Yes...2 postings in a week!  I got these great articles/links with some excellent "get your home ready for the colder weather" tips.

Here you go:

7 Energy Saving Tips To Help Your Budget Survive The Coming Winter from SurvivalLife


From Roto-Rooter plumbing professionals:
Fall Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Fall has arrived and cooler temperatures are upon us, which means winter is just around the corner. A few quick and easy preparations now can help prevent the need for unexpected repairs throughout the upcoming winter season. The skilled plumbers of Roto-Rooter are available to assist you with any of the following suggestions. Tips to help you prepare your home's plumbing system for the Fall:

• Check all outside faucets for drips and leaks and make necessary repairs.

• Shut off exterior valves if your home is equipped with them and drain water from outside lines. For added protection, you may also want to cover outside faucets using a faucet insulation kit.

• Inspect your water heater for proper operation, as it works harder in the winter months. Set the thermostat to 120 degrees for optimum performance and to prevent scalding.

• Clear leaves and debris from gutters and downspouts to ensure that water drains away from your home's foundation.
  

In areas with colder temperatures:

• Insulate pipes in unheated areas, such as garages and crawl spaces.

• As temperatures begin to drop, make sure to disconnect outside water hoses. If connected, hoses can freeze and cause faucets and connecting pipes to freeze or break within your home.

This is THE perfect time to work on these projects BEFORE the weather turns for the worse...no matter where you live (unless it's in the SOUTHERN hemisphere for my global peeps...then refer to our SPRING tips!).  Have fun!  DeAnna  :)

OK...I couldn't resist posting this pic of the evil clown for this blog post!  This is a pic from a talk I gave at the a special effects conference on utilizing eco-friendly, sustainable design techniques in amusement parks, haunted houses & other themed events.  To say it was a different venue for me to speak in is an understatement!

In the following article I've offered up some easy-to-implement & find tips for you to incorporate GREEN into your Halloween & FALL decor for you interior or exterior!


GREEN is the New Orange for Halloween

A chill is in the air.  Everywhere you look leaves are falling, jackets are being donned and pumpkins, cornstalks and scarecrows are making their appearances on porches and homes…It’s FALL and almost time for celebrating Halloween.   In a holiday that isn’t known for its GREEN & eco-friendly qualities, what’s a socially conscious homeowner to do?

It’s quite easy to institute simple GREEN and eco-friendly principles into your Halloween design-whether you’re just decorating or setting up a haunted house for the kids.

• When using pumpkins, gourds and cornstalks in displays, Buy Local!  Go to farmer’s markets or road-side stands of local farmers to purchase your product.  Not only are you supporting a local business but by reducing transportation costs you are cutting down on carbon emissions emitted by trucks that would otherwise have been used.
• Use no-VOC paints and/or stains in any painting projects.  All major paint manufacturers offer a no-VOC, just ask.
• Rubber-backed carpet tiles are wonderful ways to decorate a space that is temporary.  The rubber-backing is non-skid, helps to reduce slipping and sliding, so this helps with any safety concerns.  These tiles are also easy to reuse & recycle so they don’t end up in land-fills.  (Carpeting is one of the top 3 biggest contributors to landfills in this country).
• When looking for props for your haunted house, check out consignment stores, used sets from high school or community theater groups or rummage sales.  You get to utilize the 3 Rs of reducing waste in landfills, reusing and recycling items and giving them new life.
• Look for textiles that are made from natural fibers: cotton, wool, bamboo, jute, linen or silk (to name a few).  Wool is a great fiber to use, especially if doing a haunted house, as wool is self-extinguishing if a fire breaks out.
• When using candles, look for candles made from soy or palm wax (beeswax is also OK) and wicks made from organic cotton.  Many inexpensive candles have wicks that have a lead insert (you’ll see the metal in the center of the wick) and this is the cause of the sooting, smoke & black that you see on the walls when you blow out the candle. 
• For any aromatherapy product used, make sure that it uses essential oils.  READ the label & if it states “SCENTED” do not purchase.  These items have been made using synthetically made “scents” that are petroleum-based.  If you or anyone else who will be utilizing the space has any type of environmental sensitivities or upper respiratory issues, any synthetically derived “scent” will aggravate your condition.
• LED lights are available in a multitude of colors and can be found as rope and/or puck lights to add light along walkways, in corners or to help create whatever scene you are trying to set.  They are relatively inexpensive, long lasting and help reduce energy costs as they use less energy.

By implementing some of these tips to your Halloween celebrations, not only will you be celebrating in a healthy manner, but you’ll be making GREEN the new orange.

Make sure to listen to DeAnna On Design on blogtalk radio!  Listen LIVE (make sure to subscribe) or to any of the archived shows here.  DeAnna's FALL/Halloween show is available here.






Happy FALL!!  DeAnna :)

OK...while it's NOT officially FALL just yet, we are experiencing a BLUE MOON tonite so hey, that's close enough!

The above from eLocal.com is the comment & link to my contribution for my Most Insightful Award regarding how to make changes to your home to take into account aging & any physical/mental illnesses that may come up & how to prioritize.  Many people don't realize just how much INTERIOR DESIGN can impact life quality & increase independence.  It CAN & DOES.  In fact, depending on injury/illness, a health care worker will have to come to your home before your family member can even be released to return home.  When undertaking any remodel, it's always a great idea to incorporate some universal/aging-in-place principles into your plan to help increase your home's value and/or help you STAY in your home longer if that's your plan.

Now, on to FALL & some design tips to help you get in tune w/Mother Nature!  So, first off, here are some tips I offer my clients as a primer, to see if their home is "winter ready":

• Clear out all dead plants/flowers, especially away from the house, as this provides shelter for many a critter/pest that can make its way INTO your home as the cold weather approaches
• Make sure your home is properly insulated, caulk around windows & vents
• Make sure that the weather stripping is in good shape around doors/storm doors to prevent drafts
• Get your HVAC system inspected to ensure all is in good working order & change filters
• Make sure that gutters/drains are flowing properly & to help prevent ice dam-s (for those of you living in the northern locales).
  

These are easy tips that you can accomplish on a weekend afternoon & the time will be well spent.

