All posts by Beth and Carolina

Four Ideas That Define an Iconic Home

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Pulp is known for designing iconic and unique homes for our clients – with personality and style that you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a signature philosophy that defines fearless design, featured in our first book that you can preorder now! But what is it that really makes a home iconic? We have four things that we focus on in every single space that we design!

1. Innovative Ideas

Whether it’s a clever solution for a challenging space or a little surprise we’ve layered into a room, Pulp is known for thinking out of the box. In a Seattle home, we crafted a mural wall for our artistic clients. But the surprise is when the mural slides back to reveal a fabulous art studio. We’ve crafted hidden wine storage, unique outdoor living spaces, multipurpose rooms, and ideas that really function for our clients and the way they live in their homes.

2. Custom Design

A cookie-cutter home will not ever be considered iconic. The rooms have to stand out and have a viewpoint. The only way you can achieve that is with custom design. For a Plano entertainment lounge, we created a bespoke bar inspired by a chic 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. Custom furniture, customized lighting, or full-on, just-for-you rooms are the only way to make your home really stand out from the crowd.

3. Memorable Art

We love working with clients who have great collections of art. We also curate individual pieces and full collections for clients who don’t have the time to search out fabulous original art. That’s what we’re here for! Memorable paintings, sculpture, drawings, and photography really set a room apart. Those things set the tone for your home and draw all eyes. Anything that creates conversation is going to make your home one for the ages.

4. Personal Style

If your home doesn’t really show guests who you are, then it definitely is not a bold, iconic, or fearless. Books, collections, color palettes, and accessories should give clues about who you are and what you love. Without those personal touches, you might as well live in a showroom.

If you’re ready for your own iconic home, give the Pulp team a call. We’re ready to give you a bold space that reflects who you are and how you want to live!

LIVING BY DESIGN SHOWHOUSE | GUEST SUITE BY PULP DESIGN STUDIOS

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Guest rooms are often designed to be “nice enough.”

Comfortable. Functional. Finished.

But rarely… memorable.

For the Living by Design Virtual Showhouse, we approached this space differently—designing a hotel-inspired guest suite that feels immersive, intentional, and transportive.

Because the best spaces don’t just look good.
They change how you feel the moment you walk in.

And that’s exactly how we design for our clients.

 

The Concept: Designing for Experience, Not Just Aesthetics

When we design a home, we’re not thinking in terms of rooms—we’re thinking in terms of experience.

How do you enter the space?
What do you notice first?
Where does your eye go next?
How does it feel in the morning? At night?

This guest suite was designed like a boutique hotel—where every detail contributes to a larger, cohesive feeling.

And that same thinking carries into every project we do.

 

The Bedroom: Creating Mood Through Layering

We designed the bedroom to feel like an escape from the rest of the home—moody, layered, and slightly unexpected.

The architecture does a lot of the work:

  • A custom bed wall that integrates nightstands and paneling
  • Deep, saturated wall color framed by warm wood millwork
  • A coffered ceiling with a surreal mural that adds movement and depth

But what makes it work is the balance.

Structure paired with softness.
Pattern grounded by repetition.
Materials that contrast, but still relate.

 

The Ceiling Moment: Designing What Most People Ignore

Most people stop designing at eye level.

We don’t.

The coffered ceiling with mural detailing creates a full-room experience—it draws you in, adds dimension, and changes the way the space feels throughout the day.

This is something we bring into our client work all the time:
Not necessarily murals—but intentional ceilings, architectural detail, and layered planes that make a room feel complete.

Because when every surface is considered, the space feels different.

 

 

Material Story: Why Layering Creates Depth

In both showhouses and client homes, we rarely rely on a single material to carry a space.

Instead, we layer:

  • Wood for warmth
  • Stone for weight and permanence
  • Metal for reflection and contrast
  • Textiles for softness and movement

Here, those materials are pushed further—but the principle is the same as in our residential projects.

It’s not about using more.
It’s about using materials with intention.

 

The Bathroom: Where We Push the Boundaries

The bathroom is where we allowed ourselves to be more expressive.

The geometric stone installation—a mix of marbles cut and composed into a fractured pattern—turns the entire space into an experience.

It’s bold. It’s immersive. It’s not subtle.

But here’s the key:
In client homes, we apply this same idea in a more tailored way.

Maybe it’s:

  • A statement slab
  • A unique tile layout
  • A material transition that creates movement

The goal isn’t to replicate the showhouse.
It’s to translate the thinking behind it.

 

Designing for Function: The Hidden Luxury

Experiential design isn’t just visual—it’s functional.

Behind custom doors, we integrated a coffee bar with Miele appliances, allowing guests to move through their morning without leaving the suite.

This is something we think about constantly in our projects:
How does the space actually support daily life?

Because the most luxurious homes aren’t just beautiful—
they’re effortless to live in.

 

Transitions Matter: How You Move Through a Space

One of the most overlooked parts of design is transition.

