Dear Friends,

It’s usually the change of seasons that inspires me to write my seasonal newsletter, but this year, Winter here in Louisiana seems more like Spring! It’s been very mild, hence my delay with this Living Well. Although Narcissus usually blooms this time of year, there’s such a profusion of them, it really does seem like Spring. The fragrance is so intoxicating, it’s a good thing I drive up the hill to my office at Shadetree rather than walk up the steps, or I might never make it!

Up until recently, I was like the cobbler whose children had no shoes. Although the paint colors in our home consisted of some of the first colors in our initial Nature’s Palette, it hadn’t been painted in 16 years, so it wasn’t full spectrum paint. Finally, a few months ago, I got around to painting my walls with my own paint. Now I’m living “full spectrum” like so many of you! It feels wonderful, and makes me wish I’d done it long ago.

With all of my choices, what colors did I use? I went with “Buttercream” walls and “Ashen Green” trim. This is a combination I’ve used often in decorating projects over the past 24 years, as they are so easy to live with and bring a wonderful feeling of nature into a room—the warm wash of sunshine contrasted by the deep, dusky green of woodland shade. Along with only ten other colors, “Buttercream” and “Ashen Green” became the first colors that instigated the creation of Ellen Kennon Full Spectrum Paints almost six years ago! Today, I’m happy to report that, with the addition of twelve new colors that debuted before Christmas, we now have a total of 84 stock colors!

It’s no wonder it took me awhile to get around to diving into the painting job. Once I start a project, I tend to get a little obsessed and find myself constantly evaluating and refining! One of the best things about repainting is that it forces you to take down all artwork, put away accessories and move furnishings, so that when the painting is finished, you look at your space with new eyes.

My newly painted rooms felt so transformative, they inspired me to turn the upstairs loft which used to be my office, into my own personal sacred space. This is now the place where I go to quiet my mind and restore my energy and inner strength. It’s where I practice yoga, pray and meditate. I keep a few art supplies and journals handy, in case I feel inspired.

Although I consider every room in our home a sacred space, there’s something very special about a place where the intention of the space is specifically geared toward this purpose. When you enter it, your mind and body know that this is the place to focus on communion with the divine, so it’s easier to make the transition between your mundane life and your devotional life. The more you use the space, the more conditioned you will be to relax as soon as you enter.

It doesn’t take a large space to create a haven where we can surround ourselves with nature’s calming colors, textures, scents and sounds. Often, a tiny, intimate space is exactly right, which is great because that’s the amount of space that is easiest for most of us to set aside. While an unused guest room is ideal, a walk-in closet or a small area of a larger room will work.

Begin by totally emptying the space of all furnishings and objects. Then think about places in nature where you find solace. Color preferences and how they affect us is very individual, however once you know which of nature’s landscapes you resonate with, use that as your guide.

Light, pastels refresh and soothe. Darker colors envelop. Pale yellows and sandy beiges, balanced with soft, atmospheric blues or sea foam water colors, evoke feelings of being at the beach. Turquoises both soothe and refresh. Light sky blues cloak the atmosphere in peace. Forest colors like greens and browns feel nurturing and comforting. Shades of white and cream suggest snow and clouds, creating a pristine and serene environment. Earth colors drawn from rocks and soil, convey feelings of endurance and solidity.

Once you decide which colors make you feel peaceful and serene, then also look to nature for inspiration for “patterns of calm.” For eons, nature has inspired artists with its soothing, repetitive rhythms and patterns—elements where you can focus on something other than busy thoughts. Introduce pattern in fabrics and art objects and remember that repetition creates harmony. It can be repetition of pattern, shapes or color.

Surround your sacred space with your favorite inspirational books, soothing sounds, mementoes and objects of inspiration. Soft carpeting for yoga, pillows and comfortable upholstery for sitting quietly, combined with candles, incense or essential oils, and a small flowing fountain, all contribute to an oasis of calm.

Quartz crystals and certain plants like gerbera daisies, philodendron, bamboo palm and phalaenopsis (moth orchid) are powerful air cleansers that restore the balance between positive and negative ions and are especially helpful if you’re working within a confined space.

Take your time creating your little haven and enjoy the process. You’ll find you look at your world in a whole new light when searching for those special objects that calm the mind and soothe your soul. How can you go wrong when you begin with such a powerful intention?

Now that my sacred space is complete; I really do find that the more often I spend time there, the faster I become relaxed upon entering the space. I enjoy just sitting and admiring the view and becoming one with nirvana!J

Wishing you all the best for a wonderful 2006!

P.S. Look for us in upcoming articles in Southern Accents Magazine (March/April issue), Home Living Connecticut (March/April issue) and The Wall Street Journal (Designer’s Favorite Websites)! Also, don’t forget to check my blog for the latest discounts on paint!