While some people live in a world of black and white, most of us live in tones of grey, moving across both colours. Some interior designers see black and white as being ‘non-colours’ and others, as the perfect monochromatic palette. Rooms can look chic, simple and dramatic with the sheer simplicity of the two colours combined. Personally, I immediately itch to add a third colour, lemon, lime, aqua, pink, red or orange; anything to lift the space.
Black is Black
Black represents the Water element in Feng Shui. Think gentle flows of emotion and growth and not full-on waterfalls that are too energetic and frenetic. Too much black would be seen to be too much water and emotion. Black is ideally used in the Career and Life Path sector on the Bagua map. It can also be used in the Travel and Helpful People sector in combination with white. It isn’t an ideal colour in the Fame sector as that has the Fire element in that sector and if used it would be seen to douse energy and vitality. Some Feng Shui recommendations are to put a fountain in the Wealth sector but this should be discussed carefully with a Feng Shui practitioner as too much water can also drain the growth of that area. The key room to avoid in these sectors are the bathroom and laundry. If you have these in these sectors, balance them with shades of beige or brown and touches of green to balance the energy, or red to drain the Water element. That being said, using a grey palette or silver in picture frames and bathroom taps, is seen to be a positive combination and that leads us nicely to the colour white.
White as Snow
White represents the Metal element. This is all about honesty and strength but can quickly become rigidity and inflexibility. Look to the base colour of the shade; too blue a white can make a room look cold while too brown a shade can look muddy and grey. We have used an ivory paint for all of the rooms in our apartment and then used art work, decor and furnishings to add colour from each sector in the Bagua Map. White is best used on the far right sectors of the Bagua map including the Relationship, Children and Creativity and Travel and Helpful People sectors. Metal and white is best not used in any of the Wood sectors as the cycle sees that as Metal chopping down Wood which represents energy and growth. Another area to avoid is the Fame sector which has Fire as the element. Fire melts Metal. If you have metal elements, don’t panic, balance with appropriate elements depending on the area.
I Am Renting!
This is often a question and the first answer is to ask the owner if you can paint or put holes in walls for art work or even tools and kitchen equipment. Many owners will allow you to decorate as long as you return the apartment to its original condition. If they say no, don’t worry. There are stick on wall papers, tiles and commander strips to be used as temporary hooks. If they are not available, bring the colours into the room or space with cushions, rugs, bed linen, curtains and other decor. Old lampshades can be painted and even furniture can add a zing with a small painted table and chairs. I leave you with a quote from Victoria Erickson, “Don’t dismiss the elements. Water soothes and heals. Air refreshes and revives. Earth grounds and holds. Fire is a burning reminder of our own will and creative power. Swallow their spells. There’s a certain sweet comfort in knowing that you belong to them all.”
