Shui To Go!
When we talk about colors in feng shui, it’s easy to try to do this “by the numbers.”
Suddenly, the living room in a Romance corner is painted garish pink. The bathroom in the Money corner is in Mardi Gras colors although the rest of the house is Colonial.
The list could go on & on.
THE VENDING MACHINE VIEW OF FENG SHUI
Some people think that feng shui is a vending machine: If you put a candle into the Fame area, you’ll get a great reputation out of it. Well, yes, it can work that way, but that’s not what feng shui was intended for, and the cumulative effect of the “vending machine” approach to home decor can be toxic in feng shui terms.
ACHIEVE BALANCE WITH COLOR
Keep in mind that feng shui means “wind and water.” It refers to a desirable gentle flow of energy throughout your environment. One area should flow into the next with grace and subtlety. Also, the color references in feng shui are relative to the Asian culture. Traditional Feng Shui color choices aren’t always opposite their Western counterparts, but they can be.
ARE THE COLORS RIGHT FOR YOU?
The Asian choice for mourning is white while Westerners generally choose black. That raises a question about the Career section of a Western home. In traditional feng shui, it should be black… but is that what you really want?
Think about your own associations with and reactions to colors. Work with those rather than using a “cookie cutter” approach to feng shui.
In Western culture, many people associate black with success. Combined with gold or silver/chrome accents, it can look trendy, upscale, and affluent.
However, if the color black depresses you, use another color for your Career area. Never choose feng shui elements based on a book or someone else’s advice–even ours–unless the recommendations resonate positively with you.
THE SHUI TO GO! APPROACH TO COLOR
Here’s our two-step approach to choosing the colors for your best feng shui luck:
1. Make a list of the main areas in feng shui decor: Career, Knowledge, Stability, Wealth, Fame, Romance, Children/Creativity, Helpful People & Travel, and Health.
2. Take that list to an art museum. As you look at the paintings and see how the colors make you feel, take notes.
Yellow may be the traditional feng shui color for the Health area, but many Westerners think of the color green (for growth) as “feeling healthy.”
Or, perhaps a lovely sky blue relaxes you and provides a personal sense of well-being. If it does, use that color instead.
Purple is traditionally associated with wealth, but that has historical roots: Purple used to be one of the most expensive dyes for fabric.
If purple doesn’t signify wealth and money for you, what about the color of your currency? In the U.S., that’s usually green. But, in most cultures, gold is also a symbol of wealth.
Do this for every area that you’ve listed.
MAKE COLOR CHOICES UNIQUELY YOURS
Also consider the shades of color. Some people prefer warm colors, while others are happiest with cooler shades. For example, greens can range from teal green to yellow-green. There is the deep, almost black color of the forest, and there is the warmer green of the grass in spring. It’s vital to choose colors and design elements that please you. If you do, your home will “feel right” and every area will flow gently into the next because all if it will reflect your own good taste.
Flow and harmony are essential to good feng shui luck. If you aren’t entirely pleased with the colors in your rooms, rearrange the colors and see if another mixture or balance is better.
Above all, the colors should suit you, personally. If they don’t “feel right” to you… change them!
RECOMMENDED READING
By using books such as Color Schemes for Every Room, you can experiment with intriguing and unusual combinations to achieve a balance that is uniquely yours and brings you tremendous luck.
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