A Design Blog of Feng Shui Designer Sherry Burton Ways

Archive for 11/04/2010

Elements of Feng Shui Redesign!


Many people believe that Feng Shui is a form of design. It really is not.  It is a TOOL in the design process.  It provides information about about color and arrangement and how a space can be configured to generate good energy.

Through my design and Feng Shui studies, I have been able to ascertain what I think are the basic elements of Feng Shui Redesign.

Form: Form or shape is generated with lines, planes and volumes.  In Feng Shui, we understand that the shapes carry with them a specific energy:  metal/round, wood/rectangular, fire/triangular, earth/square and water/irregular.

Scale: Scale is the relative size of something as compared or related to another element of known size.  Human scale is most frequently used in interior design.  In Feng Shui, scale is most important in choosing objects to affect cures.  In a large room with a high ceiling, a small wind chime would be out of place, if selected as a chi enhancing object.

Color: Single colors do not exist in isolation. They affect and are affected by their surrounding colors.  Complimentary colors reinforce each other.  A light color placed against a dark background will appear lighter than it actually is.  A dark color on a light background will appear darker than it actually is.  Bright warm colors tend to make objects appear larger.  Dark colors will make objects appear smaller.  Warm colors tend to advance, while cool colors recede.  In Feng Shui, colors are associated with specific elements.  When choosing to apply a cure with color, it is important to see the composition as a whole.  Sometimes a little will go a long way.

Texture: Texture is the surface quality of a material.  Our perception of texture can be influenced by a material’s proximity to other textures, the distance we view it from the lighting conditions we view the texture in.  Yin/Yang adjustments can be made with the use of texture.

Pattern: Pattern is the repetition of a decorative motif on a surface.  If a pattern is small and viewed from a distance, it can appear to be a texture.  Yin/Yang adjustments can be made with the use of pattern.

Light: Good lighting is both an art and a science.  We use lighting to affect spatial perception, enhance color,  highlight surfaces and textures, de-emphasize undesirable areas or architectural features, accent and emphasize objects and areas, add interest to a visual environment, set or enhance the mood of an interior space.  Adding light will add yang to any environment.  It may also be perceived as chi enhancing.  Candlelight will add fire.

To learn more about the elements of Redesign and Feng Shui email me at sherry@kreativeways.com.

Hello world!

Welcome to our new blog!  Come here often as we share tips and information about wholistic design, feng shui and sustainable lifestyles.  Press releases about our firm will be found here as well.  Peace!