At first we where a bit scared about the changes suggested but when we saw it all coming together, it all made sense. Now we are not sad anymore that our children no longer live with us. We are happy that they love coming back to visit and we feel blessed to be able to pass on our love to the next generation. But the most shocking change happened in our business about a few month after the redecoration and fixing some plumbing issues. Clients started knocking at our door and we had more work than we ever wished for. I guess Katia’s belief  that our surroundings influence our lives in much more ways than we can imagine, is true. – H.K., Sao Paulo – Brazil

None of their children where living with them anymore and the rooms where just catching dust and resting on memories of the past. Nothing wrong with keeping some of their belongings, but after a while it is healthy to sort through all the stuff, organize and store it properly. It doesn’t mean that their own children aren’t welcome anymore, it just means that now they are welcome together with family members of their own.

This room belonged to their daughter before. With most of her belongings gone already it was a dull sight and a sad space to look at. I decided to paint half the wall in a light green color to harmonize the room with the view outside the window. Green is a unisex color and represents balance, harmony and growth. Green has a rejuvenating effect. It revitalizes us when we are physically, mentally or emotionally exhausted. It’s not a coincidence that this color is one of the most predominant on earth as it urges us to nurture others. Perfect room for a grandma to recuperate from her daily adventures and to love her little angels when they come to visit!

BEFORE – unused bedroom

AFTER – useful nursery

Another change that made a huge difference was changing the length of the curtains. All the windows in the house had short curtains that were tailored to the size of the window frames. In order to give the room a more cozy and longer look, I decided to let them touch the ground. The owner was so amazed that she changed all the curtains of the other bedrooms as well.

A simple skirt that matches the window cover, transformed the former desk into a changing table.

BEFORE – study desk

AFTER – changing table

The entire project was completed in 2 days and we managed to stay 16% below budget. The most expensive items where furniture and lighting, almost 60% of the cost. A comfortable chair with a stylish floor lamp make sure grandma has a place to tell the good-night stories. I incorporated updated family member pictures for them to realize how blessed they are today because of the beautiful memories they provided in the past. Keeping old books, dolls and stuffed animals maintains traditions and links generations.

The crib was found in the attic and was used by grandma herself when she was a baby! Putting it back together and giving it a facelift with updated furnishings rocked everybody’s heart.

Mixing old and new

The final touches were made with colorful wall-stickers in blue and pink bringing a bit of toddler spirit.

This family made room for new memories. By having a nursery, their own children are now happy to bring their babies as they feel comfortable with the new infrastructure available. No more hurrying back home to put the little ones to sleep. They can now easily nap at grandma’s place.

by Katia Steilemann, www.elyts.biz – unfolding your life’s potential

This was a project I did a few years ago to help a family in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, arrange their little apartment. Offering remote service is one of  the aspects that make Elyts Ltd. unique. There are no time zones we can’t deal with nor distances that keep us from getting the job done. Many clients appreciate it as they can focus on their needs after working hours in the comfort of their homes and  casual wear when talking to us via skype. I find that clients who choose to receive a service remotely, become more engaged as they have to express their needs more precisely. I guess they also like the fact that the service isn’t as expensive as having the professional travel to their home or office.

So here is a glimpse of solutions suggested to this family:

The challenge they faced was having a smaller living room than in their previous apartment. They wanted to place their 2 sofas and big dining table in that tiny space.

In order to maximize the living and dining room function I suggested to sell the smaller sofa and keep the 3-seater. A family of 3 does not need more sitting space for most of the time. When guests are invited they can always use the dining table chairs and little stools. The hardest part for all my clients that go through a space down-sizing is to let go of their “things” and think in practical terms. What will they really need and how can they use their existing items in a multi-functional way.

As the family is small the solution of placing the dining table against the wall was applicable to their life-style. In case they have guests coming over, they could take the table off the wall and have everyone sit around it for a nice meal.

For the yellow wall that you can see on the slide, painting it in a lighter color – including the white wall borders – gives the illusion of a larger room.

Dining and living room:

THE LIVING ROOM

If you can’t go horizontal, go vertical! The dining table should also serve as a working / study desk for the family members. Here the key was to make sure all the papers, books and pencils are stored away quickly to leave the room looking organized after a session of hard work. The solution proposed was to install hight shelfs with easy access and fill them with labeled boxes. This way you don’t really have to tidy up completely all the time, just put the items in the right boxes, close the lid and forget about it.

