How to Decorate

By Ballard DesignsBusiness Arts Design

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Typical duration
60 min
per episode

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How to Decorate episodes

July 21, 2020Ep. 150: designer Marika Meyer
This week we welcome Designer and Artist Marika Meyer, who has a lot of advice about fabrics and rugs from creating and running her own firm, Marika Meyer Textiles. Marika discusses her style that mixes beautiful patterns, polished pieces, and rooms that can provide both beauty and space for young families. Marika also talks with us about how to keep a room looking elevated and gorgeous even when it is heavily used, the process of creating fabrics, and how she picks a color palette for her collection.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Trials and triumphs about the removal of both a cast and trees on the roof, some patio construction, repurposing a terrarium, and some creative fixes for lighting up a ceiling,
Marika combined her love of business and data with art and photography when following a career in design and opening her own firm.
Being a designer is a very personal business, so you better make sure you are into people before you choose this path!
Our homes can be the background for great stories, and it’s okay to design a beautiful and edited space knowing it won’t stay perfect forever.
Why the phrase “practical luxury and functional beauty” perfectly sums up Marika’s work.
How to keep a room looking elevated and gorgeous using basics as the backdrop and the “little black dress” of the room.
Ways we can design a room for purposefully for exactly how we plan to use it, how much we plan on entertaining, etc.
More about the process of creating fabric from start to finish and taking a painting into a pattern.
How Marika picks the color palette for her collection.
The dirty little secret about her giant Palladian windows in a design house and how we can use Roman shades to add layers and hide mistakes.
How we can use textiles, tones, different values, and colors to make a neutral room lively.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep #66: Andrew Cogar and Kristin Kong
Ballard Suzanne Kasler Chairs
Meyer Interiors
Marika Meyer Textiles
@marikameyersinc

Decorating Dilemma:
We love your thoroughness, and actually this is a lovely dilemma. First, if you were to move the eating area to the top of the L shape on the porch, you could take advantage of the more narrow space without sacrificing the light. One trick could be putting together two square tables to make a larger rectangle, and you could separate the tables and pull them apart if you need more distance. We agree that Option #1 could work, and it appears as if the view is nicer from the backside, so maximizing that view would also create a nice space to add in more seating to fill out that area, augmented by two sets of chairs on the existing porch that could be easily pulled in to the conversation area if needed. Some school house benches that also serves as a cocktail table could be fun and easily defined. The layering of texture is key, and we believe in you!

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1 hr 17 min
July 14, 2020Ep. 149: Cullman & Kravis designers Ellie Cullman and Sarah Ramsey
This week, we welcome Ellie Cullman and Sarah Ramsey of Cullman & Kravis Associates, one of the top design firms in the country known for providing the highest quality of design and personal service. They discuss how the firm was founded and rose to be one of the leaders in design, along with the inspiration behind their new book, From Classic To Contemporary. We talk with them about ways to infuse traditional interiors with a modern and liveable perspective, what to do when you don’t want to be formal in a larger space, and how to create an art collection that best showcases your emotions and unique style.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Ellie shares her great story of getting into design through a screenplay that didn’t go to well in a pitch meeting.
The four ways to make a huge impact when creating a space that feels refreshed and flows seamlessly.
All your art does not have to come from one specific time period or collection. You can have art reflect your individual taste and lead with emotions rather than what you think should be in the rooms.
Why attending an art fair (once we can go to them again) is a great idea to find affordable yet meaningful pieces or even just an idea of what’s out there.
Just like finding love, don’t commit to a certain design idea until you’ve looked around and “dated” a bunch of other ideas. If you are constantly seeing the same design ideas reflected back through your searches or Instagram algorithm pages, you can break out and try to embrace something new!
Ellie and Sarah work with designers of all ages at Cullman & Kravis, and they find this to be a source of inspiration and fresh ideas.
Ways we can create “lamp harmony” by adding uplighting, chandeliers, or even just changing an outdated light bulb or shade.
The Hudson River home that exemplified how to arrange furniture in a large room that doesn’t need to be so formal.
More about the Palm Beach project that portrayed beautiful accent walls and big colorful gestures.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Cullman & Kravis
From Classic to Contemporary
@cullmankravis
American Folk Art Museum
Kramer vs. Kramer
Sotheby’s

Decorating Dilemma:
First, as a pet owner, we understand the comfort of wanting to have an indoor and outdoor rug. The technology is amazing these days, and you can get ones that look nice, like the Ballard Anders Indoor/Outdoor rug, that hopefully, your cat won’t destroy. You could paint the top of the table and get a pop of color that way, which allows you to get a 48” table and save some space. Your house is light and open, we love it! Good choice of neutral yet beautiful paint colors as well.

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1 hr
July 07, 2020Ep. 148: designer Jonathan Adler
This week we are joined by the wonderful, whimsical, and swagger filled Jonathan Adler. He talks with us about how he grew up on a tiny farm town in New Jersey and used his skills as a potter to see beyond just one path and create a huge and well-respected name in the industry as a designer, author, and personality. Jonathan shares how he got started in design, the inspiration behind the iconic Parker Hotel Palm Springs and Modern American Glamour style, why worrying about trends is a thing of the past, and why we shouldn’t be afraid to design with putting our most optimistic and bold foot forward.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Trials and triumphs including a whole lot of painting, Ikea basket storage, furniture placement, and office spruce up.
Jonathan grew up in a tiny farm town in New Jersey and tried pottery when he was 12 at camp. He fell immediately in love with the art and knew he wanted to pursue it for his lifelong passion in a unique and inimitable way.
Jonathan got studio space in SoHo by teaching classes and his atypical thinking kept him open to branching out towards all elements of design, including his friends’ home.
Jonathan’s Modern American Glamourous style encourages people to reach beyond their limitations and preconceived style restrictions and get as funky and weird as they want.
As a decorator, Jonathan feels like he is a slimming mirror for his clients, reflecting the best and most optimistic version of themselves.
Why a neutral slate is a great place to start and build colorful and whimsical additions.
Jonathan shares how he used timeless elements mixed with rustic modern and hippie aesthetic in the Parker Hotel, and what his process was behind the refresh.
Why we can take more risks now more than ever with so many options being out there that trends are really just more about people picking what they personally like.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Jonathan Adler
Jonathan’s Hilarious Timeline
@jonathanadler
Benjamin Moore Crushed Velvet
New York Magazine
Elle Decor
Parker Palm Springs
David Hicks
Strand Book Store

Decorating Dilemma:
First off, this house is incredible and your staircase is amazing! What Jonathan would do is keep the floors and paint everything else white including the kitchen. Since it is a loft-like space, you will need to do some seating pavilions and pads. White walls and wood floors will bring a cohesive feel. We are loving the front doors! Marble would be lovely for the countertops.

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50 min
June 30, 2020Ep. 147: Dorm Room Decorating
We have two very exciting guests this week, Jennie Seward and Ann Mashburn. These two powerhouse designers just happened to have daughters that ended up rooming together as college freshmen and are now two peas in a very well decorated pod. Jennie and Ann talk with us about ways to maximize space in a small shared area, tips for making the most out of bed storage, and share a few of their favorite budget-friendly ideas for adding warmth and personality to a dorm.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Trials and triumphs about a broken femur, trip to Maine, a very heavy fountain, dripping faucets, and much more!
How Jennie and Ann’s daughters ended up rooming together, and how these two peas in a pod get along.
The difference between decorating a dorm room for a boy vs. a girl, and why the boys just may be happy with one loan Home Depot bucket.
How Pinterest has changed dorm room decorating, and where Jenny and Ann and their daughter’s collected ideas for inspiration.
All about the bed including bed skirts, maximizing storage, and reupholstered sidewalk headboard.
How to keep spaces separate for sleeping and studying, even if space is an issue.
Ideas to decorate the walls and not have them so bare without needing to spend too much money.
Tell your kids you will buy everything once, so they know to keep good care of what they have!
Our love for the touch kitchen faucet, and why it will change your life!

Mentioned In This Episode:
Jennie Seward | @jenniesewardco
Ann Mashburn | Sid Mashburn | @annmashburn
Casper Mattress
Ikea
Pinterest
Garnet Hill
Decorating Dilemma:
We agree that you should paint the brick and the green should be painted a nice off white. Changing your hardware could really modernize your kitchen, and you can check out Ballard’s hardware for some inspiration. Add some great lighting such as a fabulous light fixture over the island. You may not need stools for the counter, and this will add space for one long bench without having people bump into each other.

