Dustin Yellin (photo: Robert Miller Gallery)

A reader asked the question:  “How do you deal with a tree directly in front of a main window? Someone suggested hanging a mirror directly on the tree, is this a good idea?”

My Answer:

Although I know its frustrating when someone answers a question with another question, I have to ask, ” WHY IS A TREE BLOCKING A WINDOW A BAD THING? ” There is really one systematic approach to giant things like trees that you can not move—- you must take the best of them and use that wood energy to your advantage. Trees, framed, have the power to be positive symbols of lush wood energy which is extremely good for your own creative and physical growth and the manifesting of positive prosperity.

Frame the tree is my first advice. Make that window stellar. If you have awful blinds or terrible curtains, replace them. I would go so far as to suggest you paint the frames of all your windows in the room to reinforce the idea that the outside is being brought inside with aesthetic value to you, but I really need to see your space to know if this is an approachable idea.

Next, I’d say to build in an alternate “view” by either adding art with a view inherent in its content or by strategically positioning your seating area to captire the view out another window.

If you need more light, up your wattage and opt for full-spectrum light bulbs that bring back inside the sunlight you are lacking fron the outside.

These three ideas may seem general or may not specifically apply to you, but I suggest you use them as a jumping off point in thinking of the best solution for you.  When thinking of this tree do you feel “blocked” in your view or in some area of your life?

One last note: do not put mirrors on trees. Its extraordinarily invasive and disruptive to have the outside of your home mirrored back through one of your windows. Rather than confronting the issue, you will be throwing it back upon yourself in a very unsettling manner.

By the way, we all need to find ways of dealing with blocked views in cities, especially.  Sometimes it requires a little creativity to find the correct solution, but its most important to create a view (even if its in the manner of using art, as described above) where there is no view.  This will keep your life spacious and unrestricted!

************

If you have a feng shui question that you’d like answered, please join me on Facebook or Tumblr to join the forums of question-askers!  I do my best to answer every single general (and sometimes specific) question I receive!

And, if you are ready to design your dream life, you can always work with me one-on-one online or in-person to make the big moves!

Always, I love hearing from you! xoxo Dana