Combining Feng Shui & Aesthetics

The task of integrating feng shui principles and aesthetics may become arduous if you do not balance both with a sense of creativity and passion. Under the guidelines of feng shui charts and directions, we understand that certain areas within the home adopt favourable characteristics based on its “flying stars”, while the unfavourable sectors need “curing”. So when we identify an area that is deemed lucky, we should try to design the architecture around such stars to fully maximize the potential of that space. For example, you don’t locate your store or under-utilized rooms in areas where the flying stars are deemed auspicious; neither do you place main living areas in locations where unlucky star combinations exist.

While most charts only show a few favourable sectors for each house, it makes sense to really maximize the spaces you have which benefit from these lucky star combinations. One of the secrets is to understand the concept of the open space plan. To develop an open space plan, it isn’t just about using a single space for everything under the roof, but more to create a flow of energy within a single space that allows for individualized areas within that space.

They say a picture can paint a thousand words. In this example this issue, the key aspect of the space is its location. With the house in question facing East, it allows the auspicious flying star combinations of the double 8 and 1,6,8 stars to be located in the East and center of the house respectively. As a result, an open space plan was adopted to maximize the stars’ full potential. With the dining room located in the East to enjoy the energy of the double 8, it was crucial to create a vibrant feel to the space. Large portal doorways were used to create openings to allow the energy to flow throughout the house and on to adjacent sectors so each part of the home can enjoy the auspicious energies of the center grids. The use of high ceilings allows the sensation of space with the help of the large portals to maintain the right balance of proportion and scale.

Overlooking the dining table looms a unique chandelier that describes a modern yet simple touch that pulls everything together. The secret is not to clutter up the space by trying to overdo things, but to bring simple touches that allow the visual eye to be captivated. This single chandelier element plays a vital role as it not only centers the alignment of the room but creates that very important human scale to the dining room in this open plan concept. By doing so, it allows the space to shine yet allowing the family to enjoy the intimate act of dining.

OPEN PLAN LIVING
Adjacent to the dining is the main living area which enjoys the 1,6,8 star combination, otherwise known as the collection of all the white stars. Similar design techniques were adopted to enhance the feng shui of the space. The use of portals provides a visual connection that allows the energies within the center to resonate to the other parts of the home, thereby maximizing the full potential of the 1,6,8 star combinations.

Similar design techniques were integrated into the interior décor. The use of enlarged paintings brings a sense of proportion to the space while the single fan identifies the main living area as the heart within the open plan concept.

INTEGRATING THE 5 ELEMENTS INTO THE HOME DECOR
Another key feature is how to use the 5 elements within the space. Introducing the 5 elements (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water and Wood) into a space doesn’t mean it can work; but introducing them in subtle elements enhances the space beyond wonder. In this case, the use of the Fire element is introduced through selected table lamps whose stands are designed in modernistic illustration of the triangular fire symbol. The element of Earth is placed at selected areas to give a touch of texture, for example in the back area and overlooking the swimming pool feature wall.

The Metal element can become overwhelming if overused due to its hard nature, so in this case, tiny hints of metal are introduced through interior finishes, such as equipment in the kitchen, the use of gold effect fabrics for the sofas and an overall play of white and grays in colours to suggest the element metal.

With the living room overlooking the swimming pool, a large body of water helps to complete this vital element for wealth generation. By designing a single sheet of water to act as a waterfall, it symbolizes an interrupted flow of wealth flowing towards the home. This represents the Water element.

And to pull everything together, the warm element of Wood is used as the main base flooring material. Wood plays such a vital role in the space as it is one of the only elements that can give a warm feel to a house, and soft enough that it doesn’t dominate the space and its unique elements within.

DETAILS BRING LIFE INTO THE HOME
It is the details that bring out the life in any home. Through these simple touches, you can create a story that interprets your taste and lifestyle. The painting overlooking the dining room exhibits two birds that symbolize love and romance, while balance with the two bowls tell the story of yin and yang. The empty bowl reminds us of emptiness and the past, while the plant annex to it reminds use of growth and the future.

At the heart of the home, the depiction of 9 carved Chinese pieces enhances the power of the 9 which is symbolic of the annual 9 star at the center grid this year. This plays a vital backdrop to a wooden sculpture that gives a subtle hint of the 3 mountains that symbolizes power. The large Wu Lou stands as a feature piece adding a touch of class and sophistication yet reminding us of the symbol of health and vitality. The final art piece is that of a horse, which sits in the South as a symbol of fame and opportunity.

The balance and design of spaces is a delicate aspect to the overall feel of the home. It encompasses the passion and sensitivity you bring to the table and displays your true aesthetic nature within you. So while feng shui plays an important role in determining the location of space, it is the design and details within such spaces that compliments it and brings life into the home.

Dining Aupiciously

The kua number of auspicious directions can be applied in the dinning room to benefit all members of the family. Use a compass to check the direction that each place setting will be facing and then allocate that place to one member of the family.

There is greater flexibility of directions if you use an eight-sided Pa Kua table, but you can use any kind of dining table and round tables are said to be very auspicious. Square and rectangular tables are also acceptable from a feng shui viewpoint. But make sure that no one sits at the corners. Never eat with the corner pointed directly at your stomach as this is very inauspicious.

The Basic Rules of Dining Right
Choose your nien yen (love) direction as your dining direction. You do not need to use your wealth direction. When all the family are facing their wealth direction, the amount of aggressive yang energy generated can sometimes cause heated argument to arise over the dinner table. You should also not eat facing one of your four bad directions, especially your total loss direction. Doing so brings enormous bad luck indeed.

Tips for the Dining Room

Try not to have a toilet opening off or sharing any wall of the dining room. If there is a toilet, keep the door closed all the time. The foul energy coming out from there is harmful. Have a wall mirror to reflect the food on the table as this doubles your good fortune. Do not eat directly under a toilet on the upper floor above your table. This is really bad luck! Do not eat in the basement or lowest part of your home. Have the dining room deeper into your home. If you eat too near the front door, your wealth tends to seep out. Make sure there is brightness and a good colour scheme in the room. Place the Fuk Luk Sau in the dining room. These Three Star Deities encompass all the aspirations of mankind and attract a great deal of good fortune.

Designing a Feng Shui Dining Room

Place the dining area at, or very near to, the center of the house, as this represents the heart of the home. The more spacious the dining room, the better the luck of the family will be. There should ideally be one solid wall in this room which should be behind where either the father or mother sits. Dining rooms that are part of the living area are excellent. Try and locate the dining room in an area of the home that has good Flying Star numbers. Kitchens placed next to the dining area should be level with or below the level of dining room. Never have the dining room in a "sunken" part of the home. Try not to have protruding corners or exposed overhead beams in the dining area. Being hit by poison arrives as you eat is the surest way of contracting serious illnesses.

The Effect of Poison Arrows in the Dining Room
The effects of poison arrows from different directions are as follows:

Southwest will cause womb and stomach problems such indigestion and miscarriage.
North affects your kidneys and ears.
East results in illness associated with the lungs and feet.
Northwest gives you headaches and severe migraine.
West causes lung problems and danger to the head.
Northeast causes back problems and vulnerability to accidents affecting the hands and fingers.
Southeast causes illness associated with the thighs, the buttocks and also cause you to be easily susceptible to the flu and colds.
South causes heart and eye problems.

Correcting Negative Chi in the Dining Room

Place a potted plant in front of the sharp edges of any protruding corner or column.
Move the dining table out from under exposed overhead beams.
Overcome the heavy energy from exposed overhead beams by placing a pair of bamboo flutes in the shape of an “A” over the edge of the beam.
Place curtains or blinds at windows to disguise ugly views.
Protect the dining area from excessive glare from the sun using curtains or blinds.
Check the Flying Star natal chart numbers of the dining area and use element therapy to overcome the effect of bad number combinations in the chart.

(wofs.com)

Using Open Space Planning in Office Feng Shui

One of the secrets to an effective office layout is to understand the mechanics of the work flow and how to connect each space to one another without creating obstacles or barriers. But to do so with feng shui principles, we have to look at a new set of guidelines which plays around the formulae of flying star feng shui and the artistry of architectural design. Every space and flying star chart has its own unique characteristics – both good and bad. The secret is to identify what is good and maximize its potential while controlling what is bad through the use of symbols and elements.
In order to conceptualize a concept plan, the initial step is to plot the flying star chart and to identify the key auspicious areas within the premise. In this scenario, you find that the 3 main areas to fully capitalize are the West, South and center grids with the double 8 mountain and water star and the 1,6 star combinations respectively.

With the double 8 stars representing an area that idealizes good relationship and wealth luck the man reception area is located here. In the South, the 1,6 stars represent ideal conditions for commercial luck and thus the ideal location for key personnel to reside. The most important area is the center grid with the 6,1,8 star combination otherwise known as the heart of the office, which should be as open as possible to allow the potent energies that gather there to seep to all other corners.

While the rest of the office may adopt flying star combinations that are not deemed to auspicious, the selection of materials, symbols and elemental cures play a crucial role in controlling the attributes of such sectors. For example, in areas with the 2,5 star combinations, the use of metallic based furniture is introduced either through its physical element or the color grey and white. In the Northeast corner with the 9,7 star, the use of a red-based carpet finish may be used to control the #7 violent star while helping to enhance the Earth sector - the Northeast - for education luck.

Creating Relationships
With the center being the most auspicious area within the office plan, the concept was to link all spaces to this central hub through visual lines of sight. In doing so, the center acts as a collection well that connects the adjacent spaces together in a single space, yet allows enough separation space that lets each space reside within its own function.

In the illustrations, you can see how the central core becomes the collection well between the entry foyer above, the private rooms to the left, the meeting areas at the bottom and the general office at the right. While each space serves its own function, they are all interconnected to one another through this vital transition space.

Breaking Barriers
Once we have formulated the axis of spatial relationships within the office, we now look at how to segregate
such spaces such that you allow each space to exist within itself yet be connected to the rest of the office. By creating a visual expanse of space across the office, it allows the chi that enters the space to be settled and calm, leading to a happier working environment.

In order to create invisible partitions between spaces, a combination of material palettes is used here. For the main office zone, a mid-height partition helps conceal the congested view of tables and work materials, but also serves as a visual barrier to designate a more private area beyond. The key is to create a barrier that reminds our subconscious that the area beyond is restricted, but not so that it becomes too intimidating.

For the meeting area, the use of frosted glass bands is incorporated into the partition wall design to allow a visual interaction between inside and out, but also to blur the total visual image such as to maintain a semi-private view of the room.

The final aspect is to highlight the center of the office. Remember, space is a 3-dimensional art form. For this scenario, the center area is highlighted through the change of material to enforce the importance of the central grid. Similarly, the ceiling is recessed slightly to emphasize the vertical aspect of the space. As the overall space is more horizontal, any change in ceiling height automatically helps to highlight that space as a vital area.

Once we have understood the key aspects of integrating feng shui principles into design, we can start to visualize how the use of an open space plan concept can lead to a more vibrant and effective working environment.
(wofs.com)