Alright, you've done an inspection & your home seems good to go, now what about some easy-to-implement design tips for FALL & upcoming holidays of Halloween & Thanksgiving...& as those of you who've followed me & this column, you know that the tips given here will help you make a smooth transition for each event so time & money is kept to a minimum.

To help people change the INSIDE your space:

• Use autumnal colors to replace the summery pastels in your color scheme in any accessories (pillows, throws, curtains, accent rugs/carpet tiles-which is a GREAT way to change up a room!). This includes: gold/bronze, evergreen, deep orange (pumpkin/squash), purples (aubergine), deep earthy reds (brick).
• Flowers (mums are a great choice!), pinecones, "fall" vegetables (gourds, squash), corn stalks for center-pieces or mantel arrangements.
• Heavy textile weight in all textiles for chair cushions or slipcovers on porch/deck.
• Place mirrors at 45 degree angles to windows-that have a GOOD VIEW-to help disperse light in the space
• Use essential oil Environment Sprays in earth/root scents: Ylang Ylang, musks, heavy floras (jasmine)
• Change out pictures/photos of FALL landscapes: harvests, haystacks and/or family pics from FALL, back-to-school time to help lighten the mood

For your front porch/deck:

• Use autumnal colors to replace the summery pastels in your color scheme in any accessories (pillows, throws, curtains, accent rugs/carpet tiles). See above for some color suggestions
• Hay bales, pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks & scarecrows are great ways to set a FALL/Harvest vignette. Even tying some cornstalks to the side columns/railing on the side of the door helps to set the proper mood.
• Hanging baskets or containers of mums is the perfect fall flower choice
• Change out your Welcome mat at each door to reflect the changing season-this is a super simple & inexpensive way to "decorate" for the season/holidays

Here in the south, tomorrow is the 1st Day of School.  Here are some Feng Shui tips to help ensure a happy, healthy & scholarly school year for your child/teen:



First, look at the Knowledge area of your bedroom (the CLOSEST LEFT CORNER from the entryway looking INTO the room). Is the desk and computer there? Is it clutter free or a mass of books, notebooks and paper? If this is the case, re-visit previous clutter articles. If not, here are some tips to help you:

· At home, hang a crystal over your desk to increase the chi.

· Place a piece of amethyst on your desk to increase your concentration when you study. You can even use a larger piece as a paperweight!

· If organization is an issue, color-code each class. Match up notebooks and folders to each subject-maybe match them to the book's cover to help.

· On your computer, delete old emails, files and folders that you are done with. It will lessen the "clutter" you have to wade through to get to the file that you need.

· If your desk is by a window, make sure that there are curtains to close when you study, so you aren't compelled to go outside and play when you need to concentrate.

· When choosing your seat in class, avoid sitting by the window as well. This will cut down on daydreaming and force you to pay attention to what the teacher is saying. Instead, try and sit front and center.

· Stay away from the back row in a classroom, as there are too many distractions and it's too easy to "hide."

· Sit under a light. Dim lighting can make you drowsy and is bad for your eyes as it causes eyestrain.

· Use color to keep you in the scholarly mood: choose light green notebooks for subjects that stress you out, decorate your locker with yellow to keep you upbeat throughout the long school day, dress in navy blue to look smart (and for when you have to give oral presentations) and use rainbow stickers on school supplies or in your locker to keep in harmony with your surroundings.

Make sure the KNOWLEDGE area of the bedroom/dorm room is clutter-free (!) and organized. You want to be able to access books, notebooks, folders/files, pen and computer when you need them and make the most of the time when you are in "that study mode." The color blue should also be used here. If blue isn't in your room's color scheme, bring in blue with fresh flowers, picture frames, or better yet, a blue area rug under your desk and chair!

And lastly, while we/I are no longer doing hourly or in-person design/color/Feng Shui consultations anymore, consultations via email are still being offered.  Contact us here for more info.


Until next time...Happy Feng Shui-ing....DeAnna

Well...you guessed it by the picture that I DID move...to a home I bought.  After much consternation & some fabulous advice from one of my loa/energy groups (thanks everyone!), I bought the 1st house I originally looked at back in March!  All the signs were there that that was the house, I chose to keep second guessing myself, but luckily got out of my own way & put in an offer.  Albeit the offer was 10 days before I was closing on my then current house & I wanted them to vacate in the aforementioned 10 days so I had some time to remodel before moving my furniture & the doxie duo in....Luckily, they said YES!  Hey, when it's meant to be it's meant to be.

So, in those 10 days upon offer acceptance I finished packing, arranged for the dogs to be at the vet for their annual senior exam (more on that later), got the home inspection, RE-negotiated the offer based on the inspection & scheduled contractors for an HGTV-style 5-day remodel before moving day....which was the day before my birthday & 2 days before my Mom's visit.  Stress how I love thee (apparently).

***A HUGE shout out of thanks & appreciation to Joel & his crew at All My Sons Moving & Storage!!  They were professional, efficient, & moved quickly through the house packing & securing my belongings in the moving truck.  Thanks guys for being the stress-free part of this experience!!***

I closed on both houses on 6/13 & took possession of the new SC home on the 14th....just in time for the flooring contractors to arrive.   This go-round I used Empire Today due to the time constraints of the move.  Again, Josh & Marvin (installers) were incredibly professional & courteous.  Empire had fabulous color & flooring options & I'm loving the new floor!  If you decide to check them out for your upcoming flooring project-tell them DeAnna from DeAnna On Design sent you!

A last minute decision was to gut the guest bathroom due cleaning & code issues...It would have cost almost as much to fix the code/plumbing issues than to gut it & start new.  I chose new.  I'll post b/a pics as soon as the painting is finished.  The master bathroom was a 90% gut...the structure of the shower stall is still there & the vanity (for now) is still there.  Everything else is new & now up to code.

