Tag: green living

Seven indoor plants to improve the feng shui in your home

Floral décor and potted plants have often filled the role of adding an element of nature to the home, enlivening the living space with vibrancy and dynamism. In Chinese culture, however, its benefits extend beyond aesthetics towards offering good luck and positive energy to home dwellers. Wood elements, as they are referred to in feng shui, promote positive energy, good fortune and a boost of happiness and growth in opportunities. Here, we’ve listed seven feng shui plants to increase the lucky and good fortune throughout the home.

  1. Bamboo plants
    Bamboo plants, promote fortune and prosperity by purifying the room of pollutants and often give off a calming and balanced atmosphere. Thy enjoy warm temperatures and indirect sunlight, so it is best to keep them near the window but not underneath the air-conditioner. Placing them in the east corner of the room is said to promote intelligence and growth.
  1. Jade Plant
    Jade plants, also known as money tree, feature small round leaves that resemble coins, hence its nickname. They are believed to bring in wealth and good fortune to home dwellers, and are pretty easy to care for. They love basking in sunlight, so make space for it by the window to nurture its growth and lucky-giving.
  2. Snakeplant
    Known for its long wavy-like leaves, snakeplants are offer great feng shui and require minimal care. Believed to deliver luck and safeguard the home from misfortunes, it is a purification plant that offers ample oxygen and a strong positive energy while shielding the home from negativity. It can thrive in low-light conditions with minimal water consumption and are best kept in bedrooms for its purification properties that help improve sleep quality.
  3. Orchids
    Given that the majority of feng shui plants a green-hued, orchids are beautifully vibrant options to increase the happiness and relationship luck the home. They thrive in humid and warm conditions and don’t like to be overwatered. It is best placed in the east on a dining table where family often gather together.
    Rubber fig
  4. Rubber Fig
    The rubber plant is a large round-leaf foliage that, like jade plants, are believed to bring in abundance and good fortune in wealth. Though it may require the occasional pruning and pot transfer as it can grow quite high, it is a plant that thrives best indoors with indirect sunlight and is said to purify the air and balance the energy in the home, attracting prosperity.  Home owners would reap its benefits most by placing it in the study or next to their workspaces.
  1. Arrowhead plant
    The Arrowhead plant is easily recognizable for its distinctive spade-like shape leaves. A closer look at it will show five leading lines that, in Chinese belief, represent the five elements: water, fire, earth, wood and metal, which is said to offer a balance of Yin and Yang. Cultivated as an indoor plant that inspires creativity and new ideas, this potted plant can grow anywhere between30cm to 1.5m indoors, so it can be on tables or on the floor by the desk in rooms with bright but indirect light.
  1. Golden Pothos
    The golden pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, are viney foliage that boast glossy deep-green heart-shaped leaves is believed to absorb and purify the energy of its surroundings. Which is why it is suggested to keep them away from computers, televisions or anything that emits radiation, and is best placed high or hung (because of its long viney features) anywhere in the south eastside of the home in need of purification to promote good health, wealth and happiness.  

Shun Tak Holdings unveils its first ultra-luxury residence in Singapore, Park Nova

A leading Hong Kong amalgam of luxury property, transportation and hospitality, Shun Tak Holdings Limited boasts over 60 years in the real estate industry.

gafencu Shun Tak Holdings unveils its first ultra-luxury residence in Singapore, Park Nova

Revealing the conglomerate’s first ultra-luxury residence in Singapore, Park Nova is the epitome of opulence and green living. Standing at 21-stories high in Singapore’s prestigious neighbourhood on 18 Tomlinson Road, the exclusive residential tower comprises of 51 luxurious units and three penthouses measuring between 133-548 m² in size. The complex, an inspiration drawn from its neighbouring Orchard Boulevard in District 10, embodies a ‘Garden City’ lifestyle that would bring its residence closer to nature. An inspiring concept made possible thanks to the talented architects at the award-winning London-based PLP Architecture.

Unique at first glance and sumptuous in every detail, the beautiful biophilic design of the building integrates a lush green vertical garden that encircles the tower’s unique curvature structure. With verdant communal planters on every level and an abundance of natural light, not to mention 270-degree views of Singapore’s expansive cityscape, residents can immerse themselves in the comfort of a home that redefines modern luxury living with a sustainable lifestyle. 

gafencu Shun Tak Holdings unveils its first ultra-luxury residence in Singapore, Park Nova vertical garden

Stepping beyond the home, the complex offers boundless outdoor space and a premier clubhouse with unparalleled facilities that make healthy living easily accessible to its residence.

Its location also places the area’s various modes of transportation, the region’s most prestigious educational institutions and private medical establishments and the city’s world-famous entertainment, dining, and shopping district, Orchard Boulevard in a convenient distance. It is also home to the UNESCO-listed Singapore Botanic Gardens.

For more details, please visit www.parknova.com.

Going Green: Easy ways to compost food and reduce your carbon footprint this Earth Day

It’s not easy being green, though there’s not much harm in trying. For those who have yet to jump on the bandwagon of zero-waste living, food composting is a fun and easy way to recycle meal scraps and reduce waste. With food waste occupying 30% of the city’s landfills, food composting is a great micro solution to reducing carbon footprint and domestic waste. In support of Earth Day on 22 April, why not take an eco-friendly step towards green living with these five ways to compost food…

1. Traditional aerobic method:
The traditional aerobic process involves a large bin filled with leaves, newspaper and soil to break down food waste naturally through microorganisms found in the soil. It  takes the longest among other methods (six to 12 weeks) and is more suitable for large homes with outdoor space, not only to fit a large bin, but also to avoid the home reeking of last week’s dinner. 
Find a composting bin at Green Earth Society for HK$ 3,800.

2. Bokashi method:
A great option for green thumbed apartment dwellers, this Japanese method which combines a patented mix of microorganism and sawdust or rice bran inside a small airtight container — isolating oxygen from the waste to eliminate odour and decrease composting time (one to two weeks). The remains, however, need to be transferred into soil to fully break down, which could serve as a fertiliser for your plants.
Find a Bokashi starter kit at Greeners Action for HK$399.

3. Buy a small composting machine:
An effortless and time efficient solution to managing food waste at home is by owning a composting machine. They come in various sizes and is the most convenient, albeit expensive, option for any home. These innovative machines imitate the natural process of using microbes to turn food scraps into compost within 24 hours with a simple press of the button.
Check out Whirlpool Corporation’s Zera™ Food Recycler (HK$9,321) or Oklin GG02 (HK$9,400) by Oklin International.

4. Deliver to a local farm:
Instead of throwing out spoilt food and leftovers, an easy and great circular way to reduce food waste is by delivering to local farms. Simply store the waste in an air tight container and send it off to the farm where they turn organic waste into compost for fertilisers. 
For more information on collection and delivery services for food waste click here.

5. Visit your residential compost machine:
The Environment and Conservation Fund (ECF), provide large compost machines for communities in various areas of the city. Commonly installed in schools and residential areas, it serves as a great way to get the whole community involved in green living. The compost are then transported to local farms or used in school gardens as fertilisers.
You can check the ECF website on how to apply to install a composting machine within your estate or ask your property management for assistance.