Podcast Summary: "Trends vs. Timelessness with Lisa Staton"

Podcast: How to Decorate (Ballard Designs)
Episode: 447
Date: January 6, 2026
Guest: Lisa Staton, Seattle-based Interior Designer

Main Theme & Episode Overview

This episode focuses on the enduring debate in interior design: How do you balance of-the-moment trends with a sense of timelessness? Seattle interior designer Lisa Staton—renowned for seamlessly merging current elements with classic styles—joins the Ballard Designs team (Caroline, Taryn, and Liz) to discuss how personal history, architecture, materials, and a sense of place can guide lasting design choices. The conversation covers practical insights for both new builds and renovations, the art of mixing old and new, pitfalls to avoid, actionable paint and lighting advice, as well as the emotional facet of home design.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Design Philosophy

Timestamp: 01:57 – 04:46

• Lisa grew up in Boston, surrounded by heritage homes and deep-rooted classical architecture.
• Her work is influenced by a strong sense of place, time, and craftsmanship.
• Lisa values patina, handmade items, and creating designs with enduring authenticity.
• She cautions against "algorithm homogenization," where digital trends erase individuality.

  "If you lean too far into Pinterest two years later, you’re now publishing work that everybody else is doing..." – Lisa (03:37)

2. Navigating Trends vs. Timelessness

Timestamp: 04:46 – 07:31

• With easy global access to design elements, it's never been easier to imitate high-end looks, but lasting homes require careful editing and a guiding sense of cohesion.
• Use architecture and original house details as a compass to avoid mismatched "Mr. Potato Head" results, where disparate parts don’t feel unified.
• Non-permanent features (like wallpaper, sinks, faucets) can be changed with time, but don’t compromise the home’s core authenticity.

3. Working With Homes That Aren't Your "Style"

Timestamp: 08:14 – 10:20

• If the house isn’t your favorite style, maximize what’s possible with scale, proportion, space planning, paint, and window treatments.
• Don't force an inauthentic architectural style onto a home—it risks looking “goofy.” Instead, warm things up through carefully mixed furniture and decor.

4. Building from Scratch & Regional Adaptations

Timestamp: 10:22 – 12:45

• Lisa recommends adjusting materials and styles to harmonize with local climate and context—even if inspired by a faraway region.
• For example, don’t transplant a New England colonial directly to Arizona; adapt with native building materials, adjust color palettes for the local sunlight, and reference original forms without being literal.

  "I would urge them to consider materials and adjusting things to be in harmony with location and place." – Lisa (11:04)

5. The Client-Designer Inspiration Dance

Timestamp: 13:23 – 16:11

• In the collaborative early phase, Lisa solicits inspiration and mood preferences from clients, not just images.
• Eventually, clients should trust the process and avoid micromanaging; too much input dilutes design impact.
• Memorable analogy:

  "You would never say to somebody, take a bite of garlic, have a bite of salt, have a couple tomatoes... It's putting that soup together... Same thing [with design]." – Lisa (15:08)

6. Moving Houses: Editing with Each New Space

Timestamp: 17:08 – 18:19

• When you move, approach your belongings as flexible pieces in a new puzzle.
• Most art has universal staying power, but be ready to re-edit furniture and repurpose items in different rooms.

7. Mixing Classic and Contemporary—That "Edited" Look

Timestamp: 19:19 – 26:36

• Lisa’s design is defined by quiet elegance: traditional cabinetry and millwork, accented by sculptural modern furniture and lighting.
• Non-permanent features (like barstools or fixtures) are opportunities to inject trend or modern lines, while maintaining a timeless architectural base.
• Example: A breakfast nook with classic paneling, a custom fluted oak pedestal table, and a plaid banquette—showcasing both warmth and a subtle mod note.
• Handcrafted, real materials—and small-batch or vintage items—imbue a space with emotional resonance and uniqueness.

8. Pacific Northwest Particulars: Mood, Light, and Cozy Living

Timestamp: 26:36 – 28:42

• Northwest clients favor relaxed, unpretentious homes designed for indoor-outdoor life and "nestling in" after adventures.
• During long, dark winters, cozy textures, natural light maximization, and thoughtful paint choices help create inviting environments.

9. Paint Color Wisdom

Timestamp: 28:42 – 34:29

• For NW light, Lisa recommends muted whites and warm creams to avoid the sterile look or clashing with blue outdoor light.
• Go-to whites:
  • Sherwin Williams Alabaster: "Chalky English plaster quality"
  • Benjamin Moore Simply White: Neutral with subtle warmth
  • Lancaster White, Sherwin Williams Kestrel White, Ben Moore Swiss Coffee
• Sampling is essential; always test colors in situ.
• Outdoor colors: Historic pigment collections provide enduring palettes. For boldness, experiment with the front door rather than the whole house.
• Pro tip: Don’t be shy about asking neighbors what paint color they used!

10. Lighting for Atmosphere and Function

Timestamp: 35:22 – 39:38

• Layered lighting is key: use sconces, table and floor lamps for ambiance; overhead cans for practical needs (especially in kitchens or dressing rooms).
• Washing walls with light (rather than just downlighting) is a sophisticated strategy, learned from UK heritage properties.
• In blank or modern spaces, plug-in sconces and strategic bulbs can set mood even without built-in architectural detailing.

11. Avoiding Pitfalls—What Ages Well

Timestamp: 39:38 – 44:00

• The most common design mistakes:
  • Ignoring scale and proportion.
  • Focusing on deal-priced, low-quality items for high-use areas (like cheap jute rugs that fall apart).
  • Buying upholstery that isn't re-coverable, leading to waste.
• Invest in quality pieces that can be reupholstered or repurposed as styles evolve.
• Heritage rugs (especially those with undyed wool) are a preferred staple for durability and patina. Jute looks great but is less durable—know what you're buying and why.

12. Embracing Patina and Imperfection

Timestamp: 44:00 – 45:27

• American clients often struggle with the idea of living with stains and wear, but it's precisely these layers that create the charm found in European homes.
• Let objects age gracefully—over time, imperfections become part of a home’s story.

13. The Essential Role of Antiques

Timestamp: 45:27 – 48:10

• Every project features antiques—a natural, intuitive process for Lisa's team.
• Real vintage items bring warmth, interest, and history. Prefer authentic over knock-offs.
• Oak is a favorite for its classic New England associations, vs. the local fir.

14. Case Study: The "Bellingham Foursquare"

Timestamp: 48:10 – 52:01

• A project blending heavy, historic woodwork with light, modern Scandinavian-inspired pieces.
• Key was not to paint over the woodwork, but instead use sculptural, simple furnishings and airy lighting to brighten and modernize the space.
• Natural fibers, linen, wool, and velvet create tactile richness.

15. On Maximalism vs. "Restful" Design

Timestamp: 52:01 – 52:36

• Lisa’s portfolio stands out for editing and negative space—her rooms feel restful, even as maximalism is on trend elsewhere.

16. Working with Lisa & the Expert Platform

Timestamp: 52:47 – 55:49

• Lisa offers online consultations via The Expert, where clients come highly prepared to get tailored advice—even for career questions from aspiring designers.
• The prep brief ensures focused sessions with actionable ideas.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On architecture as inspiration:

  "When you buy an older home, the house is a client as well as the client being a client." – Lisa (05:54)

• On current trends/pinterest culture:

  "Designed at a very high level, is accessible to the masses in a way that it never used to be…you just have to be careful not to end up with these Mr. Potato Head of houses." – Lisa (06:38)

• On inspiration and agency:

  "It's my job to understand: are we doing a really melodic symphony? Are we doing a really robust symphony? It's the spirit, the energy, the emotion of where we're headed, if that makes sense." – Lisa (15:35)

• On mixing old and new:

  "If the architecture's done well, there can be room and space over time to adjust those things... like you would an earring, you know, in an outfit or a great pair of shoes." – Lisa (22:10)

• On letting homes age:

  "Everybody sees that ring of the first margarita party they had...but nobody sees the stains in other people’s house... Americans are not willing to give it the time to get those layers." – Lisa (44:34)

• On antiques:

  "We use antiques in all of our projects. It’s very rare that a room doesn’t have something that is older and, you know, found...I wouldn’t look for a knockoff of a beautiful old French armoire. I would want to find the real thing." – Lisa (46:10)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:57] Lisa’s Boston upbringing & influence of classic architecture
• [04:46] Pitfalls of following design algorithms & trend fatigue
• [08:14] Designing in a home that isn’t your dream style
• [10:59] Regional adaptation: making style contextually appropriate
• [13:23] Collecting inspiration without losing cohesion or over-editing
• [19:19] Balancing classic millwork with modern clean lines
• [24:13] Case study: custom table for a classic breakfast nook
• [28:42] Paint color strategies for the Pacific Northwest
• [35:22] Lisa’s approach to lighting for function and mood
• [39:38] Timeless vs. trendy purchasing pitfalls
• [44:00] The value and acceptance of patina
• [46:08] Using antiques as design mainstay
• [48:23] The Bellingham Foursquare: a project blending heavy historic and airy modern
• [52:47] Lisa on "The Expert" platform and helping young designers

Summary Takeaway

Lisa Staton champions design choices rooted in authenticity, context, and a deep respect for both classic craftsmanship and current sensibilities. Her approach is a masterclass in balancing fresh inspiration and lasting style: lean on historic cues, embrace imperfection, invest in what endures, edit carefully, and always consider how things feel as much as how they look. Her advice is both practical and encouraging, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to refine their own timeless home.