Essential Elements for a Beautiful Stage or Design.

Recently I took a dance class called From Practice to Professional Presentation with professional dancer and instructor Helia Bandeh.

This class discussed essential elements to create a beautiful stage or background to highlight your dance performance on a stage or video. She discussed decor, lighting, and costumes.

So many things related to creating your perfect space with Interior Design! This article focuses on decor.

Some critical factors related to set decoration included:

• • • The dancer is part of the stage environment.  There needs to be a visual balance between the dancer and the background. Consider how the dancer looks compared to the background based on the colors she is wearing, how large or small she appears compared to the background, or how interesting she might be in context. For example, if you are dancing in front of the Taj Mahal, will people be looking at you or the building?
    • Eliminate visual disparity between the dance and the background. For example, don’t perform a dance about a love story in a Catholic Church with the cross behind the dancer. A background in nature would be more appropriate.
    • Interactive elements in the decor add dimension to the performance (such as a chair or flowers). 
    • Removing distracting elements is more important than adding supporting elements. If you are doing a Persian dance on a stage filled with chords, speakers, signs, and more, adding some Persian decorations only makes it worse, not better. It is essential to neutralize the stage and removing unneeded things first, then add decoration if it highlights the dance. Otherwise, the audience looks at everything, not just the dancer, and in essence, sees nothing but distractions.

For example, above, we are performing an Azeri Drum Dance. The room is brightly lit. The stage decor is permanently set up with a design specific to the Alaska Shriners. The background also has flags and other decorative items unrelated to the dance we are doing. The background colors do not go with our costumes and the lights do not highlight the dancers.

While the stage itself is pretty, there are a lot of distracting elements for the audience to look at that have nothing to do with, and do not enhance the dance performance.

By contrast, below I am performing a Qashqai scarf dance on a beautiful stage that perfectly shows off my dance, costume, and the scarves with it’s simplicity, colors and lighting.

How Does This Relate to Interior Design?

All these things relate, but in particular, this is key to creating a beautiful room.

• Removing distracting elements is more important than adding supporting elements.

The more time goes by,  I realize the connections between all things artistic. The same principles apply to making the magic happen in Interior Design or any other art form. You just need to open your eyes, listen, and feel it to notice.

It always seems to come back to the alignment between art (creativity), science (color), and energy (connection) that makes the magic happen. I use this alignment to create both beautiful dance pieces and interiors.

Creating a Magical Stage

Let’s look at the three elements in stage design that help create a beautiful performance and see how they relate to that room you are designing.

We are Part of the Design

We are part of the design of our rooms and need to consider how we look and feel within them.

 For example, if navy blue makes me look old when I wear it, but I look beautiful in turquoise, I will not design my living room with navy blue because I will not look good surrounded by that color. And if I don’t look good, I will not feel good in the room.

Think about how you will look and feel in the room. After all, when you are in it, you will be the star of that show.

Eliminate Visual Disparity

Eliminating visual disparity is important. What is your personality and story? Are you being true to it and does it fit with the architecture of the building?

For example, are you a maximalist that loves to be surrounded by lots of things and color, creating that style in an ultra-modern space?

Or, are you trying to create an ultra-modern look in an ornate Victorian living room? The contrast might be interesting, but can you live with that visual disparity every day?

Some may call this eclectic, but even eclectic styles need a balance with one primary style.

There needs to be a connection between the architecture, style, and story you are portraying. Otherwise, it will always be distracting to the viewer.

Interacting with Your Design Elements

In design, we interact with almost all the elements in our spaces. It is critical to make sure elements such as furniture and decor are comfortable, support how we live, are beautiful to us, and there is not too much of it!

Do you enjoy interacting with everything, and like the touch, feel, smell, and comfort of your decor items?

Removing Distractions is More Important than Adding Supporting Details

Removing distracting elements is more important than adding supporting details, which will make or break a room.

If you have a room filled with clutter and distracting things, no amount of adding more of your favorite decorative elements such as art or pillows or knick-nacks will fix the problem.

The most important thing is to neutralize the “stage” and eliminate all the unnecessary elements first. Then begin adding layers until you have created the effect you want. Otherwise, you and everyone else using the room will only see the distraction

Neutralize First

The first step in creating a beautiful stage or a room is to neutralize it first by removing distractions. Once that is done, then you can add meaningful decor items to create the perfect background for your performance or your perfect space.

A problem I often see, is when people have too many distractions in their room, usually in the form of clutter.  The room may also have too much decor or furniture. They think that adding beautiful decor items will fix the problem, and create the look they want. 

It does not work.

The key is remove the distractions first, then add decor to get the look you want.

In the example below the focal point of the room is the art. To make it stand out as much as possible, the rest of the room was designed with neutral colors.

In a similar way, a neutral background on a stage could highlight a dancer in a purple dress and her beautiful movements without distractions. 

This design highlights my fractal art, “A Passion for Purple” which you can purchase at my studio on Society 6.

Before you start decorating, take everything out of the room you really don’t need, neutralize things as much as possible and then add on your layers.

Learn More

To learn more, see some other articles in this series:

I Learned to All my Interior Design Problems by Playing Music.

I Learned to Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing and Playing Music- Every Part Must Play Its Part.

I Learned to Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing and Playing Music- We all Hear Music Differently.

I Learned to Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing and Playing Music- Precision is Beautiful.

You might also enjoy my series on lessons I learned about Interior Design from dancing:

I Learned To Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing: The Magic of Transitions.

I Learned To Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing : Surprise Me.

I Learned To Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing and Learning to Tell a Great Story.

I Learned To Solve All My Interior Design Problems by Dancing- Bring on the Bling.

I Learned to Solve all My Interior Design Problems by Dancing- There Can Only Be One Star.

I Learned to Solve all My Interior Design Problems by Dancing- Be Brave.

I Learned to Solve all My Interior Design Problems by Dancing- Create Drama with Shapes.

I Learned to Solve all My Interior Design Problems by Dancing- Create Drama with a Focal Point.

I Learned to Solve all My Interior Design Problems by Dancing.

Are You Ready to Create Your Masterpiece?

Now that you know some of the elements that work together to create your perfect space, are you ready to take action to make it happen in your home? If you knew absolutely for certain that creating a perfect space would create a better life for you, you would do it, wouldn’t you?

Let’s tell your unique story and find the alignment of art, science, and energy that makes you happy.  Let me help you take that trip to your perfect space in a Ferrari instead of a stagecoach. Try my Aligned Design consultation and let’s get started.

Curious about your Interior Design style? Take the quiz and find out.

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Most people would prefer to live in a beautiful home. They plan to get around to fixing up their ugly home someday. They are in no rush. But should you be? 

It is not just about the pretty. It is not just that a beautiful, healthy home looks and feels great and supports you in your journey to BE the person you want to be so you can live the life you dream of.

It is not just about the benefits of having a perfect space for you.

It is about the cost of not having one.

Why Should You Care?

We all need a place to decompress, recharge, rebuild, be inspired, relax, release stress and allow our bodies and minds to prepare for the next day.

While most of us would admit we wished our homes felt like a sanctuary, we know that it is not. Or if it is, maybe just one small area of it. 

Do you have areas for quiet? For study? For meditation? For working out? For reading? For contemplating your navel and the meaning of life?

Every day we do not have the ability to recharge and rebuild, we fall a little more behind, both mentally and physically.

When your space is better, you are better.
When you are better, the world is better. 

Is Your Ugly Home Stuck in Another Time While You Have Moved On?

We all grow, change and evolve.

You are not the same person as you were five years ago. Does your space still look the same as it did then? Is it still really supporting you and who you are now?

Is Your Ugly House Stealing Your Sense of Well-Being?

If you are into the Wu-Wu stuff, a sense of well being is one of the highest states of mind we can achieve. Our space can support that. 

It can also stress us out. When we have too much clutter, or it can feel overwhelming. As I am sure you know, stress affects our emotional and physical health. Usually a lot more than we realize until it is too late. We say we just don’t have time to deal with the clutter and the mess and the updates.

Really, we don’t have time NOT to.

Is Your Ugly House Making You Sick?

I don’t mean are you sick of looking at it, haha! I mean is it physically making you sick because it is filled with synthetic materials emitting fumes and chemicals, from your flooring, rugs, furniture, paint, and more? Often we are so used to it we don’t realize how much better we would feel in a house that uses eco-friendly materials. Learn more in my article, Eco-Friendly Interior Design- Why it Matters.

Is Your Ugly Home Causing You to Not Take Care of Yourself?

We all need space and time to nourish and care for our physical, mental, and emotional needs. Does your home provide space to do that? Are you lacking a quiet comfortable place to read and learn, meditate, or work out? Does your bathroom feel like the perfect spa or like your college dorm? 

Self care is a habit that needs to be developed and your home can support that, or hinder it.

Does Your Ugly Home make you feel Dis-connected from your Surroundings?

One important aspect of our mental and physical well-being is feeling a connection to nature.   Biophilia, which translates to “love of life,” describes our connection with nature as a biologically driven need to interact with other life such as animals and plants. If our home is disconnected from nature, it can make us feel uncomfortable.  Learn more in my article, Feel Good with Biophilia, or The Colors of Summer- Bring the Outside In.

Does Your Ugly Home Have Bad Feng Shui?

Our feelings are influenced by our connection to the building, and the objects around us. The arrangement of things and how we interact with them make us feel good or bad and affect our health, wealth, and relationships. How does your space feel? Hope your feet are not facing the door when you sleep…..

Is Your Ugly Home Stealing Your Personal Growth?

Do you take time for getting to know yourself and for personal growth?  Is your house a comfortable and inspiring place to do that? If not, how much are you losing because of it? Where will you be in 6 months or a year from now? Not in the same place, but so much more behind because of lost opportunity.

Is Your Ugly Home the Enemy of Your Best Self?

Are you being your best self, so you can DO the things that create the life you want to HAVE? Is your space supporting the person you want to become, not just who you are now? If not, how much are you losing in your life that you could have? 

 If you are interested in transforming yourself, I highly recommend Jim Fortin’s Transformational Coaching Program, called TCP. It has been an ongoing journey and learning experience for me. You can read about my first round of this program in my article, Lose Weight, Quit Smoking, Get Healthy and Peaceful Without Pain.

Get on the Wait List for the next TCP Program.

Check out the Jim Fortin podcast to learn more.

Don’t Let Your Ugly House Steal YOur Happiness

As you can see, an ugly house, which you may not have thought was affecting you or being very important can have a big impact on your well-being. That adds up over time, day by day to big changes in how you feel about a lot of things. Take action.

Aligned Design

My philosophy of great Interior Design, which I call Aligned Design, considers three key factors; art, science and energy. The intersection of the three is where the magic happens.

The “Energy” is all about connection and is what I described above in ways our perfect space can support us.

Connecting to yourself, your story, who you want to be and what you need in your space to support that journey (transformative design).  Connecting to the energy around you in and surrounding your home (Feng Shui) and to nature (biophilia). This connection creates another level of “feeling good” that is hard to put into words, but when you feel it in your space you will love that it is there.

The “Art”,  is the creativity of “Interior Design”, and includes beautiful furnishings,  decor, lighting, finishes, color and architectural details, all artfully arranged to look beautiful and function perfectly with our lifestyle.

The “Science”, is about using color science to take your color to the next level. Color has power and affects the way your design looks and how you feel. Science contributes knowledge and products for sustainable and eco-friendly designs that help you stay healthy and protect our planet.

It is important to consider all three together at the same time, as they all affect each other.

Your home is like your body, a system that works together. To be healthy, you need to consider all the parts as a whole. 

Start with an Aligned Design plan that considers the art, science and energy of your home together, and then implement as time and money allows.

Are You Ready to Transform Your Ugly House?

Imagine what that would feel like.

Just say Yes and let’s set up a consultation and get started.

Curious about your Interior Design style? Take the quiz and find out.

Here is the crazy story of how I started Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

You never know when inspiration will hit. The question is, will you take action and do something about it?

My  inspiration came in a surprising way, from one of those silly “Facebook” quizzes. You know, one of those games that tell you who you were in a past life or what your handwriting says about you etc. One day I played “What is your true profession”. The answer was “Designer”. Whoa! This made me take a step back and think.

I had been working as a wildlife biologist for 25 years at the time, but back in 1980 had gone to school and gotten a B.A. in Interior Design. It was a passion I always had, but after getting my degree decided to pursue traveling and other interests. Life got in the way and I never did alot with it besides a few jobs, designing my own homes or helping friends.

Later, I pursued another degree in wildlife biology because I love animals and the outdoors, and took another path. Although I enjoyed it, I missed being involved in creative work. Working for the government did not encourage or inspire much creative thinking!

Over time, creative pursuits such as dance, music and art took on more importance in my life. Thoughts of starting another business (I already had a Bed and Breakfast) were in the back of my mind without a real idea of what it would be, just that I wanted something that would bring more fulfillment to my life.

When I got “Designer” as the answer to my true profession, I thought about that path not taken and wondered how my life would have turned out if I had chosen that path years ago. I do not know if it would have been the wiser choice, or if everything I had done was just preparing me for that path now, but something about that quiz totally spurred me to action! Why not now?

And so my business, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design was born on 11-20-2015.

And while I still worked as a wildlife biologist until December 2018 when I retired,  and continued to operate my B&B, I was thrilled to have this new adventure in my life and so glad I took action!!

My business started off focused on home staging, and evolved into adding Interior Design. With  my experience running a Bed and Breakfast, I added  vacation rental design and staging. I became more fascinated with color, and became a certified color strategist and added color consultations. That evolved into learning Edesign and adding online home staging, Interior design and color consulting.

On my first day of retirement from being a wildlife biologist on January 1, 2019,  I discovered fractal art and started creating my own art. Soon I created stores for my art and home decor on Society 6, and Pixels.com. Both stores include art a wide variety art and home decor products.

That evolved into creating wearable art on Le Galeriste.  

In each case, inspiration hit, I took action and I am amazed now at all twists and turns, new adventures in creativity and life that have evolved in less than 5 years from an idea inspired by a simple Facebook quiz.

Sometimes you just never know where your path will lead.

What inspires you and have you taken action?

Whether it is to start a new business, change your existing business, start a new path or hobby… I hope inspiration finds you and you jump in with both feet

Looking to boost your home’s sale price by over $10,000? The right paint color can make all the difference. On the flip side, the wrong choice might cost you. Picking the perfect shade can be daunting, and you’re not alone in the struggle; nearly half of all paint purchases stem from color missteps. Don’t let mistakes drain your wallet!

Discover the best choices for a profitable home sale in my complimentary guide, “Top Paint Colors for a Speedy and Profitable Home Sale”. Claim your copy now.

Top Paint Colors for a Speedy and Profitable Home Sale

Get Your Color Consultation for a Fast and Profitable Sale

The right hue can elevate your home’s appeal and its sale price. But the key isn’t just knowing which colors boost value; it’s integrating them harmoniously with your home’s existing finishes. Let me assist you in making the best choice with a tailored color consultation.

Leveraging a blend of art and science, my approach as Alaska’s sole certified color strategist, goes beyond typical color consultations.

I use precise color data, aided by a spectrometer, to ensure your color choices are spot-on from the start.

