Feng Shui, Front Doors, and First Impressions
I was walking my geographic farm in Southern California, hand delivering my newsletter over Easter weekend. It is a tract home community of homes from 3 to 5 years old ranging from 1,800 to 3,100 square feet. The style of the homes is Spanish Traditional with stucco exteriors and tile roofs. As I walked, I noted the different elevations and the variety of landscaping. But the thing that struck me the most was the dismal condition of a large percentage of the front doors. The California weather is not kind to paint and the finish on the doors was mottled, stained, and faded. In addition, a large percentage of the doors were white. And the door was not the only problem with many of the entrances.
Feng Shui, the Chinese art of design and placement for optimum good energy, specifies the importance of a home’s entrance to the chi, or energy flowing into and through the home. Begin with the front door itself; color choice is important. White in Asian cultures is the color of death so that would be a poor choice. Red is considered especially auspicious and attracts prosperity and good fortune and is considered a color of high energy. Red, however, does not go well with the soft adobe and stucco neutrals prevalent in California. Earth tones are excellent choices as well. Colors in nature, soft browns, taupes, and sage would be ideal.
Next, look down and consider the doormat. How many sad and tired examples I saw this weekend! Spring calls for fresh beginnings and doormats have a definite lifespan. If there is printing on your doormat that is no longer recognizable, frayed edges, colors that have bled away, or has a motif from a long past holiday, it is time for a new welcome mat. Regard the style of your front entrance when making your doormat selection.
Now it is time to consider the accent touches. A great pot with a beautiful plant is a wonderful addition to the entrance but only if you remember to water the plant. Dead foliage or an unhealthy looking specimen is bad for the chi of the home. Be cautious about the wreath on the front door as well. It should be appropriate to the season and look vibrant- not as if the occupants are in mourning. You might consider placing a fountain near the entrance to encourage money and prosperity to flow to you. And beware placing anything thorny, spiky, or threatening as far as foliage goes- it discourages good will and good fortune.
Spring is the time of renewal and reviving a tired entrance might give your home and everyone who lives there a fresh outlook on the season.
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