Ep. 406: Defining Elegance with Marshall Watson

How to Decorate

Ballard Designs

Arts, Business, Design

4.2 • 785 Ratings

🗓️ 25 March 2025

⏱️ 63 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

We're thrilled to welcome back renowned interior designer Marshall Watson to the show to discuss his latest design book, Defining Elegance. Through Defining Elegance, Caroline and Liz explore Marshall's design principles plus how he seamlessly blends history with modern sensibilities across a variety of stunning environments, from the sun-drenched shores of Florida to the picturesque landscapes of Southern California. Marshall shares his unique journey from the world of acting to the realm of interior design, offering insights into the importance of scale and proportion in creating harmonious spaces. Decorators will benefit from Marshall’s expert advice on making perfect beds, the art of floating furniture, and how to create a cohesive home design that feels polished yet personal. What You’ll Hear On This Episode: 00:00 Introduction to Ballard Designs Podcast 00:35 Guest Introduction: Marshall Watson 01:41 Marshall's Design Philosophy and Career Journey 06:53 Designing for Scale and Proportion 08:44 Creating Intimate Spaces in Large Rooms 29:22 Cohesive Home Design Tips 37:40 Exploring Unique Markets Across the Country 38:50 The Charm of Imperfection in Design 38:55 Gardening Lessons Applied to Decorating 40:52 Creating Comfort and Elegance in Homes 41:49 Listener's Decorating Dilemma: Bedroom Makeover 43:41 Detailed Solutions for Bedroom Design 01:00:12 Final Thoughts and Expert Tips 01:00:30 Where to Find More from Marshall Watson 01:02:13 Show Wrap-Up and Contact Information Also Mentioned: Shop Ballard Designs | Website Defining Elegance by Marshall Watson | Order Now marshallwatsoninteriors.com | Designer Website @marshallwatsondesign | Designer Instagram 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!

Transcript

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0:00.0	Welcome to How to Decorate from Ballard Designs, a weekly podcast all about the trials and triumphs of decorating and redecorating your home.
0:09.1	I'm Caroline. I'm on the marketing team. And I'm Taryn and I'm a product designer.
0:12.8	I'm Liz. I head of the creative team. We're your host. Join the expert team at Ballard Designs for tips, tricks, and tales from interior designers, stylists,
0:20.9	and other talents in the design world.
0:22.5	Plus, we'll answer your decorating dilemmas at the end of each episode.
0:25.4	We love answering your questions, so don't forget to email us at podcast at balauredesigns.net.
0:30.5	Now on with the show.
0:34.4	Today, we are thrilled to welcome back to the show, Marshall Watson.
0:38.8	You may remember him from episode 156 when we discussed his first book, The Art of Elegance.
0:45.1	And today he's back to share with us his latest book, Defining Elegance, set to release this month.
0:51.9	Marshall reveals his design principles through a variety of stunning environments,
0:55.6	exploring how to marry history with modern sensibilities.
0:58.8	For the first time, readers were also good to step inside
1:01.2	one of his own homes and his garden,
1:03.3	gaining a deeper understanding of his approach
1:05.3	to achieving harmony and design.
1:07.3	Marshall, welcome back to the show.
1:08.9	Well, thank you very much and beautifully said.
1:12.7	Oh, well, you know what? Your book is so, it truly is elegant. And I love how
1:17.6	elegance is sort of the touchstone for both books, the first one being the art of elegance,
1:23.5	the second one defining elegance. And it's just so fun to see the variety of projects you have
1:29.2	throughout. I mean, you've got Hawaii, you've got Florida, the Hamptons, Southern California.
	...

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