This is the first installment in our series on specific rooms in your home.  We start with the Living Room or " Life Room" as we call it.  You'll discover new ways to think about and create this most important space.  We are so excited to begin the series on Creating a Healthy Room.  The Holistic Living Room is the first.    In this episode I (Penny) started on do's and dont's that make the living room reflect the aspirations and dreams for all that live there.  It can really boggle the mind when we  think of the possibility that there is more to decorating than just making a room pretty.  What an impact our Living Rooms can make by simply being aware of their potential.  

One day while conducting a workshop in Michigan I had a gal approach me after the class.  It's common for attendees to ask me questions about their own homes; after all this is very private and personal work and it's important to know how to apply the principals once you understand them.  Usually, I am asked how to begin to correct challenges but this time all this woman wanted to know was: "How do I create a home that reflects peace?"
That one little question really took me back to why I do what I do.  Plus it is not an easy request to take tangible items like flooring, paint and draperies and use them to create a state of mind.  After a long pause I told her to begin in the living room because that is really the life-blood of our spaces. 

Living rooms are the heart-beating, pulse of our life and they should be the reflection, a visual affirmation, of our true intention - our life missions if you will.  So many people are busy with just trying to accomplish all the things needed to do in a day  that they don't give any thought to any life mission or purpose.   Ask ten people that you know what they believe their life work is and they will tell you that they are too busy just trying to survive to think beyond that point.  But every single one of us, young or old, American or Asian; all have something special that only we can do and it is crucial to our conscious growth. 

Creating spaces that remind us that we are each a necessary part of the whole helps us to stay focused and to look ahead.  Use your Life Room to support your self and your family by surrounding it with  memories and items that inspire.   If your feeling low, use colors like yellow and orange or large patterns to uplift and jazz life up a little.  Add a little contemporary flair to furniture legs and a piece of art work that makes a statement. To add peace remove the clutter, keep things simple and use neutrals; to curtail the chaos create a space that you feel you want to whisper in  by using over stuffed pillows and textured fabrics. To begin healing use earth tones and shades of green, natural flooring and fabrics.  Breathe life in to your Living Room and it will return the favor. Don't wait — start small begin today!
Let me hear from you, we will be sharing your notes on future shows so keep on creating that Healthy Home!

Living a quality of life…Penny

Episode 2