Ep. 445: 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This week, the ladies welcome to the show Patrick Shelton, Senior Vice President of Sales at Valdese Weavers, to decode what “performance fabrics” really mean and how to choose the right one for your home. With hands-on training across spinning, dyeing, weaving, finishing, and testing, Patrick explains yarn-based versus finish-based performance (and where InsideOut, Crypton Home, Sunbrella, and Ballard’s Performance Queen’s Velvet fit), how to read fiber content, and what to expect for cleanability, durability, and fade resistance. What You'll Hear This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Ballor Designs Podcast 00:56 Meet the Expert: Patrick Shelton 01:34 Understanding Performance Fabrics 06:18 Types of Performance Fabrics 20:12 Cleaning and Maintenance Tips 06:25 Avoiding Bleach on Performance Fabrics 27:42 Choosing the Right Fabric for Your Needs 29:42 Pet-Friendly Fabric Options 30:59 Upholstery Cleaning Tips 35:26 Understanding Fabric Repellency 39:10 Emerging Trends in Fabric Design 44:52 The Importance of Fabric in Furniture 50:08 Conclusion and Where to Find More Key Takeaways on Performance Fabrics: Cleaning basics: Always blot first and start with water; add a mild soap if needed and rinse thoroughly. Use diluted bleach only on bleach-safe fibers, and clean pile fabrics like velvet in the direction of the nap to avoid damage. For busy or pet-friendly homes: Opt for tightly woven, multicolor or textured fabrics (bouclé, tweed, chenille) that better disguise wear and stains. Tackle spills quickly and clean full cushions or panels to prevent water rings. Trends and biggest takeaway: Expect softer hands, multicolor tapestries, and warming palettes (camels, ochres, terracottas, greens). Above all, your fabric choice is the biggest determinant of how good upholstery looks over time. Also Mentioned: • Shop Performance Fabrics at Ballard Designs - ⁠⁠https://bit.ly/3LJf3Pg • Valdese Weavers, Company Website - ⁠https://bit.ly/3X2wUD6 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

This week, the ladies welcome Atlanta interior designer and HGTV Dream Home alum Brian Patrick Flynn to the show. Brian shares how a decade-plus in production design shaped his approach to color, materials, and storytelling, plus how becoming a dad is refocusing his work closer to home. The conversation spans his House Tour with Ballard, the realities of designing for camera versus real life, why he loves 5000K bulbs (and we don’t), and how he mixes fresh traditional with retro ’80s cues without feeling theme-y. Brian also digs into set design secrets (continuity, multiple-scale props), candid career pivots, and a rapid-fire “in vs. out” on trends from beige and pleated shades to white houses with black trim. What You'll Hear This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast 00:33 Welcoming Brian Patrick Flynn 01:22 Brian's Journey with HGTV Dream Home 03:04 Designing Traditional Homes with a Twist 07:48 The Challenges of Supply Chains 11:35 The Role of SEO in Interior Design 21:43 Parenthood and Career Balance 27:56 The Colorful Transformation of My Home 29:29 The Ball Pit Dilemma 30:29 Lighting Controversies and Career Milestones 31:34 Designing with 5000 Kelvin Light Bulbs 36:38 The Oxford House Project 45:50 The Influence of Nancy Meyers and Set Design 55:23 The Importance of Continuity in Production Design 55:43 Challenges and Strategies in Set Design 56:50 The Role of Continuity in Sitcoms 58:49 The Evolution of Design Choices 01:01:09 Balancing Personal Taste with Market Trends 01:02:47 Career Journey and Early Experiences 01:06:11 Trends and Personal Preferences in Design 01:08:51 In and Out: Design Trends Discussion 01:19:33 Final Thoughts and Future Plans Also Mentioned: • Watch Brian's House Tour with Ballard - ⁠https://bit.ly/487OiN1 • Brian Patrick Flynn on Instagram - @bpatrickflynn • Shop Ballard Designs - ⁠https://bit.ly/4oGtjXL⁠ 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

This week we welcome London-based interior designer Nicola Harding to the show to discuss her latest book "Homing Instinct." Nicola—whose work spans boutique hotels, restaurants, and royalty—shares her unconventional path into design, the influence of garden design on her interiors, and her human-led approach to layouts, color, and pattern. Listen to discover Nicola's strategy for finding a home’s "spirit" by listening to people and place; she also recounts a church-to-restaurant conversion, a vivid Italian project rich in terracottas and dusty reds, and the practical origins of her furniture and homewares line, all underscored by a commitment to craftsmanship and locally made materials. Key Takeaways: Prioritize how people live: start with layout and create human-scaled “places” (cozy corners, pools of light) before decorating. Use color boldly and early—paint is a low-cost, high-impact tool; layer similar tones for depth and mood. Treat stripes/checks and scaled repeats as neutral texture; mix scales and tonal variants for harmony. Favor natural pigments, vintage fabrics, and local craftsmanship; design furniture to solve real project needs. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: • 00:00 Introduction • 00:34 Meet Nicola Harding: London-based designer • 01:40 An unusual path into interior design • 05:33 From garden design to interiors: lessons learned • 07:36 Creating placement and flow: start with layout • 11:00 Questions that unlock how a home should work • 15:00 How light influences activity and layout choices • 17:56 Choosing paint: why color often comes early in Nicola’s process • 19:30 Using paint to dial mood and atmosphere • 21:00 Accent color instincts and natural palettes • 23:48 Pattern play: stripes, checks, and scale as neutrals • 25:16 The importance of natural pigments and vintage fabrics • 27:08 Finding a home’s spirit: listening to clients and place • 29:00 Design challenge: converting a church into a restaurant • 30:41 The Italian project: layered neutrals and earthy reds • 35:00 How Nicola selects and tests saturated wall colors • 37:08 Developing a furniture collection from real project needs • 40:00 Local makers, ethical production, and functional design details • 42:33 Writing Homing Instinct: revisiting projects and collaborators • 44:00 Current projects: varied architecture and shifting palettes • 46:00 Where to follow Nicola and buy the book • 47:30 Conclusion Also Mentioned: • Order your copy of Homing Instinct - https://bit.ly/4hGV6Ex • Nicola Harding & Co. Website - https://bit.ly/3Lfa4pn • Nicola Harding on Instagram - @nicolahardingandco • Shop Ballard Designs - https://bit.ly/4oGtjXL 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