***One of THE most important things when moving to a new home is to go through the Home Inspection step by step & FIX the issues that came up to bring the home up to code, safe & healthy.  In most cases, you can a) ask for a price reduction based on the inspection if there are a lot of concerns that come, or b) ask that the seller fix before closing.  I always choose option A as I like to have MY people &/or myself fix the issues so I know the quality of the work is done is up to my standards.   The choice is yours depending on your comfort level w/maintainence & contractor contacts.***

So, all of the plumbing has been addressed w/all fixtures replaced.  Now on to the electrical.  Like plumbing, this is imperative to a home running smoothly & efficiently.  Any of these issues that go unrecognized and/or broken will only get worse causing you to spend more money on utility bills & increased repair costs.  Fix them when you recognized them!  I had to have the whole house re-wired as it wasn't up to code & would have blown circuits on new appliances.  Appropriate outlets were made GFCI (outlets w/in 3' of a water source MUST be GFCI!  This includes exterior, garage & basement outlets.), all ceiling/lighting fixtures were changed & properly braced (yea, THAT was a disaster waiting to happen! Not so good Feng Shui to have a ceiling fixture fall on a guest's head...). 

Bill the fabulous painter from Island Painting did an incredible job taking down wallpaper border (which ended up being 2 layers of border that were glued & then stapled on top of each other...seriously people, if you must have wallpaper &/or border PLEASE apply it properly!  Not only do you add more work when you or new homeowner decide to take it down, but you can damage the walls & increase expense when trying to change/paint).

All interior work is done now except for the living & family rooms. The family room is a total throwback to the 70/80s & has dark wood paneling.  I'm living w/it right now until I decide if I'm going to take down or just paint over it.  And as I'm going to be installing a fireplace in this room, I'm going to just do all at the same time to minimize my stress & mess.

It should be noted that 2 of the big changes I wanted to make in the house I will no longer be doing.  One was due to cost as some spindles I wanted to take down are actually part of the structure of the home & a load-bearing wall.  As this isn't my "forever" home, the cost of doing this for aesthetic reasons is a budget buster.  The 2nd project was going to be taking down a 1/2 wall to open up the entryway into the family room.  The previous owners even had old track lighting fixture w/old commercial spot lights for "light in the living room"...yea, it was a BIG DON'T!  I took down the spotlights & installed new track PENDANT lights w/beautiful glass globes.  This "fix" adds beauty, light & instantly updates this homage to the 70s architectural feature.

Before you start ANY major remodeling project or project that requires demo or re-working of electrical or plumbing work that isn't required by code, LIVE in the home for a couple of months to see how you actually USE & LIVE in the home.  Even though I've lived in many homes & remodeled/designed even more, sometimes what looks good on paper doesn't work for how you actually live in the space.  I've made the 1/2 wall work now & the new lights help to update & separate the space while still being open.

Well...I'm off to pressure wash the house in anticipation of Bill the painter arriving to work on the home exterior.  I'll be posting more before/after & commentary as work progresses & I settle in more.  During my Mom's visit, I got some bad news on one of my dogs, Libby, from their vet visit.  She was diagnosed w/liver cancer & had a large tumor growing on her liver that was the size of an orange.  She had surgery 2 weeks ago & thanks to the fabulous surgical team & lots of prayers, Miss Libby is now cancer-free as they were able to remove the tumor & 1/3 of her liver leaving only healthy tissue.  She is recovering like a champ & one would never know that she (& Ossie) will be celebrate their 12th birthday in 2 weeks.  So, in the midst of moving, remodeling & my Mom's visit, the new house also has been a triage center. 

Lastly, the decision was made to close Bante Design LLC & doing any more design/clutter/Feng Shui consulting.   So anyone looking for the Bante Design website will no longer find it as I did not renew the domain/website.  All info on any appearances, classes, books...will all be here at www.deannaradaj.com.  I will still teach & offer workshops, write & contribute to teleclasses & other media, however, I will be refocusing my efforts on doing what I love which is rehabbing neglected, foreclosed and/or unmaintained homes to bring back to health, safety, security & beauty for owners to enjoy.

Until next time...:)

Today's topic will be some quick tips on how to make a SMALL space appear larger... Here are my tips for making a space look bigger:

• Use layered lighting, including up-lights to give depth to your space.  This includes: task, ambient, general & accent lighting.
• Use detailed artwork/photos which will help to "draw" people into the space. 
• Do NOT space plan furniture where the "backs" of the main seating pieces are to the entryway-this closes off the space.  Utilize the Power Position (diagonal corner from the doorway) as the starting point for main seating placement.  Utilize an "open" seating plan that is inviting to those entering the space.
• Place area rugs on a diagonal-this helps to give the illusion of the space being bigger.
• Use mirrors on ADJACENT walls of windows with great views-this helps to a) bring the outside in, b) visually expand the space by expanding the view (and light) entering the room.
• If using patterned flooring/carpeting/tile, make sure the pattern does NOT run in straight lines in any one direction (i.e. straight lines running front to back).  Think of parquet flooring patterns or a checkerboard scheme with the layout starting in the corner closest to the door (ex: cut the tile in 1/2 and place in the corner, from that starting point, THEN lay out the tile.  This will help to give the illusion of a wider space).

I'm still continuing my work w/Linda Hunt on our Healthy Down-Sizing project...We are working on a book & have just complete 2 more radio/audio episodes further describing our missing/vision & explaining in more detail what Healthy Down-Sizing is & how to clear up the negative connotations associated with "down-sizing"...it's NOT a dirty word!  Click on the Healthy Down-Sizing link to be taken to the page & listen to new episodes.

I've also been asked to write an article (my annual!) for Animal Wellness magazine on designing for the senior pet.  As this is a topic close to my heart as the doxie duo approach their 12th birthday AND I'll be remodeling a new house...this is timely.

I'm also working on a series of workshops for a wonderful grief & counseling center here in the Queen City which offers services for those who've lost ones due to death, were abused & returning military women trying to integrate back into the community after being deployed overseas.  It's a wonderful sanctuary for those who need some healing & support & I look forward to working w/them & doing whatever I can to be of service.

Until next time...happy Feng Shui-ing!!! DeAnna

The above pictures are the before/after of some of the remodel/redesign work I've done on my current house.  This smaller, guest bathroom was the least of my projects...& worries!  As you can see, this was a fairly simple remodel: new flooring (I have a spectacular Armstrong Long Barrel Oak-dark throughout my entire home getting rid of the horrid vinyl & ruined carpeting that was left for me), Sherwin Williams Harmony paint on the walls (Honeydew), white trim, Kohler fixtures in polished chrome for updating & greater water efficiency, & what you can't see is brushed chrome light fixture w/2 lights & clear glass shades over the mirror.  This room gets lots of light & these nature inspired colors make this a happy room to get ready in for guests.

From a Feng Shui standpoint, this bathroom is in the FAMILY Life Area (wood element, rectangular shape, color green to activate).  This is one of the main reasons I chose a color scheme of green, blue & white (wood, water & metal).  The shape of the rectangle is represented by the towels, shower curtain, shape of the vanity countertop, elongated (wide/long) flooring planks & rugs.  The abstract (fire) floral pattern on the shower curtain also helps to amp up the wood element of this space.  The earth element is represented by the tub & stone countertop.  Metal is brought in w/the new metal accessories & fixtures, as well as the color white.   The fire element (which is always the hardest in bathrooms) is brought in by new, brighter lights, another mirror to disperse more light in the space, a crystal display (also earth!) on the shelf of the high transom window above the tub & a single candle (held by a flower stem (wood) metal (obvious) holder).  All making a bright, comfortable, healthy & balanced guest bathroom.

***To do a TOTAL transformation, & if budget allows, replacing the vanity w/a white vanity OR a white pedestal sink would complete the design & Feng Shui transformation.***

OK...on to KBIS!  What fun this year's show was.  New Orleans definitely knows how to host a trade show!  First off, the weather was cold & rainy, but the food & parties were anything but.  I went to the New Orleans Glassworks Gallery for a networking event on Thursday night & was so inspired there...This is a working artists studio & retail shop.  There was demonstrations from glassblowers & print makers.  All was interactive & I got to do a demo w/the glassblowers!  (this was a theme that went throughout the show...hey, if no one else is going to volunteer I sure will!).  I made a pretty cool paper print using cornstarch & ink...See below.  I was rethinking my choice in careers!

Friday brought the Opening Ceremony w/a keynote speaker who spoke about marketing & trends.  Then the opening of the showroom floor at 10a!!!  KBIS is an extraveganza for all senses.  It's totally over-whelming at first & all you can do is walk up & down the aisles trying not to run over someone &  still keep your eyes on all the booths & what they have to offer.  While there was no appliance booths there as in year's past (was very bummed about that!), there was much in terms of bath fixtures, tubs & sinks.

A shout-out to Kohler for letting me be in not 1 but 2 videos!  I "volunteered" (thx to the cameraman) to do a demo w/HGTV's Monica Peterson & Dr Mixology from the Cooking Channel for the SENSA faucet as well as my own testimonial on the SENSA.  The Kohler booth is always incredibly interactive & fun & exciting! 

The HOT trends from KBIS were:

- the color GREY was used as this year's neutral.  Paired w/silver, chrome, brushed nickel & pops of brighter colors, I loved this for bathrooms.  Paired w/some earth tones & warmer colors, I'd use as a secondary or accent color for the kitchen OR use instead of white.

-aging in place items were incorporated in many vendors offerings.  This was an increase from years past.  Think walk-in showers & motion sensored faucets.  Some universal design products, but most of the focus was on the elderly & aging population.

-making cabinet fronts artwork was also introduced by a new vendor that was very cool.  Laser engraving, color blocking in a contrasting color (really liked this!) & actually artwork being applied to cabinet fronts was seen.  I think this could really add to your kitchen design & can personalize the space.  I would NOT do this if you are going to sell home in near future though.

- creating a spa & total sensory experience in the bath was a focus of Kohler & TOTO.  TOTO focused on making sinks a focal point with gold-leaf & unique patterns, while Kohler added music to their showerheads & tubs!  You may never want to leave your bath.

Here's more from the DeAnna On Design radio show:

After walking the show floor & giving my feet a bit of a rest, I was off to the HGTV party at the Little Gem Saloon.  I must say that the LGS offered some fabulous food (try the risotto cakes!) & a great NOLA ambience.  The band was excellent & the people even better.  I got to hang a bit w/my design drivers from the Miami Broward Co Home Show (5/12), John & Anthony the Kitchen Cousins (hysterical story) & shared stories & networking time w/fellow designers from around the country.  Thanks HGTV for a great event!

Saturday was my last day in NOLA as I was leaving right after my talk.  I had the honor of being one of the Voices of the Industry & was speaking on Making Small Talk BIG Talk!  This is my most popular workshop in the Designing the Business of Your Dreams division of classes based on my column, The Business of Design, from my editorial days of the WI ASID newsletter.  I spoke to a wonderful group who were all attentive & "eager" to interact & practice all offered networking techniques.  Then it was off to the airport to relieve my Mom of her dog-sitting duties!  (Thanks Mom for flying in to watch the puppies!!).

DeAnna's FAVE products:

- Cosentino's SUEDE countertops on Silasstone products.  I love, love LOVE these products!
- Kohler's SENSA faucet for the kitchen.  I even did a "guest spokesperson" video for Kohler on the coolness of this product!

What's DeAnna up to?...
As I've posted before my current home is going up for sale in the next few days & I will be packing up to move again...I'll be posting pics, videos & more about experience & future projects. 

Media:
SisNSpirit radio show:  Outdoor Feng Shui
Blissful Living: Integrative Lifestyle Design

Also...if you have a design, Feng Shui, color or clutter-busting question, submit it to info@bantedesign.com & put Ask DeAnna in the subject line for a new feature!!!

Until next time...enjoy life & remember: Stay Calm & Eat a Cupcake!!  DeAnna :)

As I've gotten to the 9 month mark of my cross-country move to a new home, life & way of living many thoughts have crossed  my mind: What the HELL was I thinking?  WHY did I choose Charlotte of all the places in this fabulous country to move to?  And finally, do I want to go back?  Even with the nightmare I've been dealing with in the house I purchased, I can honestly say the answer to the last question is a resounding NO.  I love the weather, my new friends, am as active physically as I've ever been on a daily basis & healthier mentally & physically than ever...even the doxie duo have lost weight!

