FENG SHUI
In this period of retrospective design, trends seem to be more fast and frequent than ever before. The world of design feels saturated with multiple styles and eras being revived and combined. It can feel a bit overwhelming. In order to navigate this, I have found myself returning to my knowledge of design philosophy; the core principles of design that have endured time and transcended ‘trend’…
USEFUL TIP: A good way to figure out the energy flow in your house is to imagine a river flowing through it - which areas fill up easily with water and which are left dry?
Throughout my career I have witnessed numerous styles travel in and out of fashion. I have never thought of myself as a designer that actively follows trends but I’ve always been able to differentiate a fad from a classic. However, in this period of retrospective design, trends seem to be more fast and frequent than ever before. The world of design feels saturated with multiple styles and eras being revived and combined. It can feel a bit overwhelming. In order to navigate this, I have found myself returning to my knowledge of design philosophy; the core principles of design that have endured time and transcended ‘trend’.
In our last post Season’s Senses I discussed the Hygge philosophy, this time I want to look at Feng Shui. Feng Shui, at its surface level, came to the attention of the western design world in the 90’s. Instead of gaining popularity on social media like Hygge, it was self-help books that flew off the shelves about how to ‘feng shui your life’. Everyone was doing it, including Bridget Jones. This simplified version packaged for the west felt like a fad, however the true philosophy of Feng Shui withstands.
Image via the Feng Shui Society. Contact them to find a Feng Shui training course or consultant.
A BRIEF HISTORY
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese discipline dating back thousands of years that translates to ‘wind-water’. It was initially used to identify safe locations where communities would be able to settle, farm and flourish. It was later used to determine the best sites for burial grounds and sacred buildings. It’s primary concern is with the flow of Qi/Chi (氣) “natural energy” in a space and the objects that block it. Traditionally, Feng Shui was treated like a secret art and knowledge was only passed down within families.
FENG SHUI AND INTERIOR DESIGN
Feng Shui is a complex and ancient discipline - one that I am constantly learning about. It would be disingenuous for me to try and explain or simplify all the rules so instead I’d like to share a few of the key ideas that have informed me as a designer over the years.
The first thing to understand about Feng Shui is that it’s largely about balancing components. It’s believed that if we can balance out the natural elements - earth, wood, fire, metal and water - then we can balance the energy within our home, helping us live more harmonious lives. I often refer to this ideology when developing a design as it can be applied to the selection of both materials and colour.
COLOUR
I talk a lot about colour psychology when I discuss interior design. Colour can transform a space and our mood. Similarly, Feng Shui believes that colour is a very powerful tool for harnessing desired energies. Each natural element is represented by a palette of colours. This varies between different schools of Feng Shui however the most common are - Wood: green/brown, Fire: red/dark yellow/orange, Earth: sandy/light brown, Metal: white/grey, Water: blue/black.
Green is believed to be a good colour to activate energy, especially when used in different shades. It connotes health and growth so is suitable for kitchens and bathrooms. Plants are a great way to introduce green throughout a house. Ideal placement for plants are on the inside or outside of corners as it’s believed that the sharp angles give off bad energy. The greenery counters this energy and softens any harsh lines.
Little Greene ‘Jewel Beetle’
MIRRORS
Mirrors are a fantastic design tool - especially when it comes to applying Feng Shui to a demanding space. Most homes in the UK aren’t structurally designed to allow for good Feng Shui. For example, narrow hallways, often found in terrace houses, can stifle energy flows. A big mirror is the best way to combat this as they activate energy and extend spaces. Try not to position a mirror where it will directly reflect a door, staircase, loo or any door facing outside (as this would just bounce energy straight back out).
Image and mirror via Cox & Cox. Mirrors are excellent for dining areas as it’s believed that the doubling of the food symbolizes abundance for the household.
Image and mirror via Cox & Cox.
