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. 27m ago

    Ep. 478: Decorating as Composition with Lauren Wodicka

    Welcome to How to Decorate! Today, Taryn, and Liz are joined by Lauren Wodicka, the founder and principal designer of LBW Studio based in Loudoun County, Virginia. Lauren shares her fascinating career evolution from a classically trained fine artist and gallery owner to a sought-after interior designer. We explore how she applies the principles of oil painting to interior design, the importance of knowing "when to stop," and how to intentionally collect antiques that give a room a lived-in soul. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Treat Rooms Like Paintings: Apply fine art principles like tone, composition, and focal points when arranging furniture and decor. The Power of the Edit: Just like an artist must know when to stop painting to avoid overworking a canvas, a decorator must know when to stop adding objects to maintain a room's intended feeling. Embrace the "Lived-In" Look: Do not fear using natural materials like marble; pieces that get dinged and damaged over time add incredible history and charm, much like ancient Italian palazzos. Invest Wisely: Dedicate your budget to long-lasting statement pieces like beautiful lighting fixtures, antique mirrors, and solid dining tables. You can save money on easily swappable items like lamps, ready-made pillows, or heavily used kitchen chairs. Master the Gallery Wall: When hanging multiple pieces of art, keep your spacing uniform by using a standard three-inch gap between frames to create a sense of visual organization. Go Big in Small Spaces: Powder rooms and small foyers are perfect jewel boxes for bold mural wallpapers, giving you maximum visual impact without a massive square-footage cost. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:34 Lauren’s background as a fine artist, studying in Florence, and opening an art gallery in Old Town Alexandria. 08:17 How formal training in oil painting directly translates into creating balanced interior design floor plans. 12:12 Tips for editing a room to ensure spaces feel full yet purposefully restrained. 17:28 How to pull design inspiration out of clients who aren't quite sure what their style is. 20:57 Adding longevity and character to your home by mixing fresh new pieces with crusty, gilded antiques. 26:01 Finding affordable antique art and the rules for styling large gallery walls. 30:33 Deciding between a large gallery wall and a mural wallpaper, especially in challenging two-story foyers. 34:25 Why your home should reflect your current season of life, even if that means basketballs and cleats rolling around the entryway. 41:14 Identifying which pieces are worth the investment and which pieces you should save on. 45:18 Simple ways to switch up your decor seasonally, like color-coordinating books, swapping lampshades, or introducing new custom pillows. 52:10 A heartwarming story about Lauren’s son asking to learn how to oil paint with her in the studio. Also Mentioned: Lauren's Studio: LBW Studio Instagram: @lbwstudio Send your decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 4

    Ep. 477: Alex Kaehler's new book, A Welcoming Home

    Welcome back to How to Decorate! Today, we are joined by returning guest and Chicago-based interior designer Alexandra Kaehler. She recently published her highly anticipated debut book, A Welcome Home: Inviting Interiors, which features eight stunning homes designed for young families. Alexandra shares the behind-the-scenes process of writing her book, designing for her bold sister, and why every room doesn't need to serve every function. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Embrace Patterned Upholstery: A patterned sofa or sectional acts as natural camouflage for spills, making it perfect for families with kids or dogs. Patterned upholstery can also serve as the central statement piece in a small room that might otherwise feel flat. You Don't Always Need Drapery: Sometimes skipping window treatments altogether allows strong architecture and beautiful windows to shine. This edit can prevent a room from feeling overly stuffy or sweet. Ground Sweet Patterns with Bold Colors: If you use a delicate or sweet wallpaper, pair it with a bold, unexpected color—like an eggplant leather banquette—to keep the space from feeling too juvenile or formal. Balance Heirloom Dining Sets: A full matching antique dining set (table, chairs, buffet, and corner cabinet) can quickly feel stuffy. Counterbalance the formality by wrapping the room in a vibrant, tropical mural wallpaper to inject lightheartedness. Design for Your Reality: If you don't actually cook or entertain large crowds, don't design a massive open-concept chef's kitchen. Build the house for how your family actually lives, even if that means a closed-off galley kitchen with polished marble and an antique oil painting hung over the sink. Protect the "Destination" Room: Dedicate at least one cozy room, like a formal living room with a fireplace, to be completely TV-free. This creates a designated destination for gathering, reading, and conversation. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 01:02 Alexandra discusses the two-year waiting process of publishing her first book and the joy of returning to design storytelling. 10:10 Designing her sister's house: Navigating a "more is more" aesthetic and fully committing to a pattern-drenched primary bedroom. 21:47 The 1920s Arts and Crafts bungalow project featuring whimsical saturated colors, a purple banquette, and a bold yellow butler's pantry. 35:49 Designing a closed-off, aesthetic-driven galley kitchen for a family that unapologetically does not cook. 46:30 Alexandra's own home renovations, the importance of floor-to-ceiling windows, and why she loves a formal living room. 54:24 The clever, double-sided hidden TV Alexandra's husband requested for their kitchen and screened porch. 01:02:05 Why Alexandra specifically chose to design her book without a fussy dust jacket. Also Mentioned: Book: A Welcome Home: Inviting Interiors by Alexandra Kaehler Instagram: @alexkaehlerdesign Please send in your decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net so we can help you with your space! Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and please leave us a review. Happy decorating! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jul 28

