Blog Archives
Bigger Living, Smaller Space: Resizing for a Clean & Cozy Home
Judy Granlee-Gates’ Bigger Living, Smaller Space is part practical guide, part personal memoir, and entirely a wake-up call to anyone drowning in their own possessions. This book isn’t just about organizing; it’s about resizing, reframing our relationship with stuff, and creating a home that works for our current lives rather than clinging to what used to be. Granlee-Gates, a seasoned builder and remodeler, combines humor, wisdom, and a bit of tough love to help readers declutter with intention, offering actionable steps and mindset shifts to make the process both manageable and meaningful.
What struck me first was her no-nonsense approach to decluttering. She doesn’t sugarcoat the work involved. She makes it clear that there’s no magic bullet, just effort and commitment. One of the book’s most powerful moments comes early on when she shares her own experience of inheriting belongings from multiple relatives and how she ended up with literal boxes of ashes in her closet. That image stuck with me. It’s a stark reminder that we often hold onto things out of obligation, not because they serve us. Her decision to finally scatter those ashes and then methodically clear out inherited possessions was deeply moving and set the tone for the rest of the book: decluttering isn’t just about making space in your home; it’s about making space in your heart and mind.
Another standout section for me was Chapter Five, America, Land of the Storage Units. It’s shocking how much we collectively spend just to store things we don’t even use. She points out that 9.4% of U.S. households rent a storage unit, and the majority of those people also have garages and basements packed to the brim. That statistic alone made me reevaluate my own storage habits. Granlee-Gates highlights the absurdity of spending thousands of dollars over the years to keep things we could probably live without. Her example of her husband’s grandmother, who paid for a storage unit for years only to end up selling its contents at a garage sale, was painfully relatable. It made me think: how many of us are holding onto things just because we’re not ready to deal with them?
What I appreciated most about this book is how it acknowledges the emotional weight of decluttering. Chapter Nine, Sentimentality and the Weird Stuff that Slows Us Down, was a game changer. She doesn’t dismiss sentimental attachment but rather offers practical ways to honor memories without being buried under them. Her take on “little ghosts” (items that constantly remind us of loss rather than joy) was especially eye-opening. I realized how many of those I have in my own home. The idea that memories are portable—that they live within us, not within objects—was a refreshing perspective that I needed to hear.
Bigger Living, Smaller Space is an absolute must-read for anyone feeling overwhelmed by their possessions but not sold on the idea of extreme minimalism. If you’re looking for a book that will hold your hand while also giving you a firm push in the right direction, this is it. Granlee-Gates is like that brutally honest but loving friend who tells you what you need to hear, not just what you want to hear. Whether you’re thinking of downsizing, trying to declutter, or simply want to create a home that feels more like a sanctuary than a storage unit, this book is packed with wisdom, humor, and actionable steps to help you get there.
Pages: 102 | ASIN : B0BS8KFV4T
Balance and Harmony
Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance takes a modern approach to the ancient art of Feng Shui, demystifying the practice and helping readers create a sanctuary of abundance in their homes. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Writing this book was a spiritual calling for me, as Feng Shui is often misrepresented as a simplistic, superstitious tradition or a practice only appreciated by certain cultures. In reality, Feng Shui is a profound tool for creating balance and harmony in any space, and its principles are universally relevant.
I’ve seen how even small adjustments in our surroundings can lead to powerful shifts in our lives, bringing abundance, wellbeing, and a sense of peace into our homes. Feng Shui is not just about moving a pot plant here or there; it’s about improving the energetic design of buildings in a way that truly enhances the quality of life.
I also I wanted to add my voice to the conversation about Feng Shui and share the true essence of this ancient Chinese art with a broader audience, making it accessible and relatable. My goal was to demystify Feng Shui and show how it can be a valuable tool for anyone looking to create a sanctuary of positivity and abundance in their home.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
In Feng Shui – A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance, I focused on core principles that are essential for anyone looking to elevate their living spaces with Feng Shui. A central concept is the balance and interaction of the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each element contributes its own energy to your environment, and understanding how to harmonise these can have a profound impact on your well-being and prosperity.
Another key idea is the creation of a Feng Shui energy map for your home. This tool is vital for identifying how different areas of your home influence various aspects of your life—health, relationships, financial success. It’s about mapping your home to optimising your space and understanding how these energies work and interact to shape your daily experience.
