By now, you have probably heard of Edesign, which is sometimes called online Interior Design or Virtual Design.

Edesign is a collaboration between the designer and client, where the client takes on some of the design process since the designer is not there in person to implement the design. All you DIYers out there, I am speaking your language!. As the client, you will share some of the responsibility for the design by taking room measurements, ordering the products that your designer recommends and putting everything in place. Because of this shared workload, Edesign tends to be more affordable than full service Interior Design. Learn more about if Edesign is right for you or if you would be better served working with a local designer in my blog article, How Can I work with an Interior Designer on my Budget?

The video below shows my process of how Edesign works. Different designers may offer different services or work with you in different ways. Most will likely provide all or some of the following services which include a floorplan, concept or mood board, shopping list, 3D render of the final design and set up instructions.

Most Edesigners, just as local designers will start the process getting to know you, your style and tastes, your lifestyle, your design issues etc. A local designer does this with an in person visit. An Edesigner will likely send you a questionnaire, or may do a video or phone call.

Once the designer determines what you like and need, they will start developing a design for you. This usually starts with space planning and developing a floor plan so they know what will fit and how things can be arranged to best fit your lifestyle. An in person designer will usually take room measurements of the space and any existing furnishings that you may want to use. Because the Edesigner can’t visit your home, they will ask you to take these measurements and photos for them so they know what they are working with. This information may be requested as part of the questionnaire.

The next step includes coming up with a concept of a design including furnishings, accessories, paint colors and finishes to try to create a space that meets all your needs functionally and makes your heart sing with the beauty of the finished design. While a local designer may present all the pieces of the plan to you in person, with samples that you can see and feel, the Edesigner will provide a concept board showing all the elements and how they look together.

The next step usually involves collaborating to make adjustments to the plan to make sure you love everything and it works with your budget. Both a local designer and an Edesigner will ask for feedback and provide additional options for product ideas if needed. The Edesigner will get your feedback and show you additional options online.

Before you get you get your shopping list, in some cases you may want to “see” how the design will actually look in your space before ordering to be sure it will look the way you want. A local designer or an Edesigner can create a 3D rendering or other drawing to show you the final design. Or you may feel comfortable going forward without a rendering if you feel you can visualize the design without this extra step.

Once you love everything, you will be ready for a final shopping list of all the items for your design. An Edesigner will  give you a document or picture of all the items with clickable links to the products, so you can go directly to a product website and purchase everything yourself on your own timeline. You would be responsible for setting up deliveries and returns if needed and putting all your products in place. An Edesigner will provide you set up instructions for everything, and often includes final advice on the installation if you send “after” pictures of the space. A local designer usually takes care of the ordering, delivery and installation for you.

And then you are done! Magic!

When you are looking for an Edesigner, remember that they are all unique and may specialize in certain styles. For example, I love global design styles, rich colors and love to create eco-friendly and sustainable designs. A good designer will tell your story, regardless of their style preferences. Learn more about them by checking out their online portfolios.

And like most things, you get what you pay for. Finding an edesigner that offers premium design services will give you more personal service, unique product choices and quality design. The Edesign Tribe has set a high bar for industry standards in the world of Edesign and is a good place to start your search.

Feel free to check out the wide variety of online design services I offer here and I hope this article was helpful!

Looking for a gift? Try one of my Edesign gift cards.

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Does the magic of lighting makes your heart sing? Do you love rich color, textured fabrics and natural materials? Your global design style may be Moroccan!

What is a Global Design Style?

Global styles are all about your worldly adventures and telling your story! They are usually very colorful, rich in bold designs and natural textures, patterns, colors and arts and crafts of various cultures. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter.  Treasures are displayed without rules or grouping by the part of the world each piece is from. Antiques mix with modern pieces, and natural objects such as animal horns, plants and rocks add to the charm. While global design styles are eclectic and may mix and match items from a variety of countries, you may be drawn to the colors and cultural artifacts of some countries more than others.

What is Moroccan Style?

Moroccan design is filled with intricate carvings, arched doorways, beautiful tilework and vibrant colorful textured fabrics, baskets and accessories. Beautiful Intricate metal lanterns and pendant lights create amazing and magical patterns of light in your room. Mosaic and ceramic sinks create luxurious bathrooms

Moroccan homes use bright colors, such as red, blue, orange, turquoise, pale ocean blues and green mixed with gold. Interiors are filled with carved furniture pieces, poufs, floor cushions, textured vases, exotic figurines, Moroccan-inspired Berber, Kilim and Azilal tribal rugs, metallic details and natural elements, such as wood and stone.

Designs reflect the diverse culture of Arabs, Berbers, Europeans and African immigrants.

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Here is an example of an eco-friendly Edesign I did for a Moroccan style living room,  highlighting traditional Moroccan pieces mixed with modern elements such as mixed metals and furnishings.

Concept Board

Here are some of the products and finishes I used for this design. Some products may contain affiliate links meaning I may receive a small commission if you purchase something at no additional cost to you.

Inspiration and Products

The inspiration and color scheme for this design came from this gorgeous Moroccan Kilim rug from Atlas Weavers. Kilim Rugs are tapestry weaves that date back to the fourth century and have a flat weave as well as bold designs and colors. They are made with natural dyes. Usually made of wool, they are not only beautiful, they are eco-friendly. A great piece of art for your floor that can last a lifetime or more. And you can get 20% off this or any other rug or non-sale item by using the code “Northern Lights” at check out!

I decided green would be a perfect third color to go with the beautiful brown and white of the rug to give the room a natural color scheme. I chose PPG’s color of the year, Night Watch for the walls and Sherwin Williams Alabaster for the trim. Other shades of deep green could also work well, as I mixed and matched various shades of green for variety in the furniture and pillows. Generally, all greens play nicely together.

Furniture

This eco-friendly sofa by Medley Home Furniture is made with organic latex cushions and eco-wool pillows. Medley Furniture offers wonderful eco-friendly and sustainable furniture. And, you can get 5% off anything with code NLS5 at check-out.

I selected eco-friendly furnishings and materials as much as possible to go with the design To learn more about Eco-Friendly Interior Design, see my blog article on the Edesign Tribe website.

This simple but beautiful copper coffee table is made in Mexico, but I selected it to pull in an element of eco-friendly copper to enhance a modern element of mixed metals that ties nicely to the Moroccan art and lighting below.

Art and Lighting

For art, I selected beautiful, authentic hand crafted mirrors, windows or doors from Morocco available at Berber Imports. Click on the link to Berber Imports to see all the following pieces. The center piece of art is an aged wrought iron window with traditional Moorish design in a carved cedar wood frame. It is flanked by two Moroccan mirrors, made from wood and beautifully decorated with hand carved white brass in the shape of old Moorish arches. 

This gorgeous Moroccan door from Berber Imports is made from reclaimed cedar, all hand carved,  with raised three dimensional brass carvings and with two tones of camel bones with an  antique finish. It can be used as an indoor or outdoor door or just as a piece of art.

The elegant arch and the almoravids hand knockers give it a beautiful moorish touch!

Moroccan style often incorporated intricate lighting that creates absolute magic in a room! This hand hammered Moroccan Lamp from Berber Imports is made of traditional heavy fez brass in a modern style. Motifs are consistent with traditional jewelry design often used in a women’s mdamma or gold belt.

Berber: Fine Moroccan Home Furnishings

Accessories

I adore these pillows from Bryar Wolf!  Each is one of a kind. Local villagers harvest the leaves of the Sabra Cactus plant and loom the filaments into textural canvas with patterns of ancient motifs. Made with natural botanical pigments, each pillow cover gets its unique, burnished character from washing and drying under the Moroccan sun. And you can get 5% off everything at Bryar Wolf with code northernlightsstaging5 at check-out.

This Bohenian Chic pillow adds a touch of white to go with the rug and adds and element of beautiful softness and texture.

This white cotton pillow from the Citizenry is handwoven by artisans in Kerala India, and block printed by a master printer in Jaipur, each pillow can take up to 4 days to complete. Not from Morocco, but a beautiful design that adds to the global style of the whole.

This beautiful Moroccan Poof from Berber Imports is made from soft Moroccan leather.

This hour glass from World Market looks like a vintage piece and is made in India, not Morocco.  I thought it would add a element of old world charm and would tie to the brass and other mixed metal accents.

These copper vases from the Citizenry are handcrafted in India by the artisans of Senapati. I selected this to mix different metal elements and harmonize wit with the copper table. Copper goes beautifully with all greens.

Get Inspired

Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration on global style and eco-friendly design. Check out my board on Moroccan  style for daily inspiration on this beautiful style!

Create your own Moroccan Oasis

Ready to create a Moroccan style room in your home?  Check out my Online and Edesign services. I would love to help you. The project above was an example of Full Service Edesign. Learn more about what Edesign is and how it works in my article, How can I work with an Interior Designer on my budget. Learn more about Full Service Edesign and how it works here. Feel free to give me a call at 907-362-0065 to see if Edesign would be the best option for you!  

What’s Your Global Design Style?

Are you curious about your global design style? Take the quiz and find out which style might be right for you.

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What is a Global Design Style?

Global styles are all about your worldly adventures and telling your story! They are usually very colorful, rich in bold designs and natural textures, patterns, colors and arts and crafts of various cultures. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter.  Treasures are displayed without rules or grouping by the part of the world each piece is from. Antiques mix with modern pieces, and natural objects such as animal horns, plants and rocks add to the charm. While global design styles are eclectic and may mix and match items from a variety of countries, you may be drawn to the colors and cultural artifacts of some countries more than others.

What is Indian Style?

Indian style design creates inviting, informal, relaxed spaces filled with bright colored hand spun fabrics with paisley patterns, floor cushions around colorful rugs, intricate mandala motifs and nature-inspired themes with flowers, birds, animals.

You love the arched wood furniture with curved armrests and legs, carvings and inlay work in metal, ivory, stones and mirrors. Fill your rooms with wooden chests, footstools, bird cages, masks, clay pottery, and boxes in sandalwood metal or marble. Add some metal accents such as brass lamps, pots and figurines and some beautiful Indian flowing window drapes, bed canopies or bedspreads.

Create a sanctuary with an outdoor fountains and courtyard. Indian colors include vibrant bright blues, reds, saffron orange and golds and earthy tones like ochre yellows, browns and burnt oranges for walls and floors with brighter colors for accents and accessories.

Here is an example of an Edesign I did for an Indian style bedroom featuring the beauty of Indian art and hand crafted design elements. It is rich in color and provides a space to relax, read, and spend time together. This design celebrates the color purple and uses Pantone’s  color, Love Symbol #2 created in honor of Prince for the walls. I loved working with this rich and beautiful hue!

The concept board below shows the floor plan with a seating area near the window for enjoying the beautiful views and reading. An area is set aside in the opposite corner with a make up table, mirror and another seating and dressing area on the opposite side of the bed.

See below to learn more about my inspiration pieces and some of the products I used for the design. Some links are affiliate links, meaning they give me a small commission for sharing with you at no additional cost to you.

Inspiration

The beautiful purple rug and carved bed from India were my primary inspiration pieces. The rug inspired the color scheme celebrating a passion for purple!

Color Scheme

I used Love Symbol #2 on the walls in the design to harmonize with the purple rugs.  A paint color that is similar and would work with the design is Benjamin Moore’s Ultra Violet.

The perfect compliment to this purple is Tumeric (yellow/gold) color, which is a typical color in Indian design based on the flowering plant, Tumeric which is native to India.

Design Elements

The color of Tumeric inspired the Sloane Chaise Lounge chairs in Citrine velvet, the Darcy Day Bed, and Ravi Dhurrie rug from India I used as an accent piece on the bed as well as some of the velvet pillows from Bryar Wolf in various shades of this color. Get 5% off the rug, velvet pillows and anything at Bryar Wolf with the code northernlightsstaging at checkout.

My other inspiration piece was a beautiful wooden carved bed from India.

The carved bed inspired the dresser, armoire and shelving units from the same set (Lombok collection- Anthropoligie).

The purple from the inspiration rug and walls inspired the other purple area rugs, purple vintage inspired Arabesque mirror, purple velvet pillow from Bryar Wolf  and the Zahara purple rectangle bench.

The Scroll Vine Inlaid vanity table and drum side tables are handcrafted from hardwood with bone inlay,  typical of Indian design.

I selected the gold mirror and accessories to work with the golden Tumeric color and they are a perfect compliment to the striking purple walls.

To highlight the beautiful blue color in the rug, I selected the blue Moroccan silk Ayat pillow for the bed from Bryar Wolf (get 5% off anything on their site with code northernlightsstaging. I also selected the blue Wood Jharokha mirror from India above the dresser and the beautiful Rug Printed Sofa with shades of blue as well as the Door of India wall art.

Get the Look- Tell Your Story!

Want to get the look of Indian style design in your home? Try Edesign! The project above is an example of what you would receive with a Full Service Edesign package which includes a floor plan, concept board, 3D renders of the design and a shopping list with a complimentary check up on your design after you implement it. Check out all my Online and Edesign services. I would love to help you.

Get Inspired

Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration on global styles and eco-friendly design. Check out my board on Indian style for daily inspiration on this beautiful style! Want to explore other styles? Check out my What’s Your Design Style board.

 What’s Your Global Design Style?

Are you curious about other global design styles and what might be right for you? Take the quiz and find out!

 

 

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Have you dreamed how to flip a house and make a profit? The first step is buying a great property with good potential to make a return on your investment. Then it is important to invest wisely in your repairs and upgrades. Finally, prepare the home for sale by having it professionally staged, create great curb appeal, get professional photos and sell it fast and at the high end of the price range for similar homes before you have any price reductions.

Invest Wisely

We have all heard the real estate rule of thumb about buying the worst house in the best neighborhood. That strategy gives you the greatest opportunity to make the most profit, as long as the investment needed to fix it up is less than the value of similar homes in that neighborhood in great shape. Do your research on market values for similar homes to know what you can reasonably list it for. Prices can fluctuate so consider that in your calculations.

Before making upgrades, consider what is typical for similar homes in the area so you get a good return on your investment. You don’t want to invest a lot of money installing granite counter tops, for example, if similar homes nearby have laminate counter tops. Consider what the typical finishes are for counter tops, flooring etc. Look at local listings on Zillow and the details for homes for sale to find out.

Of course, you want your house to stand out and look better than similar homes to get the highest price. Great design and color choices can make all the difference without having to spend more for higher cost materials. Do a consultation with an Interior Designer or color consultant to come up with a great plan before you purchase anything.

List High and Avoid Mistakes

There is a range of prices for similar homes in your market. You want the home to look in great condition so you can get an appraised value at the high end of that range and sell fast so you don’t have any price reductions. Time is the enemy of the house flipper due to holding costs. Price it competitively. Give yourself the best chance for success by using professional home staging and avoiding mistakes many home sellers make that cause a house not to sell quickly.

Connect with Buyers

The key to selling fast and for the highest price is making an emotional connection with buyers so they can envision themselves living in your for-sale home.

Hire a Professional Home Stager

The best way to connect with buyers is to get a consultation with a professional home stager and have them stage it for you. They are experts at decorating a home to highlight its best features, downplay the flaws and connecting with buyers so they can envision living there. They can give you paint color recommendations, stage it to appeal to your target market and give you tips for living in the home if needed while it is for sale. They can often use your existing furnishings and belongings to stage it and save you money on furniture and other rental fees if you plan to live in the home while it is listed. See my article on what to look for to find a great home stager to help you.

Don’t sell it Vacant

If you are not living in the home, you may be tempted to skip the cost of staging and sell it vacant. It is hard for any buyer to make an emotional connection with an empty house. They look a little sad and lonely! Buyers have a hard time visualizing how big the rooms are (they often look smaller with nothing in them to give a sense of scale), if their belongings will fit, how to arrange furniture and the purpose of different rooms. Without furniture and other things in the rooms, there is nothing to focus on except potential flaws. Vacant homes often stay on the market much longer, leading to price reductions.

Stage for your Target Market

Who is your target market? Is it a young family with children that are interested in your location near schools? A single professional? A retired couple? Look at who lives in your current neighborhood or is moving in. Check on Zillow to see how close the house is to different schools and what ratings they have. Stage your house to appeal to that target market. For example, to appeal to a young family with children, at least one bedroom should be decorated as a child’s room. A professional home stager will do this research and stage it to appeal to that market.

Increase Your Selling Price with Color

Before selling, consider your paint colors, inside and out. Did you know that the right paint colors in the right rooms attract buyers and can increase the sales price? The wrong colors can also reduce the price buyers are willing to pay. To find out more, check out my free report,  Top Paint Colors for a Speedy and Profitable Home Sale.

Great exterior colors and a memorable front door color can also make a big difference in helping your house stand out and be memorable with buyers….in a good way!

Get Professional Photos

The first step to getting buyers to look at your property is to outshine the competition online with great photos. Your home stager or realtor can recommend a professional real estate photographer to take photos of your beautifully staged home to attract buyers online.  Check out my tips on how to prepare for your photoshoot.

Get Buyers in the Door with Curb Appeal

Make sure you have great curb appeal with a neat and clean yard, and a welcoming front door.  Your online photos may get buyers to the property, but without great curb appeal they may just drive by and never make it inside. Here is a handy guide on how to increase your curb appeal. A great front door color, beautiful door mat and pots of flowers or outdoor art can make a big difference. Consider highlighting “outdoor living space”, which is a great selling feature to attract younger buyers.

You can do it!

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What is 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 furniture is made from solid wood or leather with designs from the Spanish and Mayan cultures. Most are made from pine, walnut and cherry. Sofas, beds and tables often have a rustic look. Rugs are usually hand woven and brightly colored. Multicolored cushions and geometrical patterns for the curtains are common.

Accessories are colorful and bright and include candles, vases and mirrors, painted wooden animal figurines, wall hangings, clay pottery, woven baskets, traditional masks and paintings.

Colors are bright. Red is common and Yellow is also used heavily in shades ranging from bright lemon yellow to deep earthy golds. Terracotta is common. Blues are commonly used in art and accessories.

Mexican style is a global design style. Global styles are all about your worldly adventures and telling your story! They are usually very colorful, rich in bold designs and natural textures, patterns, colors and arts and crafts of various cultures. Each piece has a story and becomes a conversation starter.  Treasures are displayed without rules or grouping by the part of the world each piece is from. Antiques mix with modern pieces, and natural objects such as animal horns, plants and rocks add to the charm. While global design styles are eclectic and may mix and match items from a variety of countries, you may be drawn to the colors and cultural artifacts of some countries more than others.

Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Living Room

Here is an example of an eco-friendly Edesign I did for a Mexican style living room. The clients were a retired couple that loved to travel and enjoyed collecting art and figurines from Mexico and other countries. They wanted a space rich in color where they could relax, read, watch TV, entertain and share their love of travel and ethnic art. They also wanted a space that was as eco-friendly as possible.

Before Photos

The clients had just moved into a new home. Here is what it looked like before their new design. They provided these photos and floor plan to create the design from and information on what they liked in term of style and color and how they wanted to use the room. The only things that would be staying in the room from the photos was the flooring, which was new.

 

 

After

This project was a full service Edesign. These after pictures are 3D renders of the finished design which they received with a concept board, shopping list and set up instructions. As you can see, I changed the wall color, and used PPG’s color of the year for 2020, Chinese Porcelain which I extended into the entry way to create a feeling of more space. I changed the front door, window treatments, lighting and furniture.

Get the Look- It’s Healthy and Great for Entertaining

The products I used are all sustainable and healthy for your indoor environment.  See my article on “Eco-Friendly Interior Design- Why You Should Care” on the Edesign Tribe blog.  All the items are made from natural materials such as wood, cotton, wool, copper, iron, sheepskin, clay, ceramic, palm and leather. Here is the concept board I created for the clients.

Inspiration and Products

The following products were used in this design. Some are trade sources in which I was able to work out a discount for you if you like them and order directly yourself. Others may be affiliate sources, meaning I get a small commission if you purchase them for sharing them with you, at no additional cost to you.

The inspiration for this room was this mural from Anthropologie. The whimsical, crewelwork-inspired motif is based on an embroidery style created by the Otomi people of central Mexico and is filled with pre-historic symbols based on native flora and fauna, local beliefs and even primitive cave drawings. Animals, were thought to be bearers of important news. This piece inspired the color scheme, the purple couch, the colors of the leather chairs and velvet pillows on the sofa.

Eco-Friendly Accessories

The animals in the mural inspired the collection of painted wood animal figurines on the book shelves which I got from La Fuente and Wayfair. The ones from La Fuente are Oaxacan Woodcarvings. The wood carvers of Oaxaca Mexico create whimsical designs in festive colors, are carved by hand from the wood of the copal tree. They are painted in stunning detail with acrylic colors. The carvers believe their figures will bring good luck to the potential owner. The figurines from Wayfair are representations of these, which I chose because I loved the colors and some of the cats were just too cute!

 

This purple cat had some nice colors that tied in with the purple sofa and colors on the wall and mural.

The whimsical mural’s focus on plants and animals also inspired the use of the ceramic masks which feature plants and animals.

 

I found these gorgeous eco-friendly baskets made in Mexico from palm leaves, at The Citizenry.

I found the velvet cotton pillows at Bryar Wolfe, where you can get 5% off with code northernlightsstaging at checkout.

Eco-Friendly Furniture

The sofa uses natural latex cushions, wool stuffed pillows and hardwood frame from Medley Furniture which specializes in eco-friendly furniture.  Get a 5% discount on all their products with the code NLS5 at check out. They use sustainable materials such as certified hardwoods and bamboo, no harsh chemicals or fire retardants. Cushions are made of latex foam, pillows are stuffed with wool, cotton, hemp or down. The furniture is custom made for you within 6-8 weeks and they offer free returns. And they have some beautiful fabrics and colors! Who doesn’t need a purple couch!

I love these copper tables, made in Mexico, from La Fuente. Copper is a great option for incorporating unique, authentic and eco-friendly furniture in your design. I found the coffee table, console table and side tables, all made in Mexico there, and loved the color and the petroglyph cut outs on the console table. I thought it related nicely back to the pre-historic elements of the Otami art.

This picked this end table from Mexico because it was made from reclaimed wood and re-purposed hammered copper on the top and the drawer.

 

I loved this small floating hardwood and iron table made in Mexico from The Citizenry because it did not take up a lot of space and was perfect for the reading area I created near the bookshelves.

These beautiful leather chairs from The Citizenry are unique and made in Mexico

Eco-Friendly Rugs and Throws

The beautiful wool Moroccan Azrou rug is from Atlas weavers. I could not find an eco-friendly rug that fit the design from Mexico, but this one from Morocco is simple and has that folkloric look that worked nicely with the design.

Atlas Weavers will give you a 20% discount on their beautiful authentic new or vintage rugs, made from wool or animal hides.  Use the code “northern lights” at check out on any non-sale item. To learn more about Moroccan rugs, see my blog article on the Magic of Moroccan Rugs.

 

At Arhaus , I found the sheepskin rug  and throw to add a feeling of softness and create an atmosphere you just wanted to snuggle up and relax! Not made in Mexico, but eco-friendly!

