We may have no better understanding of love than Adam and Eve did, but modern day folk do have endless ideas on how to coax, build and inspire this ancient force. We've employed scents of earth, musk, spice and flower. We've invested in silk, lace, or edible boudoir couture. We've tried Pernod, oysters, new hairstyles, and new shoes.

But the best way for modernists to woo a lover or reignite fizzling flames lies in our homes, and it's a tested method almost as old as love itself.

The Chinese art of feng shui declares that design of our environment influences our lives. By placing objects and furniture according to patterns of yin and yang, we can direct the flow of chi (the circulating life energy that in Chinese philosophy is thought to be inherent in all things) to our best advantage, and begin to embrace the life our home shows us living.

(Sound like hocus pocus? Think of it this way: We set up our home according to certain hopes. As we place objects around the room, our goals are in our mind. Just being at home reminds of what we want to accomplish. When the right situation presents itself, we're already open to it, ready for it, and eager to join in. What better way to approach home design?)

But back to love, our feng shui experts have given us the low down on building love in any home - and we've translated their tips into gorgeous, modern objects and furniture that frankly, we lust for.

Home Design Love Tip #1:
A Flower is Still Romantic - if it's a Peony

In Chinese, the peony is called the flower of "riches and honor." Sounds good, right? And, according to Feng Shui master practitioner Susan Chow, the peony is a symbol of love, affection and feminine beauty.

It's the perfect floral symbol for our love quest, and an easy one to bring into the home.

Of course, you can simply get flowers and put them in a vase. For a peony's large face and bright hue, we recommend a minimalist display. Our pick for creating a bold look - the Rio by Leonardo at PlushPod. Just one peony in one of these would enliven any fledgling romantic atmosphere. 

For a quieter look, try something like the Aphrodite Prado Vase. A thick, smooth expanse of rectangular glass this vase lets the flower take center stage; with a name like "Aphrodite," you can't go wrong. It's $60 at the MoMA Store. (left)

To gain the peony's positive love chi on a more lasting basis, go for items that capture either the color or the image of the flower. Emma Gardner's Peony Rug delivers both in a lux, hand knotted blend of Chinese silk and Tibetan wool made for a long and cozy relationship. ($5,100 and up through Unica Home.)

Or, spice up your home with the deep color of pink peony with the bentwood, high gloss Peony chair available at Brocade Home. The unfussy style brings balance to the girly hue for a romantic and harmonious look; $199.

 Home Design Love Tip #2:
Make Room for Love

Especially in the bedroom, clutter clashes with romantic moods. So whether or not you have a steady lover, keeping your most private spaces feeling open and inviting will fend off cooling emotions.

Getting organized is an investment in your romantic future. Easy to use storage will keep clothes off the floor and the path to the bed open and inviting. Our pick for a fun, even sexy, storage option is the Tango modern armoire from Axi. The maple veneers can be ordered in a variety of colors from natural to lime green, so creating a quiet or boisterous bedroom look is up to you. $2,100 through ContemporaryFurniture.com.

Open shelving opens doors to love too - provided you leave some shelving space free. The low profile and green footprint of the Feng Shui Low Bookcase at Green Culture is perfect for bedroom knick knacks like jewelry boxes and personal photographs. Mementos from private getaways or a grouping of candles will help build strong relationship chi and diminish love's kryptonite, stress.

A balanced bed makes for a balanced relationship. Make sure your bed is positioned so it has equal space on either side. Nightstands should be a matched set. Inequality in the bedroom makes for an off-kilter relationship, with one partner feeling like he or she carries the burdens or is less important.

Luckily, modern design has taken care of bedroom woes for feng shui enthusiasts. Many modern beds feature attached nightstands on either side. For love lives in flux, we like the restorative power of the Stelizimo low platform bed by Mobican. Perfect for feng shui, the headboard is unbroken and equal on each side, with two equal night stands, and the bed sits low enough to prevent pack-rat storage underneath, a feng shui no - no; $2,500.

Home Design Love Tip #3:
Color Counts

Colors stir emotion. Use the hues of love to your advantage, and shop according to what you're looking for in love.

Soft colors in the pink family of rose and salmon add romantic vibes to a room. Feng shui practitioner and astrologer Stephanie Dempsey recommends these colors for those who want a nurturing and attentive partner.

Bold colors get passionate results For a spicier alternative, add colors that call for passion. According to Dempsey, deep reds like scarlet and crimson or bright pinks like fuchsia call out to sensual and daring partners.

Home Design Love Tip #4:
One is the Loneliest Number

Feng Shui has a lot to do with symbolism, and for people trying to buck loneliness or strengthen a flagging relationship, it's best to think and design in pairs.

 And when it comes to seating, the loveseat rules the lovers' roost. Our favorite is the most unique Rodin Loveseat by Jake Phipps. Cast in resin (as shown top left) or hand carved from a single piece of English Oak, this undulating piece was designed specifically with love in mind - Phipps left room for the buyer to personalize the seat with an inscription. About $1,960 for resin and $3,200 in oak through Jake Phipps.

Designing in pairs is easy when it comes to objects like bookends or candlesticks, and both make great gifts. Rolo Bookends from Chiasso exude modern simplicity in an apt symbol for love and completion, the circle; $48.

As for candlesticks, a pair in crystal, a substance thought to bring luck and romance, meets all the feng shui requirements for being lucky in love. We like Drop from Orrefors. Designed by Finnish-born Martti Rytkonen, the pair curves with harmony and balance. A nice reminder of what love can do. $165 in large as shown, at Amazon.