Caroline and Liz sit down to chat with New York-based interior designer and author Emma Barrell Kemper, who shares insights from her new book, House Rules: 100 Ways to Feel at Home. Tune in to discover practical tips on creating mood boards, selecting paint colors, and future-proofing your home, along with advice on mixing metals for a timeless aesthetic.  Emma also discusses key aspects of home design, like budgeting, assembling a shopping list, and choosing the right rugs and furniture. As always, the episode concludes with a listener's decorating dilemma, providing expert recommendations tailored to individual design challenges. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:34 Meet Emma Barrell Kember 01:05 Emma's Book: House Rules 03:51 Gathering Inspiration for Your Project 08:47 Mood Boards vs. Scheming 13:43 The Importance of Paint Schedules 17:43 Common Paint Color Mistakes 20:03 Using Paint to Accentuate or Camouflage 24:17 The Power of the Color Wheel 27:57 Preparing for a Decorating Project 30:26 Handling Unexpected Costs 31:18 Shopping Strategies: Rule of Thirds 33:15 Finding the Right Items While Shopping 34:15 Testing Fabrics and Swatches 38:26 Avoiding Built-In Tech 41:13 Future Proofing Your Home 45:45 Finishing Touches for Your Space 47:30 Decorating Dilemma: Kristen's Living Room 54:46 Conclusion and Farewell Also mentioned: ⁠ballarddesigns.com⁠⁠⁠ | Shop Now ⁠House Rules: 100 Ways to Feel at Home⁠ | Order Your Copy Now Please send in your decorating dilemmas + pictures so we can answer them on an upcoming episode (⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠podcast@ballarddesigns.net⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠) . And, of course, please subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t already in Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you never miss a new episode. Happy Decorating!

In this In Case You Missed It (ICYMI) article read mini-episode, we revisit an article titled, "What Does a Healthy Showroom Look Like?" published on the interiors+sources website on Feb. 18, 2025. Listen in to discover how Kimball International’s Boston showroom recently achieved WELL certification at the Platinum level, becoming the fifth of the company’s facilities to do so, as well as what the certification means for interior designers. Learn how the new space incorporates design features aligned with WELL's 10 core concepts, as well as how the furniture brand's corporate headquarters and showrooms have earned the WELL Equity Rating and the WELL Health-Safety Rating, which underscore the company's dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and health and safety protocols. 

We’ve all stared at the calendar, convinced there’s a hidden twenty-fifth hour—plenty of room to redline that section, nudge the model, and squeeze in just one more detail. “We’ll sort it during bidding,” we promise ourselves, and the optimism buys another day of breathing room. Architects thrive on this kind of self-talk; some versions are harmless, others lurk like change-order booby traps. Today Andrew and I are spotlighting the greatest hits—the stories we repeat, the messes they create, and the habits that can stop the cycle before it snaps back on us. Grab your favorite red Sharpie ... Welcome to Episode EP 176: Little White Lies. [Note: If you are reading this via email, click here to access the on-site audio player]  I've Got Plenty of Time jump to 4:24 This may be the single most prevalent lie we tell ourselves the most during our career. We always are telling ourselves we have the time. Time to finish. Time to do just one more thing. Time to get enough sleep. Time to make it work. Time to meet that deadline and have all the details complete. I’m not saying all architects do this, but there is a large number. I think it’s our underlying optimism in our abilities and skills. Maybe that’s ego, but whatever the reason, it happens. A lot. We'll Deal with it During Construction jump to 8:13 Another beauty. This is one we tell ourselves as well quite often. We have a looming deadline and we need, no we MUST, publish a set of drawings and meet the deadline. We know we have left some things to deal with later. Sometimes, in the good cases, we make it back to those elements and finish our task in the manner we intended. Often, we deal with the element, but not always in the same manner and care we might have during the design phase. Then, there are those times when we just don’t ever make it back to that and the contractors solve those issues for us. Whether that is how we wanted to not is a different story. I'll Just do a Little Work Tonight jump to 11:38 Some architects are most assuredly better at this than others. The best of us never even tempt the fates and do work “at night.” Others can actually do just a task or two and then close up shop and move one. Then there is that group that sits down for a few small tasks and doesn’t realize until 4 hours later that they are still working. We knew we should have not sat down at the desk at all. But once it starts, sometimes it’s just too tough to stop. I'll Do a Little Conceptual Work to Show Them jump to 15:56 This one costs us the most. Not just as an individual, but as a profession. Don’t get me wrong, I have said this one to myself many times. If I just can show them my ideas, surely that will convince them to give me the project. My ideas are so outstanding, how can they not! But more often than not, they like the ideas, don’t hire me for the project, and probably take some of my ideas to the team they did hire. Again, this one hurts. But it also hurts all of the profession for us to give away any work at any time. It devalues our skills and knowledge to those who hire us. I’m not saying it’s easy to avoid that temptation, but for the benefit of all, we most definitely should. You Can Never Draw Too Much jump to 19:53 This one has manifested itself more and more in our digitally produced documentation world. The easier the software has become to operate and generate drawings, the more drawings we seem to WANT to make. Here the fallacy of just adding more drawings is a lie that gives us comfort that we have done enough and that we have proven our value. More sheets. Larger CD sets. On and on. I think is a way that we choose to compensate for being undervalued in general. It’s like we are the kindergartener that is showing everyone all the drawings they can make with a blue crayon. I can throw out this judgement because I too have fallen victim to this seemingly harmless lie. At Least We Got this One Detail in the Project jump to 27:53 ...

