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Body, Mind, Spirit - THE INTERVIEW

Speaking of energy, much is being written about feng shui, which I believe you use regularly in your work.
Feng shui is one of many mystical disciplines I integrate in my work. Feng, shui, the ancient Chinese art of object placement, has been around for 6,000 years in the East but is only now gaining popularity in America. Feng Shui is a life force, and in participation with it, we can move into a co-creative process with our own life. A study of feng shui can teach you how to manipulate the energies in your home for the best results. However, I urge people to study this art seriously, rather than rely on sound bites about how to position your sofa or how to design your driveway.

Let's talk about shared intimate space such as the bedroom. In designing a home for the heart, how can we please and nurture two hearts.
When someone moves in with you, into an intimate space that has been yours alone, you will, of course, need to make adjustments. You will want to use your surroundings to accommodate each individual sharing that space and also to nurture and strengthen the developing relationship. Communicate your needs and desires, especially about the type of ambience you both want in the bedroom. Your ultimate goal is to capture, then create, a shared essence. It is also important, however, to set aside a personal space for each person in the home, whether it's a closet, a dresser, or meditation area. Many people fear losing their privacy when someone moves in, so finding common denominators, along with planning for private spaces, allows that adjustment period to go more smoothly.

On a purely aesthetic level, different colors and different textures evoke different feelings. Sleeping on yellow sheets reinforces understanding and longevity of the relationship. The colors blue and lavender promote serenity. But really, the best way to design a shared space is to study your daily lifestyle and habits. If you both enjoy cozy chats in bed, then make sure pillows and comforters are made of textures and styles that promote snuggling. If you like to read in bed, but your mate doesn't, then plan the lighting in such a way that it doesn't interfere with the other person's dream state. The dream state is something people often ignore when designing a shared bedroom. You may not lie alone in your bedroom, but you do sleep alone, and you dream alone.Therefore, your shared bedroom should encourage the peaceful repose of both partners. Sleeping atop clutter, for example, unconsciously affects us, even disturbs us. The area immediately surrounding you should promote safety, openness, and harmony. Really think about what you and your mate need to sleep serenely. Clutter also affects the waking state of mind. If your mate has to climb over piles of your belongings to get out of bed and start the day, this is anything but harmonious. Many feng shui practitioners believe that a bedroom should be located off a sitting room, in the upper level of the home.Actual placement of the bed should be in the north-south position, with the headboard facing magnetic north, to eliminate glare in the morning and achieve the most energetic balance. To circulate good chi energy, you can also place wind chimes outside the bedroom window or install a ceiling fan. These basic steps can help nurture the dream state and help create a sensual, nurturing hideaway.

You are a great believer in stimulating all the senses in one's home. Can you share some ideas about how we can do this?
Generally, interior design is viewed as a one-dimensional visual experience, when in reality it is a total sensory experience. Concentrate on all the senses, the way your home smells, feels and sounds. The world at your feet is a good place to start. What textures do you want to feel when you step out of bed on a cold morning, or when you enter your home on a hot day? Smell is another powerful sense. Fresh flowers, the aroma of sweet natural herbs, and fragrant healing oils can enhance the feeling of home-ness. Sounds, music and vibrations can be used in every room to add ambience. Also, feel free to mix textures, both rough and smooth-- not every pillow must be satin. When entertaining, actively treat your guests to a variety of sensual delights. At the promotion party for my book, I set up a sensuality room, wherein my guests were able to touch, smell, and taste a variety of materials, fragrances, and food. It was wonderful.

Do you have any final thoughts about the inside-out process?
The home design process is a spiritual makeover as much as a material experience. By working from the inside out, you will discover your own personal sense of style and view your home through new eyes. Then, by working from the outside in, you can take tangible steps to make your home what you envision. Also, remember that home design is a cyclical process. As your interests broaden, as your lifestyle changes, as you discover new dimensions in your spirituality, you will naturally experience urges to change your surroundings. Sometimes this is a clue that your home needs a complete makeover; other times it means it would benefit from a spring cleaning to rejuvenate spatial energies. Home is a setting that provides peace of mind, freedom, room to grow and change.

The inner design process is really about our ever changing life design. What is most important is to choose respectfully and mindfully---with awareness and conscious consideration given to the potential physical, emotional, and spiritual impacts of your choices. Uncover and visually interpret your deepest needs through your environment--be it fresh, simple, and clean; exciting and alive; full of homey and wonderful scents; striking or intimate; precious and personally sacred. Allow the part of yourself that speaks softly to be heard. Designing your home is an invitation to participate in your life more fully! And during those times when negativity rears its head, call on daily affirmation to help you continue the creative process. WELCOME HOME!

November/December 1997