Contrast is the Key to Striking Beauty

While in my doumbek class last week, my drum teacher Amir Etemadzadeh, who is a native of Iran was talking about the importance of being able to distinguish clearly all the notes we can make on our drums. The more notes, the better.  The more clearly they are different from each other, the better and more beautiful it sounds to the listener.

Amir describes it as creating a beautiful and delicious meal and all the notes are like the spices and layers that make it delicious to the ears. 

As he waxes poetic about the beauty of contrast and how critical it is to distinguish the doum from the slap, and how the Teks and Kas should be as bright and high as possible, my mind wanders to Interior Design and the importance of contrast there as well. 

In music, if the notes are not easily distinguishable, they can all start to sound the same, and some notes will make others sound muddy or dull because each is not living up to its full potential. Your playing becomes boring for the audience.

Interior Design Lessons from Dance

What does it have to do with Interior Design?

Just as a drummer wants their music to sound delicious to the ears, we want our rooms to look delicious to our eyes. Contrast is one of the keys to creating great beauty.

This is Part 1 in my revelations from playing music on how to create your perfect space. 

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.

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.

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.

How Does Contrast Relate to Interior Design?

Contrast is important in creating interest and making you feel something in the room. You can create contrast with color, texture, shapes, lighting, levels, patterns, sizes and more.

The more contrast between things, the more they each stand out and shine with their own inherent beauty, complimenting each other, rather than one stealing the spotlight and making the other look dull.

There is a lot of complexity to this subject. Today, I will focus on color.

Creating Contrast with Whites and Neutrals

As my teacher spoke about the sounds of the drum, the first thing that came to mind was how important contrast is when using the color white.

White. How seemingly simple but how complex. Many, when confused about color will say, lets just paint it white and be done with it. Haha, well, that just opened a big can of worms.

There are so many whites out there, it is amazing. Why? Because white is a color, just like any other, and is ultimately, the least saturated or a low saturation of a hue. Example, take a blue and reduce its chroma until it looks white, It is still that same blue, but with very little chroma. That is why all whites look so different.

P. S., it has nothing to do with so called “undertones”, which is just a word people use that do not understand color science to subjectively describe what they see.

No big deal, until you decide to mix whites in your space. One white can make another look muddy, or dirty, or just “off”.

Why? You need to make sure there is enough difference in chroma to easily distinguish the two whites. And there should still be some color harmony between the hues the whites come from. Whites that are opposites on the color wheel look better together than ones that are so close to each other that they look off.

Neutrals are the same as whites. They just have a little more chroma.

Finding the beauty of a neutral palette using various shades of whites, off whites and neutrals with enough contrast to see all the variations can be gorgeous. Throw in a variety of shapes and textures to add even more interest and variety.

Get the Look

 Here is an example of a beautiful and relaxing Edesign I created using whites and neutrals with contrasting colors and textures.  

Creating Contrast with Opposite Colors

Of course, you can get maximum contrast with saturated hues. The highest degree of contrast comes from either using black and white, or opposite colors on the color wheel, which creates a complimentary color scheme.

Maximum Contrast with Black and White

Maximum Contrast with a Complimentary Color Scheme

Blue and yellow are opposites or compliments on the color wheel. Each makes the other look even more vibrant.

In the Edesign below, the green in my Spring Fractal Art is the complement of the purple walls. It has the effect of making the art really pop!

Are You Ready to Create Beauty Through Contrast in Your Home?

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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Bring on the Bling

A dance performance needs some bling.

It can be sparkly and glittery jewelry or fabrics that create magic under the stage lights. It can be accessories that make musical or percussive sounds as you move. It might be the tassels and sparkly bits that show off your movements. It could be or a costume with cultural elements that tells the story of the dance or the culture it came from.  The bling adds depth, excitement and the final touches.

It is about more than beauty. It’s about the story it tells and the mood it creates.

It’s like the jewelry that completes the perfect black dress. The jewelry says who you are, how you are feeling, and the mood you are setting for your evening.

It is also like the elements or accessories that finish off the perfect space in your home.

For example, I am in a dance company named “Tavus”, which means peacock in Persian.  The peacock is a sacred bird in Persian mythology and a symbol of royalty and power. The peacock has been sacred and revered throughout history by many cultures.

We designed classical Persian coats by attaching beautiful peacock appliques to sequined blue material to tell the story of our dance company. We designed  hats that have a peacock and peacock feathers. Our jewelry highlights the peacock colors and resembles a peacock tail. Everything sparkles under the lights, shows off movement, and a variety of textures.

Our bling tells the story of who we are, and adds depth and texture, like adding the shadows in a painting so you bring out the three dimensions.

Interior Design Lessons from Dance

What does it have to do with Interior Design? I learned to solve all my Interior Design problems by dancing. This is Part 6 in my revelations from dancing on how to create your perfect space.

