How to Decorate

• Ep. 441: The World of Peter Dunham

  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

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• Ep. 440: Performance Fabrics 101 with Patrick Shelton

  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

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• Ep. 439: Designing for Real Life with Brian Patrick Flynn

  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

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• Ep. 438: Homing Instinct with Nicola Harding

  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

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• Ep. 437: How to Layer Wall Art with Anne Bohne

  This week, we’re thrilled to welcome featured Ballard Designs artist Anne Bohne to the show to discuss her creative journey, the inspiration behind her coastal and Southern landscapes, and how she translates hand‑painted art into textiles and home decor. Anne shares the inspiration behind her techniques (why she loves watercolor for its immediacy and acrylic for looser washes), ways to collect and live with art, and playful ideas—like painted mats and wrapped frames—that make artwork feel personal and playful in a home. Key Takeaways: - Watercolor is forgiving and portable; acrylic on raw canvas or Birch board yields lively effects. - Layer florals with geometric or block motifs for balance—look to antique textiles for inspiration. - Start collecting with what delights you (prints included); rotate art through rooms to refresh a space. - Painted mats, fabric‑wrapped frames, and bespoke framing add playful, personal touches. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Welcome & Introductions 01:00 Meet Anne Bohne — background & early influences 02:30 College show that launched her career 04:00 Working in textile/surface design with Beth Lacefield 07:00 Favorite mediums: watercolor, acrylic, and Birch board 11:00 Translating art into repeat patterns and fabric 15:00 Landscapes, light, and color inspirations from the Southeast 20:00 Animal portraits—joyful, looser watercolor sketches 24:00 Collecting art: university shows, prints, and commissions 30:00 Size, scale, and framing (floater frames, painted mats) 36:00 Current color & pattern trends: terracotta, muddy greens, florals vs. geometrics 43:00 Creative framing ideas and DIY touches 49:00 Nurseries, commissions, and how art grows with a family 55:00 Where to find Anne’s work & follow her Also Mentioned: - Anne Bohne on Instagram: @annebohneart - Anne Bohne’s website & shop: annebohneart.com (originals, prints, commissions) - Shop Anne’s Exclusive Art Collection with Ballard: https://bit.ly/3LbXarZ 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

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