Podcast, Ep. 398: Timeless Design Tips with Liz Williams

This week, we’re delighted to welcome Liz Williams, a distinguished interior designer and founder of Liz Williams Interiors here in Atlanta. Trained under the talented Carter Kay, Liz has cultivated a unique style that marries timeless elegance with Southern charm. Her stunning work throughout the Southeast reflects her passion for antiques, skillfully combining traditional elements with modern designs for a timeless design style that anyone can get behind.

In this episode, Liz shares her valuable insights on the evolution of design trends over the past two decades and her predictions for what’s ahead in 2025. Discover how to harmonize current trends with timeless decor to create a stylish home that stands the test of time. From thoughtfully incorporating color to selecting cherished antiques, Liz emphasizes the importance of blending personal taste with historical inspiration, resulting in a refined and enduring aesthetic that appeals to those who appreciate quality, tradition, and comfortability in their living spaces.

Liz Williams Design Portfolio

IMAGE CREDITS: “Home for the Holidays Breakfast Room” by Liz Williams Interiors

What You’ll Hear This Episode:

  • 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast
  • 00:33 Meet Designer Liz Williams
  • 01:15 Liz’s Journey into Interior Design
  • 01:57 Mentorship and Style Evolution
  • 03:19 Antiques and Modern Pairings
  • 04:31 Trends in Interior Design
  • 04:54 Architectural Changes Over the Years
  • 06:30 The Return of Color in Design
  • 17:28 Seasonal Decor and Slipcovers
  • 26:47 Avoiding the Red Accent Wall
  • 27:16 Exploring Color Trends: Pinks and Browns
  • 29:28 The Mocha Moose Debate
  • 32:18 Whimsical Design Choices
  • 37:14 Challenges in Design Projects
  • 41:52 Bay Window Dilemma
  • 47:53 Final Thoughts and Farewell

Decorating Dilemma:

Hi ladies,

First, thank you all for your work on the podcast! I started listening back when my husband and I were just planning our renovation back in 2021, and have learned so much from the show along the way. While the designer conversations are always wonderful, I most look forward to hearing about your trials and triumphs. This project has been long (too long! We’re almost a year behind schedule at this point), with extreme highs and lows, and listening to you share challenges and wins in your own homes is an instant reminder that we will eventually get through it.

My question is about how to dress the bay windows in our home. There are three total — a guest room/office, guest room, and the formal living room off the kitchen. All of the windows are street facing. They all have different needs— the bedrooms need a blackout option and some sound absorption from being near the road, and the living room really just needs something for privacy at night. One of the bedrooms has a low ceiling — about 94” — while the other two rooms have ceilings around 10’ each. We also want to be able to maximize the amount of light during the day, as our home only has two exposures and most of our natural light comes from these big beautiful windows. We unfortunately had to remove the original shutters in the formal living room when we upgraded the insulation, and the quote we got to recreate the original was prohibitively high.

My preference is typically for a full drapery panel — with the high ceilings it just makes sense. But it’s been really challenging to find a rod that works with the angles in the bay (especially off the rack — the Pottery Barn version with bypass rings I tried in the bedroom/office upstairs is laughably bad). What would you do here? A roman shade in each window (maybe not with the stained glass, but an option for the bedrooms above and below)? A ceiling track, which can be more flexible and bend to the shape of the wall? Try to have something custom fabricated or use a single rod with two panels for each window + tiebacks? A shade and a panel? The options seem endless.

Including photos of each window condition, including the sad drapery rod solution I’m trying to fix in my office/guest room. Any help would be so appreciated — we’re hosting both families for Christmas and working around the clock to get this place into shape under the wire.

Thanks again for the work you do!

– Erica

Hi Erica,

The hosts commended you on your lovely bay windows, which bring in great natural light! For your three distinct spaces—the guest room office, guest room, and the formal living room—Liz suggests several elegant solutions.

For the bedrooms, where you need blackout solutions and sound absorption, consider using flowing full drapery panels mounted from the ceiling. This will prevent light from cutting in while providing a sophisticated look. A heavier lining will help with sound dampening, essential for your street-facing windows.

In the formal living room, where you’ve lost original shutters, Liz recommends opting for ceiling-mounted tracks, providing a seamless, clean look. This allows for versatile panel options that can be pulled fully open or spread closed for privacy at night.

Your idea of incorporating Roman shades sounds appealing as well, especially with the stained glass feature. Layering shades with decorative drapery can give added dimension without blocking too much light.

Best of luck with your project, and we hope these tips help enhance the beauty of your windows!

– How to Decorate

Also Mentioned in This Episode

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Happy Decorating!

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Kelley Bostian

Kelley enjoys a light and livable home and is always searching for that perfect finishing touch. Here on How to Decorate, it's his goal to help you bring your own unique design vision to life.

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