Interior Designing for Interested Individuals

When you think about it, interior designing is everywhere. It's in buildings, offices, hotels, apartments, houses, schools and even small spaces you never dared think possible for interior designing. But the fact is, it is, and interior designing, whether you look at it as a profession or you just have a knack for pulling things and colors together in one room to make them look good, you are a certified interior designer.

Interior designing in its simplest sense is art. Although it looks good to the eyes of people, particularly to the clients; important information which pertains to the why and how of the materials, colors and objects used for a certain room are all needed to be justified. This means, that an interior designer doesn't only do things that are good for a certain space but it also thinks about why certain materials is suggested to the client.

What's great about interior designing is that each space, corner and spots of a room at least, is utilized, beautified and exposed together with the main areas of the room. If you have a small room, interior designing can do wonders for you to make it look spacious. Working with what the clients want, how they react to their environment and stating what good the room is for to them helps an interior designer think and conceptualize a cozy and pretty environment.

So there, you get the idea. The basic essentials of being an interior designer is the creativity skill that you have in you. Treat colors, corners, accents and objects your friends because when you develop how to make them all interact with one another, you start to create an original concept. Even when you think you wont be making it to this kind of business, the important thing is that you practice your ability to decorate and love what you do and eventually put it to good use.

Feminine Psychology

Feminine psychology is the psychology of the female of the human species and it includes the study of the gender related "female human identity" as well as the psychological interpretations of the issues that females confront during their life time.

Gender studies help us to understand and make a distinction of the natural biological gender differences and gender differences that have been created based on the gender roles established by the society from time to time. Further gender studies also help us to understand the gender bias that exists in the society.

Feminine psychology is also involved in highlighting the gender bias that existed in traditional psychological theories and offers alternative theories to counter those biases and propagate new thinking. Work related to hysteria and neurosis is particularly important in this regard.

Feminine psychology: "Penis envy"

There was a time when it was a widely accepted belief that women were in fact "imperfect men" and their imperfectness arouse from their sexual inadequacies. It was believed that women wanted to do everything like men because of this sexual inadequacy that can be more explicitly said as the jealousy of not having the "penis". The irony of the whole thing is that this thinking came from one of the brilliant minds of the 19th century i.e. Sigmund Freud who is the father of the psychoanalytic movement. He coined the term "penis envy" for what he called as the sexual inadequacy in women which manifested in all her thinking and doings. It was even postulated that women became hysteric and neurotic when their desire to be like men could not be fulfilled. He said that women where envious for all that men stood for and this envy starts sexually in the childhood when a female sees that she is devoid of a penis which her brother has. For more than 150 years this theory was accepted without any major questioning and women suffered a lot because of this thinking that spread in the society as a norm.

Feminine psychology: The theory of "Penis envy" and the challenge to the theory

It was only in the early and later part of the 20th century that this belief was challenged adequately by some brilliant women psychoanalysts and psychologists. They challenged Freud's theory by strongly advocating the fact that Freud was actually a prisoner of his culture and times and what he said and interpreted was based on the social conditions of his times. In the 19th century Victorian culture women were living a very discriminated and marginalized life and had lot of restrictions that were heaped on them. In this kind of scenario whenever women got frustrated and tried to challenge the system they were rebuffed strongly and they were ridiculed for trying to "imitate men". This phenomenon was called as "penis envy" and all their emotions and feelings were rubbished as neurotic behaviour which was thought to be naturally associated to them.

Feminine psychology: Wandering uterus

We would not believe it today but it is a fact that all the diseases of the women were in fact thought to originate from her uterus and it was said that women had a wandering uterus. Subsequently it was proven medically that all that talk of "wandering uterus" was a big rubbish.

Feminine psychology: Work of Karen Horny

Women Psychoanalysts such as Karen Horny did excellent work to show that medical conditions like neurosis in women was necessarily not of sexual in origin but was triggered by the external environment of a individual and the coping mechanism employed be the individual to manage it. She went on to say that neurosis was a common condition that existed in all human beings in various degrees. It is in fact a condition that is part of an individual who is trying to live his or her life. In other words we all have a neurotic corner in us. It only becomes a full blown medical condition when the external conditions overwhelm our individual self and our coping mechanisms completely fail to manage it.

Further Karen Horny hit hard on the theory of "penis envy' by postulating a counter theory called as the "womb envy". According to this theory men in fact felt inadequate about themselves because of their lack of "natural creative abilities" as seen in women who is bestowed by the nature to create life. This might be the reason why men run around the world trying to be creative and generative.

Feminine psychology: Extreme theories

Both that is the "penis envy" and the "womb envy" theories are extreme in nature. What we need to appreciate is that the 19th century social conditions were different and today's social and cultural conditions are completely different. Today women don't feel sexually inadequate to men or for that matter in any other way. The reason for this is that in relative terms women are more free and independent today than they were in the 19th century or to times before that.

Feminine psychology: Androgynous disposition

More than that, now we have reached a "time" when we are actually exploring the frontiers of human mentation. Latest scientific studies are exploring the capacity of the human mind that was never thought before. We are also understanding the fact that gender differences are highly subjective and in reality a human being is more likely to be androgynous in nature that is the feminine and the masculine both exist in the same human being. A balance between the feminine and the masculine would be the condition that would in fact ensure the survival of the human species.

Feminine psychology: Personality theories

Further feminine psychology also deals with the study of personality theories based on the various "schools of thought" with a focus to offer therapy related solutions for a healthier and better life for the individual. Feminine psychology especially tries to offer holistic solutions to medical problems such as depression, neurosis and psychosis in women.

The study of feminine psychology will not be complete without understanding the below mentioned topics in detail

1. General Psychology-This include subtopics such as personality development, learning and behavioral psychology, sensation and perception, memory, intelligence and states of mind, motivation and emotion, social psychology, psychopathology and psychotherapy.

2. Traditional Branches of Psychology-This include subtopics such as evolutionary psychology, developmental psychology, behavioral Psychology, behavioral genetics, cognitive psychology, cognitive behavioral psychology, and abnormal Psychology.

Psychoanalytic traditions are a major branch of clinical psychology and especially useful to understand the workings of the human mind. This subject covers the following topics

1. Classical Psychoanalytic Theories-This includes topographic theory, structure theory & ego psychology

2. Other Theories-This includes conflict theory, object relations theory, self Psychology, psychoanalysis, feminist theory of psychoanalysis, analytical psychology, interpersonal psychoanalysis, relational psychoanalysis and modern psychoanalysis.

3. Psychoanalytic Schools-This includes Freudian and New Freudian, Jungian and Adlerian schools.

The Personality theories based on various psychological schools are especially valuable to understand the various issues related to human existence and how humanity approaches them for working out holistic solutions for better lifestyle. These personality theories based on various psychological schools include

1. Existentialist Psychology-This includes theories and concepts like the existential vacuum, finding meaning, transcendence, love and will and myths, dreams, phenomenology, existence, anxiety, guilt, death, authenticity, inauthenticity, families, Social unconscious, evil and human needs.

2. Humanistic and Social Psychology-This includes theories and concepts like the phenomenal field subjective to the organism, one motive that is preserve and enhance the phenomenal self, differentiation, concept of threat, meaning in learning or learning is meaningful, traits or dispositions, psychological maturity, functional autonomy, incongruity, defenses, the fully-functioning person and self-actualization.

3. Depth psychology, Ego psychology and Psychoanalysis-This includes theories and concepts like the id, the ego and the superego, life instincts and death instinct, anxiety, the defense mechanisms, the stages, the oedipal crisis and development of character, development and self-theory, theory of neurosis, the epigenetic principle, children and adults, the first stage, stage two, stage three, stage four, stage five, stage six, stage seven and stage eight, ego psychology and child psychology.

4. Depth psychology, Analytical psychology and Psychoanalysis- This includes theories and concepts such as the archetypes, the dynamics of the psyche, the self, synchronicity, introversion and extroversion, the functions and assessment.

5. Behaviour Psychology and Temperament-This includes theories and concepts such as schedules of reinforcement, shaping, aversive stimuli and behavior modification, neurotic, extraversion-introversion and psychotic, 12 irrational ideas that cause and sustain neurosis, unconditional self-acceptance, self-controlled therapy and modelling therapy.

6. Experimental & Cognitive Psychology-The includes theories and concepts such as concrete operations stage and formal operations stage.

7. Phenomenological and Cognitive Psychology-The includes theories and concepts such fundamental postulate, the construction corollary, the experience corollary, the dichotomy corollary, the organization corollary, the range corollary, the modulation corollary, the choice corollary, the individuality corollary, the commonality corollary, the fragmentation corollary, the sociality corollary and feelings.

