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© Copyright Karen Grant
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Style Matters is all about the substance behind developing a personal style in your home and surrounding yourself with beauty in a way that is meaningful. We interview top stylists, designers, artisans and tastemakers both nationally and internationally about why style matters to them. The guests we interview each week inspire us creatively, and give us insight into why the art of home making is so powerful. To continue the conversation on why style matters, sign up for our monthly newsletter, packed with photos, stories, tips and resources, at www.littleyellowcouch.com.
178 Episodes
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If you’ve ever wondered how a designer really lives, you’ll love this week’s “Designers at Home” episode. I visited Julia Chasman in her Pasadena Craftsman, and her home is a masterclass in warmth, humor, and fearless pattern mixing. We talk about her buffalo-check chair from the Pasadena Showcase, the story behind her antique Steinway, and why a little imperfection—and a wink of whimsy—makes a room come alive. Julia’s space feels like Slow Style in motion: personal, soulful, and full of stories. Tune in if you need a dose of creative inspiration and want to remember why decorating your home should always bring you joy. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this final episode of the season, I get to sit down with the one and only Vern Yip—yes, that Vern Yip! You probably know him from his trailblazing days on design television, but today he joins me to talk about his beautiful new book, Color, Pattern, Texture. We dive into everything from the deeply personal story of a scroll his mother carried while fleeing communist China, to how he uses those kinds of meaningful objects as the foundation for timeless design. Vern shares why starting with what matters most to you—not trends—creates homes that are layered, enduring, and uniquely yours. We look closely at some of the spaces from his book, break down why they work, and talk about the emotional side of design: how a room can tell your story, reflect who you are, and even help you step into who you want to become. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I talk with designer and shop owner Stephanie Rudloe about her work with Marrakesh Designs and her long collaboration with Moroccan artisans. Stephanie shares how she first fell in love with Moroccan craft, from rugs and doors to brass lighting and pottery, and how these handmade pieces bring depth and character into our homes. We also explore how to layer just a touch of Morocco into everyday interiors in a way that feels natural and personal without going overboard or being overly thematic. What we find is that certain Moroccan objects and motifs have been design staples for many decades in America. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I sit down with designer and shop owner Molly Carter, whose passion for sustainability and storytelling in design is contagious. We talk about what it means to buy with your values, how she sources everything from hundred-year-old rugs to locally made candles, and why slowing down matters when you’re building a home. Molly shares the stories behind her favorite projects, including a wine country retreat and a mid-century gem in Placerville, and reminds us that every choice—from a pillow to a piece of art—can carry history, culture, and care. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I sit down with Breda and Guy Kellner of Paris Ceramics to talk about their extraordinary work with natural and reclaimed stone. I’ve long admired how they honor the history and geology of each material, transforming salvaged slabs into flooring, fireplaces, and surfaces that feel both timeless and deeply alive. We talk about what it means to live with materials that change and age, why patina is worth celebrating, and how true craftsmanship connects us to the past while shaping spaces for the future. This is a conversation about beauty, imperfection, and choosing to design with time—not trends. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I talk with Natalie Papier about her new book, “Start With the Art”. Natalie explains why the art you choose—whether it’s from a flea market, your kids, or a gallery—can and should be the starting point for designing a room. We discuss how art can shape color palettes, patterns, and materials, and why it tells the real story of a home. Natalie also shares examples from her own spaces, offers advice on experimenting with paint and scale, and emphasizes the importance of adding humor (think a six-foot fiberglass ostrich) and personality to your interiors. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
Looking back, my kitchen has gone through many lives. It started with painted cabinets and bamboo floors on a tight budget, then evolved through a moody green phase during COVID before finally landing on a navy-and-white look inspired by the sea. Along the way, we tiled to the ceiling, swapped in a gorgeous Bertazzoni stove, shiplapped the ceiling, and added furniture pieces to make it feel warm and lived-in rather than purely functional. Each change taught me something about color, materials, and the value of taking time to figure out what really works.With my renovation journey behind me, I sit down with Barbara Ballinger and Margaret Crane, authors of Kitchen Conversations, to talk about what really goes into creating a kitchen that works for you. We cover the basics like layout, storage, and lighting, and why planning for how you actually use the space matters more than following trends. Barbara and Margaret share practical tips on where to save, when to splurge, and how to avoid common renovation mistakes. We also discuss making design choices that last, adding personality to your kitchen, and how to approach the entire process without rushing it. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I talked with Maria Resto, a longtime listener whose Chicago home reflects her love of travel, vintage finds, and evolving style. She shared how over 25 years she’s layered antiques, global pieces, bold textiles, and personal items—like a burgundy sofa and a juju hat—learning through trial and error to create rooms full of character. Maria also plans to highlight more of her Puerto Rican heritage, blending family history with her eclectic style. What excites her most is that a home can keep changing, staying personal and never truly “finished.” Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
This episode with Francesca Wezel is for all you design enthusiasts. Francesca is a colorist who creates stunning, one-of-a-kind colors. She shares the inspiration behind her colorful palettes, including her Himalayas palette, which was inspired by a trip to India. We also talk about her Houghton Hall and Poison into Medicine collections, which both have incredible backstories. We discuss the health benefits of using lime wash, which is the oldest form of paint known to man. Francesca explains that she never uses the words "right" or "wrong" when it comes to paint colors and that a paint color should be unique to who you are. A home should reflect your life experiences, your dreams, and what makes you feel happy. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
This week, I’m answering a listener question from Meg about how to balance style with function, especially when it comes to storage. She wants a home that looks good but also works for real life. I walk through different strategies depending on where you are in the process: whether you're starting from scratch, filling in gaps, or trying to upgrade over time. I also share my thoughts on when it makes sense to go with something quick and affordable like IKEA, and when to hold out for something more lasting.We discuss using placeholders, being honest about your priorities (speed, price, or quality—you can only choose two), and how to avoid clutter by utilizing storage solutions that also add character. I show a few examples from my own home, including how I use vintage crates, tins, and even sugar bowls to keep things both tidy and personal.This is the last episode of the season. We'll be back on August 18th. Also, early bird pricing for the retreat ends August 1st, so if you’re thinking about joining me this fall, now’s the time. All the details can be found here. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode of the Slow Style Home podcast, I talk with Elizabeth Rees, founder of Chasing Paper. We cover what makes her peel-and-stick wallpaper different, why it’s not just for renters, and how it holds up over time. Elizabeth shares how she built a high-quality, sustainable product that’s easy to use and doesn’t feel temporary or trendy. We also get into how to choose the right pattern, scale, and colorway—plus how to make wallpaper work with artwork, furniture, and older homes that aren’t perfectly straight. If you’ve ever been curious about wallpaper but felt overwhelmed or unsure where to start, this one’s for you. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I talk with Joseph Marini, author of Mastering the Art of Entertaining. We cover what it really means to host, beyond the perfect table setting. Joseph shares why entertaining is about connection, not performance, and how a little planning goes a long way. We talk about what makes a good guest, how to keep people out of the kitchen, and why it’s okay to serve store-bought food, as long as you put it in a real bowl. This is a practical, honest conversation about making people feel welcome in your home, no matter your style or budget. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this edition of the Fix My Room series, I spoke with Kayla, who lives on beautiful Vancouver Island in a post-and-beam home full of character and full of wide open spaces. Her main question was what to do with the big, undefined area between her staircase and the main living space. It’s not a hallway, not quite a room, and right now it’s mostly being used by her young kids as a runway! Together, we walked through the space and explored ideas for how to make it more functional and intentional, without blocking movement or creating clutter. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I welcome back designer Jewel Marlowe, whose work is bold, layered, and always intentional. We dig into how she builds palettes using color, pattern, and materials—and why contrast matters just as much as cohesion. Jewel breaks down how she mixes unexpected elements (like leopard print and florals) and why visual weight and scale play such a big role in how a room feels. She shares examples from her own evolving home and current client projects, all while staying rooted in meaning and play. If you’re drawn to the idea of decorating over time with confidence and creativity, this one’s for you. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
This week, I’m joined by Professor Annetta Grant, whose research examines why so many of us feel uneasy in our own homes — even after we’ve renovated them. We dive into her concept of dysplacement (yes, spelled with a “y”), and how the rise of HGTV, social media, and resale-minded design has shifted the home from a space of personal expression to a performance of market standards.Annetta and I talk about why we second-guess our own style, the emotional pressure to “get it right,” and how even dipping our toes into “bold” choices can feel risky. If you’ve ever wondered why your beautifully updated space still doesn’t feel quite like you, this conversation will give you language — and permission — to rethink everything. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what it really takes to market a design book—especially when you’re doing most of it yourself. This episode is all about doing things with intention, working within limits, and inviting you to help shape this journey with me.Leave Me A Message! I need your feedback on the ideas from this episode. Go here and hit “record!” https://www.speakpipe.com/SlowStyleHome Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I sit down with interior designer Jade Joyner, co-founder of the firm Metal + Petal, to talk about how she approaches design with intention, balance, and a strong point of view. Jade is the opposite of a formulaic designer—she’s not interested in trends, matching sets, or playing it safe. Instead, she leans into mixing materials, layering stories, and building spaces that reflect the people who live in them.We go deep into two of her residential projects, walking through how she makes decisions around shape, material, and layout—and how she balances aesthetics with real-life function (like designing for a family with five kids). We also get into what she calls "connective tissue"—the subtle moves that make rooms flow together without feeling matchy or over-designed.This conversation is a behind-the-scenes look at the kind of thought, care, and creative problem-solving that goes into designing spaces that feel both grounded and alive. If you've ever wondered how to pull off a mix—or how to avoid the dreaded “blanket look”—Jade has some smart, candid advice you won’t want to miss. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I talk with Whitney English—author, designer, and (as I like to call her) my organizational better half. Her new book, Organize First, Decorate Second, isn't your typical organizing manual. It’s thoughtful, deeply personal, and grounded in real life—something I immediately connected with.We explore the idea that our homes are not just reflections of who we are, but tools that help shape us. Whitney shares why she prefers the word edit over declutter, how tension (not balance) is her guiding principle, and why you should think twice before buying drawer dividers. We also get into how new urbanism and walkable cities inspired her approach to home design, why she gave up on making her bed, and how organization can actually free up space for beauty and joy—not get in the way of it.If you’ve ever struggled with keeping things tidy, if you love your stuff but want it to serve you better, or if you just want permission to let go of what’s not working, this conversation will feel like a deep breath. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
When I first discovered Ros Byam Shaw’s writing, I felt like I’d found someone who truly saw homes the way I did — not as stage sets or style statements, but as deeply personal spaces layered with time, memory, and quiet beauty. In this episode, I get to speak with Ros Byam Shaw about her work as a writer and her newest book, “ Perfect English, Small and Beautiful”, her longtime collaboration with photographer Jan Baldwin, and what she’s learned from years of stepping inside some of the most thoughtful homes in Britain.We talk about the charm of unshowy interiors, why rooms don’t need to shout to be compelling, and how trends often miss the point. Ros shares stories from her time at World of Interiors, what makes a home feel lived-in and loved, and why it’s perfectly fine — even wonderful — not to have a “celebrity home.”This conversation felt like a deep exhale. I hope it reminds you, as it reminded me, that personal style isn’t about impressing anyone — it’s about making a space that feels like you. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
In this episode, I explore how real-world experiences — especially travel — can deeply enrich our homes and design choices. I introduce the fourth skill of my Slow Style framework, "Enrich," and talk with Bill Richards and Marla Mullen, co-chairs of Nantucket by Design 2025.We discuss how honoring a sense of place, like the spirit of Nantucket, can shape meaningful interiors, and why in-person events like this are so powerful for design enthusiasts. Bill and Marla give us a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s theme, Interwoven, and what makes this four-day celebration of design, art, and history truly unforgettable. Want to finally define your style? Grab your free worksheet and uncover your personal aesthetic!
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