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Using Feng Shui, the Chinese art of changing the flow of energy within a building, can make your home a more relaxing place. The Chinese believe that this art helps to cultivate wealth, health and happiness. To use this system effectively, you must de-clutter your home before you start decorating. Go through your belongings and find what you can sell, give away or discard.
Feng Shui has five elements, wood, earth, fire, metal and water, which must be arranged in a balanced manner. Each element is associated with certain colors, materials and objects. Red and orange are fire, brown and yellow are earth, black and dark blue are water, green and medium blue are wood and white and gray are metal. To increase the fire in a room, include candles and lighting. Bring in marble, ceramics and tile to increase earth. Add an aquarium or glass objects to increase the water element. Add plants, books and wooden objects to enhance the wood element. Add metal furniture and decorations to bring in more of the metal element. -
There is a wide range of Chinese decorative items to choose from. Chinese furniture is often made from lacquered rosewood, encrusted with jade, ivory or mother or pearl. Low furniture such as stools and tables can give a room a Chinese look and feel. Use incised lacquer screens to fill an empty corner in a room. You can use small decorations such as figures or boxes made from carved jade or lacquer to decorate the tops of counters, tables and dressers. Also consider using porcelain vessels decorated with blue designs. When selecting art, choose traditional Chinese paintings of landscapes such as mountains, birds or flowers and foliage painted on silk. Also, consider hanging a woven tapestry on the wall. Replace linoleum and carpet with hardwood or tile floors, and add a large woolen Chinese knotted carpet to dress up your floors and make them more comfortable to walk on. Place paper lanterns over light fixtures and use bamboo window treatments such as shades or blinds. Also include some live bamboo plants in your home. To make them look truly Chinese, decorate the bamboo with red and gold tassels.
You can find Chinese decor items either online or in stores. However, you probably won't find many of the items you want in your local department or furniture stores. See if there's a store in your area such as Oriental Furniture Warehouse that specializes in Asian decor. If not, ordering online may be your best bet.
