To Your Health & Wealth
While we seek harmony and balance in our busy lives…
“…we turn to that glass of wine as our escape but really we’re all looking for and need that ‘calgon take me away’ moment.'‘
When it comes to design, I like to think that there are no rules. Really and truly, if you like something and want to make it work in your home you will find a way, right? Of course! But there are a few rules I like to live by. Years ago, while I worked in real estate and learned the importance of home staging I was introduced to the term Feng Shui. I had heard the term before but was never really clear on what it was. In short, “Feng shui is an ancient Chinese art of arranging buildings, objects, and space in an environment to achieve harmony and balance.” I don’t know about you, but aren’t we all seeking harmony and balance in the chaotic lives we live. Feng shui means “the way of wind and water.” Now close your eyes, and just imagine calm breezes and the sound of moving water…ahhh, that feels nice to me. So this is the feeling you should have when you come home. Your own peaceful oasis.
Ok, Ok, I know that so many of us don’t have that feeling…we’re so busy in our homes, kids are crying, screaming, running around, the dog is barking, we’ve got mounds of laundry going, the TV is on (more background noise), and all the while we’ve got dinner going, your eye shoots over to the table where dinner needs to be set, only to see piles of paper, a mix of junk and bills that need to be sorted and cleaned up, the hubs will be home soon and we turn to that glass of wine as our escape but really we’re all looking for and need that ‘calgon take me away’ moment. But wait…let’s go back! Didn’t we just have that balance and harmony, way of wind and water moment? Yes, my dears, it’s called Feng Shui, you see we don’t realize but the way your home is set up and organized, can itself bring you more stress to your already stress filled day to day living. We’ve all heard about “yin and yang”, we’ve seen the symbol for it. Well, this is what feng shui is all about. It’s called “chi” - the life force that lives in everything. By balancing the opposing but complementary forces of Yin and Yang, you are improving the flow of positive Chi in your life. Consider this, when you walk into your place, do you feel a sense of calm? or calamity?
This is one of my questions when redesigning with clients. Which door do you use the most to enter your home? Whether you’re walking into a foyer, mudroom, laundry room, or kitchen this space should be filled with great positive energy because in short it will evoke your emotions and sense of well being, subconsciously! Moving or arranging your existing furniture and decor to achieve positive chi is my goal. By doing so, as the ancient Chinese believe, you will also improve your health, wealth and personal relationships. When designing with your chi in mind, I will always find and add the five elements which are water, earth, wood, fire and metal. Wait!! Fire?! Water?! how do we add that to your home?!?! Don’t worry, these elements are represented in your home through color, or texture, which bring to life the feeling of those elements. For example, fire can be represented as anything illuminating, or red. Water, would be something with a curvy or wavy lines.
But balancing your home, will take more than just elements. Each room is an extension of you. In the art of Feng Shui, your bedroom represents you, your desk or office is an extension of your career, and your kitchen represents your wealth and health. Where you primarily position yourself in these rooms (also known as the commanding position) is so important to bring you the balance and harmony you need. Let’s take your bedroom for example, you should always try to have your bed diagonal from the door, so your head or feet don’t face directly to the door. The bed is the focal point in your bedroom, keep access to your bed from both sides if possible to allow for flow of energy, and balance by having 2 night stands, one on each side.
Place your bed in a commanding position…
“…always try to have your bed diagonal from the door,”
While it’s not always possible to achieve perfect Feng Shui, be it space limitations or actual structural layout of the space, there are always ways we can improve and achieve better harmony in our homes. If you’re in need a room refresh don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m always here for you!
