How to Decorate

We've gotten lots of questions from listeners about performance fabrics. What are they? Why are they so durable? Are they safe to use in our homes? We thought we'd answer all of your questions, so we went straight to the source. Kimberly Peoples and Emily Cosgrove of Sunbrella stopped by the podcast to give us a 101 lesson in performance fabrics. Plus we talk about our newest collection of over 100 performance fabrics we're adding to our line.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Why our performance fabrics by Sunbrella are stainproof, fadeproof, and super durableWe talk about the 'face test' and why we're so excited to use our new performance fabrics on our furnitureEmily talks about how she became a textile designerKimberly and Emily tell us about all the cool green and eco-friendly aspects about the Sunbrella companyWe talk through common stains and the handy chart that'll make cleanup a breezeWhich furniture pieces you should consider using performance fabrics onWe talk about some of our favorite fabrics in the new collectionWe help Kimberly sort through her own decorating dilemma

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While in Atlanta for market, Baton Rouge interior designer Rachel Cannon stopped by the podcast to talk brown furniture, waiting for that perfect piece, letting your layout dictate your furniture pieces, and her 'cantaloupe' bookshelf styling trick. Definitely don't miss this one!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

First things first, we get a lesson in how to say 'Baton Rouge'Rachel talks about her first room and the most important decorating lesson her mom taught herRachel talks about why your room dictates your furniture layout and the pieces you needRachel tells us her number one piece of dream furnitureWe give Rachel all our Scott's Antique Market tips and we talk about AmericasMart in AtlantaWe quiz Rachel on her tips for dressing up a space while keeping it comfortableWhy paint color isn't necessarily the best route if you want a colorful homeRachel shares her favorite paint colorsWe talk bookshelves and how to fill all that space without it being clutteredRachel's 'cantaloupe' trick for bookshelf stylingWe ask Rachel who about her designer inspirations -- Suzanne Kasler, Kelly Wearstler, and Phoebe Howard

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The impossibly talented Barbara Westbrook stops by the podcast to talk antiquing, her book Gracious Rooms, her client work, renovating her homes, and her decorating pet peeve. And of course, we answer your decorating questions!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Barbara tells us about some of her earliest memories antiquing with her mom in a shop in her hometown of Lynchberg, VirginiaHow she ended up in Atlanta in the interior design business working for one of our podcast guestsBarbara tells us a story of Suzanne Kasler's bathroom, and we talk about Miles Redd's mirrored bathroomWe talk about Barbara's previous home in a historic neighborhood in AtlantaShe talks about why it's a good idea to live in your home before you renovateBarbara tells us about why she bought her new house and the improvements she's making to itWe talk about collecting items you love and finding a place for them laterWhy she loves designing kitchens and how she'd love to just design kitchens one dayHer best lesson for designing a kitchen or bathroom -- edited the design down to two 'tricks'How she transitioned from a petite home to a larger homeWe talk about picture frames and Barbara's approach to incorporating them into your decor

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Atlanta native Jennifer Boles of The Peak of Chic stops by the podcast to give us a decorating history lesson, her favorite decor books, and much more. We talk about the origins of her book In with the Old: Classic Decor from A to Z and the concept for her next book coming out Fall 2018.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Jennifer tells us about her book obsession and how she started The Peak of ChicJennifer shares the five big names in decorating that you need to have in your design education -- Elsie de Wolfe, Dorothy Draper, Billy Baldwin, Albert Hadley, and Nancy Lancaster and John FowlerJennifer tells us about how Dorothy Draper's Decorating is Fun was the impetus for her study and obsession with decorating historyWe talk about how Jennifer almost worked at BallardWe talk about decorating books and which ones Jennifer says we have to have in our librariesJennifer talks about one of her favorite new decor books -- ArdrossanWe talk about working old things into your home so it doesn't feel outdatedJennifer talks about how her first book In with the Old: Classic Decor from A to Z came about The one thing that immediately dates a roomWe talk about classic pieces and how they come in and out of fashionWe talk about where you should spend your decorating dollars

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Okay, when Anne Scott Shelley and Allison Smith of Maison Studios stopped by for this episode of the podcast, we had a serious case of the giggles! Get ready for a fun episode, where the decorating duo behind this 30A interior design firm talks vacation homes, granny chic, online shopping, and much more.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode

How Anne Scott and Allison started working together and they’re different strengths in their partnershipWhy they love unconventional color palettes in beach homesWhere they like to save money in their projects, especially since they often decorate second homesWe talk about how far outdoor fabrics have come and why they’re great for beach homesAllison shares her love for granny floralsThey talk about how their approach to decorating may differ from most shoppers because they’re decorating rental homesWe talk about cafe curtains and why they’re aren’t considered ‘granny’ anymoreWe talk about plates on walls and why they’re classicAnne Scott and Allison share their favorite places for finding vintage and antiquesWe talk about about our Atlanta store opening and why the Maison girls will need to come visit us!How do you create a beachy feel without going kitschyAnne Scott and Allison also share how you bring a beachy vibe to your home if you’re nowhere near the water

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We're huge fans of stylemaker, shop owner, and clothing designer Ann Mashburn, so we were thrilled when she stopped by for an episode of the podcast. She tells us about starting her and her husband's stores in Atlanta (which have now spread all over), raising 5 girls, decorating their homes and retails shops, and she shares some outfit ideas for holiday parties.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Ann tells us about how they started their shops Sid Mashburn and Ann MashburnShe tells us about her real life Devil Wears Prada experienceShe talks about how the interior design style of her stores reflects the style of their homesShe talks about her philosophy when it comes to buying furniture -- buying what you love and not necessarily things that 'go together'We talk about lots of pieces that used to be in their homes ended up in their storesShe tells us the story of the iconic horse painting in Sid's flagship Atlanta storesAnn talks about why each store they open has an inspiration board in itAnn and Sid's living room was featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles years ago, and if you've been on Pinterest you've likely seen her pair of hot pink roll arm sofasWe ask Ann about her daily 'uniform'Ann and Sid raised 5 girls all of whom have great, unique styleWe ask Ann about dressing for the holidays and her go-to outfits for holiday parties

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We've been waiting to get color expert Maria Killam on the podcast ever since we heard about her October color workshop here in Atlanta. She captivated us on day one of her workshop, and afterwards, we sat down to talk paint, color, undertones, and timeless interior design. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

What You'll Hear on This Show:

Maria gives us a rundown of paint undertones and why they're importantWhat makes a decor choice timelessWe talk about paint swatches, why you need big ones, and how fan decks are madeWe ask how you know which paint color to shoot for?We talk about why choosing a paint color should be an easy choiceWhat's the difference between a 'clean' versus a 'dirty' color?Why mixing your own custom color isn't necessarily the best strategyWe talk about choosing exterior paint colors and why you should approach them differentlyWe talk about choosing colors in adjacent roomsWhy the right wallpaper can totally transform outdated fixtures and finishesWhy styling and decorating can solve a ton of problems before you renovateWhy you should look to your closet when searching for color inspirationWe ask Maria what the biggest mistake is that people make when it comes to color?We talk about why it's so important to use large swatches of fixtures and finishes when you're renovating

