Feng Shui and Simple Living

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Feng Shui and Simple Livingby Nikki WillhiteFeng Shui and Interior DesignWhat is Feng Shui, and how does it relate to the frugal decorator?What is Feng Shui? Feng Shui, at it's most basic level, is nothing buta decorating style. In the more spiritual sense, it is a style tocreate an environment that will enhance your success in life.To me it is just good basic decorating principles. Many of them can beaccomplished without any expenditure of money.When there are "Feng Shui" problems in a home, there are ways tocounter balance them. I won't go into those- as I only look at thisstyle from a decorating viewpoint as a subject that can help the frugaldecorator make a more pleasant environment.If you want more information on this subject, there are booksavailable.Here are some of the basic principles of Feng Shui. Take whatyou will from it.ENERGYBasically, Feng Shui tries to control or channel the energy in aroom. It tries to turn all negative energy into positive energy.While I have a little trouble with this concept, I have to admit thatthere is something intangible in rooms that could be construed asenergy.Ever walked into a house where a couple has been fighting? No matterhow hard they try and "put on a good face", you can feel it.I think the worst energy I ever felt was when I went into court with afriend who was getting a divorce. The room was full of couples who weredivorcing. The negative energy I felt walking into that room was sothick...you could have cut it with a knife!So, with Feng Shui you do everything you can so that positive energycirculates around the room. This is where the good decoratingprinciples come in. Pleasant surrounding are suppose to contribute tohappy thoughts and moods.COLORWe all know that color influences our mood. Yellow and other brightcolors make us feel happy. Grey skies bring on the blues. Cool shadesbring calm and restful feelings.Feng Shui teaches you to be careful of the colors around you, andmake sure that any influence on you is for the positive. You aresuppose to use cool relaxing colors in the bedroom, more energeticcolors in the office or other work areas.Good color choices do not cost any more than poor color choices, sothis is an area great for the frugal decorator.SHAPESAngular lines and hard corners are shapes that are suppose to either beavoided or counter balanced. Round shapes are more desirable andconducive to comfort and to a pleasant environment.FURNITURE ARRANGEMENTOpen is the key word here. Furniture should be placed in the home so asto leave the space as open and airy as possible. For instance, you donot want to walk in the living room and face the back of your sofa.It is also about balance. The weight of your furniture should beequally balanced throughout the home, and very dark areas, or verylight areas should be adjusted.WALLSIt is considered negative to have a home where you open the frontdoor and have a wall in front of you. The wall is said to "block" thepositive energy from circulating in your home, and hence act as anegative to your progression and success.Hard corners are undesirable, and should be softened by the use ofthings like plants.Another mention is the negative aspect of having a wall on thediagonal in one of your rooms. This is suppose to be bad also. Since Ihave one of these in my home, I decided I would give this a try. Theremedy for a wall like this is to hang a mirror on it.My diagonal wall is in my family room, and is the wall where thefireplace is. I had a picture above it, and accessories on themantel. I took down the picture, and hung a mirror. I have to say, thateveryone who goes into that room notices the change immediately andreally likes it.Of course, decorating with mirrors is almost always pleasant- but itdid make a significant difference in that room. I thought I would missthat picture, as it is one of my favorites. I thought I would miss thecolors of the picture in the room, since the mirror was bland incomparison. I was favorably impressed.Another principle of furniture arrangement is what I call "powerfurniture arranging". You are not suppose to sit in rooms with yourback to the entrance of the room. You are not in control, and you donot get all the positive energy circulating in the space. You cut ifoff. All desks in rooms or offices should be placed so that you facethe entry.ORGANIZATIONAn office that is cluttered is not conducive to positive energy. Sogoes it for a home also. This makes sense. What kind of feeling do youhave walking to a kitchen with dishes stacked to the ceiling? I'm sureyou give off a lot of negative energy! Feng Shui is organization andcleanliness.Will the use of Feng Shui change your life? I don't know. It iscertainly interesting to study it's principles. They say if you are ina bad mood, yet put on a red dress, that you will cheer up from thereactions of the people around you.Perhaps this works in the same way. With Feng Shui you are suppose tosurround yourself with things that you love- and place them in such away that they bring calmness and tranquility to your life. Not a badidea- especially if it doesn't cost money!