I wanted to show some pictures of an absolutely beautiful home I consulted on the other day. The woman contacted me through a series of events: She had recently watched "The Secret" and saw a Feng Shui consultant on there and was very in tune with the principles of the entire show. That same week she went to her beauty salon and knew it was in a new location. She loved the look of the salon and heard that it had been used with Feng Shui principles. Unable to locate the owners to find out who had done it, she did a search and found my site with the pictures of the Salon...and made a decision then and there to call.
Her reason for calling was health issues and strange as it may sound, I get many calls for that. In this case I can show you, from a Feng Shui Perspective, what we consider issues that may cause health problems in a home. This is NOT to say they will, it is, however, what I find most often when clients call relating to health.
I also found some very good Feng Shui principles in this home and want to show them to you---in a story told in pictures.
Her view...This beautiful house was right on Long Island Sound in the town of St. James in a lovely place called Nissequogue--You can see straigh across the Long Island Sound to Conneticut. Of course there were beautiful windows all through the house to "Let the Outside In" an important Feng Shui Yin/Yang Principle.
I had mentioned in an earlier post that we don't like ceiling fans...they are known for sharp, cutting blades. In this particular home, in addition to an open Spiral Staircase in the Center of the home (another health concern as it is sometimes considered to be a hole in the center, which relates to Health), this fan "cuts" directly into a person that sits at a desk in it's path by the computer screen. This is called "Cutting Sha" or "Cutting Chi"
Another shot of the staircase. It's placement in the direct center of the home as well as it being open, LOOKS beautiful but is a cause for concern in Feng Shui. Since several members of the family were having health issues, we worked for a while on changes to make to leave the staircase in place but address the issues associated with it. *This does NOT mean that anyone with a spiral staircase will experience health issues, it is, however, what we were taught and I have seen it more often then not in homes where Health is a concern. Also something we make changes on is what I call Steps over steps....if your downstairs steps and your steps leading upstairs are under and over eachother....why we call it a hole in the home.
It was, unfortunately, impossible to show this whole room. Without getting specific, the children were experiencing some health issues as well. This was part of theplay room which included musical instruments, every color, sizes and shapes and everything needed to stimulate and teach young children. It had pure fire energy and I am sure they are going to be fine. So is my client.
A beautiful kitchen lacking the one element that is most lacking in a home. How many of you are reading and can you see what's missing?
Part of the overall view of this lovely house in Long Island.
I often hear back from clients and am going to be sure to keep in touch with her to see what changes she will be able to make and hear what's changing from time to time. She is also taking a spare room to create her own special Meditation room. We discussed placement of an altar, the possibility of one impact wall, a throw rug and lovely pillows and lights to accent the room and make it special and create the feeling she wishes it to have. I'll keep you posted....
This beautiful town is on the North Fork of Long Island, and I had not really been very familiar with it before last year. It is a lovely area and the beauty out East that we are missing in Central Long Island is apparent. There were some lovely things on the ride home but I'll leave that posting for another night. I wish to thank this lovely client for allowing me to show her beautiful home and show one more picture, an "Auspicious" finding for some Consultants and the second time I have seen it just this year....although the other was a room.
This Bagua is not a mirror, it was built into the house and is plain, see through glass. Since it is an Octagon, we consider this an aupicious sign. Recently, one of the Corporations I visited had a small room exactly in a "Bagua" shape. We were taught to look for signs and I took this as a very good one!
Interesting stuff Carole.
Thanks for sharing with us!
This is cool Carole. Please fill me on what is missing in the ktichen. I would say plants!! some other forms of life, right? please tell me! :))
Carol
For the kitchen I'd say organization and color are missing.
Great post Carole. What was missing in the kitchen? I would say a plant and some red.
Carole- very, very interesting perspective. Clearly, you are committed to the staging, but you also add another dimension with the Feng Shui- I'd love to see some before and afters!!
I loved your pictures to teach concept. the fan being level to the desk is going to be rare but how cool to know this. Are all ceiling fans out? I guess so if they are blades.
The kitchen wanted color but I don't know the answer. Is it a red beta fish swimming in a big vase with plants?
I got the hole idea about the stair over stairs. I thought they could re do the staris install a step down to a landing and around and create storage as well.
Thanks so much
Hi Carole!
Thanks for sharing this info with us. Keep posting !
Nalliah Thayabharan
Commercial and Residential Building Inspector
Expert Building Inspections Ltd
Wow... the kitchen is totally monotone other than the clutter on the counters. Dump the clutter and add some well placed accessories to this one.
Are there any issues with so much wood in this house?
What does the kitchen need? I have a couple of guesses.
