Law of Attraction: Step One.

December 1st, 2008

   

• Accept and Love Yourself, All of You

• I’ve been studying self-healing/self-help for at least 20 years.  And only recently I found a golden nugget of wisdom in a chicken’s carcass.  I’m talking about a huge yet simple lesson I just got from picking that chicken apart, limb-by-limb.  As I pulled the beautiful meat from the greasy bones, fat and skin, I finally understood the inner feeling of acceptance.   

• I have spent years picking my life apart, searching for the piece of knowledge that would fix my pain.  But as with the chicken, the yucky bits are as natural as the good.  THIS IS GOLD.  For me, this means:

• Accepting my own aging bones and less-than-perfect skin while embracing my beautiful smile, open heart and warm embrace.
• Accepting a dwindling bank account while confirming my ability to bring money into my life through clear intention and good work, like the biggest magnet in the world.
• Accepting self-doubt and fear of failure while honoring my continued great efforts and “I can” attitude.

• I could go on, but I think you see a pattern here.  I get that it really does take the “good” and “bad” to make all of me, my entire being full of compassion, joy and imperfection.  I am—we are—supposed to be this way… Human.

             

• I’ve heard it said many times, “we are all perfectly imperfect.”  And I’ve always blown it off thinking, “Yeah, you might be, but I’m going to be Perfect.”  What an uphill battle it’s been.  Striving for perfection is of course a losing game – although I played it well and mostly looked like I was winning… except when I would feel trapped and depressed. 

• ACCEPTANCE is key.  Not just for others but for myself.  Acceptance as if God, Spirit, Buddha, whatever you call this amazing energy, was living inside of me every moment, radiating unconditional love into every cell of my being.  This is an opening to life, to living.  Acceptance.

• I NOW KNOW that I am worth putting my dreams to paper and drawing my desires into my life.  As the Law of Attraction suggests, we are what we think. Now, with this greater acceptance of the good and the imperfect, I can effectively use all the techniques I have shared with my clients about the Law of Attraction on myself.

Our Attitudes and Perceptions Shape Our Lives

November 28th, 2008

Written by Robin Dowdy

The law of attraction states that what we focus our energy upon expands. Focusing on love generates more love. Focusing on the wrongdoing of others generates more people doing wrong. We create our own experience.

When I first started my business, I focused on how I didn’t have enough money or clients. Despite my continual growth, I only saw the gaps in my calendar and bank account. I was stuck in “not enough.” When I was paid, I tossed the checks aside and didn’t deposit them for weeks rationalizing that I wasn’t attached to the money and could alleviate my fears. I thought I was using the law of attraction when I visualized my full client load and full bank account at times during the day, but lack motivated my overall demeanor. The book, The Soul of Money, by Lynne Twist, bridged the gap between my visions of “more” and my belief in “not enough.”

Twist refers to the concept of GREAT FULLNESS. She describes” grateful” as recognizing the GREAT FULLNESS of our lives, bank accounts, relationships, etc. It is experiencing our lives as being so full they are about to spill over to the rest of the world. I embodied this lesson of GREAT FULLNESS accidentally one day after receiving a check. I carelessly tossed the check onto the front steps where my kids sprayed the hose nearby. It hit me that in my attempt to be nonchalant about money, I was devaluing my client, their payment, and my own contribution. To truly experience GREAT FULLNESS, I needed to honor that check, express thanks to the universe for connecting me with this client, and deposit it into my account so that this money could spill over into the rest of the world. I immediately felt more full, connected to my client and the world, and more positive about my business. I felt possibility flow in.

Our attitudes and perceptions generate our lives. We have the power to choose lack, fear, and separateness, or fullness, trust, and connection. Regardless of what you seek more of in your life, start by nurturing what you already have. Honor the money that you do have. Connect with the people whom you already know and love them deeply. Nurture that car, house, or TV that you already have by treating it as if it was the most valuable one on the planet. That which we pay attention to expands. The GREAT FULLNESS of your current existence will fill you with possibility and lead to your dreams flowing in with ease.

Robin Dowdy is parent, educator, business owner and coach.

You can reach her at: Shine Through Coaching, Seattle, WA; 425.941.0819; robin.dowdy@gmail.com

Green office on a budget

October 13th, 2008

• Office Nomads is an amazing co-working space on Capitol Hill.  When owners Jacob Sayles and Susan Evans opened their business in this very cool 1940’s building they wanted to give it warmth, functionality and playfulness while staying true to their green values… and keep the costs down.

• Too much to ask for a 5,000 square-foot office renovation?  No way!  At Natural Balance Home & Office, it is my job to listen to my clients’ needs and create a plan that fits — it’s amazing to see what a little paint, creative craiglisting and a cohesive design plan can do.

    

• Here were Office Nomads’ project priorities and process, all accomplished on  a $2500.00 budget:

• Interior Design Goals

1. Create functional and organically beautiful working spaces to support monthly users, drop-in users and meeting/class/event needs.
2. Keep costs down to stay within budget
3. Use green consciousness in product choice
4. Value the Office Nomads community input and workplace during phased improvements

        

• The Process

1. Creating a style direction came first.  The Office Nomads space, with interior brick walls, nicely divided rooms and pathways, and a tinge of 70’s flair, lent itself to a clean, contemporary, yet organic-feeling design. The look of contemporary antiques and accessories fit right in.
2. We chose a color palette to highlight the unique floor plan and warm neutral walls.
3. Deciding on main furniture pieces, desks and work chairs to ensure continuity and flexibility in layout and use was the next priority.
4. Choosing a striking table for the large conference room was important since this is a central focal point of the space.  Jacob and Susan, with talented and crafty friends, took on the challenge of making this stunning table themselves.   We added simple cherry wood chairs to complement the table.
5. The next challenge was finding couches and tables for the community work spaces.  To stay on budget and commit to green design, we chose to re-use items located through craigslist and furniture liquidation stores.
6. We refurbished the kitchen with its old oak cabinets by painting them, and then added a fresh coat of paint to the walls.  Repurposing shelving and creating extra counter space finished this small space nicely.
7. Adding pillows, artwork, and plants to soften the space without cluttering it gave it a nice final touch.
8. Still to be completed:  Updating lighting and electrical, hanging a rotating art system, finishing out smaller conference spaces with a “library” look and back workroom called “the cave”, plus adding a community trophy wall and other personalized artistic touches.

    

• The Result

A unique, hip, comfortable, sustainable, playful work environment that supports all who work in the space… a home office away from home, “individuality without isolation.”

• To see this cool space in the flesh, come to the Office Nomads fall open house.  Thursday, October 16 – 1617 Boylston Ave, Second Floor, Seattle, WA 98122

Back to the Office

September 22nd, 2008

 

 

It’s my first full day in the office since July, I can see that it has suffered for all my play.  There are piles in several places, non-deadline oriented projects are still waiting for my attention, dust bunnies need cleaning, plants need watering, and energy needs moving.  Let’s face it, I’m a feng shui designer in need of a Natural Balance Workspace Refresh.

 

I’m imagining there are others out there in the same position.  It usually helps me to outline what I’m going to do so I don’t just stand in my overwhelming space and look stupid:

 

 

1)    I’m going to go through my paper piles, one item at a time, and file things away while tracking my Next Actions and Projects through the Getting Things Done method I have set up for myself.  When I’m done, there will be no more piles!!!

 

2)    Next I’m going to clear everything in and off my desk and side tables.  Recycle and throw away old magazines, pens that don’t work, knickknacks without significant meaning, and craigslist the extra printer we no longer use.  It’s time to get rid of the clutter that’s weighing me down.

 

 

3)    I’m going to clear my shelves and bulletin boards and take a second look at what I want and need at an arm’s reach away.  It’s crazy how clients’ floor plans and color palettes have gotten out of control, not to mention the resource library.

 

4)    Dusting and Sweeping.  Yahoo!  Allergies from cat hair, dog hair and dust piles be gone.

 

 

5)    Water plants.  They are my natural energy and oxygen cleaning resource now that I’m back indoors, so I have a stake in keeping them alive.  They are also in my Creative gua, life-theme area, and I’m clear that I really need this spiritual energy in everything I do (including writing this blog).

 

6)    I’m good with the color on my walls and the furniture in my workspace, but if you know you’re in need of a style update, insert this task here.  Picking the right color takes time, as well as choosing furniture you want to live with that supports you ergonomically.  Do your research, or hire a professional, like me, to help you make the right decisions the first time around.

 

 

7)    Next, the finishing touches.  I am going to take a close look at the artwork, 2-D and 3-D, to see what still inspires me and what has become dead-weight. It might be sad to admit that a beautiful statue placed in here a year ago no longer does it for me, but life moves on and so must I.  Keeping that statue out of guilt won’t help me land the new client I’m after, will it?

 

 

    Finally, set new intentions for the last quarter of 2008.  I’m going to sit in my refreshed workspace, quiet and focused, and write down my business goals on a clean piece of stationery, with a brand new pen – no old energy allowed into my new goals.  Then I am going to do the same for my personal life and place them near pieces of art that visually inspire me around my goals.  It always feels so good to be clear with myself, and the Universe, and I’m amazed at how effective it is – I tripled my business last year through working this process (just like in The Secret).

 

 

YES!  A plan for a brand new office!  I know it will take me some time to work through every step thoroughly, so I have marked it in my calendar – if it’s not on my agenda, it won’t get done.  I’m also making a commitment to myself do every step.  Having done this before, I know I’ll be much more effective and energized if I do them all!

 

Good luck with your office.  And let me know how it’s going.  Shared sticking points can be education for the masses.  And on the flip side, the more motivational Workspace Refresh/OfficeShui stories we all hear, the more success we’ll all have – let’s ramp up the Collective Work-Consciousness, so to speak.

 

Am I Giving Enough?

August 25th, 2008

• Written by Robin Dowdy 

 

Am I giving enough?

Am I doing enough?

Am I being a good enough mother? 

These questions plague the serenity of all mothers at one time or another. They hit me when I leave my crying kids and go to work or take time for myself. They assault me when I yell at my kids in anger or when my kids are throwing the tenth or twentieth tantrum of the day over yet another minor detail and I am less than supportive.

 

While these nagging questions serve many purposes, one of the most important is the chance for me to step back and reflect on how I am being and to reaffirm that, yes, I am giving, doing, and being a good enough mother.

 

The moments when I feel like I have let my kids down will happen over and over in my life as a mother and there will be many times when, “no” is the answer to the questions above. No, I am not giving, doing, or being enough because I am completely spent. And even in those cases, the answer is still, “yes” because first and foremost, I, and all mothers, am human. We will fail our children again and again. My own faults range from unbearable to minor and they will affect my children’s lives. And, rather than being cause for despair or resignation, this fact is actually a cause for celebrating the love and connection that my faults invite me to embrace.

 

More important than what my faults are as a mother, is how I handle the situations that arise when they impact my kids. Each instance offers the opportunity for demonstration of what it means to extend and be love in the moments when I am most vulnerable to my own humanity. Admitting my own wrongdoing and asking forgiveness of my children teaches grace and humility. Changing my behavior over time and being transparent about that process builds trust and intimacy. Stopping in the midst of an angry tirade and taking a breath and gathering all in for hugs demonstrates that emotions are transient and though powerful, are not to be feared. Relating to my children’s mistakes and emotional ups and downs with empathy and loving boundaries rather than having to fix them to make my kids look good, teaches them acceptance and trust.

 

Though it feels awful to let my kids down in any way and I strive to do as little harm as possible, I am regularly reminded that through my being imperfect, I am allowing them to learn how to be with and move through their own imperfections and to know that love is present no matter what. Isn’t that better than having to be perfect and what we all want anyway?  

• Robin Dowdy is parent, educator, business owner and coach.
• You can reach her at:
• Shine Through Coaching, Seattle, WA
• 425.941.0819; robin.dowdy@gmail.com 

Single Parent on Vacation

August 11th, 2008

• This blog begins a set of entries about being human.  We’re all human, or at least I think we are (my husband sometimes tells me he’s from Pluto and sometimes I think he really might be).  In any case, I believe the more we allow ourselves to be human and support each other from this standpoint, rather than trying to be perfect, the happier and healthier we’ll be.
• I’m in Indiana lake country visiting family with my daughter.  Kent, my husband, needed to be home for work and we’re staying with my 85-year-old grandmother.  So I’m essentially a single parent for the week.
• I love my daughter Amelia more than words could say — honestly.  She is an amazing 4 year old with a loving heart, smart mind and sassy wit.  And, she is 4.  I forget this too often… when I expect her to put her dishes in the sink the first time I ask (rather than the 3rd time when I’m close to yelling), or get dressed quickly so she doesn’t miss her ride to school, or stop squealing in a high-pitched voice over that funny thing I don’t get that she made up.

• Anyway last night, tired and ready for some alone time, I forgot she was 4.  She said she was scared to go get nighttime books by herself.  I knew this cottage was a new place, but the light was on and the books were in plain sight just two steps away!  ”How could you be scared?!  There is nothing to be afraid of!” She pleaded and whined and I found myself raising my voice and threatening “No, I will not go with you.  This is ridiculous! There will be No Books if you don’t get out there and pick them out right NOW!” Amelia cried and I conceded and walked the two steps to the hall where the pile of books lay.
• I was feeling badly as she fell asleep on my shoulder mid-way through the second book, I confessed to the universe my less-than-patient mistakes of the night.  Then I asked for help from the I Ching (my trusted guide).  Question: Why do I get so worked up when I could simply help her?
• Answer:  Hexagram 35 - Progressing - change lines 1 & 3  Note: After many years of the Wilhem Baynes translation, I now like using Carol Anthony and Hannah Moog’s contemporary transmutation;  I CHING, The Oracle of the Cosmic Way.
• There were many nuggets of wisdom about change and growing-up, which I wrote in my journal.  And on page 301 I was hit with a brick.  Line 1  ”This line can point to a person who has been attempting to persuade, use leverage and contrivance, instill guilt, claim that there is something wrong with the other, argue, threaten or use physical force.”
• Yea, this was what I did.  Guilt, persuasion and threats can come out of me faster than a bullet from an AK40.  I suppose I come by it naturally through family, who got it from their family behavior (like a bad gene strain).  No matter why I do it, I know it’s wrong.

• I kissed my sleeping beauty still laying on my shoulder and told her that I’m sorry. Tomorrow I will need to tell her again so she can actually hear it, “Mommy messed up… I need to remember to be patient, even when I’m tired… I love you very much.”

Toy Storage Tips

July 24th, 2008

The Summer Fun Continues:

I’ve been having so much fun with my family this summer, it’s taken me a while to get this post out. So, here are my thoughts about good Toy Storage…

If you have kids, you know the TOY DILEMMA first hand. Summer time can often be a toy fest, outside, and inside!!

The truth is that our kids need more than one toy to engage and teach them all the cool things they want to learn, as well as occupy their time. This often leads to the dilemma: too many toys for one home to handle.

A few over-toyed reactions you may have tried to tame the mess:

1) YELL! “Clean up your toys! This is the last time I’m going to tell you!”

2) THREATEN — Keep the children inside, or at home until they pick up after themselves, leaving you stuck at home inside too.

3) IGNORE the ever-accumulating mass hoping your kids will act on their own — tripping over their stuff and aggravating you for who knows how long.

4) PICK-UP for them, creating a long-term dependency you may not like.

5) CREATE a beautiful system of toy organization that makes it easy and, dare I say, fun to put away.