Inside the Secret Elevator: How a 20-Year-Old with No Connections Crashed the Luxury Boardroom When Tim Robertson walked into a Rolls-Royce dealership with nothing but a Wix design and raw ambition, he never expected to be whisked up a hidden elevator to pitch executives. This secret passage became his unlikely entry into the world of ultra-luxury, where novelty and narrative trump products. Discover Tim's provocative "Luxury 3.0" framework challenging French heritage dominance, why emerging markets are rewriting luxury's rules, and how challenger brands create intimacy at scale. From pop-up experiences to intellectual property as hidden gold mines, this episode reveals the invisible architecture behind what the ultra-wealthy really buy.

Summer is nearly here and there's so much to do around the house. Here's Rob, Joel and Chris with the latest installment of Measure Twice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of The Print Problem Solver, Steve Ray of Reynolds Press takes us through the wild world of non-standard print jobs — the kind no one else wants to touch. From minute tags to oversized signage, Steve breaks down the real issues behind problem print jobs: unusual sizes, shapes, hostile environments, material protection, and durability. Ever tried to print something that has to stick to a wet surface, or survive humidity and scouring? That’s where Steve’s problem-solving comes into its own. There's also time for cake – because, naturally, no print issue gets solved without a good cake and some banter about marzipan. Whether you’re a printer, designer, or just love hearing how complex problems get untangled, this is 25 minutes of insight, experience, and a bit of sweet humour on the side! And don't miss the teaser for next month’s guest: Mark Stevenson from Fuji none-the-less. 

Summary In this episode of Design Crash Course hosts Travis Neely and Phara Queen explore the importance of acoustics in interior design. They discuss how sound absorption can enhance living spaces, especially in the context of remote work and home theaters. The conversation covers various acoustic solutions, including draperies, rugs, and innovative products that can improve sound quality in homes. The hosts emphasize the need for thoughtful design to combat noise pollution and create a more pleasant living environment.Takeaways• Acoustics play a crucial role in interior design.• Home theaters have seen a decline in popularity post-COVID.• Draperies can significantly improve sound absorption.• Soft furnishings are essential for reducing noise.• Innovative acoustic products can enhance aesthetics and functionality.• Noise pollution negatively impacts quality of life.• Thicker rugs contribute to better sound absorption.• DIY acoustic solutions are accessible for homeowners.• Creating a pleasant auditory environment is key in design.• Every room can benefit from thoughtful acoustic treatment.titles• The Sound of Design: Acoustics Explained• Creating Harmony: The Role of Acoustics in Interiors• Designing for Sound: Innovative Acoustic SolutionsSound Bites• "Acoustics matter more than you think."• "Draperies are a great sound absorber."• "You need soft goods to absorb sound."• "Acoustic panels can be DIY friendly."• "Thicker rugs help with sound absorption."• "Every room needs a little black."Chapters00:00 Introduction to Design Crash Course05:39 Understanding Acoustics in Interior Design10:14 Home Acoustics Solutions for Remote Work19:13 Innovative Acoustic Products and Solutions28:54 Recap and Final Thoughts on Acoustics#interiordesign #interiormaster #interiordesigning #interiordesigner #interiors #nteriordecor #podcast #designtips #acoustics #homedesign #homedecorideas #hometheater #soundabsorption #remotework #remoteworkplace #remoteworktips #noisecancelling #noise #acousticpanels #designcrashcourse #hgtv #magnolianetwork

