How to Decorate

Caroline and Liz sit down to chat with New York-based interior designer and author Emma Barrell Kemper, who shares insights from her new book, House Rules: 100 Ways to Feel at Home. Tune in to discover practical tips on creating mood boards, selecting paint colors, and future-proofing your home, along with advice on mixing metals for a timeless aesthetic.  Emma also discusses key aspects of home d...

This week, Caroline and Liz are joined by special guest host Jamie Corona from Ballard Designs' merchandising team as they dive into a delightful conversation with Nashville-based interior designer, Kate Figler. Kate shares her remarkable journey from a kindergarten teacher to a celebrated interior designer with insights into using regional influences to shape beautiful yet practical interiors. Wa...

In this special episode, Caroline and Liz take a deep dive into the fascinating world of product development and sourcing at Ballard Designs. Joined by special guests Patrick Farrell, Vice President of Merchandising and Product Design, and Sarah Hall, Senior Manager of Sourcing, the team unveils the intricate journey from initial concept to finished product on your doorstep (spoiler alert: the who...

We welcome Frances Lacefield Hovis to the podcast, founder of the dorm-focused furniture company Room 422. Caroline, Liz, and Frances excitedly unveil the new Ballard Designs Dorm Collection in partnership with Room 422.  Throughout the episode, Frances shares her inspiring journey in starting Room 422 and discusses the creation of custom dorm bedding and decor. Frances also offers a wealth of adv...

We conclude our four-part outdoor mini-series with special guest Canaan Marshall, a floral designer renowned for his breathtaking arrangements featured throughout Season 1 of HBO Max's Full Bloom.  Canaan shares his journey into floral design, offering invaluable tips on shopping for plants, creating stunning arrangements from grocery store flowers, and effectively maintaining your garden. The dis...

We continue our outdoor mini-series by welcoming Mark Thompson to the show, co-owner of two iconic Birmingham businesses specializing in gardening and home decor. Mark shares his journey into the gardening world and provides valuable tips on how to shop for plants, care for them effectively, and tackle common gardening challenges. Listeners will gain insights into the importance of setting realist...

In Part 2 of our Outdoor Mini Series, we welcome back landscape designer Carmen Johnston to talk about the art of decorating your outdoor spaces. Caroline and Liz discuss Ballard Designs' new Spring releases with Carmen and the importance of planning, choosing the right plants for your garden's sunlight exposure, and the use of frost-free dates for planting. Carmen also provides practical advice o...

This week, Caroline and Liz kick off a special four-part spring outdoor mini-series, welcoming back Mississippi-based landscape architect Brantley Snipes to the show. Together, they explore essential topics for spring gardening, including landscaping best practices, creating functional outdoor spaces, planting strategies, and tackling common challenges. Brantley shares expert insights on effective...

We're thrilled to welcome back renowned interior designer Marshall Watson to the show to discuss his latest design book, Defining Elegance. Through Defining Elegance, Caroline and Liz explore Marshall's design principles plus how he seamlessly blends history with modern sensibilities across a variety of stunning environments, from the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the picturesque landscapes of...

Join Caroline and Liz as they welcome back Nashville interior designer Stephanie Sabbe to the show for an insightful and engaging discussion about her latest book Interiors of a Storyteller. Known for her unique ability to blend historic charm with modern sensibilities, Stephanie shares the personal stories that inform her design philosophy and journey. In this episode, you'll discover not just th...

Join Caroline, Taryn, and Liz for another exciting Trials and Triumphs update! Liz kicks off the episode by sharing her winter projects, including hosting Thanksgiving successfully and revamping her dining room chairs with Ikea fabric. Taryn follows with her creative updates to her son's room, including repurposed headboards and DIY bedding. Caroline then shares a recent triumph with reupholstered...

Taryn and Liz welcome designer Stephanie Mahaney to the show. Formerly the lead designer at the esteemed Campbell Interiors, Stephanie founded Stephanie Rae Interiors in 2014 and brings her flair for bold, colorful design to a wide array of clients between coastal Jupiter, Florida, and serene Maine. Our discussion dives into the nuances of designing homes in contrasting coastal environments, tailo...

