Decorating Dilemma

If this is my biggest problem - I'll take it.

We have decided to actually make Bham our home, at least for another year or so. Finally, we can relax.

BUT - the egyptian is ready to get new furniture. (Which really was the plan once we got to NYC.)

He is modern with clean straight lines (think Ikea meets NYC loft.) I am shabby chic meets bohemian babe. We both like Zen.

What we decided to do was to get a few magazines and cut out styles or items we like. We will report back and share with each other, and circle the basic "look." We will come up with a theme for each room, and go through the process.

(See - communication and compromise.) ;-)

If you know of any great decorating sites, please let me know!

Project time!

Meditation Room

I am really excited about transforming my Sun Room! I have been waiting to do this for quite some time.

See, the egyptian took this room (you see to the left) and turned it into a more "modern space" - removed all of middle eastern stuff (b/c he said he grew up around that and did not want to see it anymore.) Oh yeah - he got rid of the cat also. (The one in the pic, don't worry - Lestat the Vampire Cat is safe and sound with my parents.)

Sooo.. I want a mediation room. I want my ZEN space. I am going to turn THIS room into just THAT!

I am excited, so very excited! (How many times have I said that now?)

I have been doing a little research on the subject, and I am pleased to share that for one, I have an excellent space to do this. I do need to get rid of a few things (or rework a few things) - but it is all totally doable.

First of all - what do I need to add or remove or whatever. The decorating and organization of my meditation room? I found a wonderful article by Leanne Kallal on how to create this exact type of room. Here are a few tips she shared in the article:

- When creating your sacred place think of what colors evoke relaxation and a sense of calm in you? Maybe it’s a soothing color like lavender or a calming blue. Maybe you prefer a deeper color like brown or burgundy.
-Another thing to consider is furniture and accessories. Do you want to sit on the floor, on a mat, on a chair, on a couch? Again, there are multiply options here so choose the one that’s best for you!
-think about lighting for your meditation room. Do you meditate best in the dark, in bright light or somewhere in between? Maybe candle light is the perfect lighting for you. You might not know the answer to this question immediately, so don’t be afraid to play around with lighting until you find what’s best for you!

This first one might work for me. Since the room is visible from the Living Room. This space good double as a little den or reading room. I could put my "religious" items on a small shelf or table. Just an idea.

To me - this is just WONDERFUL. Simple, clear on what this room is for.

NICE.  I think my room would look good in the day with the natural sun, and really beautiful at night with the moonlight and candles.

This is very typical of group meditation.

I even found a wonderful link of FREE audio meditations. I want to share the link with you. If you are at work, or even home, and just need a few minutes to unwind - go to this website: Learning Meditation.

Back to the room..

I think I will purchase:

- a larger throw rug

- aromatherapy candles

- remove the paintings from that room, and add items that evoke peace and serenity

- place my cd player in there

- one small shelf

- a tiny "altar" type with candles, etc. (More on that later. I found a way to create my own altar!)

- I have tons of middle eastern cushions.. I will resurrect those

- a large curtain (with pull backs) to separate the living room from the sunroom.

PROJECT!

What about you? If you could turn one room into anything you wanted in your home, what would it be?

Creating a ZEN atmostphere

Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid

I have a lush (I say lush because it sooo can be) opportunity to create a Zen environment for the next seven months.

For the first time, in years, I will be the master of my domain.

In the past, I was waiting for immigration to pull through, so that the egyptian would fly here.

Then he got here, and we have struggled with the "my idea versus his idea" for how the house will look, the schedule of the day - things like that. Normal stuff, things all married couples or people who live with their significant other know about. That is, unless you live with a people pleaser. I do not.

While he is in NYC, trying to finalize his teaching certification, I can just - BE.

2011 will be a year of transformation for me. I know, I know.. we say that every year, but for me the wheels of change are already spinning. Decisions need to be made, a time table is in place.

Which brings me back to creating that ZEN atmosphere. Just how do I do it? Better yet, how can you create your own little ZEN space?

First of all, we use the word ZEN a lot. But what does it actually mean? Since I am a linguistics fanatic.. here is what I found: Zen is a school of Mahāyāna Buddhism. The Japanese word Zen is derived from the Chinese word Chán, which in turn is derived from the Sanskrit word dhyāna, which means "meditation" or "meditative state".

Word. ;-)

So - how can I achieve this? Zen emphasizes experiential Wisdom in the attainment of enlightenment. It de-emphasizes theoretical knowledge in favor of direct realization through meditation and dharma practice.

Okay, I like this. I need this. I want to learn this. Now, how can I make my environment more open to a Zen-like atmostsphere? I want to decorate with a more holistic approach, so that my health (mental and physical) will improve in 2011.

According to Room Decorating Ideas - The key to Zen decor is simplicity. The goal is to create a harmonious interior that simply flows, without any obstacles, clutter, or unnecessary items in the way which allows you to ‘be’ in the present moment.  Although Zen decorating is minimalistic, the items that are in the home should each have a specific use, visible, and highly functional despite their simplicity. Working within the Zen means beginning to use more natural materials when decorating your home. The color tones in the home should be earthy, and the furniture you have around the house should have simple, clean lines and be in keeping with the color scheme. You can still add accessories when creating a zen room, but think more in terms of woven area rugs..

Time to declutter and simplify. Ha! One of my closest friends has decided to do this, perhaps I should share this post with her! Okay, well - one of the things I was planning on doing was getting rid of soooo many material things. This should be fun!

