Podcast · 69 episodes

How to Decorate

by Ballard Designs · English

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.

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Latest episodes

Ep. 485: Ben Pentreath's New BookBen Pentreath discusses his new book A Year at the Parsonage, co-written with husband Charlie McCormick, about 15 years living in a Regency 1820 house in Little Bridie, West Dorset, and how the…29 Sep 2026 · 1 h 10 min

Ep. 484: Scott Sottile | Ferguson & ShamamianFerguson & Shamamian partner Scott Sottile discusses his firm’s book Transformations (Rizzoli), which profiles 15 residential architecture projects across the U.S., focusing on how to restore or…22 Sep 2026 · 1 h 5 min

Ep. 483: Annie Meyers-Shyer & This Oak HouseAnnie Meyers-Shyer discusses her renovation of her mother-in-law’s Beverly Hills house and how she documented it as “This Oak House,” turning it into a large Instagram following and her debut book.15 Sep 2026 · 56 min

All episodes

Ep. 482: Entertaining with a Side of Chaos with India HicksIndia Hicks discusses her book Entertaining with a Side of Chaos—hosting with imperfection, embracing “chaos,” and building memorable tablescapes with practical tools, flexible logistics, and…8 Sep 2026 · 54 min · 24 chapters

Ep. 481: Meg Braff, Gracious InteriorsMeg Braff discusses how she designs for entertaining and “gracious” living—optimizing floor plans, extending outdoor spaces, using wallpaper and texture, curating antiques/vintage, and preparing…1 Sep 2026 · 57 min · 24 chapters

Ep. 480: Trials and Triumphs“Trials and Triumphs” recap of major home projects (May–June) and lessons learned, plus a preview of upcoming Ballard Designs house tours.25 Aug 2026 · 48 min · 20 chapters

Ep. 479: Designing Homes that Evolve with Anne Hulcher TollettDesigning homes that evolve with their owners—discovering personal style, building rooms around how people live now and later, and planning for life changes (birth, death, illness) without making…18 Aug 2026 · 1 h 16 min · 33 chapters

Ep. 478: Decorating as Composition with Lauren WodickaDecorating as composition—treating rooms like fine art, with emphasis on color harmony, editing, character, and creating lived-in spaces using a mix of old and new.11 Aug 2026 · 58 min · 21 chapters

Ep. 477: Alex Kaehler's new book, A Welcoming HomeAlexandra Kaehler discusses her debut book A Welcome Home: Inviting Interiors and how she designs “edited,” playful, color-saturated homes for young families—plus stories from multiple book projects…4 Aug 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 29 chapters

Ep. 476: Best of Archives: Parisian DesignA “Best of Archives” re-share featuring designer David Jimenez on what makes a room feel Parisian, using antiques, layering, gallery walls, mixing wood finishes, and adding drama with black, stripes,…28 Jul 2026 · 53 min · 19 chapters

Ep. 475: Best of Archives: Furniture Buying TipsRe-air of “Best of Archives: Furniture Buying Tips,” focused on how to shop for furniture—especially sofas—without regret.21 Jul 2026 · 1 h 44 min · 39 chapters

Ep. 474: Best of Archives: Our Ultimate Bedding GuideHow to create a beautiful layered bed—choosing sheet materials (percale, sateen, linen, plus bamboo/silk), understanding care, building the “catalog look” with duvets/quilt/coverlets, mixing…14 Jul 2026 · 1 h · 20 chapters

Ep. 473: Best of Archives: Traditional Design with a Twist with Katie Rosenfeld“Best of Archives: Traditional Design with a Twist” with Boston-area designer Katie Rosenfeld, focused on how to keep traditional interiors fresh, layered, and personal—using contemporary lighting,…7 Jul 2026 · 1 h · 25 chapters

Ep: 472 Mastering Scale & Visual Balance with Sarah VaileHow to master scale and visual balance in interior design, including sizing furniture and lighting, using CAD/taping/virtual tools, and choosing pattern scale for drapery and upholstery; also advice…30 Jun 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 21 chapters

Ep. 471: Timeless Kitchen Design with Cyndy CantleyTimeless kitchen design and how to keep a high-end kitchen from dating—covering trends over time, cabinetry proportions, functional storage (drawers, corners, inserts), island layout, and…23 Jun 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 33 chapters

Ep. 470: Art, Textiles, and Timeless Partnerships with Susan HableSusan Hable discusses how her Athens, Georgia design studio (Hable Construction) turns her artwork into multi-category products—lighting, furniture, textiles, and art—plus her long partnership with…16 Jun 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 25 chapters

Ep 469: Faux Botanicals & Dark Paint with Abigail AhernAbigail Ahern discusses her interior design philosophy and how she created “faux botanicals” that mimic real flowers—moody palettes, hand-painted detail, seasonal collections, and styling rules like…9 Jun 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 20 chapters

Ep. 468: Expert Gardening Tips with Katie Tamony of Monrovia PlantsKatie Tamony, Chief Marketing Officer at Monrovia Plants, discusses forecasting floral/garden trends and practical gardening guidance—what to look for when buying plants, how to plant for long-term…2 Jun 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 30 chapters

Ep. 467: Dorm Room Design 101 with Lauren DeLoachDorm room design walkthrough based on Atlanta interior designer Lauren DeLoach’s experience styling her daughter’s first dorm at Ole Miss, plus practical move-in, storage, and window-treatment tips.26 May 2026 · 49 min · 25 chapters

Ep. 466: Trials and TriumphsHome updates and “trials and triumphs” in decorating—bedroom upgrades, music/mood automation, upholstery and furniture changes, outdoor gardening, plant care, and a kitchen plumbing leak that affects…20 May 2026 · 57 min · 18 chapters

Ep. 465: Nathan Turner's New Book "I Love Decorating"Nathan Turner discusses his new book I Love Decorating, sharing behind-the-scenes of his creative process, how he adapts interiors to climate and client personality, and how he handles real-world…12 May 2026 · 55 min · 25 chapters

Ep. 464: Bring Travel Inspiration Home with Jessica WhitleyHow to design for function and “flow,” using global/travel influences without making a home feel random; includes budgeting/splurges, editing/minimalism, and moving tips.5 May 2026 · 53 min · 17 chapters

Ep. 463: Flowering Outdoors with Margot ShawThe episode promotes Margot Shaw’s new book Flowering Outdoors: Gardens and Parties and discusses how to design outdoor spaces and host garden parties using interior-design principles (scale,…28 Apr 2026 · 1 h 1 min · 30 chapters

Bonus Episode: Introducing our NEW Spring/Summer Catalog Items!Ballard Designs hosts introduce their new Spring/Summer 2026 catalog items, focusing on themes like earthy pastels, florals-influenced “bringing the outdoors in,” patina, ruffles/embellishments,…24 Apr 2026 · 53 min · 29 chapters