    Ep. 476: Best of Archives: Parisian Design

    Welcome to How to Decorate from Ballard Designs! While the team takes a short summer break, they are re-sharing a handful of their all-time favorite podcast episodes. Today, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down with American interior designer David Jimenez to discuss his path to living in Paris and his Rizzoli book, Parisian by Design: Interiors by David Jimenez. David shares the secrets behind effortless Parisian style, the art of layering, and how to create deeply personal spaces filled with joy and memories. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Embrace Antiques for Continuity: The French are known for holding onto the pieces they buy and passing them down through their families. Bringing familiar, story-filled antiques into a new home offers a comforting and reassuring atmosphere. Curate a "Salon Style" Gallery Wall: To replicate the gallery walls seen in the Louvre Museum, start hanging artwork on thin metal rods right under your room's ceiling molding. Mix Finishes Fearlessly: Do not feel constrained by strict design rules regarding matching wood or metal finishes. Mixing dark and light woods, or nickel and brass, brings energy and vital contrast to a room. Leverage Large-Scale Pieces: Create dramatic "highs and lows" in your spaces by mixing oversized items with smaller ones. A large piece of art or a tall secretary desk provides visual surprise and hierarchy. Utilize Decorative Screens: Room dividers can introduce subtle layers of texture and color, or serve a highly practical purpose like masking an unattractive view outside a window without blocking the natural sunlight. Anchor with Black: Black serves as an excellent underlying punctuation mark in a room. Using black lampshades is a reliable way to add contrast and prevent a space from feeling too monotonous. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 An introduction to the summer "best of" series and a warm welcome to guest David Jimenez. 04:52 David’s career journey, starting as a Gap salesperson and leading to his relocation to reinvent a historic French brand. 08:37 The beauty of investing in antiques and the reassurance of bringing familiar furniture into new spaces. 13:55 How to casually layer your decor over the course of a relaxing afternoon. 16:27 Tips for constructing a Louvre-inspired gallery wall with high placements and metal rods. 20:20 Why breaking traditional design rules about wood and metal finishes breathes life into a room. 23:02 Using scale and oversized pieces to create necessary visual drama. 25:37 Practical and aesthetic applications for decorative folding screens. 29:02 The inspiration behind David's favored 7cm-wide black and white striped curtains from the Marché Saint-Pierre. 32:25 Why black lampshades and pops of dual-tone colors help ground a space. 34:29 How observing master designers like Madeleine Castaing can influence your own design choices. 37:23 Exploring the second half of David’s book, featuring an insider’s guide to Parisian artisans and shopping destinations. 41:01 The crucial etiquette for shopping at French flea markets, starting with a polite greeting. 44:07 Finding bold color inspiration within historic French museums and former homes. 51:29 Details on where to purchase Parisian by Design and where to follow David's work online. Also Mentioned: Book: Parisian by Design: Interiors by David Jimenez Marché Saint-Pierre (Paris fabric market) David Jimenez's website: davidjimenezstudio.com David's Instagram: @davidjimenezstudio Send your decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net Parisian by Design: Interiors by David Jimenez For a closer look at the stunning interiors discussed in today's episode, this visual overview highlights the elegant photography and practical styling advice found inside David Jimenez's book. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 21

