How To Decorate

Today we’re catching up with this month’s trials and triumphs. Taryn is finally moving into The Schwartz House, which many of you have been following on Instagram. But…is it ready? Plus, we hear about Liz’s new kitchen renovation plans which include many upgrades but most importantly a dishwasher. Finally, Caroline tells us why she really wants to build a fence to complete the vision for her home. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: Taryn’s moving day is FINALLY here….during a heat wave! From stair railings to bathrooms, to fireplaces, and more; the finishing touches are almost complete in The Schwartz House. What is the update on The Purple Dining Room? The Schwartz House’s kitchen has come together with green and brass and other perfections. Liz has the first set of architectural plans for renovating the kitchen in her 1930s home to include a butler’s pantry, extra shelves, a dishwasher, and more! Caroline really, really, REALLY wants to build a fence. Did Liz try to buy Caroline’s house or was there

Today we are joined by Jenna Gross. Jenna is the founder of Colordrunk Designs here in Atlanta. Jenna grew up in the design business spending countless hours surrounded by textiles at her family's antique and upholstery shops. After working in the fashion industry with Marc Jacobs, Jenna turned her attention to interior design. Today she serves up masterful mixes of pattern and color concocting designs that are refreshing from start to finish. Jenna gives us all of her tips on creating a finished look in a room; everything from drapery, lighting, rugs, and–you guessed it–color! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: What sets designer rooms apart from DIY rooms? What timeline should people expect to achieve a fully finished look? Jenna’s tips for choosing and hanging drapery. How to get your lighting just right using different layers, lamps, and even can lights! When to have pairs and when to have singles when you decorate. Jenna’s advice for getting a rug that’s just right for the space in terms of size, t

We are joined today by Dallas-based designer Ginger Curtis of Urbanology Designs. Ginger is passionate about helping others elevate their home’s beauty, comfort, and function to create a stunning design. She has appeared in over 100 magazines and digital publications, as well as several TV & radio shows and podcasts. Her new book Beauty by Design is available now nationwide. Most recently Ginger was recognized as the winner of HGTV’s Designer of the Year award for her tiny home transformation. We talk about the details of that project as well as other tips and tricks for designing a small space, Ginger’s inspiring personal journey, and more! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: Ginger discusses the origin of the tiny home project that won her the HGTV award. Multi-use function is a key element when designing for a small space. Is symmetry important for a small space? Sharp corners will not be your friend; lean into relaxed and more rounded items. Artwork can be used to create balance. How to know when to

Today we are thrilled to welcome Georgia-native Brandon Ingram to the show. Brandon is a Georgia Tech alum and two-time winner of the prestigious Philip Shutze Award for Excellence in Classical Design from the Institute of Classical Architecture and Art (ICAA). In 2012 he founded C. Brandon Ingram design; a full-service residential design firm specializing in custom homes, renovations, and architectural interiors. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Southern Living, House Beautiful, Traditional Home, and more. Brandon has a special ability to craft homes that are rooted in history but also unique and of their time. He flawlessly weaves a sense of charm and familiarity through his use of subtle details. Brandon shares with us his best advice for giving a new build charm and character. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: Brandon fell in love with classical architecture as a child in South Georgia. Why Brandon advises clients to dig into their feelings and nostalgia when searching for a desig

This week we're catching up with our trials and triumphs of the month. Thanks to an email from our listener Judith, we decided to talk about some of the Ballard Designs products we love! We talk about many products and how we style and customize them; from bedding to sofas to lighting and more. Plus, Taryn gives us an update on The Schwartz House…which is almost done! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How Caroline and Taryn customized their Brie Channel Bed and why Liz wants one! Why we love our different bedding options and how we care for them. Caroline loves our towels; especially the Suzanne Kasler Trimmed Towels, but Taryn is still on a mission for the perfect ones. What Taryn likes about her new Suzanne Kasler Mathes sofa and her standby Sofia sofa. Liz is asking the big question; sectional or no sectional? Why the Hartwell Sofa may fit better under a window. The Connelly Bench is great for additional seating and an easy piece to customize the fabric. Caroline sold Taryn on Nala Stool. It’s a g

We are so excited to welcome Andrea Monath Schumacher to the show. Andrea is an interior designer based out of Denver, Colorado. Her experience ranges from commercial and residential spaces, as well as set design for television at Days of Our Lives and Columbia Pictures. Her design style is heavily influenced by travel and emotion which is laced throughout her debut book Vibrant Interiors: Living Large at Home. She was named House Beautiful‘s Next Wave Designer and she’s also been featured in Architectural Digest, Veranda, and more. Today we talk about injecting personality into our interiors and how to tell a story with design. Andrea talks about how she taps into emotions to make a space feel warm, cozy, and inviting so her clients and guests can feel welcome to share their stories. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: Andrea talks about her childhood and travels as the daughter of a virologist. What does Andrea mean by “storytelling your interior”? Why Andrea loves using conversation starters in her desig

We are thrilled to welcome Chicago-based interior designer Summer Thornton to the show. Her work has appeared in Architectural Digest, ELLE Decor, House Beautiful, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times, as well as on the recent cover of Veranda. Her style is described as maximalist with a modern sensibility, whimsical textiles, bold art, and surprising patterns. She also wrote a fabulous and fun new book called Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating. We talk all about Summer’s fantastic use of colors, how to break the rules, and how if you really love something it’s never “too much”! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: We talk about how much we all love Summer’s coffee table book Wonderland: Adventures in Decorating. Why Summer loves using her dining room table as a “stage” when entertaining. How does Summer account for having two young children when designing? What are Summer’s guidelines for coming up with a color scheme? How you can break the color rules of a color palette and make it work. Su

We are so excited to cover a topic that we get asked about a lot – how to design and decorate kid spaces! Our guest today, Pebbles Nix, is an Atlanta-based interior designer and founder of Pebbles Nix Interiors. Pebbles has built her business on repeat customers like young families who need more space, empty nesters who are downsizing, and vacation homes for special family gatherings. Her work has been featured in Better Homes & Gardens, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle, Charlotte Magazine, and more. We talk about leaning into performance fabrics, not waiting to invest in design when kids are grown, how to keep those toys organized, and so much more! If you have children (or even if you’re a kid at heart!), this episode is definitely for you. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How you can still design the way you want and work around to make it “kid-friendly”. In the end, it’s always worth investing in beautiful and high-end pieces even with little kids. Diving into the different options for performance fabrics.

Today we are excited to be starting something new! Over the years we’ve heard from those of you who love our Trials & Triumphs. And those who… don’t. So we have decided to introduce a series of episodes that will only include our Trials & Triumph, as well as episodes that will only include interviews with our guests. This empowers you, the listener, to choose to listen to what you want; either or both formats. We value your feedback, so please let us know what you think! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: What outdoor projects Caroline has been doing; some inspired by our episode with Carmen Johnston and her faux boxwood planter tutorial. Caroline has revamped her outdoor dining table with succulents and also repainted her front door… again. Apparently, Taryn, Caroline, and Liz all have interesting color choices – especially when it comes to green. How Caroline’s roses from Antique Rose Emporium are doing and how she inspired Taryn to do her own. Liz has hired an architect to remodel her kitchen and what

On today’s show, we welcome Massachusetts-based designer Katie Rosenfeld. Katie’s design style can be summed up as happy, family-friendly, and approachable. Katie’s ability to approach traditional design in an unexpected way makes her stand out. She blurs the lines between classic and modern with bits of quirky added for good measure. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, New England Home, HGTV Magazine, and House Beautiful. Katie will also be launching a new line of bathroom vanities called Vanity & Co later this year. We discuss with Katie what her tips are to modernize a traditional look, which designs are on trend and which are classics, where she uses chintz, why she doesn’t like the term Grandmillenial, and so much more!  What You’ll Hear on This Episode: What does traditional with a twist mean to Katie and what are tips to modernize? Is floral trendy or timeless? How to avoid falling into trendy furnishing traps. Where does Katie’s love of traditional design come from? How geography

We are delighted to welcome Atlanta-based interior designer Emily Wyatt, of Wyatt Designs, to the show. Emily’s designs are fresh yet classic, and her signature strength is her ability to achieve these results while working within her clients’ budgets. We get candid with Emily about all the ins and outs of hiring an interior designer in order to demystify the process. We talk about everything from costs, to timelines, to how to get started, and much more. If you’re feeling intimidated about hiring an interior designer or just want to learn more, you’ll want to tune in to our conversation with Emily. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: What is the first step when thinking of hiring an interior designer? Which credentials, if any, should someone look for in an interior designer? Which red flags to look out for. Why individual chemistry is so important when matching with a designer. Why there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to hiring a designer. Why it’s crucial to define your own needs before you beg

We are so excited to welcome Georgian native, Carmen Johnston of Carmen Johnston Gardens. If you’re on TikTok, you’ve likely seen Carmen’s helpful tips & tricks for gardening. She is known for her attention to aesthetics and the creation of stunning outdoor spaces, while taking function and lifestyle into consideration. Coming soon in 2022, Carmen will continue her role for HGTV as their Outdoor Living Designer & On-Camera Expert. We chat about landscape design, include some questions from listeners (and ourselves!), and hear SO many tips and tricks about all things garden. You’ll definitely want to take some notes and get planting after this episode! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How to use Ballard’s faux boxwood planter fillers in a brand new way. What does it mean to “top dress” your planters? How to know which size boxwood to use. Why Angelina Sedum is the most universal plant for outdoor design. Where should you place your boxwoods? Tips for which plants to use to last through the heat and how

Today we are discussing the very important and fast-growing topic of sustainability in design with expert, Laurence Carr. Laurence is the creative director and CEO of her award-winning New York-based design studio Laurence Carr Inc. Her signature style blends well-being practices with contemporary design and smart technology. She shares with us her passion for educating the design community on its impact on the environment, how our well-being is inextricably intertwined with our surroundings and materials, and where we can focus our efforts to design with sustainability in mind. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: When did Laurence first combine her design, wellness, and environmental work? What does it mean to design a healthy interior? Biophilic design and how Laurence uses it. What is “forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoku in Japanese) and how does it relate to design? In the practice of engaging every sense in design, how can you incorporate scent? What it means to buy sustainable items. Materials and fabric

Spring is here and that means many of us are doing outdoor decorating. Our guest today, Brantley Snipes, is a Mississippi-based landscape architect as well as the owner, lead designer, and project manager for Brantley Snipes Landscape Design. When she’s not working with clients, she works on preservation projects for the nonprofit Main Street Greenwood, Inc. where she serves as Executive Director. Among many accolades, Brantley was named to the Greenwood Commonwealth’s Top 30 under 40. We talk all about the importance of landscape design, creating outdoor rooms, what to know before you DIY, how to embrace pine straw, and address many of your landscape questions. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Why time is such a crucial element in landscape design. The importance of using native plants as part of a landscape design and avoiding invasive plants. Where do you find native plants? What should the first step of beginning landscape design be? How can you design a low-maintenance cutting garden? How to have

We’re doing something a little different and very exciting on the show today! Zoe, Hillary, and Taryn are here from the product design team. They give us the inside scoop and their different perspectives all around the in-house product design process here at Ballard Designs. When we did our listener survey a little while back, so many of you said you wanted to know more about the product. Well, we heard you and today we answer all of those questions and more! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How far in advance does the planning for product design happen? Where does the initial concept for product design come from? How much input do different Ballard Designs employees or customers have on product design? Why a problem or challenge can lead to the best product design. What tools do we use to design products? What are our favorite recent projects? The Hutton Office Collection and exciting updates that are coming. How we are improving and updating our Original Home Office (OHO) line. Have there ever bee

