Ask The Experts: Creating Sacred Space

Sacred Spaces

The Chakra Shack Welcomes designer Deborah Waltz to our newly-formed panel of experts. Deborah is the owner of Voila Interior Design based in Orange County, California. She attended the prestigious Interior Designers Institute in Newport Beach, California and has experience in both model home and residential design. Here she will be providing you with insight and suggestions on creating your sacred space to promote chakra healing, general health and well being.

Could the color of your home be affecting your mental, physical, and emotional health?

It's quite possible. Color can have a profound effect on how we feel. We know the Egyptians used color therapy thousands of years ago in healing temples, so this theory is nothing new. Our attraction to certain colors may indicate an area in us where we are imbalanced. Understanding why certain colors affect us either positively or negatively helps us along our spititual journey of self discovery. It is important to keep in mind the following color associations in order to create surroundings of personal healing.

Red: Red is associated with passion, strength, sexuality, and power. Red should be used minimally in a home. Use this color in areas where you want to promote a lot of activity or in areas where you spend short amounts of time. Splashes of red can be used in a bedroom to bring in romance, but too much can interfere with sleep. Overuse of red can lead to aggression and exhaustion. Red is associated with the 1st/Root Chakra which relates to self awareness, security, courage, and stability.

Orange: Orange is a warm. creative, and exciting color. It has a feeling of playfulness and movement. It is a good color for kitchens and eating areas as it stimulates the appetite. Overuse of this color can lead to restlessness. Orange is associated with the 2nd/Sacral Chakra which relates to creativity, self respect, and confidence.

Yellow: Yellow is a joyful, uplifting color. It is positive and energetic. This is a good color to use in kitchens or in an area where studying is done. It should not be used in a room where you want to relax. Too much use of yellow can cause mental over stimulation conflict. Yellow is associated with the 3rd/Solar Plexus Chakra, which relates to self worth, clarity, and wisdom.

Green: Green is calming and harmonious. It is strongly connected with nature and can bring happiness and prosperity. Greens are good for bedrooms, sacred spaces, and rooms where you want to instill the feeling of balance. Too much green can lead to sluggishness and depression. Green is associated with the 4th/Heart Chakra which relates to the love of others and love of self.

Blue: Blue projects feelings of spirituality, hope, and protection. It is a quiet and calming color. Blue can be used in bathrooms and bedrooms and can promote a good night's sleep. Too much blue can cause feelings of isolation and stifle our motivation. Blue is connected with the 5th/Throat Chakra which relates to self expression and communication. The color Indigo, which is a combination of blue and purple, is associated with the 6th/Brow or "Third Eye" Chakra, which relates to intuition, psychic abilities, and imagination.

Purple: Purple is soothing and inspiring. Deep tones of this color are associated with royalty. Lavender projects tranquility. This is a good color to use in areas for reading or contemplation. Too much purple can lead to mental exhaustion. Purple and lavender can be associated with the 7th/Crown Chakra, which relates to our spiritual awareness and self knowledge.

White: White is light, clean, and tranquil. It can be used in any space. Too much white can create feelings of emptiness and can feel sterile.White is also associated with the Crown Chakra.

Black: Black is associated with mystery. This color should be used as just an accent. Too much black can be draining and negative. Gray is also in this category, although it has much more of a tranquil feeling.

Brown: Brown is definitely an earth color and is very grounding. This includes dark browns to very deep golds . They can make you feel connected to the physical world. Brown makes us feel supported and cozy. This color can be used in any area of the home. Too much brown can lead to a sense of harshness. This color is most introduced through furniture or flooring made of natural wood finishes. Incorporating certain colors into your home is easy and affordable. Besides using paint , you can also easily change bedspreads, pillows, art, and rugs to stimulate the certain areas in you that need healing. Take a look at your surroundings and see if the colors you are drawn to and using in your home relate to your current healing needs. You may be surprised. When I decorated my current home, I used deep golds and browns. And yes, I will humbly admit, I definitely needed to be grounded!

Do you have a question on creating sacred space for Deborah? Email Deborah at voilainteriors@sbcglobal.net.  Please visit her website at www.voilainteriordesign.com.