Villa Verde: Picking out the right paint colors for your new home

Okay. Here we go.

It’s been a looooooooong time since I have actually blogged about decorating and interiors in personal journal form. These days, I find myself teaching, sharing and educating in my posts. Not that I haven’t been obsessed with interior design, its just that other things in life have taken up a lot of my attention. But now that I have purchased my own home, I can’t help but long to document and diary the process in blog form like I did for so many years. September 2008 (14 years ago) I wrote my first blog post about decorating my apartment in Los Angeles. Funny to think back on how many apartments I’ve had since then. ;) I’m hopeful this process will be enjoyable and inspiring, too.

It’s always been my dream to buy my own home and at the start of this year, I declared 2022 would be there year it would happen. However, with the ridiculously crazy real estate market and because I choose to live in an incredibly expensive part of town, quite honestly…I didn’t think it was going to happen.

June 14th, 2022, I got a notice from my building that it was time to renew my lease or choose to move. I decided to put in a transfer and deposit on a bigger apartment in my current building, because we have completely outgrown our cozy little apartment (toys are everywhere!!). That evening, I had a dream, I couldn’t sleep. A voice came to me and told me that moving into that apartment was a mistake and that I shouldn’t be wasting money paying someone else’s mortgage, that I should be paying my own.

So, that next morning I woke up and looked on our local real estate market website, in Houston they call it HAR. I put in a budget limitation and decided to just see what might possibly pop up in my price range. Typically, nothing in the area I currently live is in my range, so I considered moving farther outside of town. However, as luck and magic would have it, there it was, a cozy little townhome, first day on the market, right down the street from where I currently live in my price range appeared! Literally like magic.

And just like that…I found my perfect little home! (Now the next 30 days were not so smooth and easy but I won’t get into that in this blog post, you can tune into the podcast for the longer version of the story)

Built in 1972, a perfect little 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath townhome in a gated community is our new cozy space and I was so excited to discover that this sweet space is a 4-home in numerology, you can read more about that here. Another things that I loved about this home, was that the walls were painted a bright snow white! I’ve seen so many homes painted in colors that were drab and ugly and did nothing for the space.

Everything in sparkly, bright white gave the energy of a fresh start and I just couldn’t wait to start a new chapter of life in this pretty white home.

July 22, 2022 I closed on my home and got the keys. That very same day, I had a contractor come out and get ready to zhush up my new home. I am not one to mess around. I like to get things going quickly, I think its the Capricorn in me.

I immediately got out my feng shui bagua map and began dreaming of what colors I want to fill the space with. Color is the magic of your space and what you can use to enhance and MANIFEST what you want in life. I teach everything in my High Vibe Home workshop, so if you are interested in learning about this check that out here.

PICKING OUT THE PAINT COLORS

Anytime I set off to decorate a new space, I think about how I want it to feel. One of my favorite places I’ve ever been is Tulum and I knew I wanted it feel earthy and cozy like that. Earthy, exotic, lots of textures, neutrals with pops of natural colors. I have an entire pinterest board with images that have inspired my design vibe, you can peek around here.

I recently created a collection of my crystal jewelry for a few girlfriends and their new wellness spa called Tulum Wellness. If you are in Houston, you must go check it out. The second I walked in, I fell madly in love with the interior and I just knew I wanted my home to be slathered in that Tulum-y , olive green. Here’s the view that really got me!

The color green in Feng Shui represents growth, fertility, abundance, renewal, fresh life force energy and vitality. It helps to forge new pathways of growth in life, it supports you in bringing in money and it also brings a fresh life to family.

Luckily, the master bedroom sits in the upstairs areas of wealth + abundance, fame and reputation and love + relationships. Green will enhance each of those areas so it was a no brainer to decide that my master bedroom would be green.

I went with a color called “Secret Garden” by Sherwin Williams and I am in love with it. It’s like a deep olive green that can almost look black depending on the light.

“Where else can I put some green?” I thought.

