What’s good Feng Shui you say? This Ancient Chinese “art of placement” has been practised for thousands of years and is still used today for designing interiors and exteriors. Now you too can create a thoughtful and happy home by following our simple guide below.

What is Feng Shui?

Feng Shui is a practise based on how we interact with our environment. By thoughtfully arranging the position of elements around us, we can harmonise the natural flow of energy. It’s believed that if you can maintain good energy at home, it will naturally flow into other areas of your life.

Create a focal point in a room

There should be a key point of focus as you enter any room. This helps centre a room and by styling around it you can set the tone and theme for the room. For living room areas ensure the that centre of the tv screen is at eye level when seated and artwork is not hung too high.

Relationships

It’s all about balance with Feng Shui. Find harmony in your home by introducing pairs of objects. Whether it be in artwork (a pair of birds, fish or butterflies are nice), ornaments, cushions, armchairs or even bedsides.

Artwork

Use artwork to create a focal point of view and inject some uplifting energy into a room. For front door entrances that have short distances between door and wall, feature wall art to draw your guests inside. Hanging mirrors on these walls at entrances are considered bad Feng Shui, as the good energy is reflected out of the home. For the bedroom, choose positive and peaceful imagery for a restful night’s sleep.

Mirrors

Use mirrors to reflect a beautiful view into your home, whether it be an outside garden or indoor greenery. Mirrors can make a space feel much larger than it is and draw in more natural light. Position them in spaces where you feel may need an increase in energy flow. If certain rooms feel too frantic or busy, inserting a mirror into the room can create a calming and more relaxed atmosphere.

Plants

Introducing nature into the home, helps with the purity of air and creates a calming and peaceful setting. A combination of real plants and artificial plant and flowers for hard to survive areas will create positive energy and reduce stress. Decorate your potted plants in baskets and stands made from natural materials such as woven seagrass, wicker and bamboo.

Position rounded leaf plants (such as rubber plants, fiddle leaf and bamboo) at the front door, which is the mouth of Chi energy. Ward off negative energy around computers with peace lilies, ferns and palms. Use tall, mature plants in the corners of rooms with sloped ceilings or heavy exposed beams to offset the heaviness and raise a low ceiling.

Lighting

Try to expose rooms to as much natural light as possible throughout the day. Keep curtains and blinds open and for darker areas and use floor or table lamps to illuminate the room. Candles are wonderful for Feng Shui in the bedroom; not only do they clear the energy but they also create a sense of calm and warmth with their soft glow and lovely scents.

Colours

Choose brighter shades and grounding colours for more active areas such as the living room and hallways. If wall colour is too much of a statement for you, then consider integrating colour through accent pieces such as throws, cushions and artwork which can be easily updated.

Neutral “skin” colours from ivory, beige, toffee and brown are suggested for bedrooms. Other calming hues such as blues and greens are also suitable for quiet rooms such as the bedroom or study.

For more inspiration and decorating tips visit us in-store at one of our three store locations, our style experts look forward to assisting you.

So you’ve recently furnished your new home, or have decided to give your home a makeover.  You’ve proudly pieced together all your key furniture items, but looking around, your home just feels like it is missing something. Do you have an empty hallway, a bare wall in your living/dining area or an odd nook in the house that could benefit from an accent piece? If the answer is yes, the time has come to purchase your first Chinese Antique furniture!

There is nothing quite like the thrill of finding the perfect Chinese antique furniture for your home. With so much variation in size, colour, finish and age, you will be sure to find a piece that will work with your current décor or be the start of something new.

A Chinese Antique, is more than just another piece of furniture. While it has the added value of filling a space and providing some extra storage, it’s the piece that is going to create the ‘A-HA’ moment as soon as you walk into the room. It could be the size, the colour, or the small details that make such a piece shine in your home.

For contrast and intrigue, look for a vibrant colour. Consider rich hues of turquoise blues, fuchsia pink, or for a greater touch of the oriental, try an opulent red with beautiful hand painted floral detail.

For an understated coastal or country style, seek out matte and raw finishes, in lighter & natural shades.

If colour is not your thing, consider rich chocolates and black for some grandeur to your space. Find interesting ways to utilise your Chinese Antique, as a bathroom cabinet or entertainment unit.

Don’t be afraid of your Chinese Antique’s perfect imperfections. Some date back as early as the 1800s, and as this furniture was used in Chinese daily life, wear and tear is a natural part of the overall look. Some restoration will have been undertaken to parts of the internal or external build to restore it to its former glory.

Never buy a Chinese Antique to fill a space but rather search for something you love. Find a size that is also right for your home, as while it is possible to put a piece in storage for the future, your Chinese Antique should be integrated into your life and enjoyed by others.

At SHACK, we seek out exclusive, one-off pieces that include an exquisite collection of storage trunks, consoles, armoires, small to large cabinets, buffets and sideboards. Our furniture has been crafted from elegant Chinese elm and recovered from rural provinces in China. Let us help you find your forever Chinese antique. Contact or visit your nearest store to take a further look at some previously sold pieces.