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Ever since we worked with interior designer Jonathan Savage on the 2016 Southern Style Now Showhouse, we've been itching to share his work with you. When he was in town for Discover ADAC, he sat down with us to share everything he's been up to, tips for renovating, and so much more.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Jonathan gives us a rundown of his first overseas designerWe talk about Jonathan and Suzanne Kasler's recent shopping trip in LondonWe talk about how style differs from coast to coast and even generation to generationJonathan shares the inspiration by his stairwell in the Kips Bay ShowhouseJonathan shares why showhouses are such great opportunity for designersJonathan plans to use pieces from Miles Redd's collection for an upcoming showhouseWe talk about updating family heirloomsWe talk about choosing appliances when you're doing a home renovationJonathan suggests talking to friends and family members before choosing appliancesWhy it's important to test drive appliances and fixtures before using them in your renovationJonathan walks us through his Nashville home renovationWe talk about how we were inspired by Jonathan's room in the Southern Style Now Showhouse in New OrleansWe talk about wallpaper and why some rooms need it

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'Jack-of-all-trades' is the only way to describe this week's guest. He is a licensed landscape architect, a gardening expert, a flower arranging expert, host extraordinaire, celebrated decorator, and even a cookbook author. James Farmer does it all , so we were thrilled when we finally caught up with him at Discover ADAC to bring you this show.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

James talks about how one of his earliest memories foreshadowed his life nowWe talk about pruning, hydrangeas, and crepe myrtlesWe talk about James' new house FarmdaleWe talk about James' interior design projects and why he finds himself working all over the countryJames shares his secret for building a new home that looks oldJames tells us about his latest antique findWe talk about china patterns and how many James hasJames spills his dinner party formula -- pork tenderloin, roasted vegetables, and biscuitsTaryn asks James for a suggestion for the centerpiece of a shower she's hostingWe talk about James' projects, his approach to layering, and how many projects he's working on at onceWe talk about James' next bookWe talk about trends and using the classics

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Our guest today on the How to Decorate podcast needs no introduction. If you've watched a decorating TV show in the last two decades, you most likely know Vern Yip -- from TLC's Trading Spaces, HGTV's Design Star and Bang for Your Buck. We love his book Design Wise: Your Smart Guide to a Beautiful Home, so we were thrilled to sit down with him and talk shop.

What You'll Hear on This Show:

Vern tells us his background, how he ended up living in Atlanta, and his path to becoming a designerHe tells us about his first design project for DisneyWe talk about how incredible Vern's book Design Wise is, especially as an instructional toolWhy designing is actually a lot simpler than you'd think and why Vern's book is so helpful in making it easyWe talk about value in furniture and why a deal isn't always the best choice and why a splurge isn't always smart eitherWhy space planning is the first crucial step before shoppingWhy embracing your personal style can save you moneyVern shares his favorite exercise for uncovering someone's personal styleHe tells us about designing his childhood bedroom and how he sees his own style in his sonWe talk about mixing styles together and how to create a 'thread of continuity'Why you shouldn't be in a hurry to fill your spaceWhy it's important to collect pieces while you're travelingThe most dramatic travel souvenir he brought homeTaryn tells us about her most recent travel treasureVern tells us about why he's always redecorating -- it's not the reason you think!We talk about how Vern's house has changed becoming a dadWe talk about the incredible antique education Vern got from his momWe talk about how his kids are already developing their own unique sense of styleVern tells us about his favorite place to visitWhy it's worth it to spend the time making your home a reflection of you

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Before we even published our first episode of the How to Decorate podcast, we had today's guest on our list of designers we couldn't wait to interview. Here at Ballard, we've worked with interior designer William Peace on several projects including the time he styled three spreads for our catalog and designing the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival together. A few weeks of us, he joined us to talk style, getting into the design business, his work out west, and of course, we answered your decorating questions.

What You’ll Hear on This Show:

Bill tells us about how he started working out westWe ask Bill about his ‘style’ and how that lines up with his projects out westHe tells us about his decorating philosophy and how he translates that in his design projectsWe ask Bill about shopping regionally and whether he furnishes his spaces with local itemsBill uses a lot of locally sourced art, and he tells us about how he works those pieces into his roomsWe talk about collections, including Bill’s knife collectionsBill tells us about his Atlanta home -- it’s an old gas stationHe tells us about the best change he made to his homeHe tells us about how he displays his collections and why he likes changing things aroundWe talk about the Atlanta design community and why he doesn’t feel pressure to impress his design colleagues when he’s entertaining at homeWe talk about getting into the design business and why Bill feels it’s important to go to school before trying to break into the industryBill gives us a lesson on how to buy antiques and the story behind one of his favorite travel treasuresWe ask Bill how to decorate a space so that it’s relevant to the location without being kitschyWe’ve worked on a couple of projects with us, and he talks about how he reinterprets our pieces and what inspired the rooms he designed for our catalogBill tells us about a trick he uses to make rooms feel calm and laid-backWe ask Bill about making a tonal room that doesn’t feel boringBill tells us about how the styles of his Montana and Atlanta homes differWe ask Bill his opinion on TVs in bedrooms and his decorating pet peevesHe gives us a lesson on scale, why it’s important, and why it can be fun to manipulate itBill tell us why it’s important to first consider the mood you’re wanting to set before you start decorating a space

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Our in house design expert, Miriam Leuthold, joins us to talk about the most common decorating question we get in our stores, on our blog, and in our reader emails. How do I layout my room? Miriam is a trained interior designer, so she's answering all of your questions, including traffic flow, focal points, spacing, and much more.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Before we get started, we talk about the 'life' of a Ballard product -- how it gets made, where our inspiration comes from, and how long it takesWe talk about building your room about a focal point, including what that focal point can beMiriam suggests starting with a rug and keeping all of your furniture pieces on the rugWe talk about focusing your seating around your TV versus a fireplaceWhat to do when you walk right into the living room through the front doorKaren tells us how she's solved this problem in her own 1920"s bungalowWhat to do if you have a really, really large living roomWhat to do when you don't have an architectural feature that creates a focal pointThe TV dilemma -- how to address it? Hide it in plain sight? Or hide it completely?We discuss traffic flow, including proper distance for a walkway and distance between coffee table and seatingWhy we all love occasional chairs so muchWe talk about laying out your bedroom, and why keeping it simple worksHow do we approach a home office?Karen calls out her cousin who has a really depressing home office situation

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This week, we're talking with the 'First Lady of Ballad' Rebecca McKelvey. Since she's married to our president Ryan McKelvey, we thought she needed to stop by talk about how she owns two of every product we've ever made, the river cabin they're currently building, and a wealth of Ballard insight she has to share. Plus, trials and triumphs are back for another round!

