Feng Shui for Beginners--How to Apply this Ancient Art to Your Own Surroundings!

What exactly is Feng Shui?  At the moment it is probably the most misunderstood concept sweeping the world of interior design.  Numerous articles have been written to try and define it.  However, many of them do not properly identify its basic principles.  In fact, some articles go so far as creating a false illusion that makes Feng Shui sound like a cross between hocus pocus and extreme mysticism.

Literally translated Feng Shui means wind and water.  It is a 3,000 year old, ancient Chinese practice of art and science that brings the energy in your space into perfect balance and harmony.  Wind is said to move the invisible life force called, "chi" or energy.  Chi is the life force that flows through every object on the planet-living or non living.  Water is essential in cultivating this energy.  Physics teaches us that everything in the universe is made up of energy.  By following the basic elements of Feng Shui, we can re-direct the natural flow of this energy (chi) in a more positive direction.

The five basic elements used in the practice of Feng Shui are fire, earth, metal, water and wood.  The art of Feng Shui incorporates all of these elements into the design concept of your home or office setting.  By placing furniture and objects in your home using the guidelines outlined in a bagua (most books on Feng Shui will have a bagua for easy reference) or map that can be found on line or in any of the books below , you can direct the energy flow to move freely and create a fundamentally balanced environment.

Before moving ahead and applying the basic principles you must first start with a clean setting.  Remove all clutter, clean out closets, garages, storage areas and dirty laundry!  Then take a close look at what you intend to accomplish.  What goals are you striving for?  What is a driving force in your life at the moment?  You can incorporate your current lifestyle into your design scheme.  Don't panic!  You won't have to spend a lot of money to create this type of environment-just spend some time learning about the proper placement of articles in your home.  You can rearrange furniture, remove items that are not necessary and add color and light to areas that need it.  Remember to pay close attention to the colors you choose.  Reds for example stimulate the appetite and are perfect for dining rooms.  However, if you paint your bedroom walls in red you might have a difficult time falling asleep.  Soothing colors like pale blues and  soft greens are much better suited for sleeping areas.  And don't forget that you can even bring a pet or two into the mix to help circulate the energy!

There are several good books on the market for beginners which take you through step by step instructions and make it easy to embark on your new project:

•          Feng Shui for Dummies by Lin Yum and David Daniel Kennedy
•          The Everything Feng Shui Book by Katina Z. Jones

Both of these starter books will help you to understand the principles of Feng Shui and make it easier to translate these principles into simple design techniques that will help create a harmonious atmosphere at home or at the office.

Start out with a room at a time and watch as you create an indoor environment that brings out a sense of tranquility and peace.   Your indoor space is as much a part of you as your wardrobe.  You need to be comfortable and feel a sense of balance.  As you relax into your new surroundings you will notice that a sense of peace and calmness carries over into each and every aspect of your life.

When staging a home or planning design schemes for my clients, I often ask them if they would like me to apply Feng Shui techniques in their overall plan.  Each time they allow me to incorporate these Feng Shui principles I find that my clients are overwhelmed with how wonderful their space feels.

Are you having trouble with the design and layout of your home?  Please call me today for a consultation.  It is my pleasure to help you create a space you can thrive in!

Would you like help in getting your home ready for sale in today's Spring market?  One of my talents is to help people with their goals.  Call Linda Kemp at 630.688.5121 to schedule an appointment.  I am fortunate to bring both my skills as a real estate consultant and my design talents to you.