All posts by Beth and Carolina

Top Kitchen Trends That Really Cook

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Today is the opening day for the largest kitchen and bath trade show in the country. We’re at KBIS (The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show) in Orlando all week, gathering new ideas and scouting great products for our clients. Here are some trends we’ve already seen that will influence kitchen design for the next few years!

1. Bigger Is Better

The kitchen has always been the heart of the home, and now that heart is growing much bigger. The islands are longer, the storage is plentiful, and there’s room for every family member and guest. This is truly the most important room in the house today so the investments should be focused here.

2. Station Manager

Dedicated kitchen spots for coffee and wine are nothing new, but these high-tech stations are! They are hidden, wired, and easily accessible with folding doors and pull-out shelves. They can also have heated or cooled walls, bluetooth controls, and storage for any accessories or ingredients. They can make your house the best coffeeshop or wine bar in the neighborhood.

3. Hiding in Plain Sight

Kitchens are even more high-tech, but the key is to keep things hidden so it all looks seamless and effortless. In the Dallas kitchen we designed above, the range hood is ultra-efficient, and hiding in plain sight. It looks just like the cabinetry surrounding it, rather than standing out on its own. We love this beautiful style!

4. Tech Talk

We love seeing all of the new appliances and tech advances at KBIS! Understanding all of the new ways that kitchens can function for our clients helps us to design around the fabulous high-tech gadgets. Tucking microwave drawers and wine fridges into cabinetry sounds easy, but you do have to understand how everything needs to be wired and installed. Kitchens are only going to have more tech as we move through this decade, and we are ready to showcase those new functionalities for our clients!

5. Naturally Beautiful

As a counterbalance to all of that tech is a natural look. Warm woods, beautiful stones, and colors directly from nature will craft a look that is welcoming and very low-tech. The kitchen will still function with fabulous technology, but will look more crafted and cozy.

We can’t wait to show you more of what we’re seeing at KBIS. Be sure you’re following us on Instagram to see the latest looks!

How to Be More Fearless in Your Home’s Decor

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There is a definite “fear factor” in fearless interior design for most people. They are afraid of making a mistake or not liking the final result. So too many just stick with the boring tried-and-true looks without experimenting at all. We work with our clients to push boundaries and try new things, but there are a few rules that we keep in mind so our clients always get the results they’ve dreamed of! Here’s how to be more fearless and still love your home’s decor.

1. Hire a Pro

Our first tip is a serious one. Not only do professionals have extensive training and skills, but we also have the creativity and the contacts to bring a design vision to life. You may have dreamed of using a bold marble or having a gleaming gold ceiling, but not know how to move forward to make it happen. We spend a lot of time with our clients to develop an understanding of what they love most and then we craft a design that we know will wow them. We also have the technology to show our clients what the final space will look like before we even start work on the job site. Save money and time – hire a pro.

2. Start Small

If you’re nervous about using bold color or trying a fearless idea, select a small space to try those new concepts. Those rooms are more hidden away and are often not public areas that guests will see. So they are perfect for going big and bold! In the small space above, we transformed a hidden closet into a stunning wine room. Our clients fell in love with the look, which is both chic and daring.

3. Know What You Love

The Pulp team spends a lot of time with our clients to drill down into what they really love – including color palettes, things they collect, and even fashion styles. That helps us decide on those fearless looks that we know our clients will be thrilled with. So ask yourself: What do you love? It could be snakes, or super-modern furniture, or even a bold red. If that’s the case, the very adventurous room we designed above would be right up your alley!

4. Make It Easy

If you’re still struggling with nerves, then be sure that whatever you try is easy to change. Work with paint or wallpaper to craft that fearless style. Both are easy to remove and change, so you can always go with a different look. Avoid things like tile or special flooring that would be expensive to switch out.

Use these ideas to go bold in your home! Or reach out to us to craft that gorgeous look for you.

Before and After: Plano Entertainment Lounge

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Recently featured in The Wall Street Journal, this Pulp renovation turned a boring media room into a chic entertainment suite, perfect for streaming movies, game nights, and wine tastings. Our clients were inspired by their travels to Manhattan and a sophisticated lounge they discovered there. So we crafted the ultimate escape for them: moody, luxurious, and made for connection.

Outdated furniture and a drab palette were what we started with. We transformed the interior with our signature Pulp fearless design aesthetic, including rich navy walls, warm wood tones, and brass accents. Plush performance fabrics ensure durability for family life and gatherings alike. Now the space is made for luxe entertainment with a bold mix of hospitality, functionality, and high-end style.

The bar became the heart of the lounge. It’s bold, sculptural, and designed for connection. We wanted it to feel like a destination within the home, where every cocktail feels like an experience. Its transformation is jaw-dropping and gorgeous!

Every single inch of the space was given meaning and purpose. We crafted custom details like a curved banquette and a built-in Scrabble wall, all designed to bring people together in style.

Even the adjacent powder bath was given the same sophisticated style as the entertainment lounge. We turned up the drama with Venetian plaster and geometric marble floors.

Ready to transform your living spaces? Give our team a call! 

Best Ideas for Small Space Design

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The Pulp team works in cities across the country, so we’re experts at designing the perfect small space, whether that’s a chic pied-à-terre, a fab condo, or an apartment with a view. City living asks your home to work harder, and we love finding creative solutions that make even the smallest spaces feel luxurious, calm, and perfectly tailored to the people who live in them. Here are our top tips for small space design!

Multifunctional Pieces

In a small space, furniture should play double-duty so you get more function out of every square inch. We look for stunning designs that can transform into what our clients need most in the room. For a Seattle pied-à-terre, the den needed to also provide a fabulous bedroom for overnight guests, so we selected a luxe leather sofa that creates a comfortable bed when it’s folded out. But those stools in front also have other uses – they can be a coffee table, foot rest, or extra seating. It’s all about getting as much out of each piece as you can!

Savvy Storage

Nothing ruins a small space design more than clutter! For a basement renovation, we knew that this open space would function as everything from a game room to a guest room to a dining space. No matter what use our clients chose, we wanted the room to be as clutter free as possible while still offering storage for everything from board games to blankets! We crafted a wall of custom cabinets that would hide things out of sight, and would also provide surface space for serving snacks and drinks. And check out that custom Pulp starburst hardware – a top seller in our shop!

Get in the Zone

A lot of small space living includes an open room that has to function for everything from living to dining to cooking. In a handsome Seattle high-rise, we used wallpaper on the ceiling and a rug to establish zones for each activity. And that large mirror really helps to bounce the light around the space, too!

Make an Impact

For a Dallas loft project, we wanted this snug space to have a lot of style so we made smart selections guaranteed to have a big impact! We created custom seating and tables specifically for the room and we offered a mix of finishes that would show personality and reflect or absorb the light. We also brought in an artist to continue the pattern of the wallcovering on the ceiling. The space now sparks conversation and offers a unique wow-worthy statement!

We’re currently designing an incredible New York flat, so be sure to follow us on Instagram so you can stay up to date on the latest looks from that project! If you have a small space that’s in need of a gorgeous makeover, give our team a call.

Pro Rules for Rugs

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The devil is really in the details when it comes to interior design. The slightest thing can throw off an otherwise gorgeous room. That includes the wrong size or the wrong type of rug. For such a functional piece, a rug really stands out more than you think it does. It’s almost like art for your floor. And if it isn’t right, you definitely notice it, so here are our top pro rules for rugs!

1. Go Big

The mistake we see most often in homes are rugs that are too small. You should always invest in the largest rug you can for the room. The furniture should fit comfortably and fully on the rug, otherwise it will all look unanchored. In the living room above, we crafted a custom rug so it would not only fit the room’s palette, but it would also fit the space, too.

2. Add Layers

Pulp is known for layered looks and rugs offer a perfect medium for that style. We love to use a sisal base rug for a neutral tone and then add a more colorful or patterned rug on top. It creates a lot of visual interest and a distinct style!

3. Soft Landing

Rugs should extend far enough off both sides of a bed to offer a warm and soft spot for your feet each morning. And it should also extend beyond the foot of the bed, too. Those textures are so important for creating cozy spaces for relaxing and unwinding!

4. Keep a Low Profile

In a dining room like the one above, the key is to choose a lower pile rug. That will allow the chairs to push back or pull forward more easily. You don’t want to struggle against the texture of the rug to be seated. And be sure that the chairs fit completely on the rug when pulled out so the legs don’t catch on the edge of the rug.

Use these tips to keep things functional and beautiful in your home! If you need help creating your own dream home, give our team a call!