I also emphasised the importance of integrating Feng Shui with modern design principles. It’s not enough for a space to be energetically aligned; it also needs to be aesthetically pleasing and functional. Our homes should be sanctuaries that support both our physical and spiritual well-being.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about Feng Shui?
A common misconception I often encounter is that Feng Shui is just about superstition or decorating with objects like wind chimes or crystals to bring good luck. But Feng Shui goes far beyond that. It’s a practice that combines both art and science, designed to create harmony between people and their environments by optimising the flow of energy.
The essence of Feng Shui isn’t in simply rearranging objects around your home. It’s about understanding how the arrangement of space, the movement of energy, and the balance of the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—affect our well-being and success. Feng Shui takes a holistic view, considering everything from the architecture of a building to the smallest details of a room’s design, all tailored to the unique energy of the individual and the space. It’s a practical approach to creating environments that truly support and uplift us, far beyond just aesthetics or superstition.
What is the next book that you are writing and when will that be published?
I’m in the early stages of planning my next book, which will focus on energy management—not just within the built environment, but also considering the energy we encounter from various sources in our daily lives. This book will explore how we can harmonise these energies to enhance our overall well-being, integrating Feng Shui with modern wellness practices. It’s still in development, however I’m aiming for a publication date in the next year or two. My goal is to continue making Feng Shui accessible and relevant, helping readers transform their lives by transforming the energy around them.
Author Links: GoodReads | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website
In Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance you’ll discover:Energising Your Space: Learn how to enhance the flow of positive energy in your home, for greater vitality, love, and success.
Elegant Balance: Combine modern design aesthetics with the profound principles of Feng Shui, creating beautiful spaces that are energetically aligned.
Room-by-Room Transformation: Jane guides you through applying Feng Shui in every room of your home, from the entryway to the bedroom, ensuring every space promotes harmony and prosperity.
Practical Wisdom: Avoid the common pitfalls and misconceptions that lead to ineffective or counterproductive design choices. Jane focuses on actionable, practical Feng Shui solutions that bring about real change.
Harmonious Living: Create an environment that not only resonates with abundance but also supports your journey toward personal growth and fulfillment.
Jane Langof’s experience and knowledge have seen her working with innovative design professionals and luxury property owners worldwide since opening her practice, Feng Shui Concepts in 2008. With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the interplay between space and energy, Jane has created a guide that is as practical as it is inspirational.
Whether you’re looking to refresh your living space, embark on a major renovation, or build your dream home from the ground up, this book offers the insights and tools you need to create a home that reflects your aspirations, supports your well-being, and invites success into your life.
Begin your journey towards transforming your home into a sanctuary of harmony and abundance with Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance.
Warm, practical and no-nonsense, Jane Langof has written the essential resource for creating a beautiful, abundant home.
Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance
In Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance, author Jane Langof expertly bridges the ancient Chinese principles of Feng Shui with contemporary home design, offering readers a path to enhance their lives through balanced and harmonious living spaces. Langof guides the reader through the intricacies of energetic maps, fostering architectural harmony, and applying Feng Shui practices to both active and quiet spaces within the home. The book culminates in a thoughtful discussion on Feng Shui taboos and advanced techniques for maximizing these principles.
Langof excels at demystifying Feng Shui, translating its ancient wisdom into practical, manageable steps that are accessible to a modern audience. For those who have always perceived Feng Shui as merely a way to rearrange furniture for better fortune, this book offers an enlightening perspective. Langof provides practical advice on everything from optimizing the placement of your sofa to encouraging better conversations to understanding how the layout of your kitchen could be affecting your energy. The true strength of Langof’s guide lies in its practical applications. She doesn’t just explain the ‘why’ behind each Feng Shui practice; she also details the ‘how,’ equipping readers with actionable steps to implement meaningful changes in their homes. Her insights on room placement, the strategic use of elements like water and fire, and the importance of decluttering form a comprehensive toolkit for those serious about bringing balance and prosperity into their living spaces.
Feng Shui: A Homeowner’s Guide to Abundance by Jane Langof is an enlightening and valuable resource for anyone serious about incorporating Feng Shui into their home. Its blend of time-honored wisdom and modern-day practicality makes it a must-read for those looking to create a home that truly fosters health, wealth, and happiness. This book is highly recommended for readers willing to invest the time and effort to harmonize their homes from the inside out.
Pages: 216 | ISBN : 0975627643
LITERARY TITAN 