Ep. 398: Timeless Design Tips with Liz Williams

This week, we’re delighted to welcome Liz Williams, a distinguished interior designer and founder of Liz Williams Interiors here in Atlanta. Trained under the talented Carter Kay, Liz has cultivated a unique style that marries timeless elegance with Southern charm. Her stunning work throughout the Southeast reflects her passion for antiques, skillfully combining traditional elements with modern designs for a timeless design style that anyone can get behind. In this episode, Liz shares her valuable insights on the evolution of design trends over the past two decades and her predictions for what’s ahead in 2025. Discover how to harmonize current trends with timeless decor to create a stylish home that stands the test of time. From thoughtfully incorporating color to selecting cherished antiques, Liz emphasizes the importance of blending personal taste with historical inspiration, resulting in a refined and enduring aesthetic that appeals to those who appreciate quality, tradition, and comfortability in their living spaces. Watch this week's episode as recorded on Ballard Designs YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/4azQTiq What You’ll Hear On This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast 00:33 Meet Designer Liz Williams 01:15 Liz's Journey into Interior Design 01:57 Mentorship and Style Evolution 03:19 Antiques and Modern Pairings 04:31 Trends in Interior Design 04:54 Architectural Changes Over the Years 06:30 The Return of Color in Design 17:28 Seasonal Decor and Slipcovers 26:47 Avoiding the Red Accent Wall 27:16 Exploring Color Trends: Pinks and Browns 29:28 The Mocha Moose Debate 32:18 Whimsical Design Choices 37:14 Challenges in Design Projects 41:52 Bay Window Dilemma 47:53 Final Thoughts and Farewell Decorating Dilemma: Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma on the How to Decorate Blog: https://bit.ly/4gcyVDL Hi Erica, The hosts commended you on your lovely bay windows, which bring in great natural light! For your three distinct spaces—the guest room office, guest room, and the formal living room—Liz suggests several elegant solutions. For the bedrooms, where you need blackout solutions and sound absorption, consider using flowing full drapery panels mounted from the ceiling. This will prevent light from cutting in while providing a sophisticated look. A heavier lining will help with sound dampening, essential for your street-facing windows. In the formal living room, where you've lost original shutters, Liz recommends opting for ceiling-mounted tracks, providing a seamless, clean look. This allows for versatile panel options that can be pulled fully open or spread closed for privacy at night. Your idea of incorporating Roman shades sounds appealing as well, especially with the stained glass feature. Layering shades with decorative drapery can give added dimension without blocking too much light. Best of luck with your project, and we hope these tips help enhance the beauty of your windows! - How to Decorate Also Mentioned: Liz Williams Interiors | Website @lizwilliamsinteriors | Instagram Ballard Designs YouTube | Watch the Full Episode Ballard Designs | Shop Now! 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!