Does the magic of lighting makes your heart sing? Do you love rich color, textured fabrics and natural materials? Your global design style may be Moroccan! What is a Global Design Style? Global styles are all about your worldly adventures and telling your story! They are usually very colorful, rich in bold designs and natural textures, patterns, colors and arts and crafts of various cultures. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter. Treasures are Read more […]
Author: Mary Ann Benoit
President- Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Owner- Arctic Paradise Bed and Breakfast
Artist- Stained Glass, Jewelry and Alcohol Ink Art
Wildlife Biologist
Director- Kaleido World Percussion and Dance Company
Director- Tavus Dance Company of Alaska
Lover of music, art, dance and animals.
Get the Look- Indian Style Interior Design
What is a Global Design Style? Global styles are all about your worldly adventures and telling your story! They are usually very colorful, rich in bold designs and natural textures, patterns, colors and arts and crafts of various cultures. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter. Treasures are displayed without rules or grouping by the part of the world each piece is from. Antiques mix with modern pieces, and natural objects such as animal horns, plants and rocks add to the Read more […]
Bad Home Staging is like going on a first date to the drive in for dinner
In a recent article, Staging a Vacant Home- Why It’s Worth the Money by Anna Martens in Alaska Home Magazine, some of my work and tips were featured on the importance of staging a vacant home. Some of the key take-aways from the article were:In today’s market, where home sellers need to make their homes stand out from the rest, those empty spaces can be a seller’s worst enemy.“Vacant homes do not make an emotional connection with buyers and often Read more […]
Edesign Tribe Office Design Contest- Vote Now
I just entered an office design in a edesign contest. I hope you will stop by and vote for me here! Voting closes Monday at 12pm EST. The Contest We were given some photos of an empty room and some measurements and asked to design an office for our ideal client. My ideal client for this design loves color and a vintage Bohemian style. I found the beautiful desk and designed everything around it and included vintage accessories and some really cool wallpaper to add to the vintage look. Here are Read more […]
Virtual Home Staging and Design- The Pros and Cons
When it is time to sell our home, we all want to sell fast and for the highest price. One of the best ways to make that happen is to stage your home. Home staging uses decorating to highlight the home’s best features and helps buyers visualize how they can use the space while making an emotional connection with them so they can see themselves living there happily. When it comes to home staging, there are several ways to go about it. You can: Get a consultation with a professional home stager Read more […]
My House is a Mess and I Don’t Know Where to Start
Is your house a mess and you don’t know where to start when it comes to Interior Design or decorating? Do you wish your house felt like a sanctuary and the perfect place to relax? A place that is beautiful and feels so good there is no place you would rather be? Sometimes life gets so busy that it is hard to keep up with the clutter, the mess and before you know it, it has been so long since you redecorated that things look really outdated. You have a situation that feels overwhelming and you just Read more […]
How to Flip a House and Make a Profit
Have you dreamed how to flip a house and make a profit? The first step is buying a great property with good potential to make a return on your investment. Then it is important to invest wisely in your repairs and upgrades. Finally, prepare the home for sale by having it professionally staged, create great curb appeal, get professional photos and sell it fast and at the high end of the price range for similar homes before you have any price reductions. Invest Wisely We have all heard the Read more […]
What’s Your Global Interior Design Style? Take the Quiz
What’s Your Global Interior Design Style? Well, let’s find out, shall we? You might be wondering, what is a global design style?What is a Global Design Style?Global styles are all about your worldly adventures and telling your story! They are usually very colorful, rich in bold designs and natural textures, patterns, colors and arts and crafts of various cultures. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter. Treasures are displayed without rules or grouping by the part of the world Read more […]
Get the Look- Mexican Style
What is Mexican Style? Mexican interiors are full of color, are welcoming, warm and there is often a sense of playfulness and whimsy. A mix of colorful, exotic Spanish and Indian handcrafted items and practical things add old world charm. The furniture is made from solid wood or leather with designs from the Spanish and Mayan cultures. Most are made from pine, walnut and cherry. Sofas, beds and tables often have a rustic look. Rugs are usually hand woven and brightly colored. Multicolored cushions Read more […]
How to Choose a Natural Stone for Kitchen Countertops
Countertops play two essentials roles in the kitchen: first, from a practical point of view, they make the kitchen space fully functional, and second, they serve an aesthetic purpose.Different people look for different things when choosing a kitchen countertop.Some place more importance on functionality, while others place the visual appeal of the material on the top of their list of priorities.Whatever group you belong in, natural stone offers the best of both worlds.Below, we will explore the pros Read more […]