Windows to fantastic feng shui

“Do we go with the blinds or shades?”

While carefree homeowners would leave this decision up to chance (or to the whims of their insistent spouses), feng shui devotees are taking charge of their luck by picking window treatments that bring good fortune into their homes.

From influential designers to wealthy businessmen, a rising number of well-heeled Filipinos are giving their windows a feng shui boost. The area of window decoration receives particular attention since installing the wrong type may undermine the health, happiness and well-being of the family.

“My clients spend hours choosing the right window coverings. They look for beautiful, durable products that can be customized for their feng shui needs. So I show them the Hunter Douglas line, and they always find what they’re looking for,” explains Ivy Almario, a California-trained interior designer with a high-end residential clientele in Manila.

Since developing the first lightweight aluminum blinds in 1946, Hunter Douglas has led the industry in creating the highest-quality window coverings. It has also become a popular addition to beautiful, auspicious homes.

“Feng shui dictates that every space has invisible energy or chi, which should flow freely throughout the house,” says Almario. “For this, Duette Honeycomb Shades come in handy. The energy-efficient honeycomb construction insulates against heat and cold, keeping chi from escaping too easily.”

Almario adds that if the window is in a bathroom or bedroom, where you need both privacy and light, the Duette Duolite Shades is a solid choice. It offers the option of having two different fabrics in one shade — for example, an opaque fabric on the bottom coupled with a sheer fabric on top. This treatment is ideal for areas where chi must be deflected, but where light is still an important priority.

Feng shui experts also believe in achieving balance in the yin-yang relationship because chi flows best when there is harmony in opposites. When the yin elements in a room (rounded edges, ornate or floral prints, horizontal lines) dominate the yang elements (angular edges, plain surfaces, vertical lines) the chi moves too slowly. And when yang dominates yin, it moves too quickly.

“A living room with soft, curving lines and patterned wallpapers can be balanced with structured coverings like the Luminette Privacy Sheers,” explains Almario. “Its vertical fabric vanes resonate with the yang objects of the room, while the sheer fabric face lends the right accent of yin.”

This balancing of yin and yang can be amplified by landscaping and natural light elements. Windows that overlook gardens or pools can be improved with Silhouette Window Shadings. Its translucent sheers and superior light control let in the sun without the excessive glare and heat, giving the home a harmonious vibe.

With their world-class quality and customizability, Hunter Douglas window treatments are being welcomed into the homes of Filipinos, as designers like Almario help them harness feng shui in style.

Hunter Douglas is the world market leader in window coverings and a major manufacturer of architectural products.

For more information on Hunter Douglas Window Fashions, visit Home Mavericks Gallery along EDSA at Ferigate Building, Guadalupe, Makati City; or call 924-0220.