A Nod to Fall – Inspiration

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/

 

Don’t Forget about the Men

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

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 http://www.barbarawestfall.com.

 

Spa Flooring Trends – Luxury Vinyl

I can’t help it… I am a huge fan of luxury vinyl flooring for spas and salons.  It’s my all time favorite go-to flooring  product when I am creating a salon and spa environment.   The reasons are simple:  exceptional peformance and beauty.

A high quality luxury vinyl is quiet and comfortable to walk on.  It doesn’ t chip, crack, splinter or fade.  It is impervious to water and highly resistant to tints, bleaches and perms.  It is mildew and odor resistant, easy to install and easy to maintain.   Need I say more?   Check out Amtico brand’s awesome products (my fav):

Bamboo

You can use a luxury vinyl floor in the retail/reception area, treatment room, hallway and lounge area because of the exceptional performance these products offer.

Luxury vinyl flooring is available in an amazing amount of colors and collections from classic to contemporary with varying finishes and textures.

Another benefit?  Amtico brand’s flooring products are sustainable and are an eco-friendly choice for a “green” interior.

The wood vinyls are very authentic looking and come in a huge variety of wood types from Wenge to Oak.  This treatment room features a luxury vinyl maple flooring product. 

So check it out!   www.Amtico.com

 

Merchandising 101

Looking to boost your spa’s retail sales this year?  Below are some great ideas to get your customers buzzed about your products!

Endulge Spa Retail

Educate your best salespeople – your technicians!  Your aestheticians and therapists will have the most interaction with your clients, so keep them updated with knowledge about the products you carry so they can make proper reccomendations.  Many companies offer ongoing education and lunch presentations about their products.  Contact your local reps and vendors to see what they can do to help keep you up-to-date!

Bliss57 Retail

Light it up!  Great lighting in your retail area is truly important.  Keep this area bright and highlighted so that your customers will be naturally drawn to your retail area.  Add spot lights to highlight specific products, and even in-cabinet lighting to really make your products stand out.

Spa Magnolia British Columbia, Canada

Keep your displays neat & updated.  If you have regular clients coming in for treatments once a month, you want to have your displays refreshed each time they stop in.  Switch up which products you feature each month, rotate where your brands are placed, and keep it fresh by updating your signage regularly.  Have your staff pull products on the shelves forward and straighten throughout the day to keep it neat and organized.  Don’t be afraid to mix and match your products to create interesting, eye catching displays!

Spa Botany

Offer samples to your clients.  Talk to the representatives of the brands you carry to see if they offer any free samples for you to hand out.  Your customers will be more likely to come back and buy some more if they have the chance to try the product and fall in love with it!

Blissful MedSpa

Don’t overcrowd your displays.  In retail, less is more.  Creating a visually clean and uncluttered look will keep your retail area looking fresh.  Have too much stock for your shelves?  Find a place to store it until you need it!  Remember – uncluttered does not equal boring!  Create dynamic merchandise displays by pairing items with a shared theme.  For example, group items of similar shape, with a common color, or even with a similar texture or graphics.

 

H2T Retail

Make your retail area a reflection of your brand.  This is especially important if you are marketing your own brand of products.  By creating a retail environment that encompasses your company’s look and feel, your retail will instantly become a focal point in your business.

 

Feel free to share your tips and ideas!  We love to hear from our readers!

 

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from all of us at Spa Style!  

Masahiro Miyasaka

Wishing you joy, peace, and prosperity in the New Year!

Michele, Valerie, Georgia, Scott, Amy, and Dana

 

Get the Scoop on Color in your Spa!

Color is one of the most powerful tools we can use to set the mood of our interiors.  It can affect our senses so gently that we hardly perceive it, or hit us so hard that it takes our breath away.  So much of what we comprehend is achieved through sight, and powerful memories can be made through the use of light and color.  The easiest way to transform your spa’s interior is to buy a can of paint or add a pop of color through accessories.  Below you can learn about how different hues affect our moods and senses.

I’ve also put together some great Benjamin Moore paint selections you can use to transform your space.  Enjoy!

Indigo & Sky

Mario Tricoci Spa Pedicure

Blue is well known as a color that soothes tension and relaxes the mind.  It brings to mind the airiness of a clear blue sky, or the expansive and deep oceans.  It can also suppress the appetite (To those of you on a diet: Eating from a blue plate can help you eat less!), and fuel artistic expression.   Blue can help slow people’s heart rate and increase concentration.  It can also make a room feel too cold, so be sure to accent this watery hue with warmer tones.  This color is also said to enhance communication, reduce anxiety, and help provide restful sleep.  It’s a good color to use in treatment rooms & pedicure areas to calm your guests and help them feels at ease.

