Abundantly blossoming orchids, amethyst crystal shui ... · Abundantly blossoming orchids, amethyst crystal votives, vibrant throw pillows, a lacquered hand-etched bowl and sterling

Abundantly blossoming orchids, amethyst crystalvotives, vibrant throw pillows, a lacquered hand-etchedbowl and sterling silver box represent the five major fengshui elements of wood, earth, fire, water and metal.

Belle Haven Well Story 10/19/05 6:37 PM Page 1

Story by Lynn Stack Photos by Chi Chi Ubina

How to Feng Shui a 111 Year Old Historical Home in Greenwich

Belle Haven Balance

An exceptional duBuffetoil painting tempers the

bold Scalamandre Romanshades and inviting arm-

chairs. White orchids pro-vide contrast and balance

to the warm fire. An origi-nal custom-made Stark

carpet serves as the palettefor this welcoming room.

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house sits on the market for months while a similar one near-by sells in a weekend. Across town, parents grow increasingly frus-trated with their teenage son who seems to lack the focus anddrive of his friends. A successful executive grapples with staffingproblems and weak sales despite a healthy economy. Why do somepeople seem to struggle in life while others move through it withrelative ease? Spend a day with a seasoned feng shui practitionerlike Wilton resident Elspeth Anne Beier and the answer becomesclear. The house sells, the teenager refocuses and the businessprospers.

The owner of the impressive residence showcased here recallsone of her early experiences with feng shui. “My close friend hada number of troubling things occur at her home, all of whichseemed beyond her control,” she said. “For example, cars wouldcrash into her antique stone wall on a monthly basis, resulting indamage to the driver’s vehicle and great expense for my friend whowas forever having to rebuild the wall. This went on for years. Afriend suggested she contact Elspeth, who later feng shuied theproperty. Within days of her visit the crashes stopped. It’s beenmore than three years since the last accident,” she added. Prettyimpressive, but exactly how does feng shui work? The answer issimple, even if the science behind it is not.

Pronounced fung shway, this ancient Chinese art possesses thepower to improve every aspect of your life by enhancing the ch’i,

A

(Above) The Jean Metzinger painting in the center hall sets to tone for thisspace. Bergamo fabrics on the furnishings and the Stark carpet echo theartwork’s geometric grid while balancing the vibrancy of the wall color.Repetitive squares are representative of the earth in feng shui, whichdrains our some the fiery intensity of this room and its inhabitants.

(Left) The focal point of the library is the duBuffet painting above themantel. Scalamandre Roman shades and an extraordinary mirror-rimmedcoffee table carry the painting’s interest and elegance into the room. Agolden gourd – a revered Feng Shui adjustment – sits unobtrusively with-in the fireplace.

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or life force, of your environment. Developed some 6,000 yearsago, feng shui matured into a sophisticated, well-refined traditionby the Tang Dynasty. For centuries, it existed as a closely guardedsecret, available only to emperors, aristocrats and the privilegedelite who ensured their stately positions by prohibiting the publicaccess to its powers. Today, feng shui masters are called upon reg-ularly throughout many parts of the world to bring prosperity,good health and beneficial relationships to both individuals andbusinesses. The majestic residence featured here is no exception.

Making a house a homeLocated on a quiet, exclusive Belle Haven street, the mansion

rests amid finely manicured lawns, lush shrubbery and perennialgardens. Upon entering the gates of this Victorian estate, onesenses the comforting sigh and smile of “home.” From thecharming garden benches beckoning you to stop and sit awhile tothe sheltering portico with its exquisite flowering urns, there’ssomething about this place that evokes quiet serenity and security.As you near the front entrance, a Greenwich Historical Societyplaque informs you that you are about to cross the threshold ofthe 111-year-old William H. McCord House.

Ever-present white orchids, vibrant hues and a majestic lime-stone fireplace greet you upon entering. The architecture, pricelessantiques and grand-scale décor that distinguish this residence asone of character and personality reflect the talents of interiordesigner Geoffrey Bradfield and Pogacnik Architects of NewCanaan. Despite its serene elegance, this home is alive with thecomings and goings of an extremely active family. The hum ofteenagers and dogs is occasionally eclipsed by animated conversa-tions among the homeowners, their friends and staff. Along withthis dynamic lifestyle, however, comes a fair measure of stress.Managing a busy family accounts for some of it. Add to that theoversight of multiple homes (Greenwich, Manhattan, Palm Beachand a summer residence in the Hamptons), a full staff, an antiquesbusiness co-owned by the wife and thriving professional life leabythe husband, and it becomes clear why this couple yearns forserenity and order. d by the husband, and it becomes clear why thiscouple yearns for serenity and order.

Balancing the finely carved limestone fireplace and bold fuchsia fabrics inthe living room is a Karl Appel oil painting positioned above a blackleather and bamboo banquette. Two Goeckler lamps draw the eye to theperiod oil painting hanging above. The Salibello Antiques lantern adds asoft accent to the wall.

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Classical feng shui is a system based on keen observation of thethree forms of ch’i — heavenly (time, destiny and luck), earthly(interior and exterior space) and human (our choices, deeds andbirth imprints) — and their interaction with one another. Ch’i isthe essence of all material things, including you. It breathes lifeinto all matter, thoughts and intuitions, connecting us with eachother and our environment. It’s at the core of nonliving things aswell, such as cars, books and the chair upon which you sit. It’s theessence of dreams, intuition and fate. And the stuff that feng shuiharnesses to improve our health, wealth and relationships.

Before raising a skeptical eyebrow, realize that feng shui isgrounded in good measure on modern scientific reasoning.Acclaimed physicist Albert Einstein proved that matter is nothingmore than bundles of intertwining, connecting energy moving ata slow enough rate to appear solid to the human hand and eye.Quantum physicists took this finding a step further, substantiatingthat all matter — including this magazine — is not simply a massof moving energy, but one that impacts the environment aroundit. We have all walked into places that seem welcoming, comfort-able and safe as well as those that leave us feeling up-tight or anx-ious. Those feelings are the result of the physical and metaphysical

Asked when she was first introduced to classical feng shui theowner responds, “A friend and I own an antiques business and themajority of our collection is stored in her barn. We recently wentthrough a period where little was being sold and she suggested wefeng shui the barn, which we did. After several hours of spaceclearing, Elspeth departed. Believe it or not, within three hours ofher leaving we sold over $10,000 worth of furniture,” she said. “AllI could say was, Wow! I should be doing this at home.”

Voodoo and snake oil or practical science?Exactly how does feng shui work? It is important to note that

feng shui is not a branch of interior design but rather a practicalscience. Unfortunately, the Western tendency to oversimplify anddilute this very complex science has resulted in skepticism and mis-understanding. To transplant a science that is founded on a world-view different from our own is indeed difficult. However, if done suc-cessfully, it can open the door to abundance, prosperity and vitality.

Ever-present white orchids and exquisite art deco antiques greet visitors.Interior design by Geoffrey Bradfield ASID. A tranquil fountain to the leftof the door balances the energy generated by the tiger skin stools, vividfuscia accents on silk throw pillows and Bergamo draperies.

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Fingerprinting your lifeFeng shui is like a snowflake or a fingerprint: each home is

unique, as are its inhabitants. There is no one-size-fits-all ch’i asmany popular books on the subject would lead you to believe. Theneed for feng shui varies from one client to the next. Some wishto stimulate creativity or attract greater professional success whileothers require assistance with a challenging teenager. Clients oftenretain a feng shui practitioner to assist them in moving a homethat is “stuck” on the market to the completion of a sale. On theother end of the spectrum are those people who delight in their

qualities of the room. “I was consulting a client on the purchaseof a sizeable Upper East Side apartment not long ago,” recalls Ms.Beier. “No sooner had we walked through the door than a senseof profound discomfort came over us. I later discovered that thepresent owner had just been incarcerated. We then barred that onefrom the list.”

Simply put, environments are an extension of the people wholive in them, both past and present. Our strengths and weakness-es, thoughts and feelings — both positive and negative — show upin our homes and workplaces. For example, a young man was dis-couraged by his apparent inability to advance in business andretained Ms. Beier to feng shui his home. While moving through-out the house, she discovered a brick wall three feet in front of theentrance. You have to smile at the literal representation of ‘beingup against the wall’ that so aptly reflected her client’s current situ-ation. Although there were other elements depleting his profes-sional success, this one was easily remedied.

