At The Portal Collective, we believe the way you design your spaces, both physical and digital, has the power to shape connection, flow, and growth. That’s why we’re delighted to share words of wisdom from garden designer Diane Samways, exploring the principles of a feng shui garden and how a well-designed entrance can transform daily life.
We thought this was interesting advice to share because much like our Portal community, our gardens are so much more than a backdrop. It’s about being an active participant in how you arrive and how you connect.
In feng shui, which translates to “wind and water”, energy (or chi) moves through every space we inhabit. Think of your front door as the “mouth of chi” it’s where energy enters and nourishes your home. If that flow is healthy and welcoming, everyone inside benefits.
The same is true for The Portal. We’ve designed a digital “entrance” where knowledge and wisdom can flow naturally, supported rather than blocked by algorithms. Just as a garden path can slow the pace and reset the mind, The Portal creates thresholds that invite presence, connection, and authentic welcome.
Diane reminds us that a feng shui garden is not just about curb appeal; it’s about how you and your guests feel as you approach. A winding path, a cluster of aromatic herbs, or a pair of lanterns at the door can create a natural pause.
In The Portal, we work with the same principles:
- Shape the journey: Gentle curves in a path mirror the way interactive tools guide learners at a sustainable pace.
- Choose what welcomes, not repels: Just as Diane avoids spiky, defensive plants in favour of soft, aromatic ones, The Portal avoids competitive hustle culture in favour of collaboration and warmth.
- Frame the entrance with balance: Symmetry in pots or planters reflects how The Portal creates balance between creators and learners.
- Light the way: Path lights and warm lanterns are like our ecosystem tools: guiding without overwhelming, welcoming without glare.
Both in gardens and in digital spaces, intentional design helps energy move freely and keeps people coming back with ease.A feng shui garden is about more than individual elements; it’s about creating harmony across the whole entrance.
Diane suggests:
- Chamomile edging that releases fragrance as you brush by
- Jasmine or clematis climbers to soften boundaries
- A small ornamental tree for seasonal change
- Low evergreen hedging to define space without overwhelm
In The Portal, this layering looks like cross-pollination:
- members discovering new creators
- conversations flowing between communities, and
- knowledge shared in multiple forms.
Like a well-designed garden, our digital ecosystem is richer because of its variety.Once you’re inside, the entrance hall is where garden chi meets home chi. Diane encourages light, plants, and clutter-free sightlines to keep energy moving.
In The Portal, we do the same. We keep knowledge flowing freely with interactive learning tools, we invite light with collective wisdom, and we reduce clutter by simplifying the tech journey for creators. The result: a space where people feel at home, supported, and connected.
A well-designed feng shui garden is more than an entrance, it’s a ritual of arrival, a space that lifts the energy of your home and everyone who steps inside.
The Portal was created with this same principle in mind. We’re building not just another platform, but an ecosystem where wisdom circulates, communities thrive, and growth happens at a natural rhythm, more like a garden than a factory.
“I joined The Portal because it’s the closest I’ve found to being part of a real, in-person community online. It’s a safe, supportive space where I can express myself freely, gain advice, and collaborate with like-minded entrepreneurs. What I love most is how it puts people at the heart of everything — it feels authentic, welcoming, and inspiring.” - Diane Samways
For Diane, designing gardens is about creating thresholds that feel intentional, balanced, and alive. She recognises the same values inside The Portal, a place where communities can design spaces of flow, connection, and harmony together.
Diane Samways is a garden designer who weaves together aesthetics, function, and a deep sensitivity to energy flow. With roots in horticulture and a professional background in arts and health in the NHS, she brings a unique perspective to outdoor design. Since 2016, Diane has been creating gardens that nurture well-being as much as they enhance beauty, spaces that invite balance, connection, and ease.
You can connect with Diane in The Portal communityFind her work on Instagram 
