By Pat Allin

Your surroundings contribute greatly to your sense of well-being. While architecture forms the framework, interior design sets the mood. The home you return to at the end of a busy day should provide a healthy, stress-free environment. It should give you a sense of comfort and protection: of refuge.

"Harmony in our surroundings is no mere luxury," says Christopher Day in Places of the Soul. "Our surroundings are the framework which subtly confine, organize and color our daily lives. Harmonious surroundings provide support for outer social and inner personal harmony."

Your home should nurture you and the members of your family. I'm talking about private space-the place to which you can retreat when you need peace and quiet. Finding the right mix of common and private spaces in your home is essential to both adults and children.

We can all agree that rooms are enhanced by color, light, furniture, plants and decorative objects. Take time to enrich a space so that it will reward you. Participating in its creation will deepen its meaning for you.

Everyone's perception of beauty and serenity is a little different. The key is to know yourself well enough to identify what you consider beautiful. Often, the interior designer's job is to help you find or recognize what you need. Together, using the elements and principles of design, you can improve your surroundings and feel more connected to your home.

Keep in mind the emotional atmosphere you would like to have: what kinds of spaces make you feel reassured and comforted. Thinking of rooms where you were happy brings that happiness back to you. You can create a feeling of sanctuary even if it is just in the corner of one room.

Consider the colors you choose. What is the mood you want to create in the room? Would you prefer something cool and soothing. like blues and greens? Or, would you like something warm and cozy in the gold or red tones? Use color to create harmony and balance. Avoid strong contrasts if you are looking for a relaxing atmosphere.

Consider the light in the room. We enjoy the interplay of light-hues and shadows created by windows on two sides of a room. If reading is one of the activities that relaxes you, be sure to have a good reading lamp. If you will be meditating, create softer lighting with small lamps and candles.

Think about texture. Consider adding some luxurious fabrics-even just a pillow-or a beautiful rug on the floor. Use them for emphasis to distinguish a special space. Personal mementos or natural objects such as stones or shells can create a relaxing table-top still life. Add some green plants or cut flowers.

Views offer a quality of peacefulness and serenity that helps you get a perspective on things. If you don't have a view, create an outside view with your landscaping or an inside view with a painting or photograph on the wall.

By making sure your home provides you with comfortable, nurturing space, you will create a balance in your busy life and feel revived.

Published in The Monitor, Montrose, CO. Copyright © 2005 by Pat Allin