How to Decorate

Sitting down with Ashley Whittaker was such a joy, and we're confident you'll learn a TON from this episode. It's one of my favorite episodes to date because we talk about creating color palettes, why every room needs something grimy, the 'hows' and 'whys' of the room and why they're more important than the 'whats,' and why a jewel tone works in almost any space. We also talk about the difference between color tone and value and why that's important to consider when decorating your home.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Ashley wasn’t formally educated as a designer, but she cites working for a good designer as some of the best education out there.

More about how Ashley and her team find a thread throughout each room of the home to have a place for our eye to land and bring restfulness to the design.

The importance of contrast in decorating, and why we don’t have to be matchy matchy.

Why seeing it on paper is sometimes easier than walking through the house, and a few of Ashley’s favorite storyboard ideas.

What traditional elements Ashley finds herself gravitating towards, and ways she keeps it fun and fresh.

Why it’s good to feel pretty, but not too pretty, and how throwing in an “ugly” flower now and then can take our projects to the next level.

The golden rule of staying sane while decorating: Let go of control and be perfectly imperfect.

Ashey’s goal on making sure clients really love their rooms, and the more livable the better.

Her stunning use of wallpapers, and why we shouldn’t be afraid of it.

Why she loves velvet, jewel tones, and camo green.

Why the finishes are important to creating contrast, and her tendency to take a dark room and make it even darker.

Mentioned In This Episode

Ashley Whittaker Design

 Billy  Baldwin  decorates

 Jeffrey  Bilhuber’s  Design  Basics

Lee Jofa

 House  Beautiful

@ashleywhittakerdesign

Decorating Dilemmas:

We love what you have going already! Some of Ashley’s suggestions are to leave the ledge undecorated, and think about putting a plantation shutter on the window, so it becomes more architectural and less of a window. Ashley always likes to be on the second floor reaching out to touch the light from the balcony, so that may be something to aim for in the future as well. Her rule for adding a light fixture: take the length and width of feet in a room and add them together for the inches. A large chandelier would add some depth and fill out the room. If you are also looking for a great shoe organizer, check out  this  one from Ballard Design!

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Charleston designer Olivia Brock joins the show to talk about her firm Torrance Mitchell Design and her background in historic preservation. We cover it all -- how she fell into interior design, tips on mixing the old and the new, and her go-to paint colors.

Olivia never planned on being a designer, but rather a real estate developer that focused on adaptive reuse of historical buildingsHow Olivia started as a paint color consultant The differences between normal housing and the sensitive nature of working with a historical homeOlivia's house in Southern Living which she and her husband totally restoredOur partnership with Olivia on the Traditional Home Southern Style Now Showhouse, and the inspiration behind the guest room How to make old things look fresh and pairing antiques with a modern piecesWhy she sees historical buildings as people that want to tell you their story, and it is up to us to listenWe talk paint -- testing swatches, favorite whites, and moreBrown furniture is making a comeback, baby!Why patience, a great eye for antiques, and love for a home is truly necessary when embarking on a projectHow curtains can really do a lot for a room, and what types Olivia recommends

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Seriously charming Keith Arnold, Vice President of Suzanne Kasler Interiors, joins the podcast this week to talk about his path to design, the pyramid rule, flower arranging, and his new shop KeithEtc.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

How Keith started working with Suzanne over 15 years ago, the many jobs before that helped him in his wide array of roles now.

Keith’s background of attending Auburn University with a degree of Architecture, working in visual merchandising for Neiman Marcus and Martyn Lawrence Bullard.

How Keith and Suzanne collaborate and how he styles the photoshoots and projects.

Keith’s new collaborative venture, Keith Etc. To curate the best in both the old and the new.

The ways Keith and Suzanne use colors in big swathes and practice restraint yet an open mind when it comes to breaking the rules.

His love of the saffron color!

Why France is Keith’s favorite place to shop, and his favorite places in Atlanta.

The Pyramid Rule as a structure to start from in design for shelving.

The flowers Keith likes to use in a home, how he became an instant celebrity by using lemons in a flower arrangement.

Tulip styling tips, where Keith buys his flowers and plants, and why a flower should still look like a flower.

Mentioned In This Episode

Suzanne Kasler

Martyn Lawrence Bullard

Scott’s Antique Market

 Kenneth  Turner’s  Flower  Style

Alexa Hampton

@keithharrisarnold

@keith.etc

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We are thrilled to talk to authors and design duo Brooke and Steve Giannetti of Giannetti home. Steve is an architect, and Brooke is an interior designer, and together they are the talent behind Patina Style, Patina Living, and Brooke’s cult favorite blog, Velvet & Linen. We caught up with them to talk about the importance of emotional connection, how their work as a duo came to be, their interests as a husband and wife duo, and to bust the myth that goats will eat absolutely anything.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:Why Brooke thinks people have really caught on to her blog, Velvet & Linen.How Patina Style articulates the process of how to dream your design property, and Patina Farm demonstrates how they manifested the style and design philosophy at their beautiful farm in Ojai, CAHow they took the history and unique elements of Ojai to make sure their design reflected the story.The way they molded the different textures and materials together, and the inspiration Belgium gave them for putting a variety of pieces togetherHow long the Patina Farm took, the description of the inside and outside, and the challenges that arose along the way.Why in design it’s important to start at the emotional connection to the space.How they chose the plants and planning the outdoor spaces, and why we want to always think big and simple.How Brooke developed her passion for interiors and made a full time career of working with Steve in addition to their marital blissWhat they wish they would have done differently at Patina Farm.That no, goats won’t eat everything you give them, except for a yummy rose bush. Thorns and all.What they have up their sleeve next now that Patina Farm is pretty much a done deal.Why we need a focal point, and how we can create them.The most prized possessions (besides their animals and other living entities!) inside their home.What suggestions they would give to someone looking to bring their significant other into their design dreams.

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Traci Zeller joins us in Charlotte to share her unique background and super interesting story of being a former lawyer turned interior designer. She talks with us about switching careers, her commitment to creating a rendering for each project, the inspiration behind her polished and put together style, and how it all practically plays out in her house with twin boys and a puppy.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Trials of dogs breaking into cabinets, expensive inspection results, a rushed backyard construction project, and rocky 50th birthday.

Triumphs of animal print fashion (sorry you are left out camouflage!), good luck in the form of a baby robin’s nest, déja vu, and a beautiful vase.

Tips and tricks to clean the outdoor pillows that won’t leave you spending your whole time scrubbing.

Traci’s path into interior design, and how she knew it was time to leave her career as a lawyer to shift more into her career into interior design.

Dressing for our audience, and why Traci loves it much more now.

Why Taryn believes so much in renderings, and won’t do a project without them.

Organizational practices and systems that help Traci’s home remain polished yet practical with two twin boys and a puppy.

How her lines, although very different, carry a through line of Traci’s voice and style to sit well together.

Creating cohesion with different pieces and why we don’t need to matchy match everything.

How Traci mixed a traditional pattern with lavender trim to take a well received and beautiful bold room.

How Traci describes Southern style and how she applies it to practical living family homes.

The showroom inspired by French Couture and the Christian Dior exhibit.

Traci’s process when taking on a new client, and how she digs in to get a feel for how they live and what they love.

Materials that are best for families and hold up through a lot of wear and tear, and the two products she swears by for ink and stain disasters.

More about her adorable puppy Chloe and the plans for making her crate beautiful, fancy, and stylish using Ballard products.

