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Relaxing Paint Colours

https://www.pnpainting.com/relaxing-paint-colors-for-your-spa

Green

Green not only offers a soothing effect, but it also stimulates renewal and vigor, which most spa users hope to gain. It also offers emotional safety and is associated with healing powers.

In fact, green has a positive influence on the mind and body and suggests endurance. Because of its calming and tranquil factors, green interior paint is a good colour choice for your spa.

Pink

A lighter shade of pink is one of the most calming paint colours. It represents gentle love and tenderness. Painting a room in pink gives it a non-threatening and hopeful feel.Many people think of their childhood innocence when they're in a pink room. So, applying pink paint will give your spa a kind and nurturing aura.

White

You can't go wrong with white paint. White is a peaceful, simple color that adds a spacious feel to any room. This makes white a good choice for smaller rooms.

White conveys goodness and purity. It also represents new beginnings and safety. If your spa customers want a change in their lives, white interior paint can help inspire them.

Paint Finishes:

Eggshell

Picture an eggshell. It has a slight sheen on its surface. This is just what an eggshell finish paint has. Eggshell paint is easy to clean and durable. Its subtle shine won't reflect wall imperfections like glossy paint will. 

I think I will choose eggshell because although matt paint hides imperfections it is hard to clean and with oils in the room it may not be very durable.

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Spa Style

I am now choosing my FF&E items for my spa. I am following a neutral colour palette and wanting to ensure I have a range of textures so the design does not look flat. I also want there to be no sharp, harsh edges because I want the design to connote relaxation and safety. I am going for a minimalistic style whilst also taking inspiration from Australia as I am collaborating with One Ocean Beauty. 

Here are my colours:

These colours have been picked from trends, colours people voted to be relaxing and One Ocean packaging. 

Here are some images of One Ocean’s beauty products. 

The furniture will be inspired by the colours and shapes of the bottles. I want to find a coffee table that is a wood the same colour as the bottle lids. For my coffee table I will use the short glass bottle as my main inspiration. I think glass connotes water as it reflects colours and has a sense of continuous movement.  All the bottles are curved and I want this to follow through my furniture choices. However, it is very minimal and this will also be considered. 

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Pinterest Inspiration - Treatment Room

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Spa Tour

This video helps me understand what needs to go within the treatment room. 

Some ideas I liked:

- Large mirror

- Hanging closet for robes

- Dressing room

- Shelving Unit to show off favourite products

- Hidden Bin (within cupboard)

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My Spa Treatment Room

Before I design the inside of my Treatment room I need to figure out what exactly it is I am offering. I want it to feature within my magazine and therefore it needs to promote wellness. 

I want to target the idea that this spa is something people can experience post Covid that does not involve socialising and gives people a chance to relax but leave the house. People are scared for life to return back to ‘normal’ and some may struggle more with the idea of having to socialise with everyone again. Alone time to relax and pamper may be exactly what people need to relieve the stresses and pressure of lockdown measures easing. 

As I have partnered with One Ocean, the beauty skin care brand I want my treatment room to use these products. 

https://schoolofba.com/top-5-spa-treatments/

Facials are often thought of solely as beauty treatments, but they can be extremely relaxing and rejuvenating. Facials offers a combination of massage and skin treatment; the use of products designed to help your personal skin problems along with the therapists gentle touch will relieve tension in your facial muscles and leave you feeling refreshed and at ease. - School of Botanical and Medical Aesthetics 

So what is needed within a facial spa treatment room?

https://spasource.com/blog/what-spa-equipment-is-needed-for-a-facial-room-setup/

- Quiet & Modern Spa equipment

- Facial Exam Chairs (the client chair)

- Aesthetician Chairs (the chair for the worker to sit on)

- SPA Trolley Cart (shelving unit that holds all that the aesthetician will need. 

- Facial Lamp

- Facial Town Warmer (optional)

These are the essential spa equipment pieces that are required for a facial room. Anything else will be more decoration and to make the room feel like a relaxing environment. 