So, on the downstairs floor I’ve got a small powder bath and it sits in the Family + Growth area of the feng shui bagua…green perfectly enhances this space too AND I always think small rooms needs a dark color to really make them feel impactful. So, my little powder bath will also be in Secret Garden green.

I also always love to give each name I live in a home because that’s what the British do and also because, why not? Lol. My last place that I painted all black was called ‘Villa Noir’ and this time I’m calling my new home ‘Villa Verde’. (verde is spanish for green).

Right now, I literally want green everything!!!!

When I decide on paint colors, I always go with my gut. Just like when I select my crystals. Your intuition will always know what colors will feel best to you. I would constantly have to remind my clients that when you get in your head about picking a color, you’ll probably end up picking one you hate. When you calm your mind, tune into your intuition, you will naturally be drawn to the right colors for you. Everyone gets so into the colors, and the lighting and whats right and wrong. But no one else has your eyes and sees things how you do. It’s so important that you pick what looks harmonious and beautiful to you!

My sweet little boy knew exactly what he wanted for his room. He wanted his room to be red, his favorite color. However, that wasn’t going to work for a wall color. Lol.

So, I told him that might be a little much, so we can opt for something in blue or grey. Two colors that work on the south side of the feng shui bagua map ( where his room is ) really well.

He ended up going with a really beautiful color called Peacock Blue, which we both love. It’s so much fun to bring in your child to the design process, he loved picking out his favorite blue. I love helping foster and nurture his confidence in making decisions and trusting his own opinions. That was something that took me years to master.

As for the rest of the home, I wanted to leave it white so that I could layer it up with colors through art + furnishings. However, I kept staring at this photo of my old office at Villa Noir. I just couldn’t get those gorgeous black walls off of my mind.

So, I decided to paint one of the walls in my office (which technically is the breakfast nook, but I don’t breakfast so..) black. Just an accent wall to make the space pop like this one did so long ago. I will also be painting the wall where the tv will go in the living room black…(see the inspiration image below via pinterest)

That’s it for now, I will be blogging and sharing each step of this process so stay tuned for the next post.

Finding the perfect home for you, using Numerology

Exciting news.

After years and years of being a renter, I have finally purchased my very first home, all on my own.

This is the most incredible manifestation I have created for myself and I was very, very intentional about it happening this year. And I am beyond excited about it.

I will tell the story of how I manifested my dream home on the podcast so that I can really get in to the specifics of it. I feel like I am able to express more effectively through my voice. However, I will say, I use my home to manifest pretty much everything in life and I teach it all inside my course, High Vibe Home…

When I started my search for homes, I had my eye on one property in particular. The images of the space were incredible and I wanted that place! Days later, the owner pulled it off of the market and another one a few doors down popped up. Even though, I didn’t love the images on the website, I fell in LOVE with this place the minute I walked in.

Also, the front door was black and a black door will enhance your career in feng shui, so for me it was a MUST. ( you can check out my e-book MANIFEST MONEY : 25 PRACTICAL WAYS TO ATTRACT MONEY USING FENG SHUI )

And naturally, being an interior designer with a background in Feng Shui, I ALWAYS scope out the layout and the energy of the space to see how it flows. Energy flow in a home can make or break your life because of the correlation of our mindset and our environment. So, I look at the flow, the feng shui layout and also the numerology.

Why? You might be asking.

Because the numerology of the home can affect your well being. Since numbers are vibrations ( like everything else ) , your address energetically sets the tone for your entire living space. Making sure that your house or apartment number is compatible with you and the others living there can be super helpful for your day to day life. Knowing this can help you create an energy that is conducive to your lifestyle.

And after I talked about this on my instagram account, I got such an amazing response to the topic, I decided to write a full blog post on it for reference. I am going to share what the numerology of your home means and how you can work with your home’s numerology to enhance your life.

A 1 House:

A 1-House carries an energy of unity, oneness, and new beginnings. In fact, it is the perfect place to start anything new, such as a business, relationship, or a new self-improvement transition. It is also a great house where you would be supported in expressing your individuality and leadership skills in the world.

