Your Decluttering Style

White desk against white wall. On the desk there are potted plants, candles, and decorative objects.

Photo by John Mark Arnold on Unsplash

We’ve noticed that clutter tends to be a source of many negative emotions for a lot of people. In this episode, we wanted to offer a new, more compassionate way to think about decluttering. Listen to find out which of the five decluttering styles best describes you, and our suggestions for making the most of your natural tendencies.

We cover:

  • The relationship between clutter and feng shui

  • What we’ve noticed in our clients’ and students’ relationships to clutter

  • Our advice to people who feel embarrassed or ashamed of the clutter in their home

  • The importance of being compassionate towards yourself and others

  • The difference between mess and clutter

  • The five elements in feng shui

  • The five different decluttering styles

  • Our tips for each of the decluttering styles

Mentioned in this episode:

Get the 2022 Energy Clearing Package

Our Mindful Design Feng Shui Certification is open for enrollment!

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Episode 152: Five Tips for Winter Blues and Burnout with Erin Delander

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

EPISODE 152: Five Tips for Winter Blues and Burnout with Erin Delander

Photo by Ian Schneider on Unsplash

We are so excited to welcome one of our Mindful Design graduates, Erin Delander, to the Holistic Spaces Podcast! Erin joined us to talk about feng shui for the winter season, and her tips for working with winter blues and burnout during the colder months.

We cover:

  • What does the winter solstice represent?

  • The water element in feng shui

  • Giving yourself permission to rest and be “lazy”

  • Seasonal Affective Disorder and the winter blues

  • Erin’s five tips for avoiding burnout and the winter blues

  • How Erin, Anjie, and Laura are embracing the winter season and welcoming more warmth into their homes

  • What Erin is working on now

Mentioned in this episode:

Get our 2022 Energy Reset Package

Erin’s blog post: Cycles of Nature & Life

Work with Erin through Keystone Consulting or Colorado Kitchen and Bath

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Erin has been an expert in interior environments for over a decade. As an interior designer and Feng Shui Practitioner, her purpose is to help people learn to adjust their interiors in a healthy and supportive way, regardless of the season or phase of life they are in.

Erin’s website: muchloveinteriors.com
Erin’s Instagram: @much_love_interiors
Book a service with Erin
Email Erin

Episode 147: Less Stuff for the Holidays with Julia Sarasola

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

EPISODE 147: Less Stuff for the Holidays with Julia Sarasola

Photo by Liana Mikah on Unsplash

In this episode we are delighted to welcome one of graduates, Julia Sarasola, to the podcast! Julia joined us to talk about her experience going through a big transition, the beauty of second-hand items, and our relationships to our possessions.

We cover:

  • What has Julia been up to since finishing the Mindful Design certification

  • Julia’s experience letting go of her home in New York City

  • Julia’s passion for vintage and second-hand items

  • Julia’s process working with second-hand items to give them a new life

  • Experiencing beauty without needing to own every beautiful item

  • How the pandemic has shifted our relationship to shopping and what we consume

  • Choosing gifts thoughtfully

  • Sharing time and space as a gift

  • The benefits of shopping second-hand

  • What Julia learned from going through her possessions in her New York home

  • What nature can teach us about self care

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Julia Sarasola is a certified interior decorator, feng shui practitioner, and vintage shop owner based in Brooklyn, New York. Her design approach is about creating thoughtful physical spaces that breathe and evolve with the client – deeply tuning into the environment and the energy that comes along with it.

Julia's website: juliasarasola.com

Contact: hello@juliasarasola.com

Vintage Shop: @surfaceandshape

Episode 146: Space Clearing for the Holidays

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

EPISODE 146: Space Clearing for the Holidays

Photo by Alicja Gancarz on Unsplash

During the holiday season, we’re often welcoming a lot of new energy into our home. This makes it a great time to practice space clearing! In this episode, we’re talking about why space clearing is so important, and sharing some of our favorite and most festive space clearing methods.

We cover:

Mentioned in this episode:

Holistic Spaces Happy Mist with Orange Essential Oil

2022 Energy Clearing Package

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Episode 144: The Feng Shui of Second Hand Items

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST

EPISODE 144: The Feng Shui of Second Hand Items

Photo by Indira Tjokorda on Unsplash

Have you ever wondered about the feng shui of thrifted, gifted, and hand-me-down items in your home? In this episode we’re talking all about the energy associated with secondhand objects, and how to approach them from a feng shui perspective.

We cover:

  • What is predecessor qi?

  • Why it’s important to be mindful of predecessor qi

  • When secondhand objects can add positive energy to your home

  • Taking a more nuanced look at things that may seem “good” or “bad”

  • When to bring a secondhand item into your home and when to skip it

  • The importance of honoring each object in your home

  • Some of our favorite energy clearing methods for secondhand items

  • Why it’s helpful to let some things go

  • Releasing old clothing and and memories of our high school jeans!

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Episode 050: Kid-Smart Spaces with Magalie René-Hayes

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST, EPISODE 050

KID-SMART SPACES WITH MAGALIE RENÉ-HAYES

It's finally September! To kick off this month on the podcast, I've asked my good friend, Magalie René-Hayes to share some tips with us for creating study spaces and kid-friendly spaces as well as using mindfulness to keep clutter at bay. Magalie has also just released her first book, Kid-Smart Spaces: Decorating a Classroom that Changes Lives and I'm excited to chat with her about the launch!

  • The Kid-Smart Spaces book

  • Conscious design

  • Design in schools

  • Designing multi-use spaces

  • Designing study spaces

  • Mindfulness and clutter

  • Marie Kondo and finding joy

  • Wealth and possessions

  • Sneaky clutter traps

Please remember to check out Magalie's new book and apply some of her wonderful tips to the spaces you share with kids! And as always, if you do use her advice, share photos with us! We want to see your holistic spaces!

Thanks so much for listening to the Holistic Spaces Podcast brought to you by Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Magalie René-Hayes.jpg

Magalie creates beautiful spaces for a better world through Consciously Design.   She takes a unique approach that combines holism, science, and design principles to create spaces that improve lives.  She is also the founder of Kid-Smart Spaces™, working with schools, educators, and parents to design inspired learning spaces for smarter, happier, healthier children.

Magalie launched Consciously Design and Kid-Smart Spaces in 2012 and has been transforming spaces ever since. She works on a variety of residential, commercial, and institutional projects in the New York Tri-State area, Los Angeles, and across the US, including several elementary and middle schools.

Episode 049: Organizing and Functional Spaces with Diane Lowy

HOLISTIC SPACES PODCAST, EPISODE 049

ORGANIZING AND FUNCTIONAL SPACES WITH DIANE LOWY

This month on the podcast, I'm excited to sit down with organizer and creator of "apartment solutions," Diane Lowy. Diane works at New York at Home to help New Yorkers create functional, organized spaces that help their lives to flow more easily, kind of like we do with qi! Also, check out this month's My Favorite Things, where Diane suggests some great options for getting organized for the school year and / or busy season!

  • Apartment functionality

  • How functionality relates to organization

  • Benefits to having a functional, organized home

  • Clutter and stress

  • Getting rid of what no longer serves you

  • The idealized self vs. the actual self

  • Accepting who you are

  • Knowing when to get rid of things

  • Organizing the right places

  • Organizing closets for work / school

  • Reducing clothing decisions

  • Back-to-school tips

Thanks so much to Diane for sharing these wonderful tips on organizing your space! A holistic space is almost always an organized one. :) Did you learn any new tips on how to manage your space? If so, let us know in the comments! 

Sign up for our Holistic Spaces newsletter for monthly tips on feng shui and holistic living that we don't share on the blog! 

If you have specific questions, let us know, and we'll do our best to answer them on the blog as part of our Q&A Sunday series. Or, if you'd prefer a private or immediate answer, schedule a 15-minute consultation call!

This is the last month for our giveaway, so please be sure to review the podcast on iTunes if you're interested, and let us know! We'll add you to our list of potential winners, and you could be our next mini-consultation feature!

Finally, if you haven't been to our Patreon page, check it out! We appreciate any help you can give to keep the Holistic Spaces podcast alive and ad-free!

Don't forget to tune in next month when we chat Kid-Smart Spaces with my friend, Magalie Rene-Hayes!

Diane Lowy.jpeg

Diane Lowy has managed the New York spaces for diverse brands such as Google and Chanel. She also has a technical background from her years working on historic restoration projects in Central Park and at Columbia University. She studied installation art (a combination of sculpture and architecture) at Bard College with a focus on the way spaces can evoke emotions.  She also studied construction project management at New York University.

Helping groups of professionals use the same space in many different ways inspired her to apply this strategy to homes in order to identify small adjustments that can have a big impact. Read more about her at newyorkathome.com.