3. Find the synonyms to the following words:

feng shui instrument, essential (very important), to focus on

4. Answer the questions:

1) What is the feng shui bagua map?

2) How many life aspects are there in our house?

3) Do they have its own characteristics? What do they have in common?

4) What do these areas symbolize?

5) What color and elements correspond to each life area?

6) What do the necessary colors and elements of the areas help to improve?

TEXT 11

1. Read the text, then think of the title to this article.

Cheap interior design ideas come in many forms these days: from television shows to magazines. The industry is trying to teach the consumer how to design cheap. In the past, ideas such as cheap design would have left most interior designers horrified. The industry of interior design has changed dramatically over the past few years in order to better accommodate consumers.

In its early to mid stages of evolution, interior design was an industry of prestige. Now, due to the demand for design for the average customer, designing on a budget and cheap interior design has become a topic of much interest and acceptance. Of course, you will always find the designers who insist that durability and style of a design is identifiable with the brand name. The brand is associated with the contents therein, which relates back to the price tag. Most everyday people do not relate to this line of thinking. A secret tool to marvelous rooms, which are created using cheap interior design ideas, is a good decision making. By purchasing some slightly more expensive key items of furniture and by cost-cutting on the smaller items or accessories you can save big bucks and still achieve the same look that is achieved in other more expensive, brand name rooms.

The first question that pops into your mind here is “where do I buy the bargain items?” It can be easily answered! Your hunt for cheap interior design ideas and items can begin successfully at any bargain-type store. The stores and availability of items in these stores will vary according to your locations. There are locally known bargain-fairs or stores at which you can by slightly damaged or used items at a fraction of the cost associated with similar store bought items. When buying at these stores, be careful not to overspend. Many of us have a tendency to get overly enthused and purchase items that are not good bargains or ones that we are not very likely to use. Save your money for where it counts. You will find the perfect items in the bargain shop that fit into your lifestyle and space. If you search and search for a certain item and are unable to find it, try to improvise or select another similar item to take its place. Cheap interior design ideas are abundant to the creative thinker who is willing to overcome obstacles with unusual, cheap solutions.

Other places where you can find cheap interior design ideas are yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets. Remember again when shopping in areas such as this that it is easy to get caught up in the moment and overspend. Take your time and comb the items carefully for objects of value. Many times in these types of sales the physically larger items tend to be sold for more than cost value and the smaller valuable items are looked over in haste. Cheap interior design ideas are not limited to large items! If you find an accessory or such, especially if it is part of a group or collection of items, buy it and use it to accentuate your other items.

Cheap interior design ideas are easy to find these days, you just have to know the right places to look and the right items to purchase. Time is the essential element in designing cheaply. Patience pays off in most any situation, including interior design.

due to – из-за, благодаря, обязанный (чему-л.)

identifiable – опознаваемый

to purchase – покупать

to cost-cut – сбивать цену

to pop into – неожиданно появляться

to overspend – тратить слишком много; сорить деньгами

to enthuse – приходить в восторг; проявлять энтузиазм

to be abundant – быть в изобилии