Ep. 298: Making a House a Home with Susanna Salk
Our guest this week is good friend Susanna Salk: design expert, successful YouTube creator, and author of over 14 books. Susanna talks with us about her new book, Making a House a Home, and some of the things she\u2019s been most surprised about in the designer\u2019s homes. She also discusses the difference between a designer\u2019s home vs. a non-designers home and how we can bring that casual elegance into our own life, and gives insight into why spring cleaning isn\u2019t exactly her thing including ways to edit your wardrobe and home in an easier, more consistent way.\nWhat You\u2019ll Hear on This Episode:\n\nHow does Susanna find the time and inspiration to come up with her book concepts?\n\nSome of Susanna\u2019s favorite tips and tricks that she has brought into her own space that she saw in a designer\u2019s house.\n\n\nMaking a House a Home is for everyone, both designers and novices alike.\n\nWhat are visual landscapes?\n\nHow we can tie visual landscapes together using the dinner guest analogy.\n\nYour rooms don't have to look perfect, but they have to make you feel right.\n\nSusanna\u2019s motto: \u201clive with what you love, or give it away to somebody else.\u201d\n\nMentioned in This Episode:\nBallard Designs\nSusanna Salk \nMaking a House a Home \nMiles Redd\n\nDecorating Dilemma\nSusanna wishes she was right with you! If she was there, the first thing she would do is get you a fantastic rug to cut up some of the wood. This would be the biggest game changer, and it doesn\u2019t even have to be an expensive rug. Check out the Ballard rugs with a big, beautiful juicy pattern on it, and put the rug under your table area. Next, you should paint those current cabinets a nice white. Then, take the spindly chandelier that's coming down low and kind of blocking the windows above that table. And I would put a more recessed light above there.\nYou don\u2019t need window treatments, and the windows and the view are beautiful enough. As far as the table, Susanna recommends getting rid of the little table and replacing it with a series of flower pots down along the floor area or a fiddle fig tree along the side.\nIf you can replace the dining room table, a vintage table or long farmhouse wood table would highlight the rug and make it feel less matchy-matchy. Or if you do replace the black solid barstools, pick a soft fun pattern and don\u2019t worry about it matching with the rug.\nIf you only have $500 to spend, have an electrician take down the chandelier and put in another ceiling light. Thanks so much for writing in and good luck!