The ladies are ready to kick off 2026 with some ambitious decorating goals! In this special bonus episode, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down to map out their home and personal resolutions for the year. They are putting their goals on the record now so they can hold themselves accountable in 2027.

From tackling "treacherous" basements and organizing chaos closets to navigating the emotional transition of empty nesting, the hosts share the big projects they hope to tackle (and the budget realities holding them back).

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast

01:30 Taryn’s Goal #1: Tackling the "treacherous" basement and finishing the gym 

06:00 Taryn’s Goal #2: The emotional transition of a nursery into a guest room 

08:00 The $100 Facebook Marketplace King Bed find 

12:00 Caroline’s Goal #1: The Entryway Dilemma (Wallpaper vs. The Messy Closet) 

16:00 Caroline’s Reupholstery List: Needlepoint footstools and worn-out linen 

18:00 The universal struggle of organizing "junk drawers" with kids 

20:00 Plant Goals: Keeping Fiddle Leaf Figs alive and planting Peonies 

25:00 Liz’s Goal #1: Creating a "Home Maintenance" calendar 

28:00 Liz’s Goal #2: Raised bed gardening and navigating shade trees 

31:00 Liz’s Goal #3: Empty nesting and converting a teen bedroom into a home office 

Also Mentioned:

Plantopia (Book mentioned by Taryn) 

Skylight Calendar 

IKEA PAX Systems (for closet hacks) 

Shop Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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The team is thrilled to welcome Meredith Page and Liz Livingston, the creative duo behind the Atlanta-based design firm Page House Studio. With a combined 15 years of experience in interiors and fashion, they joined forces in 2023 to create a studio that focuses on bespoke design and a curated collection of accessories—specifically, their signature pedestals.

Meredith and Liz join Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to discuss how they transitioned from coworkers to business partners, the power of elevating everyday objects, and why "the edit" is the most crucial step in any design project. They share their secrets for creating dynamic vignettes, the importance of "triangulation" in styling, and why a pedestal is the missing ingredient your bookshelf needs.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Also Mentioned:

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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We're excited to welcome Seattle-based interior designer Lisa Staton to the show. With more than 20 years of experience, her firm is known for seamlessly blending current trends with timeless appeal to create spaces that feel both fresh and rooted in history.

Lisa joins Taryn and Caroline to discuss her East Coast upbringing, how she navigates the "algorithm era" of design, and why she believes every room needs a mix of old and new. She shares her philosophy on "Soup and Symphony" design, how to choose the right white paint for your region, and why the house itself is always the first client.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introductions

01:45 Lisa’s background: From Boston history to Sotheby’s art auctions

04:00 The "Algorithm Effect": How social media homogenizes design

06:00 Balancing high-end design with accessible updates

09:00 How to respect architecture without creating a "period piece"

11:00 Designing for location: Why a Cape Cod style doesn't always work in Arizona

13:00 The collaborative process and avoiding "reverse Google search" design

15:00 The "Soup and Symphony" analogy for cohesive interiors

19:00 Mixing traditional cabinetry with sleek, modern furniture

25:00 Designing for the Pacific Northwest: Coziness and light management

28:00 Lisa’s go-to white paints for different lights

31:00 Tips for choosing exterior paint colors

36:00 Decorating Dilemma: Updating a beige-on-beige rental apartment

44:00 Why you should embrace "weird" art and vintage finds

52:00 Closing notes & where to find Lisa

Also Mentioned:

Lisa Staton Design | Website

Follow Lisa on Instagram: @lisastatondesign

Paint Colors Mentioned: Sherwin Williams Alabaster, Benjamin Moore Simply White, Lancaster White, Swiss Coffee

Shop Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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We're excited to welcome husband-and-wife design duo Heather and Matt French to the show. Based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, their firm, French & French Interiors, is known for creating luxurious yet livable spaces that are rich in color, pattern, and storytelling.

Heather and Matt join Caroline and Liz to discuss their unique journey from careers in natural medicine and building to becoming interior designers. They share how they blend their Southern roots with the distinct architecture of the American Southwest, why they believe in "softening" a harsh landscape with cozy florals, and how they turned their own home into a "designer lab."

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Also Mentioned:

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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We are wrapping up our special three-part holiday series! For the finale, Liz takes the mic to share her absolute favorite holiday episode from the How to Decorate archive.

Liz chose Episode 386 with the delightful Carson Kressley (Queer Eye, RuPaul’s Drag Race). Liz loves this episode because Carson embodies the spirit of "lavish yet achievable" holiday cheer. In this hilarious and tip-filled conversation, Carson breaks down how he turns the day after Thanksgiving into a tree-trimming party, his secret for serving fast food on silver platters, and why he color-codes his guest towels.

Quick Decorating & Hosting Takeaways:

Match the Decor to the Room: Don't force a red and green color scheme if your room is blue. Carson suggests tailoring your holiday decor to the existing room palette (e.g., aqua ribbons and silver ornaments in a blue room) so you don't have to overhaul your daily decor.

