Junction 42

FIRE YOUR GUESTS! TRUE STORY. I was working with a client that had a restaurant with a TROUBLE TABLE. People would sit down there and stay over twice as long as most tables. He asked me why this was happening. The whole room was verying shades of brown, so that made it very sleepy and grounding.  The TROUBLE TABLE was in a cozy corner near the bar with a giant painting of a martini (also in earthy tones).  I suggested a very active red painting for that corner, and replaced the martini. BOOM. Guests left twice as fast after that. DID YOU KNOW??? The time when people sit down to eat and then leave at a restaurant is often referred to as "table turnover" or "turn time." It measures the duration from when a table is seated to when the guests leave, allowing the table to be cleaned and reset for the next group of diners. High table turnover rates are desirable for restaurants to maximize the number of customers served. RED represents the fire element, and keeps the energy moving. What type of food do they serve and what kind of music is playing in the restaurant in this picture? #CommercialFengShui #Restaurants #Phoenix #FengShuiForBetterBottomLines

CLEAR THE CLUTTER. CLOSE THE DEAL. FENG SHUI FOR THE WIN! TRUE STORY! I was doing an evaluation of an office building for a client and found one of the offices had a pile of "something" in the corner of it. A pile covering about 3'x4' of floor space stacked up a bit. Boxes and... stuff. I noted it was in the relationships corner of the building and also that individual's office.  Double whammy! I asked what it was, and why it was there. Turns out it was a bunch of materials for a client that backed out, so they just had been stashed there with the bad juju of a failed deal. . .. ... So. This pile of "STUFF" is cluttering up the relationships area of the company. (This is romantic and professional relationships.) Whoops!!! When I shared what I was seeing, he had it all removed immediately! Then he closed a big deal that had been wavering for a while. Feng Shui works. Clear the clutter! #CommercialFengShui #ClearClutter #ConsultWithAndrea #FengShui #EnergyBalancing

BALANCING ELEMENTS LOOKS LIKE: Burn it, melt it, grow it, nurture it, extinguish it... It's a key part of the art of Feng Shui. Add metal elements for focus and precision—think metallic decor or accessories. If your space has too much metal, add some water or fire element. Can you see the balance of wood, metal water and fire here? (Needs a little more earth...)  #MetalElement #PrecisionInWork #FengShuiFocus #MetallicDecor

PLANTS! Say it again for the ones in the back! PLANTS! Plants in your office boost energy and focus, clean the air, and sing songs when nobody is around! If your thumbs aren't green, go for the pothos vine in a bottle trick! Save your wine bottles and add more plants to every room!  BONUS! Bottle plants never have FUNGUS GNATS! If you avoid indoor plants because of those pesky gnats that are attracted to the soil, here are some great tips! 1. Use Well-Draining Soil: Tip: Opt for a light, well-draining potting mix that doesn’t hold excess moisture. A mix that contains perlite, orchid bark, or sand can improve drainage. Recommended Materials: Cactus or succulent soil mix, which is formulated to drain well, or a mix with added perlite and sand to enhance airflow and prevent soggy soil. 2. Top-Dress with Sand or Gravel: Tip: Add a thin layer of horticultural sand or fine gravel on top of the soil. This top layer discourages fungus gnats from laying their eggs in the soil. Recommended Materials: Horticultural sand, fine aquarium gravel, or decorative pebbles. 3. Allow Soil to Dry Between Waterings: Tip: Fungus gnats thrive in moist environments, so let the top inch or two of soil dry out completely before watering again. This disrupts their breeding cycle. Recommended Materials: Moisture meters can help you monitor the soil’s moisture levels to ensure you’re not overwatering. 4. Bottom Watering: Tip: Water your plants from the bottom by placing the pot in a tray of water. The plant absorbs what it needs without oversaturating the top layer of soil, where fungus gnats tend to lay eggs. Recommended Materials: Use pots with drainage holes and a saucer or tray for bottom watering. 5. Neem Oil and Natural Fungicides: Tip: Treat the soil with a diluted neem oil solution or a natural fungicide to deter gnats and prevent their larvae from developing. Recommended Materials: Neem oil, cinnamon (which has antifungal properties), or a natural insecticidal soap. 6. Hydroponics or LECA: Tip: Consider switching to LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) or hydroponics as a soil-less growing method. LECA balls don’t attract fungus gnats since they don’t hold moisture like soil. Recommended Materials: LECA balls, hydroponic systems. 7. Sterilize Potting Soil: Tip: Sterilize your soil before using it by baking it in the oven at a low temperature (about 180°F) for 30 minutes to kill any fungus gnat eggs. Recommended Materials: Fresh, sterile potting mix to minimize the risk of pests. 8. Use Inorganic Mulch: Tip: Applying a thin layer of inorganic mulch, such as small pebbles or pumice, helps reduce the moist surface of the soil that fungus gnats need to breed. Recommended Materials: Small pumice stones, pebbles, or hydroton clay pebbles. Select the right materials and adopt good watering practices to keep fungus gnats at bay and enjoy healthy indoor plants! #BoostEnergy #FengShuiPlants #GreenOffice #NaturalFocus #NoMoreGnats

Can't focus? Get GROUNDED. Earth elements, like crystals or stones, ground your energy and provide stability. Your desk doesn't have to look like a new age store, but adding a beautiful stone or crystal helps bring the energy down into the room. A great way to do that AND clear the air is with a Himalayan salt lamp! Himalayan salt lamps are believed to "clean" the air and energy through two primary mechanisms: ionization and hygroscopy. Here's how each works: 1. Ionization (Negative Ions): Salt lamps are thought to release negative ions when warmed by the light bulb inside. These negative ions can bond with positive ions in the air, which are often produced by electronics like computers and phones. Positive ions, in high concentrations, may contribute to a sense of sluggishness and poor air quality. Negative ions are associated with cleaner air, as they can attract airborne particles like dust, pollen, smoke, and allergens, causing them to drop to the ground. This can make the air feel fresher, similar to the way air feels after a thunderstorm, near a waterfall, or by the ocean, all of which are natural sources of negative ions. 2. Hygroscopy (Moisture Absorption): Salt is naturally hygroscopic, meaning it attracts moisture from the surrounding air. When the moisture contacts the surface of the salt lamp, it evaporates due to the heat of the lamp. As this process occurs, the dust particles, pollutants, and allergens carried by the moisture are thought to be trapped in the salt rather than circulating back into the air. Energy Cleansing: From an energetic or metaphysical standpoint, many believe that salt lamps have a grounding and purifying effect on energy. Salt has long been used in spiritual and cultural practices for purification and protection. In this view, the soft glow of the salt lamp is thought to promote a calming, soothing energy that helps cleanse emotional and energetic spaces by neutralizing negativity. Even if you think all that is woo-woo, salt lamps are widely appreciated for their soft light and ambiance, which can certainly contribute to a peaceful, harmonious atmosphere. #EarthElement #GroundedEnergy #CrystalPower #FengShuiStability #SaltLamp

GOT WOOD? Wood elements promote growth and creativity! In this image, the wood element is well represented, and balanced by metal, fire, water and, wait!  What element does this room need??  Here are examples of items that represent the wood element in an office: Wooden Desk or Furniture – A classic way to bring the wood element into the space, symbolizing strength and growth. Wooden Shelves – Adding functional storage while promoting the energy of expansion. Potted Plants – Living plants symbolize life, renewal, and growth, making them a great addition for wood energy. Wooden Picture Frames – Displaying personal or inspirational photos while bringing natural warmth into the space. Wooden Sculptures or Artwork – Artistic wooden pieces can add creative energy and a grounded aesthetic. Bamboo Items – Bamboo is often used in feng shui to symbolize resilience and fast growth. Wooden Flooring – Hardwood or laminate floors bring the grounding energy of wood to the entire space. Bookshelves with Books – Wood furniture combined with books, which symbolize knowledge and growth, enhances the wood element. Wood Accents – Smaller accents like coasters, pencil holders, or trays in wood can bring subtle but effective energy. Natural Fiber Rugs – Rugs made from materials like jute, wool, or sisal can also be considered part of the wood element as they come from plant fibers. PRO TIP! If the room has too much "wood" you can balance it with FIRE or METAL!  #WoodElement #CreativeWorkspace #FengShuiGrowth #OfficeDesign

OMG! Are you tripping right now? Let's play "What's wrong with this picture?" At first glance, this workspace looks comfy, but there's something wrong here. How do you get behind the desk? Seems obvious that it's important to keep pathways clear to encourage the flow of positive energy through your office. If you are struggling to squeeze through a space, or tripping over stuff, do a little shifting. #ClearPathways #EnergyFlow #FengShuiOffice #OpenSpace #PositiveEnergy

Stop pointing that thing at me!!! Sharp edges and pointy harsh angles direct energy like an arrow! Avoid sharp angles and harsh lines in your office setup for smoother energy flow. Let's have a look at this image that AI created very literally... Here is what I asked for: "An office space with rounded furniture and decor elements. also include a variety of materials for elemental balance." Can you see what this space would need to balance the elements? Hint: It's a little TOO neutral and TOO rounded... What would you do? #SoftLines #EnergyFlow #FengShuiDesign #SmoothVibes #Balance

MIRROR MIRROR... Mirrors can reflect energy—use them wisely to enhance positive vibes, reflect natural light, and expand the visual space of a room. PRO TIP! Something my feng shui teacher taught me that I'll never forget: Don't put mirrors where they cut off your head, or reflect  the "wrong" things. ------> If you're wondering "What are the wrong things?" before hanging a mirror, have someone hold it and look at it from every angle.  YOU'LL KNOW.  😆😂😅 #MirrorEnergy #FengShuiVibes #ReflectLight #PositiveEnergy

ARE YOU IN COMMAND? Can you see the door coming into the office from your desk chair? The right desk placement can enhance your focus and productivity.  If you are stuck in a cube, or can't face the door, install a mirror. Believe it or not, this can reduce the stress hormone, cortisol, dramatically! EXPERIMENT: Notice how you feel with the door closed or open! #FengShuiDesk #OfficePlacement #ProductivityBoost #FocusedWorkplace