I Added a Curved Trellis to Hide the Neighbor's Jagged Roof — And My Constant Arguing at Home Stopped
A designer softens a sharp roofline with a curved trellis and plants, reducing household tension.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
House
Room
Living Room
Direction
Southeast
The Problem
My clients, a couple in their 40s, had been arguing constantly for months. The tension was worst in the living room, where a large window faced the neighbor's roof. The roof had a sharp, jagged edge — a series of broken angles that visually cut into the space. Every time they sat down, that harsh line was in their peripheral vision. They felt constantly on edge, and small disagreements escalated quickly.
What They Tried
I installed a curved wooden trellis on the fence line, directly in front of the jagged roofline. The trellis has a gentle arch, and I planted climbing jasmine to soften it further. This blocked the sharp angles from view and introduced a smooth, rounded shape. I also added a low, curved hedge along the window's base. The change was purely visual, but it altered the room's atmosphere.
What Happened
Within two weeks, the couple reported fewer arguments. They said the living room felt calmer, and they could sit together without that nagging irritation. The husband even started reading by the window again. It wasn't a miracle — they still disagree sometimes — but the constant low-grade tension faded. The wife said, 'It's like the room exhaled.'
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 巽 ☴ · Xun |
|---|---|
| Direction | Southeast |
| Element | wood |
What works best here
Xun (4) · Wood. Southeast loves moderate height with an airy, open feel.
Place: tall leafy plants, natural fiber rugs, light wood tones, cream and soft green.
Recommended crystal
Citrine or Green Jade — placed on a wooden side table in the southeast corner
Perfect for a creative workspace or journaling spot; natural light is your friend here
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
犀角虎牙之脱漏，名为诉告之星。骊珠玉几之端圆，即是贡陈之相。
English Translation
A classical text notes that surrounding features should be rounded like pearls or jade, not broken like rhino horns or tiger teeth, which invite disputes.
2. About the Source
雪心赋 论龙穴真假 by Bu Yingtian · China · Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE)
The Snow Heart Rhapsody is a poetic yet rigorously analytical classical text on landscape assessment. Written in rhymed prose, it covers mountain forms, water patterns, terrain energy, and site selection with remarkable literary elegance. Its observations about how land contours create sheltered, comfortable settings for human habitation remain relevant to modern site planning and environmental psychology.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
The classical principle warns against sharp, broken shapes in the environment, associating them with conflict. Modern psychology supports this: angular, jagged visual stimuli can trigger alertness and stress, while curved forms promote relaxation. By blocking the jagged roofline and introducing a curved trellis, the designer removed a subtle stressor. The couple's reduced arguing likely stems from lower ambient tension, not magic. The intervention was practical: change what you see, and you change how you feel.
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Julie Khuu
Interior designer blending Feng Shui principles with modern aesthetics. Popular design content creator.