Bio
M. CHARLYNE CHIASSON BID DFS
Creative Soul at ADARSA: Elemental Design
Qi-Mag™ International Consultant, Interior Designer, Geomantic Dowser
M.Charlyne Chiasson
Charlyne started her design career in Yellowknife, NWT in 1982. Fresh out of school with a degree in Interior Design, it was an unlikely place for practicing ‘Architectural Digest’ style of design. Her experiences there as a resident & Facility Programmer for the Government of the Northwest Territories taught her the basics of design. She learned the value of creating long lasting and sustainable interior and exterior environments based on need and availability of materials.
Ten years living in the vastness of the Canadian Arctic allowed Charlyne a unique perspective from which to ply her trade. This extreme landscape and that of her childhood on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia revealed to her the geo physical impacts of ‘environment’ long before she had conscious knowledge of geomancy.
Experiencing the historical and cultural shifts in the north as a young adult in the 80′s would forever change her perceptions of the design mantra ‘form follows function’. Making sense of flow in an environment where ‘space’ seemed endless was core to her deeper understanding of the power of place. Her training in Feng Shui started years before she had heard the term.
FENG SHUI literally translates as WIND WATER and for westerners seems to be an mysterious as the culture from whence it came. It was Charlyne’s third feng shui teacher, Grand-master Dr. Lim, who made this concept tangible when he explained it as the ‘breath’ being our ‘wind’ or Feng and how our bodies main ingredient is ‘water’ or Shui.
Understood by some to be ‘the original environmental impact statement’, Feng Shui essence is about where and how we find ourselves located in our homes and spaces. Thus the definition of Feng Shui as being ‘the ancient art of placement’.
After Charlyne’s northern experience her design career would never follow a typical career path. Instead her experiences in the north and her subsequent years of travel to Latin American & Asian cultures evoked a deeper curiosity in the ‘feeling’ of space as much as to the aesthetic of a good design.
In 1994 she started to use the principles of Feng Shui in her design practice discovering over time the powerful and direct link between the two.
The combined wisdom of classic design training and the ancient knowledge of Feng Shui and Geomancy has allowed Charlyne to develop her unique approach to sustainable, functional, empowering and harmonious space.
Charlyne founded ADARSA: Interior Design Concepts in 1997. The name has evolved from this to ‘Feng Shui Design’ then to Elemental Design. The word ADARSA* remains: ‘a dar sa’ : sanskrit for mirror: a reflector of light, expander of space, divine mirror of soul
ADARSA’S early years evolved as Charlyne free lanced while raising her young family in Nelson BC. During this period she encountered teachers in a variety of areas ranging from first nations wisdom to water and energy dowsing masters. She studied the work of Master Thomas Lim who first brought Feng Shui to North America. Marion Peters, was classically trained feng shui interior designer and practitioner who introduced her to the concepts of geo – physical placement. Charlyne finally met her current Feng Shui and Geomantic Grand Master Dr. Jes Lim, of Qi Mag™ International in 2001 (www.feng-shui.com). In turn she met and studied with Dr Lim’s associate and acquaintance Eric Dowsett who practices an advanced level of dowsing and energy clearing techniques.
Charlyne has lectured, presented and taught a variety of interior and landscape design, feng shui, dowsing and geomancy courses throughout British Columbia, Alberta and Nova Scotia. She has also trained landscape architects and designers in the Ancient Secrets of Landscape Garden Activation in Costa Rica C.A.
The synthesis of interior design, feng shui and geomancy is evident its the design of the MIR CENTER for PEACE, which opened its doors in 2007 at Selkirk college, Castlegar. Charlyne’s design insights, 16 years of feng shui awareness and 7 years of geomancy came together to produce a superior product in an educational environment. The consistent compliment on the creation of this space is not for the space planning, color schemes, or fabulous functional furnishings but how people ‘feel’ when they enter and experience a space that radiates well being and harmony complimented with aesthetics and function. http://selkirk.ca/mir-centre-for-peace
Since the fall of 2010 Charlyne has been traveling extensively to work, write and practice her craft. In the winter of 2011 Charlyne was able to actualize a 20 year dream; to travel and live in BALI, Indonesia. Having wanted to go there with her young family, life seemed to fly by and instead of having the family adventure she had dreamed of, she arrived there to take time to heal after the second of two surgeries in 5 years. While in healing mode, Charlyne took the opportunity to travel to a place where ‘Feng Shui’ is practiced every day and in every moment; a pure form of energy work that involves intention and dedication. Her time in Bali made a lasting impression and allowed her to delve deeper into her understanding of her work as a feng shui designer, energy worker and land healer.
Taken at a temple in Bali, Indonesia in 2011~ The image reminds me of the BAGUA, (Feng Shui compass), and the Medicine Wheel as well as so many Astrological wheels I have seen. The core of energy is in repetitive cycles. Many things repeat but the energy is always different; like a spiral. Reading where we are at any given time is part of the learning curve in life and how I read symbolism to do my work.
The Balinese are primarily Hindu, but practice forms of Animism and Buddhism interwoven into the Hindu format. To live with and around this group of people was transformational and helped form the direction Charlyne would be moving toward in the future. Since that trip she has been working at refining information so that she can present and use it to educate her colleagues in the world of Design and Development. Her goal is to foster a deeper sense of awareness in how we approach all space; whether that be large plots of land, the interior of a home, or the design of a simple office space.
Whether working on a Spa Design for a Costa Rican client, teaching or clearing land or trauma in BC, Charlyne’s work continues to evolve. Recently her time in Santa Fe New Mexico opened her up to the healing work of the Curanderos of Latin America. Although seemingly unrelated to Feng Shui Design, there are many aspects of ‘healing’ that are directly related to healthy spaces. Many cultures world wide practice a way of clearing and placement that leads to healing. Charlyne’s quest at this moment is to continue to learn various modalities in order to offer the best results her practice can offer.
At present Charlyne is living the life of a Feng Shui Gypsy; she is synthesizing her life experiences to be of service in order to make a difference in her clients lives. She has clients in Victoria & Nelson, B.C, Calgary Alberta,and in Latin America. She is available to travel to where she is needed plus she has had success working remotely with clearing.
(check her calendar for her teaching & travel schedule)
Charlyne has transformed space for a myriad of interior design clients over the years and has conducted hundreds of Feng Shui consultations and geomantic clearings. She has taught her craft both in post secondary institutions and privately since 1998 and depending on where she is traveling is always available to speak, teach and work in a variety of aspects of her training.
Charlyne continues her work with an ever increasing focus on health, well being and sustainable eco based design solutions.
Click on this link below to see how Charlyne works with setting up Balinese Furnishings in a retail store in Calgary Alberta.
BALI and BEYOND ~ Store set ups Calgary
I use my skills as an Interior Designer and Feng Shui Consultant to continue to create the best ‘layouts’ and ‘flow’ possible. This video is of one of three showrooms i set up, with space on the main floor and a basement area ~ often a challenge with lack of outdoor lighting, lower ceilings and a surplus of items and furnishings.
