We Added Velvet and Brass to Our Bathrooms and Suddenly Our Home Felt Luxurious (And Our Finances Improved)
After decorating two bathrooms with deep velvet colors and brass fixtures, a couple noticed their home felt more upscale and their financial stress started to ease.
Location
Portland, United States
Property Type
Apartment
Room
Bathroom
Direction
South
The Problem
My husband and I bought our first apartment two years ago, and while we loved the layout, the bathrooms felt sterile and cold. They were builder-grade—white tiles, chrome fixtures, beige walls. Every time I walked into the guest bathroom, I felt like I was in a doctor's office. It didn't help that we were constantly stressed about money. We'd been trying to save for a renovation but kept hitting roadblocks. The whole place just felt... unlucky.
What They Tried
I read somewhere that adding rich textures and warm metals can make a space feel more luxurious. So I bought deep burgundy velvet towels and a matching shower curtain. I swapped out the chrome towel bars and faucet for brushed brass ones. In the ensuite, I added a small velvet ottoman in plum and a brass-framed mirror. I also hung a brass shelf with a few plants and a scented candle. It cost maybe $400 total for both bathrooms.
What Happened
The change was immediate. The bathrooms went from cold to cozy. But the surprising part came a few weeks later. My husband got a promotion he'd been hoping for. Then we sold an old piece of furniture for more than expected. I started feeling more confident, like we deserved nice things. It's not magic—but changing how we saw our home changed how we felt about our finances. We're now planning a full kitchen update.
Spatial Orientation
| Bagua Sector | 离 ☲ · Li |
|---|---|
| Direction | South |
| Element | fire |
What works best here
Li (9) · Fire. South should feel more open and lower than North for visual balance.
Place: low-profile furniture, mirrors, glass surfaces, warm lighting.
Recommended crystal
Clear Quartz or Sunstone — placed where it catches natural light, like a windowsill or console table
Mirrors work exceptionally well here — they reflect light and make the room feel larger
Source Analysis
1. The Original Principle
Original Chinese
她计划用鲜艳的天鹅绒色彩和优雅的黄铜配件装饰两个浴室。
English Translation
Decorating bathrooms with rich velvet colors and elegant brass fittings can create a feeling of luxury and abundance, which may attract financial prosperity.
2. About the Source
Feng shui para Occidente by Terah Kathryn Collins · United States · 1995
Feng Shui for the West is a practical guide that adapts classical Chinese spatial principles for modern Western homes and lifestyles. Written by one of the first American authors to bring Feng Shui to a mainstream English-speaking audience, the book translates ancient Bagua concepts into actionable room-by-room advice using familiar Western design language and contemporary case examples.
3. How This Principle Applies to This Case
This case illustrates a principle found in modern spatial design literature: the environment we inhabit influences our mindset and behavior. By upgrading two bathrooms with deep burgundy velvet and brushed brass fixtures, the homeowners shifted their perception of their home from 'temporary and cheap' to 'intentional and valuable.' This psychological shift likely boosted their confidence and openness to opportunities—factors that correlate with improved financial outcomes in behavioral economics. The principle here isn't about magic; it's about how physical surroundings can prime us for self-worth and abundance.
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Wind & Water School of Feng Shui
Minnesota Feng Shui pioneer. Founded a professional Feng Shui school and has consulted for major hospitals, banks, and corporate headquarters across the US.