Feng Shui in Manhattan
I have been doing Feng Shui Consultations for so long now, it's rare for me to get "stuck" on what needs to be done. I can usually spot what's wrong almost immediately, I have no problems choosing paint colors (along with my client's tastes) and I redesign some spaces that look beautiful when they're done.
I had an appointment last week to help choose color choices and Feng Shui for a New York City Apartment.....Nothing unusual about that. As with all clients, I sat down first to speak to my client to see what she was hoping to achieve from the consultation. She had been feeling a bit "stuck" recently and had some recent health issues.
Her lovely expansive apartment faces The New York Stock Exchange. In downtown Manhattan all around Wall Street since 9/11 the streets have been closed to any vehicles. Her building and her views were directly facing that and I thought of the enormous amount of energy there---something we could address easily.
Since we were already sitting in the beautiful and very large living room/dining area I thought we would start there in choosing colors. It was all white and while I could see some of the elements missing, I didn't know if I thought painting such a big space would look good. We discussed different options: Different shades of the same color, an accent wall....possible rearrangement of the furniture but I was stuck---the room, I felt, would become much more "lively" with just adding the elements. Her placement of the furniture was lovely. Note to myself: NEVER start off anywhere except the front door!
So we did, we went to the front door and I could see some of the energy drain....directly opposite the Mouth of Chi was the bathroom, usually kept open. While opening the front door to see what was in the hallway, a HUGE mirror was facing her door---it was the architects' "imprint" that he puts in all his buildings. If you want to know how I feel about mirrors read here: Mirror, Mirror----WAIT! Don't Hang Me Yet!! by Feng Shui Long Island
On the right was her bedroom and that room DID need to be rearranged. There was no balance and she didn't have a "commanding" position of the bed placement. We easily chose some color choices for that room and moved on to what would either be a 2nd bedroom or an office. She had made the room into an office and it was located in the center of the apartment-the Health area. This is the room, that as my client later said to me, "spoke" to me. It was here I could see the issues and the stuck feeling. It had a heavy feeling which will, from a Feng Shui Perspective, "weigh you down in life." It felt dark as it was surrounded on three sides. Here's exactly where she could use the colors she had wanted to incorporate: Green and purple. Green would give her a "grounded" feeling and purple represents wealth. We needed to add plants and remove some of the books---I know everyone loves their books and I do as well but they ARE a heavy element.
Some could easily be put in a closet (for a Manhattan apartment there was so much closet space!). We moved on to the kitchen and chose some colors for there and ended back up to the expansive living room. Now I wasn't stuck....we had added colors all through the rest of the apartment, the furniture placement was fine and we just needed elements to give the room a warm feeling.
I am showing you the architects "imprint" and the lobby....and I was as far away from the New York Stock Exchange as I could get---I couldn't back up any further! Feng Shui in Manhattan is always a lesson for me----and for my clients. The diversity of New York City apartments and how they relate to Feng Shui are always different and unique.
I did not show the pictures of this lovely apartment to protect the innocent :)
**Carole Provenzale has been a Certified Feng Shui Consultant since 1997 and is the Founder of Feng Shui Long Island providing on site Feng Shui Consultations for New York City (Manhattan) and all of Long Island for Homes, Apartments, Businesses, Corporations, Renovations and New Construction. Carole also provides Lectures and Workshops on Feng Shui Principles.
I am amazed how talented you are. You took on a challenging situation and had some great ideas on what to do next. It must be difficult right in New York City.
Carole
You are a real talent. That is one big chandelier.
Sincerely
Tom Braatz
Ah - What an exciting place New York is - and what a BIG Mirror and Chandelier - I remember your post on mirrors !
Your Art (career) has become second nature - you have a trained eye to pick up so quickly on what needs to be done! A sign of a seasoned professional!
Ironic that Purple represents GOD to me :) (and wealth in Feng Shui) - Green and Purple are my youngest Kelly's Favorite Colors - I'll have to tell her - she's coming home for the Holiday :)
Have an awesome weekend Carole!!!
Sincerely,
Grace
You sure know your stuff Carole and anyone who reads your posts surely can see the talent, the experience and your personality.
That Chandelier is OVERWHELMING !!! Then Im thinking purple? I would love to see it! I have to read your post on mirrors at the entryway. very interesting Carole! Thanks
Hi Carole,
This client was so fortunate to come across you online or however she found you.....I can see her life changing greatly now thanks to you and the recommendations you've given her. You're amazing!
Jo
Being that close to the action at the NYSE would definitely require a very tranquil home space in order for me to be able to relax. How could one relax with a huge mirror like that frightening you every time you walk through the front door, YIKES! I love both purple and green, but blue is my favorite!
Carole, your words speak volumes of what an expert you are in Feng Shui. Elements described as heavy are amazing to me. I hope you were able to help out. That location is amazingly close to where so much of the world's stock is traded. Huge mirrors bother me too.
Hi Carole,
You are a true professional with a gift and speaking of gifts, that is just what you are to your clients.:0)
Carole--I always learn so much about Feng Shui from you and your posts....You are amazing!
Joan, It can be a challange in all the different spaces on how to employ Feng Shui...I should have thought, though, to start at the beginning like I always do!
Tom, It certainly was, the complex was just beautiful as was my client's apartment.
Grace, I love what purple represents to you. Those colors that she wanted were perfect for that space, green for grounding and health and it's used as an office so purple for abundance! Have a wonderful weekend.
Sally, It is not like me to get stuck....but I didn't do what I always do. I sort of came alive in the office space and then could get the whole picture.
Fernando, The colors looked beautiful together...they didn't sound that way until she showed me a picture of what she was thinking of. The walls were going to be green and the accents in a deep purple, it will be just beautiful.
Jo, I hope I didn't overwhelm her with all the color choices and placements.....I'm going to check up on her next week. When I got to the office I started talking a mile a minute so I want to make sure she got it all.
Rich, Even on a weekend there were so many tourists but it's incredible she said, during the week...she is out at work most days but we definitely incorporated some things to push that energy away!
Gary, Heavy furniture or items can really make you feel tied down--or stuck. When you llighten up a place you feel so much better which is why our number one rule is remove the clutter :)
Cynthia, I hope so, I want the best results for them and I believe they know it. Tomorrow I am going back to a client's home that I did while she was looking for another space (and found one, not long after our consultation!).
Teri, I'm glad, I know it will come in useful one day. I'm surprised it's still taking some parts of the Country so long--especially since the Secret came out and we follow many of the same principles.
Carole~ Manhattan can be challenging in so many ways! Glad you figured out the problem for the client.
Carole...your job looks funner than mine!
Lisa, I was too, I was getting a little worried for a while on this one!
Joan, I would think that it is...it is always different, oftentimes a challange and I meet the BEST people---Kind of what you have as well :)
Carole, I'm glad I took the time to read this post, but more so to check out your web site. Not knowing what Feng Shui was, and after seeing this in Active Rain my curiosity got the best of me. Now I know, and glad I do. Neat service you provide.