There's no greater tonic for soothing our spirits, than spending time outdoors in nature. We were meant to live in harmony with nature, so it makes sense that our interiors emulate our natural world, so that they become havens where we can relax and rejuvenate.

When it comes to creating your own sanctuary, the first thing I suggest is to imagine yourself in your favorite place in nature. Is it the beach, the woods, the mountains, a garden, a meadow? Wherever your imagination takes you, what feelings are evoked? What colors do you see?

Cool colors, the blues, greens and grays, cause a centripetal action which brings one into himself, promoting relaxation and introspection.

Green, for instance, is the most healing color of all. It falls in the middle of the spectrum, therefore it brings balance. It soothes and promotes mental endeavors. It's the color of most of nature, therefore it rejuvenates like no other color. As in nature, there's a wealth of greens to choose from and they all harmonize with each other. Although green is a color, it acts as a neutral as all other colors go with it. Green also brings out the luster in wood tones, which is why many antiques stores use it as a wall color. I often use it on woodwork as it pulls your eye out toward nature, creating a space that feels as if it's part of nature.

Blue, representative of the energy of water and sky, is also a great soother. However, the wrong shade of blue can be a sapper of energy. While a light, sky blue is very uplifting, a darker, more Wedgewood or Colonial Blue when used as a wall color, can be gloomy and depressing. Blue creates a calming effect and is the color of introspection, tranquility and serenity. While its influence on the physical is soothing and calming; it stimulates a spiritual force of upliftment. It is known to reduce inflammation and induce sleep; so it is ideal to use in the bedroom.

Brown typifies home and hearth. The color of living wood and the earth, it can be rich yet subtle-extraordinarily restful to look upon. Browns are known to be grounding and help make us feel safe, creating a feeling of stability, orderliness and a connection with the earth.

Yellow, the color of sunshine, stimulates hope, optimism, creativity and the intellect. Orange is an anti-depressant that promotes sociability, while red rooms stimulate passion. Before painting a room, always ask yourself, "How do I want to feel?" Then take your cue from nature.

The colors of childhood places, such as gardens and meadows, are impressions that often stay with us forever. However, sometimes nature close at hand is just too familiar to stimulate the imagination, which is why travel can be so reviving. The experience of seeing new landscapes under different conditions of light can change our whole perception of color. And after a time away, we often see the colors in our own landscapes with fresh eyes. Seasonal change also provides much of the same refreshing contrast.

One way to become acquainted with color is to create a scrapbook of favorite color swatches, scraps of fabric, ribbon, postcards, photographs from magazines--anything that inspires you. Many people will find that they are naturally attracted to a certain "family" of colors--rich earth tones, or a variety of pastels, for example. Others are drawn to a particular shade for a time, until a new color takes their fancy.

From observing and appreciating colors in all their richness and diversity, it is a short step to the endlessly fascinating exploration of "color combinations". The electric mixtures, where complementary colors "sing", or the compatible families, where each color supports the others, all have an important role to play in decoration.

Knowing which colors fall into a family that harmonizes naturally, which "vibrate", and why some combinations don't work at all, can be of enormous assistance and help to create a vibrant, exciting and original color scheme. Very fine adjustments can make the difference.

For instance, colors that work in harmony together, such as lighter or darker shades of the same color, are naturally comfortable to the eye, while more exciting and dynamic combinations make use of a pair of complementary but "opposite" colors, such as orange and blue. By using a fraction of a complementary color as a sharp accent, you can set up more vibrant effects, perhaps offset by an intermediary shade. Successful color combinations often depend on getting the proportions right. A touch of contrasting color is lively and refreshing: too much can be uncomfortable if blocks of vibrating color are competing for attention. So remember to take your cue from nature. Bright red, for instance, is a color you see in small doses in nature. When putting together your color scrapbook, be sure to include a color wheel and photos of landscapes for inspiration and guidance.

