Feng Shui for Your Home or Business

Are you ready to live in harmony with your environment and enjoy life with greater ease?

With a Feng Shui Session, I help you optimize positive energy in your home, office, garden or business to increase your quality of life.

Energy imbalances often show up on the level of “feeling.” Many of us have had the experience of feeling that “something is not right” in our space and this can point to a block (or disturbance in the energetic field). My experience can help you translate that feeling of something not being right into specific actions that will bring balance to your environment and help you live your best life.

We work together to identify the specific features of your home or office that might be keeping you from experiencing your true potential: peace and happiness in your life. Sometimes the solution is as easy as moving your bed to a different position, which shifts the energy in the room. In other cases, the remedy is more involved, but in every case, my experience is able to help you change your environment to improve your quality of life.

I also take a look at your space from a satellite perspective to see what energetic pathways are bringing you the best energy from the surrounding landscape, street configurations, your neighborhood, neighbors, nearby rivers, mountains and other clues in the natural environment that are either benefiting or inhibiting good energy flow from reaching you.

The system of Feng Shui maps out how different parts of a home or office relate to different parts of your life. For example, your feelings about money and your success at receiving money are related to what is known as the “Wealth Corner” of your space. Time and time again, I’ve had the experience of working with clients who want to change their relationship to money and by addressing the energy in the Wealth Corner of their environment, they are able to manifest positive changes in their financial situation.

These same principles also apply to:

• Attracting a new relationship and/or improving existing ones
• Optimal health and well-being
• Bringing in more creative energy
• Connecting with your passion and life’s path
• Loving yourself
• Building your recognition in the world
• Building community, friendships and family
• Increasing your self-esteem
• Living in harmony with the internal and external environment

The results from implementing Feng Shui can truly be powerful and life changing. The necessary changes can happen at any part of the process.

We can work together in any the following situations:

• Before or while building a new structure
• At the commencement of a remodel
• During a new house search
• In a house or business where you’ve been living or working in for many years

Feng Shui is an effective tool that is also very adaptable to any time or life situation.

Rates:

• Sign up for a two-hour (minimum) Feng Shui session at your home or business for $300.
• Additional time is $125 per hour.
• Follow-up appointments are $125 per hour.

Please inquire about group or bulk rates.

Other services offered:

• Shopping: $75 per hour – I help you select everything from furniture and home accessories to appliances, countertops and flooring.
• Offsite work/analysis: $75 per hour

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Don't live in the Pacific NW? You can still use Feng Shui for your home or business. Visit the Online Feng Shui Page for more info.

Space Healing

Have you ever wondered how space healing can help you live a better life?

Would you like some deeper insight into the energy of your home or business?

I’m here to help.

Energy is powerful. It permeates everything, including our homes, businesses, our personal relationships, our communities, the Universe, and us. We all experience it on some level, like when we walk into a place that feels absolutely peaceful or when we suddenly become anxious around a negative person and don’t understand why.

We are energetic, emotional beings who receive stimulus on a daily basis as we interact with the world around us. This causes us to (sometimes unconsciously) create patterns that can either hinder or enhance energy flow within us and around us in our most personal spaces. The flow of energy has a huge effect on our wellbeing.

In a Space Healing session, I look at the energetic field of your home or business, to see what invisible blocks may be present and, with your conscious permission, clear away that which is not serving your highest and best good.

This work helps you manifest your life goals by creating greater alignment between your inner essence and your external space. If your goal is to increase energy in your life, like creating new opportunities and more abundance, a Space Healing session (along with Feng Shui or other work) supports that intention. If your desire is to create more balance, and less chaos in your life, a Space Healing session supports that, too. It’s all about removing the obstacles that block the flow of happiness in both your internal and external worlds.

Although Space Healing is included in all other services like Feng Shui, Interior Design, Remodel Support, Green Design and Color Inspiration, it can also be scheduled as a separate appointment.

Rates:

• Sign up for a two-hour Space Healing session at your home or business for $300.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Don't live in the Pacific NW? You can still use Feng Shui for your home or business. Visit the Online Feng Shui Page for more info.

Interior Design

Do you want your home or office to match your highest aspirations?

Do you need help getting there?

With an Interior Design Session, I help you get to the root of what needs to change in order to create your ideal space. We use several tools, including intelligent furniture layout, inspired color choice, Feng Shui, and intentional living to create a perfect match between your internal and external worlds.

If you are re-designing an existing home or office space, we focus on using what you already have as part of the re-design. I often work with people who tell me that certain rooms in their home or office feel lifeless and boring. Sometimes the remedy is as simple as re-arranging the furniture, or choosing new color for the walls. Simple changes like these can create an entirely new energy in the space. This new energy will help you move towards your goals, decrease your stress and increase your happiness.