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Other People’s Successes

We had an excellent experience working with Mary Ann! We contacted Northern Lights Home Staging and Design through Houzz and before our first meeting she had already started working on color ideas for our home addition. Ms. Benoit spent time before and after our consultation working on colors and design with us, communicating via email, so that in addition to our “official” consultation, she gave us a good deal of her professional time. Mary Ann Benoit is easy to work with and down-to-earth. Our anxiety about working with a design professional was put to rest within the first 5 minutes of our consultation, allowing us to to be open about our preferences and ideas while remaining open to hers. We highly recommend Northern Lights Home Staging and Design both for professional knowledge and results, and for being a pleasure to work with. S. Lambert- Eagle River, AK

 

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We were extremely happy with the color consultation service provided by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. She was absolutely able to resolve our color issues for our exterior painting project for our home. The color options she provided made it so easy for us to decide what to choose. She gave us several options to choose from. After the first round of options we wanted to make some changes and that was such a simple process. Mary Ann made it easy for us to make our final selections.I would highly advise anyone in need of a color consultation to use Mary Ann. Her professionalism and knowledge are top notch. She made the chore of picking house colors seem so easy! Jason Bressler, Anchorage.

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Take the Quiz

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Find out more about the best training class on color available, the Four Pillars of Color!.

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Where do you spend most of your time? 

Indoors, both at home and at work. All the things in our indoor environments can affect our health. While we probably don’t have much say about our work environments, we can totally control what is in our homes, and we can use those things to make our homes both beautiful and healthy at the same time!

 Furniture, rugs, upholstery, flooring cabinets and paint all affect our indoor air quality. Some of the chemicals used to keep us safe, such as flame retardants in synthetic fabrics and rugs can also be hard on our health. Chemicals in some carpeting and flooring off-gas into the air. Adhesives used in furniture, especially particle board, contain formaldehyde that emit harmful substances into the air.

Ways to Create a Healthy Interior Space

How can you reduce or eliminate the negative effects of common products that can affect our health and still have a beautiful home?

 • Buy higher quality furniture that uses wood joinery and fewer adhesives.

 • Get rugs made of natural materials such as wool, cotton, silk or jute. 

• Paint with brands that use fewer chemicals (low VOCs). VOCs are compounds that evaporate into the air and smell bad and are bad for indoor air quality. Benjamin Moore makes a low VOC paint in their Natura collection in all their fabulous colors with reduced levels of allergens and irritants.

 • Purchase furniture with upholstery that does not use fire retardant chemicals. 

• Purchase furniture that uses foam made of natural materials such as latex. 

• Go for furniture and décor items made of wood or metal and avoid plastics.

 • Look for pillows, mattresses, upholstery and beddings made from wool-stuffed materials rather than synthetics. 

• Consider flooring made from natural materials such as stone or wood and avoid vinyl.

 • Give your space plenty of natural light and fresh air.

 • Add plants to add beauty and filter your air.

 • Use natural cleaning products. 

• Use natural materials and objects from nature as decoration.

 • Use rammed earth or adobe for walls instead of plaster or cement.

 • Use rubber walkways made from recycled rubber outdoors rather than concrete

How Your Choices Help the Planet

Besides actions you take to improve the air quality directly in your home, consider how your choices affect the health the planet too! 

• Buy high quality, long lasting furniture rather than cheap low-quality stuff that will end up in landfills or on the street as “free stuff” in a few years. Many cities are being overwhelmed with furniture no-one wants.

 • Find local products so that the shipping doesn’t contribute to emissions in the environment.

 • Use energy efficient lighting.

 • Use vintage items.

 • Use products made of recycled materials such as glass tiles or paper wallpaper. You can use glass in your countertops, tiles, lamps and accessories and paper for beautiful wall coverings. Even some polyester can be recycled. If you must use polyester, use rPET which can be spun into yarn and dyed without toxic properties. 

• Use renewable or sustainable materials such as bamboo, cork, teak, hemp, palm, soy fabric or cotton. Bamboo is used in fabrics, flooring and window treatments. Cork is used in textiles, floor and wall coverings. Teak is used in furniture and decking. Hemp is used in furniture upholstery, bedding, curtains and paper products. Soy fabric is soft and silky. Palm is used in some baskets. Organic cotton can be used for upholstery fabric, bedding, pillows and more. 

• Use sustainable metals that can be recycled such as copper, aluminum and steel. 

• Use solar energy for your home.

Get the Look- Eco-Friendly Design.

So, what does eco-friendly design look like? 

It can really reflect any style that you want. Most of the eco-friendly furniture produced is in a more modern style with fabrics in a wide range of colors and uses beautiful natural wood and bamboo. 

Ethnic rugs, pillows and decorative accessories are often made of natural materials and can create a global style or Bohemian look.

 Whether you are starting fresh with a new home or redoing a whole room, consider making it eco-friendly. Or add eco-friendly elements as you update your look over time. 

Eco-Friendly Furniture and Decor

It is easy to find beautiful sustainable products for your home décor. Sometimes these products may cost a little bit more, but it is worth it!

Ready to Create a Beautiful Eco-Friendly Space?

Learn more about Global style design in my article, Tell Your Story with Global Style Interior Design.  Curious about what Global Style might be right for you? Take the quiz below. Ready to try to get the look in your own home? Try one of my Edesign packages.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

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Art is a reflection of your soul. Does it speak of your vibrant and eclectic spirit? Do you lean into fluidity and boldness? Are you captivated by intricate nuances? Do sinuous curves resonate more with you than rigid lines? Is it the voyage, rather than the endpoint, that intrigues you? Are you drawn to art that leaves a lingering, dramatic impact? Is the dance of texture and motion in art something you’re fond of? And do you believe that nature, in all its glory, is the ultimate artist?

The art you’re drawn to offers insights into your own personality. interests, and feelings.

Art is a powerful medium, not only as a reflection but as a projection and affirmation of who you aspire to be.

I create energy art tailored to your individual’s essence and then weave that aesthetic into the fabric of your living space in a deeply personal and transformative approach to interior design.

By grounding the design in such custom pieces of art, we create spaces that aren’t just functional or visually appealing—but that resonates on an emotional and spiritual level, too.

My approach of Aligned Design crafts spaces that are not just habitats but sanctuaries, a canvas that bears testimony to your journey, dreams, and aspirations.

By interweaving personal energy art into interior design, we are creating an environment that not only mirrors you, but also nurtures, empowers, and inspires you.  It’s a beautiful synthesis of art and life.

To do that, I use an art form I’m passionate about, which is fractal art. Crafted digitally, these creations breathe life into unique art pieces and home decor. I love the vivid hues, intricate textures, and mesmerizing spirals that define each masterpiece.

Fractal art is algorithmic art created by calculating fractal objects which can create still and moving images. It is digital art or abstract art created by math. 

Fractal art is a journey into an infinite kaleidoscope. Delving into it feels like a serene blend of meditation and a vibrant color therapy session. As I traverse its endless expanse, I find distinct moments in the space where I pause, immersing myself in adjusting hues, textures, luminosity, and more. Once I’ve sculpted that perfect realm, I capture it, forever crystallizing that fleeting moment into an image. Each creation is irreplicable—akin to pinpointing a single droplet in the vastness of the ocean, making every piece uniquely it’s own.

I recently have been exploring AI (artificial intelligence) art, and created collages with my fractal art, layering the beauty and energy of the two forms.

I can create energy art for you such as an energy art portrait, which expresses the essence of who you are and serves as the foundation for the rest of your design. I can also create custom pieces to add to it that are about particular energy concepts that can support you, such as in the examples above or you can find some in my various stores (see below).

See My Energy Art or Get a Custom Design

See my art on Fine Art America

I also have a different variety of home decor with my energy art on Society6.

I even have wearable art at Le Galeriste!

Get an Aligned Design consultation today which includes custom energy art designed for you.

As the season changes and we move from summer into fall, we are often inspired to change our decor. But why? Are there any good reasons to do it?

Why yes! There are several. And they are all good for us!

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1. Stay Connected to the Outdoors

One way to stay connected to the outdoors is by bringing the changing colors of the outside in.

Humans want to be connected with nature and other living things.  This longing for “connection”  is called “biophilia”.  

We have always been connected to nature, for survival, sustenance, spiritual renewal, and inspiration. Mother nature provides an endless abundance of beautiful color palettes, shapes, patterns, and textures to inspire us, our health and wellbeing, and our interior environments,

Feeling “connected” makes us feel good. One way to get that connection and those good feelings are to change the colors in our interior environment to reflect what is happening outside so there is an energy flow between the outdoors and indoors.

If you have considered the colors of your exterior view and outdoor landscaping in your Interior Design, you likely have a change of colors happening in the fall.

So the colors of fall may be different for everyone based on your location. Play with the colors you see outside your windows:)

While fall colors are typically shown as reds, yellows, oranges, browns and deep greens, the colors in your area may be different. 

For example, I grew up in the northeast and always thought of fall as having the beautiful reds of the maple leaves as they changed. Now that I live in Alaska, we have very few trees that turn red. It is mainly low ground plants that turn a deeper, darker red than the maples. Yet, we have a glorious gold color that many of the birches and cottonwoods turn that I did not see on the east coast.

• Bring the colors in by changing your accent pillows, rug,  art, or accessories. Work with things that are easy to change because you may want to change things in other seasons as well.
• Get outside, collect cool objects from your outdoor adventures to decorate your home including branches, rocks, shells, gourds, grasses, and more.
• Use of colors that harmonize with the outdoor environment. Use your outdoor windows as indoor “art”.
• Get indoor plants to provide a variety of colors, textures and improve your indoor air quality. Flowering plants are a special treat to add pops of color!

• Use the colors of nature in your home, inside and out. As a certified color strategist, I often measure some of the colors from clients’ landscaping (shrubs, flowers, trees) and translate that to paint colors for exterior walls, front doors, or interior paint palettes.
• Blues, greens, browns, off whites and grays, are great natural colors to try to bring the outdoors in since they are prominent in trees, shrubs, the sky, and water.
• Find pops of color from some of your colorful outdoor landscaping such as the fall colors of your trees, shrubs, or ground covers (golds, reds, oranges).  Black and pure white are not often found in nature but can be great colors to add to make the others stand out in all their glory. If it is a prominent color you can see from your windows, even if it is from an adjacent property, consider tying it into your color scheme.

Even if you live in the middle of a city, you can follow some of these guidelines to create a space that feels good and gives a sense of being more connected to nature. 

2. Change your Interior to go with the feeling of the season for you.

Fall feels different than spring, summer or winter. Biologically, it is the time we reap the harvest of our labors, prepare for the winter ahead and get ready to conserve our energy.

In the fall I want to relax after working hard in the summer. I feel like snuggling up and reading, enjoying a fire, taking a nap, stocking up for winter, making soup, putting the garden to bed, and slowing down. I bring out the fluffy blankets, enjoy the first fires in the fireplace, and more. I’m like my cat who moves from enjoying naps on the cool, hard floor to laying on the fluffy blanket on my bed in the fall.

I want to surround myself with warmer colors, fabrics, and softer textures than I did in the summer. My decor becomes more cozy and intimate. These things would not feel right in the summer.

So, I adapt my decor to match how I am feeling energetically at this time of the year, and in doing so, I feel more comfortable and enjoy my space more.

Create Connection During the Holidays.

Fall is filled with holidays to celebrate and decorate for including Halloween, Thanksgiving, Autumn Equinox, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, Octoberfest, Columbus Day, and more. 

There are lots of ideas for decorating for different holidays online or you can create your own traditions. The main point is to create a special atmosphere to celebrate and connect with friends and family that is beautiful and comfortable.

Create Your Perfect Space for Fall

Here is an example of a beautiful living room Edesign I created to highlight fall decor. For me, fall is a time of darker and brighter reds of the shrubs and ground plants, mixed with browns and greens of the forest, charcoal of the rocks on the mountain tops with a light dusting of snow, with snow, golds, yellow and oranges of the hardwood trees. I love a nice fire, a soft rug under my feet and an intimate get together with friends, wine and cheese.

For this design, I used pieces because I was drawn to the colors and textures that evoke a feeling of fall to me. The design primarily used pieced from Arhaus. I also appreciate the natural, eco-friendly materials, the handmade artistry of some of the pieces, and the cultural elements I am drawn to when creating global-style designs.

Try Energy Art that Evokes a Feeling of Fall

Here are a some fractal energy art pieces I created that I think evoke a feeling of fall that are available in wall art, pillows and other home decor. The energy message for each piece and how it an help you is listed in the caption.

Are You Ready to Create Your Perfect Space?

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I learned to solve all my Interior Design problems by dancing.

It’s true. Doesn’t matter what type of dancing. Belly dancing, Persian dancing, salsa, and more. There are lessons there. And, it is a lot more fun to learn them dancing than in a classroom

Art Is Guided by the Same Principles

The older I get, the more I realize the connections between all things artistic. The same principles apply to making the magic happen in Interior Design or any other art form. You just need to open your eyes, listen, and feel it to notice.

And sometimes that includes feeling the principles in how you move your body and express yourself.

It always seems to come back to this alignment between art, science, and energy that I combine when I am creating a perfect space for myself or you.

Interconnectedness of Dance and Design

There are lots of connections between dancing and designing a room. 

1. Movement & Flow: Just as in dance, where fluidity and grace are key, a well-designed space should enable ease of movement and a harmonious flow between its different parts.

2. Balance & Symmetry: Whether it’s balancing your weight on one foot during a pirouette or ensuring that the furniture in a room is symmetrically arranged, the concept of equilibrium is pivotal in both realms.

3. Emotion & Expression: A dance is more than just steps; it’s about expressing emotion. Similarly, a room is not just furniture and walls; it’s about conveying a mood or sentiment.

4. Attention to Detail: In dance, every hand movement, every facial expression matters. In design, it’s the same – from the color of the throw pillows to the texture of a rug, every choice contributes to the whole.

5. Rhythm: As in dance, rhythm in design can be established by repeating patterns, colors, or shapes, creating a visual tempo that guides the eye.

6. The Spotlight: Just as a dancer uses the focal point on stage to captivate the audience, so does an interior designer use a centerpiece or focal point to draw attention in a room.

7. Adaptability: Dancers adjust to the music, the space, the partner. Similarly, a good interior designer adjusts to the constraints of a space, the needs of the client, and the available resources.

 I get inspired by dance and apply it to art and design.  It’s a testament to the universal language of art and creativity and how understanding one form can inspire creativity in another.

Solving Design Dilemmas

So what do I mean I learned to solve all my Interior Design problems by dancing? There are so many ways and examples, 

such as how to mix styles.

Mixing Styles

Merging dance styles isn’t about merely mashing two forms together; it’s about putting them together in a manner that feels organic and new while still respecting their origins.

Let’s draw a parallel to interior design:

Imagine if you’re merging two distinct design styles, say, mid-century modern with rustic. Here’s how this dance choreography analogy can be applied:

1. Understand the Base Style: Just as in choreography, it’s vital to understand the core essence of your primary design style. If mid-century modern is your predominant style, recognize its key features: clean lines, organic curves, and functional form.

2. Introduce Elements from the Secondary Style: Now, take elements from the rustic design: raw wood, handmade items, and weathered materials, and incorporate them in a way that complements the mid-century modern vibe.

3. Maintain Essence: While adding the rustic elements, it’s crucial to maintain the essence of the mid-century modern style. It’s not about cluttering the space with mismatched items but choosing elements that augment the primary style.

4. Fusion, Not Confusion: The goal is to create a cohesive look that feels fresh and unique but still rooted in its origins. Every choice should be deliberate and not just a random addition.

5. Telling a New Story: The merged style should narrate a new tale, one that carries the legacies of both styles but stands on its own.

In the same way, a choreographer uses movement to weave a story that fuses two dance styles, an interior designer can blend elements to create a space that sings a fresh, harmonious song of its own.

The beauty lies in the balance, in understanding the essence, and in ensuring the fusion creates something novel while staying true to its roots.