You can guess which option I favor…

So what’s a family to do? The need for such solutions often inspires new clients to call Natural Balance Home & Office for help. Our method to the madness is below:

A) The first step is to SORT through all the toys you have and pair down the collection. DONATE any toys with playtime still in them, but that are no longer age-appropriate. With what’s left, figure out which toys go in which rooms: Play Room, Bedrooms, Family or Great Room. And, don’t forget to put the outside toys outside.

B) Now comes the fun part: creating a storage system (I always feel like a kid shopping for stickers when I get to this phase). The keys for good toy storage units are simple and should include:

• Separate containers so different types of toys can be grouped together.

• Storage/shelving for the containers — Large stacks of containers shoved in the closet will quickly turn into mayhem. And, if the toys are in a shared living space such as the Family/Living Room or Great Room, doors on the unit are highly recommended.

C) Containers can range in size and weight but the best ones have lids and are easy for your child to handle. They can be any material you want: wood, woven grass or fabric, or plastic. (Look at Storables, The Container Store, Ikea, or Target for various options).

I’ve found that fabric soft-sided containers are the best choice for larger items such as balls, stuffed animals, etc. – but they don’t stack and take up more space, so chose wisely.

D) Remember to REUSE and RECYCLE. You can re-use shoeboxes or Tupperware for smaller, craft-like items. You can even look through antique and thrift stores for a selection of unique boxes and decorate them to fit your and your children’s tastes.

E) Now that you have a system and some tools, you have to implement it. I’ll share some of the things I’ve learned raising my 4-year old so far (but I think they apply to all ages):

• Because you want the kids to learn to clean up after themselves, make sure they know the system. A great way to do this is to have them take part in choosing its components; some of them anyway!

• Remember to set expectations. Depending on how old your child is, give them a limit of how many projects they can have out at once. If they get to four on the floor, something has to be put away.

• Make sure the system is easy. If it takes more than 5-10 minutes to clean up, your kids won’t do it.

Be patient! This project can, in some ways, be more difficult than just clearing out your clutter. It takes time for a natural habit to develop – about 2-3 weeks. You’ll need to “push” the system until it takes hold. As you’re teaching, and re-teaching, just keep you eye on the prize — relaxing in your home without a mass of toys spread at your feet!!

If you want support finding patience, here are a few resources:

Books:
Love and Limits book review: www.parentingpress.com/b_love.html/
Parenting from the Inside Out: www.powells.com/biblio/1-1585422959-0/
Parenting modality Love and Logic: www.loveandlogic.com/

Websites:
Child Development Institute, Stress Management for Parents: http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/stress.shtml/

A muti-spiritual site, specific article: 7 Quick Ways to Calm Down:
http://www.beliefnet.com/gallery/calmdown.html?source=GOOGLE&campaign=097

&medium=CPC&nopop=1&SW.mc_id=GOOSWC097&WT.srch=1&gclid=CJKz58r

YgZQCFQwxiQodi3NEWQ/

Coaches and Counselors:

Robin Dowdy, M. Ed.
Shine Through Coaching
Seattle, WA
Robin Dowdy, parent, educator, business-owner and coach, has been facilitating the growth and development of individuals for almost 10 years.
When being coached by Robin parents are heard, supported, and empowered to transform their lives. She uses insight, powerful questions, humor and compassion to connect deeply with her clients. As a result of coaching, Robin’s clients achieve power, joy, and fulfillment.

Robin Offers:
∂ Introductory Sessions
∂ 6-Week Workshops
∂ Refresher Courses
For information about upcoming workshops or to have Robin come speak to your group, please contact Robin at: (425) 941-0819, robin.dowdy@gmail.com

Kaji Martinez MA, CMHS, LMHC
Achieving Inner Balance Counseling and Coaching
Seattle, WA

Martinez provides individual, couples and family counseling. She offers various modalities and works with blended, and multicultural families. As a Child Mental Health Specialist she also provides one on one therapeutic service to children. Parent coaching and education is offered to families in her office or the comfort of their home – creating a better understanding of family dynamics in a shorter time frame. Therapeutic plans are catered to each family and individual.

Free phone consultations are available to those who may be interested in seeking services.

Contact Kaji Martinez at (206) 715-0714, www.aibcounseling.com/

The Kids are Home

June 20th, 2008

Summer is here! For many of you that means daily routines are undergoing a dramatic change – your kids are out of school. Your home is about to become chock full of toys, games and kids. “Calgon, take me away!” (dating myself a little with this old 70’s commercial).

 

I’m a family person myself, and so are many of our clients at Natural Balance Home and Office. We’re used to maintaining a home with kids. But let’s face it, summer gets intense with all the action and stuff about, all the time!

 

Simple/ easy toy storage is key to peace of mind at home with kids, but I’m going to get into that next time… it deserves it’s own focus!

 

Today I want to talk about 30 minutes, or more, of “you time.” As parents, we tend to put everyone else first and this takes a toll on us. You know the count to ten rule before you lose your cool? 10 seconds works in an emergency, but doesn’t really help the root of the problem – your frazzled nerves. My suggestion is to set up a get-away space and a schedule that will support 30-90 minutes a day to clear your mind and spirit. There’s nothing wrong with creating a sanctuary space for yourself with a sign that says, “No Kids Allowed right now.”

 

Your peaceful sanctuary doesn’t have to mean adding a new room onto the house or building a new structure in the backyard. An existing space in your house can easily become a place of peace and tranquility: your bedroom, guest room, study, sun porch or a partially-finished room in the basement.

 

Here are a few tips to create your perfect retreat at home:

 

Use feng shui to help connect your space to you and the earth. With true north as the guide, map the bagua over your home to find out what “gua” (life theme area) your room is located in. You can use the color and natural element associated with this gua as inspiration for your get-away space. Download a bagua copy: www.naturalbalance9.com/feng-shui.htm/

 

Look at the color in your newly re-purposed space. Does the color fit the purpose? Using a room to get away and read, take a nap, practice your karate skills, blare music, dance, write or do yoga all require different moods and color will go a long way toward setting that mood. If the overall color makes you feel jangly and anxious, come up with a new palette for your space before doing anything else.

 

Lighting is also key for this room. You’ll want three different types: an overhead light, task lighting for reading, writing, etc, and ambient light which can be as simple as dimming the overhead lights or adding some up-lighting along the walls or in corners. This gives you control over the mood and functionality of the room.

 

Furniture is next on the list. You’ll want to fix the creaks and make sure it all looks pleasing to the eye. If that end table needs to be re-finished, do it! You don’t want to steal a few precious moments in your sanctuary just to be reminded of another project waiting for your attention (unless your sanctuary is a workshop). Take a close look at your storage units too. Are they functioning well or are you letting stuff pile up? If it’s the latter, think about finding a solution that works better for your needs.

 

Now that you have the basics in place, look at fabrics and accents in your room (window treatments, pillows, throws, rugs, etc). They can add color, softness and texture, all of which can add to the overall feel. When thinking about accents, you should also keep in mind how you’ll use the room. Do you expect to sit on the floor? Maybe a cushy throw rug would be better than the slotted bamboo one. For a space you’ll use for yoga, keeping the floor open for a sticky mat is a better decision.

 

Finally, artwork is an important part of any room, and should be in your get-away space too. Take your time with what you add to the walls and surfaces. Make sure they are pleasant to look at and emotionally supportive. Using the bagua for guidance, personal items can be placed to draw your attention to specific life goals and desires, making them a reality in your life. So, don’t just throw something on the wall that has not found a home elsewhere. Place the art in your private space to have a profound positive effect on your psyche.

 

Make way for “me too” time this summer. Have fun creating your get-away room!

