How to Decorate

This week, we're bringing you another interview from our time at High Point Market. Living on the Gulf Coast, interior designer Cindy Meador specializes in decorating and furnishing second homes. From 10,000 square foot houses to high rise beach condos, Cindy and her team have done it all, and she's sharing a lot of behind the scenes tidbits with us.

• Taryn's trial and triumph was yardwork-related
• My trial was a disgusting rodent that was in our yard, and my triumph was the peony arrangements I got to do at our event at the Atlanta Food & Wine Festival
• Karen's triumph was doing a professional looking hydrangea arrangement for her friend's birthday
• Her trial was the string lights in her backyard falling down
• We ask Cindy how her work became featured in a cocktail book
• We talk about how style differs from region to region
• Cindy often will start working with a client on their second home, then later work on their primary residence
• We talk about designing a home for a client from the ground up
• Cindy shares the entire process of installing a project
• We talk about how she got into interior design and her advice for people getting into the business
• We talk about her own personal style and how her style differs from her client work
• We talk recliners and the fact that there are some good ones out there
• We talk about market, what she's looking for, and what trends she's seeing
• Cindy shares where she thinks people should invest their decorating dollars
• She talks about where she starts her rooms

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It took some persuasion, but we finally got our Senior Director of Merchandising Phil Lancaster, or "The Professor," on the podcast! Phil knows it all, teaches us some furniture history, tells us all about how furniture is made, what you need to look for, and generally schools us on the nitty gritty details of furniture and antiques. If you're wondering how to look for quality in your next furniture piece, this is the episode you need to listen to.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We start off with a furniture lesson on modern vs. contemporaryHow does modern differ from mid-century modern?What's going to make it from the furniture being created right now? How do we know what will last?There's a lot of innovation around lighting right now in new types of light bulbsWe discuss light bulbs and why the color they give off is so importantWhat's the difference between an antique and vintageWe talk about his 100 year old house, how he bought it from the original owners, and how he loves the huntHow important it is to talk to antique dealers when you're out hunting for thingsWhat we look for when we're going on one of our big antique shopping tripsHow to shop for a wooden antique -- open the drawers, look at the back, examine the construction to know whether it's well-madeWe ask Phil about his favorite interior designer and artistWe talk about furniture styles, how the style Ballard is known for differs from Phil's own aesthetic, and the fact that good design is good designWe talk about why we use MDF to manufacture furniture and why you shouldn't assume something made from MDF is poor qualityTaryn tells us a story about a mahogany table she sent to a furniture show and why real wood isn't always betterWe talk about kiln dried wood -- if you remove the moisture from the wood, it's less likely to warpWe talk about teak and why you remove the moisture from teakWe dive into upholstery and the four main parts -- the frame, the suspension, the cushion, and the coverPhil jumps on his soapbox about the pitch of upholstery and why it's the most important quality about your furniture piece's comfortWe talk about what 8-way hand tied is and why you don't need it anymorePhil tells us about cushion construction and what's on the inside of your sofa

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Mende's room in the Traditional Home Southern Style Now Showhouse stopped us in our tracks, so we knew we had to get her on the podcast. Her spaces are bold, jubilant, and inviting, and we quickly learned that she herself is too. If you've ever had questions about paint, then this is an episode you have to listen to. We talk about choosing paint colors, paint finishes, fan decks, why you can't just look at the paint chip, and Lisa gives us all her favorite paint colors.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

I talk about Tom Sheerer's book Tom Sheerer Decorates which I devoured over Memorial Day weekendTaryn talks about her leaky roof and how the dry cleaner got out the stain in her blue dress (which she discussed in the last episode)Lisa tells us all about her 'she shed' in the Traditional House showhouse in New OrleansWe talk about her guest house becoming the center of the party during the showhouse openingWe talk about showhouses, how designers are paired with sponsors, and why we love showhouses so muchWhy 'the mix' is so importantShe tells us about the questionnaire she gives potential clientsWe talk about the importance of getting to know your own likes and dislikes before decorating your homeShe tells us about her new house and her plans for decorating itWhy she decorates her own house in stagesA great rule she has for splurging on a piece of furniture -- how can you use it three different waysWhy you might want to coordinate your dining room and living room upholsteryHow she's working around the 80's fireplace in her new houseWe talk about striped rugs and outdoor rugsWe talk about white paint colors, why they're complicated, and why they workI share how I picked Benjamin Moore's Chantilly Lace for my dark little craftsmanWe talk the pace of a room, and why it's an indicator of how much color you want in your spaceMy mom's recent paint mistakeWhy you can't just ask your neighbor the color they used for their houseWe talk paint finishes and why they're importantWe talk lacquer -- this is on Lisa's list of Don't DIYShe shares some of her drapery tricks for getting a designer look on a budget

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Flower Magazine editor in chief and founder Margot Shaw joins us from Birmingham to talk about flowers, being a green thumb, and why she decided to start Flower Magazine. We talk fake flowers, the etiquette for cutting from the yard, and why your containers or vases are as important as the flowers you're trying to arrange.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

-Taryn's very upsetting wardrobe malfunction

 -Karen talks about how she oxycleans everything

 -Taryn's triumph is that she had a piece of art framed

 -Karen shares the mystery of her collapsed faux boxwood balls

 -Karen's triumph was painting her back fence black

 -My triumph is that I had my Nala Stool reupholstered in our Natural Woven Sand fabric which looks just like raffia

 -My trial is a recurring experience in which my neighbor's get to see my pajamas

 -Margot shares the incredible story of how she started Flower Magazine

 -We talk about how people are really the cornerstone of the magazine, not plants

 -She shares that she does not in fact ... have a green thumb

 -How her daughter's wedding started her in a whole new career

 -Margot says that a French hand tied is the best method for arranging flowers for beginners

 -Margot shares her favorite flower to arrange with -- garden roses

 -The secret to a great flower arrangement is really in the container

 -Why flowers and floral patterns are considered to be feminine

 -How leaves and flowers actually form the foundation of so many classic forms -- like acanthus leaves and Corinthian columns

 -What flowers (or style of arranging flowers) are trendy right now

 -Why it's actually harder to make an arrangement look organic and effortless

 -Her favorite greenery to add to her flower arrangements

 -We talk about fake flowers, or 'permanent botanicals'

 -We all admit to whether we've cut flowers from our neighbors' yards

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week we have a very special guest all the way from California, interior designer Mark D. Sikes. Mark is a veritable renaissance man with a furniture line, fabric collection, rug collection, book, fashion line, and of course his interior design business. He shares the story of how his Los Angeles home landed on the cover of House Beautiful, his love of fashion and experience working in fashion, how he approaches a new space, and how to get that effortless California style in your home.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Taryn's trial involves the yearly dilemma of pollen versus outdoor furniture.Karen gives us tips for pruning hydrangeas.My London travel momento is both my trial and my triumph.Karen's guest bedroom saga continues. This week, she's talking about paint.Mark shares the process of designing his furniture collection and where his inspiration comes fromHow his degree in finance helps his interior design businessWe press him on how he started his MDS Stripes fashion lineMark loves a stripe -- so much that he started a striped clothing line -- so he schools us on mixing stripes togetherWhy no room should ever look perfectHis one design rule is that a space looks like it's been created over timeWe talk about California style and how we can bring a little of it into our homesHe shares the inspiration and plan for the Coastal Living Idea House that he's designing in Newport, Rhode IslandWe talk about his living room in the Southern Living Idea House which was all neutralOf course we have to ask him his decorating pet peevesMark shares the incredible story of how his house landed on the cover of House BeautifulHis decorating advice for anyone looking to start out in the design industry

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We recently traveled to High Point, North Carolina for their Spring Market and had the chance to sit down with some of our favorite tastemakers. This week, we're sharing our interview with the Editor in Chief of Domino Magazine, Jessica Romm Perez. She's worked at some of our favorite magazines -- Martha Stewart, Food & Wine, and Elle Decor just to name a few -- so we loved chatting with her about what trends she's seeing at market, her recent home renovation, and how her team dreams up such a gorgeous issue! Of course we couldn't end the episode without her answering your decorating questions!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We're in High Point Market in North Carolina interviewing interior designers and editorsWe talk about why we love market and what it isKaren's triumph is the new bed she put in her guest bedroomHer trial is that her guest bedroom closet won't close because of the bed!We talk about how everything in Karen's house is from Ballard but why it doesn't actually look like our catalog or storeTaryn's trial and triumph is a new console table she got from the Ballard outletMy triumph is that I took a macaron making class with my mom and now I'm a macaron expert!My trial is that I missed my rose bush blooming while I was in London, and it won't bloom again until next year. So disappointing! Also the saying about roses that I couldn't remember is, "First it sleeps, then it creeps, then it leaps."We talk about her favorite part of market, how her editorial team decides which trends to feature in the magazine, and what is exciting her right now at marketShe shares her best tips for decorating with kids, including organizing kid's toys in her small New York apartmentHow systems are a crucial part of her decorating and organizing strategyHow she stepped into the role of editor in chief at such a beloved brand and magazineWe talk about our favorite recent features in the latest issue of Domino, like the crudite platter Karen recently triedJessica talks about their focus at Domino which is focusing on real, attainable living by real people. It's not just about a fantasy, everything they share is attainable.Jessica shares her rules for mixing metals in your home -- just go for it!She shares her most recent home purchase and talks about her home renovationWhat colors she's gravitating toward and why color impacts the mood of your home

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we're bringing you a very special Mother's Day edition. Our guests are our three moms! We gave them a little pop quiz and challenged them on how well they know us and how well we know them. We talk about our childhood bedrooms, how our styles differ, and much more.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE

My trial which consisted of being in the middle of the Atlanta I-85 interstate collapseTaryn recaps her travels to South Africa, including what she brought home on the planeTaryn's sweet lab Baylor came home from the daycare with a tumorKaren talks about her carpenter bee problem and her gardening triumphWe played a game with our moms where we made them fill out a quiz to see how well they knew usWe talk color, wallpaper, sentimental things, and hoarding tendenciesWe talk about our childhood bedroomsWe share another round of entertaining disasters

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest this week has seriously enviable style that blends vibrant colors with doses of white and black. We love the way she uses vintage pieces but creates rooms that feel totally fresh and modern. Gen Sohr is one half of the husband and wife team at Pencil and Paper Company, and we had to pick her brain about decorating with kids, color, pattern, thrift shopping, and how she and Ben manage to do it all, and together no less!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Taryn tells us about her fun new findI shopped my house to redo my living room mantelKaren tells us about the mysterious dots all over her kitchen and den and her clever solution to her tray which scratches her coffee tableWe talk favorite paint colors and color palettes with GenWhat it's like working with her husband, how they met, and when they decided to open their businessWe talk about her new hometown of Nashville and how the city has changed since they've moved thereDoes she have any pet peeves when she visits friends' homesHer go-to white paint colorWhat she loves most about helping her clients with their homesHow she has and hasn't comprised her home decor for her two young kidsRenovations, moving, and why there's always something on the horizonWe talk about her love for thrift shopping and scouring the flea marketShe talks about her son's love of design

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Interior designer Beth Webb's spaces are comfortable, tailored, and utterly timeless, so you can our imagine our delight when she joined us for this week's episode of the podcast. We talk about her recent challenge of blending her own style with her new husbands, we talk entertaining, southern hospitality, and the importance of great lighting, among other things.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE

My garden related triumph and allergy related trialTaryn has a cleaning conundrum she needs help solvingTaryn talks about her recent accessory additionKaren's stranger danger experience in her neighborhoodWhy it's so great to be an interior designer in AtlantaWe talk the business of design, including comraderie, client relationships, and social mediaHow she's combined her own style aesthetic with her new husband's more contemporary styleWhat are her decorating pet peevesThe importance of having layers of light in your spaceWhy scale is so important, why it's hard to teach, and how to approach scale in your own home

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hold onto your earbuds because our guest today is none other than our own design partner, author, acclaimed interior designer, and hostess extraordinaire Bunny Williams! We traveled to Bunny's office in New York to record this special episode in her office, and she definitely did not disappoint. Bunny shares some incredible decorating tips and stories, including how she furnished her first apartment and decorating her home in the Dominican Republic. We talk about her new outdoor furniture collection La Colina, and of course she answers your decorating questions!

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

We talk about my red lipstick trial and Karen schools us in her red lipstick protocolKaren's cord control decorating triumphTaryn talks about the incredible meal and incredible decor at Marcel in AtlantaHer trial involves public speakingBunny tells us why she decided to do a product line with Ballard DesignsShe tells us about how we're all faced with the same dilemma when it comes to decorating -- budgetWhy only buying things you love is the best investment in your homeHer proudest achievement in her first apartment in New YorkHer first big purchase was a good sofa, and why it's important for everyone to buy a really good oneBunny addresses the big pet question -- do hers get on the furniture and what does she do about it?We talk entertaining, why she's so comfortable with it, and what corners you can cut to make it easier on yourselfShe tells us about her home in the Dominican RepublicShe tells us about the time her husband John wanted to veto her decor choicesWe talk about redecorating and why it's not necessary if you get it right the first timeWe talk about her decorating pet peeve -- furniture that's always against the wallShe gives us a lesson on laying out your roomHostess etiquette, especially when it comes to drinks and coastersShe tells us about her new outdoor furniture collection, La ColinaWhy she never buys a chair online

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices