How to Decorate

This week, the ladies come together in Taryn's stunning new dining room for our much-loved annual holiday hosting special (can you believe it’s been a whole year already?! ) The trio are here to spill their personal hosting secrets and cherished holiday traditions, starting with Thanksgiving hosting rituals and meal prep hacks to deep dives into the art of holiday decorating.

Prepare to be inspired as they chat about all things Christmas trees. Whether you're Team Real or Team Pre-Lit, they've got great ideas to help you find your perfect match. Plus, they’ll share their creative spins on wreaths, stockings, and table settings that will wow your guests. As always, listener questions steal the spotlight: From convincing your partner to embrace a fabulous fake tree to easy-peasy strategies for low-effort, high-impact holiday décor, we cover it all in this year's holiday hosting special. Let’s make this season's decor one to remember!

Watch this week's episode as recorded on the Ballard Designs YouTube Channel; Read our 2024 Holiday Hosting Recipes on the How to Decorate Blog.

This week, Taryn and Liz welcome back award-winning interior designer and author Marie Flanagan, who discusses her newest book, 'The Perfect Room: Timeless Designs for Intentional Living.'

Marie shares insights from her extensive work, including her approach to architectural interiors, the importance of texture, and how to blend elegance with functionality. She also delves into tips for designing entryways, dining rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and bedrooms, emphasizing the importance of a layered and personal touch in home decor.

Watch this week's conversation as recorded on Ballard Designs YouTube.

Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma on the official How to Decorate Blog [CLICK HERE]

Hi Megan,

First off, Marie and the hosts commend you for helping your friend transition her living room to feel cozier with her new lighter style while integrating her cherished deep red colors. Your approach is thoughtful and shows a strong design intuition.

Marie suggests starting by editing and curating the meaningful red pieces that can blend into a nuanced, rust-toned color palette. This will harmonize the deep red with softer, neutral hues to maintain a cohesive look. Introducing symmetry in the room layout can create a more inviting ambiance. Consider placing matching sofas facing each other across the fireplace or using two chairs that complement the existing seating arrangement.

For the coffee table, Marie recommends considering a round shape to improve flow, and opting for materials like light wood, marble, or plaster for a touch of organic elegance. Enhancing the space with floor-to-ceiling drapery can add warmth and finish, while also making the room feel more tailored and spacious. Opt for fabrics like linen or wool sateen, which offer both style and functionality.

Layering textures is key, so think about incorporating elements like leather chairs or mohair pillows. A secondary rug, such as an antique Ushak with rust tones, could be layered over the current neutral rug to add richness. For a further touch of coziness, consider wallpapering with a textured option like seagrass.

Don't forget the impact of lighting—adding matching table lamps or a console table behind the sofa with additional lamps can brighten the room and enhance its inviting atmosphere. Overall, simplifying and editing accessories, like aligning artwork or choosing standout vases for the mantle, will ensure the space remains serene and cohesive.

Best of luck with the redesign, and we hope these tips help transform your friend's living room into a cozy and stylish retreat!

- How to Decorate

We're excited to welcome back style icon and TV personality Carson Kressley, who shares his favorite holiday decorating and hosting tips as we get into the swing of the season.

From tree trimming parties and coordinating guest rooms to serving simple yet crowd-pleasing food for holiday gatherings, Carson's practical advice aims to make the holiday season festive and stress-free. He also He provides insight into his own yearly Thanksgiving traditions, including hosting the Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Watch this week's conversation as recorded on Ballard Designs YouTube.

Follow along with images of this week's decorating dilemma on the How to Decorate Blog: CLICK HERE

Hi Pia,

First off, Carson and the hosts commend you for the excellent choices you've already made with your window sill decor. Your use of monochromatic pots and sculptural elements shows a strong sense of style. Carson suggests continuing with plants in elegant containers as they are a classic and fitting choice for window sills. Adding small lamps is a great idea, especially with those long Swedish winters, as they provide warmth and light.

Carson also proposes getting creative with your window frames by painting them in a lacquered color. This could make them a standout feature without needing too many decorations on the sill itself. Introducing cafe curtains could also add a stylish backdrop to your arrangements, giving you flexibility with light and privacy. Remember, maintaining varying heights and textures can keep your window displays from appearing cluttered while ensuring they stay visually interesting.

You're definitely on the right track with your decorating, and these small tweaks could help you achieve that stylish and cohesive look you're aiming for. We'd love to hear back on your progress and any new ideas you decide to implement!

- How to Decorate

We're joined this week by acclaimed designer & author Elaine Griffin, where we dive deep into the fundamentals of decorating through her 2009 best-selling book, 'Design Rules: The Insider's Guide to Becoming Your Own Decorator.'

The ladies discuss proportion principles, the impact of personal style, and the importance of timeless design, all while Elaine opens up about her Southern cultural influences, navigating different regional styles, evolving personal aesthetics, and strategic planning for young decorators. The episode also emphasizes how to incorporate cherished items, where and when to invest in quality furniture pieces, and how to adapt your design choices to life experiences in a meaningful way.

Watch this week's conversation as recorded on Ballard Designs YouTube.

Follow along with images of this week's decorating dilemma on the How to Decorate Blog: CLICK HERE.

Hi Amanda,

First off, Elaine commends Amanda on her initial color choice of alabaster, describing it as a beautiful off-white that ranked among the top Sherwin Williams colors. She suggests that you need to focus on allowing the natural landscape to guide her color palette since the lake house likely offers a view worth highlighting. Elaine also emphasizes the importance of choosing colors that complement the scenery to ensure the view remains the focal point. For the screen porch, she recommends considering a daring, dark green to provide a dynamic contrast and allow the room to blend with the natural surroundings.

