How to Decorate Podcast – Ep. 456
Carson Kressley Mini-Series Pt. 4 – Patricia Altschul
Date: March 10, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode is the fourth installment of the Carson Kressley mini-series on the How to Decorate podcast by Ballard Designs. Carson and the Ballard Designs team sit down with the iconic, multi-hyphenate Patricia Altschul—socialite, author, art consultant, and beloved grande dame of Bravo’s Southern Charm. Patricia shares insights into her legendary homes, design philosophy, adventures as a high-society art advisor, stories about her collaborations with the late “Prince of Chintz” interior designer Mario Buatta, and her unique journey from New York glamour to Charleston splendor. The episode blends practical decorating advice with fascinating anecdotes from Patricia’s storied life.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
Introduction to Patricia Altschul
- [01:14] Carson introduces Patricia as a close friend and "the grande dame of Charleston," the star of Southern Charm, author, art advisor, and design enthusiast.
- Carson and Patricia bond over their shared love of Southern traditions and realism in decor.
Patricia’s Early Influences and Eclectic Style
- [04:32] Patricia grew up in Richmond, Virginia, in a home filled with French fabrics, Oriental pieces, and imported antiques—creating a chic, eclectic style.
“It was a hodgepodge, but I thought it was very chic.” (Patricia, 06:17)
- Patricia highlights the importance of authenticity and a sense of place, especially drawing from travel and family heirlooms.
Art Consulting Career & Collecting Tips
- [07:04] Patricia discusses her long career as an art advisor and her adventures sourcing art for high-profile clients—sometimes flying the Concorde weekly.
“I had the best time. It was the best job anybody could ever ask for because the clients... Money was no object.” (Patricia, 08:24)
- She underscores the value of discretion with clients’ private collections.
- [10:27] Advice for New Collectors:
- Study art in galleries, museums, and at auctions before purchasing.
- Local auctions are goldmines for affordable pieces.
- Buy a portable black light to check paintings for damage or repairs.
- Period frames can be as valuable as the artwork.
“Do a little study and research... [then] you might form an idea of the direction that you want to go in your collecting.” (Patricia, 10:59)
- [13:57] Favorite Online Resources:
- Stair and Company (great for upholstered pieces and estate items)
- Live Auctioneer app for global auction finds
Mixing High & Low – Patricia’s Decorating Ethos
- [15:11] Patricia and Carson praise the concept of mixing expensive antiques with more accessible or quirky items.
“I have some very valuable antiques, but then I have my little pug collection, which is kind of tacky, let’s face it... it’s on an 18th-century table. So I think you can mix things up and just have it be livable and still chic.” (Patricia, 24:04)
- Carson recalls their shared enjoyment of casual treats (Costco hot dogs) despite Patricia’s refined taste.
- Her home reflects a combination of grand, historic pieces and playful, personal details—a living embodiment of Southern eclecticism.
The Charleston Home – Architecture and Interiors
- [16:19] Patricia’s house in Charleston is the Isaac Jenkins Mikell House, built in 1853 in the Greek Revival style, featuring unique rams-head capitals and 14ft ceilings.
- Double parlors, library, and intimate round dining room promote lively conversation.
- Decorated by Mario Buatta using a palette like apple green (Benjamin Moore) in the double parlor.
“It’s called apple green... it looks so great with all your beautiful, traditional furniture.” (Carson, 21:08)
- Emphasis on comfort, scale, and practical livability.
“You can have a Mario Buatta room from 1980 or 1990 or 2010... and they’re really timeless.” (Carson, 22:55)
- [18:13] Exterior features:
- Walled garden, saltwater pool, classic Charleston colonnaded piazza, mature magnolias, Meyer lemon trees in Italian pots.
- Privacy and the feeling of an Italian villa in the city.
“It’s like a little Italian villa in the middle of Charleston.” (Patricia, 18:13)
Working With Mario Buatta
- [19:21] Patricia collaborated with Mario on four major homes over 30 years.
“He was outrageous and funny... we shopped, gosh, we’d go to London and Paris and go to auctions here.” (Patricia, 19:47)
- Mario was a master of both exuberant color and scale, making glamorous but comfortable spaces.
- Patricia’s library features gold tea paper, ocelot carpet, and red lacquered walls.
- Mario valued the English country sensibility—high/low, comfort, and collected eccentricities.
Entertaining, Filming, and Life on Southern Charm
- [27:10] Patricia discusses hosting and the challenges of having a TV film crew in a house full of antiques:
“They’re basically afraid of me, number one.” (Patricia, 27:52)
- Notable mishaps: broken antique shaker, chair legs snapped, red wine spilled on a white DeAngelis sofa.
- She maintains humor and vigilance during production.
From New York to Charleston – Life Stories and City Recommendations
- [30:32] Recounts living in landmark New York apartments, running hunts in Virginia, and finally choosing Charleston for her retirement—then unexpectedly becoming a reality TV staple.
- Stories of collaborations, glamorous parties, and NYC society (encounters with Jackie Kennedy Onassis, Lee Radziwill, John F. Kennedy Jr.).
- Nostalgia for the formal, fashionable 1990s New York scene:
“We dressed up, we wore stockings, we had our hair done. It was more formal, but much more fun, I think.” (Patricia, 47:09)
- [39:56] Charleston Travel Tips:
- Vibrant restaurant scene, new Michelin stars, and King Street shopping.
- Historic gardens, beaches, boating, and stunning walkable neighborhoods.
“Now they all... think I’m a genius now for coming down to Charleston... it’s a lovely place to live.” (Patricia, 41:46)
Entertaining Tips & The Perfect Martini
- [44:14] Patricia’s martini recipe with a signature “splintered glass” Lewis ice bag technique, minimal vermouth, and gin with olives or lemon twist.
“It’s not easy to make a good martini... it never tastes quite the same. It’s hard to make a really good martini.” (Patricia, 44:59)
- Go-to entertaining tip: Hire a good bartender to handle Southern specialty drinks.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On decorating with heirlooms and travel finds:
“I grew up with Chinese pastel rugs, strange mixes of things Oriental. My mother loved everything French... I thought it was very chic.”
(Patricia, 05:05–06:20) -
On buying art:
“You want to look at condition... invest in a black light... look at the frame because a lot of times the period frame is almost worth more than the painting.”
(Patricia, 10:59–12:16) -
On mixing high and low:
“You can mix things up and just have it be livable and still chic.”
(Patricia, 24:04) -
On Charleston’s appeal:
“Now they’re all leaving [New York] or have left, and... think I’m a genius now for coming down to Charleston.”
(Patricia, 39:56) -
On Mario Buatta:
“He was outrageous and funny... and I always had such a good time with him.”
(Patricia, 19:47) -
On her decorating philosophy:
“Nothing’s too precious... you can have a dog taking a nap on a tattered sofa.”
(Carson, 24:29) -
On entertaining:
“My go-to is a good bartender.”
(Patricia, 45:59)
Important Segments & Timestamps
- [01:14] – Patricia introduced; overview of her talents and connection to Southern Charm
- [04:32] – Patricia’s childhood home and aesthetic influences
- [07:04] – Art advising career and collecting tips
- [12:29] – Best online auction resources and auction-hunting stories
- [16:19] – Walkthrough of Patricia’s Charleston home and its history
- [19:21] – Decorating with Mario Buatta: philosophy, process, and anecdotes
- [24:29] – Mixing high and low; personal collections
- [27:52] – Life with a reality TV crew among antiques
- [30:32] – New York society life, famous encounters, and Patricia's move to Charleston
- [39:56] – Charleston recommendations; restaurant and lifestyle picks
- [44:14] – How to make Patricia’s signature martini; Southern entertaining secrets
- [47:09] – 1990s New York nightlife and society observations
Final Thoughts
This episode is a delightful blend of design philosophy, society tales, and practical advice for aspiring decorators and collectors. Patricia Altschul exemplifies mixing history, personality, and comfort in a truly Southern yet cosmopolitan way. Listeners walk away with not just design inspiration but also a glimpse inside the world of elegant, lived-in, storied homes—and some extra tips for sourcing art, hosting with panache, and enjoying Charleston like a local.