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Happy New Year to all aspiring designers! Let your thoughts turn to all the fabulous changes and new opportunities that lie in wait. Imagine how you are going to address your longings, hopes and dreams and create the kind of personal spaces that will enhance your life. If you feel daunted by the prospect of making changes, here’s a little help to get you going. We all present ourselves in different ways with different ideas. Some like it hot, some like it cool. But how do we find the “inner person” that makes it all work? How do we start the process of gathering materials that help us achieve a healthy and appropriate mixture of colours and textures? What do we really like? For thousands of years, astrologers have tapped into our basic personality types by virtue of the stars and planets. Once we understand our “type” we may have a much better idea of how to proceed in creating our best spaces. CAPRICORN 
You are a practical individual, disciplined, rational and patient. You work hard, play hard and your commitment to achieve is high. As a realist, you stay away from fads and fantasy and your down-to-earth approach makes you a very stable and constant companion.YOUR HOME – You work a lot and your home needs to reflect the fact that you are not always there. Practicality is a big issue and low maintenance is the theme. Colours should be calming and within neutral tones. You don’t want to jar your senses when you get home tired and in need of sanctuary from the work world. Consider furnishings made of durable materials, like leather. Your kitchen should accommodate the need for speed and efficiency. Look into German manufactured kitchens and keep your flooring simple with tile. The less you have to do at home, the better. CONSIDER THIS… Being practical and work oriented is great but are you really having any fun? Loosen up and do something completely impractical at least once this year. Once you realize how great it is, keep doing it… no, work isn’t the most important thing in the world. Marry a Taurus. AQUARIUS 
Aquarians are rebellious and revolutionary. Changes come easily to you and you greet them with aplomb. Give you freedom or give you death. You are a humanitarian, highly idealistic and potentially eccentric and your sense of adventure makes you a very fun person to be around (a little scary sometimes, though). YOUR HOME – You love change so be prepared to see your home coming alive with different looks every season. You are a designers dream as you have no qualms about going for the gusto and making every room in your home different. Colours are vibrant and full of depth, jewel tones and fun colours like orange and purple are not intimidating. You are willing to go for the most "in" ideas like shag rugs and highly textured fabrics, modular furniture that easily moves and shifts looks and kitchens full of fun gadgets. Have lots of fun with laminate flooring. Pick some funky styles that are now available. CONSIDER THIS… You can get too carried away. Be careful or your eccentric nature may outdo your common sense. Look into getting help from a professional designer. He or she will keep you steady and keep your home looking cohesive. Colour is wonderful but putting it together well takes lots of thought and experience (that orange wall needs balance). PISCES 
You are romantic, sensitive and spiritual. You are a water sign and prone to dreaming about life in its most profound sense. As a visionary individual, you allow your intuition to guide you and most often, you are right. You hate unnecessary complexity and you strive to develop an environment of seclusion and calm. Health and healing are your primary interests.YOUR HOME – Keep the water theme. Place small fountains where you love to relax. Use soft fabrics that exude a romantic feel and enjoy buying or making beautiful glass works that evoke that sense of wonder and water. Always ensure that hard surfaces have soft shapes, curves and ovals. You want a home of Zen like balance and all your fabrics and materials must meet healthy standards. Your furnishing should be simple, eco friendly and ergonomic. Natural stone flooring is your favourite. CONSIDER THIS… You can be a little too “healthy”. Don’t create a home that is uncomfortable for friends and loved ones. Let them have a corner of your world where your rules don’t apply. ARIES 
Aries people are pioneers, they are those capable people who chart new territory and pave the way for the rest of us to follow. They are assertive, determined and usually very passionate about their ideals. Rebirth and new beginnings are part of the Aries lifestyle, allowing for a dynamic and outgoing persona.YOUR HOME – If something is new and “in”, Aries is ready to try it out. Be it a new colour scheme, new furnishings or a complete makeover, Aries is willing to bring it on and be the trendsetter. Always stylish, Aries is self confident and admirable. People will look to Aries for example and Aries relishes the attention. For 2007, look to other major trendsetters in the design world to create your path. Try out the coppers and metallics that are favoured for flooring and wall treatments. Embellish your surroundings with the latest in hardwoods and laminates. As a “fire” sign, get into the golds, burnt oranges and rusts that warm up your look. CONSIDER THIS… You can be impulsive and somewhat unorganized. Use time to your advantage and don’t rush… As a trendsetter, you are in charge. TAURUS 
The stubborn bull is also the most sensually aware of the zodiac. She is a material girl with a taste for the finest things in life. He is a connoisseur, a playboy.
