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Decorating a Healthy Room

The Penny Crabtree Company,

1-866-765-1301,

Penny Crabtree; Instructor, Holistic Redesign Director, Award-winning Author

www.healthyhomedecorating.com

www.pennycrabtree.com

Outdoor living areas extend living areas beyond the walls of a house, bringing the

comforts of everyday indoor life into the surrounding landscape. When we have a

sanctuary outside our house to relax and entertain we are taking a vital step in

reinventing our self.

Outdoor living spaces extend your home, effectively adding on new "rooms." By thinking

in terms of equivalents to the floors, walls and ceilings you know so well inside, you can

create outdoor rooms spaces that are at once functional and attractive. If you build your

"walls" properly, you can enjoy private spaces outside that allow you to get away from it

all to meditate or read.

Look at the Big Picture

There are many elements to consider when designing your retreat. Think about the

potential views, the existing construction and most importantly, your personal

preferences. Set your boundaries for the space and don’t obsess about size make the most

of a small space, while cutting up large spaces into intimate, smaller areas.

If you don’t have a separate structure for your outdoor room but would like to designate a

specific area, here are some great ways to start:

Imagine what you can do with a simple wood or plastic trellis, which can be

purchased quite cheaply or you can make your own.

Add rocks around the bottom of the trellis and to the top portion, hang small pots

of colorful flowers with hooks.

Strategically placed arbors, benches, use screens or furniture placement to define

the spaces in your outdoor sanctuary.

Growing Hedges to Form Outdoor Privacy Screens

Shrubs can be planted together closely in rows and pruned to form dense outdoor

privacy screens. Another option for outdoor privacy screens is planting shrubs

more loosely to form borders that also shelter your backyard from prying eyes.

Bamboo Plants as Privacy Screens

Although usually thought of as tropical plants, some bamboos are cold-hardy.

They are earth friendly and renewable and are great as privacy screens.

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Decorating a Healthy Room

The Penny Crabtree Company,

1-866-765-1301,

Penny Crabtree; Instructor, Holistic Redesign Director, Award-winning Author

www.healthyhomedecorating.com

www.pennycrabtree.com

Fences are great designators but they are not always the best way to keep things

natural. If fencing is your choice add plants and flowers to disguise them lending

a healthy touch.

Lombardy Poplar Trees

Lombardy poplar trees may be planted for quick privacy screens or windbreaks,

as they are fast-growers. However, Lombardy poplars are not long-lived trees.

Lattice fences are effective not only for hiding eyesores on your property, but also

as outdoor privacy screens. Eyesores include unsightly HVAC units, garbage

storage areas, and deck supports. Whether you choose wood or vinyl, building

lattice fences to serve as outdoor privacy screens is a quick and easy way to

designate a sacred area while improving the look of your landscape while keeping

neighbors from spying on your every move.

Privacy Screening With Hedges

Hedge plants may serve the practical function of affording a property some

privacy or security. They can also be purely decorative

Furnishings Furnish for comfort — and function!

lso, you should pick your outdoor furniture and style based on the climate in your area.

The key to achieving a relaxing environment is remembering subtlety; overdoing any

particular theme will overwhelm rather than soothe.

Breathe new Life

Outdoor furniture needn’t be new. In fact, part of Green Design is to recycle by

rethinking and reinventing. Some designers believe that since it’s outside it

shouldn’t have value and the cheaper the better. My believe is: if you love it live

with it inside or out. You don’t have to buy new or high priced but use what you

want to use in your sanctuary. You understand wise and know how to be smart

and practical. Take your prizes and paint or re-purpose them in an outdoor room.

Even items such as plastic furniture can be dressed up with slipcovers, paint,

stencils, pillows and other crafting supplies you may have on hand or be able to

purchase inexpensively.

Details

After processing the features of your outdoors area, you may move on to more

particular details. There are many themes that can create a reposeful realm. Just as

with music, you can orchestrate a symphony by playing the right notes together.

Depending on your preferences and personality, you may find that combining

eclectic styles suits your taste; or, you may find that sticking to a single motif

gives more appealing results.

Get in Touch with Your Inner Style

Style possibilities are endless. An Asian-inspired theme, for example, lends itself

well to winding down after a long day. Clean lines and solid colors, such as black

aluminum, is the way to arrive at this style of choice. Another theme you can

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Decorating a Healthy Room

The Penny Crabtree Company,

1-866-765-1301,

Penny Crabtree; Instructor, Holistic Redesign Director, Award-winning Author

www.healthyhomedecorating.com

www.pennycrabtree.com

follow is the graceful design of beautiful French ironwork sets. Different

distressed metal finishes can create this style. For an entirely different look, opt

for the rustic motif of wicker furniture. Comfortable, easy chairs and benches are

available in a wide array of lovely and appealing colors. Employing simplicity, all

of these designs, and many others, create a crisp, clean look and feel. For added

elegance, assemble a smart arrangement of plants or buy a soothing fountain.

Reap the Rewards of Planning

Careful assessment; fine-tuning and a well-laid plan make your meditation dreams

a reality. Everyone needs a retreat - somewhere to go without distractions and

frenzy. Make your outdoor room this oasis with a few simple improvements.

You'll be amazed how such an idea can really replenish your body and soul.

Rules of thumb

1. The first rule is love what you use!

2. Think about the furnishings. Comfort: floor cushions, a gentle swaying rocker, or perhaps a stuffed

chaise to stretch out in.

3. Sounds: wind chimes, water fountains, CDs & player, a hand -carved wooden flute.

4. Taste: peppermints for mental clarity, calming herbal tea blends, cinnamon red hot candies to

awaken the taste buds.

5. Smells: scented candles, incense, freshly cut sprig of lavender.

6. Visual: mirrors, posters, paintings, artwork, altar.

7. Touch: objects with a variety of textures such as crystals, feathers, sea shells, woven cloths, i tems

that have inner meaning. If you d on’t have any - spend time collecting them.

8. A window placement within the space is especially welcome to allow fresh air and sunshine for

healing and happiness.

Tips:

1. Once your space is ready, honor it by making your presence there often.

2. Set boundaries by deciding who else, if anyone, is allowed in your Sacred Space.

3. Keep a supply of colored pens and notebooks if you want to maintain a journal in your Sacred

Space.

Quote of the week:

Enlightenment is just another word for feeling comfortable with being a

completely ordinary person.

Unknown author

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Creating a Soul Inspired Garden

Remember to pay attention to your intention