Photo Courtesy of Rachel Preston

By Rachel Preston

Courtesy of the Taos Horsefly Newspaper
Using universal techniques from Feng Shui, Vasstu and Intuition
to create space you will love to live in.

In architecture school we studied the creation of space. It was a balancing act between the loud cries of structural engineers, mechanical/electrical/plumbing engineers, contractors and owners to bring something beautiful together that met everyone’s needs.

In the days after completing my master’s degree, which was largely a study of historic buildings in the Eastern U.S. and Europe, I determined that I wanted to really understand “sacred space.” From the construction of the Ziggurats of Mesopotamia to the missions in Latin America, to Feng Shui and Vasstu (a Hindu tradition of space design to promote harmony) from the ancient Orient, I wanted to learn how “sacred” was defined in architectural language.

What I discovered was that, like religions—many of which share some basic tenets—the creation of sacred space in just about every culture involves a simple set of ideals that everybody can use to create space. This somehow allows us to become the beings we are destined—and hopefully, determined—to be.

The key ingredients:

Clearing
What you collect in your clutter-drawer, your closets and your beliefs represents what stands between you and your real self. Only clearing out what is no longer needed can clear the way for new things to become. The challenge comes in remembering the difference between WANT and NEED.

Before you start “making,” you have to “unmake” what you no longer need. Sit with your space, feel what’s not right, take it away. Gift it to someone who will love and cherish it, sell it, donate it—but don’t put it in a box to deal with later. To put something off until later just means you have issues you are choosing to repress.

Inside of your space and yourself, in every nook and cranny, if it doesn’t serve you, be rid of it. Think about why you kept it past its time of usefulness. It is likely that you will see a pattern that develops. This pattern will help you identify what you want to change about yourself, on the inside, which is ultimately the reason why we do this exercise.

Intention
It is vital that when you begin to create space around you, you understand how you want to use that space.

Will it be:

Ceremonial? (Often, entries and dining rooms.)

Comfortable? (Usually bedrooms, living rooms, and patios.)

Functional? (Kitchens, laundries, garages, guest bathrooms, guest bedrooms.)

What do you want to come from your effort of creating the space? Will it be the perfect room for romance? An art studio? Do you want to feel less compressed?

Then, determine in which of these rooms you most need to create a space that “sings” for you. This space needs to take priority over all others.

Start thinking about what you’d really like to see there. Begin going to garage sales, flea markets, stores that you LOVE, and fill that space with things that inspire you. Do layaway if you need extra time. Just set your intentions and DO IT.

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