A couple of basic Feng Shui principles are to stimulate energy and to direct its flow – both of which can be done through the use of specific colors. Two of the most powerful colors to accomplish this are reds and yellows.

A bowl of vine-ripened tomatoes in a white container stimulates the energy of the kitchen to enhance the vitality of the home and occupants' bodies.

A bowl of vine-ripened tomatoes in a white container stimulates the energy of the kitchen to enhance the vitality of the home and occupants’ bodies.

Have you ever noticed how many homes have red doors? It’s not just Asian families who paint their front doors red. This is a universally recognized occurrence. Just think of the number of Colonial homes, especially along the Eastern section of the United States, painted white with black shutters and red doors! It’s a stunning combination and definitely attracts attention, to not only the house, but the door as well.

Yellow is a color associated with joy. We think of the sunshine when we see it. It makes us smile. Did you know that homes painted yellow sell faster than other colors? The buyers are already feeling joy when they see the color outside. Their whole mood can be changed to that of happiness and more contentedness as they walk up to the home when they see the yellow.

Place lemons in interesting containers for stunning centerpieces. If you have a table cloth with lemons as part of the motif, that's an added plus for supporting and enhancing the health of the family members whether they sit around the table to eat or are "just passing through" as they leave out the door. When you have high-contrasting colors, especially the "complimentary color" (the color opposite it on the Color Wheel), you'll bring in additional vibrancy and vitality to the space.

Place lemons in interesting containers for stunning centerpieces. If you have a table cloth with lemons as part of the motif, that’s an added plus for supporting and enhancing the health of the family members whether they sit around the table to eat or are “just passing through” as they leave out the door. When you have high-contrasting colors, especially the “complimentary color” (the color opposite it on the Color Wheel), you’ll bring in additional vibrancy and vitality to the space.

Both these colors attract attention. That’s why the fire engines and many other emergency vehicles are painted red.

Think of another area of your life where red and yellow show up. A clue – think fast foods! Yes, it’s no coincidence that McDonald’s and In-And-Out-Burger have branded logos with those colors. They want to attract YOUR energy (money) to THEIR business.

There’s also symbolism and vibrational energy associated with every color according to Feng Shui and Eastern Medicine. Red is the energy of the heart – the lifeblood of our bodies. Yellow is the color related to health. Placing either or both of these colors in the kitchen, eating area and dining rooms supports the health and vitality of the occupants of the dwelling.

Cranberry-sized cherry tomatoes offer the energy of "abundance" as well as stimulating energy through the contrasting and complimentary colors of red and green.

Cranberry-sized cherry tomatoes offer the energy of “abundance” as well as stimulating energy through the contrasting and complimentary colors of red and green.

There’s also high-energy connected with those colors and their complimentary colors – the colors opposite them on the color wheel. For red it is the color green. For yellow it is purple. You will often find these “complementary” colors used during holiday seasons since they “stimulate” the energy due to the contrast.

A healthy tomato plant filled with fruit at various stages of ripeness provides a visual feast to stimulate health and vitality.

A healthy tomato plant filled with fruit at various stages of ripeness provides a visual feast to stimulate health and vitality.

I’ve included a few photos of ways to present these principles in your home through cost-effective and easy design concepts. If you have a garden or shop at Farmer’s Markets, you’ll love these inexpensive ways to not only display and contain your produce, but also actually embellish your home.

Here’s to stimulating your vitality and enhancing your health through thoughtful use of colors according to Feng Shui principles!