Find Yourself at Home: A Conscious Approach to Shaping Your Space and Your Life

by Emily Grosvenor

Home can be a space to explore your sense of self, a message board to cue your aspirational goals, and a story where you choose which parts of your past to put down and which to carry. In Find Yourself at Home, design journalist and interiors consultant Emily Grosvenor introduces her five steps to align your home to suit your purpose and your

Connect with the mystery and power of your home

Prepare your environment for your story

Discover design tools to cue your behavior

Bring your aspirations into your space

Take your purpose into the world

Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science, along with examples from Grosvenor's groundbreaking research and work with clients, Find Yourself at Home is a philosophical and practical guide to making spatial shifts that will help you cultivate a more meaningful life by shaping your space so it shapes you back.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Design

Audible Audio

First published January 1, 2023

Reviews

[Dez the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t a “how to organize your house” book. If you’re looking for tips on that, find something else.

What this book IS, is a way to connect to the energy in your home, utilize feng shui, take your purpose and staging your story in the home you live in. It helps you see your space and the pieces in it as messaging to your senses. How does a room make you feel? Do the objects in the room feel warm and inviting or cold and unwelcoming? This book touches on quite a bit.

Another aspect is leftover energy. I found this book super interesting in that regard. I believe in energy existing in spaces beyond the people that inhabited them. If you don’t believe in anything but a house being a house, you’ll find this book not to your liking. I appreciate the fact there are some tidbits about research done as well, I’m always up for a good fact.

I think the information contained in this book, at the very least, will get your wheels turning and considering the space you live in and HOW it affects you. This book opens up your perspective.

ARC was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!

[Melissa Borsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you are a big fan of Feng Shui and you believe the energy left behind from the previous homeowner may consume you so much that if the previous owners separated then your relationship could end after you move in, then this book is for you. I personally wasn’t very thrilled with this book. I thank Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

[Dina · Rating 2 out of 5]

More self help /new age, thought it would have more decorating suggestions.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read through half the book. Some of the ideas are decent. I don’t mind the spiritual elements and actually would have appreciated learning a bit more in-depth about Feng Shui. But the writing was very repetitive and sounded like the author was just making things up along the way. Lots of the author’s personal opinion and not much substance. For a blog it would have been fine, but not something I want to read for 221 pages. I didn’t feel it was worth continuing.

[Sahar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book easily could serve as a foundational text for design majors. It’s written in a straightforward, easy-to-follow style, with thoughtfully and simply organized chapters and categories. The book's messages and overall feeling resonated deeply with me, even if some ideas were repeated. Yes, certain phrases, like "your home tells your story," appear more than once, but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment. Reading it with a warm cup of tea on fall afternoons was a real pleasure.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 4 out of 5]

d Yourself at Home
A Conscious Approach to Shaping Your Space and Your Life
by Emily Grosvenor

#FindYourselfatHome #NetGalley

Note this book’s subtitle as it accurately describes what is inside. The author is well qualified to write on her subject as she is a Feng Shui consultant (and also a magazine editor). Grosvenor has also been perusing the real estate ads ever since she was a child.

In these pages, the author offers many insights and suggestions on how to make one’s living space just right. In doing this, Grosvenor draws on many traditions that readers may well find inspiring. She looks at a home through the lenses of “philosophy (connect with the mystery and power of your home), space (prepare your environment for your story), build (discovering design tools to cue your behavior) and desire (bringing your aspirations into you space).”

I enjoyed the personal sharing that the author offers in these pages. I also liked what I would call, activities, questions or things to think about. As an example, she asks readers to determine their home’s values. To help them she provides a list of many words that will enable readers to hone in on what is important fo them.

The illustrations in this book greatly add to what is found here. They all feel very peaceful and evoke the book’s spirit.

Those who read this title will, I think, begin to look at their spaces more mindfully and intently. Some genuine improvement and happiness may be the result.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Chronicle Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

[Alexandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find Yourself at Home is an invitation to understand your home on a level more profound than the simple utility and aesthetic of the four walls you inhabit. It guides you to the sole of your home and its purpose in your life. The author reveals untapped magic and possibility right in your own home and how to access it.

As a homeowner, homemaker, homebody, and stay-at-home mom, I feel deeply connected to my home. I read this book slowly, stopping often to reflect on how my previous homes shaped me and what I want from my current home. I expect that I will return to this book often for tips when I feel stuck in an area of my life.

There are many simple exercises and interesting examples of how the principles have been applied in real homes. The layout is beautiful and the concepts are well organized. The author’s wit and humor keep it light, but there is surprising depth to the content. This book could be enjoyed as a coffee table book for those that only have five minutes at a time and it also has the capacity to be a guide for someone seeking to change the course of their life.

[Aurora Commentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm looking forward to the publication and release of this book so I can share it with friends. Set to release in June of this year, Find Yourself at Home is sure to help folks raise their consciousness when it comes to partnering *with* their homes.

The author has a wonderful way of helping the reader understand how partnering with their space can support other aspects of their lives. As a Feng Shui consultant, the author approaches the shaping of home spaces from a spiritual perspective.

