The house as a resting place
As a Feng Shui expert, I consider that nothing is better than a complete analysis of the home according to the Feng Shui schools in order to harmonize the energies and create the most rejuvenating space possible. However, I understand that not everyone is ready to embark on an in-depth expertise, these are difficult concepts to grasp and do not speak to everyone.
Nevertheless, there are some concepts and methods that can be applied to make our home a haven of rest. Our home should be a space where we can recharge our batteries, relax and disconnect.
This does not necessarily mean minimalism and neutral decoration. As in Feng Shui, we will carefully study the layout, so that the circulation is as fluid as possible. We will also look at all the storage solutions so that daily life is more fluid and there is less to do to have a perfectly tidy and maintained space. We will try to limit the electromagnetic waves within the house, failing to control all those we face outside. We will also try to know the history of the place in order to respect its essence.
Well-being decoration also involves the use, as far as possible, of natural materials (linen, cotton, wood, sisal, etc.), ecological paints (to limit harmful emissions due to volatile pollutants) and eco-responsible furniture. We also pay particular attention to the paintings that adorn our walls and the knick-knacks we put on our shelves: what symbolism do they evoke? Do they carry positive values, do they make us feel good?
The decoration of our interior must be in harmony with our own interior, our Self. It should not copy fashions and trends, making our house a perfect candidate for a catalogue or a magazine. It should be like us and above all, it should make us feel good.
The psychology of colours
Did you know that colours speak to us? They have a direct impact on our mood, our thoughts and our behaviour. Some shades soothe us, or on the contrary give us energy; while other shades make us angry or pessimistic!
It is interesting to note the disparities around the world: for example, white is a symbol of purity in the West, but in India it is the colour of funerals; in China, red is a symbol of good luck and longevity, while in South Africa it represents bloodshed and therefore mourning. Even in the West, there are differences in perception between countries: green is the colour of luck in Ireland, green is the colour of money in the United States but evokes jealousy in England.
Each colour has its own wavelength and frequency. Colour is not just a visual stimulus, it causes chemical reactions that send messages to the brain. These messages induce physiological changes (red increases heart rate and stimulates the flight instinct) and emotional connections (more tips for waitresses dressed in red).
The way the colours are combined is also important. Colour harmony goes far beyond the associations suggested by the colour wheel. This is what Angela Wright (a pioneer in the field who defined the “Color Affects System” theory) calls tonal harmony. She established that there are 4 major tonal families and that the colours of one group have links between them, links that do not exist with the colours of another group. Our unconscious perceives a dissonance, like a false note, when we mix colours belonging to different groups.
Our perception of colour also depends on our history, since the same colour will have a different psychological effect depending on our personality. There is therefore no universal rule that you can apply to be sure that you surround yourself with the “right” colours. Decorating based on the psychology of colours requires us to know ourselves, to explore within ourselves to determine which colours are positive for us.
Colour influences our mood, inspires our feelings, whets our appetite, calms our sleep… Why do so few of us dare to use colour in our homes? Sometimes all it takes is a solid colour, a carpet or well-chosen cushions to bring colour and joy into our lives. And there’s no need to choose bright, saturated colours, you can surround yourself with pastel colours, that works too 🙂
My practice
As you will have understood, for me, decoration is much more than a search for aesthetics. So, it all starts with an interview in which we discuss your desires, your needs, but also your personality, your family life, your consumer habits, your hobbies…
Based on our discussions, I will help you define your “colour profile”, which will serve as a basis for your decorative choices and the creation of the mood board. We will validate the decorative project together, so that the result is faithful to you and resembles you.
For more details on my way of working, please visit my Services page.
Decorating for well-being means integrating aesthetics, comfort and ecology, while respecting the memory of the place and the values of its inhabitants.
