How to Decorate Podcast

Ep. 455: Carson Kressley Mini-Series Pt. 3 — Bobby Flay

Date: March 3, 2026

Host: Ballard Designs Team (Caroline, Taryn, Liz)
Guests: Carson Kressley, Bobby Flay

Episode Overview

This episode is part three of the Carson Kressley mini-series, featuring a lively and insightful conversation between Carson Kressley and celebrity chef Bobby Flay. Departing from Bobby’s usual culinary topics, the discussion orbits around his passion for interior design and hospitality. The hosts and guests explore how design influences mood, the parallels between entertaining at home and in restaurants, and Bobby’s cherished design philosophies shaped by travel, functionality, and a distinct sense of place.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Bobby Flay’s Approach to Design

• Design as an Extension of Hospitality
  Bobby sees design—both in his homes and restaurants—as crucial to creating comfort and memorable experiences.

  “...not only do you want people to walk in and say, this is beautiful, this is cool... but you also want to make sure that people feel like they look good in the room, too.” — Bobby (04:34)

• Lighting is Everything
  He emphasizes the power of subtle, flattering lighting (“The Orange Glow”) for making guests feel good, referencing design in his restaurants like Bar Americain and Amalfi.

  “Lighting is a very, very, very important thing that doesn’t get the headlines... but it’s so incredibly important.” — Bobby (05:45) “Everybody feels like they have the most perfect tan, and they feel it.” — Bobby (06:19)

2. Collaboration with Designers

• Partnership with Olivia Jane
  Bobby details his design partnership with Olivia Jane (formerly of Rockwell), whom he helped launch her own business. He appreciates having a designer who understands his personal style and the importance of project collaboration.

  “It's nice to have sort of an in house designer... I love projects like that.” — Bobby (08:42) "We open a bottle of wine, and in four hours we have a template for what we're about to do." — Bobby (10:09)

3. Favorite Sources and Acquiring Pieces

• Curated Online Shopping and Travel
  Bobby is discerning about his purchases, favoring trusted sources like 1stDibs.com and employing his designer to help vet vintage and statement pieces, citing caution in unfamiliar markets.

  “I’m slightly addicted to [1stDibs] because you can find spectacular things there.” — Bobby (10:09) “To be perfectly honest, I'm intimidated by places like the Paris flea market... I always want to buy things of quality.” — Bobby (12:46)

• Comfort and Functionality First
  Across his homes, Bobby prioritizes pieces that balance form and function—comfort comes first, but he loves an occasional statement item.

  “I buy for design, but I also buy for comfort. Like, I want functional furniture—I don't want just a piece, so to speak.” — Bobby (14:40)

4. Entertaining at Home — The Chef’s Perspective

• Spaces Designed for Hospitality
  Whether in New York, LA, or the Hamptons, Bobby’s homes are set up with hospitality in mind.

  “My house... is created to house entertainment. I cook for people all the time and sometimes it’s sizable amounts.” — Bobby (15:58)

• Kitchen Design Insights
  Bobby’s kitchens reflect his profession: an 18-foot island in New York for workspace and social interaction, a bistro setup in the Hamptons for a cafe feel—open, communal, and inviting.

  “...the dining room, the living room, and the kitchen are basically one big room without walls. And I like it that way...” — Bobby (17:39)

5. Color Preferences and Risk-Taking

• Signature Kitchen Color
  His Hamptons kitchen features a unique aqua color inspired by a hotel—often copied by visitors.

  “The walls are actually this sort of aqua color... it's been 15 years, and it's really held up. And in fact, it's been copied a lot.” — Bobby (18:58)

• Balancing Trends and Personal Expression
  Bobby cautions against designing for future resale; he believes your home should reflect your preferences while balancing risk and timelessness.

  “I think you should design it for the way you want to live in it... let somebody else figure it out [when you sell].” — Bobby (20:44)

6. Entertaining Tips & Favorite Serveware

• Family-Style Serving Philosophy
  Bobby serves almost exclusively family-style, preferring trays and comfortable shared experiences over formal plating.

  “Family style is very, very much my go-to. I think cool trays to kind of carry things around... that’s an item that isn’t really thought about a lot when it comes to entertaining.” — Bobby (21:49)

7. Sense of Place & International Inspiration

• Local Context in Homes
  Each home reflects its surroundings—London’s apartment blends old bones with modern comforts, while the Saratoga house had authentic equestrian elements and mid-century modern touches.

  “When I go...I want to feel like I'm in London. So my apartment is...a hundred years old, one of those old red sort of...‘mansions’.” — Bobby (26:18)

• Favorite Design Cities
  Bobby praises London and Paris for design influences, noting his gravitation towards big, less ornate, but comfortable city-inspired styles.

  “I love London and Paris for design...I don't like things that are too ornate.” — Bobby (14:40)

8. Horses, Equestrian Style & Lifestyle

• Bobby’s Equestrian Passion
  A passionate horse owner, Bobby weaves equestrian elements into suitable home contexts, referencing his Saratoga home and homes in Kentucky, England, and France.

  “I love horses. I love thoroughbreds...It’s a fantastic way for me to make an excuse to go visit them.” — Bobby (23:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Lighting and Dining Ambiance

  “Lighting is a very, very, very important thing that doesn’t get the headlines… but it’s so incredibly important.” — Bobby (05:45)

• On Design for Self

  “I think you should design it for the way you want to live in it. And then at some point if you want to sell it, figure it out.” — Bobby (20:44)

• On Carson Kressley’s Style

  “Carson is kind of like the paella of fashion. He’s got a lot of things going on, but they all make sense together.” — Bobby (29:54)
  “If I could cook for Bobby...he probably doesn’t want me actually cooking for him because I’m not super great at that, but I...baked him two pies today.” — Carson (30:32)

• On Entertaining

  “My house...is created to house entertainment. I cook for people all the time.” — Bobby (15:58)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:35 | Carson introduces Bobby Flay and sets context for their conversation | | 03:18 | Discussion begins on Bobby’s relationship to design | | 05:45 | Bobby’s “orange glow” lighting philosophy and why lighting matters in restaurant and home | | 07:47 | Bobby’s collaboration with design partner Olivia Jane | | 09:15 | Carson’s vivid description of Bobby’s Manhattan apartment | | 10:09 | Process of sourcing and selecting furniture, especially via 1stDibs | | 12:46 | Antique shop and flea market strategies; discussing authentication and buying abroad | | 14:40 | Bobby’s design preferences: comfort, functionality, pops of risk | | 15:58 | Homes tailored for entertaining, description of hosting style | | 17:39 | Kitchen design: open plan layouts, restaurant influence, Hamptons “café” setup | | 18:58 | Signature kitchen color story and thoughts on color use | | 20:44 | Designing for yourself vs. resale; finding one’s personal design voice | | 21:49 | Bobby’s philosophy on entertaining: family-style meals and practical serveware | | 23:18 | Equestrian passion and influences in home design | | 25:42 | Details on the historic, equestrian-infused Saratoga house | | 26:18 | London apartment—anchoring design to local architectural context | | 28:24 | Bobby’s recommended dining spots in London | | 29:47 | Playful closing: What Bobby and Carson would cook for each other | | 31:05 | Carson’s Pennsylvania Dutch custard pies for Bobby, the “pie verdict” |

Recommendations & References

• Bobby’s London Restaurant Picks (28:24):

  • Berenjak (Soho, Middle Eastern)
  • Scott’s (Mayfair, classic London)
  • Brat (East London, contemporary)

• Design Resources:

  • 1stDibs.com, Paris flea market (for the adventurous)
  • Importance of a trusted designer for antique and online finds

Closing Thoughts

This episode demystifies the connections between hospitality, entertaining, and design for both home enthusiasts and professionals. Insights into Bobby Flay’s life—his homes, design inspiration, passion for horses, and love of hosting—illuminate how authenticity and hospitality can shape truly personal, inviting spaces.

Memorable closing exchange:

“Carson is kind of like the paella of fashion. He’s got a lot of things going on, but they all make sense together.” — Bobby (29:54) “If I could cook for Bobby... I baked him two pies today.” — Carson (30:32)

Further Resources

For recipes mentioned, Carson’s exclusive Ballard Designs collection, and full show notes, see the podcast page and links in the episode show notes.