Look to the Door.....

See how the white just POPS?

I know this is an odd title for a post, but I couldn't resist.  As most of you know, I've moved across the country on a much anticipated endeavor to live back down south.  The home I purchased (3rd on my "like" list) has left much to be desired in all the "projects" that I'm finding I have to repair, demo & update (ironically, the thing that tipped this house over house #2 was that it was "newer" & looked to not require as much work.  ha ha ha).  The exterior of the home was in the "best" shape & landscaping was pretty much finished...just needs some personal touches & filling in (plus the fence) so I have ignored it to be honest.  However, the home is a U-shaped home, & those of you who are Feng Shui aficianados know that this is "bad" as my "Career/Life Journey" Life Area is missing...again, ironic as I've just made a HUGE Life Journey across the country....but I digress.  The front door is covered w/a dark green door (acrually a good color as the entry faces SOUTH (south is FIRE, green is WOOD...wood feeds fire) however, since the home is Ushaped, the entryway actually is the begining of the Health/Well-Being Life Area which is EARTH & earth/wood combo is neutral) & a small courtyard encompasses the "missing" area.  When you look at the entryway from the sidewalk, it just looked like a big black hole. 

***And if I'm being honest, that's how I've felt on some days as I think of all I have to do with this home...yikes!***

 Also, when the previous owner put on a new roof, they picked a taupe shingle...which kinda/sorta matches the mortar in the brick work...It adds nothing to the home exterior color scheme.  So, I've got a big, dark hole for an entryway & an "eh" colored roof. It's no wonder, from a Feng Shui stand-point at least, the home is just OK.  On one walk w/the dogs, I started analyzing what I could do...some color that would "pop" the door from a design AND a Feng Shui stand-point to "cure" the missing Life Area.  Using red or an earth-tone would help in "activating" the Health/Well-Being Life Area, but wouldn't "cure" the darkness of the covered entryway (without leaving lights on or installing some sort of moving object)....I instead went to the PRODUCTIVE Cycle of Feng Shui & chose WHITE.  In Feng Shui, the color white symbolizes the metal element, which precedes the earth element (Health/Well-Being) so it "amps up" that Life Area.  White is also the color of the trim, gutters & soffits of the exterior of the home (also used as my secondary color throughout the interior of the home...this house is SCREAMING...METAL!!!!!!!).  Not only did I "cure" a Feng Shui ill, but using the white also helped lighten up the covered entryway & helps draw the eye to the door to "bring in new opportunities"

OK...so that's been the BIG home update.  Bante Design LLC is also under-going a "renovation" of sorts.  As of Sept 1, 2012 we will not be doing any more 1-on-1 in-person design/Feng Shui/clutter consultations.  Video will be extremely limited.  Due to a re-focus of energy & how we can better serve our growing client base (in 5 countries right now!), consultations will be done via email.  (There will still be the pre-interview & we'll need a floor-plan or blue-print).  If you have any questions, contact us here.

We've also combined our radio shows on blogtalk radio into ONE show.  The new title is DeAnna On Design & will feature a combo of the best of both Feng Shui Fabulous & CasaVerde.  The inaugural episode aired last week.  Listen to it here.

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Listen to internet radio with DeAnna On Design on Blog Talk Radio

I've also had the pleasure of being a contributor for eLocal.  The latest question posed to the experts was "How Does Seasonality Affect Design?".  I was the proud recipient of the "Most Informative" award for my answer.  Click on the above link to read my & other design professional's responses.

That about covers it...Some other exciting things in the works that I'll share as more details emerge...And as always, make sure to follow us on twitter & Facebook.  The Bante Design facebook FAN page has had some fun discussions as of late...besides giving me some great topics to discuss on the radio show & here!  Cheers, DeAnna :)