The reeded glass doors, the framed openings, the way one space reveals the next—these moments shape how a room is experienced just as much as the materials themselves.

In our client work, this often shows up in:

  • Thoughtful sightlines
  • Layered entries
  • Subtle separation between spaces

Because a well-designed home isn’t just a collection of rooms—it’s a sequence.

 

How This Translates to Real Homes

Showhouses give us the freedom to push ideas further—but the thinking behind them is exactly what we bring into our client projects.

We design homes that are:

  • Layered, not flat
  • Intentional, not trend-driven
  • Experiential, not just visual

Sometimes that means bold moments.
Sometimes it means restraint.

But it always means designing with a clear point of view.

 

Explore the Living by Design Showhouse

This guest suite is part of the Living by Design Virtual Showhouse, presented with Luxe Interiors + Design.

👉 Explore the full showhouse

National Media Partner: Luxe Interiors + Design
Architecture: Kigerman AD
3D Visualization: YouSee
Produced by: Embello

Featured Partners:
Miele
Western Window Systems
Ferguson Home
Baldwin Hardware
Eggersmann
Emtek
Fabricut
Ortal
Regina Andrew
Stark Carpet
Studio M Lighting
Ultrasuede

Exclusive Look: Pulp’s First Book!

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At Pulp, we believe in pushing boundaries, in thinking differently about design and how our clients live in their homes. So when we had the chance to write our first book, we knew it would have to be something that not only reflected our core principals, but also would be out-of-the-box in its concept. We didn’t want to publish a book that just showed pretty rooms – although we’ve designed plenty of those! We wanted to capture the essence of what makes us Pulp, and the bold magic that we create in the homes we design. We could not be prouder to announce the title that really reflects all of that: Fearless Design.

Available for pre-order right now, Fearless Design is a celebration of risk, refinement, and unapologetic individuality — and it features the homes, the stories, and the evolution of Pulp Design Studios. In this post, we’re giving you an exclusive first look inside the book that we’ve been working on for two years! The projects, many of which have never been seen before, truly showcase Pulp’s design philosophy. This book will give you permission to actually live in your home — boldly, personally, and without apology. And it will show you how to define your own version of fearless design.

That could be a home that really brings pushes boundaries with breathtaking boldness. Or one that is dramatically neutral. Both are fearless in their own way! What we believe at Pulp is that, no matter what your personal style, you should embrace the story of who you are and what you want from life.

The book itself reflects our design philosophy. Wrapped in a bold, graphic cover with rich tones and layered pattern, it’s designed to feel like a design object, something meant to live out in the open and spark inspiration.

Step inside Pulp’s world – and embrace what it means to be FEARLESS! Click here to pre-order your copy now!

A dramatic home office designed by Pulp Design Studios features floor-to-ceiling steel-framed windows, dark charcoal walls, built-in bookshelves styled with personal objects, a working desk with dual monitors, and a sculptural gold pendant light. A marble coffee table anchors a seating area with a neutral linen sofa and olive velvet chairs, layered over a cowhide rug on light oak floors.

Why Successful People Redesign Their Homes

The Business of Design

Before Their Next Chapter

There’s a pattern we’ve noticed across two decades of designing for people at the top of their fields.

The promotion happens. The exit closes. The kids leave. The marriage ends, or begins again. And almost immediately, the call comes in… not to celebrate, not to process, but to redesign.

At first we assumed it was practical. More space, less space, different city. But that’s rarely the real reason.

The real reason is this: your home stopped telling the right story about who you are… and you know it before you can articulate it.

Your home is always making an argument.

Every room is a statement. The furniture you bought in your thirties, the art you inherited because you didn’t know what else to hang, the guest room that became a storage room that became a symbol of everything you haven’t dealt with… all of it communicates something. To guests. To colleagues who come for dinner. To yourself, every single morning.

High-performing people are extraordinarily attuned to signals. That’s how they got where they are. And at a certain level, they start to recognize that their home is broadcasting a version of themselves that no longer fits.

Not the wrong house. The wrong story.

A bold interior from Pulp Design Studios' Kips Bay Dallas showhouse features a pair of oversized rounded doors clad in patchwork wood veneer with sculptural gold hardware, flanked by two dramatic dark figurative sculptures. Abstract artwork and a brass dome table lamp anchor a desk workspace, while graphic Matisse-inspired figures are painted directly on the ceiling above.
Every detail is a decision. The ones you make at home say more than you think.

The people who move first understand something the others don’t.

The executives we’ve worked with who make the decision to redesign ahead of their next chapter — not after they’ve arrived, but in anticipation — experience something different from those who do it reactively.

They walk into the new role differently. They entertain differently. They negotiate differently.

This sounds like correlation. It isn’t.

There’s a concept in behavioral psychology called enclothed cognition. It’s the idea that what you wear changes how you think, not just how others perceive you. The same principle applies to the spaces you inhabit. When your environment is aligned with your ambitions, your self-concept expands to meet it.

Your home is not a reward for success. It’s infrastructure for it.

