Relax in Your Own Spa Retreat

Anjie Cho September 15, 2021

A chance to slip off the demands of your to-do list and relax is just what your spirit ordered. Yet, if you’re like many of us, your schedule hasn’t got space for a spa day. What if I told you that you could create a spa in your own home? It’s true! A few simple updates will transform your boring bathroom into a peaceful retreat.

Bathrooms are often given the utilitarian treatment. To create a sanctuary in your home, however, this space needs the same stylish eye you’d want to bring to any other room in the house. Take a good look at the space you’ve got and consider what elements you can introduce to welcome tranquility and rejuvenation. Here are five design elements to consider:

Flooring

Think warm and cozy. Matte finish tiles are a good foundation to begin with, especially when combined with the right rug. Look for textiles that exude comfort but also hold up well to moisture. Cotton and bamboo are great natural materials that handle the damp environment well.

Lighting

Look for a classic hanging chandelier and go for the dimmer switch. Your bathroom has different lighting needs at different times. When you’re dressing or primping, a strong light is necessary. However, when you’re settling in for a spa-like retreat, low lights are the way to go. A dimmer will allow you to select the right glow for the right mood.

Don’t forget to make space for candles. When you slip into the tub, lighting a bevy of candles transforms your space from bathroom to luxury retreat.

Sound

What is a spa experience without lilting music? You don’t need built-in speakers to create the spa-like mood. Keep a music player or Bluetooth speaker in your bathroom – away from the water, of course.

Accessories

Remember, we’re talking about pampering and relaxing. Select lush towels for your in-home spa retreat. Use attractive bottles, jars and baskets to display your collection of bath salts and other pampering accoutrements. Be careful not to clutter the space, however. Simple and organized is your goal.

Scents

As you’re inhaling and exhaling in peace, the right calming scents are essential. Look to aromatic essential oils to create your own personal favorites. Coordinate the aroma you’re creating for your space with the candles and bath salts you’re using. If you’re not sure where to start, try the calming scent of lavender.

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Q&A Sunday: Bed Linens for Peach Blossom Luck

Anjie Cho September 1, 2019

Hi Anjie. I read the part in your book about using the color peach to attract a romantic partner. I’m moving into a new place in just a few days, and I’ve been on the lookout for peach colored sheets. The closest I can find is coral. Will that work, or do I need to keep hunting for peach and buy some cheaper ones in the meantime? Finally, will peach enhance self love, or just bring romantic love?

Shanna G., Austin, TX

Hi Shanna, thanks for reading my book! The idea with the peach is related to “peach blossom luck” in feng shui. Peach is an auspicious color for attracting a romantic partnership. If you want to use this color for this reason, you can paint your walls peach, wear peach, or even purchase peach-colored linens as you’ve asked about. (Or you can even do all three!)

Coral is more of a bright, sunny orange color. With peach blossom luck, we’re looking for a more flesh-like color, with more white in it. A good guide would be Benjamin Moore 2014-60 Whispering Peach, shown here.

I advise you to find the right color sheets and do not buy the coral ones. They will not be a suitable substitute. However, if you have trouble finding the right color sheets, you can try other things that I’ve suggested above: painting the walls, wearing peach, or even just adding peach accents to your bed, like the throw in the photo above.

I’d also like to answer your very thoughtful question about self-love and the color peach. Since peach is somewhere in between a very soft pink and orange, color-wise, pink is related to the Relationship area while orange is related to the Health area of the feng shui bagua map. The relationship area does cultivate self-love. Both the relationship and health areas also connect to the element of Earth which is about self-care and boundaries. So, I would say yes. Just by taking the time to activate a feng shui adjustment to support your desire to have a partner is a kindness to yourself, and you need self-love to attract the right partner.

Last thing to remember, once you find your relationship you can let the peach go. My teachers have noted if you keep using the peach you may attract other partners! And you only need one, right? :)

by Anjie Cho

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui questions!

Q&A Sunday: Feng Shui in Any Environment

Anjie Cho June 23, 2019

How does one live a feng shui lifestyle if the environment is not "good feng shui?" Steps are being made towards a feng shui inspired environment, but how do I create good feng shui without changing/renovating the physical architectural elements. Thanks for your help!

Charlene R., Pacifica, CA

Although I am a professional architect and incorporate feng shui principles into my architecture and design, we always still work with existing environments that cannot be changed. Beyond the actual built architecture of your home or office, there’s also the natural environment, the street, the city, the country, etc. See the image above. We are all influenced by these concentric circles, or degrees, of the environment that we can’t just go and change. I own an apartment in New York City. The bathroom and kitchen have to stay where they are, as does the front door, the relationship to the street, etc. You can do your best to pick the most advantageous location, but nothing is perfect.

Luckily, I practice BTB Feng Shui. This school of feng shui is influenced greatly by intention and offers many solutions that can work with your existing environment. Most feng shui is remedial, and we work with what you have.

If we go back to the concentric circles, you see the green center area is YOU. Start with changing your energy and your personal feng shui. Then work outward. I think the steps you're taking and even intention to start making shifts are great first steps. From here, work on changing the feng shui of your bedroom. Put your bed in the commanding position, which means either moving the bed or placing a mirror so that you can see the door.

Take a look at my other tips, and take it step by step! And by starting with yourself, you’re already creating a good feng shui environment.

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.