Feng Shui & Fake Books

I just came across an article about fake books ( https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/28/realestate/fake-books-decor.html?smid=em-share ) and there are two quotes that summarize the yin & yang of decorating with fake things.

“I will never use fake books,” said Jeanie Engelbach, an interior designer and organizer in New York City. “It just registers as pretentious, and it creates the illusion that you are either better read or smarter than you really are.”

The above quote is the yang way, and the example below is the yin way.

Justin Felipe, 37, one of Anna Shiwlall’s (Anahein) clients in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., said he doesn’t even know how many fake books are in his house. They’re so convincing that most visitors believe them to be real books, and they’re mostly in the style of vintage mystery books or books about fashion, chosen primarily for their size and color.

“They’re sprinkled around,” Mr. Felipe said. “They are in my office, living room, family room, some of night stands in my guest rooms and in my master bedroom bookcase.” If he had to guess how many there were, Mr. Felipe said, he’d estimate 20 to 30.

“It doesn’t matter to me that they’re fake,” Mr. Felipe said. “I wanted to make the room look complete, so whatever looks good I’m happy with.” (I’ve added the emphasis.)

One of my earlier articles was about lies & truth in relation to feng shui: