Ep. 222: stylist & author Melissa Penfold

Atlanta-based interior designer Minhnuyet Hardy joins us this week to discuss common interior design mistakes and how to avoid them. Minhnuyet shares her expertise on proper rug sizing and orientation, as well as drapery width, hardware placement, and lining importance. She gives some great tips for measuring spaces and hanging artwork at the ideal height, pesky furniture delivery challenges, accessorizing with trays, and grouping small items. Follow along with this week's decorating dilemma here on the How to Decorate Blog. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Common rug size mistakes and how to properly size and orient rugs. Custom rug options for unique spaces. Drapery hardware placement and width considerations. Hanging drapery too low or not having it wide enough. Proper artwork hanging height and placement tips. Furniture delivery challenges in tight spaces. Why the tallest person in the house shouldn’t be the one hanging artwork. Accessorizing with trays and grouping small items. Also Mentioned: Ballard Designs Minhnuyet Hardy  Watch the Full Episode - Ballard Designs YouTube  Minhnuyet Hardy Interiors @minhnuyethardyinteriors Decorating Dilemma:  Hi Amy Lynn! Thank you so much for your question - this is a great question. Here are some suggestions: First, painting the mantel trim the same color as the wall will help create a cohesive backdrop that draws the eye to your artwork. We would stack larger art pieces on the mantel that lean against the wall, layering smaller pieces in front. A large mirror with art displayed in front would also look very striking. Additionally, placing some birch logs inside the fireplace will add visual interest year-round. You could also consider stringing battery-operated twinkle lights during the holidays for a festive touch. We hope these ideas help highlight your beautiful original fireplace mantel! Also, be sure to check out our Essential Stocking Holder, it will be sleek and is great for kids!

We head to Tinseltown this week for a fun history lesson in LA design with accomplished author, Annie Kelly. Annie shares insights from her new book "City of Dreams: Los Angeles Interiors," offering a sweeping photographic survey of the city's most striking historic and contemporary homes. She discusses the inspiration behind the book and her longtime creative partnership with photographer Tim Street-Porter and shares a glimpse inside some of LA's most breathtaking modernist gems as well as historically significant homes. Annie also traces the evolution of the city's architecture from the early influence of the film industry to the innovative mid-century structures still inspiring interiors today. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: The inspiration behind Annie’s book, City of Dreams: Los Angeles Interiors.  How the topography and terrain of LA helps foster different and often quite eccentric design choices.  More about the influence of the film industry and influx of architects and artists after WWII on past and present design in LA.  Annie shares more about how she chose the homes featured in the book to be more about interesting and captivating stories rather than just celebrities.  Mid-century modern architecture in LA.  More about Annie’s venetian-gothic home.  Outdoor living and garden spaces that expanded entertaining areas.  The evolution of LA's architecture from the grid pattern of flatlands to hillside communities.  Renowned LA design stores and the characters behind them.  Restoring iconic Case Study Houses for a new generation to appreciate.  What is next for Annie and Tim? A sneak peek into a very exciting upcoming project.  Ballard Designs  City of Dreams: Los Angeles Interiors  @anniehkelly  @timstreetporter

‘Tis the season for all things outdoors! This week, we welcome Kelly Petrino and Amy Jordan from Ballard’s merchandising team for their expert advice on mixing and matching outdoor furniture and accessories to create beautiful and comfortable outdoor space. They talk about cushions, pillows, rugs, lighting, and planters to complete the look, along with sharing some great tips for incorporating different materials, styles, and textures to define your outdoor space. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Considerations for using outdoor fabrics like Sunbrella that are stain-resistant and fade-proof. Ideas for incorporating outdoor rugs to define spaces and add texture. Factors to consider when choosing outdoor sofas and seating, like cushion fill and frame materials. What should you look for when it comes to outdoor sofas and seating? Kelly and Amy's perspectives on the pros and cons of mixing collections versus opting for a coordinated set. Entertaining essentials such as outdoor safe drinkware, candles, romantic outdoor lighting, and lovely lamps. Mosquito-repelling drapery panels? Yes, please! Reasons to think about furniture layout in relation to your daily and entertaining needs beyond just aesthetics. Tips for defining spaces with planters. Also Mentioned: Ballard Designs