We are beyond excited to have UK-based stylist and interior designer Sophie Robinson on the show! Sophie has over 20 years of experience working across TV and magazines. She hosts her own show, Dream Homemakeovers with Sophie Robinson, where she transforms homes with her keen eye for paint, patterns, and furnishings. Sophie also judged the best emerging design talent on BBC Two’s The Great Interior Design Challenge. Throughout her blog, online courses, and TV shows you’ll find that Sophie’s secret sauce is her use of color (or “colour” if you’re in the UK). She’s on a mission to liberate us all from the beige and boring! Sophie’s personality is as colorful as her work, and we loved talking to her about her process and the psychology behind it. We’ll also dive deep into her tips and tricks for how to LIVE IN COLOR! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How Sophie knew at a young age she wanted to be a designer and how she grew to love color. When and where did Sophie officially begin her career? Sophie dives i

Award-winning architect and author Jeffrey Dungan joins us on the show today to talk all about bringing joy to home design. He founded his firm, Jeffrey Dungan Architects, with a focus on creating private residences with lasting beauty. He’s known for his clean and modern approach to classical architecture. His accolades include numerous awards from the American Institute of Architects, Veranda, and ADAC’s 2017 Southeastern Architect of the Year, being named a Shutze fellow by the Institute of Classical Architecture, and a prestigious Palladio Award. His work has been featured in The Wallstreet Journal, Garden & Gun, Southern Living, House Beautiful, and many others. His highly regarded book, The Nature of Home, is available now and he’s also working on a second book. We talk all about Jeffrey’s creative process, his playfulness and childlike approach to design, why he thinks a house should “wink” at you, an in-depth look at natural light, and much more. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How Jeffrey’s journ

Today is all about, you guessed it, furniture shopping! We have scoured your questions, consulted with our SVP of Merchandising and Design Skye Kirby Westcott, and used our collective knowledge and personal experiences to bring you today’s episode! We're sharing our best tips on what to know before you buy furniture, how to not regret your purchases, what to splurge on, and so much more. Plus, we bring back the “highly divisive” Trials & Triumphs! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: Trials & Triumphs with welcoming a new baby, redesigning a home office with our Hutton Collection, organizing and storage, a housewarming party, house building updates, doorknob dilemmas, tile adventures, and more. The piece we got the most questions about – all about choosing a sofa! Breaking down the differences in fabric and why you should splurge. Why you should consider additional seating. How to navigate long lead times. Why you need to measure, measure, MEASURE! How to evaluate your family’s needs when choosing a dini

Today we welcome Dallas-based interior designer Meredith Ellis to the show. Meredith has over two decades of experience in the industry and specializes in creating soulful, layered homes that are sophisticated yet livable. Her career began while she worked under the legendary Bunny Williams in NYC before moving west to hone her skills with internationally renowned designer Michael Smith. Meredith is also the founder of JAMES showroom featuring fabric, wallpaper, furniture, lighting, and carpets for Texas and the South. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Better Homes and Gardens, Southern Living, and The LA Times. We dive into Meredith’s “seamless” use of fabrics with patterns, colors, and textures and tips and tricks for how (and where) to use them! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: How did Meredith start a career in design? What tips & tricks did Meredith learn from working for legendary designers? Where should we begin with fabrics? What are the best fabrics for tufti

Our guest today is the inspiring and highly knowledgeable interior designer Rasheeda Gray. Her Philadelphia-based firm, Gray Space Interior Design, specializes in residential and boutique commercial projects. Her work has been featured in Better Homes and Gardens, Architectural Digest, ELLE Décor, HGTV, and more. In 2021 Rasheeda was named one of House Beautiful’s Next Wave Designers. This episode is all about renovating! Rasheeda gives us tips and tricks for the entire renovation process, insight into her personal and professional experience answers all of your renovation questions and more. She gives us an in-depth look at why planning is so important as well as how to stay focused and on budget! What You’ll Hear on This Episode: What kind of questions should you ask yourself before a home renovation project? Rasheeda walks us through the budget and pricing process. How often do clients veer off course during renovations? Is it better to renovate project-by-project or all at once? When to hire a profe