‘Feng shui filled my house with good fortune!’

After winning Celebrity Big Brother in January 2007, Bollywood actress and model Shilpa Shetty bagged an even bigger prize - a millionaire boyfriend, Raj Kundra, and a luxury mansion.

But when Shilpa moved into the £5million property in Weybridge, Surrey, she didn't just redecorate, she also brought something money can't buy - luck.

"My mum, Sundanda, is trained in feng shui so I asked her to analyse every room," says Shilpa, 34.

"In the kitchen she picked up that the cooker, which represents fire, and the sink, which represents water, were in the wrong places. She suggested we swap them over for a better feel."

Shilpa admits that giving the kitchen a good vibe was essential. "It's one of my favourite rooms as I love cooking. Raj is an excellent cook too - he makes a fantastic fish tikka and mint chutney," she says.

Since her mum's feng shui makeover, Shilpa swears she can feel a new, positive energy in the seven-bedroom home. She also made another, very important change - the name.

"It was called 'Wits End' but I changed it to 'Fortune Manor'. In India, people name their homes according to the vibes they feel there," she explains.

"The house is a happy place and we've had lots of luck. Our business deals have gone well and I'm getting lots of work. It's even boosted our relationship, and we're happier than ever," she adds.

Shilpa met businessman Raj, 34, in early 2007 when he helped launch her perfume, S2. Several months later they began dating. When Raj said he was trying to sell his house, Shilpa managed to change his mind.

"Raj had done so much work to it - there were new bathrooms and bedrooms and he'd installed a bar next to the indoor swimming pool. It looked great and had the potential

to be a proper family home. "When I moved in I added splashes of colour and made it more personal with mirrors, photos and ornaments," she says.

But her contribution has gone beyond soft furnishings. As a practising Hindu she's converted one room into a prayer and meditation space, and it won't be long before a 'baby room' is on her to-do-list.

"The clock is ticking," she says. "I want at least two children, and this is the perfect home to raise them in."

SHILPA'S STYLE TIPS

1. Keep it simple. Too much furniture makes a room feel cluttered. A few key items will create focal points.

2. Add bold splashes of colour with cushions and throws to make a drab room come alive.

3. Embrace natural light - it makes a room appear more spacious. Always opt for blinds instead of curtains and hang mirrors near or opposite your windows to flood your room with light.

Shilpa has joined forces with V8 Gourmet to produce Shilpa's Gourmet Creations, a range of low-fat curry ready meals, chutneys and pickles that will be available in early 2010.

PHOTOGRAPHY: JAMIE HUGHES, WENN HAIR & MAKE-UP: CAROLINE PAISECKI COMPILED BY: SALLY GILLAM

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