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Search Menu Home eEdition Today's Events Photo Galleries Video Weather Archive Autos Classifieds Jobs Limelight Deals Real Estate About Sign Up for Alerts Full Site Reset Password Login A Spa Palette - Creating a Personal Oasis By Buffy Pollock August 31, 2006 - 2:00 AM While hectic schedules and hot summer days make relaxation an increasingly important part of daily life, the typical bed-and-bath departments of most homes are suited more for shaving legs or sorting dirty towels than soaking in sea salt and enjoying a facial. Incorporating any level of soothing spa appeal into a bed or bath can transform an ordinary space into a special getaway. Bringing a spa's Zen-like quality into the home is as simple, say area design gurus, as incorporating earth-friendly color and texture. "When you think of a nice spa, you think of light, watery colors like pale green onyx, shades of blues and browns... you think water and sand," says design consultant and DesignWise Studio manager Susan Kramer-Pope. "Typically, when you think of a relaxing time, it has to do with water or the ocean. We go to the beach to relax and be more in tune with nature. That's what people are trying to create at home. Spa colors have always been the blues and greens, but there are some fun colors being used now as well." While the use of the tried-and-true colors, like blue and white, sometimes green, have been used in commercial spas for several years, some new shades have made their way into homes in recent years. Earthy and herb-colored greens are lush and calming while emeralds and teals emit a strong but comforting atmosphere. Sea and sky blues give rooms tranquility, while, believe it or not, pale pinks, yellows and lavenders bring a new flare to the spa craze in fresh, coloring hues. Another newcomer, pale chocolates mixed with pale blues lend to a restful motif. "Muted colors are restful and soothing. And what you wind up with depends, a lot, on the usage of the room and how much passion you want to put into it," says Rogue Design Center's Geoff Hiatt. "Everyone finds different colors relaxing. Certain shades of red could even be used for spa� personally I'd go for a real warm Seattle gray with a bit of pale rose for a little warmth." Along with paint, Decorating Den's Peggy Herrick suggests bed and bath furniture and accessories continue the spa look. Imagine, Herrick says, what small niceties lure vacationers to spa resorts. Then, bring it all home! Candles, for starters, can be added in natural perfume varieties like lavender or other fragrant herbs. "And I picture lots of shells, glass containers filled with them are absolutely beautiful, especially if you've gotten to the beach and picked them up yourself," Herrick adds. Touches of sea glass, found on the beach or bought on eBay, Herrick says, add "a true spa feeling and romanticism to the room." While color is key to the evolving spa look, plenty of white can be combined, from fluffy, blanket-size towels to a crisp, linen-style shower curtain. Hung in front of a glass shower door, a curtain softens things. Oversize soaps, a spa favorite, can be a tempting lure into the master bath. Specialty, triple-milled bars, like huge "three-by-five handmade soaps you get in Europe," Herrick says, with shea butter, coconut milk and other soothing fragrances are a nice touch. Whichever look you go for, Kramer-Pope says to make it personal. "As our world gets more structured and fast-paced and busy, people are looking for a way to create that space in their home," she notes. "People travel all over to enjoy the spa treatment at these fancy, expensive resorts. Why not create that inside your home rather than having to fly elsewhere to do that?" Color Palettes Jumping on board with an au naturel spa focus in bedrooms and bathrooms, paint companies offer a host of colors with names alone that will elicit feelings of relaxation and renewal. Pittsburgh Paints integrates blues and neutrals in "Prana," part of its "Light Years Collection." Behr Paint's "Peaceful" category includes color combinations such as a "Mother Nature" green, pale blue "Wave Crest" and an oatmeal shade dubbed "Vermont Cream." An almost mauve shaded "Desert Willow" is suggested with gray "River Rock" and muted "Mineral Red." Sherwin-Williams' "Relaxed Retreat" palette blends earth and water toned shades like "Dancing Green," "Cooled Blue" and "Peach Fuzz." The 2006 line for Benjamin Moore is based around lighting and time of day. The "Luminous" palette contains soft, heathery hues ideal for the spa look such as "Fog Mist," a grayish-off-white "Lake Placid" and "Pale Sea Mist." Popular Today Shoplifter slashed at officer Grace Ann Holt Shoplifter meets violent end Man shot allegedly by officer was holding a knife, witness says Climbing the ladder © Copyright Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications | Full Site