Podcast Summary: How to Decorate – Ep. 422: Trials and Triumphs

Release Date: July 15, 2025
Host: Ballard Designs Team (Caroline, Taryn, Liz)
Description: In this episode of "How to Decorate," the Ballard Designs team delves into their personal decorating journeys, sharing both their challenges and successes. From DIY projects to professional renovations, the hosts offer insights, tips, and heartfelt stories to inspire and guide listeners in their own home decorating endeavors.

Introduction to Trials and Triumphs

The episode kicks off with host introductions and a brief overview of what listeners can expect. Caroline, Taryn, and Liz set the stage for a candid discussion about their recent home decorating projects, highlighting the blend of challenges ("trials") and successes ("triumphs") they've experienced.

Taryn’s Dyeing Project: A Colorful Success

Taryn shares her recent project of redecorating her younger son's room, focusing on dyeing bed skirts to match the room's new color scheme.

• Initial Challenge: Taryn had two sets of bed skirts—basic white and creamy off-white—purchased by her mother for about $2 each. She wanted them to complement the newly painted room but felt they didn't match the duvets or the teal-toned wallpaper.

• The Dyeing Process:
  “I always talk about my rit dying and I always, it's either a fail or, you know, half the time it's a fail, half the time it's a win,” Taryn explains (01:58). She decided to dye both sets to see which would better absorb the teal color. The initial attempts yielded uneven results, resembling tie-dye patterns.

• Final Success: After a second round of dyeing in a bucket, Taryn achieved a more even and desirable teal shade that seamlessly matched the wallpaper.
  “The dye was much more even, and that was, like, perfect because now that the bed skirts match the wall you don't see them. And that's exactly what I wanted,” she reflects (04:30).

Notable Quote:
“I'm gonna try dyeing them two times. So I did the whole wash and, like, see how it came out?” – Taryn (02:30)

Taryn’s Mural Project: From Start to Partial Completion

Taryn continues by discussing her ongoing mural in the dining room, a project she began a year ago but had to pause.

• Progress Made: Recently, she revisited the mural, completing elements like birds and flowers, which brought a sense of completion to the space.
  “So now it just feels a little more finished in there to me,” Taryn shares (07:02).

• Remaining Tasks: She still plans to add more branches and leaves to the trees in the mural and is contemplating installing art to complement the existing design.
  “I didn't finish the mural there, knowing I'd kind of put something on top of it,” she explains (09:22).

Notable Quote:
“The hardest thing about the whole process was moving the furniture 100%.” – Taryn (31:07)

Liz’s Basement Renovation: Lessons in Communication

Liz recounts her experience renovating the basement, emphasizing the importance of clear communication with contractors.

• Initial Project Scope: Liz aimed to transform a cluttered basement into a functional space, including a storage area, greenhouse, art studio, and shed.
  “Our basement is really just storage. I use part of it as a little greenhouse in the winter,” she details (16:00).

• Challenges Faced:

  • Misaligned Expectations: During the initial walkthrough with the contractor, Liz discussed multiple projects simultaneously, leading to confusion about priorities and timelines.
    “We talked about a bunch of things. She did not provide a written estimate, so there was nothing written that could say, like, this is what I'm paying for,” Liz admits (19:54).

  • Door Installation Issue: The contractor initially installed a door that swung incorrectly, impeding the room's functionality. After addressing the problem, the door was reversed to suit the space.
    “The placement of the door handle was on the right side. And so you would open it and it would swing to the left, which... was a very challenging, long weekend,” Liz shares (23:35).

• Key Learnings:

  • Documentation is Crucial: Liz emphasizes the need for written agreements outlining project scopes, costs, responsibilities, and timelines.
    “My big takeaway is to write down all of the expectations,” she concludes (22:00).

Notable Quote:
“If you splash anything around you've like put dye on it so you're like wearing all black.” – Taryn (05:20)

Liz’s Dining Room Paint Dilemma: Adapting to Natural Light

Liz discusses her attempt to paint the dining room a different color to maintain cohesion without drastic contrasts.

• Initial Choice: She selected "Ancient Marble" from Sherwin Williams, anticipating it would blend seamlessly with adjacent rooms painted in "Greek Villa."
  “I picked a really beautiful color called ancient marble by Sherwin Williams. And it's a really kind of lovely, soft gray green,” Liz explains (26:16).

• Unexpected Outcome: The surrounding foliage reflects green light into the room, making "Ancient Marble" appear almost identical to "Greek Villa," negating the intended contrast.
  “It doesn't even look like I painted this room at all. It's the weirdest trick of a color,” she observes (27:55).

• Solution and Next Steps:

  • New Color Selection: After realizing the initial choice's limitations, Liz selected "Sherwin Williams Retreat," a darker gray-green shade to create distinct separation between rooms.
    “I'm holding up the swatch. It's a very pretty. Again, it's a gray green, so it's not going to be,” (29:38).

  • Future Plans: She plans to test larger swatches and finalize the color during the fall when natural lighting changes.
    “I'm holding up a new color called Sherwin Williams Retreat, which is the same value as my family room,” (29:58).

Notable Quote:
“It's just paint. The hardest thing about the whole process was moving the furniture 100%.” – Liz (31:07)

Home Maintenance Realities: Taryn’s New House Challenges

Taryn opens up about the realities of homeownership, sharing her experiences with maintenance issues in her nearly four-year-old house.

• Settling Issues: Over time, structural elements like window cabinetry and stair treads have begun to settle, leading to uneven surfaces.
  “The stairs treads have settled a little. And it's things that you would walk into my home and I'm sure never notice,” Taryn notes (11:15).

• Exterior Problems: The white columns outside have started to rot due to moisture exposure, requiring replacement or painting.
  “The wood has started to rot, like, because it was wood that has been attached to an outside surface that would, you know, like moisture gets in,” she explains (12:45).

• Storm Damage: Taryn recounts a recent intense storm that caused unexpected water damage in her ceiling, highlighting ongoing maintenance needs.
  “It's a perfect story of, like, it... how did this happen?” Taryn reflects (14:37).

Notable Quote:
“A house is just a lot of love. A lot of love and a lot of maintenance.” – Taryn (15:29)

Creative Endeavors: Caroline’s Needlepoint Journey

Caroline shares her new creative project involving needlepoint, detailing her process and challenges.

• Project Overview: Inspired by a TikTok video, Caroline decided to create custom needlepoint stockings, each representing different family members with personalized motifs.
  “I painted my own stockings... it's basically color, like paint by numbers, but with thread,” she describes (34:13).

• Process and Challenges:

  • Planning: Utilizing an app, Caroline planned her designs, ensuring each stocking reflected individual personalities.
    “Blair's has a little bee... Will has a bike and some topiaries,” she elaborates (39:25).

  • Finishing Delays: Due to high demand at the finisher’s shop, there’s a delay in receiving her completed stockings, adding stress as the holiday season approaches.
    “They hoped they would have them back by Christmas. So hopefully I will have my stockings by Christmas,” Caroline hopes (35:59).

• Future Projects:

  • Reupholstering: Caroline plans to reupholster an antique chair, although she opts to hire professionals for the task.
    “It's just so worth it to have somebody who knows what they're doing,” she decides (41:24).

Notable Quote:
“It's a fun little conversation starter.” – Caroline (32:54)

Personal Stories and Lighthearted Moments

Throughout the episode, the hosts share personal anecdotes, fostering a sense of community and relatability.

• Paris Adventure: Liz recounts a fun family trip to Paris where she, her husband, and their children took a motorcycle sidecar tour around the city. This story underscores the joy of creating memorable experiences amidst decorating and renovation projects.
  “We all got off and like, rearranged and took like, family photos. And it's my favorite family photo of all time,” Liz fondly remembers (49:12).

• Balancing Projects: The hosts discuss the balance between ongoing projects and maintaining a functional, aesthetically pleasing home. They emphasize the importance of patience, adaptability, and the willingness to seek professional help when needed.

Conclusion: Embracing the Decorating Journey

As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on their shared experiences, reinforcing the idea that decorating is a continuous journey filled with both obstacles and achievements.

• Final Thoughts:
  “We have to do things in order to be able to talk about them, so we can't do them too often,” Caroline muses (52:00).
  They encourage listeners to embrace their own decorating challenges and celebrate their successes, no matter how small.

• Call to Action:
  Listeners are invited to send in their decorating questions and share their own trials and triumphs. The hosts also remind audiences to follow them on social media and subscribe to the podcast for more inspiration and guidance.

Notable Quote:
“Until next time, happy decorating.” – Caroline (52:38)

Key Takeaways

1. DIY Projects Require Patience and Trial: Whether dyeing fabrics or painting murals, taking on DIY projects can lead to unexpected challenges, but persistence often leads to satisfying results.

2. Clear Communication with Contractors is Essential: Detailed written agreements can prevent misunderstandings and ensure that renovation projects meet expectations.

3. Adapt to Natural Light: Paint colors can change appearance based on the lighting and surroundings. It's important to test colors in different lighting conditions before committing.

4. Home Maintenance is Ongoing: Owning a home comes with continuous maintenance needs. Regular upkeep and prompt addressing of issues can preserve a home's integrity and appearance.

5. Embrace Creativity: Pursuing creative projects, even outside traditional decorating, can add personal touches to a home and provide fulfillment.

6. Seek Professional Help When Needed: Recognizing when to hire professionals ensures tasks are completed efficiently and effectively, reducing stress and potential errors.

By sharing their personal decorating stories, the Ballard Designs team offers valuable insights and relatable experiences, encouraging listeners to navigate their own decorating journeys with confidence and creativity.

Timestamps Reference

• 01:58: Taryn discusses her initial approach to dyeing bed skirts.
• 02:30: Decision to dye both sets of bed skirts.
• 04:30: Success in achieving the desired color match.
• 07:02: Completion of major mural elements.
• 09:22: Need for additional art in the mural.
• 16:00: Introduction to Liz's basement renovation project.
• 19:54: Importance of documenting project expectations.
• 22:00: Detailed description of Liz’s renovation form.
• 23:35: Door installation challenges.
• 26:16: Liz's initial choice for dining room paint.
• 27:55: Unexpected outcome of paint color in natural light.
• 29:38: Selection of new paint color.
• 31:07: Discussing the difficulty of moving furniture during painting.
• 31:32: Decision to hire professional painters.
• 34:13: Caroline's initiation into needlepoint projects.
• 35:59: Delays in receiving needlepoint stockings.
• 39:25: Details on personalized motifs in stockings.
• 41:24: Plans to reupholster an antique chair professionally.
• 49:12: Liz's motorcycle sidecar tour in Paris.
• 52:00: Final reflections on decorating journeys.
• 52:38: Farewell and well-wishes to listeners.

Note: Timecodes are referenced to provide context for quotes and sections within the podcast transcript.