If you are like many of today’s women (and men!), you’ve undoubtedly questioned the ambiance and overall mood of many spas–the cloying whale sounds, the questioning flute music, the clinical treatment rooms, the hushed tones. Sure, you keep going because it’s hard to live without those treatments, but perhaps you leave wanting something more…something different.

SpaDelic owner Kelly Kirby felt exactly the same way. That’s why, in December 2007, this self-proclaimed spa and product junkie found herself dreaming of a different kind of day spa–one simply better. Going through a transitional period in her life, Kirby decided it was the perfect time to do something for herself. It was time to make her “perfect dream spa” a reality. Having spent most of her adult life in marketing, Kirby utilized her creativity and went to work. In only eight short months, she went from concept to business plan to build-out to grand opening.

In many ways, Kirby considers herself a “modern-day hippie” and her free-spirited nature is expressed throughout the spa. The walls are electric hues of green, pink and orange highlighted by disco-inspired light fixtures, swirl patterns and geometric shapes. Not a single detail was overlooked as Kirby brought her energetic, lively concept to life: Trash cans are pink and tile grout is dyed orange! The music also plays a huge role. Each treatment room is equipped with an iPod docking station so clients can either bring their own tunes (whales be gone!) or request a playlist. On any given day, Joni Mitchell or The Who can be heard playing in the reception area, along with an up-and-coming artist of the month whose CDs are available to purchase. And, for artists whose tours stop through Atlanta, SpaDelic holds a drawing for a concert ticket giveaway.

A butterfly is a prominent part of the SpaDelic logo and appears throughout the spa. The imagery is important to Kirby, who says, “For me, designing this concept and creating SpaDelic from the ground up has given me new life. It’s like a butterfly’s metamorphosis. I believe that many women are in need of a similar change, and my spa is a place where they can find that renewing experience.”

Healthy living is important to Kirby, who is an avid tennis player and eats only organic foods. Thus, the treatments at SpaDelic have been created in conjunction with Naturopathic Holistic Skin Care to reflect the healthy lifestyle ideals by which she lives. The spa’s full-time esthetician, Amy Northcutt, has been Kirby’s personal skin goddess for years, and Kirby considers her the best in town. One reason for this claim is because, as she performs treatments, Northcutt is careful to explain the healing properties of product ingredients so clients know exactly what is being used on their skin–and the purpose it serves.

As a beauty product fanatic, Kirby had high standards for the retail section of the spa. And while it may not be expansive, it is substantial and includes lines such as Naturophatic, Dermalogica Skin Care and The Lip Scrub by Sara Happ. SpaDelic is also the only retailer in the state of Georgia to carry ModelCo, an Australian brand by which many celebrities swear. “I simply can’t live without their airbrush tanning products,” Kirby says. “So even though it is very difficult to become one of their retailers in the States, I knew my spa had to carry the line.” She also sells unique jewelry pieces from designers Gozde Yilmaz, Adina Reyter, Baroni Designs and Holly Firfer.

Kirby also has brought another cause near to her heart into the spa. The much-publicized abduction and murder of Auburn University student Lauren Burk earlier this year was heard with horror by everyone, but was sadly personal for Kirby: Burk was her daughter’s best friend. In honor of her memory, SpaDelic is a partner with Invisible Children, a Burk-supported charity that draws attention to war-torn Uganda. SpaDelic regularly hosts events for the charity and is Georgia’s exclusive retailer to sell bracelets from its Bracelet Campaign.

Described by those closest to her as passionate and constantly positive, Kirby says, “My personal motto is a quote by author J.M. Barrie: ‘Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.’” SpaDelic certainly has made Atlanta’s spa scene a whole lot brighter!