This historically inspired room by Kohler exudes a sense of fantasy and opulence that is quite appealing.
While examining the various design elements of the room, I was trying to pinpoint exactly what it was about this space that was so alluring. The rich colours and elegant fixtures are attractive, to be sure, but the real draw to this room is the sense of imagination it evokes. This room could be in a castle in Spain or a villa in the south of France. A room like this can take your mind to far-off places and give you an escape of sorts. Indulging in a little fantasy can be very good for the soul.
Kids get that. You paint a jungle scene on their bedroom wall and throw in a few stuffed tigers and they are magically transported to a jungle in Africa. Hang a pink canopy over a young girl's bed and suddenly she's a princess in a castle. Sometimes we adults don't indulge ourselves enough when it comes to flights of fancy. Some might be worried about what others might think if they indulge their fantasy and create a space that is too different from the norm. I get that. You don't want the common areas of the home to be too kitschy or cliché. However, rooms like the master bed or bath are private places where a little indulgence is warranted.
Where do you want to go?
Why do you think that the fantasy-room hotels are so popular these days? We want an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Imagine having a space like this in your own home to enjoy every day. What would your fantasy room look like? What style of decor would you absolutely love to have? Would you want to be mentally transported to a far-off place or be indulged in a spa-like environment? Do you dream of a sunny beach somewhere or maybe a five-star hotel you've visited in the past? Whatever your desire, you should really consider creating a private fantasy getaway in your own home. It's not as difficult as you might imagine.
Satisfy the senses
You will know when you have achieved your goal if your room gives you the feeling you'd hoped it would. The experience will be different for each person, but you should include all five senses when planning the decor. If, for example, you want the experience of a five-star hotel room in your master bedroom, you'll want to purchase high-end furniture and accessories to please the eyes. Gorgeous soft colours will also be soothing to the eyes and calming to the soul. Beautiful quality linens and pillows will satisfy the sense of touch. A perfectly quiet space is paramount, so soundproofing the room and adding soft music will satiate the auditory sense. To appease the nose, lovely scents can be had through a number of scented products, and a glass of white wine and a chocolate mint will satisfy the taste buds. If you've never been to a five-star hotel and are not sure what to include in your space, watch old Hollywood movies or research hotels on the Internet to garner ideas for the room.
Taking it further
You can take your fantasy decor even further with some finishing touches. Using the five-star hotel scenario as an example, you could print "hotel" stationery on your computer to leave at the writing desk. You could print up a fake room-service menu for the bedside table and you might even install a room number on your bedroom door so the fantasy will begin before you even enter the space. Hire a maid once in awhile to make up the room to hotel standards.
Go on retreat
We don't all have the means or time to go away on a rejuvenating retreat, but you can take mini home retreats that will still help renew your mind and body. Plan a weekend to have a mini-retreat at home. Tell your friends and family that you are going on retreat and will not be reachable by phone. Turn off your phone, TV and computer when the weekend begins and indulge yourself in whatever activities say "retreat" to you -- reading, meditating, sleeping, yoga, or what-have-you. Enjoy your fantasy space and the serenity of total peace and quiet. If an entire weekend is not possible, try to plan out a small block of time for your mini-retreat.
Treat yourself to a little fantasy in your home. We don't stop playing because we get older; we get older because we stop playing.
