How To Decorate

This week, we welcome back the lovely design duo, Lathem Gordon and Cate Dunning from GordonDunning, who also just happen to be our guests on episode 6 of Design School. They dive deep into the art of maximizing a small space, sharing their expert tips on layering elements without making the room feel cluttered. Lathem and Cate share their love for creating beautiful cozy nooks and how their design approach evolves to reflect the unique stories of their clients. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: What is the squint test, and how can we use it? New to patterns and layers - listen up for tips on starting small and gaining your confidence as you go along. How to think about small spaces and know when you need to edit. Managing accessories and little trinkets and treasures. A few Lathem and Cate’s favorite ways to bring lighting into a small space. Is there an end-point to maximalism? Why are islands so big, and how can we keep them from being such a cluttered mess? Mentioned in This Episode: Design Sch

We are joined by the renowned interior designer Victoria Hagan, whose illustrious career spans over 25 years since she founded her eponymous firm. Throughout her journey, Victoria has garnered acclaim for her exceptional fusion of architecture and interior design, epitomizing modern American luxury like no other. Her talents have not gone unnoticed, as she has been honored with prestigious awards, including the Architectural Digest AD 100. Furthermore, her exceptional contributions have led her to be inducted into the Interior Design Hall of Fame. We discuss Victoria's latest book, "Live Now," published by Rizzoli, how she developed her innate ability to harmonize opposites, and how we can start living in our dream homes today using what we currently have. What You’ll Hear On This Episode:  Victoria’s journey into the design field and how she developed her signature style. Designing to all the senses and realizing that there are no black-and-white rules. In Victoria’s new book, Live Now, she demystifies th

In this special European-inspired episode, we welcome Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, the talented duo behind London-based design firm Paolo Moschino Limited. Renowned worldwide for their exceptional work, they've gained recognition from prestigious publications such as House and Garden, Elle Decor, and more. Having just released their second book, "An Entertaining Life: Designing Town and Country," they join us to discuss how their Italian and Belgian backgrounds influence their entertaining mindset. Join Paolo and Philip as they share their unique cultural perspectives and offer insights into creating captivating spaces for social gatherings. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Their belief in simple food, well done. Drawing their inspiration from everywhere in entertaining, just like interior design. What prompted An Entertaining Life’s idea, and why they were dedicated to writing a book about entertaining. An insider look at their typical week and their most special day, Friday, when they head fro

After our engaging conversation last week with Nick and Steve Giannetti about Patina Farm and Patina Meadow last week, we are thrilled to catch up with Brooke and daughter Leila to talk about the ecosystem on the farm, biodynamic farming, and the exciting future plans for involving the community both in Leiper’s Fork and extending to a vast audience online. From the magic of design to the wonders of nature, including some very cute donkeys and babydoll sheep, Brooke and Leila are here to inspire and ignite our imagination. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Why the move from Ojai to Tennessee felt like the right move. The “shed” is their event space and our pottery space, yet it’s bigger than their whole house! Creating their spaces to feel both beautiful and welcoming at the same time. More about Leila’s airstream, and how she added her own touch to it to make it personalized to her style. How capturing life on the farm during the pandemic helped both Brooke and Leila, as well as their online community,

Join us for an exciting episode as we welcome back Steve Giannetti, the renowned design partner of the celebrated husband and wife duo. Known for their bestselling books and influential blog, the Giannettis have recently embarked on a transformative journey, involving their three children in the world of design. In part one of this two part series, Steve and his son Nick share their insights into the evolving Giannetti universe and the exciting developments that have unfolded in their lives over the past four years including the move from Ojai, CA to a huge space in Tennessee. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: How did the Patina brand start? The decision to move to Tennessee from the original Patina Farm in Ojai, and embrace a life with even more land, making the cows and donkeys even happier. The inspiration for design that Steve got from his parents, including helping him never live in an ugly place - even the college dorm! The shorthand that Nick brings when working with the family in many things, the

In this exciting episode, we are joined by the renowned TV personality Carson Kressley, known for his roles on Queer Eye for the Straight Guy, How to Look Good, and as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race. Unveiling a lesser-known side, Carson shares his recent experience taking over Ballard Designs' Instagram and showcases his top entertaining tips. Returning as a special guest, we dive into Carson's love for Ballard as we explore his stunning poolside oasis and dive into the art of entertaining in style. What You’ll Hear On This Episode:  The best parties are when the host and hostess are relaxed and happy. What we can learn from a scary experience with Carson’s flaming chicken thighs. How Carson approaches design in New York versus in Pennsylvania. Great design is all about tension, whether it's an outfit that you're wearing, or a space that you're designing, everything shouldn't be expected and match and be from the same designer or the same period. All about design for his second home, a farmhouse in Penn

It’s a special trials and triumphs episode! This week, you’ll hear about basement woes, rosebush-eating deers, and tips for creating a cozy space when your room is naturally dark. We also talk about creating a gallery wall system, even if you are “non-mathy”, and how to get your pillows on scale with your sofa. Oh, and Taryn’s backyard is on fire, but it turns out fire extinguishers are a good thing to have lying around. Mentioned in This Episode: HAVSTA

We welcome the talented Atlanta-based designer, Jessica Davis, whose remarkable skills in creating daring spaces and adding unique touches of irreverence have captivated us. Her exceptional work has garnered recognition from renowned publications such as House Beautiful, Better Homes and Gardens, Real Simple, and Elle Decor, among others. In this episode, Jessica shares insights into her innovative take on blending tradition with modern design. She offers valuable advice on discovering the perfect textures and colors that resonate with your personal style. Additionally, she divulges a selection of her preferred sources for discovering wonderfully quirky furnishings. Prepare to be inspired by Jessica's confidence and artistic vision! What You’ll Hear On This Episode: How Jessica tells a story with her interiors and works with her clients to bring their vision to life. Jessica shares how she collected things that may not match the space but work in homes that range from Victorian, Dutch Colonial, and midcent

Get ready to go antique shopping this week as we are joined by Hattie Sparks Collins, a New Orleans-based interior designer. Hattie's unique path from boutique owner to art history student to professional decorator has greatly shaped her ability to craft stunning spaces that foster genuine connections and authentic living. We dive into her expertise in finding exquisite and affordable treasured antiques, as she shares helpful tips for choosing the perfect vintage sofa. Discover Hattie's favorite antique hunting spots in New Orleans and gain insights on infusing color, pattern, and texture into your home, as she unravels the secrets to creating truly captivating and playful living spaces, which are also glitter proof! What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Hattie talks about going to school and graduating during the recession, and how that navigated her towards retail. What is it like working as a designer in New Orleans? Hattie shares her love of mixing the unexpected and how New Orleans reflects that in the an

This week, we are delighted to welcome Georgia-based designer Lauren Robbins. Lauren is known for her exceptional ability to blend art, antiques, and natural materials resulting in traditional designs that are infused with a modern edge. She shares her inspiring journey from the organic path that led her to establish her design firm in 2018, Lauren Robbins Interiors, to the recent opening of her retail shop in Augusta, Georgia in 2021. We explore her passion for creating unexpected elements within tradition, fueled by her experience in event planning, which has given her a fresh perspective on interior design. Our conversation takes an intriguing turn as we delve into the world of designing rental homes for golfers and golf spectators, particularly in the context of the world-famous Master’s Golf Tournament. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Where Lauren’s love of design came from. A peek into the magic of what we describe as Lauren’s “happy” portfolio. How working in the event planning space informs Laure

We welcome celebrated New York based interior designer Alex Papachristidis, known for elegant and timeless spaces who's work has been featured on the Architectural Digest 100,Veranda, Elle Decor, House Beautiful and more. Alex founded his Manhattan based interior design firm in 1987 and has had projects all over the world from Colorado to London, Saudi Arabia to Texas. In this episode, he talks about his now available second book, The Elegant Life: Rooms that Welcome and Inspire, and the inspiration behind the homes he chose and the ways in which it showcases his abilities to do modern interiors with the same sort of grandeur of traditional interiors. Alex also talks about his love of soft goods, picking colors that represent you, and why we shouldn’t try and hide from the ugly things, but instead make them prettier.   What You’ll Hear On This Episode: The importance of actually being able to live in your living room.  Creating interiors that are reflective of who you are and how you want to live.  How Ale

Get inspired to conquer your spring cleaning projects this week as we welcome Ashley and Marissa, the co-founders of the Neat Method Luxury Home Organizing Company.The Neat Method is the largest professional luxury organizing company in the US and Canada in terms of staffers, and Ashley and Marissa share why organizing is an extension of a well-curated space and how it goes hand in hand with design. They share a few of their favorite tips and tools for getting started, the pros of having an organization service, and how to set yourself up for success so that organizing makes your life easier and you feel more comfortable and connected in your space.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode: How Ashley and Marissa met their third business partner and expanded from one Bay Area location to a franchise with over 98 markets.  Why would someone need an organizer?  Where should we start with organizing our homes?  How organizing is the additional layer to a home, especially after we’ve put so much effort in decorating

Our guests this week are Deborah Costa and Kristine Renee, the mother-daughter design duo behind interior design studio Design Alchemy, based out of Sacramento, California. They join us to talk about creating patterns in neutral rooms that are timeless and fit your style. Deborah and Kristine give some great ideas for warming up a room, why Kristine loves a good bathroom project, and the importance of the architectural elements of a space that are primarily important to her.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode:  How did Deborah and Kristine form Design Alchemy?  Why did Christine and Deborah decide to partner up and become a design duo, and what is it like working as a mother-and-daughter team?  How are each of their styles different?  What is the appeal of a neutral space?  How to use patterns in a neutral space to make it feel tranquil yet also welcoming.  Deborah and Kristine talk about knowing what pattern to pick and the different feel behind stripes, florals, etc.  How can you see what may work and