Bedrooms are like our cocoons. The room where we spend most of our time, both sleeping and relaxing. The color of the walls and ceiling play the biggest role in creating atmosphere.

If you want to create a loving, supportive, yet relaxing bedroom, use shades of pink, as pink is an emotional color, the color of love. It is also a muscle relaxant. You can enhance its therapeutic action by adding the color green.

If you wish to create a quiet, cool and peaceful bedroom, use predominantly blue or green with touches of pink or peach for warmth. Light sky blue induces sleep and has been shown to reduce inflamation, which is why I often use it in bedrooms--especially on ceilings.

Green, known as a physically healing color, is also a great bedroom color as it is relaxing and soothing, as well as rejuvenating.

Babies are still very connected to spiritual forces, which is why it is traditional to decorate their rooms in very soft pastel colors.

As children start to grow, they become increasingly interested in the world around them. Their curiosity and experimental learning can be aided by introducing primary and other bright colors. However, many children who have soft, quiet personalities may feel overwhelmed by bright colors and will withdraw into themselves. Older children may need to have quieter, calmer colors in their rooms to study and concentrate.

In our latter years, it's natural for our thoughts to turn towards spiritual matters, however, the elderly person also needs mental stimulation and a reason to get up in the morning. Therefore, variety in the colors of their environment can boost interest in the world and stimulate the mind, so using several different but harmonizing colors will help. Blue is the color of peace and links us to our intuition and higher self, while all forms of violet or purple reflect a desire to develop spiritually. Balance can be achieved through the use of yellow as it is a very optimistic, mental color.

One lighting scheme can create a warm, inviting room, while another can make the same space appear uninviting and cold. Recreating effects and sensations like a sunny day, candlelight or a fire's warm glow is what good lighting is all about.

While there is no one correct way to light a room, the more versatility and combination there is, the better. When planning your lighting scheme, first consider the function of the room and decide on the mood(s) you want to create. Also, take a look at your color scheme, since color either absorbs or reflects light. This helps determine the strength and amount of light required. Also make note of the amount of natural light in the room and its strength. Northern light exposures are cool in color, while Southern light exposures are warm in color.

There are three basic methods of lighting: Direct which is produced by most table and floor lamps. The light shines directly down on an object or limited area, giving off sharp shadows and strong contrasts of light and dark. Therefore, it's best to combine direct with other lighting for best results. Indirect lighting is produced by a light source that is hidden and is reflected back into the room, directed toward the ceiling, a cove, wall or other surface. It creates almost no shadows and is ideal for general illumination. However, when used alone, it can be flat and uninteresting. Semi-direct is a combination of the above two methods. This means a portion of the light shines directly on an object or surface, and a portion is reflected light. The best lighting is a combination of all three. Together they provide general illumination by reflection, but there's sufficient direct light to produce shadows for interest. There are no sharp contrasts that are fatiguing and there is enough direct light for specific activities such as reading.

When choosing lighting to obtain both the mood desired and comfort of vision, it's important to control the intensity, distribution and direction of light. Intensity depends on brightness of objects to be looked at and the color scheme. Darker objects and color schemes need more light. Light, pastel objects and color schemes need the least light. Distribution depends on the size of the room. When there is little contrast in colors, surfaces and objects, more light is needed. Direction is vital to avoid all shadows or all glare. This can create illusions of space or intimacy, affecting the mood or atmosphere of a room.

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?

Ask any Feng Shui consultant, and they will tell you that clearing clutter is the first and most important step toward turning your home into a sanctuary. Not only do our living spaces need room to breathe, but we need to get rid of the "old" to make room for the "new". There is no doubt that weeding out brings order to your life and visually enhances every area of your home. If you don't use it, love it or need it, toss it. Everything can be improved upon, and when we edit our possessions, we can then focus on creating order so that we highlight the objects that hold great meaning. Simply put, creating order enhances beauty, and creating beauty brings joy.

