In the world of interior design, where aesthetics and functionality often take center stage, certified Feng Shui practitioner and NCIDQ-certified designer Tori McBrien brings a deeper, more mindful approach to curating spaces. With over a decade of experience in the industry, Tori’s unique perspective blends the art of Feng Shui, biophilic design, and sustainable practices to create homes that not only look beautiful but also feel harmonious and energetically aligned.
From her early days in the fashion industry to establishing McBrien Interiors, Tori’s journey took a transformative turn during the pandemic, when she began to explore the ancient principles of Feng Shui. As a result, her design philosophy evolved to emphasize the importance of balance, energy flow, and intentional living.
In this feature, Tori shares her insights into the ancient art of Feng Shui, explaining how the flow of energy—or “Chi”—can impact our environments and, in turn, our well-being. Whether you’re new to Feng Shui or looking to make small, impactful changes to your home, Tori offers practical advice and tips to help you create spaces that are not only visually stunning but also energetically nourishing.
Please share a bit about your background and what inspired you to become a Feng Shui Practitioner.
I’ve been an interior designer for over 12 years, running my own firm, and I’ve always approached spaces and clients with a unique perspective. Intuition plays a significant role in my design process, which is why I don’t align myself with a specific style. However, I often found it challenging to articulate my design philosophy until I discovered Feng Shui.
During the COVID pandemic, while working on my Master’s degree, one of my professors mentioned parallels between Feng Shui and sustainable design, such as a shared reverence for the earth. Intrigued, I delved deeper into Feng Shui and quickly realized that many of its principles were things I had already been applying intuitively in my work. That discovery led me to pursue formal certification in Feng Shui, and it has since become an integral part of my design practice.
For those unfamiliar with Feng Shui, could you explain the basic principles behind it?
Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement, is about being mindful of a space’s energy and intentionally shifting it to achieve balance. Think of the holiday season: decorating with a Christmas tree or setting a festive table for Passover or Easter shifts the home’s energy. Similarly, adding a front porch to enhance historical character or a pool for entertaining adjusts the space’s energy to align with the client’s desires.
Feng Shui practitioners work in various environments, from classrooms to offices to homes, enhancing the design process to create spaces that support and nourish inhabitants. Balance, represented by the yin-yang symbol, is key. Each client’s balance is unique: a family may want a playful, productive atmosphere, while empty-nesters may seek a space for entertaining.
Using intuition and active listening, practitioners determine necessary adjustments, like updating furniture arrangements or adding colors and shapes. For example, placing a desk in the “command position”—facing the door but not in direct line with it—can increase productivity and focus in a home office. In a living room, positioning the sofa in the command position can create a sense of security and comfort, encouraging relaxation and social interaction. In the bedroom, placing the bed in the command position—diagonally across from the door—can enhance restfulness and intimacy.
Additionally, incorporating the five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—can further enhance a space’s energy. For instance, adding a wooden bookshelf or plants (wood element) in a study can promote growth and creativity. Incorporating a fireplace or red accents (fire element) in a living room can energize and stimulate social interactions. Using ceramic vases or earth-toned rugs (earth element) in a bedroom can create stability and nurturing. Placing metal sculptures or white decorations (metal element) in an office can enhance clarity and efficiency. Adding an aquarium or a water feature (water element) in a living area can bring calm and tranquility.
From artwork and plants to textures and patterns, these elements help achieve the desired feel. Implementing these adjustments with specific energetic intention is crucial.
How does Feng Shui contribute to modern interior design, and why do you believe these principles have stood the test of time?
Feng Shui contributes to modern interior design by fostering balance, harmony, and intentional use of space—principles that resonate with many contemporary design practices. Feng Shui has stood the test of time because it taps into fundamental human instincts and responses to our environments. For instance, the concept of the command position closely aligns with the modern psychological theory of “prospect and refuge” in environmental psychology.
When a person’s back is exposed, such as when seated with their back to the door, the brain triggers a subtle sense of vulnerability. This activates the fight-or-flight response and increases the release of cortisol, the stress hormone, leading to anxiety and a loss of control. By placing furniture, such as a desk or bed, in the command position—facing the door but not in direct line with it—a sense of security and control is restored. This simple adjustment helps reduce anxiety and supports well-being, creating a space where one feels both protected and empowered.
