Feng Shui: where Eastern Philosophy Meets Interior Design
Volume 49, Issue 8
By Nicole Pressly

Have an aching back? Or sleeplessness? The answer could lie in the location of your bed. Those beams overhead could be blocking your chi, according to the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui. In its shortest term of understanding Feng Shui creates a balance between the individual and the space they occupy. Be it a home, office or desk. Jacqueline (Jacqui) Birns, an interior designer and Feng Shui consultant with JMB Designs in NYC and Ocean Beach, considers all aspects of a client’s life when redesigning their space. “When you spend time in a space, that space gathers your energy—your chi. Chi is the life force within the space, so what I do is create a balance and harmonious atmosphere so that you can feel less stress, be comfortable and attract others to feel the positive flow of energy in your space,” said Jacqui. “I love it when people come to our home and not only see a beautiful environment but actually say how relaxed and comfortable they feel. They don’t want to leave!”
Jacqui believes Feng Shui has worked for her personally. Because of her personal experience she feels she can put forward the practice and belief in the theory. In their city apartment, her husband could not get a good nights sleep. Then she realized where the stove was in the kitchen. “The stove, symbolizing fire, was against the wall where we sleep. Once I moved the bed, Mitch slept soundly.” Later the bed moved again when Jacqui suffered from sciatica. “I could barely move. Then I moved the bed again, away from the beams overhead and my sciatica cleared. It’s like passing forward some of the wonders of eastern philosophy.”
The door is the mouth of chi. A bagua chart, or floor diagram, is positioned from this point and then read accordingly. The point addresses the nine areas of your life and can enhance, shift or change depending on the intentions of the client. It can help read what’s missing—career, family, knowledge, and fame. The first step is to see where the entrance is, make a floor plan with the bagua chart, and see what’s missing. She sketches the space and compares it to the bagua. A shape will present itself. “If it looks like a gun, it could be good or bad. Basically depends on what end of the gun you are at.” The point is to be in control of your space—to be living a full life in harmony with your intentions— by keeping the chi, the energy alive and flowing. Colors are also important in Feng Shui. Walking through Jacqui’s home, she said that before renovating she knew she wanted light colors to soothe and relax. Pink is the Feng Shui symbol of continuity, peach is to attract. They are both present. Red is authority and power, a color not necessary in her beach home.
Jacqui had her own interior design business for over 12 years and four years ago discovered Feng Shui. “I use my creative interior design skills with Feng Shui to enhance people’s lives now.” Some of the teachers are Alex Shark who was just featured in the New York Times. In April of last year, Jacqui traveled to China for a three-week journey with Grandmaster Lin Yun, a particular honor. She studied the rise and fall of the different Chinese emperors and visited temples, met Lamas and even participated in ceremonies with a living Buddha. With a keen interest in spiritual practice, curiosity in eastern philosophy, where human intentions are extremely important and practicing mediation, it was a natural connection for Jacqui. In her own home, she focused on the career corner to put Feng Shui to the test. “I redesigned my career space in my home and immediately, within a week, was approached by a new client.” Jacqui does acknowledge that maybe it’s just her belief. Her intention may be just that strong. “But of course you can’t always correct everything. There is also karma.”