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Flower Native Trends: Australia

https://www.tailoredspace.com.au/blogs/blog/interior-design-trend-australian-natives-gold-coast-interior-design

Dried Flowers. Art. Greenery. Boho chic. These are some key words I picked up from this blog. I love the idea of having dried flowers dotted around the spa, this is someone I have seen come in trend this year as they look beautiful but also last a lot longer than fresh flowers. I may also include plants such as cactuses and succulents which also have a longer life span and are very low maintenance. 

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What is native for Australia?

As my chosen brand is One Ocean; an Australian beauty brand I want my spa to show off Australia and capture parts of its culture and design. 

https://www.australia.com/en-gb/facts-and-planning/about-australia/australias-plants.html

Some native materials of Australia are;

- cedar

- eucalyptus (gum trees)

- ACACIA (WATTLES)

- Proteaceae (including banksias, grevilleas and waratahs, are among Australia’s most popular natives.)

Native Patterns:

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/ecklerteam/aboriginal-patterns/

These patterns could inspire textures within my design or I could use similar patterns for different surfaces or furniture. 

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Spa Vlog

I love the colour marble wall in the first shot. 

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Spa Vlogs

This 3D wall is really effective. I’ve seen it in a few different spa designs. I may want to feature it on one wall. 

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Spa Vlogs - Lumion 10 | Spa Interior Design

I have started to look on YouTube at Spa Vlogs for more inspiration. I cam across this Spa and I think it is beautiful. 

- Colour LED lights

- Marble Flooring

- Lights which create shapes

- Wall Art

- Plants

- Neutral Tones

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Ergonomic Interior Design

https://www.jdesigngroup.com/blog/ergonomic-interior-design/#:~:text=A%20good%20interior%20designer%20understands%20the%20connection%20between%20designing%20and%20ergonomics.&text=Ergonomics%20is%20a%20type%20of,the%20design%20more%20user%2Dfriendly.

A good interior designer understands the connection between designing and ergonomics. They will apply ergonomic principles to all designs whether working with commercial or residential property. Ergonomics is a type of science that focuses on ways to close the gap that exist between humans and the world in which we live.

When applied to interior design, it simply helps to make the design more user-friendly. As a result, the space becomes more useful. You’ll notice an increase in productivity and it helps to create a safer environment for everyone occupying the structure.

Space Planning:

The first step in creating an ergonomic interior design is making sure you have enough space to accommodate your needs. If you’re cramped and crowded, you feel uncomfortable and it’s difficult to work or relax whichever the case may be. For example, when I come to design the spa I will need to ensure the workers have enough space to walk around each bed to do their job properly. Looking at most spa designs they are very simple with a lot of space to make the design look open and clean. 

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Ergonomics

https://www.ergonomics.org.uk/Public/Resources/What_is_Ergonomics_.aspx

“Ergonomics is the scientific discipline concerned with the understanding of interactions among humans and other elements of a system, and the profession that applies theory, principles, data and methods to design in order to optimise human well-being and overall system performance.” International Ergonomics Association

Rather than expecting people to adapt to a design that forces them to work in an uncomfortable, stressful or dangerous way, ergonomists and human factors specialists seek to understand how a product, workplace or system can be designed to suit the people who need to use it.

You usually don’t notice good design, unless it’s exceptionally good, because it gives us no cause too. But you do notice poor design. If you’ve ever got lost in an airport with poor signage, stared helplessly at a machine with incomprehensible instructions, cut your hands on poor packaging or sighed as you had to move things around to reach something you need, you know that a lack of ergonomic design can be incredibly frustrating.

Linking this with my spa design I want to ensure that everything is clear and each corridor is well lit and welcoming. This could possibly be why the spas on Dezeen all focus on the corridors as designers want the experience to be easy and enjoyable for all. 

In simple terms, a design with good ergonomics means comfort and ease for users. You do not want the furniture, signage, lighting or any part of the design to cause any stress or discomfort to the user. Although you do want your design to look good and be visually pleasing it also needs to do its job and be practical for it’s purpose. 

