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Feng Shui Dynamics

            The Door to Manifesting Your Dreams and Decorating your Home

 

Decorating Elements

Each element is present in the shape, composition and color of an item. Every time you bring an item to your home you are adding an additional element as well.

When the elements are balanced in the decor of your
home you create a serene and healthy space.

When first beginning to work with the elements being aware of where a decorating accessory fits on the elemental chart makes the choice easier. At those times we need to fix, add or redo to our home knowing what to look for can save time and money. Looking for the right item one that also enhances the elements in a room adds to the good health of all that live there.

Every item represents an element. Though color will introduce an element to a space, it is best to know what an item is made of to further enhance the decor of a room. When you know all the elemental aspects of an item it is easier to know the best location for the item in your home.

 

Floors

The floors in our home represent the foundation in which we walk. We obtain access to each room in our house by following the direction laid out by the flooring. Everyone that enters your space, including pets, use the floor to move through the house. What the floor does is; create the pathway for the chi of move and to connect each section of the space into one unit, our home.

 

Floorings that support wood are:

Wood planks, wood squares, and parquet.

Floorings that support fire are:

Wool carpet, and sisal

Floorings that support earth are:

Ceramic tile, mosaic, brick, adobe, and rectangular rugs

Floorings that support metal are:

Granite, marble stone, round or oval rugs, and Berber carpet

Floorings that support water are:

High-gloss Floor Paints and shiny surfaces

 

Walls

The dictionary defines walls as the fortification of a structure. In Feng Shui the walls represent the strength and reinforcement of a family. Over the years walls in our homes have transformed from merely dividers to decorative marvels. Walls have become backdrops to art and used as photo galleries. They are decorative accents when painted and wallpapered, and add dimension to a space.

 

                        Wall covering supporting wood is:

Stripes, florals, verticals, leaf patterns, and paneling

                        Wall covering supporting fire is:

Characters with the sun, moon, people or animals

Wall covering supporting earth is: 

Stucco, textured paint, rag rolling

                        Wall covering supporting metal is:

                          Sponge painting, marbling, and faux finishes

                        Wall covering supporting water is:

Foil paper, Moiré, and watermarks

 

Fabrics and textiles

In western homes we use a range of different textiles adding interest and individual personality to the places we spend time. Everything from our dish towels to the mattress cover is made of an element and can be used to further strengthen the overall balance of a room.

                        Fabrics supporting wood are:

                        Cotton, linen, burlap, jute

                        Fabrics supporting fire are:

Wool, silk, suede, leather, fur and mohair

                        Fabrics supporting earth are:

                        African mud cloth

                        Fabrics supporting metal are:

Aluminum, brass, chrome, and stainless steel

Fabrics supporting water are:

Moiré, Mylar, angel hair, and crystal

 

Window treatments

Covering up our windows, at least in the private areas of our homes, is a practice that most of us use. Over the years our window treatments have become not just practical, but beautiful additions to our homes. Since these items have become such an important part of decorating our homes, the element that certain styles represent will help to balance the space we live in.

                Window treatments supporting wood are:

                Verticals, wood blinds, shutters, and shades

                Window treatments supporting fire are:

                PVC blinds, plastic and resin blinds

                Window treatments supporting earth are:

                Drapery panels, tab top curtains

                Window treatments supporting metal are:

Poufs, balloon shades, swags, aluminum blinds

                Window treatments supporting water are:

                           Mylar solar shades, sheers, fiberglass draperies

Furniture styles

The purpose of furniture is to support us by making us comfortable. Since the type of furniture is so persona, l keeping certain styles in mind when you need a new item is easy to do when you know what element a room needs and what is depicted by that element.

When all the elements are present it is nice to add more of a particular element that will draw the chi of opportunity to a situation. For example if you want to keep life prosperous in every way, after the room is balanced add a little more fire and wood. The fire will ignite the chi of fortunate blessings while the wood will help them grow.

