logo
episode-header-image
Mar 2025
52m 48s

Ep. 403: Coastal Designs with Stephanie ...

Ballard Designs
About this episode

Taryn and Liz welcome designer Stephanie Mahaney to the show. Formerly the lead designer at the esteemed Campbell Interiors, Stephanie founded Stephanie Rae Interiors in 2014 and brings her flair for bold, colorful design to a wide array of clients between coastal Jupiter, Florida, and serene Maine.

Our discussion dives into the nuances of designing homes in contrasting coastal environments, tailoring spaces for seasonal use, and crafting personalized, vibrant interiors. Stephanie also shares insights into her design journey, from early inspirations in her childhood to setting up her own thriving business. Her experiences offer listeners a masterclass in marrying practicality with creativity in home design.

Watch this week's episode as recorded on Ballard Designs' YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/43ghnE7

What You'll Hear on This Episode:

  • 00:00 Introduction
  • 00:50 Meet Stephanie Mahaney: A Vibrant Design Journey
  • 02:00 Growing Up in a Constantly Evolving Home
  • 05:00 Transitioning Between Florida and Maine
  • 06:30 Adapting Design Styles to Different Seasons
  • 10:30 Building and Designing for New Homes and Compounds
  • 13:00 Collaborative Roles of Designers, Builders, and Architects
  • 15:00 Addressing Homeowner Frustrations in New Builds
  • 19:00 Seasonal Homes: Infusing Fun and Flexibility
  • 22:30 Latest Trends: Rechargeable Lighting and Art Acquisitions
  • 25:00 Embracing Bold Art Choices in Design
  • 28:00 Avoiding Coastal Decor Clichés
  • 31:00 Incorporating Color and Pattern with Confidence
  • 35:00 Making Smart Choices with Rugs and Natural Textures
  • 37:00 Highlight: The Barn Project in Maine
  • 41:30 Decorating Unique Spaces with Natural Views
  • 44:00 Listener Dilemma: Reimagining a Dining Room with Style
  • 49:30 Conclusion

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi Gabriella,

The hosts understand your struggle with the dining room's current setup. Stephanie offers some creative solutions to enhance the space’s aesthetic and functionality.

Stephanie begins by recommending a new rug, suggesting that a larger, well-fitted rug can instantly make the room feel more expansive and cohesive. She advises selecting a rug made of wool for easy maintenance, especially considering the dining room’s usage.

For the dining set, Stephanie suggests a round table slightly larger than your current one to comfortably accommodate six chairs instead of four. This change could improve both the functionality and flow of the dining area.

Stylistically, Stephanie encourages incorporating texture through your seating choices. Consider options like chairs with textured or patterned upholstery to add depth. A high-gloss finish on the table could provide a striking contrast and complement your existing mural and hutch.

Moreover, she suggests adding a tall, collected item such as an antique vase to the table to create a focal point, balancing the room's visual interest.

We hope these tips inspire a fresh and inviting atmosphere for your dining space. Best of luck with your redesign!

- How to Decorate

Also Mentioned:

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!

