While many contemporary designers and architects use sharp angles, jutting corners and slanting walls in their work, these are unfortunately problematic for Feng Shui. Conversions, similarly, can result in inauspicious structural details that cause discomfort or an inexplicable uneasiness for the occupants by affecting the free flow of Qi. The golden rule is: wherever Qi flow in a room is disrupted, difficulties may occur.
Edges of furniture pointing at us have the potential to make us feel uncomfortable, as can the edges of shelves, fireplaces and alcoves. Where there are sharp edges or angles in the home, we should always attempt to soften them, to diffuse the negative energy created by poison arrows. Diffusing this negative energy is the cornerstone of living in a harmonious environment. And be aware of dark corners in a room: energy here will be stagnant, stale, lifeless-certainly not the sort of energy you want to encourage in your home! Plants, lights or colors are an excellent way to lift this negative energy. Alcoves with shelving or bookcases in close proximity to dark corners are also good Feng Shui, as they help prevent the areas becoming stagnant. Make sure, however, that the shelving or bookcases are not overflowing-leave some space. Keeping these areas clean and clutter
free will result in good Qi flow.
Expanding families in constrained houses often convert attic spaces into rooms-children's bedrooms, home offices, sewing rooms, libraries or studies. The result can be slanting walls and sloping ceilings. Sloping ceilings can create a visual imbalance in the room and sleeping or working under a slope depresses personal Qi. These areas do little to assist there generative process of sleep or creative processes through the day-they are best used for play rooms or hobby rooms.
Modern Cures: Edges, Corners, and Slanting Walls
The aim is to soften sharp or cutting edges in the home. Plants are one solution, fabric and mirrors another. Where possible, make edges or corners rounded, as this creates an entirely different, more organic feel. Keeping books in cupboards is a solution, but the pleasure of plucking a book from a shelf is then lost. Instead, use plants to soften shelf edges near where we sit and apply scatter cushions, soft rugs and ottomans.
The corners of these rooms are often dark, so it is a good idea to place something colorful there, such as a vase of silk flowers. Alternatively, use a water feature or floor lamp. Putting plants in dark corners will help move Qi around. Uprights and round tables with lamps or mirrors are other ways to expand dark corners.
Should a sloping ceiling be unavoidable, apply mirrors or lights, to help create the illusion of lifting the slope. Colorful, bright paint on the sloping walls can achieve the same effect. In which room does the problem exist? If it's the bathroom, try blue, green or white. For the study, a cheery lemon or a softly bright mustard brown can work wonders. Or if it's the hallway where the problem exists, try a splash of orange or a bold yellow. Another excellent solution is to fill in the sloping walls with built-in storage cupboards. And where skylights are installed to let light into attic conversions, make sure it is possible to see more than just sky. If the room is small, it is preferable that it be of conventional shape. Minimize the effect of slanting ceilings by painting them in light, neutral colors.
Families in constrained houses often convert attic spaces into rooms. The result can be slanting walls and sloping ceilings, as shown above. Both are problematic for Feng Shui. Sleeping or working under a slope depresses personal Qi - it reduces the regenerative power of sleep and inhibits creative working processes.
Should a sloping ceiling be unavoidable in your home, apply mirrors, positive images, plants and rounded furniture and introduce light where possible. Using up-lights or lamps will create the illusion of lifting the slope.
Despite the elegance of this chair, this corner is rarely used by the residents of a modern inner-city apartment. Energy here has a feeling of neglect; it is stagnant and stale, with Qi unable to circulate freely.
As an alternative, a much more comfortable yin option was created using a mirror, a lamp and a rug. These significantly expand this difficult corner noticeably. Always be careful with the size and position of mirrors - while they are powerful Feng Shui tools, if they are placed incorrectly, they encourage negative Qi.