Start by going from room to room, observing what areas delight you and what places look cluttered. In a notebook, jot down the areas you'd like to work on. What do you want to see and what do you want to hide? Keep in mind that what others see is not necessarily more significant than what your own eyes see. When you consider how often you see the inside of a kitchen drawer or cabinet, for instance, you'll realize how important it is for you to have a working system to arrange and organize your things into categories. The ideal is to have "a place for everything and everything in its place". We all fall short of this goal, but we can heighten our pleasure in our domestic life by understanding the value of organization and how visually satisfying it is.

The idea of de-cluttering can seem so overwhelming, it can make you exhausted just thinking about it. However, it doesn't have to. Start small. Open up a drawer and ask yourself "what's wrong"? Empty it and sort through the accumulation of things. You'll be amazed how much energy you'll receive from cleaning out just one drawer. That one simple task will give you the energy to continue.

Repetition creates harmony. Put everything together that relates to form a grouping. Group matching sets together and sort items by size and pattern. Look at the area and imagine you are creating a still life. In other words, decorate the inside of your closets and cabinets! Don't forget the inside of the refrigerator. It can also be pretty. In addition to organizing and grouping food and condiments, consider putting a bowl of oranges or apples on one of the shelves. Imagine how delightful it would be to open the door to a small vase of flowers? When you open up a cabinet and see beauty, it elevates your life to a new level. You are one step closer to living in the

Our home, like us, needs to breathe. Fresh air and natural light must flow freely through the home if the occupants are to enjoy abundant energy and good health. The natural energies created by our environment highly influence the way we feel. Fresh air, for instance, can make us feel fresh, sparkling and energetic as air is the primary source of life energy.

Research has shown that using only air-conditioning or central heating in your home can make it ion-depleted. The result is tiredness, irritability, and loss of mental and physical efficiency.

Electrical appliances like televisions, microwave ovens, hair dryers and refrigerators all emit hazardous pollutants that also contribute ion depletion. If you don't have the luxury of opening your windows to a vista of the countryside, and you don't want to buy an ionizer, quartz crystals contain silicon dioxide which imbues them with pyro-electrical qualities, so that they emit electrical impulses, giving the crystal the capacity to absorb, store and release vibrations. A crystal is also able to restore balance between positive and negative charges.

Himalayan sea salt crystals are also great for ionizing and purifying. Salt Crystal Lamps and Candles when heated, create a higher surface temperature than the surrounding air. This attracts the water molecules in the cooler surrounding air, causing a natural ionization that creates a pure natural energy vibration.

Electrical disturbances from seemingly harmless things like radios, alarm clocks, bedside lights and televisions can also distort the natural electromagnetic field in your home. One way to check this is by using a good compass. Turn it until the needle lies directly north and move it slowly over the area in question. As the compass approaches an area of disturbance, the needle will swing away from the north position. Since it's sometimes difficult to hold the compass steady, try using it over a small area like a bed, chair or sofa, passing it over the area a number of times from different directions to ensure accuracy when pinpointing a disturbance. Move any furniture which is used for any length of time (like a bed, sofa or favorite chair) away from this area or place an insulating blanket or piece of wool carpet under the piece of furniture. Avoid electric blankets, clock radios and alarm clocks and turn off the television at the wall socket if it is in your bedroom.

Did you know that our personalities also resonate as a color? It's amazing to me how everything is so interconnected. Based upon the theories of Pythagoras, the sixth century Greek philosopher, we acknowledge the vibratory relationships between numbers, colors and our alphabet. By studying our name through color-number analysis, we have a means by which we can learn about the energies predominant in us.

From the "number-colors" of our own being, we can discover the color vibration our name carries. Below are the numbers and letters which correspond to each color:

1 RED A J S
2 ORANGE B K T
3 YELLOW C L U
4 GREEN D M V
5 BLUE E N W
6 INDIGO F O X
7 VIOLET G P Y
8 ROSE H Q Z
9 GOLD I R

To find out which color energy is predominant in you, take each letter in your name, find its corresponding number and then add all of the numbers together, reducing them down to a single digit. Here's my name as an example:

E L L E N K E N N O N
5 3 3 5 5 2 5 5 5 6 5 =
49 (4+9) = 13 (1+3) = 4 which is Green! How can that be when my aura is golden yellow? Could it be because Kennon is my married name? Hmmm. . .

