FENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE...from the house. Facing t coming water Back protection is a bit weakened along this line. Needs some protec-tion enhancement near the

RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSEFENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY

Dr. Markovic Plestovic Anna

+381 64 138 72 29

annamarkovic99@yahoo.co.ukwww.annamarkovicplestovic.comwww.spatialstrategies.webs.com

RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE

The house lays on a northeast-southwest axis. It was obviously built in a way that made the southwestern facade

the “face”, and the northeastern side, which overlooks the river, the “back”. The back of the house symbolizes pro-

tection, relationships, community, family and accumulation. All of these aspects are related to the qualities of stabi-

lity, stillness, which is why it is desirable to have the back of the house protected by large landforms or objects usu-

ally referred to as “mountains”. Having a quite open back ending in a cleft, and a large moving body of water at the

back, these aspects of life related to stability were probably not satisfactory for the previous owners, since the fal-

ling terrain and the moving water symbolize the opposite of stillness. In this formation things can not “hold”, energy

can not create forms, which probably influenced negatively the plans to have children.

Following the structural changes you are introducing, and taking into account the distribution of functions in house,

the orientation of the house will be changed to face northeast, which is a much better orientation in relation to the

surrounding landforms. This way the active, downward-sloping terrain, the cleft and the movement of the river en-

sure the activity “in front” of the house, while at the southwestern side of the house the only movement is indicated

by the entrance to the house. The movement on the little square at the entrance of the house is of low intensity, and

the whole complex is protected by the large objects on the main road. These large objects symbolize the “mountain”

needed at the back. Still, there is a gap in this protection, at the line to the south, which exposes the bedroom to er-

ratic influences. These influences should be blocked by some high objects shielding the little terrace In front of bed-

room and closing the wiew to the house from south.

In resulting formation, the main concern regarding the surrounding is to “pull up” and hold in as much energy from

the facing side (the river) as possible.

The other main characteristic of the surrounding is the shape of the plot, which is irregular at the end facing the ri-

ver. This curved line is formed by a shallow bay-like edge of the plateau above the river. The flow of Qi (energy) is

carried by the winds and the river, and directed by the forms of earth, thus it follows the line of this bay-like inden-

tation at the edge of your plot, and flows away to the next plot, to form a point of accumulation further downstream.

The slanted edge, which is the “face” of your plot, orients the plot too “look” downstream, which means that it sees

water and energy going away.

Since the house itself is not facing downstream, the garden should be layed out to reorient the plot in a way that

will avert attention from the water going away, and to direct it towards the “coming water”. The edge should be

clearly marked, for safety as well as for feng shui reasons, advisedly with bushes which do not grow high enough

to block the wiew, but are thick enough to prevent people from going too close to the edge. Plants have the ability

to “pull up” water from the ground, consequently they are able to raise the energy from the river to your plot of land.

By using plants with gradually rising height from left to right (upstream to downstream) an accumulation point can

be created at the right end of the slanted line, that wil block the wiew of water flowing away, and thus gather the in-

coming energy and direct it towards the house.

Position, surroundings, orientation (1)FENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY - RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE

Dr Anna Marković Plestovićwww.annamarkovicplestovic.com www.spatialstrategies.webs.com

Main flow

Facing th

e water

“going away”

Secondary flowfollowing the edgeof the plateau

Fac

ing

th

e co

min

g w

ater

Accumulationpoints along the riverbank

The “mountain”shielding the new back of the house

Changing the plot`s facing from “going water” to “co-ming water”. The section asseen from the house:

Accumulation point

Secondary line of elevation at the edge of the terrace or at theliving room window.These can be lower plantsor some kind of fencenot blocking the wiewfrom the house.

Fac

ing

tco

min

g

wat

er

Back protection is a bit weakened along this line. Needs some protec-tion enhancement near the house,around the bedroom.

High objects (trees) amen-ding the protection at the back of the house to thesouth.

Position, surroundings, orientation (2)FENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY - RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE


The “watershed” structure

The planned internal structure of the house meets the requirement of having a spacious, active area at the facing

side and a stabile, secure, higher area at the back. This is provided by the open-air, active part (kitchen,dining area,

sitting area, and even working rooms below) located in front, at a lower level, while the less active bedrooms and

bathrooms are grouped at the back of the house.

Still, in terms of energy movement, along the central axis of the house an open, unrestricted corridor appears lea-

ding from the entrance of the object to the entrance of your space and further to the glass wall and through the ter-

race to the garden and down the cleft. The resulting movement pattern weakens the stability of the back of the hou-

se (bedrooms), drains the energy from this part. The energy pouring down from this higher level to the living area

continues to flow through the glass wall, and down to the lower levels - the garden and down to the river - taking the

energy from the living area with it. The whole structure resembles a watershed, water or energy running of on both

sides from the top, as can be seen at the sketch of the cross-section:

The positive side of the above illustrated movement pattern is that part of the energy flowing off from the living area

through the glass window and the internal stairs tends to concentrate in the working rooms located at the base level,

probably supporting your carriers. There is a catch, though, since there is a probability that you will also follow the

path of energy, and spend much more time in working area, than in living/family area.

In order to prevent the above described loss of energy, and to ensure that you will spend at least equal time in wor-

king and family areas of your home, material and symbolic impediments to the flow should be introduced, to prevent

the run-off, slow down the movement, and contain energy at the higher levels, without entirely stopping the flow.

The slow, steady movement is essential to keep the energy fresh and healthy.

objectentrance

your spaceentrance

Glasswall

terrace

garden

rivertop ridgeof the watershed,losing energy

Flow-through area, the torrentcreates kind ofenergy-draft,taking the energyof the area with it.

Internal structural and functional aspects (1)FENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY - RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE


Part of these measures regarding the cleft at the edge of the plot were described in previous sec-

tion. In the interior, I would recommend the following measures:

houseentrance

appartmententrance

Glasswall

terrace

garden

river

Another door closingthe “ridgetop”area. It can besome kind ofstained glass,mostly with metallic colorsand circularpatterns

“curtains oflight at the topor bottom of the stairs. At least one row of lights.Ideally directedfrom the floorupwards, butthe other way isalso acceptable

Calming, contai-ning and stabilizingfloor patternoutside theentrance.Colors:element metal

parapetfor the glass wall,to the height of the stairsleading downto the living area

low plants in planters at theedge of terrace,holding energy,but not blockingthe wiew

Plants are also useful to hold andcontain energy along the stairway leading to the basement. Perharpssome kind of door would also beadvisable, for safety reasons too.



The proposal on the previous sketch lists all the possibilities for slowing down the movement and enhancment of

energy-containg capacity of space. Of those, the solutions at the door of your space and at the glass wall and ter-

race should be applied in full, while of the interime three solutions - glass door and light curtains - are changeable.

At least one impediment should exist in the area extending from the entrance to the bottom of the stairs leading to

living area. For example, the glass door can be moved to the top of the stairs, and the light curtains left out comp-

letely. Or the glass door can be left out, in which case the light curtain should be at the top of the stairs, and the floor

pattern applied in front of the entrance ought to be repeated in the foayer of the higher section.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms are important places in Feng Shui, since the water is the materialization and carrier of Qi (energy),

and it flows away through the bathroom. The best thing is to have relatively negative influences contained in the

bathroom, since the negativity goes away with the water.

The master bathroom complies to this requirement, influences that can lead to betrayal, robbery, political victimi-

zation, lawsuits and frod are present in this bathroom, and are drained through the bathroom, while the wardrobe

isolates these influences from the bedroom. Still, since those “robbery stars” are very strong, I would suggest to

secure the windows of the bathroom and wardrobe with some kind of cast iron grid outside the windows.

On the other hand, the master bathroom is located on the southeastern direction of the house, which direction is

one of the four harmonious one related to your personal energy types. For the wife southeast is the direction rela-

ted to communication, traditionally referred to as the “direction of love”, and for the husband it brings inspiration

and opportunities, the traditional name for this direction being “shining Qi”. The presence of these energies in your

lives could be also decreased by draining the energies of this direction through the bathroom.

The mentioned negative effects are of metal character, while the energy of the southeastern direction is of wooden

character. By strenghtening the wooden character of the bathroom, you can strenghten the positive influence of the

direction to your personal energies, while at the same time further weaken the negative metal-character influences

present in the bathroom. Therefore the best color scheme for the bathroom and the wardrobe would emphasize co-

lors of element wood, supplemented by colors of element fire (that also melts metal):

The leading theme of this bathroom could be described as creating the atmosphere of high spring, when nature is

in full bloom. It can be achieved by other means than just color, but the possibilities are too many to describe them

here.

colors of element wood

colors of element fire



The guest bathroom and the adjacent pantry with the washing mashine are basically one complex, occupying

the western part of the house and another place where water runs off. The western direction is related to the future,

the outcomes, and through that to children. The draining of energy at this sector could spell difficulty in having child-

ren or raising them. Besides, west is the direction related to the ability to enjoy the beauty of life, that is considered

to be a female role and quality, which is why the draining of energy on this direction is considered to be unlucky for

women. Luckily, in the energy distribution chart of the house, a positive influence can be traced in the western direc-

tion, which influence should be reinforced, since it is a combination of energies that, when occuring in the west, tra-

ditionally are considered to “engender many descendents”. In order to enhance these influences, both spaces sho-

uld be stabilized as much as possible.

It would be useful for the stabilization of both these spaces to have a solid high wall on the boundary of the plot,

shielding the windows. This wall would act like “mountain” needed for stabilization. Trees and high bushes creating

a dense fence and shielding the windows would have the same effect.

In the bathroom, some degree of stabilization can be accomplished by hiding all the installations in some kind of

solid-looking casing, choosing heavy-looking, even ornated bathtub and and other equipment, and applying the

colors of elements earth and metal. To ensure the ability to enjoy life, this bathroom should resemble some kind

of a lush place for pampering oneself. Therefore choose som warmer hues of the elements needed, for example

light terracotta and gold. In addition, in the room under the bathroom, that will contain the boiler of the central he-

ating, should be also very “earth-like” in appearance, in order to control the fire, that would melt the metal of the

western direction. Colors of elements earth and metal are:

The pantry should have shelves or a closet-like construction enclosing the whole wall on the side to bathroom. The

washing and drying mashines can be somehow incorporated in this system, placed behind doors, or be of some co-

lor to blend-in as much as possible with the background. Element recommended for the decoration of this space are

metal and water, supplemented with wood which should appear “in mountain position” which means above the level

of average human height. Colors of recommended elements are:

colors of element earth

colors of element metal(white, gray, gold, silver...)

element metal (white, gray, gold, silver...) element water (black, dark blue)

element wood (greens, turqoise and light blues)



The Auxiliary bathroom is in the basement, and it is, I suppose, designed to be used after exercizing in the gym.

This bathroom is located under the “ridge” mentioned in the part about internal structure and energy movement pat-

terns. Since the water runs out from below this “ridge”, the most important task here is to contain water at the sym-

bolic level with as much of element earth as possible, so earth colors should completely dominate this space. Besi-

des, I should advise to avoid using this bathroom as much as possible.

Wall ordense fence(or combination)shielding thewindows at thisside of house

Stabilization in the pantry, ele-ments metal, water, wood)

Warm earth tonesand metal in theguest bathroom,to create a stable,lush effect

Effect of spring in master bathroomand wardrobe. Ele-ments wood and fire.

Strongly accented earth in theauxiliary bathroom and inthe room for the boiler ofcentral heating.



Reinforcement of positive influences in the living area

The stabilization of the western - northwestern side of the house, by a solid wall, dense fence or combination of the-

se two, as shown on the previous sketch, is advisable also for the reason that it would support the positive influen-

ces present in the kitchen at the northwest direction. These influences carry the caracter of element metal, and, if

stabilized, they can give a considerable support to your businesses and social standing. The husband, his energies

being defined very much by element water, is most likely to receive this support, since metal strenghtens water, but

the wife could also feel the effect, since her energies are determined by element wood, and the surrounding water

energy can connect her to this metal energy.