“When I reached the front door, I noticed a brick wall three feetin front of the entrance. I had to smile at the literal representationof ‘being up against the wall’ that so aptly reflected my client’s cur-rent situation. Although there were other elements depleting hisprofessional success, this one was easily remedied,” she added.

(Above) The custom-made Carole Gratale table and crystal chandelier byNewel Art and Antiques create an inviting ambiance conducive to livelyconversation in the formal dining room. Framed in antique-mirroredwalls reflect he soft light emanating from amethyst crystal votives.Antique chairs from Ritter Antik and Bergamo silk dragonfly motifdraperies add an element of whimsy to this elegant room.

(Left) The limestone fireplace with its brilliantly carve horses captures theattention of all who enter this extraordinary living room. Voluminous bil-lowing Bergamo draperies lend a fluid, soft contras to the majestic fire-place. Custom-made Toray chairs and an extraordinary Salibello crystalceiling fixture add both balance and a sense of style and vitality.

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The dining porch boasts amore casual ambiance withits softer lavender andwhite fabrics. The black-based table and chairs andgently flowing fountainaccentuate the water ele-ments much needed in thissector of the house.


circumstances and wish to nurture and maintain the fulfillinglives they lead.

In each case, Ms. Beier draws upon her deep knowledge ofthe four major schools of feng shui (most practitioners in theU.S. study only the intuitive school) and 30 years of trainingand teaching meditation, T’ai Chi and Chinese astrology. Thehistory of a home is researched and detailed floor plans aredrawn up to determine the physical coordinates of both thedwelling and the property it sits on. After conducting an in-depth analysis of the homestead, the astrological charts ofeach of its occupants are studied to better understand whichenergies need promoting and which need toning down.

In this Victorian home, beauty abounds and impresses vis-itors with its power. Vibrant pink hues reflecting the owner’szeal for life appear throughout the 30-room estate. “She is awarmhearted, vivacious woman with an abundance of fire inher astrological chart, so it’s natural for her to gravitatetoward colors that make her feel at home, Ms. Beier com-mented. “Her husband’s chart reveals an abundance of earth,which attests to his strong leadership qualities and groundedpersonality,” she added. In order to increase the serenity andharmony required to balance out this family’s super-chargedlifestyle, metal and water elements were introduced into theirhome.

Golden gourds, a centuries-old feng shui adjustment, werestrategically and unobtrusively placed throughout thedwelling to draw in and lighten the heavy energy present inthe home. Rounded furniture such as the Liz O’Brien cus-tom-designed table in the entry, antique sterling silver boxesand soft piano music were positioned into certain areas tohelp balance the rooms’ energy and keep their inhabitantsfrom becoming “stuck.” Extremely capable and organized, thecouple needed to replace some of the rigidity in their liveswith flexibility, an adjustment achieved by adding metalsculptures and fountains representing clearer, more yieldingbehavior.

The placement of furnishings also affects movement,which resonates with the owner. “I’ve been interested in thetraffic flow within a house for many years,” she said. “Whatdraws one person to sit on a couch while another gravitatestoward a straight back chair?” Fountains, billowing Bergamosilk draperies and parchment white walls expand the down-stairs and frame the extraordinary art deco furniture. Thecustom-made Toray ultra suede armchairs adjacent to the liv-ing room’s carved limestone fireplace face a tiered lacqueredparchment coffee table. The result is and ideal balance ofenergy and style that attracts prosperity, abundance and goodhealth to this home.

Ms. Beier’s feng shui expertise is enhanced by her ability tosee beyond the obvious and address the underlying imbal-ances that so often elude us. Focusing on the principles ofharmony and energy flow, she brings our desires withingrasp.

This powder room exemplifies art deco at its finest. The bold lac-quered mirror creates a central focal point above an antique mir-rored vanity. The geometric pattern is echoed in the black and fuch-sia wall decor and wool area rug.


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Abundantly blossoming orchids, amethyst crystal shui ... · Abundantly blossoming orchids, amethyst crystal votives, vibrant throw pillows, a lacquered hand-etched bowl and sterling