Yesterday, I attended the opening of a new store in Ses Salines, Mallorca. As I walked through the space, taking in every detail of its design and architecture, I noticed how each element occupied exactly the place it was meant to. The clothing, decorative pieces, furniture, lighting… everything had been carefully considered. A neutral architectural backdrop coexisted beautifully with characterful objects and vibrant colours that brought warmth, personality, and a highly sensory atmosphere to the space.
And suddenly, I was reminded of a conversation I had years ago with my friend Antonia. When I first started talking to her about Feng Shui, she said something I’ve heard many times since.
“I just don’t want Feng Shui telling me how I should decorate my home.”
“Antonia, relax,” I replied. “Feng Shui doesn’t dictate your decorating style. It simply guides, supports, and brings order.”
One of the biggest misconceptions about Feng Shui is the belief that all homes should look alike. That applying it means filling your space with Asian-inspired objects or specific colours to create a zen atmosphere.
But that’s not what Feng Shui is about.
Feng Shui harmonises a space through the balance of the five elements: Earth, Water, Fire, Metal, and Wood. Each element can be expressed through colours, shapes, materials, and textures found in furniture and decorative objects.
For example, if a particular area of the home needs more Fire element, it doesn’t mean you have to change your décor. It simply means finding a way to introduce that element while respecting the aesthetic that already exists. Whether your home is Mediterranean, Wabi-Sabi, contemporary, eclectic, or entirely your own style, the principle remains the same.
Feng Shui doesn’t decide which furniture you should buy or what decorative choices you should make. What it does is help you arrange and position those choices in a way that supports the energy each space needs. That’s why I always say that Feng Shui doesn’t impose an aesthetic. It works with the one you already have.
So, if you belong to Antonia’s camp, remember this: Feng Shui isn’t here to change your style. It’s here to help your home work better for you, without ever stopping it from being uniquely yours.