Elaine also shares key color rules, advising that Amanda match her home's interior and exterior styles to maintain cohesion, and suggests incorporating beige tones as an alternative to gray, which can look dated. Elaine points out the importance of considering natural light and how it interacts with chosen colors, encouraging Amanda to seek a palette that lasts and complements both the home's interior and its natural setting.

Give us an update when you finish this project, we really want to see what decision(s) you make!

- How to Decorate

This week, the ladies get a first-hand look into the captivating world of custom hand-painted wallpaper with guest Jenn Gracie: a 6th generation member of the esteemed Gracie Wallpaper family.

Our conversation revolves around the firm's newly published book 'The Art of Gracie,’ the first-ever book and inside look at the history, design process, and continuing legacy of Gracie Wallpaper. Listeners will explore the transition from antique to bespoke wallpaper designs, the rigorous training of artists, and the specialized skills required to create these intricate works. The episode also covers the challenges and joys of curating photography for historic wallpaper, preserving antique designs, and the strategic process of capturing room installations.

Watch this week's conversation as recorded on Ballard Designs YouTube.

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Following last week's episode, Caroline shares the second half of her extended conversation with renowned architect and interior designer Ben Pentreath. The two continue their discussion of Ben's latest book, 'An English Vision', as well as practical decorating tips for making your house feel like your home.

Watch our FULL INTERVIEW with Ben Pentreath now on YouTube: CLICK HERE

Follow along with images of this week's decorating dilemma now on the How to Decorate Blog: CLICK HERE

Hi Braeden,

First off, Ben suggests a full reassessment of the garage door’s role, asking whether it’s primarily used for car storage. If not, converting the garage into a living space could improve the overall aesthetic of the house. They also recommend enhancing the windows by adding glazing bars to create a friendlier appearance and suggest removing existing shutters if they are too small to serve their functional purpose.

Ben and Caroline also emphasize the importance of achieving a cohesive look by considering the brick’s color. Either painting it to match the siding or replacing it with siding altogether can help unify the exterior facade. Ben also advises refining the porch details by opting for thinner, more elegant columns and adding seating to encourage outdoor enjoyment.

Lastly, they highlight the significance of landscaping, recommending the introduction of climbing plants to soften the house's appearance and improve curb appeal. Overall, we recommend to personalize the space while maintaining a harmonious design that reflects your own style and preferences.

Thanks so much for writing in and happy decorating! 

This week, Caroline hosts the show solo with renowned architect and interior designer Ben Pentreath. The two delve into Ben's extensive career, current design projects, and then discuss Ben's latest book, 'An English Vision.'

Ben gives insights on common design challenges, the thought processes behind sustainable urban planning, and the architectural principles guiding his work in classic English designs. The conversation also touches on the integration of modern technologies within traditional architecture and how design choices impact community and environmental sustainability.

Watch our FULL INTERVIEW with Ben Pentreath now on YouTube: CLICK HERE

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This week, we welcome designers Ellie Cullman and Lee Cavanaugh from the iconic design firm Cullman & Kravis, who discuss their latest book, 'Cullman and Kravis Interiors.'

Although "Cullman & Kravis Interiors" is technically the fourth book from designer Ellie Cullman, it is the first book that showcases her own firm's approach to blending traditional and contemporary styles. Ellie and Lee emphasize their passion for reflecting client interests, location, and functionality in their designs, and they also share insights about the importance of cohesive coloring and the ‘alchemy of old and new’ in creating vibrant living spaces.

Watch this week's conversation as recorded on Ballard Designs YouTube.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode: 

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Cullman & Kravis suggest embracing the bold fuchsia color from her chairs by incorporating it elsewhere in the room to achieve cohesion. They recommended painting the walls in the fuchsia shade or using a textured wall covering to tie the space together. If the bold choice felt overwhelming, they suggested adding fuchsia accessories, such as vases or a large bowl, on the dining table. To address the issue with her dining chairs on the carpet, they recommended using plastic sliders or sabots on the chair feet for ease of movement. Overall, they encouraged Donna to continue her bold direction and reminded her that sometimes stepping out of her comfort zone can result in a well-designed room.

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Join Caroline, Taryn, and Liz for another exciting round of Trials and Triumphs!

Liz shares her recent adventure in helping her sister transform a mudroom and laundry room with stunning color palettes and tile choices. She also recounts a nerve-wracking experience with malfunctioning hardwired fire alarms that led to a chaotic visit from firefighters. Taryn raises the stakes with a gripping story of her in-laws’ home flooding from a broken valve while they were watching her kids. The trio also delights in sharing their latest home decor finds, including Caroline's enthusiasm for shiny new metallic glass orbs and Taryn's beautiful ceramics from Greece. Tune in for inspiration and a few laughs!

This week, we welcome artist and tastemaker Josh Young. After living in Milan for six years, Josh returned to the U.S. and launched Josh Young Design House in 2017, gaining recognition for his distinctive art style and home designs. His work has appeared in major publications such as Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, and Vogue Italia.

In his debut book, Artful Home, Josh takes us through his artistic journey, his homes, and his creative process for blending modern and classical elements. In our convo, Josh shares how his European experience shaped his design philosophy and offers fantastic tips for curating a stylish, balanced home.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode: 

Decorating Dilemma 

Follow along with pictures of this week's listener-submitted decorating dilemma here on the How to Decorate Blog.

Hi Amanda! Thank you for being a loyal listener! We loved diving into your primary bedroom refresh, and we have some fun ideas to help you elevate the space. Let’s break it down step by step:

We hope these tips spark some inspiration as you tackle your refresh! Happy decorating!

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