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How to achieve feng shui in a contemporary space

August 15, 2014

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By Adam Liebson

Ask anybody in the interior design business about feng shui and they will tell you that it can be a little complicated. It takes years for someone to become a master of feng shui, but there are some simple tenets that can be used by anyone to achieve a better environment in their contemporary home.

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So what is feng shui?

To give you an overview, feng shui is centred around the idea of creating positive energy in the home, office, or any other space that you spend a lot of time in. This use of life force energy, also known as โ€˜qi/chiโ€™ (pronounced chee), to influence positivity is a time-tested formula that promotes healthy living conditions and good fortune for a person.

Feng shui works well in contemporary and modern designs, as the minimalist approach and lack of clutter allow the qi/chi to circulate unimpeded around the home.

Achieving feng shui in your home: colour

China Bamboo ConsoleA basic principle of feng shui is the five key elements of Wood, Earth, Fire, Water and Metal. Different colours are associated with each of these elements, and can be used to promote good feng shui in different areas of your life. For example:

Wood: Brown and green. The colour green is primarily used for the balancing of family life and improving your health. These colours do well in all rooms where the family tends to congregate.

Earth: Light brown, pale yellow, and sandy, earthy colours. These colours are used to centre your energy and promote harmony in your life, and are best when used in an area of the home that you use for resting. This is primarily the bedroom, but if, for example, if you enjoy long, relaxing bubble baths, neutral earthy colours are an excellent colour palette for your bathroom.

Fire: Red, orange, pink, purple and yellow. Strong yellow colours are used to promote cheerful gatherings and happy times, and so are excellent for the entertaining areas of the home.

Water: Blue and black. Water is a nourishing element, so should be used primarily to support the growth of your career, wealth, and family. To have a blue colour palette in the hallways and corridors of your home promotes the flowing of positive energy from room to room.

Metal: Grey and white. Pure white provides supportive energy to all creative endeavours. These colours are best used in studies and offices, as they allow the mind to broaden and intuitive thinking to happen. A white wall is a blank slate on which the imagination can take hold.

Cures

Orient House Mirror

It is relatively simple to add these effective โ€˜curesโ€™ to your home to create positive energy.

Crystals: Crystals are used in feng shui to create a specific โ€˜vibrationโ€™ or energy. For example, rose quartz can be used to attract romance and love. A great way to display crystals is in a shallow decorative bowl.

Mirrors: Mirrors are thought not only to expand a space, but can also be used to draw in more positive energy. However, they should never be placed opposite the main door as it is said they then reflect outwards the positive energy trying to enter the home.

Fountains: Fountains are popular in feng shui as they bring water energy into the home, and water is traditionally thought to represent wealth and prosperity. Fountains can be used both indoor and out, and provide an excellent focal point for a room.

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Buddha: As a symbol of peace, calm and serenity, Buddhaโ€™s presence in your home will promote a contemplative energy. This can help you with self-reflection, and will also work as a calming force. Even just placing a small buddha figurine unobtrusively on a sideboard can have a soothing effect on your homeโ€™s vibrations.

How to know when youโ€™ve achieved feng shui

orient house umbrella room

Have you ever had that feeling when you walk into a room and for no apparent reason you suddenly feel happy, comforted, or just generally a little more positive? This feeling is qi, and itโ€™s a sign that youโ€™ve designed your contemporary space right.

But if you feel uncomfortable or negative when you walk into a room, it may mean that you need a master of feng shui to give you a hand with bringing positive energy back into your home.

— Adam and Jenny Liebson are the couple behind antique and lifestyle store, Orient House. Havingย established themselvesย as a major source to the interior design trade, Orient Houseย offer global pieces that add mood, character and style to make a house a home.ย 

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Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! Those finishing touches make ALL the difference! 

@kethy.australia, whose cabinet hardware I've used in my own kitchen, laundry and on my recent sideboard glow up, are passionate about bringing you the latest design and finishes from around the world!ย 

Their stunning timber knobs and handles from Denmark add texture, warmth and an organic feel to yourย projectsย that can only be achieved by using natural materials.

Whether you're embarking on a new build, renovating an existing kitchen, bathroom or laundry or updating a piece of furniture, Kethy have something for you in their huge range.

See it all online and find your local re-seller at their website via link in @kethy.australia bio.

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Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping Before & after: Renovating a kitchen while keeping ALL the character!

What a great example this is by @huntingforgeorge 

See all the details, and the laundry, on the blog now, via link in bio.
The patient has very much bounced back! Letterbox The patient has very much bounced back!

Letterbox kinder egg deliveries from a friend, dressing changes without a flinch and refusing to nap despite all the bribes (check the face on him in pic 3!).

Thanks for all your care and messages/comments for this tired and shaken up mama! Now very relieved and grateful ๐Ÿ™
Before & after It's not just the award winning de Before & after

It's not just the award winning designer houses that get us excited here. It's also the beloved family homes which are renovated and extended to make them fit for purpose so people can continue to live where they love ๐Ÿค—

@inspiredspacesaus helped her clients with teenage kids transform this house in Sydney's Hills District inside and out, making it their forever home. 

Due to the nature of the block they could only extend sideways and then gave it street appeal with render, new windows and doors.

See inside on the blog now, via link in bio. It was completely overhauled!
Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps ๐Ÿค•

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (๐Ÿคช) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a ๐Ÿท

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!

UPDATE: thanks for all the love! Charlie is so well this morning after a big sleep!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

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I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

๐Ÿฆ˜๐ŸจForget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers๐Ÿ™

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! ๐Ÿ’ง 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!๐Ÿค—

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap ๐Ÿฅด) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon ๐Ÿ˜†

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿป) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too ๐Ÿ˜‰

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
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