In this episode  7 you will find many tips on buying and selling a healthy home.  Penny interviews her King Thompson  Coldwell Banker realtor Gail Merrell and gets her perspective on how Penny's home differed from other homes she has sold and shown.  Penny gives some great advice on curb appeal, staging, subtle prep for showing, and ambiance.  You'll also receive tips on what to look for and how to look for a potential new home.  This podcast is longer than any other we have done and for that I apologize.  We value your mind-share and time but there is so much cool information from Penny and Gail that I didn't have the heart to edit it too much.  Listen and enjoy, and please leave a comment if you feel inclined.  Our shows are made for you and your input helps us to bring you what you want.

Episode 7

I'm sure you've heard about OHIO DESIGN'S FANTASTIC JEWELRY GIVEAWAY If you haven't, just listen to podcast episode 7 to get all the details. or click on the Ohiodesign Jewelry give away page "An Amazing Jewelry Give Away!" on the right side of the page.  It is really unbelievable that they are so generous, all the jewelry they sell is totally hand made of the the highest quality Swarovski crystal.  I hope you'll give us a chance to give you some jewelry.  Let us know what you think, leave a comment.

  So, let's be honest. What do we really  want our master bedrooms to do?  Okay sleep, I know that it is like the number one thing, but then what.  We want our bedroom to stay pretty for company right? Or do we want it to support our sex life?  Bingo!   I suppose I should have gone on to say that we want our bedroom to be our sanctuary and that is true too but meaningful relationships need a healthy sex life to thrive.  Sexual relationships are extremely beneficial for overall health.  That is IF you are sexually active or have been.  I am not a sex advocate I just want your bedroom to reflect your true intentions.  What I like the best about this podcast is how we focused on how to make the bed appealing by giving you options with your bedding choices.  Let's see how this works…

Look at the picture above I call this bedroom The Virgin Room.  Before you go into a dead faint allow me to explain. There are symbols of a couple: two windows, two matching lamps and two matching night stands.  The number two is correct because it represents a couple,  but all three are identical which symbolizes twins.   So, the message is since the items are identical that the relationship needs to be identical, now that is perfect for those of you that want a same-sex relationship but if want an opposite-sex relationship that many identical items in your bedroom should be avoided. 
Next let's look at the off white/white combination.  The color white, or lack of color, signifies purity and innocence and lack of color means lack of.. well you know what I mean. Not  a good choice for most master bedrooms where strengthening relations is a fore runner.  Now your significant other may raise an Ooh La La to the virgin room reference but you can tell them to forget it while you are picking out your new room colors.
What can we do to make some quick changes?

Imagine the room in the picture with a Queen Anne chest on one side and lamps that don't match. Leave the bed drape but add a floral print spread and leave the off white pillows with the blue. You can warm up the beige walls or leave them the same and add more art work.  Usually about now someone is saying, "But,  I like this room".  From a simple design standpoint it meets all the criteria but from a Holistic Redesign standpoint it misses the point which is: drawing loving relationships into your life. If your desire is to add more love in your life or to strengthen the one you have, why not make a few changes and see what happens.
But don't forget the spark. A beautiful statue or art work depicting intimacy is a great addition. Use items that you bought on your honeymoon or items that bring you closer together.  Leave the cute things for another space in your home. Less is more - nix the TV and no working or eating in the bedroom.
Remember, healthy lifestyles and good dreams is the point of focus.  The body, mind, spirit connection we have with our home is most important and should be a serious focus.  After all, on average we spend a third of our lives in just this one room.  So, you tell me, how important is this room?  I love the promise that the master bedroom holds!

Keep your secrets between the sheets and stay cozy under the covers….Penny

Episode  4

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