Why I Hung a Photo of a Fountain Pen in My Hallway and My Clients Started Taking Me More Seriously
A designer shares how replacing a cracked mirror with a symbolic photo in a hallway shifted her professional confidence and how clients perceived her.
Location
Portland, Oregon, United States
Property Type
House
Room
Hallway
Direction
South
The Problem
I'm an interior designer, and my home office doubles as a client meeting space. But every time I sat across from a potential client in that cramped room, I felt... invisible. My portfolio was strong, my ideas were solid, but my voice wavered. I'd catch my reflection in the old, slightly cracked mirror I'd hung by the door — a relic from a thrift store — and think, 'Who's going to trust this person?'
What They Tried
A colleague suggested I take down the mirror and put up something that felt like 'me' — a symbol of my craft. I found a black-and-white photograph of a vintage fountain pen resting on a sheet of thick, textured paper. It wasn't flashy; it was quiet and precise. I hung it exactly where the mirror had been, visible the moment you walked in.
What Happened
I didn't expect much. But the first client who came over after the change paused, looked at the photo, and said, 'That's beautiful. Are you a writer too?' I laughed and said no, but I realized — I felt more like an expert in my own space. My posture straightened. I spoke slower, more deliberately. Over the next month, I signed two more contracts than in the previous three.
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 Text
Le sugerí que lo desmontara y lo reemplazara por un cuadro que para ella personalmente simbolizara la fama y la reputación. Pensó en una fotografía en la que se viera un papel de calidad y una estilográfica en...
English Translation
The principle suggests that the area of a home associated with reputation and recognition can be enhanced by displaying objects that personally symbolize achievement or professional identity. Replace broken or negative items with images or artifacts that represent your goals, like quality writing tools or awards.
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 how a deliberate visual cue in a high-traffic area can influence self-perception and external perception. The replacement of a damaged mirror—a symbol of self-criticism—with an aspirational image served as an environmental anchor for the designer's professional identity. Psychologically, this aligns with 'priming': visual stimuli can activate associated mental constructs, boosting confidence and behavior. The hallway, as a transition zone, set the tone for client interactions. While not a magic solution, the change removed a negative focal point and introduced a positive one, which likely contributed to the designer's more assertive demeanor and, consequently, better client outcomes.
Bring the Purest Energy Into Your Home
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Explore the HIMA ALAÏA collection →Case source
Jef Blocker Coaching & Feng Shui
IFSG Red Ribbon professional. Combines life coaching, Reiki energy healing, and residential Feng Shui adjustments. Active across the American South.