The "High-Low" Party Menu: You don't need to cook for days to be a great host. Carson’s signature move is serving Kentucky Fried Chicken tenders stacked beautifully on an antique silver platter with a homemade dipping sauce.

Color-Code Your Guest Rooms: To keep laundry organized when hosting a crowd, assign a specific towel color to each guest room (e.g., the blue room gets blue towels, the lavender room gets lavender towels) so you always know where clean linens belong.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Liz introduces the final Holiday Throwback episode

01:45 Carson Kressley joins the show

04:00 Carson’s Thanksgiving Routine: Hosting the parade and the "Day After" tree trimming party

09:30 Guest Room Essentials: Flawless bedding and the color-coded towel system

16:00 Real vs. Artificial Trees: Why Carson uses both

20:00 Storage Hacks: Organizing ornaments by tree

28:00 Decorating Philosophy: Using non-traditional colors (Aqua and Silver)

36:00 The Bar Setup: Hiring a bartender and using rolling racks for coat check

45:00 The Menu: KFC on silver platters and country ham biscuits

48:00 Why personalized plastic cups are a hosting lifesaver

53:00 Listener Dilemma: How to style deep window sills with radiators (From Sweden!)

Also Mentioned:

Carson Kressley | Instagram

RuPaul's Drag Race

Ballard Designs Essential Stocking Holder

American Stationery (Monogrammed Cups)

Shop Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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Surprise! We are dropping a special bonus episode today. If you haven't seen it yet, we recently shared a stunning holiday house tour on our YouTube channel with the queen of Christmas herself, designer Suzanne Kasler.

In this audio version of the official YouTube house tour, Caroline introduces a conversation between Suzanne and Ballard Designs President, Karen Mooney. They walk through Suzanne’s gorgeous Atlanta home, discussing why she is so obsessed with Christmas, her strategy for displaying massive collections without clutter, and how she manages to decorate three different trees (including one just for teddy bears!). Suzanne also shares her "3-Day Blitz" method for stress-free decorating and how she adapts her traditions as her family grows.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

Group Collections for Impact: Don't scatter small collectibles (like nutcrackers or crystal trees) all over the house. Group them together in one specific area to create a "sculptural" statement that feels intentional rather than cluttered.

The 3-Day Decorating Blitz: Suzanne dedicates a focused 3-4 day block right after Thanksgiving to get everything done. This allows her to stop "working" on Christmas and simply enjoy the festive atmosphere for the entire month of December.

Buy in Multiples: If you find a unique holiday item you love (like her Czech crystal trees), don't just buy one. Buy a dozen or a whole collection immediately to ensure you have enough for a cohesive display, as they might be gone next year.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Caroline introduces the bonus episode

01:30 Suzanne’s lifelong obsession with Christmas

02:45 The "Yard Sale" Rule: Grouping collections for high impact

07:00 The Teddy Bear Tree tradition

09:00 The "3-4 Day" Decorating Strategy

12:00 Mixing Real vs. Faux: Why Suzanne uses both types of trees

14:00 Matching holiday decor to your home (Red vs. Neutral)

21:00 Adapting traditions for new grandchildren

27:00 Suzanne’s miniature Christmas rooms & gift show finds

30:00 The silver ornament tradition

Also Mentioned:

Watch the Video Tour: Step Inside the Elegant Holiday Home of Designer Suzanne Kasler

Shop Suzanne's Product Collection: Suzanne Kasler for Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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We are back for part two of our special three-part holiday series! This week, Taryn takes over the host chair to introduce her favorite holiday episode from the archives.

Taryn chose Episode 388: The 2024 Holiday Hosting Special, a sentimental favorite because it was recorded right at her own dining room table in her new home. In this cozy and practical conversation, the ladies discuss navigating family food traditions (like Taryn’s pierogies vs. her husband's healthy salads), Liz’s secret "Winter Berry Pie" recipe, and the ultimate timeline for stress-free hosting.

Quick Decorating & Hosting Takeaways:

The "Martha" Method: Caroline shares her system for stress-free hosting: create a master list 1-2 weeks in advance and assign every single task (even "fill ice trays") to a specific day so you never have to do everything at once.

Focus on the Big Two: If you are low on energy for decorating, Taryn and the team suggest focusing only on a pre-lit Christmas tree and a great wreath for the front door. If you nail those two spots, you can let the rest of the house go.

Shop Estate Sales: For unique, sustainable gifts, skip the mall and check out local estate sales (using apps like EstateSales.net) to find special items like silver trays, crystal, or vintage books.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Taryn introduces Part 2 of the Holiday Throwback series

02:00 Hosting Thanksgiving: From potlucks to seating 7 at a round table

04:00 Menu mashups: Combining family traditions (Pierogies vs. Salads)

08:00 Caroline’s "Master List" hosting strategy

13:00 Liz’s Winter Berry Pie & Caroline’s "Salty Pumpkin Pie" disaster

23:00 Christmas Decorating: The December 8th rule vs. decorating early

26:00 The debate: Real trees vs. Fake trees (and using both!)