Additionally, the five elements of Feng Shui—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—each correspond to certain colors, shapes, and emotions. Incorporating these elements into a design impacts mood and energy. For example, the calming influence of the water element, represented by blues and flowing shapes, can bring tranquility, while the fire element, symbolized by red or triangular shapes, can invigorate and energize a room. These principles have endured because they offer a holistic approach that speaks to both emotional well-being and functional design.
What role do the five elements in Feng Shui (wood, fire, earth, metal, and water) play in your design process to enhance the energy flow in homes?
The five elements—wood, fire, earth, metal, and water—play a critical role in balancing and enhancing the energy flow in homes through Feng Shui. Each element carries specific qualities that can be strategically incorporated into a design to support a client’s well-being. The key is to tailor the use of these elements to the client’s unique personality, goals, and any energy blocks they may be experiencing.
For instance, if a client is feeling overwhelmed or mentally scattered, I might incorporate more grounding earth energy into their space. Earth elements, represented by items like clay pottery, earth-toned decor, or square shapes, help create stability and calm, slowing the mental chaos and bringing a sense of peace. Conversely, if a client is seeking more vitality and motivation, I would integrate the fire element—through the use of red accents, candles, or angular shapes—to energize and inspire.
Each element—whether it’s the growth and creativity of wood, the passion of fire, the stability of earth, the clarity of metal, or the tranquility of water—helps to enhance the overall chi flow in the home. By carefully incorporating these elements based on the client’s needs, the energy in the space can be shifted to support them more effectively. Ultimately, it’s about creating a harmonious environment where the client feels balanced and supported.
In Feng Shui, the flow of energy, or “Chi,” is crucial to creating a harmonious environment. What are some signs that the energy flow in a home might be blocked or stagnant, and how can this be corrected?
In Feng Shui, blocked or stagnant energy, or “Chi,” can manifest in both physical and emotional ways. One common physical sign is clutter or a lack of functionality in the space. For example, cluttered areas, broken items, or even something as simple as a burned-out light bulb can indicate that energy isn’t flowing smoothly. A burned-out light bulb might seem minor, but it can symbolize difficulty seeing a clear path forward, both literally and metaphorically.
On a personal level, signs of blocked Chi can include feelings of being unsettled, unmotivated, or stuck without an obvious reason. For instance, someone might struggle with motivation at work, but the root of the issue could be a cluttered closet causing stress in the morning when trying to get dressed. Starting the day in a disorganized space can lead to frustration and overwhelm, setting a negative tone for the rest of the day.
Since physical and emotional signs are often intertwined, Feng Shui practitioners are skilled at identifying these blockages and offering adjustments to get the Chi flowing again. This might involve decluttering, reorganizing, or introducing elements that enhance the energy flow, creating a more harmonious and supportive environment. By addressing both the space and the individual’s needs, the energy in the home can be revitalized, improving overall well-being.
For readers looking to incorporate Feng Shui into their homes, what are some simple tips they can start with to improve the energy flow in their living spaces?
For readers looking to incorporate Feng Shui into their homes, there are several simple tips to improve the energy flow and create a more harmonious environment.
- Focus on the kitchen, particularly the stove, which symbolizes wealth and opportunities. Keep it clean and in good working order. Wiping it down daily and giving it a thorough scrub once a week helps maintain positive energy in this important area of the home.
- Pay attention to drains, which represent the depletion of resources in Feng Shui. While we can’t avoid plumbing, we can minimize the symbolic energy loss by keeping toilet lids down when not in use, preserving your energy and resources.
- The bed is another key element, as it represents the self. Given that we spend about a third of our lives in bed, it’s essential to invest in a quality mattress, linens, and pillows. Additionally, ensure there is no clutter stored under the bed. Declutter this area at least twice a year, vacuuming away dust and keeping only soft items here. This promotes good airflow—both literal and energetic—around you as you sleep, supporting restful and rejuvenating energy.
By starting with these small adjustments, you can begin to shift the energy in your home and create a more balanced, supportive living environment.
