A Manhattan Feng Shui Consultant's Advice.....
Although I practice Feng Shui in New York City and Long Island, I get questions from all over the United States. I do many Feng Shui Consultations at a distance and have heard that some Feng Shui Consultants do not answer questions due to a shortage of time.
I love to hear the interest in Feng Shui. I also receive questions from believers and skeptics alike.
A recent question about purchasing a new home from a buyer made me pause. Her question was whether I believed she and her husband should purchase this home-from a Feng Shui Perspective. Can you see what made her hesitate?
Here's a link to the home she'd like to buy:
http://www.heartlandmlsweb.com/Reports.asp?CMAID=9564180&T=17:09&Tmp=mp
I am not sure what other Feng Shui Consultants would advise but I have seen, firsthand, that when a client LOVES a home or a business their own personal energy can overcome any Feng Shui "issues."
In this case they didn't want to cut down the tree although they could see it obstructs the front door. In case you aren't familiar with Feng Shui, the front door represents "The Mouth of Chi" -- where all the good energy enters. Although many people still refuse to give up their convenient garage-door entrances, most Feng Shui Consultants would agree you are not allowing the new energy to enter.
I would NOT deter someone from buying a home or business if they truly LOVE it-and they DO love this house. Here are my suggestions to her to enhance The Mouth of Chi:
*Light up the pathway to the front door. I love using Solar Lights to do this and they are relatively inexpensive.
*Use a Wind Chime at the entrance. It attracts Energy.
*USE THE FRONT DOOR. Allow the new energy IN.
*Create a balance to offset the tree. A pair of Plants on each side can accomplish this easily.
*Add a Bagua (Octagon) mirror above the front door. I actually prefer the plain ones with no borders and they can be found very inexpensively online. They are often used for Jewlery Display and that's a search term to use to find them.
*Make sure the front door has lights (most already do).
An optional but not necessary adjustment would to paint the front door. RED attracts CHI (energy) while BLACK is the color of CAREER.
I'd love to hear Home stagers, Realtors or other Feng Shui Consultant's advice. Perhaps I've missed something or perhaps you don't happen to believe they should purchase this home. There are so many perspectives of Feng Shui-and I love hearing them ALL. So would this person, I'm sure.........
Manhattan Feng Shui Consultants Carole Provenzale and Laura Cerrano, Feng Shui Long Island & New York
There are many 'cures' that can used it is hard to say what is a 'bad' purchase. I think if they have a good feeling when they walk in the door it is the right one for them.
I believe that ANY obstacle can be overcome...personally, in business...or when it comes to finding the 'perfect' home. In my career, I've assisted over 500 clients to find their 'perfect' home. What I've learned is that 'perfect' is something different to everyone. IF my client has THAT reaction to a home...despite its obstacles...I try to help them find a way to make it work for them. I LOVE your suggestions! GBU, my dear friend~
Interesting, did not know about the tree in front issue. Oddly enough, when we purchased our current home a little over a year ago, there were 3 trees hiding the front door. We cut them all down and replaced the front door with one that has glass in it, for light. We installed a new light on the porch. Before, I felt claustrophobic when I came up the front walk, it was all too tight! Sounds like natural instincts rose to the occasion!
Carole, there is so much to learn with Feng Shui and I am glad you reiterate the basics, so I am reminded of all the fundamentals all the time.
I love the ideas for the front door! It just dawned on me after reading this that we almost always use the garage to come in and out of the homes instead of the front door. I may have to rethink that! We do have a windchime though - I love to hear it!
Carole ~ The link wouldn't work for me (it goes there but comes up with an error message). We had new neighbors move in two houses down and there was a very large evergreen in front of the house that really blocked the view of it from the street. Last week they had the tree cut down. It looks so much better! Before, it looked like it "blocked" people from entering, and could be why I never knew the prior neighbors the whole time I've lived here.
Carole- The link didn't work for me, but I agree that if a buyer loves the property, their energy can overcome any obstacle.
Carole - this is an interesting case.
IMO the house is cold and uninviting. It wouldn't interest me if I were a buyer, but I have rather odd taste sometimes. But when I separate my feelings out of it ... if the buyer is absolutely in love with it and feels at home while they are in it, then by all means, it's the house for them. Kind of like one of those "Aha!" moments.
I don't, for the life of me, understand why people will plant a darned tree right in front of the door. I have never understood that, Feng Shui principles aside.
BUT - if I were going to make suggestions to them ... add some brightly colored annuals in the flower beds, perhaps add a couple of large concrete/clay pots full of brightly colored flowers along the front walkway to add some texture and color, paint the door red (if the HOA allows that), in short ... they need to make it their own.
In retrospect ... maybe it's just that the house lacks curb appeal. It appears flat and without personality.
And I'm big on personality! ;)
The tree immediately stood out for me, as appearing out of place first of all, then of course as a blockage. It is lovely so I can see why they'd want to keep it. Great suggestions for correction.
I wish we could hang chimes in our complex but not allowed. That's okay...our entrance is lighted and inviting :)
Thanks again Carole...for all your thoughtful insight.
I see that the link is NOT working--and don't know why. I'm sorry. It shows a VERY big tree directly in front of the front door.
Melody, I agree with you, if they love the house they should buy it. We can enhance the entrance with other methods.
Elizabeth,I too believe any obstacle can be overcome if they love it. I've seen what some would consider the worst Feng Shui and the occupants are thriving. I believe so much in personal energy and what it can overcome.
Cheryl, It's got a name: "Intuitive Feng Shui" and I see clients that have it and didn't even know it :)
Gary, I always go back to the basics but wish I could have showed the home :(
Leesa, Definitely rethink using the front door. I know garage doors are easier but you're blocking some wonderful energy from entering.
Kathy, I know I speak of the front door often but it's an important principle. We want to increase things in our lives but some people don't try the simple things first.
Kim, It can and I'm sorry the link didn't work. Darn, it was interesting to see the size of this tree.
Carol, I'm glad you could see it. I didn't suggest flowers because it looks like it's winter although in the summer they would be lovely. I liked the house---and I think sometimes when people plant they just don't "think ahead." That tree is huge!
Deborah, It's lovely but huge....can you imagine when it's not bare? But I have clients with trees who love them and we have to work around them. Some people want to cut them down but others don't.
Sally, I didn't think of that...windchimes not being allowed. I'd suggest bells on the front door in that case (and usually suggest them anyway :) It's a Black Sect method and many people love it.
Carole - the link did not originally work for me, so I cut/pasted it into my browser and it opened fine. Maybe a quick edit to the post with instructions to do just that would help. :)
Carole: As always, you have some very interesting challenges and I'm always fascinated at the solutions offered. I now need to re-think my front door.
Crole Someday when I am rich enough I will have you consult on my house. You really love what you do.
It looks like a cute home, and the price is sure good from my perspective. How about putting a string or two of fairy lights in the tree? At holiday times it would be festive, and at other times it would help provide light. I hope they decide to buy it and start enjoying it.
Carole,
I have never had the need to discuss the practice, yet I enjoy reading about it and especially your posts.
Carol, Thank you, I hadn't thought of them cutting and pasting but wonder if they have the time. It's so difficult to get through so many posts a day--
Donna, I can see why they don't want to cut it down but there are ways to work around it....they loved the home and it is lovely.
Gayle, Thank you for the compliment. You're so right, I really love what I do--and meet the best people I could ever ask to meet.
Georgina, I thought it was a lovely home as well--at a terrific price. I love your idea of lighting up the tree--It would look nice all year round.
Dan, Depending on where you are located, I have no doubt sooner or later it will come up--more and more buyers are looking for it. Thank you for reading and commenting.
Carole - I always wondered why some people have red doors...interesting.
Those tips were very interesting. I like red doors and a black door can be a nice touch too. We work with a lot of customers from different countries and they all have different preferences and attitudes towards layouts and certain features. Learning about all of the small difference makers is so important to find out how each person looks at properties differently.
Awesome suggestions Carole - we too feel obstacles can be overcome with creativity - I've always been attracted to homes with red doors in photos/listings - they just stand out and look inviting!
thanks for shairng
Sincerley,
Grace
I've found that I'm simply happiest when I'm surrounded by Mother and Father Nature's plants and animals with some Beatles playing on the CD player. That's my feng shui.
HI Carole! I just found this tonight. I love the good advise and excellent information you gave your clients. Not only is the red door a great feng shui color-it will look fabulous with the brick on the exterior on the home!! Placing two matching potted plants at the front door is another perfect solution. Happy New Year to you and your family!!