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CONNECTING WITH NATURE

Annabelle Hunt, Colour Consultant, Bridport Timber & Flooring

The shift from spring to summer is marked by one of the most quintessentially British events of the year. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of all things horticultural, but it isn’t just for the green-fingered among us. Goodness knows, whilst I love the idea of an herbaceous border in full beautiful bloom, I know my limits.

Over the last couple of years, we have all become so much more aware of the powerful effects of nature on our wellbeing. The link between the natural world and our designed environment is ancient and intricate, with natural plant-based pigments and mineral elements being the basis for paint colours and dyes for millennia. Many design styles have their roots firmly planted in nature, from the sinuous lines of Art Nouveau to the more restrained organic shapes and natural materials used in more contemporary styles. It doesn’t matter how large or small your outside space is, if you have a garden, a small balcony or even just a window box, making a connection between inside and out will help to create a happy, relaxing home.

Make the most of whatever space you have by bringing the inside out and creating an ‘outdoor room’. Climbing plants can be used to enclose spaces creating intimacy, and a parasol will act as a ‘ceiling’, offering protection from the less desirable elements of an English summer. The aim is to make the outdoors feel like an extension of your home, and a space that you want to spend time in. Add accessories and lighting and introduce colour and pattern with soft furnishings to your outdoor room, just as you would your living room. Many companies offer outdoor cushions, throws and rugs in a multitude of styles, colours and materials which look just as good inside as out.

Clever use of colour can completely transform how both your home and garden look and feel. It can be the simplest way to create a smooth transition from inside to outside spaces, whether that is through planting, accessories, or paint. By choosing colours, shapes, and styles similar to what you have inside, the shift between in and out feels harmonious and intentional. Fence panels or a patio set can be given a new lease of life with a fresh coat of paint in a fabulous shade which ties in with your planting scheme. The soft, dusty tones of Farrow & Ball’s Cinder Rose perfectly mirror pink hydrangeas whilst the deep purple tones of Pelt compliment lavender beautifully.

By using colours that you have used throughout your home outside too, you will create a seamless connection between house and garden. Bear in mind though that all colours will look a couple of shades brighter in full daylight, so you can afford to be brave and go bold. Consider a stronger accent or complementary shade which links with your interior colour scheme. Bright sunny shades of strong yellow or hot orange for example India Yellow, Babouche and Charlotte’s Locks, combined with lush foliage in a sunny courtyard, would create a tropical haven. For lovers of soft, changeable colours that shift from blue to green to grey depending on the light, F&B’s gentle Blue Gray and the darker, more dramatic Inchyra Blue are both ideally suited to British skies and look beautiful whatever the weather.

bridporttimber.co.uk

GOING WITH THE FLOW

Ryan Terren BA FSSA, Feng Shui Consultant

According to the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui, the main entrance is the most important part of your home. It is where Qi, or energy, is said to flow into and out of the building, and, accordingly, the lives of its inhabitants.

The main door is a building’s Na Qi, or mouth of Qi. Metaphorical and literal thinking are not separated in traditional Chinese thought, so let’s treat this as poetic fact. A mouth is a portal to what sustains us (food, air), and to the expression of our thoughts and emotions (sounds, speech). Our diet and emotional/intellectual expression are closely related to the quality of our Qi, which in turn affects our spirit and the manifest reality of our lives. In a similar way, the main entrance of a house is an interface for incoming and outgoing Qi. By association, it relates to financial income and outgoings; opportunities and relationships; our expression and contribution to society; our ability to nourish ourselves. In this way, the entrance of our homes is key to our prosperity and wellbeing.

As per the age-old Feng Shui principle – and via Winston Churchill’s old adage – as we shape our buildings they in turn shape us. An oversimplification of course, but the magic of Feng Shui is that by adjusting our spaces we can bring significant changes to our lives.

The core of Feng Shui is deep inquiry and the process might go something like this: First, do something that clears your head. Having created space for insight, go to your main entrance (this may not be your front door) and notice – as much as possible without judgment or interpretation – what you see and feel. What is your attention drawn to first? What is your immediate impression? What jars? What pleases? What do you see as soon as you enter, and as you leave?

Immediate and obvious fixes might spring to mind, but there may also be lingering puzzles. Remain open to solutions and in time, they will make themselves known. Here are some time-tested Feng Shui principles to consider: •The door and frame should be free of rot. The door frame is said to be analogous to your family support structure. Repair damage or weakness here and you strengthen the emotional and/or financial help available to you. •The door should be well-hinged and open at least ninety degrees without impediment. Passage into and out of the house should be unobstructed. Sounds obvious but it’s revolutionary, and often overlooked. This point is

especially relevant for shop or business premises. •Entrances should be kept clean and clear of clutter. Little and often is better than binge cleaning! Doesn’t have to be minimalist, just get rid of stagnant stuff. Coats and shoes should not be immediately visible as you enter. •Mirrors are good next to the door, but not opposite.

Especially useful when hallways are dark or narrow. •Hang images that radiate and attract beauty, abundance, flow, peaceful travel and personal achievement. Images of flowing water are generally helpful, especially if the door is located in the north. •Qi is attracted to moving water. Consider a small fountain or water feature either outside your door (to the right, as you look out) or in the entrance hallway. •As you leave your house you want something tall and upright to your left (a tree or plant), and something low and decorative to your right. This reflects the correct movements of Qi within the meridians and organs of the body, as understood within Chinese medicine. •If you have outside lights make sure they are working, and consider installing them if you do not. •Corners, straight lines and sharp objects should be softened and masked. If your front path is straight, use careful planting to break it up.

Once you have made some changes, repeat the noticing exercise. Over the following days you might reflect on the following questions: •Do you notice any differences in the way you are expressing yourself? •Are you finally managing to say or do things that you have been putting off? •Is there a difference in how you are sustaining yourself? •Has your diet changed? •What new opportunities are emerging?

This short article is of course not supposed to be a checklist of easy cures. In a full survey, I take into account many other factors including the surrounding landscape, the construction date and orientation of the buildings and the birthdates of the occupants. This allows me to make specific interventions that are tailored to each person, building and situation. Nevertheless, I hope you are able to draw some insights from the general guidelines offered here and to participate more deeply in the unique relationship you have with your home.