The Beauty of Seeing the World in Shades of Orange
Do you love orange, and the look of Global Style Design? Fill your home with your favorite color, and the rich colors, exotic designs, and hand-made works of art that bring the beauty of different cultures to life in your space.
Orange is used in various shades and saturation levels in many different cultures, and shades of orange are a natural color of the desert and of rocks in many areas so shades of orange can be quite common, such as when you see terracotta.
On the color wheel, orange is between red and yellow and can take on aspects of its neighbors. Like red, orange can feel vibrant and get your attention. Like its other neighbor, yellow, it can feel light, creative, and fun.
Orange is a vibrant, happy, expansive, optimistic, and creative color that inspires socializing. It is fun and warm (from the Land of Color). It is exciting and draws attention (which is why it is used for signs).
Regarding global style, brighter orange shades are common in Bohemian, Indian, Mexican, and Moroccan styles on walls, fabric, and decor items. More muted terra cotta colors are also used in Turkish, Mexican, and Moroccan styles on the walls, floors, rugs, and pillows. Greek-style does not use orange very often, but you could add beautiful orange accents, considering it is a compliment of blue which is very common in Greek design.
Get the Look with a Great Orange Paint Color
Get the look of various global styles with a great shade of orange on your walls, combined with global style art, rugs, pillows, and lighting. See examples in my Edesigns below. I share some of the products I used to help you get the look. Most contain affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission if you buy something for sharing with you at no additional cost to you.
You can go light or dark and dramatic.
Get the Look- Turkish Style
Turkish style is warm and inviting, earthy and exotic. There is an abundance of warm earth tones that come from orange terracotta shades reminiscent of desert colors.
In this Turkish-style living room, I used a dark terracotta paint color to highlight my fractal art from my Great Conjunction collection. Learn more in my blog article, Get the Look- Global Style Turkish.
Edesign and fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Edesign and fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Get the Look- Mexican Style
Mexican interiors are full of color, are welcoming, warm and there is often a sense of playfulness and whimsy. Colors are bright. Red is common and yellow is also used heavily in shades ranging from bright lemon yellow to deep earthy golds. Terracotta is common. Blues are commonly used in art and accessories.
In this Mexican-style living room, I used a deep burnt orange paint color to highlight my fractal art from my Great Conjunction collection.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Get the Look- Modern Global Style
In this Modern Global style design, where I was creating a split complementary color scheme to work with the deep blue sofas. Orange was one of the compliments. Learn more about this color scheme in my blog article, Great Paint Color Schemes- Try a Split-Complimentary.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Get the Look- Bohemian Style
In this Bohemian style bedroom, I used one of PPG’s colors of the year, Big Cyprus, which is a terra cotta color. I used blue accents, which is a compliment to orange. Learn more in my article, Great Paint Color Schemes- Try a Split-Complimentary
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Are You Ready to Create Your Perfect Space?
Are you ready to create your perfect space with Global Style design? 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.
Edesign and fractal art home decor by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Check out My Fractal Art Studios
One-of-a-kind eco-friendly fractal art fashions and home decor.One-of-a-kind fractal art home decor, art prints, and more.
The Beauty of Seeing the World in Shades of Purple
Do you love purple, and the look of Global Style Design? Fill your home with your favorite color, and the rich colors, exotic designs, and hand-made works of art that bring the beauty of different cultures to life in your space.
Purple is not commonly used in many cultures because it was often an expensive color to create. So when it was used, it was often associated with royalty.
On the color wheel, purple is between red and blue and can take on aspects of its neighbors. Like blue, purple can feel calm and relaxing, and is the color of nature, as many wildflowers are purple. Like it’s other neighbor, red, it can feel stimulating, energetic and maybe passionate. Darker shades of purple are sometimes associated with wisdom.
Purple is a symbol of status, wealth, and royalty, and it has also been used in religion, linking it to spirituality and mysticism. Some believe it inspires creativity. Because it is versatile in its meaning, it connects with a wide range of people and is a complex color.
Regarding global style, I have used it in Indian style design as I have found the color used in some beautiful Indian rugs. I think it can work beautifully in Bohemian and Modern Global styles as well.
You can often find purple used in accents in Morocco. In Mexico, shades of purple can be seen on stucco walls, furniture, fabrics, and architectural features. Purples are often found in Turkish rugs, providing inspiration for the rest of the decor.
Purple is not a color commonly used. Be bold, celebrate color, and try it for yourself.
