Cleanse Your Home, Cleanse Your Mind

Keeping your home free of stagnant energy will help you live with lightness of being.

August is the fall of the summer, and autumn right around the corner. With luck, this summer you have spent countless hours bathing in sunlight, or adventuring in new territories. Now is the time to spend some time inside your home, take a look around, and begin to cleanse all the corners and surfaces to ready yourself for the last third of the year. Having a clean and pure living environment is clinically proven to increase brain activity, calm your nerves, and improve overall productivity.

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Clearing Clutter

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The first step to minimizing clutter, and maximizing peaceful, clean energy in your environment, is to discard any of the following items from your surfaces and drawers.

Old Magazines + Newspapers – If you have stacks of old magazines and newspapers lying around your coffee tables or bookshelves, toss them into the recycling, and clear space for new projects and books!
Receipts + Bills + Documents – Have you already logged or filed necessary information from any receipts, bills, or documents you’ve been saving on your desk or in your kitchen drawers? Throw them all into the recycling bin! Anything that you truly need to save for your personal files or taxes should be neatly organized and placed in a file folder or cabinet.
Clothing – Take a long, hard look inside your closet, boudoir, or dresser, and remove anything you haven’t been wearing regularly (seasonal clothes aside).
Books – Do you have stacks of books that you have already read? Pick your top three, and donate the rest. Trade collections with your best friend, create a neighborhood “Take One, Leave One” bin, or find a coffeeshop with a bookshelf and leave them for someone else!
Medicine + Vitamins – Check the expiration date on all of your bottled medicines an supplements, and discard anything old, or anything that you are no longer in need of.
Makeup + Perfume – Cosmetics and toiletries expire also, and usually aren’t of the same quality after spending too much time laying around in a drawer. Go through everything an toss out those mostly empty compacts of powder or dried up mascaras!
Jewelry – If you aren’t going to invest in basic jewelry pliers or a small repair kit, it’s time to discard all the broken jewelry that you have cluttering up your drawers.
Old or Unused Electronics – Do you have a drawer for old cables, phone chargers, cell phones, or any other obsolete electronics? Get rid of all of that! Donate to your local Goodwill.

Setting Intentions

Photograph Courtesy of Free People

Photograph Courtesy of Free People

It is of utmost important to the balance of your mind and your home to dedicate an area of your space to setting intentions. Find a coffee table, bookshelf, or atop your mantle to place powerful items of significance, peace, abundance, and prosperity. Here are some things you can get started with:

An Altar Cloth sets the foundation for the space you are creating, reflecting all that is within you.
Salt is an important ingredient to place in a bowl on your altar, as it is protective, purifying, and represents the Earth’s energy.
A Chalice represents the Mother Goddess, or divine feminine energy, and is used to hold ceremonial drink, or salt water.
A Wand can be made from any organic material, and is used to direct and channel energies in and around you.
Candles are used to invoke and hold the power of each cardinal point, and are used to balance the masculine and feminine energies.
Bells or Singing Bowls call upon healing energies on your altar, clearing any stagnant energy, and can signify the beginning and ending of your personal practices or rituals
Powerful Stones like crystals and minerals each vibrate at their own frequency, and hold unique significance than can represent different feelings, intentions, and affirmations you would like to focus on.

Homes that Feel Cleansed

Photograph Courtesy of Wartaku

Photograph Courtesy of Wartaku

Photograph Courtesy of Wartaku

Photograph Courtesy of Wartaku

Learn about Feng Shui and how to set intentions in your modern home!

Create A Sanctuary Enlightened Decor

How to Decorate Large Rooms

When designing the interior decoration of a larger space, it is important for the room to feel cozy, while maintaining the flow of openness. Here are some tips on making a large room have the perfect balance!

Large Room, Large Furniture

Depending on the shape of the room, or where windows are placed, you may easily divide up areas of a larger room with and L-shaped sectional. In addition, you may even compliment your sectional or sofa with an oversized ottoman.

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Area Rugs

The perfect way to create environments for lounging in a larger room are to align your furniture atop an area rug. Use the rug to define the borders of a particular zone for sitting or laying.

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Day Beds

Placing a day bed or chaise lounge chair in the center of a large room can be the perfect divider between different areas. If your living room and dining room are conencted in the same large space, separate them with the bold placement of a larger piece of furniture.

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Japanese Screens

A wooden or paper Japanese screen can be used for shade, privacy, or be a means to section off different areas within a larger space. Create a reading nook, or separate your dining area from the main living space by placing a screen between the two environments.

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Accent Walls

If you’d like to tone down the openness of a large room, or simply give it a little warmth and character, try adding an accent wall showcasing your favorite pigment. Use a color that is calming and comforting, but makes a statement nonetheless.

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Incorporate Tall House Plants

A perfect way to fill a large room with warm, earthy energy is to place taller house plants along the edges of your furniture, in corners, or on side tables. Try a potted ficus tree, a majesty palm, or Madagascar palm to fill out your environment with forest vibes.

Photograph Courtesy of Pinterest

Photograph Courtesy of Pinterest

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Create A Sanctuary Feng Shui

A Brief History of Feng Shui

One of the Five Arts of Chinese Metaphysics, fen shui, or wind-water, is a ancient traditional belief system that guides and governs the energy forces within architectural structures.

Closely linked to Taoism, feng shui practice discusses the arrangement within architecture in terms of the “invisible forces“ that bind the universe, earth, and humanity together, known as qi. In traditional Chinese culture, qi is believed to be the vital force, life force, energy flow, or material energy forming part of every living entity. Qi, in relation to feng shui, includes the orientation of a structure, its age, and its interaction with the surrounding environment, including the local microclimates, the slope of the land, vegetation, and soil quality.

The use of feng shui is dated back as far as 5000 BC to the Yangshao people that lived along the Yangtze River in China. Between 4700 BC and 2900 BC, the Hongshan people in Northeast China, who interacted with the Yangshao, adopted feng shui into their culture. Before the magnetic compass, feng shui relied on cosmography to set the orientation of structures. Early Chinese astronomers utilized a gnomon, or the part of a sundial that casts the shadow, as the first instrument to use circumpolar stars to determine the north-south axis of settlements. Rituals for using a feng shui instrument required a diviner to examine current sky phenomena to set the device and adjust their position in relation to the device. The magnetic compass was in fact originally invented by the Han Dynasty for the purpose of divination and feng shui.

In Western civilization, feng shui has become widespread, and is commonly utilized in interior design and architecture.

Bagua

In Yaodian, the cardinal directions are determined by the marker-stars of the mega-constellations known as the Four Celestial Animals:

East: The Azure Dragon (Spring equinox)—Niao (Bird 鳥), α Scorpionis
South: The Vermilion Bird (Summer solstice)—Huo (Fire 火), α Hydrae
West: The White Tiger (Autumn equinox)—Mǎo (Hair 毛), η Tauri (the Pleiades)
North: The Black Tortoise (Winter solstice)—Xū (Emptiness, Void 虛), α Aquarii, β Aquarii

You can use the bagua diagram in your own home, by using a compass, or the compass app on your phone, to check how you have intuitively placed things around your home, and re-arrange accordingly. Using the bagua diagram can, if anything, be an excellent way to decorate and arrange parts your home with intention!

Quick Tips for Feng Shui in a Modern Home

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Learn about Color Therapy to utilize more elements of Feng Shui in your modern home!

Destinations Travel

Wanderlust Destination: Chandigarh, India

Chandigarh, India is a time capsule of Mid-Century Modern architecture nestled in the foothills of the Himalayas.

In 2016, the Capitol Complex in Chandigarh was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, making these incredible modern buildings an unmissable wonder. In Chandigarh, India, you won’t find an ancient city, or any British colonial buildings. Chandigarh was one of India’s first planned cities, created by the Chandigarh Capital Project Team, and led by Swiss architect, Charles Edouard Corbusier (Le Corbusier). As a marvelous result, Chandigarh is a urban zone that feels both futuristic and retro. The flawless geometrical outline mirrors the engineering virtuoso of the organizers of the city, Albert Mayer and Mathew Novicki. Chandigarh is a vacation destination with a modern business focus.

