The 2nd of 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - Attracting Money: Keep the Kitchen Clean

Courtesy of Corine Maggio
Photo By: Chipper Hatter

Hi Friends,

"Your kitchen is directly related to your ability to attract money," says feng shui consultant Suzanne Metzger. Keep your pantry and refrigerator organized and full of fresh food you actually use. To attract more money, keep the stove clean — every burner must work and be used equally. Lastly, remove all clutter from the kitchen table.

Remember, the kitchen is the heart of the home...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

The 1st of 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money - Attracting Love: Put Furniture Legs on Rugs

Courtesy of Natalie Myers
Photo By: Amy Bartlam

Hi Friends,

Did you know your home's design can affect your bank account and love life? Over the next several weeks, we will focus on 19 Feng Shui Secrets to Attract Love and Money with tips based on the ancient art of balancing energy.

In the 1st of our 19 Secrets to Attract Love and Money, we will address furniture placement. "Never put all your furniture against the walls," says Karen Rauch Carter, feng shui consultant and author of Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life. "Furniture should be arranged to support communication, so forget where the walls are. Put at least the front legs of all furniture on the rug — not just around it — and people will sit there and talk."

Well, there you have it - now let's arrange our space to attract a more open area for communicating with family and friends...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Make a Living Wreath for Spring

Courtesy of Kim Foren

Hi Friends,

Living wreaths make for a beautiful and unique look both indoors and out. Use moss, succulents and potting soil to create a natural, spring-inspired wreath just in time for Spring.

Materials Needed:

• 3-D wire wreath ring (make sure it has two top rights and one bottom right to fasten plants)
• potting soil
• plants with 3-inch roots (examples: succulents, pansies, annuals and cherry tomatoes)
• sphagnum moss

Directions

1. Soak your potting soil and sphagnum moss in water. Note: Having both of these wet allows you to mold them easier in the wire.
   
   
2. Line the inside of the wreath with sphagnum moss, then fill with soil. The moss will keep the soil from spilling and making a mess.
   
   
3. Carefully plant your plants around the wreath. Pat down firmly to properly secure.
   
   
4. Water your wreath and lay flat for about a week. This will give the roots time to grow and anchor in the soil.
   
   
5. Hang your wreath. Depending on the size, you can even lay the wreath flat on a table for a perfect, spring-inspired centerpiece.
   
   
6. Water wreath 2-3 times a week to make sure it lasts its full potential. The easiest way is to either soak the wreath in the sink or to spray with a hose if it's outside.

Spring is in the air...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

15 Outdoor Entertaining Essentials for Your Spring Party

Courtesy of Erica Reitman

Hi Friends,

Warm weather means open windows, longer days and lots of outdoor entertaining opportunities with friends and family. But before you pull out your tank tops and fine-tune your lemonade recipe, I want to make sure you have everything you need. I’ve rounded up some of my favorite spring entertaining essentials so you can make sure that you and all of your guests are ready to soak up the sunshine.

1: Outdoor Speaker

JBL

One of the easiest ways to instantly create a party atmosphere is with a portable outdoor speaker. This JBL Charge 3 bluetooth speaker is actually waterproof and could even survive being submerged in water. It comes in a variety of colors and can be easily synced up with your phone to play your favorite music.

$130, jbl.com

2: Portable Grill

Macy's

This portable barbecue is a great choice for a smaller backyard or for a family that likes to cook their food on the go. This grill easily folds up so you can grab it and go. You can easily fit eight hot dogs, hamburgers or pieces of fish on the grill grate at one time. (You definitely won’t have any trouble feeding a big group with this little lady!)

$82, macys.com

3: Melamine Plates

Target

For outdoor family gatherings, you’ll definitely want a set of durable plates. These pretty, patterned melamine plates are virtually indestructible. And best of all, you can toss them in the dishwasher after everyone leaves.

$15 (set of 4), target.com

4: Canopy Umbrella

World Market

A large canopy umbrella will help protect you from the sun and offer a shady spot for the kids. It’s also great to have an umbrella over your table for mid-day outdoor meals.

$45, worldmarket.com

5: Globe String Lights

Amazon.com

If you like to entertain outside at night, string lights like these can really beautify your space. Depending on how much space you have, you might need several strands, so try to figure out the best spots for stringing them up in your yard or on your deck.

$24, amazon.com

6: Barbecue Skewers

Crate and Barrel

For barbecue lovers, these non-stick skewers are spring party must-haves. You can use these skewers for veggies, shrimp, chicken, pork or even marshmallows for s'mores. With 12 skewers, you’ll have plenty to go around at dinner or lunchtime.