Get the look of various global styles with a great purple paint color combined with global style art, rugs, pillows, and lighting. See examples in my Edesigns below. I share some of the products I used to help you get the look. Most contain affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission if you buy something for sharing with you at no additional cost to you.
Edesign and fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Use Purple and Contrasting Colors for a Bohemian/Mid-Century Modern Look
This Edesign mixes purple with contrasting orange, yellow and green in the art, rug, and accents to create a colorful room that is a mixture of Bohemian and Mid-Century Modern styles. My Spring fractal art collection brings a nice contrast in green to the purple walls and ties to the green outside, helping to bring the outside in. Learn more in my blog article, I Learned to Solve all my Interior Design Problems by Dancing- Be Brave
Edesign and fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Bohemian Style- Change the Look with Contrasting Accessory Colors
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Here is the same room with a paint color that is a little different, again, totally changing the look and feel. Learn more in my blog article, Ways to Use Behr’s 2021 Colors of the Year.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Modern Global Style- Change the Feeling with the Lighting
Whatever purple you choose for your walls, will change it’s appearance based on the light. The light is always the boss. So consider if you will like the way it looks at night and during the day. This Edesign highlights my Deep Purple fractal art. I love the way the people looks in the different lighting. Learn more in my blog article, How to Make Magic Happen in Your Home with Lighting.
Edesign and Deep Purple Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Edesign and Deep Purple Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Edesign and Deep Purple Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Edesign and Deep Purple Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Try a Neutral Wall Color with Purple Art and Accessories
In this Edesign, I selected a wall color that is more neutral with just a touch of lavender and highlighted the purple fractal art I created, called “A Passion for Purple”. I also used purple in the rug and furnishings. The neutral wall really makes the purple art and accents pop!
Edesign and A Passion for Purple Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Are You Ready to See the Beauty of Purple in Your Home?
Are you ready to create your perfect space with Global Style design? 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.
Edesign and fractal art home decor by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Check out My Fractal Art Studios
One-of-a-kind eco-friendly fractal art fashions and home decor.One-of-a-kind fractal art home decor, art prints, and more.
Do you love blue, and the look of Global Style Design? Fill your home with your favorite color, and the rich colors, exotic designs, and hand-made works of art that bring the beauty of different cultures to life in your space.
Blue is associated with tranquility, peace, nature, water, and the sky. It is considered by some to be a “cool” color and may affect your perception of how warm or cool you feel in a space.
It may at times evoke a feeling of sadness, which may be where the expression “feeling blue” or having the “blues” came from.
Blue is the majority of people’s favorite color and is considered a “trustworthy” color. It is a nice color to consider for business for that reason if you want customers to feel comfortable and relaxed in your space and to trust you.
Blue means different things in different cultures. If it is in a country’s flag, it is often an important color in that culture. Regions near oceans or lakes, often use blue in their interiors.
As with all colors, individual experiences affect how you feel about certain colors.
Get the Look with a Great Blue Paint Color
Get the look of various global styles with a great blue paint color combined with global style rugs, pillows, art, and lighting. See examples in my Edesigns below. I share some of the products I used to help you get the look. Most contain affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission if you buy something for sharing with you at no additional cost to you.
You can go light and airy or dark and dramatic as in the two living rooms below that both use a monochromatic blue color scheme.
Edesign and custom Fractal Art, “The Sea” by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Edesign and custom Fractal Art, the Sea, by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Shades of Blue in Bohemian Style Design
Shades of blue are prevalent in Bohemian Style designs, which often highlight natural elements such as plants, birds, and natural materials.
Blue is often used in Bohemian Style design. Edesign and original fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Bohemian style Edesign and custom fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Shades of Blue in Greek Style Design
Shades of blue are often used in Greek-style designs. Many areas of Greece are next to the sea, the the designs reflect the connection with the ocean.
Edesign and “Sea” Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Note the beautiful painting Rhythm of the Sea | 20 x 53 | ink, oil & acrylic on canvas | by Brooke Harker.
Shades of Blue in Moroccan Style Design
Blue is a common color in Moroccan style architecture, Interior Design and art. Note the blue in the art, representing Chefchaouen, which is a blue city in the north of Morocco.
Moroccan Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Moroccan style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Shades of Blue in Modern Global Styles
Modern global styles are clean and uncluttered, with more straight lines but mixed with patterns and textures from a variety of countries in the rugs, pillows and often the art.
Because blue is generally a relaxing color, I used it for both this Modern Global Style office and Wellness Center.
