How to Decorate

Ballard Designs
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We want to teach you how to decorate! We'll help you unleash your inner decorator with interviews from interior designers, sharing the trials and triumphs from our own homes, and answering your burning decorating questions. Brought to you from the Ballard Designs team.

  1. 6 DAYS AGO

    Santa Fe Style & The Art of Layering with French & French Interiors

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

    57 min

  2. 23/12/2025

    Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 3 - Carson Kressley's Holiday Must-Haves

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

    1h 8m
  3. Bonus Episode: Suzanne Kasler's Holiday House Tour 2025

    22/12/2025 · BONUS

    Bonus Episode: Suzanne Kasler's Holiday House Tour 2025

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

    32 min

  4. 16/12/2025

    Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 2 - Taryn's Holiday Hosting Tips & Tricks

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

    1h 6m
  5. Our Thoughts on Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year

    12/12/2025 · BONUS

    Our Thoughts on Pantone's 2026 Color of the Year

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

    22 min

  6. 09/12/2025

    Holiday Throwback Special, Pt. 1 - Janie Molster

    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 Also Mentioned: Janie Molster Designs | Website Follow Janie on Instagram: @janiemolsterdesigns Butcher block paper (Home Depot) for gift wrapping 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    37 min
  7. Transitional Style & Holiday Decorating with Sara Hillery

    02/12/2025

    Transitional Style & Holiday Decorating with Sara Hillery

    We're excited to welcome interior designer Sara Hillery to the show! Based in Richmond, Virginia, Sara’s firm blends function with one-of-a-kind decorative pieces to create story-driven rooms. Named a "Next Wave Designer" by House Beautiful and featured in Veranda and The Wall Street Journal, Sara joins Caroline and Liz to demystify "transitional" design and share her spirited approach to holiday decorating. Sara explains how she balances antiques with clean lines to create timeless spaces, her method for editing a room like an onion, and how she reinvents her holiday decorating theme every single year. She also shares her secret for keeping Christmas trees alive and her favorite way to spark conversation at dinner parties. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Peel the Onion: When defining your style, pin up everything you love on a board, then "peel back the layers of the onion" by removing items until you reach a harmonious balance of favorite pieces. Create a "Thread" Between Rooms: You don't need to paint every room the same color, but rooms should have equal "tonal weight" and a unifying thread (like a specific welt or texture) so you can move a chair from one room to another without it looking out of place. Hydrate Your Holiday: To keep fresh greenery and trees from drying out, soak garlands in water overnight before hanging them, and add a little Miracle-Gro to your Christmas tree water to keep it fresh and prevent needle drop. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast 01:00 Sara’s background and defining "Transitional Design" 04:00 The art of mixing clean upholstery lines with antiques 07:00 The "Onion" method: How to edit a room and find your style 11:00 Using monochromatic palettes to play with texture and scale 14:00 Connecting open floor plans without matching every room 19:00 The story behind the "Hot Pink Chairs" and lacquered ceiling 22:00 Holiday Decorating: Why Sara changes her theme every year 27:00 Using ribbon and Christmas cards on the mantle 30:00 This year's theme: Pineapples and a nod to Bermuda 36:00 Hosting tips: Pre-planned questions and dinner party quizzes 44:00 Tips for fresh greenery and using Miracle-Gro on the tree 49:00 Closing notes & where to find Sara Also Mentioned: Sara Hillery Interior Design | Website  Follow Sara on Instagram: @sarahilleryinteriordesign  Maymont House (Victorian Christmas Inspiration)  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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    53 min
  8. The World of Peter Dunham

    25/11/2025

    The World of Peter Dunham

    The ladies are beyond thrilled to welcome iconic interior designer Peter Dunham to the show. After opening his design firm over 25 years ago in Los Angeles, Peter redefined the "Southern California casual" look, creating his own legendary design shop, Hollywood at Home, as well as his own textile, wallpaper, and furniture lines. He joins Taryn and Liz to discuss his debut book, The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood. Peter shares his fascinating journey from selling real estate in New York to designing for Jennifer Garner in LA, and how a meeting with Albert Hadley launched his textile career. He breaks down his philosophy on why a home’s "vibe" matters more than its look, how to use his "toolkit" to fix architectural issues, and why green is the ultimate neutral. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Follow the 70/30 Rule for Vibe: Peter suggests a home should be 70% planned and 30% serendipity (found objects, art, travel souvenirs). A true "vibe" comes from these collected, imperfect layers rather than a perfect showroom look. Treat Green as a Neutral: Because we see green constantly in nature, the human eye reads it as a neutral. A green sofa anchors a room and seamlessly connects the indoors to the view outside. Use Decor to Fix Architecture: Use Peter’s "toolkit" to correct a room's flaws—whether it's using mirrors on window returns (the sides of the jambs) to create airiness, or placing a bookshelf over a window to block a bad view. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Welcome & Introductions 01:00 Peter’s background: From French roots to English boarding school 07:00 Falling in love with New York City and working in real estate 13:00 Moving to LA, flipping houses, and finding creative satisfaction 16:00 The "Jennifer Garner" project and his first Show House kitchen 20:00 The start of the textile line and a meeting with Albert Hadley 24:00 Creating "Hollywood at Home" and Almont Yard 28:00 Inspiration: David Hicks, geometric patterns, and tribal rhythms 32:00 Balancing "Dollar Prints" with large scale patterns 36:00 Defining "Vibe" vs. "Look" in a home 40:00 The importance of serendipity and patience in collecting 50:00 Approachable ways to start collecting art (lithographs and photography) 55:00 How to bring "Charm" into a space 58:00 The Designer’s Toolkit: Using mirrors and fixing architecture 01:04:00 Why the green sofa follows Peter everywhere 01:08:00 Closing notes & where to find Peter’s book Also Mentioned: The World of Peter Dunham: Global Style from Paris to Hollywood (Available Now) Hollywood at Home | Website Peter Dunham Textiles Follow Peter on Instagram: @peterdunhamdesign & @hollywoodathome 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! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 15m
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Hosts & Guests

About

We want to teach you how to decorate! We'll help you unleash your inner decorator with interviews from interior designers, sharing the trials and triumphs from our own homes, and answering your burning decorating questions. Brought to you from the Ballard Designs team.

Information

  • Creator
    Ballard Designs
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2025
  • Episodes
    459
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    How to Decorate

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