Join Caroline and Taryn as they welcome designer and bestselling author Erin Gates to the show to discuss her latest book, "Elements of Timeless Style." Erin traces the book’s origins, the story of finding and renovating her “forever” 1895 home, and candid lessons from renovating while raising a family.

Erin also shares practical decorating advice from the book: why to live in a house before a full gut renovation, how to balance splurge vs. save choices, hiring trustworthy trades, paint and palette tips, and designing durable, layered, family-friendly rooms that can evolve over time.

"Elements of Timeless Style" is available to order as of this episode's release date, 9/30/2025. Order your copy here: https://bit.ly/4mKHcSB

What You'll Hear in This Episode:

00:00 Welcome to How to Decorate from Ballard Designs
00:34 Introducing Erin Gates and Her New Book
01:16 Why a Third Book — Elements of Timeless Style
03:58 Finding the Forever Home
09:26 Phased Renovations: What Worked and What Changed
13:37 Lessons from Renovations (budgets, timelines, contractors)
21:06 Designing Flexible, Family-Friendly Spaces
23:10 Planning for Longevity vs. Temporary Touches
24:00 The Barn, Patio, and Outdoor Plans (and sticker shock)
25:20 Favorite repeat pieces and why classics work everywhere
28:45 Paint, palettes, and testing color in your home
31:51 Hiring the right people — references and contracts
33:09 The library ladder/step stool debate (function vs. style)
36:17 Kids’ rooms, playrooms, and spaces that evolve
37:02 When to splurge on natural stone and other materials
43:00 Final thoughts, upcoming projects, and book release info

Also Mentioned:

• 
  ⁠⁠⁠"Elements of Timeless Style" | Order your physical copy today!


• 
  eringatesdesign.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Erin Gates Design Website


• 
  ⁠⁠⁠⁠Shop Ballard Designs⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Website

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!

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