1) I think a Box of Lucky Charms* on the island, two-thirds of the way over to the right. To the left of the box a brighter earthen bowl (complimenting the box). A simple spoon should be in the bowl with the exposed handle pointing toward the
words "Lucky Charms", which will draw the eye away from the emptiness of the bowl toward the cereal box, with it's energy and vitality (and previously-whole grains) obvious inside and out. The RED on the box and bowl introduce fire into the room.
(*At least that's what General Mills thinks is the missing element of every home...)
2) My other guess was a plant (life and earth) or a pond (aquatic life and water).
Did I win?
Carole - you have me so intrigued with this Feng Shui, now I will have to devote some time to study. Thank you again for your kind tolerance of my ignorance.
I don't see any earth in the kitchen so some potted plants, maybe with fresh herbs, would complete the 5 kitchen elements.
Wonderful post... and yes.. I think plants and color are missing from the kitchen, but do fill us all in... Can't wait for your answer.
Also, what exactly was done to minimze the effects of the staircase?
I'm with Art, and Lucky Charms! No, really, I'm studying Feng Shui myself, so let's test my knowledge--wood: check; Fire: nope, don't see any, although don't the cooking areas count? (at least the Lucky Charms box has some red!); earth: hard to say from just the pic--perhaps the counters; metal: plenty--sink, appliances, white, etc.; water: yep, guess sources of water would count, even if there weren't black.
I guess my answer would be that the kitchen is VERY wood/metal, but lacking in anything else.
What a wonderful response and some great questions.....let me see if I can answer them all. The principles of Feng Shui DO make sense so maybe it was good to actually show you as some commented they could see the hole in the house and recognize the energy of the fan. I work with Real Estate Agents very often and they don't know that consultants are getting calls to see a home before they'll put an offer on it---they also wonder about some of the questions they are asked. It's good for you to have a knowledge of Feng Shui whether you believe it or not because aside from the diversity of the market, more and more of your clients do and will; if you work with a consultant that will not frighten someone away from a home they love they can give them ways to help fix the problem. I have heard over and over again that sales have been ruined because of consultants and that's a shame---people's own Energy is the most powerful gift of what they wish to create.
I never advise people to move; although this client could have afforded it, most simply can't and then they live in fear. I went to one lovely woman's home who was told she would never be happy or successful while there and it was the worst thing I had ever seen. This wonderful person had given up on everything. So it's not practical to do that.
I am waiting to hear back from this client because she wasn't sure if her husband would agree to the suggestions but my primary concern of course is health. Just as Feng Shui advices NOT to have the furniture with your back to the door (it is called an "unprotected back") because it gives people a feeling of unease if someone can be coming up behind them. Ceiling fans are "cutting chi or sha" which means that they do cut your energy. In this case the sharp fan was also facing the person working at the desk. I asked her to remove it. There is another one in the upstairs room and it wasn't directly over anyone and did not cut into anything....and as long as it is not used often or for extended periods, that one is fine.
The staircase with the openings and being able to see from one floor to another not only creates a "hole," it leaves people feeling unprotected. It should have backs on it and may not look as pretty, but creates less of a hole. In addition there are several things.....adding a green rug at the bottom for "grounding." I suggested she add a green rug and then from underneath the staircase to add a tall, wide vase or something that fits that spot well---with a burst of color in it. Now the stairs are closed and the eye (and feelings) are deflected of the hole.
If it is a stairs over stairs (there has to be a name for that!), and one is in the basement, I will ask them to close it off and create storage space as someone suggested. Then you only have the upper part to deal with but it's not as not a hole anymore. Long staircases can create a "sweep" of energy that is not always felt but should be deflected as well...artwork on the walls and yes, crystals. Crystals are known to deflect, diffuse and keep energy moving and smaller ones, near a computer for clarity. I love them. I have also seen people's lives change after the Blessings before they've had a chance to do much of anything. They are non-denominational and I am always amazed by them.
The clients are not moving but if they were, I would have to wonder if the Agent would tell the prospective buyers to address the steps? Maybe you can tell me now that you know about it. I would tend to think many wouldn't. If I were working with a client or agent I would definitely help to address the home before new occupants moved in. Two things I am very careful with are incorrect placement of mirrors and staircases. Mirrors are easier but these take a bit of work and people are sometimes resistant to changing them. But she saw the concept and understood the principles and I believe she will do everything she can to convince her husband to make some changes. These stairs are directly across from the front door which is why I did not want to close them up completely.
The kitchen actually looks in the picture more "sterile" then it is....and yes,although from the outside you could see the plants it had no life force inside so plants were recommended. And for anyone who said color, or more particular RED (Art, that would be you and I love your comments!), it's absolutely right. It had no FIRE element, simple and inexpensive to create.
I am not always able to post pictures of homes. Certainly most of the Corporations I do don't want it posted and so oftentimes I can't show pictures. This lovely person was kind enough to let me share but I respect a privacy policy....and understand it. I also primarily redesign but don't rent furniture, I work with agents and homeowners in preparation for a sale but from another perspective; for vacants I refer to my friend and colleague Val. We look at vacants as lacking ANY energy....and they sit on the market much longer then other homes. I work with what a client has to unblock and change the flow of energy as well as looking at things from a different perspective.
There is, at times still almost a stigma attached to Feng Shui. If Stagers think they have it difficult getting out there, ten years ago this was impossible. But every year it the interest has increased and I don't see it stopping. Particularly when so many people have seen and are in sync with "The Secret" which runs on Feng Shui principles. I really do think Agents should learn something about it and their clients won't be sneaking us in :) And you'll be able to answer some questions for them....it's a good edge to have. And I work with very mindful, spirtual clients. When they are kind enough to let me post their pictures to 33,000 people I have to give them a LOT of credit!
And I hope I answered everything. If you want more Feng Shui I noticed a lot of people were missing my posts and I was trying to follow a sequence....so subscribe. I did do a beautiful Manhattan Apartment that they were also kind enough to let me take pictures and I will be posting that. And thank you to the Activerain person who featured me!
i missed the color thingy, but i was right on about the life force!!!
now i gotta go water the plants. may the force be with you!! ;)
Loved your reply Carole. :)
Fascinating, Carole. Thank you for sharing this insightful post. Feng Shui is something that I am still learning about and enjoy immensely. The comments raised by your post are also insightful and full of information. Congrats on the feature - look forward to hearing more from you.
Jeff
What a beautiful post, Carole ! I loved reading it this morning and it gave me just the energy lift I was looking for as I prepare to start my busy day.
You're amazing ! I am definitely going to follow all of your posts closely, so much to learn and you express it so very well.
The first thing I thought of in the kitchen was the lack of plants. I don't know much about Feng Shui, however I do want to learn and if I had time right now I might even take some courses, so I didn't know about the Fire element 'red'. Interesting.
Beautiful home and a thank you to your client for allowing you to share it with us , from me .
Hope you have a wonderful day !
Jo
Thank you again for the comments. I wanted you to know I received an email from this lovely person. She had already gone shopping after I left that day to get some plants, add fire elements to the kitchen and was looking for a green rug and something to put under the staircase. Her husband will not allow her to cover the steps and she is going to use something temporarily....that will look nice but help address the issue such as double sided fabric. She IS having the ceiling fan taken down. With the energy and passion she's putting into this I am looking forward to hearing her results!
Sharon,I think more people then ever before know about Feng Shui...I'd mention it to them. The biggest obstacle is if people believe it's a religion which of course it isn't. I'm glad to hear you incorporate it.
Mott, Thank you--I will advise her about the ottoman :) Nick, may the force be with you as well! I actually LOVE Yoda! My kids buy him for me. Such a spiritual, wise little guy! Christy, one class will get you hooked. Because the principles make SO much sense. And it's always wonderful to have a different perspective. Jeff,Thank you...I will write until you're all sick of hearing about it :) Jo-Anne, I LOVE your posts...For any of you that don't know about her group, it's called INSPIRATION--and she is! For those of you that don't know, I am going to Feng Shui Sheron'shouse---I'm not sure if I feel sorry for her or should be feeling sorry for myself! Only kidding, Sheron, I actually look forward to it! Talk about challenges :)
Hey Carole
I have a fan over my head in my office, what does that mean? Also the kitchen lacks color and greenery. Very sterile and unviting. I would love to hear a follow up to this consult.
Phyllis Pafumi
Carole... I am late to the party.... but before you said plants and red for the kitchen, I would have had said the same. I do love the open style of the kitchen ...but as noticed, way too much white.
Overall, I have been following a few of your posts and starting to understand the meaning behind Feng Shui. Thanks for sharing this.
What an amazing post and I love how in-depth you went on each room discussing the various Feng Shui aspects. The information regarding how ceiling fans cut chi is so interesting. I really enjoyed learning more about Feng Shui from you. I wish you lived closer, I coult then go to all your seminars. Kate
Hello Carole,
What an interesting post! I really enjoyed it! I have to agree with Kate.....I wish I lived closer to NYC so that I could attend your seminars also! Congratulations on the featured post.
Rita
Kate and Rita, How nice that you took time to come back and read such an old post! I did enjoy doing this home because I could see why there were health issues and was allowed to share the photos to help others. It wasn't an easy "fix" but they did do the work and they did improve.