Creating calming environments

When I'm planning a redesign, I want to know how clients want their space to feel.<b><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></b>Many people don't think about that aspect of space planning while others are quick to elaborate on the topic.<b> </b>Words like peaceful, restful, and tranquil are showing up more and more in decorating conversations. People want to escape from the frantic pace of life to a calm environment. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b>Remove "clutter" and visually open the space</b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwTyj1hK6a4HUr65tcg5sa-Fuiiqn325yUAH6fs-TyhzW2cRpaAjQ4ydZ3dla72Ng2hhPx_oGWrzFQav9cQqA2NUxeXBlgU2KcoyxodY03aibtV62D1YIbRXGQQHog50FbWxu2mHftMEl/s1600/171277592048349767_1HVf5y6B_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwTyj1hK6a4HUr65tcg5sa-Fuiiqn325yUAH6fs-TyhzW2cRpaAjQ4ydZ3dla72Ng2hhPx_oGWrzFQav9cQqA2NUxeXBlgU2KcoyxodY03aibtV62D1YIbRXGQQHog50FbWxu2mHftMEl/s640/171277592048349767_1HVf5y6B_c.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/171277592048349767/"> <span style="color: #444444;">Pinterest </span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> There isn't one "look" for a calm decor but there are guidelines/principles that can help you achieve a quieter environment in your own home.  </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Minimalism and Zen come to mind immediately when you use the words serene and calm because  both aesthetics translate into living with less of everything- colour, objects, furniture, etc. It's about selected focus and getting rid of what is meaningless. Ask yourself what is absolutely essential and remove the rest.  It's liberating!  Rather than a gallery wall of art use one well chosen piece as the hallmark of the space. Rather than 8 pieces of furniture perhaps 4 will suffice.<span style="font-size: small;"> Put thought into what you want to display. <b><br /></b></span><br /><br />A clutter free home is usually achieved by having a place for everything and that means adequate behind the scenes storage. Of course filling up drawers and cabinets with junk defeats the purpose!  Purge to the core.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Limit palettes </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWB-NNMFtV58qxuvRCVQ5uvScKS6ZgMWsIuYbQZrt3J0eHaVsmuTGK1EFcEosG_UWvkkprZJhQ-ILWoZ6t8eKYbmi4CCTnOMfqWtV-Oj2nxr6aLx3agkfGQwSygsidJdigEwZYjZDausD/s1600/119275090101944027_7K8YMHo5_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiWB-NNMFtV58qxuvRCVQ5uvScKS6ZgMWsIuYbQZrt3J0eHaVsmuTGK1EFcEosG_UWvkkprZJhQ-ILWoZ6t8eKYbmi4CCTnOMfqWtV-Oj2nxr6aLx3agkfGQwSygsidJdigEwZYjZDausD/s640/119275090101944027_7K8YMHo5_c.jpg" width="634" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/171277592049814189/"><span style="font-size: small;">Pinterest </span></a></span> </b></div><br /><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HrkIf7m1_6Q7eQzI5WacrxOIpHdDIkkChgJuTWRLby8TBTs6pSK-Wssl1zNH-Qa4qanY0ByGs_RCxZwNrm1kzyitxDKDmCFIbvt0ew_BnqS_h8xUqFPtTgUrQKMsFRfrfS5PCn4jJN4s/s1600/171277592049760951_jh0c8Alq_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HrkIf7m1_6Q7eQzI5WacrxOIpHdDIkkChgJuTWRLby8TBTs6pSK-Wssl1zNH-Qa4qanY0ByGs_RCxZwNrm1kzyitxDKDmCFIbvt0ew_BnqS_h8xUqFPtTgUrQKMsFRfrfS5PCn4jJN4s/s640/171277592049760951_jh0c8Alq_c.jpg" width="640" /></a> </b><br /><br />If you want a calm look you have to think about  colours that are soothing.  It won't be red or orange! White is at the top of the list, but if that is too stark, go for other  restrained colours like soft grays, ivories, soft beiges and neutrals that hint at lavender, green or blue. <span style="font-size: small;">Consider painting walls and <span style="font-size: small;">trim the same<b> </b><span style="font-size: small;">colour<span style="font-size: small;"><b>. <span style="color: #444444;"> </span></b><span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;">Then add accents that are softer colours<span style="font-size: small;"> like this beautiful green.</span></span></span><b><span style="color: #444444;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Accent judiciously </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><b><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/79549/Fireplace-contemporary-living-room-san-francisco"><img border="0" height="758" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/79549_0_8-1000-contemporary-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></b></div><div style="color: #444444; text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/marknewmandesign/mark-newman-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Mark Newman Design</a></small></div><br />Choose bursts of colour in smaller accessories like pillows or vases. Hang  one colourful artwork or stack objects on a tray.  Again less is more. <span style="color: #444444;"><span style="color: black;">Note how<span style="color: #444444;"> <span style="color: black;">the light textured rug helps to soften the harder lines of the furniture.</span></span> </span><u><b><br /></b></u></span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Simplify window treatments or have bare windows</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/1065826/NeMo--New-Modern--modern-bedroom-orlando"><img border="0" height="392" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/1065826_0_8-9850-modern-bedroom.jpg" width="500" /></a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/philkean/phil-kean-designs" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Phil Kean Designs</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Keep it simple, consider textured glass inserts or translucent film  rather than draperies.  If you like the softness of fabrics go for very clean lines and soft colours. Natural fibers translate well in more minimalist decors.  <b> </b>Roller shades and matchstick blinds also work well for a clean feel. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Control pattern and layer texture</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8E77p75aXGe1eDXhvWWWiVLEfTIV9duNBBsNDAEg85u7Uav58d3uiZ2QIVQHWG3ZEK2PeFwk_KZFVfYEEIZYjoDCv6tZDTZPK6BG_qNx6UJPGxaai2l4YxTEnujLgYWlD4xs8TEhszI3/s1600/76068681177011454_4swgY7q1_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8E77p75aXGe1eDXhvWWWiVLEfTIV9duNBBsNDAEg85u7Uav58d3uiZ2QIVQHWG3ZEK2PeFwk_KZFVfYEEIZYjoDCv6tZDTZPK6BG_qNx6UJPGxaai2l4YxTEnujLgYWlD4xs8TEhszI3/s640/76068681177011454_4swgY7q1_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYq8ks2W9yBElQk-FG_vRuO2l2QRoS7WkrKlsnfoiZLBfZkVlX5BGDiThDKJskiRFWDXrFwTJl1hzj366XoXJYGC6i-c5oe2kedBMf2NATEntMqYeIOXII0kTXvMyUkYTC2GfjoaLEt6V/s1600/204280533068465731_XfZo61TB_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYq8ks2W9yBElQk-FG_vRuO2l2QRoS7WkrKlsnfoiZLBfZkVlX5BGDiThDKJskiRFWDXrFwTJl1hzj366XoXJYGC6i-c5oe2kedBMf2NATEntMqYeIOXII0kTXvMyUkYTC2GfjoaLEt6V/s640/204280533068465731_XfZo61TB_c.jpg" width="428" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/zen-decor/"> </a><b><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/zen-decor/">Pinterest </a></b></div><br />You can use pattern effectively in minimal spaces, but control the scale and loudness of it. Small scale and tone on tone work best.  Ramp up your use of texture to create visual interest, think quilted, knobby, woven, rough, smooth etc.