Podcast Summary: How to Decorate — Ep. 379: 5 Design Principles for an Artful Home with Josh Young

Release Date: September 17, 2024
Host: Ballard Designs
Guest: Josh Young, Artist and Tastemaker

Introduction to Josh Young and His Work

The episode kicks off with hosts Caroline, Taryn, and Liz introducing Josh Young, an accomplished artist and the founder of Josh Young Design House. Josh’s artwork has graced the pages of prestigious publications like Architectural Digest, Vogue, and House Beautiful. In this episode, Josh discusses his newly published book, Artful Home, which delves into the interplay between his art and interior design principles across his residences in Chicago, Washington D.C., and Northern Virginia.

Conception and Creation of Artful Home

Caroline opens the conversation by highlighting the unique concept of Josh’s book, which intertwines his artistic principles with the aesthetics of his homes. Josh explains that Artful Home emerged during the tumultuous period of 2021, a time when the interior and art spaces were in high demand due to the pandemic. Feeling creatively burned out from routine commissions, Josh sought a project that was both challenging and cathartic. This led to the creation of his book, which not only showcases his artistic work but also provides tangible inspiration for readers to incorporate similar principles into their own spaces.

“I really wanted it to be a book that people were allowed to not only dream amongst all of the imagery, but that there was actual pieces of the book that people could then pull from and utilize within their own work.”
— Josh Young [01:55]

The Five Design Principles

Josh outlines the five key chapters of his book: Palette, Texture, Form, Nostalgia, and Layers. These principles reflect the foundational elements he employs both in his artwork and interior design.

1. Palette: Focuses on the strategic use of color to anchor and unify a space.
2. Texture: Emphasizes the importance of varied textures to add depth and interest.
3. Form: Balances different shapes to create visual harmony.
4. Nostalgia: Integrates vintage and antique elements to evoke sentimental value.
5. Layers: Utilizes layering to add complexity and warmth to interiors.

Josh emphasizes that these principles not only define his creative process but also serve as practical guides for readers to enhance their own homes.

“I knew that that was another sign to me that I was doing it for all the right reasons.”
— Josh Young [04:15]

Influence of Milan on Josh’s Design Aesthetic

Delving into his background, Josh recounts his six-year residency in Milan, where he immersed himself in the city’s rich blend of historic and modern influences. This experience profoundly shaped his design philosophy, instilling in him an appreciation for the juxtaposition of old-world charm with contemporary flair.

“Milan is obviously such a historic and you know, fabled city. However, to visit and to live there is to know it is truly a modern cosmopolitan city...”
— Josh Young [10:28]

Josh discusses how the dynamic environment of Milan taught him to harmonize traditional elements with modern design, a hallmark of his current aesthetic that seamlessly merges classic antiques with modern pieces.

Mastering Neutral Interiors

A significant portion of the discussion centers around Josh’s mastery of neutral interiors. He explains that a neutral palette shifts the focus to form and composition, requiring meticulous attention to shapes, textures, and layering to create a warm and inviting space.

“Neutral interiors instantly shift the focus to form and composition. It really nailed to me why it’s so difficult to pull off a neutral space...”
— Caroline [14:04]

Josh elaborates that neutrality demands perfection in every element, as the absence of bold colors places emphasis on the quality and arrangement of furnishings and décor.

“...allowing the eye to dance around from object to object... layering process where that warmth can still be at play, even in a neutral space.”
— Josh Young [17:43]

Approach to Collecting and Layering

Liz inquires about Josh’s approach to collecting décor items. Josh shares his deep-rooted love for antiques, cultivated from growing up near an auction house. He emphasizes collecting items that resonate personally, regardless of their immediate practicality, ensuring each piece adds unique character to his spaces.

“Sometimes things just speak to you... I am definitely a collector of things. Some beautiful, some not, but they are always things that I love.”
— Josh Young [18:13]

Josh advocates for a balanced approach to layering, where each item complements the others without overwhelming the space. He highlights his preference for pieces like hurricanes, silver bowls, and art deco trays as versatile elements that enhance various rooms.

Practical Decorating Tips and Listener Dilemma

In the latter part of the episode, Josh and the hosts tackle a listener’s decorating dilemma submitted by Amanda. Amanda seeks advice on refreshing her primary bedroom while retaining key elements like her bed, dressers, and pink chair. She plans to replace plantation shutters with motorized roll-up shades and seeks suggestions on color palettes, nightstand options, and TV placement.

Josh provides actionable advice, emphasizing the importance of establishing a cohesive color palette that ties the room together. He suggests using pink as an accent color through textiles and ornaments to complement the existing pink chair.

“What is the color palette that you want featured within a space?... what is that color? And from there, how is that color going to be applied throughout the space.”
— Josh Young [43:21]

Additionally, Josh recommends practical solutions for TV placement, such as mounting the TV to reduce visual clutter or incorporating framed TV displays to blend seamlessly with the room’s décor. He also touches on the balance between polished and tarnished silver, advocating for functionality without compromising aesthetic appeal.

“I always find that if I’m entertaining soon... I may need to practically use it. But there are plenty of times that things look a little rough...”
— Josh Young [32:27]

Studio Space and Creative Workflow

Josh shares insights into his creative workspace, detailing the evolution from a makeshift dining room studio to a dedicated art space within his townhouse. He discusses the importance of having an accessible and inspiring environment that accommodates his unstructured creative process.

“I wanted a historic townhome, but when we found one, that there would be space for the studio itself.”
— Josh Young [36:15]

Josh also hints at future plans to establish a separate studio and retail gallery, aiming to provide a more expansive and traditional industrial-style workspace.

Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Josh Young

As the episode concludes, Josh provides listeners with information on how to follow his work. He directs them to his Instagram @joshyoungdesignhouse and his website joshyoungdesignhouse.com. He also promotes his book, Artful Home, scheduled for publication on September 3rd, offering it as a resource for those looking to infuse their homes with artistic and design principles.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Josh Young on Creating Artful Home:

  “I really wanted it to be a book that people were allowed to not only dream amongst all of the imagery, but that there was actual pieces of the book that people could then pull from and utilize within their own work.”
  [01:55]

• Caroline on Neutral Interiors:

  “Neutral interiors instantly shift the focus to form and composition. It really nailed to me why it’s so difficult to pull off a neutral space...”
  [14:04]

• Josh Young on Collecting:

  “Sometimes things just speak to you... I am definitely a collector of things. Some beautiful, some not, but they are always things that I love.”
  [18:13]

Conclusion

This episode of How to Decorate offers a deep dive into Josh Young’s harmonious blend of art and interior design. From his experiences in Milan to the foundational principles outlined in his book, listeners gain valuable insights into creating artful and inviting home spaces. Whether you're an avid decorator or someone looking to add a touch of artistry to your home, Josh’s expertise provides actionable strategies and inspirational ideas to elevate your living environment.

For more episodes and decorating inspiration, visit howtodecorate.com and follow Ballard Designs on social media.

Follow Josh Young:

• Instagram: @joshyoungdesignhouse
• Website: joshyoungdesignhouse.com
• Book: Artful Home (Available September 3rd)