Feng Shui [fuhng shwey]

You've all heard of this term, but most of you don't know what it entails. Some designers always follow these rules with very design and swear by it. Some of the elements in Feng Shui are just logical ways and ideas that most designers mention and follow anyway. 

The formal definition is : the Chinese art of determining the most propitious design and placement of a grave, building, room, etc, so that the maximum harmony is achieved between the flow of chi of the environment and that of the user, believed to bring good fortune. 

I am going to give you a few examples of the main elements to follow when designing the Feng Shui way :

Five elements of feng shui:
1. Wood
2. Earth
3. Metal
4. Fire
5. Water

Bagua — a feng shui map for your home that combines nine zones with nine major areas of life, called the guas (pronounced gwa).
1. Wealth and Abundance
2. Fame and Reputation
3. Love and Marriage
4. Family and Friends
5. Health
6. Children and Creativity
7. Wisdom
8. Career
9. Travel and Helpful People

The Do's & Dont's of Feng Shui article by Stephanie McWilliams that I read & copied for you all to read:

The Southwest Corner — the segment of your house where love reigns. It governs the luck of love, romance and family happiness and can be activated by using any of the following accessories:

Mandarin ducks (non-wooden)

Chandelier

Soft lighting

Candles

Crystals(natural)

Pink bedsheets

Love Symbols

Entryway

Dos:

• Create an inviting and eye-catching entrance, both inside and out.
• Include uplifting "greeters," such as a waterfall or piece of artwork.
• Add bright and beautiful lighting so the pathway is safe and visible.
• Place inspiring objects leading up to the door, like a meandering pathway and flowers.
• Add plants, especially evergreens, which will stay lush all year.

Don'ts:

• Pile up paperwork, trash or broken objects near the doorway, inside or out.
• Walk into a wall or dead end. If necessary, add a mirror to help visually expand the space.
• Have objects that get in your way or block the flow of energy moving into the home.
• Leave broken steps or items in poor maintenance.
• Let your garage door draw more attention than your home's entrance.

Kitchen

Dos:

• Make sure you can see the entrance of the kitchen when you're cooking, either by installing the stove on an island or by hanging a mirror on your backsplash to reflect the room.
• Keep drawers, cabinets and pantries clean and organized.
• Add seating, regardless of the size of the room.
• Add warm lighting, like incandescent or halogen, which makes you and the food seem much more appealing.
• Keep your stove clean and be sure to use all the burners.

Don'ts:

• Have clutter or unnecessary objects and appliances sitting on countertops or tables.
• Keep old food, whether it's leftovers, dried foods, packages or cans.
• Use fluorescent lights, as they're harsh and unappetizing.
• Have sharp points or dangerous edges on cabinets, furniture and tables.
• Keep knives visible; instead store them away in drawers or cabinets.

Dining Room

Dos:

• Use rounded and oval tables.
• Use white plates, as they allow the natural beauty of the food to be the focal point of the meal.
• Incorporate soft, comfortable chairs that are of equal size.
• Give each person and chair a pleasant view.
• Add serene artwork or imagery of food.

Don'ts:

• Have sharp, pointed edges on tables and chairs.
• Use glass or metal tabletops, which are hard and unfriendly.
• Hang intense or negative artwork.
• Have low-hanging ceiling fans, which create an unsafe atmosphere.
• Create cramped spaces, where people can't comfortably sit or move around the table easily.

Living Room

Dos:

• Use beautiful, yet comfortable and safe furniture.
• Arrange the furniture so the room is inviting and easily accessible.
• Put the TV and other electrical equipment into a cabinet to be hidden from view when not in use.
• Hang objects at the same height and create strong visual horizontal lines, especially when ceilings are extremely high.
• Marry objects and face furniture together so they're in relationship to one another.

Don'ts:

• Use uncomfortable furniture and seating.
• Have too many decorative objects, unless they are organized together as a group.
• Place too many pillows on the couch.
• Use the TV as the focal point of the room or seating arrangement.
• Have beams in the ceiling or sit directly beneath them for long periods of time.

Home Office

Dos:

• Place your desk in the power spot, the area directly opposite the door.
• Add sensual objects and artwork to inspire resourcefulness and productivity.
• Bring in rounded shapes and move sharp-edged furniture out of the traffic flow.
• Add healthy plants, which are beneficial to counter-balance the effects of electrical equipment.
• Create a filing and storage system that is clearly labeled and easy to use.

Don'ts:

• Sit in the line of energy coming in through the door.
• Hang uninspiring or mismatched artwork.
• Paint the room in drab colors.
• Use broken or uncomfortable office chairs.
• Pile up paperwork or create clutter and disorganization.
• Sit with your back toward the office door. If you must, hang a mirror to see behind you.

Bedroom

Dos:

• Sleep in the power spot, which is located directly opposite the door.
• Add a solid headboard, ideally in a warm, friendly material such as wood or leather.
• Replace bedding at least once a year to add a fresh, positive energy to the space.
• Add romantic imagery or objects grouped in sets of two or pairs.
• Use warm colors, flesh tones or red and pink to spice up the room and your romance.

Don'ts:

• Sleep with your body in line with the path of energy entering through the bedroom door.
• Have TVs, computers or exercise equipment, unless they're hidden away or in a storage cabinet.
• Have an excess of mirrors, which can sometimes activate too much energy.
• Use footboards, which prevent you from easily moving around the bed.
• Place one side of the bed against a wall. There should be equal space on either side for two people to comfortably enter and exit.

Bathroom

Dos:

• Create a beautiful, uplifting and organized space.
• Add new linens, bath soaps, plants, soft lighting and other beautiful accessories.
• Add a mirror to the door to help the bathroom visually disappear.
• Put a divider between the bathroom and bedroom in master suites.
• Add earth and fire elements.

Don'ts:

• Leave the toilet seat up or drains uncovered when not in use.
• Create clutter on the sink, countertop and tub edge or in the shower stall.
• Hold on to old or unused bottles of shampoos, products, creams and potions.
• Have the toilet in plain view. Try covering or screening it when possible.
• Create a small, cramped area. Try adding mirrors to help expand the feeling of the space.