"Fun Shui" television show

I’m pretty excited about the new HGTV "Fun Shui" show that has recently aired. It was a matter of time before it happened. It’s kind of cute and glitzy, but that’s what sells. I think the Feng Shui designer on the show (Stephanie McWilliams) does a good job explaining the changes and doing some educating along the way. She’s perky and hip to boot.

Tonight, however, I had a strong reaction to the program which I hadn’t noticed on prior shows or, if it had occurred, it wasn’t so blatant to me. As part of the explanation to this reaction, let me say that in the Feng Shui world, the client rules. Any good consultant would spend a good deal of time asking questions about the clients’ taste, their preferences, what colors they like, etc. Well, Stephanie has her client slather on some dramatic red paint on the living room walls. When the client expresses some concern that she isn’t sure she likes the color at all, she’s told "it’ll grow on you." Feng Shui Stephanie also hauled in an enormous piece of art which she unveiled for the first time in front of the client, assuring them they’ll love it. I thought the piece was God-awful. How come the clients didn’t get to choose? How come they had to adjust to Stephanie’s choices? Where does it say she knows best what belongs in their home? Bad Feng Shui.

I suppose it makes for good television. People do like to be told what to do. But, sadly, I think a huge piece of what Feng Shui is all about was terribly misconstrued. I’ll watch "Fun Shui" again next week in hopes Stephanie pulls in the reins a bit and guides the clients rather than pushes them.