Edesign and custom fractal art, “Watercolor”, by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Edesign and custom fractal art, “Watercolor” by Northern Lights Home Staging and DesignWellness Center Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Wellness Center Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Are You Ready to See the Beauty of Blue in Your Home?
Are you ready to create your perfect space with Global Style design? 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.
Edesign and fractal art home decor by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Check out My Fractal Art Studios
One-of-a-kind eco-friendly fractal art fashions and home decor.One-of-a-kind fractal art home decor, art prints, and more.
Do you love the look of Global Style Design? It is filled with rich colors, exotic designs, and hand-made works of art that bring the beauty of different cultures to life in your space.
Is red your favorite color?
Red is often associated with love, passion, fire and heat, strength, power, courage, vibrant energy, and excitement.
Red can be dramatic when used in your décor.
Like all colors, red means different things in different cultures. Often, when you see red as a color in a country’s flag, it is often an important color in that culture.
One thing is for sure. Red is not a boring color and can make a dramatic statement. Be bold and use it as your primary color or as an accent.
Get the Look
Get the look of various global styles with a great red paint color, global style rugs, pillows, art, and lighting. See examples of some of my Edesigns below.
Shades of Red in Mexican Style Design
Shades of red are prevalent in Mexican Style Design.
Red is often used in Mexican Style design. Edesign and original fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Great Conjunction fractal art by Mary Ann Benoit.
Mexican Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Heart of Mexico #3 energy art by Mary Ann Benoit.
Shades of Red in Turkish Style Design
Shades of red are often used in Turkish-style designs.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Turkish style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design “Heart of Turkey” energy art by Mary Ann Benoit
Shades of Red in Modern Global Styles
Modern global styles are clean and uncluttered, with more straight lines but mixed with patterns and textures from a variety of countries in the rugs, pillows and often the art.
Notice how the same room looks very different by using different shades of red for the wall color.
“Rose” fractal art by Mary Ann Benoit
See how the whole look changes by changing the paint color and trying a different shade of red.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Are You Ready to See the Beauty of Red in Your Home?
Are you ready to create your perfect space with Global Style design? 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.
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The Beauty of Seeing the World in Shades of Green
Do you love the look of Global Style Design? Do you love the rich colors, exotic designs, hand-made works of art that bring the beauty of different cultures to life in your space?
Is green your favorite color? Let’s celebrate green, the color of nature. Global style is great for bringing the outdoors in and connecting with nature. Green is a great color to use to get that worldly look and connect the energy between the outside world and nature to your perfect interior space.
An easy way to get the look of any Global Style is with a beautiful rug, and then add some great Global Style pillows for accents.
Get the Look with a Great Rug
Allow the rug to become the focal point for your room and guide the color scheme and your choices for accents and accessories such as throw pillows, art, lighting, and more.
A great way to get started is to work with black and white rugs and pillows. Then you can continue with the black and white theme throughout the room or add pops of color with your wall color, lighting, or other accents.
Because black and white are so neutral, they can work with just about any other color accents you choose and will highlight the beauty of those colors by contrast.
Get the Look with a Statement Piece of Furniture
Get the look with a beautiful statement piece of furniture like the bed in my Edesign below, that becomes the focal point of your room in your favorite shade of green. Pull in other green decor items to work with your statement piece.
Edesign and fractal art home decor by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Edesign and fractal art home decor by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Get the Look with a Beautiful Green Wall Color
In the example below, the rich dark green wall color sets the tone of the room, and my green fractal art from my “Spring” collection, the plants, and lamp add to the theme. The hot pink is a great complimentary color and works wonderfully with the colors of the outdoor view.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
So Many Shades of Green!
Remember, greens can be saturated or unsaturated , light or dark, and can be green/blue or green/yellow based on how close they are to their neighbor on the color wheel. All will look different.
When putting together a green themed room, why not have a color strategist measure your colors to make sure the greens will work together nicely and to select the perfect colors to harmonize with the greens you love.
Although there is a general rule in Interior Design that all “greens” work together or all hues in the same family work together, that is very general. Some work better together than others, so why not create the perfect harmonies. It is important to make selections that play well together.
Green hues and their Munsell color notation.Notice Green is adjaceht to green/blue and green/yellow on the color wheel.
Are You Ready to See the Beauty of Green in Your Home?
Are you ready to create your perfect space with Global Style design? 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.
Edesign and fractal art home decor by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Check out My Fractal Art Studios
One-of-a-kind eco-friendly fractal art fashions and home decor.One-of-a-kind fractal art home decor, art prints, and more.
Do you love the look of Global Style Design? Do you love the rich colors, exotic designs, hand-made works of art that bring the beauty of different cultures to life in your space?
Guess what? You can still get the beauty of all those global styles in black and white.
An easy way to get the look of any Global Style is with a beautiful rug, and then add some great Global Style pillows for accents.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Allow the rug to become the focal point for your room and guide the color scheme and your choices for accents and accessories such as throw pillows, art, lighting, and more.
A great way to get started is to work with black and white rugs and pillows. Then you can continue with the black and white theme throughout the room or add pops of color with your wall color, lighting, or other accents.
Because black and white are so neutral, they can work with just about any other color accents you choose and will highlight the beauty of those colors by contrast.
Examples of Global Styles Inspired by Black and White Rugs
Here are a few examples using Edesigns I created primarily in black and white. In the living room below, my inspiration was the beautiful black and white rug. I built the rest of the color palette and accessories around it and used red as my additional color. Learn more.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
In the bedroom below, I used the same rug as my inspiration piece, and used yellow as my accent color. Learn more about this project.
Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and DesignEdesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Black and White Global Style Rugs
Here are some of my favorite black and white Global Style rugs which would be great as the inspiration piece to build any room design from.
Black and White Global Style Rugs
Black and White Global Style Pillows
Here are some of my favorite black and white Global Style accent pillows.
Black and White Global Style Pillows
All Blacks and Whites are Not the Same
Remember, blacks and whites are actually either extremely saturated or unsaturated hues or colors, so all blacks and whites will look different.
When putting together a black and white themed room, it would be wise to have a color strategist measure your colors to make sure the blacks and whites you want to use will work together nicely.
Although there is a general rule in Interior Design that all “blues” work together or all hues in the same family work together, that is not always true. One white for example, if too close in values to another can make one look “dirty”. It is important to make selections that play well together.
Are You Ready to See the Beauty of Black and White in Your Home?
Are you ready to create your perfect space with Global Style design? 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.
Check out My Fractal Art Studios
One-of-a-kind eco-friendly fractal art fashions and home decor.One-of-a-kind fractal art home decor, art prints, and more.
As the new year approaches, you will probably hear a lot about trends in design, color and the latest, greatest ideas in furniture and accessories. My mind is focused inward on a different way of transforming your home.
I think about 2019, what I accomplished and what my life and home felt like. I’m compelled to plan for 2020 to re-invent my life, health, business and home to be the ideal expression of myself. How about you?
I have been inspired lately listening to Jim Fortin’s podcast, “Transform your life from the inside out”, and watching videos by Dr. Joe Dispenza. They both talk about how to re-program your brain to transform your life by working from the inside out. Jim Fortin talks about the idea of HAVE, DO, BE that most of us operate from. If I only “had” that, I could “do” this and “be” happy. He says it should be the other ways around. BE, DO, HAVE. BE your ideal self so you can DO the things you want to and the “HAVE” will come as a result. Start on the inside and work your way out. Dr Joe Dispenza talks about how re-programming your brain through meditation can totally change your life, health and more. Change your thoughts, which change your emotions which change your physiology. I know, a little Woo Woo perhaps, but you never know until you try. It’s a new year, what can it hurt!
As a designer, I can’t help but think about how all this translates to your home, and how transforming your home from the inside out can affect the way you feel and can help re-invent your life too. Is it time for you to make a change? If so, how do you do it?
Color
The easiest way is by changing your colors, which have a profound effect on how you feel. There is lots of information online about the psychology of color and how different colors make you feel for inspiration. Color is easy to change! And so, it is easy not to change. How long have you had the same colors in your home? Change the paint color of a main room, change the color of your accessories, put up new and colorful art, change your pillow colors, get a new area rug.
Because color is easy to change, it’s easy to change again if you don’t like it. Be brave and go for it. Forget about grays, whites and neutrals. Try something bolder, or one of the new 2020 colors of the year. Or, if you prefer neutral colors on your walls, add pops of color in other ways. Maybe you have a bold color scheme going on now that you could change if you want a calmer and more serene environment.
Most people get stressed out about picking new colors. What colors go together? What if I hate it? Who has time to paint? What if my friends don’t like it? The only thing that matters is if you like it and it makes you feel good. Tell your own story. Of course, it is always great if the colors work well with your home and fixed finishes. A certified color strategist can help you with that.