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

The three of us share our trials and triumphs -- including several 'oops' momentsKaren's trial involves slipcovers and cowhide rugsMy trial involves several inches of water in our kitchenTaryn's trial and triumph involve a painting projectRebecca explains the curious nickname she calls her husband, our president Ryan McKelveyRebecca tells us about their home's style and how she approaches decorating her spaceRebecca talks about their 'no shoes' policy in the houseRebecca tells us about how she needed a bathroom cabinet, so Ryan designed our Miranda Corner CabinetWe start bribing Rebecca to help us get our product ideas madeWe talk about Ryan's obsession with the floor planner and how he used it to design their river cabin, new build house, and even their daughter's dorm roomShe shares her tips for new construction -- it's all in the builderRebecca explains why she travels with her vacuum cleanerRebecca talks about the carpet debate she and Ryan had when they were building their houseRebecca tells us about how she and Ryan collected all of their oriental rugsWe talk antiques and how Rebecca and Ryan blend new and old in their homeWe talk entertaining tips, how Rebecca seats Thanksgiving for 26 people, and the idea of a 'payback party'Rebecca talks about her go-to entertaining entree -- standing rib roastWe talk about funny Southern words that we'll define for you

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Once we photographed Virginia's house, we knew we had to get her on the podcast. She graciously invited us over to talk about her Atlanta bungalow and of course to answer your decorating questions.

What You'll Hear on This Show:

We all talk about the decorating compromises we've made in our homesTaryn tells us about her brown on brown den that she hatesWe talk about 'sit-abouts' and how silly they areKaren tells us about the leather-wrapped rockVirginia tells us about why she left architecture school to get into interior designWe talk about Virginia's style and how she blends traditional, southern style with the California cool she picked up while living on the west coastVirginia tells us about micro-sealing and how she plans to do this to her homeWe talk about the difference between her clients in California and her clients in AtlantaWe talk about contrast and why it's important to consider when you're furnishing your homeWe discuss whether it's a yay or a nay to paint antiquesWe talk about Virginia's genius TV trickWe talk about whether each of us appreciated interior design when we were youngWe talk about working with renovation choices that previous owners had doneWe talk about lighting and why dimmers are important

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When we were in New York for Miles Redd's launch party, we got the chance to stop by the House Beautiful offices and have Editor in Chief Sophie Donelson on the podcast! She tells us what makes a home beautiful, what projects make it into the magazine, and we test her interior design knowledge!

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

We play a little pop quiz where I test Sophie, Taryn, and Karen's knowledge of design and interior designersWe talk about editors' letters and how Sophie writes hers. Does she wait until the last minute?We ask Sophie what in her mind makes a house beautiful?Why a house does and doesn't make it into the magazineWhat the House Beautiful team does to a home when they come to shoot itWe talk about how purple is making a comeback -- yes, purple!Sophie tells us what she thinks has changed about the way people decorate their homesWe talk about paint colors and how to pick them

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We invited our exclusive artist Andrea Costa onto the podcast to talk to us about art, being an artist, and how she began her career as an interior designer.

What You'll Hear on this Episode:

Andrea starts by telling us how she began her career as an interior designer before transitioning into artShe talks to us about how she gets her inspiration for a new painting and her favorite size canvas to paintWe ask her about how she works with interior designers to create art for a specific roomShe tells us about decorating her new space and how often she mixes up her decorShe talks about why she loves to hang other people's artwork instead of her ownWe talk about the pros and cons of having a separate studio space rather than a studio in her basementAndrea tells us about how her music playlist impacts the look of her canvasAndrea coaches us on picking out a piece of art -- she suggests first choosing a budgetAndrea likes to start a room with her piece of art, then building a room about that pieceAndrea tells us about her first big art pieceWe ask her about gallery walls and how to put one togetherAndrea tells us how to mix different colors, styles, and sizes of art in one roomKaren talks about why she loves accessorizing her dining roomWe talk about feedback, seeing her pieces in real homes, and working with expectations for a commissionAndrea talks to us about how long it takes her to paint a piece and why painting abstract pieces takes so much longerAndrea gives us a lesson on paint mediums and why you might prefer working with one versus anotherWe talk about how she started working with Ballard and why she wanted to sell her prints through usWe talk about our Exclusive Artist program and why we love having this option for our customers

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Celebrated New York decorator Miles Redd welcomed us to his home for this week’s episode of the podcast. With the launch of his new collection, we couldn’t resist the chance to talk with him about his inspiration for the pieces and how he envisions them living in people's homes.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

We all share the best thing we’ve done to our homes, and also our biggest regret or mistakeHe talks about his home, and how he longs for wide open spacesHe shares how he went about designing the pieces for his collection, nearly all of them in his own homeHow his experience as the Creative Director for Oscar de la Renta helped inform his Ballard Designs collectionWe ask him about his favorite pieces in the collection — the dining table and the Kidney Accent TableWhy juxtaposition is so important in decoratingWe talk about drama, and why Miles doesn’t necessarily see his collection as being ‘dramatic’He tells us the story of how he custom built his Miles BookcaseWe talk about how his Fire Island home is all beigeWhat color would he pick if he could pick the 2018 Pantone Color of the Year

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If you love color, then this is an episode you can't miss. Interior designer Meg Braff injects vibrant hues into all of her spaces, but always in an elegant, tailored manner. She shares the process behind writing her new book, her love of color and pattern, her recent house renovation project, and gives us a little lamp shade lesson.

What You'll Hear on this Episode:

We all share our dream vacationsMeg tells us about how she realized she loved decorating -- it has to do with her dorm room at VanderbiltShe tells us about the process of writing her book which took three yearsShe gives us a lesson in mixing patterns -- where to use them and how to mix them togetherWe talk about her love of color and how even though she uses a lot of color, white is the main color in many of her spacesMeg reveals her favorite colorWe talk about her use of color -- using one really generously with teeny accents of something complementaryWe ask whether a house needs to have the same palette all the way throughHow a home's location influences the color palette you should be working withWe talk about treating fabrics to make them more stain resistantHow she decorates her home with four boysHow often she redecorates her own homeTaryn mentions how often we've pulled her rooms as inspiration for building our seasonal roomsMeg talks about why she loves a dressing table so muchWhy editing is so crucial to creating a beautiful, comfortable homeOf course, we ask Meg about her decorating pet peeveMeg gives us a little lesson on using lampshades and lightingMeg tells us about her recent home renovationShe tells us about her wallpaper line and how it fell in her lap

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Our resident art expert Karen Fleenor stopped by the podcast to talk buying, hanging, and framing art! We talk about how to pick the perfect piece, how to size art over your furniture, framing options, cost, commissions, and gallery walls.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

We all talk about our best art moment in our homes -- where we got them, how we hung them, and why we love them so muchKaren tells us about her background in the art world and how she started working with Ballard DesignsHow do you know if it's the right piece for your home and for your spaceWhy you should hang a piece of art over a piece of furniture with a contrasting styleWe talk about our exclusive artists and why it's perfectly fine to have art that isn't originalsTaryn asks us how she can update a piece of art that belonged to her husband's grandfatherWe talk about how to hang art -- including what height they should hang and how far apart pieces should beWe talk about small art -- hanging it with other pieces, on a small sliver of wall, or hang it low over a piece of furnitureWe talk about framing and why it's so expensive (it basically comes down to materials and labor)What size piece should you get if you're hanging it over a piece of furniture

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Interior designer Maggie Griffin from Gainesville, Georgia decorates spaces much like her personality, warm, happy, and with classic Southern charm. We loved touring her house and couldn't resist the opportunity to get her on the podcast. If you aren't yet following her on Instagram, then you're gonna want to start. We talk about decorating with kids, how to build a gallery wall, the deal with decorating around the TV, and other decorating 'don'ts' like ceiling fans.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Maggie shares the unique way she built up her first clientsShe talks about how she and her husband love renovating and movingShe tells us about counseling James Farmer while he was building his house, FarmdaleWe talk about how she starts a room -- either a rug or a special keepsakeMaggie's always moving things, and she shares how art is the way she keeps things freshMaggie cleverly treats all of the TVs in her home, and she shares her best tips for decorating around themWe discuss the dreaded ceiling fan -- is she for or against the ceiling fan?She tells us about redecorating her husband's bachelor pad once they got marriedShe talks about decorating her sons nurseries and how to decorate your child's bedroom with pieces that will endureHow she manages all the kids toysShe talks us through laying out a room -- where to startMaggie gives us a lesson on wallpaper and shares her favorite white paint colorWe talk about building a gallery wall

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Atlanta interior designer Nancy Braithwaite stops by the podcast to talk about her signature style, her book Simplicity, how she trained her eye to see rather than just look, and of course she helps us answer your decorating questions.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

-Nancy talks to us about her style, how she zeroed in on it, and what steps she takes creating it

 -Nancy talks about seeing vs. looking

 -Nancy compares dressing a room with dressing yourself, and why accessories sometimes take away from your design

 -Why proportion and scale are crucial to creating a well designed room

 -She tells us a story about being mesmerized at a decorators showhouse in New York and how it changed the ways she decorates

 -We ask Nancy how we can train our eyes to see instead of look

 -Nancy tells us about working with Deanne Levison, one of the top American antiques dealers in the country

 -How Nancy and Deanne came to work together and their adventures at antique shows all over the country

 -How to compose your room -- start with large pieces then add what makes those large pieces feel better

 -We talk slipcovers, which ones Nancy likes, and why she uses them so often in her spaces

 -She tells us about staining the floors in a recent project black and why it transformed the space

 -We talk about how she helped her daughter decorate her home which was featured in Cottage Living

 -How you can learn from the best by studying their work and learning to see rather than look

 -We talk about when to stop

 -Nancy talks about when she started to really understand her own style and aesthetic

 -Why it's so important to just go for it -- try something and move things around if they don't work

 -We discuss one of the pillar's of Nancy's style -- whimsy

 -Nancy chimes in about where you should invest your decorating dollars

 -When to use symmetry and when to use asymmetry

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We couldn't pass up the opportunity to sit down with Jason & John, the Madcap Cottage Gents, at their home in High Point, North Carolina. They graciously invited us over for dinner, and before we dug into their spread, we discussed all of the gorgeous details in their home, their upcoming book Prints Charming, and much more.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Taryn shares her trial -- putting toilet bowl cleaner in her dishwasher!Her triumph was successfully getting her dog's drool off her car's leather interiorI share my newest go-to appetizer for entertainingKaren's triumph was getting some new goodies from Etsy for her summer vacationWe talk about Jason & John's upcoming book, Prints CharmingThe guys talk about why you should always talk to the antique dealer to hear the story of the pieceWe discuss many of the details in Jason and John's home -- like the way they hung art in their librarySo many pieces in their home have special details they've customized themselvesWe talk about creating seating areas -- you can likely fit in more seating than you thinkWe talk about the lost art of entertaining and why you shouldn't stressLighting is so important -- you likely need more than you thinkWe talk about the challenges of rentingWe talk about why you should mix styles in your home

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This week, we're bringing you another interview from our time at High Point Market. Living on the Gulf Coast, interior designer Cindy Meador specializes in decorating and furnishing second homes. From 10,000 square foot houses to high rise beach condos, Cindy and her team have done it all, and she's sharing a lot of behind the scenes tidbits with us.

• Taryn's trial and triumph was yardwork-related
• My trial was a disgusting rodent that was in our yard, and my triumph was the peony arrangements I got to do at our event at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
• Karen's triumph was doing a professional looking hydrangea arrangement for her friend's birthday
• Her trial was the string lights in her backyard falling down
• We ask Cindy how her work became featured in a cocktail book
• We talk about how style differs from region to region
• Cindy often will start working with a client on their second home, then later work on their primary residence
• We talk about designing a home for a client from the ground up
• Cindy shares the entire process of installing a project
• We talk about how she got into interior design and her advice for people getting into the business
• We talk about her own personal style and how her style differs from her client work
• We talk recliners and the fact that there are some good ones out there
• We talk about market, what she's looking for, and what trends she's seeing
• Cindy shares where she thinks people should invest their decorating dollars
• She talks about where she starts her rooms

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It took some persuasion, but we finally got our Senior Director of Merchandising Phil Lancaster, or "The Professor," on the podcast! Phil knows it all, teaches us some furniture history, tells us all about how furniture is made, what you need to look for, and generally schools us on the nitty gritty details of furniture and antiques. If you're wondering how to look for quality in your next furniture piece, this is the episode you need to listen to.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We start off with a furniture lesson on modern vs. contemporaryHow does modern differ from mid-century modern?What's going to make it from the furniture being created right now? How do we know what will last?There's a lot of innovation around lighting right now in new types of light bulbsWe discuss light bulbs and why the color they give off is so importantWhat's the difference between an antique and vintageWe talk about his 100 year old house, how he bought it from the original owners, and how he loves the huntHow important it is to talk to antique dealers when you're out hunting for thingsWhat we look for when we're going on one of our big antique shopping tripsHow to shop for a wooden antique -- open the drawers, look at the back, examine the construction to know whether it's well-madeWe ask Phil about his favorite interior designer and artistWe talk about furniture styles, how the style Ballard is known for differs from Phil's own aesthetic, and the fact that good design is good designWe talk about why we use MDF to manufacture furniture and why you shouldn't assume something made from MDF is poor qualityTaryn tells us a story about a mahogany table she sent to a furniture show and why real wood isn't always betterWe talk about kiln dried wood -- if you remove the moisture from the wood, it's less likely to warpWe talk about teak and why you remove the moisture from teakWe dive into upholstery and the four main parts -- the frame, the suspension, the cushion, and the coverPhil jumps on his soapbox about the pitch of upholstery and why it's the most important quality about your furniture piece's comfortWe talk about what 8-way hand tied is and why you don't need it anymorePhil tells us about cushion construction and what's on the inside of your sofa

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Lisa Mende's room in the Traditional Home Southern Style Now Showhouse stopped us in our tracks, so we knew we had to get her on the podcast. Her spaces are bold, jubilant, and inviting, and we quickly learned that she herself is too. If you've ever had questions about paint, then this is an episode you have to listen to. We talk about choosing paint colors, paint finishes, fan decks, why you can't just look at the paint chip, and Lisa gives us all her favorite paint colors.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

I talk about Tom Sheerer's book Tom Sheerer Decorates which I devoured over Memorial Day weekendTaryn talks about her leaky roof and how the dry cleaner got out the stain in her blue dress (which she discussed in the last episode)Lisa tells us all about her 'she shed' in the Traditional House showhouse in New OrleansWe talk about her guest house becoming the center of the party during the showhouse openingWe talk about showhouses, how designers are paired with sponsors, and why we love showhouses so muchWhy 'the mix' is so importantShe tells us about the questionnaire she gives potential clientsWe talk about the importance of getting to know your own likes and dislikes before decorating your homeShe tells us about her new house and her plans for decorating itWhy she decorates her own house in stagesA great rule she has for splurging on a piece of furniture -- how can you use it three different waysWhy you might want to coordinate your dining room and living room upholsteryHow she's working around the 80's fireplace in her new houseWe talk about striped rugs and outdoor rugsWe talk about white paint colors, why they're complicated, and why they workI share how I picked Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace for my dark little craftsmanWe talk the pace of a room, and why it's an indicator of how much color you want in your spaceMy mom's recent paint mistakeWhy you can't just ask your neighbor the color they used for their houseWe talk paint finishes and why they're importantWe talk lacquer -- this is on Lisa's list of Don't DIYShe shares some of her drapery tricks for getting a designer look on a budget

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Flower Magazine editor in chief and founder Margot Shaw joins us from Birmingham to talk about flowers, being a green thumb, and why she decided to start Flower Magazine. We talk fake flowers, the etiquette for cutting from the yard, and why your containers or vases are as important as the flowers you're trying to arrange.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

-Taryn's very upsetting wardrobe malfunction

 -Karen talks about how she oxycleans everything

 -Taryn's triumph is that she had a piece of art framed

 -Karen shares the mystery of her collapsed faux boxwood balls

 -Karen's triumph was painting her back fence black

 -My triumph is that I had my Nala Stool reupholstered in our Natural Woven Sand fabric which looks just like raffia

 -My trial is a recurring experience in which my neighbor's get to see my pajamas

 -Margot shares the incredible story of how she started Flower Magazine

 -We talk about how people are really the cornerstone of the magazine, not plants

 -She shares that she does not in fact ... have a green thumb

 -How her daughter's wedding started her in a whole new career

 -Margot says that a French hand tied is the best method for arranging flowers for beginners

 -Margot shares her favorite flower to arrange with -- garden roses

 -The secret to a great flower arrangement is really in the container

 -Why flowers and floral patterns are considered to be feminine

 -How leaves and flowers actually form the foundation of so many classic forms -- like acanthus leaves and Corinthian columns

 -What flowers (or style of arranging flowers) are trendy right now

 -Why it's actually harder to make an arrangement look organic and effortless

 -Her favorite greenery to add to her flower arrangements

 -We talk about fake flowers, or 'permanent botanicals'

 -We all admit to whether we've cut flowers from our neighbors' yards

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This week we have a very special guest all the way from California, interior designer Mark D. Sikes. Mark is a veritable renaissance man with a furniture line, fabric collection, rug collection, book, fashion line, and of course his interior design business. He shares the story of how his Los Angeles home landed on the cover of House Beautiful, his love of fashion and experience working in fashion, how he approaches a new space, and how to get that effortless California style in your home.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Taryn's trial involves the yearly dilemma of pollen versus outdoor furniture.Karen gives us tips for pruning hydrangeas.My London travel momento is both my trial and my triumph.Karen's guest bedroom saga continues. This week, she's talking about paint.Mark shares the process of designing his furniture collection and where his inspiration comes fromHow his degree in finance helps his interior design businessWe press him on how he started his MDS Stripes fashion lineMark loves a stripe -- so much that he started a striped clothing line -- so he schools us on mixing stripes togetherWhy no room should ever look perfectHis one design rule is that a space looks like it's been created over timeWe talk about California style and how we can bring a little of it into our homesHe shares the inspiration and plan for the Coastal Living Idea House that he's designing in Newport, Rhode IslandWe talk about his living room in the Southern Living Idea House which was all neutralOf course we have to ask him his decorating pet peevesMark shares the incredible story of how his house landed on the cover of House BeautifulHis decorating advice for anyone looking to start out in the design industry

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We recently traveled to High Point, North Carolina for their Spring Market and had the chance to sit down with some of our favorite tastemakers. This week, we're sharing our interview with the Editor in Chief of Domino Magazine, Jessica Romm Perez. She's worked at some of our favorite magazines -- Martha Stewart, Food & Wine, and Elle Decor just to name a few -- so we loved chatting with her about what trends she's seeing at market, her recent home renovation, and how her team dreams up such a gorgeous issue! Of course we couldn't end the episode without her answering your decorating questions!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We're in High Point Market in North Carolina interviewing interior designers and editorsWe talk about why we love market and what it isKaren's triumph is the new bed she put in her guest bedroomHer trial is that her guest bedroom closet won't close because of the bed!We talk about how everything in Karen's house is from Ballard but why it doesn't actually look like our catalog or storeTaryn's trial and triumph is a new console table she got from the Ballard outletMy triumph is that I took a macaron making class with my mom and now I'm a macaron expert!My trial is that I missed my rose bush blooming while I was in London, and it won't bloom again until next year. So disappointing! Also the saying about roses that I couldn't remember is, "First it sleeps, then it creeps, then it leaps."We talk about her favorite part of market, how her editorial team decides which trends to feature in the magazine, and what is exciting her right now at marketShe shares her best tips for decorating with kids, including organizing kid's toys in her small New York apartmentHow systems are a crucial part of her decorating and organizing strategyHow she stepped into the role of editor in chief at such a beloved brand and magazineWe talk about our favorite recent features in the latest issue of Domino, like the crudite platter Karen recently triedJessica talks about their focus at Domino which is focusing on real, attainable living by real people. It's not just about a fantasy, everything they share is attainable.Jessica shares her rules for mixing metals in your home -- just go for it!She shares her most recent home purchase and talks about her home renovationWhat colors she's gravitating toward and why color impacts the mood of your home

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This week, we're bringing you a very special Mother's Day edition. Our guests are our three moms! We gave them a little pop quiz and challenged them on how well they know us and how well we know them. We talk about our childhood bedrooms, how our styles differ, and much more.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE

My trial which consisted of being in the middle of the Atlanta I-85 interstate collapseTaryn recaps her travels to South Africa, including what she brought home on the planeTaryn's sweet lab Baylor came home from the daycare with a tumorKaren talks about her carpenter bee problem and her gardening triumphWe played a game with our moms where we made them fill out a quiz to see how well they knew usWe talk color, wallpaper, sentimental things, and hoarding tendenciesWe talk about our childhood bedroomsWe share another round of entertaining disasters

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Our guest this week has seriously enviable style that blends vibrant colors with doses of white and black. We love the way she uses vintage pieces but creates rooms that feel totally fresh and modern. Gen Sohr is one half of the husband and wife team at Pencil and Paper Company, and we had to pick her brain about decorating with kids, color, pattern, thrift shopping, and how she and Ben manage to do it all, and together no less!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Taryn tells us about her fun new findI shopped my house to redo my living room mantelKaren tells us about the mysterious dots all over her kitchen and den and her clever solution to her tray which scratches her coffee tableWe talk favorite paint colors and color palettes with GenWhat it's like working with her husband, how they met, and when they decided to open their businessWe talk about her new hometown of Nashville and how the city has changed since they've moved thereDoes she have any pet peeves when she visits friends' homesHer go-to white paint colorWhat she loves most about helping her clients with their homesHow she has and hasn't comprised her home decor for her two young kidsRenovations, moving, and why there's always something on the horizonWe talk about her love for thrift shopping and scouring the flea marketShe talks about her son's love of design

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Interior designer Beth Webb's spaces are comfortable, tailored, and utterly timeless, so you can our imagine our delight when she joined us for this week's episode of the podcast. We talk about her recent challenge of blending her own style with her new husbands, we talk entertaining, southern hospitality, and the importance of great lighting, among other things.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE

My garden related triumph and allergy related trialTaryn has a cleaning conundrum she needs help solvingTaryn talks about her recent accessory additionKaren's stranger danger experience in her neighborhoodWhy it's so great to be an interior designer in AtlantaWe talk the business of design, including comraderie, client relationships, and social mediaHow she's combined her own style aesthetic with her new husband's more contemporary styleWhat are her decorating pet peevesThe importance of having layers of light in your spaceWhy scale is so important, why it's hard to teach, and how to approach scale in your own home

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Hold onto your earbuds because our guest today is none other than our own design partner, author, acclaimed interior designer, and hostess extraordinaire Bunny Williams! We traveled to Bunny's office in New York to record this special episode in her office, and she definitely did not disappoint. Bunny shares some incredible decorating tips and stories, including how she furnished her first apartment and decorating her home in the Dominican Republic. We talk about her new outdoor furniture collection La Colina, and of course she answers your decorating questions!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We talk about my red lipstick trial and Karen schools us in her red lipstick protocolKaren's cord control decorating triumphTaryn talks about the incredible meal and incredible decor at Marcel in AtlantaHer trial involves public speakingBunny tells us why she decided to do a product line with Ballard DesignsShe tells us about how we're all faced with the same dilemma when it comes to decorating -- budgetWhy only buying things you love is the best investment in your homeHer proudest achievement in her first apartment in New YorkHer first big purchase was a good sofa, and why it's important for everyone to buy a really good oneBunny addresses the big pet question -- do hers get on the furniture and what does she do about it?We talk entertaining, why she's so comfortable with it, and what corners you can cut to make it easier on yourselfShe tells us about her home in the Dominican RepublicShe tells us about the time her husband John wanted to veto her decor choicesWe talk about redecorating and why it's not necessary if you get it right the first timeWe talk about her decorating pet peeve -- furniture that's always against the wallShe gives us a lesson on laying out your roomHostess etiquette, especially when it comes to drinks and coastersShe tells us about her new outdoor furniture collection, La ColinaWhy she never buys a chair online

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**Disclaimer: We had some technical difficulty with one of our mics. It refused to cooperate! We hope you'll enjoy the show anyway.**

Being the design-aholics we are, we couldn’t turn down an opportunity to interview the Editor-in-Chief of Atlanta Magazine’s HOME, Betsy Riley. We have Betsy to thank for reviving the title in 2015. Each issue brings some of the most gorgeous and inspiring spaces in Atlanta, so we were thrilled to pick her brain about what makes a house magazine-worthy and how she decorates in her own home.

WHAT YOU’LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:

Karen’s bathroom-related entertaining disaster Karen tested our Brian Patrick Flynn’s drapery training trickTaryn talks about her entertaining pet peeve — everyone gravitating to the kitchenTaryn’s shade swap with a big lighting lesson — take your lamp base to the store!Why some beautiful homes just aren’t right for a magazineHow she picks which homes to feature and what types of spaces don’t make it to the magazineWhat her biggest decorating challenge isWhy you have to be able to let things goBetsy’s tips for making your spaces look good in photographsWe talk about Betsy’s black and white issue 

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Today's guest is not only one of our favorite designers and a hometown hero in the design world, she's also our design partner, Suzanne Kasler. Suzanne's interiors are usually riddled with classic furniture pieces, but she presents them with a modern point of view. They're tailored, edited, and punctuated with color. We launched our first collection with Suzanne in 2011, and ever since then, we've been making design magic together, so we're thrilled to have her as our guest today on the blog!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON TODAY'S SHOW:

Karen's recent framing victory inspired by Natalie Nassar's houseTaryn talks about a product she recently designedA new hobby I'm trying outSuzanne talks about showhouses and why she loves themWhy she likes to keep her team smallHow she does it all and where she finds her creative energyHow her love of shopping translates to design inspirationWhy Suzanne can't share her favorite places to shopWhy she started working with design partnersWe talk about her new outdoor furniture collection, her Directoire collection in whiteWhy you should start planning your outdoor space earlySuzanne talks about using white as a paint color and she uses it so much in her clients' homesSuzanne talks about her 'architectural envelope' and why she pays so much attention to the architecture of her clients' homes

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We're opening a new store outside of Boston at Natick Mall, and to celebrate, we wanted to talk to some local design talents. You may remember me mentioning Katie Hutchison's book The New Small House on our episode with Annette Joseph. We ended up connecting with Katie and were thrilled when she agreed to join us for a live podcast episode from the floor of our brand new store! Since we're live, you'll notice lots of background noise (we apologize in advance), but we loved picking Katie's brain about living in a small house, designing a small house, and takeaways even those of us not in small houses can utilize in our own spaces!

IN THIS EPISODE YOU'LL HEAR:

• The background story of Katie book and how it came to be
• We talk about Katie's own house which we briefly talks about in the book
• The 'keys' Katie discusses in the book which each of the small houses have in common and which we can all utilize, like 'pockets for privacy'
• Taryn and I both talk about our experiences seeing the 'pockets of privacy' at work
• The variety of styles illustrated in the book
• We talk about the glass, kit house featured in the book
• How long it took the write and shoot the book
• How she found all of the houses for the book
• Ways those of us who aren't planning a large renovation can maximize the space we have
• We talk about the tiny house movement and how a tiny house differs from the houses in her book
• We talk about built-ins and how important they are for making small spaces super functional
• We talk about Katie's outdoor spaces and the many outdoor rooms in the book
• Katie tells us about her gardening mishaps, like transplanting weeds
• We talk about the strange things we've all found in our yard from previous owners
• We ask Katie about her favorite style of architect
• Common mistakes people make when they're designing a new home
• Why the answer to your home woes may not necessarily mean adding more space but reworking the space you already have
• Why the location of private and public spaces are so important for the way you live in your home

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We're big fans of interior designer, blogger, and author Erin Gates, so when we headed to our new Boston store at Natick Mall, we knew we had to sit down with this local stylemaker. She joined us for our first live podcast recording in the front window of our brand new store to talk about designing for families, her massive home renovation, and so much more.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR IN THIS EPISODE:

• We talk about what guys universally love and hate
• How one finished room can inspire a client to finish the whole house
• We talk about which room you should invest in and complete first
• She shares the topic of her new book, decorating for families and why you don't have to dumb down your decor just because you have kids and pets
• Why having a well-designed master bedroom is so important
• The misconceptions many people have about what they can and can't have in their home if they have families
• Why white is actually appropriate -- if you have bleach on hand!
• How much Erin's team has grown and how delighted they all are to have a new, organized office space
• The color they use in almost every project
• We talk about Taryn's color addiction
• Karen and Erin bond over their love of animal print
• Erin tells us all about the massive home renovation of her fixer upper
• Her next big project in her home renovation
• Her love of real estate and how she's always browsing houses
• We talk TVs -- what's too big and should you have one in your bedroom
• Erin gives everyone a rug lesson
• I share a story about a 'rug island'
• We talk about what you do when your friends asks for decor advice about a home purchase they've made
• Why it's fun to work on projects that are out of your comfort zone
• Where people can save in their budget, and where they should in vest most of their dollars

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We can't help but be struck by how powerful yet restrained interior designer Melanie Turner's spaces are, and we were even more struck by how down-to-earth and cool she is. In only seven short years after opening her interior design business, she's earned such accolades as Veranda's Southeastern Designer of the Year, Trad Home's Top 10 Designers, Architectural Digest's 2010 Kitchen of the Year, and many more. We were beyond thrilled when she sat down to talk with us about her recents trip to Morocco, the power of vision boards, why she never puts bookshelves in a home, and so much more.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW:

• How Melanie uses vision boards to turn her dreams into reality
• We talk about the photo shoot Ballard Designs did at Melanie's house
• The powerful history of her historic home and the spiritual connection she has to it
• Why she feels like a steward of her house instead of an owner
• She talks about how practical the home is for modern life, even though it was built in 1923
• We talk a bit about Atlanta architect Phillip Shutze and historic preservation
• How owning a historic home has helped her with her client work
• All the fabulous locales where she currently has projects
• She tells us all about her trip to Morocco, including what she brought home and visiting Yves Saint Laurent's house
• How you remember much more if you can't take photographs
• Why instead of gifts, they take a family trip every year during the holidays
• Why editing is the most powerful thing you can do to refresh your home
• Her approach to picture frames -- framing them in one big mass on a stairwell instead of spread throughout
• Melanie talks about how she manifested her project onto the cover of Veranda magazine with a vision board
• How rewarding it is to give purpose to her client's homes
• How at her client installations, the husband is usually the one who cries the most!
• Why you shouldn't dismiss how important your home is
• Why she loves decorating for bachelors
• Why it's so hard to decorate her own home
• How many times she's moved since she's been married (she's married to a builder and developer)
• How you can give a new build home that old character that gives a house soul

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Go ahead and pinch us because we can’t quite believe we get to introduce this week’s podcast guest, interior designer Miles Redd! We were beside ourselves when he agreed to sit down with us while recently in his hometown of Atlanta (and ours). Plus, he’s our first AD100 Designer on the podcast. Miles’ spaces are packed with style, drama, and whimsy, plus we were struck with how darn nice he is! 

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

• Karen’s juju hat insect infestation
• The next addition Karen made to her ongoing guest bedroom project
• Taryn painted her carport Sherwin Williams Vogue Green
• Taryn needs help with her guest bathroom because her beadboard wainscoting makes it difficult to hang a mirror
• My all-time worst trial involving a ‘ceiling pimple’
• How Miles got his start at NYU and made his way to John Rosselli
• His time at Oscar de la Renta
• Why it’s important to trust your own instincts and take risks
• Miles talks to us about color and why it’s all about relationships
• Why you should tackle your walls and floors first
• What it was like working on his parents’ home and why it was a lifelong fantasy
• Why he loves a door and all the fun things he does with them
• His thoughts on lampshades, including what everyone does wrong and how he jazzes them up
• His list of ‘greats’
• Who he follows on Instagram (mostly his friends)
• We asked about his new office space, and he confirms that it’s just as glamorous and we imagined
• The one color he doesn’t like
• Miles’ decorating pet peeves

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Natalie has worked with us here at Ballard Designs for years, so when we caught a glimpse of her chic, layered family home, we knew we had to share. We posted her whole home tour here on How to Decorate yesterday, but we couldn't pass up the opportunity to get even more decorating goodness out of her to share on the podcast! We talk about decorating with kids, styling, layering, and so much more!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW:

• I hosted my largest ever dinner party and I give you a whole run down
• My seriously embarrassing 'trial' that involves my robot vacuum
• Another installment of Taryn's dog chewing disasters
• Taryn tells us about her trip to South America and what she brought back
• We ask Natalie about her style which she calls 'collected, global'
• Why Natalie likes to choose neutrals for her large furniture pieces, then adds in colorful accessories
• Her history with Ballard Designs and how she got started styling rooms
• We talk about her dining room, which you can see here
• Natalie talks to us about how she prioritized decorating each room
• We talk about the cute little ways Natalie styles her home, like buying cute hand soap (shown below)

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, please subscribe to the podcast in iTunes so you never miss and episode. Of course, you can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

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This week on the podcast, we're talking with stylist, entertaining expert, author, and workshop master of ceremonies, Annette Joseph. Annette does it all and makes it look so easy. We sat down to talk about the villa in Italy she's renovating, her workshops, how she got into styling, and so much more!

• How Karen did a mini bathroom makeover in her guest suite
• How Annette started styling
• What it was like pitching a show to Bravo and shooting a pilot
• Annette has been vacationing in Italy since she was a kid
• Annette talks about her upcoming book about Italy
• Why it's hard to be an ex-patriot in Italy
• Why it's always better to go shopping in Italy with an actual Italian (or someone who knows everyone)
• The scoop on buying real estate in Italy ... and renovating from a different continent
• Italy's all about 'juice'
• The faux pas Annette committed recently while walking around her property
• How they ended up buying the property they chose
• All about the workshops she hosts -- perfecting branding, photography, styling, and more
• What you could expect if you were to attend one of Annette's workshops
• The book she's working on about the cocktail culture in Italy

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This week, we are interviewing our own bedding expert, the stylist that makes all of the beds in our gorgeous rooms, Beth Mars Dean. You probably never knew a bedding stylist exists, but she's the lady that makes sure all of our beds look picture perfect and snooze worthy. For all of your bedding questions answered, be sure to listen to this episode!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE

• The most recent catastrophe that happened with our photoshoot
• The surprising amount of time it takes to make a bed for one of our photo shoots
• All of the extra things Beth adds to her beds that you wouldn't normally use
• From start to finish, how Beth makes a gorgeous catalog-worthy bed
• Whether all of us make our beds every day, what the nation-wide average is, and what percentage of our How to Decorate readers make their beds everyday
• How many pillows each of us have on our beds
• What Beth's bed looks like and how she makes it every day
• How Beth became a bedding stylist
• How you can create a luxurious bed in a realistic way

We answer all of your burning bedding questions, including how to coordinate with your existing bedding collection, how to streamline bed making so you're more likely to do it, where to put your pillows when you get into the bed, and how many throw pillows are too many?

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As our final episode of the year, we're leaving you with a special bonus episode where we're discussing the 2016 trends that are 'out' and the trends to look for in 2017. We discuss Million Dollar Decorator Mary McDonald's list of trends that are out and trends that are in for 2017... and we discuss whether we agree or disagree. We also admit to any 'out' trends that we're guilty of committing in our own homes.

• Which trends Mary McDonald says are officially out
• Which trends she says to look for in 2017
• Which trends we're all guilty of committing

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This week on the podcast, we sat down with Erika Ward of Erika Ward Interiors. After majoring in finance and working in the corporate world several years, Erika decided to follow her passion and start her interior design business. She gives us the whole scoop on her business, decorating pet peeves, and answers your decorating questions!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW:

• Erika talks about why she went into finance and eventually transitioned into designing full time
• How Erika balances classic design with a modern aesthetic
• Why you need to incorporate color into your room
• Why it’s so important for her and her clients to understand each other
• Why her biggest challenge in design work is educating her clients
• What’s so important about the ‘shell’ of a room
• What decorating mistake she made in her own house
• What surprised Erika when she came to one of our catalog shoots

Erika also helps us answer to questions this week. The first question is about how to properly dress an 11 foot window. Our second question is about mixing furniture shapes and heights cohesively.

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On this episode of the podcast, we sat down with interior designer and blogger Sherry Hart. She’s a master of styling bookshelves, can make a neutral room feel fresh and modern, and is going through her own bedroom makeover. She gave us the whole rundown of how she turned her home renovation into a successful interior designer business, what her husband thinks of her constant decor updates, and how to make your home look cohesive.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW

• Karen’s latest progress on the guest room she’s redecorating
• The baby shower Karen recently hosted where the food was baby-themed
• How Sherry caught the decorating bug and her first published space
• How her style has changed over the course of her career
• Why she loves decorating with white
• Her biggest decorating pet peeve
• Bad advice for decorating when there’s someone else in the mix
• Her approach to styling bookshelves

In every episode, we answer decorating dilemmas from listeners, and with the help of our guest, give them ways to solve their problem. In this episode, we answer a question from Jennifer about how to take your room from 'average to amazing,' Monica's question about how to pull off a his and hers office, and Janet's question about maintaining practicality when creating a pretty room.

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This week we’re bringing you a bonus episode, and we’re talking entertaining! Our plan was to bring you a short extra episode with our entertaining stories — to get you in the spirit of Thanksgiving — but of course, we gabbed for over an hour. But, if you listen to the whole episode, you’ll hear our tried and true secrets, entertaining disasters, and suggestions for being a great guest.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW

• Karen’s Napkin Tricks: both removing stains after a dinner party and an easy ironing trick
• The time I lit two dinner napkins on fire
• Karen’s ongoing entertaining disaster — under cooking meat
• Karen’s worst disaster — it involves a lasagna and an old oven mit
• The time Taryn exploded an entire bottle of wine in a crowded restaurant
• Our thoughts on signature cocktails
• All of our best flower arranging tips — including which combination of flowers to buy
• My mom’s three keys to a good party — good music, good food, good people
• The importance of traditions during the holidays, especially food traditions
• How to cook one end of your tenderloin faster so you can offer both well done and rare
• Your requirements as a party guest — RSVPing and being festive and fun
• Our tips for cleaning up

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We were so excited to have as our guests on this week’s episode, Jason Nixon and John Loecke, the Madcap Cottage Guys! Their style is on point, and their love for color and pattern is infectious. We picked their brain about combining furniture styles harmoniously, their upcoming travel plans, why they love decorating with the color green, and their pack of adorable rescue dogs. 

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW

• Where Jason and John find inspiration, both abroad and at home. They’re as inspired by things they see in London as they are around their hometown in North Carolina. Inspiration is everywhere.
• They talk about their next vacation spot — Tokyo — and why they’re dying to make it there next.
• What do they do with all of the treasures they bring home?
• What do they see as living a ‘well-lived life?’
• They share their more casual approach to entertaining, like ways to entertain without making everything from scratch.
• Why we should throw out the idea of having a ‘camera ready’ home all the time.
• Jason and John’s decorating pet peeves
• Inspirations for their fabric like for Robert Allen
• How their mothers’ styles impacted their own sensibilities
• What they would save if their house was on fire
• They mention the Traditional Home Napa Showhouse which they decorated using many of our products. You can see a whole tour of their space here.

Jason and John help us answer your questions, including how to pull off mix and match bar stools, guidelines for hanging artwork over a console table or sideboard, and how to update a built in cabinet with paint or stain.

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This week, we're talking to stylist extraordinaire, Ginny Branch. Ginny is a prop stylist who has worked with some of the most beloved brands all over the country, including Southern Living, Country Living, Martha Stewart Weddings, Design*Sponge, Cooking Light, Coastal Living, and Ballard Designs! She shares with us how she got into styling, her favorite accessories, her most recent travels, and even her hoarding tendencies.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THE SHOW:

• Ginny talks about becoming a stylist
• Why it's so important to love the people she works with
• Which people or brands she's dying to work with
• An insider's view to how catalogs are shot
• The magic of shooting a catalog in Italy
• The craziest thing she's ever brought home with her on a plane
• She tells us about her little house in Atlanta

As always, we answer your questions. This week, we talk about the best sisal rug to use if you are concerned about spills, and we answer Rosemary's questions about hanging a mirror over a bed.

We want to teach your how to decorate! We'll help you unleash your inner decorator with interviews from designers, sharing trials and triumphs of our own homes, and answering your burning decorating questions. Brought to you from the Ballard Designs.

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Hosting each episode will be three ladies from the Ballard Designs team — Caroline McDonald, Taryn Schwartz, and Karen Mooney. You know Caroline from rour blog How to Decorate where she is constantly posting and answering your questions in our comments section. Taryn Schwartz is a trained industrial designer (and also super talented artist) who designs product for Ballard Designs. Finally, Karen Mooney is our fearless leader who we sit down with to discuss each new season. You’ve read our interviews with her here, and we also shared her kitchen renovation … and her backyard.

In today’s episode, we’ll be telling you more about each of us, how we work together designing the rooms you see online and in our catalog, and what projects we’re working on in our own homes.

We also answer questions about which sofa pillows could coordinate with the floral pillows Lauren already has. We answer Samina's question about how to layout a room if you have a corner fireplace, and we help Rachel decorate the stair landing that is a focal point right when you walk in the door.

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