5 Tips to Incorporate The Comeback of Feng Shui

featured this week on New York Spaces

When I told my parents that I started studying feng shui, they laughed! My mom exclaimed, "Feng shui is old fashioned folklore!" But feng shui is making a comeback. In fact, 86% of Chinese Americans think feng shui will play a role in a future home buying decisions, according to a recent survey conducted by Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate and the Asian Real Estate Association of America. And 49% are more likely than their parents to take feng shui into account when deciding on a home. Maybe I was onto something early on.

I would agree that feng shui suffers from a common misconception involving tacky, Asian-style black and red lacquer furniture, but that's not at all what feng shui is about. That's just a visual style that's associated with feng shui; the concepts rise above the outdated superficial execution. So, what is feng shui really about then? Feng shui is an ancient philosophy that uses environmental psychology that seeks to enhance our lives through our physical spaces.

The short version of my story is that at a turning point in my life, I decided to incorporate holistic wellness into my daily lifestyle. This included yoga and meditation. I needed to find some peace and slow down from my fast-paced life. Sound familiar? I think many of us can relate to this. As a practicing licensed architect, I quickly yearned to include this holistic system into my design practice.

Architects and designers, we love to create beautiful spaces. That's what we're good at, and it's fairly easy. But to design environments that resonate with the inhabitants, or can improve our lives—that's the challenging part. Feng shui gives us tools and guidelines to make that a reality, which goes on to make a difference when it comes to selling and buying the home. In fact, that same study from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate found that 90% of Chinese Americans believe feng shui increases a home's resale value.

With this in mind, here are some easy ways to incorporate feng shui into your home (whether you're just looking for a new aesthetic or staging to attract potential buyers) without doing a complete re-design. You may just find a harmonious balance in your life as a result.

1. Clear the clutter. It's ideal for cabinets to reach the ceiling. If they don't, try placing living plants or items of personal value above.

2. Know where to put mirrors. It's important that mirrors are placed away from the bed in the bedroom. And a full-length mirror in the bathroom is usually key. Plant-life next to the mirrors encourages a better qi flow from water to earth to metal to wood.

3. Keep your color wheel on hand. Colors are a vital part of feng shui design. Consult your color wheel when designing the kitchen, especially as bright colors like red and orange work well there.

4. Free the bed. Feng shui principles dictate that the bed should be accessible from all angles. If it's not, move it to the center of the wall. Make sure the bed is not directly facing the door.

5. Embrace your green thumb. Those who practice feng shui will look for the presence of live plants, particularly in balance with other elements. Because bathrooms are keepers of water energy, placing earthy elements throughout can help create a balance.

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by Anjie Cho

4 Questions for Anjie Cho from Musings Off the Mat

featured this month on Musings Off the Mat, by Ferina Natasya

Okay, here’s something you need to know. If you want to find me I’m usually doing my research and reading at the library near my home. I just love that physical feel of holding a book, smelling the pages etc. Or I hang around Kinokuniya (Borders at Wheelock Place, oh how i miss you so!).

So at one time i actually chanced upon this book 108 Ways to Create Holistic Spaces: Feng Shui and Green Design for Healing and Organic Homes. Ok… not really familiar with Feng Shui (the only connection i have to Feng Shui is my amethyst bracelet – a gift from Mommy dearest who bought it from a Feng Shui expert). But green design, organic homes and healing just awakens all my mind antenna and these are topics that my curiosity thrives upon.

The author of the book, Anjie Cho is the Founder of Holistic Spaces – integrating beauty, spirituality and green design. I like that in Anjie’s work, she creates balance in designing spaces with understanding of sustainability, practice of Feng Shui and creating spaces that is supportive and thriving for that individual.

For me, i thought IKEA was my one stop and only place for all things i need in my room – and don’t get me wrong, i still do that but i just leveled up (haha!) the home decor game because not only i feel investing in a good furniture but having a piece that creates an inviting and a place that inspires me will always uplift my mood but more importantly i see myself thrive very differently. That simple tweak/s around our house so as to boost our moods etc could just be the key to having a great day, week or life! 

Anjie, Thank you so much for this interview! I love that you mix green design, spirituality and beauty, what was the reason for this?

I have a holistic approach to everything in life. I’ve found that, when things begin to interconnect, I’ve truly found something meaningful, and when your design is inspired by spirituality and meaning, we find true beauty. It’s easy to make something look pretty—more challenging to create something that resonates and supports you.

Ooo, that’s a great thought! What do you think all three (green design, spirituality, beauty) have in common?

They all seek to create harmony. Green design looks to connect our individual lives to the environment as a whole. Spirituality shows us there’s more than what we can visually see. Beauty makes us smile and cry, and inspires connection.

Harmony. I agree. Ok, (apologies if i sound like an ignorant twart!) is it just woo­woo or does Feng Shui really have an affect to our lives? 

Feng Shui is definitely “woo­woo” but also affects our lives! Much like many things in my life, I followed what the universe presented, and it led me to Feng Shui. Before that, I was like most people, “What is this woo­woo stuff?!?” But I’ve incorporated Feng Shui philosophy into my life and never looked back. I have created a unique career for myself, study all the things that I love, and help others along the way. I am where I am now, because of Feng Shui. 

How can I (on a low budget, financially­-struggling-­not­-complaining-­though blogger doesn’t earn much :p) change or improve the environment of my space? 

For more Focus: I have a focus spray on my website that’s my favorite to use at my office when I need extra support.

This formula no.2 FOCUS is a blend of rosemary, cedarwood, frankincense and other essential oils with carnelian crystals for clarity, precision and direction.

  • Rosemary supports mental precision
  • Cedarwood is grounding
  • Frankincense provides meditative focus
  • 18 pieces of carnelian in each bottle for grounding and stabilization

In this day and age, we could probably all use a little more focus, and especially as a blogger, the Focus spray can help you create more centered, meaningful and effective posts. 

You can also use a 3” round mirror fastened to the ceiling right above your head when you sit to channel and focus your qi. The mirrored side faces down. 

For more Abundance: I carry a piece of tumbled citrine in my wallet.

The Abundance area of the Feng Shui bagua map is related to wealth, prosperity, and self ­worth. Citrine is particularly effective at generating and attracting the same things! This natural crystal supports abundance especially well when placed in the corresponding area of the feng shui bagua map in the bedroom, desk, home or office.

Citrine is invigorating and promotes joy too. You can also carry the stone with you, in your wallet, to attract more wealth.

Set of 3: Make it triple effective by placing one stone in each of the abundance areas of your bedroom, your desk and inside your wallet/pocket. 

For more Love: If you’re lonely and looking for companionship, activate the Relationship area of your bedroom. The bedroom represents you and also your future partner. One powerful adjustment (and one of the easiest) is to place two pieces of rose quartz in the Relationship area, the back right corner, of your bedroom.

Rose quartz heals the heart chakra, which encourages emotional healing, so even if you’re already in a relationship, they can promote trust and harmony. You might also consider placing the rose quartz in the opposite area, the self­ Knowledge and cultivation area (that’s the back left). When placed here, rose quartz can help learn to love and appreciate yourself, and we’ve all heard that’s the first step to attracting real love! 

Thank you so much Anjie for the first part of the interview. Look out for Part 2 of the interview with Anjie Cho. In the meantime, I’m sure you can learn a lot more from her at www.anjiecho.com and www.holisticspaces.com or her very own podcast channel. While at it, don’t forget to check out MOTM Wellness Podcast too! 

I resonated so much to her book, her site and the things she does. It’s like I’m a stalker or girl­fan from Asia that can’t get enough of the kind of work she does. Like these beautiful mandalas (10% of the proceeds from each Holistic Spaces Mandala will be donated to support Tibetan refugee children at Bon Shen Ling’s Menri Monastery in Dolanji, India), aromatherapy mists for your space and items for space clearing like mirrors or sage. That reminds me i need to sage my room this month, it’s my birthday month!

I guess it is only apt that I share this interview with you after my podcast on Spaces (While at it, subscribe please!). I mean regardless of what you believe in, i guess it is a common understanding (i may be wrong) to always do space clearing when you first step into your new home. I remember when we moved to our new home, I see my dad recite prayers in all corners of the home so as to ward of evil etc. Eventually we all want to guard our space and create space that allows us to feel at home, feel intune with ourselves and enjoy experiencing that area day in and day out. 

