Vaastu - Vastu Shastra - Sacred Vedic iinterior

The Oldest interior Philosophy
For over five thousand years, sacred architecture has been practiced in India. The oral traditions were written in Sanskrit mantras and called "Vastu Shastra." Practitioners design and build living environments in harmony with the physical and metaphysical forces/energies of the cosmos such as the gravitational, electromagnetic, supernatural, and metaphysical.

Some similarities sound like the more popular Feng Shui. However, even though Vastu harmonizes the flow of energy, called Life-Force or Prana in Sanskrit, (similar to Chi in Chinese), through the house, Vastu and Feng Shui differ in the placement and directions for objects, rooms, and materials.

Interesting tidbit: I did a map of our home to rate it according to Vastu principles and our home got the highest rating!

Feng Shui Practice

Although some designers claim that Feng Shui is based on superstition, many of the Feng Shui principles can help to make a home that "flows" well. Feng Shui comes from the Chinese art or practice of positioning objects, especially graves, buildings, and furniture, based on a belief in patterns of yin and yang and the flow of chi that have positive and negative effects.

I like many of the Feng Shui decorating ideas, like using mirrors next to my desk so I can see behind me. However, I could find no scientific reason to not use mirrors in bedrooms.

Interior Design Ideas for Home Decorating

Home decorating, more popular than ever, partially spurred on by HGTV and other decorating channels, inspires home makers to learn about interior design. Some of these shows like Trading Spaces leave one wondering if the changes make sense for the home occupants. Other shows show elaborate, expensive design details that either confuse the home decorator or scare them off with costs.

When it comes to decorating your home, forget about the colorful, over-the-top rooms you see on interior design TV shows. Instead, concentrate on designing all of the rooms in your home as backdrops for the people who will be living in those spaces.

Simple interior design psychology rules for designing dynamic spaces:

1. Beauty of Sparsity

Don't be afraid to leave some empty spaces in your rooms. Empty space allows for breathing room and lets the most important items in the room shine -- the people who live there!

2. Patterns for People

Avoid large patterns in your fabrics and wallpapers. As a general rule, use no designs larger than your palm, because they will interfere with the appearance of people in the room. Using smaller patterns on walls and furniture will mean that friends and family won't have to compete with bold patterns for attention.

3. Flattering Colors

Use paint colors that complement people's skin and eye colors. For light skin colors, use yellows, pinks, and beiges. For darker complexions, yellows, olives, and tans can make people look great.

4. Pamper Yourself and Guests with Textures

Use textures that stimulate the sense of touch. Look for textures that feel nice to caress, such as velvet, chenille, or satin. Exquisite textures create a feeling of being pampered.

5. Comfort First

Always choose comfort over pretense. Just because a sofa looks great doesn't mean the seating provides deep comfort. When you visit a showroom, remember that in order to truly test a piece of furniture, you need to sit on it for awhile, until you feel totally rested. Only then will can you get a realistic feel for its support and comfort level.

6. Decorate Your Home for Emotional Support

Your home is meant to be a place for people, and if you always keep yourself, your family, and your guests in mind, you'll be well on your way to designing spaces that will be more comfortable and emotionally appealing than the staged rooms you see on home decorating TV shows.

Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher