The Most Important Room In Your Home

I agree with the Feng Shui theory that the bedroom is the most important room in our home. It is our sanctuary where we can truly be our self and hide from the world. It is this room that our most intimate fantasies can become realities. It is where we should be able to rejuvenate our body and soul. When decorating it we should consider what makes us the most comfortable in this room and lends itself to delving into our soul and enjoyment of intimacy.

When creating my bedroom – my sanctuary of relaxation and comfort – I chose blue for the bedding and shag carpet in cream and soft browns accessorized with wall sconces holding candles and romantic artwork. The monotones give it a soft, warm feeling that encourages rest and relaxation. Also on my nightstand is a small CD player - a must for a romantic bedroom.

I added soft lighting, a comfortable chair, linens which are very pleasing to the skin, and a queen size bed. I achieve the element of romance when I light the scented candles in the wall sconce, and play soft, relaxing music on the CD player. There are no bright, striking colors to bring attention to one particular area of the room. Remember we can do this in other rooms but want to avoid distraction from a totally relaxed atmosphere in the bedroom.

Above I mentioned lighting scented candles in the bedroom. However, we can stimulate our sense of smell even more with other means of creating a refreshing atmosphere in the bathroom or celebrating love in the bedroom. Roses are considered the most stimulating scent to energize the "heart chakra" or "love center." In the bedroom we may want to scatter rose petals, and use rose scented oils, incense and candles when we desire to create a feeling of love and desire for another person.

Another very sensual pleasure some of us enjoy is a scented bath. It can do more than just cleanse the body. A warm, scented bath can cleanse the mind, relax the body, increase the ability to meditate while cleaning and refreshing our physical body. Lavender is considered "the perfect scent" for the bathroom because it is refreshing and clean. Lavender comes from the Latin word lavare which means "to wash." Several other relaxing scents for the bathroom are sweet violets, Oriental jasmine, rose and gardenia.

"The Essence of Incense" is my favorite book on bringing fragrance into my home. It explains the mystery of scents, how candles, oils and incense can heighten the experiences we have in each room of our home. My favorite section of "The Essence of Incense" is the explanation of the mood that each scent can impart. Incense comes in many styles and fragrance families. Below are a few suggestions which you might like to try:

Woodsy Scents – Transport one into a state of calm

Cedar – Mediation

Pine – Energizing

Camphor – Therapeutic

Sandalwood – Sensual

Floral Fragrances – Create a vivid sense of memory

Violets – Induce Sleep

Jasmine – Sensual

Rose, Gardenia or Orange Blossoms
– Stimulate Sexual Energy

Fruity Scents – Uplift and enhance moods

Citrus Fruits – Energize, refresh and restore confidence

Some of these are: Bergamot, Neroli, Mandarin, Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon and Lime. Also included in this category are Citronella and Lemongrass even though they are grasses instead of citrus fruits

Herbal and Vegetative Scents – Stimulate, provide clarity and energy

Some of these are: Cardamon, Cassi, 
Cinnamon, Rosemary, Thyme

Black Pepper, Aniseed, Mustard, Ginger, Bay Leaf, Marjoram, Oregano, Coriander, Turmeric Asafetida and Spearmint are mainly stimulating spices and herbs.

Vanilla, Chocolate and Coffee Beans and other flavorings enhance sense memories. Vanilla with its sweet silky aroma is used in perfumes and incense and can possibly increase sexual desire or act as an aphrodisiac.

Animal Scents can also be touted as aphrodisiacs. A few are Ambergris from whales, and musk from male Himalayan deer.

If you enjoy using incense, you may want to purchase "The Essence of Incense." It also contains recipes and directions for making incense.

Our Surroundings -3 (Continue)