Show Notes:

@tarynschwartz

Kayla Rose Instagram

Traci Zeller

@tracizeller

Of Rare Origin

Unique

 Amodex

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Designer Lisa Mende returns to the show to talk with us about designing our rooms to the fullest of their potential, and truly creating the home of your dreams. She also shares more about the ins and outs of renovation, her blog The Design Connector, and why design dilemmas are really just opportunities for us to be creative.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

An update on her famous pink sofa, and who else in her household may love it even more than her.

Why functionality is just as important as design, and how Lisa helps her clients use every room to the fullest of their function.

The crazy story of her studio roof leaking, and how it ended up being a blessing in renovation.

Yes, you can both make your home feel like a hotel and have a billiard table in the middle of your living room.

More about her blog, The Design Connector, and how it connects us with the people, products, and places we need to know about in the home design world.

What she loves about her work with Ballard, and how it inspires us to have a reimagined and fresh new look.

The brilliant solution to outdoor couch cushions, and a few of Lisa’s favorites in the outdoor Ballard products including Miles Redd’s collection.

Lisa’s answer to Caroline’s painting question for the ceiling in her soon to be new home.

How to still use neutral colors in a rich way when you may be not ready to commit to a color.

Why design dilemmas are not anything to freak out over but instead are actually great ways for us to be creative problem solvers.

Where one can buy leather or fake leather by the yard.

Lisa’s rules for using either satin or eggshell finish.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Lisa Mende Design

@lisamendedesign

The Design Connector

 Miles  Redd’s  Outdoor  Collection

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Holly Hollingsworth Phillips is a designer and owner of The English Room in Charlotte, North Carolina. We love her bold, colorful, and elegant style and how she mixes tradition of the past with the modern style of today. She talks with us today about how The English Room began, the different projects she has done ranging from super modern to traditional, her love of color, patterns, and layering, and why it’s more than okay to break the rules.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Her work in the world of design from an early age, and how her mother inspired her to develop a passion for all things antique.Ways we can be confident about mixing it up with colors and patterns in our homes.Using art as an accent, and why what’s popular and trendy in the moment isn’t always right for us.How she loves to take antiques and make them modern with a playful twist.How Holly renovated her own home and even got to keep what’s known as “the naughty chair.”Advice on when to shop for antiques, and where to begin bringing them in the home.How she came to be the brand ambassador for Florence Broadhurst.Her opportunity in the fall to do a room in a showhouse as Florence Broadhurst using her new rug collection, furniture, fabric and wallpaper.Her personal use of “crazy” pattern and color.The importance of looking at measurements before you buy anything.How to balance finding great antiques with longevity, even though you know it may not be your forever home.Why a great sofa could (and should) last you several decades. It’s okay to change up your color, and realize it’s the layers and the mix that makes it interesting, rather than matching everything and achieving perfection.How Holly decides what spaces call for drapery vs. Roman shades, and her love of a blackout curtains.Why you may want to rethink painting your nursery yellow.

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Amy Vermillion joins the show to talk about her style that has been described as “comfortably elegant.” We talk about how good design can make your life easier, paint colors, an 80's house she brought into the 21st century, and her love of chandeliers.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

The renovation Amy has done again (and again!) from everything including the porch, office and master bedroom.The rule Amy uses when picking pieces that will be permanent and timeless. Her biggest design pet peeves, and why we should all just do what we love.The polarizing topics of gray, brown furniture, and a glimpse into the custom details she does for her clients.Amy’s love of a chandelier as decorative jewelry for the ceiling.Her description of a true 80’s house (but don’t knock a great wet bar in the den!)What is a scullery, and why would someone who entertains love one?How Amy gets to know her clients so she can design a space that functions for their lifestyleWe talk about the rising popularity of librariesWhat people are doing with their TV’s now that they are getting larger than ever.We talk paint colors and why it's so tricky to give someone a paint recommendationHow to address family photos to make them sleek and beautiful

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Designer Cheryl Luckett joins the show today to talk about form, function, and why we should love a good antique. She shares her background story as a professional dietician turned blogger and talks about pairing multiple fabrics together, where to invest and where to save, and the details people most often overlook.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:Cheryl’s story of working in corporate America for 15 years as a dietician and what led her to a path of design.How to take an antique and make it work to add depth, history, and warmth to a home.More about Cheryl’s experience as a blogger and ways she loves communicating with her clients and followers.What are good pieces to invest in, and where you can save.How we pair two fabrics together, and examples of recent clients where she put it to the test.The details people often overlook, which can help you save time by knowing where your TV remote iThe importance of form and function when creating a cozy yet sleek aesthetic.When you should spend a whole night in your own guest quarters.The essentials of what to put in a guest bathroom and bedroom. Get that plunger ready!Why the smallest knick-knack can have a huge impression on creating a “lived in” feeling in a home.Our love of white towels and pillows with just the right amount of fluff.White towels.Why we should live with something a few days before we make a final verdict on whether we like it or not, or if it works for our home.

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Award-winning decorator Susan Ferrier joins the show today. Known for creating sensuous, atmospheric interiors, Susan created Susan Ferrier Interiors and co-authored the book Art of the House. She talks about how she lights a room while creating drama, creating an architectural rhythm and symmetry in a room, breaking rules, and being bold.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:Why Susan believes the people in the room need to be the pattern.Her creative and explorative use of texture, and strategy of creating shadow with light and darker tones.Her rule of thumb for having a way to read and drink wherever you sit in a room.The two reasons she loves banquettes.How she got into the business, and why she decided to start her own firm, Susan Ferrier Interiors.How she gets inspired by her projects and the ways she digs in to develop a relationship with the people behind every project.How she balances her clients’ with her own personal sense of style and expert quality of being what she refers to as a “visual mathematician”.Which design rules we should be following, and which ones are meant to be broken.The analogy of decorating our homes compared to dressing appropriately for our body type.How we can afford to raise the dynamic design in our kitchens.How Susan challenges the visual aspect of design by combining age with the sleek, modern, and shiny.Susan’s rule for using metals, and if she thinks it will go out of style anytime soon.What we can do to show those 1980’s homes some love and highlight the positive attributHow she lays out a room, and ways we can work with the view to best socialize the spaceHow to not have the price tag displayed on the back of a mirror or painting, and instead have a clean and consistent view.The foundation of creating a good interior for both very large spaces and smaller scale projects.

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Decorator Fran Keenan joins the show this week to discuss her transition from magazine editor at Cottage Living to working with clients, and where she fell in love with the idea of functional and beautiful living. She also talks about how her family influences her work and vice versa, her love of transformation, what colors she currently loves working with most, and the importance of staying true to the personal narrative of the client.

Fran’s background as an editor at Cottage Living, and how that influences her to this very day when working on a design project.What steps Fran took to launch her career as an interior designer, and how it went along with the time in her life where she wanted flexibility to spend time with her family.What Fran loves most about working with homeowners.More about the “alphabet” room, and ways Fran has succeeded from thinking outside of the box.How to not have a boring laundry room — drinks anyone?!Fran’s love of mixing functionality with style and warmth.Her use of earthy colors in a way that still feels fresh and energetic.Creative ways Fran pulls color throughout the house and creates a seamless transition throughout rooms.The rule of thumb when it comes to painting moving objects inside the house.A glimpse into the transformation of her own house, and the hilarious take her kids have on what type of houses she buys.How the design process works when Fran moves into a new house, and the lessons of reprocessing within each change.Mixing high and low. Where Fran splurges, and where she uses Ikea.The use of book shelf displays in a way that coincides with the best use of space.How to safeguard against common issues of creating a “Pretty House Prison”.Starting points for using textiles and patterns to bring both a modern sleekness and primitive warmth to the house.Storage solutions of hooks, baskets and hanging things!

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Stylist, writer, editor and producer Stacy Kunstel swings by to talk about the fun of adding colors, how she works with interior designers, where she finds inspiration as a stylist and why it call comes down to being different in design. She also discusses what’s new in style and what we can expect in a few years, along with her personal favorite trends.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Stacy’s attraction to big colors and patterns, and how she mixes it with the traditional.

Why tradition doesn’t have to be boring - it can be big, bright and graphic.

Color makes people happy!

How Stacy picked the colors in her product line that were both on trend and ones she loved that has stood the test of time.

Stacy’s encouragement to mix lacquer with natural wood.

More about her furniture line, and how it came to be.

Why it’s your personality and point of view that makes the space so special and a feature so interesting.

Why taking some time to sit and organize ideas and visions is a game changer.

What a “drink drop” table is, and why they are so important.

A glimpse into Stacy’s job, and the many skills she needs to have to do her job as a stylist.

Tips for folks on what to leave on their dining room table.

Stacy’s advice to stick to the wedding theme when decorating. Go for something old, new, borrowed and blue.

Stacy’s favorite publications to get style inspiration and ideas.

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Scott Kravet is referred to as the Indiana Jones of the Fabric World. As the Executive Creative Director of Kravet Fabrics, it is his job to travel the world and find the best textile to make the dreams of others come true. Today he joins the show to talk about his family business and passion for fabrics, what he puts in his own personal house, fabric care, and trends in the fabric world.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Trials and Triumphs including roofs, roses, rugs, benches and baby proofing.

How Scott and his team travel all over the world to source out the best textiles.

The wide array of textiles Scott works within the material, design and time period.

The different lines that are in the Kravet line, and how the designer collaborations came to be.

The family story of their passion for fabrics and the vision for generations to come.

Scott’s role of overseeing a team of 45 people at Kravet.

How Scott feels about digital printing, the pros, and the cons, and how it has improved over the years.

A glimpse into the process of knowing how the colors will react to get the effect you want.

A better understanding of getting what you pay for in fabric.

The artwork, textiles, fabrics, and colors Scott uses in his own personal home.

The digital catalog system Scott works with to keep track of hundreds of designs in their projects.

Where Kravet’s mills are all over the world.

Important insider information about rub tests and a performance finish.

What things we should look for in fabric, including the option of slipcovers.

What styles and colors Scott sees trending in the fabric world, and which are fading out.

The elements of scale, color, and motif when working with antique fabric.

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Interior Designer Kate Singer joins the show to talk about her experiences with showhome designs, what she loves to mix to keep classic and traditional design style fresh, creating a sanctuary no matter where you are, and why loving colors (and neutrals!) may be something woven into our DNA.

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This week we talk to the ladies of Pappas Miron, Tatyana and Alexandra, childhood friends and designers that have worked together since 2003. They talk with us about their contemporary and warm styles that mix together to create timeless and comfortable spaces.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

More about Tatyana and Alexandra’s updated traditional and modern eclectic style.

Where their love of contemporary furniture comes from.

How someone that loves a contemporary space can inject more warmth into their space.

The challenges they are solving on a regular basis regarding weird layouts and smaller spaces in New York.

Their creative use of closets, bins, and blanket boxes to provide even more storage for those with children.

The way they encourage their clients to incorporate their warm personal style.

What their individual homes look like, and how they each use texture and mood.

Dark doesn’t always have to be sad and depressing.

Tatyana and Alexandra’s advice for going over the top in a great way with pattern.

The reason they favor curvilinear furniture pieces in their rooms.

Their use of deep rich jewel tone colors for accents, and why we shouldn’t be afraid to embrace the dark.

What really goes into upholstering a room.

The favorite rooms they have ever done!

The upsides of having a partner in design, and yes they do consult each other in their own personal projects.

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This week, we have mother-daughter design duo Ann and Elizabeth Pyne from McMillen Interior Design and Decoration, the oldest interior design firm in the country. They share why we should be fearless in design, the idea behind each room having a thesis, and a glimpse into what it is like to work as a mother-daughter dynamic. They also tell us about the three most important things to think about design wise when purchasing or renting a place, and rules for decorating with an infant.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Why we should be fearless and courageous in our career paths.

An example of what they mean by each room having a thesis.

The differences in Ann and Elizabeth’s design style, and how they complement each other’s range of style to create a fantastic finished product.

You have to deal with the space first, and the client second.

What elements are classic and won’t go out of style, and what Ann and Elizabeth have seen stand the test of time.

Their own individual spaces, and Ann’s description of her 8 totally separate rooms.

McMillen’s reign of over 90 years as a trusted and established interior design firm.

Why we shouldn’t be intimidated by auctions, and how to navigate them in a confident manner.

The give and take Ann and Elizabeth have with their clients and artwork, and how they plan for new and fresh art ideas in a space.

The three most important qualities of any place to live: light, proportions and layout.

You do not have to have expensive things to make your place beautiful, and the Stark rug that changed it all for Ann.

Why we shouldn’t discount the unifying power of a beautiful rug, and some powerful “rug rules” in design.

Decorating with an infant - it can be done!

The classic approaches to design, and why we should invest in pieces that stand the test of time.

How to keep up with the evolution of lighting.

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Renowned interior designer Alexa Hampton has done it all — TV, books, magazines, you name it and Alexa has been featured there. Today, she joins the show to talk about growing up with her  designer father Mark Hampton, the inspiration behind her two books, Decorating in Detail and Language of Interior Design, her recent travels for an upcoming furniture collection, and why there is no room for snobbery in design.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

What has been Alexa’s biggest challenges over the many different collections she has created and titles she juggles.

Alexa’s habit of drawing on a photograph as a low tech and practical way that gave her a “Eureka” moment.

Her father’s designation between a decorator and a designer.

People may not realize how much they really can put in a room.

Alexa’s self-described “rookie mistake” when redoing her bedroom, and the lesson learned in bouncing back after a misstep.

More about Alexa’s trips to Vietnam to check out prototypes for her new furniture collection, and going to Ireland with a group from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art.

How publishing books in the world of decorating is more different than it has ever been.

The point of views from her books The Language of Interior Design and Decorating in Detail.

Design is no place for snobbery, and there is always more to learn, discover and see.

How the fee can grow, but the markup will be scrutinized.

The balance between having a trademark look, and being open to adapting based on the client’s needs.

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This week on the show, we've got design duo Anne Maxwell Foster and Suysel dePedro Cunningham of the design firm Tilton Fenwick. This pattern powerhouse is known for mixing prints and the bold color palettes they work into their clients' homes. In addition to their wallpaper and fabric lines, they're moms, masters of collaboration, and big Ballard fans!

What You'll Hear on the Show:

Why their partnership makes their designs strongerHow Anne and Suysel met and what sparked their initial creative projectsWe talk about their fabric collections for Duralee and what inspires their printsAnne and Suysel tell us about their most recent Duralee collection, inspired by a trip to PortugalWe talk about the design process of their patternsWhy surprising color palettes are their favorite way to refresh vintage printsWhy using a textile collection book can help you if you're intimidated by the volume of fabrics at a design centerHow they mix patterns together and why fabrics are a great place to startWe talk about their own homes and how often they're changing things aroundWhat they learned about their fabric collections and how it changed the direction of their second collectionThe most expensive fabric they've ever used in a project and why they try to keep fabrics 

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Interior designer Jenny Wolf  draws from her clients' personalities when designing a space, and we love the way her spaces feel organic and collected. On the show, we talk editing, collecting, Jenny's new shop, and how to work with a designer on a budget.

