The Chinese way of thinking

Respect experiences

Discern the true by studying the past

Stand between science and theology

Combine ethics with esthetics

The Feng Shui Elements

Make sure that all of the five traditional elements are included in your Feng Shui  design for energetic/emotional and decorative balance.

FIRE
Fabrics/Materials: silk, synthetics (yuck!)
Color: reds
Shapes/Textures/Patterns: geometric or triangular shapes, animal designs and patterns
Art/Sculpture: sunrises, sunflowers, geometric abstracts

WOOD
Fabrics: cotton, rayon, linen
Materials: wood
Color: greens & aqua's
Shapes/Textures/Patterns: stripes and leaf, flower, organic designs, columnar

WATER
Fabrics: see-thru and shimmering fabrics
Materials: glass, mirrors, water features
Color: black, blues
Shapes/Textures/Patterns: irregular and wavy shapes, paisley, tie-dye

EARTH
Materials: stone (jewelry), ceramics
Color: yellow, earth tones
Shapes/Textures/Patterns: squares, checked patterns, bulky and flat-topped furniture or accessories
Art/Sculpture: desert and landscapes

METAL
Materials: metal (jewelry)
Color: silver, gold, copper, jewel tones
Shapes/Textures/Patterns: polka dots, semi-circles, dome-shaped, round
Art/Sculpture: metal sculpture that has a feeling of abundance and expansion

Feng Shui Work
Always position your bed, desk, and stove to have a clear view of the door.
Never sleep with a beam over your bed or put a shelf over it or your desk. Your world could fall down on you at any moment.
Avoid sharp pointed buildings, wall corners, furniture or accessories pointed directly at your house, bed or desk. It is reminiscent of a cutting knife edge or a disapproving finger.
Heavy beams over where you sleep, work, or spend a lot of time can cause oppression and bad luck: Lift them up with a windchime or Chinese flute.
Have plenty of space around your bed, dining table, and your desk: don't cramp your life in anyway.
Behind your desk, never sit in front of a window have a solid wall to provide a good foundation. Consider a picture of a mountain behind you for added stability.
The principal and upper executives' offices should be located in the command areas of the office, while giving employees and clients accessibility. Everyone will benefit because the entire office will feel as if it is one body, the sum of all the functions harmoniously working toward the main objective.
Stimulate chi w/ mobiles, scarves, ribbons, or SPINS.
Try not to have a toilet in any auspicious location: Wealth, Relationship, Sheng Chi, etc....
The Study signifies stimulation, creativity and innovation.
Give yourself time off.
Where natural light is not readily available, especially in corridors and entry vestibules, make sure they are well illuminated.
The entry of your home or office should be open and inviting, trim away foliage that may be blocking the path of Chi.
Do not block the entry of your home or office in anyway.
Landscaping should be manicured regularly not to get overgrown, cover walkways or entry, or shadow the house.
After walking into your front door, it should open into an expansive and feel good space, not one that is restrictive in anyway or that faces a mirror, staircase or an open window.
If your study is close to entry, you may be a work-a-holic or bookworm.
Mirrors are wonderful to expand space and direct energy, but never have it face the front door.

Feng Shui Home

Bathroom
Bathroom doors should be kept shut, with toilet seats down, to prevent Chi, opportunity, wealth, and happiness from being flushed.
Avoid sharp pointed buildings, wall corners, furniture or accessories pointed directly at your house, bed or desk. It is reminiscent of a cutting knife edge or a disapproving finger.
Where natural light is not readily available, especially in corridors and entry vestibules, make sure they are well illuminated.
Toilets never should be visible from any space: you must walk into the bathroom to see it. Always keep the lid down to keep the good stuff from getting flushed!
Good earth-energy (life-situations) locations: none, where possible, try to orient bathrooms in-between the energy centers.

Living Room
The living room should be close to the entry because it is usually an expansive space.
Make sure that all visitors, especially your guest of honor can see the front door.
Furniture should be comfortable and supportive.
Avoid sharp pointed buildings, wall corners, furniture or accessories pointed directly at your house, bed or desk. It is reminiscent of a cutting knife edge or a disapproving finger.
Place a choice one or two favorite pictures of your family are good in the living and/or family room.
Add music in the living room so energy will be dispersed throughout the house: heavy metal wouldn't be the first choice!
Use your living room! As it is usually in the heart center of your home, use it to LIVE in!

Entry/Foyer
This is your room of first impressions: what are the symbols, do you feel good? Are your "impressed" with yourself and your life? YOU can easily make changes.
After walking into your front door, it should open into an expansive and feel good space, not one that is restrictive in anyway or that faces a mirror, staircase or an open window.
Avoid sharp pointed buildings, wall corners, furniture or accessories pointed directly at your house, bed or desk. It is reminiscent of a cutting knife edge or a disapproving finger.
Create a small space just inside the front door.
Take a minute to make an energetic change in your being.
The entry of your home or office should be open and inviting, trim away foliage that may be blocking the path of Chi.

Kitchen
Always position your bed, desk, and stove to have a clear view of the door.
The kitchen: nourishing part of house that allows you money access.
The kitchen affects digestion & your nervous system.
If the kitchen were close to entry, you may be food oriented. Guests often come to eat. Chi and wealth could be washed down the sink.
Where natural light is not readily available, especially in corridors and entry vestibules, make sure they are well illuminated.
Keep the kitchen light and bright, it is the place where you create the nurturing food that provides good chi to yourself and to your family.
Make sure your stove isn't directly next too the sink or refrigerator and fire and water produce steam that is too hot to handle.
Keep your counter tops open and without clutter: most kitchen items, even those used regularly can be put away in drawers or cupboards and still easy to access.
Never orient kitchen in the Tai Chi/Heart Center of your home, it will deplete surrounding energies and possibly cause bad health.

Garden
The entry of your home or office should be open and inviting, trim away foliage that may be blocking the path of Chi.
Throw out dead flowers or plants, they have lost their vitality.
Never use dried flowers: where possible live is always better than silk.
Try to make walkways leading toward your door and all paths of energy curvilinear to invite good energy to flow.
Do not have ant thorny bushes or shaped edged accessories any exterior or interior pathway.
Landscaping should be manicured regularly not to get overgrown, cover walkways or entry, or shadow the house.
Where natural light is not readily available, especially in corridors and entry vestibules, make sure they are well illuminated.
Always keep garbage cans hidden.