Design Experts
20 questions with Tara Ballantyne
20 questions with Tara Ballantyne
Design Experts
20 questions with Tara Ballantyne
Style at Home's resident style and food editor Tara Ballantyne is as full of personality and finesse as her designs. From the most
delectable desserts (check out her Dessert of the Month column in each issue!) to her flair for Scandinavian design, Tara exudes a simple and sophisticated style that's accented with whimsy and embellished with creativity. Find out all about Tara's personal style, design influences and how she spends a lazy Sunday afternoon - all in just 20 questions.
For this recipe, check out Coconut lime cupcakes. Photography by Joe Kim.
1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
Tara Ballantyne If I could shadow any designer it would be interior stylist Sibella Court, and her brother photographer Chris Court. They are both so individually talented and make the most beautifully inspired images.
2 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
TB When I’m really struggling, I go to a sports store and check out the wall of running shoes. Design teams have to come up with different designs almost monthly, but in the same format. I find that creativity within a small frame inspiring!
3 Favorite restaurant?
TB It’s a tie between Kolonihagen in Oslo Norway and Pizzaria Bianco in Phoenix, Arizona.
4 Whats your favourite room to decorate?
TB Home office spaces are a favourite. I love to outfit them with clean lines and lots of built-in cabinets… and I am obsessed with stationery, pens and organizing!
For this recipe, check out Chocolate mint icebox creams. Photography by Joe Kim.
5 Whats your current paint colour obsession?
TB Today, and most likely because I am wearing army coloured trousers, it would have to be Benjamin Moore Storm Cloud Grey which is a mossy greenish grey.
6 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
TB In My Life by the Beatles
7 Whats the one store you could spend hours browsing?
TB Liberty in London, England
8 London, Paris or New York?
TB London calling!
For this recipe, check out Lemon poppy seed loaf. Photography by Joe Kim.
9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
TB Plain and simple - a villa in the south of France! Wouldn’t we all?!?
10 What do you consider to be the most iconic design piece of the past century?
TB The Eames molded plastic Armchair. In the 1950’s during the industrial revolution it was an absolute innovation for its time. Modern, easy to produce, and it's timeless form is easy to love.
11 Favourite movie?
TB We have a tie between Amélie and Shawshank Redemption.
12 Whats your favourite movie interior?
TB Tom Ford’s A Single Man.
For this recipe, check out Strawberry, rhubarb and mascarpone crepes. Photography by Joe Kim.
13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
TB By adding materials and textures within the same colour family you can instantly add depth and warmth to a space. A big bouquet of flowers will instantly bring life to any space!
14 Best coffee table book?
TB Tim Walker Pictures. It is filled with glamorous images by top fashion photographer Tim Walker. I find it incredibly beautiful and inspiring!
15 What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
TB Antiquing with my Mom, she has an eagle eye! Insert latte and beautiful sunny day here!
16 Do you like to be the entertainer or to be entertained?
TB Entertain! I am my happiest when I have good company eating and drinking around my dining table.
For this recipe, check out Pots de creme. Photography by Joe Kim.
17 What do you think is the best renovation you can do to your home?
TB Filling it with things you love! And of course, a fresh coat of paint always does wonders!
18 What is your favourite space that you’ve designed?
TB I designed an H&M loves Elle opening in Norway where I created an indoor garden party fully loaded with a decked out boho chic harvest table, mixed chairs and benches, and heaps and heaps of birdcages filled with cupcakes and champagne. McJaggers daughter Karis was on the turn tables and we danced the night away - it was so much fun!
19 What’s the biggest design faux pas?
TB The debate that you can’t paint your ceiling in a colour. I say, "Yes, yes you can"! Design is supposed to be fun!
20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
TB Marilyn Monroe!
For this recipe, check out Coconut lime cupcakes. Photography by Joe Kim.
1 If you could shadow any designer for a day, who would it be?
Tara Ballantyne If I could shadow any designer it would be interior stylist Sibella Court, and her brother photographer Chris Court. They are both so individually talented and make the most beautifully inspired images.
2 Where do you look for an obscure source of inspiration?
TB When I’m really struggling, I go to a sports store and check out the wall of running shoes. Design teams have to come up with different designs almost monthly, but in the same format. I find that creativity within a small frame inspiring!
3 Favorite restaurant?
TB It’s a tie between Kolonihagen in Oslo Norway and Pizzaria Bianco in Phoenix, Arizona.
4 Whats your favourite room to decorate?
TB Home office spaces are a favourite. I love to outfit them with clean lines and lots of built-in cabinets… and I am obsessed with stationery, pens and organizing!
For this recipe, check out Chocolate mint icebox creams. Photography by Joe Kim.
5 Whats your current paint colour obsession?
TB Today, and most likely because I am wearing army coloured trousers, it would have to be Benjamin Moore Storm Cloud Grey which is a mossy greenish grey.
6 If one song could be the soundtrack to your life, what would it be?
TB In My Life by the Beatles
7 Whats the one store you could spend hours browsing?
TB Liberty in London, England
8 London, Paris or New York?
TB London calling!
For this recipe, check out Lemon poppy seed loaf. Photography by Joe Kim.
9 If money were no object, what one thing would you buy?
TB Plain and simple - a villa in the south of France! Wouldn’t we all?!?
10 What do you consider to be the most iconic design piece of the past century?
TB The Eames molded plastic Armchair. In the 1950’s during the industrial revolution it was an absolute innovation for its time. Modern, easy to produce, and it's timeless form is easy to love.
11 Favourite movie?
TB We have a tie between Amélie and Shawshank Redemption.
12 Whats your favourite movie interior?
TB Tom Ford’s A Single Man.
For this recipe, check out Strawberry, rhubarb and mascarpone crepes. Photography by Joe Kim.
13 What do you think is the easiest way to update a room?
TB By adding materials and textures within the same colour family you can instantly add depth and warmth to a space. A big bouquet of flowers will instantly bring life to any space!
14 Best coffee table book?
TB Tim Walker Pictures. It is filled with glamorous images by top fashion photographer Tim Walker. I find it incredibly beautiful and inspiring!
15 What’s your favourite way to spend a lazy Sunday?
TB Antiquing with my Mom, she has an eagle eye! Insert latte and beautiful sunny day here!
16 Do you like to be the entertainer or to be entertained?
TB Entertain! I am my happiest when I have good company eating and drinking around my dining table.
For this recipe, check out Pots de creme. Photography by Joe Kim.
17 What do you think is the best renovation you can do to your home?
TB Filling it with things you love! And of course, a fresh coat of paint always does wonders!
18 What is your favourite space that you’ve designed?
TB I designed an H&M loves Elle opening in Norway where I created an indoor garden party fully loaded with a decked out boho chic harvest table, mixed chairs and benches, and heaps and heaps of birdcages filled with cupcakes and champagne. McJaggers daughter Karis was on the turn tables and we danced the night away - it was so much fun!
19 What’s the biggest design faux pas?
TB The debate that you can’t paint your ceiling in a colour. I say, "Yes, yes you can"! Design is supposed to be fun!
20 Marilyn, Audrey or Jackie?
TB Marilyn Monroe!
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