Happy Chinese New Year!

February 3 marks the beginning of 2011 according to the Chinese calendar and the start of the year of the Metal Rabbit. The rabbit is traditionally associated with home and family, security, diplomacy, and peaceful relationships. According to the Chinese tradition, the rabbit also brings a year in which you can catch your breath and calm your nerves.

Here are a few suggestions using the feng shui bagua to enhance the "rabbit elements" in your interior for 2011.

• The feng shui energies in the Northeast are the most favorable to enhance in 2011. This area nourishes your relationships, so family photos in metal frames, or any other objects in pairs that you love will represent the feng shui cures for love and relationships. This can also be an excellent area for reflecting both professional and personal goals.

• The Northwest feng shui area (wealth and prosperity) is also one of the luckiest sectors in 2011. You can enhance this area by using colors such as pink, red and purple or orange and yellow. You may also choose to store your financial papers in this area in 2011 and using crystals in amethyst or rose quartz to enhance the wealth energy.

• The Southeast feng shui area brings the energy to achieve your goals through helpful people. Water element colors such as blue or black are good in your Southeast decor in 2011. Real quartz crystals are also an excellent feng shui cure for this area.

These are just a few simple suggestions to improve the rabbit energy through feng shui in your home. Keep in mind, improving an area does not always mean adding to it can also mean avoiding or minimizing elements and colors that can work against the enhancements you want to make. The most effective feng shui can (and should) be done just by using what you already have. That way, your enhancements not only increase your home's energy but also blend with your existing interior style and color scheme.

I wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous year of the rabbit!