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Your Moment of Zen: Spaces that Calm
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst, and a stay-at-home mom.
I'm a design and food-obsessed freelance writer and market research analyst,... More »
Designing any space means making a lot of decisions. Color, texture, arrangement, use of space - there are so many decisions to make and countless possibilities in every space. The start of any design project can be daunting.
That's why the first thing I think about is not what colors I like or whether I think that throw pillow is cute. When I'm planning a redesign, I think about how I want the space to make me feel. Do I want to be energized when I walk into the room? Or relaxed? Or something else altogether?
I've been thinking lately about redecorating my bedroom - a private space that I use to relax and unwind. So, I went in search of some spaces that share that calming effect I'm looking for in my bedroom:
That's why the first thing I think about is not what colors I like or whether I think that throw pillow is cute. When I'm planning a redesign, I think about how I want the space to make me feel. Do I want to be energized when I walk into the room? Or relaxed? Or something else altogether?
I've been thinking lately about redecorating my bedroom - a private space that I use to relax and unwind. So, I went in search of some spaces that share that calming effect I'm looking for in my bedroom:
An outdoor water garden is an obvious "zen" space - a private spot to meditate and enjoy the scenery. This combination of colors and variety of textures could be easily appropriated for indoor spaces, as well.
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| I love the idea of walking into a home that is immediately calming. This spare entryway is full of style - love the light, the dark floors and the green of the door - but it is undeniably relaxing. |
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Dining rooms are sometimes fussy and over the top and anything but relaxing. This dining space, though, is orderly and symmetrical and though it's not sloppily comfortable (no dinner on the couch here), it's perfect for quiet dinners on slow nights. Then again, it also looks like a good table for a party. A relaxing party, but a party nonetheless.
by Amy Lau Design
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As with dining rooms, family rooms are often so filled with people and animals and other stuff that they're associated with anything but calm. I love this space, though, for its neutral colors and the combination of warm wood with quiet white walls. It's a great example of a living space that's both calm and full of character.
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A calm bath is an oasis. This one, with it's orderly design, natural light and quiet gray walls is a study in organization designed to calm the mind.
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by Ish and Chi
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| Baby's rooms are often stuffed full of color and movement and texture. That's great for some children, but what about bedtime? It's nice to have a little corner, at least, where quiet prevails. I love this nursery for its white walls and furniture. |
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| White is a great color in a grown-up bedroom, too. This room, with it's comfortable bed, enormous windows, great wallpaper, and spare, but cool, accessories is an excellent example of a bedroom that puts relaxation first. |
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Sometimes, especially for older children, it's important that the bedroom fill multiple roles. In those cases, it can be difficult to avoid clutter and a the feeling that the room does too many things at once. This room, while certainly multipurpose, avoids that distracting buzz by adopting a neutral palette and relying on white in most spots. The result is a room that's both calming and hyperfunctional.
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| This room is my visual definition of "calm." I love everything about it, from the iconic form-meets-function armchair to the walls lined with books, the intense view of the wooded yard and the warmth of the fireplace. Even five minutes in this space would lower my blood pressure. |
Ideabook updated on Sept. 6, 2009.
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