How to Decorate

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


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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


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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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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"


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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 long hiatus from sharing their own home updates (since August!), Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down to catch up on what has been happening behind their own front doors.

The ladies discuss the highs and lows of homeownership, from Liz’s garage flood nightmare to Caroline’s victory over a builder-grade "boob light." Taryn gives a major update on her Facebook Marketplace bed project (spoiler: it’s finished!), and Caroline explains why she finally ditched her trendy jute rug for a vintage estate sale find.

Quick Decorating Takeaways:


Don't Fear the "Floater" Rug: Caroline shares her win with a vintage 8x11 rug. While 9x12 is the standard for living rooms, she explains that you can break the "all legs on" rule with a slightly smaller vintage piece as long as the front legs of your furniture anchor it comfortably.


Spray It, Don't Brush It: Taryn confirms that for intricate furniture (like a spindle bed), a paint sprayer is non-negotiable. It saves hours of frustration compared to brushing and delivers a smooth, factory-like finish that makes DIY pieces look high-end.


Upgrade the "Boob Light": It is the most common builder-grade eyesore, but swapping a flush mount is one of the easiest updates you can do. Caroline replaced hers in 20 minutes with a faux-alabaster fixture, instantly elevating her hallway for under $100.

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Welcome & Happy New Year!


01:30 Caroline’s Triumph: Scoring a vintage Turkish rug on EBTH.com


06:00 The "Jute vs. Wool" debate: Why wool is actually cleaner


09:00 Taryn’s Triumph: The $100 Facebook Marketplace bed is finished!


12:00 Painting Tips: Why you need a sprayer for spindles & the color reveal ("Stardew")


18:00 Liz’s Trial: A pipe burst and ceiling damage in the garage


22:00 Liz’s Triumph: Painting the front door "Tate Olive"


26:00 Caroline’s Triumph: Replacing the hallway "boob light" with an Amazon find


32:00 Taryn’s Trial: The struggle of finding bedding to match a blue bed


38:00 Closing thoughts & looking ahead to spring projects

Also Mentioned:


Everything But The House (Online Estate Sales) | ebth.com


Paint Color: Sherwin Williams "Stardew" (Taryn's Bed)


Paint Color: Benjamin Moore "Tate Olive" (Liz's Door)


Paint Sprayer (Wagner)


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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 ready to kick off 2026 with some ambitious decorating goals! In this special bonus episode, Caroline, Taryn, and Liz sit down to map out their home and personal resolutions for the year. They are putting their goals on the record now so they can hold themselves accountable in 2027.

From tackling "treacherous" basements and organizing chaos closets to navigating the emotional transition of empty nesting, the hosts share the big projects they hope to tackle (and the budget realities holding them back).

What You’ll Hear on This Episode:


00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast


01:30 Taryn’s Goal #1: Tackling the "treacherous" basement and finishing the gym 


06:00 Taryn’s Goal #2: The emotional transition of a nursery into a guest room 


08:00 The $100 Facebook Marketplace King Bed find 


12:00 Caroline’s Goal #1: The Entryway Dilemma (Wallpaper vs. The Messy Closet) 


16:00 Caroline’s Reupholstery List: Needlepoint footstools and worn-out linen 


18:00 The universal struggle of organizing "junk drawers" with kids 


20:00 Plant Goals: Keeping Fiddle Leaf Figs alive and planting Peonies 


25:00 Liz’s Goal #1: Creating a "Home Maintenance" calendar 


28:00 Liz’s Goal #2: Raised bed gardening and navigating shade trees 


31:00 Liz’s Goal #3: Empty nesting and converting a teen bedroom into a home office 

Also Mentioned:


Plantopia (Book mentioned by Taryn) 


Skylight Calendar 


IKEA PAX Systems (for closet hacks) 


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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