Look at this bedroom.  I can tell you right now that there isn't a lot of action going on there unless it's a bachelor pad.  But it looks like one of those rooms you see in a vacation condos.  It is true that upon entering the master bedroom it should whisper. That means it should not have: a weeks worth of laundry waiting to be put away, books scattered on the floor and a glass of milk that has been there way to long.  Upon entering, we should almost feel as though we should tiptoe and talk in whispered tones.  It is the epitome of serenity and rejuvenation.  The bedroom is the most personal room in the house; it is our ultimate inner sanctum, where we go to renew.  Naturally you want the room to reflect your true spirit.   Come on people clean up your life!   Feng Shui tells us that our home is a true reflection of what is happening in our life. So, if your life is chaotic then change the reflection.  In Wabi Saubi the Japanese believe that life unfolds in the simplest of things, a solitary flower or a piece of driftwood.   Simple means uncomplicated.

When we recognize the importance of the Master Bedroom we begin to see the simple idea of soft sheets and over stuffed pillows, billowing curtains and simple shades. Combining the most attractive and the cleanest lines. Adding prints to give a message and solids to ground us. The best thing about this podcast is that we go through the steps and just implementing a few of them, changes our reflection.  Remember that green design plays a big part here.  Air quality, low VOC paints, flooring and natural bedding all add that  whispering touch to your room.  But the average bedroom has very little cohesion, very little appeal.  The good news is that a bedroom can gain the sex appeal it needs for as little as $500.  But you have to be willing to make the changes necessary to make it the best, and most restful room in the home.

Let's begin to draw the kind of love we desire into our life by paying attention to all the details and let our rooms tell the story of love and renewal. The time we spend in our bedrooms will be one of sleeping and dreaming, mature conversations and intimate interaction.  In our bedrooms we touch our spiritual and primal selves and this is where we awaken our highest self.   In Decorating a Healthy Master Bedroom join me as we discover ways to create a breathtaking room and a  your very own love sanctuary.

Love, life and laugh often…Penny

  Episode 3

 If your one of the 700,00 people who purchased a new IPhone this last week, don't you think Healthy Home Decorating should be on your must have list of podcast subscriptions?

Okay Okay… On past shows I mentioned a couple times about classes and an upcoming course in  Holistic Redesign and how to become a Holistic Redesigner.  Let me tell you a little about what is going on.   We have information on Penny Crabtree dot com but there are problems with some of the browsers which may make it difficult to access.  If you have Internet explorer you won't have any problem . For the rest of you : we are working on it.  So, I will tell you a little about our first class now.   The first class entitled:Creating A Life of  Healthy Abundance   will be a three-part podcast .  This is three -  thirty minute sessions available only to our subscribers and its free !  BUT you must register.  

If you are serious about changing the flow of prosperity in your life then you really don't want to miss this opportunity.  Not only will we discuss ways to change your finances, you will change the way you look at your abundant life all together.  Increase all aspects of your life to flow for the better.  Better relationships, more opportunities, increased health in both body and mind and elevated spiritual awareness.  If you are tired of feeling stuck start now to make the right changes. At www.healthyhomedecorating.com we intend for you to have a rich abundant life, one that is free from worry and stress.  Subscribe and  register.  Classes will be announced soon.   Don't get shut out register early.  Remember its free — but you must register.   Did I say that enough times???  Subscribe and register.   I just don't want you to miss this valuable class.   Want to start now?  Check out these two great movies:   The Secret and The Celestine Prophecy.   

Until we talk again my friends…Penny

and remember….Pay Attention to Your Intention

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

I am so thrilled.  I received word that I am in the top six qualifiers for the "Newbie Pod-caster" category of the Podcast Secrets Challenge.  As you may or may not know I had never done a podcast until we started this Healthy Home Decorating  site.  Podcast Secrets is a course given by Paul Colligan and Alex Mandossian . It teaches the basics of podcast creation and gives great detail on marketing and monetizing Pod casts.  I found the course indirectly through a friend of ours and realized this would have to be the next step in  the evolution of our teaching efforts.  Never have we found a way to connect so intimately with so great a number of people.  You will help us perfect our Holistic Redesign Course with your comments about our pod casts and blog.  We on the other hand promise to give you great information via the podcast that will enable you to get started on creating a Healthy Home. 

On Wednesday the 27th of June I will get a 4 minute segment on a web cast hosted by Paul Colligan.  At that time I will get a chance to "TOOT my own HORN" about why I deserve to be the top vote getter in the Podcast Challenge.  After that my peers from the course will vote on who they feel deserves to win the challenge.  I am so proud, a chance to be selected by my fellow students. Keep a good thought out for us and we will let you know what happens next.

Have a great day and wish us success.

Dennis

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

Welcome to Healthy Home Decorating your resource for creating beautiful interiors using Holistic Redesign principals. I'm Penny Crabtree and on these pages we will discuss your own interior decorating needs, while we learn the principles of a healthy home. Some of the topics we will cover are: decorating healthy rooms, like the: master bedroom, bathroom, kitchen and living room to name a few.  We will cover alternative, interior design principals of: the use of color and how to choose it, remodeling, green design, feng shui, wabe saube and other earth sciences.  Emphasis on fabrics, window treatments, area rugs, paint, flooring, furniture, lighting and accessories will be addressed in great length. We will discuss those that are Eco friendly and those that are not and what you can do to make them friendlier.  But the most exciting part is that you get to participate, unlike other sites where  you only get to read the information you can ask questions and comment and we will answer as many as we can on future shows. On our program we will also review trends, books, interview special guests and professionals, give tips that you can use right away on your own holistic  home.  And if that wasn't enough,  we will tell you on future shows how you can have a career with Holistic Redesign or just study it for your own home. Did I mention how much fun you are going to have? It always fun to work on your home with like-minded people.

This Healthy Home Decorating Blog as well as our Podcast Shows have been a long time in coming but you needn't wait any longer.  WE'RE HERE.    I' ve spent the last five years developing this program and I am so happy to bring it to you.  When you follow the Healthy Home Decorating Podcast Show you will find enticing new ways to turn your home into a haven for the development of your body, mind and spirit.

Episode 1 ENJOY

In this episode our host and the creator of The Holistic Redesign Course explains exactly what Holistic Redesign is and how you can create a beautiful healthy home.  Penny Crabtree discusses how Holistic Redesign can be used to transform bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, kids rooms, exterior living areas, and more into peaceful regenerative oasis's.  Using techniques such as Feng Shui, Wabi Sabi and Bau Biology your home will become a
" Shelter From the Storm" of day to day life.  Thanks for listening and please subscribe to our podcast so that you won't miss a single upcoming episode of Healthy Home Decorating.