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Tag Archives: relax

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere

07 Friday Jun 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Ross Donald, The Home

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aromatherapy, bathroom, bubble bath, candles, design, lighting, mellow, music, peaceful, recuperate, relax, relaxing atmosphere, soothing

Some days are harder than others, and when those days leave you feeling worn out and washed up, it’s important to find a soothing, comforting way to relax and unwind. Bubble baths have been an effective remedy for stress for years, but if you’re really looking to shut yourself in and close off your mind, it’s going to take more than a simple bath with bubbles. To help you recuperate after a long day, try these tips to help you turn your bathroom into the ultimate getaway.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Brighten the Path

Light for Relaxation
To really allow yourself to drift away in your bubble bath and forget your cares and worries, picking the right lighting is going to be essential. A normal bathroom light is too loud for a soothing environment, and turning off the light would be a tad depressing. To find a happy medium, bring in a lamp with a soft glow or even one that illuminates an entirely different color such as a mellow purple or a comforting black light; either way, you want to pick something that is easy on the eyes but manages to exude a peaceful gleam.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Fresh Home

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Meet Me at the Boutique

Breathe in a Good Dose of Aromatherapy
Next, you’re going to want to pick your scents; half the appeal of a bubble bath is letting your sense of smell do most of the work and giving your sense of sight a break for a moment. It’s natural to want to pick your favorite aroma, but it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind. First, you’re not going to want to pick scents that clash with the bath products you’re using, and you’re also going to want to avoid lighting anything too powerful, as this can cause headaches and ruin the intent of what the bath is supposed to do. Whether it’s incense, oils, or candles (candles could work as your source of light as well), pick ones that are strong enough to absorb but not ones that will dominate all other sensations.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Apothecary Wellness

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Natural Body Guru

Bask in Some Mellow Tunes
Nothing puts the finishing touch on the mood you’re trying to create like the right kind of music, and for a Zen type of ambiance, some light jazz, ambient electronica, or down-tempo oriental music will do just the trick. On the other hand, music is subjective, so just focus on making a playlist that transports you to a blissful mind state as soon as you hit the play button.

Remember the Extras
After you get the lighting, aroma, and music adjusted to your liking, it’s time to think about any extras you’re going to want to bring in. If you’re not looking to shut off your mind completely, a book or magazine is always a great accompaniment to a warm bubble bath, or if you’re in the mood for a beverage, bring in a nice glass of wine or lemonade to indulge in; the point is to insure that you’ve designed your bubble bath to serve as a temporary island where you have everything you need. You want to be able to close your eyes and let your mind wander, daydream to your heart’s desire.

Creating a Relaxing Atmosphere
Photo Credit: Her.ie

Written by Ross Donald

Guest Post: Staycation – Create Exotic Get-Aways at Home

18 Monday Mar 2013

Posted by melissaoconnor in Guest Posts, The Home

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Chris Garrett, exotic getaway at home, Megaprint, relax, staycation, vacation at home

Everybody needs to get away. There is no doubt about it. Just about anyone you meet would benefit from a little sun and sand, but between family and work obligations it can seem impossible to find time to run errands, much less run away for a bit. With a little humor and creativity, you can create a relaxing getaway at home.

Exotic Food
Challenge yourself by preparing a meal from a foreign land. Try something you’ve never had before, visit a restaurant that serves exotic cuisine, and attempt a cooking method that is completely unfamiliar. You may find a new favorite dish, and even if it doesn’t go as planned, with the right attitude you’ll still appreciate the adventure.
Guest Post - Staycation: Create Exotic Get-Aways at Home
Photo Credit: Conveyor Belt Sushi

Activities
There are beautiful landmarks and historic points of interest just about anywhere you may live, and yet we are all guilty of ignoring these activities, always swearing we’ll do it another time. I lived in Arizona for 18 years before I ever saw The Grand Canyon, and that was only on my way out of the state. Take advantage of whatever your area has to offer, and learn a little bit more about your region. If that doesn’t appeal to you, take a spa day, go to an art show, or visit the local farmers’ market you’ve been meaning to check out.
Guest Post - Staycation: Create Exotic Get-Aways at Home
Photo Credit: Janefury

Electronics
I know it can be difficult, but try taking a hiatus from the tech. Institute a ban for the weekend on cell phones, televisions, and computers. Insist that this time be respected like a real vacation, where the only entertainment is either fun or family. I know… it sounds awful. If you can’t pull it off for the weekend, at least try to limit digital time as well as you can.
Guest Post - Staycation: Create Exotic Get-Aways at Home
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon

Decor
Remodeling your home to give it that exotic feel for the sake of a weekend ‘can’t-quite-get-away’ is asking an awful lot, but there are ways that you can make your home feel fresh and at least a little unfamiliar. Spruce up your bedroom by buying brand new sheets, pillows, and curtains. Invest in some outdoor furniture for a little alfresco dining. Purchase a series of photographs from an exotic location you’d like to visit or create a window to wherever you want with an entire mural scene on custom printed wallpaper.
Guest Post - Staycation: Create Exotic Get-Aways at Home
Photo Credit: Metaphorical Platypus

{Chris Garrett is a freelance writer for the custom printed wallpaper experts at Megaprint. He is an amateur photographer and he frequently blogs on the topics of design and large format printing. Chris lives in Oregon with his beautiful wife and two children. He is fascinated by the way that art and technology come together in the field of design, and he never gets tired of learning and writing about the newest ways we can personalize the spaces where we live and work.}

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