Eco-Friendly Lighting

I also found the iron and onyx chandelier, and the clay sconces, made in Mexico at La Fuente.

Plants are Great for Indoor Air Quality

A nice touch to add beauty to your room and to help filter your air is to use plants. I found these clay and marble pots and vases, made in Mexico at The Citizenry as well, where you can shop “by country”.

 

Are You Inspired to Create your own Mexican Oasis?

I love the way this design came out. It seems like a happy, magical space where you can sit back, relax, and tell stories about the wonders of your travels to exotic lands.

If you need help in creating an eco-friendly, global style room in your home, check out my Online and Edesign services. I would love to help you. Follow me on Pinterest for daily inspiration on global style and eco-friendly design.

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

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Countertops play two essentials roles in the kitchen: first, from a practical point of view, they make the kitchen space fully functional, and second, they serve an aesthetic purpose.

Different people look for different things when choosing a kitchen countertop.

Some place more importance on functionality, while others place the visual appeal of the material on the top of their list of priorities.

Whatever group you belong in, natural stone offers the best of both worlds.

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

The Pros and Cons of Natural Stone Countertops

Pros:

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

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

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

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

Cons:

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

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

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

Types of Natural Stone Countertops

Granite

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

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

Granite-Photo provided by Nicole Andrews 

Marble

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

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

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

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

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

Soapstone

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

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

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

Quartzite

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

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

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

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

Final Words

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Happy countertop picking!

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

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

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Give her the gift of a beautiful home this year with  a Mother’s Day gift certificate for an Interior Design or color consultation from Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Happy Mother’s Day to all you beautiful Mothers out there!

Get $20 off on a gift certificate for one of my new Edesign or online services for Interior Design or Color.

 

Purchase your discounted online Interior Design, Interior Redesign or Color Consultation now. For other design services, see all my packages.

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Searchmetry  wrote an article, “30 Interior Designers show off their best Interior Designs from 2018” which considers Interior Designers to follow in 2019 and the most important factors they focus on. They asked Interior Designers nationwide about their favorite design projects.  Northern Lights Home Staging and Design was honored to be one of the designers selected and to receive their Best Interior Designs 2018 award.

We were asked to submit our three favorite design project and discuss why they were our favorites. They then selected 27 designs for the article.

They selected my global design for a Turkish Style living room for the article.

“This Edesign project was one of my favorites because it embodies many of the design trends for 2019, including getting away from gray and celebrating color, mixing colors, patterns, and textures, mixing metals, and mixing vintage and modern styles.
This design uses Sherwin Williams color of the year, “Cavern Clay” with modern art and furniture and a traditional rug, accents and lighting.”

As a result of the article, we all received our badge of honor:)

To find out more about this particular design, see my blog article on Ways to Use Sherwin Wlliams 2019 Color of the Year, Cavern Clay.

Interested in learning more about Edesign? See my article on How Can I work with and Interior Designer on my Budget. If you would like help creating a beautiful Interior Design for your space, give me a call!

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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!

 

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Northern Lights Home Staging and Design is recognized as a 2019 “Best of Houzz” by Houzz.com – the leading online platform for home remodeling and design.

Out of 2.1 million home professionals from across the United States and around the world, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design earned Best of Houzz 2019 in Customer Service. The Houzz website has 40 million monthly users, and the Best of Houzz Service award is based on the number and quality of positive client reviews received in 2018.

“Best of Houzz is a true badge of honor as it is awarded by our community of homeowners, those who are hiring design, remodeling and other home improvement professionals for their projects,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. Homeowners from around the world use Houzz.com to find remodeling inspiration and to connect with top-rated Interior Designers, home stagers or color consultants like Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.

“It’s a great achievement and I am really honored to have achieved the award the last four years in a row!   I hope if provides peace of mind to potential clients that my work and service is endorsed by Houzz.  I thank all my clients for leaving great reviews and making this possible”.  Mary Ann Benoit- Northern Lights Home Staging and Design

Check out Northern Lights Home Staging and Design’s five star reviews on Houzz.

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