If your project involves working with an architect or contractor, we work collaboratively with these professionals to help manifest your vision, and balance all parts of the process.

Deeper transformation sometimes involves bigger changes. I have worked with clients who are ready for those changes and are making structural improvements to their home and/or business. I provide Remodel Support for projects like home additions, kitchen remodels, office build-outs, and other large projects.

Ten years of experience have fine-tuned my intuitive sense so that I can easily help you translate your inner desires and needs into a space that perfectly reflects you. For this reason, each session is different.

An Interior Design Session always involves helping you create a true reflection of your inner most values and desires.

Rates:

• Sign up for a two-hour (minimum) Interior Design session at your home or business for $300.

• Additional time is $125 per hour.
• Follow-up appointments are $125 per hour.

Please inquire about group or bulk rates.

Other services offered:

• Shopping: $75 per hour – I help you select everything from furniture and home accessories to appliances, countertops and flooring.
• Offsite work/analysis: $75 per hour

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Don't live in the Pacific NW? You can still use Feng Shui for your home or business. Visit the Online Feng Shui Page for more info.

Remodel Support

Are you feeling overwhelmed by your home or office remodel?

Do you want your remodel to perfectly support your LIFE?

I’m here to help.

A home or office remodel is a wonderful opportunity to bring your space into greater alignment with who you really are.

Although your space may have been perfect for you, your family, or your company when you first moved into it, mismatches between your external environment and your inner needs develop over time as you change and grow.

Whether you are doing a “hands-on” DIY remodel or hiring contractors, it is important that the time and money involved in your remodel be invested wisely.

In my experience, you will be happiest with a remodel that is guided by your vision, inner needs, and desires, not one that is dictated by cookie-cutter approaches or magazine trends.

My Remodel Support service helps you navigate the costly, stressful process of a home or office remodel to create a space that supports your true self.

Remodel Support helps you make the most of your budget by creating a space that is beautiful, while supporting your individual goals for the project. I help you translate your personality into a unique design, offer you an open-minded perspective, and incorporate an aesthetic element that will make your Remodel both enviably beautiful and perfectly matched to your individuality.

Rates:

• Sign up for a two-hour (minimum) Remodel Support session at your home or business for $300.
• Additional time is $125 per hour.
• Follow-up appointments are $125 per hour.

Other services offered:

• Shopping: $75 per hour – I help you select everything from furniture and home accessories to appliances, countertops and flooring.
• Offsite work/analysis: $75 per hour

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Don't live in Pacific NW? You can still use Feng Shui for your home or business. Visit the Online Feng Shui Page for more info.

Green Design

Do you want to decorate your home or office with eco-friendly products, but feel it’s just too expensive or don’t know where to start?

I’m here to help.

It’s becoming more and more common to find beautiful sofas, draperies, rugs, lighting, and other home décor products that are manufactured locally and made with profound respect for the earth and the people who manufacture the products.

In a Green Design session, we look at all the possibilities to make your home or office space more sustainable and healthy.

We work with products including:

• Low and no Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) paint for the walls.
• Furniture, kitchen cabinets, or flooring that are certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
• Products like kitchen cabinets with formaldehyde-free and water-based finishes.
• Other decorative products that are either made from re-purposed materials, fairly traded, and/or are committed to a high-level of ethics when it comes to the production process and business practices.

In a Green Design session, we work within your budget to help you decorate your home or business with items that address your value system and help you live sustainably in harmony with the planet.

I receive a Designer discount at many Portland area businesses specializing in home furniture, materials, and décor.

Rates:

• Sign up for a two-hour (minimum) Green Design session at your home or business for $300.
• Additional time is $125 per hour.
• Follow-up appointments are $125 per hour.

Please inquire about group or bulk rates.

Other services offered:

• Shopping: $75 per hour – I help you select everything from furniture and home accessories to appliances, countertops and flooring.
• Offsite work/analysis: $75 per hour

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Don't live in the Pacific NW? You can still use Feng Shui for your home or business. Visit the Online Feng Shui Page for more info.

Color Inspiration

Do you get confused or overwhelmed by all the paint choices out there?

I’m here to help.

In a Color Inspiration session, we create a color palette for your home or office’s interior and/or exterior. The goal is to delight your senses and compliment your surroundings.

Color is the simplest and most cost effective way to enliven your space. It directly effects your emotions and can be used to bring vibrancy, productivity and balance to your life. Paint is one tool we use. We also look at fabric color choices and art selections to help harmonize the furniture and décor of your space with your vision.

Color is important. For example, notice how fast food restaurants often use a color palette that includes red and yellow. This supports their customer’s hunger, and encourages them to move quickly through the restaurant. On the other hand, coffee and tea houses tend to choose more relaxing colors like greens and browns. This is to invite their customers to sit down, drink lots of coffee and tea, and feel at home.

In a Color Inspiration session, we work together to choose beautiful, eco-friendly low and no VOC paints that help create your dream environment.

Get ready to fall in love with your home or business all over again.

Rates:

• Sign up for a two-hour (minimum) Color Inspiration session at your home or business for $300.
• Additional time is $125 per hour.
• Follow-up appointments are $125 per hour.

Please inquire about group or bulk rates.

Other services offered:

• Shopping: $75 per hour – I help you select everything from furniture and home accessories to appliances, countertops and flooring.
• Offsite work/analysis: $75 per hour

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Don't live in the Pacific NW? Visit the Online Feng Shui Page for more info.

Online Feng Shui Design

Are you ready for a change in your home or business and would rather work together online in the privacy of your own space?

Online Feng Shui Design is affordable, easy, fun, and the results are powerful.

Here’s how it works.

Choose from two different options:

Option 1: Online Feng Shui Basic

Step 1: You answer some simple questions for me about your home or business using an online questionnaire. When you click the send button, your answers get back to me instantly. (And those answers are always kept private.)

Step 2: Snap some photos of the area(s) of your home or business that you’d like to work on and attach them to your online questionnaire.

Step 3: We meet for one hour on the phone or Skype (your preference) to discuss all of the Feng Shui, Interior Design, Furniture layout, and color recommendations for your space. Within that time, I'll give you detailed guidance on how to make the changes to create your ideal living and work space. You implement the changes at your own pace.

Online Feng Shui Basic Cost: $105/per hour - $65/thirty minutes - $45/twenty minutes $Savings: Buy any Online Feng Shui Design session and receive 15% off. (Follow up sessions are good for one year from date of purchase.)

Start your Online Feng Shui Basic session now.

Option 2: Online Feng Shui Premium

Step 1: You answer some simple questions for me about your space using an online questionnaire. When you click the send button, your answers get back to me instantly. (And those answers are always kept private.) You can also attach photos of your space to the online questionnaire.

Step 2: (Optional) With a web cam or other video, you take me on a brief visual tour of your home, starting from your front yard up to the front door and then inside. (Feel free to just show me what feels comfortable to you.) You send the video to me using one of several easy methods.

Step 3: After I review your video, photos and questionnaire, I study the Feng Shui and Interior Design of your space:

1. I use Google Earth and Google Maps to look at your home or business and study the surrounding street configurations, and geography that might be negatively influencing your home or business. I essentially take a walk in cyberspace up and down your street from a Feng Shui perspective.

2. I study your 9 Star Ki Astrology and provide you with detailed information on your elemental influences and what energetic influences are in your chart this year. This includes the astrology of your life-partner who lives with you or your business partner who works with you.

3. I examine the pathway to your front door and treat your home or business by looking at the “whole” structure (whenever possible.)

Step 4: We meet on the telephone (or Skype) for up to 90 minutes to talk about how to create your beautiful space. I'll give you detailed guidance on where to shop, what to buy, and how to make the changes to create your ideal living and work space. I am always aware of budget concerns and do my best to find the least expensive and sustainable products on the market.

Step 5: You receive a beautiful red box by mail with your Online Feng Shui Kit that includes your personal Plan of Action. This is a printed reminder of all the important steps of the process, and it includes color samples and other helpful guidance to walk you through the process.

Step 6: Follow up session. Within one month, we talk on the phone for 30 minutes. This is when you show me--through photos or video--what changes you’ve made and we go over any questions you might have.

Online Feng Shui Premium Cost: $599.00

Start your Online Feng Shui Premium session now.

For any questions, please contact me using one of the methods below:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

I look forward to working together!

The Doctor's Office

When I walked into my client Naturopathic Doctor Carmen Ripley’s office, I knew something had to change. The space felt off-balance with the wild energy of bright yellows dominating the color spectrum, many hard surfaces, and other Feng Shui challenges.

Carmen had called me in to make some Feng Shui changes in her space. She also intuitively knew that the space “just didn’t feel right.”

The room in question was where Carmen spent most of her weekdays examining clients, discussing their personal health history and diagnosis, and working on client reports. After discussing her feelings about the space, I noticed that she never really took any rest breaks from her days, and as a result she was feeling overwhelmed and fatigued.

Here’s how she describes her business and the space before changes were made:

“My space felt very unsettled and my business didn’t flow very well. I was always tired, overwhelmed and everything in my work felt more challenging. My clients often felt nervous when we discussed their health history. It was so hard to relax.”

After recommending a beautiful and grounding chocolate brown for the walls (Yolo Clay 06), a soft and supportive sofa for clients to enjoy (and for Carmen to use in between visits!), replacing metal blinds with beautiful draperies, and other Feng Shui enhancements, Carmen went to work to implement the changes.

When I came back a few weeks later, I didn’t recognize the space. It had gone from an imbalanced environment to a harmonious space, and I instantly felt drawn in.