                          Furniture pieces supporting wood are:

Highboys, grandfather clock, entertainment cabinet

                         Furniture pieces supporting fire are:

                        Laminate, particleboard, plastic, and resin

                        Furniture pieces supporting earth are:

                        Low squatty chests, trunks, night stands

                        Furniture pieces supporting metal are:

Over-stuffed cushions, padded arms, throw pillows, and tassels

                        Furniture pieces supporting water are:

Mirrors, glass, acrylic, Queen Anne and Georgian styles

 

 

A Queen Anne chair represents the water element because

of the curve of the winged back and the legs.

Accessories

Each item in our homes should tell a story about the people that live there. Every object has its own chi and is alive with the memories and associations we attach to them. Since our homes reflect who we really are, then wisely selecting accents that we truly love becomes a sure way to surround ourselves with love. When we bring in all five elements joyfully into a space those same elements act as personal affirmations.

                        Accessory styles supporting wood are:

Beams, columns, poles, plant stands and flowers

                        Accessory styles supporting fire are:

Candles, fireplaces, lighting, fireplaces, and lamps

 

Making beautiful, healthy choices

In "every day" decorating choices, it can be challenging to decide how to implement an element into your decor. When you need an item like flooring or window treatments, it is helpful to know not only how to purchase an item but which element it will represent.

 

Let’s say you need a new chair and the room needs the earth element.

 

First: Look at what element nourishes earth. According to the nourishing cycle, it is fire. The two elements are earth and fire. Earth is the element weak in the room, and fire because it nourishes or creates earth.

 

Second: Look at the colors associated to earth. These are yellow, orange, brown and earth tones. Okay, lets say you like those tones and they will work with your decor. But what if you didn’t like them? Since fire is the element that supports earth. You would then explore some of the red tones representing fire.

Third: Look at the fabrics associated to earth. No help there because African mud cloth is not that easy to find for chair fabric. So look at the fabric choices associated with fire: leather, silk, wool.

 

Fourth: The style of the chair needs to be squatty or square, with short legs to represent earth. The pattern of the fabric could be textured to further strengthen earth.

 

What kind of chair will you look for? A chair with short legs that is slightly over stuffed to look squatty (symbolizing earth), covered in either a wool blend or leather in tan, gold, persimmon, or the red family (adding nourishing fire.)

 

Reflecting

Earth

 

There is something about the solitude of being alone in the woods. When life gets me down, I love to walk and think in a woodland area near my home. This sanctuary for deer, fox, raccoons, rabbits, and a number of birds, chipmunks and squirrels is the place I find the peace to calm my thoughts. The early morning reminds me - I need this deep connection to nature. The indentation of the grass where a deer has spent the night and the newly dug holes made by the moles tell me that this place is alive with earth energy. Not only am I able to balance myself, but I’m increasing my personal chi. Of all the things I do to center myself, this is my most favorite.

Natural energies are present everywhere: in the woods, on the beach, in the mountains, and even in our own backyards. Honoring their existence adds dimension to the energy that is present there.

 

As living beings, we find it necessary to

replenish our life with other living things.

 

Some of us find this contentment in nature itself; others are able to symbolically nurture ourselves with flower arrangements, paintings, and pets. Either way, we are a world that keeps its roots deeply seeded in the earth.

We are children of the Earth. Our sheer existence depends on this planet and what she provides. Our shelters are constructed with a combination of wood, earth and metal. Our food is vegetation that grows in her soil; animals eat the vegetation to provide food and clothing. Water gives us life and power. The list is endless of how the Earth provides for our physical existence. The Earth energies also provide us with a powerful chi, that when mixed with man’s chi, complete the law of universal energies.

I love the interaction between the earth energies, heaven and our own chi. They are so subdued, and so quiet, that many times we fail to notice the enormous power they hold. When we use the tools that the Universe provides, we are actually walking in the energies themselves. This has a dynamic effect on you. Working with Earth energies through Feng Shui can single-handedly change your life forever.

