How to Decorate

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 39 with clothing designer Ann Mashburn Dec 05, 2017

Show notes

We're huge fans of stylemaker, shop owner, and clothing designer Ann Mashburn, so we were thrilled when she stopped by for an episode of the podcast. She tells us about starting her and her husband's stores in Atlanta (which have now spread all over), raising 5 girls, decorating their homes and retails shops, and she shares some outfit ideas for holiday parties.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

Ann tells us about how they started their shops Sid Mashburn and Ann MashburnShe tells us about her real life Devil Wears Prada experienceShe talks about how the interior design style of her stores reflects the style of their homesShe talks about her philosophy when it comes to buying furniture -- buying what you love and not necessarily things that 'go together'We talk about lots of pieces that used to be in their homes ended up in their storesShe tells us the story of the iconic horse painting in Sid's flagship Atlanta storesAnn talks about why each store they open has an inspiration board in itAnn and Sid's living room was featured in Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles years ago, and if you've been on Pinterest you've likely seen her pair of hot pink roll arm sofasWe ask Ann about her daily 'uniform'Ann and Sid raised 5 girls all of whom have great, unique styleWe ask Ann about dressing for the holidays and her go-to outfits for holiday parties

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

Ep. 38: Color 101 with Maria Killam Nov 21, 2017

Show notes

We've been waiting to get color expert Maria Killam on the podcast ever since we heard about her October color workshop here in Atlanta. She captivated us on day one of her workshop, and afterwards, we sat down to talk paint, color, undertones, and timeless interior design. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

What You'll Hear on This Show:

Maria gives us a rundown of paint undertones and why they're importantWhat makes a decor choice timelessWe talk about paint swatches, why you need big ones, and how fan decks are madeWe ask how you know which paint color to shoot for?We talk about why choosing a paint color should be an easy choiceWhat's the difference between a 'clean' versus a 'dirty' color?Why mixing your own custom color isn't necessarily the best strategyWe talk about choosing exterior paint colors and why you should approach them differentlyWe talk about choosing colors in adjacent roomsWhy the right wallpaper can totally transform outdated fixtures and finishesWhy styling and decorating can solve a ton of problems before you renovateWhy you should look to your closet when searching for color inspirationWe ask Maria what the biggest mistake is that people make when it comes to color?We talk about why it's so important to use large swatches of fixtures and finishes when you're renovating

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

Ep. 37 with designer Jonathan Savage Nov 07, 2017

Show notes

Ever since we worked with interior designer Jonathan Savage on the 2016 Southern Style Now Showhouse, we've been itching to share his work with you. When he was in town for Discover ADAC, he sat down with us to share everything he's been up to, tips for renovating, and so much more.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Jonathan gives us a rundown of his first overseas designerWe talk about Jonathan and Suzanne Kasler's recent shopping trip in LondonWe talk about how style differs from coast to coast and even generation to generationJonathan shares the inspiration by his stairwell in the Kips Bay ShowhouseJonathan shares why showhouses are such great opportunity for designersJonathan plans to use pieces from Miles Redd's collection for an upcoming showhouseWe talk about updating family heirloomsWe talk about choosing appliances when you're doing a home renovationJonathan suggests talking to friends and family members before choosing appliancesWhy it's important to test drive appliances and fixtures before using them in your renovationJonathan walks us through his Nashville home renovationWe talk about how we were inspired by Jonathan's room in the Southern Style Now Showhouse in New OrleansWe talk about wallpaper and why some rooms need it

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

Ep. 36 with James Farmer, decorator, garden expert, and author Oct 24, 2017

Show notes

'Jack-of-all-trades' is the only way to describe this week's guest. He is a licensed landscape architect, a gardening expert, a flower arranging expert, host extraordinaire, celebrated decorator, and even a cookbook author. James Farmer does it all , so we were thrilled when we finally caught up with him at Discover ADAC to bring you this show.

