An unforgettable bold space, the rooms are an homage to a modern woman, a paradox who is both wise about her business and also wickedly amusing in her off time.
All posts by Beth and Carolina
5 Tips for Styling a Coffee Table Like a Pro
One sure way to get a magazine-worthy look in your rooms is to style them perfectly. But it’s hard to achieve the right balance, especially on surfaces like coffee tables. So we asked Pulp co-founder Beth Dotolo to show us – step by step – how to get that professionally styled look for your coffee table!
1. Start with a Strong Base
You want to begin with a good base for the look you’re going to build. You could use a tray or large bowl, but I like to start with some fabulous coffee table books. These should always be more than props – you want to choose books that reflect your personality and the things you love. These will give your guests a peek into who you are!
2. Layer on Texture and Color
You want to add both visual interest and texture. So I built another layer on this table with bold stone looks in the malachite box and the marble bowl. It’s a refined way to also include organic themes that work well with the table’s gorgeous top. Be sure that the colors complement each other as well as the materials.
3. Go Vertical
Give your eye a place to travel. You don’t want to keep everything close to the table’s top – the look will be too flat and boring. Try tall items like the calligraphy brush and stand I used here. You could go for a tall vase of branches, candleholders, a small sculpture, or a glass bowl. Just give it some dimension.
4. Make It Personal
The next step is to layer in some personality. That could be things that you collect, a special vintage piece that you love, or something unique that you brought back from a trip abroad. I love to use tactile pieces here, too, like the beads and brass beetle above. They add a sense of adventure and so much visual interest!
5. Edit and Adjust
This is a key step that people often forget – you want to step back and look at the table’s styling as a whole. Is it balanced? Is it too cluttered? Remove pieces, move them around, or change them out until you have a visually pleasing look. It takes a few tries to get it right – even for the professionals!
Try these tips in your home and send us photos of how you styled your table! If you need to call in the professionals, just contact the Pulp team here!
Our Best Tips for Staying Productive and Organized
The Pulp team is constantly asked – by both clients and other designers – how we keep everything going. We do have a lot to juggle with our projects, the Kips Bay Dallas showhouse (stay tuned!), product design, and so much more. But the key for our team is to stay organized and to keep our systems and processes running smoothly. Here are tips from each of our co-founders on how they get it all done!
Beth’s Tips
1. Don’t Procrastinate. This is a tough one, but I work hard to do what needs to be done right now. Yes, some parts of our job are not fun, but if we put them off it’s only going to get worse. So I look at my list of things to accomplish today and I power through it. I also like to start with the less-exciting things first. Then they are over and done with and I can move on to the good stuff!
2. Keep Your Spaces Uncluttered. I hate a messy workspace or room at home. And there have been studies that prove that all that clutter creates stress and anxiety. It will actually make you less motivated to get things done! Keep everything organized and have a place for every single thing. We not only do that in our workspaces, but we also make sure that our clients’ homes have plenty of storage and organized spaces.
3. Delegate Anything You Can. I’ve learned not to sweat the small stuff! That doesn’t mean that I delegate everything at work, but we do hire others for bookkeeping, marketing, measuring clients’ homes, and more! I also delegate things in my personal life so I can get more done or have more time with my family. Things like errands, house cleaning, and small repairs can easily be moved to someone else’s to-do list. Mine is long enough!
Carolina’s Tips
1. Set Priorities for the Day. As you can imagine, our to-do lists are LONG, so it’s important to make a list of priorities that need to be completed each day. If I looked at the entire to-do list every morning I would be overwhelmed and unmotivated! It’s better to keep them in small chunks that can be accomplished that day, which keeps our team productive and organized, and helps us meet all of our deadlines.
2. Take a Break. This may seem like a counterproductive tip, but having breaks throughout the day keeps my mind clear and focused. Everyone needs to have ways of combatting stress, and I like to have a cup of tea or take some time to walk or stretch. Those small breaks also help us keep our minds in a creative zone, which is so key.
3. Label It. I am crazy for organizational tools – they help me keep the chaos to a minimum. I like to put things away and then label the containers so I know exactly what’s inside. This has helped me with everything from keeping my kitchen organized, to creating a clutter-free workroom in the studio. Boxes of fabrics are labeled, so are folders and drawers, and even my storage containers of dry ingredients at home. It gives me a crazy sense of satisfaction to see everything neatly organized!
Use these ideas to get your own office and home under control! And if you need help creating an organized and gorgeous home, give us a call!
Founders’ Five: 10 Items That We Are Loving This Month
Here are some of our current favorite finds that we want or that are making our lives better and more stylish, right now…
BETH’S PICKS
The Jennifer Fisher x CB2 collab is so good. This chic party tower is on my wish list!
These Beyond Yoga leggings are my favorite. I wear them all the time and they always feel brand new! Plus they are so soft!
These Jon & Vinny and Helen’s Milk chocolate bars hit the spot every time. My go-to treat after a long day.
I’m a sucker for new beauty tools. I heard nothing compares to this fine line smoothing device! Can’t wait to give it a try.
I am loving the Anissa Kermiche vase collection and how she celebrates the female body. It is so empowering.
CAROLINA’S PICKS
These Sleep gummies from Olly are amazing. They help me turn my brain off at night and I sleep through the whole night!
This beautiful Agate Scarab necklace is on my wishlist. It is so chic and the perfect layering piece.
Comfort and style are my go-to. I love how comfortable these Teva’s are!
This Dutch Oven is a kitchen staple piece! Plus it looks so beautiful sitting out on your stovetop!
The Finer Things is a fantastic read! It truly helps you realize the value of buying quality pieces for your home!
Our Top 10 Pet-Friendly Chic Home Accessories
Here at Pulp, we all are big animal lovers. We always want the best for our furry friends. This includes the chicest accessories: beds, food bowls, climbing towers, and other pet-loving goodies. And while pet accessories have come a long way over the years we still understand sometimes it can be difficult to find an accessory for your favorite companion and one that keeps in style with your home. So we’ve rounded up our 10 favorite pet-friendly chic home accessories for you!
1. Linden Brown Dog Day Bed | 2. Tower Pet Food Bowl | 3. Grove Cat Tower | 4. Multilevel Cat Climbing Tower | 5. Triangle Tug | 6. Cat Scratcher | 7. Aesop Fur Wash | 8. Haven Litter Box | 9. Stellar Cat Bed | 10. Ticking Stripe Dog Bed |
7 Tips for Mixing Patterns Perfectly
The Pulp team are experts at using multiple patterns in a room, but it can be tricky! In fact, it’s one of the most popular questions that we get. So we want to break it down and make it easier for you! Here are our top 7 ideas for making that magic mix in your home.
1. Choose Just a Few
Using three to four patterns creates the perfect balanced mix. If you use more than that, you can create visual confusion, especially in a small space. In the room we designed above there are four patterns: in the wallpaper, the throw, the pillows, and in the rug.
2. Mix the Scale
Select different scales of patterns for the best mix. In the Pulp-designed bedroom above, you can see that the wallpaper is the largest-scale pattern in the room. Then the rug and large pillow are a mid-sized scale, and finally the smaller pillow has a tiny dot pattern. There should be a transition between the sizes of the patterns.
3. Switch Up Your Style
If you have a very traditional pattern, like the rug in this study, try a modern pattern for balance. The wallpaper is the focal point here, of course, and its contemporary design is a great complement to the rug.
4. Make a Color Connection
To keep a room from being too visually chaotic, try using color as a throughline to tie every-thing together. You can go monochromatic, like we did in the bedroom we designed above, or use just one or two complementary colors.
5. Blend Simple and Complex
The mix is the key to success, and at Pulp we like to combine simple patterns with more complicated motifs. In the dining room above, the rug has an intricate pattern, as does the wallpaper. But the two chairs have much more simple designs. That gives your eye a place to rest.
6. Remember Texture
Texture can also create pattern, like in tile or fabrics. So keep the scale and color of those patterns in mind, too!
7. Less Is More
The most important rule is to keep things balanced. Animal prints are fantastic, but you usually only want one per room. The subtly patterned wallpaper in this room lets the faux zebra draw your eye.
Use these tips to start mixing patterns like a pro! Or, if you’re still feeling nervous, give us a call. We love to mix things up!
Founders’ Five: 10 Items That We Are Loving This Month
Here are some of our current favorite finds that we want or that are making our lives better and more stylish, right now…
BETH’S PICKS
I’m loving all mini bags right now. I love that this Gucci mini bag has so many versatile ways to wear it! Adding to my wish list!
I am obsessed with this necklace. It’s the perfect accessory and has just enough of an edge to help my style stand out.
I love using Calm at night to help me wind down and de-stress after these long workdays.
I believe in elevating the everyday essentials… including your hand wash! It looks chic and smells incredible.
I love these Stash Jars. They can be used anywhere in the home: your bathroom, kitchen, dresser. The chunky knobs are perfection.
CAROLINA’S PICKS
The perfect wall hanging piece to add texture to your walls.
I recently started this Kiehl’s treatment and it has changed my skin in 7 days! I’ve never had such dewy skin
I love how chic this drink table is. The black marble and white veining is gorgeous
Is it crazy I’m already thinking about fall weather and fall style… I love the look of this active jacket.
This tasty, hearty, energy snack gets me through long workdays.
3 Steps to a Gorgeously Made Bed
There is nothing more inviting at the end of a long day than a well-dressed bed, with a fluffy duvet, soft sheets, and fabulous pillows. But there’s an art to getting that beautiful look. So Pulp co-founder Carolina Gentry agreed to give us the top 3 tips for making a bed like a designer, with an inside look at her own bedroom!
