Q&A Sunday: Artwork in Pairs

I have purchased the Venus mandala, and I want to hang it my bedroom, but just ran across a post on decorating a couple’s room, and it says to hang artwork in pairs. Do I need to get another mandala, or is this ok, since it symbolizes relationships?

Shayna G., New York, NY

Hi Shayna,

Thanks for your question! I’m so glad you got the Venus mandala. I really love that one. The Venus yantra was the first yantra I ever created; it’s so delicate and pretty. And yes, the Venus mandala relates to romance and emotions, which would be a wonderful addition to your bedroom.

Now onto your question! It is ideal to have things in pairs in the bedroom, such as pairs of pillows, or two nightstands, but it’s not a strict rule. For instance, it makes a lot of sense to have a pair of pillows and two nightstands because there’s something for you and something for your partner. But for instance, artwork of a single woman may not be the best thing for a woman who’s lonely and looking for a partner. In one case, I visited the home of a woman with several images of singular things. It was very obvious. But it’s perfectly okay to have things not in pairs, such as your Venus mandala, especially because the purpose of that mandala is to support your relationship. In fact, I have that first yantra I ever painted hanging in my bedroom, and it’s not in a pair. 

Most principles in feng shui are highly personal, and this one is no different. If there is a beautiful piece of art that you want for your bedroom and really love it, it's most likely acceptable. In this case especially, as the art represents relationships. If you find that the artwork in your room is singular and much of it has to do with being alone or isolated, then you may want to take a look at what that reflects for your life. 

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!

Q&A Sunday: Extra Mirrors in the Bathroom

I have been listening to your podcast and throughly enjoy it!! You have done some great episodes on the bedroom and office, so wondering if you will touch on the bathroom? If so, I look forward to that! However I have one specific, and very current question as we make a decision with our bathroom remodel. 

We currently have a tub/shower, and would like to convert it to a walk-in-shower. My struggle is that the current tub/shower has the sliding doors, and one of them is glass and one is a mirror...which I love! If we convert to the shower only, we will have to do a new sliding glass door, and I have found that it's very standard for those to be available in glass only.  I'm considering doing a custom door, in order to again have a mirror. However, I'm curious about how feng shui applies to having that additional large mirror in the bathroom. 

Carly M., Oshkosh, WI

Hi Carly

I’m so happy to hear you like the podcast! And also thanks for writing in with your question. 

First, I will definitely do a bathroom episode, just for you! Keep your eyes open for it. In the meantime, we have some blog posts on bathroom feng shui here, here and here. Hopefully that will help!

Q&A Sunday - Extra Mirrors in the Bathroom - Floor Plan.jpg

Second, your question regarding a new sliding glass door for your shower - you wanted to know if there are any feng shui concerns regarding having an additional large mirror in the bathroom. Or if there’s a feng shui reason to opt for clear glass over mirror for a shower glass enclosure. 

This is actually more a mundane or practical issue and not a feng shui concern. Mirrors are used in many feng shui adjustments, because they can reflect, expand and have many other auspicious uses. In this case, with your floor plan, I don’t see any reason why a mirrored shower enclosure would have any negative impact. And it might instead be positive, because you love having a mirror there so much. So, I will encourage you to go for the custom option.

One occasion where there may be an issue with the mirrored shower door would be if perhaps the bathroom mirror were in line with the bed and the bathroom door was kept open. Your bathroom location is not like this. But in that case there is another reader who has this situation, please read our other post where we discuss how mirrors facing the bed directly may be at your disadvantage. 

In most situations, having a full-length mirror in your bathroom is actually a positive move, especially if it brings in additional light or includes plant-life nearby to encourage better qi flow from water to earth to wood. I think it's especially positive in your case, since you seem to love the mirror so much! Hopefully this helps and our bathroom posts will tide you over until the podcast feature!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday".  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

Q&A Sunday: Improving a Bedroom

Is it ok to place the bed where the headboard is on the same side of bedroom door? Opposite the door is a 2-door built-in closet, and the window is in the corner on the on the same side of the closet. Also, the centralized air conditioning outlet is on the same side as the entrance, and the air is blowing right on our heads when we sleep. I'd like to do a complete make over of the room to create more space and am thinking of getting rid of our TV stand with cupboards and our dresser. What is the best color for a bedroom? Is pink relaxing? I am a widow, so only my daughter and I are sleeping in the room.

Carina T., Salmiya, Kuwait

 

Hi Carina

Hello to Kuwait! Thank you for your email, floor plan and questions.

First question: Headboard on same side of bedroom door

According to the basic feng shui principle of the commanding position, you do not want locate your headboard on the same wall as your bedroom door. In your floor plan it looks like your headboard is not on the same wall. So that would be good, and you would be in command.

When you arrange your bed so that you cannot see the door from your sleeping position, you are unable to see what is coming at you, both physically and metaphorically. In feng shui philosophy, it's best to be able to see what may be approaching you so that you can seize opportunities and prepare for other circumstances. Physiologically, having your back to the door produces a stress response, and even though you may not feel it directly, it wears down over time and can create health issues. 

However your bed is right next to the wall. It would be better if you could have some space between the bed and the wall. Perhaps because you are a widow, you need that extra support on the side wall. But overall it’s better to move that bed away from the wall if you can. Ideally 18”, but as much as you can.

Second question: Air conditioning blowing on your heads

This is not very comfortable to have the air conditioning blowing on your head, however I don’t think you have enough room to place the bed in any other location. Is there a way to change the direction of the air so it’s more comfortable? This is more of a mundane issue, as the bed location is more important.

Third question: Making more space, removing TV stand and dresser

It would be great if you could eliminate the TV in the bedroom, as it creates a more peaceful and EMF-free environment. This is especially important if you have sleeping problems. The dresser can go, if it’s not necessary. Then that gives you some space to move your bed over more into command and off the wall.

Final question: Color for room

In general, I always ask what color YOU like. But as a guideline, blues and greens, as well as earth tones can be healing, relaxing and supportive. Pink is not necessarily relaxing… but if it’s a color you like, listen to your intuition. Pink relates to relationships and the mother in feng shui philosophy. It’s also feminine and yin. So maybe you’re drawn to pink because you need some support!

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday" (formerly “Question of the Month”).  We will be answering questions submitted by our readers.  Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!