Ep. 392: Blending Tradition & Trend with KOBEL + CO

How to Decorate

We're thrilled to welcome Mallory Robbins and Elizabeth Bennett of Kansas City's design duo KOBEL + CO, who are celebrated for their distinctive style that seamlessly blends timeless treasures with modern aesthetics to create uniquely intimate spaces.

Mallory and Elizabeth share their secrets for crafting moods that capture both heart and style, kicking things off by diving into their client-centered approach, where understanding the desired feel and experience shapes the design journey. You’ll love their tips on using scale, texture, and layered lighting to transform any room into a moody masterpiece.

The design duo also explore the return of traditional entertaining spaces post-pandemic and share great advice on making bold choices in the kitchen. Don’t miss their take on designing imaginative kids' rooms, where creativity knows no bounds!

***Watch this week's episode as recorded in video form on the Ballard Designs YouTube Channel***

What You’ll Hear On This Episode:

• 00:00 Introduction to the How to Decorate Podcast
• 00:32 Meet the Guests: Mallory Robbins and Elizabeth Bennett
• 01:10 Design Philosophy: Capturing the Right Vibe
• 01:50 Client-Centered Design Approach
• 06:33 Post-Pandemic Design Trends
• 14:08 The Importance of Scale in Design
• 17:21 Balancing Function and Aesthetics
• 27:58 Styling Tips and Tricks
• 30:34 Accessorizing: Adding Personality to Your Space
• 31:54 The Art of Rearranging and Styling
• 33:26 The Beauty of White Kitchens
• 36:36 Making a Statement with Bold Marbles
• 41:59 Designing Kids' Rooms with Personality
• 46:14 Rug Selection and Room Coordination
• 55:02 Final Tips and Farewell

Decorating Dilemma:

***Follow along with pictures of this week's decorating dilemma on the How to Decorate Blog***

Lauren is seeking advice on selecting rugs for her office and dining room, which are visible from one another. Mallory and Elizabeth recommend anchoring both spaces with complementary sisal rugs for texture and using a unique-patterned runner to tie the spaces together. Additionally, they suggest rearranging the office furniture to create inviting zones while leveraging the beautiful bookshelves as focal points.

Best of luck, Lauren, and we can't wait to see how your inviting spaces come together!

Also Mentioned:

• KOBEL + CO | Website
• @kobelandco | Instagram
• Ballard Designs
• Watch the Full Episode w/ Images: Ballard Designs YouTube