What You'll Hear on This Show:

We talk editing and how important it is to your home -- just like in your closetWhy Jenny thinks it's important to be honest with her clients about the pieces they already haveHow her two girls affect her decorating styleJenny tells us about her latest project -- a store in Pound Ridge, New YorkWhat we can expect in her new store and why the project has been serendipitous We talk about decorating her girls' rooms

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As the host of the podcast A Well-Designed Business, LuAnn Nigara is a wealth of knowledge about the business of running and interior design studio, so we wanted to share that valuable information with you! LuAnn is passionate about entrepreneurship and coaching interior designers through the challenges of running their own business. If you're an interior designer with your own shop, this is the episode for you!

What You'll Hear on This Show:

What led LuAnn to starting her podcast, A Well-Designed BusinessWhat separates the most successful interior designers from the rest of the packPillars of running a successful interior design businessWe talk about systems and why you should iron them outWe talk about billing and the challenges of explaining your fee structure

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We kick off today’s episode with some talk about our favorite Super Bowl hosting tips, tricks, and recipes. Then, we are joined by the incredible architect Gil Schafer. Gil shares his love of embracing tradition and memory, why we should pursue our ideas with rigor and clarity, and the importance of moving past our comfort zone. We also talk with Gil about simple design using beautiful materials, collaboration, his work with Miles Redd, and how he makes new places feel as though they have a history.

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Nicki Clendening is known for her eclectic style and ability to incorporate vintage and thrift store treasures into her design projects. Today, she talks about how to weave in old with the new, what she looks for when shopping at flea markets and antique stores, the opening of her design studio Scout Design and online store Beetle, and why blue painters tape should be your best friend. We will also hear some Trials and Triumphs, and get Nicki’s feedback on how to bring a small space together.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Trials and triumphs including new cookbooks, missing plants, cool performance rugs and more

How Nicki’s dreams progressed from being Indiana Jones to working and living in New York, making money doing exactly what she loves to do

What shopping for a client looks like, and if Nicki has ever had buyers remorse

More about Nicki’s design studio, Scout Design

Where she likes to go to shop for both herself and Beetle, and how she finds one of a kind pieces to add to her collection

The inspiration her mom had on her in terms of art, creativity and fashion and her family’s love of global travel and collecting special items from all around the world

Her top picks for flea markets, and the importance of building great relationships with vendors

Functionality is key, along with using the space appropriately based on what your typical activities are (entertaining, reading, pets, etc)

How she came up with her online store, Beetle, and curates what is on the site

A glimpse into her own apartment, right at the top of Central Park

Why we shouldn’t be afraid to paint the ceiling

All about the mix of new and old, whether you own your home or you are renting

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Brian McCarthy is an A-List designer with experience on projects all over the globe. His design projects are clean yet bold, traditional and contemporary with a fantastic eye for picking incredibly gorgeous art. Today, he shares how to create compositions that embrace the bespoke nature of the project, how we can shop for art on a budget, and what to consider when designing a boat. Brian is also the author of Luminous Interiors and Parish-Hadley Tree of Life, which he co-authored with Bunny Williams.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Taryn’s trial which includes Atlanta’s shocking ratistic (rat statistic) and how she and her husband are working to solve it

Caroline’s trial when breaking down her beautiful Christmas tree, leading to possibly the biggest LED light knot, mess and spilled paste mixture in history

Karen’s trial (but she owns being a 60%’er at least) of upholstering the doors in her guest bedroom. However, she made up for it with the best Christmas gift ever to her husband thanks to artist Lacy Freeman

How the idea for Parish-Hadley: Tree of Life came about, which lead to him first writing Luminous Interiors

How he handles clients that “ghost” him, and the reasons why he would possibly turn potential clients down

How Brian’s design creates a joyful scrapbook in people’s lives, to cover the beauty and art that makes up their personal lives

How working with Parish-Hadley informed the unique way he lays out a room

Brian’s tips for creating a composition that works, including why you should never leave home without a folding ruler

The glamorous makeover Brian gave to a storied New York apartment, and his tips to deviating from the expected path of design

How we can shop for art on a budget, and where Brian finds art for his clients

How designing for a yacht differs from designing for a home

The importance of finding a mentor when developing an understanding of cost, and honing in on what art and pieces speak to you

Simple easy ways to refresh your space and continue with maintenance that won’t break the bank

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This week, we are five peas in a podcast with besties and designers Carson Kressley and Thom Filicia. These hilarious gentlemen talk to us about how they met at the gym and eventually became members of the smash show Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, and a sneak peek into their new show Get a Room on Bravo. They also talk about why bad taste is better than no taste, their love of using design to tell a story, and how authenticity is the number one design trend in modern day culture.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

The hilarious story on how Thom and Carson met at the gym

How they auditioned and got picked for Queer Eye, and went on to bond filming over 100 episodes together

Their mutual love for taking on both large budget “dream” projects, and more small affordable DIY’s

The impressive knowledge that there is a difference between draperies and curtains

Thom and Carson’s tips to make a big impact with small places and smaller things

Why we shouldn’t be afraid to mix brands and prices in design, the same way we do with fashion

More about anchor pieces in each room, and why it’s crucial to invest in at least these items

What makes their design show Get a Room unique, and how the show was developed

Carson and Thom’s mission when working with people: to tell their story and bring it out in a beautiful way, and be serious about design while not taking themselves (or life) too seriously

Why your kitchen may be your new living room

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On the first day of the year, we thought it apropos to talk about 2019 color trends, so of course, we went straight to the source - Benjamin Moore's Ellen O'Neill. As the Director of Strategic Design Intelligence, Ellen and her team pick the color of the year. Naturally we had to get the lowdown on how the color is picked, why they chose this year's color, how paint is named, and many more of your top paint and color questions.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Ellen talks through how they pick the color of the year, including what she calls 'color embeds' or when her first hints of what trending colors areWhat type of influences there are in picking the color of the yearEllen's 'personal palette' and why she is drawn to itWe talk about this year's Color of the Year -- Metropolitan AF-690What makes Metropolitan special, why it's the color of the year, and why we should love this hueColor naming -- how the name of a paint color factors into whether it becomes the color of the year, as well as the complications of naming colors in generalWhat is a 'chip pull' and how it changes once the color of the year is announcedWhat the word 'metamaric' means and why that makes matching colors trickyWhy Benjamin Moore hasn't added any new colors in a number of yearsWhether you'll get the same quality and color of paint if you have another paint company color match a Benjamin Moore colorEllen shares with us the top 10 grays in Benjamin Moore's catalogThe secrecy involved in the Color of YearWe talk about the timeline -- when they pick the next year's Color of the YearEllen's background and how one starts to work in colorHow to get started picking a paint color for your space

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Over the course of writing her nine design books, author and design expert Susanna Salk has learned a thing or two about decorating. Today, she joins us to share her journey in becoming a bestselling Design Author, stylist, and host of the Quintessence design series, and (our favorite) Ballard partner. She talks about why it’s fun to be fearless, her new book The Power of Pattern, how to mix and choose combinations that work, ways to use wallpaper and store photos, and how to know when you’ve gone too far.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

How our partnership with Susanna came about organically.How one can mix patterns and choose colors fearlessly.The inspiration behind her new book, The Power of Pattern, and why every pattern featured up close and personal is one that Susanna personally loves.The rules of patterns, and where someone can start if it’s a new concept.Photo storage solutions including having a section in your home to display them, keeping them in an ottoman, and creating an online nostalgia folder.Susanna’s recommendation on what we should display on our mantles.The obsession / labor of love project that Susanna’s husband welcomed in renovating their barn.Yes, you can have a rug in your bathroom!Pattern doesn’t have to be a print, it can also be a texture.Why wallpaper may be your solution for weird ceiling shapes and difficult rooms.How Susanna picks topics for her design series Quintessence.How it came about for Susanna and Stacey Bewkes to create the Quintessence video series, and some of the highlights of their already amazing filming locations.Tip: edit out and only keep what you are in love with.If all else fails - no ugly spoon holders!Susanna’s jewelry and closet rule - if you can’t fit what you have, something must go.Use pictures to guide you and remind you of what you love.