In answer to #2, I do love life here in the Queen City...I can be at the mountains or the beach in a matter of hours.  Great food, wine & craft beer...LOTS of outdoor activity as well.  Plus it's a very dog-friendly city which makes me feel right at home.  So even with all the troubles w/the current house, the choice of Charlotte as my new HOME was the correct choice.

Now...to answer #1...WTH was I thinking?  I knew I wanted a change of scenery.  I was never happy living in Milwaukee, let alone Wisconsin so I knew I needed out.  I've lived in many places (Chicago, Boston, Tampa...) & have only really been happy where the weather was more co-operative (i.e. NO SNOW or COLD!)...I knew my days in WI were numbered.  Through all of this living discomfort, I was also honing my business as to "my big business WHY" was...So, I decided to make myself my own client. 

As part of the PRE-DESIGN interview w/clients, I ask them: What is your Design WHY?  WHY are you hiring me?  What isn't working?  This was the exact process I went through in determining that YES I needed to move to a different geographical location & the choosing of the part of the country & ultimately the city, I would choose to call home.  Doing this process required me to let go of much in my life that WASN'T working & not part of my BIG WHY.  Everything from furniture (if it didn't fit in the POD it wasn't moving south) & clothes (it was awesome doing this part!!) to my security & support system.  That was the part that I underestimated as being the hardest part.  Finding a new stylist, the closest coffee shop...WHERE is a gas station (& who KNEW that if I went 1 mile to the east or south to SC that I'd pay 30 cents LESS a gallon!...seriously, you need a guide!)...how do I get ANYWHERE...& how do I make new friends.  Once you get out of school & especially if you own your own business or are a free-lancer, you aren't FORCED to be in a specific local at a specific time every day where you see familiar faces.  I was basically the "new kid" again like back in 4th grade when we moved from Milwaukee to Wind Lake...& I HATED that feeling as anyone who's ever been the "new kid in town" knows.

However, I knew that I couldn't keep the status quo going on anymore in my life...It wasn't bad, but I also knew that there was so much more out there to do & be.  So taking the risk to pack up & move was small when compared to living w/the regret of not even trying.  Afterall, I could always move back in case of a total disaster...& while that thought actually went through my head more than a few times, I knew I couldn't go back.  The whole process of LETTING GO of my stuff & parts of my life that weren't working (like my soon to be obsolete winter coat) made space for the life I WANTED to start filling in the space.  And while the challenges have been GREAT, I live a more full & happy life than I have in years.  Doing activities I love, meeting some fun people & just enjoying all the opportunity that is being presented on a daily basis helps make up for the garbage (literally) that greeted me when I unlocked the front door.

And now, as the work is complete & the decision has been made to "let go" of this house to do a "do over"...I look back on how much I've grown over the past months, through my fear, & realize that this was merely another step to creating the life I dream about:  I found out where I'm spending my time, where friends live, where the best shopping is & to a neighborhood that suits my lifestyle.  Stay tuned for more on house selling, house hunting & moving (again)....good thing I kept most of the boxes!

Now...you ask...WHAT does any of this have to do with design?  Well, first off defining your WHY is vital before making ANY decision!  WHY do you want a change?  What isn't working?  I ask this of all my clients before we start a project to help define what the boundaries are:  Is all of the furniture staying?  Is someone moving out/in?  Any health concerns?  Lifestyle changes?  All of this plays a part into the design process so you can effectively design/create a space that WORKS for the client.

Secondly, I got to implement a Clutter-busting Consult on myself when deciding what was going into the POD & what was getting sold/donated.  You want to get hard-core, have a defined space & if it doesn't fit it doesn't get kept.  Period.  Do you LOVE it?  Do you USE it?  Do you NEED it?  I had many boxes I had been packing prior to the move in anticipation & it was like Christmas time when my Mom & I were unpacking boxes here in the QC.  And yes, I still made some stops to GoodWill even AFTER I moved as I had forgotten some of the things I packed.  While I regret not bringing a couple of things, they can all be replaced & I did remember to bring the dogs so all is good!  :)  I was surrounded by the things that would support me in my new life as a southerner & I'm embracing & USING items that have been packed away for much too long a time.

Lastly, once I got to get down to actually designing a livable space (although by this time I knew I wasn't designing for me but for a future buyer as I wasn't going to be living here for any length of time), I treated this home like previous homes where I knew it was just a "stop" & not a destination for me.  I treated this home like any design project:  What was the energy of the space now that it was clean & safe?  Who would this home appeal to?  I love the color scheme in this home (pictures will be forthcoming) as it plays up the great architectural details AND the fabulous yard & view.  Everyone who enters this home stops & goes "wow" as they take in the floors (LOVE!!!) & vibe of the space.

I know that this house is one of the best projects I've ever worked on & is just beautiful.  It is now safe, up to code & will make someone very happy.  So my job here is now done.  I also realize that this house & all the work is also a metaphor for my journey the past few years...And THAT gets down to the very basics of why I do what I do & my design philosophy.  I help my clients "design the life of their dreams"...& now I got to practice what I preach & design my own!

April is going to be busy, busy busy!!  KBIS & High Point Market will take up the last part of the month so expect a LOT of updates in May with what YOU can expect for design trends.

DeAnna is also one of the featured speakers at KBIS in the inaugural Voices of the Industry line up of speakers.  If you're at KBIS make sure to check out her talk, Getting SMALL Talk to Lead to BIG Talk on Saturday, April 20th.

On the Kick A** Women Making a Difference radio show there's Author Oana on April 1st who will speak about escaping communism & her upcoming book on the same topic.  For the historical episode on April 15th, Irene Sendlerowa, who smuggled Jewish babies & children out of the Warsaw ghetto will be featured.

DeAnna On Design will be hiatus until after KBIS & High Point & be back in May with all kinds of fabulous interviews with industry leaders & trends.

OK...as I posted last time, I've moved.  This was a move that much thought went in to...after all, you don't just sell off your stuff, pack up what's left & make plans to move you & your dogs across the country WITHOUT thinking it through.  However, as Seinfeld said about his "security plan" when his apartment got robbed due to Kramer leaving the door open..."there's 1 serious flaw..."....My "flaw" was that I hadn't taken into account the previous sellers not believing in cleaning, maintaining or even simple caring about the home.

Now, I DID have a home inspection....but THAT'S for another column...What the inspector didn't look at (!) was the basic maintainence of the home. The HVAC filters not being changed (see pics) in I don't think years, the build up of soap scum on shower doors/tubs/surrounds, some sort of film that caked the windows, damaged screens & frames...(& seriously HOW do you bend a frame on a window screen that you don't have to change/remove?), incompetent caulking in the kitchen & bathrooms...It's been a truly stunning experience...Every time I clean/fix/repair something, it brings up other issues that were either covered up or never addressed.  Ex: when all of the flooring needed to be pulled up & replaced, that led to  my seeing the all the damage done to the molding & wainscoting from lack of cleaning...seriously, I've done more for Mr Clean Erasers this past month than any ad campaign in the past year!

When I look at purchasing a home, I look at the work in "phases" & their payoff in terms of ROI (return on investment)...i.e. if I just have to upgrade some fixtures, will that get me a higher dollar amount received when I sell the property OR buy a place that needs more updating/repair to get a higher % of return on my investment.  This home was to be a "home" & not an investment.  One of the reasons I picked it was due to it NOT needing a lot of "fixing up" but rather some updating of fixtures & letting me personalize it...alas, this was not to be the case.  Now, what IS a bright spot is that this home was a short-sale (I do NOT recommend this as a purchase option unless you have time & the means to deal with any "unseen" situations that occur) & I negotiated a price WAY BELOW the listed value of the home.  So while this is turning out to be a large up-front layout of money right now, I'm still ahead investment dollar-wise....Do you see what I'm talking about here? 

But now back to the importance of MAINTENANCE of your home.  Your home is one of the largest investments that you will ever make.  So it only behooves you to take care of & add value to this investment so it maintains it's value...even in a declining market like we have right now.  The market WILL rebound & you want your home to be able to adjust with the market.  The investment value aside, one of the things that's part of my design philosophy (Integrative Lifestyle Design), is the ENERGETIC importance of taking care of your home from a physical, mental & emotional health standpoint. 

                                    ****Your OUTER world is reflection of your INNER world***

From a physical health standpoint, lack of proper maintenance can lead to upper respiratory issues due to breathing in toxins, dust, mold & mildew, & the spreading of disease such as e coli & salmonella.  (I truly don't know HOW the previous owners could BREATHE in this house, let alone sleep, eat & live in it).  Now, this doesn't mean you have to spend an hour every day cleaning, dusting & vacuuming, however, if you have kids, pets and/or someone in the home who DOES suffer from any health issue, you DO have to take the time to clean more thoroughly than another who can let some things "slide" until they have time.  Daily you should be wiping down counters, any spills & washing dishes/putting in dishwasher & taking out garbage.  Weekly you should be vacuuming/sweeping the floor, cleaning windows/mirrors, wiping down sinks/fixtures/tub/shower.  Monthly look at cleaning walls/doors, vacuuming curtains, dusting blinds/ceiling fans.  This is meant only as a guide...adjust for your lifestyle/family/space.  Failure to do these simple tasks can lead to mold/mildew build-up in kitchens/bathrooms/windows, dust bunnies multiplying under furniture, in corners & under appliances-which can become a fire hazard!-& a likely large expense in the future due to the deterioration of your appliances, furniture, flooring, counter tops & cabinetry.


From a mental & emotional health standpoint, surrounding yourself in dirt, disarray & clutter (see The Clutter Counselor division for more on this) can affect your goal achievement, life quality & outlook on your future.  Remember, your OUTER world is a reflection of your INNER world...i.e. how you see yourself.  If you don't feel the need to take care of yourself, why should anyone else?  Your home is like another layer of skin or clothing...it protects you from the outer elements & the same care should go into taking care of your space, as you do taking care of your clothing & skin!  What you neglect (whether on your home, your clothing or your body) can & WILL manifest into something larger & more invasive & more expense (neglect missing shingles you'll get water damage, which can lead to rotted roof joists, which can lead to mold and/or impaired integrity to the home's structure).

***I will discuss the Feng Shui correlation to lack of maintenance & what Life Area it corresponds to in another posting***

In closing of this post, while the past few weeks have been incredibly stressful & definitely NOT how I was planning on spending my time in my new home & new locale, however, I've been able to expand what I can offer my clients, add to my design portfolio (believe me, this is almost a complete gut job on this home & it will be a showpiece when I finish) & getting great material for the CasaVerde radio show, workshops & this column.  So I'm trying to stay positive (everything is an opportunity on some level...ugh), treating myself when I am confronted w/something particularly disgusting (i.e. scrapping mold) or accomplishing something I've never done before (i.e. changing out the cord on the dryer from a 3 to a 4 prong)....Coldstone Creamery & CupCrazed cupcake shop are becoming an almost daily stop!

Here are tips I offer in my workshops (and radio show/column) to help people change "with the seasons":

• Use spring colors to replace the winter color scheme in any accessories (pillows, throws, curtains, accent rugs/carpet tiles-which is a  GREAT way to change up a room!).   This includes: pastels in greens, blues, yellows & white paired w/any color.
• Centerpieces made of flowers, grasses, baby breath and incorporating fruit (lemons, oranges, apples)
• light weight textiles for curtains, pillows, throws, table linens-think cotton, linen, bamboo, jute, silk.
• Clean the windows & let as much natural light shine in as possible.
• Place mirrors at 45 degree angles to windows-that have a GOOD VIEW-to help disperse light in the space
• Use essential oil Environment Sprays in citrus scents: lemon, orange, grapefruit

The above picture was taken on a recent hike in Mcaddenville, NC.  I've done a lot of hiking since moving here & am loving it!  While the decision has been made to move from this current home...the work is almost done & it will make some family VERY happy (I'll be posting before/after pics, along w/ the WHY of what I did).  I'm not too psyched about packing & moving again, however, this time I've got a great realtor & know better how I spend my time & where I hang out to choose the right neighborhood for me (hint: NO HOA!).

As always, make sure to check the other tabs for new programs like the Healthy Down-Sizing program w/fellow designer, Linda Hunt.  And, make sure to subscribe to the monthly DeeZine which will always have some offer for subscribers.  Until next time...D :)

Hi All-Just a quick post today as I wanted to add some things that I forgot to include in this episode of the DeAnna On Design radio show....

It's VITAL that when looking at purchasing a home in a community w/an HOA that you find out if there is a BOARD of ELECTED members OR if there is an APPOINTED HOA MANAGER!  There is a HUGE difference...1 is accountable to the homeOWNERS who live in the community, the other is a hired gun & has no accountability to the homeowners.

From The Management Trust website it is also imperative that you review the following documents before putting in an Offer to Purchase:  the HOA covenants and restrictions papers, financial statements, meeting minutes from the previous year, and the regulations document. It is also a good idea to speak with members of the association board if possible.  Knowing all of this will help determine how well the community & its financials are being operated.  If possible, also get copies of any meetings of sub-committees (i.e. the architecture board who determines who gets any structural changes to their property) & meetings between board members that aren't "official".

If there is an HOA manager, make sure that they are a certified property manager & have the best interests of the COMMUNITY as their motivation & not their own personal agenda (we are dealing w/this in my neighborhood now). 

Lastly, before purchasing a home in an HOA-ruled community, make sure that renters are a) NOT allowed & that all property is home-OWNER occupied or b) that there is a maximum CAP as to the % of rentals vs home-owner occupied dwellings.  The more rentals in your neighborhood the lower your property value!  While there are many fabulous, considerate & responsible renters out there it only takes a couple to lower life quality for all, as well as the "transient" nature of renters.  If rentals are a part of your desired home's neighborhood, make sure that renters are long-term (i.e. at least a year lease)

Yep...you read that right!  A project that I've worked on for awhile now is the using of various foods & scents to help amp-up & activate the various Life Areas as suggested in Feng Shui.  One of my personal passions is using CHOCOLATE!  And, with Valentine's Day fast approaching, what better time to post this quick article on how to use Chocolate for some Valentine's Day Feng Shui!!

Feng Shui & Chocolate…for ROMANCE!  
Learn how you can use chocolate to help “activate” the RELATIONSHIP Life Area

By DeAnna Radaj



  A woman stirring chocolate slowly while sensuous strains of Spanish music play in the background…A couple feeding each strawberries dipped in chocolate fondue….Ahhhh, it’s enough to raise your blood pressure and cause your face to flush….Chocolate has been used in films and romance novels, as well as anyone involved in the candy business, as the romantic, sensuous tool that brings couples together for that magical first kiss to a night of passion.  And why not?  Chocolate has been used as an aphrodisiac since the time of Montezuma! 

BUT, DeAnna, you say….where does Feng Shui come into the picture?  Well, one of the Life Areas of Feng Shui is the RELATIONSHIP area (hello…ROMANCE!).  We will look at what “activates” this area and how chocolate fits into this.  So, when you are planning your romantic evening, or just want to bring more romance into your life, you can rationalize (although who needs to rationalize chocolate?) the chocolate indulgence, or at the very least, impress your friends with this interesting tidbit while you wax poetic of your great first date!

First, let’s look at a brief history of Chocolate and how it was perceived to be an aphrodisiac.  The earliest record of chocolate was over 1500 years ago in the Central American rainforests.  The Cacao Tree, where chocolate derives from, was worshipped by the Mayan civilization who believed it to be of divine origin.  Cacao is actually a Mayan word meaning “God Food”.  It was the European explorers who changed Cacao into its more familiar “cocoa”.  The Maya brewed a spicy, bittersweet drink by roasting and pounding the seeds of the Cacao Tree w/maize and Capsicum or “Chili” peppers, and letting the mixture ferment.  This drink was reserved for use in ceremonies as well as for drinking by the wealthy and religious elite. 

The Aztecs of Central Mexico prized the beans so highly they actually used them as currency.  They also enjoyed Cacao as a beverage and called this drink Xocolati, which was deemed impossible to say by the Spanish conquistadors who used the easier to say “Chocolat” (which is where the title of the movie came from!).

It was the Aztecs who regarded chocolate as an aphrodisiac and their Emperor, Montezuma, reputedly drank it 50x a day from a golden goblet.  He is quoted as saying:

“The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue.  A cup of the precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food.”  (I don’t know about the walking a whole day without food, but I DO know that chocolate can certainly cure whatever the day can throw your way!).

Now, Montezuma not withstanding, there is actual medical data that can back up the “romantic and passionate” stirrings that can occur when you eat chocolate.  Cocoa beans have 200% of the antioxidant content of red wine (hmmmm, imagine all the antioxidants if consumed with a glass of merlot!).  Cocoa beans have also been proven to have 3x the antioxidants of green tea.  So much for chocolate being deemed unhealthy.  Take that Surgeon General!  The high antioxidant content of cocoa beans is extremely effective at eliminating free radicals in the body, which can help reduce the effects of cancer, diabetes and heart disease.  Other health aspects of chocolate include:

v     Lowering both systolic and diastolic blood pressure

v     Increasing endorphin levels-which can reduce stress and increase an overall feeling of well-being… (there you go!)

v     Cocoa also contains an extremely high level of flavonoids which are good for the cardiovascular system.

v     Improved blood flow which can have a positive affect on learning and memory.

***To achieve maximum health benefits of chocolate, you must consume the DARK chocolate, and chocolate that is 60% or HIGHER of cocoa content.  This means no MILK or WHITE chocolate as they have a higher sugar and saturated fat content-which is counterproductive to the actual health benefits of chocolate.***

OK-so chocolate is considered an aphrodisiac AND is healthy…but what’s this Feng Shui stuff and where does chocolate come into play?  Literally translated, Feng Shui means “wind and water.” Feng Shui was actually started as a way to identify or select auspicious gravesites in China over 5,000 years ago. It was thought that the better the position of the gravesite, the better the fortunes of the remaining family members. Many schools of thought regarding Feng Shui principles have surfaced over the years, and it is because of this that there is so much confusion. What direction should the door face? Where is the relationship area? Where do I put a crystal? No mirrors in the bedroom? Ahhhhhhh!

The schools are: Form, Compass and the Black Hat Sect School.  I have studied the latter, and it’s this one we will be focusing on.  The Black Hat Sect school of thought or Bagua School. Bagua is translated to “eight-sided figure” or octagon shaped. This figure is then divided into segments, like a pie, with a center piece-giving you nine areas. These nine areas are assigned different life areas. They are: Career/Life Path, Knowledge/Spirituality, Family, Wealth/Abundance, Success/Fame/Luck, Relationships, Creativity/Kids, Helpful People/Travel, and Health/Well-Being.

The bottom tier (Knowledge/Spirituality, Career/Life Path, and Helpful People/Travel) should always be lined up with the entryway wall of your building floor plan or the individual room you are working on. Then you can super-impose the Bagua over the floor plan and see what “areas” need to be worked on, or what areas you’d like to work on. Once you get the concept of the Bagua and how to properly line up the grid, you will be able to work on any space and be able to identify the corresponding life area.  These life areas can be “activated” by using the element, color, shape, item or direction that is associated with that life area (i.e. relationship-hearts.) See below:

Wealth/Abundance                Success/Fame             Relationships

Purple/Metallic                                Red                      Red/Pink/Peach

Water Element                          Fire Element                Earth Element

Wavy lines                                   Triangle                        Squares

       SE                                            S                                SW

Family                                  Health/Well-Being         Creativity/Kids

Green                                    Yellow/Earth-tones           White/Metallic

Wood Element                          Earth Element               Metal Element

Rectangle                                     Squares                        Circles

   E                                               Center                              W

Knowledge/Spirituality         Career/Life Path          Helpful People/Travel

Blue                                              Black                             Gray

Earth Element                          Water Element               Metal Element

Squares                                      Wavy Lines                       Circles

  NE                                                N                                   NW

OK- so now we now a bit about the Black Hat School of Feng Shui and how to “activate” the 9 Life Areas.  Activate means that you want to “work on” or “bring that energy” into your home and life.  Life Areas can also be activated with personal symbols or times.  Examples: Career can be activated with business cards, Wealth can be activated by a coin dish, jewelry or anything else that makes you “feel” wealthy…Be CREATIVE, there is no wrong answer-it’s about what resonates with you!

Now…where does the CHOCOLATE come in?  Stay with me…Each element corresponds with a different scent and taste.  (In the type of design philosophy I practice, Integrative Lifestyle Design, all 5 senses are engaged whenever possible).  It is through the ELEMENTS and the sense of TASTE that the chocolate comes in!

FIRE=Bitter/spicy

WOOD=Sour

EARTH=Sweet

METAL=Pungent/citrus

WATER=Salty

Ready for the good stuff?....Working on love, passion, romance and sex…by utilizing Feng Shui and Chocolate!  Yes.

***The Relationship Area is for working on SOCIAL, BUSINESS and ROMANTIC relationships.  For the purpose of this article we will only be focusing on the ROMANTIC aspect. ***

The Relationship area is the FAR RIGHT corner of any room.  This area also corresponds with the bedroom of any home.  If you want to work on this area, whether by bringing more into your life, improving an existing relationship or even getting rid of one (just do the opposite of what I suggest in this article).  Think of what represents ROMANCE/PASSION/SEX to you.  It is this that you should display in this area-not photos of your kids, your in-laws, an ex (!), exercise equipment, TVs…you get the hint.  If it doesn’t represent ROMANCE then it needs to go.

This area is activated by the EARTH element.  You can also go more in-depth by using the element that PRECEDES it to add an extra “oomph”.  In this case, it would be FIRE.  These are the elements and their corresponding flavors that we will now focus on.  You can also use the colors of the flavor (i.e. strawberry is RED AND SWEET…hmmmm, could chocolate & strawberry be a choice?....) and/or the shape of the chocolate (triangle or square). 

When picking our flavors of chocolate for a romantic evening or gift, or you want to bring “romance” into your life, think of these flavors:

Pepper             Strawberry       Honey

Chili                 Cherry              Champagne

Wasabi             Apple             Any liqueur ganache

Salt                  Cinnamon

***You can also think DARK chocolate fondue using the above-mentioned fruits and feeding each other!!***

Pair the chocolate with red wine, champagne, port/sherry.  For a non-alcoholic option try a sparkling cider!  Add some music to set the mood (romantic, passion, fun & flirty or some sappy love songs that neither of you will acknowledge you listen to, but are staples of any romantic evening-remember Brad Pitt in Mr. & Mrs. Smith singing Air Supply?).

***To really get in the mood, add 3E Products RELATIONSHIP Ylang Ylang Environment Spray and/or the Ylang Ylang CLEANSE Body Wash for a (shared?) bath…***

If you are unattached, but want to bring more romance into your life-what about a chocolate fondue party with your friends, or your fave chocolate to enjoy, while watching the movie Chocolat (or some other passionate movie-Don Juan DeMarco, Sleepless in Seattle…you get the picture).  All movies that invoke love, romance, passion and/or lust so you can almost feel or “vibe” with the energy you want to bring into your life.

 The most important thing to remember when you are trying to bring romance/love/passion into your life is to feel that you deserve it!  A simple affirmation to say/think, when you are eating your chocolate, or any time you want to think “ROMANCE” is to say “Thank you for all the love (passion, sex, romance…) I have in my life.  I am blessed by the abundance of love I feel right now.”

Beauty affirmation: “My inner & outer selves are radiantly attractive right now…I love my beautiful self.”

Romance affirmation: “I am a romantic person.  I release any fears I may have about giving or receiving                               love.”

Sexuality affirmation: “My sexual self is attractive, healthy and able to experience great pleasure.”

***Beauty, Romance & Sexuality affirmations are all from Doreen Virtue oracle cards***

I hope you got some great ideas, or rationalizations, on how you can enjoy chocolate even more!  Romance, sex, love, passion & chocolate go together!  History backs us up-Thank you Montezuma!  Adding Feng Shui principles, which can show you how to eat chocolate with a specific intention (sex, love, romance, passion) can only add to your romantic experience!

Enjoy, and remember, unleash the inner Feng Shui-Chocolate-Love-Goddess within……