Catherine

Picasso said, "Who sees the human face correctly, the photographer, the mirror, or the painter?" It is a fascinating question. Having recently been to some lovely exhibitions, it was interesting to see the different art schools' portraits. The classical two-dimensional early British paintings where even the babies look the same as the adults. The French school of noble events and various French leaders, with most seeming to point down or at something - go and have a look! Then the Dutch painters who offer a gentler and more realistic view of people, capturing wrinkles, joy and sadness. Fast forward

A friend is renovating to sell. Many of us have been there and done that. All rooms have been painted white or as a French builder calls it, l'hopital blanc! Clean and light. A friend has donated a table newly sanded and painted, we donated a sofa and the kitchen is next for tiles and wood to be painted. Even if selling, you can feel the new Chi energy coming in. Old furniture has been sold, donated or thrown away. What's left has been cleaned and renewed. Our friend feels a change of energy and a lightness in his

Life is full of rituals, historical or created. It keeps us grounded and for many, represents their culture and sense of self. Not being a fan of ‘this is the way things have always been done’, I admit to having come to appreciate an afternoon cup of tea. Mostly because of having some lovely vintage teacups rather than the drink itself! That being said, I still sing internally, ‘don’t fence me in’ when herded in to something I am made to do that makes no sense. So, I raise my cup to you!

I have no idea what is happening in the land of interior design. We seem to be stuck in the land of cream and beige and we could ask if this is a mirror of life at the moment. In Feng Shui these colours represent the Earth element which is all about grounding, foundations and stability. Hmmm, chic but honestly, for two years? A shot of a navy blue cushion, the ultimate in conservatism, looks radical! So I turned for inspiration to the land of teacups, porcelain and ceramics. At least these add life and symbolise your personality. Just

I took this photo on a car day trip helping a friend deliver ropes and non-nutritional white bread to yachts! So much to say about that sentence another time, but it got me to thinking about where we are heading. I love the quote about a ship in an harbour is safe but that is not what ships are for. So many people are moving in to new chapters of life, some through no choice of their own but then that is a new adventure. How to approach it, will it work out, what about friends, so many questions

Summer is around the corner, beach chairs have appeared and it feels as if the air is brighter and lighter. This post focuses on outdoor spaces attached to your apartment or house. These include gardens and balconies. I have plenty of posts on both but let's have another look at them. Firstly, they are part of your space even if they feel like an extension. Feng Shui practice 'pulls' these spaces in to the overall Bagua map of your area and to connect with your floorpan. Feng Shui First Determine where the balcony or garden is on the Bagua

Signs of summer are appearing and t-shirts are on, coats put away and bright colours are here. I always wonder why we don't see these lovely colours in winter when they are really needed. More orange spritzs are on tables and the atmosphere shifts to one of sunny relaxation. We have a dinner coming up and I am going to make a good old Cosmopolitan. First created in the 1980s and is all about brightness with the combination of sweet and sour. Cheers!

There is no better example of the metal and water relationship than big cities with harbours. Think of Manhattan, Sydney, Hong Kong, Singapore and others. They shout glamour, style, action, business and then the alternative of water whispers, boats, the sea and calm. There is a reason why these cities draw tourists and habitants from all over the world. It is an attractive combination and perfect photo opportunity for most people. Feng Shui practitioners understand why. The Metal Element This element is the key one for the sectors of Creativity and Children, Helpful People and Travel. Metal is all

"When life gives you Monday, dip it in glitter and sparkle all day" said Ella Woodward. We all love and need something shiny at some stage in our life. Faery lights, sequins, candles, anything to shine a light in a corner. It was a grey Monday with the sky throwing buckets of water at your feet. It was necessary to go out and passing by, a shiny thing caught my eye, three copper kitchen tins beckoning with the words of sugar, coffee and tea. Everything comforting except for chocolate.