Huffing and Puffing.

I knew it was a bit radical to suggest that Queen of Taupe, Kelly Hoppen, introduced some red into her office this year. But she’s a good sport and it was necessary fine tuning. However I was humbled and delighted to read about her reaction to the changes in the Huffington Post.

Colour of course is a relatively minor item in the feng shui man’s arsenal, falling behind environment, orientation and the form of a building. Once these are taped however -which is generally a juggle between longterm energy patterns and the fresh ones that relate to the new year – the next priority is what’s happening where in the office and where each person is based. Some years the best place for accounts is where design was last year and sometimes everyone has to move round. I have actually advised two owners of castles to work in the round turrets where furniture can be easily reoriented annually. This is why the Ming Emperors had nine bedrooms and Mao a circular bed.

Kelly’s office is oriented East-West which offers advantages inconsistently year by year. When that’s the case, it’s especially important to take advantage of the year energy. In 2012, the Water Dragon, the year of Sudden Change, it’s important not to back onto the South. So sitting so as to face South works.

For Kelly however there are additional benefits to do with her ba zi (portable feng shui based on date of birth, often misleadingly called a Chinese Horoscope) and using the red Fire colours that are associated with the South accentuates this. I’m looking forward to hearing how all that works out. And no, I’m not going to tell you.