This week we welcome designer Sabah Monsoor. With a style influenced by her childhood in South India, Sabah shares her appreciation for traditional handcrafts. She recalls visiting pottery villages as a child and studying textiles in art school, experiences that taught her to value diverse techniques of craftsmanship. Sabah also chats with us about how to stir up inspiration and maintain a curious mindset, tips for using natural textures to layer and add an even deeper story to your space, and why we should think of our home as a living, breathing space. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: How growing up in India influenced Sabah’s love of the decorative arts. The diverse techniques Sabah learned while studying textiles and art in school. The importance of functional spaces in your home, such as a mudroom. It’s never too late to put energy into your dreams! Sabah gives great advice on feeding your artistic mind and drawing inspiration from unexpected places. The beauty of a formal room.  Natural materials that can help foster warmth and that cozy feeling.  Using indoor furniture outdoors, with tips for protecting against damage from elements. How Sabah uses color palettes and materials to set the tone based on a client’s personality and unique needs. Decorating Dilemma:  Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma here. Thanks Melissa! So, Sabah reminds us that taking indoor furniture outdoors can cause damage over time due to differences in how materials are processed. Using protective coatings on wood and UV-resistant sprays on fabrics could help prolong the furniture's life. However, some fading and wear is still likely to occur. One suggestion is to swap the layout for better flow and move the furniture inside during hot, humid months until the porch is fully enclosed and climate controlled. Thank you, and send us photos of your updated space as you make progress on it!  Also Mentioned: Ballard Designs Sabah Mansoor @sabahmansoor Please send us your Decorating Dilemmas and questions to podcast@ballarddesigns.net. We love hearing from our listeners!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices