The Directions: How to Decorate in 2011

Franca Giuliani - Every year the stars shift their alignment and land in different areas of your home. Based on feng shui principles, here are some suggestions to manage that shift of energy for 2011. Find the direction as it relates to an area of your home, and go from there.

North

If your desk and phone lines fall into this area, you may want to buy a cordless phone (if you don’t have one already), and move away from this area when talking on the phone.

North East

Clean up the North East for 2011, as it holds the star of opportunity and prosperity.

East

For 2011, it's important not to upset the East. Do not do any renovations either in your home or property.

Kathryn WeberSouth East

If you have any exercise equipment, you may want to move it to that space - and make sure to use it!

South

Try not to disturb the energy this year. Make sure you clear away all clutter, and keep it clean and neat. It's advisable to add a few plants here.

South West

If this year you're to study and learn, you may want to get a comfortable chair and study in that space.

West

For 2011, the West houses the money star. Add a water feature or use the colors black or dark blue to enhance the space.

North West

Adding a water feature in this space is recommended.

Center

One of the fundamentals of feng shui is to always keep the center of your home clear and clutter-free.

Please note: These are generic suggestions, as other variables that exist in the space may effect the overall assessment. Also, these recommendations apply only for 2011, as the stars shift annually. All in all, the 7 Lake Star of 2011 brings the potential for peace and tranquility. Enjoy the journey!

 
Franca Giuliani is a certified feng shui practitioner, energy clearer, and lecturer. She is a graduate of the Feng Shui Alliance School formerly in Edgewater, NJ. Franca also holds a BFA from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and a continuing education certificate from NYU. She has studied and continues to study under world-renowned instructors in feng shui, astrology, and energy clearing. She has consulted and lectured within the New York and New Jersey areas, as well as in Italy and England. Franca offers feng shui consultations, astrology readings, energy clearing sessions and organizing services. Visit her web site for more information.

Update on February 18, 2011 by Design2Share

We've had some questions regarding Franca's advice in the above article, and she provided us with this clarification.

You can remodel in 2011. However, it's HIGHLY suggested NOT to do any physical construction (i.e: breaking down walls, adding extensions) in the East of your home and property.

You can make things look pretty, and you can paint - you just shouldn't puncture your walls. You do not want to disrupt that direction for all of the Chinese 2011 (Feb 4, 2011 - Feb 3, 2012). The quick explanation is that as stars change their aligment annually, so do the Chinese animals. It's a feng shui rule (from the Compass school) that you should not disrupt the animal of that year. The 2011 animal is the Rabbit, and the Rabbit finds itself in the East. Hence, do not mess with the East!

 

If however, it's a must to do work in the East in your home, there are recommendations. But, a good feng shui practitioner cannot offer them without seeing your entire space. It's not fair to the craft to make recommendations for any space, sight unseen.