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.
“Sea #2” Framed Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design “Sea” Framed Art by Northern Lights Hom Staging and Design “Sea #3” Framed Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Sea #2 fractal art pillow by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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?
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OK, well maybe you can’t save the whole planet all at once but you can certainly save some of it by wearing eco-friendly, gorgeous clothes. and get 25% off at the same time (use code WELCOME25)! And it is a great excuse to shop and feel good about it!
Eco-friendly fashions are made from natural or recycled materials. Natural materials can include wool, silk, cotton, leather or new materials reconstituted from plant materials such as Modal or Bemberg. Recycled materials are new materials from items that would otherwise end up in landfills.
So just how gorgeous can you look while saving the planet? Here are some examples made from eco-friendly materials that use my one of a kind Fractal Art at Vida.
Natural Materials
Modal
Modal is produced by spinning reconstituted cellulose, from plants such as beech trees, pine trees, and bamboo. Lenzing Modal specifically is produced from sustainably harvested beech trees.
The Blues Modal Scarf Icefield Modeal Scarf Bohemian Dream Modal Scarf Magical Modal Scarf
Merino Wool
Merino wool is a natural fiber grown by Merino sheep. It’s thinner and softer than regular wool which makes it easy to wear next to your skin. A biodegradable fabric, merino wool disappears after about 12 months in the ground, where this fibrous protein composed of amino acids will release carbon and nutrients back into the soil.
Cashmere wool, is a fiber obtained from cashmere, pashmina and other types of goats. It has been used to make yarn, textiles and clothing for hundreds of years. The word comes from Kashmir. Cashmere is one of the most sought-after fibers in the world for scarves and sweaters because it is softer, lighter, and up to three times more insulating than sheep wool.
Twill is a lightweight fabric characterized by its diagonal weave which is nice for cool, but not cold temperatures.
The Blues Wool Poncho Wrap Forest Floor Wool Poncho Wraps First Light of Day Wool Poncho Wrap Forest Floor #4 Wool Poncho Wrap
Bemberg
Bemberg is made with regenerated fiber made from cotton linter (found around cotton seeds), a raw material that is pre-consumer waste. Bemberg is a biodegradable fiber that breaks down naturally after disposal.
Jenna 2 Cocoon Wrap Indulgant Sheer Wrap
Silk
Silk is a natural protein fiber with a shimmering appearance due to it’s triangular prism-like structure which refracts incoming light at different angles and produces different colors. Silk for textiles is generally produced by moth caterpillars.
Forest Floor#4 Sllk Scarf Leafy Silk Scarf
Recylcled Materials
Hey, you can work out and get even more beautiful while saving the planet! As long as you are home all the time, it’s hard to have an excuse (I keep telling myself that!). The following art is made from 54% recycled polyester, and 46% cotton which of course is a natural material. Cotton is a soft fiber that grows in protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants .
Bohemian Dream #2 Women’s Crewneck Sweatshirt Magical Modern Eco Sweatshirt
This soft-knit, wash-friendly Infinity Eco scarf is produced from 96% recycled materials (96% recycled polyester, 4% spandex).
Floreo Infinity Eco Scarf
Looking Great and Saving the Planet Doesn’t Have to Stop with Your Clothes!
Edesign to Bring the Outside In by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Looking amazing while making eco-friendly choices that help the planet feels great. And why stop there? You can make your home look fabulous as well with eco-friendly Interior Design choices in your art, furnishings, pillows, rugs, and building materials! More to come on that in future articles! Check out my Edesign packages for help in creating your eco-friendly oasis!
Learn About Fractal Art
All of the designs above were created using my unique fractal art designs. Fractal art is digital art…in other words magic I created on my computer. Learn more about how I make fractal art in my blog article, The Magic of Fractal Art and check out my Fractal Art Gallery. Custom designs for your home decor or even fashions are available.
I started the day feeling a little depressed. The stock market has been insane and my retirement funds…well I basically just stopped looking.
My Bed and Breakfast got it’s first cancellation, and I expect many more to come. Not sure how my design business will fare.
People are freaked out and have cleaned out the stores of hand sanitizer, hand wipes, chlorox and toilet paper. What? I just don’t get the toilet paper thing. Then my 90 year old mom told me why. “When 1 person sneezes, 300 people crap in their pants”. Haha, apparently her pastor told her congregation this nugget of wisdom at church today. Now I get it:) Luckily, I have plenty of TP.
I decide I will have a positive day and get outside in the fresh air and not allow myself to dwell on fear, negativity or the virus. I decide to go on a gray whale watching trip in Kenai Fjords National Park adjacent to Seward, Alaska where I live.
The boat is fairly empty, and people spread themselves out in the booths, trying to maintain 6′ apart. I find a booth where I sit alone, after wiping off the table with the Lysol wipes in my backpack. It is a gorgeous sunny, cold day. As we head out, we see some bald eagles and sea otters. Then some Dall’s porpoises came to play next to the boat. They are super cute and look like mini Orcas.
Dall’s Porpoise. Photo by PIXNIO
Soon we see a large group of Orca whales. Some had calves. The males have extra tall dorsal fins. I see a mom with 2 babies and the male swimming behind them. A picture of a happy family.
Mother Orca with 2 babies, and the male trailing behind. Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Then I luck out and an Orca (adult female I think) swims up close to the boat to model for me, and then swims under the boat!
Female Orca. Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
The Orcas are everywhere and I enjoyed watching this male swimming alone in the beautiful light.
Male Orca. Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
We weave in and out of harbors I had not been to, and around various islands. We see a magic cove that has caves that cormorants like to nest in. We go by an area where a group of Harbor Seals have hauled out on a rock.
A group of Harbor Seals. Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
They feed us lunch, and later hot chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven. The scenery is beautiful, the air is fresh and clean and it is a bluebird day filled with amazing wildlife.
As we head in to port, once again there is cell phone coverage and an email pops in. I shouldn’t look, but I do. I get a message I find very upsetting. My eyes tear up a little as I read it. I decide to close it and save it for later, not wanting to ruin the day. After leaving the boat, while still on the dock, I see a cute sea otter, just hanging around and eating. Sounds like a good plan and I wonder if I have any chocolate at home:)
Sea Otter. Photo by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
I head to my car, and as I reach it, it happened. My moment. A total stranger, a younger woman who had been on the boat in a nearby booth approaches me.
“Can I give you a hug? I saw you tear up on the boat and thought maybe you needed one”.
I thank her, and tell her I am OK and we “elbow bump” instead.
When I got home, I could not stop thinking about this. That someone would notice a total stranger feeling a little upset and then even during these times of social distancing want to say something and offer a hug was moving. The kindness of strangers is a powerful thing.
While some are out there hoarding toilet paper and price gouging, others are taking the time to connect and come together, even at risk to themselves.
I felt the need to share the experience so put a blurb about it on my personal Facebook page. I received more likes and comments on this than anything in recent memory. It also spurred a lot of concerned emails checking to make sure I was OK from good friends as well as acquaintances.
Kindness is apparently as contagious as the virus.
That really made my day, and I hope by sharing it with you, it will make yours too. Let’s be kind and take care of each other in the difficult times ahead.
Mary Ann
Feeling Stressed? Make Some Magic Happen in Your Home- You’ll Feel Better.
Art Inspired by the Ocean in Alaska
See my fractal art designs for home decor and clothing. Custom designs available.
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.
Embrace Color with Fractal Art for Interior Design
I recently discovered an art form called fractal art and love working with it to create beautiful pieces that are perfect for your Interior Design project! I love working with the brilliant colors, textures and the incredible detail possible with Fractal art.
So what is fractal art? I do not totally understand it myself. It is a form of algorithmic art created by calculating fractal objects which can create still and moving images. It is a form of computer or digital art developed in the 1980’s. Bottom line? It is abstract art created by math.
Creating fractal art is like traveling through a kaleidoscope that has no beginning or end. When traveling, you find a place you want to stop and stay a while. While there, you can manipulate the color, texture, light, shine, spectrum, hue and other elements around you until you have created the perfect place, and then you save it as an image. Sometimes I go a little too far playing with the elements and I ruin what I have made but can not go back. So I feel lucky when I can capture the perfect image. It is impossible to ever find that place again if I did want to replicate it…it would be like finding a single drop of water within the ocean. That is why each piece is one of a kind.
Working with fractal art is a little like meditation and color therapy mixed together. As a person that totally loves color, I am in my happy place!
So how can you use fractal art in your home? Here is an example of a Bohemian style living room that I created and Edesign for using fractal art for the wall art and pillows.
I am honored that SSP Studio and Gallery in Anchorage reached out to me and loved my work and wanted to carry it in the gallery. The three pieces below are available for sale in a wide variety of sizes and mediums done with high quality printing that can be shipped worldwide. They have beautiful photography that has been modified using various effects to create unique and amazing pieces. If you see other works that you like, use the code NLS5 at checkout to get a 5% discount.
I have also opened an Artist Studio at Society 6, and you can get my fractal art on a variety of home decor products such as art, pillows and bedding, curtains, wall hangings and furniture. Stop by and visit and see if there is anything perfect for your home!
Here are a few examples of some of the products available (not all are shown). For more designs and products, stop by the studio.
If you would like a custom piece for your Interior Design project, contact me and I can design something just for you.
Wondering what your Global Design Style is? Take the quiz and find out!