Other characteristics of a 1-House include being creative, original, and inventive.

With regard to businesses and creativity, it is a great space to bring people together because too much isolation could be experienced. It would be a great energy for an office or home office for a creative entrepreneur coming up with new ideas, just make sure to invite others to experience it with you.

How to make the most of this energy: These houses are best suited for those who are aspirational and want to follow their dream career, as the energy will make the house owner more self-reliant. It is also a great home for people looking for a fresh start. Make sure there is plenty of natural, bright sunlight so help ensure that the 1-house holds its optimal energy. Best colors for this space, whites, shades of oranges and gold.

A 2 house:

The energy of balance, harmony and a yin yang synergy are characteristic of the energy of the number 2. Those who live in a 2-House will be more agreeable and understanding, while also learning from each other. This home will have a peaceful and harmonic balance, especially for relationships and partnerships.

The challenge with a 2-House is the tendency to become too sensitive to the other partner to the point where they end up shutting down so it’s important to work on keeping your own emotional independence. For a single person living in a 2-house, the home will naturally attract a partner for the occupant. It is also a great office space or storefront for a business owned by business partners.

How to make the most of this energy: Dwellers of house number 2 get emotionally stressed out easily, I highly recommend you create a very cozy and soothing ambiance with soft patterns like florals, artistic paintings and fabric pieces. Think about using pastels, shades of silver/grey and pearly white.

A 3 house:

While the number 2 finds harmony and balance in twos, the number 3 finds balance and symmetry in threes, similar to that of a tripod. The number “3” is known for its fun, extroverted energy. In metaphysical terms, it is associated with the triangular balance of mind, body and spirit.

Three represents expression, expansion, passion, enthusiasm, extroverted, sexual energy, fun, and optimism. A 3-House is ideal for socializing, entertaining and hosting meetups. It will support those who reside in it, plenty of self-expression, in the home and also in the world. This is a great house for someone who wants to become more social, meet interesting people, and be visible.

The challenge in a 3-House is that it can be so much fun that not much work gets done. It would be a challenging home to work from for introverted work, such as a writer or bookkeeper. However, it would be a great space for a party planner or events coordinator.

How to make the most of this energy: This home should feel like one big creative expression. Avoid too much black or heavy dark colors . To enhance luck, add a touch of gold in the home décor, such as a golden vase, golden embroidered cushions or metallic accent wallpaper. You can also use plants, to improve the positive vibe of the home. Instead of heavy wooden furniture, opt for light wicker furniture when designing the house number 3. This house’s energy can make one distracted. So, to focus on the work, play soothing music or Hang a wind chime in the north-west area, to keep negative energy away.

A 4 house:

The number 4 has the energy of being stable, reliable, sturdy, grounded, organized, and productive. A 4-House will often be shaped like a sturdy box, very strong and stable. It is a great home or office space to start a new business or relationship. It provides a solid foundation on which to build. A 4-House will also have the energy of Mother Earth and be very grounding for its occupants. It is a fantastic space for helping you stay grounded and manifesting dreams and ideas into reality.

The biggest challenge with a 4-House is that it you may feel like your daily routine is focused on work and very little play or enjoyment. It is important for the occupants to be very intentional about creating harmony and balance between personal and professional life.

How to make the most of this energy: With mother Earth being the grounding force, fill this home with lush, green plants. Also, use earthly tones such as caramel, brown or white. You can also use colors such as green and pink.

A 5 house:

A 5-House will embody the energy of change, travel, adventure, and action. It is a yang number that will always involve lots of movement and activity. The number 5 is the most energetic of all numbers and it represents the energy of change. When you see the angel numbers 555, it is an indication that change is coming. The number 5 also holds the energy of knowledge, communication and writing.

The high energy of a 5-space can be challenging to feel settled or grounded so you must focus on creating strong and healthy rituals and routines within the space. A 5-space can be very good for a storefront as it will attract lots of foot traffic and stay busy.

