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“Create a restful retreat at home”Maura Keller 10/23/2007 3M Stemwinder When you think about the most restful spot in your home, what comes to mind? A sunroom (though cluttered)? A master bath (teeming with children’s bath toys)? A front porch (maybe in need of a fresh coat of paint)? Everyone needs a place to get away from it all, so why not create a tranquil, relaxing respite that you can call your very own. The National Association of Home Builders attributes the new fascination with creating restful retreats to homeowners' spending more time at home and wanting private sanctuaries where they can escape at the end of the day. “With everyone’s hectic lifestyle it’s nice to have a place to relax,” said Kelly Edwards, co-host of HGTV’s “Design on a Dime.” “Having a restful retreat in your home, whether it’s taking a nice hot bath, escaping to your bedroom or relaxing outside – such spaces are important both mentally and physically. They become the places that you revert to, to bring life down a notch.” When creating a restful retreat in your home, it’s important to determine how you want to use the space. Perhaps you want a special place to read a favorite book for 15 minutes before heading to work. Or maybe you want to do yoga or meditation in your restful retreat. Or perhaps you want to sip herbal tea and watch the sunset, your only time limit being that you'll go inside when it gets dark. Set the intention of your space, and then enjoy your escape time without hesitation. Find the right space. Look for or create in your home the place that relaxes you. It should be private, comfortable and always available. For some people, this may be the bathroom. But it could be a little corner of your bedroom, outside on the patio, deep in the backyard or a small space in your breakfast nook. Pick soothing colors. “While neutral colors bring a sense of harmony since they go with everything, pick the colors that evoke positive emotions,” Edwards said. “If you love yellow, go with yellow. If canary yellow is too bright, tone it down with a lighter shade. If it’s bright colors that you love, but not on the wall, paint your walls a neutral color and punch up the accessories.” Norma Lehmeier Hartie, author of “Harmonious Environment: Beautify, detoxify and energize your life, your home and your planet,” suggested adding soothing colors such as blue, indigo and violet. “Paint the walls, add a few pillows or a blanket or other accessories to make a room relaxing,” Lehmeier Hartie says. “Think cozy and nurturing, such as soft, curving furniture rather than furniture with hard, straight lines.” Install proper lighting. Edward stressed that lighting can make or break a room, especially bright and fluorescent lighting. “A very inexpensive way to make your room look its best is by investing in low-wattage light bulbs,” Edwards said. “Going with 25 watts will cast a soft, warm glow and change the whole look. It’s like going from restless to romantic.” And remember, “relaxing” is a relative concept and a relaxing retreat will be different for everyone. So pick your space and invest in it, Edwards advised. “Whether cooking in the kitchen is your place to relax or sitting outside in the garden, create an environment that you can be proud of. Let this space be the one room that you feel most at home in.”
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Harmonious Environment |
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