Dreamy Desktops
For a calm and healthy work life
Season: Spring
Element: Wood
Moon: Quarter
Happy Saturday!
Tomorrow is the quarter moon in the element of wood. As we transition from the intense new moon energy of last week into this first quarter moon, focus on balance, growth, and boundaries. If you need support, the next Rest Walk is on Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm and the next Rest Curation is on Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm. And Kara’s June sound curation, Sound + Space Summer Solstice Sound Immersion, is on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm. Please sign-up to reserve a spot and remember, as Tricia Hersey writes in her aptly named book, Rest is Resistance.
As we enter into the springtime of May, let’s continue the discussion on feng shui for offices to help transform the space for calmer and healthier work. I thought the best way to illustrate the concepts I detailed in my post Curating Our Work Spaces would be to give examples of what I am working on in my own home. I am in full renovation mode here at my house after the flood in January and I am hoping to have work complete by June. Here is the design that I am executing for my office space to balance of the yin and yang energies, to enhance the bagua attributes of this space which are love, creativity, and helpful people, and to increase the elements associated with these baguas which are earth and metal:
Lighten the wall color to Pearly Cotton by Magnolia in an eggshell finish. Light colors are more yang, which is great for working environments. This paint is described as a bleached beige and is bright and fresh with a touch of warmth. It is the perfect neutral backdrop for when I lay out colorful samples for my interior design projects.
Freshen up the trim and built-in standing counter desk by painting them True White by Magnolia in a semi-gloss finish. Semi-gloss offers a durable, easy-to-clean finish that can withstand frequent wear and tear.
Freshen up the ceiling by painting it True White by Magnolia in a matte finish. Matte paints are non-reflective and create a soft, subtle look that can help to hide imperfections such as bumps or cracks.
Upgrade the existing carpet to Mannington’s Bouclé Moderne Ivory Jasper. This is the same carpet that will be throughout the house. I personally like to keep things consistent if possible.
Change the old slider to Jeld-Wen’s glass door and side lite in chestnut bronze to bring some interest to space. My flat roof has a dark brown metal trim, so I also want to tie the door to the exterior finishes. Bronze has a tint of brown in it so works well with the earth element, since browns are part of the earth tones.
Add new Global Furniture Factor Task Stools to the existing built-in counter desk to allow for relaxation when standing work gets to be too much. I selected the seat upholstery to be in Dobby Medium Taupe to bring in more of the earth tones for the love energy.
Reorganize the contents of these Felt Storage Bins I purchased years ago to decrease clutter and refresh to only what I need to use in 2025. I store printer paper, envelopes, and other office supplies in these, as well as external hard drives and other tech items that I don’t use every day. These bins pair nicely with my Bagby MAT Pad that I use under my keyboard and mouse. It has an adorable pocket also to tuck my phone into and keep me focused. These felt items are gray and work well with the creativity and helpful people guas associated with the metal element.
Install these Metal Wall Folders I purchased years ago at the center section of the wall to hold important folders. I have two sets of these folders — one set holds my work folders for tax, banking, and insurance information and one set holds family folders for school, medical, and schedule information.
Compose and hang a series of framed items above each of the computer areas. Each series will be comprised of framed diplomas, awards, photos, and artworks that relates to important moments in my and my husband’s lives.
For the layout plan of the above design selections, please see below:
The way I have set up my office space is not traditionally positive in feng shui, especially with the desks facing the walls. I designed the office layout this way to utilize the space as much as possible, since I use this area not only as my office but also for working out, reading, meditating, and napping. It is where I engage in all of the things I love to do and where I am the most creative. I am very lucky that I was able to have these activities in the love and creativity guas of my home, but to make them work I had to bend the feng shui rules a bit. Some times this must be done! Per the above selections, you can see that I tried to adhere to the colors and finishes that work with the elements of the guas. I am also committed moving forward to do head down work at my built-in standing counter desk, but when I have an important client call I will move to the loveseat at the reading area to make sure that my back is protected and that I am in a “command position.” I previously used an existing side table at the loveseat to put my computer on, but I am thinking about upgrading to this Haworth Elements 4-Function Table in Desert Rose to add even more utility to the space. Check out how cool this table is:
These times are trying, so give yourself permission to REST. Information on upcoming Rest Curations, Rest Walks, and Sound Curations are at the bottom of the post. And please pass this Substack onto a friend or family member to broaden this amazing CRC community and to give the gift of rest to those who need it. If you don’t live in West Michigan and want to hold a Rest Curation in your local community, please email me at abby@cascadefengshui.com for the script and music information. Or email me if you would like to organize a private Rest Curation for friends, family, or colleagues.
Note: Rest products are still in the works, but I am leaving the paid subscriber Rest Readings, Rest Recipes, Rest Rituals, and Rest Recordings on the newsletter for a month or so. If you want to contribute, consider becoming a paid subscriber through Substack:
REST READING
Check out all of the rest reading recommendations in Resources on my Substack page.
REST RECIPE
This week I don’t have a recipe for you but I wanted to pass along some fun drink options if you are looking for alcohol alternatives. As I am sure you can tell from this Substack, I am obsessed with rest and sleep and over the last few years I have been learning more about how much alcohol negatively affects* these. I’ve realized that alcohol just does not work for me anymore and since looking for alternatives I have been amazed by how much is out there. So here are some of my favorite drink options:
Cordial Organics CBD Bitters - these bitters are dropped into my mocktails to calm my mind and shut off the constant ticker in my brain. I like to use them in La Croix (check out the new Sunshine flavor) sparkling water.
Fever Tree - this sparkling and tonic water company has the cutest little glass bottles that are perfect for making a mocktail. Their pink grapefruit sparkling water and elderflower tonic water are two of my favorites and work well with the bitters referenced above.
HOPWTR - this sparkling water curated with a blend of hops, infused with L-Theanine and ashwagandha, and packed with vitamin C makes me feel like I am having a beer without giving me the awful hang over. It is a refreshing drink and I am particularly fond of the blood orange and mango flavors.
Sacred Springs Kombucha - this kombucha is the best I’ve ever had. Sacred Springs is located on Wealthy Street in Grand Rapids and proudly serves traditional mead, session mead, meaducha, kombucha beer, alongside non-alcoholic kombucha. All are infused with sound and intention. I am a huge fan of their Kalmbucha (holy basil and spirulina), Friday Morning (blueberries and lavender), and Palo Gold (palo santo) flavors but they also have seasonal brews that are amazing. Thank you, Christina, for introducing them to me!
*Alcohol is bad for sleep because it disrupts the natural sleep cycle, reduces REM sleep (crucial for brain function and memory), and can increase the risk of sleep apnea. While it may initially promote sleep, it later disrupts sleep stages, especially REM, leading to fragmented and poor-quality rest.
REST RITUAL
If revamping your whole office sounds overwhelming, why not try to feng shui just your desktop instead. The bagua map can go as small as the top of a desk and it can help to organize where things should be placed for the best energy. Here is an example of my desktop for reference:
As you can see from the above I put the following into each gua to correspond with the matching energy and element:
Career = my keyboard and mouse live here to help produce the deliverables of my work and my passion projects.
Love = I love organization, so here is where I organize all my supplies and things I need on a daily basis.
Family = my family pictures live here.
Wealth = I keep a piggy bank I got in Costa Rica here and flowers my daughter crafted for me. I may in the future put a plant here for the wood element, but only if I can keep it alive. I’ve got my eye on this Easyplant Money Tree.
Health = my journal, positivity rock, and turtle sculpture live here to remind me to get my thoughts out, keep positive, and to take it slow.
Helpful People = The Creative Act by Rick Rubin lives here to remind me to read a thought or two a day to keep my creativity going.
Creativity = pens and paint brushes live here, as well as my business cards to remind me of my values (calm and creativity).
Wisdom = my MAT Pad has a pocket in this gua that reminds me to put my phone away. I also tuck Sheree Bliss Tilsley’s Medicine Woman’s Prayer into the pocket to come back to again and again.
Fame = this gua relates to the fire element and is a good place for lamps or candles. Since my computer screen lives here I have photograph Evolution # 03 by Rune Guneriussen as my screen background which depicts glowing table lamps along a babbling brook at dusk. Guneriussen is a Norwegian artist working in the transition between installation and photography with man-made items in nature. All of his photos fill me with a sense of whimsy and magic.
Thank you so much for reading! I hope this has been enjoyable. May you have a restful and calm weekend.
Below are the upcoming 2025 Cascade Rest Curations (links to Eventbrite are underlined):
REST CURATIONS
Guided body scan, energy clearing, vagus nerve reset, yoga nidra exercise, rest / sleep, wake up, and meditation over an hour and a half. All Rest Curations will take place on the Sunday near the new moon at the Liebestraum Chalet in Alto, Michigan:
Rest Curation - Sunday, June 1, 2025 from 1:30pm - 3:00pm
REST WALKS
Monthly dynamic walks to bring both energy and relaxation. These guided walks will start with a circle to stretch and to set an intention to ponder based on the element of the season. The first 30 minutes of the walk will be in noble silence and the last 30 minutes will be open to conversation and observation. The walk will finish with a circle to reflect, share, integrate, and finally stretch. If you have been hesitant to join a Rest Curation, please consider signing up for a Rest Walk since this a more active entry into yin energy. All Rest Walks will take place on the Saturday near the full moon at a park near Grand Rapids, Michigan:
Rest Walk - Saturday, May 17, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
Rest Walk - Saturday, June 14, 2025 from 10:00am - 12:00pm
SOUND CURATIONS
Join us to celebrate the element of each season with sound immersions by Kara Markovich at the Liebestraum Chalet in Alto, Michigan:
Sound + Space Summer Solstice Sound Immersion - Summer solstice, Friday, June 20, 2025 from 6:30pm - 8:00pm
And if you are interested in my feng shui and interior design services, please see my website at www.cascadefengshui.com and contact me at abby@cascadefengshui.com.