Art is an excellent way to put the finishing touch on any interior design.  John Elliott Interiors features an ever-growing collection of art at the Lake of the Ozarks. When you browse our showroom, you will see hundreds of pieces of original artwork, among which you are bound to find many pieces to love. Today we have some helpful tips that will allow you to choose the right art for your home.


Buy What You Love
Surround yourself with art that you personally love and appreciate. After all, you are the one that has to look at it most often. Plus, if you like it, then there is a very good chance that guests in your home will be impressed with it too. Art is meant to evoke feelings, and those feelings can be different for each person that views a particular piece. When you find one that seems to speak to you in a way that you like, then you've found the art for you.


Build Your Gallery Over Time
Building a great art collection is something that should be done over time, not during a one-visit shopping trip. Our Lake of the Ozarks luxury home interiors store is continuously adding to our massive collection so the perfect piece you are looking for may not have yet arrived. If you let us know what you're desiring, our interior designers can keep an eye out for it and let you know when something matching that description comes in.   


Expect Your Collection to Grow
Sometimes you may buy art to fill a space on the wall, not necessarily because it profoundly spoke to you and you simply had to have it. If it fits into the interior design nicely and you like the look of it, that art will work perfectly for now.

Over time you will come across new pieces of art that you love and your tastes may even change. When that happens, you can replace old art with the new or, better yet, store those old pieces away and periodically change out the art in your home for a fresh look. Galleries do it all the time and once you have a collection started, you can too.   


See Art as an Investment
Some of the very best pieces of art come with a bit of a price tag. Quality art is a true investment and well worth spending money on. Don't be afraid to buy an expensive piece if you believe that its value will go up or if you simply fall in love with it. In the case of the latter, that makes the art worth the price tag to you.  


All of the art inside our luxury furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks is original and hand-selected for its beauty and quality. A wide variety of styles are represented so that there truly is something for everyone, no matter what your personal tastes may be. The right art makes a space feel complete. Once you place your new art from John Elliott Interiors in your home, you'll wonder how in the world you ever thought that room was complete without it!

Fall is wonderful for spending time outdoors. It's not as hot as summer and not as cold as winter yet so some might say it's just right for getting outside and enjoying nature. John Elliott Interiors has a few ideas for you today that will encourage you to take advantage of the outside living area of your home before winter's cold chases you indoors.


Increase Outdoor Seating
The sheer beauty of summer turning into autumn is all around us as the leaves begin changing into a rainbow of glorious colors. You will be encouraged to spend more time outside enjoying the view if there is plenty of comfortable seating around your outdoor living space. If that space is limited, furniture that does "double-duty" is an excellent solution. Look for pieces that can have more than one purpose, like storage ottomans that also work as extra seating or can be used as a tabletop too.

Perform a Seasonal Makeover
Truly welcome the new season by switching out summery colors and patterns on your cushions and throw pillows for rich fall shades. Quality indoor/outdoor fabrics, like the kind we offer at our luxury furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks, can withstand the elements easily but look beautiful enough to belong indoors among your other home interiors. Add a few mums and pumpkins to finish the look and you've created a lovely fall escape that can take you through Halloween and Thanksgiving.


Dine Outdoors
Summer is great for grilling and picnics, but autumn is perfect for bringing your indoor meals outside and dining alfresco. The days and early evenings are pleasantly cool, unlike extremely hot days in the summer, and there are a lot fewer bugs to worry about crashing your party. If you have a covered outdoor space, you might even consider bringing an indoor dining table and chairs outside for a while. That is the perfect setting for throwing a few amazing fall dinner parties.

Increase Outdoor Lighting 
Sunset comes much earlier this time of year so you will want to make sure that you have proper lighting for spending evenings outside. Solar lights charge during the day and automatically come on at night, so you don't have to do a thing. String lights hung from a pergola make for a festive atmosphere. You can also find many portable lighting options that can be moved around easily to where you need them and stored away for the winter.

Stay Warm
Once the sun sets, autumn weather can get pretty chilly, but not so much so that you need to head indoors if you make arrangements to stay warm. Firepits and outdoor fireplaces not only provide that warmth, but they are also great gathering spots for hanging out with friends, toasting marshmallows, telling stories, and making memories. If you are not able to add a permanent fireplace or firepit to your yard, there are portable options that do the same job nicely. You might also consider storing a few cozy throws or blankets outside to warm you up both in the evenings and on those mornings when you feel like enjoying your cup of coffee outside.


When you make your outdoor living space look beautiful and feel comfortable and inviting, you are much more likely to spend some quality time out there, making good use of that wonderful space. Our interior design experts at the Lake of the Ozarks are equally as skilled at making the exterior "room" of your home look it's gorgeous best. Visit us at John Elliott Interiors in Lake Ozark soon and let us help you create an outdoor living area you can't wait to spend more time in while the weather is still perfect for it.

Every profession has its own terms that are used often, but unless it involves a hobby that you enjoy or something you deal with on a daily basis, many of those terms can sound like a foreign language to you. For example, our team of talented interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks may use words that are unfamiliar to you when discussing your new look for a particular room.

Today John Elliott Interiors has definitions for 10 common design terms that you may run into. Some are easy to figure out and mean what you would expect, while others might need a bit of explanation as to how they relate to interior design.   


Contemporary
Rather than being one specific style of interior design, the word contemporary is attached to a style of the present time period. As time goes by, the style associated with this title will change.

Contrast
Contrast happens when unlike things of opposite natures are put together. In interior design, this can be done by using opposite textures like glass and wood, light and dark colors, and solids with patterns for a few examples.

Curated
When an interior designer uses their talent and expertise to create a collection of furnishings for a client, that collection is said to be curated. The pieces have been carefully put together to reflect a particular style or meaning as requested and sometimes has historical tie-ins.

Edited
This is a minimalized approach to the furnishings in a room. Everything is well thought out, organized, and has a distinct purpose, but done in a way that does not feel empty or cold.

Focal Point
This is an item in a room that immediately draws your eye, catches your attention, and generates interest. It can be a special piece of furniture, a fantastic piece of art, or an element of the room such as a fireplace or a large picture window. Generally, the rest of the design will be planned around the focal point.

Layered
This pertains to the many different layers in a room to be designed. From the flooring to the window treatments and art on the walls to the furniture itself and all of the accessories, each of these layers must work together to create a cohesive design.

Rhythm
This is the description used to explain the flow that the room design generates. The way that everything works together to urge your eyes to move around the room in a specific way, touching on one design element after another.

Tailored
This is an element that has been customized especially for a particular space. It could also be used to describe a room that has been customized to match specific wants and needs. 

Textured
This word is often used to describe the different fabrics, colors, and patterns used to decorate a room. All of those things give the space a tactile and visual appeal, giving it the look of being textured.

Well-Appointed
A room with this description is one that is designed with high-end furnishings and outstanding execution of interior design principles. This perfectly describes every room curated by the experts at John Elliott Interiors! We take your dreams and wishes for a particular room and turn it into a reality with our exquisite furniture, unique home accents, and beautiful wall art.


Now when you hear or read these terms while preparing to design a room in your home or office, they will make a lot more sense. If you ever have any questions at all when it comes to interior design, everyone at our luxury home furnishings store at the Lake of the Ozarks is happy to answer them and give you an explanation that is easy to understand.

Remodeling a room, or multiple rooms, in your home is not only a wonderful way to bring new life to it, but the changes can add value to the overall worth of the house too. A home renovation is dirty and noisy, and if you will be living there during the remodel, it will definitely disrupt the regular flow of your day to day life.

The thought of the finished product combined with some wonderful pieces from our luxury furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks may help you get through the process, but some careful planning ahead of time is the best way to truly get through it. John Elliott Interiors has a few tips for you today that should help you do that. 


Plan Before You Demo
Make as many arrangements for your remodel as possible before any work begins. Set appointments, work out a schedule with the contractor, and make sure the necessary items are ordered and on their way. If you wait until everything is "in the works" to make your calls, you may end up adding additional waiting time before everything can be finished.

Plan For Everday Life
If you will be living in the home while the renovation is happening, it is best to tackle just one project at a time. That way you still have the rest of the house to live in and try to do things as close to your normal schedule as possible. Depending on which room is being remodeled, you will need to make plans to move tasks you regularly do in that room to another one.

For example, during a kitchen remodel, you will want to move things you will need to use to a new makeshift "kitchen" area. A place where you can set up the microwave, toaster, a mini-fridge, etc... If it is a bathroom remodel, you will need to have access to another usable bathroom, and if there are a lot of people in the house, you may need to come up with a schedule for use. If the water will be turned off at any point, have lots of bottled water on hand.   

Plan to Keep Things Clean
There will be lots of debris as things get torn apart and removed, and even more construction dust settling over everything in its path. Speak with your contractor about making sure that all trash that can be removed is taken care of daily, and hang tarps in the doorways leading into the room being renovated to try to contain as much of the dust as possible.

Make sure that electronic equipment, furniture not in use, and other valuables are covered or even packed away if they will not be needed until everything is finished. Every evening you may want to give everything a quick sweep and wipe-down to better keep the mess under control. 

Plan for the Unexpected
No matter how many plans you make or how prepared you are, most likely something unexpected is going to happen to throw a wrench into those well-laid plans. The more flexible you are, the easier it will be to handle any surprises that may arise. Your budget should have enough set aside so that unforeseen expenses won't break the bank. Also, there's a very good chance that the expected timeline for finishing projects will run over schedule. If you expect that the remodel will take longer than planned, you will be ready and a little less disappointed if it does. 

Communication is Key
In addition to planning, good communication during the remodel is extremely important. Throughout this entire process, keep the lines of communication open with your contractor, as well as the other people living in the home. When you know what to expect from each other along the way, there will be fewer "surprises" that could drive you all crazy. The better you work together, the smoother the remodel will go.


There will very likely come a time when you will need to leave your home for a day or two. When that happens, plan to make a mini-vacation out of it. That will give you a refreshing break after all of the construction you have been living through.

Once the rooms are completed and brand new, head on over to John Elliott Interiors to find the home furnishings to dress up those gorgeous new rooms. Our Lake of the Ozarks interior design team can put the finishing touches on the new room you have long been waiting for. Then you can sit back, look around, and know that all of the "hassle" of the renovation was truly worth it. 

A wonderful way to keep your interior design fresh without a complete redesign is to change out a few of the items in each room to match the season. (Of course, if you're ready for an entire room makeover, we've got a lot of choices waiting for you inside our luxury furniture store at the Lake of the Ozarks!) Here are a few ways that you can quickly and easily give the rooms in your home a warm, inviting fall feel.


Add Warmth
The days will gradually get colder the further into autumn that we get and you'll be spending more time indoors than you do in the summer. Having a home that exudes a warm feeling will make it a cozy haven where you're excited to spend more time. This can be accomplished by switching out summer fabrics with pillows and throws in rich shades and luxurious, plush fabrics.

Plaids and checked patterns are perfect for this time of year, and metallic accents in a warm copper tone add a nice effect. You can literally add warmth, as well as color and fall scents, with the addition of lots of candles around the room too. 

Fall Accents
Bringing the outdoors inside is always a great idea. This time of year, instead of the brightly colored fresh flowers in vases you may have displayed over the summer, consider filling those vases with cut branches. Beautiful bowls filled with pinecones and seasonal produce like apples or gourds also add a lovely touch.

It's a good time to switch out your wall art to a piece that reflects the way the upcoming season makes you feel. You might also consider changing framed family photos to pictures that depict fall and winter holidays. It adds a touch of the season and brings back wonderful memories.


Refresh Focal Points
You should always have a main focal point in each room's interior design. You can accentuate the fall season by making a few updates to these focal points. For example, a fireplace will begin getting more use soon. It's time to dress up the mantle and display firewood in a decorative way. If large windows are a focal point in our home, consider putting up new drapes to perfectly frame and compliment the scenic autumn view. 

Don't Forget Your Exterior Design
Don't forget about the outside of your home too. Curb appeal is an important aspect for any house, plus fall has lots of fantastic things to put on display. Seasonal florals like great big colorful mums are gorgeous in front of a house. Straw bales with pumpkins sitting atop them can be displayed all the way until the end of October. (You might consider decorative ones instead of real if you truly want them to last that long.)

This is also the perfect time to fire up those firepits and get a few more weeks' use out of your outdoor furnishings. You might want to fill an outdoor chest with a few cozy blankets to use on chilly evenings.


