Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 392: Blending Tradition & Trend with KOBEL + CO.
Release Date: December 17, 2024
In this engaging episode of How to Decorate by Ballard Designs, hosts Caroline, Taryn, and Liz welcome Mallory Robbins and Elizabeth from Kansas City-based KOBEL + CO., a dynamic design duo known for their ability to blend timeless treasures with modern pieces. The conversation delves deep into creating diverse vibes within a home, balancing tradition with contemporary trends, and navigating post-pandemic design shifts. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions, insights, and takeaways from the episode.
1. Creating the Right Vibe in Each Room
Timestamp: [01:02] – [04:12]
Key Discussion: Mallory and Elizabeth emphasize the importance of starting the design process by understanding how clients want their home to feel rather than focusing solely on specific colors or furniture pieces. They use extensive listening exercises to extract adjectives that define the desired mood and experience for each space.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth explains, “It starts with, how do you want your home to feel? What do you want people who come into your home to say about it? What do you want them to feel?” [01:49]
Insights:
- The foundation of successful design lies in grasping the emotional and experiential goals of the inhabitants.
- Understanding clients' lifestyles, values, and the functional aspects of their lives (e.g., presence of pets or children) informs all subsequent design decisions.
- Even when creating moody or intimate spaces, maintaining a sense of simplicity ensures the space remains livable and not overwhelming.
2. Post-Pandemic Design Trends
Timestamp: [06:33] – [09:18]
Key Discussion: The podcast explores how the pandemic has influenced home design, particularly the shift from expansive open floor plans to more defined, wall-defined spaces that offer intimacy and distinct moods.
Notable Quote: Mallory notes, “Pre-pandemic, the push was for bigger, more open spaces. We found out that doors were a good thing.” [06:45]
Insights:
- There's a renewed appreciation for segmented rooms that allow for varied experiences within a home.
- Traditional entertaining spaces like built-to-be-beautiful freestanding bars and hostess halls are gaining popularity, reflecting a return to more classic forms of hospitality.
- Design strategies now include creating specific zones for entertaining, dining, and casual gatherings, each with its unique ambiance.
3. Balancing Tradition and Trend in Entertaining Spaces
Timestamp: [09:18] – [12:03]
Key Discussion: KOBEL + CO. discusses integrating traditional elements with modern design in spaces intended for entertaining. This includes the incorporation of library bars, hostess halls, and maintaining architectural integrity while adding functional and aesthetic layers.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth shares, “We know it’s clicked in when we’ve gotten that mix right... a little bit of whimsy, a little bit of humor, and some unexpected elements.” [10:15]
Insights:
- Entertaining spaces should honor the home's architectural style while incorporating unique, personalized elements.
- Hostess halls serve as both storage and display areas, enhancing the functionality and aesthetic appeal of entertaining zones.
- Attention to detail, such as coordinating upholstery colors with art pieces, ensures cohesiveness without sacrificing individual room identities.
4. Transitioning Between Different Room Vibes
Timestamp: [12:03] – [15:35]
Key Discussion: The conversation examines strategies for transitioning between rooms with distinct vibes without creating a disjointed feel. Emphasis is placed on architectural guidelines, consistent lighting, and cohesive color palettes to maintain harmony.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth advises, “Using the architecture dictated by the home itself is a good place to start... lighting is a great unifier.” [13:22]
Insights:
- Aligning room designs with the home's architectural style prevents clashes between differing aesthetics.
- Lighting plays a crucial role in unifying spaces, allowing for mood shifts without breaking visual continuity.
- Incorporating a color throughline, such as pulling hues from wallpaper into upholstery, creates a subtle connection between rooms.
5. Key Elements for Capturing a Room's Feeling
Timestamp: [14:08] – [20:16]
Key Discussion: Mallory highlights the significance of scale in design, emphasizing that furniture and room dimensions must complement each other to achieve the desired feel. The duo also discusses the balance between function and form, ensuring spaces are both beautiful and practical.
Notable Quote: Mallory states, “Scale is often the culprit” when rooms don’t feel right, emphasizing its importance in design success. [14:08]
Insights:
- Proper scaling of furniture relative to room size is vital for both aesthetics and functionality.
- Design should accommodate clients' existing furniture when possible, adjusting placement or choosing complementary pieces to maintain harmony.
- Flexibility in design allows for gradual styling adjustments, fostering a more personalized and lived-in feel over time.
6. Managing Scale and Function in Design
Timestamp: [15:35] – [20:16]
Key Discussion: The hosts discuss the challenges of maintaining scale, especially when clients move to larger homes and struggle with oversized furniture. Solutions include repurposing furniture in different rooms or investing in multifunctional pieces that serve dual purposes without compromising style.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth advises, “Sometimes just being okay to say no” to mismatched furniture pieces ensures the space remains cohesive and functional. [15:35]
Insights:
- Clients should assess the functionality of each piece within the new space, considering alternative placements if necessary.
- Incorporating vintage or uniquely sourced pieces can add character without overwhelming the room's scale.
- Patience in the design process allows for thoughtful acquisition and placement of furniture, leading to a more harmonious environment.
7. Art and Accessorizing in Spaces
Timestamp: [20:16] – [32:24]
Key Discussion: Art is deemed essential in every room, adding personality and subtle tension to prevent spaces from feeling overly perfect or sterile. The importance of accessorizing with vintage and locally sourced pieces is highlighted as a way to infuse soul and character into interiors.
Notable Quote: Mallory emphasizes, “Every room should have art.” [42:02]
Insights:
- Art serves as a conversation starter and a means to express individuality within a space.
- Incorporating unexpected or thought-provoking pieces prevents rooms from feeling too uniform or impersonal.
- Accessorizing at the end of the design process with unique finds from flea markets or antique stores adds authenticity and uniqueness.
8. Designing Kitchens with Statement Pieces
Timestamp: [32:24] – [40:58]
Key Discussion: The duo discusses their approach to kitchen design, advocating for selecting statement elements like natural stone countertops early in the process. This foundation guides the overall kitchen aesthetic, ensuring longevity and adaptability beyond fleeting trends.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth shares, “White is transformative. Make sure you have the right white for what you are trying to achieve.” [35:19]
Insights:
- Choosing definitive pieces such as countertops first anchors the kitchen design, facilitating cohesive style decisions.
- Selecting high-quality, timeless materials ensures that the kitchen remains stylish and functional for years.
- Balancing innovative stone selections with traditional design elements creates a kitchen that is both current and enduring.
9. Listener Q&A: Rug Selection
Timestamp: [46:11] – [55:23]
Key Discussion: A listener, Lauren, seeks advice on selecting rugs for her slate blue office and taupey dining room. KOBEL + CO. recommend the Dory Sisal rug for its subtle pattern and texture, suggesting it as a unifying element between the two spaces.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth recommends, “The Dory Sisal rug is our all-time gold standard rug in any space.” [47:53]
Insights:
- Opt for rugs that offer texture and visual interest without overwhelming the room’s color scheme.
- Consider the size and placement of rugs to ensure they complement furniture and enhance the room’s functionality.
- Using a prominent rug as a unifying element can bridge different areas, creating a seamless flow between rooms.
10. Conclusion and Takeaways
Timestamp: [55:23] – End
Key Discussion: The episode concludes with Mallory and Elizabeth sharing their contact information and encouraging listeners to follow their work on social media. Hosts and guests exchange warm farewells, leaving listeners with practical tips for enhancing their home decor.
Notable Quote: Elizabeth remarks, “A little bit of dirt [in accessories] that tell a story when tucked under a console or put in the front hallway.” [30:33]
Takeaways:
- Begin home design by defining the emotional and experiential goals for each space.
- Embrace a balance of tradition and modernity to create timeless, yet fresh interiors.
- Prioritize scale and functionality to ensure spaces are both beautiful and livable.
- Incorporate art and unique accessories to add personality and prevent spaces from feeling sterile.
- Consider foundational elements like countertops in the kitchen early on to guide cohesive design choices.
Final Thoughts: This episode of How to Decorate offers invaluable insights into creating harmonious and personalized living spaces. Mallory and Elizabeth’s emphasis on understanding client needs, balancing different design elements, and prioritizing both form and function provides listeners with a comprehensive guide to elevating their home decor. Whether you're renovating a single room or redesigning your entire home, the strategies discussed offer practical and creative solutions to achieve a space that is both stylish and meaningful.
For more decorating tips and inspiration, visit How2Decorate.com and follow Ballard Designs on social media.