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Psychology of Space

https://www.archdaily.com/936027/psychology-of-space-how-interiors-impact-our-behavior

With most of our lives spent indoors, the space we occupy has a major role in our psychological behavior. Environmental psychology or Space psychology is, in fact, the interaction between people and the spaces they inhabit. Lighting, colors, configuration, scale, proportions, acoustics, and materials address the senses of the individual and generate a spectrum of feelings and practices.

From inducing warmth and safety, defining well-being, or creating a positive and efficient working environment, space can have a whole lot of impact on how we act or on what we feel; therefore, design and creative measures should be considered according to the social and psychological needs of the occupants.

While some spaces add up to your anxiety, others provoke a sense of serenity, and you can’t seem to know why. In fact, not always evidence-based, environmental psychology focuses more on research, and on people’s interactions with their surroundings.

Environmental psychology is all about each individual space and therefore there isnt ‘guidlines’ as such to follow but instead I will have to combine all the knowledge I have on colour theory, biophilic design and light levels to design a space that makes people feel relaxed, calm and happy. 

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Environmental Psychology

I studied environmental psychology at A levels and it was all about how someone would act/behave in relation to their environment and surroundings. For example many studies showed that patients who had access to a nature view window recover much quicker than patients with either no window or a building view. Not all hospital rooms can have windows which is why a lot started bringing in plants or wallpaper to make up for not having an outside view. 

There are so many studies that show that different environments will effect your productivity and focus. For example, I remember revising a study that showed a clear correlation between students who studied in a quieter environment did better in the exam as that was also in complete silence. Those students who revised in a loud environment but then were examined in a quiet environment didn’t do so well. However, those who learn in a loud environment and also examined in a loud environment did better than the second group. The same noise getting either way seemed to get better results but quiet and quiet was the best. 

Environmental psychology is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the interplay between individuals and their surroundings. It examines the way in which the natural environment and our built environments shape us as individuals. - Wikepedia. 

I also remember studies that showed people who live in cities with noise and pollution report higher levels of stress than those who live in rural quiet areas which is why many people move out of urban areas once they retire and no longer commute to work. 

So when thinking about my spa I will need to consider what environment I wish to create. What noises will be there? What lighting will I use? How much natural light will I let in? Will I include plants? All of these factors will effect how people feel while they are in my space and what behaviours they will portray. 

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Biophilia

https://www.nrdc.org/experts/maria-mccain/bringing-outdoors-benefits-biophilia

Biophilia is defined as the innate human instinct to connect with nature and other living beings. The term is derived from the Greek words for “life” and “love or affection;” making its literal translation “love of life.” This concept is foundational to biophilic design, which utilizes natural materials, patterns, and phenomena to maintain a connection to nature within the built environment.

1. Nature in the Space

The direct presence of nature in a space in the form of plants, animals, water, breeze, scents, light, shadows, and other natural elements. 

This would be adding in plants and green feature walls. 

2. Natural Analogues

The representational presence of natural materials, patterns, objects, colours, and shapes incorporated into building design, facade ornamentation, decor, and furniture.

3. Nature of the Place

The incorporation of spatial elements commonly found in nature such as expansive views, places of sensory refuge (such as a quiet and dark room that simulates a cave), and a mild sense of risk (like stepping stones over a shallow pond).

This could refer to the amount of natural light the building lets in or any views from windows which look out onto nature. 

Best things to do:

- Maximise natural light

- Natural themed artwork (honeycomb tiling, climbing gardens, potted plants, moss plant walls)

- Natural Materials - including sustainable poplar and bamboo, in furniture and paneling.

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Colour Psychology within Interiors

https://www.livforinteriors.co.uk/blog/2019/9/27/how-to-apply-colour-psychology-to-your-interior-designs#:~:text=Colour%20psychology%20is%20a%20powerful,will%20help%20you%20achieve%20this.

Colour psychology is a powerful interior design tool that impacts the mood of a room more so than any other factor. 

RED –The most intense colour, red raises a room’s energy level and pumps the adrenaline.  Ambition, action and willpower are all qualities attributed to this colour, which is why red is a great option for home offices and creative spaces. 

