We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.” – Anais Nin. One of my favourite sectors is the Travel and Helpful people area. This area of the Bagua Map has a double effect as it combines people and places and can often help your career and relationships. For the travel aspects, the focus is on experiencing new spaces, food, culture, history, art and ways of living. This can even be done in your home town! How often have visitors arrived and we rediscover where we live. Place travel items, art work to stimulate this aspect.
This sector is also about helpful people, mentors, networks both local and international. People who can help you grow in life and work. Place images of people, business icons for focus. However; don’t forget those who help at the last moment. In Berlin, we were lucky to find a wonderful real estate agent, who helped us through the interesting real estate processes or lack of! We also found a real estate agent from St Francois Immobilier, Frèjus, who even after finishing the buying process for us, continues to lend ladders, find a handyman and advises us on general French life. It is even the barista who gave us a plate of small pastries as a cadeaux!
Elements & Colours
White, cream, black, silver and grey are the key colours and the element is metal although earth elements of stone can be added. The element of metal can be used in picture frames, lamps and light fittings. Dove grey is a wonderful, soft grey to use as it shows the elements but has a softer effect on the eye.
Bedroom
This area was in the second bedroom of our Berlin apartment. The colours of grey and white were used but the metal effect was softened with earth elements such as stone or soft faux fur. I aimed for an Art Deco feel with images of car and plane travel with my favourite lamp, a globe. If this sector is in your main bedroom, ensure you have pictures of two people traveling together.
Lounge/Dining Area
Hang art work of places you have traveled or want to travel. The colours of grey and white can be softened and I have seen really chic touches of black added. Be careful with the colour black as it can add a hardness to the room. Remember the 60%, 30%, 10% colour ratios. A soft grey faux suede sofa may be a better option.
Kitchen
In the past, I have had a white, black and grey kitchen that really worked. The fridge was stainless steel and photos of past travel were placed on the main wall. Different bowls and kitchen utensils were displayed that we had collected from around the world. Sometimes it is a portent – I have a Provence white stone jar for wooden spoons that we bought in New York. It now sits where it belongs in France.
Office
This is a great area to have Helpful People and Travel in. Decorate with stylish office and desk accessories. Place your contact lists, key people and even set up an area for business inspiration. If the metal element is too hard for you, add soft grey stone and earth features.
It is Missing!
Find the area of your space that it should be in and set up a tall, metal object, or extend the wall using a crystal. It is all about stating that this area is expanded to include the Travel & Helpful People sector.
