Decorate by the Stars: Design for your sign

ARIES:
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Active, fiery Mars rules Aries—and what color is more energetic than your signature hue of red? Shots of crimson and hot pink around the house, especially in the office, keep you motivated. You're sensitive to light and hue, and you get depressed easily. Avoid muddy or muted colors and bolster your spirits with bright tones. Deep bordeaux is as dark as you should go, and it can set the dramatic mood you love. Use red as an accent in every room, especially in kitchen and dining areas, as it’s said to stimulate the appetite. Warrior Aries has a naturally competitive spirit. You love to decorate with symbols of your conquests, or whatever motivates you for life’s battles. Aries maintain a frantic pace, and you’ll need a separate room to soothe yourself after a long, hectic day. Because you’re highly intellectual and imaginative, create a “play area” where you can express your artistic passion. This will keep you stimulated, but also optimistic, since you find it difficult to really relax.

TAURUS:

Taurus is ruled by sensual Venus, which gives you a natural talent for decorating. You're deeply sensitive to your home environment and need to live in a comfortable, gorgeous space. Every detail counts for you, and you'll invest in the best of everything (though your practical side will get it on eBay or Craig's List). Taurus rules material objects and the arts. You love beautiful things, and your home is a canvas for expressing your natural flair. You’re elegant without being too stuffy, though your tastes naturally have a formal or “bourgeois” flavor to them. You have a skilled eye when it comes to art and may even own a few original works. Persian rugs, paintings, deep leather sofas and artfully-framed photographs suit your liking. (Your gritty, punk rock side may throw in a few studs and leather for good measure.) Still, it’s all about relaxing in elegance and showing off your original taste. To Taurus, comfort is as important as style. Because you definitely need lots of rest, your bed is one of the most important fixtures in your pad. We’re talking 600 thread-count sheets, down pillows and a solid mahogany frame—all crucial for indulging your ability to sleep soundly for thirteen hours straight.

GEMINI:

Geminis crave variety, and as a result, your home either looks wildly creative or like a total mess! Your style is varied—playful meets traditional, an eclectic mix of old-fashioned and modern, even a crazy mix of clashing styles that you manage to pull off. Creativity, color and fun should all be part of your home. You can rock out unusual color combinations like orange and lavender, or hot pink and chartreuse. Of course, today’s favorite paint color can become tomorrow’s most hated hue, but that won’t stop you from slapping a coat or two on the wall when inspiration strikes. Because your sign is ever-changing, you have a hard time sticking with one look for long. Think short-term when it comes to décor, to accommodate your frequent urge to redecorate. Take a deep breath before you start a huge renovation project, too. Impulsive Geminis often get pulled into new projects before finishing the ten you started. Make sure you can commit the proper time to renovations, or you could end up with half-painted walls or other messes. In many cases, your environment may actually be too stimulating. If you find yourself feeling pulled in too many directions (even for a Gemini), consider toning down your décor. That doesn’t have to mean boring. Just try a Zenlike scheme with just a few wilder accents.

CANCER:

Cancer, home is definitely where your heart is. Creative and romantic, you want a cozy, soothing haven that reflects your innermost self, and honors your nostalgic streak. Because you have such a deep need for security, you’ll surround yourself with sentimental objects such as souvenirs, family albums and hand-me-downs. You may eventually accumulate too much, as Cancers tend to cling to cherished possessions. Since you love food and home entertaining, a large, rustic farm table that seats twenty would be perfect in your kitchen. A thrifty sign, you believe one person’s junk is another’s treasure. You’re not above “dumpster diving,” scouring local curbs on trash day for a castoff couch or abandoned bedframe. You’ll quickly restore it to better than new condition, creating a beautiful, one-of-a-kind piece. A true homebody, you find it incredibly hard to leave the house once you’re there. With all your artistic flourishes and warmly decorated rooms that reflect your moods, you may have to motivate yourself to leave or else risk isolation. Hosting dinner parties is an excellent antidote, so people come into your shell to experience your amazing hospitality. You have a great eye for antiques, especially the clean-lined furniture of the 1940s. Turn the home decorating experience into a treasure hunt. Splurge on custom wallpaper. Silver, pale blue and white give you a peaceful “by the water’s edge” feel.

LEO:

Your home is your castle, a royal lair laden with exotic influences. Every room is thoughtfully done and decorated. (Martha Stewart is a Leo; need we say more?) Ruled by the Sun, Leos love plenty of natural light, and you’ll fill your home with potted plants and fresh herbs. Although you like a clean layout, avoid furnishing with austere, overly modern pieces. Your larger than life personality is also drawn to oversized pieces, but make sure they don’t dwarf your other furniture, or dominate the house. Your home should be comfortable but classy, just like you. Save any fussy formalities for the dining area, since you love to set out your fine china and serve a royal banquet every now and then. A typical Leo’s house is awash in rich and bold colors like deep red, brilliant turquoise and plum. It’s cozy and homey while remaining regal and stately. You love fine art on display, such as museum prints of Renaissance paintings or African ceremonial masks. As a fire sign, you need a playful, inviting den or sitting area—especially if it has a working fireplace. You’re queen of the jungle, so animal prints go far. You'll mix leopard-print pillows with silk, a velvet duvet and other deeply sensual touches. A big kitchen is also essential, since you adore baking and love to express your natural creativity with food.

VIRGO:

As the perfectionist sign, your home décor is an eternal work in progress. Never satisfied, you’ll tweak, rearrange and clean the house forever. Still, you hate to throw things away, worrying that you’ll need those old newspaper clippings someday. Although you may have piles of unfinished collections, projects and books, your house is never dirty. Cleanliness is next to godliness for Virgo. In the rare moments you’re not scrubbing, redecorating, or designing a complex new organizational system, you’re probably in the kitchen—the Virgo-ruled part of the home. Entering your home is like a religious experience. You love the quiet, Zenlike vibe of a meditation chamber. A clean, natural look works best for Virgo. After all, there’s enough going on in your busy mind! Your furniture should be comfortable and basic, in neutral colors like celadon green, dove gray or white. Steer clear of heavy antiques, doilies, overly plush carpet and anything too decorative. Try a flat woven rug, a few ethnic or spiritual pieces (wood sculptures, for example), plants and fresh flowers. Accessorize with small pops of color—like throw pillows and vases in plum or burnt orange. Your large book collection will supply plenty of color, too! In the end, only your closest friends and family usually make it through the door. You’re always promising to have them over “when the house is done.” With your high standards, that day probably won’t come. Our advice? Have a “front room” where you can host people. (Close the other doors when they come over!) Good company soothes your soul and keeps you from getting lost in your worries.

LIBRA:

Let’s face it, you have expensive taste and you like to live in style. Ruled by beauty-planet Venus, you love an elegant home filled with pretty things. You're deeply sensitive to your environment and want the best of the best: a state-of-the-art home theater, an impressive book collection, or a huge walk-in closet full of great outfits. As a great admirer of physical beauty, you’ll aim for style and value, not to mention cleanliness. Libra is the most artistic sign of the zodiac, so lightness and sunshine at home will match your airy spirit. Always looking for balance but often dipping out of it, you may err on the side of heavy, gaudy furniture with gilded mirrors (to see that beautiful reflection of yours). Or, you might go all out for lightweight furniture, which makes you feel ungrounded. Balance the proportions by using colors and materials in moderation. Don’t be afraid to mix materials or styles! As the sign of the scales, you like symmetry, but too much coordination and matching can look overdone. Working with a decorator might also inspire you to correctly weigh aesthetic pros and cons and create a serene vibe. Libra rules relationships, so make sure your home can accommodate a partner, or energetically attract one. Decorate with pairs—-two bedside tables or matching pink vases--to conjure the energy of twosomes. As an air sign, you have a tendency to mentally drift around and abandon projects halfway through, so buddy up and finish them! Or, make sure you have a place to store your creations so that you can return later, when you have time to consider them without rushing. This will keep your environment clean and uncluttered, which helps you focus tremendously. Good organization is essential to keeping you balanced at home.

SCORPIO:

A private sign, Scorpio can be a homebody who likes to lock the doors, pull down the blinds and chill at home. Unlike other signs, you don't mind being alone. In fact, you savor it. Your house is a soothing pod, a retreat from the outside world where you often feel vulnerable and out of control. our décor should communicate power. You may do this with precise lines, meticulous attention to detail, or intense colors that scream creativity. You easily get obsessed with the details. Every doorknob, drawer pull and throw pillow matters. We have a Scorpio friend who decorated an entire room in white, using twenty different textures and hues. As a water sign, you’re highly intuitive, and you’ll know exactly where to place furniture or artwork. You’re very tuned into your body as well, so invest in a posture-pedic mattress, natural fibers or a sofa with good back support. For a Scorpio, sensuality is key. Seek high-quality furniture and simple but striking textures. You’ll scour local flea markets for that perfect, one-of-a-kind treasure—and haggle until you get a great price. Although you may choose neutral or muted hues, vivid colors like red are life-affirming for Scorpio. Red emanates vitality, confidence, vigor and erotic passion, and can create a needed feeling of intimacy. If possible, incorporate it into your home, even if it’s only an accent color.

