How to Decorate

• Ep. 417: Crafting Colorful Elegance with Palmer Weiss

  Caroline & Liz welcome renowned interior designer Palmer Weiss to discuss her unique journey into design. Originally from Charleston, S.C. and now based in San Fransisco, CA, Palmer launched her eponymous firm in 2002 and has since become renowned across the industry for blending traditional interiors with modern twists. In this episode, Palmer shares her approach to using color as a neutral, drawing inspiration from fabric, light, and personal experiences. Her insights provide a deep dive into maintaining sophistication and timelessness in spaces that appeal to both modern and traditional tastes. From the challenges of balancing practical items in design to making bold choices, Palmer offers listeners practical tips for creating harmonious interiors that resonate personally and aesthetically. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast 00:33 Meet Palmer Weiss: A Journey from Charleston to San Francisco 01:21 The Art of Using Color in Interior Design 02:00 Palmer's Background and Path to Interior Design 03:38 Launching a Design Firm: Challenges and Triumphs 08:52 Exploring Color and Pattern in Design 22:43 Client Projects and Design Philosophy 30:05 Family and Nature-Inspired Design 31:08 The Role of Upholstery in Room Design 32:12 Practicality and Color Choices 33:43 Designing for Families and Imperfections 36:15 Creating Timeless Interiors 43:35 Balancing Modern and Traditional Elements 51:27 Designing Multipurpose Spaces 53:28 Approaching Window Treatments 57:42 Conclusion and Where to Find More of Palmer's Work Also Mentioned: ⁠⁠⁠ballarddesigns.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Shop Now ⁠⁠palmerweiss.com | Designer Website ⁠⁠@palmerweiss | Designer IG Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures so we can answer them on an upcoming episode (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) . And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode. Happy Decorating!

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• Ep. 416: Home Is Where The Heart Is with Olivia Westbrooks

  Caroline and Liz—joined by guest host Nakyrna Milner from Ballard Designs—welcome award-winning Atlanta designer Olivia Westbrooks. Known for her vibrant use of color and emotional approach to home design, Olivia discusses her new television show, 'Homes is Where the Heart Is,' on Hallmark Plus. The show highlights her journey of transforming family homes filled with emotional significance.  Olivia also shares insights into balancing bold colors with a client’s personal tastes, the challenges of filming a design show, and how she manages her creative projects alongside family life. The episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice for anyone passionate about creating homes with true heart and soul. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast 00:35 Meet the Hosts and Special Guests 00:51 Nakyrna Milner's Background and Expertise 01:10 Introducing Olivia Westbrooks 02:44 Olivia's Journey to Television 04:35 The Emotional Connection to Home 07:44 Challenges of Filming a Design Show 13:53 Balancing Creativity and Client Needs 22:27 Color Theory and Design Tips 24:50 Fun with Color Pairing 31:40 Navigating Color Choices 31:58 Trusting Your Instincts 32:40 The Squint Test 34:26 Exploring Unused Colors 37:58 Trends in Design 39:52 The Comeback of Glass Blocks 45:34 Balancing Art and Life 48:16 Creative Passions and Family 52:19 The Joy of Needlepoint 55:30 Encouraging Authenticity 56:49 Show Information and Farewell Also Mentioned: ⁠⁠ballarddesigns.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Shop Now ⁠oliviawestbrooks.com⁠ | Designer Website ⁠@oliviawestbrooksinteriors⁠ | Designer IG Olivia Westbrooks Ballard House Tour | Watch Now Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures so we can answer them on an upcoming episode (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) . And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode. Happy Decorating!

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• Ep. 415: Embracing Bold Design with Susan Ferrier

  Caroline and Liz welcome back the renowned interior designer Susan Ferrier to the show. Known for her dramatic, atmospheric interiors that blend boldness with practicality, Susan shares insights from her recent projects and design philosophy. This episode delves into creating emotionally resonant rooms, balancing light and dark elements, and transforming architectural challenges into stunning focal points. Susan also provides practical advice on choosing fabrics and creating effective window treatments, while emphasizing the emotional impacts of well-designed spaces. The episode wraps up with Susan offering expert solutions to listener questions about maximizing light in tricky spaces. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast 00:34 Welcoming Back Susan Ferrier 02:17 Susan's Recent Projects and Inspirations 03:19 The Villa Viola Project 09:58 Designing with Bold Colors and Unique Elements 23:24 Creating Functional and Aesthetic Spaces 31:29 Anthropomorphizing Furniture 32:40 The Role of Kitchen Islands 34:13 Balancing Fabrics and Colors 41:42 Creating Emotional Spaces 43:18 Personal Design Philosophy 50:17 Advice on Window Treatments 56:58 Conclusion and Contact Information Also Mentioned: ⁠ballarddesigns.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Shop Now Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures so we can answer them on an upcoming episode (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) . And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode. Happy Decorating!

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• Ep. 414: 100 Ways to Feel at Home with Emma Kemper

  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 design, like budgeting, assembling a shopping list, and choosing the right rugs and furniture. As always, the episode concludes with a listener's decorating dilemma, providing expert recommendations tailored to individual design challenges. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:34 Meet Emma Barrell Kember 01:05 Emma's Book: House Rules 03:51 Gathering Inspiration for Your Project 08:47 Mood Boards vs. Scheming 13:43 The Importance of Paint Schedules 17:43 Common Paint Color Mistakes 20:03 Using Paint to Accentuate or Camouflage 24:17 The Power of the Color Wheel 27:57 Preparing for a Decorating Project 30:26 Handling Unexpected Costs 31:18 Shopping Strategies: Rule of Thirds 33:15 Finding the Right Items While Shopping 34:15 Testing Fabrics and Swatches 38:26 Avoiding Built-In Tech 41:13 Future Proofing Your Home 45:45 Finishing Touches for Your Space 47:30 Decorating Dilemma: Kristen's Living Room 54:46 Conclusion and Farewell Also mentioned: ⁠ballarddesigns.com⁠⁠⁠ | Shop Now ⁠House Rules: 100 Ways to Feel at Home⁠ | Order Your Copy Now Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures so we can answer them on an upcoming episode (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) . And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode. Happy Decorating!

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• Ep. 413: Elevating Everyday Design with Kate Figler

  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. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:33 Introductions of Special Guests and Host Announcements 01:53 Meet Kate Figler: A Journey to Design 02:32 Kate’s Path from Education to Decor 11:26 Family-Friendly Design Tips 23:17 Kate’s Nashville Influence 31:52 Kipps Bay Room Challenges 32:59 Venus Drawing Room: A Case Study 35:49 Creating Space Illusions 38:02 Furniture Planning Essentials 45:19 Addressing Listener's Bedroom Query 58:55 Closing Thoughts and Goodbyes Also Mentioned: ballarddesigns.com⁠ | Shop Now Kipps Bay Show House Various wall coverings and fabrics by Lilly Wallace Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures so we can answer them on an upcoming episode (⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠) . And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode. Happy Decorating!

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