In order to have the positive effect of these influences on your side, the kitchen elements should be designed to act

like a “mountain”, to cover all of, or most of the height of the wall in kitchen area. The modern, minimalist kitchen de-

signs with straight lines and shining surfaces seem visually too light to act like a “mountain”, so I would advise you

to choose a more vintage design, something like a provancale kitchen, or some other vintage mediterranean kitchen

design. Anyway, if you have already chosen some contemporary design, you can always soften it and make it a bit

more “earthly” with antique floor- and wall tiles and other details. This touch of antique is needed since the north-

western direction is related to time and authority, and the antique touch would symbolize your respective backgro-

unds and experiences on which the authority and social standing are built. Regarding the colors, warm earth tones

with a touch of yellow or red and whites are recommended. Within the range of white hues also the warmer ones,

like ivory, or white-washed wood are best suited to the purpose.

I haven`t seen the sketches of the kitchen, but I know from my experience, that cooking islands are often designed

with some kind of construction above them. This compresses the energy above the food being prepared, can make

it harder to digest. If such construction is necessary for technical reasons, it should not be too low. It ought to start

at least 20 cm above the head of the person who is cooking, or higher.

The dining area is at the northern part of the house, which direction is the health/transformation area for the wife

and the stability/learning direction for the husband. It also has some very good influences that support creativity,

academic achievements and achieving “fame”. The same influence is present in the study room below the dining

area.

These positive influences are of wooden and metallic character. Being positioned at the northern direction that is

linked with water energy, and with a lot of water energy coming from the river, these influences are very harmoni-

ous and strong, therefore this area does not need any special measures from feng shui angle. The color and ma-

terialization scheme of this area can be based on three mentioned elements (metal, water, wood), but it is not ob-

ligatory. I would only advise against this area being dominated by fire element (too much red or orange), since the

fire at the water direction can result in quarrels. Fire can be present through smaller details,though, in order to visu-

ally “warm up” this important family and community area. Should you choose an earthen materialization- and color

scheme, make sure that the three positive elements be accentuated in details like pictures, table decoration and/or

decorative plants.



The sitting area and the study room below it is located at the northeastern direction, which is a disharmonious di-

rection for both of you. The direction carries the energy of element earth, and the influences present at this directi-

on are also of earthen quality. The “financial luck star” of the present period (2004-2023) is among those, accom-

panied by stars that make a combination that brings the possibility of accumulation, which is also accentuated by

the dominance of the element earth, which by itself pertains to material accumulation. In short, this is a “money

maker” area, but also has a tendency to stop the movement, increase stubbornness and induce to much worrying

about trifles. This exaggerated earth energy in relation to your personal energies is also disharmonious.

The best way to deal with these energies is to connect them with your personal energies (wood and water) through

colors of element metal, while keeping the money-making and accumulating qualities of this combination by choo-

sing light colors, shiny, glitterinng finishes and some accents made of metal. It can be enhanced in the interior by a

comfortable furniture of wide, deep cauches and armchairs in colors of ivory, oyster, or some similar tone represen-

ting element metal. The water element is present in the surrounding, so it can be represented by a few black or dark

blue details. To keep the “star of finances” active, an area rug carrying the colors of fire should be chosen for this

area. This fire will be connected to the metal of the furniture by the earthen color of the floor. The layout plan of the

furniture and the position of tv set as shown in the sketch by the architect is appropriate to the characteristics of this

area.

The remaining area of living space, on the architect`s sketch designated to be some kind of workspace is located

at the eastern position of the house, which is the stability/learning direction for the wife, and at the same time the

transformation/health direction for the husband. The influences present at this direction are a bit tricky, since they

would be supporting creativity and learning but could adversely affect health if activated by using it. On the other

hand, the tall building in the neighbourhood is stabilizing this area, bringing forward the negative aspects of these

influences, that can manifest by being cheated or robbed. I would suggest to use some kind of glass prism or other

similar solution at the place of proposed window. The solution should let in the light, but disperse it, by which the ill

effects should also be dispersed.

Nevertheless I would advise against active use of this area. It is better to utilize it as some kind of indoor-garden,

with some water feature, like an aquarium, small pond, water-grown plants. This would provide the elements water

and wood needed in this area, and symbolize the health and development of the family.



Externaland internal“mountains”

Glass prism or other way of distorting light. Internal garden. Do not spend much time here.

Keeping the “finance star” active with fire, alleviating dominant earth with metal

Stabilization onthe wall behindthe bed by head-board, wall cove-ring or paint.

Stabilizationof the glass doorby heavy curtains

solid high para-pete to the terraceor a climbing plant screen



Master bedroom is located at the southern direction, the wife`s “shining qi” direction and the communication/love

direction for the husband. The influences present in this part of house, if stabilized, are in accordance with your

own energies, having the character of elements water and wood.

The room is positioned in the stable “back” part of the house, and the function of the room is also considered “stab-

le”. Still, the large glass dor opening to the terrace can be a factor of destabilization, so it should be covered by he-

avy curtains, especially when you are sleeping there, and the terrace in front should have a solid high parapete.

You can even plant some kind of evergreen climber plant and form some kind of a screen at the outer edge of the

terrace.

The bed indicated on the architectural sketch is positioned at the most stable part of the room, protected from the

faster energy-currents that are linked to the doors and windows. The head of the bed would be oriented towards

northwest. Though it is not one of your harmonious directions, the “stars” sitting on this direction are the beneficial

combination mentioned in relation to the kitchen. As well, as in kitchen, the influences need to be stabilized, for

which purpose a massive headbord of the bed, or a correspondingly heavy, isolating and stabilising wall treatment

is suitable. This would have a role of protecting the energy of bed from the potential energy draining that could be

caused by the stairway of the entrance to the house, which is directly behind the bed`s head position. If the mas-

sive headboard is not in accordance with your ideas on decoration, then the wall behind the bed should be decora-

ted to resemble something large and heavy - for example, it could be belayed with stone, or the wall painting could

resemble somekind of antique stone surface (but of light color or some shade of element metal colors).

The elements needed in this space are water, wood and fire, of which the water should not be present as real phy-

sical water. It can be present on landscapes of sunlit seashores for example, or as color or pattern on small patch-

es of flooring or carpet beside the bed. The color scales of the needed elements:

Since the room under the master bedrom is designed to become a gym, which is an active place, the bedroom floor

should be of some warm and not too dark earthen color in order to isolate the activity below and preserve stability

of the bedroom.

element water

element wood

element fire



Gym under the master bedroom should be mentioned here for reasons of influencing the overall stability of the

bedroom by placing an active function associated with intense movement under the room that is associated with

stillness and rest. This placement could be associated with the image of earth moving under your feet. Since the

gym is not a public utility, and the use of it probably will not be too frequent, there is no need to place it elsewhere,

it just needs to be stabilized as much as possible. Earthen colors are the best for stabilizing a place that is in ba-

sement, so you can chose of lighter earth tones or use yellow all around the room.

Guest bedroom, that could become the nursery, is at the southwestern direction, and as well as the sitting area at

the northeastern direction it has very strong influences of the element earth, but in different distribution of the stars,

dominated not by the financial luck star of the period, but by the most unpredictable star 5 earth, that can cause ill-

nesses and various mishaps. For rooms like this the usual advice is not to use them. Nevertheless, if guests sleep

here for a few days, in such short time no ill efects should be felt, so you can use the space in this capacity. Decora-

te it in style of elements metal and water, and stabilize the window by heavy curtains.

This room is safe for regular use only for persons who`s personal energy is in compliance with the present influen-

ces, which would be a boy born next year or a girl born in the year after that.

For other personal energies the room could be adjusted by changing the facing of this particular room. This can be

done by closing the existing window, making some kind of fake window on the outside to preserve the symmetry of

the facade, while opening a window in the northwestern wall of the room.

Anyway, the birth time of the child should be known to make any sensible suggestions how to harmonize the room

with the child`s energy patterns, so we can discuss it later on.

Studio rooms at the basement level are both suited to work, since the northern room, under the dining area is un-

der the same influences as the dining area, suitable for creative work, learning, supporting academic or artistic care-

er, and the northeastern room is the money-making room. Who will use which room depends on who is involved in

which type of business. Regarding the relation of personal energies to the influences present in these spaces, the

northern room is better suited to the wife, while the earthen influences of the northeastern room can be harmonized

more easily with the husband`s water energy than with the wife`s wood energy type. I have to mention that the com-

bination of energies in the northern studio is considered to be beneficial for a gifted child, so this could be an excel-

lent room for a teenager later on.

The need for elements in this rooms are very similar to the areas above. The northern room can be decorated ba-

sed on elements metal, water and wood, but the wood should be accentuated, in order to raise the energy. Besi-

des, at least one strong accent of fire should be in the room, preferably at the wall to the other study room. The

northwestern and southwestern walls should be stabilized, so this walls can be covered in bookshelves or closets -

depending on needs for storage type and capacity.



In the northeastern room light colors of eart can be used, along with lots of whites (metal). The accent of fire here

can be too added with a red carpet. If the wife uses the room, then some accents of water are also necessary, for

the husband those water accents are not necessary. In this room the southwestern wall should be stabilized. For

the northwestern wall it is not necessary, but some shelving or cabinets can be placed there if needed. On the

southeastern wall lower filers can be used.

The proposedgeneral layouts of studies:

As for the parts of the basement not mentioned here, light earth and/or metal colors should be applied. In the long

corridor leading to the studios some transversal-patterned flooring ought to be applied or lights should be placed

alternately on the walls to form a zig-zag line, in order to slow down the energy current and turn the straight-line

movement pattern to a meandering one.

High shelving orcabinets on these walls

Fireaccent

here

Two possiblepositions of

the desk

High shelving or cabinets

Lowerfilers on this wallif needed



Transversal patternon floor, or other“slowing” solutionin the corridor

Disposition of the directions in the house -upper levelFENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY - RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE

KITCHEN AREA

DINING AREA

SITTING AREA

PANTRY

GUESTBATHROOM

MASTER

BATHROOM

WARDROBE

MASTER

BEDROOMGUEST

BEDROOM


Disposition of the directions in the house -lower levelFENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY - RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE

STUDIO ROOM STUDIO ROOM

GYM

CENTRALHEATING

AUXILIARYBATHROOM

STORAGE


ELEMENT METAL

colors: white, grey, gold, silver, bronzetheme: autumn, clear, sharp, minimalist, efficientshape: circle, ovalmaterialization: metal, shiny and reflecting surfaces, archesassociations: results, authority, decisions, decisivness, communication, end, clear borders, concentration, edges, reflection, definition, mirror, fruits, jewelry, weapons,

ELEMENT WOOD

colors: green, light blue, turquoisetheme: movement: spring, growth, upward-pointing movement and forms shape: upright elongated rectanglematerialization: wood, reed, bambo, paper, associations: learning, knowledge, planning, blossoming, development, transformation (of non-living into living), renewal, purification,

ELEMENT EARTH

colors: yellow, brown, earthen tones and huestheme: indan summer, stable, neutral, embracing, relaxing, nourishing, non-movementshape: squarematerialization: ceramics, brick, stone, broad and flat surfaces, large and heavy objectsassociations: stability, food, material accumulation, preservation, storage,health, calm, rest, fertile, mother, agricuture, womb, seed, plain, mountain

ELEMENT WATER

colors: black and dark bluetheme: winter, darkness, loneliness, introspection, deep, hidden, underground fun OR fresh, sparkling, splashingshape: asymmetric, wavy, sinuous, undulating, spiralmaterialization: water, glass, clear materials resembling waterassociations: movement, flow, trade, career, soul, meditation, unconscious, fears, intelligence, ocean, river, stream, moon, night, blessing

ELEMENT FIRE

colors: red, orange, purpletheme: summer, radiant, strongly accented, visually appealing, noticeable, flamboyantshape: triangle, starmaterialization: light, flame, heating, radiating screensassociations: fame, visibility, clear visions, showing in best light, emotions, realisation (as in making something), love, anger, aggression, sun

Recapitulation of the elementsFENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY - RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE


Documents

FENG SHUI REMODELING STUDY RIVERSIDE TOWNHOUSE...from the house. Facing t coming water Back protection is a bit weakened along this line. Needs some protec-tion enhancement near the