    Ep. 475: Best of Archives: Furniture Buying Tips

    Welcome back to How to Decorate from Ballard Designs! While the team takes a short summer break, we are sharing some of our best and most beloved conversations from the archives. Today, we are re-airing our all-time most listened-to episode, and it is all about furniture shopping. Buying furniture is a big decision that can easily feel overwhelming, with countless options, price points, and potential mistakes. Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down to discuss how to approach furniture as a long-term investment and share practical tips on construction and fabrics so you never regret a purchase again! Quick Decorating Takeaways: Know Your Space and Lifestyle: Before looking at styles, assess how you actually live. Are you eating snacks on the couch, hosting dinner parties, or accommodating pets? Knowing these details dictates what kind of fabric and cushion style you will need. Test Drive Your Fabric: Fabric is often the most crucial element in determining a sofa's longevity. Order a full yard of your fabric swatch, wrap it around your favorite chair or dog bed, spill coffee on it, and see how well it cleans up before you commit. Understand Construction Basics: Look for kiln-dried wood frames to prevent the frame from cracking. While eight-way hand-tied springs used to be the gold standard, modern suspension technology offers fantastic durability and comfort as well. Avoid the "Showroom" Look: Do not buy a perfectly matched furniture set if you want a collected feel. Give your space personality by mixing leg styles (e.g., skirts versus exposed legs), arm shapes, and wood tones. Create a Room Plan First: Do not shop in a vacuum! Map out your room on graph paper or use painter's tape on the floor to understand how pieces will actually fit, flow, and scale with your ceiling height. Keep Swatches Handy: Stash your essential fabric and paint swatches, along with room measurements, in your car's glove box. You never know when you will spot the perfect piece while out shopping. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:34 Intro to our summer "best of" series and why this is our most popular episode. 01:44 Trials and triumphs: new babies, basement offices, hardware decisions, and carbon monoxide scares. 25:41 Why buying a sofa starts with knowing yourself and testing out seats in a store. 35:18 The nitty-gritty of sofa construction, from kiln-dried wood to spring types. 46:39 The importance of choosing the right fabric and how to effectively "test drive" it. 52:40 Observing where your guests naturally gravitate to optimize your room's seating layout. 56:57 Dealing with long furniture lead times and why you shouldn't settle. 01:01:54 Dining room strategies: picking wipeable fabrics and indestructible quartz or porcelain tables. 01:07:21 How to effectively partner with a store's sales associate to find your perfect match. 01:11:32 Designing a collected room without getting stuck in a "matchy-matchy" trap. 01:16:04 Tips for budgeting your furniture layout piece-by-piece and pacing your purchases. 01:22:10 How to scale pieces correctly using tape, cardboard, and line drawings. 01:28:56 The furniture purchases the hosts regret most—and their all-time favorite statement pieces. Also Mentioned: Shop Ballard Designs Please send in your decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net so we can help you with your space! Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and please leave us a review. Happy decorating! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 14

    Ep. 474: Best of Archives: Our Ultimate Bedding Guide

    We are thrilled to bring you this special installment of our summer "best of" series! While the team takes a short summer break, we are reliving some of our absolute favorite episodes. Today, we are joined by Ballard Designs' own in-house bedding and bath expert, Amy Jordan. With nine years at the company, Amy is the creative force behind the perfectly layered, catalog-worthy beds we all swoon over. Amy sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to break down everything you need to know about creating a beautiful, comfortable nest. From thread counts and fabric types to the secrets of mixing textures and arranging pillows, this episode is a masterclass in achieving the perfect bed. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Know Your Bedding Materials: Percale acts like a crisp white button-up shirt and sleeps cooler, whereas sateen has a slight sheen and a tighter weave that sleeps warmer. Linen is highly breathable, becomes softer the more you wash it, and is incredibly durable—often lasting up to five years. Avoid the "Blob" Effect: Don't just throw a single, solid duvet across the entire mattress. Break the bed up visually into thirds by folding the duvet down to expose a contrasting coverlet or quilt in the middle, leaving the fluffy duvet at the bottom. Show Off the "Bell" of the Bed: When draping a quilt at the foot of the bed, pull the corners out into a triangle fold. This styling trick shows off how the fabric drapes and highlights decorative corner details, like a Greek key trim. Double-Stuff for Fluff: The ultimate catalog styling secret for an ultra-plush bed is to double-stuff your duvet cover by putting two inserts inside it. Size Up Your Sham Inserts: To make the flanges of a euro sham stand up perfectly and to reduce fabric wrinkles, purchase an insert that is two inches larger than the sham (e.g., a 28-inch insert for a 26-inch sham). The Fluffing Trick: When placing your insert into a sham, shake it so all the fill settles to the bottom, then turn it upside down so that the fullest part sits at the top to support the flange. Polyfill vs. Down: While down is luxurious, it can shift around inside the duvet cover. Polyfill is often better for maintaining its shape and structure without requiring constant fluffing. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:34 Intro to our summer series and welcoming bedding expert Amy Jordan 02:59 Breaking down materials: The differences between percale, sateen, and linen 09:15 Understanding the difference between coverlets, quilts, and duvet inserts 11:50 How to properly layer a bed to avoid the distracting "blob" look 14:06 Styling the "bell" of the bed for a beautiful, draped effect 18:40 Navigating pillow arrangements and the benefits of a long lumbar pillow 25:00 The challenge of deep mattresses and getting coverlets to tuck properly 28:00 Box springs, the hassle of bed skirts, and why fully upholstered beds are easier 33:26 Bedding strategies for kids' rooms, including the European duvet method 35:05 Choosing between down and polyfill inserts for your duvet 41:40 Caroline's exact bed-making routine, hospital corners, and sham insert sizing tricks 47:18 The catalog secret to achieving maximum fluff: Double-stuffing the duvet 55:09 The great debate: Who actually makes their bed every morning? Also Mentioned: Shop Ballard Designs Bedding Please send in your decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net so we can help you with your space! And of course, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your 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

  6. Jul 7

    Ep. 473: Best of Archives: Traditional Design with a Twist with Katie Rosenfeld

    Welcome to our summer "best of" series! While the team takes a short break, we are reliving some of our absolute favorite conversations from the archives. In this beloved episode, we sit down with Massachusetts-based designer Katie Rosenfeld. Katie is known for her happy, family-friendly, and approachable style, but it is her ability to blur the lines between classic and modern—with bits of "quirky" added for good measure—that makes her work truly stand out. Katie joins the show to discuss her unwavering love for traditional design and why she believes "traditional with a twist" is an evergreen concept. She breaks down her philosophy on mixing patterns, why you should always opt for white bedding, and the importance of allowing for "imperfection" in your home to make it feel collected and lived-in rather than stiff and orchestrated. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Define "Traditional with a Twist": The "twist" isn't just about using new items; it's about juxtaposition. Pair formal elements with casual ones—for example, adding a casual seagrass or sisal rug to a very formal dining room with mural wallpaper helps dress down the formality. The Case for Pattern-on-Pattern: Katie believes that pattern is a design staple. If you love pattern, don't be afraid to use it liberally. If you want to keep the room feeling fresh, she suggests swapping the traditional ratio: instead of doing the main pattern on the drapes, try using a bold floral on your upholstered sofa or chair. Keep Big Pieces Neutral: To avoid dating your room too quickly, keep your foundational pieces (sofas, large armchairs) neutral in color. Save your bold gestures for items that can be easily swapped out, like textiles, lamps, and smaller decorative accents. Embrace "Imperfection": When a room is too orchestrated or "just so," it feels uncomfortable and stiff. Katie argues that a little bit of imperfection—a slightly crooked piece of art or a mix of disparate items—is what creates a warm, comfortable, and charming home. The Power of White Bedding: Even if your room is off-white, keep your bedding crisp white. It serves as a fresh, clean foundation that allows you to play with patterned sheets or throw pillows without the room feeling cluttered. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:34 Intro: Why we’re re-airing this beloved archive episode 02:00 Traditional design: Defining "Traditional with a Twist" 05:00 Updating formal spaces with contemporary lighting and casual rugs 06:00 Why Katie loves florals and pattern-on-pattern layering 09:30 The "Granny Chic" debate and why timeless style doesn't need a label 12:00 The importance of tuning out social media trends to stay original 14:00 Katie’s design background and the influence of her Southern roots 22:00 A deep dive into Chintz: Cotton fabrics, saturated colors, and how to use them 26:00 Ruffles, trim, and needlepoint: Historic details having a moment 38:00 Maintaining a sense of imperfection to keep a home cozy 44:00 Creating "moments" versus "Epcot" (making disparate rooms coexist) 46:00 Decorating Dilemma: Solving "Zoom Gloom" in a dark blue/beige guest room 56:54 Where to find Katie and her web series Also Mentioned: Katie Rosenfeld & Company | Website Follow Katie on Instagram: @KatieRosenfeld Shop Ballard Designs Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. Happy decorating! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jun 30

    Ep: 472 Mastering Scale & Visual Balance with Sarah Vaile

    We are thrilled to welcome Chicago-based interior designer Sarah Vaile to the podcast! Known for her bold use of color, fresh traditional style, and making classic spaces feel lively, Sarah has built an incredible coast-to-coast design firm. After pivoting from a corporate advertising career in her late 20s, she trained under industry icon Celerie Kemble before striking out on her own. Sarah sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to tackle one of interior design's absolute trickiest topics: scale. She shares her brilliant real-world hacks for testing furniture volume before you buy, why she loves wall-to-wall "sofa drenching" in tight spaces, and how to layout a dual-purpose office and guest room to conquer the dreaded "zoom gloom." Quick Decorating Takeaways: Scale is All About Visual Volume: Scale isn't just about simple dimensions; it's the balance of shapes, pattern, and mass in a room. When mixing antique and modern pieces, keep an eye on mass—newer furniture skews much larger ("California scale"), which can easily swallow up older heirloom items. Get Physical in Your Space: Don't rely solely on 2D digital layouts. To build confidence before hitting buy, physically map out a room using blue painter's tape on the floor, arrange empty cardboard boxes to test physical height, or tape a 1-to-1 paper cutout of a light fixture straight to the wall. Try "Sofa Drenching" in Small Rooms: Don't automatically buy a tiny love seat just because a room is tight. Small spaces can actually handle a giant sofa wrapped wall-to-wall. By making the entire room about the seating, you create an incredibly cozy, enveloping, and high-drama jewel box. Don't Get Stranded on "Rug Island": A common design trap is placing a floating area rug in the dead center of a room with all your furniture pushed completely off it. To bridge your hard floors with your texturing, ensure your seating "straddles" both worlds by keeping their front feet on the rug and their back feet off. Banish the Zoom Gloom: Dark colors like navy blue can throw an unflattering, shadowed cast on your face during computer calls. When designing a home office space, look for bright, invigorating colors that act like a flattering backdrop—think pistachios, corals, or soft apricots. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:34 Welcome to Sarah Vaile & an introduction to her style 02:22 Sarah's career pivot at 27, training at Parsons, and launching a firm during a recession 04:36 Business bank accounting tricks and going pro with a Virginia plantation project 06:00 Meeting an idol: How a hair salon appointment led to training under Celerie Kemble 08:53 Why scale is the single hardest part of design and accounting for project "breakage" 12:08 Moving past CAD: Using blue tape and physical mock-ups to save a layout 18:03 The vintage buying hack: Asking a person to stand in photos for sizing comparison 21:40 Dealing with post-holiday emptiness and shopping Ballard Designs' garland sales 27:13 Transitioning scales: Moving light fixtures from 10-foot ceilings down to 8 feet 30:21 Table lamps as the "mid-level jewels" that balance a room's high-low heights 31:04 Curtain guidelines: Maximizing drama with ceiling-mount hardware and massive art 37:18 How fabric patterns scale on furniture and what to avoid on tufted pieces 44:38 The magic of small rooms and why they are perfect for packing in big sofas 46:29 Rug guidelines: Double-rug zoning and custom on-site binding around a hearth 51:34 Decorating Dilemma: Solving a small, dark guest room/Zoom room from Virginia 56:40 Color trends and color seasons: The shift toward burnt oranges and terracotta Also Mentioned: Sarah Vaile Design | Website Follow Sarah on Instagram: @SarahVaileDesign Shop Ballard Designs Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast wherever you get your 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

