I like to use simple patterns and to let the fabrics do the speaking. I came too late to quilting and have too many I want to do to start an intricate one. I prefer quilted to tied, but not closely quilted. The only one I closely quilted made me nervous and I couldn't wait to get it out of the house. Now I admire it on my daughter's wall, but it's not for me.
I make quilts to be tied for our church's Prayers and Squares program, but I rarely tie one. I find it very hard on my hands so I start cutting the next one while two others put the ties in. These have to have ties so congregation members can tie the knots as they say a prayer for the recipient. Tied quilts do have their place.