Feng Shui starts with the land, then the building, then the people in the space. As was mentioned above, Jenny initially brought me onto the project for suggesstions regarding interior decorating. When she, Nilay (Dani Homes), and I met, Nilay shared the landscape plan designed by Rich Martin at Blendon Gardens. It’s beautiful, and I asked permission to evaluate it from a Feng Shui perspective.

That’s something I’ve learned over the years … don’t offer suggestions when they haven’t been requested. Along those same lines, I don’t walk into a home or office and start mentally critiquing it. To do so doesn’t honor the space or the people; besides, I need time off. So, Nilay welcomed the input and introduced me to Rich.

Rich and I scheduled a meeting to exchange ideas. He knows landscape design and I … well you know. It would turn into a meeting of like-minds (connecting with our surroundings, and in this case — nature)!

I found Rich to be (in addition to a skilled designer) an intuitive artist. His projects look like he studied Feng Shui, and many times people naturally tap into it. After all, Feng Shui follows the cycles of nature and is based on common sense. It should make sense. Who wants to change things for the sake of change itself … especially in this economy?

Rich placed the water pond in an ideal location. Feng Shui says water in front is desirable. However, the black-topped street acts as a river so more water in front isn’t necessary a good thing. Due to the nature of the house (determined my mathematical calculations), this home is better served with water in back. This raises the home’s energy; whereas in other homes water in back could be a detriment.

There’s not a one-size-fits-all (cookie cutter) approach with classic Feng Shui. It really depends on the structure, when it is built, compass directions, and many other factors. Classic Feng Shui is customized and each building is unique. The location that Rich placed the pond in creates a delight for anyone sitting in the breakfast area (shaped like a bagua, a Feng Shui shape like an octagon).

Too, it’s important for the pond’s water to flow toward a structure because this means prosperity for occupants. Rich has two stone fountains that distribute the water 360 degrees — so anyone enjoying the pond will also receive good energy.

He also placed a boulder in the SW corner of the house. This remedies a Feng Shui term called missing corner, and provides energy to the head female, the homeowner’s marriage, and supports love in general.

A tree line addresses a missing corner (and otherwise loss of energy) in the SE. The SE represents the eldest daughter and family in general.

Because the house’s back (sitting position) is in the West, it is called a soft metal or a Dui trigram (depending on the Feng Shui book, it can also be called Tui). Dui has a kua (or energy number) of seven. Rich placed seven tress along the street.

The purpose of traditional Feng Shui is to minimize risk and maximize results. There are many quantifiable benefits to living in a Feng Shui home or working in a Feng Shui building. Our clients have experienced exceptional results — anything from remission to a $250m portfolio increase in six months.

One example of a benefit for the Dani Home (more will be revealed as the Parade nears) is for children–children who reside here will likely bring honor to their family so their contribution to the future will be well known. If I had young children, I’d want to live in this kind of home!

So, stay tuned to this blog and visit us at the Parade of Homes.

May you be exceedingly, generously, and joyfully blessed,

Diana
Creative Environment Officer

Each quadrant represents different family members, body parts, and functions of life. Examples of this: NW represents the head male and receiving the support we need to be successful in life; SW represents the head female and marriage; East represents the eldest son and energy; SE represents the eldest daughter and respiration; South represents heart and circulation; North represents blood and regeneration; and so on. There is no “wealth” corner as some forms of Feng Shui profess because all areas affect financial health. There isn’t a “love” area because all areas represent family members. Classic Feng Shui doesn’t segregate areas, but works holistically.

That’s why I say Feng Shui should be felt not seen. A person should not enter a home and say, “oh, you’ve done Feng Shui,” because of obvioius statues, trinkets, or colors of rooms (or corners). The implementation of Feng Shui should be tasteful and elegant. Whether the homeowner likes contemporary, traditional, or another style of decorating … that shouldn’t change. Introducing artifacts that don’t match the style isn’t good Feng Shui.

The analysis determines where there is balance or imbalance, and how to remedy imbalance or promote good energy. Classic Feng Shui utilizes the five elements to determine what needs to be done or supported. The five elements entail fire, earth, metal, water, and wood. Fire involves the colors red, pink, or purple; candles, fireplaces and lights; or pointed shapes. Earth is yellow, tan, or brown; flat or square shapes; or stone, ceramincs, or brick. Metal entails the colors white, gray, or metallic/reflective colors; metal objects; or round or oval shapes. Water involves the colors blue or black; wavy patterns; or crystal or glass. Wood is the color green; tall objects or vertical stripes; and live or silk plants.

Once the action plan was determined, Jenny and I looked through color decks to determine an approach for each room. Many people think of Feng Shui as decorating. While that happens, Feng Shui is risk management. Jenny and I depend on each other. She is creative and has saavy styling sense. My background is in risk management and Feng Shui so I act as a guide.

We continue to work through choices as the home reveals its needs (example, paint colors on the deck may not look the same in a room). The home’s personality (i.e., natural lighting) and members of our team also have an influence. That’s why I say Feng Shui is a journey, not a destination. We can’t wait for YOU to experience the final result!

May you be exceedingly, generously, and joyfully blessed,

Diana
Creative Environment Officer

This blog will be updated (with how we’re incorporating classic Feng Shui) so stay tuned. I hope you’ll visit us during the Parade!!