How to Decorate

This week, we are thrilled to welcome Stephanie Abernathy and Ashley Malone, the creative forces behind Studio Wellington. With backgrounds in history, art history, political science, and interior design, this dynamic duo brings a uniquely informed approach to their projects.

Currently in the thick of a massive personal home renovation, Stephanie shares the unvarnished reality of what it actually feels like to live through construction. The ladies break down exactly how long you should spend planning before swinging a hammer, why you should pick your appliances before your cabinets, and the biggest "green flags" to look for when hiring a general contractor.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Pick Appliances and Stone First: Before you finalize your cabinet layout, you need to select your appliances. The sizes and types of appliances you choose will dictate the function and flow of the entire kitchen. After that, pick your stone (like countertops or a slab backsplash), as this will drive the aesthetic direction of the room.


Look for Contractor "Green Flags": When interviewing a contractor, a major "green flag" is if they walk through the job site with you and actively take notes. If they claim they will remember everything without writing it down, that's a warning sign. Another red flag? If they refuse to provide any sort of timeline or refuse to be transparent about their costs.


Don't Assume the Tile Layout: Never assume the installer knows where you want the tile to start. You should always provide a tile diagram or physically be on-site to tell them exactly where the first piece should go, otherwise, you might end up with awkward, sliver-sized cuts in the most visible areas.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome & Introduction to Stephanie and Ashley of Studio Wellington


05:00 Why planning a major renovation can (and should) take up to a year and a half


09:00 Building your team: Do you want to get bad news from this person?


25:00 The importance of detail down to the outlet covers


37:00 Why appliances and stone must be selected first


40:00 Why you need to hand a "lighting binder" to the framing crew


56:00 The variables of construction and dealing with unexpected changes


01:13:00 Green flags and red flags when hiring a contractor


01:20:00 The golden rule of tile installation: Tell them where to start!


01:26:00 Treating the ceiling as the "fifth wall"


01:31:00 Closing thoughts & where to find Studio Wellington

Also Mentioned:


Studio Wellington | Website


Follow them on Instagram: @studio.wellington


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!
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We are wrapping up the Carson Kressley mini-series with a bang! For his grand finale, Carson invites his dear friend and the "grand dame" of Charleston, Patricia Altschul—star of Bravo’s hit show Southern Charm.

Carson and Miss Pat discuss her fascinating background as an elite art advisor in the 1980s and 90s, her long-standing collaboration with the legendary decorator Mario Buatta (the "Prince of Chintz"), and the history of her stunning 1853 Greek Revival home in Charleston. She also shares her expert tips for navigating online auctions, the secret to a perfect martini, and why classic English country design never goes out of style.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Do Your Homework Before Buying Art: Pat recommends visiting museums, galleries, and auction houses just to look before you start buying. Once you find your style, always check the condition of a piece—she suggests investing in a portable blacklight to spot any repairs, cracks, or in-painting on antique art.


Shop the Apps for Hidden Gems: You don't have to spend a fortune to get great pieces. Pat swears by local auctions and the LiveAuctioneers app to find everything from French porcelain to vintage jewelry. She also highly recommends Stair Galleries for scoring incredible upholstered pieces from the estates of famous decorators.


The Timelessness of Mario Buatta: Pat worked with Mario Buatta on four homes over 30 years. She notes that his rooms stand the test of time because he adopted the English country style—focusing on classic floor plans, the right scale, and high-quality, comfortable upholstered pieces that look even better when they are a little faded and lived-in.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome to the final episode of the Carson Kressley Takeover!


01:30 Meet Patricia Altschul: Art advisor, author, and star of Southern Charm


04:30 Growing up in Richmond, Virginia with an eclectic mix of French antiques and Chinese rugs


07:00 Pat’s career as an art advisor in the 80s and 90s (and flying the Concorde)


10:30 How to start collecting art and why you need a portable blacklight


13:00 The best auction sites: Stair Galleries and the LiveAuctioneers app


16:30 The history of Pat’s Charleston home: The 1853 Isaac Jenkins Mikell House


19:00 Working with legendary decorator Mario Buatta over 30 years


23:00 Why Mario's classic "English country" rooms still look fresh today


32:30 Pat's former home on Oyster Bay in Long Island


38:00 How Pat ended up on Southern Charm


40:00 Charleston must-dos and the city's incredible food scene


44:00 The secret to the perfect Southern martini


47:30 Entertaining in New York City in the 1990s


51:30 Pat's collection of Ballard Designs crystal lanterns

Also Mentioned:


Pat's Book (referred to by Carson as Eat, Drink, and Remarry)


LiveAuctioneers App


Stair Galleries


Shop the Carson Kressley Collection at 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 3 of the Carson Kressley mini-series! This time, we are trading the design studio for the kitchen, recording live from the set of Beat Bobby Flay in New York City. Carson sits down with his good friend, the Iron Chef himself, Mr. Bobby Flay.

Bobby turns the tables and lets Carson do the baking (featuring his famous Amish-adjacent Pennsylvania Dutch custard pies!), while the two discuss the undeniable link between hospitality, food, and interior design. Bobby breaks down the psychological trick of the "Orange Glow" in his restaurants, how he works with his interior designer Olivia Jane, and the layout secrets of his personal home kitchens in New York, the Hamptons, and London.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Flatter Your Guests with Lighting: Bobby insists that lighting is the unsung hero of a successful restaurant or dinner party. He aims to create an "Orange Glow" in his spaces to ensure that everybody feels like they look good while dining—if they feel good about how they look, they’ll have a better time.


Design for You, Not for Resale: Bobby strongly advises against designing your home based on what a hypothetical future buyer might want. Instead of living in a safe, generic space for "resale value," you should design your home for the way you want to live in it right now.


The Best Way to Serve a Crowd: When entertaining at home, Bobby rarely does plated dinners. He prefers a "family style" approach because it feels comforting and allows guests to take exactly what they want. His top entertaining essential? A collection of really cool trays to easily carry food and drinks around the room.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome to Week 3 of the Carson Kressley Takeover! 


01:00 Live from the set: Carson bakes for an Iron Chef 


03:00 Why interior design is just as important as the menu 


04:30 The secret to the "Orange Glow" lighting 


07:00 Bobby’s partnership with his interior designer, Olivia Jane 


09:00 Why Bobby loves shopping for vintage furniture on 1stDibs 


16:30 How a chef designs his own kitchens: 18-foot islands & Hamptons bistro tables 


19:30 Why you shouldn't design a house just for "resale value" 


20:40 Entertaining tips: Trays and family-style meals 


22:00 Designing his 1920s Tudor house in Saratoga and his London apartment 


27:00 Bobby & Carson’s London restaurant and hotel recommendations 


29:20 The pie reveal: Strawberry and Raspberry custard 


32:00 Sneak peek at next week’s guest: Pat Altschul 

Also Mentioned:


Bobby's Podcast: Bobby on the Beat 


London Spots: Berenjak, Scott's, Brat, The Broadwick Soho hotel 


Bobby's Restaurants: Amalfi, Brasserie B, Bobby's Burgers 


Vintage Shopping: 1stDibs 


Shop the Carson Kressley Collection at 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 2 of our Carson Kressley takeover! This week, Carson invites his "partners in crime," Amie and Jolie Sikes—better known as the Junk Gypsies—to the podcast.

Broadcasting (virtually) from Round Top, Texas, the sisters share the story of how they turned a love for "junking" into a global lifestyle brand. Carson and the Gypsies discuss the magic of the Round Top Antiques Fair (the "Super Bowl of Junk"), why you should mix velvet with raw wood, and how to decorate with "glitter and dirt."

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Mix "Glitter and Dirt": The Junk Gypsy aesthetic is all about contrast. Don't be afraid to pair a crystal chandelier with chipping paint, or velvet upholstery with rustic wood. The friction between fancy and rough is what makes a room interesting.


Buy What You Love (It Will Fit): When shopping at flea markets or antique shows, ignore the "where will I put this?" doubt. Amie and Jolie believe that if you truly love a piece, you will find a place for it—even if it ends up in the bathroom holding towels.


Souvenirs > Trends: Your home should be a scrapbook of your life. Carson and the girls discuss why buying weird, unique items from your travels (like a giant roadside sign or a beat-up guitar) beats buying a generic trend from a big-box store every time.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome to Part 2 of the Carson Kressley Mini-Series!


02:00 Meet the Junk Gypsies: Amie & Jolie Sikes


05:00 What is Round Top? Explaining the "26 miles of treasure" in Texas


09:00 The "Glitter and Dirt" Philosophy: Mixing fancy with rustic


14:00 Why you shouldn't worry about "where it will go" when buying vintage


20:00 Designing for Miranda Lambert: Airstreams & Tour Buses


28:00 The "Wander Inn": The sisters’ hotel project in Round Top


36:00 How to shop a flea market like a pro (and why you need a flashlight)


45:00 Carson’s favorite finds: The "Giddy Up" art and "Howdy" pillows

Also Mentioned:


Junk Gypsy Company (Amie & Jolie's Brand)


The Wander Inn (Round Top, TX)


Round Top Antiques Fair


Shop the Carson Kressley Collection at 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 popping the champagne for a very special episode! To celebrate the launch of his exclusive new collection with Ballard Designs, the fabulous Carson Kressley joins Caroline, Taryn, and Liz as a special co-host for a 4-part mini-series.

And for his first guest? It’s none other than his original Queer Eye castmate, best friend, and acclaimed interior designer Thom Filicia.

Carson and Thom take a trip down memory lane, revealing the hilarious story of how they first met during the "chemistry test" for Queer Eye for the Straight Guy. Thom opens up about his classical training at the legendary firm Parish-Hadley, his philosophy on "Democratic Design," and why he believes every room needs a mix of price points to feel authentic.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Embrace "Democratic Design": Thom believes great design shouldn't be reserved for the elite. Whether it's a custom piece or a catalog find, good design is accessible at every price point. The magic happens when you mix them together—high and low, old and new.


Don't Be Afraid of Brown: Thom and the team discuss the resurgence of brown as a dominant color in interiors. Thom loves using warm, earthy neutrals (like chocolate, rust, and camel) to create spaces that feel grounded, sophisticated, and cozy.


Your Home Should Tell Your Story: Authenticity is key. Carson and Thom emphasize that your home should reflect you—not just a showroom. Incorporate personal items, travel souvenirs, and pieces that have history to give your space a unique "fingerprint".

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome to the Carson Kressley Mini-Series! 


01:00 Carson introduces his new collection with Ballard Designs 


04:00 Thom Filicia joins the chat and the story of his legendary 5-minute naps 


10:00 Thom’s new home in Aspen and the process of designing for yourself 


21:00 Translating personal fashion into interior design and lessons from Dress My Nest 


29:00 What it was like designing for David Bowie and Iman 


38:00 Reminiscing about Queer Eye and Get a Room with Carson & Thom 


42:00 The art of High/Low design and why rooms shouldn't be too perfect 


51:00 Thom’s classical training and Albert Hadley’s rule about the "element of surprise" 


01:01:00 Advice for young designers starting out in the industry 


01:05:00 Where to find Thom Filicia’s showroom and product collections 

Also Mentioned:


Shop the Carson Kressley Collection at Ballard Designs


Thom Filicia | Website


Follow Thom on Instagram: @thomfilicia


Follow Carson on Instagram: @carsonkressley

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