WHAT YOU'LL HEAR ON THIS EPISODE:

James talks about how one of his earliest memories foreshadowed his life nowWe talk about pruning, hydrangeas, and crepe myrtlesWe talk about James' new house FarmdaleWe talk about James' interior design projects and why he finds himself working all over the countryJames shares his secret for building a new home that looks oldJames tells us about his latest antique findWe talk about china patterns and how many James hasJames spills his dinner party formula -- pork tenderloin, roasted vegetables, and biscuitsTaryn asks James for a suggestion for the centerpiece of a shower she's hostingWe talk about James' projects, his approach to layering, and how many projects he's working on at onceWe talk about James' next bookWe talk about trends and using the classics

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

Ep. 35 with Vern Yip Oct 10, 2017

Show notes

Our guest today on the How to Decorate podcast needs no introduction. If you've watched a decorating TV show in the last two decades, you most likely know Vern Yip -- from TLC's Trading Spaces, HGTV's Design Star and Bang for Your Buck. We love his book Design Wise: Your Smart Guide to a Beautiful Home, so we were thrilled to sit down with him and talk shop.

What You'll Hear on This Show:

Vern tells us his background, how he ended up living in Atlanta, and his path to becoming a designerHe tells us about his first design project for DisneyWe talk about how incredible Vern's book Design Wise is, especially as an instructional toolWhy designing is actually a lot simpler than you'd think and why Vern's book is so helpful in making it easyWe talk about value in furniture and why a deal isn't always the best choice and why a splurge isn't always smart eitherWhy space planning is the first crucial step before shoppingWhy embracing your personal style can save you moneyVern shares his favorite exercise for uncovering someone's personal styleHe tells us about designing his childhood bedroom and how he sees his own style in his sonWe talk about mixing styles together and how to create a 'thread of continuity'Why you shouldn't be in a hurry to fill your spaceWhy it's important to collect pieces while you're travelingThe most dramatic travel souvenir he brought homeTaryn tells us about her most recent travel treasureVern tells us about why he's always redecorating -- it's not the reason you think!We talk about how Vern's house has changed becoming a dadWe talk about the incredible antique education Vern got from his momWe talk about how his kids are already developing their own unique sense of styleVern tells us about his favorite place to visitWhy it's worth it to spend the time making your home a reflection of you

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

Ep. 34 with interior designer William Peace Sep 26, 2017

Show notes

Before we even published our first episode of the How to Decorate podcast, we had today's guest on our list of designers we couldn't wait to interview. Here at Ballard, we've worked with interior designer William Peace on several projects including the time he styled three spreads for our catalog and designing the Atlanta Food and Wine Festival together. A few weeks of us, he joined us to talk style, getting into the design business, his work out west, and of course, we answered your decorating questions.

What You’ll Hear on This Show:

Bill tells us about how he started working out westWe ask Bill about his ‘style’ and how that lines up with his projects out westHe tells us about his decorating philosophy and how he translates that in his design projectsWe ask Bill about shopping regionally and whether he furnishes his spaces with local itemsBill uses a lot of locally sourced art, and he tells us about how he works those pieces into his roomsWe talk about collections, including Bill’s knife collectionsBill tells us about his Atlanta home -- it’s an old gas stationHe tells us about the best change he made to his homeHe tells us about how he displays his collections and why he likes changing things aroundWe talk about the Atlanta design community and why he doesn’t feel pressure to impress his design colleagues when he’s entertaining at homeWe talk about getting into the design business and why Bill feels it’s important to go to school before trying to break into the industryBill gives us a lesson on how to buy antiques and the story behind one of his favorite travel treasuresWe ask Bill how to decorate a space so that it’s relevant to the location without being kitschyWe’ve worked on a couple of projects with us, and he talks about how he reinterprets our pieces and what inspired the rooms he designed for our catalogBill tells us about a trick he uses to make rooms feel calm and laid-backWe ask Bill about making a tonal room that doesn’t feel boringBill tells us about how the styles of his Montana and Atlanta homes differWe ask Bill his opinion on TVs in bedrooms and his decorating pet peevesHe gives us a lesson on scale, why it’s important, and why it can be fun to manipulate itBill tell us why it’s important to first consider the mood you’re wanting to set before you start decorating a space

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

Ep. 33 How to Layout a Room with Miriam Leuthold Sep 12, 2017

Show notes

Our in house design expert, Miriam Leuthold, joins us to talk about the most common decorating question we get in our stores, on our blog, and in our reader emails. How do I layout my room? Miriam is a trained interior designer, so she's answering all of your questions, including traffic flow, focal points, spacing, and much more.

