Mind over matter

We appreciate a sleek apartment as much as the next Apartment Therapy addict, but we also know that there’s more to making a happy environment than good looks. We asked Chicago feng shui consultant Pam Kai Tollefson to bring some harmony to our home and she obliged with some simple tips.

For a full consultation, call her at 312-527-9919 or e-mail pam@fengshui-design.com.

Photo: Donna Rickles

1 Watch your back
Arrange your sofa in a “commanding position,” where you can see everything that takes place in your immediate surroundings. “If your back is to the door, you’re wasting valuable energy preparing for an interruption from behind,” Tollefson says. Ditto for your bed.

2 Make luck last
If the staircase leading up to your apartment directly aligns with the front door, put a buffer—like a chandelier—in the foyer. Otherwise, feng shui says your good luck and money will roll out the door.

Photo: Donna Rickles

3 Welcome yourself home
“You want to feel the energy of the house and have it welcome you,” Tollefson says. Create an open-arms vibe by placing an inviting piece of art with depth and perspective (such as a landscape painting) on the first blank wall you’ll see upon entering the room; if you look straight at a window when you enter, hang curtains or place a plant in the sill to diffuse the view.

Photo: Donna Rickles

4 Clear your mind
“Use feng shui to prioritize how to clear [clutter] out,” and keep your life moving forward. Tollefson says. For instance, do you keep piles of junk mail in your study? That clutter may be roadblocking your success at work by slowing down your productivity.

Photo: Donna Rickles

5 Color your world
Certain hues correspond to areas of your house, which correlate with parts of your life. Tollefson cites the bedroom as an example, noting the space is associated with relationships and the color pink. By accentuating that shade (with a pink tchotchke, blanket or painted wall), you’re directing positive energy toward your love life. (See fengshui-design.com for more examples.)

Photo: Donna Rickles

6 Switch up signals
Divert your attention from food (and snacking) by setting a centerpiece such as flowers on the dining room or kitchen table.