The Feng Shui of a New York City Apartment
New York City Apartments and Brownstones are very special places especially when applying Feng Shui Principles. Feng Shui in NYC Apartments can be a bit of a challenge but they are ALWAYS fun. New York Feng Shui Consultants Laura Cerrano and Carole Provenzale recently went back in time in an old, beautiful brownstone in New York City.
This beautiful NYC Apartment was located near Central Park and is just over 100 years old according to its owner. It rises to three levels and what we found most beautiful were the architectural details. Beautiful, vintage stained glass and the unique carvings of the staircase made this a beautiful place to Feng Shui in NY.
To enter you walked down several stairs and the first level had low ceilings. The kitchen, living room and office were located on this floor. Although it was quite large, one area was very cluttered....the home office. Heavy books, filing cabinets, the computer and furniture clogged the area from having a free movement of Energy.
As a New York Feng Shui Consultant in New York for many years, I do understand my clients' reluctance to part with their favorite books. We always hope we'll find time to re-read them when in fact we usually move on to learn something NEW. Too many books in Feng Shui can create a very heavy feeling in a room and "weigh" it down.
We ask our clients to keep the necessary (and loved) books and to let go of the rest. This is a good Feng Shui principle to follow for anyone going near their bookcase. We didn't think we were making much headway when we mentioned they were in the WEALTH area of their home from the use of the Bagua.
I love to see "lights" go off in Feng Shui Consultations. An ‘A Ha' moment that hits a client and they too can see their space through "Feng Shui Eyes." Laura Cerrano and I suggested other changes and moved on to the upstairs.
In sharp contrast, the upstairs rooms contained two very large bedrooms and a bathroom and while cluttered, they FELT wonderful. Very high ceilings gave the illusion of even more space and we discussed an optimal layout of the furniture to really open up the rooms and give them balance.
People don't like to struggle through a space....neither does Energy. We don't re-arrange furniture...we DO think about the Mindful placement of it and opening up new Channels to change any negative or blocked Energy in a space to a positive, OPEN feeling. Then we wait for the wonderful changes to occur.
Here are some of the details two Feng Shui Consultants found in this beautiful New York City Apartment:
A nice Find: A Bagua Table and some Inspirational Words in the NYC Apartment.
Large Windows, Beautiful Stained Glass and a lovely Altar in Manhattan NY.
Going up the Stairs in this Brownstone in New York City...vintage Stained Glass Window.
Exquisite wood carving and details in this NYC Apartment.
Feng Shui in a Manhattan Brownstones.
All photos by NYC Feng Shui Consultant Laura Cerrano.
*Carole Provenzale is a Certified Feng Shui Consultant and the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island & New York providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for all of Long Island including The Hamptons, Queens and NYC. http://www.FengShuiLI.com
**Laura Cerrano is a Certified New York Feng Shui Consultant and the Founder of Feng Shui Manhattan - New York - est. 2000. http://www.FengShuiManhattan.com
It's important to make the space work! And, I love the wood carving!
What a fun project... I am sure there are a lot of good bones in the old brown stones... Oh, if the walls could talk... a lot of history.... Looks like you had some interesting things to work with in this apartment.
Gorgeous character in this place Carole ! I love the carpentry in those stairway handrails !
Very nice, Carole. I was wondering about part of the window sill of the stained glass window? The holes? Are those for candles? Also the trim going up each side had peg holes and open spaces. I have never seen anything like that. Any thoughts?
Taylor, As you traveled further up the staircase the wood carvings became more intricate and beautiful. The rich history of these building are so fascinating!
Joan, That's one of our favorite things about being Feng Shui Consultants. Not only do you have the chance to help people enhance their lives, you also get to understand the history of the home or apartment they live in. It's as interesting as the people we meet :)
Sheldon, The artistry of its time still stands strong today, those handrails were magnificent! :)
Sharon, Actually I think that part of the window is collapsing...it was sinking in from what I could see. They are planning on fixing that. That could be a great idea in the future for stained glass artists :)
Looks like a lovely place -- definitely you are right about too many books -- we see so many homes where there are tons and the people have not opened them in years!
Carole, It does look like a lovely place with a lot of history. I'm guilty of too many books. I find them hard to part with. I don't have any in our downstairs living area. They are all in an upstairs game room/library. Well mainly all they are also in closets and a few book shelves in bedrooms.
Hi Carole! Thanks for giving us pictures rich in architectural designs, and a distinct understanding that we must get rid of our stacks of clutter!!!!! (smile)
Carole the architecture looks outstanding! I love the curb appeal of the building especially the combination of brick and the specialty windows.
I like that you mention that energy doesn't like to struggle in to or out of a place. While I have the UTMOST respect for Feng Shui and it's practioners and I BELIEVE that we need them - if people would sometimes take a common approach to things they might just get their eyes opened up. With that said - I COULDN'T do it - so I am glad that I have YOU for guidance! (Did I just come full circle in a few sentences? ;) You get my point)
Hi Carole! I love brownstones! The old architecture is just amazing! I've always believed in Feng Shui and feel it does amazing things. I love the stained glass as well.
Nice place! I wish you the very best of luck!
hi Carole and Laura!
What a beautiful place to do a consultation in! I love your photos, Laura.
It sounds like you helped them a great deal.....I didn't realize that books could block energy. What about having one room that is just for books, like a library? I hesitate to give any of mine up.
((-;
Jo
I love that stained glass. Is there any special Feng Shui attached to stained class because I find it has a calming and soothing effect.
Hope your Thanksgiving was filled with fun and food with family and friends.
Carolin, People hate to part with their books. I do understand it but they had a complete sent of Encylopedias. I asked them the last time they used them and they couldn't remember that far back :)
Marchel, Energy rises...and it also hangs over your head. I'm not going to say another word :)
Diane, I loved this place, it was like stepping back in time....
Bill, Since it was so old it needed some repairs but it honestly took my breath away....it was just gorgeous.
Leesa, You CAN do it...and maybe you just did. The funny thing about Feng Shui is that it does make sense when you know the reason behind the suggestions....
Jackie, We usually get called for more modern skyscrapers in New York City. I asked my client if I could use the photos I took and she was proud that I wanted to share them. I'm glad you enjoyed them.
Gabriela, Thank you...and the same for you too!
Jo, I know how you are with books. Hmmm, do you want to block a whole AREA? What if they're stored in your Wealth area or relationship? It would hold the Energy in the space down.....and make it heavy. Not what you're looking for---
Russel, We use it for some "cures" or to add Elements in Feng Shui. We often suggest suncatchers for their color to to offset energy that we don't want.
HI Carole, I found it interesting that you indicated that too many books can weigh a space down. Hmmm, can too many papers and files do the same thing? I think I need to put away some of my files, perhaps to get a better flow of energy going in my home office.
Hi Carole...The staircase and stained glass windows are fabulous, impossible for most of us to replicate. It's wonderful to see it still existing in homes.
Kate