An interview with Alyssa Ness of The Foxglove Company in Excelsior. Alyssa and her business partner travel all over the world to purchase antiques and accessories for their client's needs. They have found that the following guidelines can help you make the most of your lake home:

Carefully consider the light in your rooms

Don't go dark and woodsy if you have lots of windows and a light-filled room. Your room will only appear dull and washed out. If you live near water with lots of bright views paint the walls light and enamel your woodwork. Your room will sparkle like the water! Bring in depth with stained cabinetry, wood floors and accent pieces.

If your room is in a woodsy setting with little natural light, don't try to brighten it with light walls and woodwork - it will tend to look cold and drab. Go with deep, rich colors and stained woodwork. This will add richness and warmth to a low light setting.

Bring the outside in

Do pull in outside elements that will capitalize on your beautiful views. Wood beams on ceiling and walls, interior stone work, ivy and herbs in pots, and topiaries dotted around the room and on mantels and window sills give you a constant connection to your natural environment. Bring outdoor lanterns in; they look fabulous on ceilings and as wall sconces.

Invest in a good rug

Don't assume you need to buy an inexpensive rug because you live near sand and water. The best investment you can make both visually and practically is a high-quality wool area rug. Aubusson wools and Persian rugs wear like iron and will always look as good as the day you bought them. They are indestructible! They immediately soften and add richness to your room and go well with every decor! Nothing looks better on rustic, wide-plank floors than a richly woven Persian rug.

Everything to scale?

Yes, it's important that the scale of your furniture corresponds to the size of your home. There's nothing worse than a tiny little table in a massive great room. But don't purchase all large scale seating pieces! more small seating areas for two or three will offer intimacy when entertaining on a large or small scale. my favorite accessories that are fun to find at antique stores and estate sales are occasional chairs, which are very decorative and can be pulled into different seating areas as guests arrive. When not in use they look great against a wall with a picture display, or stacked with magazines in a hallway or foyer.

Add a bit of old world charm

Don't feel that just because you live on a lake and entertain in a casual way that you shouldn't invest in fine antiques! We all want a room that feels as if it has evolved over time and wasn't simply purchased off the showroom floor. Antique pieces can even be added to contemporary rooms with stunning results. To achieve the look that truly reflects your style, invest in unique heirloom pieces that will only grow more valuable and create a sense of timelessness for many years to come. 

By Joni Danzl