Interior Design with Feng Shui: New and Expanded (Compass) [Paperback]

Sarah Rossbach (Author), Lin Yun (Foreword)

Book Description

Release date: February 1, 2000 | Series: Compass

A centuries-old Chinese practice, feng shui has captured the Western imagination as a tool for design and well-being. In this classic book, complete with helpful drawings and photographs, Sarah Rossbach shows how anyone can apply its principles to enhance their careers, family life, health, and prosperity. Rossbach interprets the teachings of feng shui master Lin Yun for contemporary Westerners, offering practical methods for achieving harmony with one's environment. Focusing on common problems in business and residential settings, she discusses everything from the site of a building to furniture arrangement to wall decoration. In a chapter new to this edition, she explains how to choose colors that satisfy individual needs and preferences. Rossbach's easy-to-execute advice includes such simple steps as moving a microwave oven, repositioning a desk, and hanging mirrors to alleviate negative influences.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Feng shui, defined by Too as the philosophy of "arranging a living environment where...energies are in complete harmonious balance," continues to interest interior designers. Beginning with a detailed explanation of the history and principles of feng shui, she discusses its use in the home, garden, and business environments and in personal life and concludes with a glossary of terms. Color photographs illustrate this book, which is similar to Rossbach's Feng Shui Design (LJ 1/99). Rossbach's newest book is an expanded edition of her first work, which is considered a classic. This update includes a new section on color and some new illustrations. Rossbach's is an excellent purchase for any sized library, while Too's should be purchased if there is a strong interest in this subject.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

Sarah Rossbach has written four books and numerous articles on feng shui for the New York Times, the Washington Post, House and Garden, and Harper's Bazaar.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Penguin Books; Exp Sub edition (February 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140196080
• ISBN-13: 978-0140196085
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 0.8 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,939 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #94 in Books > Professional & Technical > Architecture > Interior Design

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A practical reference to add to your library... March 24, 2000

By Laura Haggarty

Format:Paperback

I have a number of books on Feng Shui, and while I'll admit this is not the most comprehensive, it certainly is full of practical information which I refer to. The author goes into a lot of detail with regard to the various room shapes and house shapes which I found helpfull. There are lots of illustrations which show the flow of chi and its effects.

But the most interesting thing about this book is, when I followed her instructions regarding the placement of furniture in my husband's home office, the effect was almost immediate, and profound! My husband was looking for a job at that time, and had been through several interviews, but nothing definate had happened. I had just gotten this book, and after reading it, completely re-arranged the office. Within an hour of doing so, my husband got not one, but two job offers over the phone! I don't believe in coincidences, and think this made a definite difference. My advice is, try it, you might like it.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Not necessarily the place to begin. June 27, 2002

By frumiousb TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

I'd had this book recommended to me as a good one with which to begin to understand Feng Shui. While I will agree that aspects of it were clear and full of practical application (the examples of room layouts, etc.), in general I found the book to be poorly organized and certainly not enough in and of itself to gain a basic understanding of Feng Shui.

I found that I learned enough to be interested further, and got some practical advice about furniture placement. Not where I would send a beginner, however.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars regarding the question authenticity reviewer March 9, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I have done an amazing amount of research about the subject and I found the web site that this San Francisco person saw. There are 2 types of Feng Shui: compass school (Eva Wong) and form school (Sarah Rossbach and Lin Yun). Apparently the form school is similar to studying sun signs of a persons chart to find their personality. It is a starting point to continue from. The compass school is very detailed and individualized like the most detailed horoscope drawn to detail your life events. It is hard to truly Feng Shui a living space without preparation, such as doing Chinese horoscopes on the members of the household, seeing the lay of the land and finding the orientation of the building. All these factor in. Form school (Lin Yun) is basically good interior decorating and not true Feng Shui. This is a wonderful place to start, but is not the totality of the subject. Feng Shui is a true science and readers are encouraged to research more on the subject!