4 Trends in Tile for Home Decor

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According to House Beautiful, tile is one of the hottest materials in home decor today. The Pulp team has been using tile in new and exciting ways for a long time, so we are thrilled to see this “new” trend. We’re even proud ambassadors for Ann Sacks and have used their tiles in so many of our projects. If you’re just getting into the many ways that tile can give you exciting style at home, we have 4 things to look for when selecting the right look and design.

1. Don’t Be Afraid of Color

Tile can give you such a stunning look, especially if you select designs that showcase bold color. In the floor we created for a Seattle breakfast room above, the different shades of blue create a work of art that looks like flowing water. There’s no need for a rug when your floor is this gorgeous. And our clients were thrilled with the result!

2. Offer Perfect Patterns

Tile patterns create mesmerizing visual statements in any space. We’ve used dramatic designs for kitchen backsplashes, fireplace surrounds, entry floors, and full walls. It’s again about being fearless and willing to show personality in your home’s decor. The pattern we used in the hallway above is so compelling that it makes you want to see what’s on the other side of the space! We called this our “yellow brick road” moment – but in black-and-white.

3. Define Dimensional Style

Tile lets you be so much more creative in a room’s design. It’s an artistic style that you rarely see in any other material. We used that visual magic with dimensional tiles for a winery’s tasting room. The tiles aren’t really 3D, but they definitely look like they are! It’s a unique look that sets the space apart with a fresh and modern statement.

4. Take on Texture

Texture is a key component of tile – and that can be something as smooth as glass, or a design that feels like natural stone. We love using textural designs in bathrooms and on floors. They offer function and fashion in one tiny package!

Use these tile ideas to craft your own unique look at home. And if you need your own bold and stunning style, get in touch with our team!

Mood Boosting Interior Design

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There has been a lot of talk about “dopamine decor” in the design world, focusing on interiors that help boost your mood. As we enter the darker days of winter, we love to showcase how your home can give you that extra bit of chic style to elevate how you’re feeling. We’re experts at creating cozy spaces that make you want to stay home on cold winter days – or any other day of the year! Here are our top pro tips for setting the mood in your home.

1. Use the Psychology of Color

Of course the Pulp team loves color, but we also like to use it wisely. Color is definitely a way to boost your mood at home, but we also like to use colors that will brighten even the darkest winter weeks. If you look at the palette in the Seattle bathroom we designed above, you have to smile. Not only is that turquoise a major mood lifter, but when you add in all of that stark white it really makes a happy statement!

2. Lighten Up

The Dallas dining room above has a lot of deep black elements in it, but it isn’t a downer of a space! The key is to ensure that you’re smart about the light that enters a room. There is a lot of natural light in the room, but we also added a stunning light fixture and some under-cabinet lighting. However, the real pro tricks are in the details. There are a few light conductors that we designed into the space, like the brass rings on the custom table and the stunning mineral applied to the back of the bar’s wall. Those bounce light, too, which is key to keeping the mood bright at home!

3. Act Natural

Any natural materials – including real plants and flowers – are going to help keep the mood upbeat and cozy at home. That includes soft textures from sheepskin, warm wood beams, and cozy fabrics. Bring a little of the outdoors in for the winter months!

4. A Touch of the Unexpected

At Pulp, we love to add those unexpected touches that make you smile … or gasp! A little bit of whimsy will always set a fun mood at home. That could be through your art, through a bold flash of color, or from a giant gold duck in the bathroom. Think out of the box for those moments that set the stage in your home.

Making a Fearless First Impression at Home

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We all love to make a grand entrance and a great first impression! And that is exactly what your home’s entry should create for your guests. A fearless foyer should tell a story about your home’s decor, and set everyone’s expectations high. Pulp is all about bold design and fabulous spaces, so here are our top tips for giving your home’s entry an amazing style that will wow your friends and family!

1. Set the Tone

From the front door, the entry should showcase the style and mood of your home’s design. In the Seattle Tudor home we designed above, our clients’ incredible art collection is balanced with the historic architectural details of the home. We wanted to show a stunning balance of old and new right away as guests enter the front door.

2. Add Unexpected Touches

If you’re making a first impression on someone, it’s best to show your personality, right? You should do the same in your entry! We love to add unexpected touches, like a sculptural floating console, or leather fringe sconces. Those are moments that will make your family and friends stop in their tracks! And that’s what being fearless is all about.

