How to Decorate

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!
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We are so excited to welcome interior designer Elizabeth Bolognino to the show! With offices in Westport, Connecticut, and South Florida, Elizabeth is known for her signature "Layered Minimalism"—a style that blends clean, contemporary lines with traditional warmth and comfort.

Elizabeth joins Caroline and Liz to explain why "minimalism" doesn't have to mean cold or empty: She breaks down the psychology of beige (and why it’s actually good for your brain), her "secret sauce" for making neutral rooms interesting, and why she treats rugs like the "shoes" of a room. Plus, she shares her forecast for the next big kitchen trend: the "Unfitted Kitchen."

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


The "Touch Test" for Budgeting: When deciding where to splurge and where to save, Elizabeth has a simple rule: If you touch it, spend the money. Invest in high-quality sofas, fabrics, and rugs because you physically interact with them. Save money on items you only look at, like curtain rods, side tables, or decorative hardware.


Rugs are the "Shoes" of the Outfit: Elizabeth believes you should never design a room from the top down. She starts with the rug because it grounds the space and dictates the palette—just like you wouldn't pick your shoes last when planning an outfit.


Try an "Unfitted" Kitchen: To make a kitchen feel more like a living space and less like a sterile lab, Elizabeth suggests removing upper cabinets and using furniture-style pieces. Try swapping a built-in island for a large work table or using an antique armoire for pantry storage.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome & Introduction


01:00 Defining "Layered Minimalism": How to clean up lines without losing warmth


07:00 The Psychology of Beige: Why we crave neutral spaces in a chaotic world


13:00 Texture: The "Secret Sauce" to keeping neutrals from being boring


19:00 Splurge vs. Save: Elizabeth's rule about tactile objects


23:00 Why the rug is the "shoes" of the room


27:00 The "Unfitted Kitchen" trend: Ditching upper cabinets for furniture


36:00 Elizabeth's own 1940s Colonial renovation


46:00 Decorating Dilemma: How to zone a long, narrow living room/entryway

Also Mentioned:


Elizabeth Bolognino | Website


Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: @ebolognino


Book mentioned: The Psychology of Color


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 thrilled to welcome Ray Booth back to the podcast! Ray is an acclaimed interior designer, a partner at the award-winning firm McALPINE, and the author of the beautiful new book, The Expressive Home.

Ray sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to discuss how his background in architecture shapes every interior decision he makes. He shares why he views drapery as "punctuation," the optical illusion of black window mullions, and why he believes "editing is the key to happiness."

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Drapery is Punctuation: Ray uses drapery not just for windows, but as "commas" in a room—creating pauses, dividing large spaces, and softening the acoustics to create intimacy in an otherwise "hard" architectural box.


The "Eyeliner" Effect: When painting window mullions (the strips between glass panes), Ray prefers dark colors (black or bronze) over white. Dark mullions act like eyeliner—they frame the view and disappear to let the eye focus on the landscape, whereas white mullions stop the eye right at the glass.


Hang Lighting for Humans, Not Ceilings: In rooms with double-height ceilings, resist the urge to hang chandeliers too high. Ray suggests hanging them lower—within the "human scale"—so they feel touchable and help ground people in a cavernous space.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome & Introduction


01:30 Ray’s architectural background and his "biased" approach to interiors


04:00 How to choose materials based on your personal story


10:00 Why Ray uses drapery as "punctuation" and acoustic softening


16:00 Building a neutral palette: Using contrast to create harmony


21:00 Window Mullions: Why dark paint makes the view clearer


25:00 The Art of Editing: "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should"


28:00 Ray’s take on AI in design (featuring a nod to Steve & Brooke Giannetti)


34:00 Human Scale: How to make grand rooms feel intimate


40:00 Lighting tips for high ceilings


44:00 The "Deconstructed Sectional": How to improve flow around large furniture


48:00 Closing notes & where to find Ray

Also Mentioned:


The Expressive Home by Ray Booth (New Book)


Evocative Interiors by Ray Booth (Previous Book)


McALPINE | Website


Ray Booth Design | Instagram


Steve & Brooke Giannetti


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

It is our favorite time of year: the 2026 Trend Report is here! Caroline, Taryn, and Liz are joined by the Ballard Designs Product Design Team—Hillary Park, and Will Turner—to break down exactly what is coming next in the world of interiors.

