Wood

The most robust element, of the five basic ones, is Wood. The element of Wood shows its sturdiness in the growth of grass through a concrete slab, in the steadfastness of conifers on the top of a windy, icy mountain, and in the seeds that crack in the sun and heat and give new life.

Wood is a symbol of new beginnings and unwavering perseverance, but also flexibility.

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Metal

“The metal element is the essence of Jin and corresponds to the West, autumn and the color white. Now is the time of Metal, when energy enters nature, man, animals. A lull and a longer energy break commences, when everything that has accumulated over the summer and the element of Fire has been horded, collected to prepare for the upcoming winter, which comes after Metal – the period of autumn, soothing and silencing.” – Marija Vrebalov

Melt down the universe and refashion it– is a phrase used in some rituals with multi-layered meanings.

The history of metal, as far as we know, begins with the use of copper about 11,000 years ago.

It is an integral part of our lives, on a daily basis, without even being aware of it.

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Earth

“Earth is well known as an element and almost equally important for all of the human race, over all continents and meridians. She is ‘Mother’. We come from her and to her we will return. She is stable and constant, she is home to foundations, both symbolic and actual. She is the source of life. We plant in her, build on her, make from her.” – Marija Vrebalov

Life consists of cycles. Birth, growing up, aging, dying. A year consists of cycles, seasons, depending on where we live. A day consists of cycles. Everything in nature, both animate and inanimate, consists of five basic elements, as they are grouped by ancient cultures like the Eastern ones. These are Earth, Metal, Water, Wood, Fire. From ancient times, the description of the elements given by different cultures, their significance, impact, effect on man and his environment, has greatly overlapped within the symbolism of each individual element.

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Man, Matter and Energy

“We are the least upset when we are in a familiar, well-established system, whether it be an environment, habits, relationships, a path we are moving down.” – Marija Vrebalov

Every beginning is a challenge: a new job, relationship, book, habit, moving house… We are the least upset when we are in a familiar, well-established system, whether it be an environment, habits, relationships, a path we are moving down. When we want a change, or when it signals its inevitability, we need to make adjustments. It works the same when it comes to interior design too. Every change requires customization, adaptation, and balancing.

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We Create Our Own Smell of Peace

“When frankincense starts burning, I feel purity with every breath I take. I feel peace, warmth and the presence of intangible security – primeval, from ancient times, omnipresent, and only enhanced in moments of dedication…” – Marija Vrebalov

While thinking about my vocation of the designer, about creativity, creation and the impact all of this has on my personal life and the lives of people I cooperate, or have cooperated, with – if I have only just touched someone else’s life with this part of my own – I realized that we all share one thing: we all love to leave our mark in our space. We love our mark: on our wardrobe, in a cooked meal, a written word…

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