3. Create a Landing Zone

If both your family and your guests will use the same entrance, be sure to create a landing zone that’s organized and stylish. You want a place for people to set their bags or keys, even temporarily, as well as a seat for removing shoes. Offer a table, bowls, trays, and other receptacles for whatever people are carrying. But keep things unexpected and beyond the normal, like an unusually shaped mirror or unique stools that make a statement.

4. Blend Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Dark and dull entries are no fun to enter, so brighten those spaces with doors and framing windows to let in as much light as possible. Let the design be the bridge between the outdoor space your guests are leaving as they step through your front door.

Use these ideas to make a fearless statement and a grand impression on your guests! If you need help designing your dream home, give our team a call!

4 Smart Investments to Make in Your Kitchen Renovation

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As we head into the season that gives your kitchen to biggest workout, you may be thinking about how to change things up so you have the kitchen of your dreams. Or maybe you’re considering a kitchen renovation to add value to your home (and it will!). Either way, there are investments that will definitely pay off in the long run, whether it’s through ROI or added function. Here are our 4 top tips for the best investments you can make! Oh, and of course it goes without saying that #1 is to hire a professional team like Pulp!

1. Floors

This may not have been the first thing you thought of, but the floors in your kitchen are going to get a workout. This room is one of the most popular places for guests and family, and you’re going to spend a lot of time in there, too. That’s a lot of foot traffic. And then you want to consider the messes and spills that can happen in this room, including heavy pots and glassware. You want to select a floor that will hold up over the long term, and will look gorgeous, too.

2. Cabinetry

Your kitchen cabinets are a focal point for the room, so they should set the style tone that you want, including the color and the hardware. But more importantly, this is your chance to get exactly what you want and need for storage. The Pulp team loves to plan specific cabinets for things like spices, large pans, snacks, pots, and more. Dream big because custom cabinets can give you everything you want.

3. Counters

There are so many materials for countertops – wood, marble, quartz, soapstone, and more. It can be difficult to choose. Your kitchen counters are the workhorses of the space, so you want to choose wisely. We walk through how our clients use this room, including whether they put hot pans on the counter, if they like to roll out dough on them, and if they want to cut directly on the surface. That helps us make the right decision, while also selecting a material that will look stunning!

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4. Appliances

We spend a lot of time with our clients before we start any project so we can understand exactly how they live in their homes. Pulp believes that every home needs to be stunning and also livable, so we want that functionality built in! When it comes to the appliances for your home, you do need to think carefully about your cooking style. If you love to entertain, you may want a wine fridge, double dishwashers, and a freestanding ice maker. If you’re into baking, you could consider double ovens, a steam oven, a proofing drawer, or a super-fast convection oven. A big family may want a coffee station, a fridge drawer separate from the main refrigerator, and a microwave drawer. Understanding exactly how you’ll use the space will help you make the smartest investments!

If you’re considering a kitchen renovation, give our team a call!

Why Those Finishing Touches Are So Important

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The finishing touches in a home’s decor aren’t just extra ingredients – they are essential! Too often people decide they’re done with their interior design once the major pieces of furniture are moved in, but that only creates a half-finished look. It’s as if you decided to go to a party in plain black pants and a t-shirt. Sure it looks ok, but it doesn’t show who you are! Here’s why Pulp believes those finishing touches are key to a beautiful home!

1. Accessories Add Life + Personality

So what are the finishing touches? They can include everything from art to accessories to rugs to pillows. They are the items that add layers of life and interest to a room. You can really show your personality through accessories, like a pottery bowl you picked up in Mexico, a brass hand sculpture that you had to buy at a local gallery, or a candle that adds spice to the room’s scent. The books you choose to display also give guests and family insight into who you are. Always set aside part of your budget to finish a room with your style!

2. Draperies Offer Texture

Every room needs a feeling of warmth and texture. Window coverings like drapery, curtains, and shades not only provide a coziness, but also offer another layer of pattern and personality. They frame a beautiful view, give the space color, and create a focal point for anyone who enters the room.

3. Art Creates Focus and Soul

We love to curate or commission art for our clients. The right pieces – from paintings to sculpture to drawings – add depth and soul to a room. They spark conversations and showcase our clients’ tastes and ideas. The right art tells a story about who you are and acts as a visual anchor for the decor. Art is as important as any other piece in a home’s interior, so always keep your eye out for pieces that speak to you!

If you want a polished and personal space, give our team a call! We’re known for our ability to create bespoke and fearless interiors.