Caroline and Taryn are joined by interior designer Cate Gutter to discuss her innovative approach to creating refined, joyful family living spaces. Drawing from her own upbringing in a family that frequently redesigned homes, Cate blends functionality and sophistication in her designs. The conversation explores her design philosophy, incorporating family-friendly materials, and how to artfully embrace the chaos that family life can bring to a home.

Cate shares stories from her personal journey, offers practical tips for functionality without sacrificing aesthetic appeal, and discusses the emotive power of art in living spaces. The episode also includes a listener's query about delineating spaces in an open-concept home, with Cate offering expert advice on creating distinct yet harmonious areas.

What You'll Hear This Episode:

00:00 Introduction to How to Decorate Podcast

00:33 Meet Cate Gutter: Blending Functionality with Timeless Design

01:10 Cate's Design Influence: Lessons from a Childhood of Home Flipping

04:17 Standout Design Memories from Cate's Youth

11:16 Cate's Design Philosophy: Prioritizing Function and Client Needs

16:25 Balancing Aesthetic Appeal with Practicality

19:13 Family-Friendly Design Strategies and Material Choices

28:28 Designing Kitchens and Bathrooms for Longevity and Function

35:40 Embracing Creativity and Expressiveness in Kids' Rooms

39:55 Letting Go of Perfection: Organizing Children's Spaces

46:03 Art and Decor: Making Your Home a Personal Gallery

46:47 Cate's Personal Art Collections and Stories

49:15 Creative Ideas for Displaying Art in Varied Spaces

57:32 Exploring Non-Traditional Art Decor for Your Home

01:03:05 Listener's Decorating Dilemma: Creating Defined Spaces in Small Homes

01:09:03 Closing Thoughts and Where to Find More from Cate Gutter

Also Mentioned:

⁠⁠⁠ballarddesigns.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Shop New Fall 2025 Items Now!

⁠⁠@cwg.design⁠⁠ | Designer IG

⁠cwg.design⁠ | Designer Website

Please send in your questions so we can answer them on our next episode! And of course, subscribe to the podcast in Apple Podcasts so you never miss an episode. You can always check back here to see new episodes, but if you subscribe, it’ll automatically download to your phone.

Happy Decorating!Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices