Q&A Sunday: Finding a Feng Shui Consultant

I am writing to see, can you refer me to a Feng Shui consultant or specialist in Chicago? I am looking for ways to enhance different areas of my apartment, and I am seeking an expert to help me.

Cynthia H., Chicago, IL

Hi Cynthia,

Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, I don’t know a feng shui consultant in Chicago that I can refer you to. However I can still offer some advice!

The International Feng Shui Guild has a consultant directory that you can visit. Their website is http://www.ifsguild.org. You can search by location, and may I also suggest you look for the “red ribbon professionals”? Consultants at the “red ribbon professional” level have passed an assessment and have graduated from a qualified feng shui program.

Additionally, I suggest you review the consultants in your area and select three or so to contact. The most important thing is to feel comfortable and open with whatever consultant you hire to support you with your home or work space. 

I would also recommend that you talk to the prospective feng shui consultant about what you are looking for and your expectations. Some may be more focused on energy, others on the interior decoration, and there are other considerations depending on what school the consultant practices in. For instance, when I receive a call or email from a potential client, we schedule a 15-minute chat to review what their needs are to see if we are a good match. Some people want to have a lot of concrete help on selecting paint schemes, looking at furniture. etc. Others are open to whatever comes from the consultation. Either way, communication is extremely valuable when selecting the right feng shui practitioner to work with.

And…remember, you will share personal details about your life, so go with your intuition and gut on who is the most beneficial match for you. Like many cases in feng shui, intention and energy are the most important aspects, so choose someone with whom you feel positive energy that excites you for your space! Feel free to share what you find for other readers from Chicago!

by Anjie Cho

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This $429,000 Upper West Side One-Bedroom Could Use a Gut Reno, and Here's How to Do It (With Cost Taken Into Account!)

featured this week on Brick Underground by Leah Hochbaum Rosner

The best thing about this $429,000 top-floor one-bedroom at 140 West 71st Street in Lincoln Square is that it’s south-facing, “so it’s going to get a lot of light,” says architect Anjie Cho. Also, she notes that the prewar building, the Danielle, allows owners to sublet their units without any residency requirements—a rarity for a co-op.

That said, the apartment definitely has a few issues, most notably “the weird wavy column on the wall in the living room,” says Cho, mentioning that she supposes it might be some sort of drain. “It could be hard to work with.”

Here’s what she’d do to deal with that peculiar pole, as well as the rest of this outdated Upper West Side residence that she calls “a major major fixer-upper.” Her recommendations:

The living room (pictured above)

The first thing Cho would do is make sure the electrical system is up-to-date. If it isn't, an overhaul is in order since “it could be quite old,” given that the building dates back to the 1920s. And if you are required to get it up to code, you’ll need a permit, which, she says, "could be costly.” But it’ll be worth the expense, removing the danger of the system shorting out when you want to plug in your hair dryer, for example, or worse. Safety is, after all, paramount.

...read full article

7 Easy Ways to Feng Shui Your Apartment

featured this week on 6sqft by Hannah Frishberg

As intangible a concept as feng shui may seem, it all comes down to the basic idea of having a space you’re happy to come home to because its energy is positive. “Feng shui is an ancient philosophy about how you can improve your life and create a space that supports and nurtures you,” explained Anjie Cho, a New York-based architect, author, and founder of online mindfulness design blog and shop Holistic Spaces. Indeed, adjusting your apartment in just a few small and informed ways can make all the difference in the look and feel of your unit and, resultantly, your own wellbeing. Ahead are some ideas you can apply to your space, straight from a pro.

1. The importance of a headboard

While having your mattress on the floor may seem very zen, or in some apartments may be a spatial necessity, the pros advise against it. “A headboard is really important in feng shui,” Anjie says, “it connects the partners.” Not having a headboard can enhance the temporary feeling of a unit. If you simply don’t have space, a good alternative is wallpaper or crafting mural on the wall behind you, or mounting a mirror.

2. The 36 inch rule

No doubt about it: space is a luxury in New York. Still, if at all possible, Anjie says 36 inches of clear space between pieces of furniture should be a goal. For Anjie, there is a grace zone, but less than 18 inches between items constitutes “very cramped.” So get rid of clutter, and if it does not spark joy, try your hardest to toss it.

...read full article