Personally, I don't have a spiritual connection to "energy" in the same way the author does. However, I still found nuggets of wisdom in each chapter. I especially appreciated the sections at the end of each chapter with helpful tips and suggestions or reflection questions. As I read, I kept making connections to my own home and gathering ideas for my next space.

This ARC was generously provided by NetGalley and Chronicle Books in exchange for an honest review.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goodness! This book has it all! I love the idea of seeing your home space as a collaborator! How true it is that our homes hold energy and give energy, and this book is an in depth compendium of techniques to attract the energy we want and create spaces that we vibe with, that make us feel what we need to feel. There is no shortage of information on styles of houses, specific rooms, colour theory, energy clearing, energy attracting, decoration, and so much more! Grosvenor writes with a soothing voice, and the illustrations and design of the book communicate a calm and clear flow from chapter to chapter. There are exercises that help you find your goal energies and turn that knowledge into a space that reflects clear intention. It has definitely given me a perspective I hadn't considered before.

[Rhiannon Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher




Full of philosophy and feng shui, this home design book is heavy on text and light on graphics. Not exactly a "coffee table" book but I would definitely give it as a gift to a new homeowner.


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[Kimberly Tierney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book's value for your home and life is tremendous. The vibe and atmosphere of your home indeed translate to your life. Making a change, even a small one, makes a huge difference in your attitude and energy. Before reading this I had been wanting to make some changes to my home, but I didn't know exactly what to do. While reading through, I was able to intentionally think through my home and began to feel inspired so that I could be deliberate in the changes that I wanted to make. Some were big like rearranging furniture, and others were small like adding a plant, but these physical changes in my home have led to mental and emotional changes in myself, and I am excited to see how those continue.

[Kelly Pramberger · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Drawing on ancient wisdom and modern science and filled with examples from the author's groundbreaking research and work with clients, this is a philosophical and practical guide to creating a home environment that reflects your values, shapes your behavior, and supports you on your journey of self-discovery."

This book was so fun to read. It gave me a lot to think about for the new year. I enjoyed how Grosvenor set up each chapter in an easy to follow way but was still thorough. This will make a great gift for a hostess in the new year as well.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy for the purpose of this review.

[A Pečauer · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the worst kind of new age book, whose meaningful content couldn't have even filled a standard length magazine article. It's the whole "wealthy white woman experiences social distancing during COVID-19, has personal revelation about the meaning of community that translates into new interior decorating ideas for her home."

There's so much mention of COVID-19, which I really don't enjoy in this kind of book because it's neither pleasant to revisit, nor relevant to everyday living in this context.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thought-provoking guide to making your space your own. In what ways might color, decluttering, feng shui, and many other adjustments bring your space into alignment with the life you want to be living?

This might be a great gift for new homeowners and/or anyone who feels stuck in place. I'm certainly going to utilize a few of these tips in my own space right now!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Alicia Bayer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This just wasn’t a good fit for me. I loved the description of making my home match my life but I didn’t realize it was basically stuff like fung shui and how I should have all kinds of things that represent wealth in my upper right quadrant of my house. It also has no photos, and in my homemaking books I like photos and inspiration.

I read a temporary digital ARC of this book via NetGalley.

[JadersCorner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somethings taking a new approach or adding new things into our life/ home does ave it benefits. The author didn’t know lack on any aspect of this book, it was so well orchestrated, the organization of topics, ideas etc we’re mapped out so well.

As an autistic adult this helped give me new ideas to have more a routine and feel balance at the same time. Highly recommend this to add to any home.

[Dr CG · Rating 4 out of 5]

I checked this book out from the library because I loved the color and cover art :) Totally judged a book by its cover and wasn’t disappointed at all. I enjoyed reading about the many fresh home designs and ways to maximize the energy in my home. It was an enjoyable read and a great little break from fiction.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

everyone (and their homes) will benefit from Emily’s guidance

they say that a book you need to read will find you when and where you are … this is that book, for me. i will keep this book by my side where i know i will will read over and over … it’s that resourceful ! sooo much heart, wisdom and fun on these pages.

[Rhonda Lomazow · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful guide to how to make your home your sanctuary.How to declutter using the concepts of fang shui.This is a perfect book for a new homeowner or anyone who wants to change up their homes spirit.#netgalley #chroniclebooks

[B. Zelkovich · Rating 4 out of 5]

While this was a touch more New Age than I am necessarily comfortable with, it still gave me a lot to think on, and pointed out areas where I've done well designing our home, and places that could still use some attention.

[Sandy Sopko · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me. The information about the effects of color didn't offer anything new. Some goofy ideas.

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the approach to be intentional and to know yourself and the flow of energy in decorating one's home. An accessible and easy read.

[Abee Chappell · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just wasn’t what I was expecting.

[Desig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

[Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book so much that I returned the library copy and bought my own so that I could flag pages and make notes!

[Melanie · Rating 2 out of 5]

She bought a used chair from a funeral home.
.

[Maria]

US-American christian lady does Feng shui.