This week, we address frequent home decor challenges through the creative lens of designer Colleen Simonds. Colleen's playful portfolio spaces have been published in top outlets and she offers practical tips for navigating choices, layouts, color selection, art sourcing, window treatments, and establishing focal points. Colleen gives us some great strategies for transforming common pain points into imaginative designs tailored to one's lifestyle, including approaches for maximalism, small spaces, and connected rooms. Follow along with this week's decorating dilemma here. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: What are some of the most common pain points when it comes to decorating and design? How to fix pain points in layout, color, lighting, and scale. Tips for finding your focal point and then creating supporting characters around it. Sometimes it’s just about time and patience to fix your pain points, so take a deep breath! How to activate a small space rather than trying to make it look bigger. Why art tends to be a pain point, and how to find your personal art that feels collected rather than all over the place. Suggestions for simpler window treatments like woven wood shades. Editing a space with clean lines and limited pieces rather than overcrowding a space. Also Mentioned: Colleen Simonds Colleen Simonds IG Decorating Dilemma:  Thanks for writing in, Kim! First, what a charming space! And your art and decor already feel very well collected. Colleen’s first suggestion would be wallpaper. You may consider a lighter-toned grass cloth to add warmth and texture. Or, if you want a pattern, a vertical wallpaper pattern can be a great way to lengthen the room and add some pop of color. A round table with a leaf can also open things up but still serve as a way to keep the flow between the rooms.

It’s all about developing your personal decorating style this week with Nashville interior designer Eric Ross. Eric has over 20 years of professional experience and has left his mark on homes in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and beyond. His work and eponymous design firm has been featured in publications like Luxe Magazine, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle and Country Living, and his book Enduring Southern Homes was released in 2019. We talk to Eric about tapping into your personal style, staying true to yourself as trends come and go, and how to turn your personal style into a furniture and design plan that works for your lifestyle.  Follow along with this week's decorating dilemma here. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Tips for developing your own personal style in design.  Eric talks about the inspiration behind his book, Enduring Southern Homes.  How Eric works with clients who want that traditional touch, and the ways he gets to their heart.  Tools for tapping into your personal style, such as Pinterest.  It’s not always about throwing away things! It’s about finding the right way to use or display them.  The importance of considering how a room will be used when selecting fabrics.  The true gift of a designer is to find similarity amongst your things and to make your collection make sense.  What if your personal style clashes with others in the home?  Elegance doesn’t always have to mean formal!  Eric’s rules for working with curtains, neutrals and prints.  Yes, Eric has imagined himself throwing parties at your house! He explains how to create a true visual to tell your design story and make a plan that works for you.  Also Mentioned: Eric Ross Interiors  Eric Ross IG  Decorating Dilemma:  Hi Karah, Thank you so much for writing in! So, first, in true Eric fashion, it’s about more than just the chandelier. He starts off on the topic of scale, and suggests you add wainscoting on the second story to create consistency in geometry with the windows, and to bring down the ceiling height visually. This will also add texture to the walls. Next, Eric notes that the current chandelier does not have enough visual heft, so he recommends a heavier, barrel-style chandelier that would provide better proportions for the space. Eric suggests hanging the new chandelier between 66-72 inches from the floor to achieve the desired lighting effect while maintaining a relationship between the fixture and dining table. Hope this helps, and happy decorating!