Plums & Purples

Waka Di Ume Resort Meditation Room

Light purple tones and lavender are known to enhance spirituality and wisdom.  It’s also a very feminine color, and is known to reduce stress.  Deeper hues of purple are associated with royalty and creativity – it’s even been said to make people more arrogant!  Use deep purples as an accent in your spa’s relaxation areas to make your guests feel like royalty!  Lighter tones of lavender and lilac provide a serene atmosphere in meditation areas & the yoga studio.

Sage & Moss

The Herborist Spa

Green hues are said to be calming and soothing IF you choose the right shade.  Bright lime green, for example, can be cold an unwelcoming when it’s not used sparingly or in the right application.  Soft and warm green can create a calm and restful atmosphere – just imagine  a walk in a lush forest.  This color is also linked to harmony & balance.  Use throughout your spa’s interior to add a peaceful feeling.  Using natural materials like moss in your retail displays will draw your customers eye & add a pop of natural green without being overwhelming

Sunshine & Chartreuse

Markus Oliver Spa Reception

Only the boldest of the bold can handle a bright yellow room!  This color is linked with happiness, energy, and warmth, but too much can cause irritability and has been said to worsen some medical conditions  (Check out the book “The Yellow Wallpaper” by Charlotte Perkins Gilman for a story about too much yellow).  In small doses this color can add that little touch of sunshine that we all need every once in awhile.  Use within a pattern or in thoughtful accents to lift  spirits and energize a room.  Some well placed yellow accents in retail area signage will really  grab your customer’s attention.

Petals & Perfume

Fuschia Spa & Hotel Bel Ami Cafe'

Oh pink, you’re so girly!  I have to admit that pink is one of my favorite colors – it comes in so many hues and variations from peachy to bold and fearless fuchsia!   It also adds its own unique warmth and comfort to a room.  While pink is mainly associated with all things feminine it also offers stability, reassurance (think: Mom), and romance.  It also curtails aggression and provides a cozy sense of calm.

Fire & Spice

Gary Charles Salon and Spa

Bold and boastful red can easily overwhelm a room.  This color has been know to increase the heart beat, increase energy, and therefore cause aggression.  It also helps increase your circulation, willpower, and even your libido.  Adding some red in the right place can add energy and warmth to your room.   It also encourages people to eat more and socialize, perfect for a bustling spa cafe or as an accent in your spa’s party room.

Citrus & Nectar

Neroli Day Spa Makeup Bar

Orange tones are often associated with joy and optimism, and can help to combat depression.   Beware of using to much of this sunny hue, though – an overdose of orange is said to cause pessimism and drowsiness.  This tone is linked to warmth, stability, and reassurance.  Some say it even aids in digestion.  Use it in areas where you’d like people to buy and go – your storefront spa cafe, spa makeup area, or in accents in your retail checkout area.

Cotton & Clouds

Hotel Bel Ami Treatment Room

White embodies ideas of purity, cleanliness, and serenity.  White rooms layered with lots of texture can be some of the most comforting and calming spaces.  It provides a great, clean backdrop for displaying merchandise with bright colors, and give a pure sense of cleanliness to your spa rooms.  If your lighting is too bright or your space doesn’t have texture, white rooms can easily become too sterile and bright if proper lighting and layering isn’t introduces.  Make it work for you by adding hints of your favorite colors throughout and utilizing architectural details in your interior.

Cashmere & Chocolate

The Peninsula Spa Manhattan Tea Lounge

Neutrals & browns ground your space and provide stability & security, much like the strong and mighty oak.  Introduce brown tones to your relaxation areas through the use of natural wood, warm toned fabrics, and grassy textures.  Brown is also a great color to balance green, blue, and lavender hues and bring these dreamy tones back down to earth.

Charcoal & Twilight

Panpuri Spa Treatment Room

Sophisticated, sultry, and moody!  Black is best used as an accent color, and is another great shade to help you bring depth and drama to your space.  Use matte black shelves to make light, bright art pieces and retail stand out, or add a black table to your lounge to add depth.  Black can easily become dark and dreary and make a room feel closed in, but with the right layering of texture and color a black room can make a dramatic, memorable statement.

