How to Decorate

Ep. 365: Timeless Design Advice with Robert Brown


Listen Later

This week, we are joined by award-winning Atlanta based designer, Robert Brown. Known for his tailored and highly edited spaces, Robert shares some great tips for blending vintage pieces with a modern aesthetic, finding the right balance of traditional and contemporary, and using antiques in a way that feels fresh and exciting.

We also chat with Robert about the similarities between the fashion industry and interior design, tips for navigating the antique market like a pro and how the storytelling aspect of antiquing is just as important as the design. 


What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

  • Tips for reimagining antiques to bring character to your space. 
  • How can you tell when something doesn’t work? 
  • Robert talks about a historic house in Atlanta and how it exemplifies starting with the architectural envelope. 
  • Some insider hints for navigating online auctions, and the importance of always doing your research. 
  • How to overcome insecurity about asking questions regarding antiques and making sure you stay informed. 
  • Sourcing antiques based on client design needs. 
  • Why you shouldn't be afraid to mix periods. 
  • More about Robert’s career journey from fashion to interior design and how the two industries are related. 
  • Robert’s recommendations for the right pieces, materials and furniture to invest in for beauty, functionality and comfort. 

  • Decorating Dilemma: 

    Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here.

    Hi Nancy and thank you for your question!

    So, Robert wants to do the opposite of what you were thinking and to replace the two smaller rugs with one large area rug that spans from the baseboards to under the furniture. This will help unify the space visually. Have the rug custom cut from wall-to-wall carpeting for the best fit. Consider rearranging the furniture to open up the room even more. For example, you could swap the sofa and chairs by the fireplace to draw the eye in that direction. Add side panel curtains in a complementary color to the walls. Mount them outside the window frame and let them graze the floor for a polished look. This will enhance the acoustics and add visual interest without blocking the views. And lastly, choose a durable, low-maintenance performance rug that's suitable for high-traffic areas with pets and kids. Look for tone-on-tone patterns that disguise dirt.

    Thanks for writing in! 


    Also Mentioned:

    • Ballard Designs
    • Robert Brown Interior Design | IG 


      Please send us your Decorating Dilemmas and questions to [email protected]. We love hearing from our listeners!

      ...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

      797 ratings


      More shows like How to Decorate

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

      The Simple Sophisticate - Intelligent Living Paired with Signature Style

      888 Listeners

      Affordable Interior Design by Uploft by Betsy Helmuth

      Affordable Interior Design by Uploft

      360 Listeners

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

      A Well-Designed Business® | Interior Design Business Podcast

      760 Listeners

      Decorating Tips and Tricks by Bespoke FM

      Decorating Tips and Tricks

      775 Listeners

      Business of Home Podcast by Business of Home, Dennis Scully

      Business of Home Podcast

      380 Listeners

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

      House Guest by Country & Town House | Interior Designer Interviews

      40 Listeners

      Maximized Minimalist Podcast by Katy Wells

      Maximized Minimalist Podcast

      892 Listeners

      The Everyday Style School by Jennifer Mackey Mary

      The Everyday Style School

      474 Listeners

      Dear Alice | Interior Design by Alice Lane

      Dear Alice | Interior Design

      1,460 Listeners

      A Beautiful Mess Podcast by Elsie Larson and Emma Chapman

      A Beautiful Mess Podcast

      1,989 Listeners

      The Chairish Podcast by Chairish Inc.

      The Chairish Podcast

      234 Listeners

      Trade Tales by Business of Home, Kaitlin Petersen

      Trade Tales

      73 Listeners

      The Interior Collective by IDCO Studio

      The Interior Collective

      278 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

      121 Listeners

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

      Talk Shop with Ariel Okin: A Fenimore Lane Production

      38 Listeners