What we actually do when we redesign for a next chapter.

People assume luxury interior design is about aesthetics… beautiful things, beautiful rooms. And yes, that’s part of it. But the most meaningful projects we’ve led are fundamentally about identity architecture.

Who do you need to be in this next phase?

What does authority look like in this space?

What do you want people to feel when they walk in… and more importantly, what do you want to feel when you wake up here?

These aren’t decorating questions. They’re strategic ones. We just happen to answer them with materials, light, proportion, and objects that carry meaning.

The result isn’t a beautiful home. It’s a home that performs  as a place of recovery, of presence, of power, of hospitality that closes deals and deepens relationships.

The cost of waiting.

The people who wait — who say I’ll do it once things settle down — usually find that things don’t settle. They find themselves hosting in spaces that undercut their authority. They find that the dinner party energy is off, and they’re not sure why. They find that they’ve become numb to an environment that stopped inspiring them years ago.

Design inertia is real. So is its cost.

If you’re at one of those moments — a transition, a milestone, a reinvention — we’d encourage you to think about your home not as a project, but as a decision.

A decision about who you’re becoming, and whether your space is ready to support that.

We work with a select number of clients each year, which is by design. If you’re navigating a significant personal or professional transition and your home is part of the conversation, we’d welcome a quiet exchange.

Reach us directly here, or learn more about how we work at pulpdesignstudios.com.

A close-up detail of a Pulp Design Studios workspace shows an open art book and a feather bookmark resting on a textured oval desk, beside a sculptural marble and brass table lamp. Leopard-print fringed stools and a patterned rug are visible in the background, suggesting a space that is both disciplined and deeply personal.
This is what a next chapter looks like before it’s written.

Beth Dotolo and Carolina V. Gentry are the co-founders of Pulp Design Studios, a luxury interior design practice with studios in Dallas, Seattle, and Los Angeles. They are the co-authors of Fearless Design.

The Art of Beautiful Lighting

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At Pulp, we always want the interiors we design to be both functional and stunning. Thanks to new technology and innovations, now lighting can also dazzle by being both artistic and practical. We love to create custom looks that make a statement or find unique lighting designs that will attract all eyes to a room. Here are some of our favorite creative light fixtures!

Chic Cubism

For the lighting in a Plano entertainment lounge, we selected an open-work design from Visual Comfort that is crafted of overlapping cubes. It focuses plenty of light on the game table below, and still draws all eyes up to its gorgeous style.

Wall Art

In that same Texas media room, we wanted subtle lighting that would mimic what you would see in the most stylish Old Hollywood theaters, but updated for modern living. Sconces from Arteriors offer the perfect balance, and complement the linear millwork with their round brass design.

Linear Looks

The fact that lighting no longer requires traditional lightbulbs means that fixtures can take on many forms, including linear designs. In our Modern Treehouse kitchen, we used a customized fixture by Luke Lamp Co. to balance a geometric style with great task lighting.

Impressionist Era

Showcasing a more natural style, the waterfall chandelier from Oly Studio makes a gorgeous impression in the dining room of our Seattle Tudor project. Each piece of glass reflects the light, creating a beautiful work of art.

Sculptural Style

For the entry of that same Seattle project, we wanted to make a statement for guests as soon as they entered the house. This beautiful glass fixture from Gabriel Scott was the perfect look. It’s sculptural and functional, providing a stunning look that lets visitors know that this house has a unique and artistic style.

If you want to take your home’s design to the next level, let Pulp define a personal look that’s all your own! Contact our team today.

Pulp’s Favorite Moody Hues

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Color is the one thing that can set a mood and make a statement in your home. The Pulp team is known for embracing bold color for fearless interiors. We especially love the paint hues that create a moody space. Here are four of our very favorite showstopper shades.

Sherwin Williams Greenblack

Dark colors have been proved to give you focus, so we drenched this home office and study in a deep paint color. This paint has a lot of visual depth because it does have a good mix of both green and black. We love how it changes with the natural light during the day, too.

Benjamin Moore Dinner Party

In the lounge of our Kips Bay project, we definitely wanted to create stunning eye candy for anyone who entered. As a counterpoint to the snakes on the wallpaper and the beautiful sofa, we selected a deep red color for the ceiling. It not only sets a glam tone for the room, but it allows the brass light fixture to really shine against that bold backdrop.

Sherwin Williams Outer Space

In the Dallas home above, we balanced natural wood tones and buttery leather with a deep, dark gray. It has a blue undertone that really works with the blue accessories Pulp selected for the space. These darker paint colors also work so well with an art collection, allowing the pieces to really pop!

Sherwin Williams Custom Blue

We also love to mix our own paint colors, and so many companies offer a great mixing service that gives you exactly the shade you need. For a Plano entertainment lounge, we used a paint match system to perfectly mimic the color of the wine fridge. That gave us a seamless look that’s sophisticated and daring.

What bold colors are your favorites? If you’re looking for a more fearless design for your home, give our team a call!

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.