Eclectic Versus Fusion

For example, I see dancers that want to do a belly dance/flamenco fusion. They do some classical belly dance moves, then some flamenco moves, and then back to belly dance. They alternate the twor recognizable elements and assume because they are together in one piece, they have created a “fusion” of styles. Really, it is just a bunch of moves mixed together.

It reminds me of what many people do in a room and they call it “eclectic”. That is an elegant way of saying, “I threw a bunch of things together that are unrelated into a room with no plan or story”.

A real dance artist will know the classical Egyptian moves and feeling well, and also the flamenco. They will notice where moves are similar in their feeling, flow, intention. They will naturally notice where a move of one style could “go with the flow” and move into something from the other style seamlessly and beautifully, creating a new “move” in the process, different from the 2 separate moves that inspired it.

They know the rules of both styles enough to break them and create something even more powerful by doing so.

Making Magic with a True Fusion of Styles

True fusion, be it in dance, design, or any other art form, is about creating a harmonious blend where the result is a beautiful and novel offspring of its parent elements, rather than just a juxtaposition.

1. Superficial Fusion vs. Deep Fusion: In the dance example, merely alternating between belly dance and flamenco is superficial fusion, much like putting different styles of furniture in a room without a connecting theme. It lacks depth and intention.

2. Understanding the Essence: True fusion requires a deep understanding of both styles. It’s about recognizing the essence of each and finding places where they want to combine naturally. Like noticing the rhythmic footwork in both flamenco and certain belly dance styles and blending them to create a novel movement.

3. The Narrative: Every dance tells a story. The same goes for a well-designed room. This narrative gets lost when styles are jumbled together without thought. But when fused with understanding, they tell a compelling tale that carries the flavor of both, but the uniqueness of something new.

4. Breaking Rules Creatively: Knowing rules well means you can break them intentionally, not accidentally. It’s the difference between creating a masterpiece and making a mess. A dancer or designer who understands both styles can take risks, pushing boundaries to create something revolutionary.

5. The Emotional Connect: Beyond moves or objects, both dance and design are about evoking emotion. A true fusion evokes feelings that resonate with both styles but also elicits something new.

Whether it’s dance or Interior Design, true fusion is an art. It’s not about mere combination but integration. The resultant creation should not only reflect its parent styles but should also stand on its own, captivating and novel.

The Art of Mixing Styles in Dance

In my choreographies, I frequently delve into the realm of fusion, an artful blending of different dance styles. For example, I united contemporary and ancient forms, by pairing modern silk butterfly wings with the ancient art of Persian Miniature dance.

Persian Miniature dancing is a classical tradition where dancers animate the pages of ancient paintings.

My dance weaves a tale of metamorphosis of a person from innocent childhood to the wisdom of old age, conveying a narrative of resilience, growth, and beauty, much like the emergence of a butterfly from its cocoon with a modern design element to help tell the story.

That is the artistry, the magic, the creative force that makes something beautiful. It is the unique expression of the dancer. It tells their story. No one else can do that.

Use that same artistry to create your perfect space, which is a unique expression of you. It is the dance or alignment of  creativity, color and connection that tells your story.

The Art of Mixing Styles in Design

I am personally drawn to creating what I call “Modern Global” style—a unique blend that echoes a simplified and more elegant version of Bohemian style, drawing inspiration from the vibrant colors, intricate textures, artistry, and eco-conscious sensibilities of diverse cultures such as Morocco, India, Turkey, Mexico, and Greece, among others. These designs are inherently tied to nature, evoking the myriad hues and rhythms of the great outdoors.

This style marries the vibrancy, artistic flair, and resonance of Global Style with the elegant simplicity of modern design. It’s a harmonious dance between the two: exuding elegance, and highlighting art, celebrating curves and an organic fluidity.

In essence, “Modern Global” is a curated symphony of the world’s artistic treasures, distilled through a contemporary lens.

The understanding of mixing styles I gained as a dancer helps me get to know and express your story and style, as we are all unique.

Are You Ready to Create Your Perfect Space?

Are you ready to tell your unique story and find the alignment of all the things you love that will create the perfect space for you? Enlist the help of an expert to take that trip to your perfect space in a Ferrari instead of a stagecoach. Try my Aligned Design consultation and let’s get started.

Curious about your Interior Design style? Take the quiz and find out.

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Summer is one of my favorite times of year. It’s warm and the outdoors beckons, the colors explode with flowers, fruit, an explosion of green growth and the showiness of all the male birds. There is a feeling of abundance and adventure. Completion of all the things you have sown. It is bold and beautiful.

Would you like to have that same look and feeling inside in your home year round? Take some color and other cues from nature and bring the outside in. Here is an example of what I mean.

This picture was taking by a friend down the road at a beautiful spot named Tern Lake. I love all the various shades of green from very dark in the spruce tree to the lighter shades in the shrubs, grasses and herbs. The sky has a beautiful blue along with shades of off white and grays in the clouds. You see various shades of brown in the tree and in the rocks in the mountains. The most striking color is the fuchsia in the fireweed in full bloom. And there are a few wildflowers with yellow in the foreground as well.

This is what summer looks like in Alaska to me.  We have an abundance of hot pink and purple wildflowers, but the fireweed is so “Alaskan”.

Fireweed is one of the first plants to establish in recently burned areas, which is how it got it’s name. It is a symbol of release, rebirth, and potential for something innovative and new.

The fireweed blooms from the bottom of the plant and works its way up. The saying here is that “when the fireweed blooms at the top, summer is over”.

So how do you bring the outside in? The easiest way is with a color palette that highlights the view you see outside your windows. Select either a neutral or a bolder tone from the view and use it on your walls. Select a more vibrant tone for accents, or even key pieces in your décor.

I loved the deep green and color of fireweed together and they symbolized “summer” to me so I decided to design   this calming Modern Global Style office with those as my main colors. I decided to experiment with an extremely dark shade of green for the walls, to make it feel calm and enveloping, like the feeling of being deep inside the boreal forest. I added additional green tones in accent vases, the lamp and fractal art that I designed called “Spring” and several plant accents. I added wood to the floors. I played with the color of fireweed in my furnishings such as the desk and two chairs.

To continue with the wildflower theme, I added a wildflower accent table. I added off whites to the bookshelf, desk chair, rug, drapes, flowers and some accents to balance things so it would not be too dark. By adding several layers of lighting, it helped keep it from being too dark, brought out the various shades of green of the paint color in different lighting and highlighted the art.

The Process

The End Result

Get the Look

My “Spring” energy art collection seamlessly intertwines the abstract with the tangible, channeling spiritual energies through the  vibrant color, patterns, and symbols. The “Spring” series in this design, in prosperous shades of green, symbolizes renewal, invigoration, and flourishing growth. Evoking the Wood Element from Chinese traditions and Feng Shui, it embodies, warmth, and idealism. Bringing the energy message of the outdoors in, it can  amplify the energy you want to channel in your endeavors.

Bring Summer Into Your House Year Round

Imagine stepping into your space, immediately enveloped by colors that resonate with your essence. Every detail feels right, sparking joy within you. It’s more than just a room; it’s your sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, and inspiration. When your surroundings mirror your spirit, life flows seamlessly.

Why limit yourself? Infuse the vibrant hues of summer or the subtle tones of your cherished season into your home.

Invest in an Aligned Design or Color Consultation today and see the transformation.

What is Your Global Design Style? Take the Quiz

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There are a lot of reasons to love Global Style Interior Design. One is that it is all about you, and telling the story of your life, adventures, the things you love  in your space. It is a total expression and celebration of you. Does that sound selfish? It’s OK, it is your house. Of course it is about you!

Each piece tells your story. Celebrate your  treasures, old and new. modern and vintage, from various parts of the world.

Create a rich tapestry of color, texture, art and history. 

In a previous article, I talked about 10 reasons to love global style design.  Let’s talk about my favorite reason, that it celebrates color, and how you can use it to spark some joy in your life.

Within global-style interior design, a captivating aspect that resonates with me is the vivacious spectrum of bold colors.

These hues are a direct reflection of the origins and cultures, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, flora, spices, national symbols, and even flags of various countries.

Although inherently vibrant, the world of global design also unveils remarkable instances where neutrals and whites harmoniously mingle with layers of textures and metallic accents.

To capture this essence, consider embracing bold choices—a striking wall color or an exquisite rug that becomes the palette’s cornerstone. These handmade, eco-friendly rugs are veritable artworks for your floor, blending utility and aesthetics.

You might derive your color palette from the rug, letting it inspire choices for walls, pillows, accessories, and art. Alternatively, if a more subdued backdrop appeals to you, allow your rug’s colors to shine as the focal point.

In essence, global-style design is a canvas of color that tells stories of distant lands and their distinctive identities. Whether bold or muted, these palettes are portals to culture, connecting your space with a world of history and beauty.

Here are some examples of some global style designs I have created using the color palettes of different countries, and often their rugs for inspiration.

Yellows, Golds and Orange

Yellows and golds are great colors to use in modern global style, Bohemian, Turkish,  Indian and Mexican style designs.

Above I created this beautiful Indian-style living room using a yellow/gold wall color. Learn more in my article Get the Look_ Global Style- Indian.

Below I created a modern global style Edesign for a living room using a a gorgeous handmade wool rug from Egypt as the centerpiece, and a gold wall color. The room would still have been beautiful with an off white wall color.

Blues and Greens

Blues and greens are wonderful for Greek Style, Moroccan, Modern Global and Bohemian. They really can be used in any global style design, but tend to be most prevalent in areas near the ocean.

Red, Pinks, Purples

Reds are very common in Turkish, Mexican, Bohemian and Modern Global styles. Pinks are often used in Turkish design. Purples are used in Indian, Moroccan, Bohemian and Modern Global styles. As an example, see my Edesign for a Modern Global Style bedroom below and some favorite rugs in these colors.

Black, White and Neutral

Try black, white or gray wall colors or area rugs to get the look of modern global style, Bohemian, Turkish, and Moroccan styles. As an example, see the Edesign I created above with light gray walls and a beautiful Moroccan rug.  Learn more in my article Great Paint Color Schemes- Black, White and Shades of Gray.

Below, I used a rich dark gray wall color and a beautiful Turkish rug. Learn more in my article  Do you Need an Alignment?

Black, white and neutrals can really be used with any style if you choose. Go neutral or add a color or two for high contrast.

Ready to Add Colorful and Exotic Design to Your Space?

Learn more about Global style design in my article, Tell Your Story with Global Style Interior Design.  Curious about what Global Style might be right for you? Take the quiz below. Ready to try to get the look in your own home? Try one of my Edesign packages.

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