For more on spa design:  Click Here

 

Simply Stunning Mani’s and Pedi’s

 

It’s the high season for nail salons!  Make your nail spa stand out from the pack with unique finishes and fixtures.   Check out some of our favorite inspirational spaces below!

Charles Worthington Manicure Area

Sleek stainless steel counters are easy to take care of and make this manicure area super modern.  Make your nail polish a focal point with a glowing back-lit panel.  Mirrors help to make this small space feel open.   A tall vase with green grass keeps it fresh.

Le Creme Spa Manicure Polish Display

This quirky shabby chic nail spa uses a long table to display their nail polish.   White washed walls and a sky blue floor leave this room feeling open and airy.

The Intercontinental Spa San Francisco

The Intercontinental combined light woods, glimmering glass tiles, and clean white in their San Francisco spa.  The result is cool and clean but still comfy cozy.

Mandara Spa Pedicure Lounge

Don’t have alot of space for your pedicure area?

Turn any corner into a mini retreat with portable pedicure bowls and a comfy lounge chair.

Sophie Pedicure

Add some glam to your nail salon with a customized pedicure unit! 

www.SpaPedicureBowls.com

 

Get the Look: Resort Collection

Palm trees swaying in the breeze, waves crashing on the beach, the sun warm on your skin…. there’s nothing quite like a tropical vacation!   Why not recreate the feel of the island life and give your spa-goers a mini-vacation each time they visit?

Our Inspiration:

Angsana Spa of Cape Town, South Africa

Couple's Spa Room at Angsana Spa

Reception Area and Retail

Glow I, Glow II, & Glow III

Get the look with tropical-paradise-inspired artwork.  The Glow series is reminiscent of sunlight filtered through lush banana leaves.

Udon Guest Chair

The Udon woven wood guest chair has a beautiful Wenge wood finish.  It’s also a commercial grade furniture piece made to stand the test of time.

Display Tables

Show off your favorite spa products for your guests to bring home with stacking display tables.  Coconut sugar scrub anyone?

Waran Lounger

Bring the feeling of a luxury resort anywhere in the world with seating made of natural materials like rattan and deep-hued woods.  Make cleaning easy with removable, washable cotton seat covers.

Pietra Borgogna Porcelain Tile

Stone flooring is synonymous with tropical locales, so get the feeling of cool tile under your feet with durable porcelain.  You don’t have to worry about staining or cracking, and full color body porcelain makes accidental scratches and chips barely noticeable.

Antigua Treatment Table

Make your clients and therapists happy with this multifunction spa table.  It’s not just pretty to look at!  This table is a fully functional workhorse with super quiet hydraulic lifting,  space for a hot towel cabinet, built-in electrical, and an electric flex top.

Spa Linens

Carry your spa’s theme into your treatment room with soft spa linens.  Be creative with your spa tables – add a tray with a fresh flower and an artful arrangement of tea, a bamboo mat with rolled towels, or a beautiful fabric saddle in an accent fabric.  Anything to make your clients feel welcome and comforted!

 

Get the Look: Pure Zen

Our Inspiration:  The Chi Spa at the Pudong Shangri-La in Shanghai

Couple's Treatment Room at The Chi Spa

This earthy modern zen look is created using natural wood tones with a palette of warm neutrals.  A bolder accent wall in deep, textured red and rich treatment table linens add a hint of color.

Spa Hall of The Chi Spa Pudong Shangri-La Shanghai

The hall of The Chi Spa with it’s quiet, understated beauty, was created through the use of architectural elements and spectacular lighting design.

Bantal Floor Lamps

Set the mood with natural bamboo floor lamps with softly illuminated shades.

Wen Lounge Chair

A modern take on a zen-style chair.

Kyoto Glazed Abaca Natural Wallcovering

Grasscloth Wallcovering

Add texture and warmth with natural grasscloth wallcoverings.

 

Merbau Luxury Vinyl Flooring

Create the look of an exotic wood floor without the cost or maintenance.  Amtico vinyl floor is soft underfoot, easy to clean, and made for years of high traffic use.

Bamboo Reed Diffuser with Ciela Frangrance

The Ciela fragrance features subtle and earthy notes of bergamot,  green tea, and pockwood.

Antigua Treatment Table

Pamper your guests with the Antigua spa treatment table.  It has plenty of storage and a fully adjustable top.

Tranquil Afternoon Artwork

Textural modern artwork framed with dark, exotic wood frames complete the room.

More on Spa Design:  Click Here