Catherine

Feng Shui Expert – Clear Englebert

Clear Englebert - I couldn't practise Feng Shui if I didn't believe in it, and I wouldn't believe in it if I hadn't seen it work. Clear is a well known Feng Shui practitioner whose focus is on demystifying Feng Shui principles through the Form school practice. For more information go to his website, http://fungshway.com which provides a range of advice and knowledge. Clear is also available for global consultation. Welcome Clear, it is great to be able to interview you after all these years! I remember that I picked up your book, Feng Shui Demystified, in a Malaysian bookstore and have followed

Catherine2018-12-04T20:18:01+00:00December 3rd, 2018|Feng Shui|Comments Off

Christmas Lights!

It is Narnia again and I am five years old when the Christmas lights go up in the winter darkness. I wish they kept them up for the whole of winter to make some sense of the cold and to offer a hint of magic. I am still searching in the back of old wardrobes!

Catherine2018-12-01T07:34:13+00:00December 1st, 2018|Photo of the Week|Comments Off

French Renovation – The Lounge

The lounge is the last part of the tiny French apartment that we needed to decorate. It had the kitchen to one side and a lovely restored stone wall on the other. A key focus was to take advantage of the natural light from the two windows overlooking a traditional French square. We needed to ensure that the colours connected while managing Feng Shui principles. There was a corner in the Relationship sector that needed 'extending' using the practice of a small mirror stating that this wall extended. I love the combination of French and Asian decor mixed with

Catherine2023-08-23T11:06:32+00:00November 29th, 2018|Interiors|Comments Off

Gold Water

I sat on a bench on a French beach and watched an autumn sun rise. As it met the horizon, the sea turned in to liquid gold. It is a peaceful sensation where you are warm enough but recognise the soft melancholy cold of winter around the corner. But at that moment, all was right with the world.

Catherine2018-11-27T20:19:07+00:00November 26th, 2018|Photo of the Week|Comments Off

Career Sector – the Finale

We have reached the final area of the Bagua Map - the Career Sector. This area is often the front door and it is where we align the Bagua Map. The natural inclination is to add diplomas and work awards, depending on the room it is in. It can also be about your path in life and even if retired, perhaps you volunteer or support others. Our career sector in Berlin was in the bathroom and it is a good area but it is important to balance with lots of metal and dark stone. Colour and Element The

Catherine2023-08-23T11:03:13+00:00November 24th, 2018|Feng Shui|Comments Off

French Renovation – the Kitchen

Ah, the kitchen, the heart of the home or as in Frejus, one side of the living area! It was a key attraction to buying the one-bedroom shoebox in France. It was a simple strip of cupboards and according to the Feng Shui map it was in the Family, Health area and also in the corner for the Wealth sector which needed balancing. It was Small We have had big kitchens and small ones, classic enclosed and open planned kitchens. This was a strip. Some key rules for small kitchens from my experience: Keep it simple - stick with

Catherine2023-08-23T11:00:30+00:00November 24th, 2018|Interiors|Comments Off

Travel & Helpful People Sector

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

Catherine2023-08-23T10:57:36+00:00November 20th, 2018|Feng Shui|Comments Off

French Renovation – the Bathroom

An interior designer once said, if the bathroom and kitchen are not liveable, walk away even if that garden is amazing! We were thrilled that the bathroom was completely renovated, plumbing, tiles and all. All we needed to do was to add finishing touches. Accessories The bathroom is in the Career sector for Feng Shui and needed more black and white added. We bought Zara accessories in white to give a hotel look. White fluffy towels and candles were placed, a Japanese bowl, silver ornaments that had been sitting in a cupboard offer a gentle touch and

Catherine2022-04-30T11:23:06+00:00November 20th, 2018|Interiors|Comments Off

A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for – Grace Hopper

Ports and marinas are wonderful in any weather and have a magnetic attraction of water, sails, travel and adventure. It is all about the destination of leaving and arriving. The glamorous activity of summer with sleek machines gliding in alongside vintage boats announcing style and class. But my favourite time is winter with the melancholy stillness and boats saying, buy me.

Catherine2018-11-24T21:55:40+00:00November 20th, 2018|Photo of the Week|Comments Off

French Renovation – The Bedroom

I am going to start with the bedroom first as that had the most challenges. Challenges It was a small room and we weren't sure about the bed size and how to have bed side tables. Measuring was important down to the last centimetre. A strange step platform also existed in the far top left corner that we didn't have a clue how to manage. This is where the wardrobe would go. After much thought, we selected adjustable feet for the wardrobe and it worked but we do need to add a piece of wood to stabilise it at the

Catherine2023-08-23T10:55:20+00:00November 11th, 2018|Interiors|Comments Off

About Catherine