This week we welcome interior designer Ashley Gilbreath to talk about her latest book The Joy of Home. Ashley is known for creating casually elegant homes that are beautiful in their aesthetic, keep a Southern charm, and celebrate everyday living. We talk with Ashley about the debut of The Joy of Home and what inspired her to break into the world of home decorating authorship. What You’ll Hear On This Episode:  How Ashley got started in interior design and how her background in architecture informs how she thinks about space.  Why is the outside just as (if not even more) important as the inside of a home?  What does Ashley think of when she thinks about the term “forever home”?  How Ashley picked the homes to feature in The Joy of Home.  Ashley talks about designing her own home and the intention to create a more beachy beach home.  The fun challenge of including the unexpected in your design, whether it’s a color, piece of art, etc.  How can we incorporate more Southern Style in our homes?  Ashley’

It’s a super fun “Trials and Triumphs” episode for you! We dive into a few of our most challenging and rewarding experiences in recent weeks including resort updates, plant removal, and up-leveling garbage can solutions. We also talk about gas leaks from the Stranger Things stove, painting family rooms and even creative wardrobe solutions after a good spring cleaning. Mentioned in This Episode: Design School  Marine Pant from Zara WalkingPad 

Caroline sits down with Amy Ross of Ballard Designs' FREE Design Services program for a special one-on-one interview focused on demystifying design consultation. Whatever your at-home design dilemma may be, our team of experienced design consultants like Amy can help you turn your design vision into reality either in-person at our stores, by phone, or even virtually. Additionally, Caroline and Amy chat about the best ways to go about scheduling a consultation with a design expert and what you can expect if you are eager to try out Design Services for yourself. Mentioned in This Episode: Design Services Ballard Designs

We welcome the wonderful and multi-talented Justin Q. Williams to our show to chat about his episode of 'Design School' on QVC+. Justin is not only an interior designer, but also an artist, furniture designer, and TV star who you might remember from Design Star: Next Gen on HGTV. The Atlanta-based designer talks to us about his journey from creating 3D plans as a 12-year old to now mentoring others. He emphasizes the importance of interior designers learning photo styling and business, and being able to pivot quickly. Justin also discusses designing restaurants vs. residential homes and why his special episode of Design School will be perfect for those living in a townhouse or row house. Additionally, Justin reveals more about his furniture line and art collections, which he named after family members to honor his amazing support system. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Special shout out to Justin’s dad who bought him architecture and design programs at 12 years old, that he jumped into and fell in love wit

We welcome back Caitlin McGauley, incredible watercolor artist and textile designer. Caitlin’s work has been featured by clients including Hermes Paris, the Ritz Paris, Christian Dior, Estee Lauder and many more. Prior to designing her own collection in 2014, Caitlin got her start in the industry as a designer for Ralph Lauren home. She talks about her journey to the wallpaper and textile industry, tips for adding beautiful textiles into your home, and also tips for designing a home studio.  What You’ll Hear On This Episode:  How working at Ralph Lauren Home was a fun and educational experience for Caitlin.  Caitlin’s background in live portrait events, even working with Hermes.  How Caitlin got into designing her own wallpaper. Caitlins love of open patterns with a really wide and open repeat, which lends itself better to window treatments than a chair.  Her process of creating a mural.  How have the home renovations gone for Caitlin?  Caitlin talks about finding inspiration in nature.  Tips for desi

It’s all about small spaces this week as we welcome Sarah Letterman. Sarah is an interior designer based out of New York City, known for her ability to mix patterns and melt modern and traditional elements into her projects. She cut her teeth in the industry training for years under Tom Scheerer and later launched her firm, Sarah Letterman Interiors. At the start of the pandemic, her work has been featured in House Beautiful, Architectural Digest, Domino Magazine, and more. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: How working with Tom Scheerer and interning for Bunnie Williams helped Sarah grow as a designer and get more comfortable with her own style. Design advice Sarah did NOT take from her mom when decorating her apartment! Organization is a big part of small-space living. Using wallpaper in small spaces to hide imperfections. How do you find custom upholstery in Manhattan? How do you make a kid’s bathroom feel pulled together enough? Sarah’s favorite materials to help a space feel beautiful yet lived in

We welcome back designer Kristin Kong, founder, and principal designer of K Kong Designs. Kristin talks about what it was like working with us on our new show, Design School, and the unique twist she’s crafted into her home. Kristin shares with us why she loves dark colors, how we can maximize seating in our space, and how universal design is not boring! What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Kristin and her husband bought his childhood home from his parents, and she talks about the renovations and changes they made. The challenges of renovating a split-level house. Universal design is not boring! And if you think it is, watch Kristin’s episode of Design School. There's nothing more precious in your home than the people. How to maximize seating in your space. Kristin’s love of dark colors Creating a palate cleanser in the hallways. More about Kristin’s beautiful dining room, including the walls. What was her experience like during Design School? The importance of understanding scale. Mentioned in Th