How to Decorate

By Ballard DesignsBusiness Arts Design

Ranking
6th
on Design
Favorites
330
Followers
Typical duration
60 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

How to Decorate episodes

December 05, 2023Ep. 338: Floral Designs for the Table with Cathy B. Graham
It’s all about flower power this week as we welcome award-winning artist and fashion illustrator, Cathy B. Graham. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, Rolling Stone, New York Magazine, and more. Cathy has been a contributing editor to House Beautiful and Elle Decor. In our conversation with Cathy, we talk about the inspiration behind her recently released second book, Full Bloom: Joyful Designs for the Table. She gives us her expert tips on everything, from finding the perfect flowers for your event, to picking unexpected trinkets and additions that delight you, expanding your color palette, and creative table setting ideas.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
How Cathy got into floral design from a background in fashion illustration.
A few of the many things Cathy learned from working with the late floral designer and event planner, Robert Isabell.
Yes, even those who aren’t super artistic can learn about floral design and arrangements and surprise themselves!
More about Cathy’s beautiful arrangements on plates and tablescapes.
Simple ways to use florals to create the mood in your home or event.
Flower arranging techniques and vase selection.
How soon before an event should you buy flowers?
Pairing flowers within a color family for beautiful arrangements.
Adding unique elements like fruits and vegetables to create textured arrangements.
Let your imagination run wild! If you like a bit of shine and sparkle, don’t be afraid to add things like glitter, garland, and trinkets that make you happy.
Some of Cathy’s favorite house plants.
Mentioned:
Ballard Designs
Cathy B. Graham
@cathygraham
Full Bloom
Second Bloom

Please send in your questions and decorating dilemmas to [email protected] so we can answer them on our next episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
54 min
November 28, 2023Ep. 337: London Living with Simon Upton
Simon Upton, celebrated as one of the world's leading interior photographers, has spent the past 25 years capturing the work of the foremost interior designers. His work has been featured in The World of Interiors, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, Vogue, House and Garden and more. In 2021, he published his first book, New York Interiors, and in September, he released his second book, London Living. In our conversation with Simon, he talks about the process behind his beautiful mastery of sharing the story of each homeowner, and the uniqueness of the different homes and stories that the spaces had to tell. Simon talks about the difference in his photography for London Living vs. an editorial magazine shoot, and why it was important to him to tell an honest story of London through his eyes.
What You’ll Here On This Episode:
How Simon got into interior photography.
The importance of strong visuals in storytelling.
Simon’s process for the homes and rooms he featured in London Living.
Simon’s passion for scouting new locations and building relationships with those new friends.
Were the rooms styled?
Tips for getting the most out of your lighting for a photography shoot, and why it may be a good thing that it’s overcast!
The importance of passion in making a house feel like a home.
His Zen approach to appreciating and enjoying homes but not coveting them.
Learning to embrace your own individual style.
A tease for his next book in the making.
Also Mentioned:
Ballard Designs
Simon Upton
London Living
@simonupton

Please send in your questions and decorating dilemmas to [email protected] so we can answer them on our next episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
58 min
November 21, 2023Ep. 336: The Life of Mario Buatta with Author Emily Eerdmans
We're thrilled to be joined by design historian and author Emily Eerdmans, who opens up about her insights on the legendary decorator Mario Buatta (a.k.a. the Prince of Chintz). Emily first talks about the process of writing Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator, and how it’s different from Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration. And, yes, Mario fans should have both books in their collection.
Emily then takes us through the fascinating journey of Mario, a trailblazer who incorporated personal branding into his design work, seamlessly adapted the English country house style to suit the American market, and crafted stunning designs using color and antiques. We dive deep into the heart of Mario’s design mantra with Emily, understanding the role of the four C's: chintz, curtains, color, and collections.

