Feng Shui

✿ What is feng shui? ✿
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This is a simple question that can be difficult to answer. Feng shui is an ancient art and science developed over 3,000 years ago in China. It is a complex body of knowledge that reveals how to balance the energies of any given space to assure health and good fortune for people inhabiting it.

Feng means wind and shui means water. In Chinese culture wind and water are associated with good health, thus good feng shui came to mean good fortune, while bad feng shui means bad luck, or misfortune. Feng Shui Decorating Tips: Feng Shui decorating utilizes the basic principles of the Chinese philosophy to enhance energy flow and create a positive, harmonious environment.  The concepts of this ancient art form that means the way of wind and water can be applied to our living space as well as to every other aspect of our lives. Minimize Clutter!  Clutter and disorganization lead to chaos, both figuratively and literally. Having a living space that is filled with unnecessary things, items that we no longer use, or those that represent our past, greatly inhibit the positive flow of chi, or energy, that is needed to maintain a happy, healthy home life. Being in a cluttered environment tends to create tension and stress, which then permeates into and negatively affects all areas of our lives.A place for everything, and everything in its place is a good mantra to remember when trying to minimize the disorder in your home. Assign chores to everyone in the house and designate specific areas for shoes, coats, toys, books, mail, important papers, and whatever else that may be cluttering up any of the rooms. When decorating and trying to maximize space, keep in mind the five main elements of Feng Shui: water, fire, earth, wood, and metal . Each one emits an ever changing invisible energy that is dependent upon its surroundings, the placement the object, and the current level of balance and harmony in the room.Balance the Home’s Color SchemeOne of the most commonly used Feng Shui decorating tips that masters and beginners alike can easily implement is to balance the color scheme within their surroundings.   Although you may enjoy bright, strong colors such as bright reds or oranges, neither are conducive to relaxation or a sense of positive energy.  Colors that are overly stimulating tend to add to and create negativity and hectic energy, while more muted tones such as deep maroons or greens heighten feelings of safety and security. Pastels, blues, creams, and other earth tones are all colors that help to balance a home’s existing energy with their calming, warming effects. The color of the walls are particularly important when it comes to decorating for peace, relaxation, and harmony, as well as the shade of the furniture and carpeting.Decorate HarmoniouslyLending truth to the statement that less is often more, Feng Shui focuses on keeping a continual flow of energy in the home with the art of carefully positioning our belongings.  For rooms that are on the smaller side, avoid busy patterns and furniture or finishes that have reflective surfaces, which tend to add to excessive energy. Instead, try to focus on items with a softer, matte finish to absorb that extra energy, allowing for a more relaxed, harmonious feeling. Candles are an excellent way to bring a subtle, natural energy flow, as well as soft, relaxing light into your home environment. Choose either unscented or candles that have pleasant aromas with a calming effect such as lavender, vanilla, peach, watermelon, or jasmine. The home should be viewed as more than just a place to eat, sleep, or get ready for the next day, but also as a personal sanctuary to relax, rejuvenate, and strengthen our inner selves.  Feng Shui decorating practices aim to improve the aesthetic appeal of our homes, and also to enhance the overall quality of our lives.