Up next
Aug 19
Ep. 427: Crafting Contemporary Elegance with Kim Lapin
Join hosts Caroline, Taryn, and Liz as they chat with former model turned West Coast designer Kim Lapin. After transitioning from a modeling career and renovating seven homes in seven years, Kim founded Kim Lapin Interiors in 2020. Her design ethos focuses on mixing elevated mate ... Show More
1 h
Aug 12
Ep. 426: Designing Family-Centric Spaces with Cate Gutter
Caroline and Taryn are joined by interior designer Cate Gutter to discuss her innovative approach to creating refined, joyful family living spaces. Drawing from her own upbringing in a family that frequently redesigned homes, Cate blends functionality and sophistication in her de ... Show More
1h 12m
Aug 5
Ep. 425: Spatial Alchemy with Olga Naiman
Caroline and Liz are joined by the multi-talented stylist and interior designer Olga Naiman, where they delve into Olga's fascinating journey from psychology to interior design including her unique approach to transforming living spaces through her concept of "Spatial Alchemy." L ... Show More
58m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2025
Sabyasachi on Building a Global Brand from the Global South
Born in the suburbs of Kolkata, India Sabyasachi Mukherjee grew up immersed in the rich cultural environment in the state of West Bengal. After attending fashion school, he focused on creating his own brand with a small team and a big vision: to create Indian fashion that honours ... Show More
23m 14s
Mar 2019
DFN PODCAST: MOHAMMED RABI FROM THE LETTER ON HOW TO DEAL WITH YOUR EMOTIONS WHEN YOU ARE STARTING YOUR FASHION BRAND
I enjoyed so much this podcast that I think you are going to love it too. Today we speak about the pretty and the ugly emotions you might face when starting your own brand. Mohammed Rabi, the designer, and entrepreneur behind the brand The Letter will share with us his journey an ... Show More
49m 34s
Jan 2023
22\\ The Secret Sauce to Becoming an Award-Winning Full-Service Interior Designer with Ellen Walker
Is it possible to learn and grow as an interior designer, even if you've been in the field for a while? Absolutely! Ellen Walker, today's special guest, is a testament to this. She has been an inspiration to watch as she shares her expertise and journey to becoming an award-winni ... Show More
19m 16s
Mar 2021
Kiri-Moana Proctor – From Interpreter to Kids Wear Designer
I have such an inspirational guest for you today and one who breaks out into song – double bonus!Kiri began her career working as an interpreter for the deaf, she also trained in the beauty space, a skill set that she was able to use on her travels with her partner as his job too ... Show More
46m 58s
Oct 2023
Make Good Fashion: The Journey of a Fashion Entrepreneur
Join us on the inaugural episode of "Make Good Fashion," the podcast hosted by Jasmine Rennie. In this episode, Jasmine shares her incredible journey from fashion school to the corporate world and ultimately to becoming a successful fashion entrepreneur. She opens up about the ev ... Show More
10m 20s
Nov 2024
Jacquemus: A Coming of Age Story
When Simon Porte Jacquemus came on to the scene in 2009, he did so with a bang. The French designer’s playful take on Parisian fashion draws inspiration from 20th century sculpture, the French New Wave, and sunny afternoons in Marseille. His creations have catapulted him and his ... Show More
24m 56s
Mar 2024
Sumayya Vally: the South African architect on how growing up in a township defined her sense of place
Today I’m talking to the wonderful Sumayya Vally, founder of the architecture and research practice Counterspace. When in 2020 Sumayya designed the Serpentine pavilion, she joined the ranks of luminaries including Zaha Hadid, Peter Zumthor and Frank Gehry. In 2021, Time Magazine ... Show More
51m 32s
May 2017
DFN PODCAST WITH AAVVA FASHION AND THEIR SECRET RECIPE TO SUCCESS
In today’s Podcast, we interview Ahmad Ammar and Vincenzo Visciglia, the dynamic duo behind AAVVA Fashion. A brand that even though it is young it is becoming very successful. They share with us their secret recipe for success, how they started and how they managed to get in shop ... Show More
44m 19s
Jun 2016
Karan Bajaj: On Yearlong Sabbaticals and Real Jobs
This week, my special guest is Karan Bajaj. Karan is a #1 bestselling Indian novelist with a full-time corporate job and a rather unique approach to life, fulfillment, and personal happiness. His novels have sold more than 200,000 copies worldwide and both are being turned into m ... Show More
1h 7m
Feb 2025
227. The Man Who Lived A Thousand Lives: Taming Nature (Ep 1)
Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel's visionary work transformed the landscapes of India. From humble beginnings in Germany to an apprenticeship at Kew Gardens, Krumbiegel’s journey led him to Baroda, where he became the trusted landscape architect of the Maharaja. Designing the iconic Bri ... Show More
36m 30s