One of the most respected TV hosts in the world has commented on her approval of a house in Denmark that has been designed using an all-white colour scheme, which makes the most out of limited space.

Oprah Winfrey visited a Danish home and was very impressed with the use of space and furniture, which included white bedroom furniture, white tables, chairs, cabinets and bedside tables. She even commented that it is no wonder Denmark is classed one of the happiest countries in the world, with such a light and airy lifestyle.

“One this is certain – they don’t need all the gratuitous space, something that we have become used to, in order to live happily.” She had a good look around the family home that housed 5 children and two adults, and was amazed at just how small the little one’s rooms were. Yet she said that “it felt a little strange, you could see the room was small, but you didn’t feel claustrophobic ”.

In the kitchen the space was used even more resourcefully, with everything that was needed fitted into a compact area. The dining room furniture was also light and made use of well. This is quite common in Danish homes, where limited space means families have to use it intelligently and with a careful choice of colors. “It is very easy to end up having a dark and cluttered room when you have little space” the owner of the home pointed out. “It’s a balance between having what is needed out on show, and what is not needed stored carefully”.

Oprah suggested that she has been looking for creative ideas for her new Miami home for a while now. She even commented that it is no wonder Denmark is classed one of the happiest countries in the world, with such a light and airy lifestyle. “If i can capture the spirit of Africa, but introduce some Danish style and clean lines then I think I’ll have what I’m looking for” Oprah stated. However, she wasn’t so naive to think this would be easy do, and said her idea may need a bit of work

War can only be understood and put an end to if you and all those who are concerned very deeply with the survival of man, feel that you are utterly responsible for killing others. What will make you change?

- J. Krishnamurti

Nepal’s Communist prime minister will visit the Tibetan capital of Lhasa during his upcoming trip to China, as China tries to forge closer ties with its southern neighbor to control a restive minority.

Related articles about China, Nepal and Tibet

• Nepalese leader to visit Tibet as China seeks closer ties (calgaryherald.com)
• China closes Tibet once again (gadling.com)
• Dalai Lama says China overpoliticizing his travels (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

It has long been true that Christmas is not just for Christians any more.  Many people, of many different religious persuasions or of no persuasion at all, celebrate the day and the season.  Followers of Buddhism in the Washington area are among the groups celebrating the tradition.

Like many people in the United States this time of year, Wilson Hurley has put up a Christmas tree in his house. But his Christmas tree sits in front of an image of Buddha. The front of his house has an ordinary Christmas wreath as well, but the Buddhist prayer flags in his back yard are a more unusual sight. “The tradition is that the flags are hung outside with the prayer and any beneficial aspiration, and then get blown in the wind and to all beings,” he said.

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