Spa Style's Blog

Healing Waters in the Spa

Dana — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:39:01 +0000

Water has been used as a source of healing since ancient times. Ancient Roman public bath houses included baths and steam rooms and was a place where people would relax and socialize, and the mineral springs of Spa, Belgium became a place of healing and health as early as the 14th century. Even the word “spa” originates from the Latin phrase “Salvs per aquae” which translates to “healing through water.” The benefits of bathing in hot springs has been well known for centuries and help us to relax tired muscles, heal skin ailments, and can even be drunk as a tonic to cleanse the body. Many modern European spas still incorporate water and hydrotherapy as a vital part of wellness and the spa experience, while in the United States water therapies tend to be viewed as a luxury. Adding hydrotherapy to your spa is a great way to enhance your spa services and add value to your business. A relaxing mineral soak, steam treatment, or Swiss shower before a massage treatment helps to relax the muscles for your clients and rid the body of impurities. Your spa patrons will leave feeling more relaxed and rejuvenated with the addition of these healing therapies.

Let’s a do a quick rundown of water therapies used in the spa. The first and most well known are the Greek, Roman, and Turkish bath houses. In these bath houses patrons would go through steam or sauna rooms with gradually increasing heat, then cool off in a cold room at the end. They would then receive a massage and scrub down, and relax in a warm room before leaving. These bath houses were places to socialize and unwind, and were the beginning of today’s modern spa treatments.

: Therme Vals Hot Spring in Switzerland

Today the traditional bath house treatments have been reinterpreted into water journeys and wellness resorts. In a water journey spa-goers travel through pools, steam rooms, saunas, and spa showers with varying temperatures and massage therapies. They are then treated to the massage of their choice. Wellness resorts built near hot springs featuring soaking pools and various wellness treatments using natural remedies can be found throughout the world. They are especially popular in Germany where people escape the daily grind to rejuvenate or seek physical therapy in what they called the “kur”.

Swiss and Vichy showers were developed at the spas near the natural springs in Switzerland and France. Swiss showers feature and overhead shower and vertical shower heads that alternate warm and cold water for an invigorating experience. Vichy showers are mounted horizontally above a bed on which the client lays face down and simulates rain fall. Vichy showers and Swiss showers are gaining popularity in the United States and when done correctly are a fantastic addition to spa services. Depending on where your spa is located these showers can be used with mineral spring water or warmed sea water to add even more restorative properties to the treatment.

: Executive Retreats Vichy Shower in Australia

The simplest way to add hydrotherapy to your spa is with a soaking tub or whirlpool. With this simple addition you can create dozens of beneficial treatments. Herbal baths like the Krauter bath sooth aches and pains, while dips in hot and cold baths cleanse the body and strengthen the immune system. Spas also add dead sea salts or mineral salts, and even have entire baths of warm mineral or sea water. Jetted tubs offer the additional benefit of massage to the bathing experience.

: Traditional Japanese Ofuro Tub

The health benefits and calming affects of water treatments can’t be denied, and adding hydrotherapy is a great way to add variety to your spa menu. What great hydrotherapy treatments have you incorporated into your spa?

New to Market: Pedicure Sink

Michele — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:29:58 +0000

We are loving this beautiful new pedicure sink now available for today’s nail spa and salon. The first ceramic vessel-style sink on the market made specifically for pedicures! It is truly a modern classic that will fit into any decor and the generously sized round sink with a flat bottom is the ideal size and shape.

The properties of ceramic make this an ideal basin for pedicures. The non-porous sealed surface prevents bacteria from penetrating so your sink is sanitary. It is easy to clean and low maintenance with a smooth touchable surface and flat bottom so that it is comfortable for the feet.

Another reason to love this sink? It is hand-made and a sustainable green product made of recylced and all natural materials with a coating that has no VOC’s so the bowl is toxin-free!

This vessel pedicure sink gives you creative freedom in design with multiple installation layouts: use with a cushy-chair, a built-in bench or your unique design. Available in white and black. Custom colors upon request.

Specifications: Model No. CL-1800, 18″ diameter, 8.5″ high with drain hole.

www.SpaPedicureSinks.com

Spa Style for Elmhurst Memorial Hospital

Michele — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:40:52 +0000

Our team of interior designers specializes in spa and medical spa design. One of our most rewarding projects was creating the spa-inspired environment for the newly opened Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Women’s Mammogram and Ultrasound department.

: Diagnostic waiting area is soothing & relaxing.

Our goal was to enhance the patient experience with spa-inspired interior design details that effectively promotes wellness, provides comfort and reduces patient anxiety while maintaining the highest level of standards for a professional clinical environment.

: Unexpected and special details decrease patient stress.

Through effective and strategic design each patient is cared for in a soothing, nurturing and comfortable environment where every detail was created to reduce stress, promote wellness and facilitate healing.

: Reading corner in women’s mammogram & ultrasound lounge area.

Our services included conceptual design and development, space planning, lighting design, color analysis, artwork and wall decor, detailed accessorizing, furniture selection, procurement and staging.

: Patient’s are offered cucumber and lemon-infused water.

Inspired by the spa industry, medical facilities are changing to be more calming and relaxing, one that postively effects how patients respond to treatments, connect to their environment and heal the mind, body and spirit.

For more information on “Spa Style for Health and Wellness” and our medical interior design consulting and procurement services please visit our website or contact us below.

www.MedispaDesign.com

1-866-990-7750

A Nod to Fall – Inspiration

Michele — Mon, 05 Sep 2011 16:55:28 +0000

With hints of fall in the air and mingling thoughts of the English countryside still on my mind, I want to soak up every bit of Tory Burch’s luxe fall fashion collection.

Smart, stylish and highly textural with layers of tweed, leather, shearling, knits and silk this yummy collection has inspired my relaxed yet luxurious spa escape to the Calcot Manor and Spa in Gloucestershire, England.

The Calcot Manor’s building dates back to the 14th century, is set over 220 acres and offers guests a relaxing and luxurious experience with modern amenities and tasteful decor.

This idyllic outdoor spa setting is a nod to crisp shorter days and calls for a slowed pace, thick plush robes and plans for a cozy relaxed evening by a warm fireplace.

A hot stone massage is definately in order!

The Calcot Manor and Spa is a welcoming country house with modern details and a twist on tradition.

Not unlike Tory’s fall collection. Classic and cool, sporty and feminine, it is a welcome embrace for the season.

My favorite time of year for all things fashion both for the interior and the closet! Get fall ready with layers upon layers: throws, pillows, candles…..

A deconstructed jacket perhaps?

http://www.toryburch.com/

The Hand and Foot Spa – Opening Event

Michele — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 16:34:14 +0000

After recently attending the grand opening and launch for The Hand & Foot Spa in London’s Chelsea, my feet and hands were happy even while jet lag set in. The exclusive event was filled with celebration, champagne, canapes, entertainment and plenty of hand and foot treatments! Adding to the excitement was seeing our completed design work and custom furniture, in collaboration with owner Donna Haar-Jorgensen’s vision, come to life.

: Owner Donna Haar-Jorgensen (left) celebrates with guests and friendly staff.

The vibe was cool and the scene was happening as everyone came together to welcome The Hand & Foot Spa’s third and flagship location into London’s Chelsea.

Custom bar stools at the Hand & Foot Spa are sleek and modern

Donna’s vision was a modern and stylish space that would enhance the ultimate experience in hand and foot care. The result is an environment that offers an unrivalled level of service, expert knowledge and the strictest standards of clinical hygiene while ensuring that guests leave feeling relaxed and pampered.

Our custom-made spa pedicure chairs deliver the ultimate in luxury foot care!

These beautiful spa pedicure chairs were created and engineered by our design team, made here in the USA and journeyed via truck, then train and then sea vessel to arrive on the shores of England. They apparently liked the trip!

What else made the voyage? Custom lounge seating, guest chairs, pedicure benches, pedi-tech stools, handbag trolleys, wall coverings, mosaic tile, custom drapery panels, accent pillows, a beverage dispenser and a scent machine!

The Hand & Foot Spa’s extensive menu of services offers everything from an express manicure to a luxurious 65 minute deep conditioning pedicure, podiatry, men’s services, nail enhancements and more.

The Orb warm oil and wax hand treatment was fabulous!

