How to Decorate Ballard Designs

We are super excited to be launching a new House Tours series on our YouTube channel! To kick things off, we visited Lauren Robbins' gorgeous Tudor home in Augusta, Georgia. Caroline chatted with Lauren for over an hour about her decorating process and style. Now you can see all the visual details of Lauren's home that bring her design conversations to life, and listen here to their uncut hour-long discussion on this bonus episode. Lauren chats about her bright and happy "pretty room”, bedroom essentials, using colors to tell a story, and more about her signature elegant yet playful, gorgeous style. She also gives some great recommendations on picking an anchor fabric and tips for picking a loved piece to start as a jumping-off point for creating a whole home you love.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

More about the inspiration behind the home’s color palette and “pretty room”.

The fun ways that optical illusion creates visual interest in designs.

Starting with a loved piece as a jumping-off point.

How to use hallways and entries to create a bridge to the other rooms.

Why did Lauren paint the floor in the entryway?

Design choices for a family-friendly kitchen and family room.

Using a single color palette for a cohesive look in a bedroom.

Picking a color palette for a public room vs. a private room such as a bedroom.

The essentials of a bedroom.

Why Lauren chose a moodier color palette in the family room and bar.

Durability and care for the family room fabrics.

Personalizing design choices for children’s rooms.


Show Notes:

Watch the Full Episode

Lauren Robbins Interiors 

Ep 311 with Lauren Robbins

This week, we welcome Charleston based designer Betsy Berry. Known for her bold and dramatic approaches to designing traditional homes, Betsy also has a profound appreciation for historic architecture that stems from her upbringing in South Carolina.

Betsy chats with us about balancing traditional and modern elements in interior design, preserving the architectural details in Charleston's historic homes, and her process for designing spaces that feel contemporary while celebrating romance and tradition. Betsy also shares her journey from studying fashion design to launching her career in New York and eventually starting her own firm in Charleston.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:


Betsy's upbringing in South Carolina and journey from studying fashion design to discovering her passion for interiors. 

How working for top designers on extravagant projects for wealthy clients in New York shaped her eye and approach

Betsy’s appreciation for the historic architecture she gets to work on in Charleston, from understanding the history to preserving original details. 

The needs of New York clients vs. Charleston. 

What are the common issues Betsy finds in Charleston homes?

Working with colors and examples where Betsy has ventured out of her comfort zone. 

Knowing when to stay traditional and when to take risks. 

Considerations for renovating old homes in a hot and humid climate like Charleston. 


Decorating Dilemma: 

Follow along with pics of this week's decorating dilemma here.

Hi Pedro, thanks for writing in! It’s clear you already have a great appreciation for unique design from different eras, and we love the idea of building on what you already have. First, Betsy felt the vintage coffee table and statuary collection already aligned well with the style. To enhance it further, we suggested removing or switching out the area rug for a softer backdrop. Adding simple drapery panels without ruffles or trim was also recommended to layer texture and softness. With a few minor tweaks like updating the rug, larger seating pieces, and adding drapes, you can rock the fun color palette and grand millennial aesthetic while celebrating the treasured pieces that are clearly important to you!

Also Mentioned:


Ballard Designs


B.Berry Interiors | IG 



Please send in your questions and decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net so we can answer them on a future episode!

This week, we are joined by award-winning Atlanta based designer, Robert Brown. Known for his tailored and highly edited spaces, Robert shares some great tips for blending vintage pieces with a modern aesthetic, finding the right balance of traditional and contemporary, and using antiques in a way that feels fresh and exciting.
We also chat with Robert about the similarities between the fashion industry and interior design, tips for navigating the antique market like a pro and how the storytelling aspect of antiquing is just as important as the design. 

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

Tips for reimagining antiques to bring character to your space. 

How can you tell when something doesn’t work? 

Robert talks about a historic house in Atlanta and how it exemplifies starting with the architectural envelope. 

Some insider hints for navigating online auctions, and the importance of always doing your research. 

How to overcome insecurity about asking questions regarding antiques and making sure you stay informed. 

Sourcing antiques based on client design needs. 

Why you shouldn't be afraid to mix periods. 

More about Robert’s career journey from fashion to interior design and how the two industries are related. 

Robert’s recommendations for the right pieces, materials and furniture to invest in for beauty, functionality and comfort. 