Image credit and courtesy of: Anjie Cho, Holistic Spaces

Smaller Tubs, Bigger Windows: Tracking the Trends for Your Bathroom

featured this week in Chicago Tribune, by Barbara Ballinger

Years ago, home design professionals borrowed the spa concept from swank hotels and resorts to give the bathroom a soothing ambience, even if its occupants couldn't steal away. Now, another metamorphosis is underway. New York architect and designer, Anjie Cho, has found that some clients who travel frequently no longer want to be reminded of a hotel at home. They seek more personalized style, she says. Carolyn DiCarlo, also a New York architect and designer, agrees and says more homeowners view the room's purpose as a place to shut the door and enjoy their own personalized daily rituals. And though some may equate this space with excessive energy and water consumption, Los Angeles designer Sarah Barnard thinks the room has become more environmentally sensitive, particularly in California where stricter guidelines already are in place. "The bathroom can still offer a luxurious experience, but in a much more responsible way," she says. Here's what else our trends spotters are saying, along with what's now passe:

Bring in natural light. Big windows allow more light and even fresh air when space permits, says developer Jean Francois Roy, whose new luxe AquaVita Florida condominiums make that a priority. But place them strategically when possible, near a vanity where someone applies makeup, says Florida-based Cheryl Kees Clendenon, owner of In Detail Interiors.

Integrate room functions. Barriers between different spaces in the master bedroom are disappearing (again) with bedrooms often open to bathrooms and walk-in closets for another take on the loft look, says Stephanie Pierce, senior design studio manager at manufacturer MasterBrand Cabinets.

Don't toss the bathwater, yet. Big whirlpools that require being encased along perimeter walls are fading from popularity since many homeowners find them a maintenance headache, noisemaker and space guzzler. But not everyone wants only a shower if there is adequate square footage. The free-standing tub, often curved, has taken off when there's sufficient space all around, though it's impractical for some seniors. Another possibility, says Cho — deep soak tubs for total immersion.

Expand the shower but not too much. The notion of two-person showers generated buzz years ago, but the reality is that many simply want a large enough shower for one — and not too large, says DiCarlo. She finds that larger than 4 feet by 5 feet eliminates the warm, nestling feeling of a shower. The panoply of jets and sprays has also been scaled back with emphasis on a big rain head for a more functional luxuriating experience, says Barnard. Cho prefers hand-held shower heads, sometimes on a bar. She also likes to include a built-in bench and a niche for bathing products. And shower door hardware is being scaled back or removed, with some only installing a single fixed panel, says Clendenon. "It cuts cleaning, though it also cuts warmth, and you can't do a steam shower with it," she says.

Float the vanity. Creating a sleeker look, which also makes any size room look larger and pares maintenance, has spurred the popularity of wall-mounted, floating vanities rather than floor-to-counter cabinetry. This style offers another plus: For baby boomers beginning to think about aging in place, it permits greater accessibility with room underneath to accommodate a wheelchair, says Barnard. She favors wood or faux wood materials in a light maple, birch, alder or white oak. Caveat: A floating vanity requires good bracing; otherwise, countertops may sag, says Clendenon.

Introduce color and texture, but judiciously. While white still ranks as the No. 1 palette choice, including for tile grout, more designers are suggesting variations in creams and grays. The exception — a new trend — is a touch of bolder color for a personalized touch. Barnard suggests blue and purple to bring in the outdoors but says to limit the application. "Pick one dominant element in the room for the addition of color such as one tiled wall," she says. Luxury textured finishes are gaining a following. DiCarlo suggests rich mahogany or walnut cabinetry; resin for tubs and sinks instead of cast iron or enamel; and bronze, gold and tinted glass accents. Clendenon prefers impervious materials like natural quartz Silestone from Cosentino. 

On the way out:

1. Big, high-maintenance whirlpool tubs.
2. Dozens of shower jets and sprays, some of which rarely get used.
3. Small-size glass and mosaic tiles.
4. Harsh minimalism that doesn't feel nurturing.
5. Mirrored walls that lack interest and have a cookie-cutter look.
6. Vessel sinks that look great but aren't practical. 

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by Anjie Cho