Is Your Interior Space In Harmony With Your Chinese Zodiac?

FENG SHUI DECORATING AND THE CHINESE ZODIAC

The Chinese are great believers in the forces of nature over man and in the beliefs of those customs which have been passed down from one generation to another for many hundreds of years. Their unique zodiac in an example of this, and does not correspond to the constellations, the astrological zodiac most used and known throughout the world. They directly relate the year of birth, not the month, to a specific animal, and that person’s spirit and essence may very well be aligned with some or many of the dominant characteristics and colors relating to that animal. Some animal signs are far luckier than others and it is therefore extremely important to create in one’s environments open paths for positive energy to flow into one’s life. This is done through the use of FENG SHUI, a unique kind of interior decoration which places a room in complete harmony.

When designing a room, entire home or work space using the teachings of FENG SHUI in order to release into the environment as much energy as possible, I follow the dictates set down by the Chinese over 2000 years ago, and use the more “spiritual” aspects of that person’s birth year and birth animal to create a setting which is artistically and beautifully designed, but which also incorporates aspects of the client’s personality which they might not as yet be conscious of.

Many clients over the 25 years have a preference for a particular color or palette of colors or a period of design. Some prefer ‘hot’ colors, clean surfaces and insist on maximum outside light from the moment they arise each morning. The corollary is the client who wants a neutral, monochromatic color scheme with incandescent ‘mood’ lighting and antiques. Each client may be responding to stimulus directly relating to the alignment of heaven and earth at the time of their births. And most likely does not know why they are more comfortable and feel greater energy in one setting over another.

This is the beginning of the essence of FENG SHUI, the ancient Chinese art whereby the design and decorating of any given space in a particular way, a skilled practitioner can open up the energy pathways and create an environment which redirects in a very positive way, that person’s luck, health, happiness, etc.

Creating some basic examples aligning the characteristics of the animal with the esthetics which will be appreciated by the client, follows.

The years of THE RAT: 1900, 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

This personality is often humorous, honest and meticulous but with a hunger for power and the money it can bring. That can be translated into manipulative and frugal.

The Chinese colors which best suit this personality are red, green and white. Using a palette of greens from grey green to forest green with vibrant touches of red and a soothing background of whites and neutrals can create the most positive environment for this person.

For example, begin with a lacquer green on the front door and carry the theme inside. Bring nature indoors with liberal use of fabrics highlighting green shades. Use Georgian period furniture and silk taffeta on the windows which will create a “rustle” like the sound of leaves in the wind. Bleached wooden floors continue the feel of nature. Create pools of reflected light with the liberal use of mirrors. Bronze and brass accents might suit this client better than steel. An area rug incorporating a leaf motif border in green setting off a cove of built-ins filled with books which seem to create a feeling of permanence and stability.

The years of THE OX: 1901, 1913,1925,1937,1949,1961,1973,1985, 1997, 2009

Tenuous and laboring but with an active mind. H ard-working but accomplishes less than the energy spent would dictate.

Chinese colors: Yellow, red, white. Combine the physical energy of red with yellow for a terra cotta palette–earth tones. These colors are soothing for such a hard-working sign, yet create enough energy for that active mind.

This palette lighter can be used as peach, apricot, even going into soft peachy pink. However, these colors create the wrong energy in a bedroom because they are not good for relationships.

A warm, relaxing atmosphere can be created in the bedroom of the OX by using golden topaz, nutmeg, and curry with touches of red. A period room evoking the Roaring 20’s would give this personality pleasure. An old iron bed with large down pillows covered in an array of textures like stripes, plaids and moirés. No little pillows for this personality. Keep the walls a yellowed off-white, and create drama on a floor of brown to ginger marble with wood insets. Frame the artwork in carved woods, sleek wood. Add a club chair of ample size covered in a combination fabric of topaz, nutmeg & curry. Fill the room with terra cotta pots brimming with blooming plants adding red with green accents. The reading table, a focus point in tortoise faux bois.

The years of THE TIGER: 1902,1914,1926,1938,1950,1962,1974,1986, 1998, 2010

Active leaders. Strong, dominant. Protectors and courageous. Restless at night. Needs a surrounding big and bold.

Chinese colors – yellow, red, white. Yellow associated with creative energy, the mind and power. A warning: Yellow is a very difficult color. Too much, too strong and any room becomes a neon nightmare. It’s an ideal color as a focal point if sharp combined with a neutral background which even makes the sharper yellow more interesting.

Use pale yellow with golden brown/ginger and copper. Colors that have an internal flame. A combination which works beautifully for night lighting and candles, perfect for this night stalker. Use sconce and torch lighting. Add architectural interest with stone columns, elements of Gothic and Renaissance detailing in the moldings and period furniture. Use natural leather with animal print velvet and red for accent pillows.

The years of THE RABBIT: 1903, 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999

Quick, given to be smart and clever and very sociable. Always “jumping” around, often doesn’t complete tasks.

Chinese colors – purple, red, white. Vibrant tones such as royal blue are good, as are the softer violet shades to lilac. This soft tone is romantic, and mixed with the deeper plum tones of violet to aubergine creates a warm and rich room.

Walls glazed in the softest nickel grey over white will create the look of pale lilac. Granite surfaces on tables are elegant with floors of bleached wood. To balance the purple tones use a lot of white in various tones and textures such as gauzy white lawn at the windows, a textured white muslin headboard with mirror trim, and a mirrored dressing table with a deep aubergine stool of satin.

Bring into the room some accents of turquoise, stark black and white photos in black frames, and the Rabbit will feel comfortable.

The Year of THE DRAGON: 1904, 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000

The Dragon has magical powers. It is intuitive and artistic and can soar to the highest heights or be as deep as the sea. Stubborn and often difficult to get close to.

Chinese colors – white, red, purple. These colors together are called the Imperial Blue, a vibrant color. Red violet can be warm and inviting while clear red can be stimulating and exciting when used with direction.

Red lacquer walls in this study with creamy off white trim will set off an antique carpet of rich purple, blue, red shades. Mix shades of red with the down-tone of brown, blush rose, rosy purple and softest lilac like a pussy willow. Use crackled glass on tables, gold leaf on gaming table, bronzed metal shades on lamps. Quilt chairs. This room is lush and mysterious and intense.

T he Year of THE SNAKE: 19 05, 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001

Called the “Little Dragon” the snake is calm and understanding. Success and fame come easy. This sign is alluring and often fickle.

Chinese colors – white, green, red. Red is an auspicious color though very dramatic and not for everyone.  It does create warmth in a small space and is stimulating and inviting. Mixing red with white in all its tones can be a romantic bedroom color. Red with a touch of green turns to burgundy and plum to aubergine tones, perfect for work areas. This same palette is elegant in traditional, formal spaces such as the living room or library.

Don’t be afraid of red. Use it with a broad stroke. White walls with Venetian red trim; red walls with white lacquer trim. Gilded frames and swing arm lamps. Antique tables of black iron with aubergine marble. Red & white stripes mixed with pink & white check — satin to linen. The snake is calm, decorating can be bold.

The Year of THE HORSE: 1906, 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002

Charming and likable, the horse is hardworking and astute. He is skillful at getting power, respect and wealth. Horses can be stubborn, obstinate; often too frank and tactless.

Chinese colors – white, green, red. Horses like to see the sky, but don’t want too much bright color, only a touch. A bath with a skylight or added-on private sun patio is perfect. Black Potora marble combined with tones of deepest green; accents of plum, burgundy and lacquer red–but only for the towels and area rug. Accent with gold fixtures.

The Year of THE RAM: 1907, 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Intelligent and artistic, a success at business and at earning money. Good natured but undisciplined, the Ram likes the color green, the color of success.

The Ram is an outdoor sort and likes the colors of nature. When designing for a Ram create the impression of open space and bring as much of the colors and textures of the out-of-doors inside. The palette should be pale and serene. Use linen, painted canvas tables, billowing, sheer window treatments, or bamboo shades. Lots of terra cotta pots filled with trees and lots of white…shiny or matte on painted furniture, accents such as mirrors. Paint the walls a soft yellow almost like wheat and use sage green in area rugs. No jolt of hot color for the Ram.

The Year of T HE MONKEY: 1908, 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

People born in one of the above years are said to accomplish much in business perhaps because they are problem solvers and are not looking for the glory. The Monkey is likable and witty, but can be meddlesome.

Chinese color s – white, yellow, green. This is a perfect sign for the stronger yellow colors. It is a stimulating color which does bring warmth to a space because it is the sunshine color.

A morning room or breakfast room in pure yellow, green and crisp white will suit the Monkey. Use oak and pine, sisal rugs, and fabrics and wallpaper with verdant leaf patterns in combination with paisley. The Monkey is at home in the climes of Florida, California and the tropics.

The Year of THE ROOSTER/THE COCK: 1909, 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Hardworking, resourceful, talented, courageous and popular but overly brazen with family and friends, the Rooster likes to strut his stuff.

Chinese colors – white, red, yellow. Use the red and yellows to create the warmth of the sun. Both of these colors in their purer forms are great, lively colors work best in areas where relaxing is not the objective. Use the mixed colors of terra cotta combined with cool tones of blue to produce a relaxing atmosphere.

The Rooster’s personality is comfortable with bamboo, wicker and terra cotta tile. Bring the outdoors inside by painting the walls white, using outside lounge chairs covered in red inside and paint the ceiling a light blue tone. Use blooming red flowers in abundance in terra cotta pots. A huge wall mirror with a sea shell frame adds the right touch.

The Year of THE DOG: 1910, 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Honest and courageous with a deep sense of justice, the people born in the Year of the Dog are said to be magnanimous and prosperous. The Dog can be guarded and although he seems relaxed and calm, on the inside his mind is always going.

Chinese colors – Yellow, white, red. The orange to brown palette can work well for the Dog. Muted earth tones are good with touches of yellow and blues for more stimulation and to cool down the space.

Parquet floors with a Persian rug add ultimate elegance when balanced with walls of glazed brown, wood bookcases, cinnabar tables. Yellow and burgundy silk fabrics and ample reading chairs in worn mustard leather with luxurious thrown of paisley and plaid cashmere. And all around a roaring fire for the perfect setting for the sign of the Dog.

The Year of THE PIG : 1911, 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

This is the sign which can be confusing. While sensitive and caring, the Pig is bawdy and earthy and can do things to excess.

Chinese colors – Red, white, yellow. The sensitive and caring Pig likes pastels and rose for a romantic bedroom. Yellow and plum will create rich and subtle tones in the living room. More yellows in the sunshine and warm palette can be effective in larger family areas.

The Pig likes spicy colors. Saffron rugs and red walls. Red flowers surrounding lots of white accents. This is a good sign for Gothic shapes, a Casablanca overhead fan and ethnic wall hangings.

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

Popularity: 53% [?]