A home needs to reflect a serene setting

Canadians’ preferences when it comes to home décor are clear. They prefer that their home environments reflect a calm, soft, neutral and serene setting, or most commonly referred today as the ‘ Spa phenomenon’.

The Spa phenomenon is developing into one of the most dominant trends in today’s society. Spa means much more than an aspiration for well-being and inner balance. It is part of a relaxation philosophy and a profound desire for better living for a growing number of stressed-out city dwellers faced with today’s troubling world. Characterized by a soothing ambiance in a luxurious but sober décor, Spa puts the emphasis on tranquility, comfort, calm, softness, neutrality and serenity.

According to Dominique Pépin, Senior Brand Manager at a major paint manufacturer and a member of the Color Marketing Group, for many people, ‘ home’ has become a refuge against the never-ending assault of an outer world in conflict. “People are looking for bunkering and favour a palette of colours composed of pale and quiet tones.”

Confirming this belief is a recent poll that reveals two-thirds of Canadians mostly prefer “serene colours, such as neutral and soft colours,” when it comes to choosing paint colours for their homes. The study, conducted for Sico Paints, also indicates that the propensity to prefer serene colours increases with age.

According to Pépin, today’s emerging colours perfectly reflect the Spa phenomenon, they are quiet, soothing, enveloping; they create a space for relaxation, peace and serenity to counterbalance the supercharged pace of modern living.

Spa, an acronym derived from the Latin phrase Sanitus per aqua, or health through water, is the element that comes through in current-emerging paint colours.