Every season gives you the chance to give the rooms in your home a fresh look. John Elliott Interiors has the beautiful home accent pieces, drapes, pillows, wall art, and more to help you bring the look of autumn inside. When you're ready for a bit more than just switching out the decor, our interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks can help you find all of the luxurious pieces that will give you the home of your dreams.

This week our Lake of the Ozarks luxury furniture store is going to take a look at the different versions of country-inspired interior designs. As with most general terms, there are a lot of different branches that stem from this look, and John Elliott Interiors will explain the differences between them for you in today's blog.


Country
There is more than one type of design considered "country," as you can see by the additional paragraphs below. For this first description, we are talking about a look that has a more handmade, simple quality about it. You will see lots of wood, handmade pottery, baskets, and possibly hand-forged metals.

There is an old-fashioned elegance in a country style. Often there is an extensive use of white wood paneling and soft floral patterns. Checked and striped fabrics also fit well into this type of design. Colors are often more muted, with an antique look to them. 

French Country
This style is heavily influenced by farmhouse inspiration. Warm, earthy colors are utilized, and heavy linens are incorporated like handmade quilts. This look, while still Country in style, uses more ornate designs on wooden furnishings. Ornate porcelain dishes are a wonderful addition too. You may also see materials used like stone and brick around the room. 

English Country
English Country has more of an obvious feminine influence. Lush rose patterns and lots of greens, reds, and blues will be used. This design also incorporates ornate, finely carved wooden furniture but adds overstuffed pieces with tufting, as well as skirted furniture. Lots of decorative antiques may be used to finish out the overall look.


Rustic
This particular style draws much of its inspiration from nature, using lots of raw and often unfinished elements such as wood and stone. Coming from the outdoors, the overall look often has a wonderful warmth to it. As for the room itself, vaulted ceilings, reclaimed wood flooring, and wooden beams offer the perfect setting for rustic-style home decor. 

Western 
This takes Rustic to an extreme with a rougher, more raw look. Very cowboy-inspired, worn leathers are perfect for this style, and those can be softened slightly with cozy plaid fabrics. Nature is also evident throughout this design, and the furniture is much larger in scale.


There is a quick explanation of the differences between these "Country" types of looks for your home. Our talented interior designers at the Lake of the Ozarks can go into more detail for you when you come into the John Elliott Interiors showroom to have a look around. Many different styles of interior design are represented in our showroom and we would love to help you discover the perfect one for each room in your home.

This week our John Elliott Interiors blog will take a closer look at a variety of "Modern" design styles. While the word "modern" describes something relating to the present or recent times. (A style with that description is actually called "Contemporary.,) the design style named "Modern" pertains to a look from a specific time period that just happens to have been given that name when it was created.

There are a few variations on this theme. If one of the following styles sounds intriguing to you, you can find the perfect pieces to fit that vision at our Lake of the Ozarks luxury home furnishings store.


Modern
A Modern design style is one that is rooted in minimalism. Very few accessories are needed for this look. It incorporates clean, streamlined furniture and architectural style. It is characterized by a neutral color palette and will have strong geometric shapes, sleek, crisp lines, and polished surfaces. Metal, glass, and steel elements will be included. 

Mid Century Modern
This term takes on the mid-century designation due to the fact that it originated in the mid-1900s. Coming straight out of the 50s and 60s, it was heavily influenced by Scandinavian designers and architects. The furniture is simple, functional, and uses natural or organic shapes. The simplicity of the designs often means that pieces are highly versatile and can complement many other design styles. Pops of deep colors like orange, yellow, olive green, and chocolate brown are common with this look.   

Urban Modern
An Urban Modern interior design gets its inspiration from modern designer lofts like you would see in big cities. The cosmopolitan environment inspires the fusion of opposing and complementary traits. The minimalist look of classic Modern design may reside next to ethnic heirlooms and edgy, contemporary home decor. The larger furniture pieces will be sleeker and more low-profile, but accessories full of creative expression will be paired with them.



These different types of Modern designs are just a few of the myriad of styles represented at our interior design store at the Lake of the Ozarks. Our showroom is full of all sorts of possibilities for your home. If you don't happen to find exactly what you are looking for while you are John Elliott Interiors, it's no problem at all for us to do a bit of searching and find it for you! Just let us know what you have in mind, and our talented designers will make your decorating dreams a reality.