Taureans are earthy; they adore art, beauty and make exceptional advisors or educators for those needing a “lesson” on how to indulge. Sexy Taureans need money and lots of it. Nevertheless, they are also very stable and committed friends and lovers.YOUR HOME - Home is where the heart is for most Taureans and in order for inner peace to happen, they take great pains to create a home that is at once comfortable, luxurious and harmonious. They are leaders more than followers and therefore love setting standards (sometimes too high). Their affectionate natures, however, make them highly attractive and charismatic. Rich colours, jewel tones, deep earthy hues set the stage and a deep attraction to suedes, velvets, and silks are part of the Taurean scene. A rich shag rug or exotic hardwood will win out over a laminate floor any day and furnishings must be original, showing a high level of craftsmanship. Taurus loves the arts and covers the walls with the most intriguing images. CONSIDER THIS… You are stubborn, hedonistic and lazy. Perfect, in other words. Don’t let the silly workaholics sway you. Mind you, eating too much of that Belgian chocolate will keep you from getting off of that fab faux fur lounge that you bought. Remember to exercise. GEMINI 
You are witty and intellectual, a veritable delight at parties and you love to entertain. As an air sign, you move with the wind and keep them guessing which also makes you most charming and elusive. You love to explore and garner new ideas but you also demand a high degree of attention to detail and you rarely act before educating yourself thoroughly on whatever course you embark. You love space and freedom from the madding crowd. YOUR HOME - Accepting new trends is fine, but not without thoroughly investigating and understanding what you are working with. You will only shop where good, solid information is available and the service attentive. Keep the air in your environment. Lots of light and large windows with light sheer fabrics and soft colours. Flooring should be natural and soft toned like large tiles of limestone or travertine. Furnishings should not overpower your room or impinge on the flow of the space. Fabrics should be as light as clouds. CONSIDER THIS… Your tendency toward being anxious can create an irritable and nervous person. Don’t go there. All will be well if you take your time and understand your personal need for space. If you don’t have your own space, get it. The wind only blows freely when unhampered or it turns into a cyclone. CANCER 
Deep and protective, you are the most nurturing and hence, selfless of the zodiac. You live to help others and embrace them in your warmth and attention to home and comfort. Because home is such an important factor in your life, you love to bring friends and family in for celebrations and just plain old Sunday dinners.
Water is your essence and the moon is your ruling influence which can make you not only highly intuitive but prone to moodiness and hypersensitivity.YOUR HOME – Your décor needs to reflect the level of comfort you demand in your environment. Cozy areas where colours are warm and inviting. Large pillows on your couch and fluffy blankets to curl up with make you happy and your family content. You need sturdy materials in that you do not want to worry about being fussy or careful with so stay away from delicate cottons and silks. Suedes, velvets, wools and knits are more your style. Your kitchen and dining areas are the source of action in your home as you love to cook. You need a large kitchen, lots of oven space and a table nearby where your loved ones can look on while you prepare your feasts. CONSIDER THIS… With the moon in your sign be careful not to get too caught up in your selflessness. It is really easy to turn into a martyr. No one expects all that you are willing to give, so give freely rather than with attachments. LEO 
My, how dramatic you are! The performer in you needs to come out, so entertain your heart out. This makes you very aware of your environment as your home is center stage and you are the star. Your noble and extraordinarily generous nature makes you highly attractive and a fabulous friend. People love your parties. You are magnetic with a sense of flair and substance. YOUR HOME – As you are a sun and fire child, keep your colours rich and intense with gold, bronze and copper metallics. Have those animal print faux furs ready for action on pillows and settees and make sure a bit of red fires up your appetite. Your flooring can reflect your intensity with exotic look laminates and Italian porcelains surrounded by borders of glass tile from Spain. Fabrics and furnishings can reflect your passions and change to reflect the theme of your next party. Use that incredible deep blood red paint in your dining area (watch out for that colour in your bedroom… unless sleep is not on high priority, wink wink). CONSIDER THIS... Occasionally you do have to turn off the show. When you do, you will need a lot of rest and make sure you have allowed a space for yourself to regroup. Lions need a lot of downtime to make up for the intense periods of hunting. VIRGO 
The word “refined” typifies your personality. You are a very practical individual and you need to keep your environment in as fastidious a condition as you can manage. You love the idea of perfection and will strive endlessly toward educating yourself and others in the benefits of a purified existence. Extremely health conscious, you always look great… you're the person who can wear the simplest outfit and still look like you spent hours on yourself.YOUR HOME – You are crazy about white and would, if practical, have your whole home done in shades of white. White porcelain tiles delicately filigreed with subtle colour and texture should grace your floors. Creams and softly rose hued whites and linens would add the elegance that you demand in your space. CONSIDER THIS… All that elegance and purity can be very disconcerting to guests who may not feel comfortable in such a “clean” environment. Take it easy on expectations and remember that you are still on earth. LIBRA 
You are seductive and romantic; you are the girl with the wreath of flowers in your hair, the guy who melts you on the spot, wearing a wet poet shirt, standing in the rain. You inspire trust and fairness and strive to live a balanced existence. You know the value of work but you live to play and family time is precious to you. As an “air” sign, the sky is your home. You love wide open spaces where your imagination can soar. YOUR HOME – Harmony, well placed furnishings that leave your space open and free- flowing are your personal preferences. Delicate patterns that evoke floral or leafy motifs appeal to you and you will most likely be the one at the flower shop on a regular basis. Maples and birches, natural stains, light colours make you feel in tune with yourself. You are an expert at balancing which means your home is always a comfortable place in which to live and visit. CONSIDER THIS… Don’t over feminize your home, it can make it seem too frilly and you do have a serious side. If you have a wreath on your door and it isn’t Christmas, please remove it. You can overdo the “cute”. If you’re a guy, keep that romantic edge, it works beautifully. SCORPIO 
You are the sign of crazy passion, intensity, moodiness and capricious behavior. You love transformations on yourself and the environment around you. As a water sign, you flow and move freely and cannot stand being pegged or static. Your enigmatic appeal will be both scary and yet appealing at the same time so you can get away with an eclectic mix of styles and keep them guessing. We gravitate to you like moths to a flame so be generous with your style. Use the same passion in your surroundings that you do in your personal look.YOUR HOME – Fashionable yet at the same time classic. You know how to integrate the best of all worlds so even though you have an eclectic sense of things, they always work well together. Mix your woods to keep the look interesting, keep colours in deep soft hues as your personality tends to be deep and thoughtful. You love layers which denote mystery so use fabrics that have a natural ability to fold and wrap easily like suedes, velvets, satins etc. CONSIDER THIS… Wow, you can be pretty scary. Which personality are you exhibiting today and will you still love us tomorrow? Mystery is fabulous but don’t make it an obstacle course to understand you. Be honest and don’t expect people to mind read, you are not that important. SAGITTARIUS 
Sagittarius is the figure depicted as half human and half horse. This means a very strong love of freedom and wanderlust with a quest for understanding all that life has to offer. You are innocent in the world and want to offer everyone your high ideals and optimism. A joy for life brings you into the arts and related ventures where the sky’s the limit to what can be achieved. You have a soaring imagination and can also be somewhat prophetic. YOUR HOME – You are satisfied with the simple pleasures of life so keeping up with the Jones’s has never been essential to your happiness. You’re too busy traveling and looking at the world at large. You love to collect items from your travels and your sentimental nature keeps hold of all the little items that family and friends have given you over the years. This keeps your home eclectic and very personal. At the same time, practical elements to your living are necessary so that you can leave at a moments notice when the urge to travel hits. You are more likely to entertain at the local pub than at home but when you do entertain at home you take great pains to make it interesting. Carpets from India, artifacts and sculptures from Africa would grace your décor. Ethnic prints and leathers would appeal to you most. Your floors do well in exotic woods with lots of area rugs. CONSIDER THIS… If your head is in the clouds too much, which it often is, you lose sight of reality (don’t worry, reality is not all it’s cracked up to be). Oblivion will keep you from accomplishing important goals but will also keep you in danger of not seeing people for who they are. HAPPY NEW YEAR AND THE VERY BEST IN 2007! | |
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