Get Rid of the Monkey Chatter
What??? Yes, monkey chatter. Jim Fortin talks about how our brains are filled with monkey chatter, the endless thoughts of our past and current problems, and negative things we say to ourselves and others all day long. In other words, our heads are filled with X#$%@ most of the day. How can we re-invent ourselves with all that mental clutter?
This of course makes me think of our homes and all our clutter (me included). When we get rid of it, just like in our minds, doesn’t it feel so good? Remove the clutter, let the things you love have a place of honor with room to breathe so they shine, and you can enjoy them more. Maybe switch a few things out so something different (like art, accessories or a treasure) has a chance to take center stage.
Be Here Now
Yes, more Woo Woo:). Part of my re-invention involves learning to meditate. I’m finding this hard due to all the monkey chatter. They really are annoying?. The key is to tell the monkeys to be quiet, get centered, relaxed and calm. I feel much more relaxed and calmer in a space that is clean, organized, and not overwhelmed with stuff. Part of my re-invention continues to include getting rid of more stuff!
Color can also create a calm environment. Benjamin Moore’s 2020 color of the year First Light (a soft blush pink) is a calm, relaxing color that is great for a bedroom. Sherwin William’s 2020 color of the year Naval (dark navy), is described as a “rich navy that creates a calm and grounding environment infused with quiet confidence”. Sherwin Williams says that “Naval merges the desire for rich, inspiring color with our yearning for relaxation and retreat.” Even Pantone’s color of the year, Classic Blue, is described as a shade that would “bring a sense of calm to our fast-paced, technology-filled world”. “Reminiscent of a twilight sky, the deep shade of blue evokes a tranquil feeling.” Deep blue is considered one of the most soothing shades. PPG’s color of the year Chinese Porcelain, is also a deep blue, described as “a shade of blue that instills calmness, reduces anxiety, and encourages sleep”. “This soothing blue imparts slowness, encouraging consumers to practice mindfulness and be more present in their lives”. Sounds like these paint companies were thinking about getting rid of the monkey chatter too!
Get Connected
One benefit of meditation is to connect to something greater than yourself. The universal energy. Get comfortable with yourself and then connect with everything around you and the energy of other living things. This need for connection with other living things is called “biophilia”, which I will write more about in an upcoming blog article. In terms of home design, to me that means “bringing the outside in”. One way to do this besides having lots of windows with views of nature is again, with color. Behr’s 2020 color of the year Back to Nature is a nice green they describe as a “restorative and revitalizing green hue that engages the senses and pairs well with other colors both inside and outside your home”. Classic Blue, Pantone’s 2020 color of the year, described as the color of “twilight” can also work. Valspar came up with 20 colors of the year for 2020, in shades of pinks, greens and neutrals all based on nature.
If you decide to try one of the “colors of the year”, most vendors in the design industry are in tune with these colors so it is easy to find furnishings, accessories and art to work with them.
Here is an example of how you can pull together all the ideas that I mentioned. I created this global style, eco-friendly design for a living room using Behr’s color of the year, Back to Nature. This design uses elements of Turkish style, with a beautiful handmade, authentic new kilim rug that has many of the traditional elements of true vintage Turkish Kilims. It is 10 x 13 and made of wool, so is eco-friendly. The Kilim pillow covers, (pillow 1, pillow 2, and pillow 3) are hand woven and made of 40-50 years old Turkish kilim fragments backed with cotton cloth. You can get 5% off the rug and pillows and anything you like at Kilim.com with code nls2019 at check out. I adore the soft look of the pink velvet sofa, which also comes in a beautiful shade very close to Back to Nature. The velvet lumbar pillows come in both coral and moss colors. The clean hour-glass shape of the black lamps go beautifully with the design of the Turkish rug. I also love the pink Moroccan pouf! The iron and marble side tables and coffee table add a modern, simple element and are eco-friendly.
Recommendations contain affiliate links, meaning they give me a small commission for sharing at no additional cost to you.
I created fractal art for this design to work with both Turkish style and the color Back to Nature. I think these elements would also go beautifully with Benjamin Moore’s First Light. The three designs, called Connection, Connecting and Connect work together and are available at my store on Society6. Learn more about my fractal art in my article Fractal Art for Interior Design.
Connection- Fractal art by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Connecting- Fractal art by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Connect- Fractal art by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
As I write this article, I realize that even though I was not thinking about design “trends”, the colors of the year perfectly reflect the direction I want to go in 2020. I assume many others feel the same, as the colors of the year tend to reflect the direction our culture is moving.
I hope this article inspires you to be your best self in the coming year and gives you a few ideas to get there. Happy New Year!
Need Help with Your Colors?
If you are ready to make a change, I’m here to help. Why not start with a color consultation. Learn more.
My inbox is overwhelmed with Black Friday specials. Some are really worth checking out! I even have a few of my own! It is a great time to get some new things to spruce up your home design. Here are a few of my top picks! But first, I just want to say Thank You!!! Thanks for being here and reading this and wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Gift Card- Interior Design Consultation- 50% Off
From now through Cyber Monday I am offering a special service of a 1 hour design consultation for 50% off my normal design consultations which are 2 hours. Get a 1 hour online Interior Design Consultation as a gift for yourself or that special someone or give yourself a present! Send me your pictures and we can talk by phone, we can do a video call or walk me through your house using Facetime. Ask me anything.
30% off and Free Shipping on my Unique Fractal Art
I create one of a kind Fractal Art which I share with you in my store, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design on Society 6. My designs are made into a wide variety of home decor including wall art, clocks, indoor and outdoor furniture, bedding, curtain, pillows wall hangings and more. In addition you can get tote bags, computer and ipad bags, cell phone cover, outdoor gear and more. Now through Cyber Monday, you can get 30% off everything with free shipping!
I love a great rug to create a focal point and set the style for any room. Boutique Rugs is offering 55%-60% off their rugs and they have some gorgeous designs! Here are some of my favorites. Click on the picture to learn more about each of these rugs.
What’s Your Global Design Style?
All of these picks are great for modern global style design and telling your own unique and amazing story. Wondering what your Global Design Style is? Take the quiz and find out!
Ready to get the look in your home but want a little help to make it happen? Check out my Online and Edesign services. I would love to help you.
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 charm. While global design styles are eclectic and may mix and match items from a variety of countries, you may be drawn to the colors and cultural artifacts of some countries more than others.
What is Indian Style?
Indian style design creates inviting, informal, relaxed spaces filled with bright colored hand spun fabrics with paisley patterns, floor cushions around colorful rugs, intricate mandala motifs and nature-inspired themes with flowers, birds, animals.
You love the arched wood furniture with curved armrests and legs, carvings and inlay work in metal, ivory, stones and mirrors. Fill your rooms with wooden chests, footstools, bird cages, masks, clay pottery, and boxes in sandalwood metal or marble. Add some metal accents such as brass lamps, pots and figurines and some beautiful Indian flowing window drapes, bed canopies or bedspreads.
Create a sanctuary with an outdoor fountains and courtyard. Indian colors include vibrant bright blues, reds, saffron orange and golds and earthy tones like ochre yellows, browns and burnt oranges for walls and floors with brighter colors for accents and accessories.
Here is an example of an Edesign I did for an Indian style bedroom featuring the beauty of Indian art and hand crafted design elements. It is rich in color and provides a space to relax, read, and spend time together. This design celebrates the color purple and uses Pantone’s color, Love Symbol #2 created in honor of Prince for the walls. I loved working with this rich and beautiful hue!
Indian style bedroom. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Indian style bedroom. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Indian style bedroom. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
The concept board below shows the floor plan with a seating area near the window for enjoying the beautiful views and reading. An area is set aside in the opposite corner with a make up table, mirror and another seating and dressing area on the opposite side of the bed.
Indian Style Bedroom Concept Board
See below to learn more about my inspiration pieces and some of the products I used for the design. Some links are affiliate links, meaning they give me a small commission for sharing with you at no additional cost to you.
Inspiration
The beautiful purple rug and carved bed from India were my primary inspiration pieces. The rug inspired the color scheme celebrating a passion for purple!
Dickeyville Area Rug by Surya. Boutique Rugs
Color Scheme
I used Love Symbol #2 on the walls in the design to harmonize with the purple rugs. A paint color that is similar and would work with the design is Benjamin Moore’s Ultra Violet.
Pantone’s Love Symbol #2
Benjamin Moore’s Ultra Violet
The perfect compliment to this purple is Tumeric (yellow/gold) color, which is a typical color in Indian design based on the flowering plant, Tumeric which is native to India.
Ground turmeric in a wooden spoon | by wuestenigel. Photo from Flikr.
Want to get the look of Indian style design in your home? Try Edesign! The project above is an example of what you would receive with a Full Service Edesign package which includes a floor plan, concept board, 3D renders of the design and a shopping list with a complimentary check up on your design after you implement it. Check out all my Online and Edesign services. I would love to help you.
