An Introduction to Using Color in Feng Shui - Part 1

Anjie Cho February 1, 2023

Colors are some of the most important elements in creating holistic, nurturing spaces. The colors in our spaces can affect us, both emotionally and physically, and not all colors produce the same effect, based on our individual personalities. In feng shui, each color or color family also represents certain emotions and areas on the bagua map.

If you're working to adjust the energy in your home, office or school, take a look at color characteristics and give some thought to which ones are most appropriate for your personal needs.

Greens, Teals and Blues

Greens, teals and shades of blue are related to the Wood element and the New Beginnings area of the feng shui bagua and associated with hope, new beginnings and growth. If you're looking for a calming space or one that supports healing, whether physically or emotionally, these colors are for you!

Greens and blues invoke the energy of nature and can be very refreshing (think brighter colors) as well as promote rest (think lighter, softer hues). To incorporate these colors into your space, try painting a wall with a carefully selected shade, adding green plants or placing a Jade stone in the New Beginnings area of your space.

Purples and Violets

Just as greens and blues are symbolic of healing and growth in feng shui, the color purple is associated with wealth, abundance and often elegance and royalty. It's a very auspicious color in feng shui and can be used to attract wealth or self-worth.

As a combination of two very strong colors (passionate red and calming blue), purple has great potential to balance you and your space and bring harmony and peace to both.

To bring some purple to your home or office and promote abundance, use an appropriate shade of purple or add amethyst crystals or purple flowers.

Yellows, Oranges and Browns

Shades of yellow, orange and brown are representative of the qualities of nature. Deep, earthy, pale and neutral tones are generally calming and nurturing, but brighter colors, and especially shades of yellow, may be too stimulating for a relaxing atmosphere.

If you're thinking of adding these colors to your space, remember to save brighter, more intense shades of orange and yellow for areas like the kitchen (to arouse appetite) or the center of your home (to activate the Health area in the feng shui bagua).

There are, of course, many more colors on the color wheel, and the best colors for you depend on your unique situation. You can find more details on the feng shui symbolism of each color in my book, "108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces."

by Anjie Cho

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

Hitting the “Wow” Factor: Decorating a Shelf

Anjie Cho October 26, 2022

Photo and design by Anjie Cho Architect PLLC

I’ll let you in on a little decorating secret. The difference between a well-designed room and a “WOW!” designed room lies in the details. After you’ve picked out the right wall color and cozied up to your new favorite furniture, it’s time to pull together the finishing touches, like decorating a set of shelves. Go for the “wow!” by following these five tips.

Balance

Even voracious readers need bookshelves with more than just books. If books are a component of your shelving plans, create pockets of reading material balanced between decorative items such as framed photos, small sculptures and other collectibles. Intersperse your favorite reads with your decorative elements. The same applies to the functional shelving dedicated to your crafting supplies, your bathroom, kitchen and more!

Group sets of like items with other functional or decorative elements between them. In a bathroom, place a basket with your make-up between two different sets of towels. In the craft room, organize your fabric in complimentary tones, for example, and pepper baskets of sewing supplies, favorite photos and other trinkets in between the stacks. Try out different combinations!

Embrace Empty Space

A shelf stuffed full can crowd and overwhelm your space. Leave some wiggle room and blank spots. This isn’t about gaping holes. It can be more subtle than that. For example, try stacking taller books on their sides instead of placing them in the shelf upright. Leave space between the top of the stack and the shelf above it. Don’t wedge your items in tightly together. Leave small gaps to give a little breathing room and a peek at the back of your shelf unit or wall.

Jazz Up The Background

The oft ignored back panel of a book case is a canvas waiting to bring your space to life! Paint the inside of a bookcase a few shades darker than your wall color. Alternatively, go for a complementary paint color, decorative patterned paper or mirrors. Get creative. If you’re really up for something different, try alternating two complementary colors or a solid and a simple pattern behind every other shelf.

Get Eye Level

Grab a seat in the room and take a good look at which shelf falls at eye level. This should be your focal point. Use that shelf to feature your photos, artwork or other favorite elements. Then sit back and enjoy the view.

Layer It Up

You can create the illusion of deeper shelves by layering items. Push a grouping of books toward the back and place a small piece of art in front of them. Use natural items like coral and stones in front of framed and matted prints. The one-two (or three!) punch of elements will trick the eye into seeing a space with more depth than the shelf really has.

by Anjie Cho

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

Cozy Up to Autumn: 6 Decorating Tips

Anjie Cho October 12, 2022

The change in seasons is Mother Nature’s cue to shuffle up some of her decorating choices. As we move through autumn, the lush green and sunny colors associated with summer are replaced by the sunset hues of fall. Scarlet, gold and rich oranges transition into Mother Nature’s palette, and it’s beautiful. Follow her lead and bring some of autumn’s best decorating choices indoors with these tips.

Bring the outside in

Gourds, small pumpkins and autumnal plants are natural outdoor decorating elements. They are great additions indoors, too. Incorporate some smaller gourds into your dining room centerpiece. Another great way to pull the outdoors in is to fill flower pots with moss, grasses and twigs.

Rotate accessories

Swap out the set of throw pillows on your sofa for pillows that are rich, deep crimson or a spicy pumpkin. Replace the art on your walls with nature-themed pictures and pieces that incorporate autumn’s hues.

Remember the details

Take a good look at the less noticeable components of your décor. Small changes to these pieces can make a big impact. Start with a little thing like wrapping jute or rope around a favorite candle. Swap out the flowers in that vase on your bookcase for dried, faded hydrangea. Think subtle. Think autumn. And have fun!

Savor the scents

Nothing says fall more than the tantalizing scents of apple pie and crisp fallen leaves. Both of these scents, and a host of other seasonal ones, can be found in candles or wax burners. Whether subtle or more pronounced, the scents of autumn wafting from melting wax will set you in an autumn state of mind. If candles aren’t your thing, add cinnamon sticks, cloves and nutmeg to a pot of boiling water for the same effect.

Think cozy

The air outside is getting crisp. The indoors should complement it with a more cozy, inviting warmth. Drape soft texture blankets and quilts in fall colors over the back of your favorite seat and at the foot of your bed. Rotate out your summer friendly area rugs for something plush, warm and autumnal. Have a fireplace? Create an intimate seating area near it. Make sure this nook has a small table for steaming cups of cocoa, belly-warming spiced cider or a mug of Stiggly Holistic's fire water!

Check the lights

The sun will be setting earlier each passing day as we march on toward winter. Now is a good time to make sure you’ve got the proper light fixture in each room. Is your favorite reading nook lit well enough to read while you’re cozied up with a warm throw? Is the light in your bedroom too bright to help you transition to sleep at the end of the day? Replace bulbs, switch around light fixtures and add dimmer switches where appropriate.

by Anjie Cho