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Lifestyle entrepreneur India joins the podcast to talk about her new book, A Slice of England, in which chronicles the process of decorating her home in England, as well as her other family homes. On the show, we talk about her upbringing into design royalty with iconic designer David Hicks as her father, what being an author, model and entrepreneur has taught her, amazing ways we can decorate without spending a lot of money and her new business model that empowers women.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

A firsthand look at India’s upbringing with her father, iconic designer David Hicks, along with some fun American culture references of his workIndia’s love of storytelling within her brand, books and decorWhy India believes that good taste and design are by no means dependent on moneyWhy she prefers an inclusive and accessible style in design, especially for those of us with families and petsMore about India’s home in Harbour Island, and their intention to take it back in time to the 18th CenturyThe true story that India and her partner David really had only one argument when designing their American FarmhouseHow India works antiques into her home, and expert ways to not be intimidated when mixing traditional and contemporaryWhat makes India’s new home collection so near and dear to her heartHow India’s company is giving women a chance to become ambassadors and work on their own time with a network of other amazing womenThe sunscreen that India swears byWhat room is most special to IndiaHow to keep a coastal home from being clicheThe inspiration behind her book, A Slice of England

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Today we welcome Andrew Cogar, architect for Historical Concepts, and interior designer Kristin Kong! We talk to them about designing and building from the ground up, the balance of architecture and design together and the way the two fields complement each other, what to know when finding an architect or interior designer to work on your home, and some smart tips to help navigate this major investment.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Taryn’s trial in the eyeglass world, and her triumph in seeing the comedian Celeste Barber live.

Yes, you can have Prosecco on tap at your office too.

The ongoing saga of Karen’s basement and her husband’s dream bar.

Caroline’s Christmas Tree trials and triumph, and how to correctly flock your tree to give it that beautiful snow misted look.

How the recession changed the relationship between architects and designers.

The ways architects and designers inspire and complement each other.

What Andrew and his team look for in renovations at Historical Concepts, and why one of their core values is to be “appropriate”.

How Andrew helps steer and educate clients in the direction of quality, skill and proportion.

Why seeing is believing holds true for what both Andrew and Kristin do.

Andrew and Kristin’s expert tips to add an interior designer early on in the project.

The importance of communication and trust in the process of both renovation and design.

Why the challenges that arise between architects and designers can actually be an opening for better dialog and a stronger partnership.

Personal stories from both Kristin and Andrew on some of the projects they are most proud of.

How both Andrew and Kristin weave in trends but still keep the integrity and lifestyle needs of the project.

Why it’s important to have a master plan, no matter how small the project is.

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Today we welcome Chip and Pauli Wade! You probably know Chip from the hundreds of episodes from the 14 shows he has been on during his impressive 12 year (and climbing) TV career so far. At just over 1,500 renovations in the past 12 years, he is always learning and pushing the envelope and loves seeing projects go from start to finish. We talk about Chip and Pauli’s partnership in all things work and personal life, how to discern between entertainment and real life renovation, how to plan and invest in design and decor correctly, and when we should embark on a DIY project vs. outsource to a professional, and how he is changing the dynamic of how the digital purchasing experience for both individuals and brands.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

The way Chip fell into TV, starting out previously as a structural engineer.Real life in the fast paced crazy environment twist of Chip’s shows, including over 1,500 renovations in the past 12 years.How Chip and Pauli met, fell in love and became partners and cheerleaders for each other both in romantic and business life.What Chip feels is the most challenging in decorating and design, and despite what you think, it's not making things look good!Who makes up all of Chip and Pauli's team, and why each and every role is pivotal to help homeowners make all the right choices along the way.The biggest problems of e-commerce and online retail when it comes to curated confidence.Why something functioning correctly in a room or house is more important than having it just because it was featured on TV or the front page of an editorial spread.>The type of approach Chip uses when working with first time and potential clients to craft a concept of what is most suitable for their needs.Why most of us are doing master bedroom design completely wrong, and how we can remedy it.Little tweaks in our storage, layout, and function that can save us thousands of dollars and square footage of space.Chips love of multipurpose function.Some DIY projects that have spiraled out of control, both from us and Chip and Pauli.As much as he (and we) love DIY, we hear Chip’s top recommendations on when to outsource to a professional.Chip's new multipurpose and multifunctional furniture line, Xtraroom. 

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Design superstar and podcast fan favorite Bunny Williams joins us to talk about her new studio and creative getaway, her new upholstery collection, how to change a room with a simple few statement pieces, and a whole Living Room 101 lesson.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Bunny's new office that is adjacent to her home and how she converted a four bedroom house into one giant room with a beautiful viewA glimpse into her busy New York office and how she finds time and space to get inspiredHer new book “Affairs with Other Houses” due in the springHow Bunny Williams Home started 10 years ago, built out of a need for certain products for Bunny’s design projects and how it grew into upholstery, lighting and accessoriesThe optimum size and height of a drink table and why no guest should ever be without a place to set their drinksThe addition of modern fixtures in a traditional home and the ability to mix contemporary with antiqueBunny’s tips for organizing things by groups to create an interesting statementBreak up the finishes, textures and colors so each piece stands out on it’s ownHow to know what brown furniture to keep as is and which to paintWhy pieces should move around throughout the house over time, even as your tastes changeWhy we should invest in wonderful furniture pieces as a lifetime purchaseWhy the furniture has to fit the scale and proportions of the room it is going in, so you may want to opt for the 7 foot couch vs the 9 foot couchHer new upholstery collection, including a scallop backed sofa, chairs and casegoodsThe origin of the name of 'slipper chairs'Raffia as a great way to provide a clean and streamlined texture to a roomLighting options including standing lamps, and lighting fixtures on an end tableWhy your collection of items should be personal to you and not something you have someone else purchase just to fill the roomHow studying magazines will give you the confidence to make decisions in your own home

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Today, Bradley Odom joins in to share his background in retail and interior design, the inspiration for his iconic store Dixon Rye, and how he is shaking up the home styling industry. He also discusses the mix of raw and refined, the importance of scale and ways we can make our space well curated and uniquely personal.

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Today's guest hails from the music city! We loved chatting with interior designer Kendall Simmons, who talks the Nashville scene, her mix of fun and spunky with timeless pieces to create her own signature style, and why our home should be unique to us - no matter what our mothers may think.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

When looking for new a new lamp, bring yours physically in to the store so you can make sure the shade fits perfectlyCaroline’s recent find in New Orleans, Nadine Blake, and what items she feels shouldn’t be missedThe super important steps to take when you have the feeling of wanting to throw everything out in your houseKendall's journey from Kentucky, to New York, to back south in NashvilleKendall’s work with Campion Platt, and how it helped inspire her to blend modern elements with classic buildingsHow Kendall developed her own aesthetic and continues to keep developing and growing her tastes and proclivitiesKendall’s own personal projects in Nashville, including a loft in a converted factory building, and short term rentalWhy her beautifully designed short term rental is so popularEven if you don’t have a huge budget, Kendall feels it’s very important to have as many local art pieces as you canKendall’s “no rules” rules for gallery walls and her favorite artists for you to Google right awayHow Kendall uses spatial and verbal descriptions when working with clients to help them understand the impact their decor choices will have on the roomThe perfect condition for having different color trims and themes throughout the houseThe criteria for painting a room dark and what to expect when you paint it in high glossKendall and her husband’s commitment to travel and some of the interesting life perspective they have learned along the wayKendall's advice for what to collect on your travelsHer top three shopping spots in the entire worldKendall’s top secret insider information about flea markets in ParisThe weirdest things Kendall has bought throughout her travels, and what landed her to get questioned in the airport security lineKendall’s high / low mix that allows for her clients to stay within their budget, yet splurge on some forever pieces

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Robert Leleux joins us for a lively episode where he shares his journey into design and decorating, a sneak peek into his upcoming Southern Style Now Festival and Showhouse, what we should splurge and save on, why we should give our money to people making things with their hands, and how often one should change their sheets.

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Lucy Bamman, Market Editor for Hearst Magazines ELLE Decor, Veranda and House Beautiful believes that there is something for everyone in design and decor, and part of the fun is the journey that comes along with finding it. Lucy talks with us about her role as a Market Editor, and how she got into it, what trends she is into now and how she keeps feelers open for what’s good at all times, but also is very specific about what find will work best with what publication.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

What exactly a Market Editor is, and why you can thank them for featuring the best and most unique products, ideas and trendsThe pressure (and fun) that comes with a job like Lucy’s, and what she appreciates most about sourcing for three very esteemed yet different publications and readershipsThe differentiators between her three titles at ELLE Decor, Veranda and House BeautifulThe amazing locations Lucy gets to visit on behalf of work, including Paris, Milan, and Los AngelesThe latest trends Lucy is seeing now, including moving from brass to more natural materials such as wicker and straw, and interesting color patterns and choicesHow she edits her own home when she constantly has so much input and information flying her way, and how she brings in her love of textiles in her own decoratingWhy Lucy urges us not to fear color and bold choices. Even if you turn a sofa and put it on another wall, or change the paint or throw pillows, you can completely change the whole mood and make it as sophisticated or funky as you wantHer background and education, and how she learned her practicals from Richard Keith LanghamLucy’s experience with Keith teaching her to know her colors, think like a true designer, and not be afraid to mix it all up and have funHow Lucy’s job at One Kings Lane set her up for editing and spritzing in beautiful vintage pieces to demonstrate the beauty of collecting pieces over timeTips for small spaces including the use of lower shelves under coffee tablesHow to be your own Market Editor when you don’t necessarily have the house to decorate in quite yetHow to know when to refurbish, and when to do away with the old for something new

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Chances are you have seen our guest Libby Langdon’s work on HGTV and The Today Show and in all of your favorite magazines — House Beautiful, Traditional Homes, and Better Homes and Gardens. We talk with Libby about her trifecta of combining product design, client work, and media and injecting them all into everything she does. She also spills behind the scenes secrets of makeover TV shows, how she learned to install a house in one day, and why she believes that the way you feel about your home reflects every aspect of your life.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Libby’s background of growing up in High Point, North Carolina, the furniture mecca of the world. Her parents were both in the furniture and textile industry, so Libby learned design from all angles at a young ageLibby’s journey from modeling and fashion to hosting FOX Makeover TV show, Design InvasionThe common threads Libby noticed in many homes as a universal struggle including awkward furniture layout and bad lightingThe value of learning to install a house in one day, and how to design for the look that the homeowner desires.Libby’s hilarious behind the scenes moments of Design Invasion where she surprised unsuspecting people early in the morning to completely transform their house in one dayLibby’s passion for skills cooking and event planning, and how she balances that with her busy acting and interior design careersThe common concern of clients that they will grow tire of a certain color, and how Libby walks them through picking colors that will stand the test of timeHow a painting of a goldfish inspired an entire one-day home makeoverHer Rumson, NJ project that was featured in House BeautifulSome of Libby’s favorite moments from her work on makeover television showsThe blending of exterior and interior design, and how we can mix and match indoor and outdoor products in designLibby’s love of a Trellis printHer hands-on approach to design and creation, rather than white labeling and putting her name on products already createdWhat Libby is designing now in her partnership with Kas Rugs, and when we can expect it to be ready on the marketThe ways that Libby introduces her clients to the world of lighting and lamps, and some practical tips to get our lighting on point using dimmers, appropriate wattage and remote controlsDecorating for small spaces, and why leaving space white may not be the best answerThe benefits of living with less, and why smaller spaces have many luxurious benefits. We can also learn more with her new book, Small Space Solutions

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Chances are you have seen our guest Libby Langdon’s work in all of your favorite magazines. Libby has been featured in House Beautiful, Traditional Homes, Better Homes and Gardens, and has been on HGTV and The Today Show. We talk with Libby about her trifecta of combining product design, client work, and media and injecting them all into everything she does. She also spills some secrets of behind the scenes screws of makeover TV shows, how she learned to install a house in one day. Libby believes that the way you feel about your home reflects every aspect of your life, and is here to teach us how to give our home a big hug with real life solutions and inspired decorations.

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Kevin Isbell joins us today for a round of Would You Rather? -- Decorating Edition. We also chat about adding texture and soul into a modern home, Kevin’s superpower of using strong color in subtle ways, decorating pet peeves, and his recent Nantucket cottage project featured in House Beautiful. It is apparent that Kevin loves what he does, and is deeply passionate about the craft behind design.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Why a large enough rug is crucial for a well balanced feel within a roomKevin’s fondness for antique and vintage pieces that have a story to tell and that add texture and warmth to the roomWhy Kevin would never do away with accessories and little trinkets that we pick up along the way of experiences and travelThe little accessories that push home design from “nice” to the “wow” factorWhy even the ugliest of chairs have the possibility to be beautifulHow Kevin got into design, playing around with the late 80’s trends of color blockingHow a background in business and business management helps set you up for running a successful career in interior design. Kevin combined the desire from his parents for him to get a business background, and his own love of architecture and designThe difference of furnishing vs decorating a homeKevin’s cross country adventure from San Francisco to New York in 2001Kevin’s house in Nantucket recently featured in House Beautiful, and how he maintained the basic structure in the house while completely changing the decorFacts on Nantucket’s global industry that inspired Kevin’s choices when picking decor and accentsHow he combines his old-soul and craftsman mentality with modern day social media. Kevin’s time lapse videos on Instagram are works of art themselves, and give another personal touch to his projects.How Kevin revamped a timeless Greenwich, Connecticut home, and made it approachable and livable with the beauty of a showhomeThe balance of high, low and knowing when to invest compared to when to hold back and save moneyKevin’s use of strong color in a subtle ways and how he mixes several colors in one room, and how Kevin changes color usage depending on geographic location and settingThe real commitment needed to really go all in on a pop of color, and why accent rooms shouldn’t be just one colorful piece in a neutral roomKevin’s choice of Ballard’s Original Office Collection for his workspace

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Elizabeth Bauer joins us today to share her story on how a passion for flea markets and shopping to repurpose led to a career design and a successful shop in the West Village of New York. She talks about the importance of “getting the bones right” of a home upon first moving in, how to make the most of small spaces, and decorating a seaside and vacation home in a playful and sophisticated way. We take listener questions on sprucing up long hallways,  painting vs renovating, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to mix and match whites!

