Valinsv, yes, it is a healing type of business, and whether or not an environment has an Asian or Zen style to it, Feng Shui is really about the ''art of placement''. Currently, they have double doors opening to their business, but they only unlock and use one of the doors. I believe they need to use both doors so they can allow new business in while old business is leaving. There are unused chairs in front of the pathway of one door, with a large window behind them. No one ever sits there because it isn't comfortable to sit in front of a large window. There are two different styles of chairs, 5 of one and 2 of another. Two of the chairs are regularly chosen to be sat in, because of where they are. I believe equality of seating and arrangement of the chairs is important to their business, especially in the waiting room. (I doubt they actually need 7 chairs in their waiting room, since they really don't keep people waiting long. They make appointments and keep them on time.) There is already a certain type of eclectic style going on which could work well for them with some editing, yet relates well to their business. They've actually put some Feng Shui principals into practice, without understanding fully what's really going on. I know they probably have a pretty tight budget, yet believe just rearranging the furniture would be a great start. Think about those shows that have a designer come in and rearrange the furniture without spending any money, yet the room feels instantly better!

"Cear, thanks for replying. Would you expand a bit on furniture placement and mirrors? " I do not know the proper terminology, so forgive me. I just follow my instincts. As far as furniture- I envision energy coming into my home through the front door. I don't want it to shoot right out the back door, so no wide open paths to the exit. But neither do I want it blocked by placing something huge in it's path- I want to gently direct it into all corners of my space. I don't like hard corners in the traffic/energy flow- I like gentle curves. Here's a small example- This is the view from my front door- you can almost feel the energy rushing out that window, so the big comfy chair w/ottoman sits there to slow it down. I like balance, which for me isn't necessarily symmetry. If I have a stagnant area that feels lifeless, that is where I put a small mirror or sparkly object, but not directly across from a door or window because that bounces the energy right back out as soon as it comes in. I like my beds far away from the bedroom door, facing it, and not in view as I approach the door. I don't personally feel as if there is any great mystery about it. For me it all boils down to following my gut- if something doesn't feel right it isn't, no matter how many Home and Garden magazines it has been featured in, or how many times I have been told it is "in". If I am in tune with myself and can slow my world down enough to stop and just feel an area I can usually be inspired to change something to a positive effect. And I'm forever adjusting- I am not married to my areas. I change, my homes energy changes, and so I constantly tweak things. I don't mean to sound as if I know what I am doing because I do not. Nor do I have the funds to design and furnish a showplace home. But I can choose items that I love and arrange them in a way that makes me happy when I walk into a room. If I can accomplish that I think I'm doing OK. I just redid my master bedroom- MIL finally vacated it by going into a nursing home and my home is fully mine for the first time since I moved here. I painted, hung some draperies I had kept in a box since I bought them twelve years ago (because I loved them so much), played musical chairs with some family furniture pieces I was finally able to pry out of my mothers hands, and called it done. It is the most mismatched group of furniture you have ever seen, and I love that room so much I can't stand it. I want to just go in there and sit all day- it makes my heart so happy I could cry. I think that is pretty good Feng Shui. I also think I am a long winded son of a gun :)

Thank you all for the great advice! I do want to clarify that perhaps we haven't had 'bad luck'. In general, we are very lucky to have a loving family, live in a nice house and have our health. This could just be that life is busier (and thus more things happen) and my daughter is school-aged bringing home more germs. My Mom reminded me that getting a cold twice a year isn't considered 'frequent' illness. Parents always have that innate ability to bring you back down to earth. Regardless, I always want our home to be the best it can be and feel like an oasis away from the busy world outside. I have thought of the idea of hanging a crystal light fixture from the ceiling but we don't have a light there currently and aren't going to start opening walls/ceiling to run wires. Additionally, at the top of the staircase there is already a light fixture so I think it might look strange. Can anyone recommend non-light ceiling fixtures? I have looked but haven't really seen ceiling hangings that aren't meant to be for lighting.

Yes, the stairs directly opposite the front door is not auspicious. It's compounded by the transom window. The result, according to Feng Shui principals, is unstable chi, which is said to cause all sorts of problems. I think your idea of extending the last tread and reorienting it away for the door is a good one, if it can be done harmoniously and if it's feasible. You could create a railing that is perpendicular to the door that will further obstruct the unstable energy from the stairs. If you can't go that route, you might want to keep looking. Why get into something that you're not certain about? If you have your heart set on this house, there are some cures. It looks like your entry is in the skills and knowledge section of the bagua, which relates to earth. This area of the bagua needs to be bright and warm. First cure would be to remove the transom window. If you can't remove it, replace the glass with stained glass in colors of earth and fire. Fire strengthens earth. Crystals are another cure. Placing one on a red string and hanging it in the window to the right of the door so that it catches light, is said to activate positive chi. Light is another cure. My opinion is that a crystal chandelier has the advantage of the beneficial energy of light and the crystals. So, the combo seems logical. Consider a pretty one to replace the current one. Colors can serve as cures, too. Consider red candles on the sideboard. Remember, red is from the fire element and strengthens earth, which is what you want in this area. Orange, pink, yellow, purple and red are all good colors for the skills and knowledge sector. With that said an attractive area rug with earthen and/or fire like colors would also strengthen this area. You could also install a red roman shade on the window, in one of those colors. Plants and/or fresh flowers also serve as cures. But you have to be meticulous about keeping them healthy and fresh, otherwise they'll start throwing out bad chi. You could put a healthy jade plant on the console. I can see an attractive vignette there with red candles, earthen ware pottery and a nice plant or bouquet of flowers. Interestingly enough, dogs belong to the earth element. You will want to keep water out of this area. So, no blues, pictures of water, fountains or fish. I hope this has given you some ideas. Best of luck to you.