Feng Shui for Your Home
Marina V. Umali, ASID, CID | Marina V Design Studio in Ridgewood | President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers and a Feng Shui expert
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui, which means “wind-water” in Chinese, has ancient roots in China and has diversified into various schools of thought over the centuries. Notable among these are the Form School, the Compass School and the BTB School, which aligns with my personal approach. In BTB Feng Shui, the focus lies in meticulous observation of our surroundings, homes and rooms through the use of the Bagua map. This energy map, divided into nine sections, correlates with different facets of our lives. Feng Shui is frequently likened to acupuncture for the home, underlining its role in balancing and enhancing the energetic flow within our living spaces.
What are its benefits?
Our homes mirror our identities, and conversely, we reflect our homes. I’ve witnessed transformative shifts in my life and the lives of my clients by incorporating Feng Shui adjustments. The key lies in purposeful changes, be they substantial or subtle. By actively modifying your living space, investing effort, undertaking necessary tasks and envisioning the desired transformations in your life, you unlock the potential of Feng Shui. It has the capacity to facilitate the discovery of love, enhance career prospects, boost financial well-being and contribute to myriad other positive changes.
How can it be incorporated into your home?
If you’re prepared to initiate positive transformations in your life through practical adjustments at home, go for it! Consider pinpointing an area you’ve been neglecting or one you’ve been eager to enhance. The changes don’t have to be extensive; for instance, you could start by painting that front door you’ve been contemplating. Observe how the energy shifts, potentially inviting more luck your way, given that the front door is the entry point for energy into your home. If there are any broken elements, I strongly recommend addressing those lingering projects as a starting point. Tending to these long-awaited tasks can set you on the path to change. For those uncertain about where to begin, try rearranging 27 items within your home to witness a shift in the energy.
How to use the Bagua map
The Bagua map is an energy map and is used as a tool for understanding energy flow in a home. It is divided into nine sections known as guas. Each gua corresponds to a specific aspect of life: Wealth and Prosperity, Fame & Reputation, Marriage & Relationships, Family, Health, Children & Creativity, Self-Knowledge, Career, and Helpful People & Travel. To use the map, position yourself at the entrance of your home or office, facing inward with the entry door behind you. Align the map according to the three entry sectors indicated. This map can be applied to individual rooms or the entire property. However, in uniquely shaped homes, interpretation may require professional analysis. Adjustments and enhancements in each section of the home can be made to optimize the Feng Shui of your home and enhance auspiciousness. For more information on each gua, click here.
Resources
As the president of ASID NJ, I can speak for all the membership knowing that we believe that design impacts lives. ASID interior designers appreciate that health, safety and welfare are central tenets of good design, and they impart those principles in their work. At ASID, we are trained, educated, creative design professionals. I firmly believe that profound and lasting enhancements to your surroundings can lead to lasting improvements in your life, and ASID designers can help you get there. Visit nj.asid.org to find a designer.