Interior decorating is a culmination of creating a space that you love, while also making sure that it functions properly. The space is generally filled with colors, patterns, styles, and pieces that all showcase what’s important to you and what you love. One of the best parts of re-decorating a Lake of the Ozarks home is using pieces that are there to make a statement. These unique pieces can be the artwork on your walls to the furniture that you choose. No matter what the statement is, we want to help you find just the right piece. While John Elliott Interiors is filled with beautiful and luxurious patterns and pieces, we also have a few really unique items that you aren’t going to find just anywhere! Check out these really unique pieces that we’ve had over the years, maybe it can get your inspiration flowing!

Safety First! 

If you thought that this chair and ottoman set looked like it was made from seatbelts, you would be right! This piece is SO unique, and we love when something especially cool comes into the showroom. The bright color, unique pattern, and practicality of this piece make it perfect for many different spaces. From an entertainment room, in-home theater, or teenagers room, there are plenty of spaces that could be made better by a piece like this.

The Bomber Dot Com

Does this piece look familiar to you? If you look close, it may remind you of a Bomber Jacket. That’s because it is! We love a fashionable piece of furniture that is really made from something other than what it started. If you’re looking for a unique piece for your home, you should start at our furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks. This piece combines texture, color, and style to create something very unique and special. The smooth texture of the leather and the warmth of the fuzzy cushion can be perfect for a sitting room or study. The open framework makes it great for smaller rooms because it can help keep them feeling open. While the sleek metal frame is an ideal combination with the other warm materials that make up this incredibly fashionable piece.

Buckets of Laughs

This piece was featured in our showroom, and really made quite the statement. It’s unique in the fact that it’s made up of paint buckets! As a modern piece of wall art, it’s a great way to appreciate individual style, color, and texture. Sometimes unique pieces can be found in the most unlikely places, but we love when they show up around here! Sometimes our art is made from artisans around the country, while others are found right around the corner. If you’re looking for something that sparks joy and creativity - you’re certain to find it at our interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks.

We’ve Got It All

From modern pieces to luxurious and richly fabricated designs, there’s a little bit of everything at our home design store in Missouri. John Elliott Interiors wants to help you create an interior for your life. Not just a design that is attractive, but something that can make the best use of space in your home. Every corner, cubby, and open space can be designed with unique pieces, wonderful textures, and beautiful designs to help make your space everything you’ve wanted a more. Visit our website to learn more about our showroom, and don’t forget to stop by and take a look!





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Are you experiencing some winter blues now that the Christmas tree is down? It can be an easy for your home to feel pretty empty after just a few weeks of it being filled with Christmas cheer. The New Year may bring excitement for what’s happening in the future, but we think the excitement should be in the here and now, too. If you want to add wintery home decor that isn’t too Christmassy, here are a few ideas.



Frosty Florals
There’s nothing quite like adding a bright, bold bloom to your home that brightens it up. You can still use them, even in the dead of winter, so we highly recommend choosing the biggest and the brightest to liven up the place. At John Elliott Interiors, we have the best supply of silk plants at the Lake of the Ozarks. Beautiful arrangements in vibrant colors are just way your home needs to break through the bland shades of winter. If you want to bring a little more of a wintery theme with the florals, you can set vases of icicles, and frosty branches around your home to add a glittery and icy style. You can also set out bowls of pine cones or use pine cone wreaths to bring that wintery feel without being strictly Christmas.

Create a Wintery Menagerie
In the spring you may decorate with pretty little songbirds and in the summer you may incorporate tropical fish or flamingos. So in the winter, it only makes sense to choose animals that have a winery feel. Owls, moose or deer can add the feel that you’re looking for. They don’t have to be replicas, just accents that give the feel. Antlers in your coffee table arrangement and a small silver owl lamp can be the perfect touches to reflect the season.



Seasonal Scents
While you may just think of updating the decor in your home, don’t forget to update the scent as well. In the summer you may want your home to smell like beach waves or a rose garden, in the fall you want it to smell like pumpkin pie and falling leaves, so in the winter you can incorporate warm musky scents, as well as some spicy ones, like cinnamon or ginger. If you want to infuse some energy into your home, use citrus scents. They may be more summery, but they aren’t just a seasonal scent and they can lift the mood if you are experiencing some seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Light it Up
Don't just turn the lights on to make up for a dreary day, you can change out the lightbulbs to simulate a brighter, happier look. Blue and white lights are the closest to simulating the sunlight. Dawn simulator lights gradually get lighter over a period of 20 minutes to gradually wake you up similar to the sun (if it weren’t hiding behind the snow clouds).

When you've decided that you'd like to go a different direction with the decor in your home, the process has only just begun. While the fun part is coming to our home interiors store at the Lake of the Ozarks to pick out your new style, there are a few steps you can take beforehand to make the transition easier. Whether you like to redecorate every season or you've been due for a re-design for the last decade, John Elliott Interiors would like to help you get started. Here are a few things you can do to prepare your space and get the design started on the right foot.

Evaluate Your Space

What space do you want to re-design? Is it a space that has a clear purpose, like the kitchen, or is it a space that could have a new goal, like a spare bedroom? Do you want to continue using this space as you have been or will you go a new direction with it? It's important to decide this ahead of time so you know exactly which direction you want to go in your space before you start purchasing decorations.

Start a Style Board

Pinterest is a great way to put all of your ideas in one place. If you're more of a hands-on person, you can cut pages out of magazines that show what your new style should look like. Do you have a specific color that you want to plan your design around? Maybe a specific furniture piece? It's important to let your Lake of the Ozarks interior designer know about this so they can create your custom style.

Repurpose, Reuse, or Relocate

The difference between designing a new home, and redesigning your current home is that you most likely already have a room full of belongings. Take some time to evaluate what you have in your home and what you're going to do with those items. You can repurpose the items in your space by adding something new to change the look. This would apply for vases or candle stands. Maybe you can add some new floral arrangements and greenery around your item to give it a fresh look. You can reuse items from your space by moving them to other rooms in your home. Maybe you don't have a use for the red couch in your living room anymore, but it would look great in your media room. Finally, some items will need to be relocated. You can sell them, donate them, or give them away to friends or family. One room only needs a specific number of knick-knacks and furniture. If the current ones in your space don't work with your new decor - find a new home for them.

Consult with Your Designer

Finally, you should schedule a consultation with your interior designer. This is a great opportunity to show us what you want to achieve in your space, talk about the flow of your area, and more. Bring your lookbook in, and we'll look through it with you to help you find the exact direction you'd like to go. This is also a great opportunity for us to walk through our Lake of the Ozarks home interiors store and pick out the pieces and styles that you want to define your space with - especially if you don't even know where to start.

Home Design at the Lake of the Ozarks

At John Elliott Interiors over 24,000 square feet of furnishings, plants and accessories are just the tip of the iceberg. John Elliott Interiors will design new or renovate existing spaces, from top to bottom in your home. With over fifteen key partners John Elliott Interiors can do the ‘whole shebang’. Whether you need granite custom cabinets, audio-visual, high-end appliances, flooring, window treatments, painting, and faux painting. Whatever your interior needs, we can handle it quick, easy and right for you.


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The winter months are here, the holidays are passing by, and there’s no place like home! If you want to enjoy a few cozy evenings cuddled up in your home enjoying your family and your comfy couch - here are a few ways you can enjoy a silent night and your home as you finish out the holidays and start the winter months.

Sit By the Fire

If you have a fireplace in your home, now is a great time to light it up and enjoy it. Make s’mores, drink hot chocolate, read your favorite book and snack on your favorite treat. There’s just something about a blaze that makes the winter nights feel idyllic, so if you have a fireplace, we hope that you can take time to enjoy it this season.

Quiet Nights at Home

If you’ve had an especially busy holiday season, maybe what you really need is a silent night. Put the kids to bed, light some candles, make a cup of tea or coffee, and relish in the silence. Sometimes all you need is a refreshing night where you make very important plans - plans to sit and do nothing. After the holidays are over can be a great time to think about all of the things that you're thankful for, and the people in your life who mean so much to you - and a silent night in your beautiful home is perfect for that.

Play Games

Your family could really benefit from and enjoy a good old fashioned game night! Pop some popcorn, make hot chocolate, and have some friendly competition. From board games to video games, there are many ways you can enjoy family time, and still have a little bit of fun competition.

Make Music

Do you have a musical family? Make some very special winter memories by gathering around the piano or guitar and singing some tunes. You may have to gently encourage a few family members who think it’s cheesy, but it can be a very wonderful memory for everyone. Not to mention, a fun way to enjoy a part of your home that may get overlooked during the busy times of your life.

Have a Dance Party

If you have young kids, they will especially enjoy this way of loving your time in your home! Crank up the tunes and have a dance party! Not to mention, this is a great way to burn some holiday calories and wear the kids out before bed - so you can have that silent night!

Happy Holidays from the Team at John Elliott Interiors

We love what we do, because we help you create a place that everyone wants to come home to. Making memories, enjoying time with family, and celebrating your beautiful home are the reasons we sell the best furniture at the Lake of the Ozarks and provide the best interior decorating services in mid-Missouri. We hope you and your family had a very merry Christmas, a Happy New Year, and that you get to enjoy some much needed time in your beautiful Lake of the Ozarks home.

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If you follow trends in your home decor, this year is going to be fabulous. From great colors schemes to beautiful patterns that haven’t been as popular lately - the trends are incredible. Here at John Elliott Interiors, we like to stay on the cutting edge of interior decorating at the Lake of the Ozarks. This isn’t just important for you, but it’s a great asset to us as well. If you’re looking for a new look this season, here are a few things that will have everyone swooning!

Charcoal & Honey

The deep richness of charcoal and matte blacks are being painted on the walls in homes across the country. While this may seem a bit dramatic, when combined with the light, warm shades of honey - you’ll find that they counterbalance each other effectively. You have to be a little edgy to appreciate the dramatics of this style - but we have a feeling you’ll LOVE it once it’s in your home.

Having the family over may not feel like Fa la la la la and Happy New Year when you have to get your house ready for the company and commotion. Yet, the holiday season is filled with friends, family, and food, so we wanted to provide you with a few ways to throw an AMAZING party in your beautiful home while still maintaining some sanity. Here are a few time-tested tips to help you get through the holidays and hopefully enjoy them even more.

Make a List and Check it Twice

You and Santa have a few things in common this year, but thankfully it’s just the Christmas list and rosy cheeks. But seriously, there’s nothing that can make you feel crazy than not having a list. It’s easier than ever when you have a smartphone, too. Open up the notepad, and start making notes about the menu, the decor you still need to purchase, and the gifts that you need to buy. You can email yourself a copy to keep on hand, and then start doing and erasing! Before you know it, you’ll have the whole list done and it will be time to enjoy the holidays with family.

Get a Head Start

Take a look at your list from the tip above, and think about your menu. If there is anything that you can make ahead and freeze - do it! This will take the immediate stress off of your day and make everything feel like a breeze. Soup and stew is a great holiday/winter food. The items generally freeze well and can be thrown into a crockpot that morning. Quiches, tarts, and pies also freeze well and can be purchased pre-made (or made ahead and frozen) to save you some heartache. Before you know it, it will be time to party and you’ll only have to purchase fruit and veggies and warm some things up.

Keep a Stock

If you really want to make the holidays easier, keep a stock of drinks and snacks on hand to grab on the go or serve at minutes notice. For drinks, keep sodas, mixers, hot cocoa, coffee (regular and decaf, and plenty of tea on hand. For snacks, you can go wrong with crackers, cookies and mixed nuts. You can even toss the nuts in maple syrup, bake them until their caramelized and you’ll have a very special snack.

Decking the Halls

You don’t have to go above and beyond when decorating your Lake of the Ozarks home. Even just a simple bowl of lights or vintage ornaments in an extra punch bowl can make a striking statement on the table. If you have extra vases, you can put some Epsom salt in the bottom, add some ornaments and a pretty bow - and you have the perfect centerpiece for your bar or table. Need to add some Christmas joy to your outdoors? You don’t have to light your entire house to show a little Christmas spirit. A simple wreath on your door, a few potted evergreens with ornaments, and maybe some garland around the posts on your porch can do wonders. Keep it simple and enjoy the beauty every time you come home.

Every interior decorator knows that before you begin the process of re-designing a room, decluttering is required. In fact, decluttering your home can be the difference between having a spectacular finished product, and one that doesn't look quite the way you imagined. It is possible to have a spotless and decluttered home, but it doesn't come without a little bit of effort. We all have items that accumulate in our homes. From stacks of papers to those ballpoint pens that seem to multiply to astronomical numbers. Give your New Year a great start by scouring your home and removing these 25 items - you'll be amazed at how freeing it will be!

1. Condiment Packets

Your favorite Chinese restaurant gives you soy sauce, and your favorite Mexican restaurant supplies hot sauce - before you know it, you have more than they do! Only grab what you need at the restaurant, and throw the rest away when you get home.

2. Kids Clothes

We know that those sweet jackets, onesies, and socks melt your heart, but they also take up a LOT of space. Sort through and find your absolute favorites. You can use them in quilts or as doll clothes, THEN, donate the rest to a mother in need.

3. Old Reference Books

Do you still have your college textbooks on your shelf? If they are recent enough to sell, do it! If they are too old, recycle and enjoy the space for books that make you smile instead of cringe.

4. Old Linens

If you wouldn't offer those sheets or towels to a guest, get rid of them! If you keep them around for the dog to dry off with, keep one and ditch the rest. Old linens take up a LOT of storage space and only add clutter to your shelves and even your floors.

5. Plastic Grocery Bags

While have a few may be helpful, having hundreds is overwhelming. Recycle those at your local store and enjoy all of the extra space!

6. Tupperware With Missing Pieces

If the lid is long gone, the bottom needs to disappear too. Plastic storage containers are already hard to manage in your cabinet, and only made worse when you have twice as many lids verses containers.

7. Hangers

If you have metal hangers, toss them. They aren't good for your clothes and they tangle easily. If you have too many plastic ones, don't be afraid to get rid of those as well. Only keep what you need, put a few in your coat closet and sell or donate the rest.

8. Greeting Cards

It may seem heartless to get rid of cards, but when you received them in the mail, and the brought a smile to your face, they served their purpose. Only keep the ones that have really meaningful messages and recycle what's leftover.

9. Piles of Office Supplies

It's amazing how quickly your desk can become overrun with office supplies. Staplers, paperclips, rubber bands, sticky notes, and more can take over quickly. Narrow them down to only what you need, and put the rest back in the supply closet.

10. Stacks of Magazines

Do you truly plan on reading back through your old magazines? Once you've read it, you're done. If it is a recent copy, donate it to your local library, otherwise, recycle it. Maybe it will come back to you someday as a different magazine!

11. The Pen Collection

We addressed this collection earlier, and it's amazing how quickly it grows. Have you ever been on the phone, taking a message, and gone through several pens that don't work? Toss them! Only save your favorite pens, and keep that pen holder clutter free.

12. Leftover Paint

After you've remodeled your home, it may be tempting to keep the leftover gallons of paint - but don't! They will dry up and get old before you know it, so instead of storing them for months before throwing them out, just do it now. If you need to touch up your paint, you can always head back to the hardware store and get a sample size for a couple of dollars.

13. Novelty Appliances

That cartoon character waffle maker may have been cute for the special occasion, but if you don't use it on a regular basis (like every week), it really doesn't need to take up valuable kitchen space.

14. Old Phones & Their Cords

Old phones can be sold if they are still recent, but if they aren't, find a place to recycle them. While you're at it, don't forget to get rid of the cord, too! Cords can accumulate so quickly, and before you know it, you don't even remember what they go to.

15. Travel Toiletries

You may think you'll use them, but the truth is, your personal products are generally the first thing you'll grab, AND, those products do expire.

16. Hair Supplies

Bobby pins and hair ties accumulate so quickly, and before you know it, they are taking over your couch, floor, bathroom counter and more. Keep a few of them in an easy to access location for when you need them, and get control of all of the rest.

17. Old Cosmetics

Did you know that your cosmetics can actually expire? This not only means you're storing old, expired make-up, but it can also cause infections and be a holding ground for bacteria. Throw it out, and if you find that you need it again, you can go get more.

18. Product Boxes

If you open your closet, will you find the product boxes for your television, computer, cell phone, gaming systems, speakers, and more? You really aren't going to need those boxes any more, and even if you move, you would be better off getting a new box to put them in.

19. The "If" Outfits

You know the ones we're talking about, the "if" I lose weight, "if" I get a tan so it looks better, "if" I tone my thighs first. It's time to toss the "ifs" and enjoy extra closet space for the items that you actually love!

20. Gift Bags & Supplies

It may seem practical to save those gift bags and tissue paper for the next time you need to gift, but in many cases, you're still going to buy something anyway. Keep only the truly pretty, or easily transferrible between event types. If you just got married or had a baby, it's hard to believe that you'll be going to 20-60 weddings or baby showers of the correct gender in the next year. Save space and get rid of them!

21. Promotional Products

Businesses are always handing out promotional products, but the truth is that you probably aren't going to use them as much as you think. Spare yourself the space in your drawers, car cupholders and more by getting rid of these items.

Declutter Your Home and Then Make it Pretty!

If you've been dreaming of having your space made over with new and beautiful items, John Elliott Interiors would love to help you find the perfect pieces. Before you start the process though, take some time to remove the items from your home that you truly don't need anymore. Make the New Year truly meaningful with a new, clutter-free space. Then call the best interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks to remake your space!

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