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Date-Ready Design
3 Steps to a Romantic Domain
By HGTV's Krista Watterworth
Fall 2007

Your living space says a lot about you to a date or partner. Krista Watterworth, Designer and Host of HGTV’s Save My Bath gives expert tips for preparing your home for a new romance.

Dreamy Romance Begins in Your Home
Seeking a "dreamy" romance? The first step toward a healthy, happy relationship is to ensure you are healthy and happy, yourself. Your home’s condition directly influences your stress level and emotional well-being. It should also reflect the best of who you are, inspire you, encourage relaxation and comfort both yourself and your dreamy date.

1. Start by creating an inspiration room - a place where you escape to feel good about yourself, your life and your surroundings. When you are relaxed, you are naturally a more attractive, giving mate. 
     
   Inspiration rooms should have elements that positively affect the five senses. This space should provide a relaxing end to a stressful day or a rejuvenating jaunt into another state-of-mind.
     
   For the sense of smell, try lavender incense. It is often used as a homeopathic remedy for anxiety.
     
   A tabletop water fountain or relaxing music provides a soothing sound for your ears.
     
   Tactile fabrics such as silk, cotton, or cashmere for blankets, pillows and upholstery provide a welcoming texture.
     
   Cool blues and greens are settling and peaceful for your eyes, while ornaments such as Buddhas evoke feelings of hope and safety. A framed photo of your favorite place to travel encourages relaxation.
     
   A pitcher filled with filtered water, organic mints or even peppermint tea will please your sense of taste.
   
   
    

2. Get rid of clutter and get organized. It not only looks better but you will find things more easily and quickly. Clutter equals stress and decreased productivity for you. It also feels chaotic and unwelcoming to your guests.

   One of my favorite projects was to create homemade storage boxes. I began saving boxes from holidays and deliveries. I collected decorative papers, stationary, wrapping paper, and interesting looking art magazines. I put together all the papers with a similar color scheme and complimentary patterns, and voila! - instant designer storage boxes! I labeled each one and I can now store items in open shelves, on tabletops, and counters by using my gorgeous new boxes. Everything is in its place and there’s a place for everything!
     

3. Transform your bedroom into your sanctuary. After all, it is the most intimate room in your home (next to the bathroom).

   Remove, cover or store all your electrical equipment - or better yet, don’t have any. This room has the greatest effect on your health and well-being because sleep and romance are essential to a balanced life. Electrical items create a conflict of energy, and your bedroom should nurture your soul and feel inviting to both you and your partner.

Your home should provide inspiration, energy and relaxation. It should reflect positive notions of your sense of self, soften your edges as well as resonate with your sense of style. It’s easier than you think to create your very own dreamy, romance-ready home!

Television personality Krista Watterworth is the energetic host and designer of HGTV’s hit show Save My Bath, now in its fourth season. She has helped transform over 52 of America’s ugliest bathrooms into contemporary, functional and beautiful spaces. She is also founder and lead designer of Urboeclectic Design (www.urboeclectic.com) and co-founder of Inspired Urban Spaces (www.inspiredurbanspaces.com).  She was recently featured on HGTV’s You Should Live Here, Kitchens and Baths 2007, Ultimate Bathrooms, as well as 25 Biggest Decorating Mistakes, and has had guest starring roles on As the World Turns (CBS) and All My Children (ABC).

Related Stories: 

• Snoop-Proof Your Bathroom

• 9 Deal-Breaking Design Mistakes

• Fashion Forecast for Your Home (Fall 2007)

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