| Whenever you walk into an unfamiliar home for the | | | | How are these elements of design incorporated into |
| first time, how do you react? Is there something | | | | interior decorating? The arrangements of these five |
| about the way the furniture and accessories are | | | | elements can affect human emotions and reactions, |
| arranged that makes you feel immediately | | | | and amount to a great deal more than simply |
| comfortable, as though everything within the room | | | | showing good taste. A beautiful room filled with |
| exudes a positive energy, a sense of belonging and | | | | expensive heirloom furniture can feel intimidating and |
| peace? Or does entering the room seem jarring, not | | | | cold if not correctly displayed. To illustrate how this |
| quite right in some way? Some rooms seem to | | | | works Feng Shui decorators create a diagram called a |
| amplify negative emotions. Long ago the Chinese | | | | Bagua Map. This is an actual drawing which can point |
| realized that a room or living space is not separate | | | | out the elements that should exist in any particular |
| from the flow of the natural world, and developed a | | | | room. It is drawn in the shape of a square, and |
| system of living and decorating with Feng Shui. | | | | divided into the nine areas of living. |
| This artistic philosophy is used to create more | | | | Each area of a home corresponds to one of the nine |
| harmonious interiors. Even before modern physics | | | | aspects of life. They include health and family, wealth, |
| existed, the Chinese recognized that all things, both | | | | career, wisdom and knowledge, love and marriage, |
| living and inanimate, are constantly in motion. While | | | | reputation and fame, creativity and children, helpful |
| this idea seems a little hard to swallow for some | | | | people, and the Chi, or center. Each area has a |
| people, the truth is that all objects are composed of | | | | particular color assigned to it, and using the right |
| atoms and molecules which are in constant, | | | | colors can positively affect the flow of energy. |
| never-ending activity. The energy produced by this | | | | Wealth, for example, can be associated with purple, |
| motion affects all of us both emotionally and | | | | red and blue. The color red symbolizes warmth, |
| behaviorally. Every working and living space has some | | | | attraction and strength, and should be used sparingly |
| kind of energy flow, and this flow can be directed | | | | so it doesn't overpower a room. Blues and greens |
| positively or negatively. | | | | denote health and family. The career center should |
| Random, cluttered interiors affect our human | | | | incorporate blue, brown or black objects. Each part |
| emotions negatively. Some rooms inspire a sense of | | | | of the Bagua map has its own colors, and once you |
| confusion or unease because there is no balance in | | | | create a such a map, the Chi or overall flow of |
| the elements. This Eastern philosophy tries to correct | | | | energy can be enhanced by the use of the |
| imbalances, and create an understanding of why | | | | appropriate colors in the right areas. |
| certain arrangements are so jarring. The practice of | | | | These concepts may seem a little nebulous for |
| Feng Shui deals with five separate elements, including | | | | people more used to the traditional rules of interior |
| metal, fire, water, earth and wood. These elements | | | | design, seeming to be a branch of the new-age |
| each have a vital role in the Chi, or flow of life | | | | movement. The truth is that these principles have |
| energy. | | | | been widely used in modern building design, and not |
| A particular property is assigned to each element. For | | | | just in Asia. It is true that there is no concrete way |
| example, water tinkling gently in a fountain can | | | | to actually measure the benefits, but positive |
| encourage opportunities and communication. | | | | feedback proves that these principles can make a big |
| Conversely, a running toilet may utilize the same | | | | difference, and many modern designers and |
| element, but is often associated with poverty or | | | | architects incorporate them into their work. Anyone, |
| waste. Fire can denote high energy and passion, and | | | | however, can utilize this method and reap the |
| metal conducts energy. Creativity and motivation are | | | | benefits of decorating with Feng Shui. If you are |
| inspired by wood. Taken alone each element is | | | | uncomfortable with your surroundings, this mode of |
| important, but in combination add up to an overall | | | | interior design may prove to be the best solution. |
| positive or negative feeling when they interact. | | | | |