When faced with the uncertainty of the world around them, people seek out things that make them calm, comfortable and relaxed. And for many Americans, home is often that refuge.

"People are going out less and staying in more, which has made them increasingly aware of ways in which they might make their homes more comfortable and reassuring," said Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics, a Minnesota-based company.

Even before terrorists attacked the United States, people tended to "cocoon" and stay at home instead of going out. But now, they are putting even more emphasis on comfort and harmony.

Homes should reflect the lifestyles and tastes of the people who live there, said Jackie Reese, owner of Design Associates in Jackson. "You should feel good when you come through the door."

And rooms should appeal to all five senses, which is why fragrances and scented candles are so popular, Reese said. "It should smell good and be pleasing to the eye, and you should feel the space."

Focusing on harmony in their decor, some people seek out elements of feng shui, the ancient Chinese practice of creating balanced environments.

The words mean "wind and water," and practitioners examine the elements of a room -- the colors, patterns and textures used to decorate -- to determine how to create the best environment.

The basic principle of feng shui is studying how energy, or chi, moves through the universe so that you can harness that energy when designing rooms in your home or office.

Many people believe that if you work or live in an environment with good chi, you will feel more balanced, energetic and have better health.

Su Hill wanted to use some elements of feng shui in her Cape Girardeau restaurant, Saffron. "It has to be something that would be comfortable for guests," she said.

Saffron is a pan-Asian restaurant that opened 10 months ago. Since it was named for a yellowish-colored spice, Hill choose some of the same complementary colors in her decor.

Multicolored designs are good, especially if it includes yellow for a restaurant, she said.

The rustic browns and reds in the flooring and tables signify stability. The green curtains and plants are good for growth, Hill said.

While Hill said she isn't well-versed in matters of feng shui, it was important to her parents in Thailand. Her father would apply the discipline to his business practices, and her mother considered it when building a house.

Hill said she takes the principle and uses what elements she can, like adding plants to symbolize growth.

She does have a Thai blessing above the doorway of her private dining area. It symbolizes wealth, happiness and a good business.

Hill selected her location for Saffron based on its good feng shui. The building was in a good location with lots of passing traffic, but it had some minor problems.

The door to the building was too small for welcoming guests, so Hill had it moved. Windows that let in natural light replaced the door opening.

"The space has to be large enough to welcome guests," she said. "You need it open and welcoming for the business."

Moving the door also opened up the dining area and let her create good flow throughout the building. Servers easily can move through the restaurant from the prep area to the kitchen without bumping into one another.

"I wanted to make it easy for the staff, too," she said. Feng shui isn't just about using colors and elements to great good energy but selecting arrangements that promote harmony and flow.

"It has to be practical and work for you, as well," Hill said.

Choosing colors for decorating should be personal.

"You should have a place that makes you feel warm and rested and good," Hill said.

Reese agreed. People need to choose colors, fabrics and decorations that appeal to them. So bringing photos or cutouts from magazines can help interior designers get a better idea of what their clients want.

Reese said she had one customer who collected several magazine pictures of rooms she liked but didn't know what she liked about them. Eventually, Reese helped the client determine that it was the stone in each picture that caught her eye.

"Sometimes you can just copy a look," Reese said.

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126