Feng Shui and Personal Style

I am in a phase of aligning my home with period 9 energy.

If you’ve felt a deep and magnetic urge to purge the “old” and refine your aesthetic lately, you aren’t alone. As of 2024, we have entered “period 9”, which is a 20-year feng shui cycle defined by the Fire element. In the world of style, this means a core dominant theme of visibility. It’s a period when aesthetics matter. It’s a time period where you’ll notice and lean on stylists, designers, and artists to better navigate your life journey. In period 9, things must be beautiful and inspiring.

Because Fire represents the eyes, the heart, and the soul, you will notice themes repeatedly dominate the mainstream until 2044:

• Visual arts & beauty

• Technology

• Wellness, spirituality and anything that “lights up” the internal self

• Energy

• Rise of the middle-aged woman.

When I launched my home-based styling business, I knew my environment had to reflect my aesthetic and that’s something I’m working towards, gradually over time. What is my aesthetic goal, you ask? I’d describe it as “comfortable luxury minimalism”, with several nods to art deco.

I am personally feeling the period 9 influence and here’s how I’ve been refreshing my North-East facing home to welcome a new era of radiance…

From Storage to “Curation”

In Period 8 (the last 20 years), we focused on accumulation. It was about hard work and stuff being functional. I know I got that T shirt! Think of it as a shift from “the mountain” (period 8) to “the flame” (period 9). For twenty years, the world was focused on the Earth element, so things like real estate, physical labour, accumulation, and stability was dominant in our collective consciousness. It was an era geared towards the “youngest son”.

But this changes In Period 9, we focus on beauty.

For example. I recently tackled my dresser top, which had become a catch-all for jewellery and greenery and just stuff. To date it has focused on function, storage and some pretty things. By moving my mass jewellery collection into organised, “invisible” drawer storage, I cleared the visual noise. Didn’t really want to spend money, rather try to use existing items in my house. I kept only the “hero” pieces on display, like marble and amethyst trays, art deco accents and a sentimental stand from my mother. I’m hoping it turned a cluttered surface into something a bit more like a boutique vignette.

Feeding the Fire (North-East Energy)

My home faces North-East, and specifically my office is tucked into this sector, so changes have been afoot in that room. (In Feng Shui, the office is where we cultivate wealth.) To align with period 9’s “fire” energy, here are some of my changed planned…

• Office clearing and re-arrangements e.g., plant move. I moved the plant from the bedroom to the office. As a Wood element, it literally “feeds” the Fire of my career, symbolising constant growth.

• Lounge room makeover. Planning minor, yet impactful changes, to life the energy of a darker room. Replace the dark TV console with light wood, changing wooden coffee table to “leggy” Art Deco-inspired glass/brass. In period 9, seeing the floor creates “Qi” flow, making the room feel lighter and more vibrant.

• Metal and glass accents. Introduce brushed gold or brass items with slim profiles, such as floor lamps. I’m planning to showcase my Swarovski crystal figures in the right locations.

• Kitchen glow up. My kitchen is 25 years old and perhaps overdue for a refresh? I received a sign it was time when my oven stopped working. Rather than replace with the same, I would rather wait and save for a redo. I’ve always wanted an all-white kitchen anyway.

• Clutter under control. I have been decluttering my old identity with many household and personal items. I feel renewed, refreshed and ready for my next life phase as I go through the process of release.

• “The Bright Hall” (or Ming Tang). Lighting the path. I’m focusing on keeping my front patio and entrance immaculate to ensure opportunities can find me in this fast-paced cycle.

I’m being careful and considered with this design refresh. Yes, finances are obviously the key consideration, but there are also Feng Shui and design principles I’m following that are best for my home’s structure, direction and layout. Just as I’d apply colour and style principles to match your unique situation.

The Minimalist Art Deco Bridge

To summarise period 9 design elements:

Shape: Triangular, geometric, or pointed (art deco is perfect for this).
Material: Glass, mirrors, and highly polished metals.
Lighting: Multiple layers of light (ambient, task, and accent).
Vibe: “Boutique Hotel”. Every corner looks like it’s ready for a photo.

By the way, you don’t have to overdo these accents or choose between “clean lines” and “sentimental luxury.” As I mentioned, my aesthetic leans towards the sharp drama of art deco. I personally appreciate a style that celebrates geometry and metal accents. So by using a black lacquer jewellery box as a central “anchor” and grouping items on a marble tray, I’ve aimed for a minimalist feel while honouring the pieces that tell my story and are important parts of my history.

Interestingly, my personal style is a combination of “dramatic” and “elegant chic”, which nicely matches these aesthetic features described.

What style is your home interior? Does it relate to your style personality in some way too?

My Tip for You

Fire energy is fast. If your home feels “heavy” or cluttered, it smothers your spark. Maybe start by clearing one surface – like your dresser – and see if it changes your perspective and energy?

A couple of suggestions:

1. Take a photo of your main workspace or bedroom dresser as it is right now. View it through a digital lens. If this photo were on a website, what story would it tell?
2. Swap one ‘heavy’ floor item for something with legs to let the Qi flow, and introduce a soft-toned tall item to lift the energy of the corners. A space that feels light is a space that invites visibility and new opportunities.