In the drawing I also suggested to place a work desk next to the sofa with one removable drawer. When no one is working the drawers stay under the table. As soon has they need to study they pull it out and use it as additional space to lay open books, etc. The other two elements are storage ottoman’s. They serve as extra storage and seating for guests. They are neatly hidden under the table when not in use.

multifunction dining, living and working room

For the wall that is on the right side of the sofa there are several ideas that can be implemented. It all depends on the owners taste and amount of things they have to store in this room.

They can make a picture wall or nicely place shelfs for their knickknacks. If they don’t want to drill too many holes a suggestion is to use the “stair-typed” shelving that you lean against the wall. Keeping the shelving and or picture frames in a white or very light color also helps with the illusion of a bigger space.

wall decor

THE DINING ROOM

For the dining room that is opposite the sofa / living room a great idea is to hang a long mirror on the wall to reflect the light that comes through the only little window on the opposite side above the couch. In small spaces you don’t only want to maximize storage but also light. Light is the best way to keep the bad mood out of a jammed space.

Storage boxes and shelfs should be placed high enough so you don’t bump your head when getting up. Anyway, it’s just an issue when guests come as most of the time they will use the outside of the table.

the dining room

CORRIDOR / HALL WAY

For their narrow corridor I sent several decor ideas allowing them to choose what pleases them best. When you move into a new home I always recommend to decorate step by step. You need to observe your daily  instincts such as: where do place your keys when you come home? where do you leave your coats? what is the most walked through area of the house? where does the light come in during the day? where is the quiet spot in your house? where do you put on your shoes? and so on… Once you know these things it is easy to support the areas with decor that suits their purpose. Why would you put a coat hanger on the other side of the living room when your natural instinct is to place them on the left side next to the door?

the narrow corridor

Decor ideas for corridor

So how does INTERIOR design fit with IMAGE and INFLUENCE services offered by Elyts?

When unfolding a person’s potential I learned that you have a higher success rate when going beyond the obvious. Clients that look for help with interior design are in most cases searching for more than a nice home or office. They want to be more efficient, organized and admired. Our understanding of how human behavior – INFLUENCE – works and knowledge about the impact of IMAGE helps us bring solutions that are tailored to each person’s needs.

When we moved to Rio de Janeiro I panicked! We where leaving a big house for a tiny apartment. What to do with all the furniture? Where to put them? We tried to place and organize all our things but did not succeed. That is when we contacted Katia and with her great ideas we renovated the apartment. The optimization of space, organizing boxes, shelfs and adequate curtains where some of the fundamental tips received that finally turned our apartment into a cozy and functional home. It even looks bigger than before! R.M., Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

by Katia Steilemann, http://www.elyts.biz – unfolding your life’s potential

How rewarding work is when you can measure change and see how it improved people’s lives. The school engaged their teachers and staff and really made great modifications to decoration and room locations. Some very simple, others a bit more complex. The most obvious was the reception area, as you can see from the before and after pictures. So what were the key recommendations made?

Recommendation #1: change the position of the reception and parents waiting lounge.

From a practical point of view: This is a school for children with special needs but in the lobby it’s the parents who need special attention. Sitting right in front of the entrance door exposes them too much to the outer world and constant flow of people. Every parent deals with this situation differently. There are the ones that have made peace with it and don’t mind being seen in a special school. There are those coming to terms with what the future holds for their little loved ones and feel vulnerable sitting directly at the entrance. And there are those who just learned that their child needs special attention and are scared about that means for them, the family and society. By creating a waiting room that is more private gives the parents and caretakers the necessary safety and comfort.

The first thing one should see when entering the building is the reception. It should be backed by a sturdy wall and carry the school’s name. This way the receptions also has a better view of who is entering the room and can more easily attend the visitors.

From a Feng Shui point of view, the place where the reception and staff was seated before is one of the most prosperous in the building and the place where the sofas for parents where before is a bit challenging as it brings a few health issues, especially in the year 2012. So what a special needs school need? Healthy, thriving children and happy parents. Placing the parents in the prosperous corner brings good luck to the business and increases the chances of parents spreading the word about the great job the school is doing. Leaving the challenging corner more inactive and tidy reduced the potential of injuries and health problems.

Our school is having such a success that we are in the process of expanding to Beijing, amongst other cities in China. People now feel so at ease in the new waiting room that some even fall asleep. They bring their books and seem to be more relaxed. Vendors and service staff can go the reception without disturbing or mixing with parents. – Shari Rosen, founder, Speech-Language Pathologist and Senior Consultant

BEFORE – lobby area

3D design for new reception area

AFTER – transformed into a professional reception area

BEFORE – reception area and staff room

3D design for new waiting room

AFTER – parent waiting room for additional privacy. Pictures and awards of the school are displayed here also.

AFTER – kids waiting / play corner

Recommendation #2: install mirror and two cement balls at the entrance gate.

From a practical point of view: The school is situated in a very busy street and corner which makes it hard for drivers to have a full view of traffic when they are coming in and out. The mirror would help reduce the risk of accidents.

From a Feng Shui point of view: this is the prosperous corner of the estate and for this special case an enhancement with elements representing metal is recommended. The mirror and the balls represent this element. The stone balls also represent stability and protection. I was amazed by what happened in this corner. There are now several street vendors doing business in front of the school walls near the entrance. They are selling things from chicken to pineapples. One might think what this is good? Well, this area seems not only to have become prosperous for the school but also for other business people. They feel good there and seem to be making money. That is great! You want such positive activity in your good luck corner.

I have noticed that our plants don’t die anymore. They are growing and thriving in and outdoors. We also started a new program for chinese students and it is going well. I guess prosperity is working! - Merav Wirthiem, Program Director, Educational Therapy Counselor

BEFORE – entrance gate

AFTER – entrance gate

AFTER – balanced prosperity corner attracts little vendors and helps their business thrive

Recommendation #3: move the Finance and HR department to another place in the building

From a practical point of view: before the staff had to pass the library, some classrooms and go all the way down the hall to reach their office. With the new suggestion all the meeting rooms and staff rooms are near the entrance, leaving the classrooms and dining area all together in one space.

From a Feng Shui point of view: There where many disagreements and discussions going on amongst staff and finances could use improvement. The Feng Shui map for this particular building showed that the space where HR and Finance was located is one of the worse points in the entire building. It brings the Flying Star combination 2 and 3 which means “quarrels”. Without going into detail, this room would only maximize conflicts. Not a good place to accommodate employees that take decisions relating to personnel and money. The ideal place for them is near the entrance, along the North-East, North and North-West side. I was pleased to see that they moved into a bigger room that before was underused. The former location of the HR & Finance department now was turned into a classroom for older children. Unfortunately a few students have dropped out recently and so did a teacher. I believe that is the challenge of that space as the core “energy” will not be changed. During my last visit I recommended some additional changes to the classroom layout and decoration that might turn the negative into positive. Let’s see how that works for them.

We just held our staff meeting and learned that our teachers agreed to stay another 2 to 3 years. This is very exciting as in the past we constantly struggled with personnel and high turnover rates. We are growing so fast that  we are now running into space problems and might need a bigger building to accommodate all the students and staff. - Monte Rosen, Founder and Managing Director

BEFORE – one of the parent teacher interview rooms which no one liked to use. also too big for the purpose.

AFTER – big room transformed into HR & Finance department

AFTER – new HR & Finance room

Recommendation #4: redecorate the library

From a practical point of view: the library is the first thing you see when walking through the door after the reception area. Before it was a combination of furniture that does not match and according to the teachers, also a space that was not being used in its full potential. Only one part active because the other was not very comfortable or practical.

From a Feng Shui point of view: the south side of the building needs special attention as it brings the difficult star #5 combined with the #9. These two together mean trouble, especially related to health and bad accidents. As the owners told me about all the injuries happening in the school I recommended special care with this area. Keeping it tidy, nice and clean would already make a big difference without having to leave it unused (which is normally what one would suggest). Avoiding decoration that represents the Fire and Earth elements would help balance this troubled area.

We called Katia because we had silly accidents happening in our school last year and our chinese staff asked us to bring in a Feng Shui master. After implementing most of the suggested changes we are happy to see that the accidents have stopped. - Andrew Hill, Founder and Director

BEFORE – library

AFTER – library

BEFORE –  unpractical and dark reading corner

AFTER – reading corner

The school really did an excellent job in applying the changes and keeping within their budget limits. In October 2012 ELG published an article where they mention the Feng Shui experience.

At the end of meetings I like to quote a Buddhist saying: “I can give you the ticket, but you’ve got to catch the train.” and they have definitely catched the train!

Here are a few other changes made at the premisses:

BEFORE – meeting room

AFTER – meeting room

BEFORE – staff room

AFTER – staff room transformed into therapeutic classroom

Please note that these recommendations were made according to that specific building and may not apply to your business or home.

by Katia Steilemann, www.elyts.biz – unfolding your life’s potential

Grabling has just launched their new collection which is inspired by the Amazon rainforest. In their catalogue they disclosed the hottest spring / summer color trends for 2013.

Emerald is the color of 2013. You will see it from home decor to clothing. If you want to buy something that you can wear all year long, go for emerald. There are also great color combinations that will help you put together and outfit that says “I know what is fashionable!”.

Find here the hot report and get ready for style!

2013 SPRING AND SUMMER COLORS:

“The expression ‘balancing act’ is something we all relate to as we strive to find harmony in the frantic pace of our everyday lives,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “The same can be said for fashion as we look for balance between light and bright, classic and new. This season’s color palette emphasizes this need for balance, while at the same time allowing for individuality, self-expression and excitement.”

From deep monaco blues to tender dusk blues. Jeans is also a comeback. As seen on Fashion Week – Chanel and Zac Posen

The star of the year Emerald and Jade colors. As seen on Fashion Week – Kate Spade

Bright yellows called lemon zest. As seen on Fashion Week – Gucci and DKNY

A warm neutral, Linen is light and airy, providing a nude-like basic that is a must have for spring. As seen on Fashion Week – Donna Karan and Burberry

A bright, effervescent citrus orange with coral undertones. As seen on Fashion Week – Victoria Beckham and Ellus

Like the first signs of spring, Tender Shoots, a vibrant yellow-green, is invigorating, active and cheerful. As seen on Fashion Week – Gucci, Chanel and Agua de Coco

Shades ranging from pink to purple adding a feminine touch. As seen on Fashion Week – Burberry and Gucci

2013 SPRING AND SUMMER COLOR COMBINATIONS:

Whit all these beautiful colors there is a combination that will match your body type and style. If you don’t want to spend money on tons of new cloth, buy a Grabling necklace that will help you stay effortlessly trendy!

Grabling is a unique product designed especially for women who don’t want to give up their sense of style and fashion while being a mother. Whether you are around your own children, grandchildren or your friend’s offspring, Grabling’s provide you the perfect opportunity to be fashionable and wear a safe and resistant accessoire in the presence of babies and toddlers. The Grabling seasonal colors help you get dressed up within seconds and look polished by combining them with a business attire or a simple t-shirt and jeans.

as seen on Fashion Week – Fendi and Just Cavalli

as seen on Fashion Week – Burberry

as seen on Fashion Week – Gucci

as seen on Fashion Week – Diane von Furstenberg

as seen on Fashion Week – Benneton and Escada

as seen on Fashion Week – Oscar de la Renta and Cia. Maritima

as seen on Fashion Week – Diane von Furstenberg and Oscar de la Renta

as seen on Fashion Week – Kate Spade

by Katia Steilemann, http://www.elyts.biz – unfolding your life’s potential

In the article below you will find examples of places which needed change. The owner was very crafty and creative when putting into practice all the recommendations made to either cure or enhance specific spaces. The techniques I use are related to several different streams of the Feng  Shui school such as Flying Stars, Form School, etc. At the end I combine this with Interior Design knowledge to make it not only balanced but also beautiful. Clients need practical ideas that also match their own life-style.

The front yard was decorated with red flower vases and  was a bit of a forgotten area. While analyzing their home Feng Shui, this corner actually played an important role in regard to wealth and prosperity. This area also needed some cures inside the home where the living room was located.

If left unbalanced, the potential problems related to their family life and health could make their lives more difficult, such as: emotional strains for the women in the house; difficult family relations, especially with male children; negative thinking, coughs and problems in the areas of the neck, shoulders and hands.

A few changes made the difference. We turned the couches, changed the position of tables, removed bamboo plants and worked more with the color white as we needed to use more “metal” elements in the SE corner.

BEFORE – patio: too much red representing the fire element and not very inviting

AFTER – patio: predominantly white and silver elements to represent “Metal”

BEFORE – living room: dark and unbalanced. Candles, china and big furniture needed to be placed in another corner

AFTER – living room: lighter, with the couch against the wall. more family pictures in silver frames to enforce the family bond

BEFORE – hall: the wall is to high for such a small table. also the plant does not represent the element of cure that is needed in this hallway

AFTER – hall: statement entrance and metal pair objects in the left corner supporting marital relationships

The place in the house bringing all the career potential, was yet to be unfolded. In the North corner there is a small indoor balcony. I love how this turned out and even more, how the career of the owner lifted off after the changes.

BEFORE – indoor balcony: useless sink, unused wine fridge

AFTER – indoor balcony: sink was covered with floor tiles, decorated and fridge was transferred to kitchen

AFTER – indoor balcony: a peaceful place to hang out after dinner, with new floor tiles, comfortable chairs and nice plants

Another area we looked at was the NE, that influenced the owners personal development. Specifically for this house, if left “untreated”, this area brings potential health problems related to stomach, appendix, airways and fever. When it comes to wealth, the money that is earned somehow is all spent easily by the end of the month. As you can see, not always do the changes have to be drastic and big. A few correct moves can make everything else fall into place.

BEFORE – home office: too many orange elements representing “fire”

AFTER – home office: the balance it we needed elements representing “water” and “wood”. A simple solution was to change the storage box colors

Needles to say what this area of the house is responsible for! Adding a few touches to the wall and balcony, the bedroom turned from boring red to romantic love nest.

BEFORE – bedroom: unbalanced decor and little personality

AFTER – bedroom: personal items and hot words

BEFORE – bedroom: unappealing view towards balcony

AFTER – bedroom: eye-catching sight with privacy

BEFORE – bedroom balcony: no privacy and little flair

AFTER – bedroom balcony: romantic and personal, personal place to hang out together

AFTER – bedroom balcony: curtains for privacy and throw pillows for a cozy touch

So Feng Shui is not magic, it will not change your life over night nor cure you miraculously from any disease. It can strengthen periods of good fortune and support you in times of trouble. It’s not what life offers you but how you choose to deal with it.

Katia’s Feng Shui work is down to earth. She finds curing solutions with objects that we already have at home and other suggestions are practical and easily applicable. You can balance your home without having to spend huge money on new things, tear down walls and start from scratch. – C.M, Shanghai China

If you would also like to have a Feng Shui analysis in your home or office, please contact us via email – katia@elyts.biz. We offer remote Feng Shui for those who live abroad. Reports are delivered via email and discussed via skype or telephone.

By Katia Steilemann, http://www.elyts.biz – unfolding your life’s potential

Have fun decorating!

simple white pagoda style cage pair

sleek bamboo bird cages

light up the birds house!

red trio are certainly an eye catcher

ad a rustic touch

place them on top of shelfs or cabinets to finish up a high ceiling decor

decorate with flowers

romantic cage with several tea lights and candles

keep your christmas lights out all year

(by Katia Steilemann, http://www.elyts.biz – unfolding your life’s potential)

The more we talked to understand her real needs, the more it turned out to go beyond a design. It led to evaluating her professional image and rebranding her business idea.

Our first meeting started with a hopeful client walking in and ended with a confused and scared blogger walking out my door. It made me stop, reflect and most importantly, wait.

I reflected on the path I chose to achieve her goal which was to have a professional look to her blog that was growing in popularity by the day. I chose to expose her to an entirely new world called “a brand”. What appears to be a simple logo to people who are not familiar with design, marketing and branding techniques has a much deeper meaning to those who choose to be experts in this area. Masters like Philip Kotler, Walter Landor and James Hammond have been relating a brand to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs, enabling a simple logo to be the trigger to human’s highest needs: self-actualization.

A brand is the total sensory experience a customer has with your company and its product or service. (James Hammond)

I took her through a carefully tailored brand experience, touching topics like: understanding the power of a name and the power of words; how customers think and what they look for; the origins of perception and long-term emotions. I showed her how emotion, perception, innovation and communication are closely related when creating a brand. I turned her simple request upside-down and put every aspect of her expectations to the test.

People would rather have one good, soul-satisfying emotion than a dozen facts. (Robert Keith Leavitt)

When I realized the “exercise” made my client lose sight of her intended object I sat down to reflect. Was it to technical? Was it too early? Was it too much? Why couldn’t I just design a few nice logos and get on with life? I came to the conclusion that this is who I am as a professional and this is what makes Elyts Ltd. so different from the rest. Seeking beyond the obvious and striving for a sustainable and innovative result.

So, I waited. I waited for my client to digest. A couple of days later I called to check how she was doing and was thrilled by the words I heard. It had all made her think about how serious her intentions were in turning her experience into a professional service and she finally understood better what she was looking for. The next steps of the process where much easier and by the end of December she revealed to the world the transformed “China na minha vida” (which means “china in my life”).

See below the blog before and after.

BEFORE

AFTER

Christine is a brazilian lady living in Shanghai with a huge passion for China and professional experience in the areas of Culture and Event management. Two years ago she started sharing her adventures online and helping hundreds of families moving to and living in China. In addition, she spends time at Baobei Foundation and is currently responsible for all volunteers at the Shanghai Children Medical Center. Her love for writing has also led her to collaborate and have articles published in the latin magazine Hola China.

I’ve seen the potential she has to help others, how she touches lives through her honest, straight forward and fun style of writing. I’ve been inspired by her energy and learned that by building trust, persevering and listening to your client, you can take them much further than they give themselves credit for.

We have laid the foundations and can now continue to develop her business case in order to migrate from happy blogger to successful business woman.