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

The story of how Elizabeth opened her store and started her business in Greenwich Village 2008How she decides what she picks when shopping to repurpose, and the trends she is looking for now when she hunts and gathersElizabeth’s featured work in House Beautiful in March 2017, featuring stunning de Gournay wallpaper, painted floors, high-gloss aqua lacquer, and French Bistro bar stoolsThe proper prep work to paint, why lacquer costs so much and Elizabeth’s choice of tone and color palette when painting wood floorsDesigning for clients with children, and the way Elizabeth’s own design has changed now that she has a family. Elizabeth believes in using (and enjoying) her furnitureElizabeth’s tips on how to put those ugly chair and couch arm covers to good useHow to embrace and work with having a large television in your homeHow to compromise design and style with the husband happiness factorThe opportunity to create a luxurious space in a small apartment or studio, and why Elizabeth believes a small space can create an amazing feel, whether it’s layered, bright and colorful or tranquil and simpleElizabeth’s home in Nantucket, and how she plays up the nautical and New England themeThe solution to matching whites, and why different whites isn’t something to fret over

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This week we are joined by the very talented Katie Lydon. Originally from London, Katie founded her downtown New York interior design firm in 2002. Katie has been featured in House Beautiful, Elle Decor, The New York Times, and Metropolitan Home. We talk with Katie about her love of color, her recent work with longtime client, author and podcaster Gretchen Rubin, and plans for the renovation of her home. We also speak with Katie about her favorite part of the design process, and ways to inject personality whether you are going for a contemporary, modern or classic look.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

How Katie got into the design fieldKatie’s work with longtime client Gretchen Rubin, featured in the April issue of House BeautifulHer love for Gretchen’s design confidence and bold yet elegant choicesThe return of purple in editorial, and how to use the color purple to create a certain mood in the homeThe similarities between her work in Gretchen’s home and an English countryside room in decor, molding, bookcases, and abundance of seatingSome practical tips and tricks of furniture arrangement, seating options and creating intimacy in a large spaceKatie’s editing and simplicity in both contemporary and traditional spaces, and her method of letting the people bring the majority of the character and personality into the spaceKatie’s plans to renovate her own home, including updating the loft with central AC, new kitchen area and mud roomHow to pick fixtures and finishes in your kitchen that will stand the test of time and last through trendsHow to cover the basics yet push the envelope when designing a home for a familyThe importance of living in a space before renovating itKatie’s design pet peeves, and why she may move tables at your home while you aren’t lookingThe differences between English design and American design, and where Katie draws her inspiration from within each of them

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In this episode we are joined with Tori Mellott, Senior Design and Markets Editor for Traditional Home Magazine. We talk trends with Tori from her recent trip at High Point Market, her background and where her love of design emerged from, some fun behind the scenes stories from her career in magazines, the roles and responsibilities of a Markets Editor and why we all feel that it’s impossible to have too many chairs.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

How Tori has had the energy and stamina to move (and decorate) 26 times.

A trends recap from Tori’s recent High Point Market Trip from all of the latest in designers and furniture manufacturers. Tori mentions the resurgence of canopy beds, traditional stylings, groovy 1970’s lighting, millennial pink, delicate silhouettes, and things just being pretty.

Tori’s love for auction shopping, specifically for occasional chairs for both herself and her loved ones.

Tori’s travel tips for roaming unencumbered.

The growing trend of bright yellow in home decor, and Tori’s closet.

The responsibilities and duties of a Markets Editor.

When Tori sees something that she wants, she waits on it. If she is still wanting it after one year, she knows it’s the real deal.

Why it’s important to know your audience when pitching a magazine editor.

Tori’s very own real life personal version of The Devil Wears Prada during an internship at NYU, and how it led to an internship at HomeStyle Magazine.

Caroline’s amazing memory when it comes to designer and pictorials.

Her personal side project of helping her sister decorate.

How to know when to splurge, and when to save, on interior design.

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This week we travel to New York to catch up with interior designer Philip Mitchell and his very cute dogs. Philip is based in New York and Toronto, and has been featured in Traditional Home, House and Home Magazine and Canada’s Style at Home Magazine. We talk with him about his beautiful captain’s house in Nova Scotia, his approach to restoration, fun and affordable ways to add texture and details, and the art of mixing historic with contemporary and modern comfort.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

How he and his husband ended up falling in love with Nova Scotia, and purchasing and restoring a 1795 captain’s house in a beautiful Seaside VillageHis love and respect for historic homes, and inspiration to maintain the integrity and sentiment of the original home during the restoration processHow they found an incredible contractor to renovate their home with an artisan yet liveable approach.The differences between current New York and Canada interior design trends and lifestylesA fun “this or that” word game where we put Philip to the test of some of his favorite things including textures, finishings, patterns, panel molding and storage optionsWhy you shouldn’t be afraid to reuse what you already have, and take your drapery with you when moving outIn interior design - if you love it, you can incorporate itPhilip’s attitude towards furniture and pieces is to not focus on perfection, but comfort and the beauty within the story.What Philip means when he says he is “big on appropriateness”How to have the big talk with your partner about painting the wood in a roomPhilip’s journey into interior design through growing up surrounded by women that appreciated a beautifully furnished home and environmentHis participation with the 2018 Kips Bay Show House to benefit the Kips Bay Boys and Girls Club charityWhat Philip personally collects throughout his own travels and personal experiences

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We love seeing the way interior designers use our products in their client's spaces, and that's precisely how we found interior designer Whitney Durham. Plus, her home is featured in the Summer 2018 issue of Atlanta Magazine HOME. We talk to her about how she decorates with two rowdy boys at home, her love of original art, and the dreaded over-the-mantel television dilemma.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Whitney tells us how she started her design businessWe talk about decorating with kidsWe talk rugs and rug pags and why indoor/outdoor rugs are a staple for spaces Whitney designs for her clientsWhy animal prints are a neutralHow Whitney likes to treat television in her own home and her clients' spacesWhy she typically chooses neutral paint colors in her roomsWhitney's love of art and why it's so important to a space

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This week we go to New York to catch up with Miles Redd, and his design partner in crime David Kaihoi. Miles has been featured in Vogue, W, House Beautiful, Architectural Digest and now he brings his one of a kind style to outdoor furniture at Ballard Designs. We talk with Miles and David about the inspiration behind the new collection, which offers beautifully designed quality pieces that look expensive and high end but are affordable and functional.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Decorating should be fun, and not a source of stress or pressure.How Miles and David overcome a creative dry spell or artistic lull and get in touch with their inspirationThe importance of feasting your eyes on beautiful homes to gather ideas, even if it’s just on vacationWhat it’s like to see things again with wonder and newness from the fresh eye of childrenThe role of performance fabrics and durability in a home with kidsThe balance of giving their younger clients what they want between what is functional and makes the most senseTheir new self storing cushion chair in the outdoor furniture collection blends stunning aesthetic with practical usage.Their special dining room tables that feature options and versatilityThe colors and materials that they love enough to bring in to their new office,Their work with Housing Works and Design on a Dime to help people get back on their feet and feel comfortable in societyTheir special theme of color and wallpaper for the booth this year, and their inspiration behind itA quick and easy way to decorate using wall sculpturesHow Miles switches from designing for clients and interior design to product development and designMiles and David’s propensity for adding in ebony or chalky white furniture to add an elegant and high end touch

