Furnishing is a pleasure: for the senses, of course, but also for the spirit. Carefully choosing furniture, colours and materials so that our house reflects our personality is certainly very satisfying and enjoyable.
And appreciating the final result of this long process is even more rewarding. But what if one day we wake up and fancy changing everything in our home and giving it a more personalised touch? We can easily follow a furnishing trend that comes from the Land of the Rising Sun and that is becoming increasingly popular in Europe and the USA. It is called Feng Shui and is strangely pronounced in the same way as it is written: the aim is to furnish while maintaining energy flows.
In what way? Of course, the question arises spontaneously. So, let’s take it in steps and find out more about this style, which appears to be both exotic and rather simple in practice. Yes because, ultimately, simplicity is the goal: it is the key to returning to our essence. As a revival of pure materials, colours and light. As the pleasure of inhabiting people-friendly environments.
This discipline originated in China about 4,000 years ago with the purpose of combining architecture and the art of furnishing with our mental and physical well-being. In Chinese tradition, Feng (wind) and Shui (water) represent health, happiness and prosperity. In order to achieve a high level of well-being, these elements must be perfectly balanced. Only in this way can positive energy flow and negative influences be removed. How do we do it? First of all, let’s start with order. Today, the term “decluttering” is in fashion, but it can be easily expressed in a much more pragmatic way: cleaning up. Clearing out anything we don’t need, the superfluous, all the bits and pieces that take up a lot of space and that are no longer of use to us. According to this philosophy, this is the yin: negative energy. Throw them out, give them away. In short, get rid of them. Once we have a clean slate, we will have a beautiful white canvas to fill with our yang, that is, positive energy.
Decorating your home according to the rules of Feng Shui means choosing to embrace a thought, an actual philosophy of life, rather than a fashion. Where spaces are meant to welcome and not just to be looked at. Our energy connects with the energy of the rooms, and this harmony generates well-being, in a simple way. Humans and their home are in perfect synergy, for a cheerful and totally comfy day-to-day domestic life.
Decorating according to Feng Shui is a declaration of intention: a “back to basics”, conscious approach to zen decorating. In order to achieve the goal of a golden aura of simplicity, there are many rules to follow, but, naturally, they are also simple. To make sure you get the point, these are some of the rules:
- Order: get rid of the superfluous. Unused objects prevent the flow of positive energies
- Furniture: layout is the key. Never put the bed in front of the door, if you want to be able to get to sleep.
- Colours. Only warm, bright hues (orange or red) in the living area: they encourage conviviality. In the bedroom, cold blue and green shades help you sleep.
- 4. Materials. Natural ones are better: wood, stone, metal. Plastic should be avoided if possible. As for the furniture, go for flowing shapes without sharp edges.
- 5. Windows. Allow for plenty of light, but never place more than three lamps on a single wall to avoid energy loss
Feng Shui touches the mind and heart, perfectly expressing the wisdom of the Oriental art of living and uncovering the relationship between humans and their habitat to enhance individual well-being. Everything flows together in harmony, so that nothing is predominant. Thus, decorating becomes a form of pampering.
The Editor