YELLOW – Yellow captures the warmth of sunlight and evokes positivity. It’s a great choice for kitchens, dining rooms and bathrooms, where it is energising and welcoming.

BLUE – One of the strongest hues of the colour psychology spectrum, blue is believed to bring down blood pressure and slow respiration and heart rate.  Deep, bold hues are effective at creating a sense of confidence and are linked to traits such as loyalty, trust, peace and success. Considered calming and serene, this colour is often recommended for bedrooms and bathrooms where you want to create a relaxing environment. (perfect for a spa)

GREEN – Combining the invigorating quality of blue and the optimism of yellow, green is suitable for almost any room in the house. It stimulates thoughts of balance, growth and restoration in colour psychology. It immediately brings the natural world to mind, and encourages unwinding but has enough warmth to promote comfort and togetherness. 

PURPLE – Purple is associated with a range of positive emotions from depth and creativity to fantasy and nobility.  It carries a regal charm and suggests luxury, which delivers real presence.

NEUTRALS – Shades such as black, grey, white and brown are vital to the interior designer’s palette. Their virtue lies in their flexibility – add colour to liven things up and remove it for a subtler aesthetic. Grey is one of those versatile colours that can be warm or cool, and can evoke feelings of calm and security. 

Understanding how different colours can work with different emotions and feelings is really important when designing a space where it’s all about bringing a sense of togetherness and wellness. I think I want to use neutral colours with some shades of blue. This not only represents One Ocean Beauty and Australia but also the connotations behind these colours prove to be perfect for a calming relaxing environment to promote a good well-being. 

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Colour Psychology

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology#:~:text=Color%20psychology%20is%20the%20study,as%20the%20taste%20of%20food.&text=Colors%20can%20also%20enhance%20the,are%20generally%20used%20as%20stimulants.

Colour psychology is the study of hues as a determinant of human behavior. Colour influences perceptions that are not obvious, such as the taste of food. Colours have qualities that can cause certain emotions in people. Colours can also enhance the effectiveness of placebos.

https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824

Colors in the red area of the color spectrum are known as warm colors and include red, orange, and yellow. These warm colors evoke emotions ranging from feelings of warmth and comfort to feelings of anger and hostility.

Colors on the blue side of the spectrum are known as cool colors and include blue, purple, and green. These colors are often described as calm, but can also call to mind feelings of sadness or indifference.

I am choosing a few colours that I may use within the scheme to understand the psychology behind it. 

White:

In Western cultures, the color white is often associated with weddings, hospitals, and angels and is often used to convey a sense of purity, cleanliness, and peacefulness.

In many Eastern cultures, however, white is symbolically linked to death and sadness. It's often a color used in funerals and other mourning rituals.

In Feng Shui 

White is considered a powerful color in feng shui, a system of arranging your environment to create harmony. Colors are linked to certain feng shui elements and in the case of white, the element it expresses is metal.1 Wood and glass accents go extraordinarily well with white, as do bits of black to balance it out. White is also great for kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms, and bedrooms and white flowers in white pots are an economical way to incorporate white into your environment.

Blue:

Blue is described as a favorite color by many people and is the color most preferred by men.

Because blue is favored by so many people, it is often viewed as a non-threatening color that can seem conservative and traditional.

Blue calls to mind feelings of calmness or serenity. It is often described as peaceful, tranquil, secure, and orderly.

Green:

Green is a cool color that symbolizes nature and the natural world. Perhaps because of its strong associations with nature, green is often thought to represent tranquility, good luck, health, and jealousy.

Green is thought to relieve stress and help heal. Those who have a green work environment experience fewer stomachaches.

Green is a go to for many wellness interior designs as it is highly linked with biophillic design. 

Looking at colour psychology is very interesting and will definitely feed into my project. When choosing my colours I need to be aware of how they will make people feel and the different connotations they may have. Each colour can be interpreted differently by different people but each shade of the colour may also change the way it makes people feel. 

- my words