I also want to get back into meditation. I use to study it (by books and practicing at home) throughout college and later while I was working in TV - but somehow, life happened and I got away from it.

I decided to see if I could find any groups to join for meditation in Birmingham, here is what I found:

Birmingham Shambhala Meditation Center - This appears to be the motherload! Located at 714 37th Street South in Birmingham, offers public meditation sittings, core teachings in Shambhala wisdom as well as Buddhist dharma teachings. Those of all spiritual traditions are invited to explore their offerings in the quest to find a mind of compassion, gentleness and sanity.

Compassionate Heart Sangha - Contact; Robert Patrick
Location: Birmingham, AL
Email: potoole@bellsouth.net
Tradition: Zen Buddhist Master Thich Nhat Hahn
and the Order of Interbeing.
Affiliation: Community of Mindful Living

Losel Maitri Tibetan Buddhist Center
P.O. Box 43721 Birmingham, AL 35243
Tel: (205) 908-2703, Fax: (205) 970-4903
Email: loselmaitri@aol.com
Web site: http://www.loselmaitribuddhist.org/
Tradition: Non-sectarian Tibetan Buddhist
Resident Teacher: Ven. Tenzin Deshek

Contemplative Prayer, Episcopal Diocese of Alabama
Lead by: Mary Sullivan and Kathryn Daniel
Wednesday evenings at 5:30. Join them this Wednesday in St. Mary's Chapel (off the nave).

Contemplative Outreach, Birmingham
They list the following groups:
Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church,
Homewood, AL
Jeannette Bell jeannette89@aol.com 205.879.8169

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church,
Birmingham, AL
Louise Meredith loumeredith@bellsouth.net 205.970.1892

Independent Presbyterian Church,
Birmingham, AL
Kathy Thomson thomasthomson@bellsouth.net 205.968.2219
Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church,
Pelham, AL
Diana Tschache tschached@bellsouth.net 205.991.6964

Golden Temple Health Foods Store
They have a yoga center and are located in two locations: 5 points south location 1901 11th ave S. Birmingham 933 6333 and at 3309 Lorna Rd. Hoover 823 7002.

That's all I could find!

Now it is time for me to get to work, do a little more research and find a way to bring that balance into my life. I am slowing removing the toxic, cleansing the home, and now I will balance it all out. By doing this - I think I will be able to learn that word of the year - TRUST.

What about you? How do you clear your mind, find your center?

Zen Quote: When the pupil is ready to learn, a teacher will appear. Who will be my teacher?

Buying couch

It is a simple task that I really should not stress over, but I am super obsessed and a bit stressed about selecting a new couch. My goal was to get something BEFORE the egyptian got back (sort of as a surprise) - but then I thought, "Wait  - what if what I select is not what he likes - then the surprise is ruined!"

I am drawn more to a beige couch. I know, I know.. beige. But it is a nice mix of modern and casual comfort. Exactly what we are looking for.
This is it:

But then there is a red couch (the egyptian loves red...and a modern look)

AND it can convert into a bed for guests..

I am just not sure. Saturday I am officially going to scope it all out. Decisions, decisions.

What BIG purchases do you have coming up?

I wish I had my own "girlie" room

Sometimes I wish I could wake up in my own little room - with no one else around. Surrounded by beautiful "girlie" things.

I want a big, fluffy bed with the softest sheets. I want the room to be light & airy, with a cool scented sea breeze lightly passing through.

The view out the window would be something miraculous. Something natural. Upon waking the only thing you could think to do is thank God for the amazing natural beauty and sit and admire.

Upon exiting this sumptuous bedroom, I want to walk into my very own adult-girlie sitting room. This is where I will spend most of my days.

I want big fluffy couches, and a "no shoes' rule. Again - light just blanketing the room, and always the perfect temperature (for me) - 70 degrees.

I would have access to all of my favorite books, my laptop and a tv with only my favorite programs: Travel Channel, History Channel, A&E, Bravo, WE, Oxygen, Lifetime, VH-1, MTV, FUSE, CBS, ABC, NBC, TBS, Fox, TLC and the Discovery Channel.

When I press a button the bubble machine will begin. I think my fantasy girlie room MUST have a bubble machine. They make me happy! OR - how about each time there is laughter in the room - the bubble machine then begins to blow bubbles for a few seconds. hahaha a- I love it!

This would encourage any of my visitors to laugh more and stick to the happy thoughts!

Of course in this fantasy world - I would have "assistants" that would serve champagne and strawberries to all of my guests. You will each be given at least one small flower to hold and smell as you visit. Your choices will be a white rose, a gardenia, or few sprigs of jasmine or lavender.

The idea is to invoke a sense of relaxation - perhaps the way the ancient Greeks enjoyed their spring days by the reflecting pool.

Perhaps we will have people serve us goodies and fan us with beautiful palms.

The idea is - this is an escape.

Another idea would be the have a cupcake tier near by. Only the yummiest, prettiest cupcakes will do!

I want my stand to be "ballet" themed and everyone who visits gets to taste a cupcake.

There will be glitter confetti that trickles down as we eat our pretty cupcakes and this glitter is super magical - it dissolves before it actually touches anything!! (hey  - it's my fantasy!)

There you have it  - my fantasy girl room!! What about you, if you could have a fantasy room in your home - what would it look like?