As the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, John Elliott Interiors knows what kind of artwork can truly enhance your interior design, rather than detract from it. The fine art we curate isn't the cheap, stock prints you see in general stores. We specially curate beautiful pieces so you can enjoy the interior design you deserve. Check out the rest of today's blog to learn how to pick the perfect piece for your home! 

Grow a Rotating Collection

As you find more and more pieces of great artwork to add to your home, your collection will likely become quite large. Instead of ending your search for beautiful art, turn your home into a gallery of sorts. Store some pieces away while others are on display, then rotate them throughout the year for a fresh look that never gets stale.

Do you know what your personal style is? This is an important question to answer before you get started on your design, especially if you are doing a total redesign in your home. Most people go without knowing their personal design style. They simply see something they like, buy it, and add it into their home. This might work if your preferences are really honed in on one look. But, if you like a lot of different things, your home could end up looking messy and not cohesive. John Elliott Interiors is here to help solve that issue for you. We're going to talk about the top design styles so you can see which one might fit for you! 

Bohemian - World Traveler

This design style can takes influence from all around the world. An eclectic style, bohemian design uses vintage items and flea-market finds to be one-of-a-kind. Many of the items found in a bohemian design will also be exotic and reminiscent of faraway lands. Jewel tones, bright colors, beading, and crystal accents give this style another layer of uniqueness.

If you are a world traveler and have collected many unique and beautiful items from the many places you've been, then this could be the perfect style to show off your valuable items... Oriental rugs, wall tapestries, hand-carved nick-knacks, macrame, and more. This design is also very casual and perfect for the person that wants to have a home that looks like no one else's.

Minimalist

This design style has been growing a lot of popularity over the last few years. It's no surprise, with Marie Kondo inspiring people to get rid of things that no longer bring them joy, and a societal movement to get away from waste to things that really matter. Minimalism used to be seen as a cold, uncomfortable design where everything was bland and unwelcoming. But that is not the case! Minimalism simply designs on the premise that there shouldn't be any clutter or items that don't have a beauty or purpose to you. Its purpose is to remove clutter and "noise" from your home so that you can feel clear, focused, and more at peace.

If you get stressed out by spaces that have a lot going on... Several different colors, patterns, and prints... Trinkets covering the shelves and walls... Furniture packed into a room with no flow... Then minimalism might be right for you. If minimalism is what you crave, restyling your home in that aesthetic could help bring you more peace and focus in your daily life.

Shabby Chic

This style is one that a lot of people identify with, without even knowing. If you like collecting beautiful vintage and antique items, gilded mirrors, aged furniture, wing-backed chairs, etc., then you just might love this design style. This style takes a lot of influence from French design, with a femme feel, ornate accents, and comfort as a centerpiece of the design. A space designed with this style looks well lived-in and emulates class.

If you get excited when you see a one-of-a-kind piece and would love to make it part of your home, or if antique shops are your shopping place of choice, this this style could be for you. Think high-class beauty that is aged and comfortable for a more welcoming and inviting feel.

Guest bedrooms are a great addition to any home. Instead of blowing up an air mattress, unfolding a pull-out couch, or putting up some temporary form of bedding for your visitors... A guest bedroom shows your guests that they are truly welcome and helps make them feel comfortable. John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks and we can help you create the perfect space for your guests. Keep reading to find out how! 

Cozy Essentials

To create a “home away from home” atmosphere, surround your guests with items that make them feel comfortable and relaxed.

Start with a crisp set of nice sheets, preferably 100% cotton with a high thread count. Include extra blankets in the room in case your visitors get chilly in the middle of the night. Use this element as an opportunity to add a pop of color or texture to the room. Pillows are a very personal choice for people – some like firm poly-fill pillows, while others like soft feather pillows. Allow your guests a choice by including a few different kinds of pillows. This extra dimension and visual interest will create an inviting place for your guests to rest.

Windows and the natural light they provide are an excellent feature. Accentuate them with a set of floor-to-ceiling curtains that compliment the design of the room. If possible, create two rows of curtains – one decorative set that enhances the room’s design and one behind the first that blocks light. Your guests will be able to choose the level of light and sleep in if they want to without sunlight arousing them too early.

Mixing different kinds of patterns together in one space used to be considered a faux pas. Typically, people chose one pattern and used that in different areas of their room, much like an accent color. These days though, pattern mixing is totally having a moment! When you mix the right patterns together, you end up with a gorgeous, rich design that looks like it came straight out of the pages of a magazine. Learning how to mix patterns in a way that looks chic instead of messy can be really tricky. As the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks, John Elliott Interiors is here to help! Keep reading to learn our special tips to finding patterns that go well together.

Choose One Anchoring Pattern

When considering patterns that might look good together in one space, it's important to think about how they will interact with one another. You can't just pick two patterns you like on opposite ends of a store and think they'll look good together because you like them both. Patterns that are going to exist in the space space together should never feel like they are competing. If you are using 2, 3, or even 4 patterns all together, it's important to make sure one of them has a grounding, anchoring presence in the room. The secondary patterns should all support or complement the main one in style, theme, and color. 

Play with Size

Size can make a huge difference in whether or not two patterns look good together. Try pairing a large pattern with a small one for an effect that gives both structure and detail. This gives your room a pulled together look that keeps the eye interested. If you choose two large patterns, it may look like they are competing and the space might not flow very well. On the other hand, if you choose two intricate patterns, your space may look cluttered and confusing. 

Don't Forget Texture

When you're thinking of patterns, it may be natural to only think about patterns that are physically printed in different shapes and colors on whatever surface you're designing with. However, another important "pattern" is texture. Something with a hand-woven material is going to have its own pattern to lend to the scheme of your design. So be sure to look at three dimensional images of your design choices rather than just pattern prints. Even better, try to physically touch and experience the feel of the product before you include it in your overall design. It could make a huge difference in how your different patterns look together! 

Keep Culture & Theme in Mind

When looking through patterns to find the right mix, it's a good idea to choose an overall theme or cultural influence first. For example, Persian design and geometric patterns have very different aesthetics that may not go well together. Starting with one theme and choosing variations from there is a great place to start. 

Look for Inspiration

If you still aren't sure what kinds of patterns look good together, look around! Flip through home design magazines, look out in nature at patterns that naturally occur together, or chat with a professional interior designer at John Elliott Interiors. In fact, you can come into our high-end home décor store in Lake Ozark for great inspiration, fine art, furniture, and more. We can't wait to help you create the space of your dreams.