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1 hr 13 min
June 23, 2020Ep. 146: Dining Room Basics
This week it’s all about the dining room, kitchen, and fun seating options with our in-house expert Sara Stephen. Sara guides us through ways that we can use our existing dining room and kitchen furniture to maximize space, support the flow of a room, and create a consistent yet not too matchy look. We talk with Sara about how to choose a dining room table, what trends she is seeing in the world of kitchen and dining decor, why banquettes and benches are so hot right now, and whether you really need to sit next to your loved one at a party.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
What to look for a dining room table including size, shape, function, clean up ability, and seating size.
Beautiful fabrics that are also easy to care for - they are out there! Sara explains which fabrics are great for families that have to deal with spills and messes way too often.
How to know which chairs go with which tables, and it’s okay to mix and match! We can also have host and hostess chairs that stand out to break up the pattern and make it feel like less of a set.
Place cards and seating orders can be fun if you are having a get together where the guests are feeling friendly and like leaving their dates for a few hours!
Good rules to go by when picking out legs and finishes for your dining room table.
Tips for picking out benches and banquettes for a narrow room, and how to pick dining benches that provide a great space but not too much like a conference room.
How to get the perfect bar stool height, surface, and swivel.
How Merchants at Ballard infuse their own personality and taste with the Ballard product line.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Ep #8 Stylist Natalie Nassar
Ep #84 Susan Ferrier
Ballard Designs Dining Room and Kitchen
Barstools and Counter Stools

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57 min
June 16, 2020Ep. 145: designer Dana Wolter
In today’s episode, Birmingham, Alabama interior designer Dana Wolter joins the podcast to about how to create drama and edge in design, ways to use texture and layers to create softness, and the magic of drapery panels.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Trials and triumphs about the most traumatic power outage, new house plans, digital picture frames, adjusting to a longer working from home schedule, paint color testing, rose tips, and some fun basement renovation.
Dana’s goal is to give her clients something custom, unique, long-lasting, and special to them. When using trendy pieces, she tends to pick items that are a lower price point so it’s not a huge loss to move along from them every few years.
Dana gives some advice on creating drama and edge using different layers and textures.
Just because a space is neutral, doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of depth and layering.
When the architecture is strong, we need less drama in our design.
Coming from a large family, Dana understands first hand how important it is to create a space that is comfortable and able to expand with any family needs.
Dana’s take on how high up the wall art should go up to create balance and work with the scale of a room.
Why we just love sconces so much not only to fill the room with light but add an element of drama and art.
A pair of chaise lounge chairs in the living room can be a comfortable and inviting solution for more seating.

Mentioned In This Episode:
@danawolterinteriors
Dana Wolter Interiors
Traditional Home Spring 2020
Livable Home
Ballard Designs IG TV
William McClure
Skylight Digital Picture Frame

Decorating Dilemma:
Congrats on your new home and you are so close! We need to find a way to ground the space in the dining area, and a banquette would add some weight. Check out the Coventry one that we have at Ballard. Add some sconces! We love the art on the credenza, placing a beautiful bowl with some books could add layers to your already wonderful foundation. We have an acrylic bar cart that would vibe with your modern yet traditional look, and this would bring in another fun texture.

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1 hr 22 min
June 09, 2020Ep. 144: designer Keita Turner
Our guest Keita Turner is a New York-based interior designer who talks with us about stepping out of your comfort zone, rules for hanging art, and ways you can find what works for you and blend it together in a seamlessly clean and interesting way.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Trials and triumphs featuring a beautiful painting with a floating frame, working without an office, the perfect place for a great houseplant, a water heater that won’t define us,
How effective command hooks and organizational trays can be to keep our spaces free and clear.
Keita shares how her background in mass-market fashion and high-pressure corporate work lead her to take classes and work for her mother in interior design.
How Keita’s mother’s style inspired her own, and ways that they are different in their personal approach.
How freelancing gave Keita the confidence to know that she could branch out on her own.
Keita’s motto: “don’t be afraid to do things that frighten you.”
Ways that we can mix things through travel and build a collection of pieces that are meaningful and beautiful to us personally.
The balance of nudging clients to go a certain design route and honoring their vision to courage their collection in a way that works for their ultimate goals.
The rules for hanging art, and what Keita continually sees people doing wrong!
What makes a great art handler, and why you may want to work with one.
How Keita is adapting to virtual presentations to still show the texture and composition of individual fabrics and swatches.
Keita's pillow collection Livvy and Neva, made from vintage textiles

