After clearing my own clutter. Deep breath here.

So I had this new client the other way, a creative, sweet, wonderful woman who was running her business out of her basement—a place where she received clients. She called me in for some design and Feng Shui advise on how to improve her business and life, which, she described as being “stuck”. She complained of feeling tired with very little motivation to move forward on projects.

The first thing I noticed was just a bunch of “stuff” stuck in the entryway to the basement—the first place clients see when they arrive. And then guess what?…Into the basement and home revealed more stuff like boxes piled high, collected trinkets, papers everywhere, harsh lighting, lackluster paint colors on the walls, hard surfaces—no wonder she was feeling so icky.

Before I go on with the story, let me just tell you that from a Feng Shui perspective, clutter is synonymous with heavy energy. Imagine how you would feel if you put on 200 extra pounds in body weight and had to carry that around with you everyday—not a lot of buoyant energy there.

My own personal clutter…Just for a moment…

Back to the story. It’s not always easy to un-attach ourselves from that which surrounds us and my client was no exception. Actually, (in my experience,) it’s one of the most challenging things for us humans to do. The associations that we place on the objects around us, sometimes give us a false sense of security and can keep us in the past.

As I helped my client formulate the first stage of her “design and Feng Shui plan of action”, clutter was, of course the first layer to peel away and this is always a process. I noticed a lot of resistance and heard things like, “Can’t you just give me a simple Feng Shui cure to bring in more money?”

I gently explained to her that in order to create change we actually have to do the work and that process is an organic one. I assured her that whenever she was ready she would just know. That simple acknowledgment took away the pressure for her to “hurry up” and allowed her to relax into the idea.

A seed was planted and I have no doubt that when she is ready, she will move forward with change. And when she is, I’ll be here to help her.

I know everyone can relate to this subject. I would love to hear your comments.

(My personal kitchen - I hung that chandelier just fine thank-you)

So HGTV contacted me a few weeks ago regarding their show on the “Top 10 Amazing Kitchens” and wondered if I had anything to contribute. I have designed many kitchens but my biggest love affair currently is with my own (it’s very special) and so why not contribute my current passion to the pot of many kitchens and see what happens. I decided to take some new kitchen photos and submit them to the show. I’ll keep you posted on what happens.

The other day as I was getting ready to snap some shots, I suddenly had a design hit–take the chandelier from the hacienda outside and hang it above the breakfast table. With Fall here and Winter on its way, I thought yes! what a wonderful way to cozy that area in. I loved the idea. I looked up at the 11 ft. ceiling and was determined to hang that piece without any help. I said to myself, “I can do this!”

I took the chandelier, got in my car and drove to the local hardware store and asked the guy who was working there (a young, modern type) to recommend the hardware I needed. To my surprise, he tried to dissuade me from hanging it, suggesting that I probably wouldn’t be able to find a stud (no pun intended) in the ceiling or that if the roof leaked it would loosen the grip and it might fall on me. Yeah, he was trying to scare me but I immediately recognized his fear factor tactic and it wasn’t working.

I simply asked if he wouldn’t mind directing me to the aisle where the hooks were located. He escorted me there and as I browsed, he finally suggested that my husband or boyfriend help me with this project. That was pretty shocking. There I was, standing in the hardware store, chandelier in one hand, experiencing sexism in the other–something I had not felt in many years. After all, more single women these days are homeowners with statistics rising across the nation (and the world) and we have firmly showed that we are just as capable as anyone else of remodeling our own spaces. Hello!

I let him know firmly but gently that I did not have a husband or boyfriend, nor did I need one to help me hang this chandelier. He proceeded to say, “Well aren’t you renting?”, suggesting that my landlord help me. Boy this guy really didn’t think I could do it. “Nope,” I said, “I own my home.” Now it was his turn to be totally shocked.

I took that moment to kindly educate him on the wonderful world of women and home ownership. I then went home, found my stud and hung my chandelier very successfully.

Have you ever had an experience like that? I’d love to hear your story.

Schoolhouse Electric- Portland Showroom (Go ahead, fall in love)

So here we go. One day in the not too distant past, I came up with the idea to create a Video Blog series called, “Pink n Green”, Exploring Eco-Chic in Portland and Beyond.” Stay tuned. The series will start to be posted shortly right here on this page.

The idea behind the Vlog is to share my design inspiration and let you in on Portland’s fabulous and local eco-chic products, stores, artists and more. So no, Portland is not just about solar, radiant heating and energy efficient homes and buildings. It goes beyond that and gets cuter by the minute.

In the past six months I have found a growing trend in Green Design which encompasses beauty in products like couches, lighting, furniture, paints and accessories while being sustainable. This concept has been feeding my ever growing passion in the world of design and now I get to support my favorite products, people, clients, city and contribute to global healing. How cool is that?

My first show was filmed on August 22nd with Schoolhouse Electric. Here’s a snapshot of what went on:

Schoolhouse Electric: So many choices!

It was a sunny day on August 22nd when I made my way over to the Schoolhouse Electric Showroom in my favorite city on the planet, Portland, Oregon to film the first episode for my Vlog series, “PinknGreen”. My good friend and wonderfully talented videographer and photographer Michael Sulis, who graciously volunteered for this first shoot met me outside. Thank-you Michael!

I walked into the showroom to meet my hostess and General Manager, Michelle Stein and I immediately fell in love. Yes, with her graciousness but also with the new products that I was seeing for the first time that day. The thing that impressed me the most—these guys love what they do and they are a totally eco-conscious company. They manufacture locally and on the West Coast. Nope, nothing from China or Asia here. They have an in-house factory which is gorgeous and within walking distant of their showroom. Most companies don’t care about the aesthetics of their factories. These guys do. They love their employees as much or more than their customers and that feeling is very obvious.

In the video blog, you see first hand, behind the scenes in the factory as we get a guided tour. Each stage of the production process is so consciously thought out, I was totally blown away. It’s a throw back to times past when hard work generated beautiful product and pride in workmanship.

Their design inspiration comes from early 1900’s to mid-century classic lighting which (in my work) I have used in many different styles of homes.

That day totally inspired me. Schoolhouse Electric lighting has been featured in many of the top design magazines. They offer mail order service but only have two stores in Portland and New York. They are totally eco-chic, down to earth friendly and very Portland—-sustainable, innovative and creative. For more about their story or to order lighting click here. Stay tuned here for the first episode of my Vlog!