Caroline, Taryn, and Liz welcome back Debbie Mathews to the show, an antiques expert & dealer with over 30 years of experience running her showroom and design business in Nashville, Tennessee. Debbie shares her valuable insights on selecting timeless antique pieces that can seamlessly integrate into any home. Debbie also addresses essential pieces for newcomers to the antique world, provides pract...

What interior design trends are we seeing across the industry here at Ballard Designs, you wonder? Join Caroline, Liz, and Taryn as they welcome back two of Ballard's talented product designers—Hillary Park & Will Turner—who share their expert forecasts, insights, and opinions about 2025's expected decorating trends. On top of unveiling industry trends, we also excitedly announce this year's new p...

Can you believe it’s been 400 episodes already??? Join Caroline, Taryn, Liz, and Karen as they take a delightful stroll down memory lane, reflecting on their fabulous eight-year journey through the world of interior design and podcasting. Get ready for some laughs, nostalgia, and a whole lot of love as they share stories of personal growth, lessons learned, and the amazing friendships made along t...

This week, we're thrilled to welcome renowned designer Jeffrey Alan Marks to the show, known for his appearances on Bravo's Million Dollar Decorators and his acclaimed book, The Meaning of Home. In our conversation, we dive into his latest work, This is Home, released this month with Rizzoli. The conversation explores Jeffrey's journey from his California roots to his training in London, revealing...

This week, we’re delighted to welcome Liz Williams, a distinguished interior designer and founder of Liz Williams Interiors here in Atlanta. Trained under the talented Carter Kay, Liz has cultivated a unique style that marries timeless elegance with Southern charm. Her stunning work throughout the Southeast reflects her passion for antiques, skillfully combining traditional elements with modern de...

We have the pleasure of welcoming to the show Gabriela Eisenhart: the talented founder of Silo Studios in Atlanta, GA. With over a decade of experience & notable features in Architectural Digest and House Beautiful, Gabriela has made a name for herself designing beautiful spaces that blend personal stories with warmth and comfort. In this episode, Gabriela shares her philosophy of slow design, whi...

We are thrilled to kick off 2025 by welcoming the legendary Obama White House interior designer Michael S. Smith to the show. With nearly 35 years in the industry, Michael has an incredible wealth of knowledge when it comes to creating beautiful spaces that blend traditional charm with modern elegance. During our conversation, he shares insights from his latest book, "Classic by Design," offering...

In the third and final installment of our decorating throwback series, Taryn shares her favorite episode with the group and teases the comprehensive mini-series on home building (episodes 229-232). This mini-series brings together a wealth of expertise from interior designer Maggie Griffin, architect Kevin Clark, and builder Aaron Burgess. The conversations cover essential topics, including how to...

Continuing their series of favorite throwback episodes, Liz, Caroline, and Taryn reminisce on memorable conversations with past guests before shining a special light on Ep. 318* with Brooke and Layla Gianetti. Liz urges listeners to listen in to the story of the Gianettis, exploring their transformative journey from California to Tennessee to establish Patina Meadow. Discover the harmonious blend...

In Part 1 of our new annual throwback series, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz revisit a memorable conversation with Susan Ferrier from Ep. 84* of the show that has inspired Caroline's approach to interior design since. Susan Ferrier is a celebrated interior designer from Atlanta, GA. Known for her strategic use of light, texture, and contrast, Ferrier provides listeners with invaluable insights into her...

We're thrilled to welcome Mallory Robbins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kansas City's design duo KOBEL + CO, who are celebrated for their distinctive style that seamlessly blends timeless treasures with modern aesthetics to create uniquely intimate spaces. Mallory and Elizabeth share their secrets for crafting moods that capture both heart and style, kicking things off by diving into their client-cente...

This week, Caroline and Liz welcome the visionary interior designer Kishani Perera, who merges aesthetics with health to create her signature Healthy Homes™. Kishani's approach to design emphasizes the use of curated, non-toxic materials and thoughtful design choices that not only respect the environment but also enhance the physical well-being of her clients. Kishani discusses her evolution as a...

Liz and Taryn chat with celebrated interior designers James Dolenc and Tom Riker of James Thomas. Since 2003, James and Tom have been transforming homes with their unique design philosophy centered on elegance and comfort. They discuss their journey from commercial interiors to high-end residential design, emphasizing details, historical understanding, and the importance of creating spaces that ev...