Ep. 478: Decorating as Composition with Lauren Wodicka

Welcome to How to Decorate! Today, Taryn, and Liz are joined by Lauren Wodicka, the founder and principal designer of LBW Studio based in Loudoun County, Virginia. Lauren shares her fascinating career evolution from a classically trained fine artist and gallery owner to a sought-after interior designer. We explore how she applies the principles of oil painting to interior design, the importance of knowing "when to stop," and how to intentionally collect antiques that give a room a lived-in soul. Quick Decorating Takeaways: Treat Rooms Like Paintings: Apply fine art principles like tone, composition, and focal points when arranging furniture and decor. The Power of the Edit: Just like an artist must know when to stop painting to avoid overworking a canvas, a decorator must know when to stop adding objects to maintain a room's intended feeling. Embrace the "Lived-In" Look: Do not fear using natural materials like marble; pieces that get dinged and damaged over time add incredible history and charm, much like ancient Italian palazzos. Invest Wisely: Dedicate your budget to long-lasting statement pieces like beautiful lighting fixtures, antique mirrors, and solid dining tables. You can save money on easily swappable items like lamps, ready-made pillows, or heavily used kitchen chairs. Master the Gallery Wall: When hanging multiple pieces of art, keep your spacing uniform by using a standard three-inch gap between frames to create a sense of visual organization. Go Big in Small Spaces: Powder rooms and small foyers are perfect jewel boxes for bold mural wallpapers, giving you maximum visual impact without a massive square-footage cost. What You’ll Hear on This Episode: 00:34 Lauren’s background as a fine artist, studying in Florence, and opening an art gallery in Old Town Alexandria. 08:17 How formal training in oil painting directly translates into creating balanced interior design floor plans. 12:12 Tips for editing a room to ensure spaces feel full yet purposefully restrained. 17:28 How to pull design inspiration out of clients who aren't quite sure what their style is. 20:57 Adding longevity and character to your home by mixing fresh new pieces with crusty, gilded antiques. 26:01 Finding affordable antique art and the rules for styling large gallery walls. 30:33 Deciding between a large gallery wall and a mural wallpaper, especially in challenging two-story foyers. 34:25 Why your home should reflect your current season of life, even if that means basketballs and cleats rolling around the entryway. 41:14 Identifying which pieces are worth the investment and which pieces you should save on. 45:18 Simple ways to switch up your decor seasonally, like color-coordinating books, swapping lampshades, or introducing new custom pillows. 52:10 A heartwarming story about Lauren’s son asking to learn how to oil paint with her in the studio. Also Mentioned: Lauren's Studio: LBW Studio Instagram: @lbwstudio Send your decorating dilemmas to podcast@ballarddesigns.net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices