Ms. Locke

Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment

Simple Ways That Feng Shui Can Enhance Your Hotel Space

By Amy Locke, Director, Interior Design, Hatchett Hospitality

For some people feng shui is a science, while for others it's superstition. However, if you're a hotel owner or designer, feng shui is one more tool that can create a positive experience for your guests. Here's how.

What is It?

Feng shui is an ancient and complex Chinese discipline that focuses on balancing the energy - or "chi" - of any given space to assure health and good fortune for the people inhabiting the space. It's based on understanding the relationships between nature and ourselves so we can live in harmony with our environment.

Not surprising then that "feng" means "wind" and "shui" means "water" -- since in Chinese culture, gentle wind and clear water have always been associated with good harvest and good health.

Among feng shui's principles is the sensible notion that our lives are deeply affected by our physical and emotional environs. If we surround ourselves with ugliness, indifference, and noise, we will corrupt ourselves. By contrast, if we surround ourselves with beauty, kindness, music, and other expressions of sweetness, we will ennoble ourselves as well as our environment - and enjoy life more.

Basic to feng shui is the idea that five elements - wood, fire, earth, metal, and water - must be considered in order to properly balance a space and place objects within that space. Each element affects the retention or dissipation of "chi" and each element can be expressed or influenced through color, shape, season, direction, and specific objects.

The 5 Elements - And How to Implement Them in Your Hotel

• Wood - promotes change, new beginnings, adventure, creativity, growth, healing and nourishment, achievement of goals, plus flexible thought and action. It's represented by the color green, by a rectangle or vertical lines, by the spring season, and by the direction of east, where the day begins with the rising sun. Objects which convey the positive "chi" of wood are any wooden or green item; vegetation such as plants, trees, and flowers; paper or cardboard; and fabrics such as cotton, linen, and silk. In hotel d'ecor, positive "wood chi" can be achieved with such decorating touches as green paint; artwork that depicts plants, trees, and flowers; fabrics that feature vertical stripes, flowers, or vegetation; and rectangle-shaped tables. Caution - don't bring too much wood into an environment if you want to stay the course, encourage conservative thinking, and avoid risky endeavors.

• Fire - encourages such positive qualities as action, motivation, inspiration, intellectual and spiritual pursuits, passion, and understanding. It's represented in colors by any shade of red, as well as magenta, namely reddish purple; in shapes by the triangle and by sharp points; in season by summer, and in direction by south, which is associated with the warmth of the sun. Objects which convey the positive "chi" of fire are people and animals; fabrics such as suede, wool, and down-fill; and items that generate heat such as lamps, candles, and sunlight In hotel d'ecor, positive "fire chi" can be achieved with such decorating touches as red paint; fabrics featuring animal prints, flame stitching, and chevron patterns; use of leather as well as real or faux fur; artwork that depicts animals; accessories such as obelisks that feature steeples or spires. Caution - refrain from using fire elements if you want to encourage rest, steadfastness, or introspection, such as in a spa.

• Earth - represents sturdy, stable, grounded, centered, balanced, comforting, as well as good at handling money. It promotes trust and reliability. This element is represented by such colors as yellow and peach, as well as the beige and terra cotta shades of brown; by square shapes; by Indian summer; and by the center direction. Objects which convey the positive "earth chi" are items of the earth such as clay, brick, ceramic, rock, sand, and crystals. In hotel d'ecor, this means using accessories featuring these substances, as well as artwork that features earth landscapes, fabrics featuring basket weave or plaid patterns, and tables plus seating that are square-shaped. Caution - the earth element should not be predominant if you want to evoke challenging or controversial conversation, such as in a conference room.

• Metal - promotes morality, ethics, precision, focus, control, concentration, and appreciation of beauty and form, as well as endings and letting go. It's represented by the colors of white, ivory, gray silver, and any metallic shade; by round or circular shapes; by the autumn season; and by the west, where the sun sets and daylight comes to an end. Objects conveying the "chi" of metal include architectural elements such as domes and arches, any item made of metal, any round item, electrical items, and concrete, as well as gold, silver, or metal-based jewelry plus coins, knives, pots, pans, metal trays, and other serving utensils. In hotel d'ecor, you can achieve "metal chi" by using fabrics featuring circles or a metallic sheen, accessories featuring metal, and furniture such as circular-shaped tables. Caution - do not use the metal element if you want to invite creative thinking or if you want people to kick up their feet and relax.

• Water - still water encourages deep thought, introspection, and wisdom, while moving water conveys communication and transmission plus an ability to circumvent obstacles, to yield, and to be easygoing. It's represented by black or dark blue, by way and undulating shapes, by the winter season, and by the north, where the climate is cooler. Objects conveying positive "water chi" include items which are black, dark blue, or made of glass, as well as those which feature curves or water. In hotel d'ecor, the chi of water is achieved through fabrics that feature swirls or wavy patterns; artwork that depicts water scenes; accessories that feature glass or water, such as a water wall; or architectural elements such fountains, bird baths, or curving and winding paths. Caution - too much of the water element will inhibit lively, loud, and action-oriented behavior.

Putting It All Together

While we can't do justice in this brief article to interpreting a 3,000 year-old philosophy for our industry, we can offer a few examples of feng shui principles being applied at a hotel property.

• Because "chi" is thought to enter a room through the door, place the bed in a command position of the guest room - namely, so the door can be seen from the bed. The headboard should have a solid wall behind it to create sense of security and stability.

• The guest room is a place of rest, so emphasize "soft simplicity" with a good mattress, with high quality sheets made from natural fibers, and with artwork that features calm, serene images.

• Because darkness is thought to harbor negative energy, dark areas in guest rooms and public space should be lightened up with paint, plants, mirrors or lighting.

• Positive energy comes from openness and closeness, so it's especially desirable to build hotels with atriums or courtyards, as well as to have a "hub and spoke" footprint featuring shorter hallways that give guests a greater feeling of connection with the main lobby.

• Create a prominent "greeter" in the lobby and in each guest room - namely, the first thing that guests see when they walk into that space so they feel comfortable, welcome, and secure.

Conclusion

To be effective as an interior designer, I need a knowledge of decorating elements such as colors, textures, lighting, and fabrics plus I must be familiar with many different disciplines - including but not limited to architecture, electrical and HVAC systems, building codes, and product design.

Feng shui is one more such element. Its principles are a little bit art, a little bit science, and a whole lot of common sense. As such, they're certainly worth your serious consideration!

Amy Locke is director of interior design at Hatchett Hospitality. She works with franchisers and franchisees on a wide variety of hotel brands, styles, and themes – from economy to luxury, from resort to business conference, and from traditional to modern. Previous to joining Hatchett, she held a position in interior design with Ethan Allen Interiors. Ms. Locke earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Art Institute of Atlanta. She is completing a degree in feng shuiand is an allied member of the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID). Ms. Locke can be contacted at 770-227-5232 or Amy@HatchettHospitality.com Extended Bio...

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