How to make the most of this energy: Your home should reflect your sense of adventure, decorate with maps, photography from your favorite places and collections you love. At the same time, you want your space to help you get the rest you need so using a variety of soft, muted colors can help you do that. You can also use buddha figures to create a zen like ambiance. The eclectic, bohemian style works well in this space.

A 6 house:

The number six holds the vibration of love, service, compassion, creativity, and artistry. A 6-House is truly a home with heart and often has a beautiful, creative look to it. A 6-House is a great home in which to raise a family, host intimate dinner parties and cook lavish meals. The people who live in a 6 house are madly in love with their home and tend to continually decorate and change the visual style due to flowing creative ideas. It’s a great home for healers, caretakers or nurturing people.

Inhabitants of a 6-House love their home so much that their biggest challenge is to not become reclusive. It would be perfect for someone who wants to be more in touch with their heart and passions in life, which of course can lead to much success. It is a great home in which to have a service-based business, particularly one that is heart-based. With regard to a business, it is best for office space with healing-based practitioners, such as psychotherapists, chiropractors, or other healers.

How to make the most of this energy: Think self care. Big cozy chairs and sofas, lots of throw blankets and pillows. Bathrooms should feel like a spa. Decorate with neutrals. Make designated spaces for yoga, meditation and gardening.

A 7 house:

The number 7 is the most spiritual of all numbers. It carries the energy of spirituality, mysticism, philosophy, introspection and solitude. A 7-House will come off like a sanctuary. It feels very calm, peaceful, relaxing, quiet, a perfect place to get zen. It holds the energy of deep, spiritual transformation. Because of its inward energy, the 7-House is going to be very supportive of honing in on your intuitive or psychic abilities. It holds a yin energy and can lend itself to a more inward lifestyle with few social connections with the exception of a few, deep friendships. It is a great space for someone focusing on their spiritual growth.

The challenge is getting out of the house and feeling a part of the material world. Those who live in a 7 house have the tendency to live within the religious or spiritual constructs, so ensure that you are creating a relationship with the outside world as well.

How to make the most of this energy: This home is perfect for anyone on a journey of spiritual growth so minimalism can be ideal in a space like this. Spiritual altars work well here as well as reading nooks and libraries.

An 8 house:

The 8-House will bring abundance in every area, whether in the form of love, success or money. Eight holds the vibration of success, power, infinity, fortune, and fame. Even the 8-House itself can bring wealth in the real estate market. The dwellers are prone to receive public recognition, or even fame when living in an 8-House.

In Chinese metaphysics, the number 8 is the most auspicious. In China, it is common for homes with the numerology of 8 to sell for considerably more money. The number eight, by virtue of its shape of the infinity symbol, is a special number. The challenge with the 8-House is to not become so caught up in the material world to where one would lose focus on matters of the heart.

How to make the most of this energy: This home should feel abundant and luxurious. If you can incorporate the color purple in this home, you will amplify your rewards.

A 9 house:

The number 9 holds the energy for completion. And, with any ending, there is also a new beginning. Nine holds the vibration of generosity, giving, loving, wisdom, compassion, and representative of light workers. The 9-House is a great house for someone who is wrapping up a major phase of life and who is wanting to open themselves up to a new path.

The 9-House is also associated with humanitarianism and service. The primary challenge of a 9-House is to not let others take advantage of your generosity. It is also important to take care of yourself while saving the world. A 9-space would be ideal for a shelter, a nonprofit, or other humanitarian-based business, especially if related to healing the past

How to make the most of this energy: While this home is represented by starting over, water elements in these homes help usher in the new phases and releasing the past. Decorate with soft and neutral colors like you would a beach house.

Side Note:

The number “11” is considered to be a master number with a special energy. In addition to the properties of a 2-house, an 11-House holds an almost magical energy. You can usually spot an 11-House walking down the street. It will sit naturally on its lot and have an irresistible charm. The number 11 holds the energy of intuition, psychic abilities, and perhaps creates a portal for angelic presence.

To learn more about feng shui and manifesting with your home, check out my workshop, High Vibe Home!