8. Generalized Personality Theory-This includes theories and concepts such as the hero, the artist and life & death.

9. Buddhist Psychology-This includes theories and concepts such as the structure of the mind, the four noble truths and the eightfold path.

10. Sociobiology-This includes theories and concepts such as instinct, evolution, attraction, children, helping, aggression, aggression in human beings and sociobiology Vs culture.

11. The Ultimate Theory of Personality-This includes theories and concepts such as consciousness and the unconscious, stages, temperament, learning, emotions, motivation, neurosis, coping strategies and balance.

Feminine psychology: Psychology of gender and eastern psychology

Psychology of gender is a very important subject which needs to be studied with a scientific approach to understand the issues related to feminine psychology and feminine gender. This subject includes the following topics

1. Gender
2. Gender studies
3. Gender Identity
4. Gender differences
5. Gender Roles
6. Gender Bias: Sexism

Eastern Psychology is a vast ocean which can work in tandem with the Western Psychological schools to offer a holistic solution to humanity. This subject includes the following topics

1. Eastern and Western Psychology
2. Vedanta Psychology
3. Buddhist Psychology
4. Zen Psychology
5. Yogic Psychology
6. Tantric Psychology
7. Sufi Psychology
8. Taoist Psychology
9. The Psychology of the Yang
10. Personal Psychology
11. Depth Psychology
12. Gestalt psychology
13. Dynamic Psychology and psycho synthesis
14. Parapsychology

The role of feminine psychology is to offer women and men an integrated approach to a healthy lifestyle which is based on gender equality in every sphere of life. It tries to offer best possible therapeutic solutions to the various problems and issues that arise because of the interaction of an individual in the society and the opposite also. The most important aspect is that feminine psychology does not divide humanity but it acts as the building bridge for a better and prosperous society.

How to Use Books As a Main Interior Design Feature for Your Home

I love everything about books... the way they feel in your hand, the colours of the spine, the knowledge or mental voyage they take you on, the way they look grouped together both visually and conceptually, the ability to stack them to display other objects or to be used as furniture and most importantly, the sense of magic they give a room (each book has its own world within). Books have a power that when used in your Design, can give a grounded and deeper perception to your interior space and environment. Books truly are powerful, in that they can teach, illustrate, inspire, and explain.

However, when NOT displayed or organized correctly, they can also take up a lot of room in our homes. If stacks of books are threatening to overtake your home or the lives of loved ones, consider some new ideas for display and storage as well as INCORPORATING your collection of books into the very fabric of your interior design, NOT just as a collection but as part of the flow, feeling and sensibility of your space. To achieve this effect consider additional shelving, categorized display, or perhaps even removing a few of the books from a collection and using some as actual furnishing pieces or stands to display other items. Remember to weed out the unused and the unloved, think about keeping only what you are passionate about and what you use. When working with books with your interior design plan, take into consideration their colour and the power of grouping their coloured spines to the maximum visual effect. (Don't feel as if you need to keep the dust cover...often the book is MUCH more beautiful without the little wrapper)

For the rest of your book collection, here are some tips on arranging, displaying, storing and creating DRAMA with your books.

1. Use them to prop Up objects - A great tool in creating a sexy and dramatic grouping is learning how to create different elevations. Stack three chunky hardcover books on a side table to use as a raised display area for a sexy sculpture, a crystal lamp and potted urn or orchid (in a waterproof pot of course) on top of the books. This is a great way to raise another accessory that may be too short as well as create some interest in a display.

2. Create a DRAMATIC and colourful wall of reading with a floor to ceiling and wall to wall built-in of books - for those of us lucky enough to have a large book collection this solution is both practical and visually stunning. This look can be achieved to amazing effect both by having custom build bookcases or purchasing "off the rack" book shelves and then grouping them together (units from Ikea or Sears... etc. ) The trick is to group them tightly and to measure the wall where they are going so that the end result is one that it looks as if it was custom created for your space. When using prebuilt units try to find thicker sided and heavier construction to sustain the weight of the books. AS WELL... consider removing the back "faux wood panel or white panel" and paint the wall area JUST behind the book shelves a dramatic colour like a rich red, vibrant orange, sunkissed yellow or a dramatic black. This will allow your collection and your built-ins to read as one stunning unit. If your are going to go this route, make sure to have enough bookshelves to fill one wall of a room, or one side of a wide hallway. THEN when filling it with your collection...DON"T just stack them vertically in all boxes or shelves... break it up with books, some of your favourite objects or smaller art pieces and stack the books both vertically and horizontally. Also, for a few of your favourite books, place them on bookstands on your shelves... its stunning as well as a great coversation starter. The end result is something visually breathtaking as well as amazingly utilitarian (You'll get lots of storage in only 10 to 13″ of floor space).

3. Use "found" space - think outside the box... what about that space over the doorway into a room? (or better yet, why not ALL the way around a room, 12″ below your ceiling or crown moulding) The shelf can run along one wall or even all the way around a room or simply over the doorway, the options are endless. However, be sure to use thicker shelving, heavy weight drywall plugs and if you are not "handy" call a local carpenter to install them (the last thing we need is someone wearing your book collection). The end result is sexy, fresh and especially well suited for modern spaces, condos or loft style living.

4. Capitalizing on "dead" wall space for custom built in shelving - We all have those small, difficult walls where nothing really works, or windows with space beneath or near them that isn't fully capitalized upon... why not opt to create a small yet superbly functional built-in that incorporates both seating (such as a window seat or banquette) as well as Book storage, shelving and display. A banquette looks so much bolder and sexier when the space underneath the seat is used for bookshelves.

5. Consider going DEEP... Really Deep (instead of 1 row of books deep, what about 2 rows of books for those of us who need serious storage) - Instead of the standard shallower 10 to 12″ bookshelf depth, if you have the space, try Many deep shelves of about 16″ can hold 2 rows of books. Place one stack against the back wall of the cabinet, and another row along the front edge of the shelf. Remember to use the front row for the taller books so the ones behind are hidden.

6. Get NOOKY with it - Instead of the usual flat surface or wall of books...why not create a nook area by a window or fireplace by constructing your shelves to leave a recessed blank area with the shelving flanking the space to create a nook that would be the perfect spot for a desk, loveseat, or a pair of sumptuous chairs. The end result is something that creates a deeper and more unique design as well as creating a spot to nestle up with a good book or for brilliant conversation.

After you have planned out your space and figured out the best configuration for you shelving... try a few of these tips as well on arranging, displaying, and storing books:

- Make a Book Side Table - stack a set of very large books on the floor next to a chair, then top with a small piece of glass to use as an end table. Place the books in a column starting with the largest and thickest book on the bottom of the pile and work your way up to the top accordingly.

- Keep cookbooks together in the kitchen - you won't ever make that Martha meal unless the book is readily handy... make a shelf or unit in your kitchen and actually USE them. Try getting a counter top book holder with protective screen so you can keep it by your range or sink as you cook. Remember the power of your book display can work beautifully in any room, especially the Kitchen. Why not use the space above the kitchen cabinets (if yours don't go to the ceiling) and build in a custom bookshelf with ladder.

- DON'T just have your dining room be a dining room... make it work overtime and also be a LIBRARY when not being used for sit down dinners. You will find you will use the space SO MUCH MORE and enjoy being in the space more as well. The walls of books in a dining room invites you and your guests to linger in the space, to enjoy it and it stimulates conversation. You can opt to do built-in cabinets, purchase cabinets like the Billy series from IKEA (but take the backs of them to get rid of that collegiate look) OR simply find a stunning old armoire or large cabinet and FILL it to the brim with books and objects (use the top of it as well). Then add books to the other surfaces in the room and use them to prop up your accessory objects or Art work.

Try thinking outside the box and take a stroll through your home and look at every space... nook and cranny. Try thinking about how you can fit your own home library into your design... what about:

- Above a door
- In a stairwell
- In a freestanding stack-style bookshelf
- On a low bookcase, underneath some BIG art
- On an entryway tabletop
- On shelves in the niche formed by a fireplace
- In a custom built "Book" Doorway
- Behind a sofa in an oversized console library
- In bookcases that wrap a "room" in a loft

Once you make the decision to actively incorporate books into the planned interior design of your home you will find it adds a richness, conceptual depth and warmth and visual thrill your home never had before.

Hats Off to Psychology Today !

I recently reported on my obsessive compulsive behavior and how I found Psychology Today. That's where I caught OCD, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder.

See http://www.psychologytoday.com/conditions/ocd.htm

Fortunately I didn't catch the extreme related disease of trichotillomania which is "the repeated urge to pull out scalp hair, eyelashes, eyebrows or other body hair." Such an urge would be futile for me as I am as bald as Mount Baldy in the Uinta Mountains of Utah.

Anyway, I've saved one heck of a lot of time since I read the article on OCD at the stated reference. Here are some examples of daily time savings:

Not checking if I still have my car keys in my pocket while shopping: 3 minutes

Not paying attention to the thought I wish I were a millionaire: 7 minutes

Not checking again and again if the front, back, and garage doors are locked: 12 minutes

Paying no attention to the urge to draw up grandiose plans: 17 minutes

Ignoring the urge to write down 17 new article ideas: 10 minutes

Not checking to see if my wallet is still in my pocket: 6 minutes

Ignoring the thought that I sold Microsoft too soon on seven occasions: 4 minutes

Not thinking about my lack of expertise at option trading: 3 minutes

Not designing another direct mail get-rich scheme: 25 minutes

Not reading every word in junk mail: 17 minutes

Let's see that is 104 minutes a day or almost two hours. Oh, I forgot a couple:

Not trying to memorize π to 50 decimal places: 12 minutes

Not starting a new novel: 4 minutes

Now that makes 120 minutes or 2 hours a day.

I think we can increase these time savings. Let's see-

Wait! My wife told me to "Get off of it!"

Thanks, Psychology Today!

How to Use Books As a Main Interior Design Feature for Your Home

I love everything about books... the way they feel in your hand, the colours of the spine, the knowledge or mental voyage they take you on, the way they look grouped together both visually and conceptually, the ability to stack them to display other objects or to be used as furniture and most importantly, the sense of magic they give a room (each book has its own world within). Books have a power that when used in your Design, can give a grounded and deeper perception to your interior space and environment. Books truly are powerful, in that they can teach, illustrate, inspire, and explain.

However, when NOT displayed or organized correctly, they can also take up a lot of room in our homes. If stacks of books are threatening to overtake your home or the lives of loved ones, consider some new ideas for display and storage as well as INCORPORATING your collection of books into the very fabric of your interior design, NOT just as a collection but as part of the flow, feeling and sensibility of your space. To achieve this effect consider additional shelving, categorized display, or perhaps even removing a few of the books from a collection and using some as actual furnishing pieces or stands to display other items. Remember to weed out the unused and the unloved, think about keeping only what you are passionate about and what you use. When working with books with your interior design plan, take into consideration their colour and the power of grouping their coloured spines to the maximum visual effect. (Don't feel as if you need to keep the dust cover...often the book is MUCH more beautiful without the little wrapper)

For the rest of your book collection, here are some tips on arranging, displaying, storing and creating DRAMA with your books.

1. Use them to prop Up objects - A great tool in creating a sexy and dramatic grouping is learning how to create different elevations. Stack three chunky hardcover books on a side table to use as a raised display area for a sexy sculpture, a crystal lamp and potted urn or orchid (in a waterproof pot of course) on top of the books. This is a great way to raise another accessory that may be too short as well as create some interest in a display.

2. Create a DRAMATIC and colourful wall of reading with a floor to ceiling and wall to wall built-in of books - for those of us lucky enough to have a large book collection this solution is both practical and visually stunning. This look can be achieved to amazing effect both by having custom build bookcases or purchasing "off the rack" book shelves and then grouping them together (units from Ikea or Sears... etc. ) The trick is to group them tightly and to measure the wall where they are going so that the end result is one that it looks as if it was custom created for your space. When using prebuilt units try to find thicker sided and heavier construction to sustain the weight of the books. AS WELL... consider removing the back "faux wood panel or white panel" and paint the wall area JUST behind the book shelves a dramatic colour like a rich red, vibrant orange, sunkissed yellow or a dramatic black. This will allow your collection and your built-ins to read as one stunning unit. If your are going to go this route, make sure to have enough bookshelves to fill one wall of a room, or one side of a wide hallway. THEN when filling it with your collection...DON"T just stack them vertically in all boxes or shelves... break it up with books, some of your favourite objects or smaller art pieces and stack the books both vertically and horizontally. Also, for a few of your favourite books, place them on bookstands on your shelves... its stunning as well as a great coversation starter. The end result is something visually breathtaking as well as amazingly utilitarian (You'll get lots of storage in only 10 to 13″ of floor space).

3. Use "found" space - think outside the box... what about that space over the doorway into a room? (or better yet, why not ALL the way around a room, 12″ below your ceiling or crown moulding) The shelf can run along one wall or even all the way around a room or simply over the doorway, the options are endless. However, be sure to use thicker shelving, heavy weight drywall plugs and if you are not "handy" call a local carpenter to install them (the last thing we need is someone wearing your book collection). The end result is sexy, fresh and especially well suited for modern spaces, condos or loft style living.

4. Capitalizing on "dead" wall space for custom built in shelving - We all have those small, difficult walls where nothing really works, or windows with space beneath or near them that isn't fully capitalized upon... why not opt to create a small yet superbly functional built-in that incorporates both seating (such as a window seat or banquette) as well as Book storage, shelving and display. A banquette looks so much bolder and sexier when the space underneath the seat is used for bookshelves.

5. Consider going DEEP... Really Deep (instead of 1 row of books deep, what about 2 rows of books for those of us who need serious storage) - Instead of the standard shallower 10 to 12″ bookshelf depth, if you have the space, try Many deep shelves of about 16″ can hold 2 rows of books. Place one stack against the back wall of the cabinet, and another row along the front edge of the shelf. Remember to use the front row for the taller books so the ones behind are hidden.

6. Get NOOKY with it - Instead of the usual flat surface or wall of books...why not create a nook area by a window or fireplace by constructing your shelves to leave a recessed blank area with the shelving flanking the space to create a nook that would be the perfect spot for a desk, loveseat, or a pair of sumptuous chairs. The end result is something that creates a deeper and more unique design as well as creating a spot to nestle up with a good book or for brilliant conversation.

After you have planned out your space and figured out the best configuration for you shelving... try a few of these tips as well on arranging, displaying, and storing books:

- Make a Book Side Table - stack a set of very large books on the floor next to a chair, then top with a small piece of glass to use as an end table. Place the books in a column starting with the largest and thickest book on the bottom of the pile and work your way up to the top accordingly.

- Keep cookbooks together in the kitchen - you won't ever make that Martha meal unless the book is readily handy... make a shelf or unit in your kitchen and actually USE them. Try getting a counter top book holder with protective screen so you can keep it by your range or sink as you cook. Remember the power of your book display can work beautifully in any room, especially the Kitchen. Why not use the space above the kitchen cabinets (if yours don't go to the ceiling) and build in a custom bookshelf with ladder.

- DON'T just have your dining room be a dining room... make it work overtime and also be a LIBRARY when not being used for sit down dinners. You will find you will use the space SO MUCH MORE and enjoy being in the space more as well. The walls of books in a dining room invites you and your guests to linger in the space, to enjoy it and it stimulates conversation. You can opt to do built-in cabinets, purchase cabinets like the Billy series from IKEA (but take the backs of them to get rid of that collegiate look) OR simply find a stunning old armoire or large cabinet and FILL it to the brim with books and objects (use the top of it as well). Then add books to the other surfaces in the room and use them to prop up your accessory objects or Art work.

Try thinking outside the box and take a stroll through your home and look at every space... nook and cranny. Try thinking about how you can fit your own home library into your design... what about:

- Above a door
- In a stairwell
- In a freestanding stack-style bookshelf
- On a low bookcase, underneath some BIG art
- On an entryway tabletop
- On shelves in the niche formed by a fireplace
- In a custom built "Book" Doorway
- Behind a sofa in an oversized console library
- In bookcases that wrap a "room" in a loft

Once you make the decision to actively incorporate books into the planned interior design of your home you will find it adds a richness, conceptual depth and warmth and visual thrill your home never had before.

Unusual Interior Design Ideas

Those moving into a new home for the first time as well as those upgrading their home may want to express their individuality through the materials and design elements they choose. Architects, interior designers and general contractors can all help conceptualize and implement a desired look. Below are just a few suggestions as to how to free your mind of more standard looks for your home and realize what's possible when you let your imagination run wild.

1. Creating a nature room inside the home. Imagine a carpet of grass and moss, trees and bushes planted into the floor of your home. Furniture in tropical colors or in muted tones to blend into the surroundings. People crave quiet spaces in nature, so why not create a natural room inside your home? Hidden speakers can add ambiance and water features such as fountains and rivers that run from inside to outside the home can all help you feel like your sanctuary is an escape into your perfect vision of solitude.

2. Mix up wall materials. Beyond paint, wallpaper and tile, unique materials add a certain touch to a room that won't often be copied. Silk walls, walls of gold or steel or even leather will have guests commenting on your remarkable design.

3. Use of arches and angles. Think of the calm feeling that comes over one as they enter a church. Religious or not, the stained glass windows and impressive arches often give people pause for a moment and create a sensation of awe. There's no reason tall repeating arches can't be used inside a home. Stained glass windows as large as you like will change the look and feel of any room.

4. Create a theme for a room, then make every single detail of the room fit into that theme. For example, if you like water, consider small ponds for sinks or showers made of glass that looks like icicles. Paint the walls blue and use a variety of small tiles of various blue colors to create the feel of movement in your home.

5. Don't forget the exterior. What types of materials can you use that are out of the ordinary? What about a mesh layer over the home? Shutters, as simple as they may sound transform the look and feel of a home.

No matter what your personal preferences, whether they are natural, industrial, minimalist or bright and cherry, there are ways to make a home uniquely yours. Think outside the box and you'll end up with a home everybody in the neighborhood is talking about.

Psychology Today - Why You Must Care About the Meaning of Your Dreams - The Scientific Method

The basic reason why you must care about the meaning of your dreams is because they are produced by a wise human conscience that gives you precious guidance. Your dreams are not a product of chance, and their disorganized and confused images seem to be so only to the ignorant eyes that don't know the dream language.

The dream language is a like any other language made only with words, with the difference that it is made with images.

You have to translate dream images into words and this way understand the message you are receiving from the wise unconscious mind that is constantly protecting you from the wild side of your brain, which is violent and evil. This dangerous part is totally absurd and keeps trying to destroy the human side of your conscience through craziness and despair.

Only for these two reasons, should you care about the meaning of your dreams without delay.

However, you have many other reasons to do so, because:

1. You see dreams for your entire life without paying anything to anyone, and this means that you can have free private psychotherapy for life only by translating the dream messages.

2. The unconscious mind that produces your dreams helps you solve even the most insignificant problems of your life, because it cares about your mental health and happiness.

3. You don't need to care about the meaning of your dreams everyday if you don't want to, but you must care about translating the meaning of at least the most impressive dreams you'll see, because they certainly contain a prevision or warning. This is precious advice and protection for you.

4. After learning how to translate the meaning of your dreams, you'll know the symbolic language of the unconscious mind and this way you will have information in signs of your daily reality that will give you clues about many things, without even sleeping and dreaming.

5. Translating the meaning of your dreams and following the guidance of the natural doctor that produces them, you'll overcome all your problems and acquire mental health, transforming the wild side of your brain into a positive part of your human side, which means that you'll become more intelligent, using capacities that now belong to the wild side and are not helping you in any way.

I could continue this list indefinitely, because the wise guidance and the free help you have in the dream messages is so precious that it can be applied in all fields of your life, but you have already understood the basics.

Instead of wasting your time reading things that won't help you evolve, learn how to translate the meaning of your own dreams and have all the advantages and the benefits you can have with this knowledge.

You'll have the wisdom of the unconscious mind helping you entirely free of charge for the rest of your life.

A New Branch of Psychology Called Positive Psychology Focuses On The Bright Side

You might not be able to buy happiness, but there's a good chance you can learn more about it on a college or university campus. There's a relatively new branch of psychology known as positive psychology, and it looks at people who enjoy good psychological health. A 2008 article in Business Week likened positive psychology courses to self-help books that have become so popular among people in search of personal growth and fulfillment.

Some Intro to Psychology courses, such as one offered by an Ivy League university in Connecticut, introduce students to positive sides of psychology as well as to anxiety and clinical depression. Another Ivy League institution, this one in Boston, at the time of the Business Week article offered an undergraduate course in positive psychology. According to the Business Week article, the course was the university's most popular.

In Pennsylvania, the web site for a university with a Positive Psychology Center suggests that positive psychology is founded on the belief that people want to live lives that have meaning and fulfillment. Those who are happiest, a 2002 USA Today article notes, measure themselves according to their own standards, make use of their strengths, seek out intimacy, show forgiveness and gratitude and surround themselves with friends and family. Students at the Pennsylvania university can do more than learn about this new branch of psychology through a course - they can work towards a Master's degree in applied positive psychology.

The Intro to Psychology course in Connecticut, which is provided free online, includes a video lecture on "The Good Life: Happiness." In it, the instructor provides the Biblical example of a king with great possessions that failed to make him happy. The instructor also cites theories like that of the USA Today article, suggesting that focusing on friends and family could hold keys to happiness.

Others have different theories with regard to individual happiness. Author and radio host Deepak Chopra, who co-founded the Chopra Center for Well-Being, wrote about positive psychology in a November 2010 article in the Huffington Post. He suggests that poor self-image, depression, anxiety and other traits and disorders can lead people to make choices that limit their happiness. Chopra suggests that there are people who opt to remain in a bad situation rather than risk the unknown. He also suggests that it's possible to become happier by envisioning that happiness.

Chopra, along with the Positive Psychology Center in Pennsylvania, have related this new study of psychology to areas such as peacefulness, wisdom, creativity and compassion. It also has been associated with tolerance, civility, leadership, productivity and more. Still, the idea of this new branch hasn't gone without criticism.

A November article in Psychology Today points toward a best-selling book entitled, " Bright-Sided: How The Relentless Promotion of Positive Thinking Has Undermined America," and an October article in Harper's, "The War on Unhappiness: Goodbye Freud, Hello Positive Thinking." The Psychology Today article mentions points of view that have to do with research on positive psychology that might not always be scientific. The article also notes the thoughts of those who say that blind optimism isn't the answer and that pessimists are better at some things than optimists are.

Home Interior Design - Unique Tips For the Best Decoration

Planning to decorate your bedroom is one of the most important things that requires well planned conceptual ideas. Bedroom interior design adds flavor to your home. Every people just think about how I should plan for my bedroom decoration that will make it unique and attractive as a whole.

Bedroom interior design is not limited to your bedroom only but you have to think about decorating your home interior as a whole. Starting from the colors that you choose for your home should be unique with vibrant colors that refresh your mood every time you look at them. When it comes about choosing the bedroom wall color it should be bright and effective that suits your mood, style, attitude as well as your favorite color. The color of the master bedroom wall facing the head of the bed must be your favorite so that even you are in sad mood it generates a positive vibes inside yourself and helps you to regain your energy.

Home interior design mainly concerns your direction of widows and the sitting arrangement in the center of the hall. The dining table in the dining area must be facing any window that gives a soothing view to outside and fresh air to your sitting area. Well the design of the sofa sets totally depend on personal taste, if you like modern design silver crafted sofa then the wall of your hall should be painted with latest design patterns adds the latest look as a whole. You can also keep some antique and wooden style sofa set in your drawing room to give it an extra looks.

Bathroom is the main parts of your home where you relax yourself and it doesn't matter you go there only two or three times a day. But even it needs a proper decoration that no doubt gives good affect on your mind. There are lots of bathroom accessories in the market that can make your bathroom the place you love most in your home.

Using latest designed mirrors, mounted top rest for bathing accessories and dim lights covered with glass are most important ideas that definitely give a unique concept for the bathroom decoration.

Interior Wall Paint Conceptualizing Ideas

Wall painting is one of the tasks that you can do when you want to upgrade the interior look of your room. Painting your walls can bring new changes and look into the room, giving a fresh and new ambience. You can enjoy experimenting as you try to conceptualize interior wall paint designs to consider for a more creative effect. Painting your walls yourself is a fun and enjoying thing to do. You can have the freedom to make your own paint designs according to any theme you have in mind. You can also exercise options with the kind of wall painting design that will complement your room furniture such as sofa, lamps, and beds.

If you want to re-paint a child's room, you should consider a theme that is child-friendly. Babies will appreciate rooms with cool paint colors and you can even draw some animals or alphabets and numbers on the background to have some educational effect on the child. The kind of paintings in the wall can have learning effect on your child as they grow and learn from their surroundings.

If you are married couples, it is important that both of you come to a common decision on the kind of theme you want to create in your room. The kind of color is essential when you consider wall painting. Pastel colors can bring a cooler ambience to allow couples enjoy a relaxing moment with each other.

There are also some different ways of interior wall paint designing that you can experiment with. Rag painting is one of the most popular ways of painting the room to create the effects of marble wallpaper. Just use a rag and soak it into the paint and rub it on the wall to paint. As the paint runs out, re-apply the paint again using the rag. To create a random and abstract design, you may try sponge painting. You will need many sponges to dip them in various paint colors and dab them on the wall. To make an indiscriminate pattern, dab randomly in various directions.

You can enjoy doing wall painting yourself as you can do your own designs and styles. They are more affordable than hiring professionals to do the interior wall paint job for you. You can always conceptualize your own painting designs and ideas transforming a room with your own unique painting design ideas. You can further optimize the wall decoration by adding some paintings and other wall decorations.