What color are you?

I've read countless articles and books in my quest to learn how to live in the moment. I'm still far from being an expert, but I can save you some time by sharing my condensed version.To be in the moment, is to be fully present, fully aware. The now includes not just the chair you sit in, and the room you are in, but also everything that is happening in your life. As we sit in the moment, we are not leaking our energy into the past or the future. Our energy is fully contained in the moment. When you are living in the now, you are like a magnet, magically attracting all of the appropriate things to you.

Here are a couple of very easy, yet powerful tools for living in the now. The first is "breathing". Simply take the time to breathe deeply and fully. Shallow, rapid breathing creates anxiety. Deep breathing enables us to pause long enough for our body to come back into its natural alignment. Sitting in the moment, breathing, our emotions come back into balance. Then, it becomes easier to take the next step of "feeling".Feeling allows you to embrace life. Opening to your feelings allows you to enjoy the simple things . . humor. . . food. . . beauty. . . all of the gifts of life. Wisdom doesn't come from the brain. It comes from our feelings. Once we really get in touch with our feelings, then we discover what truly makes us happy. If you go into your feelings, into your heart, then your brain will handle the details of your day-to-day life.

Your emotions are the conduit between your higher self and your physical being, which is why we feel emotions every time we perceive beauty. True beauty can only be experienced in the moment of now, as it is the only part of linear time that is not illusion. Time spent in creating or appreciating beauty rejuvenates the spirit. When you take in beauty in any form, your emotions are activated and stirred, as true beauty cannot be seen; it can only be felt. When you feel the beauty in any situation, allow yourself to fully experience the passion of the expression of beauty as it flows through you. Then bask in the balance and the experience of the moment. Find the beauty in every moment and in all things that you experience, and all the unimportant things will fade from view.

Ellen Kennon's Full Spectrum Paints are blended from pigments that correlate with the seven hues of natural sunlight, thus reflecting a broader range of light than ordinary paints. Chameleon-like in their ability to pick up colors from adjacent materials and change character as the light changes, they coordinate more easily with the colors and furnishings around them. Unlike standard paints which use only 2-3 pigments, including black, they don't turn muddy or lose their character in low light conditions.

"The general reaction is WOW! . . . One contractor I work with refers to them as my 'magic paint colors,' which always makes me smile."

-Richard Morrison, AIA, ASID in his article "Color Magic", Home + Garden Design, Palo Alto Weekly

Ellen's paints have also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Southern Accents Magazine, Interior Design Magazine, Renovation Style Magazine, Home Living Connecticut, Palm Beach Cottage & Gardens Magazine, The Times Picayune and The Advocate, as well as in numerous home decorating forums on the internet, including The Garden Web and HGTV websites. Ellen's philosophy on color therapy is quoted alongside Johann Wolfgang von Geothe in the critically acclaimed book, Chasing Matisse, by James Morgan.

Ellen's complex formulas are mixed by ICI Paints who has over 470 stores nationwide. Once you order the paint from Ellen's office in St. Francisville, Louisiana, she faxes your local ICI store her special formulas so they can mix the paint and have it ready locally. Ellen uses ICI's highest quality low VOC paints, including the award-winning Lifemaster VOC-free "green" paint, which is certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

"New York designer Marc Charbonnet often turns to ellenkennon.com, a small paint maker who he says 'can match anything. . . and she always comes through'."

-Quoted from "Decorators Name Names" article in The Wall Street Journal

Included in the price of Ellen's paints is a FREE Color Consultation via telephone with Ellen!

There are several different color palettes:
-NATURES PALETTE
-ETHEREAL MISTS
-COASTAL COLORS
-MAGICAL GEMS