Pasadena Magazine is the bi-monthly magazine of Pasadena and its surrounding areas – the diverse, historically rich and culturally vibrant region that includes Glendale, the Eastside of Los Angeles and the San Gabriel Valley all the way to Claremont.
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various ways depending on how artfully they are balanced. To begin the elemental balancing act in your own home, start by labeling items in each room based on the element they most represent; Watch out for rooms fi lled with objects of only one or two elements—remem- ber, feng shui is principally about balance and by adding missing elements or removing the over represented, you'll be able to create a LIVE LONG AND PROSPER! Here are some simple tips on how to apply feng shui to your daily life. LOVE Whether you're looking to attract or enhance romantic love, the prime advice is to create spaces with balanced energy. In the bedroom, center your bed so it is easier to approach from either side and add dual grounding pieces like nightstands. The idea is to create a harmonized environment for two people, which in turn, will benefi t your relationship. For a restful night's sleep, make sure the bedroom is far from the disruptive traffi c sounds of a busy street and limit the television watching to the living room where it belongs. Loud noises and televi- sion chatter are distracting and have no place in an ideally calm and sensual environment. HEALTH If your home is healthy, then you'll be healthy. It is thought that when an environment is toxic and improperly balanced, it will refl ect on your health and lead to medical troubles. The bedroom is sup- posed to be a safe haven, a sanctu- ary of comfort, but something as simple as the positioning of your bed can lead to restless nights and a feeling of unwellness. Improper bed placement is said to drain energy and vitality, and can be a cause of abdominal pain. But, beware of angling the bed opposite of the door. Known as the coffi n or dead man position, this inauspi- cious sleeping arrangement calls to mind the way dead are carried out of the house. Instead, position the bed opposite of the door, against a solid wall. SUCCESS If you inhabit a disorganized and cluttered abode, get your house in order, literally and metaphorically. Make your entry way as inviting as possible as a way to "invite opportunities" into your home. Keep in mind the wealth corner or "money spot" of your home is usually located in the southeast area—making such an orientation inappropriate for locating your bathroom for instance, but perhaps ideal for a home offi ce. In feng shui, the bathroom can refl ect negative energy and the toilet is said to "fl ush" positive en- ergy away. It's important to try and achieve a pampering and purifying space to balance out the toliet's draining characteristic. Try lighting candles for the fi re element to ward off negative energy. "If this is your money spot right here and your toilet is there, that's not very good," Lee warns. If you have an offi ce, enchance the chance of wealth with a plant—or other symbols of prosperity. Take note, however, that it's far better to have a lifelike silk plant than a wilting, live plant. Being symbolic of fecundity and growth gives a plant its positive force. A wilting plant evokes only negative energy. —SS customized balanced environment that exudes prosperity and positive chi. Fire When perfectly balanced, fi re will increase heated passion and enthusiasm as well as leadership skills, but watch out that the fi re element doesn't get too heated! An over abundance of fi re can manifest as impulsive- ness, aggression and anger. On the other end of the spectrum however, a lack of fi re will result in coldness and inexpressiveness. Add a few sparks by placing candles and electronics in the room. Bright colors like fi ery red or hot pink and exotic animal prints will also heat things up. Water In a balanced environment, water can bring about serenity, inspiration and wisdom yet too much can evoke the feeling of emotional drowning while too little can bring about loneliness and stress. "I like the soft sound of fl owing water or even looking at slow moving water. It's very calming and peaceful to me," says Lee. To incorporate the water element, use dark tones, refl ective surfaces (includ- ing mirrors), free-form, organic shapes and saxum_dec15_r1.indd 74 FEBRUARY 2016 L I V I N G B Y D E S I G N REAL ESTATE space_Feb16.indd 74 1/20/16 2:53 PM