Get Inspired
Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration on global styles and eco-friendly design. Check out my board on Indian style for daily inspiration on this beautiful style! Want to explore other styles? Check out my What’s Your Design Style board.
What’s Your Global Design Style?
Are you curious about other global design styles and what might be right for you? Take the quiz and find out!
What’s Your Global Interior Design Style? Take this fun quiz to find out.
Northern Lights Home Staging and Design is an award winning company with training in home staging, Interior Design and color consulting. We have won numerous awards for customer service, our blog, youtube channel and Interior design.
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 and geometrical patterns for the curtains are common.
Accessories are colorful and bright and include candles, vases and mirrors, painted wooden animal figurines, wall hangings, clay pottery, woven baskets, traditional masks and paintings.
Colors are bright. Red is common and Yellow is also used heavily in shades ranging from bright lemon yellow to deep earthy golds. Terracotta is common. Blues are commonly used in art and accessories.
Mexican style 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 charm. While global design styles are eclectic and may mix and match items from a variety of countries, you may be drawn to the colors and cultural artifacts of some countries more than others.
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Living Room
Here is an example of an eco-friendly Edesign I did for a Mexican style living room. The clients were a retired couple that loved to travel and enjoyed collecting art and figurines from Mexico and other countries. They wanted a space rich in color where they could relax, read, watch TV, entertain and share their love of travel and ethnic art. They also wanted a space that was as eco-friendly as possible.
Before Photos
The clients had just moved into a new home. Here is what it looked like before their new design. They provided these photos and floor plan to create the design from and information on what they liked in term of style and color and how they wanted to use the room. The only things that would be staying in the room from the photos was the flooring, which was new.
Sustainable Mexican Living Room Design-Before Photos. View from the living room toward front door.
Sustainable Mexican Living Room Design-Before Photos- Back wall
Sustainable Mexican Living Room Design-Before Photos- Room Dimensions
After
This project was a full service Edesign. These after pictures are 3D renders of the finished design which they received with a concept board, shopping list and set up instructions. As you can see, I changed the wall color, and used PPG’s color of the year for 2020, Chinese Porcelain which I extended into the entry way to create a feeling of more space. I changed the front door, window treatments, lighting and furniture.
Mexican Style Eco-Friendly Living Room. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Mexican Style Eco-Friendly Living Room. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Get the Look- It’s Healthy and Great for Entertaining
The products I used are all sustainable and healthy for your indoor environment. See my article on “Eco-Friendly Interior Design- Why You Should Care” on the Edesign Tribe blog. All the items are made from natural materials such as wood, cotton, wool, copper, iron, sheepskin, clay, ceramic, palm and leather. Here is the concept board I created for the clients.
Mexican Style Living Room- Whimsical, Colorful and Eco-Friendly. #Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Inspiration and Products
The following products were used in this design. Some are trade sources in which I was able to work out a discount for you if you like them and order directly yourself. Others may be affiliate sources, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase them for sharing them with you, at no additional cost to you.
The inspiration for this room was this mural from Anthropologie. The whimsical, crewelwork-inspired motif is based on an embroidery style created by the Otomi people of central Mexico and is filled with pre-historic symbols based on native flora and fauna, local beliefs and even primitive cave drawings. Animals, were thought to be bearers of important news. This piece inspired the color scheme, the purple couch, the colors of the leather chairs and velvet pillows on the sofa.
Mural used as inspiration for the design. Melika Mural. Photo from Anthropologie.
Eco-Friendly Accessories
The animals in the mural inspired the collection of painted wood animal figurines on the book shelves which I got from La Fuente and Wayfair. The ones from La Fuente are Oaxacan Woodcarvings. The wood carvers of Oaxaca Mexico create whimsical designs in festive colors, are carved by hand from the wood of the copal tree. They are painted in stunning detail with acrylic colors. The carvers believe their figures will bring good luck to the potential owner. The figurines from Wayfair are representations of these, which I chose because I loved the colors and some of the cats were just too cute!
Oaxacan Woodcarvings. Photo of the carving from La Fuente.
Stevensville Excited Cat Figurine. Made in Mexico. Photo from Wayfair.
I set this cat up on the side table to peak at you from behind the sofa.
This purple cat had some nice colors that tied in with the purple sofa and colors on the wall and mural.
Wood Kittycat Folk Art Figurine. Photo from Wayfair
The whimsical mural’s focus on plants and animals also inspired the use of the ceramic masks which feature plants and animals.
Ceramic Hand Painted masks from La Fuente. Photo of mask from La Fuente.
I found these gorgeous eco-friendly baskets made in Mexico from palm leaves, at The Citizenry.
Mercado Floor Baskets. Photo from the Citizenry
I found the velvet cotton pillows at Bryar Wolfe, where you can get 5% off with code northernlightsstaging at checkout.
Cotton velvet pillows from Bryar Wolfe. Photo by Bryar Wolfe. Get 5% off with code northernlightsstaging at checkout.
Eco-Friendly Furniture
The sofa uses natural latex cushions, wool stuffed pillows and hardwood frame from Medley Furniture which specializes in eco-friendly furniture. Get a 5% discount on all their products with the code NLS5 at check out. They use sustainable materials such as certified hardwoods and bamboo, no harsh chemicals or fire retardants. Cushions are made of latex foam, pillows are stuffed with wool, cotton, hemp or down. The furniture is custom made for you within 6-8 weeks and they offer free returns. And they have some beautiful fabrics and colors! Who doesn’t need a purple couch!
Get a 5% discount on all the eco-friendly, sustainable furniture at Medley with the code NLS5 at check out.I love these copper tables, made in Mexico, from La Fuente. Copper is a great option for incorporating unique, authentic and eco-friendly furniture in your design. I found the coffee table, console table and side tables, all made in Mexico there, and loved the color and the petroglyph cut outs on the console table. I thought it related nicely back to the pre-historic elements of the Otami art.
Round Copenhagen Coffee Table- Photo from La Fuente
Petroglyph Console Table- Photo from La Fuente
This picked this end table from Mexico because it was made from reclaimed wood and re-purposed hammered copper on the top and the drawer.
French End Table- Photo by La Fuente
I loved this small floating hardwood and iron table made in Mexico from The Citizenry because it did not take up a lot of space and was perfect for the reading area I created near the bookshelves.
Centro Floating Table- Photo from The Citizenry
These beautiful leather chairs from The Citizenry are unique and made in Mexico
Aldama Chair-Photo from The Citizenry
San Rafael Safari Chair- Photo from The Citizenry
Eco-Friendly Rugs and Throws
The beautiful wool Moroccan Azrou rug is from Atlas weavers. I could not find an eco-friendly rug that fit the design from Mexico, but this one from Morocco is simple and has that folkloric look that worked nicely with the design.
Azrou rug from Atals Weavers. Get 20% off at check out with code “northern lights”. Photo by Atlas Weavers.
Atlas Weavers will give you a 20% discount on their beautiful authentic new or vintage rugs, made from wool or animal hides. Use the code “northern lights” at check out on any non-sale item. To learn more about Moroccan rugs, see my blog article on the Magic of Moroccan Rugs.
Get 20% off any non-sale rug at Altas Weavers with code “northern lights” at check out.
At Arhaus , I found the sheepskin rug and throw to add a feeling of softness and create an atmosphere you just wanted to snuggle up and relax! Not made in Mexico, but eco-friendly!
Sheepskin wool linen rug. Photo from Arhaus
Ivory Tibetan Wool Throw. Photo from Arhaus
Eco-Friendly Lighting
I also found the iron and onyx chandelier, and the clay sconces, made in Mexico at La Fuente.
Castillo Collection Three Light Chandelier- Photo from La Fuente
Castillo Collection Double Table Lamp- Photo from La Fuente
Clay Wall Sconce- Photo from La Fuente
Plants are Great for Indoor Air Quality
A nice touch to add beauty to your room and to help filter your air is to use plants. I found these clay and marble pots and vases, made in Mexico at The Citizenry as well, where you can shop “by country”.
PUEBLA MARBLE PLANTER . Photo from The Citizenry
PUEBLA MARBLE PLANTER- Photo from The Citizenry
CANTARO POTS- Photo from The Citizenry
BLACK ENGOBE VASE SET- Photo from The Citizenry
Are You Inspired to Create your own Mexican Oasis?
I love the way this design came out. It seems like a happy, magical space where you can sit back, relax, and tell stories about the wonders of your travels to exotic lands.
Wondering what your Global Design Style is? Take the quiz and find out!
Edesign and Online Services
Northern Lights Home Staging and Design is an award winning company with training in home staging, Interior Design and color consulting. We have won numerous awards for customer service, our blog, youtube channel and Interior design.
