How We Use Feng Shui in Our Interiors
When I first went to design school 20+ years ago, Feng Shui seemed to be a big thing and I was here for it. I think subconsciously I do use it and appreciate a lot of the methodolgies of Feng Shui. Our Hawaii New Build client really appreciated the philosophy and we discussed a few of these areas when we collaborated on our designs.
What is Fung Shui?
Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese practice of creating balance and harmony in a space by arranging objects in an intentional way to optimize the flow of energy and help you live peacefully.
Applying Feng Shui principles to create balance and achieve harmony means you must bring the five naturally-occurring elements to your home — water, metal, fire, wood, and earth — and achieve cohesion between all of them.
Here are a few tips that are worth considering for any project:
Make a welcoming entryway
The initial feeling upon entering your house sets the tone for the energy throughout your home. Make a positive first impression by maintaining a neat and bright entryway. Introduce plants inside the entry area and around the front door to promote a welcoming ambiance. Address any issues with sticky doors or troublesome locks that might cause frustration upon arrival, and ensure there's ample lighting to avoid stepping into a dark room right away.
Project: Wine Country Villa
Clear the clutter in all the rooms to let the energy flow
Feng Shui revolves around maintaining a balance among elements within your home. Possessions that disrupt the harmony of life energy can obstruct the flow of Qi. Accumulated clutter may indicate disorganized thoughts, creating a mental burden. Keeping a clear space enables a free-flowing mind and maximizes natural light by eliminating items that obstruct or obscure incoming light.
Project: Healdsburg Modern Build
Create balance with color
The choice of color can either ground or uplift a room depending on the shade, so it's essential to choose carefully for the right balance. Generally, muted, nature-inspired hues promote a sense of calm, while brighter, more vibrant colors boost energy levels. We suggest placing darker colors closer to the floor to establish a solid foundation and applying lighter colors on walls and ceilings for a balanced, open effect. The reverse (light-colored floors with dark walls) may create an imbalanced feeling.
Project: Woodside Family Manor
Bedroom Tips
Avoid placing a bed under a window: believed to affect the quantity and quality of sleep you have as well as general well being.
Even better, use a solid headboard: It's best to choose a headboard that is solid and made of natural materials, such as wood or upholstered fabric. These elements arte associated with growth, vitality, and harmony. The headboard should also have a gentle curve to promote a smooth flow of energy (Qi) around the bed, fostering tranquility and better sleep.
Project: Woodside Family Manor
The “Command Position” Concept
This is a hard one for me as I typically don't love a bed at an angle or an angled sofa. But... in Feng Shui the “command position” refers to the placement of furniture in relation to the door. When lying in bed or sitting at your desk, it's ideal to have a view of the door without being directly aligned with it. The optimal position is often diagonally across from the door with a solid wall behind you. This signifies your capacity to effectively manage opportunities or threats in your life. This concept traces back to our animal instincts – you want to observe who enters your private space, but positioning yourself directly in front of the door leaves you vulnerable. A perfect way to approach this in a modern way would be a seating setup with 4 chairs around a round coffee table, with you in the chair facing the entry.
Project: Fresh Sonoma Farmhouse
Bring in plants
Plants establish a direct link to nature, infusing spaces with vitality and a sense of freshness. Enhance your rooms with an abundance of plant life, selecting varieties that suit your home's lighting and match your caregiving capabilities. Be cautious about plants with spiky or pointy leaves, as those with rounder and softer leaves contribute to a more relaxed atmosphere, ensuring you're not subconsciously on edge.
Project: Traditional in Tiburon
Finally…
It's important to note that the aim isn't perfection in feng shui. Instead, focus on small changes that contribute to a more relaxed and content atmosphere. Your home reflects yourself, and positive changes made in your living space are beneficially reflected in your life.
Project: Woodside Family Manor
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