 

 

 

A few great parenting resources:

 

Books:

Love and Limits book review:

www.parentingpress.com/b_love.html/

Parenting from the Inside Out:

www.powells.com/biblio/1-1585422959-0/

Parenting modality Love and Logic:

www.loveandlogic.com/

 

Websites:

Child Development Institute, Stress Management for Parents:

http://www.childdevelopmentinfo.com/parenting/stress.shtml/

 

A muti-spiritual site, specific article: 7 Quick Ways to Calm Down:

http://www.beliefnet.com/gallery/calmdown.html?source=GOOGLE&campaign=097&medium=CPC&nopop=1&SW.mc_

id=GOOSWC097&WT.srch=1&gclid=CJKz58rYgZQCFQwxiQodi3NEWQ/

 

Coaches and Counselors:

Robin Dowdy, M. Ed.

Shine Through Coaching

Seattle, WA

Robin Dowdy, parent, educator, business-owner and coach, has been facilitating the growth and development of individuals for almost 10 years.

When being coached by Robin parents are heard, supported, and empowered to transform their lives. She uses insight, powerful questions, humor and compassion to connect deeply with her clients. As a result of coaching, Robin’s clients achieve power, joy, and fulfillment.

Robin Offers:

Introductory Sessions

6-Week Workshops

Refresher Courses

For information about upcoming workshops or to have Robin come speak to your group, please contact Robin at (425) 941-0819, robin.dowdy@gmail.com

 

 

Kaji Martinez MA, CMHS, LMHC

Achieving Inner Balance Counseling and Coaching

Seattle, WA

 

Martinez provides individual, couples and family counseling. She offers various modalities and works with blended, and multicultural families. As a Child Mental Health Specialist she also provides one on one therapeutic service to children. Parent coaching and education is offered to families in her office or the comfort of their home – creating a better understanding of family dynamics in a shorter time frame. Therapeutic plans are catered to each family and individual.

 

Free phone consultations are available to those who may be interested in seeking services.

Contact Kaji Martinez at (206) 715-0714, www.aibcounseling.com/

 

 

Selecting Green Furniture

June 3rd, 2008

 

 

I’m fascinated with the zero-footprint idea.  I find myself wanting to learn more and more.

So my last entry talked about going green with paint products, flooring and countertops that use fair, sustainable, non-toxic practices.  This time I want to talk about Green Furniture.

The commitment to green design factors includes the three Rs: REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.  How does this apply to furniture?

 

REUSE.  Using what you already have in a new way is the easiest way to be green.  Ask yourself if what you already have  is functional but simply needs repair or a facelift. Many of the pieces we’ve lived and worked with for many years can become almost new when they are fixed, re-finished or re-upholstered.

Sometimes though, re-using something we already have simply won’t work. Repairs aren’t always inexpensive, furniture shapes may not match the style you’re going for, or it may simply be the wrong size. If this applies to you, then selling or donating your furniture so it can find a new life elsewhere is a great way to reduce the waste stream coming off a home or office design project.

 

         

 

RECYCLE.  When you’ve decided that reusing an object isn’t a viable option, shift your thinking toward recycling. This doesn’t have to mean reverting to your college dorm days and scouting out comfy chairs sitting on the side of the road with “Free” signs. Antique stores have practiced this sustainable art for as long as people have been designing living and work spaces. If antiques don’t suit your fancy, you can also look for design companies which re-use products to make new, sometimes funky, designs.

Still can’t find the exact right piece to fit in the space? Sometimes buying new is unavoidable. But doing so doesn’t have to mean buying couches soaked in hundreds of chemicals or a desk made of unpronounceable, man-made substances. There are a wide variety of sustainable, eco-focused furniture designers who create modern amazing work.  If you’re going to buy new, think long-term and buy a well-made piece you really love, even if it takes saving your money to get it.

GREEN WASHING. When looking for new, sustainable furniture, beware of  “green-washing” — when companies tout practices that simply aren’t sustainable. Look closely at products with sustainable claims (http://www.terrachoice.com/files/6_sins.pdf).  Furniture which is truly green will have Forest Stewardship Council-certified wood (www.fsc-us.org), be made with organic or recycled fabrics, come from a socially responsible manufacturer (as local as possible) and will have an open manufacturing process, open to inspection by customers.