 

 

Our interaction with nature

Different features of the Earth emit a different type of chi from them. The ingredients of the feature itself cause variations in the chi. These can be felt depending on where you are. There is the sense of renewal in the woods, the sizzle and excitement of the beach, serenity near the water, contemplation in the mountains, and a feeling of wholeness when we are alone in nature.

The early Chinese knew the importance of the Earth for survival and revered the land for providing their livelihood. The origins of Feng Shui are based firmly in the Earth energies, and originate out of survival and spiritual rite. Through this pragmatic approach, demographic features were used to represent the chi energies attached to them. The tree represented the nurturing soul; the sun depicts illumination; and mountains feel the full force of heaven; the sea-life’s effortless course; and soil the force of Mother Earth.

These five features: tree, sun, mountains, sea, and

soil represent nature and should be used, when possible, in their natural state.

 

Feng Shui is rooted in the harmony that is found in nature. We need a balance of all five elements in order to keep our chi energies at their highest. How can we do this? It would be impossible, or at least impractical, to have a mountain in the middle of our living room. So, we symbolically add these features to our spaces by incorporating building blocks called the elements.

There are five elements that correspond to their natural counterparts. These five elements are: wood, fire, metal, water, and earth; and have a wide range of characteristics associated to them. These five fantastic ingredients can be used for anything from stabilizing a space to selecting the right carpet color.

 

 

It’s Elemental, My Dear

 

We are beginning to embark on my passion — the elements. I truly believe that one of the reasons my clients have effective consultations is because they have learned the art of balancing the elements. By using these wondrous tools you will begin to know where to tap into, when you want to heighten a space. Each of the five elements has a full range of associations, including color, shapes, and accessories that form the vocabulary for observing and governing them.

 

 

The Elements:

 

Wood

Fire

Metal

Water

Earth

 

The elements are Mother Nature’s symbolic graces

The most efficient way to learn the "dance" of the elements is to practice using them in your home and every other chance you can. Through this continued practice, you will become proficient in the use of these fantastic gems. Each element has several attributes associated to it. There is the actual element itself, the natural counterpart, items made from the element, and things that symbolically represent the element.

 

Attributes of the Elements

 

Wood: Trees

· Items: trees, flowers and plants (real, dried, or silk)

· Colors: green and blue

· Shapes: columnar shapes, stripes (either horizontal or vertical)

· Decorative Features: Wooden furniture, decks, siding, beams, pedestals, banisters, and accessories made of wood. Linen, cotton, and other plant-based textiles. Paintings or pictures of woods, woodlands, trees, or art depicting any of the above.

 

Fire: The Sun

· Items: fireplaces, electrical lights, candles and stoves

· Colors: all shades of red and orange

· Shapes: triangles, pyramids, cones and diamonds

· Decorative Features: People, pets and animals. Items made from animals, bone, leather, wool, and silk. Pictures of the sun, or art depicting any of the above.

 

Metal: Mountains

· Items: all metals; silver, gold, bronze, etc.

· Colors: white and pastels

· Shapes: round, half rounds, swags, curves, circles

· Decorative Features: Ores such as marble, granite, and natural crystals. Photos of mountains, or art depicting any of the above.

 

Water: The Sea

· Items: ponds, river streams, lakes, oceans

· Color: black or navy

· Shapes: asymmetrical, winding and snakelike

· Decorative Features: Birdbaths, fountains, aquariums, cut glass, mirrors, chandeliers. Bowls of water, reflective surfaces, Mylar or moiré fabrics. Water scenes, or art depicting any of the above.

 

Earth: Soil

· Items: land, dirt, sand, etc.; objects made of the earth

· Colors: earth tones: brown, orange or yellow

· Shapes: rectangular or squares

· Decorative Features: Terra cotta, clay, ceramic, glass, earthenware, concrete, plaster, and things made from the Earth. Photos of the sky, global art, deserts, sandy beaches, and art that depicts any of the above.

 

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