It is important to create spaces that nurture your Soul, and allow you to feel invigorated and rejuvenated so that you can live your best life. Come home to a place that lifts your spirit and makes you feel fabulous to be in your space. Does your home inspire you?

How To: Refresh Your Space for Spring

Inspired Greetings!

At long last, the arctic winds have started to subside and the sun has begun to linger in the sky. Soon the tulips will begin to peak through what was just frozen ground. As Spring approaches, I am thrilled to share tips and trends for refreshing your space. In this week’s blog, we will look at how using bright colors in your home can have a significant impact on your mood and emotions. Get ready to embrace one of my favorite seasons with new room inspirations and exciting products that my team and I have curated just for you!

Blessings, Christa O’Leary

How To: Refresh Your Space for Spring

One of the tools in my “Home in Harmony Toolbox” is the ability to assess a home or office through the lens of psychology. As your natural environment changes from winter to spring, your mind and body begin to feel this shift. It is beneficial to attune your space to be aligned with the natural world.

Using bright colors in your home can have a significant impact on your mood and emotions. Bright colors can create a sense of energy and excitement in a room, making it feel more lively and vibrant. Colors can also evoke feelings of happiness and positivity, which can improve mood and well-being. Blue sky, green grass and pink tulips can create a cascade of happy hormones in your body that impact your level of contentment. Using those colors in your home can have a similar effect.

You might be wondering what the color trends are for spring 2023. Sarah Dimarco of Veranda Magazine explains that “The era of vibrancy is upon us.” Some of the popular colors this year include the many shades of green as well as the bright and bold hues of oranges and magenta.

When selecting bright colors, consider the psychological association of each hue. For example, red can be energizing and passionate, while yellow can be cheerful and optimistic. Decide what you want to feel in your space and how it will best serve you and your circumstances. Do you need more intensity or do you need more joy in your life? Assessing where you are and where you want to be will help you determine what colors are best to incorporate in your space.

Remember, ultimately the colors you choose for your home should reflect your personal style and you feel comfortable and happy in your space.

Simple Solution: If your walls are gray, add a pop of your favorite color to liven up the space with accent side tables or bold lamps in your favorite hue.

The Color of Calm

Inspired greetings,

It has been a while since I’ve been in touch. I’m so happy to be reconnecting with you! I hope the last three years have been filled with peace in your home, despite the turbulent world. I wanted to take the time to update you on my journey and provide you with some great content to help you create your home in harmony. Thank you for being a part of my community and I look forward to creating solutions for you to design inspired living!

For 23 years I have been helping people create home and office environments that are both aesthetically beautiful and psychologically nurturing. I have taken courses in anything related to our homes from Feng Shui & clutter clearing to green design & color psychology. I often refer to these certifications as “tools-in-my-tool-box” that help me assess an interior environment and create a design that nurtures the mind, body and spirit of those that live or work within the walls. In todays blog, I am going to focus on design and color psychology.

Design psychology is the study of how people interact with design elements in their environment. It focuses on understanding how visual elements, colors, shapes, and materials affect people’s behavior and emotions. Design psychology helps me look at how people interpret visual stimuli, room & furniture layouts and how they respond to different colors. It also examines the influence of culture, context, and personal preferences on design. Design psychology helps me create spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and emotionally satisfying. By understanding the psychological effects of design, I can purposefully create experiences that support the people that live or work in the environment and make them feel connected to their space.

During this time of year we see an abundance of pink. Let’s look at the color pink through a design & color psychology lens. Pink is a color that is often associated with femininity, love, and romance. It is also associated with being innocent, sweet, and caring. In color psychology, pink is said to have a calming and soothing effect. It can be used to help relax and unwind, and it can help to create a sense of peace and harmony. Pink can also help to reduce aggression and negative emotions, making it a great choice for those trying to create a calming or peaceful atmosphere. Pink can also be used to help promote creativity and foster a sense of unity and togetherness. For pink room inspirations check out @HomeinHarmonyDesigns! We are dedicating the month to pink inspo!

Simple Solution: If you like the idea of creating calm in the midst of a chaotic world, use pink in your home to foster a soothing psychological response. An easy way to do this is by incorporating accent pieces like pillows, rugs, and artwork. Play around with different shades, textures, and patterns to create an inviting and unique space.

Design psychology is a tool-in-my-toolbox that allows me to see and assess spaces. This lens enables me to create home environment that nurture and support the individuals or families that live there.

Please join me on Instagram @HomeinHarmonyDesigns to see our latest projects, products and events! This is a great way to connect, be part of the conversation and enjoy the community! I really hope to see you there.

Are you in the 6% Club?

