Selecting Colors for your Holiday Décor
Shelley Nordlund of Transformations for Interiors, discusses how to incorporate and maximize the use of color when decorating for the holidays. No matter your preference, she has an idea for you.
There are a lot of emotional responses to the holidays: some people love it and look forward to it returning every year. Some people, however, have many memories of family arguments, experiencing feelings of deficit (lacking money, energy, time, etc.) being lonely, and feeling some sense of despair.
In the northern hemisphere, Christmas and Channukah, for example, occur very near Winter Solstice: the darkest days of the year. Many people include candles – that warm glow that brings a bit of cheer to each of us. In terms of feng shui, because it’s dark, cold and damp weather in the U.S., it’s considered the most Yin time. It makes sense that we combine the Yin time of winter with bright colors, celebration, and soccer or football games. No surprise that for some, it’s a contradiction, and for others it’s a welcome relief.
The traditional colors used in the Christmas season are a combination of red and green. Both are more Yang colors: green being more springtime and wood element color, and red being an active and fire element color. For some, it may bring up feelings of anger and frustration, or even depression. Let’s think about using some alternatives to the “traditional” colors; you can always celebrate using colors that better match your temperament, or the nature of those with whom you’ll celebrate these days. There are no hard or fast rules.
Using Color in Your Decorations
You could bring in white and metallics if you wish to bring a bit of calm and decorum to a gathering. It feels a bit more formal one might say, and is beautiful with the use of candles and white lights. These are the colors of the metal element in feng shui, and you just might find there is more harmony and less arguments when you sit down at dinner.
You could bring in aqua and turquoise to lighten the feeling of water, cold temperatures and the moisture of winter. Add a bit of the metal element (white and silver, for instance) with these colors for a spiritual yet calming influence.
Christians use purple (or blue) and pink in their Advent candles, symbolizing wealth,(or knowledge and wisdom for blue) and harmony for partnerships in feng shui.
If you love green, then consider a lime green combined with the metallic combinations to create an energetic yet sophisticated affect. Using pears, limes and green apples amongst your decorations can help to calm it down a bit with an earth element. The earth element helps us achieve harmony by serving others. You can add purple for a nice combination and more abundance in your life.
If you can’t live without red at Christmas, then you can ground it with black or grey and add some white, silver or gold to give it sparkle. You may find it causes a higher level of energy for everyone at your gatherings, however, so be prepared.
If you love the holiday season, then by all means enjoy the social gatherings and fun that the season brings. If you don’t, then pare down your “gotta do” list and concentrate on the positive. The holidays, which are upon us, can be a bit calmer and restful if that’s the way you’d like them to be. One way or another, may the days ahead help you remember that those you love are as unique as you are.
Happy holidays, one and all!
Shelley Norlund is an award winning Seattle-based interior designer who expertly uses feng shui the art of placement in her designs. Prior to closing, her company Transformations for Interiors worked with home & business owners to update remodel and/or build their spaces.