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

Before we get started, we talk about the 'life' of a Ballard product -- how it gets made, where our inspiration comes from, and how long it takesWe talk about building your room about a focal point, including what that focal point can beMiriam suggests starting with a rug and keeping all of your furniture pieces on the rugWe talk about focusing your seating around your TV versus a fireplaceWhat to do when you walk right into the living room through the front doorKaren tells us how she's solved this problem in her own 1920"s bungalowWhat to do if you have a really, really large living roomWhat to do when you don't have an architectural feature that creates a focal pointThe TV dilemma -- how to address it? Hide it in plain sight? Or hide it completely?We discuss traffic flow, including proper distance for a walkway and distance between coffee table and seatingWhy we all love occasional chairs so muchWe talk about laying out your bedroom, and why keeping it simple worksHow do we approach a home office?Karen calls out her cousin who has a really depressing home office situation

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

Ep. 32 with Rebecca McKelvey, the 'First Lady of Ballard' Aug 29, 2017

Show notes

This week, we're talking with the 'First Lady of Ballad' Rebecca McKelvey. Since she's married to our president Ryan McKelvey, we thought she needed to stop by talk about how she owns two of every product we've ever made, the river cabin they're currently building, and a wealth of Ballard insight she has to share. Plus, trials and triumphs are back for another round!

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

The three of us share our trials and triumphs -- including several 'oops' momentsKaren's trial involves slipcovers and cowhide rugsMy trial involves several inches of water in our kitchenTaryn's trial and triumph involve a painting projectRebecca explains the curious nickname she calls her husband, our president Ryan McKelveyRebecca tells us about their home's style and how she approaches decorating her spaceRebecca talks about their 'no shoes' policy in the houseRebecca tells us about how she needed a bathroom cabinet, so Ryan designed our Miranda Corner CabinetWe start bribing Rebecca to help us get our product ideas madeWe talk about Ryan's obsession with the floor planner and how he used it to design their river cabin, new build house, and even their daughter's dorm roomShe shares her tips for new construction -- it's all in the builderRebecca explains why she travels with her vacuum cleanerRebecca talks about the carpet debate she and Ryan had when they were building their houseRebecca tells us about how she and Ryan collected all of their oriental rugsWe talk antiques and how Rebecca and Ryan blend new and old in their homeWe talk entertaining tips, how Rebecca seats Thanksgiving for 26 people, and the idea of a 'payback party'Rebecca talks about her go-to entertaining entree -- standing rib roastWe talk about funny Southern words that we'll define for you

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

Ep. 31 with designer Virginia Cheek Aug 22, 2017

Show notes

Once we photographed Virginia's house, we knew we had to get her on the podcast. She graciously invited us over to talk about her Atlanta bungalow and of course to answer your decorating questions.

What You'll Hear on This Show:

We all talk about the decorating compromises we've made in our homesTaryn tells us about her brown on brown den that she hatesWe talk about 'sit-abouts' and how silly they areKaren tells us about the leather-wrapped rockVirginia tells us about why she left architecture school to get into interior designWe talk about Virginia's style and how she blends traditional, southern style with the California cool she picked up while living on the west coastVirginia tells us about micro-sealing and how she plans to do this to her homeWe talk about the difference between her clients in California and her clients in AtlantaWe talk about contrast and why it's important to consider when you're furnishing your homeWe discuss whether it's a yay or a nay to paint antiquesWe talk about Virginia's genius TV trickWe talk about whether each of us appreciated interior design when we were youngWe talk about working with renovation choices that previous owners had doneWe talk about lighting and why dimmers are important

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

Ep. 30 with House Beautiful's Sophie Donelson Aug 15, 2017

Show notes

When we were in New York for Miles Redd's launch party, we got the chance to stop by the House Beautiful offices and have Editor in Chief Sophie Donelson on the podcast! She tells us what makes a home beautiful, what projects make it into the magazine, and we test her interior design knowledge!

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

We play a little pop quiz where I test Sophie, Taryn, and Karen's knowledge of design and interior designersWe talk about editors' letters and how Sophie writes hers. Does she wait until the last minute?We ask Sophie what in her mind makes a house beautiful?Why a house does and doesn't make it into the magazineWhat the House Beautiful team does to a home when they come to shoot itWe talk about how purple is making a comeback -- yes, purple!Sophie tells us what she thinks has changed about the way people decorate their homesWe talk about paint colors and how to pick them

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

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected