Feng Shui Savvy: Reduce, Re-use, Re-design
by Bridget Saraka

Become inspired! Bring new life to gently used treasures sourced at garage sales, second-hand stores, and on-line resources. Unique pieces of antique and retro furniture can be transformed into stunning pieces of artwork to brighten any room. Today these design styles are coined Boho, Vintage, and Shabby Chic. Even a contemporary and modern designed space can benefit from the unexpected visual interest and impact of a one-of-a-kind personalized treasure.

From a Feng Shui perspective, antiques and second hand furniture hold the vibrations from which they came. So before taking on such a re-design project, it is best to clear the energetic fingerprint from the item you wish to transform, creating a clean canvas for personal expression. Changing the frequency of such treasures goes beyond a can of paint and a few metres of fabric.

Why is clearing the energetic fingerprint of such treasures so important? Because everything is energy and everything that exists does so within the fabric of time in which it has resided. If we had a CSI camera and took a close look at the energetic vibration of things around us, we would be enlightened and most probably appalled by what we see and feel. So before bringing something gently used into your personal sacred space, clear the pre-existing chi of those who have used and owned the item before you.

The following is a list of items I DO NOT recommend re-using or re-designing: anything from a place where there has been death, abuse, trauma, illness, divorce, landfill sites, and back lanes; particularly fabric upholstered items such as beds, mattresses, sofas, and common room chairs.
 
Here are a few of my most favourite Feng Shui Savvy Treasure Clearing Tips.

Hard Surface Techniques

1. Find a neutral place such as outdoors or a garage to lay a drop-cloth on the floor.
2. Place your treasure on the centre of the drop-cloth.
3. If possible place the item outdoors in the sun for at least 24 hours (Light is a magnificent clearing vibration).
4. Remove all hardware and clean with Thieve’s essential oil.
5. Remove all drawers and open all doors.
6. Sound clearing such as bells, metal wind chimes, singing bowls are powerful ways of penetrating the dense fibres of the construction. Ring your chosen tool of transformation over and in the entire object of your attention.
7. Smudge your treasure inside and out with sacred ceremony sage, frankincense, patchouli, or cinnamon incense.
8. With a clean, well wrung-out polishing cloth, wash down the entire item with warm, fresh squeezed lemon water.
9. Sprinkle a small handful of Epsom salts or sea salt in the drawers and leave for 24 hours.
10. Spritz item with distilled water containing a few drops of orange essential oils.
11. Re-finish, re-design as you wish, placing intentions with every action as you bring your treasure into the now of your present moment, seeing the beauty of your own creation.

Soft Item Techniques

1. Find a neutral place such as outdoors or a garage to lay a drop-cloth on the floor.
2. Place your treasure on the centre of the drop cloth.
3. Light is a magnificent clearing vibration, so if you can (weather permitting) leave your item outside in the sun for at least 24 hours.
4. Clean all hard surfaced legs and arms by following the same procedure noted above.
5. Remove all loose cushions and seats.
6. Remember the days when you used to see your mom or neighbour beat the rug with an old broom, well guess what? Put on a painter’s mask and grab your broom handle and gently hit the soft cushions of sofas and chairs.
7. Carefully smudge all pieces of treasures with sacred ceremony sage, frankincense, patchouli, or cinnamon incense.
8. Clean with eco-friendly furniture steamer.
9. Remove old fabric.
10. Replace damaged foam.
11. Recover with chosen upholstery textile, instilling a new vision and a vibration of love and thanks in every moment of your creations.

Have fun treasure hunting!

Bridget Saraka, owner of Zen Solutions by Bridget, lives in Saskatoon and is CEO of the International Feng Shui Guild. For more information and to contact her visit www.zensolutionsfengshui.com or email: zensolutionsfengshui@gmail.com, or call (306) 249-2064. Also, see the Directory of Services ad on page 28 of the 18.6 March/April issue of the WHOLifE Journal.