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

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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.

There are 10 great reasons to love global style design. 

One of my favorite reasons is that Global style design celebrates unique art and the artists that create it while telling your story. 

Tell Your Story

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.

Show the World What Moves You

Art is very personal. The art you select to show the world reflects who you are and what moves you.

If nature is what inspires you, select art that brings the outside in and represents nature in its theme or materials. Consider purchasing eco-friendly art that will be healthy in your home.

For example, in the Edesign I did for this Bohemian style living room I was inspired by nature and used art to inspire the design. I created my own fractal art called Bioluminescence which was inspired by the beauty of that in the ocean. The pillows have nature-inspired prints and colors. The decor on the table highlights plants and birds. Here are some of those products to get the look in your own home. These and others below contain affiliate links, meaning I receive a small commission for sharing if your purchase, at no additional cost to you. 

Buy Handmade

Global style art is often handmade by local craftspeople in areas that you travel to. These items are beautiful and tell a great story not only about your travels but about the artists who created them.

Buy Eco-Friendly Art

Global style art is often eco-friendly and made from natural and sustainable materials. So buy art you love, it’s good for you!

Support Artists

The artists you select to support by purchasing their work make a statement about who you are as well. Do you support local artists rather than buying art from a big box store? Do you purchase from local artists while traveling to support those communities? Every community usually has some extremely talented artists inspired by the place they live.

Ready to Celebrate Art 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.

Beautiful art is part of the art 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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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.

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There are a lot of reasons to love Global Style Interior Design. One is that it is all about you, and telling the story of your life, adventures, the things you love in your space. It is a total expression and celebration of you. Does that sound selfish? It’s OK, it is your house. Of course, it is about you!

Each piece tells your story. Celebrate your treasures, old and new. modern and vintage, from various parts of the world.

Create a rich tapestry of color, texture, art, and history. 

In a previous article, I talked about 10 reasons to love global style design.  Let’s talk about my favorite reasons in more detail, which is the magical lighting!

I love the lighting in global style designs. Much of it is handmade with intricate cutouts in metal that create magical patterns of light in a room. See examples from different global styles below, and learn more how to create magical effects with lighting by layering in my article How to Make Magic Happen in Your Home with Lighting.

Bohemian Lighting

Bohemian style combines many of the specific styles from different cultures noted below, and often includes modern colorful and artistic lighting options. Go wild!

Moroccan Style Lighting

The magical lace-like quality of traditional hand-sawn brass allows many Moroccan lights to cast captivating patterns of shadow and light across the room.

Indian Style Lighting

Indian style lighting can have traditional Indian design prints as some of the lamps below, or try something fun like the lotus-shaped chandelier.

Greek Style Lighting

Greek-style lighting can be simple and often uses the color of the sea, the Greek key pattern, or labyrinth pattern that comes from Greek mythology.

Mexican Style Lighting

Mexican style lighting often looks more rustic and folkloric, and uses wood, iron. pierced metal or ceramics.

Turkish Style Lighting

Turkish style lighting often has pierced metal or beautiful colored glass.

Ready to Add Colorful and Exotic Design to Your Space?

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

Fantastic light is part of the art of great design.  

Start with an Aligned Design plan that considers the art, science and energy of your home together.   Merging creativity, color and connection, we can work together 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.

 

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.

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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. Here are 10 great reasons to love and try global style with some examples of decor items to get the look.  

One of the thing I love about global style Interior Design is the rich bold colors as in this Indian style bedroom Edesign I created. Colors of a particular country are usually based on their landscapes, plants, spices, symbols, national flags and more. They are rarely “neutral colors”. In this design of an Indian Style bedroom, the color scheme came from this beautiful handmade Indian rug and other decor elements based on the color of Tumeric, a common spice in India.

Global style is filled with interesting and unique art, reflecting the rich colors or cultural elements of various countries. This Bohemian style living room was based on my own fractal art to celebrate the rich colors and textures of Bohemian style.

I love that most global styles, are very connected in their colors and patterns to the natural environment. This Greek style living room I designed  or example, is a coastal style that is in tune with the colors of the sea, sky, rocks and native plants of Greece.

Global style loves mixing interesting textures and patterns. From soft silks,  to textured wools, carved wood, metals with intricate embossed or cut out patterns and beautiful cultural patterns on rugs, pillows and art. All these things can be artfully layered to create a rich and diverse design filled with interest wherever you look as in this design for a global style bedroom.

Global style is all about telling your story, whatever it is! Whether it is Bohemian or more streamlined, vintage or modern, colorful or neutral, tell your own story with global style elements that appeal to you as in this modern global style living room.

Global styles celebrates the culture and history of the countries they originate from. or it can combine elements from many countries. Try including decorative elements that are unique to a particular culture. An example is this design of a Turkish style living room. Turkey is known for their Kilim rugs and decorative coffee sets. Below are examples of a vintage Turkish Kilim rug, and a pillow made from a vintage rug from Kilim.com, as well as a traditional coffee set. Get 5% off anything from Kilim.com with code nls2019 at checkout.

I love the lighting in global style designs. Much of it is handmade with intricate cutouts in metal that create magical patterns of light in a room, such as in this Moroccan/Turkish living room. Beautiful lighting is also a hallmark of Turkey and Mexico. See these great examples of Moroccan lighting below.

Global style easily mixes new and modern materials with vintage decor or antiques as in this Vintage Boho Office. Often heirlooms like Moroccan rugs are passed down through generations. Mix historical or cultural artifacts and family heirlooms with modern elements to tell the story of your life and your family.

 I love the way Global Style Interior Design celebrates your adventures by displaying treasures you have found in your travels. An example is this Mexican style living room which highlights wooden masks, copper furniture and hand made lighting from Mexico.

Global style is very eco-friendly and primarily uses natural materials. There is an abundance of wool rugs, metal lighting and accents,  carved wooden furniture and wall art,  leather, rattan, natural stone and pottery. In this example of a Moroccan style living room, the focal point is a gorgeous traditional wool rug. Moroccan rugs are like a work of art for your floor. Learn more about the Magic of Moroccan Rugs in my blog article. Get 20% off these gorgeous, authentic Moroccan wool rugs below or any non-sale item at Atlas Weavers with code “northern lights” at check-out!

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.

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.

Follow me on Pinterest for daily Inspiration on Global Styles.

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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I just entered an office design in a edesign contest. I hope you will stop by and vote for me here! Voting closes Monday at 12pm EST.

The Contest

We were given some photos of an empty room and some measurements and asked to design an office for our ideal client. My ideal client for this design loves color and a vintage Bohemian style. I found the beautiful desk and designed everything around it and included vintage accessories and some really cool wallpaper to add to the vintage look.  Here are the before pictures.

Before Photos

After Photos

 

To vote, click here. Thanks for your support!

 

Coming soon, I will write a blog article about this project, describing how the design came together, the vintage and other items I chose for the design and why it was perfect for this “ideal client”.

Thanks for reading and for your support!

Want to learn more about global style design or get help with your project? Take the quiz and check out my Edesign and Online Services.

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Blog articles may contain affiliate links, meaning they give me a small commission for sharing with you if you purchase at no additional cost to you.

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