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Open up the space </b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6paIdLf-VZ53bh-wnhQFgK2LJ8-VVQCwPphCi7TFKX68zqDupMPOSPGVRSOx89jrzA1wYdjAPZq3EHuoMXMYj7ZUJEcFKgT3ESEhb4xsPKhyBghwtmz214DLnQVDCK16V6qfEBysDiN9/s1600/81487074478928111_wQdbu3MN_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6paIdLf-VZ53bh-wnhQFgK2LJ8-VVQCwPphCi7TFKX68zqDupMPOSPGVRSOx89jrzA1wYdjAPZq3EHuoMXMYj7ZUJEcFKgT3ESEhb4xsPKhyBghwtmz214DLnQVDCK16V6qfEBysDiN9/s640/81487074478928111_wQdbu3MN_c.jpg" width="486" /></a> </b></div><br />Spaces are restful when your eye can find a place to rest . The more open spaces the more restful.  Think about unrestricted sight lines in a space. Don't block walkways or windows with furniture , leave enough space to provide ease of movement. Of course light coloured furniture helps your eye move over it. Your room doesn't have to be stark. Warm it up with light textured rugs or throws.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Choose furniture with clean lines </b></div><b> </b><br />Forget about ornamentation and frills. Don't go for overstuffed and large scale, but do go for comfort.   No decor should be uncomfortable to live in. <br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Use repetition </b></div><br />Repetition is a wonderful soother. Consider repeating the same shape or colour  to move the eye along.   <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/22250/electic-green-and-black-eclectic--other-metros" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="540" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/22250_0_8-1000-eclectic-.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>The repetition of colour and the shape in the  white chairs moves your eye along and helps with the competition of the black chair and vessel.  Natural elements are always attractive and calming especially when paired with vertical objects. I love the way the chair and flower act like an exclamation point.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/79852/Lake-Calhoun-Residence-contemporary-dining-room-minneapolis"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/79852_0_8-1000-contemporary-dining-room.jpg" width="500" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><small>  <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/tea2architects/tea2-architects" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">TEA2 Architects</a></small></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Here your eye is drawn along the tea lights and flowers to the sparsely displayed art work. The repetition in the light fixture over the peninsula and in the mill work all help<span style="color: #444444;">s</span> the eye to wander calmly.  <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzalpRRD9DdwhpZd6_Ip1Mle_3GI4lhHts3ZNw3MFWXDu3EmUAd8raFuom6wjVoyl_TyF5ihJDQqLFZiyJf7eJOljACtSwvoi0145rHPVfUZ3_P91SRhTZ8mx1UChGkQPbdpnq30_IO9H/s1600/228276274831832506_gvVAzUnO_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuzalpRRD9DdwhpZd6_Ip1Mle_3GI4lhHts3ZNw3MFWXDu3EmUAd8raFuom6wjVoyl_TyF5ihJDQqLFZiyJf7eJOljACtSwvoi0145rHPVfUZ3_P91SRhTZ8mx1UChGkQPbdpnq30_IO9H/s640/228276274831832506_gvVAzUnO_c.jpg" width="402" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Nature and repetition together creates a stunning shower.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Select  uniform wood finishes</b><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/22095/West-Chelsea-Loft-modern-living-room-new-york"><img border="0" height="500" src="http://st.houzz.com/simages/22095_0_8-1000-modern-living-room.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="color: #444444;"><div style="text-align: center;"><small> <a href="http://www.houzz.com/pro/amylaudesign/amy-lau-design" style="color: #444444; text-decoration: none;">Amy Lau Design</a></small></div><br /><span style="font-size: small;"> The use of similar wood tones pull this room together visually.  You eye moves easily from piece to piece and the lighter colour palette is soothing and doesn't take away from the wood.  </span><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Use natural elements</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>  </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU0rdg9HUbhUHeDmRKfPZ3IxjlrjjcWmwZu_uWPLse4jyYnEAqwi3VkTh3S8JoxMgR0wix20vaPFN0wSOL4YB8gdoZtj3ZOZZ6E6Cb6YxwVLMbAiqPmurBxM1asDMwMm9jG8SQloMwRFG/s1600/351843789607930360_L1OUIa7o_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU0rdg9HUbhUHeDmRKfPZ3IxjlrjjcWmwZu_uWPLse4jyYnEAqwi3VkTh3S8JoxMgR0wix20vaPFN0wSOL4YB8gdoZtj3ZOZZ6E6Cb6YxwVLMbAiqPmurBxM1asDMwMm9jG8SQloMwRFG/s640/351843789607930360_L1OUIa7o_c.jpg" width="348" /></a></b> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b> </b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe8b4D2wUdKgFb9dDz2kR4zrHjAtCFMDiGi853mkweDL3G1nj6JLlqVUjAgp-d7tYTXgNxF3xuWgvrcQkYVg2ibAi2-mg-TGVfupIN0ZnYrDegspKqAQhSA2pO0_dTyqeHUKJl8uKPaTJ/s1600/95701560801233389_3tDVYSO0_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFe8b4D2wUdKgFb9dDz2kR4zrHjAtCFMDiGi853mkweDL3G1nj6JLlqVUjAgp-d7tYTXgNxF3xuWgvrcQkYVg2ibAi2-mg-TGVfupIN0ZnYrDegspKqAQhSA2pO0_dTyqeHUKJl8uKPaTJ/s640/95701560801233389_3tDVYSO0_c.jpg" width="426" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqU0rdg9HUbhUHeDmRKfPZ3IxjlrjjcWmwZu_uWPLse4jyYnEAqwi3VkTh3S8JoxMgR0wix20vaPFN0wSOL4YB8gdoZtj3ZOZZ6E6Cb6YxwVLMbAiqPmurBxM1asDMwMm9jG8SQloMwRFG/s1600/351843789607930360_L1OUIa7o_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LiRDgZofZxSeAMzrLeNxy8NOysASGP9a2xazkU4ELuZYlZ6JB46N0Y9yob-_bsbRo7RSj852_ecqjrzLaS6ZMjWduizTCFfoKv81o9sanY98ZB-QuzI5IMwWShpdLSAav4lTooMse8F2/s1600/82190761918994119_drYToU3b_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LiRDgZofZxSeAMzrLeNxy8NOysASGP9a2xazkU4ELuZYlZ6JB46N0Y9yob-_bsbRo7RSj852_ecqjrzLaS6ZMjWduizTCFfoKv81o9sanY98ZB-QuzI5IMwWShpdLSAav4lTooMse8F2/s640/82190761918994119_drYToU3b_c.jpg" width="416" /></a> </b></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHNcdFtqcvHEhj137CYCgLNcRwTQZu4prQLzECQp3A7uXenVFcM-rBOAoFdOI54NmyIkQhR2h2rKj7H4G8zoHthpKTPnoznVwl17YThjZyXe29CaUHgSQcWL1_-wVv3DiGYLSCCE20t7i/s1600/59883870014722550_KZU537mF_c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHNcdFtqcvHEhj137CYCgLNcRwTQZu4prQLzECQp3A7uXenVFcM-rBOAoFdOI54NmyIkQhR2h2rKj7H4G8zoHthpKTPnoznVwl17YThjZyXe29CaUHgSQcWL1_-wVv3DiGYLSCCE20t7i/s640/59883870014722550_KZU537mF_c.jpg" width="640" /></a> </b><span style="color: #444444;"><a href="http://pinterest.com/mryall/zen-decor/">Pinterest </a></span><b><br /></b></div> Plants, twigs, stones, pebbles, water, reference the calmness of  nature cycles. Use them well. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Include circular shapes</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7HrkIf7m1_6Q7eQzI5WacrxOIpHdDIkkChgJuTWRLby8TBTs6pSK-Wssl1zNH-Qa4qanY0ByGs_RCxZwNrm1kzyitxDKDmCFIbvt0ew_BnqS_h8xUqFPtTgUrQKMsFRfrfS5PCn4jJN4s/s1600/171277592049760951_jh0c8Alq_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><b> </b></div>Nothing is more calming than spheres or circles. Think of several places you can add them to your decor.  A round table encourages the eye to mover around a space, round mirrors are calming  when well placed.  People often forget that mirrors can reflect aspects of decor that are not complementary to ones focus.Open vessels/bowls are soft and flowing.  Look back through the images to see how they have been used in various decors. </div><div><a href="http://www.houzz.com/photos/79852/Lake-Calhoun-Residence-contemporary-dining-room-minneapolis"></a></div>

Creating calming environments

When I'm planning a redesign, I want to know how clients want their space to feel. Many people don't think about that aspect of spa...

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