About this episode

Interior designer Meg Braff returns to discuss her new book 'Gracious Interiors' and share tips on hosting and guest room decor.

Welcome back interior designer Meg Braff to the podcast! Meg first joined the show in 2017 to discuss her first book, The Decorated Home, and now she returns to celebrate her second book, Gracious Interiors, published by Rizzoli. Growing up in Mississippi, Meg watched her mother and grandmother host beautiful, thoughtful parties, and she has carried that effortless Southern hospitality into her design firm. She sits down with Caroline, Taryn, and Liz to discuss how she optimizes floor plans for hosting, why every guest room needs wallpaper, and her favorite tricks for making formal antiques feel approachable. Design for Entertaining: Meg begins every project by analyzing the floor plan to maximize how a family lives and hosts. She looks for ways to provide multiple dining options, like a small setup for six indoors or a long table for thirty outdoors, and uses elements like pergolas and outdoor fireplaces to extend the entertaining season. The "Dress Rehearsal" Trick: A great host makes entertaining look effortless so guests never feel like an inconvenience. Meg recommends setting your table the day before to ensure you have the right counts for flatware…

More episodes of How to Decorate

• Ep. 482: Entertaining with a Side of Chaos with India Hicks · September 8, 2026 · 51 min
• Ep. 480: Trials and Triumphs · August 25, 2026 · 45 min
• Ep. 479: Designing Homes that Evolve with Anne Hulcher Tollett · August 18, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Ep. 478: Decorating as Composition with Lauren Wodicka · August 11, 2026 · 58 min
• Ep. 477: Alex Kaehler's new book, A Welcoming Home · August 4, 2026 · 1h 7m
• Ep. 476: Best of Archives: Parisian Design · July 28, 2026 · 53 min

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