Feng Shui is a lot more meticulous and technical in comparison to Hygge. However, like most design philosophies, Feng Shui, at its heart is about being conscious. It is a belief that habitat and inhabitant are connected beyond geography and the material. In a time that feels so unstable, I believe creating some structure and balance at home is one of the best things we could do for ourselves.
MODERN BOHEMIAN
I’ve had my eye on the ‘modern bohemian’ trend for a while now as it’s popularity has grown. Its eclectic nature and combinations of materials appeals to my personal aesthetic. My favourite thing about this style is that there aren’t any strict rules and that there are so many opportunities for self-expression...
I’ve had my eye on the ‘modern bohemian’ trend for a while now as it’s popularity has grown. Its eclectic nature and combinations of materials appeals to my personal aesthetic. My favourite thing about this style is that there aren’t any strict rules and that there are so many opportunities for self-expression.
The word Bohemian means ‘a socially unconventional person, especially one who is involved in the arts’. The French definition also refers to the Romany gypsies, who are thought to have originated from India before arriving in Europe in the 13th Century. It is often said that this accounts for the Indian and Moroccan influences in Bohemian design.
In the past bohemian style has been associated with being busy and sometimes a little overwhelming. Modern bohemian is the first stage of its evolution. It maintains the core bohemian values but is a little more refined and curated. It takes the clean lines and functionality of modern design and combines it with the textures of bohemian craft.
SOURCE: Etsy / Thoughts From Alice
Achieving a ‘modern bohemian’ look need not break the bank. Developing this style is less about spending money and more about the journey and discovery of each item or element - the chair found in the skip, the piece of art collected on holiday, the coffee table from the flea market. It’s about using what you have and up-cycling while also discovering new artists and designers to support. This is what makes designing modern bohemian schemes so exciting. When done right, it is difficult not to be drawn in by the stories and history.
THE CANVAS
Plain, simple walls work well as a blank canvas to showcase a room’s contents. I find a white backdrop is usually best for calming the mind and keeping the space light and airy. Darker feature walls can be used to create depth and drama.
FURNITURE
It is important that all furniture is made from natural materials such as wood, leather, stone, metal etc. The furniture is used as a neutral background in order for the accessories to thrive. Some of my favorite furniture choices involve clean lines and geometry. I love contrasting this with smaller less structured, less refined items of furniture like floor poufs or beaten up leather chests.
RUGS
Rugs are a staple for any modern bohemian design, whether they are on the floor or being displayed as a wall hanging. They bring in some much needed colour and pattern. The two most typical rugs used in this style are vintage Persian rugs and Kelim rugs.
SOURCE: Design Sponge
SOURCE: John Lewis
ACCESSORIES
The accessories side of modern bohemian is where it really gets fun. I definitely prefer the quality over quantity approach as it forces me to be really selective. It also helps prevent areas from getting over-cluttered. Primary accessories include cushions and throws. Again, these are great opportunities to introduce colour, pattern and texture. Kelim cushions work really well, especially when paired or contrasted with a rug. The next step is the inclusion of natural light. This can be done with candles, lanterns and mirrors. The final step is greenery. As stated in our previous blog post ‘Going Green’, I’m currently a huge fan of air plants. Creeping indoor plants are also great to add that relaxed feel.
SOURCE: ruemag.com
ARTWORK
It’s important to remember that bohemianism is very much about a collaboration between art and nature. Without art this style would not exist. Therefore careful selection of artwork is paramount, whether it's one focal piece or an arrangement of multiple pieces. This is where each individual can really express themselves and add their own personal touch.
DESIGNER: Kait Joseph, Kait is a Californian interior designer who specializes in modern bohemian design. Her work is very inspirational!
ARTWORK: Jon Rou
Due to its inclusion of vintage items and natural materials, the modern bohemian style is timeless. In fact, it is very much a style that can develop and improve over time. It is smart, but relaxed. Simple, yet very interesting. This makes it perfect for any kind of home.
Check out our Pinterest board for this post for more Modern Bohemian inspiration!
