Celebrate the Year of the Sheep at Home
Wise ways to bring in the Lunar New Year come February 19
February 19 marks the first day of the year in the Chinese calendar – and this year is particularly special as we celebrate the Year of the Wooden Sheep (also known as the Ram, Lamb and Goat, and by the colour Green). Because the Sheep is the eighth sign in the Chinese calendar, and ‘eight’ is considered to be a lucky number, 2015 promises to be a prosperous year (here’s hoping!) with the alluring qualities of renewal, growth and balance.
Those that celebrate the Lunar New Year are already celebrating across the country with a vibrant spectacle of street festivals, complete with Chinese lanterns, traditional foods and performing arts. The most important rituals, however, are taking place within the home. Read on to find out how you can celebrate the Year of the Sheep in your home, and be at one with the herd.
Those that celebrate the Lunar New Year are already celebrating across the country with a vibrant spectacle of street festivals, complete with Chinese lanterns, traditional foods and performing arts. The most important rituals, however, are taking place within the home. Read on to find out how you can celebrate the Year of the Sheep in your home, and be at one with the herd.
Repeat after me: green is the new black
The colour green will also have a greater significance in the New Lunar Year – some even say it will be a lucky colour! Use it around your home and pair with naturally complementing timber hues for an organic look.
The colour green will also have a greater significance in the New Lunar Year – some even say it will be a lucky colour! Use it around your home and pair with naturally complementing timber hues for an organic look.
If it’s living greenery, even better! Welcome the New Year with a scattering of potted plants, herbs, leafy vines, air plants and succulents, and breed good fortune. Not only do indoor plants look great, they’ll clear the air and can also offer a range of health benefits, too.
More: 8 Essentials to Keeping Your Indoor Plants Alive and Thriving
More: 8 Essentials to Keeping Your Indoor Plants Alive and Thriving
Let your inner artist shine
Sheep are considered to be very artistic, so take the time to appreciate works of art and other decorative details, and make them a focal point in your home.
If you love photography, for example, take your camera out with the sole intention of capturing beautiful moments, then print out the photos, frame them and find a place for them in your home. A wall vignette is a wonderful idea that could combine photographs, artwork, and other decorative pieces, such as jewellery.
More: 5 Easy Ways to Make a Wall Vignette for Your Home
Sheep are considered to be very artistic, so take the time to appreciate works of art and other decorative details, and make them a focal point in your home.
If you love photography, for example, take your camera out with the sole intention of capturing beautiful moments, then print out the photos, frame them and find a place for them in your home. A wall vignette is a wonderful idea that could combine photographs, artwork, and other decorative pieces, such as jewellery.
More: 5 Easy Ways to Make a Wall Vignette for Your Home
If you’re feeling super creative (and have a steady hand!), why not add some oomph to a blank wall by painting a mural. It can add personality to an otherwise ordinary space, as seen in this Perth courtyard.
Get comfortable
Like the Western zodiac sign Cancer, Sheep love their homes and putting down roots, so it’s very important they have a cosy place to return to at the end of a long day. To create a warm and fuzzy feeling in your home, try one or all of these tips:
USE A WARM COLOUR PALETTE
We use the side of the colour wheel that is comprised of reds, yellows, oranges and yellow-greens to get an intimate, more cosy effect in interiors, as these colours can quite literally raise your body temperature. However, refrain from using bold warm colours, which will stimulate your senses rather than settle them.
Like the Western zodiac sign Cancer, Sheep love their homes and putting down roots, so it’s very important they have a cosy place to return to at the end of a long day. To create a warm and fuzzy feeling in your home, try one or all of these tips:
USE A WARM COLOUR PALETTE
We use the side of the colour wheel that is comprised of reds, yellows, oranges and yellow-greens to get an intimate, more cosy effect in interiors, as these colours can quite literally raise your body temperature. However, refrain from using bold warm colours, which will stimulate your senses rather than settle them.
LAYER UP
Layering adds visual depth to a space, and can help to create a more homely feel. Layer your couch or bed with cushions and a throw; add a rug, or better yet, layer one on top of the other; layer textures (soft and fluffy get bonus points); and don’t forget to layer colours so you’re not left with something ordinary.
Layering adds visual depth to a space, and can help to create a more homely feel. Layer your couch or bed with cushions and a throw; add a rug, or better yet, layer one on top of the other; layer textures (soft and fluffy get bonus points); and don’t forget to layer colours so you’re not left with something ordinary.
Welcome the calm
Following a fast-paced and tumultuous Year of the Horse, the Year of the Sheep promises to be more peaceful and harmonious (so last year’s crises can be done with!). Make the most of it by creating a sanctuary somewhere in your home. Whether it’s your bedroom, bathroom or backyard, the first step to a dreamy sanctuary is creating a clutter-free space. Stick to just one space and commit to keeping it organised – only then can you think about the details, like soft lighting and oh-so lovely trimmings.
More: Easy Tricks to Transform Your Home Into a Peaceful Sanctuary
Following a fast-paced and tumultuous Year of the Horse, the Year of the Sheep promises to be more peaceful and harmonious (so last year’s crises can be done with!). Make the most of it by creating a sanctuary somewhere in your home. Whether it’s your bedroom, bathroom or backyard, the first step to a dreamy sanctuary is creating a clutter-free space. Stick to just one space and commit to keeping it organised – only then can you think about the details, like soft lighting and oh-so lovely trimmings.
More: Easy Tricks to Transform Your Home Into a Peaceful Sanctuary
When in doubt, just add sheep
This year, the sheep – generous, just and kind – will be used as a symbol in itself to bring good fortune, so welcome it into your home. If you have a children’s room, that’s easy – soft toys and decals are a playful touch. Otherwise, think outside the square – how about some sheep-shaped cookie cutters, for example? Now there’s a pretty sweet idea!
TELL US
How do you celebrate the Lunar New Year? Will you be incorporating any of these ideas into your home?
MORE
Feng Shui for Beginners: Increase Your Home’s Energy Flow
Feel-Good Home: 10 Steps to a Feng Shui Bedroom
So Your Style Is: Asian
This year, the sheep – generous, just and kind – will be used as a symbol in itself to bring good fortune, so welcome it into your home. If you have a children’s room, that’s easy – soft toys and decals are a playful touch. Otherwise, think outside the square – how about some sheep-shaped cookie cutters, for example? Now there’s a pretty sweet idea!
TELL US
How do you celebrate the Lunar New Year? Will you be incorporating any of these ideas into your home?
MORE
Feng Shui for Beginners: Increase Your Home’s Energy Flow
Feel-Good Home: 10 Steps to a Feng Shui Bedroom
So Your Style Is: Asian
While the Year of the Sheep will take effect every 12 years, there are different elements – metal, water, wood, fire and earth – associated with different years, which affect the characteristics of each sign. The year 2015 (as well as 1955, 2005 and 2075) is associated with the element of wood. This element suggests spring, new beginnings, and is further represented by all vegetation (thus the interchangeable reference to the ‘wooden’ and ‘green’ sheep).
To be in harmony with this year’s ruling element, it is suggested that you introduce wood into your home. If you’re not looking to go about any serious overhauls, like replacing your carpet with timber floorboards, introduce it in its most natural form. Add some firewood to the entrance of your home – who cares if you don’t have a fireplace inside to burn them! Better yet, fill an awkward in-between space in the home with firewood and give it (decorative) purpose again.