All posts by Beth Dotolo

Building The Perfect Home Bar: The Foundation

Design Insider, Entertaining + Home Living, ,

Bar cart, bar tray, bar furniture, modern bar cart, how to build a bar at home, designing you bar at home

When building the perfect cocktail area at home, you first have to start with the foundation. And, when attempting any home design project, you have to ask yourself some questions:

How much space do I have? How many different types of cocktails do I plan to make? Where do I plan to drink, and do I want my bar to be portable? 

These are all questions that will help you determine the perfect bar foundation for you. Some of us are short on counterspace, and may need a portable bar cart or furniture piece. Some of us may not have any space for new furniture, but can make space for the bar on a kitchen countertop. Some of you may want portability, and opt for a bar cart or a tray that you can convert by using a butler stand. Whichever of those people you may be, there are lots of great options out there once you know what you’re looking for.

 

SHOP THE LOOK

 

Clockwise: Arteriors Bar Cabinet: email for ordering info // West Elm Trays: White, Black, Brown // West Elm: Polished Nickel Butler Stand // Arteriors Brass & Glass Barcart: email for ordering info

 

Up next are the spirits, the tools, and the barware… I’ll help you build the basics so that you’re well on your way to entertaining bliss through the holidays.

Cheers!

postcards from Seattle…

Uncategorized

If you’d believe it, Summer is still alive and well in Seattle. Sunny and in the 80’s! In fact, it hasn’t rained in Seattle in around 50 days! Who’d have guessed that global warming would put Seattle at it’s sweet spot? With all this great weather, when not designing and pounding the digital pavement, I’ve been getting some good quality time in with my family outdoors and in. Now that the little guy is in school full-time, I’ve been enjoying every second I get with him. Here are a few snapshots from my life lately…

Hope life is great wherever you are… Happy Monday!

All photos via @bethdotolo on Instagram.

 

Hotel-Style Bedding: The Perfect Pop

Design Insider

In case you haven’t noticed, Carolina is pretty opinionated. And, since she’s been a luxury & boutique hotel interior designer for over a decade, she has a pretty clear opinion about bedding. And, that opinion has been deeply engrained in me…

 

Your bed sheets should be… White.

 

Of course, I don’t always listen to Carolina (and you don’t have to either). But, she’s right on this one. White sheets just feel like you’re escaping to a hotel for the night. And, they’re much easier to clean. Add color and texture in layers, but the foundation that you lay on should be… White.

But, my only issue is that sometimes you just want a little color. Just a touch? (Can you tell I’m looking to Carolina for approval?)

I recently found the perfect bedding from Peacock Alley that satisfies my desire for hotel-style bedding and my need for little pop of color. Give Peacock Alley a spin…

Boutique Sheeting Collection // Color By Numbers

Building The Perfect Home Bar: What’s Your Drink?

Entertaining + Home Living, ,

With the fall season arriving, here in Seattle, it’s starting to hit me that the rainy season is also upon us! And, with that, we’ll be forced indoors a bit more and want to warm our cockles with a nice cocktail.

I’m looking to turn my love for cocktails into an art… Instead of calling me a ‘home drunk’, I’d rather be referred to as an ‘aspiring mixologist’. I’ve been trying lots of new drinks and cocktails here at home and having fun taking classics and putting my own spin on them.

And, as such, I’m looking to build the perfect bar here at home. I’m starting a series where I’ll pull together a list of some must-have spirits, as well as tools & wares.

But, before I start, I want to ask you all a question that’s essential in building the perfect bar…

 

What’s your drink of choice??

 

 

Image via The Styled Life

A Final Look: PULP’s DIFFA Tablescape

Pulp Design Work,

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, Donna Karan Lennox, Singing Bowl

This weekend the DIFFA Glam tablescape events came to a close! Lots of money was raised for fight against AIDS and we were so proud to be a part. We wanted to pop in and share the final photos with you and give thanks to our friends who pitched in by sending or sharing their wares with us….

The beta fish were, by far, our most popular guests! But, we have to tell you about all the other great details. This tablescape was designed by Pulp Design Studios for a brand partnership with W Hotels Seattle and their Trace Restaurant, along with Neiman Marcus and Masins Fine Furniture. Our design objective was to embody the modern style of the W Seattle in the elegant stylings of Masins and Neiman Marcus. Not an easy task with varying aesthetics! But, we managed to blend the styles splendidly.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture

The place cards were a fun touch as a nod to Seattle musicians. Some of our honorary place cards guests included Jimi Hendrix, Kurt Cobain, Dave Matthews, and of course Sir Mix-A-Lot, and were inspired by the music corner of the W Hotel’s Living Room Lounge here in Seattle.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture

The table, chairs, credenza, and rug from Masins Furniture were a great foundation for the design. This chic and elegant Italian line is exquisite with a finish that is unmatched. And, the modern orange Capellini Ribbon stools were taken straight from the W Living Room. They were a fun modern touch to our table.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, Donna Karan, Lennox, Singing Bowl

Our plate ware and vases were all from Neiman Marcus. Their Donna Karan Home line was a great option to add a modern, yet elegant, touch to our tabletop.

And, that gorgeous table runner was created by our friends, drygoods design, who also happen to have a super fun online fabric shop!

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, Donna Karan, Lennox, McKenzie Powell Floral

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design

All of our florals were created by Mckenzie Powell Florals. She was just stellar! Her florals were gorgeous and they really took this table to the next level. As you know, flower arrangements can make or break a look. And, her’s really helped to make this table sing.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

How can you not love this pillow by Aphrochic?! We love the entire Aphrochic line and just had to find a way to incorporate part of her style into our tablescape creation. It just added another level and a huge amount of color and pattern to our space.

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

One major challenge we came up against was that our table was moved to a different location after it was designed. We had originally intended on installing a huge gorgeous wallcoverving mural to add a ton of color and pattern. Unfortunately, our new spot already had wallpaper installed. So, much like any design project, when a variable like this comes up we must adapt. We instead created framed art from our JF Fabrics Wallcovering (courtesy of Stacy Coulter and Associates) that wowed all the guests!

DIFFA, PULP Design Studios, W Seattle, Trace Restaurant, fish, table top, neiman marcus, masins furniture, McKenzie Powell Floral design, Donna Karan, Lennox, Aphrochic, Vibe Pillow, JF Wallpapers, Singing Bowls, Beta Fish, West Elm Lamps, Constantino Italian Furniture,

We are so thankful to everyone who participated and helped us bring this table to life. The event was stellar, thanks to Masins Furniture, and the event raised a ton of money.

And, we have to give an extra special thank you to Leslie Carothers (you may know her as @tkpleslie on Twitter) and John Stevens for bringing us into this event and intoducing us to Dave Masin and Masins Fine Furniture. You are all rockstars!

What a way to make a big bang in Seattle!

If you missed Beth’s television appearance on NBC’s New Day, watch it here.

Work In Progress: DIFFA Tablescape Progress

News + Announcements

Yes, yes. We’ve been talking about our DIFFA Glam tablescape quite a bit… But, my friends, it’s finally here. And, I couldn’t be more excited (and relieved!).

The DIFFA Seattle event is a smaller scale version of the big DIFFA Dining By Design events in New York. But, you can still expect some pretty stellar designs. Here’s a little peek into what I’ve been working on.

 

I’d love to show more, but the fact of the matter is that all the parts of my tablescape are scattered around and in different people’s hands so they can work their magic, too. Here are some of the people pitching in:

 

PULP TABLESCAPE PARTNERS:

W Hotels | Neiman Marcus | Masins Furniture

 

PULP TABLESCAPE ALSO FEATURING:

McKenzine Powell Floral & Event Design | drygoods design | Aphrochic Shop

 

But, it all comes together later today… when I go on LIVE television!! Then you can see the entire installation at the tablescape event on Friday at Masins Fine Furniture in Bellevue (that’s the fancy part of the greater Seattle area, if you’re not familiar).

We will, of course, be sharing links to the video (If I approve!) & photos of the tablescape.

So…. wish me luck!! And, let’s raise lots of money to fight AIDS!

postcards from seattle…

Uncategorized,

Hello friends!

I’ve been having a blast in Seattle these days & been itching to share what I’ve been up to. I’ve been busy with loads of work and trying to balance it with equally as much living life. Think Seattle is all coffee and rain? Think again… It’s just plain amazing. See some of the grand sights that still leave me in breathless and some of the quiet scenes that make it all worth it.

Continue reading postcards from seattle… →

PULP (Re)Install: Pink Perfection

Pulp Design Work,

This post is seriously long overdue! Do you remember this Dallas interior design client‘s condo? Our client, the blogger behind Luella & June, moved last year giving us the opportunity to help re-install our client’s space in her new Dallas digs and allow us to introduce some fun new items, art, and paint colors into the space. Case-in-point: these Made By Girl custom pieces by Cocoa and Hearts made just for our client, her fabulous bar cart with gorgeous Marfa photographs, a pair of stunning x-benches, and some dramatic new paint colors.

Continue reading PULP (Re)Install: Pink Perfection →

Before + After: A Preston Hollow Guest Room Makeover

Pulp Design Work,

restoration hardware, brentano

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again… We love a good ‘before & after’! This one comes from a Dallas Pulp Design Studios client who we had been working with for quite some time on other areas of their home. Their Guest Room was in need of a makeover so they asked us to work our magic for them for an upcoming guest’s stay. Take a look at this amazing ‘Before & After’…

Continue reading Before + After: A Preston Hollow Guest Room Makeover →

DIFFA Glam Tablescape: The Drawing Board

News + Announcements,

DIFFA glam, DIFFA Seattle, DIFFA tablescapes

Have you heard of DIFFA?

It’s an amazing organization that stands for Design Industries Foundation Fighting Aids. They put on some great fundraisers around the country to raise money for direct care for people living with HIV/AIDS and also preventative education for those at risk.

Pulp Design Studios is honored to have been asked by the DIFFA Seattle chapter to design a featured table for the DIFFA Glam event. Our table, who we are designing in partnership with W Seattle, Neiman Marcus, & Masins Furniture, will be on display at Masins Furniture on Sept 7 & 8. And, I will be presenting our tablescape with Dave Masins on New Day on NBC’s Seattle affiliate on Sept 5.

Continue reading DIFFA Glam Tablescape: The Drawing Board →