https://www.newhomenewlife.org/blog daily 0.75 2018-05-13 https://www.newhomenewlife.org/blog/2018/5/3/welcome-to-new-home-new-life monthly 0.5 2018-05-13 https://www.newhomenewlife.org/welcome daily 1.0 2025-05-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d47d412b8ddea29eb012d8/1460388281962-GD7BDJQYTVG5FO2KCTN7/image-asset.png Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1522906836814-JMSGO7UVGCODP5PKTQZG/Screen+Shot+2018-04-05+at+1.39.33+PM.png Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1522900406372-VKMMJQP0RNHBYWA87SFH/Screen+Shot+2018-04-05+at+11.47.58+AM.png Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1522989226207-GWTX4VLPSZX3UP6ZMP5K/idea-clipart-black-and-white-18.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d47d412b8ddea29eb012d8/1461079298338-IGXCGAVJ65DZNZHKUDG6/divider_clothes-2.jpg Welcome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/56d47d412b8ddea29eb012d8/1460472285353-6K0NC7QS6IYOJKR5EX9F/divider_nature.jpg Welcome https://www.newhomenewlife.org/about-1 daily 0.75 2018-05-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523411568639-2YQHRKFIB004X2T013YM/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+9.51.44+AM.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523411697344-LVQ7OP7YVXR7K914A0ON/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+9.51.06+AM.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523429942243-GAZJHK1GNL89FFDVGXB3/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+2.55.47+PM.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523429879431-H2W8VISZUCEOJUEZUM80/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+2.57.26+PM.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525350582129-33G9IFN9FP768Q9J0TJP/Screen+Shot+2018-05-03+at+8.28.00+PM.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523411344630-7AMZTO3MWZ4LTLKDHVZT/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+9.45.39+AM.png About https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523411388049-G03MPE222AB9FX1QJ3L1/Screen+Shot+2018-04-11+at+9.44.10+AM.png About https://www.newhomenewlife.org/warmcolors daily 0.75 2018-05-18 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523587788114-XVOHUZG53FQY1Y1BOOHD/Screen+Shot+2018-04-13+at+10.49.21+AM.png Warm Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524544941210-RD3UFAASCKY6J5I48XBN/Screen+Shot+2018-04-16+at+9.26.43+AM.png Warm Colors - Yellow's Stress Inducing Tendencies Although yellow is a cheery color, it is not a good choice for main color schemes. Studies show that people are more likely to lose their temper in a yellow interior and babies also seem to cry more in yellow rooms. In large amounts, this color tends to create feelings of frustration and anger. Yellow is also the most fatiguing to the eye due to the high amount of light that is reflected. Using yellow as a background on paper or computer monitors can lead to eyestrain or vision loss in extreme cases. The best use for this bold color is accentuating the room with a couple of yellow furniture pieces, such as chairs or a sofa. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523837691317-4CMTT1ZOZWGF23AJTS96/Screen+Shot+2018-04-13+at+11.27.16+AM.png Warm Colors - Warm Colors   Colors are called “warm” (reds and oranges) and “cool” (blues and greens) for a reason: When we’re in a space where the walls are painted in warm colors, we actually feel that the temperature there is warmer than we do in similar spaces painted cool colors. This makes warm colors good options for a vestibule in a cool climate—the temperature inside the building will seem even more comfortable as people enter from the cold—or in a room that’s hard to heat. We are drawn to warm colors, such as reds and oranges, so they’re good colors to put at the end of a long hallway or to use to draw people toward a particular section of a large space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524544723504-YQU6AGBDPOI2BE395YGU/Screen+Shot+2018-04-16+at+9.14.26+AM.png Warm Colors - Red Tones and Their Implications Red can make some people feel irritable. Invoking feelings of rage and hostility, this is a color that should be avoided as the main color of a room. Sitting for long periods of time in a room painted in this color will likely affect the peace and harmony you are striving to create in your home. Red has also been shown to raise blood pressure and speed respiration and heart rate. It is usually considered too stimulating for bedrooms, but if you’re typically in the room only after dark, you’ll be seeing it mostly by lamplight, when the color will appear muted, rich and elegant. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524544570306-YY3JF2V4ZMK6IXEAD4D7/Screen+Shot+2018-04-16+at+8.26.50+AM.png Warm Colors - Colors For A Cozier Home According to experts, blush is the new grey, and it's the easiest way to liven up your walls without committing to a bold or risky color. Oranges and reds make rooms appear smaller, so if you have a spacious room you want to draw in, use these colors and make your room feel more compact. If you’re deciding on a paint scheme and there are elements in a room that you want to draw closer, point them in a warmer colour. Using a color such as crimson can help achieve this. You might want the perception that a certain wall is nearer to the stairs next to it than it actually is, and crimson is the perfect color for this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524545241301-SU3BGN5MBEGBCAP1JOWL/Screen+Shot+2018-04-16+at+11.23.37+AM.png Warm Colors - Orange: A Step-Down from Red Orange has a more balanced energy than red does, making it not as passionate and aggressive. However its attention-grabbing properties can fool you. Orange can make you feel "hot" because of our association of the color with heat, so surrounding the walls of a small space with orange is not the best idea. Because of its boldness and brightness, it can encourage us to be energetic, however it can also instil a sense of restraint, making it a poor color choice for a study office. https://www.newhomenewlife.org/texture daily 0.75 2018-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524465890851-QIDAB7IG7LOVU4G0RVDN/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.44.22+PM.png Texture picture by ApartmentTherapy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524465539533-1B1XGMNPHBBQW2UG28XU/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.38.36+PM.png Texture picture by ApartmentTherapy https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524464871165-G3X9LQY8OAHJI9PYBGSO/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.26.05+PM.png Texture picture by Pinterest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524466395488-RQB2P0UKNWEP1ANS4M7D/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.52.51+PM.png Texture - Texture Emphasizes Visual Weigh "Visual weight”means that an object – or space as a whole – has the ability to draw attention to itself. A healthy dose of texture will emphasize this. Just how using a warm or cool color can effect how a space feels, texture works in a similar way. Rough textures are more likely to make a space feel intimate and grounded while smooth textures bring a sleeker, more aloof tone to the room. You should also consider the placement of textures as you go about designing your room. Putting a smooth texture directly next to a rough one while make the rough object stand out more and seem weightier than if you space them apart. Use distance to determine how subtle of a visual weight you would like to achieve. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524466491583-I8GAFKNU6TJNP50LO66K/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.54.25+PM.png Texture - Texture Creates Balance Contrast is essential when essential when it comes to design because it keeps things balanced and also provides visual interest. Think about it: If everything is too similar, our eyes have trouble focusing and tend to glaze over. Use texture to make sure your most important elements pop. Restraint, of course, is also key, so try not to go too texture crazy. Stick to two or three distinct textures in any single space. Choose three when you want people to take in the space as a whole and stick to two when you want to emphasize a prominent focal point. Texture is particularly important if you’re working within a particular color palette where the shades are very similar. When a monochromatic or analogous color scheme, make sure you choose items that heavily contrast. When they come together, they will bring a sense of harmony to the space. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524462349404-CAVAV9SLN62PO2CA7I72/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+1.45.30+PM.png Texture - What Do We Mean By Texture? In design terms, it is often defined as, “the sensations caused by the external surface of objects received through the sense of touch.” Basically, how things feel. Think about squishing soft carpet between your toes, running your hand along a rough wooden tabletop, or sinking down into leather couch cushions. Honestly, we think that the “sense of touch” part of the definition should be revised to say “perceived” sense of touch. Anyone who’s ever watched an interior design TV program or flipped through the pages of a magazine can tell you that you don’t need to have physical contact with a room to feel the power of texture. While texture may play a supporting role to the function of the space, it is no less vital to a design’s success. Instead of examples of texture above, picture trying to get comfortable on a seating set made of granite. Always consider how texture will elevate the overall experience of your design. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524464940027-OVOK2DE0T7SV8OBBJ37I/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.28.42+PM.png Texture picture by DecorPad https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524465311175-WDTZYI5Q0EM4UI05XQS2/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.34.42+PM.png Texture picture by Decor4All https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524465741058-W45QG9J5H09PVSKXBPJ5/Screen+Shot+2018-04-23+at+2.42.00+PM.png Texture picture by ApartmentTherapy https://www.newhomenewlife.org/light-space daily 0.75 2018-04-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524705712292-UWF52LJ6MEPX8O04UH2C/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+9.21.38+AM.png Light & Space photo by Ylighing https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524711725210-DUGKCH4ANVHXV6YOFRJ1/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+11.01.46+AM.png Light & Space - Circadian Rhythm Central to any discussion of light is the circadian rhythm. The term refers to the roughly 24-hour period it takes the earth to revolve once around its axis. Many aspects of human physiology are biologically pegged to this period, most noticeably the internal clock that controls our sleep-wake cycle. For example, the release of the hormone melatonin, which prepares us for sleep, is triggered by the onset of darkness. During the day, it is suppressed, enabling us to fully awaken and become energized before the cycle repeats itself again. Attuning your sleep-wake cycle to the circadian rhythm is the key to feeling well, and the light we're exposed to plays a huge part in this. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524702566571-T3ASFNUKYIGTC7AX6P75/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+8.27.04+AM.png Light & Space https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524712831430-2GN2341G2GBJPOTW6RTM/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+11.20.00+AM.png Light & Space - Level of Illumination Sometimes less is more, off is on, and dimmer is brighter. That’s what psychologists Anna Steidel and Lioba Werth discovered when they assessed the effects of light intensity on creative insight. According to their findings, on average people exhibit a greater aptitude for solving creative problems working under relatively dim light than in a typical office or highly illuminated setting, like a television studio. As for why darker is better for out-of-the-box thinking, Steidel theorizes that bright lights give people the impression they’re under surveillance, which in turn makes them feel less free to take risks for fear of criticism. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524705578083-ZF6Q6MF2BRDHPKEEMEGM/18-0098586.jpg Light & Space photo by steelcase https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524702550885-4YRA2LDA0QR7QADSXV0M/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+8.27.04+AM.png Light & Space https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524712224065-8F6EPCY8G227CGT3VFL8/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+11.10.00+AM.png Light & Space - Natural Lighting To give you some measure of the havoc that the absence of daylight can wreak on mind and body, researchers found that people who work in windowless environments on average get 46 minutes less sleep on work nights, experience lower-quality rest, and are less physically active during the workday than colleagues who are afforded adequate exposure. If that weren’t disturbing enough, medical scientists report higher levels of depression, anxiety, delirium, and even psychosis among patients lacking access to outside views in healthcare facilities. Keep scrolling to check out some tips regarding natural light incorporation. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524704419961-YO6U605CCCVI2ZF83V5A/Screen+Shot+2018-04-26+at+8.59.57+AM.png Light & Space photo by Scott Frances https://www.newhomenewlife.org/cool-colors daily 0.75 2018-05-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524321676481-86GL3ILF3MAK0J3QKNW3/Screen+Shot+2018-04-21+at+10.40.46+PM.png Cool Colors - Pick Out the Right Purple Although the color, in general, serves as a mood enhancer and encourages nurturing tendencies, darker tones of purple represent gloom. Because of this, using a dark purple as the color of a large wall often creates laziness and inactivity in people exposed to it for long periods of time. It's good to be relaxed. But being unproductive has consequences. If this is a color you do want to use in large proportions, setting is as the main color of a bedroom is the best choice as its calming properties can help you relax. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525230168977-66JPHBVU99WR8FMF7BSA/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.02.29+AM.png Cool Colors photo by Randex https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525231089795-J0WPTZXWKO7BJ640DJI5/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.17.41+AM.png Cool Colors photo by Better Homes & Gardens https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525228966207-9MHU6QR8TK9VGAW2AY6R/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+10.40.47+AM.png Cool Colors photo by Pinterest https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525219806763-QR68J1SSKVW10N8QVWYZ/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+8.09.45+AM.png Cool Colors - Have the Right Amount of Blue One of the world's favourite colours, blue is called the colour of the mind and is described as soothing, tranquil, serene and orderly. Blue is said to boost productivity and is therefore often used to paint office walls. To project an image of security, advertisement companies often use blue while marketing their products. However, it can also be a sign of aloofness, sadness or unfriendliness and this is said to be because of the apparent drop in pulse rate and body temperature upon exposure to blue. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524186128219-LM71G5N2688H1DPDFCFC/Screen+Shot+2018-04-20+at+9.01.15+AM.png Cool Colors - How Do Cool Colors Make Us Feel? Cool colors, for instance blue, have soothing and calming effects. While warmer shades remind of sun and heat, cool ones are best associated with waters and sky. Obviously, we need such calm atmosphere in many rooms, in order to keep our thoughts organised, and our minds sharp. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524188521944-PCM7THX90BD2IGC3H3I6/Screen+Shot+2018-04-20+at+9.41.44+AM.png Cool Colors - Cool Equals Fresh Because cool colors have a calmness effect, it also provides a feeling of freshness and cleanliness. We associate such colors with these feelings because cool colors tend to be very minimal in saturation, making the room feel lighter and more soothing. Cool colors are good choices in entryways to buildings in warm climates, and in rooms that have a tendency to be warm, perhaps because of sunlight flowing into them. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1524320759481-4EXXCU7PS72Q7U5H7H8C/Screen+Shot+2018-04-21+at+10.24.53+PM+1.png Cool Colors - Green Is Not Always Great Most people agree that green surroundings provide a sense of being out in nature and a feeling of relaxation. Although using green on ceilings are typically associated with a protective atmosphere, it could result in a disturbing look when too bright or dark tones are used. The same goes for big walls. Extremely dark tones on the walls may create a sense of irritation to the eyes, and overwhelmingly bright tones of green on walls usually create a feeling of sickness and discomfort. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232102523-ZR8QBKIMF7ZF1S7C66KI/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+10.49.41+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232126987-I4OKYGMR3NWYV7UW3IST/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.32.12+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232142360-PHMMPFKWYSEH37LRT8UQ/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.22.43+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232155488-SIBNDLBSD66Y9RNO5KGV/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.31.35+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232160024-G7OB0MJPERUXX71D7433/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.24.18+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232201101-RTIXIEMRFZKGXLRMJIIA/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.28.39+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525232256744-LJKDYZQMCL5MSK08OMW2/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+11.26.55+AM.png Cool Colors https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525234450729-2Z7RLEQ5ZZ15J7VEHXZZ/Screen+Shot+2018-05-02+at+12.13.38+PM.png Cool Colors https://www.newhomenewlife.org/furniture daily 0.75 2018-04-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525090752873-ISXUDJ8MC46FS57HC5N3/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.18.50+PM.png Furniture - 2. Determine Focal Point Identify the room’s focal point – a fireplace, view, television etc. – and orient the furniture accordingly. If you plan to watch television in the room, the ideal distance between the set and the seating is three times the size of the screen (measured diagonally). Therefore, if you’ve got a 40-inch set, your chair should be 120 inches away. Many people make the mistake of simply lining furniture up along the walls, leaving a large empty space in the middle of the room, with no focal point. Every room needs a focal point from which to lay a furniture plan. Then, you build out from there. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525091920911-90AMZR63SX4I01SUBEUW/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.38.08+PM.png Furniture photo by Freshome https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525089951377-L81K2EF0VTBGYEYR0NER/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+7.27.05+PM.png Furniture - 6. Use Variety Vary the size of furniture pieces throughout the room, so your eyes move up and down as you scan the space. Balance a large or tall item by placing another piece of similar height across the room from it (or use art to replicate the scale). Avoid putting two tall pieces next to each other. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525090997411-IN13629ST45XP2QA2IOV/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.17.15+PM.png Furniture - 5. Mind the Traffic Think about the flow of traffic through the room – generally the path between doorways. Don’t block that path with any large pieces of furniture if you can avoid it. Try to direct traffic around a seating group, not through the middle of it. If traffic cuts through the middle of the room, consider creating two small seating areas instead of one large one. Seating areas should be placed naturally from there to minimize odd turns or tight areas to squeeze through just to sit down. If the flow is not natural, the result is a disjointed feeling felt by residents and guests alike. Conversely, if a home’s furniture is too small for the space and is all tightly fitted to the walls, there is another type of problem with flow. It will feel cold, empty, and purposeless. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525090550158-9NOLCIGXX1GIND5WYY8E/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.08.18+PM.png Furniture - 3. Prioritize Place the largest pieces of furniture first, such as the sofa in the living room or the bed in the bedroom. In most cases this piece should face the room’s focal point. Chairs should be no more than around 2.5 metres apart to facilitate conversation. Unless your room is especially small, avoid pushing all the furniture against the walls. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525090175127-OCF774791K9B7YZJM9PO/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.09.07+PM.png Furniture - 1. Decide Function of the Room Consider how the room is used and how many people will use it. That will dictate the type of furnishings you’ll need and the amount of seating required. When choosing furniture for your room, keep in mind the size of the room as well as the ceiling height. Furniture needs to be proportionate to the overall size of the room. Adding furniture that feels too big for the room can make it hard to move throughout the room and create feelings of claustrophobia. Using furniture that is too small in a large room with high ceilings can create a cavernous vibe, causing visitors to feel cold and unwelcome. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525087773352-8W1PVTN27RKXKLRFVDBT/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+7.26.14+PM.png Furniture - Why Do We Feel Good When We Rearrange Our Space? An impact on the environment, whether an imprint or a removal, lifts mood, provides concrete satisfaction, and instills a sense of effectiveness. Inner and outer harmony happen when pieces are placed in a way that makes sense for you. Decorating is an opportunity for of artistry as well as comfort. As you re-arrange your personal space, you hone your aesthetic and identify what you truly love, want or need. Such specificity brings relief. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525090815592-08VWV7VYE629W6E8SS3I/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.17.00+PM.png Furniture - 7. Create Contrast Combine straight and curved lines for contrast. If the furniture is modern and linear, throw in a round table for contrast. If the furniture is curvy, mix in an angular piece. Similarly, pair solids with voids: Combine a leggy chair with a solid side table, and a solid chair with a leggy table. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525090416048-1QAHXRWKYVGKWF37SE0U/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.13.15+PM.png Furniture - 4. Establish Symmetry/Asymmetry We love balanced designs because they keep that the amount of information that our brains need to process to a minimum. By picking up on a repeating a pattern, we are able to process the individual elements faster. Since we are easily able to understand symmetrical spaces, we often think of them as more aesthetically pleasing. Try to work at least one pattern into every design project. Your bedroom could feature a pair of matching nightstands or reading lamps. Three evenly spaced bar stools could add a sense of symmetry to your kitchen island. Even if it’s as simple as placing a couch on either side of the coffee table, give the brain a symmetrical element to hook onto and you’ll increase your chances making your guests gasp in delight. When it comes to achieving asymmetry that works, focus on choosing design elements that, though distinct, are still similar in mass and form. Make sure that they are placed equally distant from the room’s center point. As you work on positioning, don’t hesitate to trust you gut. Place the objects where you think they should be and then take a step back to view the room as a whole. You’ll instantly get a sense for the flow of the space and be able to tweak your asymmetrical element so that it shines. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1525091217956-MBCHWT7MG8H0DD9KFDR5/Screen+Shot+2018-04-30+at+8.26.29+PM.png Furniture - 8. Plan Before You Begin Give your back a break. Before you move any actual furniture, test your design on paper. Measure the room’s dimensions, noting the location of windows, doors and electrical outlets, then draw up a floor plan on graph paper using cutouts to represent the furnishings. Or, better yet, use a digital room planner to draw the space and test various furniture configurations. It’s less work and a lot more fun.   https://www.newhomenewlife.org/new-page-1 daily 0.75 2018-04-29 https://www.newhomenewlife.org/color daily 0.75 2018-04-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523587788114-XVOHUZG53FQY1Y1BOOHD/Screen+Shot+2018-04-13+at+10.49.21+AM.png Copy of Color https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5a8e7560017db281d70a0bdd/1523837691317-4CMTT1ZOZWGF23AJTS96/Screen+Shot+2018-04-13+at+11.27.16+AM.png Copy of Color - Warm Colors   Colors are called “warm” (reds and oranges) and “cool” (blues and greens) for a reason: When we’re in a space where the walls are painted in warm colors, we actually feel that the temperature there is warmer than we do in similar spaces painted cool colors. This makes warm colors good options for a vestibule in a cool climate—the temperature inside the building will seem even more comfortable as people enter from the cold—or in a room that’s hard to heat. We are drawn to warm colors, such as reds and oranges, so they’re good colors to put at the end of a long hallway or to use to draw people toward a particular section of a large space. https://www.newhomenewlife.org/new-page daily 0.75 2018-04-29