What You'll Hear This Episode:
How Mario’s humble roots played into his design.
Why it’s so important for the next generation of designers to remember this icon.
The four C’s: chintz, curtains, color and collections.
The power of design history and how it shapes our choices when creating timeless spaces.
More about Mario’s ingenious use of color and antiques to create mesmerizing designs.
Some of the challenges in writing an intimate biography and working with strong personalities.
The importance of curtains in modern apartments.
Mario's love for the English country house style.
Also Mentioned:
Ballard Designs
Emily Eerdmans
Mario Buatta: Anatomy of a Decorator
Mario Buatta: Fifty Years of American Interior Decoration

Please send in your questions and decorating dilemmas to [email protected] so we can answer them on our next episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 19 min
November 14, 2023Ep. 335: Holiday Decorating and Hosting Q&A (Part 2)
Ribbons and garland and mistletoe, oh my! This week, we talk all about fall decor and transitioning from Thanksgiving to Christmas in Part 2 of our 2023 Holiday Hosting Q&A. We share our favorite traditions and how they have evolved over the years, when we start to put the turkey themed items away and put up the tree, and our favorite things from smaller ornaments to large decorations. We also get into some gift wrapping techniques (that even your dog will love), where to score some beautiful garland and mistletoe, and advice for creating a cohesive look in your holiday festivities.
Watch along with this week's episode here on the Ballard Designs official YouTube channel.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
How our holiday decor has evolved over the years.
Kid-friendly holiday craft ideas that involve the whole family.
Must-do’s for a beautiful ribbon that won’t be a hassle to work with.
What we’re adding in our Christmas collection this year, including gorgeous wreaths and Garnet Hill Mistletoe.
How to match your wrapping paper with your holiday decor - it’s possible!
Mixing modern vs traditional Christmas decor.
Okay, really how long should we keep the pumpkin for?
Great tips and tricks for holiday entertaining.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ballard Designs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 5 min
November 14, 2023Ep. 334: Holiday Decorating and Hosting Q&A (Part 1)
It’s a fun episode this week as we get ready for all things holiday. From large holiday parties to intimate festivities, we answer your questions about food, decor and hosting. We discuss how to set a beautiful table for the holidays, great food and drink that will wow your guests without costing a fortune, and setting up your home to welcome guests. We also share our checklist for when expecting guests to stay over and why it’s always more fun at the kids table.
Watch along with this week's episode here on the Ballard Designs official YouTube channel.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Kids tables - yay or nay? And if yay, how to make them cute, decorative and easily cleanable after the inevitable mess has been made.
Setting a beautiful table on a budget.
Favorite dishes to bring to a holiday dinner.
Flow of the party: pacing the meals out correctly and making sure everything is served in the right order and in time.
Some suggestions for great table wine that won’t break the bank.
Getting creative with seating that will make your guests feel social and comfortable.
A check list of items to prepare for if you are expecting house guests.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ballard Designs
Bunny Williams
Mr. T’s Pierogies
Barefoot Contessa

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
59 min
October 31, 2023Ep. 333: Defining Chic with Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller
We welcome Jesse Carrier and Mara Miller, a husband and wife power couple in the design world. For two decades they have designed chic, timeless, surprising spaces for their clients, some of whom you may recognize like Anna Wintour, Jessica Chastain, Annie Leibovitz, and more. They've been named to the prestigious AD100 list, and have been featured in publications like Town and Country, Vogue, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest. They've just recently released their second book, Defining Chic, and talk about embracing your personal take on luxury, designing for evolving families, and picking details that speak, scream or whisper.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
The inspiration for Defining Chic and why they chose the projects to showcase.
How to create micro-environments and why they start with public facing rooms.
Luxury doesn’t have to mean formal! In fact, they knock down the formality in homes with naturally welcoming materials.
The Brooklyn brownstone that exemplifies that high-low luxury feel.
How Jesse and Mara’s New York roots inform their design process.
Tips for tying together separate rooms to create a cohesive feeling amongst the house.
Ways to get your family and teens on board with defining chic - Pinterest and making sure they feel part of the process.
How to pick design elements that bring warmth and joy to your space.
What it was like designing Anna Wintour’s compound retreat.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ballard Designs
Defining Chic
Carrier and Company
@carrierandco

Decorating Dilemma:
Follow Along with this week's Decorating Dilemma here.
Thanks Jill! We have some ideas on how to achieve that harmonious and cohesive look you desire. First, for your flooring, Jesse and Mara suggest maintaining a consistent flooring material from your entryway through the dining room. This would involve replacing the existing laminate flooring with hardwood to match the wood floors in your entryway. This change can provide a more unified and visually appealing look.
Consider more tonal or cohesive wall paint colors, especially in open floor plans. Transitioning from one room color to the next with paler or deeper shades can create a sense of continuity and sophistication in your space.
To enhance the overall look and feel of your living area, adding a lighter rug in the living room may help create contrast with the dark cabinetry in the kitchen, along with introducing colorful cushions, accent chairs, or rugs to create a coordinated color scheme throughout the space.
If you’re concerned about the rectangular rug and sectional sofa layout, there is the possibility of a custom cut rug.
Jesse and Mara emphasize the importance of maintaining a consistent floor pattern in areas where the floor follows the shape of the island, or it has multiple angles. Hope this helps and keep us updated on how it goes!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 5 min
October 24, 2023Ep. 332: Traditional Design with Hundley Hilton
It was design love at first sight for Janie Jones and Elizabeth Miles, the designers and founders of Birmingham-based Hundley Hilton Interiors. In this episode, they talk about meeting each other and how they inspire one another as a professional duo, tips for bringing new life to antiques, and creating a color palette that is timeless. Janie and Elizabeth share some tips for creating a beautiful and unique entertaining space, having patience for making big design shifts, and the beauty of being your own art collector.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Where did the name Hundley Hilton come from?
Design tips to evoke formal flair, while still keeping it comfortable and welcoming.
Their own methods for designing room by room instead of piece by piece.
Working with colors that you love that will stand the test of time!
Janie and Elizabeth’s collaborative approach to design.
How to intentionally collect items you like.
Slow down when choosing furniture! When you make sure it’s worth the investment, it will be loved for years to come.
Tips for matching different patterns and colors when setting the table, and how to enjoy layering silverware with fine china and antique plates.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ballard Designs
Hundley Hilton

Decorating Dilemma:
Hi Karen! Thank you so much for writing. So, as far as Janie and Elizabeth’s recommendations, it’s all about investing in unique lighting such as lamps and lampshades that can serve as a cost-effective way to add personality to your space. When it comes to furniture, consider a dining room table and chairs that can easily transition to a new home. You can experiment with colors on window trims and explore the use of Roman shades to enhance your windows without a significant investment. Art can truly transform any space and you can always find a spot for it, no matter the size of the artwork. Pairing antique lamps with a console may be a great idea to elevate your decor. And… as Janie and Elizabeth mentioned in the earlier conversation, art doesn’t have to be acquired all at once. Collecting them over time can be a rewarding experience.
About your sofa choices, an 86-inch size is a good way to go. It’s versatile and good with various room sizes. Opting for a queen-sized bed with a headboard can be a good touch of elegance while maintaining practicality. We are rooting for you!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 16 min
October 17, 2023Ep. 331: Right at Home with Bobby Berk
It’s a sexy AF show this week as the crew welcomes Bobby Berk, the design expert and Emmy-nominated TV host of Netflix’s Queer Eye. Bobby’s first book, Right at Home: How Good Design Is Good for the Mind was just released, and we are loving it already. Bobby talks about how feeling good in your space is crucial, and how to set yourself up for success. Bobby shares his one golden rule of design, the process behind writing his long-awaited book, and where to start if you’re looking for a home that feels like your own personal sanctuary.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
How Bobby got into design at 5 years old without even realizing it.
The inspiration behind his new book Right at Home: How Good Design is Good for The Mind.
Tips for creating your sanctuary at home, no matter what your budget is.
Bobby’s book is a friendly guide that design is for everyone and that it’s all about embracing what you like.
Some of the practical exercises in the book that Bobby includes help readers figure out what makes them happy in their homes.
The importance of function and recognizing when and where things aren’t working so you can fix them.
How to make the kitchen your sous chef.
The importance of setting up a sleep station that helps you get a restorative and relaxing sleep.
Different lighting options depending on the mood you’re going for.
Hear why Bobby is “pro-faux” on plants! Although the real thing is always better.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Bobby Berk
@bobby
Right at Home: How Good Design is Good for The Mind

Decorating Dilemma
Thanks for writing in, Melanie! So, from your description of the room and the artwork, it’s clear that we have some elements to work with in terms of color coordination. The art above the sofa appears to have peacock teal and burgundy hues, while the lamp and rug seem to incorporate similar shades, indicating a preference for these colors. To create balance in a room with predominantly white walls and a light sofa, Bobby would recommend considering darker drapery panels. This can help ground the space and provide a visual contrast against the white.
Additionally, if you have the space and want to add more dimension to the room, consider adding sculptural objects or decor on the walls near the paintings. This would break up the monotony of rectangular shapes and add visual interest.
Regarding the coffee table, styling it with a stack of books, a small plant, or other decorative items could bring more personality to the room. However, this should be done with consideration for any kids in the household who might interact with these items.
In terms of pillows, coordinating them with the new rug's color scheme (teal and similar shades) can tie the room together and create a cohesive look.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
50 min
October 10, 2023 Ep. 330: Trials and Triumphs — A Blinds Journey, Paint Colors, and Halloween Prepping
It’s all about trials and triumphs this week as we unpack the arrival of early Christmas presents, sliding doors leading to leaky floors, and the happy feeling when your teenager loves to pull weeds. We also talk about taking recommendations from paint colors from non-professional but well-meaning people, remembering to slow yourself down and not rush through projects, and prepping for an epic Halloween party.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ballard Designs

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
47 min
October 03, 2023Ep. 329: Budgeting with Molly Basile
This week our guest is S.C.-based interior designer Molly Basile, who brings an enjoyable twist to the often daunting task of home decor budgeting. Molly is renowned for her fresh, clean, and timeless interior designs. She has collaborated closely with our team at the Mount Pleasant store, recognizing her expertise in tackling budget-related topics. Molly provides valuable insights on budget initiation, prioritizing essential expenses, and obtaining cherished pieces within your financial constraints. Additionally, she shares firsthand observations, including specific figures from her experiences in the field.
What You’ll Hear on This Episode:
Molly’s non-traditional path to becoming a designer, and how she made a side hustle her full-time passion.
Remember: everyone’s budget is different! Start where you are and what feels comfortable to you.
What if you don’t have a budget going in to work with your designer?
You have a rough idea of your budget - now where to start?
Getting the basics down first such as big furniture items in the rooms before you go to adding custom pieces and additional trinkets.
Quality furniture is an investment.
Advice for those who love to jump around instead of finishing one room at a time.
What is the “typical” budget for upholstering?
Tips for choosing paint colors for a new construction home.
Mentioned in This Episode:
Ballard Designs
Molly Basile Interiors
@MollyBasileInteriors

Decorating Dilemma
Thanks Emily! First, don’t change your house color just because everybody else copied you. We all agree that you can keep it white, because we love the warmth and traditional feel that the white exterior brings. Molly notes that you could consider adding some shutters with darker colors if you want to create layering and set yourself apart.
For the green, a more traditional green is where you want to look. One suggestion that Molly had is one from Farrow & Ball. We can’t wait to see the finished library too - be sure to send in pics!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 2 min

About How to Decorate

From the publisher's feed

We want to teach you how to decorate! We'll help you unleash your inner decorator with interviews from interior designers, sharing the trials and triumphs from our own homes, and answering your…