Tom BourneTom Bourne is the Creative Director of Select First, a small and highly flexible, full-service PR and marketing agency that's been helping interior and built environment brands stand out for over 25 years. Based in Tunbridge Wells in the southeast of the UK, they work with flooring and interiors clients from the UK and across Europe. Involved in direct marketing, electronic campaigns and traditional PR daily, Tom works with clients on numerous specialised projects, including brochure materials, website development, and integrated communications campaigns I spoke to Tom via Zoom in May 2025 a few days before Clerkenwell Design Week.. In this episode, we discover how Tom developed his skills in the publishing industry.  The importance of authenticity in marketing.  Why manufacturers should take responsibility for the full cycle of their products and their environmental impact.  How informed decisions and understanding definitions helps make sustainable choices. And why, if you really want to understand products, you should go on a factory visit.   LinksSelect First website https://www.selectfirst.com/ LinkedIn Tom https://www.linkedin.com/in/tombournepr/?originalSubdomain=uk Select First https://www.linkedin.com/company/select-first-limited/posts/?feedView=all 1% for the Planethttps://www.onepercentfortheplanet.org The Anti-greenwash charterhttps://antigreenwashcharter.org/ Clerkenwell Design Week-The Gallery Clerkenwellhttps://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/exhibitors/gallery   How to be a kick-ass Interior Designer. Come and join us on the Interior Design BA(Hons) course at the University of Plymouth. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-interior-design Thanks to Dave Clarke from @iamthehow (http://www.iamthehow.com) for production support and invaluable advice in the setting up of this Podcast. Kay Hanson (https://www.instagram.com/kay_v_hanson/) for her planning support and co-hosting for these and our educational podcasts for the University of Plymouth Mark Frith (https://www.markfrith.uk/) for composing the music and all your support and advice along the way. I’d really like to hear feedback on the podcast.  Leave a comment or get in touch via the website or Instagram. Website http://www.multistorythinking.com/contact Instagram https://www.instagram.com/forster_jonathan/ Thanks for listening.  Bye for now Research and collaboration

Welcome back to the Life by Design podcast — where we explore practical tools to help you create a more empowered, intentional life. In this episode, we’re diving into exposure therapy — a powerful technique from Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that helps you face and reduce anxiety by gradually confronting your fears. I share how I discovered this approach during my CBT training, how I’ve personally used it, and simple steps you can take to start applying it in your daily life. If you’ve been feeling stuck or overwhelmed by fear or anxiety, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence to move forward with purpose. 🧠 Learn. Apply. Design the life you deserve. Links Website: https://wwwemmaquinndesign.com/ Kitchen Design Masterclass: https://www.emmaquinndesign.com/kitchen-design-masterclass E-book: https://www.emmaquinndesign.com/offers/dmbJcBNv/checkout Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmaquinndesign Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaquinn.design/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmaquinndesign/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@emmaquinn_design/

Of all the panels we’ve hosted, this one on artificial intelligence and predicting what the future, felt like the one that was most in need of a follow up, especially because the speaker is one of the most down-to-earth while simultaneously brilliant and charming people you’ll ever come across, Michael Oh, founder and president of TSP Smart Spaces. The three moments in Michael’s presentation that we most wanted to revisit:the moment during his presentation when he talked about how few people ever ask him what generative AI is the scary “5 people will do what 20 do today” statistic about AI disruption but also opportunity for architectsthe “vanilla middle” and staying away from that, especially in designYou may notice that this sounds like it was our “introductory” podcast. And that’s because it was! We delayed going live in the hopes of getting Mike’s “Boombox Story." Instead, we'll record an entirely new episode with his Boombox Story. Original presentation: “Beyond AI: Visioning Design & Construction in 2030”Original date of panel: 11.12.24