$10 (set of 12), crateandbarrel.com

7: Highball Glasses

World Market

Along with plates, a great set of oudoor-friendly glasses is another must-have for a hostess. These stylish acrylic glasses look like they could be from a vintage set. They're incredibly durable and can even be stored outside if you're short on space inside.

$16 (set of 4), worldmarket.com

8: Wooden Yard Dice Game

Crate and Barrel

These jumbo wooden dice are the perfect size to roll around in your backyard and are perfect for kids and adults alike. The set comes with instructions fo four different dice games, so you can keep the party going for hours on end.

$60, crateandbarrel.com

9: Outdoor Area Rug

All Modern

An outdoor area rug is a great way to make a deck or patio feel cozier. This rug is made with polypropylene fibers, so it’s super durable and can even get wet. This neutral color palette and design would look great with bold throw pillows or under an outdoor dining table.

$33, allmodern.com

10: Floor Pillow

Serena & Lily

Comfy floor pillows like these can immediately create additional seating in your outdoor space. There’s a handle on the side, which means they’re easy to move around. And they’re also covered in weatherproof fabric, so they're a great choice for your deck, patio and more.

$188, serenaandlily.com

11: Teak Outdoor Furniture

Amazon.com

If you need extra seating around your outdoor table or in the backyard, these classic teak chairs would be the perfect choice. The material makes them mold and mildew resistant. Plus, they can easily fold up in case you need to store them out of the way when they’re not in use.

$130 (set of 2 chairs), amazon.com

12: Cast-Iron Fire Pit

Hayneedle

A fire pit is such a fun addition to an outdoor space if you like to throw gatherings at night. This cast-iron bowl doesn’t take up much space, and it adds a cool, modern vibe.

$120, hayneedle.com

13: Large Lantern

Pier 1 Imports

In addition to string lights, these outdoor lanterns are a great way to bring a bit more ambience and warmth to your outdoor space. These metal lanterns come in a variety of sizes and can safely hold your lit candles.

$30, pier1.com

14: Rolling

CB2

This rolling cooler has old-school style with modern-day functionality. Wheels allow it to move around the backyard or deck with ease. Plus, it can hold up to 80 quarts of your favorite bevvies. Bonus: It has a built-in bottle opener!

$269, cb2.com

15: Hanging Basket

Terrain

These modern planters would, of course, work great for plants if you want to dress up your deck, but you can also use them for a party. Hang them from tree branches or around your outdoor space, and fill up the baskets with party essentials like napkins, bags of chips or kids' toys.

$38-$198, shopterrain.com

Make it easy to throw a party...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

6 Fresh Spring Colors That Aren't Pastels

Courtesy of Bridget Mallon

Hi Friends,

When it comes to spring colors, pale hues tend to get all the attention, but they're far from your only choices. Now that the weather is finally starting to heat up — hopefully for good — we're ready to tuck away our winter wares and make our homes a little more spring-friendly. But instead of gravitating towards pastels like we usually do, this year, we're thinking outside of the box.

Sure, pastels are a tried-and-true spring staple (not to mention Pantone's colors of the year), but not everyone wants their home to resemble a bucket of cotton candy. So instead of pale pinks and soft yellows, these are the shades we're dying to try.

Emerald Green is our featured color. One of the best parts of spring is the return of bright green grass, and fresh leaves on every tree. The bold hue doesn't have to stay outside though. Decorating with a bit of bold green is a beautiful way to make a nature-inspired statement right in your home, whether you choose a high-impact statement wall or a few simple throw pillows.

Yellow

Sean Litchfield Photography

We're always thrilled when the sun starts sticking around a lot longer during spring days, so what better way to celebrate the season than with a bright sunny yellow? Just remember a little yellow goes a long way, so it's best used in small doses, like the chairs in this pineapple-adorned dining room.

Gray

Rethink Design Studio

This neutral hue is seemingly always in style, but it does tend to be associated more with fall and winter than the warmer months. Not anymore. We love how fresh gray can make a room feel, and when it's paired with pink and white, it really screams spring.

Orange

Bronwyn Poole

Incorporating orange into your home may seem daunting at first, as it is one of the most eye-catching shades out there, but it does wonders for your interiors. A little orange instantly brightens a room and adds a friendly, welcoming vibe, which basically makes it the color equivalent of a perfect spring day.

Turquoise


If you're looking to add a little vibrancy to your home this spring, look no further than turquoise. It's the perfect combination of blue and green, so decorating with turquoise gives you the chance to pay homage to the season's blue skies and green grass, without being too literal.

Brown

Eric Perry, 2014, Scripps Networks, LLC.

Brown may not seem super spring-friendly at first glance, but it's actually an ideal choice for the season. The earthy shade goes with absolutely everything — feel free to go a little crazy with your accessories — and has a subtle quality that mirrors the softness of spring.

Welcome Spring with these untraditional colors and have fun decorating...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Happy Easter!

Courtesy of Sassy Cats

Happy Easter Friends!

May the simple joys fill your day, hope light your path, the many blessings of Easter stay forever in your heart, and the Origin of The Easter Bunny make your day.

Origin of The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a symbol that originated with the pagan festival of Easter. The goddess, Easter, was worshiped by the Anglo-Saxons
through her earthly symbol,
the hare or rabbit.

The date of Easter is determined by the moon whose symbolism is strongly tied to that of the hare. In fact, the hare is the symbol for the moon. Ever since the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the
garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets came later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

Happy Easter from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Heirloom Easter Egg Topiary

Courtesy of Melissa Caughey

Happy Easter Friends,

Topiaries date back to around 40 BC when the Romans first began to garden. Topiaries are beautiful, versatile and are often the focal point of gardens. It's no wonder why they have been around for so long and endured in popularity. I have topiaries in my gardens and I love when I can enjoy them indoors. I also love putting fun and unique twists on them during the holidays.

Keeping backyard chickens provides me with a constant supply of eggs. I love incorporating chicken eggs into crafts. I'm also lucky to have friends willing to trade colored eggs with me. Their heirloom chickens naturally lay eggs that are chocolate brown and blue in color. Some eggs are even speckled. The best part about working with these eggs is that they don't require any coloring! For this egg topiary, I combined some Copper Maran and Easter Egger eggs with other chickens' eggs in various hues. If you don't keep chickens or know anyone with chickens and would like to purchase some heirloom eggs, check out your local farmers' market or supermarket. Some are beginning to carry these eggs based on the community's demand.

The eggs on this topiary were blown out, meaning a small hole was pierced in the top and the bottom of each egg and its contents were removed. There are many techniques and videos showing the process online.

Supply List:

• Assorted blown-out eggs
• Styrofoam cone
• Birch tree slice (check in the wood-burning section of the craft store)
• Hot glue gun and glue
• Moss
• Two mini-grapevine wreaths
• Scissors
• Ribbon
• Two floral pins
• Small chalkboard sign
• Chalk pen

Now take a peek at the photo gallery below for the entire tutorial and instructions in the captions.

Tabletop Topiary How-To...

Easter Egg Topiary

Add a topiary with natural elements to this year's spring tablescape.

Gather Your Supplies

Fresh eggs from heirloom chickens make this topiary pop! You will also need: assorted moss / a styrofoam cone / a slice of birch tree (look in the wood burning section of the craft store) / hot glue gun & glue / ribbon / scissors / 2 floral pins (optional) / 2 mini-grapevine wreaths / a small chalkboard sign /and a chalk paint pen.

Prepare Your Eggs

Blow out the eggs. Techniques can be found online. I used a Dremel rotary tool with a small drill bit. Once the contents of the eggs are blown from the shells, soak them in a bowl of soapy water and rinse them clean. Set them aside to dry prior to use.

Create the Base

Hot glue the styrofoam cone to the center of the birch tree base.

Cover with Moss

Starting at the bottom, hot glue moss onto the styrofoam cone.

A Blank Canvas

The entire styrofoam form should be covered with moss to create a blank canvas for your egg topiary.

Add the Eggs

Randomly place and hot glue the eggs onto the topiary.

Cover Up

Strategically add moss to camouflage the holes in the eggs. Glue it in place.

Unfurl the Wreath

Next, carefully unfurl the mini-grapevine wreath like so.

Twisted with Grapevines

Starting at the base of the topiary, gently wrap the unfurled grapevine wreath around the topiary. Repeat the process with the second wreath.

Embellish with Ribbon

Next, starting at the base, glue or pin your ribbon into place. Then wrap and twist the ribbon around the topiary. Pin or glue it to the top.

Add a Message

With the chalk paint pen, add a spring time message to your sign and stick it into the top of the topiary.

Top it Off

Insert a chalkboard message sign into the top of the topiary.

Have fun crafting this garden and backyard chicken inspired topiary for your spring table...

Check back for more great ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne