Today we see all around us the need and understanding of the importance of green design.  Each day the advances in green and sustainability are becoming more and more a part of our daily personal and professional lives.  But did you ever wonder how the color “green” became synonymous with the sustainability movement?

 

On the brink of the 1990’s, the economy plunged and so did color into recycled beiges and other so-called natural colors. The L.A. Times reported that the “bland were leading the bland” and recycled materials were seriously pursued.  Grunge was born and sustainability first entered the lexicon as it addressed the thoughtful use of materials.  A re-awakened social consciousness concerning the preservation of the environment led directly to the pervasive usage of green.

 

 

 

For the people who drive, use a computer, fly a plane, there is a new fact to consider: your behavior will generate CARBON. If you want to indulge in these activities without feeling guilty, you can actually offset your journey or activity. As I just returned from a trip to Europe by airplane, I looked up a company that was recommended to me.

 

Here is what I was asked to do:

 

Filled out the travel details : Bxl - JFK

Discovered my carbon emissions : 1.63 Tonnes of CO2

Read the money value I should pay : 12.24 British Pounds

Pulled out my MC to pay online

 

The proceeds of this money goes to projects in various categories: human energy, bio energy, wind energy, efficient lights, efficient stoves, rainforest restoration. These projects assist  in real reductions in CO2 that would not have happened otherwise.

 

Where to...

 

 

Village residents have the opportunity to share common dinners several times per week in the two Common Houses, and volunteer about 2-3 hours per week on various work teams to keep things running smoothly: outdoor maintenance, finances, governance, future projects, and more. The evolving village culture includes plenty of neighborly support for families in need, various annual celebrations to mark the seasons, and plenty of ad hoc parties and music jams. We're finding that living more cooperatively requires a lot of learning and work, but is richly rewarding and well worth the effort.

 

Future village elements under consideration include more accessible and affordable housing, an education center, a charter school, village-scale wind power, organic orchards, a roadside farm stand, on-site biological wastewater treatment, gray-water recycling, biomass energy crops, onsite biodiesel/vegetable-oil fuel production, car share, shuttle van, a natural cemetery, and an expanding portfolio of educational programs. And more fun!

To learn about specific aspects of EcoVillage at Ithaca, there is a web site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My client's have "found" me in a variety of ways-through my workshops, TV/radio appearances, articles and website.  I would say about 75% of people though have heard me speak in person at a workshop of event and felt a connection with what I speak about.  A consultation can occur in a few ways: in person, over the phone, email/mail.  Before the consultation and once a client confirms an appointment, I will ask a few questions about why the client wants to hire me: a Feng Shui, color or Design consult, what areas they want to focus on (either a specific room OR Life Area) and finally, is this a complete remodel or "tweaking" meaning moving some furniture, adding/deleting some furniture/accessories and/or painting.  The in-person consultation will have me going to the client's space (home/office/store-front), a phone interview and email/mail consult will be scheduled after I receive photos or floor plans of the client's space.  Drawings and/or a write-up of the consultation can be provided upon request.  For in-person consultations, the client can record or tape the visit so they can revisit all that was said.  I charge on an hourly basis UNLESS the project is a complete remodel and I'm managing the project (i.e. purchasing furniture, coordinating contractors, design services, final walk through). 

A consultation usually lasts between 2-3 hours, with drawings and write-up approx 5 hrs and a complete remodeling project depends on the size and scope of the job.  About 75% of my design consulting work is the 2-3 hour consultation.  Approximately half of my client's have me do a yearly "tweaking" as goals/situations/yearly energy has changed, and they want their spaces to reflect that.

 

 

 

In the Black Hat Sect school, you utilize color, space planning, the 5 elements and personal accessories or other items w/positive meaning.  Each of the 9 Life Areas corresponds with a specific color, element and shape.  You can also use personal accessories that correspond to the Life Area you want to work on in the specified location.  That's one of the big reasons I love this school of FS-you can personalize it to your decor, taste and where you want your life to head!

 

FS also utilizes nature and energy flow-you want positive energy or "chi" to flow, like a meandering river, throughout your space-touching all areas of the home.  This is where proper space planning comes into play.  In utilizing these principles, you want to incorporate nature into your space and be as "healthy" as you can-no toxins/chemicals should be introduced into your space.  You want healthy, positive energy to flow throughout.  This is beneficial to the health and well-being of ALL occupants/guests into the space, and one that is felt by all who enter, even though they may not be able to say why.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I also recommend reading labels of items you bring into your home-everything from cleaners and bath & body products, to the paints, accessories and flooring you may use to spruce up your space.  Most cleaners and bath & body products have a petrochemical base.  Not good.  Paint can off-gass up to 18 months after application, and carpeting can off-gass up to 5 years after installation!  Look for no VOC (volatile organic compound) alternatives in paint, which ALL major paint manufacturers make.  In flooring, choose "hard" options such as tile, bamboo or cork as options.  If you must have carpeting, look for options made of wool or other natural fibers (sisal, sea grass, banana or agave plant).  Area rugs over hard flooring is best option.

Another point to remember, is that when you are decluttering your space and creating a positive, healthy environment to not forget decluttering your mind as well.  Your mental and emotional health is as important as your physical health.  Declutter or purge negative thoughts, self-talk and people from your mind.  Your thoughts and actions should be like a garden, creating beauty and growing new opportunities and experiences.  Are you growing an abundant garden with your thoughts OR weeds?  Utilize the teachings of Napoleon Hill and bring Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) to your daily life.  The same questions you ask yourself about your clutter (love it, use it need it) can also be applied to your thoughts.  If your thoughts don't make you happy/good, why are you thinking them?