How to Decorate

Latest Episodes:

Ep. 449: Trials and Triumphs Jan 20, 2026

Show notes

We are back with a classic "Trials & Triumphs" episode! After a hiatus from sharing their own home updates since August, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down to catch up on what has really been happening behind their own front doors.

The ladies discuss the highs and lows of homeownership, from Liz’s dining room paint regret (and redemption) to Caroline’s nightmare scenario involving a toilet overflow the day after Christmas. Taryn shares a genius lighting hack for guest rooms that lack hardwiring, and Caroline reveals how she finally tackled the basement clutter that had been weighing on her for five years.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:

Test Paint in Different Seasons: Liz shares a cautionary tale about painting her dining room "Ancient Marble" in the winter, only to realize that when spring foliage arrived, the green light bouncing in washed the color out completely. She eventually repainted it "Retreat" by Sherwin Williams for a much richer look.
The "Smart Plug" Guest Room Hack: If you have a room with no overhead lighting or hardwired sconces, Taryn recommends putting floor and table lamps on smart plugs or timers. This ensures guests never have to walk into a pitch-black room and fumble for a switch.
Don't Let the "Big" Projects Scare You: Caroline put off organizing her basement storage for five years because it felt like a massive undertaking. Once she finally started, she and her husband finished the entire project in just two afternoons.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Welcome back to Trials & Triumphs
01:00 Liz’s Paint Trial: Why "Ancient Marble" didn't work in spring
02:00 Liz’s Triumph: The new dining room color ("Retreat")
06:00 Discussing "Malted Milk" (pink) paint for Liz’s kitchen
12:00 Caroline’s Triumph: Cleaning out the basement after 5 years
15:30 Caroline’s Trial: A lightning strike and an expensive tree removal
17:00 Update on Caroline’s needlepoint stockings
19:00 The custom bed that wasn't ready for Christmas (and why that was lucky)
20:45 Caroline’s Trial: The sewer line backup disaster
23:00 Liz’s amusing update on her neighbor's strict Airbnb rules
26:00 Taryn’s Triumph: Finishing the living room drapes and chairs
29:45 Tip: How to handle drapes over air vents
31:30 Taryn’s Triumph: Solving the dark guest room problem with automation
34:00 Taryn’s Trial: The pool heater fail on a warm Christmas

Also Mentioned:

Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Ancient Marble" (Liz's Trial)
Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Retreat" (Liz's Triumph)
Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Malted Milk" (Liz's Potential Kitchen)
Husky Industrial Shelves (for basement storage)
Fabric: "Keir Capri" (Caroline's daughter's bed)
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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Bonus Episode: Our 2026 Resolutions & Home Decorating Goals Jan 16, 2026

Show notes

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

Happy Decorating!

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Ep. 448: How to Style Accessories with Page House Studio Jan 13, 2026

Show notes

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:

Elevate with Pedestals: Give your small treasures and collectibles the importance they deserve by placing them on a pedestal. This adds instant height and architecture to a vignette, preventing small items from getting lost on a shelf or table.
Master "Triangulation": When styling a surface, visualize a triangle to guide your arrangement. Group items to create high and low points (the peaks and corners of the triangle) to establish a natural flow and rhythm for the eye.
Photograph to Edit: If a room feels cluttered or "off," take a photo of it with your phone. Viewing the space through a lens often highlights imbalances or clutter that your eye misses in person, helping you know exactly what to remove.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introductions
01:00 Meredith & Liz’s origin story: From fashion styling to interior design
05:00 Why they launched a product line focused on pedestals
09:00 How to use pedestals to layer depth and height in shelves
13:00 The "Rule of Threes" vs. "Triangulation" in styling
18:00 Mixing materials: Acrylic, wood, and stone
24:00 The Art of the Edit: How to remove items to let a room breathe
30:00 Why you should treat your accessories like a "wardrobe" for your home
35:00 Decorating Dilemma: Styling a large, awkward coffee table
42:00 Tips for finding unique vintage pieces
58:00 Closing notes & where to find Page House Studio

Also Mentioned:

Page House Studio | Website
Follow them on Instagram: @pagehousestudio
Shop Ballard Designs

Happy Decorating!

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Ep. 447: Trends vs. Timelessness with Lisa Staton Jan 06, 2026

Show notes

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:

Use the House as Your Guide: Let the home's original architecture be your "guiding life force" when renovating. Matching details like millwork to the original style creates a cohesive foundation, allowing for trendy updates without losing character.
Practice "Soup and Symphony": Focus on how all design elements work together rather than critiquing individual pieces. Like a soup or symphony, the magic lies in the harmonious blend of textures, colors, and furniture, not just the single ingredients.
Respect Your Region's Light: Choose paint colors based on your specific location's light, not just what looks good in photos. For example, the blue-toned light of the Pacific Northwest calls for warmer whites to avoid sterility, unlike a sun-drenched desert home.

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

Happy Decorating!

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Ep. 446: Santa Fe Style & The Art of Layering with French & French Interiors Dec 30, 2025

Show notes

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:

Find Your "Keystone" Fabric: Heather anchors her elaborate color palettes with a single multi-colored "keystone" fabric that serves as a roadmap for the entire design scheme.
Create a Respite from the Environment: Rather than mimicking harsh outdoor landscapes, Heather and Matt recommend using soft florals and wallpapers to create a cozy indoor respite.
Study the Masters: Matt emphasizes that studying design history and legends like Sister Parish can be just as valuable as a formal degree for developing a great eye.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:

00:00 Welcome & Introductions
02:00 From Alabama to Santa Fe: Heather & Matt’s pivot into design
06:00 The "Shelter Magazine Budget": Prioritizing beauty in their first renovation
09:00 The historic Applegate Estate project and respecting Santa Fe style
15:00 Blending Southern traditionalism with Southwest architecture
18:00 Why florals are essential for softening "harsh" environments
26:00 How to build a color palette using a "Keystone Fabric"
30:00 The importance of design books and knowing the industry's history
40:00 Designing their own home as a creative laboratory
46:00 Collaborating with their teenage daughter on a "sunset-themed" room
52:00 Closing notes & where to find French & French

Also Mentioned:

French & French Interiors | Website
Follow them on Instagram: @frenchandfrenchinteriors
Designers/Books Mentioned: Sister Parish, Mario Buatta, Kathryn Ireland, Bunny Williams, Furlow Gatewood
Shop Ballard Designs

Happy Decorating!

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Ep. 445: Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 3 - Carson Kressley's Holiday Must-Haves Dec 23, 2025

Show notes

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

Happy Decorating!

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Bonus Episode: Suzanne Kasler's Holiday House Tour 2025 Dec 22, 2025

Show notes

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

Happy Decorating!

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Ep. 444: Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 2 - Taryn's Hosting Tips & Tricks Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

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

Happy Decorating!

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Bonus Episode: Our Thoughts on Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

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

Happy Decorating!

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Ep. 443: Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 1 - Janie Molster Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

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

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