Summer is one of my favorite times of year. It’s warm and the outdoors beckons, the colors explode with flowers, fruit, an explosion of green growth and the showiness of all the male birds. There is a feeling of abundance and adventure. Completion of all the things you have sown. It is bold and beautiful.
Would you like to have that same look and feeling inside in your home year round? Take some color and other cues from nature and bring the outside in. Here is an example of what I mean.
This picture was taking by a friend down the road at a beautiful spot named Tern Lake. I love all the various shades of green from very dark in the spruce tree to the lighter shades in the shrubs, grasses and herbs. The sky has a beautiful blue along with shades of off white and grays in the clouds. You see various shades of brown in the tree and in the rocks in the mountains. The most striking color is the fuchsia in the fireweed in full bloom. And there are a few wildflowers with yellow in the foreground as well.
This is what summer looks like in Alaska to me. We have an abundance of hot pink and purple wildflowers, but the fireweed is so “Alaskan”.
Fireweed is one of the first plants to establish in recently burned areas, which is how it got it’s name. It is a symbol of release, rebirth, and potential for something innovative and new.
The fireweed blooms from the bottom of the plant and works its way up. The saying here is that “when the fireweed blooms at the top, summer is over”.
So how do you bring the outside in? The easiest way is with a color palette that highlights the view you see outside your windows. Select either a neutral or a bolder tone from the view and use it on your walls. Select a more vibrant tone for accents, or even key pieces in your décor.
I loved the deep green and color of fireweed together and they symbolized “summer” to me so I decided to design this calming Modern Global Style office with those as my main colors. I decided to experiment with an extremely dark shade of green for the walls, to make it feel calm and enveloping, like the feeling of being deep inside the boreal forest. I added additional green tones in accent vases, the lamp and fractal art that I designed called “Spring” and several plant accents. I added wood to the floors. I played with the color of fireweed in my furnishings such as the desk and two chairs.
To continue with the wildflower theme, I added a wildflower accent table. I added off whites to the bookshelf, desk chair, rug, drapes, flowers and some accents to balance things so it would not be too dark. By adding several layers of lighting, it helped keep it from being too dark, brought out the various shades of green of the paint color in different lighting and highlighted the art.
The Process
The End Result
Fireweed Office Edesign and Spring Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.Fireweed Office Edesign and Spring Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.Fireweed Office Edesign and Spring Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Get the Look
My “Spring” energy art collection seamlessly intertwines the abstract with the tangible, channeling spiritual energies through the vibrant color, patterns, and symbols. The “Spring” series in this design, in prosperous shades of green, symbolizes renewal, invigoration, and flourishing growth. Evoking the Wood Element from Chinese traditions and Feng Shui, it embodies, warmth, and idealism. Bringing the energy message of the outdoors in, it can amplify the energy you want to channel in your endeavors.
Bring Summer Into Your House Year Round
Imagine stepping into your space, immediately enveloped by colors that resonate with your essence. Every detail feels right, sparking joy within you. It’s more than just a room; it’s your sanctuary for relaxation, rejuvenation, and inspiration. When your surroundings mirror your spirit, life flows seamlessly.
Why limit yourself? Infuse the vibrant hues of summer or the subtle tones of your cherished season into your home.
Invest in an Aligned Design or Color Consultation today and see the transformation.
Spark Joy with Colorful and Exotic Global Style Interior Design
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 reason, that it celebrates color, and how you can use it to spark some joy in your life.
Within global-style interior design, a captivating aspect that resonates with me is the vivacious spectrum of bold colors.
These hues are a direct reflection of the origins and cultures, drawing inspiration from the landscapes, flora, spices, national symbols, and even flags of various countries.
Although inherently vibrant, the world of global design also unveils remarkable instances where neutrals and whites harmoniously mingle with layers of textures and metallic accents.
To capture this essence, consider embracing bold choices—a striking wall color or an exquisite rug that becomes the palette’s cornerstone. These handmade, eco-friendly rugs are veritable artworks for your floor, blending utility and aesthetics.
You might derive your color palette from the rug, letting it inspire choices for walls, pillows, accessories, and art. Alternatively, if a more subdued backdrop appeals to you, allow your rug’s colors to shine as the focal point.
In essence, global-style design is a canvas of color that tells stories of distant lands and their distinctive identities. Whether bold or muted, these palettes are portals to culture, connecting your space with a world of history and beauty.
Here are some examples of some global style designs I have created using the color palettes of different countries, and often their rugs for inspiration.
Yellows, Golds and Orange
Yellows and golds are great colors to use in modern global style, Bohemian, Turkish, Indian and Mexican style designs.
Above I created this beautiful Indian-style living room using a yellow/gold wall color. Learn more in my article Get the Look_ Global Style- Indian.
Below I created a modern global style Edesign for a living room using a a gorgeous handmade wool rug from Egypt as the centerpiece, and a gold wall color. The room would still have been beautiful with an off white wall color.
Turkish Style dining room. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Indian Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Blues and Greens
Blues and greens are wonderful for Greek Style, Moroccan, Modern Global and Bohemian. They really can be used in any global style design, but tend to be most prevalent in areas near the ocean.
Moroccan Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Greek Style Edesign and energy art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Modern Global Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Bohemian Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Red, Pinks, Purples
Reds are very common in Turkish, Mexican, Bohemian and Modern Global styles. Pinks are often used in Turkish design. Purples are used in Indian, Moroccan, Bohemian and Modern Global styles. As an example, see my Edesign for a Modern Global Style bedroom below and some favorite rugs in these colors.
Mexican Style Living Room. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Modern Global Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.Turkish style Edesign and energy art by Mary Ann Benoit, Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Modern Global Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Black, White and Neutral
Try black, white or gray wall colors or area rugs to get the look of modern global style, Bohemian, Turkish, and Moroccan styles. As an example, see the Edesign I created above with light gray walls and a beautiful Moroccan rug. Learn more in my article Great Paint Color Schemes- Black, White and Shades of Gray.
Below, I used a rich dark gray wall color and a beautiful Turkish rug. Learn more in my article Do you Need an Alignment?
Black, white and neutrals can really be used with any style if you choose. Go neutral or add a color or two for high contrast.
Modern Global Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Modern Global Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
Ready to Add Colorful and Exotic Design to Your Space?
‘Aligned Design,’ my distinctive approach to interior design, anchored in three core tenets: the elegance of art, the science of color, and the foundation of energy. The magic truly unfolds where these three converge.
At the heart lies the power of color. As a certified color strategist, I delve deep into color’s transformative science, infusing spaces with unparalleled vibrancy that also works perfectly with your homes fixed finishes.
Embark on a journey with the Aligned Design, a harmonious meld of art, science, and energy. Let’s create your perfect space.
How to Make Magic Happen in Your Home with Lighting
Lighting is Magic
Yes you can make magic happen in your home with lighting!
Lighting is magic. Lighting can make a huge difference in how your home looks and feels. You have probably heard that layering your lighting, and having three sources such as overhead lighting, table or floor lamps and task lighting is important. But what does that really mean and how does it look? And is that all you need to do to really get the look you are going for? I find that lighting is a problem for many people when I do design consultations. For some reason, here in Alaska there are many homes that do not even have overhead lighting in the main living area. Many people do not have enough layered light sources. It can leave your room feeling uninspired, as well as make it difficult to do whatever tasks you want to do in your space.
Beautiful Lighting is Perfect for a Party
I recently created this Edesign which I thought would be a great example to show you what I mean when I say, “create magic with lighting”.
I wanted to create a room that would be perfect for an elegant adult Birthday party that could be used as a virtual background for Zoom events.
I created this room with a sideboard with the Birthday cake and other goodies as well as an area for wine and cocktails. The side tables are set with cocktail glasses and the coffee table with wine and cheese. Birthday presents are stacked on the floor near two of the chairs.
What do you want your light to highlight?
The design and colors were inspired by my fractal art, “Deep Purple” which I used over the sideboard. The paint color was selected to work with the art. I chose to create this room in a city and used modern furnishings. I would call this Modern Global Style.
“Deep Purple” fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Natural Daylight
My first render of the space was done in using natural day light. Notice how the wall color looks, and how the accents for the party stand out, or should I say blend in, in the render.
Natural Daylight only. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Natural Daylight Only. “Deep Purple” Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Night Lighting- One Layer
I decided to try a night scene and play with the lighting to create a more “magical” atmosphere. In this render, I only used overhead lighting. Notice the change in how the paint color appears (a little washed out). The rug colors also appear dull. Still, the party accents do not really stand out.
Full overhead lighing only.
Night Lighting- 2 Layers
Next, I dimmed the overhead lights and I added light to the two lamps on the end tables so there was a second layer of light. This brought back a little of the richness of the paint color and a little more color to the rug. Still, the party accents do not really stand out.
Two layers of light. Dimmed overhead lighting and lighting from 2 lamps. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Night Lighting- 5 Layers
Finally, I turned off some of the overhead lights, and made other brighter over the end tables and coffee table to highlight the food and other goodies. I added accent lights over the art and sideboard to make them really stand out. I added up lighting under the trees so they would sparkle. The additional layers of controlled and directed light showed off all the different colors of the paint and really made it come alive. I changed the color of light in the lamps to make it warmer. And voila, magic!!
Five layers of light. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Here are some other views of the room. Notice how the lighting highlights different aspects of the party atmosphere.
Five layers of light. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Five layers of light. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Five layers of light. Edesign and fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
In summary, to create a beautiful lighting plan for your room, layer your lighting, control the lighting brightness, direction and color and add lighting to highlight the aspects of your room that are important such as your focal points and art.
Need Help with Your Design?
Are you getting ready for a special event or need help creating a little magic in your home? Try one of my Edesign services.my Aligned Design consultation or my coaching call.
Global Style Interior Design weaves the narrative of your life’s journeys into your living space. Every artifact holds a tale, sparking engaging conversations. It’s a curated collection of treasures, both aged and contemporary, sourced from diverse corners of the world. This design approach creates a symphony of color, texture, art, and heritage. Dive into these 10 compelling reasons to embrace the global style, accompanied by decor inspirations to help you achieve this eclectic aesthetic
Global Style Celebrates Color
Global Style Interior Design captivates me, especially with its vibrant and bold hues. The colors that define a country often draw inspiration from its landscapes, flora, spices, emblems, and even its national flags, seldom settling for mere neutrals.
Global Style Celebrates Artisans
Global style is a mosaic of distinctive art, each piece echoing the vibrant hues and cultural nuances of different nations. For this Bohemian-style living room, I drew inspiration from my personal fractal art, a tribute to the sumptuous colors and intricate textures that epitomize Bohemian elegance.
Global Styles are Connected to the Outdoors
I’m enamored by how global styles often harmoniously intertwine their colors and patterns with nature. For instance, in the Greek-style living room I curated, the design is deeply resonant with the coastal vibes—reflecting the azure hues of the Greek sea and sky, the earthy tones of its rocky terrains, and the vibrant shades of its indigenous flora.
Global Style Loves Pattern and Color
Global style thrives on the artful fusion of captivating textures and intricate patterns. From the gentle caress of silk to the tactile embrace of textured wool, the allure of carved wood, and the sophistication of metals adorned with elaborate embossed or cut-out motifs—these elements converge harmoniously. When combined with the enchanting cultural patterns adorning rugs, pillows, and artwork, they create a masterpiece of layering. Just like this meticulously crafted design for a global style living room, where every glance reveals a tapestry of rich diversity and captivating allure.
Global Style Tells Your Story
Global style is your canvas to narrate your unique tale. Be it Bohemian whimsy or minimalist elegance, the charm of vintage or the edge of modern, vibrant hues or subdued palettes – it’s about weaving your narrative. Choose global elements that resonate with you, just like in this contemporary global style living room, and let your space echo your individuality
Global Styles Celebrate Culture and History
Global style reveres the rich tapestry of cultures and histories from which they emerge. It can be a singular ode to one nation or a melange of inspirations from across the globe. To truly encapsulate its essence, consider integrating decor unique to a specific culture. Take, for instance, this design inspired by Turkish aesthetics. Turkey, renowned for its exquisite Kilim rugs, beautifully exemplifies how specific cultural artifacts can elevate a space.
Global Style Celebrates the Magic of Lighting
The allure of global style designs is amplified by their captivating lighting choices. Often handcrafted, these luminaries feature intricate metal cutouts that cast enchanting patterns of light, akin to the magic found in many Moroccan and Turkish homes. Mexico also excels in crafting exquisite lighting, exemplifying how lighting transcends mere function to become a hallmark of beauty.
Beautiful Moroccan lighting. Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Global Style Design Mixes Old and New
Global style is the perfect dance between the time-honored and the contemporary. In spaces like this Vintage Boho Office, there’s a seamless blend of the modern with relics from the past. Treasured items, such as Moroccan rugs, often bear the weight of generational stories. By interweaving cultural artifacts, cherished family heirlooms, and contemporary accents, you’re not just designing a space—you’re curating a visual biography of your life and lineage.
Global Style Celebrates Your Adventures
Global Style Interior Design is like weaving the chapters of your adventures into your living space. It brings to life the tales of places you’ve been by showcasing the treasures you’ve gathered along the way. Take, for instance, this Mexican-inspired dining area where the handmade lighting casts shadows reminiscent of Mexican evenings. It’s a sensory journey, right in your home.
Global Style is Eco-Friendly
Global style is intrinsically tied to nature, championing eco-friendly and sustainable design practices. Central to its ethos is the utilization of authentic, natural materials. From plush wool rugs that cradle your feet, to metallic accents that reflect tradition, intricately carved wooden furniture that narrates craftsmanship, to tactile leather and versatile rattan. There’s also the timeless appeal of natural stone and the earthen touch of pottery. Each element not only adds aesthetic value but also underscores a commitment to the environment and reverence for the natural world
Global styles are a perfect fit for aligning art, science, and energy to create a space perfectly aligned to support you. Get a consultation today.
Given the principles of your Aligned Design system, which focuses on harmonizing beauty, color science, and well-being, it’s clear why global design styles are a seamless fit. Here’s a breakdown:
Art of Beauty: Global design styles inherently celebrate the beauty of various cultures. Every piece, from a handwoven rug from Morocco to carved wooden artifacts from Bali, is a testament to the artistic skills honed over generations. This beauty aligns well with the art-centric facet of Aligned Design.
Science of Color: Global design taps into a vast palette influenced by natural landscapes, cultural festivities, and traditional crafts from around the world. The colors aren’t just aesthetically pleasing but are steeped in cultural significance. The Aligned Design system, with its emphasis on the science of color, can leverage these rich palettes to evoke specific feelings and energies.
Energy of Well-being: Global styles often prioritize natural, eco-friendly materials that resonate with the energy of the earth. Materials like wood, stone, and organic fabrics not only have a minimal ecological footprint but also exude an innate warmth and grounding energy. This aligns perfectly with Aligned Design’s goal of promoting well-being.
Personal Resonance: Global design, with its myriad of styles, allows individuals to choose elements that truly resonate with them. Whether it’s a memory from a trip or a connection to one’s roots, these design elements can serve as a reflection of personal journeys and transformations.
Transformational Journey: As people evolve, so can their interiors. Global design styles are versatile, allowing spaces to evolve and adapt. This fluidity is perfectly suited for individuals on transformational journeys, ensuring their spaces always align with their current phase of life.
Holistic Integration: The Aligned Design system, in aiming for harmony and balance, would appreciate global design’s holistic approach. Every element in global design has a story, a purpose, and an energy, ensuring a space is more than just visually appealing—it becomes a sanctuary for growth and well-being.
Given these alignments, it’s evident that global design styles can beautifully complement and enrich your design using my Aligned Design system, creating spaces that are both aesthetically pleasing and deeply nurturing. Need help? Let’s do a consultation and see what’s possible.
Some colors are just plain bossy. You might want to ignore them, but you can’t. And you shouldn’t.
It is not that they are overly bold or colorful. They are just in your face. Every Single Day.
They are your fixed finishes. The things you rarely change unless you are doing some significant remodeling.
They are your countertops, your floors, and architectural features such as stone or brick walls or fireplaces, or other predominant features.
They are the things that you do not plan to change any time soon.
They are “bossy” because they will be there for a long time, they take a lot of space and are often in your main living areas such as your kitchen or living room.
Hopefully, you like your fixed finishes. Everything really needs to work with them.
As an example, say you have Clarino quartz countertops and wood cabinets and flooring, you might consider a light-colored paint that is harmonious with the exact colors in the countertop, and that is also harmonious with the hue family of the wood cabinets and flooring.
How do you do that? Have a color strategist measure the exact colors in both the countertop and your wood cabinets and flooring. They will consider the hue family, color saturation, lightness, and color relationships.
There is a range of color choices that could work. Most countertops have numerous colors in them that can be matched. Or, you could consider a color that is in the same hue family or has similar chroma. Or, you could try a complementary color
The key thing is to consider the color data of all the colors in your fixed finishes and develop your color choices on color data, rather than guesswork or considerations of imaginary undertones. Of course, it needs to look good too, and you can not rely on data alone. Extraordinary color is the perfect mix of art and science.
Once you know the options that could work, consider which works best with the fabrics, art, and furniture in the rooms you are working with as well as the rest of the home.
It is all a big puzzle that needs to work together. The first pieces you put down are your fixed finishes and you build from there.
Creating a home that not only looks great but feels great, comes from all the pieces working together in harmony.
This includes the creativity of great design, the science of color, and the energy of how you relate to your space and the environment.
People often want to do color consultations without considering the whole picture and the Interior Design of the rest of the house. Something will always be missing.
My tip to you is when it is time to pick your paint colors, hire a pro to help you, and take a holistic approach to look at color with the rest of your home’s design.
Are You Ready to Listen to Your Bossy Colors?
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. Getting extraordinary color is part of the science of great design.
Start with an Aligned Design consultation to create a plan to create your perfect space.
You can also start by just choosing paint colors for your room now, and think about a complete design plan later.
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.
Take the Stress Out of Handling Paperwork When Buying and Selling a Home
With the home buying and selling process comes a lot of paperwork. It can be overwhelming, but there are ways to make it easier. Northern Lights Home Staging and Design has compiled some tips and tricks to take the stress out of this process.
Find the Best Rates
Before you start looking for homes, it is important to know what budget you can work within. Carefully estimate what you can afford to buy and research mortgages that will fit your needs and budget. Knowing your budget will help narrow down your options and save time when looking for homes.
Use Tools to Make Collaboration Easy
Digitizing documents into PDF forms helps you keep them organized and easy to find in one place. A PDF merger saves time by quickly merging multiple documents together, eliminating the risk of losing track due to clutter. Conversely, you can use a tool to streamline documents—you may consider this option to delete pages from a PDF for free, so you don’t have to handle massive file sizes.
Track Timeline and Deadlines
A timeline document is an essential tool for tracking key dates and deadlines in the home buying or selling process. The Balance notes that these dates can be used to keep track of important events, such as closing day, as well as any tasks that need to be done before a given deadline. Crosschecking these timelines ensures all steps are completed on time, which is critical for a successful transaction.
Plotting key dates in advance is an important part of the home buying and selling process. This will ensure that documents are properly retrieved from storage or sent to other parties to be completed on time. Setting reminders ahead of time is a good idea.
Sell Your House Faster and for More with Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Gather All Your Documents
When selling your home, it’s important to be prepared. Realtor.com suggests collecting necessary documents such as title deeds, mortgage details, and tax information beforehand so that the process is smooth and you get paid promptly once closing day arrives. Not only will this save time, but it can protect you from any potential issues during the sale.
Consider Online Banking
Online banking can help keep track of closing costs, taxes, and legal fees associated with any transaction. It also makes it easier to file taxes at the end of the year since all transactions are documented. Additionally, tracking expenses online eliminates worry over paper receipts getting lost due to clutter or forgetfulness which could lead to unexpected fees in the future.
Sell Your Current Home Faster and For More While Looking for Your New Home.
Color-Code Your Physical Files
Color coding files is a great way to simplify organization during a hectic time. Different colors can represent different categories so that documents are easily identifiable at a glance. This eliminates the hassle of searching through tons of files just to find one document, thus taking away the stress from an already difficult situation.
Stay on Top of Your Budget
Moving to a new home can be an exciting time, setting your sights on a new life ahead, but it is expensive. To make sure you keep track of your budget, create a document listing all your expenses. On the list should be major payments from both parties, as well as estimated costs and what you actually spend. This can identify where potential savings might have been made.
Buying or selling your next home can be a daunting process with the long list of paperwork you have to handle, but by digitizing and organizing documents, color coding physical files, listing expenses, and researching mortgages beforehand, you can make sure that everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Taking the time to prepare ahead of time will make the home buying or selling process much more straightforward for you.
This article was written by Suzie Wilson of Happier Home for Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Tips for Before and After You Buy
Before you buy, you are probably trying to sell your current home as fast and profitably as possible. Home staging is the best way to make that happen and keep your stress levels low while looking for your new home. I can help you sell fast and for more, wherever you live.
Once you buy your new house, if you are like most folks, you move in quickly and everything remains where it is initially placed. Why not get your colors and design right from the start! Let me help you with an Aligned Design consultation which combines color and design advice and can even create some custom art and decor for you and your new home.
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.
Are You Living the Life the Universe Wants You to Live?
There Will Only Ever Be One of You
There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?
One thing I have learned over the last year is that there is a reason I am here. That is to do what I am meant to do in my unique way, because no one else can do it like me.
It is funny. I was doing a home staging job the other day and the client asked what made me special. It effortlessly came out of my mouth, “Because I am the only one in the universe that can do things uniquely as I do them. I am what makes me special”.
This was not meant to toot my own horn. It just is the way of the world for all of us.
It is just that some of us recognize and celebrate it, and others are still learning the lesson.
We owe it to the universe and those around us to be our authentic selves. Otherwise, we are depriving others of what we were meant to give them as we try to fit in and be someone else instead.
Edesign and Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
In many ways, this last year was the best year of my life.
Yes, really.
Why? Because it was a year of learning and transformation.
Instead of dwelling on all that was wrong in the world, I decided to learn and grow and make the most of the time I unexpectedly had.
Times were hard in many ways, but I also learned how to deal with those hard times in a different way.
Edesign and Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
As things are getting back to normal in some ways, I feel differently.
It is like I am in the eye of the storm where all is calm while everything around me seems chaotic as others are trying to get back to “normal” Maybe “normal” wasn’t so great. Is that the place you want to go?
I feel the way I do is because of a program I went through and continue to do, called TCP (Transformational Coaching Program). The program helps you transform from the inside out, and helps you to BE the person you want to be, so you can DO the things you need to HAVE the life you were meant to have.
It helps you get in alignment with what makes you unique and why it matters.
Create the perfect space for you with my Aligned Design system. Edesign and fractal art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Are you intrigued? Is the little voice in the back of your mind saying “I don’t have time or money for that right now” because you are busy DOING all the things you think are important?
Believe me, I get it. I am the ultimate DOER. I felt the same way.
I took the program anyway, and am so glad I did.
It is easy to go on for years without changing our lives for the better. For me it was always the struggle between the short-term pain versus the long-term gain. You can always convince yourself you will start tomorrow.
Imagine yourself thinner, healthier, happier, wealthier, and more peaceful. Living a life filled with abundance without worrying all the time about money or accomplishing all the things. If you were fully convinced it would work for you, you would do it, wouldn’t you?
There is only one of you in all the world. There will only ever be one. You are here to do what you alone are meant to do for the world in your unique way. Are you doing it?
Get Aligned With Who You Were Meant to BE
I joined TCP to increase my income for my Interior Design/Home Staging business.
Although my focus was business, the program instead provided incredible value to my health and well-being.
I changed my habits and lost weight and quit smoking. I started to make self care my priority. I stopped DOING my way through life and learned how to BE the person I want to be. I released a lot of stress and anger and learned how to do things differently. I noticed a huge difference in my feeling of peace and well being.
I then took a TCP business class which helped me become more aware and aligned with what makes me unique and how to make that the focus of my business. This shaped my philosophy of “Aligned Design”, which aligns art, science and energy to create your perfect space.
Even though this business class was all about making more income for my business, the more I learned, the less important money became to me and the more important creating expansion in others lives and being of service became. Ultimately, that increased my business and income, and I was more aligned with what I was meant to be doing so was having more fun!
The programs are run by Jim Fortin and his amazing team of coaches. It includes a private Facebook group where there is onoing coaching and community, weekly content such as workbooks, videos and audios with homework, followed by weekly Facebook lives with Jim and the coaches on a wide variety of topics from health to business. We worked on things like clarity, vision, sub-conscious values, habits, self-integrity, responsibility, commitment, choices, relationships You could also ask for coaching on any topic in the FB group or do a “hot seat” on one of the live calls. The community of people in the group from all over the world is extremely positive and supportive.
Try it for Yourself
Are you ready for a change?
Don’t take my word for it, try it for yourself. Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning I may get paid a small amount for referring you at no additional cost to you.
Get on the Waitlist for the next TCP Program. I think this is the best training I have ever invested in. It made a huge difference for me. I hope it can make a difference for you too.
Listen to this podcast episode- Why Your Bad Habits are So Hard To Break. This one really helped me to change some of my eating habits and lose weight, even before joining the program.
The TCP program helped me clarify how I am unique and what I offer that creates expansion or a better life for others. I call it my Aligned Design system.
Aligned Design creates a home that Looks Great, Feels Great, and supports you to BE Great.
I use a holistic approach to align the art of sustainable Interior Design, the science of color, and the positive energy of transformative design, Feng Shui, and Biophilia to create the perfect space for you
When it comes to Interior Design, less is more beautiful and more relaxing. Objects that truly make you happy can stand out more when they have space to breathe.
Edesign and “Unveiling Time ” Energy art by Mary Ann Benoit of Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
Is your home not resonating with the peace and beauty you crave? Does the term “sanctuary” seem like a distant dream when you think of your living space?
With clutter strewn around and an outdated decor, the daunting task of choosing the right color palette, arranging furniture, or selecting the perfect art piece can feel like an insurmountable challenge. Often, amidst our busy lives, we wonder, “Who has the time to tackle all this?”
Yet, investing that time is essential for your mental tranquility and overall well-being.
Amid the chaos of life, it’s easy for our homes to reflect the whirlwind of our daily routines. Before we realize it, we’re surrounded by dated decor and a mismatch of styles, especially if living with a partner who might not share the same aesthetic vision.
Sometimes, we don’t need new things to create a big change. Just by rearranging what we already have, we can make a significant impact.
I realized this when I decided to replace my carpet with laminate flooring. This meant taking everything out of each room, replacing the flooring, and then putting everything back. It was an eye-opening experience.
One lesson I learned was that I had a lot of stuff that didn’t bring me joy or that I didn’t really need. Moving everything made me realize how little happiness some items were bringing into my life.
Before, I was used to a cluttered look, thinking “more is more.” But as I slowly put things back after the flooring change, I started to rearrange them. I began to appreciate the beauty of having fewer things around – it felt calming. I noticed how objects that truly made me happy stood out more when they had space to breathe.
I realized “less is more beautiful”.
When updating your space, stay open to new ideas. Sometimes, the unexpected choices delight us the most.
Start by decluttering and removing items that don’t bring joy. This creates room and clarity.
Consider emptying a room and reintroducing key items in fresh arrangements. Rotate accessories seasonally for a refreshed look.
If pressed for time, consider hiring a professional. They can quickly navigate through chaos to craft a harmonious setting for you.
Ready to Create the Perfect Space?
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.
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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Feel Connected and Relaxed When You Surround Yourself With the Beauty of Nature
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
Indian Style Living Room- Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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.
Mexican Style Living Room- Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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.
Moroccan Style Living Room- Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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.
Turkish Style Living Room- Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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.
Colors of Greece by Dimitris-Kiriakakis on unsplash
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.
View from my window.
The colors of summer, with lots of beautiful fireweed.
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.
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.
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.
Celebrate Unique Art and Artisans while Telling Your Story with 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.
Bohemian Style Living Room Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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!
Global Style Living Room by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design
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.
“Mystery” Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design Deep Purple Fractal Art by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design. Modern Global Style Edesign by Northern Lights Home Staging and Design.
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.
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.
