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My Modsy Story: Creating a Home That Reflects Our Love of Traveling

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When Faith and her husband moved into their first house they wanted the decor to reflect their shared love of travel and respective heritages—but they didn’t know where to start.

headshot of modsy customers for blog

Homeowner: Faith J.

Spaces: Office and Bedroom

My Style: Rustic Traveler

empty view of customers bedroom

empty view of customers living room

The Backstory

When Faith and her husband moved to their first home, they were excited for the opportunity to create a space that brought together their respective heritages and their love of traveling.

“My husband and I recently moved into our first home and we were so excited to decorate. We both love to travel and have international backgrounds. I am from Guyana and he has Polish and Hungarian ancestry. We wanted our home to reflect our passion for travel and illustrate our roots.”

“We wanted our home to reflect our passion for travel.”

global style bedroom with cane headboard bed and gallery wall above bed

The Design Dilemma

Faith knew she wanted her home to reflect her and her husband’s love of travel but she was unsure of how to get started or if she’d ever find the time to decorate with her busy schedule.

“We knew the general look and feel we wanted for our home, but we have zero design experience. We were also so busy with work and had little time to find decor on our own—leaving our house feeling empty and impersonal. I knew we needed outside help, so I decided to try online interior design.”

global style bedroom with cane headboard bed and gallery wall above bed

The Modsy Moment

Working with her designer, Faith was able to collaborate on designs for multiple rooms in her house—creating curated spaces filled with decor that reflected the eclectic, well-traveled, and global vibe she and her husband were looking for in their home.

“We so enjoyed working with our designer. She really listened to what we had to say and paid attention to the things that were important to us—taking our thoughts and transforming them into designs that we can feel truly happy with.”

“Our designer really listened to what we had to say and paid attention to the things that were important to us.”

home office with white acrylic desk and colorful abstract artwork

The Real Results

Now that Faith and her husband have designs that reflect their unique style, they feel a new sense of ease in their home.

“Since working with our Modsy designer, our lives feel more organized and everything in our space just flows together better. The experience made us feel special because there was so much thought and care put into the design process. Our designer helped us make sense of our empty house—transforming it from a blank canvas into a work of art that we can call our home.”

“Our designer helped us make sense of our empty house—transforming it from a blank canvas into a work of art that we can call our home.”

hanging rattan egg chair with sheepskin rug

bedside table in black with caning details living room lounge with rattan daybed and blue velvet accent chairs

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What Is Boho Style: The Ultimate Guide to Acing Boho Style

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Boho interior design has continued to be a popular style year after year. But it’s also a style that we get tons of questions about. There are so many different facets of bohemian style and so many different ways you can bring it to life. With so many questions, we’re rounding up everything you need to know about this design style, all in one place! Read on for our ultimate guide to acing boho style.

boho bedroom with black rattan accent chair, green shiplap walls and vintage style textiles

What is bohemian decor?

Bohemian decor is a colorful, eclectic look with a global inspiration. It’s the style you might think of for an avid world traveler or a free-spirited flea market lover, as it tends to be full of an eclectic assortment of collected objects. Bohemian style features a fun mix of color and patterns, furniture styles, and unexpected decor—along with asymmetrical layouts. Boho style tends to be super casual and carefree, with a relaxed approach to styling.

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Eclectic vs Bohemian

As you might expect, bohemian home decor has similarities to eclectic interior design—but they’re not entirely synonymous. While these terms are often used interchangeably, “eclectic” is actually a bigger umbrella term that describes an approach to style that’s all about mixing different style and design elements together. Meanwhile, “boho” is a specific design style derived from the approach of artfully mixing decor elements. Essentially, any style can have an eclectic nature or styling approach. That’s why we prefer to use the terms bohemian or boho to describe the actual design style!

bohemian style

What are bohemian color palettes?

So many different color palettes can work in a bohemian space. So, there’s not just one color scheme that suits this design style. However, boho spaces tend to have more unexpected and bold palettes, and they’re often deeply saturated. This creates a lot of contrast, which pop’s against a neutral base.

Scroll down for some of our favorite boho color palettes.

rust colored sectional sofa over a geometric rug

High-Contrast Neutrals

If you like a more grounded approach to boho design, a palette of high-contrast neutrals might be just the thing for you. You still get the boldness of saturation, but in browns and rust tones which feel a bit more approachable. When paired with lighter neutrals, this creates a relaxing space that gives off an air of spa-like tranquility.

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bohemian style

Earth Tones

An earth tone color palette, with its earthy, rustic vibe, results in a similar state of calm as high-contrast neutrals, but with a bit more color injected in the space. Because of the muted nature of earth tones and the way they coordinate with each other so well, you get the satisfaction of bringing color into your space with the ease of decorating with neutrals.

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modern rustic bedroom with wall mounted bookcase

Pinks, Blues, and Neutrals

For a more mid-century approach to boho, we love a color palette of pinks, blues, and neutrals. It gives any space a trendy vibe. And this color scheme goes beautifully with lighter-toned woods and natural textures for a beachy look.

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boho inspired bedroom with rattan canopy bed

Pinks and Greens

A pink and green color palette gives a boho space a very tropical vibe! Youthful and vibrant, this color combo pairs perfectly with cane or rattan furniture and tropical motifs. You can also add gold elements into your furniture or decor to give this color palette of edge of glam.

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bohemian style

Blues and Neutrals

Blues are our most requested color family—and for good reason. Blues, paired with neutrals, are calming and have a safe vibe. And this color scheme works just as well in bohemian interior design as traditional. When paired with lighter wood furniture and natural textures, it takes on a beachy, carefree air that perfectly suits the boho look.

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What are the key elements of bohemian style?

So, how do you take your boho design ideas and make them a reality? Keep reading for some of the key elements of bohemian style, along with decorating ideas to bring this look to life.

rustic bedroom with neutral palette bedding and honey-toned wood nightstand

Layer in Plenty of Textures

Part of the eclectic nature of boho design is the layered textures in a space—especially natural texture. Working in layers with your texture brings visual depth and approachability to a space. So, play with a mix of smooth and rough textures, chunky and refined, hard and soft. In this design, the rough wood nightstand adds a rugged quality to the space that contrasts with the smooth upholstered bed, giving visual appeal to this arrangement.

Want to bring some relaxing, boho vibes into your bedroom? Read our tips for designing a boho bedroom.

purple wall with carved wood side table and large ceramic lamp

Use a Mix of Materials

When it comes to boho spaces, a mix of textures and patterns are two halves of the same whole. You can’t have one without the other! The no-brainer way to get a layered mix of textures in your space? Incorporating a range of materials. Bringing in a mix of natural materials like jute, cane, natural wood, and leather, as well as chunky knits and upholstery helps give a room a layered and collected look.

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Pile on the Patterns

Patterns bring vibrancy and movement to a bohemian space. They’re also a great way to bring in that globally inspired vibe that boho designs are known for—whether that’s through a shibori pattern, kilim textiles, palm prints, or a vintage-inspired rug. Bonus points if the patterns are colorful!

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bohemian style

Embrace a Casual Layout

While there are no hard and fast rules when it comes to the layout of a bohemian space, they tend to be more informal and asymmetrical. This gives a room a more casual vibe and complements the more collected nature of this design style.

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bohemian style

Incorporate Antiques and Vintage-Style Finds

Since bohemian designs are all about creating a unique look, and often feature pieces that are collected over time, this is a perfect design style to try if you love antiques or vintage furniture. These unique pieces will bring a storied element to your space that only older pieces can bring. Of course, if you like the look but aren’t a fan of scouring flea markets and antique stores, you can always bring in vintage-inspired pieces that have that old-world charm but don’t require searching!

Love the look of a collected, boho living room? Make the look your own with our tips for designing a boho living room.

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open living room with two facing white sofas and large vintage red rug

Decorate with a Range of Different Furniture Styles

While certain pieces of furniture might scream “bohemian” (say, a rattan chair that hangs from the ceiling), the great thing about boho style is that you can actually mix in a wide range of furniture styles. And, the pieces you choose will help guide the overall vibe of your space. You could go for cleaner-lined furniture for a mid-century boho look. Or pieces with traditional details to bring in that antique vibe. Or, a mix of the two like in the design above for a perfectly eclectic but put-together space!

What are some different takes on Bohemian Design?

As you can see, there are numerous ways that you can bring bohemian style into your home. And there are also different levels of intensity—from more subtle eclectic design elements to a blatantly bohemian room full of bright prints, textures, and materials. So, what’s your interior design style when it comes to bohemian style decor? Find out by touring some of our favorite bohemian-influenced designs.

what is boho style

Minimalist Boho

Contrary to what you might think, boho interior design can be subtle. Here, minimalism meets boho in its mix of clean lines, calming neutral hues, natural textures, and warm woods.

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Perfect for… those who are all for the casual look and feel of boho without the bright colors.

Rustic Boho

With its combination of furniture pieces that have a vintage flair, global accents, and light rustic elements, this is bohemian style with an elevated twist.

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Perfect for… you if your favorite places to shop are flea markets and antique stores, and you have that special gift for turning a street find into an amazing one-of-a-kind piece.

Contemporary Boho

This relaxed and modern boho look is the least formal and all about breaking the rules of traditional interior design. It’s also the easiest look to mix, match, and make work in your home.

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Perfect for… those of you who are drawn to lived-in spaces that are big on comfort. This is a look that can be easily translated into other spaces in the home, whether it’s a boho chic dining space or an eclectic bedroom.

Boho Glam

Boldly layered with a mix of luxe furnishings, eccentric art and accents, and bright island colors and patterns, this boho glam look is all about making a bright, daring statement in a space.

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Perfect for… those of you who want your room to reflect your spirited personality, great eye for style, and collection of treasures from around the world. You’re wild for drama and excitement!

what is boho style

Mid-Century Boho

With this mid-century boho look, it comes down to a space that showcases your personality and individual taste. Mix pieces from different periods and cultures in a unique way that reflects you.

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Perfect for… anyone who appreciates Mid-Century Modern elements and a mix of cool curated art and accents. The result is an eclectic living room that’s boho chic and tailored for comfort.

Coastal Boho

Known as California casual, this laid-back take on boho style captures the breezy and eclectic aesthetic of West Coast coastal homes. Talk about a great mix of color, pattern and texture.

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Perfect for… fans of the coastal California boho chic look. You know what we’re talking about.

what is boho style

Industrial Boho

Contemporary and sophisticated, this sleek approach to boho brings to mind a living space in a city loft or a fancy high-rise condo. Unique furnishings and strong lines are key to this look.

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Perfect for… city dwellers and contemporary design lovers who want to balance bohemian style with a refined touch.

Classic Formal Boho

Simply put, this captures our idea of elegant bohemian style. There’s an Old World vibe that’s punched up with modern upholstered furnishings and eclectic accents. What’s not to love?

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Perfect for… those who are enthralled by antiques and found pieces that have a great backstory but also love the color and ease that boho finishing touches bring to a space.

Tropical boho

Tropical Boho

Perhaps one of the more “classic” takes on boho, Tropical Boho (or Jungalow) is a vibrant, maximalist look that’s easy to personalize. This look—which was popularized by eclectic style icon Justina Blakeney—is big on colors, patterns and textures, and PLANTS. But don’t forget to incorporate those organic shapes and materials to help offset the busyness and boldness of this style.

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Perfect for… Plant-lovers, free spirits, and maximalists who appreciate a touch of glam.

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tan sofa facing two white accents chairs in front of tall fireplace wall

The Look: California Modern

California Modern is a safer but very of-the-moment take on boho style. Its rustic and earthy vibe makes it very approachable—but it definitely still looks pulled together and polished. With a mix of rustic, natural, organic, and modern design elements, this style has an easygoing nature. And, styled with an eclectic edge, it all comes together in a way that feels personal and collected.

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Perfect for… People who love the Studio McGee look and those who want to incorporate rustic warmth into a modern boho-inspired space.

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A Beginners’ Guide to Eclectic Style: 8 Tips for Designing an Eclectic Living Room

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Eclectic style is a trendy look that’s all about mixing different elements together. But what does eclectic mean really? In home design, it often looks like mixing different time periods, decor styles, textures, colors, and patterns together. But, at its best, eclectic styles shouldn’t feel chaotic. Rather, eclectic style is about finding harmony in diverse and contrasting styles to create a cohesive space.

We love that eclectic spaces show the personality of the person who lives there and leaves so much room for individual creativity. If you’re a lover of all things boho, we’re here to help you tackle designing an eclectic space—and today, we’re focusing on eclectic living rooms! As one of the main spaces in your home, it can feel intimidating to try a design style that’s a bit out-of-the-box. But you don’t have to stress. Keep reading for eight tips for designing eclectic living rooms!

eclectic living room1. Combine Furniture in Different Styles

Unlike other interior design styles, eclectic design is all about mixing furniture from different aesthetics or time periods, together in one space. So, you wouldn’t want all of your furniture to have modern lines if you’re going for an eclectic look. Rather, consider curating a mix of foundational pieces that represent different styles.

For example—using the above eclectic living room as inspiration—you could go for a traditional coffee table, minimal or modern accent chairs, a transitional sofa, and a vintage boho-style rug. This interesting mix of styles gives a sense that the space came together over time and is a unique representation of your distinct tastes. (And creates a space that is dynamic and unexpected!)

One big tip when picking out foundational, eclectic furniture: While some symmetry is nice (as seen above) you definitely want to keep it from feeling too matchy-matchy—which is the exact opposite of eclectic design.

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Eclectic Living Room2. Go High-Contrast in Your Color Palette

Creating a high-contrast space emphasizes your eclectic style, adding a cohesive and harmonious quality to your eclectic style. This might look like mixing rustic patterns, traditional furniture, and modern pieces together in one space. But what makes this unexpected mix of styles work is a strong and simple color scheme. It’s clean and high impact—a perfect way to keep an eclectic space from feeling chaotic.

In the eclectic living room above, the black and white palette balances the more delicate traditional chairs with the bold silhouette of the leather sofa, giving them equal weight. And how about that floor lamp for an unexpected pop??

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Eclectic Living Room3. Embrace Antiques and Vintage-Style Finds

Using vintage or antique pieces in your space will make your living room feel more unique and will really play up the eclectic nature of the style—like the mirror, coffee table, and vintage-inspired floor lamp, pictured above! You can make your space feel historied by collecting items with worn textures and finishes.

But, if you aren’t in an area with access to good vintage and antique finds, you can also fake it! Worn-wood finishes, vintage-treated rugs, and metals or leather pieces with a patina are great ways to give off that vintage vibe.

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Eclectic Living Room4. Take an Eclectic Approach to Styling

Don’t want to go full-out eclectic? Consider infusing your space with eclectic styling instead. One way we love to do this is by creating a gallery wall full of funky art and decor. Or even propping art on consoles and credenzas, rather than hanging them up. Both of these are less formal design elements that infuse eclectic vibes into any space. It’s a perfect way to play with some eclectic styling in even the most formal of spaces.

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Eclectic Living Room5. Play With Patterns

A classic eclectic move is to play with patterns. Consider mixing patterns across furniture and accessories, mixing both organic and geometric shapes. You can also play with scale, using a variety of both small and large patterns.

Here, strong geometric patterns are given an eclectic treatment through a playful mix of textiles—from throw pillows to wall art, and even a lampshade! But a soft black and neutral palette keeps the look cohesive, for a delightfully eclectic living room.

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Eclectic Living Room6. Invite Lots of Layers

Layering items in different shapes and textures adds dimension to a space and makes it feel warm and inviting. Think: rugs on rugs, woven wall hangings instead of prints, and layers of colors and patterns in throw pillows.

A great way to create a layered, eclectic look without it feeling cluttered is to focus on a few items that each have the right mix of color, texture, and pattern. A bold wall color sets the tone for this space, but keeping furniture in more neutral tones and opting for a mix of earth tones in the rest of the colors keeps the space clean.

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Eclectic Living Room7. Master the Material Mix

Bringing in lots of texture is another foundational element of this style. So, when creating an eclectic space, go all out with mixed materials. A mix of carved pieces, sheepskin, leather, natural textures, and pom-poms give an eclectic warmth to this space! And it adds visual intrigue for a living room that’s both dynamic and layered.

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Eclectic Living Room8. Keep Your Layout Casual

Ultimately, this style is all about making a space feel comfortable and relaxed. So, skip the symmetry and go for an unexpected, casual layout. Think about nontraditional layouts or unexpected furniture choices—like using a pouf where you would normally have a chair. Elements like this will give your living room that signature eclectic vibe.

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Design your eclectic living room today.

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Destination Style: Bring Home Eclectic Santa Fe Style

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southwest styleTo celebrate summer, we’re taking inspiration from the all-American tradition of a cross-country road trip. We’ll be making our way across the USA and exploring some of our favorite cities and their signature design styles along the way. Buckle up and get ready for some major destination design inspo. Next up: The Southwestern style of Santa Fe, New Mexico!

Adobe homes. Rustic hues. Sumptuous natural materials. These elements combined are what we love about southwestern style. Santa Fe itself has long held irresistible allure for artists and design lovers looking to venture outside of the creative hubs of bigger metropolitan cities. Georgia O’Keeffe famously took up residence in Santa Fe many decades ago, and today her home and art studio are considered one of the country’s most beloved museums.

And when it comes to design, you’ll definitely recognize interiors that celebrate the region’s colorful rustic look that is popular across Instagram and Pinterest: rooms decorated in earthy desert hues, mid-century furnishings, pieces made with natural materials, and pops of tribal and navajo-inspired patterns.

Read on to see how you can bring the layered southwestern look to your own home.

santa fe styleWelcoming Foundations

Not to be confused with the modern farmhouse style of Sonoma, Santa Fe style is rooted in a sense of earthy comfort that is inspired by its history, desert surroundings, and Native American and Spanish design influences. We like to think of it as cozy, modern, and a little funky all at once. To conjure the look in your own home, here are the key foundational elements to keep in mind.

Work with a warm palette

Rather than crisp whites, light neutrals and blue tones, southwestern-style interiors are made up of a richly warm color palette that includes burnt oranges, rusty reds, deep browns, and shades of natural and earth tones. Collectively, the colors add up to a welcoming palette that recalls the arid desert landscape of the Southwest.

Lay out focus areas

Modern southwestern-style spaces are carefully laid out. Rooms often consist of smaller focused areas within a larger living space, such as cozy conversation spots and corners-turned-reading-nooks. To start, try strategically placing your rugs as a way to delineate different spaces and use greenery to create visual distinction between areas.

For instance, a cowhide layered on top of a traditional rug can have the effect of extending your seating area, while a tall cactus or fiddle-leaf ficus tree can inadvertently work as a room divider.

southwest styleEclectic Appeal

Southwestern-style interiors often incorporate a stylish mix of modern design, navajo patterns, and boho touches that result in their colorful and eclectic appeal. And the overall vibe is comfy and inviting but also packed with plenty luxurious textures. Here’s how to blend all these elements into your space

southwest stylePile on the patterns

Because these are the real pops of color, pattern, and texture in Santa Fe-style interiors, you’ll want to make sure you bring in pieces you absolutely love and can picture yourself living with. Where to begin? Navajo-inspired pillows, blankets in whimsical motifs, or a geometric kilim rug are all great foundations that you can pull colors from for accents throughout the room.

And you also can’t go wrong with a cowhide rug, which adds instant warmth. (If you can’t tell, we love the look of a hide layered on a bold patterned rug!) And when it comes to choosing art, opt for landscapes or even take an abstract route with graphic paintings and prints; just make sure they stay within the earthy desert color palette.

Think modern, not sleek

For your anchor pieces, opt for mid-century silhouettes and furniture with modern frameworks. Think chairs with tapered legs, streamlined woven leather armchairs, and even a metal bar cart. The clean-lined appeal of these pieces provides cool contrast to the bright colors and patterns of the accents. Just remember that you want to keep to rustic materials and even seek pieces that show a little patina. Weathered woods, aged leather, or a lightly faded rug are great places to start!

santa fe styleKeep it organic

Opt for natural materials as much as possible in your furnishings and accents. Then extend that ethos to your smaller furniture pieces. Designs with curvy silhouettes and organic shapes are nods to adobe architecture that can help emphasize the southwestern style.

Get your greenery on

Probably the most essential piece of the southwestern style puzzle, no room really says “Santa Fe” without plenty of cacti. So be sure to add plenty of plants that reference the region’s uniquely lush and arid landscape. A large potted cactus alongside mini cacti and other leafy plants add vibrant notes that are essential for rounding out the look.

Inspired by the Eclectic Southwest Style?

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