This week, we welcome Atlanta-based designer Amy Morris, who shares some great tips on decorating with neutrals. Amy first shares a little more about her traditional style with a twist of modern and her process behind selecting fabrics with depth and texture. She goes deeper into using lights and darks to create visual interest and advises on finding the right pieces to make your home truly personalized. Amy details her favorite neutrals to use and the importance of really understanding your overall plan and angle in creating your dream living space. Follow along with this week's decorating dilemma here. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Yes, neutrals can bring drama! Amy explains more about the “psychology of design”. Using lights and darks to create contrast in a room. Some of Amy’s current favorite and most used neutrals include the yummy chocolate and paprika. Selecting fabrics and materials that also prioritize depth and texture. Finding pieces that work for you personally and making them work in the space. Embracing cohesion in design and avoiding impulse purchases. How we can use the idea of our “seasons” and color palette also in design. Remembering scale when it also comes to selecting lighting. Also Mentioned: Amy Morris Interiors Amy Morris IG Decorating Dilemma:  Hi Ginger! Thank you for writing! Amy and our crew have some ideas. First, we suggest painting the foyer walls, trim, and even the stairs a bright white to lighten up the space. Then, consider replacing the traditional chandelier with a large lantern pendant light. You can create more visual interest by removing the ornate pieces from the cast iron handrail. One idea is also to replace the yellow wall color upstairs with a light neutral and swap out the 90s flush mount lights for a transitional sconce or chandelier style. Consider mounting a large framed artwork or mirror on the foyer wall to make a design statement. Add plants or a tray with accessories on the chest for visual layering. Updating the paint, lighting, and accessories as suggested will help make the entry and hallway feel brighter, more modern, and more welcoming while respecting the home's original character. Thanks so much and we can’t wait for an update!

This week, we're getting romantic and welcoming style director of Garden & Gun Haskell Harris to talk all about her newest book The House Romantic. We’ve long admired Haskell’s work at Garden & Gun and are thrilled to talk to her about curating a space that reflects your life experience and individual flair. Haskell also gives some great ideas for injecting soul and personal significance into your home environment, how to let perfectionism go, and why a pop of color just puts us in a good mood. Haskell talks about the process of creating her book and picking the right kindred spirits to showcase. Follow along with this week's decorating dilemma here. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: The inspiration behind writing  The House Romantic. Choosing homes and individuals that approach decorating with soul, thought, and intellectual curiosity. More about the “kindred spirits” that are the subject of Haskell’s interviews in The House Romantic. Haskell’s love of finding young and undiscovered talent. Creating an authentic home environment free from the pressure of perfectionism or comparison. Dividing the book into chapters and pillars based on design elements like comfort, authenticity, and personal flair. We talk about some current design trends in the US and the UK. Haskell talks about the photography in The House Romantic and the intention to capture the homes as if you were going over for a cup of coffee. Haskell believes that the home is meant to be a spot where the brain and body can rest up and charge for the next day out in the world. Also Mentioned: Ballard Designs The House Romantic: Curating Memorable Interiors for a Meaningful Life @haskellharris Garden & Gun Decorating Dilemma:   Hi Katie!  Thank you so much, we also have a giant overthinker here too. Haskell’s first suggestion that we agree with is that a desk could give you a great place to rest and write. Then, we would suggest adding an accent chair to the space between the L-shaped sectional and the wall. A smaller, more compact chair would likely fit well in that area without making the space feel too crowded. As for scale, we would recommend choosing a chair that is proportionate to the size of the sectional so that it looks balanced in the space. A large, oversized chair may overwhelm the area. Positioning the chair at an angle, as suggested, could work nicely to draw the eye into that part of the room. Placing the chair near the bookshelves could help direct attention to that focal wall as well. Testing out options by borrowing chairs from other rooms first could help determine what works best for the overall flow and layout. Overall the space looks large enough to accommodate a chair without issues. Filling that empty area would balance out the room and make the seating arrangement feel more complete. Thanks and good luck!

This week, we catch up on all our trials and triumphs that have been collecting since before the holiday season. We talk about our paint color powerpoints, water-related issues, learning from our mistakes to plan ahead, and the beauty of a delicious home-cooked meal. We get updates on Taryn’s basement renovation, which leads to a conversation about the challenges that often come with big DIY projects. Ballard Designs

This week, we welcome back legendary interior designer Bunny Williams. In preparation of her new book Life in the Garden to release in March 2024, Bunny generously shares some great tips on planning successful gardens from starting small to considering ongoing maintenance. Bunny also offers advice for novice gardeners, including prioritizing manageable tasks, plant care, pot selection, and using garden structures to enhance outdoor spaces. Get ready to be inspired to spend some time outdoors!  What You’ll Hear On This Episode: What inspired Bunny to make Life in the Garden.  How a plan in your garden can help you stay organized and on track.  Bunny shares memories of growing up in Virginia and how it shaped her approach to hospitality and entertaining.  Great advice for novice gardeners.  All about plant care and keeping your garden healthy and beautiful.  How to find the right pot for your plant.  Ornamentation and structure is such a huge part of your garden.  What Bunny’s planting season looks like.  The logistics of garden photography.  Where Bunny sources her plants and garden materials.  Mentioned: Ballard Designs Website  IG Life in the Garden  Decorating Dilemma:  Follow along with this week's decorating dilemma here. Hi Wendy! First off, you have a beautiful house. Bunny suggests adding a large wool or area rug to define the space and make it extra cozy. Arranging a pair of comfortable wingback chairs on either side of the fireplace with an ottoman or bench between them for extra seating will draw attention to the fireplace rather than block the view. You could also consider small sofas or built-in banquettes along the walls for additional seating options Placing furniture in this space will help utilize it beyond just a pass-through, connecting it more to the living room area. A rug, chairs and ottoman/bench would make it a lovely sitting space to enjoy the fireplace from. Installing flush mount light fixtures rather than fluorescent lights can provide softer, more attractive lighting in areas like the kitchen and back hallway. Finally, moving the dining room table to the center of the space rather than against the window seat can improve the low and use of the dining area.

Award-winning architect and best-selling author Gil Schafer joins us this week to discuss his beautiful third book, “Home at Last”. Gil shares the inspiration behind his new work, along with a behind-the-scenes look of a few of the featured homes. Gil discusses some ways to blend styles and design homes that stand the test of time, advice for creating spaces that foster family memories, and how to think out of the box without being too gimmicky. Gil is one of the most sought-after architects of the last two decades because of his authenticity, his impeccable style, and his practical approach to designing the house of your dreams. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: Gil shares how personal experiences like marriage and the pandemic shaped his perspective between books. How we can create our “forever homes” to adapt to changing needs over time. Tips for considering landscape architecture early in the design process. Some of the unique stories behind projects featured in Home at Last. Ideas for updating a bedroom and sitting room combination space. The importance of blending architectural styles to create classic designs.  Why Gil says he’s allergic to gimmicks! If you are able to, it’s helpful to have an architect or landscape designer evaluate the land before purchasing it to make sure the house can be built safely and efficiently. More about the beautiful English Country home and its gorgeous stairwell. What emotional pieces and places have affected Gil’s personal style and served as inspiration? Mentioned: Ballard Designs Gil Schafer IG Home At Last Decorating Dilemma:  Thank you for writing in! Gil has some great suggestions to help modernize and tie in the bedroom with the sitting room spaces. First, consider installing custom built-in cabinetry across the nook area. This can help you better organize the space and allow the TV to be lowered to a more comfortable viewing height. Larger scaled lamps on either end of the built-ins would also help make the space feel more intentional. Slipcovering the green velvet chairs in a clean, white fabric may appeal to your husband's more modern taste while keeping one chair to balance the space. Use a folding screen around the desk area to conceal electronics and cords in a neat yet removable way for when the space is used as an office. Hang the bedroom curtains on a high-mounted rod to make the most of the tall ceilings and draw the eye up. Layering patterns would help tie the space together. Replace the carpet with jute or sisal for a softer, flatter surface, and layer area rugs on top to highlight the antique rug. And finally, add artwork around the television after it's lowered to make that wall feel more integrated into the space. Best of luck, and keep us updated!