< PreviousSMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 39 PAGE 40 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE ¾SIX WAYS YOUR HOME CAN FEEL MORE LOVINGby Sharron TancredWe all want to feel at ease within our homes, and proud to welcome guests. Your home is where you show that you love and are loved, but rather than surrounding yourself with hundreds of photos—a trend now well out of date in interior decorating—what tactics can you use to express love? SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 416. SHAPEAnd I don’t mean love hearts! In decorating, circles and curves imbue a relaxed and casual feel when compared to formal straight lines or restful horizontal lines. A blend is best—include curvaceous shapes and a few circles, but don’t overdo them or you’ll risk creating a busy space. Florals, circular geometrics, rounded leaves, and soft textured rounded cushions will all help to create a more casual, feminine, soft, and natural feel.5. ARRANGEMENT Asymmetrically-balanced spaces have a more informal, loving aesthetic than symmetrically-balanced spaces—that is, a space with the same two items balanced either side of a focal point. For instance, on either side of your master bed, arrange a grouping of three to five items one side, and three to five different items on the other side, but unite them by using the same style or colours to create togetherness, unity, and a feeling of love. PAGE 42 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE4. COLOURDid you know that the most loving colour on our planet is green? It’s the colour of growth, forgiveness, giving (of time and money), love of the earth, humanity, and animals. The traditional colours of love can have different effects when applied to the home—pink, while sweet, is used to give little girls more energy, while red expresses business, action, male energy, and sex drive. Use green instead to create a loving décor and invite the outside in. It makes your space seem bigger and connected with nature. If you prefer, use green as your base colour with a myriad of other playful, rich jewel hues to create a fun, upbeat, warm and loving décor, as I’ve done in my own home. SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 433. FENG SHUIThe ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui teaches us to display pairs of images, never just one, in master bedrooms. Photos or art of two people, two matching sculptures, or two lamps are the general idea. Never have anything bulky or heavy-looking above your bed, or mirrors pointing straight out the door. Pairs do create a more formal balance, but in the bedroom, which is typically symmetrically-balanced anyway, it will feel ordered and loving. PAGE 1 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINESoul: humanity, emotion, mood, mystery, a story of who you are, your goals… a story that can be, I believe, all about your home your kids, loves and desires. Wallpaper, feature walls, furniture and lights will support this, but they can’t give Soul to your space, your art does. 2. IMAGERYImagery relevant to your dreams, goals, history, and loves, expresses who and what you are. It also helps to reinforce your décor style and colour palette. If you are starting from scratch, begin with your imagery and take its colours, style and theme into the rest of your décor.1. ARTArt is the easiest way to unite and express all of the above in a single “wow factor” - a focal point that defines you and helps you to create a loving atmosphere. Did you know that in decorating, it’s easier to start with art and expand its colours, style and theme to the rest of your decor? This creates a great decor with soul! SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 45To warm your space and create luxuriousness, add texture. It’s why all white or all glossy interiors feel so cold; there’s no earth, no humanity to them. The more natural the texture i.e. stone, slumped glass, pebble, terracotta etc, the more loving your décor will feel. Bring those textures into your artwork with ground pigments and impastos so you can see it from every vantage point to achieve a focal point that, tailored to your decor, will create your dream home.A loving atmosphere isn’t hard to create. Clutter doesn’t create homeliness, nor do those now out-of-date word cutouts, cutesy photos, or even a scattering of pink hearts. Using classic décor rules and cues conveys that classy, warm and peaceful ambience you want and deserve. PAGE 46 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINEQUOTE SIXSMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINE - PAGE 47SEX WITH HEARTTHE ART OF TANTRA YOGA EXPLAINEDby Isiah McKimmieI first began practicing Tantra Yoga almost 10 years ago. Discovering Tantra was like coming home to my heart. It changed my life. I find so often when I’m talking to people about Tantra, there is confusion about what exactly it is. Tantra is close to my heart and lately I find myself called to begin teaching again, so today I want to share a little about what this practice involves and how it can help your relationship. Although this form of Yoga is believed to pre-date other forms of Yoga, it’s not as well-known in the West and is generally known for its sexual practices. While Tantra can make your sex life incredible – it’s so much more than that. It’s benefits can affect every area of your life. PAGE 48 - SMART HEALTHY WOMEN MAGAZINEBY PRACTICING TANTRA:[ You’ll feel calmer and more centred[ You’ll be more ‘present’ and ‘in your body’[ You’ll learn to love yourself and your body more[ You’ll connect more intimately with your partner[ Sex will become an incredible, sensual, loving act[ Sex may even become your meditationNext >