The team reveals the surprising colors predicted to dominate (including "Green Glow" aka Slime and "Fresh Purple"), why "Builder Khaki" is making a nostalgic comeback, and the specific design aesthetic that bridges the gap between Gen Z and Boomers. They also discuss the move away from gray, the evolution of bouclé, and why your next gallery wall should feature "weird" personal art.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Brown is the New Black: Move over, cool grays. The team confirms that brown—from "Cocoa Powder" to "Builder Khaki"—is the dominant neutral for 2026. It pairs perfectly with the trending warm metals (like nickel) and "dirty" pastels.


Embrace "Grandma Crafts": High-tech is out; analog is in. The trend of "Grandma Crafts" is huge, with needlepoint, embroidery, and paint-by-numbers becoming the ultimate way to unwind and decorate.


Look for the "North Star": Celestial motifs are having a moment. Look for stars, moons, and zodiac themes in hardware, bedding, and fabrics as people seek direction and meaning in their homes.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome to the 2026 Trend Report


01:30 How the team predicts trends (Fashion Snoops, WGSN, Veranda)


04:45 The 5 Big Color Predictions: Transformative Teal, Wax Paper, Fresh Purple, Cocoa Powder, and Green Glow


06:30 The "Slime" Green debate and the board game Hues and Cues


11:00 The resurgence of Khaki and Ralph Lauren nostalgia


14:00 Cornflower Blue: The "Happy" color that isn't going anywhere


16:30 Metals: Why Nickel is overtaking Chrome


20:30 Paint Colors of the Year (Cloud Dancer, Warm Eucalyptus, hidden Gem)


23:00 Material Trends: Leather, colored stains, and the decline of shiny glam


26:00 Is Bouclé over? (Spoiler: It's evolving into skirts)


28:00 The "Nancy Meyers" Aesthetic vs. Maximalism


34:00 Pattern Trends: Lattice, Ribbons, and "Weird" Checks


41:30 Fun Micro-Trends: Cabbage Ware and "Vampire Core" (Oxblood)


43:00 Celestial motifs and the "North Star" theme


54:00 "Weird Art": Why you should frame cigarette packs and personal relics


58:00 The rise of "Grandma Crafts"

Also Mentioned:


Board Game: Hues and Cues


Trend: Nancy Meyers Aesthetic


Paint Color: Pantone "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 back with a classic "Trials & Triumphs" episode! After a hiatus from sharing their own home updates since August, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down to catch up on what has really been happening behind their own front doors.

The ladies discuss the highs and lows of homeownership, from Liz’s dining room paint regret (and redemption) to Caroline’s nightmare scenario involving a toilet overflow the day after Christmas. Taryn shares a genius lighting hack for guest rooms that lack hardwiring, and Caroline reveals how she finally tackled the basement clutter that had been weighing on her for five years.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Test Paint in Different Seasons: Liz shares a cautionary tale about painting her dining room "Ancient Marble" in the winter, only to realize that when spring foliage arrived, the green light bouncing in washed the color out completely. She eventually repainted it "Retreat" by Sherwin Williams for a much richer look.


The "Smart Plug" Guest Room Hack: If you have a room with no overhead lighting or hardwired sconces, Taryn recommends putting floor and table lamps on smart plugs or timers. This ensures guests never have to walk into a pitch-black room and fumble for a switch.


Don't Let the "Big" Projects Scare You: Caroline put off organizing her basement storage for five years because it felt like a massive undertaking. Once she finally started, she and her husband finished the entire project in just two afternoons.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome back to Trials & Triumphs


01:00 Liz’s Paint Trial: Why "Ancient Marble" didn't work in spring


02:00 Liz’s Triumph: The new dining room color ("Retreat")


06:00 Discussing "Malted Milk" (pink) paint for Liz’s kitchen


12:00 Caroline’s Triumph: Cleaning out the basement after 5 years


15:30 Caroline’s Trial: A lightning strike and an expensive tree removal


17:00 Update on Caroline’s needlepoint stockings


19:00 The custom bed that wasn't ready for Christmas (and why that was lucky)


20:45 Caroline’s Trial: The sewer line backup disaster


23:00 Liz’s amusing update on her neighbor's strict Airbnb rules


26:00 Taryn’s Triumph: Finishing the living room drapes and chairs


29:45 Tip: How to handle drapes over air vents


31:30 Taryn’s Triumph: Solving the dark guest room problem with automation


34:00 Taryn’s Trial: The pool heater fail on a warm Christmas

Also Mentioned:


Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Ancient Marble" (Liz's Trial) 


Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Retreat" (Liz's Triumph) 


Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Malted Milk" (Liz's Potential Kitchen) 


Husky Industrial Shelves (for basement storage) 


Fabric: "Keir Capri" (Caroline's daughter's bed) 


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