Here’s how Carmen describes it:

“ Wow. Everything is so much different that it’s kind of crazy. After the changes were made there was whole different feeling; a very powerful shift. I am more balanced and centered in my self. I have more energy. I feel better and so do my clients. And I take more breaks!

Everything flows better and moving through the path of my clients’ health is like turning a page in a book –there is a beginning, middle and end. Everything is clean, concise, and very focused. I love being in my space, which is so important. I didn’t realize how much it (Feng Shui) was better for my business until everything changed. Thank you Cheryl.”

Carmen also shared with me that her patients love the changes and always comment about the new and improved room. The space invites them to relax and be more at ease around important health issues.

The best part for me is to watch the magic of Feng Shui unfold so beautifully.

Carmen’s business is busier since we’ve worked together. She’s had a new influx of patients and is attracting clients who are a better match for her. By making the recommended Feng Shui changes Carmen’s quality of life has drastically improved. With a more stable life, she’s able to effectively help others improve their lives through better health. And that contributes to a better, healthier and happier world.

Veterinarian

When Dr. Kristin Sulis approached me with her completely unique vision for a new Veterinary Clinic, Mt. Tabor Veterinary Care, I was so excited I could barely contain myself. Her dream was truly inspiring. She wanted to transform a cold, industrial space into a warm, healing oasis for pets and their people.

As Kristin and I began to work on the project, I saw that she cared deeply about all the details of the project. We collaborated on a color palette, intelligent furniture choice and placement, and numerous other design decisions. Throughout the process, we were guided by Kristin’s vision. For example, she wanted the reception area to feel like a living room where her clients, both animal and human, were free to relax on the furniture or settle down on the welcoming rugs.

Kristin knows that pets are a very important part of our lives. When a pet gets sick, it’s a stressful time for the humans in the family too. Based on this simple insight, I was able to help Kristin create a space that was welcoming for both pets and their people, helping everyone to feel safe, nurtured and confident that their loved one was receiving the best care possible.

As she says:

Working with Cheryl was a breath of fresh air. During the difficult and very busy time of completing our veterinary clinic, Cheryl was there to offer guidance in color selection, furniture and accessory choices and furniture arrangement. She was a grounding element that helped me look deeper at what we were creating. She didn't tell me the latest fads - instead she listened to me and understood my vision and helped me create what I really wanted - a beautiful, comfortable and healing space.

The results have been impressive, and they show the power of Feng Shui, collaborative interior design, and intentional living.

Recently, Kristin won the “Vet of the Year” award in Portland, OR. During the first two years her business has been open, growth has been awesome, even though the economy in general has had its' challenges. She has hired extra staff and a second doctor to handle the increase in clients.

Great collaborations like this are a wonderful reminder of why I do this work.

Career Opportunities

My dear friends and clients Bryon and Jeff live in Los Angeles, CA. They are avid gardeners and lovers of their home and sanctuary, which sits in the middle of a very steep hill. In Feng Shui, a home on top or in the middle of a steep hill can cause problems because the hill represents a waterfall. The fast-moving downhill energy can wash away all of my clients’ good luck, new opportunities in the world, and money.

During my last visit to Los Angeles, while at their home, I noticed the front left side of their home felt like a dead zone—an area where no life force or chi was present. I also felt the energy in that area was being pulled down the hill. This caused a feeling of vertigo in my body. The very steep angle of that area simply dropped off into their neighbor’s yard, and that was a real problem.

This was definitely a Feng Shui challenge and one that was being reflected in my clients’ lives. They had not been able to achieve their career goal of making a major new film that they had been working on for about five years.

Here’s how my client explains the area in the front yard:

That area felt neglected, incomplete, uninhabitable; like the yard was not connected to rest of the land and our home. It was like the front yard was void on that side and non-existent. It felt like it was going straight into the abyss. It felt odd, and unwelcoming.

I made some recommendations for immediate changes. I suggested building a stucco wall and painting it a bright earth color to dam the watery energy, and leveling the ground in the area so that the house and the land it sits on would feel solid and even. That translated to the energy staying put and not falling down the hill. And that change translates to improved lives for my clients. My clients made these changes immediately, and the results didn’t take long to show up.

How has the area changed and how has it changed my clients’ lives? My client says:

That area now feels totally welcoming and complete. We love looking at it! The most amazing thing is to be able to stand on that edge and look into the other part of the yard and still see the rest of the yard. With the wall and the enhancements in that area, the land and home now feel whole. We are much more balanced and there is a feeling of completion. It’s cozy, homier, and definitely more inviting.

(See the before and after images at left.)

About a month or so after the changes were made, Byron had a big downturn in his seasonal lecture work. But just as suddenly, the dream of getting his film project moving started to manifest. Byron and Jeff already had a famous director signed on, but everything else had been left hanging dry for quite some time. Very quickly, a production team was hired and my clients (to their disbelief) were given executive producer and associate producer credits!

The force of the energy coming down the hill had kept Byron on the road a lot, and this energy also prevented opportunities from sticking around long enough to come to fruition. The front yard exactly mirrored this energetic imbalance. Now the energy of the land has been stabilized and both Byron and Jeff will benefit from more stability in their lives now.

It’s so wonderful that this Feng Shui correction has already begun to unfold in the most beautiful way. I love getting to facilitate magic like this!

Symbolism -The Language of Home

Many of us spend most of our non-work waking hours at home. My partner and I both work from home, and are fully immersed in the energy and symbols of our house all day. Our home provides a wonderful opportunity to create a space that symbolizes our values and goals, and reflects our inner emotional and spiritual landscape.

The flag pictured here is one of many symbols we use to announce who we are to the world. It’s also an opportunity to resonate with compatible universal energy. For example, a heavy gate in front of the house is both a physical object and an energetic-emotional symbol that resonates with the universal energy of barriers and protection.

In our case, we wanted to resonate with the universal energy of peace and long-term partnership. Doves are monogamous, and mate for life. They also symbolize peace in many cultures. In the flag placed in front of our house, doves are encircling the earth, bringing the energy of peace to both the planet Earth and the house that displays this symbol.

The flag also has the image of flowers, which represent sweetness, harmony, and abundant beauty. All of the symbology of the flag is an intentional representation of who we are, and the energies we want to invite into our home. These symbols are the language of our home, and by making them visible to the world in the form of a flag, we speak our requests and our essence to the Universe.

Intentional Painting

Philip had just recently been introduced to some of the basic concepts of Feng Shui. He was living in a house that was burdened with the emotional and energetic imprints of a relationship that ended abruptly and painfully, along with some older energy that carried a heavy, sad feeling. Just emerging from a time of intense healing, he was ready to make changes in his space to reflect his new life and new possibilities.

As often is the case, painting the walls (and ceiling!) is the quickest and easiest way to dramatically change the feel of a space and bring new energy in. Although the goal of most paint jobs is a smooth, even result, I reminded Philip that he should think about painting words on his walls before applying the new paint color. The words would be covered up by the new paint, but their presence would create energetic avatars that could help to heal the house and its occupant.

Philip eagerly embraced the idea! He chose words that symbolized states of acceptance and grace for him, painting these carefully chosen symbols on each wall of the room before painting the final color.

As he said:

“I couldn’t believe how powerful it was for me to take these ideas I had about what I wanted: acceptance, peace, things like that, and give them a physical expression. It was like having a subliminal message of peace and love being sent my way any time I was in the room. I ended up doing this in every room I painted in the house! Thank you Cheryl!”

Words have great power, and we can use them in many ways for the best and highest good of others and ourselves. The result of Philip’s use of intentional words underneath his new paint was not just a beautiful new paint job for his house, but also one that deeply expressed his desire for healing and living with intention.

The Greeter

Throughout history, palaces and sacred spaces had guards and greeters who stood at the entrance and helped maintain the delicate balance between the chaos of the world outside and the structure of the activities inside the building. The presence of a human being standing at the door signified the importance of the events that occurred inside the building.

For us modern folks, our homes are both palace and sanctuary. Home is a place where we experience respite from the chaos of the outside world. Just like the ancients, we can use a greeter to mark the transition from our outside world to our own personal inner haven. We do this with an object that symbolizes our higher selves.

This object is a greeter. The greeter reminds us that as we enter our home, we are making an important transition from the outside world of activity--driving, working, meeting, and public interaction--to the inside world of our home-sanctuary.

In addition, a greeter can serve as our benevolent Spiritual protector, reminding those who approach to respect the dwelling and its occupants.

The photograph (shown in the center) is a white stone Buddha with His left hand raised to receive the blessings of the Universe and with His right hand he bestows those blessings to the earth and the home he protects.

The Buddha greeter shown to the left was placed by the occupant to continuously bless both her surroundings and bless all those who enter. Although greeters often use symbolism found in religions, they don’t have to, and can be unique to the home’s residents. For instance, an artist might use one of their works of art as a greeter.

In working with my clients, almost every one tells me they want their home to be a special place, a private sanctuary that is both nurturing and protecting. A greeter is a simple and powerful way you can help bring these qualities to your home.

Animals

Most exam rooms at a veterinarian’s office have metal tables and concrete floors. I don’t know about you, but the very thought of bringing my beloved pet to a space like that makes me feel uneasy. It also makes me wonder whether these veterinarians are thinking about how their animal patients (and human pet owners) feel in this type of cold, sterile environment.

In keeping with her philosophy of a patient-centered design, Dr. Kristin Sulis asked me to help her design a different kind of exam room. I helped her choose wooden furniture, eco-friendly but easy-to-maintain tile rugs, warm and comforting paint colors on the walls, and lighting to create an open, soft, and grounding space for her (and her staff) to examine her patients.

At home, your pets feel special when they get to cuddle up next to you on a blanket. Kristin has helped her animal patients have that same special feeling at her practice, Mt. Tabor Veterinary Care. (Notice that adorable, soft flannel blanket that the kitties get to sit on.)

If animals could talk, I’m sure they would be expressing their deep gratitude for Dr. Sulis and her team for caring so much about their experience. The results speak for themselves. With just two years in business, loyal clients keep coming and I can see why.

Fu Dogs - Protection and Respect

After a few minutes on the phone with my client, I knew her situation called for a strong and immediate approach. My client and her business partners were being disrespected and it was coming from every direction. Clients were manipulating, vendors dishonest, and everyone at the company felt taken advantage of.

My client was doing her best to honorably work with clients, vendors, and subcontractors and others, but it felt like an uphill battle.

Call in the Fu Dogs

I immediately advised my client to place two statues of fu-dogs at the exterior entrance to her office. Fu-dogs were originally used in China in front of ancient imperial palaces and temples. They also symbolize great wealth, good social status, command respect and provide protection.

Two fu-dog statues made out of alabaster and imported from China were immediately placed in the appropriate area at the exterior entrance of the business.

My client describes the results:

“My business partners and I often joke about the pre-fu dog and post-fu dog days. The changes were that significant. After we took action on Cheryl’s recommendation and placed two fu-dogs at the exterior front entrance of the office, things changed drastically and immediately. Clients who were taking advantage of us either dropped off the map or became more agreeable. Dishonest vendors and others simply disappeared. The vacuum created by that change opened up space for new clients, vendors, and sub-contractors who were honest and respectful. That was a huge relief for all of us!”

Part of the magic of Feng Shui involves knowing what you want, so that you can create a space that reflects your desires and values. I just love it when clients allow me to use my intuition and knowledge of design and Feng Shui to help them get in touch with what they want and create a space that perfectly mirrors who they are.

For this client, wanting to be respected and treated honestly was just the beginning. By working together with the surrounding energy, we were able to reflect that inner desire externally into her space. The results quickly exceeded her expectations.

The Path

My partner and I recently had the front path to our door dug out and re-built larger and wider to increase money and invite good opportunities to come to our door.

In the invisible yet powerful world of energy, the streets around our homes and workplaces bring in flow as if they were rivers and waterways. It’s always beneficial to encourage good flow, to bring in positive energy, which translates to abundance and prosperity. Gratitude is always key.

Opening Up To Abundance

It was time to increase our flow of energy, by removing the old path, which was made out of cement and very narrow. The old path felt like lungs being squeezed so that not enough air was able to get through.

Notice that the shape of the new path feels like a river or stream. It’s not straight, but rather it bends and moves toward the door. Notice that the mouth of the path is wider, which pulls in the energy from the sidewalk. We activated the energy even more by placing 99 gold and silver dollar coins throughout the path in shapes of different symbols, like the arrows shown in the before photo at left.

We finished by blessing the path and saying thank-you.

I'm happy to share that we are now receiving a continuous flow of opportunities which have translated into money for both of us. Our front path, or energetic river, moves towards our front door effortlessly and we continue to stand in deep gratitude.

Romance

How can I attract my life partner?

I’ll often hear this question from my single clients who desire a loving, monogamous relationship and have had challenges finding the right person.

The first thing I advise (before we start looking at the design of my client’s living space) is something simple, yet challenging for many of us. Get quiet. Find that soft, comfortable chair or sofa in your home, and commit to sitting quietly for at least ten uninterrupted minutes, focusing on your breath while relaxing your shoulders.

Take an extra five minutes (or more!) and ask yourself the question, “What qualities in a partner am I looking for?” and answer your question on a piece of paper. Start to list the qualities of your future beloved. Really think about it and get clear. Take as much time as you need.

As you note each characteristic of your future love, first write, “You are ___________.” This “You are” is creating an energetic attraction; an alignment between the two of you. As you speak the list out loud, imagine you are directly talking to him or her.

In order for this to work, you really need to mean it. No wishy-washy half hearted intentions that you throw out there will be sufficient. Before I attracted my partner into my life, I did this practice and later kept the list on a table next to my bed.

The next step in attracting your life partner is to take a look at what things in your bedroom (and home) are saying about this part of your life. For example, is your bed pushed up against a wall with only one-night-stand and one lamp? Does your artwork or other items reflect one person or one object instead of two? If so, you may be keeping yourself locked in a single status.

Try opening up some space for your beloved by moving your bed away from the wall or by making room for a second bedside table, preferably one that matches the other. Start thinking in the number “two” when it comes to your furniture, accessories and wall art.

Some examples include always using two matching candles, pairs of lamps, one on each bedside table, and/or statues that depict lifelong mates, like doves, cranes or humans. Make sure that you emotionally connect with each item that you place in your bedroom. The idea is to think romance and make everything come alive with your personal touch.

By looking at your space with new eyes, you are shifting your internal consciousness to align with your outer expression, in order to match what you desire with your new reality.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Creativity

How can I access more creativity in my life?

This is a really important question that many of us can relate to, particularly when it comes to feeling stuck in a job, involved in a project that doesn’t truly feed our soul, or just feeling plain unhappy and/or unmotivated in life.

The good news is that we can use our living and work environments to access our internal creative space and get that spark fired up again.

To begin to access more creativity, I always advise my clients to clear their clutter. In my experience, clearing clutter has always created huge openings.

I encourage you to remove items in your space that no longer reflect who you are or your heart’s truest desires. Many of us do not realize how much energetic weight we are carrying around by keeping old papers, books, projects, old furniture and other items that we longer use or that carry past associations that are not positive.

When we purge, we open up to new possibilities. Creative juices start flowing. I’ve seen this happen time and time again with clients and in my own personal life.

Other solutions to accessing more creativity depend on the individuality of the space and the person or people living in it. Examples of this include painting a room a new color, connecting with your passion and creating a special space for your creativity to blossom, and/or creating an inspiration board with what excites or moves you emotionally.

These are all very powerful tools to get you re-connected to your creativity energy--the source that brings true happiness.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Sleeping

What can I do to my bedroom to help me sleep through the night?

More than 70 million Americans suffer from some type of sleeping disorder. As a Feng Shui consultant, I find it easy to see why. We spend one third of our lives in the bedroom—a space meant for relaxation, recharging our batteries and reconnecting to our mind, body and spirit.

In Feng Shui, the bedroom is one of the most peaceful spaces in the home in which the energy flow surrounds us with calm and nurturing support. But many of us have turned out bedrooms into areas of high charge activities where clutter, computers and televisions as commonplace items. How can we expect to cultivate inner harmony with all of this chaos around us?

With the application of some simple Feng Shui principles, you can begin to create a personal oasis in the bedroom where rest and relaxation reign. It doesn’t take much time or work but it does require a commitment.

Move the Disruptors out of the Bedroom

Because computers, televisions, and exercise equipment interfere with resting patterns and intimate relationships, it is best to move these things to a more active part of the home. When this is not possible due to space limitations, give such items their own homes by placing the television in an armoire or covering it up with a nice tapestry when not in use.

Exercise equipment, desks, and computes are constant reminders of work that needs to be done, so use screens or drapes to cover this equipment, dividing it from the sleeping area.

Invite Color

Use color in the bedroom to create a sensual, cozy, and inviting atmosphere. Apart from the painting the walls, bring in beautiful lush colors in your draperies and bed coverings.

Clear Clutter

Clear clutter from the bedroom and from underneath the bed to bring harmony to the chaotic energy flow that clutter creates. Remove any items with negative associations.

Now take a deep breath and enjoy the freedom that sleeping and resting well offers.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Health

How can I design my home to improve my health and well-being?

Our home is a mirror image of our well-being, and in Feng Shui, it is akin to the body. The same energy (or life force) exists both in our internal and external worlds. Therefore, when we are out of alignment and not feeling well, we can work with the energy in our space to improve our internal health and vitality.

Here are a few suggestions:

First, think of your home as a physical reflection of your body. Is anything unhealthy, stale, broken, or blocked in your home? If so, that can reflect in your body as ill health.

Second, look for energetic blocks in your home. Make sure all windows can open and close freely and that all draperies or window treatments function properly. Look for any doors that cannot open and close freely. Fix any blocks that you find.

Third, look for things in your home that are not in working condition. For example, do you have any leaky or clogged pipes, a leaky roof, or appliances in your home that do not work correctly? It is important to repair these features to restore a healthy and balanced energy to your space, and ultimately to you.

Finally, give your home a thorough physical and energetic cleaning, removing any excess clutter. Space-clear your home (I can help you with this) to remove sluggish and other negative energy and welcome in a positive healthy outlook for yourself and all those around you.

By healing your home, you are symbolically (and literally) improving your well-being.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Respect

How can I use my work environment to help me earn more respect at work?

Many of us have (at one time or another in our lives) felt disrespected at work. That energy can leave us feeling small and wondering if we did anything wrong to deserve such treatment. Our self-esteem and how we love ourselves can come into question.

Here are some tips on changing your workspace to help increase your self-esteem and earn more respect from your co-workers, boss and peers:

First of all, from your spirit, body, mind perspective, we all absolutely deserve love and respect. When we open up to it, it’s always there for us. It’s essential to understand that the feeling of being disrespected may have nothing to do with us.

As with any important work, the process begins with self-examination. In this case, you want to ask yourself: “Do I respect myself?” Of course, if you do not respect yourself, that imbalance will be reflected in your environment and the relationships in your life.

Next, sit quietly for a few minutes in your chair at work and ask yourself, “How do I feel sitting here?” If you feel vulnerable, fearful, or just plain uncomfortable, something definitely needs to change.

Notice where your desk is positioned. Is it facing a wall with a door or walkway behind you? Is so, this is not the best position for a relaxed place in your nervous system. It can keep you in an anxious state. It also takes you out of the command view.

The command view is when your desk sits diagonal to the door, with both the door and window(s) visible and a wall behind you for support. This will immediately transfer you into a position of safety and protection. You will immediately start to feel better and be able to face your coworkers and boss headfirst with more courage. You will also receive more respect from those around you.

There are many other things you can do to continue the theme of respect in your office or workspace, like placing two bookshelves behind your desk to act as symbolic bodyguards, displaying images of your power symbols (animals that are fierce like an eagle, dragon or lion), and/or hanging your diplomas, certificates and/or awards on the wall behind you for all to see.

The most important thing is to love and feel compassion for yourself in the process.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Transitions

How can I use my personal space to help me move through a major life transition?

Major life transitions seem to touch every one of us at some point on in our lives. These periods include divorce, a move, a job change, a bankruptcy, starting a new business, a new baby, health changes, and/or moving in with a significant other.

What these situations all have in common is the increase in our physical, emotional, and mental stress levels.

One of the most helpful things that we can do for ourselves during such a time is to create our own personal oasis at home to invite relaxation, balance and healing.

Your personal sanctuary can be in a room all to yourself or if that’s not possible, than perhaps that special chair (by a fireplace) can be your quiet area where you can listen to your breath while wrapped in your favorite, soft blanket.

Really get into it. Surround yourself with your favorite things that bring you a sense of peace and calm.

It’s best if your personal oasis contains all the things that nurture you like:

• Warm blankets
• Soft pillows
• A nice supportive chair or sofa
• Your favorite incense or essential oil
• Favorite magazines
• Angel cards or positive affirmations for inspiration and guidance
• Candles
• Favorite music
• Meditation CD’s
• Your pets

Make sure your personal oasis is inviting, and easy to get to so that when the stress is high, you can easily care for yourself.

It is always important that we love ourselves and bring balance to our lives with calm, quiet energy. However, during a time of a major life transition when things get a bit crazy, it becomes even more critical. Creating a personal oasis is a powerful tool to support that process.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com

Abundance

How can I attract more money into my life?

We don’t have to be scientists to understand that the concept of money and our perceived value of it is an idea that is shared by millions. We all worry about money to some degree or another and are oftentimes dominated by the thoughts that we don’t have enough of it.

These thoughts can often lead to blocks in our lives that show up externally in our living and workspaces, and affect our quality of life. For example, some of us will unconsciously block doors and windows preventing new opportunities from reaching us, while others will keep items that represent old, unhealthy patterns associated with money.

The way in which our furniture is arranged can also keep energy (which translates to money) blocked in our space. As Deepok Chopra says, “Money is energy and when constricted it is like stopping the flow of blood, which begins to coagulate.”

Here are a few things you can do in your home or office to start opening up to the flow of abundance.

First, take a moment in your space to feel grateful for everything around you. Feeling deep gratitude relaxes us and helps us move through the fear of not having enough. Gratitude helps us feel abundant. Use visualization, meditation, and deep breathing to center yourself and really invite the feeling of gratitude, and be grateful for your life, exactly the way it is in this present moment.

Second, let go of objects in your space if they reflect a negative association from the past and don’t serve you anymore. Spend some time considering each object and feel into whether or not each piece supports who you are in this present moment. Try to be objective. Give away those items (that you’ve decided to let go of) to others who will benefit from your gifts.

Third, look at your Wealth Area. In Feng Shui, the Wealth Area is located at the left rear of your home (from the perspective of the front door). What does this area say about your relationship to money? Is it cluttered? Is there a toilet or a trash can there? Does it feel alive, vibrant, and rich?

Make any changes necessary so that your Wealth Area has a vibrant, abundant feeling.

Don’t be influenced by other people’s ideas of what abundance looks like. With your heart, consider what would make you feel rich? Is it lush, rich-looking fabrics? Beautiful or valuable artwork? A pile of twenty dollar bills? Whatever it is, make sure your Wealth Area contains objects that help you feel rich.

These are powerful tools that will help you open up to attracting more money into your life.

Let's talk.

Schedule your appointment now:

Phone: 503.449.6622.

Email: cjanis@cheryljanisdesigns.com