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.

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.

Learn more in my other five articles:

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.i

How Does Bling Relate to Interior Design?

As in dance, bling, is what finishes off the room, creates the mood, and helps tell the story.  Bling is the special elements, accessories, and accents.

Here are some examples of some favorite accessories or elements that can help create your perfect space. Some contain affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you buy something at no additional cost to you.

It is about more than beauty. It’s about the story it tells and the mood it creates.

Fire Can be the Best Bling

Fire adds light, sparkle, warmth and a magic all its own. It can be your best bling. A fireplace is perfect in a bedroom or living room. Candles can create the same effect on a smaller scale.

In the Edesign I created below,  the fireplace and candles are the main bling. Additional accessories which would highlight the colors and natural elements of this beach front bedroom are listed below.   

https://northernlightsstaging.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Copy-of-Animated-Fireplace.mp4

Natural Elements Make Great Bling

Nature is great bling. A spectacular view highlighted by natural decor elements creates an inspiring and relaxing space.

While accessories made of natural elements such as wood, stone, plants, metals, and more are not often shiny, sparkly, or dramatic, they add warmth and texture and align the energy in your space with the outdoors.

In the Edesign I created below, the view is the bling, highlighted by natural elements for the decor such as the wood table, stone lamps and planter and plants. Everything is very simple, letting the view stand out as the main decor element.

Lighting is Great Bling

Lighting adds beauty, color, style and  creates the ambiance that can really make a room.  Layers of lights create the magic. Use overhead lighting, floor lamps, table lamps, and spotlighting for art and other elements. Learn more in my blog article, How to Make Magic Happen in Your Home with Lighting.

Below are some of my favorite table lamps. Some contain affiliate links.

Are You Ready to Create Your Perfect Space?

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?

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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Do you wonder how to make the magic happen in a room, where all the colors, textures and pieces fit together just right? Maybe you’ve tried it several times and somehow the end result was off, but you couldn’t figure out why? Did you spend a lot of money buying pieces you loved but were not happy with the way everything looked together? Is there some magic formula to make it happen? Why yes, there is!  Start with the art!

I may be a little biased, because I am both a designer and an artist, but it works for me! All designers have their own way of doing things and this is what I do. I start with the art and build my color palette and the rest of the room around it.

Start with the Art

So, what do I mean by art? It does not have to be what you typically think of. such as art you hang on the wall, although it could be. It could be a great rug, which is art for your floor. Maybe you have a fantastic view, which is built in art on your windows. It could be an inspiration piece such as a beautifully designed piece of furniture or a wonderful antique. Or even an architectural element such as a gorgeous fireplace could be the “art”.

Consider the colors, textures, the style and mood your art conveys. Take cues from the art to build the rest of the room to harmonize with and highlight the art.  Often,  I use more than one piece of “art” and work with the combination. Here is an example where I used three sources of art to build the design for this beach house.

The Primary Art- The View

In this Edesign, the main source of art is the view. The view is so beautiful and there is so much of it in the large expanse of glass, the view can not and should not be ignored. The view sets the color palette of various shades of blues, whites, and browns. It also sets the tone of a coastal style that is relaxed and peaceful. It adds texture, from soft and flowing from the sand and water,  to hard and angular from the rocks.

The Secondary Art

To highlight and harmonize with the art in the view, the next pieces I looked for were the rugs, or the art for the floor. The main rug pulled in the colors from the view with the addition of a light purple and a touch of green which expanded the color palette. The colors from the rug and the view were used to determine fabric colors for the furniture and the wall color. A second rug highlighted the dining area and used mainly blues.  

Supporting Art

And finally, I selected supporting art for the walls. The main art is the view of the ocean on 2 walls.  I created fractal art designs of the “Sea” for the third wall and for the accent pillows.  The colors and design match the ocean views and the blues in the two area rugs, tying it all together.

Shop This Look

The remaining pieces all harmonize with and support the “art” and of course the function of the room. Some of the products may contain affiliate links.

Get This Design as a Virtual Zoom Background

Do you like this design? Why not use it as a virtual background for your Zoom calls? Click on the picture to download it and submit a vote for me in the MYZOOMROOM contest! See more of my virtual designs in my blog article, Up Your Game and Look Great on Zoom.

Are you Ready to Create Some Magic?

Try my Service Edesign package, or my most popular design and color consultation today. Click on the pictures to learn more and purchase.

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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 don’t know where to start to pull it all together and create the sanctuary you always wanted. And on top of that, maybe you have a partner with totally different tastes. Or the budget just never seems to be there to really do things the way you want.

Our houses are like a big puzzle. Sometimes just putting the pieces together in a new way can make a huge difference! I learned this lesson one winter when I decided to tear out all the carpeting in my older house and replace with laminate flooring. I figured out how to do it by watching YouTube videos. Of course, this required taking every last thing out of each room as I replaced the flooring to make it possible. And then putting it all back! And that is where the light came on for me!

I am a person that likes Bohemian and global style interiors. In general, that means “more is more”, so I have always had a lot of stuff and displayed it everywhere! I liked it, I was used to it and it felt good. But as I replaced the floors and started putting things back, I did it slowly, and re-arranged things. I started to notice just how much I liked it when the important pieces had more space around them and more room to shine. All of a sudden, I realized how much I liked “less is more”!

So, the moral of this story is that just because you think you really love a certain look, keep an open mind. New ways of doing things and getting rid of a few things might just bring you joy! You could always try taking everything out of a room and putting the most important pieces back in new ways, then layering the accessories and try leaving some things out. You can always store them and trade them out and highlight different things at different times for variety.

Need more ideas on how to get going? My Top Ten Interior Design Tips might help. Download your free report here.

Ready to make changes 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.

Wondering what your Global Design Style is? Take the quiz and find out!

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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 and cons of natural stones and list a couple of top picks so that you can make an educated decision about what material best suits your kitchen, your cooking habits, and your budget.

The Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Countertops

Pros:

Natural stone is heat and water resistant and does not require any special care.

To avoid stains, one needs to wipe the stains and spills as they occur, and even more, resistant stains can be removed using a poultice.

As far as cracks and scratches go – natural stone can be easily repaired by a stone restorer.

Aesthetically speaking, you can’t beat natural stone. Deriving straight from the earth, each piece of stone tells its own story, so you can rest assured that your countertop will be a unique piece with a pattern and colour unlike any other out there.

Cons:

All those pros of natural stone come at a price – natural stone is one of the most expensive options for a countertop.

Moreover, stone is heavy and hard to work with, so you will have to hire a crew to cut it and shape it for you.

Finally, some stones are vulnerable to acids, so they require frequent sealing and maybe, repairs done by a professional.

Types of Natural Stone Countertops

Granite

In the past granite was the go- to choice for luxurious homes. However, due to its durability and heat resistance, as well as the wide array of pattern and color choices, granite has not only gained in popularity but also has become one of the most commonly used materials in residential kitchens.

With a price slightly lower than marble ($40 – $200 per square foot, including installation), granite is the best choice for heavily used surfaces.

Granite-Photo provided by Nicole Andrews 

Marble

If you are someone who cares about how your kitchen looks more than anything else, marble may be just what you need, as a marble countertop will add a sophisticated and elegant look to your kitchen.

However, there are a couple of downsides to using marble in your kitchen.

First, it comes in fewer patterns and colours than granite – some patterns more expensive than others.

Second, it is one of the most high maintenance materials, as it needs frequent sealing (every 2-3 weeks) and it etches whenever it gets in touch with acid. Moreover, marble is softer than granite, so it is prone to scratches and knife cuts.

Finally, with a price range from $75 to $250 per square foot, marble is one of the most expensive materials on this list.

Soapstone

If you are going for a more casual, rustic look of your kitchen, soapstone is what you are looking for.

Soapstone is non-porous, so it won’t need frequent sealing like marble (instead of sealer, you can apply mineral oil), but it is just as soft as marble, so soapstone too shows knife cuts and scratches.

Soapstone costs anywhere from $60 to $185 per square foot.

Quartzite

It’s hard to go wrong when choosing a quartzite countertop.

Quartzite looks very similar to marble, but it has the great properties and durabilities of granite, so it’s a great alternative to marble that endures well even in the most heavily used kitchens.

Quartzite costs from $55 to $155 per square foot, depending on the grade of the material. However, it is hard and complicated to cut and install, so if you decide to use a quartzite countertop, you should expect higher labour costs than with other materials.

The labour costs bring the price of a quartzite countertop close to the price of a marble one.

Final Words

To choose the best countertop for your kitchen, you first need to consider your kitchen design and overall cooking habits.

Natural stone countertops come at a higher price than other materials you could choose from.

However, there are a couple of things you could do to save some money, even when going for one of the most expensive options.

First, you should compare different vendors, as the prices between companies will fluctuate due to varying operation expenses. Also, just like with anything else, there is a high and down season in this industry as well, so if possible, buy your materials in late fall of the beginning of winter when the prices are lower than usual.

Second, natural stone is high maintenance, so you should make sure that you apply sealer regularly to avoid extra repair costs. Moreover, go for rounded edges as squared edges chip easier, or consider installing an edge of a different material.

Finally, choose stone tiles instead of a slab: if something were to happen to your countertop, replacing one tile would be way cheaper than replacing the entire slab.

There are many other natural stones to choose from, but the four choices above are the most commonly used in residential kitchens worldwide. We hope that now you have more information on what to look for when choosing a countertop and that you already have an idea about what material would best fit your particular needs.

Happy countertop picking!

Author Bio: Nicole Andrews is the marketing manager for Euro Marble in Sydney, Australia. With a background in interior design, she enjoys writing about the latest industry trends. In her spare time, she walks her dog Rusco down at Bondi Beach.

Now that you know how to decide on which natural stone countertop is right for you, do you need help pulling all your colors together to make sure that countertop works with your cabinets, flooring, back splash and paint colors? My color consultation is the perfect tool to help you make that happen! Learn more.

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It’s a new year. Why not make a resolution to make your house beautiful! But how! Here are ten ways to make your house beautiful in 2018.

Make a Plan

You are much more likely to get the end result you want if you start with a plan. Many people just start buying things they like, hoping that it will all work together in the end. This usually does not work. A designer can help you come up with a great and affordable plan. It starts with understanding your own style, what you want and how your design will enhance how you live in your space.

Tell Your Own Story

It is easy to see pictures in a magazine or online of a room and think, “I want that”.  To have a beautiful house you love and will be unique, you need to tell your own story! Those pictures may serve as inspiration, but the items may not fit well in your space, fit your lifestyle, or work with things you own. Find things you love and are meaningful to you, give them a place of honor and build the design around them.

Buy what you Love

It is better to buy what you love, even if it is more expensive and it takes longer to get all the pieces you want than to rush to finish your design project with cheaper items. The things you love will make you happy over the long term. Try to find classic items that will stand the test of time, rather than something trendy. Trends fade quickly as will your interest in it.

Be Brave with Color

Color makes magic happen, affects the way you feel and is easy to change. Painting is an inexpensive way to make a dramatic difference. Get help from a color consultant or Interior Designer to determine the perfect colors for you that work with your finishes and furniture.

Let there be light

Add magic to a space with layers of light. Find beautiful fixtures that add overhead lighting, mixed with lamps at mid-level and task lighting. Accent lighting on art and under cabinets look great.

Edit

We often collect so many things that nothing has a chance to shine. Get rid of the things you do not love.  Give the things you love a place of honor and enough uncluttered space around them so the eye is drawn to them and you can appreciate it. You can always put the other things away and change out the items you want to highlight for variety.

Be Patient

A great interior design perfectly suited to you happens in layers and takes time. Be patient.

Create a sanctuary for yourself

Your space should not only look good but feel good, give you a place to re-charge and feel like your favorite place in the world.

Change it up

Using more neutral colors for the walls and furnishings allows you to change the other colors in the room such as accent pillows, art and accessories as often as you like for variety.

Break the rules

If it looks good, feels good and you love it, do it!

Ready to make your home more beautiful? Call 907-362-0065 today.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Here are my top ten Interior Design tips to create a beautiful space that is uniquely aligned with you, tells your story and is your favorite place in the world!

Make an Interior Design Plan

You are much more likely to get the end result you want if you start with an Interior Design plan. Many people just start buying things they like, hoping that it will all work together in the end. This usually does not work. A designer can help you develop an overall plan to guide you before you buy anything. This starts with really understanding your own style, what you want and how your design will enhance how you live in your space.

Tell Your Own Story

It is easy to see pictures in a magazine or online of a room and think, “I want that”.  To have a beautiful interior design you will love and will be unique, you need to tell your own story! Those pictures may serve as inspiration, but the items may not fit well in your space, fit your lifestyle, or work with things you own. Find things you love and are meaningful to you, give them a place of honor and build the design around them.

Buy what you Love

It is better to buy what you love, even if it is more expensive and it takes longer to get all the pieces you want than to rush to finish your design project by buying cheaper items. The things you love will make you happy over the long term, while you may lose interest in the other items quickly. Try to find classic items that will stand the test of time, rather than something trendy. Trends fade quickly as will your interest in it.

Be Brave with Color

Color makes magic happen, affects the way you feel in a space and is easy to change. Painting is a cheap way to make a dramatic difference. Get help from a color consultant or Interior Designer to determine the perfect colors for you that also work with your finishes and furniture.

Let there be light

Add magic to a space with layers of light. Find beautiful fixtures that add overhead lighting, mixed with lamps at mid-level and task lighting. Accent lighting on art and under cabinets look great.

Edit

We often collect so many things that nothing has a chance to shine. Get rid of the things you do not love.  Give the things you love a place of honor and enough uncluttered space around them so the eye is drawn to them and you can appreciate it. You can always put the other things away and change out the items you want to highlight for variety.

Be Patient

A great interior design perfectly suited to you happens in layers and takes time. Be patient.

Create a sanctuary for yourself

Your space should not only look good but feel good, give you a place to re-charge and feel like your favorite place in the world.

Change it up

Using more neutral colors for the walls and furnishings allows you to change the other colors in the room such as accent pillows, art and accessories as often as you like for variety.

Break the rules

If it looks good, feels good and you love it, do it!