Here's this month's featured article in "Smart Decorating!" (volume A). I hope you enjoy it:

SECRETS TO CREATING A HAPPY HOME!

Did you know that color, shapes, and light evoke different emotions?  If you know a few simple design secrets, you can make any space feel happier.  Here are 6 design elements that will evoke a happy mood in your home. 

1. Color (Yellow and Red)
Yellow is a very cheerful color.  Use yellow accessories to create a happy mood in a room, or for a more dramatic shift in atmosphere, paint the walls and ceiling. Now it doesn't have to be a bright banana yellow color, which can make you feel like you need to grab your sunglasses before you walk into the room. Thankfully, there is a large variety of yellow tone colors to choose from. Red The color red increases blood flow, speeds up metabolism, and boosts brain functioning. Add splashes of red in a room to improve a sluggish environment.  Be careful though, too much red may make you feel like you just had three cups of coffee in a row. Balance of color is the key.

2. Circles
Curved shapes connote comfort and nurturing. You don't want everything in a room to be circular (that could make you dizzy!), but you can cheer up a space just by adding a few curves. A few items that can bring the "happy-nurturing feeling" are - round dining tables, a round coffee tables or side tables, round/oval mirror, or even round vases. Look around your room. Go ahead, take a peek right now at the room you are currently in. Does it feel nurturing? Now, do you have "nurturing" furniture and furnishings at home?

 

3. Sunlight
Natural sunlight is one of the best mood elevators.  If your space feels gloomy, you will notice a lively boost by simply opening blinds and pulling back draperies.  And while you're at the window, open up and let some fresh air in!

 

4. Nature

Buy fresh flowers or plants for your home. Catching glimpses of nature within your home tends to awakens your happy spirit. For more intense feeling, "see" the flowers and plants. Not just look at them, but "see" - the color variances, if it is blooming, the curves. See and feel the aliveness of the flowers and plants and it will most definitely liven you up.

 

5. Your likes

Remember to decorator your home for you! It is okay to ask for other people's opinions, but don't let their opinions deter you from what you like. Decorate for yourself and your immediate family not for what your mother-in-law, college friend, or mail delivery person may think when they stop by. If you have your personality reflected in your home and it will feel like a sanctuary of comfort and joy.

 

6. Interior Designer

If you feel you need help obtaining a cohesive "comfort" plan for your rooms, hire an interior designer to highlight your true identity so it can shine within your home and bring you the comfort at home that you deserve to live in.