 

To help you add the three Rs to your design process, here’s a list of some of our favorite suppliers:

 Upholsterers

Eidem Custom Upholstery  www.servicemagic.com/

AW Hoss and Sons  www.awhossandson.com

 Antiques/reclaimed suppliers:

Antique Liquidators  www.antiqueliquidators.com

Antika  www.antikaantiques.com

David Smith  www.davidsmithco.com/

Glenn Richards  www.glennrichards.com

 Recycled furniture

            Camelion Design  http://inballard.com/detail.php?id=cameliondesign

            City Trees Furniture   www.citytreesfurniture.com

 New products

Greener Lifestyles   www.greenerlifestyles.com

Soaring Heart  www.soaringheart.com

Terris Draheim  www.terrisdraheim.com

Feng Shui Marries Design and Sustainability

May 15th, 2008

Green design and feng shui is a marriage made in heaven, literally and figuratively. Mother nature is one of the most powerful forces I know, and honoring her with conscious decisions in our living and working spaces is not only necessary, but personally powerful.

The practice of feng shui is rooted in the earth and is literally the study of how energy moves between the different elements in nature. “Feng shui” translated, means “wind water.”

Today we use feng shui to create natural transitions in our buildings, homes, and landscapes. This helps energy move harmoniously through an urban or built environment and honors nature in our spaces.

Combining green design principles with feng shui makes your connection to nature and your home or office that much stronger, giving you super bonus points for personal and environmental empowerment.

In feng shui, assessing spaces using the Bagua, or feng-shui life map, helps us know which rooms in your home or office reflect certain life themes and cues us to the natural elements that will strengthen those areas.

Following are a few ways to integrate green design into your remodel or re-design project:

Paint is the first and easiest design material we can change. Old paints are stinky, toxic and difficult to dispose of because they are hazardous materials. Buy low or no-VOC paints; they’re better for the environment and our health. Note: Buyer beware, many no-VOC paints are poorer quality than standard latex paints because they tend to be thin, requiring multiple coats that are not scrubbable. One of the better brands out there is American Pride. Look for the line at your local environmental home store like Seattle’s Ecohaus.

Flooring offers designers and remodelers a number of material options. One of the most popular is bamboo because it is a fast-growing grass, sustainable and it comes in many forms including nail down and floatable flooring. Teragren is a Washington-owned company that makes bamboo flooring. Another is Bamboo Hardwoods. Other “green” options for your floors include reclaimed wood, FSC-certified wood, marmoleum (a natural linoleum), cork, wool carpet, recycled tile and concrete. Another note: The process for making concrete does produce a lot of greenhouse gases, but it is an extremely long-lasting material which lowers its lifecycle impacts and it can be recycled if it is ever removed.

Countertops can be made of all the same materials with the exception of bamboo, cork and wool, of course. Another option is Paperstone which is made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and a resin made from the oil found in cashews. Squak Mountain Stone and Trinity Mountain Glass Products also make beautiful countertops produced from post-consumer and post-industrial materials.

Counters and floors all need to be sealed and this is where “green” products show more performance issues. While the petroleum sealants are longer lasting, they’re definitely more toxic than non-petroleum products. The non-petroleum options, such as linseed oil and waxes, perform well when re-applied about once or twice a year, but do lend them selves to a more natural look. No “green” product performs as “perfectly” as its less toxic/ sustainable counterpart. So when you’re putting together your designs, it’s important to think about where you will need more heat-, water- or wear-friendly materials. For instance, you might choose butcher block for the counter area right next to your stove because it responds to heat better than Paperstone, or flag stone in your entry before shoes are replaced with slippers.

In the end, it’s important to remember that using “green” products means incorporating the beauty of nature into your space. So while nature is not perfect, it does have stunning and graceful character. It’s up to you the amount of character you’re willing to live with.