
Ep. 460: Tradition Made New with Tim Adams
From How to Decorate by Ballard Designs
April 7, 2026 · 1h 5m
About this episode
Timothy Adams discusses his architectural philosophy and his new book on creating homes that blend tradition with modernity.
Our guest today is award-winning Atlanta architect Timothy Adams. His firm, T.S. Adams Studio Architects, has become synonymous with classical lines and highly detailed craftsmanship. Tim sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to talk about his beautiful new book, Tradition Made New: Houses with a Sense of Soul and History, which celebrates homes that feel grounded, authentic, and built to last generations. Tim shares his architectural process, explaining why a home's design must always start with the physical lot it sits on. He discusses the difference between "timeless" and "soulful" architecture, how to balance a client's modern taste with a traditional neighborhood, and why he always takes time to drive around a community to study the local materials before drafting a single plan. Quick Decorating & Architectural Takeaways: Design for the Site First: Before finalizing a design or layout, you must consider the lot. Tim explains that a house should be deeply responsive to its topography and surroundings. He uses the site visit to figure out how to capture the best natural light and views, while strategically positioning the house to block out negative elements like a…
People in this episode
Host: Caroline
Guest: Timothy Adams
Topics covered
- architecture
- design
- traditional homes
- craftsmanship
Keywords
- Tim Adams
- T.S. Adams Studio Architects
- Tradition Made New
- soulful architecture
Mentioned in this episode
Products: Tradition Made New: Houses with a Sense of Soul and History
Books & works: Tradition Made New, Tradition Made New: Houses with a Sense of Soul and History, Timeless, Book: Tradition Made New: Houses with a Sense of Soul and History
Places: Atlanta
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