There are 10 great reasons to love global style design.

One of my favorite reasons is that Global style design is great at bringing the outside in to your designs, to help you feel connected and relaxed by surrounding yourself with the beauty of nature.

What is Global Style?

Global style tells the story of your life and adventures with things you have collected in your travels and local adventures. Highlighting unique, colorful, and beautiful art and crafts is a wonderful way to create your perfect space.

Each piece tells part of your story while creating a rich tapestry of color, texture, art, and history.  And you get the added benefit of supporting local and international artists and their communities.

How Global Style Brings the Outside In

Global styles are very connected to their natural environments.  They often take their color palettes and design elements from the landscape, plants, and animals of the area.

Art, accessories, and rugs highlight colors and motifs based on natural and unique features of the culture.

This has the effect of creating the feeling o bringing the outside in, or making your interior space feel connected to the outdoors.

For example, I wrote a series of articles showing how the colors and patterns of different global styles were related to their culture and landscapes.

Here are a few examples. They contain affiliate links which means I may make a small commission for sharing with you at no additional cost to you.

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

See an example of the natural landscape that inspired the design and some of the design elements I used below.

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 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.

See the landscape that inspired the design and some of the design elements I used below.

Moroccan Style

Moroccan homes use bright colors, such as red, blue, orange, turquoise, pale ocean blues and green mixed with gold.

See the art of the landscape that inspired the design and some of the design elements I used below.

Turkish Style

Turkish style is warm and inviting, earthy and exotic. There is an abundance of warm earth tones with pops of beautiful color. The colors and textures of the land have inspired much of the art, colors, and culture.

See how the colors in the landscape inspired the design and some of the design elements I used below.

Greek Style

Greek Interior Design is simple and elegant, inspired by nature, and looks light, bright, airy, and clean.  Imagine lots of white with beautiful vivid blue, green, fuchsia, and gold accents, and a clean, de-cluttered, rustic look,

See how the colors in the landscape inspired the design and some of the design elements I used below.

Bohemian Style

Bohemian style tends to be more general, selecting elements from many places and mixing and matching them into one glorious, colorful but harmonious whole. In other words, make it your own!

Bohemian style celebrates warm earthy colors, metals and jewel tones. Bohemian decor often uses deep browns, greens, grays or other neutral colors for base colors, then accessorizes with saturated purple, fiery orange, and electric blue and other jewel tones

Here are some examples of pieces I used for this design. Elements of the outdoors are incorporated in my fractal art inspired by bioluminescence in the ocean, pillows with plant motifs, bird accessories, lotus plant light fixture, and more. Learn more about this design in my article, Get the Look- Global Style- Bohemian.

What Story Does Your Landscape Tell?

Look around. What are the colors, shapes and inspiring things about your landscape that you can connect to your indoor spaces?

What are the main things you see from the windows into your main living areas?

Consider your surroundings. Do you live in the mountains, a forest, on the ocean or in a city?

What is your view?

What are the prominent colors and how do they change with the seasons?

Some of my Landscape Stories

Here are some of the colors, shapes, and inspiration from my landscape here in Seward Alaska that shape what I try to bring indoors into my space and my designs.

How Can You Bring the Outside In?

It is easy to get started by picking art or accessories that have nature-inspired designs.  Look for things that reflect the area you live in or a place you love to go. Maybe you are inspired by the scenery, water, plants or animals. You can also use your selection as an inspiration piece to build your color palette.

Art and Accessories Inspired by Water

Live near water? Here are some pieces of art inspired by the ocean or other water bodies you might like. Try a watery color scheme of greens and blues.

Art and Accesories Inspired by Plants

Live near a forest or have trees and shrubs in your yard? Try lighting, art, or accessories based on plant motifs.

Art and Accessories Inspired by Animals

Abstract Art Inspored by Nature

Before I became a designer, I was a wildlife biologist in Alaska for 20 years and 10 years before that in Arizona. I was always fascinated by the beauty of nature, the colors, the patterns of the landscapes, plants, and animals. Whether it was the amazing patterns I could see of the section of a plant under a microscope to the big picture view of doing wildlife surveys in a plane, those experiences influence the fractal art I create today. It is all related to nature in some way. Check out some of my fractal art below and visit my stores on Society 6 and Vida to see more.