In India, most of the cities are planned and created solely for automobiles, so a sidewalk is an immense luxury. In Chandigarh, there are plentiful pedestrian walkways where you may safely stroll, a perfect means to pleasantly meander local streets by foot. Take a quick walk with us through this modernist haven!

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Photograph Courtesy of Acaixanegra

Mid-Century Sea Palette

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Photograph Courtesy of Acaixanegra

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Photograph Courtesy of de zeen

Photograph Courtesy of de zeen

Photograph Courtesy of de zeen

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If you enjoyed your virtual wanderings through Chandigarh, check out our Wanderlust Destination in Chiang Mai, Thailand!

Color Therapy Create A Sanctuary

Indigo Pillows for a Midsummer Mood

Indigo is the “peace that surpasses all understanding,” being protective, benevolent, gentle, and cooling. It governs our higher psychic activities, insight, wisdom, and assists us in navigating deep changes.

It relates to the third eye, where the pituitary gland is located. Indigo relates to self responsibility of one’s own life, to following the soul’s path, and trusting one’s own intuition. It inspires the ability to see things from a ‘higher’ viewpoint rather than purely for satisfaction of the ego or one’s material comfort. In indigo, we feel a resonant sense of unity and clarity. Indigo relates to self-expression through speech and communication, and is the very essence of truth and purpose.

Indigo dye is among the oldest to be used for dying textiles and making prints, and was first documented in history as being used in Huaca Prieta, Peru. Since its discovery, indigo dye has been used in the ancient civilizations of Japan, India and Southeast Asian countries, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Iran, and Africa.

The color indigo is named after the indigo dye derived from the plant Indigofera tinctoria and related species. Indigofera tinctoria, also called true indigo, has been naturalized to be cultivated in tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Since it is a legume, it is also widely used as a soil-improving ground cover, and is rotated into fields similarly to alfalfa and other beans. Dye is obtained through processing the leaves through fermentation.

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Silk Velvet Indigo by Kevin O'Brien — Silk Velvet Indigo by Kevin O’Brien

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Learn more about the History of the Indigo Color!

Create A Sanctuary Enlightened Designers

Turkish Modern Pillows by Bunglo

This summer we are so excited to present a new line of woven pillows handmade from vintage Turkish rugs. Each design is one hundred percent unique, finished with a cotton backing and zipper. These pillows pair perfectly with our signature bunglo pillows for an eclectic, boho look.

Check out the lovely array of vintage Turkish pillows below, and let us know what you think!

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Destinations Travel

Wanderlust Destination: Marfa, Texas

In the vast and mystical Chihuahuan desert, Marfa, Texas is an oasis of alluring mystery and transcendental experience.

Located between the Davis Mountains and Big Bend National Park, Marfa was originally founded as a railroad water stop. Now one of the minimalist art and design meccas of the nation, Marfa attracts creatives and adventurers from far and wide.

During the 1920s, the community in Marfa began to grow. By the 1950s, it was nationally famous for its mysterious Ghost Lights. The source of the Fata Mortgana has long been rumored to be anything from UFOs, to wandering spirits. This mysterious phenomena has also been attributed to atmospheric reflections of campfires and headlights, although the first recorded sighting was in 1883, before automobiles were on the market. In modern times, atmospheric scientists hypothesize that the lights are a sort of mirage caused by sharp temperature gradients between cold and warm layers of air.

Marfa Army Airfield was the training grounds for several thousand pilots during World War II. In the 1970s, the army base lands were bought by Donald Judd, an acclaimed visual artist from New York City. In 1979, Judd began transforming the fort’s buildings into art spaces with a vision to house large collections of individual artists’ work on permanent display. Though Judd birthed the contemporary art movement in Marfa, when he died in 1994, Marfa quite literally became a ghost town. Tumbleweeds the size of shopping carts could be seen blowing down the road, and storefronts were completely baron and overlaid with dust. In the early 2000s, Marfa was resurrected, and thus began a kind of renaissance. Artists and Artisans opened new galleries and chic hotels, and the Texas government decided to make a roadside viewing post for the Marfa Mystery Lights.

Today in Marfa, you can expect to find modern art galleries, bohemian boutique hotels and restaurants, eclectic campgrounds, funky bars, and far-out festivals with the ever-ethereal backdrops of reverent desert tones. Take a dive with us through the dreamy high desert..

Photograph Courtesy of Design Love Fest

Photograph Courtesy of Design Love Fest

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Photograph Courtesy of Design Love Fest

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Photograph Courtesy of Dwell

"Pop Architectural Land Art" — “Pop Architectural Land Art”

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Photograph Courtesy of Sugar and Cloth

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Photograph Courtesy of NPR

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Check out some of our other favorite Wanderlust Destinations!

Enlightened Designers Outside Living

Poolside Collection by Bunglo

Just in time for summer, our luxurious Poolside Collection was inspired by long, lavish days spent by the pool at the iconic Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles.

The dreamy “Pink Palace” is the ultimate beacon of timeless allure in Los Angeles, and has been the place to see and be seen for over a century. With an unforgettable fusion of vintage glamour and modern luxury, we hope to sweep you away with the same soft hues. Adorn your outdoor spaces with elegance and style, make every area of your environment inviting. Surround yourself with fresh fruit and flowers, modern bohemian patterns, and a dreamy summer color palette. Setting your table and outdoor spaces with intention will ensure you’re sent into the season with panache.

Enjoy taking a tour through our new summer collection, and feel inspired to create your outdoor oasis this summer!

Nakuru

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Merlo

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Emerald

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Poolside Dreams

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Eco Homes Enlightened Architecture

Modern Farmhouses

A house in the country could be your weekend escape, or perhaps where you experience everyday life of tending to land or caring for animals. While immersed in nature, it benefits the flow of your home to incorporate as many natural elements as possible. Even if you are aiming for a modern edge with the design and decor of your home, you might still utilize as many organic materials as you can find to keep the feel peaceful and grounding.

When we envision modern decor, polished surfaces, sleek angles, and crisp edges come to mind. To soften the sharper edge of contemporary style to adapt to the countryside, you may begin by adding accents of timber, wicker, and fresh flowers and plant life. Ideally, your home will have large windows to illuminate the space with sunlight, and views of the surrounding forests or pastures. To keep the flow of the outdoor landscapes, utilize an earthy, neutral color palette.

Draw some inspiration from our selection of homes with a lovely fusion of contemporary and countryside styles. With all the right ingredients, these homes have created the perfect modern farmhouses.

Photograph Courtesy of Decoratoo

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Timber for the Winter, Tall Ceilings and Windows

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Photograph Courtesy of HGTV

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Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

White Linens + Soft Blue Duvet + Modern Art

Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

Photograph Courtesy of Cloth & Kind

Soft Color Palette with a Modern Rustic Feel

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Photograph Courtesy of One Kind Design

Photograph Courtesy of One Kind Design

Photograph Courtesy of One Kind Design

Photograph Courtesy of One Kind Design

Chic White Barn House

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Fresh Flowers + Wicker Baskets + Wooden Dressing Table

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For more inspiration on countryside design and decor, check out our favorite French Countryside Chic homes!

Travel Travel Guides

Midweek Wanderlust, Destination: Chiang Mai

Located in the Northern area of Thailand along the Ping River, breathtaking Chiang Mai is situated amongst the highest mountains in the country, surrounded by lush forests. Dubbed the cultural capital of Thailand, Chiang Mai has been awarded the title of Creative City by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, and repeatedly received recognition as one of the top destinations in the world.

The climate of Chiang Mai is that of the tropical savanna; with low latitude and relatively high elevation, the weather is warm to hot year-round. With over 300 Buddhist temples to visit, you will have no shortage of stunning architecture to marvel over. Chiang Mai also has its fair amount of museums, botanical gardens, and street markets full of exquisite local treasures and foods. The surrounding areas are verdant and mountainous, with national parks for trekking, Hill Tribes to visit for cultural immersion, and elephant reserves that you may visit for opportunities to volunteer.