How to Decorate

We conclude our four-part outdoor mini-series with special guest Canaan Marshall, a floral designer renowned for his breathtaking arrangements featured throughout Season 1 of HBO Max's Full Bloom.

Canaan shares his journey into floral design, offering invaluable tips on shopping for plants, creating stunning arrangements from grocery store flowers, and effectively maintaining your garden. The discussion also touches on container gardening and decorating for social gatherings, offering practical advice for beautifying both indoor and outdoor spaces for your house guests.

What Youll Hear On This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast

01:05 Meet Canaan Marshall: Floral Designer Extraordinaire

02:42 The Art of Flower Arranging

04:48 Wedding Floral Trends and Tips

13:30 Grocery Store Flower Arrangements

17:04 Container Tips and Tricks

27:58 Tips for Cutting and Arranging Flowers

28:34 Using Different Flower Sizes and Containers

29:52 Reflexing and Enhancing Flower Appearance

32:32 Learning from the Show and Creative Process

33:29 Flower Arrangement Recipes and Mechanics

36:47 Handling Flower Arrangements for Events

47:39 Outdoor Entertaining and Container Gardens

52:54 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs | Shop Now

canaanmarshall.com | Designer Website

@canaanmarshall | Designer Instagram

Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures ([email protected]) so we can answer them on an upcoming episode. And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you havent already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode.

Happy Decorating!

We continue our outdoor mini-series by welcoming Mark Thompson to the show, co-owner of two iconic Birmingham businesses specializing in gardening and home decor. Mark shares his journey into the gardening world and provides valuable tips on how to shop for plants, care for them effectively, and tackle common gardening challenges.

Listeners will gain insights into the importance of setting realistic expectations when shopping for plants, the benefits of starting with smaller specimens, and best practices for soil preparation. The episode also covers how to maximize outdoor spaces, handle invasive plants, and achieve a thriving garden, making it a must-listen for gardening enthusiasts of all levels.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast

00:34 Meet Mark Thompson: Garden Shop Owner

01:44 Mark's Journey into Gardening

07:22 Opening the General Store

13:44 Tips for Shopping for Plants

18:59 Ensuring Plant Health and Maintenance

34:14 Garden Shop Plant Care Tips

36:40 Extending the Life of Houseplants

37:03 Houseplant Repotting and Maintenance

50:33 Dealing with Invasive Plants

53:46 Gardening for Non-Gardeners

01:02:33 Common Plant Problems and Solutions

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs | Shop Now

@markg.thompson | Designer Instagram

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!

In Part 2 of our Outdoor Mini Series, we welcome back landscape designer Carmen Johnston to talk about the art of decorating your outdoor spaces. Caroline and Liz discuss Ballard Designs' new Spring releases with Carmen and the importance of planning, choosing the right plants for your garden's sunlight exposure, and the use of frost-free dates for planting.

Carmen also provides practical advice on container gardening, from soil preparation to plant selection using her 'three T's' method (tall, thick, and trailing plants). She emphasizes the importance of texture, variation, and the use of irrigation systems to keep plants thriving. Additionally, Carmen offers solutions for dealing with common issues like deer in the garden and highlights the benefits of professional garden planning.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast 00:34 Welcoming Landscape Designer Carmen Johnston 01:16 Discussing the New Ballard Spring Release 03:06 Gardening Tips and Frost-Free Dates 09:40 Planning Your Garden Layout 13:19 Bespoke Garden Plans and Professional Help 15:40 Container Gardening Tips 34:00 Sun-Loving and Shade-Loving Palladium Varieties 34:43 Choosing and Planting Palladiums 35:08 The Importance of Texture and Variation in Containers 35:52 When to Buy Palladiums and Seasonal Availability 37:39 Understanding Plant Variation 38:22 Tips for Container Gardening 40:37 Choosing the Right Number and Size of Plants 43:35 The Versatile Kimberly Queen Fern 47:46 Irrigation Solutions for Your Garden 55:53 Dealing with Deer in Your Garden 01:01:59 Final Thoughts and Where to Find More Information

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs | Shop Now

@carmenjohnstongardens | Designer Instagram

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!

This week, Caroline and Liz kick off a special four-part spring outdoor mini-series, welcoming back Mississippi-based landscape architect Brantley Snipes to the show. Together, they explore essential topics for spring gardening, including landscaping best practices, creating functional outdoor spaces, planting strategies, and tackling common challenges.

Brantley shares expert insights on effective planning for landscape projects, optimizing budget considerations, and timing for installation. The conversation covers practical tips for designing driveways and entrances, choosing hardscape materials, and ensuring proper drainage. Additionally, listeners will receive valuable advice on common lawn issues, managing pests like deer, and maximizing backyard space.

Watch this week's episode with images on the Ballard Designs YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/3DQucuB

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast

00:34 Spring Gardening Mini-Series Announcement

00:53 Guest Introduction: Brantley Snipes

01:14 Spring Gardening Tips and Tricks

03:16 Planning Your Landscaping Projects

06:50 Driveways and Entrances: Design Insights

17:41 Hardscaping: Materials and Costs

27:43 Planting: Tips and Budgeting

36:10 The Science of Landscape Planning

36:43 Designing the Perfect Patio

37:32 Tree Protection Zones and Patio Placement

41:29 Maximizing Backyard Space

43:28 AstroTurf: Pros and Cons

51:01 Dealing with Common Lawn Issues

57:53 Managing Deer and Other Pests

01:05:52 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes

Also Mentioned:

Ballard Designs | Shop Now

brantleysnipes.com | Designer Website

@brantleysnipeslandscapedesign | Designer Instagram

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!

We're thrilled to welcome back renowned interior designer Marshall Watson to the show to discuss his latest design book, Defining Elegance.

Through Defining Elegance, Caroline and Liz explore Marshall's design principles plus how he seamlessly blends history with modern sensibilities across a variety of stunning environments, from the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the picturesque landscapes of Southern California.

Marshall shares his unique journey from the world of acting to the realm of interior design, offering insights into the importance of scale and proportion in creating harmonious spaces. Decorators will benefit from Marshall’s expert advice on making perfect beds, the art of floating furniture, and how to create a cohesive home design that feels polished yet personal.

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast

00:35 Guest Introduction: Marshall Watson

01:41 Marshall's Design Philosophy and Career Journey

06:53 Designing for Scale and Proportion

08:44 Creating Intimate Spaces in Large Rooms

29:22 Cohesive Home Design Tips

37:40 Exploring Unique Markets Across the Country

38:50 The Charm of Imperfection in Design

38:55 Gardening Lessons Applied to Decorating

40:52 Creating Comfort and Elegance in Homes

41:49 Listener's Decorating Dilemma: Bedroom Makeover

43:41 Detailed Solutions for Bedroom Design

01:00:12 Final Thoughts and Expert Tips

01:00:30 Where to Find More from Marshall Watson

01:02:13 Show Wrap-Up and Contact Information

Also Mentioned:

Shop Ballard Designs | Website

Defining Elegance by Marshall Watson | Order Now

marshallwatsoninteriors.com | Designer Website

@marshallwatsondesign | Designer Instagram

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!