Feng Shui & Color: Green and Blue

Guest User March 3, 2021

Color is a simple and powerful way to shift the energy of a space. Just think about how you feel walking into a bedroom that’s painted bright pink versus a similar room painted in deep charcoal gray. Also, there are so many possibilities when it comes to introducing color into your home, so it can be a fun way to get creative with your space!

Today, I want to talk about green and blue. Greens, blues, and teals are associated with hope, new beginnings, and growth. They’re tied to the wood element in feng shui, which represents vitality and healing.

Green and blue are also calming and relaxing. They can be tranquil, healthy, and restorative, and soothing for the eyes. They’re balancing colors that are often found in nature, in trees, plants, and the sky. There have even been scientific studies where people have healed much more quickly when they have views of nature.

In feng shui, wood element colors like green and blue represent life energy and are connected to the Zhen or new beginnings area of the bagua. Green is also related to the heart chakra, and blue to the throat chakra.

Greens and blues are great colors to choose for wall paint. They work well in most rooms, and the softer versions of these hues are especially good for bedrooms and other areas where you want to rest. In more public rooms like your living room, you can use stronger tones, like vibrant teals, to invigorate, refresh, and promote conversation.

Another way to introduce green and blue is through crystals in these colors, like turquoise, aquamarine, and malachite. You can also add green in the form of plants, which promote growth and healing.

As you’re thinking about how you want to use colors in your home, make sure to follow your own preferences and intuition. We all have different associations with particular colors, and the most important thing to remember is that the colors in your home should feel good to you.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

3 Ways to Bring the Outside In

Anjie Cho August 26, 2020

The summer may be winding down but that doesn’t mean the warmth and relaxation of the outdoors has to go with it. Bring that same summer sun-drenched comfort and vibrancy indoors with these three simple steps.

Indoor Planters

For many, the warm weather seasons kick off with a mad dash to the nearest garden center. There are flower beds to populate, veggie gardens to plant and a generous assortment of flower pots and window boxes to fill. Just imagine how beautiful all that green and color would look inside your home!

Don’t get tied down to standard indoor planters. Traditional outdoor options like window boxes are a great way to bring the outside in. Start by picking a window box that compliments your décor. You’ll have your choice of materials like wood, iron, cooper, and wicker. Consider creating a kitchen window box and fill it with fragrant and flavorful herbs you can cook with!

Another perk of using a window box? Instead of filling the box itself with dirt and planting directly in it, use it to corral smaller, separate pots of your favorite plants. If you need to replace a plant, it’s simple to just slip out one pot and make the switch. Likewise, when it’s time to water the plants, remove the pots and water the plants in the sink. Once the excess water has drained, return them to the window box.

Tidy-up

Clutter can make a room feel restrictive. Simply organizing your space can open up the room and make it feel more inviting. As you’re cleaning, use natural cleaners with fresh scents. Imagine the woodsy scent of tea-tree oil or a little bit of lemon lingering in your living room. Makes you smile just thinking about it, doesn’t it? Now, throw open those windows and let the great outdoors shine in! Inviting more natural sunlight will enliven your space. Don’t forget a little TLC for your window treatments too. Wipe down the blinds and wash (or dry-clean) your draperies.

Draw color and texture inspiration from the outdoors

When you think of being outdoors, what colors do you think of? Whether it’s the lush green of grass, the salty blue of the ocean or the warm yellow of the sun, bringing those hues into your room is a fantastic way to welcome the outdoors into your home!

While a fresh, clean coat of paint will make your space feel fresh and bright, you’ve got other options when it comes to color. Introduce pops of outdoor-inspired hues with accessories such as pillows, blankets and rugs. Even candles, vases, and wall décor are fantastic options.

What’s your favorite outdoor place? If you’ve got a picture of it, frame it and hang it! Look for paintings, prints and design elements that mimic the scenery and texture of your outdoor sanctuaries. If you’re a beach person, for example, weathered grey wood textures mimic water beaten driftwood, while cool blues, greens and white bring to mind the water and elements like sea glass and shells. Is the forest more your style? Choose accessories in natural wood finishes and greens.

If you find yourself wishing you could spend more time outdoors but the seasons or your schedule are making it difficult, bring the outdoors in. If you incorporate these steps, don’t forget to come back here and share your pictures! Which step will you try first?

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: Real vs. Artificial Plants

Anjie Cho May 17, 2020

Are artificial plants ok?

@coastallivingpro

Thanks for your question!

If you’re using a plant for a feng shui adjustment, it’s always better to have a living plant instead of an artificial one. If there is no light in the room, or if it’s a vacation home, you can use an artificial plant, but make sure it’s very high quality and realistic.

Otherwise, you should always use real plants. Even if you don’t think you have a green thumb, I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone and try. Taking care of a living plant is a teaching in itself. It helps you cultivate kindness and open-heartedness, which are connected to the wood element. Real plants can also improve indoor air quality.

If you’re worried about your ability to keep a plant alive, start with one that’s easier to care for. There are a lot of varieties that are good for beginners, including pothos, which is one of my favorites. Pothos can thrive in a variety of light conditions, and it can also withstand inconsistent watering.

Monstera (also called Swiss cheese plant) is another plant that is easy to take care of, and it can live for a long time. I also love rubber plants, areca palms, and Chinese money plants. You could also try growing some herbs that you could also use for cooking!

Thanks again for your question--let us know how it goes!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.