Feng shui, (pronounced fung shway) is a system of rules to govern spatial arrangement and orientation in relation to the flow of energy, or "chi." It is a principle of positive and negative effects (yin and yang) that are taken into account when placing and designing buildings or objects.

Aspects of feng shui — Yin and yang: Are opposites and are interdependent, like night and day, cold and heat. Yin: Way of the Earth, female, winter, dark, moon, interior, still and passive.

Yang: Way of heaven, male, summer, light, sun, exterior, movement and active.

YIN AND YANG IN DECORATION

Yin

Emphasizes relaxation and resting

Color: Soft pastels, earth tones

Shape: Curvy lines, round, oval objects

Materials: Lightweight, natural, such as wicker

Atmosphere: Filtered light, soft music, light scent

Rooms of focus: Family rooms, dining rooms, playroom, office

Yang

Emphasizes social life, activity

Color: Bold, strong hues

Shape: Geometrics

Materials: Dense woods, stone, tiles, metal

Atmosphere: Direct light, blinds up, noise

Rooms of focus: Bedroom, bathroom, meditation room

A feng shui master bedroom

BEFORE

1. Bed situated between the

door and the windows

2. Large mirror on armoire door

3. Corner of armoire pointing at bed

4. Arm chair with clutter

5. Love area empty

6. TV on stand

AFTER

1. Bed moved from the path of chi

2. Mirror removed

3. Armoire moved — no corner pointing towards the bed

4. Chest protects the bed from the energy entering the room

5. Love area activated with pictures

6. Television has been removed. Landscape picture added on the wall.

A feng shui kitchen

• Montouchet says the cook should be able to see the door; if not, put a mirror behind the stove, which also symbolically multiplies the amount of food cooked.

• Don't have empty vases or bottles out because they symbolize not having enough food. Also, don't leave out dry or sick plants or any trash cans.

• Green and yellow are great kitchen colors. Green encourages health, and yellow is good for dialogue.

A feng shui bathroom

• Montouchet offers several suggestions for how to make different rooms feng shui friendly.

• For a bathroom, she suggests avoiding clutter and keeping the space clean, decanting beauty supplies in decorative bottles, adding green plants that thrive in the room's moisture, and replacing metal accessories with wood.

• She also recommends putting scales in a closet because they represent a negative physical image; medication should also be stored out of the open. Dirty laundry should go in container in a closet.

• Posters and photos of nature are a good idea, and essential oils can complete the scene. Peppermint and orange are great for boosting energy in the morning, and lavender is good for relaxation at night.

For other rooms

Air and spirit. Circulating life force

whose existence is governed by its environment. Enters the front door

and moves around furniture and objects.

Good chi: Garden with quality plants and trees, no weeds; well-kept house, attractive objects

Bad chi: Sharp angles, dark corners, straight corridor, bad odors

Never sit, sleep or work in the chi current

Clutter slows down or lowers chi

Sources: Patricia Montouchet, Oxford American Dictionary