With the furniture and equipment now set in place and comfortable in their new home, the Hand and Foot Spa is a welcome place for guests to enjoy for years to come.

I’ve settled back into the warm summer weather of Chicago and thinking that I am ready for a pedicure once again.

Hmmm….maybe British Airways has a flight available tonight?

Wishing the Hand & Foot Spa success & best wishes for their new flagship location!

www.SpaInteriors.com

866-990-7750

LAUNCH: THE HAND AND FOOT SPA

Michele — Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:34:55 +0000

The newly-opened Hand and Foot Spa on the Fulham Road, presents American Girl with the perfect opportunity to redeem the less groomed amongst us.

via LAUNCH: THE HAND AND FOOT SPA.

Don’t Forget about the Men

thespadude — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 21:57:40 +0000

Just call me, “TheSpaDude”, (Scott is also o.k.). It is a pleasure to work with some of the most talented, and creative designers in the world! And being the lone male in the group, I feel like I have been hiding in the shadows for too long and would like to give some male perspective to the spa scene.

Of course, the spa industry is predominantly a female industry. Women mainly visit and operate day spas, but recently men have realized the benefits of going to spas as well. A few very simple and basic ideas/concepts will attract more male clients and keep them returning for more.

Having spa services specifically for the men will make them feel appreciated. For example, maybe you offer a facial treatment that targets problems associated from facial shaving.

Or have a “sports type” deep tissue massage that tired, achy, athletic muscles would love!

On the Design side, obviously if you are going with an ALL pink interior, don’t expect to attract many male clients. But if your spa does have a very ”girly” feel you might be able to attract more men by having an area that is at least gender neutral in design and color. You can never go wrong with natural, earthy colors/tones and or textures like some stone or slate. Throw in a couple really comfy leather chairs with a flat-screen TV and the men might never leave!

I think that’s enough for now, until next time! -”TheSpaDude”

Inspiring Artwork for the Spa

Dana — Mon, 09 May 2011 22:55:24 +0000

At Spa Style we’re always looking for new unique items to add to our offerings, and just recently we were lucky enough to be introduced to the inspiring artwork of Barbara Westfall. Barbara is an artist and curator who specializes in creating works of art that focus on the connection between art, people, and the natural environment. We feature her Reflections On Water Reliefs, handmade sculptures inspired by water, plants, and sunlight. To create these unique pieces Barbara layers acrylic paint, hundreds of layered fused glass pendants, and natural willow branches, resulting in luminous, textural, beautiful works of art.

Estuaries #1

Blue Ponds #2

Mangroves #1

To learn more about Barbara’s work and art, visit her webpage www.barbarawestfall.com.

Spa Spaces in the Great Outdoors

Dana — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:39:44 +0000

It’s mid April and although Spring officially began a few weeks ago, Chicago’s weather didn’t get the message. We woke up to snow this morning and it’s making me wish more and more for warm, sunny days and time spent outside. Here are some beautiful outdoor spa spaces to get my mind off our wintery morning, and to inspire your dream spa.

The Nusa Dua Westin Resort in Bali outdoor massage pagodas. The warm orange massage bedding really adds drama to this already beautiful space.

The Mykonos Grand in Greece at sunset.

This massage room at the Four Season Koh Samui in Thailand blends nature with their interior with tall open windows overlooking the forest. The combination leaves the space feeling private and warm, while still having the airiness of the outdoors.

I couldn’t help but share this beautiful outdoor bath at the Madikwe Hills Private Lodge in Africa. Kick back, relax, and wait for an elephant to stroll by!

Meditation space at the Blue Palace Elouda Spa in Crete, Greece.

I also had to share this amazing lounge area at the Blue Palace in Crete. Such a striking architectural space, you’ll feel like you’re sipping wine with the gods at this Grecian retreat.

Very Happy Spring!

Michele — Sun, 20 Mar 2011 17:02:41 +0000

Punchy colors and bold stripes are right on target for spring! Detox those darks and step into fresh and fun with my fashion inspiration for today’s spa interior!

Kate Spade's Spring Collection

The Fresh Hotel & Spa in Athens is multi-colored, sleek and light.

: Spring is clean! Murad’s Clean Scene skincare collection is bold and bright.

I don’t know about you but these happy colors have put me in a very good mood. Welcome to spring!