We were hot and bothered in Berlin as the days went by with little change in the heat and with two fans struggling to move the air. Even the cats were flat out on the floorboards. On the other side of the world, friends were complaining about the cold. It is then you realise that Northern European housing is built to keep the heat in and Australian housing is built to keep the heat out. Our key focus was how to stay cool and comfortable when it is hot in the city and we didn’t have air conditioning. There are various lakes a short drive away but with the lack of social distancing, one look is enough to put you off! It is when I say that whoever invented the shower should have got a major global award!
Short Lecture on the Shower
Of course it all started with waterfalls and pouring jugs and vases of water over ourselves but the Egyptians built shower rooms and baths with the Romans and Greeks building aqueducts and so on. It is all about the pipes! But the first mechanical shower was invented by William Feetman, a stove maker from Ludgate Hill, that is an interesting sentence in itself. I had never heard of him but I bless him everyday as it is an instance cleansing experience – in winter to warm up and summer to cool down.
Feng Shui and Water
Ah, the most contentious room in a Feng Shui space. We need to remember that bathrooms in the ancient Chinese times were awful places and usually at the back of a house. I still recall outdoor toilets in some houses as a child and none were considered a beautiful space or even worth mentioning. These days, the bathroom has moved indoors and become a haven, a spa and an area that is stylish. That being said, in Feng Shui, water is money and the bathroom needs to be carefully checked.
The Bathroom is in the Centre of the House
We had this in our first house together and to be honest, it is the worst configuration. You can add stone to ground the Water element but basically it is muddying the centre of the house – the Earth and Health sector. As soon as we sold and move to another house, our wealth increased and we both got promoted. So where should a bathroom be? Ideally in the Water sector or an area of Wood as water makes Wood grow but not in the Wealth or Fame sector.
Our bathroom in Berlin was in the Career sector which is good but it is still important to use stone and tiles to ground the water. Our tiny French apartment bathroom was in the Self Knowledge sector and we used soft beige stone and accessories to add the Earth element. Our current French apartment has a lovely grey and white bathroom. Avoid decorating with sea elements as you are bringing more Water in to the room that already has enough. Cover drains in the sink, shower and bath. I found a great shower drain sieve which also has a cover. And leave boats, shells, sand and the blues for the sea!
