How to Decorate

Ep. 221: designer Lilse McKenna


Listen Later

Our guest today is interior designer Lilse McKenna. Before starting her own firm, she worked with designers Markham Roberts and Lindsey Coral Harper and drew inspiration from their styles. She has since had her work featured in House Beautiful, The Wallstreet Journal, Real Simple, and more. Her signature style is rooted in tradition yet layered with colors, textures, and patterns. We talk about how she uses layers, where she searches for killer fabrics, her best budget buys, and more!

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


  • Why Lilse wants your interior to make you “think”.
  • How did Lilse get started?
  • What does Lilse love about fabrics?
  • Tips for the pattern people and non-pattern people.
  • What are Lilse’s rules for sconces, wall art… and mattress heights?
  • What are Lilse’s thoughts on the “Grandmillennial” style?
  • Are vertical line patterns in wallpaper a new trend?
  • Where does Lilse like to save vs. splurge on items?

  • Decorating Dilemma

    Hi Melissa,

    I like the Pinterest example you showed with the custom shower curtain that was especially long, hung close to the ceiling, and almost to the floor. You may have to custom make it, but I would get an ivory linen with a narrow contrast banding on all 4 sides that pulls from the colors of the wallpaper. This will make sort of a fabric wall and make it look less “bathroomy”. You could even have the shower curtain made with pinch pleats or grommets to make it look more like a curtain.

    Good luck! We are very invested in your shower curtain so show us after photos!

    Mentioned in This Episode:

    Lilse McKenna

    Lilse McKenna on Instagram

    Etsy

    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    How to DecorateBy Ballard Designs

    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4
    • 4.4

    4.4

    812 ratings


    More shows like How to Decorate

    View all
    A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design  Business Podcast by LuAnn Nigara

    A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

    770 Listeners

    The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style by Shannon Ables

    The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style

    880 Listeners

    Uploft Interior Design by Betsy Helmuth

    Uploft Interior Design

    371 Listeners

    Decorating Tips and Tricks by Bespoke FM

    Decorating Tips and Tricks

    810 Listeners

    Business of Home Podcast by Business of Home, Dennis Scully

    Business of Home Podcast

    434 Listeners

    The Great Indoors by Sophie Robinson and Kate Watson-Smyth: Interior Design Experts

    The Great Indoors

    386 Listeners

    House Guest by Country & Town House | Interior Designer Interviews by Country and Town House

    House Guest by Country & Town House | Interior Designer Interviews

    46 Listeners

    The Everyday Style School by Jennifer Mackey Mary

    The Everyday Style School

    525 Listeners

    Dear Alice | Interior Design by Alice Lane

    Dear Alice | Interior Design

    1,506 Listeners

    The Chairish Podcast by Chairish Inc.

    The Chairish Podcast

    236 Listeners

    Trade Tales by Business of Home, Kaitlin Petersen

    Trade Tales

    77 Listeners

    The Interior Collective by IDCO Studio

    The Interior Collective

    288 Listeners

    The Martha Stewart Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

    The Martha Stewart Podcast

    449 Listeners

    Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production by Ariel Okin

    Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production

    42 Listeners

    HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing by Heather Riggs - Stylist, Image Consultant & Color Analyst for Women

    HER Style Podcast | Shopping, Color Palettes, Fashion, Wardrobe, Outfits, Clothing

    169 Listeners