Decorating Dilemma: 
Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here.
Hi Nancy and thank you for your question!
So, Robert wants to do the opposite of what you were thinking and to replace the two smaller rugs with one large area rug that spans from the baseboards to under the furniture. This will help unify the space visually. Have the rug custom cut from wall-to-wall carpeting for the best fit. Consider rearranging the furniture to open up the room even more. For example, you could swap the sofa and chairs by the fireplace to draw the eye in that direction. Add side panel curtains in a complementary color to the walls. Mount them outside the window frame and let them graze the floor for a polished look. This will enhance the acoustics and add visual interest without blocking the views. And lastly, choose a durable, low-maintenance performance rug that's suitable for high-traffic areas with pets and kids. Look for tone-on-tone patterns that disguise dirt.
Thanks for writing in! 

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs


Robert Brown Interior Design | IG 



Please send us your Decorating Dilemmas and questions to podcast@ballarddesigns.net. We love hearing from our listeners!

This week we catch up with Zoe Gowen, owner of El Shoppo, former editor at Southern Living, and Caroline’s former boss! Zoe shares lessons learned during her time scouting and featuring homes across the South, from the importance of highlighting regional styles to the challenges of finding the perfect paint color.
Zoe also opens up about how the experience influenced her personal design aesthetic over the years, as well as how her career path led to starting her own decorating business and textiles shop, El Chapo. She gives some great tips for elevating your home while embracing your unique and personal style.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

What Zoe’s time at Southern Living taught her about home decor.

Your home should feel like YOU.

How the inside of a cucumber serves as color inspiration for Zoe!

What are decorating motifs that always work?

There is no “one size fits all” approach.

Cushion Back vs. Fitted Back Chairs.

When it comes to mixing patterns, it’s all about balance and harmony.

Why Zoe has moved towards a softer color and pattern choice in her own home.

The room Zoe tried over 200 paint samples in to find the right color.

Color perception can vary greatly between individuals, similar to differences in taste of spices.

Sofa solutions for those of different heights and sizes.

What prompted Zoe to branch out on her own?


Decorating Dilemma: 
Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here.
Hi David!
Okay, so first, we would suggest adding more bookshelves to make the space feel more like a library, but not in a way that sacrifices the windows. Zoe likes the idea of incorporating yellow to complement the mural but thinks a lighter tangerine color would work better since you are working with a coastal space. If you want to keep the burgundy furniture, consider going with purple for the walls. Otherwise, cantaloupe-colored walls could pair well with the red furniture. Adding an oriental rug and more lamps could help make the library more cozy.
To break up the space, Zoe recommends turning the mirror vertically. She also thinks removing the circles from the chandelier or changing the light fixture could help reduce busy reflections on the ceiling. Finally, we like the idea of lightly dressing down the space and adding in more variety by slip covering the furniture in different fabrics. 

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs


Watch the Full Episode - Ballard Designs YouTube


El Shoppo

Zoe Gowen

This week we welcome designer Sabah Monsoor. With a style influenced by her childhood in South India, Sabah shares her appreciation for traditional handcrafts. She recalls visiting pottery villages as a child and studying textiles in art school, experiences that taught her to value diverse techniques of craftsmanship.
Sabah also chats with us about how to stir up inspiration and maintain a curious mindset, tips for using natural textures to layer and add an even deeper story to your space, and why we should think of our home as a living, breathing space.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

How growing up in India influenced Sabah’s love of the decorative arts.

The diverse techniques Sabah learned while studying textiles and art in school.

The importance of functional spaces in your home, such as a mudroom.

It’s never too late to put energy into your dreams!

Sabah gives great advice on feeding your artistic mind and drawing inspiration from unexpected places.

The beauty of a formal room. 

Natural materials that can help foster warmth and that cozy feeling. 

Using indoor furniture outdoors, with tips for protecting against damage from elements.

How Sabah uses color palettes and materials to set the tone based on a client’s personality and unique needs.


Decorating Dilemma: 
Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here.
Thanks Melissa! So, Sabah reminds us that taking indoor furniture outdoors can cause damage over time due to differences in how materials are processed. Using protective coatings on wood and UV-resistant sprays on fabrics could help prolong the furniture's life. However, some fading and wear is still likely to occur. One suggestion is to swap the layout for better flow and move the furniture inside during hot, humid months until the porch is fully enclosed and climate controlled. Thank you, and send us photos of your updated space as you make progress on it! 

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs

Sabah Mansoor

@sabahmansoor


Please send us your Decorating Dilemmas and questions to podcast@ballarddesigns.net. We love hearing from our listeners! 

It’s been a busy few months of DIY repairs and decluttering—let’s share some trials and triumphs!
This time around, the ladies talk about organizing books and who takes it to the next level, gardening projects and home decor updates, moving past wimpy drapery panels, and giving a basement a light, feminine makeover.
We’ll also vent about a long struggle with a broken bed and a weekend-long transformation project. You’ll want to hear these updates to celebrate and vent alongside us. 
Also Mentioned:
Ballard Designs