Ep. 470: Art, Textiles, and Timeless Partnerships with Susan Hable

Ep. 470: Art, Textiles, and Timeless Partnerships with Susan Hable

From How to Decorate by Ballard Designs

June 16, 2026 · 1h 15m

About this episode

Caroline and Liz interview artist Susan Hable about her design work and partnership with Garnet Hill.

In this episode, Caroline and Liz talk with artist and product designer Susan Hable. Susan is the co-founder of the Athens, Georgia-based design studio Hable Construction, which she runs with her sister, Katherine. Celebrating 27 years in business, Susan’s work spans lighting, furniture, fine art, textiles, and jewelry, all rooted in her bold, hand-painted patterns and joyful sense of color. Susan joins the show to discuss her 20-plus-year partnership with lifestyle brand Garnet Hill, her artistic origins, her approach to building an intentional art collection, and the story behind her historic 1905 home. Key Takeaways from the Episode The Power of Small Patterns: While large expressions are artistic, small, tightly repeated patterns—like Hable Construction's iconic, best-selling "Beads" print—have a unique, calming effect that anchors a space. Small patterns add excellent grounding texture on everything from seat cushions to linens. Trust the Emotional Value of Art: When collecting art, buy pieces that speak directly to your heart and make you feel a specific emotion, rather than shopping for what is trendy. If original art is out of your budget, high-quality prints, art books…

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