Mentioned In This Episode:
Picture Frames.com
@hotdudesreading
@keitaturnerdesign
Keita Turner Design
Redd Kaihoi
Ballard Designs IG TV
Decorating Dilemma:
This is a good looking room, and you have done a great job of pulling it together thus far. The recliner and antique table can’t occupy that space, but we like the recliner so don’t want to see it go! You could find cabinets with doors that provide cord management. Adding some art and accessories with some black could add texture and depth, and the blue from the painting could also be used in a buffalo check pillow or another way to pop some color in. Some small tables could provide a place for drinks, and a nice floor lamp will add more lighting options. You have great style, so just a few final tweaks and you are good!

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1 hr 39 min
May 26, 2020Ep. 143: antiques expert Tara Shaw
Antiques expert, designer, and author Tara Shaw joins the show to share her passion for antiques and how to decorate with them in our homes. She talks about sourcing antiques, steps for bringing beautiful pieces in our space, and the inspiration behind her new book Soul of the Home: Designing with Antiques.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Tara’s new book, Soul of the Home: Designing with Antiques ties in education about designing with antiques and explanations of how furniture that is both old and modern can work together. Take it from us, it will be the kind of book you want to bring out on a relaxing morning and savor with a cup of coffee.
Tara’s amazing story of how she made the transition from antique importer to working on Harry Connik Jr.’s home in Connecticut, and how the experience of “doing it afraid” opened the door to take on new clients.
How she went to school for education, worked in apparel, and ended up in antiques.
What an exponent is, and why personal carvings are so special when shopping for the right antique piece.
How Tara’s suggestion of purchasing one nice piece a year can really lead to an entire home of beautiful antiques after some time.
Tara’s real confessions on what she keeps for herself, and how she decides just what items she can’t live without personally.
Why Tara loves mid-century and how to effortlessly mix different styles of furniture.
Why she buys mid century and its a good thing to mix with antiquity so it doesn’t feel stale.
A glimpse into Tara’s process of shopping for antique items and bringing them home for her now sought after container parties.
Start with one room and an anchor piece. Take a minute to find your voice and be fearless to execute it.
How her love of canopy beds and hand forging them keeps artisans in New Orleans employed.
Mentioned In This Episode:
Tara Shaw
Soul of the Home
@tarashawdesign
Matthew Carter Interiors

Decorating Dilemma:
We love that you encompass exactly what talk about in this episode - you know what you like and you are fearless about it! This room screams pink and green to Tara, a Palm Beach look that is congruent with the Lily Pulitzer type fabric. It would also look more bespoke if you found trim that you could trim your draperies with, and use a drapery hook with pointy edge rings instead of a clip. Some art that can thread the colors in together would be great, and we love the pink chair.

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1 hr 19 min
May 19, 2020Ep. 142: designer Sophie Donelson
We kick off this week talking about some possums and raccoons, flower power, and getting our storage until control. Then, we are joined with fabulous previous guest and design expert, speaker, consultant, and former editor of House Beautiful, Sophie Donelson. Sophie talks with us about her latest essay in the New York Times about why we don’t need our house to be perfect for Instagram, recommendations for picking out a paint color, and what life is like for Sophie in Montreal during this stay at home time.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Trials and triumphs about good ole neighbor Jim and his possums, labeling and storage containers, cottage cheese, and sentimental yard maintenance.
More about the English and French decorating in Montreal, and the amazing views Sophie sees in her community.
What are homes can do for us, and how we can have a loving and less combative conversation between ourselves and our homes.
What lead Sophie and her husband to Montreal, and the pros and cons of living in a big city.
The inspiration behind Sophie’s essay in The New York Times, “Self-Quarantine is No Time For An Instagram-ready Kitchen.”
We have more flexibility and bandwidth to make our home comfy for our own needs, and not so much for the sake of it being pleasing or impressive to others.
Sophie recommends experimenting with the design and flow of a room and reminds us we are not locked into one way of design in our homes.
Get your one little perfect corner and you can branch out from there. It’s never all going to be perfect.
The decision making behind her beautiful lavender walls.
Why having a designated playroom and sleep room has been a life and sanity saver.
Mentioned In This Episode:
House Beautiful
House & Home
@sophiedow
Sophie Donelson
Self-Quarantine is No Time For An Instagram-ready Kitchen
Big Books Small Talk
Justina Blakeney
Ikea Bunk Bed

Decorating Dilemma:
Caroline’s painter used oil because it’s harder and more durable than latex. You can get a beautiful finish with brushing, it is just labor-intensive. A semi-gloss will be easier to clean, and if you are getting it professionally done have them spray it and use oil. If you are capable, patient, and thorough enough to do it yourself - good for you!
Luckily this plan is easy to put into action! Sophie would recommend going to the hardware store to find some aluminum pails with some pebbles on the bottom. The rug is so important to make it feel homey and to collect the space together to make it feel one vibe. We love the natural charm of the ceiling and we wouldn’t change it! Sophie’s favorite trick for a bedside table is to use a bracket because it can fit your phone and a glass of water. Plants could help up the comfort level, and vintage rugs that don’t necessarily match could look great and also elevate the room.

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1 hr 31 min
May 12, 2020Ep. 141: designer Suzanne Kasler
We kick off this week with some Trials and Triumphs about architects, puzzles, and house plans. Then, our beloved partner and award-winning interior designer Suzanne Kasler joins the show. Suzanne updates us on how she is personally dealing with way more time at home than usual, and the cool products and pieces we can expect from her new line with Ballard in terms of colors, textures, and accessories.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode:
Some trials and triumphs on a new architecture endeavor, fancy house plans, puzzles, hoses, and a cool wardrobe idea for men.
Suzanne collects what she likes as she travels and visits new places. We can pull our design from what inspires us and makes us feel the most connected to our home instead of having strict boundaries or rules.
Suzanne explains why people are gravitating towards woven texture, and how to incorporate woven texture with other patterns and textiles in an elevated and timeless way.
Our new summer collection with Suzanne features the classic and tried and true pieces, but also new fabrics, bright patterns, and items that will create a splash of fun and liveliness.
Fashion and interior design can be very much interwoven, and some of Suzanne’s plaid pieces are inspired by the shirts from Christmas.
Of course, Suzanne is making the most of her stay at home time, and she gives us ideas on easy ways to make big changes while our resources may be limited.
Ideas on how we would use a divider screen in our house.
How we can mix brown furniture in a light and bright room without making it feel heavy.
Suzanne’s two favorite white paint colors, and how to know which one to choose for the specific function.
A few of the new colors in the collection such as mandarin orange, and more about the cyclical timeless colors like blush.
Mentioned In This Episode:
Ballard - Suzanne Kasler Collection
Link to Sweepstakes for $10k at Ballard and tour of Suzanne Kasler’s house
Overstock.com
Martha Stewart
Charlotte Moss
John Derian
Hermes
Benjamin Moore White Dove
Benjamin Moore Simply White
Decorating Dilemma:
You have so much space and natural light already, so congrats on that! A few suggestions of ours would be to paint the brick white and buy a fireplace screen. If you don’t use the fireplace then adding some white birch logs could look great. If you wanted to add a divider screen that matches the linen on the bed, that could be a solution to your window/bed issue. The room could be a great place to relax and watch TV, so making it comfortable and functional would give you options for a retreat or just a temporary escape! In the fall, Suzanne will be expanding her Mathes collection, so check back in for some chaise options that would look great. Also, we love your wood floors!

Suzanne recommends a neutral linen sofa, and you can add your color in through beautiful throws and pillows. That way you have a timeless couch, and you can change up your color scheme as you desire. The neutral linen sofa would also look great with the textures and tones in your room. We recommend moving the sofa so it is centered, and getting a bigger rug. Put the two end tables at each end of the sofa, and two lamps on them would bring an anchored feel to the room.

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1 hr 17 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…