Driving by the gym today I noticed the abundance of cars in the parking lot where there are usually only a dozen at any given time. New Year’s resolutions are in overdrive with people’s excitement and determination full throttle. I wonder how long it will last? Statistics say that only 6% of people who set a New Year’s resolution achieve their goal. And, unfortunately only 75% of people even make it through the 1^st week! That being said, it will be interesting to see how long it takes for the gym parking lot to go back to normal capacity.

Do you usually follow through on your New Year’s resolutions?

Do you remember what your resolution was from last year?

Did you make it happen?

How are you going to create success this year?

Two of the top resolutions for 2019 are good health & getting organized. In today’s blog post I will share 3 simple solution to aide you in your efforts for both of these areas so you can have lasting success!

In my book, Home in Harmony: Designing an Inspired Life, I go into detail about how habits control your behavior. More than 86% of your behavior is (blindly) determined by unconscious habitual actions and responses. You can use this as a tool to help you manage your actions, behaviors and goals. When setting resolutions it is important to think about what you are trying to achieve and determine how you can turn your objective into a habit. This slight adjustment in perspective can make all the difference in whether you are effective or not in maintaining your aspiration and being part of the 6% who achieve what they set out to accomplish in the New Year.

If your goal is to create a healthy body or an organized home than lets look at a few simple solutions to help turn both of these aspirations into reality.

First, go through your kitchen cupboards (or any other area of your home that contains food items) and toss items that are unhealthy. Make a commitment to not replenish these items. Instead decide what would be a healthy and suitable substitute. This will help you exchange the items that are draining with healthy versions of whatever you typically consume.

Next, clear out and donate kitchen gadgets you haven’t used in a year. Ask yourself if you are really ever going to use them. Then, dust off some of the appliances that will help you stay committed to your goals of health and wellness. Put items like your blender or juicer in a spot that is easily accessible. This will allow you to make your healthy, energy boosting smoothies and green juices easily. Having these items in sight and handy acts as a constant reminder to use them and helps fortify the health and wellness objective at hand.

Lastly, add a beautiful bowl of fresh produce on the counter. This will add uplifting color and energy to the space that will rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit. This will also help remind you of your intentions for health and wellness.

As always, I would love to hear about You! In the comments below, please share your goals and aspirations for 2019!

Wishing you incredible success in 2019!

Happy Soaring!

XOXO

photo credit = small biz trends dot com

Tv Tips…

San Diego CW Channel 8 invited me to come discuss a few key elements to show you how to make your home feel and look it’s best so that you can feel your best this Spring!

We discussed some of my favorite topics…

How to organize the clutter!
Ways to add pops of color!
How to detoxify the air you breath!

You can get these easy, simple solutions by watching the CW 8 segment by clicking the image below..

I would love to hear how you are creating your Home in Harmony this Spring! Comment and post on our Instagram page!

Happy Soaring!

PS…Don’t forget, we have the FREE 14 Day Clutter Clearing Challenge to support your Spring Cleaning…click here!

You Get To!

It is that time of year!

SPRING!!!

Here in the Northeast the buds are peaking out of the ground, the air is starting to blow in warmer breezes and the cacophony of birds & peepers are singing their song!

It makes me want to open the windows & doors and allow the fresh air to filter through the house and cleanse any stagnant energy & toxins that have built up over the winter.

Are you with me?

It is such an inspiring and exciting time of year… and I am feeling enthusiastic to embark on a Spring Cleaning!

Here are some ways to add the excitement back into your Spring Cleaning!

Let me give you four quick Spring Cleaning tips or simple solutions to help you create a Home in Harmony!

*Open the Windows!

Allow the crisp, fresh air to circulate around your home to detox the air and move any stagnant energy!

*Swap Winter Garments

This is one of my favs! Putting the jackets, mittens, sweaters and hats away and bringing out the bright colors! A colorful closet adds energy to your space and puts a smile on your face!

*Brighten & Lighten!

The colors we tend to use in the winter season embrace a more cozy aesthetic. Now it is time to brighten up and lighten up! Swap out dark color pillows and throws for something lighter and brighter!

*Décor Adjustment

Take a minute to notice if you have any left-over decorations from the winter holidays. Anything, including candles from Christmas, placemats with Easter Bunnies or snowmen with carrot noses… I am sure you understand. Is there something in your environment that needs attention? Take a minute to put it away for next year. Even if those items don’t seem top-of-mind, they do weigh you down on an unconscious level.

Take some time to assess your environment and determine what is connected to the “old” energy of winter. Embrace the season we are stepping into by connecting your environment to the seasonal rhythm of nature. Looking at Spring Cleaning through this lens can be energizing and inspiring instead of looking at the tasks as something that is arduous.

“You Get To!” instead of “You Have To.”

What if we looked at all of life through that lens?

Happy Soaring!

PS…Don’t forget, we have the FREE 14 Day Clutter Clearing Challenge to support your Spring Cleaning…click here!