What a Workout Space!

How's this for a New Year's resolution: your very own exercise room that's super fit with style.

If you have a spare bedroom, you can create a fun fitness space in a lot less time than it takes to get abs of steel. No fluorescent lights or gray walls here! A patterned paper on one wall makes a pretty focal point. Here's our take: a Cole & Son paisley paper from Lee Jofa (www.leejofa.com). Use a complementary paint color on the other walls and a second shade on the ceiling. Our walls are Compatible Cream from Sherwin-Williams; the ceiling is Soft Pumpkin from Benjamin Moore.

Tall mirrors are important-how else can you perfect your downward dog? Frame inexpensive back-of-door mirrors with molding and paint them with a pearl metallic paint.

Words of Encouragement

Need more motivation? Put it right on your walls with rub-on decals, available in several fonts and colors. Find some at Uppercase Living (www. uppercaseliving.com).

Lighten Up

Don't forget that you'll need something sparkly to look at while doing those crunches. This capiz shell chandelier by Shades of Light (www. shadesoflight.com) provides a glitzy touch to a hardworking space.

Better for the Environment

Take a break in a chair from Ultimate Nourishment (www.ultimate-weightproducts.com). The Natural Seagrass Meditation Chair is all natural and scaled to fit in a tight space. Jute, cork, and natural rubber and leather mats get points for eco-friendly flair. You can also find organic cotton towels with low-impact dyes at Gaiam (www. gaiam.com).

In-Shape Stations

Create zones for different exercises. Keep the center of the floor open for yoga and aerobics, and arrange machines against walls. Use large clear acrylic cylinders to store your gear; we found these at Pier 1 (www. pierl.com.) -KIKI TITTERUD

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jan 2008
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