Is it a physical place? Or is it in the mind?
Have you heard: “Home is where the heart is?”
A home can be different for different people.
For now let’s look at home as the physical place used to relax the mind, rest the body and nourish the spirit.
A sanctuary, where you can be yourself without any judgments, or expectations. You can relax, enjoy the company of family, friends and above all…..enjoy your own company.
Standing in the center, looking around, what do you see?
Often the home is an external expression of your inner being. Do you look forward to coming home? Or is it cluttered, and not welcoming?
Eliminate the clutter, simplify create space for new ideas.
Without spending a lot, any space can be re created to become the nurturing, happy respite to strive in.
Let’s look at the colors. Different colors produce different energy in the environment. They have a bearing on your emotions, actions and response to people, things and ideas. The concepts of color symbolism, color psychology and color therapy serve as a proof of this fact. This is why, while decorating your house, you need to keep the influence and meaning of colors in mind.
Meaning of Colors
Red color has been known to stimulate mind and nervous system and thus, is regarded as conversation stimulant. At the same time, it also arouses appetite. These are the reason why the color will be suitable in drawing as well as dining room. Red makes objects appear smaller, so avoid it in rooms that are already small. Being a warm color, it should be used in association with green.
Orange, being the combination of red and yellow, has all the traits that those two colors have. It exudes warmth, acts as an appetite stimulant and spreads exuberance. Orange should be used in dining room and can be balanced by using blue color. Since it gives an emotional uplift, those suffering from depression would benefit if surrounded by this color.
Yellow is a warm color that is associated with power and helps in spreading about a bright, happy and cheerful atmosphere. It is best used in rooms that do not get adequate sunlight. Yellow also makes a room appear smaller and can be balanced by using violet color.
Green color has a soothing effect on the mind and thus, is associated with relaxation of nervous system and lowering of blood pressure. Being a cold color, it should be always be balanced with red. Green is also considered to be the color of luck and makes a small room appear bigger.
Blue color is said to be very calming, relaxing and refreshing. It also makes a room look bigger than it is. Blue is best used in case of bedrooms. Since it acts as an appetite suppressant, it should not be used in the dining room. At the same time, it is a cold color and should always be balanced with warm colors like yellow and orange.
Purple (Violet) has been known to be the color of royalty and is also associated with spirituality. The color is said to promote creativity, but only if used in moderation. It is a cold color and is never advised to be used in excess; otherwise it might lead to depression and moodiness. You can moderate the color’s effect by using it with yellow. Purple also helps in making small room appear larger.
Brown is an earthy color that is believed to create the feeling of intimacy. It also spreads calm and serenity and is good for those who suffer from anxiety or nervousness. However, since it is so subdued, it should always be used with bold colors like green. You can also go for different tones in brown, like beige and tan.
Black can convey a lot, depending upon how it is used. On one hand, it can make a room look elegant, suave and chic. On the other, it can impart a depressed feel to the room. This is the reason why it should not be used alone and in a wide area. It is best complimented with white.
White color signifies purity, freshness, peace and kindness. Rather than using on the surface as a whole, white should be used as an accent or background color. The best combination of white is formed with black.
Besides choosing a special color, also familiarize yourself with methods to keep your indoor environment as healthy as possible by using natural cleaners. Some examples of this are: vinegar, lemon and baking soda. Vinegar and water can be used for a multitude of chores.
Vinegar, naturally cleans like an all-purpose cleaner. Mix a solution of 1 part water to 1 part vinegar in a new store bought spray bottle and you have a solution that will clean most areas of your home. Vinegar is a great natural cleaning product as well as a disinfectant and deodorizer. Always test on an inconspicuous area. It is safe to use on most surfaces and has the added bonus of being incredibly cheap. Improperly diluted vinegar is acidic and can eat away at tile grout. Never use vinegar on marble surfaces. Don’t worry about your home smelling like vinegar. The smell disappears when it dries.
Here are some uses for vinegar in the rooms of your house. Use it in the…
1. Bathroom – Clean the bathtub, toilet, sink, and countertops. Use pure vinegar in the toilet bowl to get rid of rings. Flush the toilet to allow the water level to go down. Pour the undiluted vinegar around the inside of the rim. Scrub down the bowl. Mop the floor in the bathroom with a vinegar/water solution. The substance will also eat away the soap scum and hard water stains on your fixtures and tile. Make sure it is safe to use with your tile.
2. Kitchen- Clean the stovetop, appliances, countertops, and floor.
3. Laundry Room- Use vinegar as a natural fabric softener. This can be especially helpful for families who have sensitive skin. Add ½ cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle in place of store bought fabric softener. Vinegar has the added benefit of breaking down laundry detergent more effectively. (A plus when you have a family member whose skin detects every trace of detergent.)
Lemon juice is another natural substance that can be used to clean your home. Lemon juice can be used to dissolve soap scum and hard water deposits. Lemon is a great substance to clean and shine brass and copper. Lemon juice can be mixed with vinegar and or baking soda to make cleaning pastes. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle baking soda on the cut section. Use the lemon to scrub dishes, surfaces, and stains. Mix 1 cup olive oil with ½ cup lemon juice and you have a furniture polish for your hardwood furniture.
A favorite use for the fruit is to put a whole lemon peel through the garbage disposal. It freshens the drain and the kitchen. Orange peels can be used with the same results.
Baking soda can be used to scrub surfaces in much the same way as commercial abrasive cleansers. Baking soda is great as a deodorizer. Place a box in the refrigerator and freezer to absorb odors. Put it anywhere you need deodorizing action. Enjoy these three kitchen ingredients as natural cleaning products in your home.
Above all, remember to keep your environment clean of toxic electronics, pesticides, herbicides and damaging electric fields.
For more information on these and other topics of healthy living, contact: Lemire Clinic 352-291-9459. www.lemireclinic.com
References:
http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/colors-with-meaning-1244.html
http://www.howtodothings.com/home-garden/how-to-use-vinegar-for-household-chores