  8. Jun 23

    Ep. 471: Timeless Kitchen Design with Cyndy Cantley

    In this episode, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz talk with kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley, principal designer of Cantley & Company. Cyndy joins the show to share her wealth of knowledge on building bespoke, beautifully functional kitchens that stand the test of time, drawing from a legendary career that includes a Bon Appétit magazine cover feature early in her business. The hosts pick Cyndy's brain about shifting kitchen trends—from the cringe-worthy pink laminates of the past to modern hyper-functional layouts—and get her top recommendations for cabinetry, countertop materials, and space planning. Embrace the English Inset: To design a kitchen that looks gorgeous decades later, stick to timeless styles like simple English flush inset cabinetry. Limit your options rather than getting overwhelmed by hundreds of trendy door styles. Prioritize Drawers Over Doors: Base cabinets with deep drawers are far superior to standard doors for storage because they eliminate the need to move items in the front to get to the back, making heavy pots and pans completely accessible. The Case for Clear Islands: If space permits, aim for a clean kitchen island devoid of sinks, cooktops, or appliances. An uninterrupted surface creates an ideal multi-use environment for meal prep, serving, homework, and entertaining. Design for Reality, Not a Dream: Avoid tailoring an expensive kitchen remodel around an idealized version of your lifestyle. If you only host formal dinners twice a year, don't sacrifice daily functionality for features meant only for entertaining. The Magic of Real Stone: Don't let builders scare you away from natural marble. It's far more resilient than people think, ages with a beautiful European patina, and chips can easily be blended because it is solid rock. 00:34 – Introduction to kitchen expert Cyndy Cantley. 01:17 – Cyndy’s serendipitous start: Designing a show house kitchen that led to a project for award-winning chef Frank Stitt and a Bon Appétit cover. 03:24 – The history of kitchen design trends, from pink Corian and pickled wood to painted finishes. 06:04 – Falling in love with English inset cabinetry and keeping a portfolio timeless. 09:17 – The anatomy of a cabinet door: Rails, styles, and maintaining perfect proportions. 11:16 – Understanding the standard 4-inch toe kick and aligning it with major American appliances. 12:24 – The functionality of wide drawers vs. standard doors and pull-outs. 14:48 – Smart corner solutions: Why swing-out organizers beat old-school lazy Susans. 16:35 – High-value internal inserts worth your budget: Alphabetical spice drawers, dual cutlery organization, and tray dividers. 25:00 – Designing for pets: Incorporating custom dog bowl cubbies built with slab scraps. 28:39 – Smart alternative storage: Utilizing ceiling-height cabinets and 12-to-15-inch deep floor-to-ceiling dish cabinets. 30:36 – Appliance garages, coffee stations, and pocket door mechanics. 36:38 – The truth about microwave placement, microwave drawers, and hidden panel-ready fridges. 47:36 – Countertop deep-dive: Falling in love with marble, managing budgets, and color matching slabs. 55:34 – Choosing kitchen flooring: The warmth of wood vs. traditional cold tiles. 56:45 – Kitchen hardware layout tips: Mixing knobs, drop pulls, and custom backplates. 01:00:06 – Functional spatial rules: Why right-handed cooks should always place dishwashers on the left and trash pull-outs on the right. Mentioned in This Episode Cantley & Company: Cyndy's custom design studio specializing in bespoke cabinetry and space design. Frank Stitt's Kitchen: The career-launching project featured on the cover of Bon Appétit. Calacatta & Carrara Marble: The pros, cons, and budgeting realities of high-movement stones. Instagram: @cantleytoulman Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Ep. 471: Timeless Kitchen Design with Cyndy Cantley
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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.

Information

  • Creator
    Ballard Designs
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    493
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Show Website
    How to Decorate

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