GOING GREEN
Every Spring, I drive my kids nuts as I comment on the fresh greenery that emerges almost overnight. There is something very exciting about seeing nature coming back to life and breathing again. Pantone made this ‘Greenery’ their Colour of the Year 2017 describing the colour as...
Every Spring, I drive my kids nuts as I comment on the fresh greenery that emerges almost overnight. The foliage bursts with such vibrancy that I can’t help but point it out in wonderment. There is something very exciting about seeing nature coming back to life and breathing again. Pantone made this ‘Greenery’ their Colour of the Year 2017 describing the colour as ‘A refreshing and revitalizing shade, symbolic of new beginnings’. I find it fascinating that this is a trend we can always rely on when we need it most.
In times of uncertainty we turn to nature for support and reassurance. Over the last 27 years in business I’ve seen it happen multiple times - during the recession in the 90’s, the beginning of the Iraq war and the Great Recession. In 2016, we had the double whammy of Brexit and the US election. When tired, polarized and overwhelmed, green symbolizes hope, rebirth and health. Nature is the one thing that unites us all, it is constant, truthful and strong. It persists.
The importance of green, especially in 2017, also feels like a backlash to technology and the media. People want to connect in a real way, with each other and with their surroundings. There’s a desire to go back to basics. To what is simple and honest.
This ‘Greenery’ trend applies not only to the colour schemes of 2017 but also to design practice and materials. For the last decade there has been a strong drive towards sustainable design solutions. However, with efforts to prevent climate change coming under threat, eco-friendly design appears to be an urgent priority this year. Consumers are becoming more aware and sustainable design is becoming more sophisticated. Projects of every scale can now balance aesthetic and the environment.
Scandinavian and Japanese interiors are currently very on-trend. They both look to nature for their inspiration and have long been associated with relaxation and serenity. Our homes are our safe places, where we can retreat from the outside world. It is becoming more and more important for these spaces to contribute to our well-being and the use of natural, renewable materials benefits us both mentally and economically. Studies have shown that the use of exposed wood in design schemes can help relieve stress and reduce fatigue. In Scandinavian design it is used to add warmth, both in appearance and as an insulator, to beat the winter blues. There has also been research connecting the durable and timeless qualities of these materials to people's levels of comfort. Our day to day lives are so far from our natural environment that the use of real stone worktops and real wood floors reconnects and grounds us.
Earthy greens and browns contrasted with fresh whites and paired with natural woods help the mind relax and work very well for spaces like home offices and bathrooms. All paint colours in the imagery of this blog post are available at Saal Design.
TIPS FOR GOING GREEN AT HOME…
Plants at home improve air quality and are very beneficial. They will also add that fresh ‘Greenery’ zing to your room! Bamboo Palm, Spider Plants and Boston Fern’s are great purifiers and humidify the air, while Peace Lilies are great for removing mold from spaces like bathrooms and other damp areas. Air plants are my current fascination. Aesthetically, they are beautiful and are extremely easy to incorporate into any scheme or space. Plus, they don’t require soil and don’t don’t attract any bugs!
LED lighting has advanced hugely over the last few years and is now an extremely efficient and economical design solution. They use up to 90% less energy than an incandescent or halogen bulbs of equivalent brightness. Lighting is available in a whole range of colour temperatures and can be dimmed to create the perfect atmosphere. Candles, after daylight, are the most natural sources of light. They are a very simple and effective way of bringing nature and warmth into your home.
Avoid volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are health hazards. These can be found in various paints, household products, furniture, carpets etc. Luckily, all our paint suppliers at Saal Design only offer low VOC content products.
Choose real and sustainable materials. When choosing new furniture or when redesigning opt for the real or sustainable material over the synthetic. Although they may be more expensive at the time of purchase, they will be more durable and offer you and your home far more in the long run.
For any questions or enquiries regarding the paint products featured in the imagery of this post please don't hesitate to contact us: info@saaldesign.co.uk or 01926 334 556.
Images supplied by Little Greene
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