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Atlanta designer Lauren DeLoach caught our eye at the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Southeastern Designer Showhouse, so we were super excited to have her on today’s episode. She talks with us about why she loves brown furniture, why she uses a check in almost every room, tips on how to decorate bookshelves, and family-friendly design ideas.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

The room that she featured at the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Southeastern Designer Showhouse was one of the most coveted of the dayIdeas to create a balanced and yet lived in look for built-Ins and bookshelves, and what to do when the books you actually love to read don’t fit your color schemeHow the rule of three also applies to colorHer love for using brown furniture and antiques to add layers and history to a homeThe tricks a camera plays in photoshoots, and a sneak peek of what really happens behind the scenes of a shoot Lauren’s insider recommendations for having a kid-friendly yet beautifully decorated houseThe helpful way to add a pop of color and fun with buffalo and gingham checksThe general rule of thumb to measure your rug so you aren’t living on an empty rug islandHer favorite cream paint color and which paint finishes belong on which surfaces

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We hear what keeps award-winning interior designer Suzanne Kasler so busy, and the inspiration behind her new wicker Southport Collection. We talk about her love for pink, modern trends, guilty pleasures and much more.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

How Suzanne stays relevant in the industry and fresh in her approach through travel, shopping and educationThe more inspired you are, the more it seeps into your client workThe release of Suzanne’s new book Sophisticated Simplicity and her newsletter InspiredHow Suzanne picks certain projects to publish and her approach to photographing her book with designers, stylists and photographersHer go-to accessories for photoshoots and why she keeps them indigenous to the areaHow Suzanne uses lamp slips to create a look of proportion and layeringThe trends of darker walls and wall coverings is something Suzanne is now seeing in every room of the houseThe backstory of Suzanne’s Southport collection and how a daybed in a flea market in Paris was her muse in creating the collectionThe difference between wicker and rattan and why you should have a piece in your homeThe timeline of her purchases to when it is available for purchase as part of a collectionThe mix of pieces and styles that go into her Paris Apartment collection for Hickory Chair, and why Paris is one of her top choices of cities to shopWhy she is in the “thinking pink” zonePetite chairs and why Suzanne is always on the hunt for a great oneThe new flagship store opening in Atlanta is coming soon, so check the website for grand opening event details

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With Spring in the air, we thought we'd talk about our outdoor spaces. They're just as important as your indoor spaces, but for many of us, knowing what to do with them can be a challenge. Atlanta landscape architects Spencer Tunnell and Will McDonald of Tunnell & Tunnell Landscape Architecture stopped by to talk about when we need to call a professional, how to add a little curb appeal to your space, why non-native plants aren't a smart choice in many cases, and much more.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We talk about Curb Appeal and how it isn't so different from interior designI talk about my backyard project and the wild hair got to tear it all upKaren wants turf in her yard. We ask Spencer and Will their thoughts.Taryn asks about why and how you can choose plants that will bloom year roundWe talk about when you should hire a pro to help you and when you can do it yourselfWe talk about consultations and how a professional could help you make a master plan for your property that you could fulfill over timeTaryn talks about her experience splitting plants and her neighbor who's helped her learned what'll work in her yardWe ask Will and Spencer about their favorite plantsWe talk about goats and how you can use them to rid your yard of invasive speciesWhy it's dangerous to plant non-native plantsTaryn wants to know about all of the pine trees in her yard

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Almost a year ago Atlanta interior designers Julie Montgomery and Michele Gratch joined forces to create Montgomery Gratch Interiors. We loved hearing about how their unique strengths compliment and challenge each other. We talk family homes, renovations, the fifth wall, and much more.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

They tell us about how they joined their firms and how their individual strengths work togetherWhy you shouldn't wait to decorate until your kids are older and how to make your home kid-friendly and beautifulWhy it's important to consider how you live in your home before starting the decorating processHow to approach your home with a fresh eyeWe talk about showhouses, why they're fun, why they're a great place to learn about decorating, and why you should check one out in your townHow Michele and Julie bring that layered, collected look into your roomWe talk about a friend of Julie and Michelle's who does a bus tour of great shopping placesWhy it's absolutely crucial to make a floorplan and to measure before buying anythingKaren asks Michelle and Julie for tips on how to encourage dinner party guests to use her living roomThoughts on decorating outdoor spaces, especially the dilemma of keeping cushions clean and pollen-freeWe talk about renovations -- kitchen trends, how to make an impact on the ceiling, and moreMichelle and Julie tell us about their client who has a wine bar in her closet

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This past Fall, Karen met antique dealer Shane Robuck of Robuck & Co on a buying trip to Europe, and we couldn't pass up the opportunity to chat with him about antiques, travel, and his love of furniture. Shane travels the world looking for the most beautiful curiosities and furniture pieces and sells them in his shop in Atlanta.

Shane tells us about his love of Italy and his favorite cities for finding the best piecesShane tells us about how he started buying antiques and who helped him educate his eyeThe guiding principal he uses to buy pieces -- gauging with your heart and buying what you loveWe talk about why the millennial generation doesn't buying as many antiquesShane gives us a quick lesson on antiques from various countriesShane tells us the story of buying his tufted sofa with adjustable armsHe tells us what types of antiques are currently trending in his shopTaryn asks about tips about shopping for antiques in a shopWe talk about negotiating and what's a fair price to offer

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Atlanta interior designer and owner of Verde Home on the Upper Westside Laura Walker Baird joins the podcast to talk about antiquing overseas, why Europeans rarely hire designers, and her own major home renovation.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We talk about purging -- what's worth keeping and what needs to be tossedLaura tells us about her time abroad shopping for antiquesWe hear about Laura's bedroom -- mauve with green carpetShe talks about why she wasn't really an interior designer when she lived in ItalyLaura tells us about the proper Italian way to eat spaghettiThe most common issue Laura's clients deal withTaryn asks Laura about her favorite design eraWe talk about getting pieces custom madeLaura talks about accessorizing an unused room in her client's home to make it functional We talk about how to make your dining room more inviting so you'll actually use itLaura tells us about her home renovation which she's recently finished

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Design blogger and interior designer Paloma Contreras stopped by the podcast while in Atlanta to talk about her upcoming book, the ten year anniversary of her blog, and how important it is to enjoy living in your home.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We talk about Remodelista’s 2018 trendsPaloma tells us about her upcoming book publishing in Fall 2018We talk about the difference between finding inspiration and executing a room design based on that inspirationWe ask Paloma about what she’s had to talk clients out ofHow do we incorporate trends without falling victim to those trendsPaloma talks trends and her ‘oops’ momentWhy Paloma is so glad classic rooms are having a big moment in designHow La Dolce Vita got started and eventually evolved into a full service design businessPaloma tells us about her design style and ‘hero fabrics’Why it’s easy for us to incorporate bold patterns and colors into the rooms of the catalog, but how we know most people are going to order something more subduedPaloma talks about the process of writing a book and how important it was to schedule blocks of time to writeWhy it’s important to know how to live and love in your homeThe biggest faux pas as a dinner party guestPaloma’s favorite ways to inject personality into your home – travel souvenirs and colorHoles in your décor – should you wait to fill a blank space until you find something perfect or do you add in something inexpensive and temporary?Taryn and Karen ask for Paloma’s suggestions to replace their juju hats

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