Why Connecting with Nature Matters

As humans, we want to be connected with nature and other living things such as people, animals and plants.  This longing for “connection” with other life forms is called “biophilia”.

As humans, we have always been connected to nature, for survival, sustenance, spiritual renewal, and inspiration. Mother nature is the best designer there is, with her endless abundance of beautiful color palettes, shapes, patterns, and textures. Spending time in nature is good for our health and wellbeing.

Learn more in my article, Healthy Home- Feel Good with Biophilia.

Look at your surroundings and find the colors and inspiration from the outdoors that it meaningful to you, and bring some into your space.

Ready to Connect to Nature in Your Home?

My philosophy of great Interior Design, which I call Aligned Design, considers three key factors which are art (creativity), science (color), and energy (connection). The intersection of the three is where the magic happens.

Connecting to nature and biophilia is part of the energy of great design.  

Start with an Aligned Design consultation to create a plan to create your perfect 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.

Check out My Fractal Art Studios

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Download my Brochure

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Prices subject to change without notice.

Examples may contain affiliate links, meaning I may get a small commission for sharing them with you if you buy something, at no additional cost to you.

Some time or another, we all get our five minutes of fame, or infamy depending on what you do with it. I think your choices tell a lot about who you are.

 

I have had many chances for my five minutes of fame on the radio, on the dance or music stage, in publications and more. This time felt a little different, maybe because the audience seemed so big!

I thought I would share my experience, in case it helps you when your five minutes comes around:)

The Experience

I had a call from the Podcast Business News Network in New York City, inviting me to do an interview on home staging and Interior Design. The man I spoke to gave me the impression the interview would be about 20 minutes and it would happen either the next day or the day after. They found my name on the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers. They mentioned how they had 21 million listeners live and 40 million listeners total. There were about 100,000 in Alaska where I live (mouth drop).

I asked if I would know what the questions were in advance and they said yes. They also said it was free, and there was no obligation. The interview would be live and then I would get a link to the recording to share on social media or wherever I wanted.

I thought OK, what the heck. What could go wrong other than saying something dumb when 20 million people could hear me. Why not. Sign me up.

I was transferred to someone else who was to schedule me. Then I was told it was only 5 minutes and they would send me a questionnaire to fill out. Hmmm, OK, well that is fine too.

I got my questions quickly by email, took the evening to consider my responses, and sent them in the next day. I considered what message I really wanted to get across, and practiced, timing myself to make sure it could be said in under 5 minutes. Not easy! There was a lot of editing.

Other People’s Reaction to the Upcoming Interview

Now it gets interesting. I posted some info about the interview, the day and time, and how people could tune in. I hoped a few people might be interested and it would be easier picturing some friendly faces listening.

Friends on Facebook were all very supportive.

Crickets from anyone on my Facebook business page.

Some colleagues downplayed it or warned me about it. One said, oh I got one of those messages and deleted it. Another mentioned the red flags to consider, such as the reviews made it sound like the show was a bunch of infomercials and it may just be about selling me something. Others just ignored my post altogether. After all, most of us are busy with our own stuff with no time to waste listening to interviews.

The Facebook group I am in for a business class was incredibly supportive, with all kinds of positive things to say and suggestions on how to make the most of the interview, especially the call to action at the end.

My mom said, oh I will be busy then so can’t listen. You will do fine.

After all that, I had mixed emotions, running from nerves to excitement to wondering if I was being taken in by some too good to be a true scam.

What Would You Do?

What would you do? 

I started thinking, if I help 1 person out of the supposed 41 million just by jabbering on for 5 minutes, it is all worth it.

Whatever happens, I can share it in a blog article and help others as well.

All the preparation for the interview helped me clarify how I describe my new Aligned Design system to people which will help me with my website copy.

I learned a lot from my business class friends about how to make the most of these short interviews when the opportunity presents itself.

I also learned to consider what the red flags might be and if they were worth not doing it for. 

The Interview

Please give a description of your company and the products/services you offer.

Northern Lights Home Staging and Design offers Color Consulting, Edesign, Interior Design, and Home Staging, for homes and businesses in south-central Alaska and everywhere online. I also create a one-of-a-kind fractal art home décor. My unique method, called Aligned Design aligns art, science, and energy to create the perfect space for you or your customers. Considering these three key things together what makes the magic happen.  

2. How long have you been in business?

7 years.

3. Tell us about your background and business.

• Homeowners hire me to collaborate with them to create the perfect space for them, which makes them happy and it supports them in being their best selves. I think of this as creating “expansion”, or the look and feel of a “better, happier life”. Who doesn’t want that!.
• Business owners also hire me to create that perfect space to attract their ideal customers. People buy when they think you are offering something that makes their lives better or happier in some way, whether it is an experience or a product.
• Home sellers hire me to create that perfect space through home staging. I portray the possibility of that “better life” which makes an emotional connection with buyers so they make an offer.

Creating the Look and Feel of Something More, and a Happier, Better Life

To create the look and feel of something more, and happier, better life, I use a holistic approach, that aligns art, science, and energy,

Art is the creativity I use to express your style, tell your story and create a room that is beautiful to you.

Science is the color science which I use to help you create your perfect color palette. As one of the few color strategists in the country, I measure your colors and use color data as well as what looks great to give your extraordinary color.

Energy is the connection I create between you and your space and surroundings using tools like Feng Shui, and biophilia or connecting to the outdoors. 

Example of Creating Expansion

Imagine,  a master bedroom that looks like a calm, relaxing sanctuary with great views of the ocean and a fireplace. The design and colors connect with the outdoors. It had beautiful furniture and art, soft rugs and a fireplace with 2 chairs and a bottle of wine. For a homeowner, this “perfect space” would provide a sanctuary at the end of the day. For a business owner, say a Bed and Breakfast owner, the room would offer an experience of a “better and happier” life that people would pay for. For a home seller, a room staged this way would offer the buyer a glimpse of a better life they would have if they bought the house.

P.S., the design below was what I was thinking of and describing. Find out more about it in my blog article, Are You Creating Expansion in People’s Lives?

What Do You the Listeners to Know About You?

I believe that your space has a huge effect on how you feel every day. When your space is aligned with who you truly are or want to become, you feel better. And that feeling can spread to other areas of your life, and to everyone around you. Your surroundings influence who you are and can become. It is worth investing in yourself by creating your perfect space.

How Can People Contact You?

If you are ready to create your perfect space, give me a call at 907-362-0065 to discover for yourself what’s possible.

Visit my website at northernlightsstaging.com and take my free style quiz to discover what your perfect space might look like and get my free top ten design tips to start creating your perfect space today.

During the Interview

I was a little nervous, not too bad. All was going well. Then, they threw in the surprise question.

Seriously?

Why oh why do they do that? But guess what. I rolled with the punches. The question was, tell us about your background.

Ahhhhh, no. That will take the whole 5 minutes and no one cares. I would rather tell people about my business which could actually help them. So what did I do?

I answered with one sentence and then proceeded to tell them about my business. In other words, I took charge of the interview and talked about what I wanted to:)

I felt a little bad about that , but not that bad. Anyway, it was over in a couple minutes so I didn’t feel bad for long!

Over all, I think it went pretty well.

 

After the Interview

One friend listened that I know of, and was very complimentary.

I got a call from their executive producer who wanted to share the feedback from the show. She mentioned 8 people tried calling in, they had numerous compliments and three people inquired about it. It was funny, when she said this I thought this is probably the sales pitch they give everyone. But, when she opened the conversation she said they had an amazingly good response, and the tone in her voice made me wonder if it was really true and it surprised her. Or maybe she was just that good.

In any case, she did try to sell me on more. She said the free shows were a way to see who was a good candidate for a longer show and judge audience response. They had a variety of show packages you could do ranging from $500 for one show to 5 weeks for $7500 with individual commercials created, and the podcasts being listed forever on the site. I did not pay much attention to all the details because I was not interested in doing that.

This might be a good opportunity for you, however, regardless of the business you are in, so you can check out their website and see if you want to get your free 5 minutes of fame and go from there.

FYI, my mom actually listened to it after all. She is generally more critical than complimentary on just about anything I do, but in this case, was gushing with praise. That made it all worthwhile for me:)

How about you? What would you do? Take it, leave it, make the most of it or pass it by? Let it scare you? Rise to the challenge? Think about it….maybe they will call you tomorrow!

Aligned Design

Ready to create your perfect space and make a little magic happen? After all, where will you be six months from now if you continue to wait? Re-arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic and expecting a more beautiful outcome? You already know the end of that story! Call me at 907-362-0065 to see what’s possible for you and set up a consultation.

Are You Ready to Create Expansion in Your Life?

Are you ready for your house to look great, feel great and support you to be great? My Aligned Design consultation considers art, science and energy to give you guidance to create the perfect space for you.

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

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Prices subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

 info@northernlightsstaging.com

Turkish style is warm and inviting, earthy and exotic. There is an abundance of warm earth tones with pops of beautiful color. lots of patterns and texture and there is a slightly more rustic feel. It is simple, soft and relaxing.

Turkey has ancient roots. The colors and textures of the land has inspired much of the art, colors and culture. Turkish elements are often used in Bohemian inspired designs.

Turkish style showcases Byzantine and Ottoman architectural styles and modern and classical motifs. 

Byzantine architecture had lots of exotic, sensual domes and  mosaics, that are graceful and filled with light. It is ornate, vibrant and rich in detail, warm and sensual. It often blends soft whites with rich colors.

If you love feeding and entertaining guests, this might be the style for you, as this is very important in Turkish culture and reflected in their designs.

 

Turkey is known for their Kilim rugs and decorative coffee sets.

 

Turkish style is an example of global style Interior Design. Global Style Interior Design is all about telling the story of your life and adventures through your decor. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter.  Treasures, old and new are displayed from various parts of the world and layered in a rich tapestry of color, texture, art and history.

Colors of Turkey

Here are some of the varied colors used in Turkish design.   

1. Warm and Earthy Tones: Terra cotta, burnt orange, and deep browns, reminiscent of the country’s landscapes and architecture.
2. Jewel Tones: Sapphire blues, emerald greens, and ruby reds, drawing inspiration from the vibrant bazaars and royal history.
3. Mediterranean Blues: Aqua, turquoise, and teal, reflecting the hues of the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
4. Soft Neutrals: Creams, beiges, and soft grays often serve as base colors, providing balance to the vibrant hues.

Design Elements- The Art of Turkish Style

Here are some of the design elements Turkey is known for.

1. Iznik Tiles: These are highly decorative ceramic tiles, with intricate designs often featuring tulips, roses, pomegranates, and hyacinths in bright blues, reds, and greens.

2. Architectural Details: Arched doorways, domed ceilings, and detailed cornices reflect the influence of both Byzantine and Ottoman architectural styles.

3. Textiles: Turkish design boasts a rich tradition of textiles, from thick kilims and dhurries to ornate silks and brocades. The patterns often include geometric shapes, stylized nature motifs, and medallions.

4. Turkish Rugs: World-renowned for their quality and craftsmanship, they come in a vast array of patterns, colors, and styles.

5. Ottoman-Style Seating: Low sofas or divans, often without legs, placed around a room’s perimeter, accompanied by low wooden tables and floor cushions.

6. Lanterns: Turkish lanterns or “mosaic lamps” are often made of colored glass set in metal, casting warm, colored light.

7. Copper and Brass: Hammered copper bowls, trays, and coffee pots (like the cezve used for Turkish coffee) are popular decor items.

8. Carved Wood: Intricately carved wooden furniture and panels, sometimes inlaid with mother-of-pearl or metal, are common.

9. Marble: Used extensively in architecture and interior elements, from floors to hammam (bath) interiors.

10. Market-Inspired Decor: Items like colorful ceramic bowls, embroidered textiles, and ornate metalwork, reminiscent of the bustling bazaars of Turkey.

Incorporating Turkish design elements into a space brings with it a sense of timeless beauty and a rich tapestry of cultural influences, from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the serene beaches of its coastline. Each piece, pattern, and color tells a story of Turkey’s diverse heritage and tradition.

 

The Energy of Turkish Style

The energy of Turkish style interior design is deeply rooted in its rich cultural heritage, reflecting the country’s position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, bridging diverse civilizations over the millennia. Here’s an exploration of the energy and ambiance this style evokes:

 

1. Cultural Fusion: The energy in Turkish interiors speaks of synthesis and harmony, amalgamating Byzantine, Ottoman, Persian, and Central Asian influences. This union of styles exudes an aura of both familiarity and exoticism.

2. Warmth and Hospitality: Turkish culture values warmth and hospitality, and this sentiment is palpable in their interior design. Spaces are meant to be welcoming, with comfortable seating, inviting colors, and an emphasis on communal areas.

3. Sensory Depth: Turkish design provides a multisensory experience. The textures, from plush rugs to intricate tiles, combined with the rich aromas of Turkish coffee and incense, create an atmosphere of sensory immersion.

4. Historical Resonance: There’s an energy of timelessness in Turkish interiors, reminiscent of grand palaces, bustling bazaars, and serene hammams. Elements like Iznik tiles or Ottoman motifs connect spaces to a storied past.

5. Mysticism and Spirituality: Turkey’s Sufi traditions and spiritual heritage bring a mystical energy to its interiors. Elements like ornate lanterns casting patterned shadows and the intricate geometric designs often have deeper spiritual meanings, promoting contemplation and introspection.

6. Natural Connection: Many elements of Turkish design, from the colors to the materials, draw inspiration from nature — the seas, landscapes, and flora. This connection brings a grounded, earthy energy to Turkish interiors.

7. Dynamic Vitality: Just as Turkey’s bazaars are lively and dynamic, Turkish interiors have a vivacity to them. Bold colors, varied patterns, and the play of light and shadow make spaces feel alive and vibrant.

8. Balance and Harmony: Despite the rich patterns and bold colors, there’s a sense of balance in Turkish design. This harmony is achieved through thoughtful arrangement, symmetry, and the strategic use of neutrals and open spaces.

 

In essence, the energy of Turkish style interior design is a harmonious blend of history, culture, and sensory richness. It evokes feelings of warmth, connection, and timeless beauty, resonating with both the heart and the senses.

Turkish Style Design

Here are some examples of Edesigns I created to express the art, science and energy of Turkish style using my own art.

This design was inspired by the photo of Byzantine architecture and the Turkish area rug  I also incorporated my Great Conjunction Fractal art.  as the colors and shapes were perfect for Turkish Style.

The design highlights Turkish tiles on the floor, Moroccan lighting,  and a beautiful Turkish rug. Arched windows, and a Turkish chandelier add to the look.  Kilim inspired and global style pillows against a modern sofa create a nice contrast. The simple Bamboo tables have a rustic feeling and are eco-friendly.

To get the look, you could go all out and incorporate all the elements or you can add some key elements to your existing decor.

If you want to get the look with more neutral colored walls, you could go with an off white or sand color to keep the look of the colors of the desert, and emphasize the grace and light of Byzantine architecture.

How is Turkish Style Different?

How is Turkish Style different from other global styles? See my blog articles on the other styles to learn more.

Your takeaway is that by changing some of the elements in your existing design, you can work towards creating a certain  global style. Or you can have a mix of elements for a more “Bohemian Style”. More on that to come.

Let’s Create Your Global Style Design

Are you ready to elevate your home to a whole new level of greatness? Picture it – a space that not only looks amazing but also feels incredible and uplifts you to be your best self. Can you imagine that perfect space tailored just for you?

That’s what my approach, Aligned Design, is all about. It’s a blend of three powerful factors: art, science, and energy. When these elements come together, that’s where the real magic unfolds.

Imagine being surrounded by a space that mirrors your sense of beauty and colors that resonate with you. On top of that, imagine fine-tuning the energy of your environment to boost your prosperity, well-being, love, and personal expression. This alignment doesn’t just make your space amazing – it syncs you with the universe, empowering you to lead your best life and make a positive impact on the world.

And guess what? Global style Interior Design is a key player in this journey of creating your dream space – a space that’s uniquely you and wonderfully aligned with your aspirations.

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

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Prices subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

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I’m sure you are aware of how important a beautiful, relaxing office space that you feel connected with is to your well being and productivity.

Do you have one? I recently wrote a blog article, Your Office is the Perfect Space to Relax and Be Happy, describing my philosophy for making your office your happy place and how I created this beautiful office Edesign.

My Edesign is one of many beautiful Edesigns that are part of Jenna’s New Office #eDesignChallenge Contest. Check out all the great designs and I hope you will vote for mine!

VOTE HERE

My Edesign incorporates good Feng Shui,  flow, ample storage and brings the outside in with biophilia. The décor also includes natural elements such as plants, clay pottery and bird sculptures. The custom art is eco-friendly.

The décor includes a beautiful mural in calming greens, blues and purples, and custom designed fractal art to work with the mural to bring a calm, relaxing atmosphere that still had “energy”. The expert use of color science to bring it all together with the wall color and art brings stunning color to the space.

Get the Look

Here are some of the pieces I used to get the look in this design. Some are affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission for sharing with you if you purchase at no additional cost to you.

This space is an example of a design I created using my Aligned Design process, aligning art, science and energy together to create a perfect office space to support the client to BE their best selves, to do what they love, while helping others and getting paid well for it!

Vote for my Edesign Office in the #eDesignChallenge Contest.

Vote for this design through 2-22-21 in the Edesign Office contest and see some of the other great designs.

VOTE HERE

.  I appreciate your vote!

Creating Your Perfect Office Space that makes you relaxed and happy.

Creating that perfect space for you includes developing a plan to aligns art, science and energy in your space and then thoughtfully implementing it. As you consider the benefits of having the perfect office space for you, I would like to show you how you can get that with a Aligned Design consultation today.

Imagine what it would be like to work in your perfect space.

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

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

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Prices subject to change without notice.

Call 907-362-0065 today

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The key to beauty, whether it is a beautiful room, a poem, a dance, a piece of art or music is doing nothing. Create silence, emptiness, and space.  The silence is nothing and everything. Without it there is nothing.

The silence allows the thing within it, before it and after it to shine, to align and have meaning, so it does not get lost in the racket of life.

Creating silence or space is hard. It is not easy or natural for us. Our minds are constantly going with monkey chatter, all day, every day and we have a hard time turning it off.

When was the last time you tried sitting in total silence for a day?  4 hours? An hour? A minute? Does that make you uncomfortable, like the silence in a conversation that must be filled?

Does sitting silently with yourself, highlight  you in the space around you and who you really are?

Fellow drummer and Professor Nükhet Kardam taught me that the period of silence between when one person speaks, finishes and another starts is related to culture. For example, in England, there is a pause between speakers. In the US, there is no pause and people just jump in before you are sure the speaker is done. In Brazil, Italy and Turkey, speakers do not wait for you to finish before they start talking.

I don’t know about you, but I find it exhausting to not be able to finish my point or thought before being interrupted. And I know I do it to others, much as I do not mean to. And how often are we really listening to others rather than just thinking about what we are going to say when it is our turn?

I have been thinking a lot about the magic of silence lately.

What motivates us to express or be silent, in our  spaces, words, art, music, or dance?

Is it to convince, show power, be known, connect, or show that we matter? As much is said in the silence as in the words, if not more since our imaginations fill in the space.    I think the reasons for both  are varied and tell us a lot about the person.

Sometimes we experience moments of silence in the midst of lot’s of activity and movement, and other times you can hear a pin drop in a silent room.  

I remember the moment in the picture below, a moment of peace and internal silence amidst the swirling movement, colors, noise, music and people at a performance at a large festival.

The Drama of Silence in Dance

As a dancer, I know that the most dramatic moments of a dance are often in the silence, where you just totally stop in a pose, and look at the audience. That moment of total vulnerability and connection between you, alone on the stage while baring your soul to them. It is the place your heart is open and they can love you or throw tomatoes, and whatever they decide to do you must accept gracefully. Yes, people actually do this for fun?

Silence and Music

As a musician, as I read the music and play my drums, I know how important every rest, or silence is in making it possible to even have a beautiful rhythm. Otherwise, it is an endless series of meaningless notes. And it is not just the rhythm, but knowing when to add my notes to what others are playing and when to be silent, so the whole is something beautiful we have created together, rather than a piece being overwhelmed with one person’s ideas or need to express. The magic happens in combination of notes and silence.

Silence and Personal Transformation

In my personal development journey, I have silence homework as part of the Transformational Coaching Program with Jim Fortin (TCP) I am taking. I recently finished my second assignment of sitting in silence for 4 hours. I did not find the idea scary, although many of my fellow students had lots of excuses why they could not do it. I enjoyed it. The first time my mind was filled with monkey chatter until the last hour. Finally, when the silence became comfortable, meaningful thoughts were allowed in.

Things that changed my life.

Where do they come from? Universal mind or energy, or from my true self? I don’t know, and it doesn’t really matter. The second time, the flow started almost right away. It is well worth it.

The word silence in Arabic means inner peace, heart ease, trust, calmness. When was the last time you experienced that? It is something we all need.

Writing and White Space

As a blogger, I am very aware of the importance of white space. When you see a long email with no breaks, what do you do? I delete, set aside and never come back to it, or say things I can’t repeat here and read if I have to. 

If you want to share a meaningful idea, let it shine with a little space around it.

Silence and Interior Design

As an Interior Designer I often see what could be a beautiful room destroyed with too much stuff. It is like the owners have taken what is going on in the inside of their heads and put it all in the room. Too much information

As a Color Strategist, Color science tells me the way we see a  color is affected by the adjacent colors. To see the beauty of a color in all it’s glory, give it a little space or contrast with the absence of color- white- next to it.

The picture below is an example of too much stuff,  not giving anything room to shine, or a place for the eye to rest. There is also too much color chaos going on here. I love lots of colors when they work together harmoniously and in the right proportions. This room has no silence and it seems like you could never relax here.

Creating Your Perfect Space with Silence

Creating silence in your Interior Design is one way to get that “inner peace” in your home. I started thinking more about this after one of my TCP coaches, Jill Renee Stevens, mentioned how “white space is everything” in the brain for your own personal power, or in a beautiful home.

As an example, the Edesign I created below of a Moroccan style dining area is rich with warm color, texture, pattern and excitement, typical of this global style.

How can you create silence in a design style like this? 

In the same room, I toned down the colors and created physical white space on the walls, and simplified the table setting. Notice how in the design below the two sweet little bird sculptures now stand out, where they were lost in the other design.

This design feels more peaceful and relaxed. The extra “space” allows you to notice the window and lighting details more, as there are less other things to look at. The eye has the ability to rest more here.

The same concepts apply to the adjacent living area. This design was inspired by the art, and contains lots of color and pattern on the walls, floor, decor, windows and lighting. There are interesting things to look at everywhere in the design, and it feels rich, and exciting, but no particular design element stands out more than another. The rich blue next to the white sofa looks even more dramatic.

Below, to create “silence”, I used white on the walls, neutral colors on the pillows, a simple white floor, more subtle colors on the chairs. The result is that now the art (my own fractal art called the “Sea”) stands out and becomes the highlight of the room. This room has more silence and white space, feels more relaxed and it highlights the art in it’s own right, rather than as an inspiration to tie the room together as in the first design.

Below, I changed the wall color, creating a more monochromatic color scheme. Notice how the white sofa and green plant now stand out. You can still create silence or white space without having to use the color white. Space and silence has a look and a feeling.

Creating that perfect space for you may include doing nothing….and giving your design some silence.

Even if you crave more excitement and drama in your design, you can still add silence through perfectly placed art or accessories by giving them room to shine and through expert use of color.

Get the Look

Interested in what I used to create this design? Here are the actual or similar products. Some may contain affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission if you purchase at no additional cost to you for sharing.

Ready to Create Your Perfect Space?

Imagine what it would be like to live in your perfect space. I would live to help you make that dream come true.

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

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.

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.  The plan of course, incorporates silence:)

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

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Are you a Perfect Space Seeker?

Do you want a beautiful, healthy home that looks and feels great without spending tons of time or money? Do you wish your home was a sanctuary and perfect space for you?

Your perfect space can support you in your journey to BE the person you need to be to live your perfect life.

The Perfect Space- Who Cares?

Most of us think our house or space is OK, but we wish it was better. If pressed, we would admit we really wished it felt like a sanctuary, a place that took our breath away with it’s beauty, a place that brought us joy, peace, well-being. A place that was comfy, yet exciting. A place that supports our dreams and that we are proud of.

Is it really that important?

YES.

You deserve to have your perfect space.

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

How Does Your Perfect Space Make Your Life Better?

Our perfect space is an alignment of art, science and energy that supports who we truly are. Below I describe some ways that “energy” contributes to creating your perfect space, and to making your life better.

Our Perfect Space Supports our Growth

We all grow, change and evolve. Hopefully for the better! We are not the same person we were ten or five years ago. Our space needs to change to reflect that,  Our tastes and interests change, our families grow, everything changes. Why should our space stay the same? If it does, is it still supporting us to live our best life?

Our Perfect Space Supports our Peace and Well-Being

A sense of well being is one of the highest states of mind we can achieve. Our space can support that.  When we have too much clutter, or things that no longer serve us it can feel overwhelming and chaotic. Getting rid of things and re-organizing helps bring a feeling of peace and renewal.

Our Perfect Space Supports our Self Care

We all need space and time to nourish and care for our physical, mental and emotional needs. Our perfect space can provide that whether it is a quiet comfortable place to read and learn, a place to meditate, room to lift weights, dance or do Tai Chi, the perfect spa like bathroom, or whatever supports you.

Our Perfect Space Connects us to Nature

Wherever you live, whether in the city, suburbs or country, feeling connection to nature and life beyond ourselves is important. 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. Our perfect space can support that need through color, accessories, art and, sounds, smells and more. Learn more in my article, Feel Good with Biophilia, or The Colors of Summer- Bring the Outside In.

Our Perfect Space Connects us to our Environment

Our environment includes more than just the natural world outside our walls, and the parts we bring inside. We have a connection to the physical space and building, and the objects around us. The arrangement of things and how we interact with it can affect how we feel. Feng Shui is the study of time and space and considering it helps harmonize natures forces within your space and the surrounding environment. This can help improve your health, wealth and relationships.

Our Perfect Space Supports Getting to Know Ourselves

Many of us do not know ourselves well, and maybe are scared to. When was the last time you took 4 hours of silence to be with yourself and allow the monkey chatter in your brain to turn off so you could allow meaningful information a chance to make it through? Taking time to get to know yourself is important. Our perfect space can support that by providing comfortable, quiet spaces for our personal growth.

Our Space Supports our Transformation

Are you on a journey to transform your life and BE the best you can be your best self, so you can DO the things that create the life you want to HAVE?

Transformative design can support that journey by providing space for learning, evolving and aligning your self with your higher purpose.

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.

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 what most of us think of as  “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.

Go from being a Perfect Space Seeker to Loving Your Home!

An Aligned Design consultation to create a holistic plan is a great first step to map out your journey to a perfect space.

Imagine what that would feel like.

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

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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.

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.

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!

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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.

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