I heard that the stairwell should never point directly out the front door (wealth will flow out) and a mirror should never face the bed (it’s like inviting strangers into your relationship). Also, if you want to attract love, put a pair of Mandarin ducks in the love corner of your bedroom (the love corner is different for each person and is based on the stars under which you were born). Exposed beams are not good because they create bad chi/energy (or poisoned arrows) in your home. Feng Shui is making a big splash in American architectural circles. Donald Trump and Larry Elison are big adherents.

Interestingly, the Chinese Mandarin house is also built around a central courtyard. Spain and Mexico have beautiful courtyard houses. They would be ideal for the dry climate of Southern California. The lawn is an import from the prairie (and England) and doesn’t belong here.