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… Continue reading Virtual Home Staging and Design- The Pros and Cons
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.
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… Continue reading My House is a Mess and I Don’t Know Where to Start
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… Continue reading How to Flip a House and Make a Profit
What’s Your Global Interior Design Style? Take the Quiz
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… Continue reading What’s Your Global Interior Design Style? Take the Quiz
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… Continue reading Get the Look- Mexican Style
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… Continue reading How to Choose a Natural Stone for Kitchen Countertops
Make a Mother Happy with the Gift of a Beautiful Home
Give her the gift of a beautiful home this year with a Mother’s Day gift certificate for an Interior Design or color consultation from Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful Mothers out there! Get $20 off on a gift certificate for one of my new Edesign or online… Continue reading Make a Mother Happy with the Gift of a Beautiful Home
Dear Real Estate Agent, Don’t be Scared
When it comes to home staging, you may be scared it will cost too much, you will offend your client by recommending it and possibly lose the listing. You may be worried it will take too long and you want to get the home listed as soon as possible. You also may be scared to… Continue reading Dear Real Estate Agent, Don’t be Scared
Buying a Fixer-Upper: Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
When you’re considering buying your first home, the process can seem overwhelming. This is, after all, one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, and it’s a lengthy and costly one that can lead to stress and anxiety even when you have a good plan. For first-time homebuyers who are looking for a fixer-upper, the… Continue reading Buying a Fixer-Upper: Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
Selling Your Fixer-Upper: Tips to Sell Fast and For More
In a recent article, Buying a Fixer-Upper: Tips for First-Time Home buyers by guest blogger Ray Flynn of the DIYGuys, we learned how to manage the buying process for a “fixer upper”, where to buy, setting a budget, what repair or design projects to tackle first, and creating curb appeal. We considered whether to stay or… Continue reading Selling Your Fixer-Upper: Tips to Sell Fast and For More