Feng Shui Your Life

by Jayme Barrett, Mary Steenburgen (Foreword), Jonn Coolidge (Photographer)

In this new and updated edition of a classic in feng shui and interior design, Jayme Barrett reveals how to transform your home so that it enriches, nourishes, and changes your life by bringing mind, body, and spirit into balance. New information includes tips for finding inner peace in today's technology-saturated world, adding storage solutions, making rented spaces your own, practicing nurturing and evening rituals, and more.

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Reference, Philosophy, Lifestyle, Spirituality

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best feng shui book ever. Pink light to all of you.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciated the tips on flowers, plants, and colors, however, I thought there were too many suggestions for hanging crystals and placing water fountains. Sounds tacky to me. I've also never been a fan of indoor water fountains. I think the photos are beautiful, however, not practical examples as most homes are not that luxurious. It'd be nice to see photos of less immaculate homes and smaller spaces in the feng shui style. Also, no photos showed hanging crystals! I wonder how many people actually do that cure.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is one of those books I have picked up and put down for years. I read it just before bed to pick up a hint or two.

Frankly, I'm not big into the feng shui mumbo jumbo (skeptic alert!), but the intuitive information makes sense to me. I will incorporate an idea here or there because I like that Barrett doesn't present feng shui like some type of science. She states very clearly that you should do what feels right.

[Evie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and the feng shui philosophy, though I'm not hanging all kinds of tchockis (sp?) all over the place. I get the jist: make the energy flow through your house and feel better!

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read the first edition and used over and over as a reference, I just finished the 2nd edition and am just as pleased at the clear and concise writing, clearcut suggestions and advice, and encouragement not preaching. Every time I move, it's time to get out this book. Obviously, a big fan here.

[Ava C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book for decluttering inspiration. Your home environment often does both influence and reflect the state of your life, and it's so important to keep it aligned with your values. I'm not implementing everything this book suggests, but it does give a great explanation of Feng Shui and tips for adding it into your home in a less overwhelming way.

[Stella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much of "your luck will go down the drain" for my taste. For the more common sense use of energetic aspects of feng shui without all the superstition, I would recommend Feng Shui that Makes Sense. But I still liked this book for its other recommendations and peaceful outlook.

[Tome Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gets a little woo-woo with spirituality but I expected it. After all it's a feng shui book. But the photos are lovely and the author is overall down-to-earth.

[Fourborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one day. It had some insightful practices. Very easy to understand.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 3 out of 5]

There’s a lot of direction and some solutions, but there’s also a lot of flipping backwards and forwards to put it all together. The index isn’t thorough enough to be helpful.

[Alper Günay · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not a Feng Shui person but this is a good and comprehensive book to learn the basic principles to apply your life and home.

[Samira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for those who don't know about Fung Shui to teach how to start and its not only about decoration but also the balance, harmony of body and life overall

[Camie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sensible advice for interior design and mindfulness.

[Hayley Mears · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book - so much information I even started taking notes and have been applying Feng Shui to my home. I'll definitely refer back to this book often!

[Fonnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was needing change the kids all grew up and left home and here I was with no way to think about things. I was just walking through the Barnes and Noble passing time. I picked this book up and flipped it open to a page that grabbed me and had me thinking. Does your space hold what you love and reflect who you are? Mine didn't and this book is changing my life as I see it.

Yes the pink light stuff is way out there but this book is amazing! I am finally free of my pioneer ancestors habit of SAVE EVERYTHING! Not sure how true this is to actual Feng Shui but it gave me new eyes to see how I live! I was shocked to see my home is already set up in the Feng shui locations now to clean them of what doesn't belong there!

[Janl · Rating 4 out of 5]

last read this in 2006 when i received it as a gift. something drew me to pick it up again & it has inspired me to clean & clear my home. it possibly explains why my life has stood still - stagnated maybe - for several years but, whatever it was, i'm immensely thankful that it has given me the kick i needed to get on & thoroughly clean (& take an interest in) my home and sort a dozen or so boxes of papers that have been waiting since 2008. i'm not sure that keeping my bathroom door closed & hanging a mirror on it will change my life & i may not apply feng shui principles to the letter, but the underlying message & benefit of this book & feng shui generally is that it inspires positive ACTION! i shall be dipping into this book again & again :)

[mindi · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is big, has huge gorgeous pictures, and a TON of information. it's probably one of the best feng shui books, especially judging from all the 5 star reviews.

it was just a bit much for me. when it started talking about going within and sending "pink light" to all of your loved ones...um, okay? i just wanted to know where to put a potted plant or a mini-water fountain to help me be more calm and less stressed. ;)

needless to say, i skimmed through the rest of it and turned it back in to the library. i don't know if feng shui is for me. if it IS for you, this book looks great.

[Narariel · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book followed "Western Feng Shui" and was reasonably well-written and had pictures. But it felt like it wasn't written for the average person. Feng shui for Hollywood stars and millionaires, perhaps? The author did add to the concepts with the idea of internal feng shui, of changing your attitude and approach. Her way of explaining this felt a bit... odd. Sort of like pushing one (or possibly more) of the Eastern religions/religious traditions at the reader, but trying to present it as part of feng shui and non-religious.

While I liked the basic concept of the book, I didn't enjoy the book itself.

[Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book because we just moved to a new home and wanted to get some ideas for our fresh start. I liked parts of it and some of the ideas. I like a clean, clutter free home - only surrounding yourself with things that you love and things that bring good memories. However, as I got into the more detailed later chapters I had to start skimming as some of the ideas (many of the ideas) were pretty out there and bothered me (i.e. Always close the lid of your toilet and the door to your bathroom to avoid money going down the drain. Really?!?)

[Leesha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic! I picked it up on a friend's recommendation (thanks Ida!), and used it to help decorate our new apt. in Munich. It truly has made a difference in our lives. We have especially noticed a difference after we focused on energizing our career and wealth/prosperity energy centers. We both have found new jobs that we are really happy about!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read tons of this stuff and this is a good, clear, if over-simplified, explanation. In discussing the philosophy of feng shui from a western perspective she gives the reader a lot to think about before you ever get to the part about hanging windchimes and moving the furniture. And the photos of properly feng shui-ed interiors are beautiful.

[Gloria Petrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a book to live and grow with. It's a feng shui that is not only for the material possessions but for the heart and mind as well. Just the kind of thing that resonate with me. I got this book at the library but am putting it on my short list of books i'd like to buy and keep as it contains many wonderful pearls of wisdom.

[Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book trying to find ways to work on our new house and I must say it has motivated me a lot. I am ready to clear clutter and beautify my spaces, but as the book suggests this is a slow process and can't be done in a weekend. Darn.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has some great ideas, while others are a bit out there. I love to decorate and rearrange rooms (especially with things I pick up at garage sales!) so this book is fun to have as a reference for ideas.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great, great, great. I can't wait to get into our new place and start over completely fresh!

[Marie M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wouldn't live any other way

[Ahme · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. After reading it I went through about 4 other Feng Shui books and my favorite was "Feng Shui for the garden".

[Erica Cosminsky Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

My absolute go to book on Feng Shui. Buy it if you don't already have it.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a re-read, if you enjoy reading about how to uncluttered your life. Than this is a book for you.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thumb through this book quite a bit.