28:00 DIY Flocking Tips: Mist, sprinkle, mist again

30:00 Ornaments: Tying glass icicles with satin ribbon

42:00 Stocking Holders: Why the ladies love the "Essential" holder

59:00 Gift Giving: Why estate sales are the best secret source

Also Mentioned:

Ina Garten’s Mashed Sweet Potatoes

EstateSales.net (App for finding sales)

Ballard Designs Essential Stocking Holder 

Shop Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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The team is back for an emergency design session! Caroline, Taryn, and Liz hop on the mics to discuss the breaking news of the 2026 Pantone Color of the Year: Cloud Dancer.

While the hosts usually love dissecting color trends (and loved last year's Mocha Mousse), this year's selection of a "soft, airy white" has left them confused, bored, and a little suspicious. In this short bonus episode, the ladies debate whether this choice is a symbol of clarity or just a "builder-grade" cop-out. They compare it to the rich, earthy predictions from other paint brands, discuss the concept of "rage bait" marketing, and ask the ultimate question: Does a white color of the year actually influence interior design, or is it just the default setting?

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introductions

01:30 The Reveal: Pantone 2026 is "Cloud Dancer" (11-4201)

03:00 Taryn’s reaction: "It’s like not decorating"

04:30 Liz’s reaction: Why it fails to capture the moment

07:00 Caroline’s theory: Is this just marketing rage bait?

10:00 Why white feels "artificial" vs. "organic"

14:00 Comparing Cloud Dancer to Benjamin Moore and Sherwin Williams' earthy picks

17:00 Does the Pantone Color of the Year actually change how we design?

Also Mentioned:

Pantone Color of the Year 2026: Cloud Dancer

Shop Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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We are kicking off a special three-part holiday series! For the next few weeks, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz are each taking a turn replaying their absolute favorite holiday episode from the podcast archives.

To start us off, Caroline revisits Episode 117 with Richmond interior designer Janie Molster. Caroline chose this episode because it completely changed her philosophy on holiday decorating. Janie explains why you don't need to force "red and green" if it doesn't fit your home, sharing her secrets for a holiday look that feels traditional yet surprising. She covers everything from managing a "hodgepodge" family tree to wrapping oddly shaped gifts.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

Coordinate, Don't Clash: Your holiday decor should enhance your room, not fight with it. If your room has a pink and blue palette, use pink or blue ribbon and ornaments rather than forcing traditional red and green.

The "Squint" Test: To ensure your tree has that professional glow, step back and squint your eyes at the lit tree. This blurs the details and highlights any dark "holes" where you need to add more lights.

Unify with Ribbon: If you have a family tree filled with mismatched sentimental ornaments, use a high-quality, wide-wired ribbon to weave through the branches. It acts as a unifying element that ties the whole look together.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Caroline introduces the Holiday Throwback series

02:00 How to decorate a "Pink House" for Christmas

04:00 Janie’s tip for layering different types of greenery (magnolia, holly, pine)

06:00 Choosing a ribbon color that matches your permanent decor

08:00 Strategies for decorating a tree with kids and family ornaments

11:00 The "Butcher Paper" hack for wrapping large or oddly shaped toys

14:00 Lighting tips: The "Squint Test" and using dimmers

16:00 Decorating Dilemma 1: How to handle a bedroom with awkward dormer windows (Wallpaper is the answer!)

23:00 Decorating Dilemma 2: Furniture layout for a 70s build family room

32:00 Closing thoughts

Also Mentioned:

Janie Molster Designs | Website

Follow Janie on Instagram: @janiemolsterdesigns

Butcher block paper (Home Depot) for gift wrapping

Shop Ballard Designs

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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We're excited to welcome interior designer Sara Hillery to the show! Based in Richmond, Virginia, Sara’s firm blends function with one-of-a-kind decorative pieces to create story-driven rooms. Named a "Next Wave Designer" by House Beautiful and featured in Veranda and The Wall Street Journal, Sara joins Caroline and Liz to demystify "transitional" design and share her spirited approach to holiday decorating.

Sara explains how she balances antiques with clean lines to create timeless spaces, her method for editing a room like an onion, and how she reinvents her holiday decorating theme every single year. She also shares her secret for keeping Christmas trees alive and her favorite way to spark conversation at dinner parties.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

Peel the Onion: When defining your style, pin up everything you love on a board, then "peel back the layers of the onion" by removing items until you reach a harmonious balance of favorite pieces.

Create a "Thread" Between Rooms: You don't need to paint every room the same color, but rooms should have equal "tonal weight" and a unifying thread (like a specific welt or texture) so you can move a chair from one room to another without it looking out of place.

Hydrate Your Holiday: To keep fresh greenery and trees from drying out, soak garlands in water overnight before hanging them, and add a little Miracle-Gro to your Christmas tree water to keep it fresh and prevent needle drop.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

Also Mentioned:

Sara Hillery Interior Design | Website 

Follow Sara on Instagram: @sarahilleryinteriordesign 

Maymont House (Victorian Christmas Inspiration) 

Shop Ballard Designs 

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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