How to Decorate

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

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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!
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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.
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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!
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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!
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