SAGITTARIUS:

Sagittarians feel claustrophobic when stuck in one place for too long. You’re hardly a homebody! Still, you need a home decorated to reflect your worldly, ever-expanding interests and love of learning. It should be spacious enough for all your books, travel treasures and the million projects you work on at any given time. Sagittarius loves the outdoors and wide-open spaces, so bring the outdoors in! An indoor garden or fountain, candles scented like clover—anything to keep you from feeling boxed in. Outdoor space is a plus, since Sagittarians love nature. Plant a garden, or if you’re an urban girl, grow flowers and fresh herbs in a window box. Everything should be low–maintenance, because you’re soon off on the next thrilling adventure. Your home needs a feeling of warmth, exuberance and inspiration to match your curious spirit. You may be taking dozens of classes or chipping away at a handful of unfinished books and projects at any given time. Either way, you’ll need organizational and creative closet space to stay on top of things because you’re always bound to bring home another new venture. Sagittarius also rules religion, so you may adorn your home with goddess statuettes, for example. You love bright colors like orange, chartreuse and hot pink. The hues and textures of an Indian sari or a Moroccan palace are perfect inspiration. Don't bother investing in expensive, fussy furnishings, since you'll have too many visitors to keep it looking like new, and with your inborn clumsiness, you could spill on it anyhow. A comfy couch, great lighting and a big, informal dining table should be your main investments. Get creative from there. Mix Indian fabrics with flea market treasures, like vintage suitcases, weathered shutters or an old garden gate. What better excuse for a road trip than to scour country markets for new collectibles?

CAPRICORN:
Traditional Capricorn values possessions and styles that stand the test of time. As a result, antiques, especially family heirlooms, can find their way into your house. If you’re a modern Cap girl, you may go minimalist, using muted colors, steel furniture and sparse decor. Just try not to make your home look like an electronics showroom or an antique roadshow gone awry. Aim for a nice blend of heart and soul, classic and modern, comfortable and utilitarian, pre-fab and handmade, and you’ll strike an attractive balance. Austere Capricorns will sacrifice comfort for practicality, but don’t forget that your home is a place to relax. Sure, a Japanese Shoji screen and a low futon make your house look like a home décor magazine. But if your back aches in the morning or you feel melancholy, trade them for some homey touches like plush fabrics or a pillowtop mattress. Capricorn is the “father sign,” and your furniture could have a stately feel. You may be drawn to grandfather clocks, large armoires, leather sofas, or a cherrywood cabinet full of fine china. With your own hardworking nature, you value great craftsmanship and hand-worked touches. When you sense that a person took his time to create something, you want to honor that spirit. Capricorns like reliable brands—especially all–American labels, and you’ll splurge on a few. In the bedroom, go for Ralph Lauren flannel sheets, and a plaid or corduroy duvet by Tommy Hilfiger in navy, burgundy, forest green or gray. Don’t go overboard on the dark colors, though—add life with fresh flowers or a few bright pieces of art.

AQUARIUS:

Aquarius rules all things modern and futuristic, and your home should reflect that. Bypass the antiques and overstuffed sofas, and furnish with strong, graphic pieces like a contemporary leather sofa on a steel frame. Skip the rugs and opt for bare hardwood floors and modern materials like glass and steel. It may be less cozy, but you like it that way. You’ll have plenty of friends dropping by, so create a space that accommodates high traffic and cleans up easily. Aquarius is the water bearer sign, so fill your home with vases and urns. You love vibrant hues and the colors of the ocean, like blue, violet, indigo and salmon. As an air sign, you need a roomy space with lots of ventilation, too. Sunlight, big windows, dangling plants and a kitchen with hanging pots create the airy feeling of space you crave. Aquarians have great taste, and you’ll accessorize with colorful paintings and treasures. You love to fill your home with totally unique touches, like hand-painted tiles or blown-glass light fixtures designed by a talented local artist. You also love mixed–medium work, like sculptures combining metal and wood, or hanging mobiles of wire and glass. Graphic prints go great on your wall, and as the sign of revolution, you may frame photos of radical political icons like Che Guevara. With your natural creativity, you could even display your own artwork.

PISCES:

Home is a highly personal retreat for Pisces, a cozy haven where you recharge your emotional batteries. You have a great sense of style, and tastefully decorate every room. Silk meditation pillows, natural fibers and serene sea colors like lilac or celadon green hint at your spiritual side and the dreamy depths you keep hidden. There’s a sensual vibe throughout your living space, infused with feminine touches like scented candles and room sprays. Pisces is an artistic sign, and with your fine aesthetic eye, you’ll display treasures everywhere. Pisces rules photography, so you could hang independent film posters and framed photos. A water sign, you might live near water, or infuse water into your decorating scheme with a Zen fountain or an aquarium full of tropical fish. A houseboat or summer on a yacht equals nirvana for you. Since Pisces have many moods, you could have a different room for each, some decadent, others spare. With your theatrical nature, you may even go for a boudoir feel, dressing your windows in silk or velvet stage curtains fastened with tasseled tiebacks, or lighting rooms with opulent Tiffany lamps and gaudy chandeliers. Your home may look like a storefront psychic’s parlor, but why not? You’re in your element with a bold touch of fantasy.

Adapted from www.astrostyle.com. Copyright 2007, Mediarology.com. All rights reserved.

February 28, 2007

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About: I'm an astrologer, a designer and the creator of AstroStyle.com, where I write about decorating...