Podcasts Summary: Dear Alice | Interior Design Episode: Mother's Day Q&A | Designer Questions, Expert Answers
Host/Authors: Jessica Bennett and Suzanne Hall
Release Date: May 8, 2025

Introduction and Mother's Day Celebrations

Time Stamps: 00:00 – 03:42

The episode opens with Alice Lane welcoming listeners to "Dear Alice," an interior design podcast that blends high-end design insights with a lifestyle approach. Hosts Jessica Bennett (Jess) and Suzanne Hall (Sue) express their excitement about answering listener questions and segue into a heartfelt discussion about Mother's Day.

• Alice Lane shares her admiration for her mother, affectionately known as "Provo Grandma," who is celebrating her 80th birthday on May 13th. She describes her mother as "the master entertainer" who hosts large Sunday dinners for 30 to 50 guests (01:04).

• Jess adds, "Happy birthday, Provo Grandma" (01:16), emphasizing the warmth and family-centric nature of the celebrations.

• Sue discusses personal plans, including cooking a special breakfast and gifting hanging baskets to their mom, enhancing the festive atmosphere (01:51).

The hosts collectively express gratitude and love for all mothers, highlighting the emotional significance of the day:
Sue: "Love moms." (03:36)
Alice: "Surround yourself with people that love you and that you love." (03:42)

Question 1: Hanging Art Above Molding

Time Stamps: 03:42 – 08:49

Listener: Kara Frederico
Question: Should art be hung above molding at 60 inches, potentially above eye level?

Discussion & Insights:

• Alice advises that the center of the artwork should ideally be between 58 to 60 inches from the floor, aligning with natural eye level. If molding interferes, she suggests using a flat board painted to match the wall behind the art to prevent it from appearing too high or disconnected (04:15).

  Alice: "The middle of your piece of art should be around that 58 to 60 for the center of the composition." (04:15)

• Jess reinforces the idea, emphasizing the aesthetic appeal of overlapping elements:

  Jess: "It’ll look so expert... It makes a beautiful story when the art is within range of the furnishings." (05:03)

• Sue concurs, noting that strategic overlapping indicates intentional design:

  Sue: "If it’s using the cleat blocks to push it out from the wall, that’s perfect… like, hey, I know what I’m doing." (05:57)

Conclusion: Art should be hung at eye level for optimal appreciation, using design tricks like cleat blocks to integrate molding seamlessly.

Question 2: Eat-In Kitchen Banquettes or Booths

Time Stamps: 08:49 – 14:35

Listener: Jessica Taylor
Question: Should you incorporate banquettes or booths in an eat-in kitchen? How should they be styled and matched with the kitchen?

Discussion & Insights:

• Sue passionately supports the inclusion of banquettes, sharing her own experience with a cozy banquette that has become the "best seat in the entire house" (09:15).

  Jess: "It’s surrounded by windows and it feels so cozy." (09:46)

• Alice emphasizes the importance of quality design in banquettes, cautioning against poorly constructed, uncomfortable options:

  Alice: "A great banquette understands the pitch, the human body, and scale." (11:38)

• Jess advises on material choices, recommending leather for its practicality and ease of maintenance:

  Jess: "Pro tip: do the seat in leather so it’s wipeable… luxury loungewear made from viscose from bamboo." (12:10 – 15:37)

• Sue and Alice discuss the aesthetic flexibility of banquettes, suggesting that the backrests offer an opportunity for creative expression through fabric choices and detailing (12:53 – 13:50).

Conclusion: Banquettes are highly recommended for their comfort and style potential. Investing in quality construction and thoughtful upholstery can create a lasting, functional centerpiece in the kitchen.

Question 3: Selecting a Timeless House Color

Time Stamps: 16:19 – 28:51

Listener: Meredith Sealy
Question: How to choose a timeless house color that complements a riverine, tree-rich environment while balancing personal preferences and concerns about the color looking dirty over time?

Discussion & Insights:

• Jess advocates for off-white as a timeless and versatile choice, citing its enduring appeal and compatibility with diverse landscapes:

  Jess: "In a community like Daybreak, all homes are different shades out of a crayon box, and they look perfect together." (17:31)

• Alice supports the idea of natural whites with earthy undertones that remain forgiving and aesthetically pleasing over decades:

  Alice: "A natural white has some earth to it, making it more forgiving for dirt and maintaining a pristine look against the landscaping." (22:05)

• Sue reassures that high-quality paints can prevent discoloration and advise against overly trendy colors unless they align with long-term preferences (19:41 – 24:05).

• Jess and Alice discuss shutter considerations, recommending that shutters should either complement the chosen color or be carefully integrated to maintain the house’s rhythm and proportion (24:05 – 28:51).

Conclusion: A timeless, neutral color like natural off-white is recommended for enduring beauty and compatibility with lush, green surroundings. Proper hardware and thoughtful architectural detailing can enhance the overall aesthetic without overwhelming the environment.

Question 4: Enhancing Unlovable Countertops Without Replacement

Time Stamps: 28:51 – 35:44

Listener: Jamila
Question: How to improve the aesthetic of gray laminate countertops in the kitchen and master bathroom without the budget for immediate replacement?

Discussion & Insights:

• Alice advises against temporary fixes like painting or DIY alterations, suggesting instead to focus on styling elements that divert attention from the countertops:

  Alice: "Focus on great art at eye level and leverage elements you can control to distract from the countertops." (34:34)

• Jess encourages embracing the current countertops temporarily, emphasizing that updating the kitchen should take priority when possible:

  Jess: "Lean into what you can control now, knowing that you’ll address the countertops when resources allow." (35:01)

• Alice recommends practical solutions like using large tea cutting boards and decorative bowls to create focal points and reduce the prominence of the countertops (34:34 – 35:44).

Conclusion: Instead of cosmetically altering unattractive countertops, enhance the overall kitchen design with strategic styling and decorative elements. Plan for a comprehensive renovation when feasible to achieve the desired aesthetic.

Question 5: Decorating Stainless Steel Kitchen Hood

Time Stamps: 35:44 – 40:57

Listener: Janet
Question: How to warm up a kitchen with a stainless steel hood using a custom plaster or wood detailing without removing the entire hood?

Discussion & Insights:

• Alice critiques the cold appearance of stainless steel hoods and suggests replacing them with custom plaster options for a warmer aesthetic:

  Alice: "Most builder-grade homes use stainless steel hoods as a cheap option, but it’s a buzzkill aesthetically." (36:35)

• Sue discusses the practical aspects of replacing or covering the existing hood, highlighting the importance of maintaining a cohesive look with kitchen finishes:

  Sue: "The right way is to build a hood with an insert to fit, but covering is possible with framing and drywalling." (38:22)

• Jess shares design tips for creating a visually appealing hood, such as extending the hood beyond the stove and incorporating large, statement light fixtures (38:44 – 39:40).

• Alice emphasizes the importance of architectural harmony and suggests integrating wood elements that match the kitchen’s overall style (40:20 – 40:57).

Conclusion: Transforming a stainless steel kitchen hood into a warmer design element involves either replacing it with a custom plaster hood or skillfully covering it with additional materials. Ensuring architectural harmony and selecting appropriate finishes are crucial for a successful transformation.

Question 6: Enhancing Tray Ceilings

Time Stamps: 40:57 – 43:11

Listener: Laura Lambert
Question: How to treat tray ceilings in the primary bedroom and dining room? Should they be preserved, wallpapered, or transformed into coffered ceilings?

Discussion & Insights:

• Alice appreciates tray ceilings as architectural features that add depth and interest to a space. She recommends enhancing them through wallpapering or subtle finish work rather than removing them:

  Alice: "Any time you have interior architecture like a tray ceiling, it’s a missed opportunity if left as plain drywall." (41:29)

• Jess emphasizes the importance of a standout light fixture to complement the tray ceiling, avoiding minimal lighting that fails to highlight the feature:

  Jess: "You need a big, beautiful grand fixture that centers your room." (42:23)

• Sue agrees, suggesting that rather than attempting to convert tray ceilings into coffered ones, focus on highlighting their existing structure with appropriate materials and lighting (42:25 – 43:11).

Conclusion: Tray ceilings should be highlighted and enhanced rather than altered. Using wallpaper, custom finishes, and statement light fixtures can transform them into elegant focal points within a room.

Closing Remarks

Time Stamps: 43:11 – 43:11

Jess and Sue encourage listeners to follow their Instagram accounts for more interior design inspiration and information about their trade program. They invite designers to explore partnership opportunities through their websites, Alice Lane Interiors and Alice Lane Home.

Jess: "Visit cozyearth.com and use my exclusive code Dear Alice for up to 40% off." (15:36)
Sue: “We've been getting a ton of questions…” (28:51)

The episode concludes with a heartfelt thank you to the listeners, urging them to leave a five-star rating if they enjoyed the show.

Notable Quotes:

• Alice: "Surround yourself with people that love you and that you love." (03:42)
• Jess: "Prefer luxury sweatsuits; they are chic and practical." (15:36)
• Sue: "Love moms." (03:36)

Final Thoughts: This Mother's Day Q&A episode of "Dear Alice" offers a blend of personal anecdotes and professional interior design advice, making it both engaging and informative. Whether you're looking to optimize art placement, design a cozy kitchen banquette, choose a timeless house color, or enhance architectural features like tray ceilings, Jess and Sue provide actionable insights and heartfelt encouragement to create beautiful, functional living spaces.