HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-10-15, Page 22PAGE 22. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2009.
Many people believe feng shui is
simply another design style.
Actually, it’s more complicated than
that. Feng shui is actually an ancient
Chinese art and science developed
more than 3,000 years ago. The
science encompasses a complex
knowledge that illustrates how to
balance the energies of any given
space to assure the health and good
fortune for people living in that
space.
In Chinese culture, gentle wind
and clear waters have long been
associated with good health and a
good harvest. It should come as no
surprise then that feng means “wind”
and shui means “water.”
The Chinese believe that the world
is made up of “Chi” or energy.
Depending upon how that energy
flows, the outcome could be good or
bad, particularly inside of a home.
A feng shui expert will use a
compass, also known as the “lo-pan”
and the “Ba-Gua,” to do an analysis
of a home. The Ba-Gua is an
octagonal grid containing the
symbols of the I Ching, the ancient
oracle on which feng shui is based.
While feng shui in its entirety is
complicated and best left to a
professional, there are certain
concepts the average homeowner
can embrace and implement in the
home.
* Improve air quality and natural
light. Open up the drapes and
windows and let the sun shine in, and
the air to flow. Introduce plants that
will help filter the air, and as a
secondary route, use an air filter to
remove impurities in the air. While
natural light is best, full-spectrum
light bulbs can also enhance the light
in a home.
* Reduce clutter. Lightening up
the house is key to good feng shui.
Clutter can trap good energy. Get rid
of everything you don’t absolutely
need.
* Define your home’s Ba-Gua.
Use the grid to pinpoint the specific
eight areas of the home that will
provide an energy map of the space.
For example, the Southeast feng
shui area of your home is connected
to the flow of wealth and money
energy in your life and is seen as
lucky for 2009. The Ba-Gua will also
tell you what colours and elements
are essential to promoting good feng
shui in those specific areas.
* Learn about the five feng shui
elements. Educating yourself about
these elements can help you
incorporate changes in the home.
Each element is represented by
specific colours, and using these
colours is an easy way to bring about
change in the home.
WOOD: Green, brown
FIRE: Red, strong yellow, orange,
purple, pink
EARTH: Light yellow,
sandy/earthy colours, light brown
METAL: White, grey
WATER: Blue, black
* Learn your feng shui birth
element. This element pertains to the
year you were born. Using this
element in your home can be a good
way to reinforce positive energy.
* Examine door placement.
Ideally, your front door and back
door should not line up with each
other. If they do, according to the
principles of feng shui, the chi will
slip right through the house without
bringing benefits to you. If the doors
do line up, you can help ease the
problem by placing a large plant or
other obstacle beside one of the
doors, with an angled throw rug to
encourage a path in a sideways
direction.
* Create a joyous space.
Decorating with more light, music,
water, air, plants, mirrors,
windchimes, bright colours,
houseplants, and flowers can activate
joy and happiness chi in the home.
Feng shui transforms a home
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(NC)—If you love old furniture
for its character and design, chances
are your affection doesn't fade when
summer flea markets cease.
Winter is a wonderful time to pick
up bargain finds at estate sales or to
escape to another era through visits
to antique stores and antique malls.
“Of course, you should never
paint high-end antiques because it
can ruin their value,” says Peggy
Van Allen, a colour expert. “But for
many hand-me-down and estate sale
items, a fresh coat of paint is all it
takes to put some fun into your find
or make it a one-of-a-kind
conversation piece.”
When shopping for vintage
furniture, keep in mind what paint
and colour can do to transform what
otherwise might be an unusable item
into a fabulous find. Wood, wicker
and metal all are easily spray
painted.
“Bring your creative vision with
you when you shop,” Van Allen
recommends. “Many minor
problems can be addressed quite
easily.”
For example, wood putty can be
used to fill in holes or cracks. Loose
legs and sticky drawers can be easily
fixed, and hardware also may be
spray painted or replaced.
A change in finish, such as a new
paint colour, can make a subtle or
dramatic difference, depending on
your desires. Using a primer to
improve adhesion is too important a
step to skip, but with spray-on
primers also readily available, it's
easy to make short work of priming.
Before you hit the road hunting
for your bargain find, it's a good idea
to drive your biggest car, van or
SUV so you'll have plenty of room
for your favourite stowaways.
Throw in blankets to help protect
your purchases, rope or twine to
help prevent shifting, and boxes for
smaller items.
It also can be helpful to pack a
tool kit to take legs off tables. And
don't forget, cash is king. Depending
on the vendor, credit cards and
checks may not be accepted.
More information on how to
update your fantastic finds is
available on-line at
www.krylon.com.
Winter the
perfect season
for antique
shopping