An Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui - Part 2

Last month we talked about how important, and increasingly popular, the use of color psychology is in creating a holistic, sacred space for each of us. By now, you know when it's best to use greens, teals, blues, purples and violets, yellows, oranges and browns. As many colors as that may be, it's just the tip of the color iceberg! 

Let's take a look at a few more colors and what they symbolize in feng shui. 

Whites

Not surprisingly, white symbolizes purity and simplicity. This color is very bright and stark and is the ultimate yang, or active, color.

White can represent an empty slate as well, but it's important in design to view it as just that, since it can be so harsh on the eyes. Imagine looking out at a field of fresh, clean snow. Think of how that bright, empty color puts a strain on your eyes. Who wants to be constantly blinded in their own space?! 

To utilize this color in your space, use white as accents in areas with more color or opt for warmer, off-white tones for wall colors. 

Grays

Gray shades offer the ultimate balance, as a combination of black and white, yin and yang. They can, however, be a bit depressing and cold for some, especially those already dealing with mood issues.

Despite this possibility, grey is a great color to use in your spaces, as it attracts helpful people to your life and helps support the intentions of other colors in a space. 

To use grey in your home or office, consider adding the color to the Benefactors area of your bagua map or combining shades of grey with a complementary color scheme. 

Deep, Dark Blues

Since there are a plethora of shades of blue, it's necessary to note a difference between the healing, yang energy of brighter blues and the supportive, meditative, more yin energy of dark, deep blues. 

Since very deep, almost black blues are related to the Water element and the Knowledge area of the bagua, they represent a sense of calm and security and can offer a sense of settling and quiet. 

Though blue generally represents the Wood element, these darker shades of blue are perfect for meditation spaces, bedrooms (as long as you don't have a mood disorder) or anywhere you can use a little Water element. Look for artistic accent pieces or accent walls, since you don't want to go too dark with an entire room.

You can also place a piece of Lapis lazuli crystal in the Knowledge or Completion area of your bedroom for support with self-expression and growth.

I hope you're getting a good idea of what colors are best for your space and which ones will nurture you most! Check back in next month for another dose of color 101, where we'll finish up with passionate shades of red, blacks and, on a lighter note, pinks and peaches!

by Anjie Cho

6 Fun Ways to Use Stripes in Your Décor

Think you can’t balance sass with classic? Fun with sophisticated? Think again. Decorating with stripes gives your home a textural balance of timeless spunk. Here are some great ways to incorporate stripes into your décor. 

Pillow line up

Whether you’re sprucing up a sitting area or a bedroom, mingling striped pillows with floral or delicate patterned pillows is a foolproof design trick. Just stick within a one-color palette. The result will be a homey, yet cohesive design. 

Lengthen your walls

For the subtle among us, a nice muted or tone-on-tone vertical stripe on wall paper or fabric wall treatment will give more height to your room. Feeling bold? Stripes in more pronounced contrast colors make a statement. Whether you apply your striped finish to one wall as an accent or take it all the way with a roomful, make sure you get those lines hung straight and even. If you decide to paint your stripes on the wall, pull out your blue painters tape and a level to ensure crisp, clean lines.

Jazz up the floor

If you’ve got hardwood, you’ve got beautiful natural lines just waiting for a chance to shake things up! Refinish your floors using the wood slats as a natural guide. Be creative and design the pattern that best reflects your style. If you’re not ready to break out the paints for a wood floor or to create a pattern with tile flooring, area rugs offer the flexibility of a dose of pattern and color without the long-term commitment.

Go up

Make a statement with a striped ceiling. Break out the tape and paint brush! You can keep your bars of color isolated to the ceiling or you can continue the vertical lines of an accent wall up and across the overhead space. If your room has a pendant lamp or chandelier, your lines can radiate out from the light source like sun rays shining across your room.

Cushions and bedding, oh my!

Your furniture is a great place to introduce stripes. Pick a piece to spotlight instead of going all out. A single chair or ottoman in a stripe pattern demands notice. In the bedroom, bring in the lines with your bedding. A striped bed skirt paired with a floral or solid duvet can be stunning. Alternately, striped sheets can complement a more demure bedspread. Like the throw pillows, you can mix and match your patterns of your seating and bedding as long as you stay within the same color palette.

Accessorize

From lamps to mirror frames, from wall art to drapes, stripes can be an accessory's best friend. Just don’t overdo it. Pick a few items to feature lines, and intermingle them with solids and complementary patterns.

by Anjie Cho

Going Neutral: Layering Comfort and Versatility into Your Design

I want to share a designer’s secret with you. Ready? Here it is: neutral palettes are anything but dull and staid. Neutral color tones are expressive and alive with personality in the right hands. Before you pick up a paint brush or reach for a set of swatches, read this. 

Swath of Many Colors:

What’s the first hue you think of when someone mentions painting a room with a neutral? White? Beige? The truth is that the choices within the neutral color family are vast! You have your pick between subtle differences in the warm cream family like ivory, bone, alabaster and eggshell. Or move into the neighborhood of grey with its soft shades of dove, pewter and the bolder, more saturated tone of charcoal. Start with a base color that best suits your personal taste and the mood you’re looking to strike in the room. 

Layer It Up:

Build interest by layering colors in different shades or complementary hues. If you’ve painted your walls a light shade of gray, introduce depth with a carbon colored sofa or an area rug toned somewhere in between. Introduce texture and patterns with your upholstered pieces that play up the same color family. Look for wood tones that complement your aesthetic tastes and the color palette you’ve selected. Just be aware of what undertones are present in your wall color. If the neutral on your wall is broadcasting undertones of blue, layer in other hues that whisper blue also. 

Play with Pops:

The beauty of a neutral décor is that you can work in pops of color that are easily updated when you’re ready for something new. Perhaps your walls are a pleasing shade of ivory, your sofa is a lush chocolate and the wooden entertainment center is a rich, earthy hue. Greet spring with pillows in a mossy green, an area rug that plays into the soft, dawning shades of spring and a couple of throws light enough in weight and color tone to ward off the last fingers of winter’s chill. When you’re feeling like summer’s ready to sing indoors, swap out the pillows, rug and other accessories for colors that make you feel like you’re beach bound. 

Go Organic or Metallic:

Elements of nature feel as at home in a neutral room as metallics do. You’ve got the option to add accessories that harken back to nature. A sun-filled room may be a welcome space to show off your collection of beach-themed accessories like an antiqued jar filled with shells and sea glass while a hemp-braided rug rests on the floor. On the other hand, you may find brushed nickel and satin-finished silver tones complement your design taste. Either one will feel at home with a neutral color palette.

by Anjie Cho