Summer is a good time to let your shoulders fall. In interior spaces, that means turning an eye to elements of design that impart a feeling of tranquility.  

One of the first things to consider is colour. According to interior designer Lucie Pitt of Versa Style Design, there is proof that certain colours calm us while others don’t. “If there is too much yellow, red or orange, it’s overwhelming. On the other side of the colour wheel are the greens, blues and lavenders. It’s colours like blue that lower the heartrate and breathing, whereas greens and lavenders create a sense of calm,” she says. There’s a reason why they use those colours in yoga studios, she says, adding that they can be combined with neutrals such as greys, taupe, and beige for a deeply calming, spa-like effect.