1. The Essentials
For the best bed look, you have to have these essential pieces: luxe sheets, a matelasse, duvet, pillows, shams, and a throw. Select the options that are best for you. For example, some like cotton sheets and other prefer the feel of percale. During our in-depth design process, we ask our clients exactly how they like their duvet, whether super fluffy and plush, or lightweight and cool, and customize our selections to their preferences. That ensures the best sleep possible.
PRO TIP: Tuck the flat sheet under the mattress all the way around. It creates a crisp and tailored look
2. Create Layers
The most welcoming beds have depth and layers. Mix in different textures and patterns for adventurous or understated luxurious style. This is where we really customize the look for our clients — so bring your personality out! There’s also a functional reason for all of the layering, too. If the room cools at night, you have more options for staying warm and cozy.
PRO TIP: Fold back your matelasse and tuck it below the mattress. Fluff out that duvet and double or triple fold it back to the foot of the bed. If you have a lighter-weight duvet insert, triple fold it to give it extra volume, creating a plush and fluffy look.
3. Pillow Talk
Why do you need so many pillows on a bed? They aren’t just for sleeping. Pillows help prop you up to watch TV, to have breakfast in bed, or to snuggle in with a good book. So we like to include enough pillows that our clients will always be comfortable. A tried-and-true setup for a king bed includes three euros, two king shams, an accent pillow or two, and a lumbar.
PRO TIP: To chop or not to chop – we get asked that a lot! We do like a nice chop on accent pillows. Not only does it add visual interest, it adds a more tailored look to a bed that has super-soft pillows with less structure.
Custom spaces that elevate your everyday life are our thing — details down to the down fill and pillow arrangement are always uniquely personalized for our clients. We always say, it’s time to make your home a reflection of you. Need help? Give us a call!
4 Ways to Let Your Travel Inspire Your Decor
The Pulp team loves to travel almost as much as design, so we’re thrilled that we’re able to get back on the road again this summer! Co-founder Beth Dotolo recently returned from a two-week Hawaii visit to work on TWO Pulp Design projects (photo above). The Pulp team travels often as we design all around the country. We are always inspired by our travel destinations – they give us amazing ideas for the interiors we create. That can include color, pattern, design motifs, and more. Bringing something back from your travels is always a great idea for your decor. It helps show your personality and it also can spark fantastic memories of your travels. Here are the best ways to let your trips inspire your decor:
1. The Personal Touch
Always look for one-of-a-kind pieces – something that very few people will have in their homes. And of course you want to select things that you love and that really speak to you. We love to curate special pieces for our clients. We get to know them so well that we are able to find gorgeous items that look great in their rooms, but also showcase who our clients really are. One of our favorite places to shop is the Paris Flea Market – that’s where we found the amazing sculptures above.
2. Showcase Collections
If you’re into collecting something, like the African masks in the photo above, use them to create a gallery wall that makes a statement. Remember that the idea is to bring home artisan goods, things that are made locally at your destination. Skip the production-line goods that are available at tourist traps (unless you’re just drawn to kitsch!).
3. Remember Your Heritage
If you have a lineage that leads back to a specific country or culture, be sure to show that in your decor! For a client’s front door, for example, we silver plated a vintage door knocker our client found in Mexico. Now she can remember not only a great vacation she took to that country, but it will remind her of her family that came from there, too.
4. Frame It
There’s a reason that travel photography is so popular – it’s atmospheric and allows you to escape for a moment every time you view it. If you have some amazing snaps, frame them and hang them where you can relax and dream you’re still on vacation! Or you can look for photos of your favorite cities and countries from professional photographers. Our co-founder Beth Dotolo happens to have an in-house photographer who has incredible photos – it’s her husband Kevin Dotolo! Those are his pieces above.
Even if you have to pay a bit to ship your souvenirs home, it’s totally worth it when you can showcase stunning finds. Our client found this very old Buddha on one of her travels and it not only looks amazing, it means so much to her because it takes her right back to where she found it every time she looks at it.
We hope you have incredible plans for your summer travel! Remember to bring back a little piece of wherever you go.
The Hidden Guest Bedroom
Now that we’re able to have guests stay in our homes, it’s great to maximize every square inch for extra sleeping spaces. The more, the merrier, right?? Especially since it’s been so long since we’ve been able to host family events and big overnight slumber parties! The Pulp team loves to give our clients the most functionality and clever ideas for their homes, including “hidden” guest rooms. These are bedrooms that are hidden right in plain sight. Here are two great examples, with a walkthrough led by our co-founder Beth Dotolo!
The Penthouse Library
This Seattle pied-à-terre is big on style, but short on space. The clients definitely wanted a guest bedroom, but they also requested a library. Beth came up with a chic solution by bringing in a stunning leather sofa that also holds a comfy bed. While sofa beds are not necessarily new, Beth wanted to up-level the look so it would match the chic Parisian vibe of the rest of the Penthouse.
The key is to invest in the best quality sofa that you can. There’s nothing worse than having your guests sleep on a thin mattress with a metal frame digging into their backs all night. A plush mattress is the key to a great night’s sleep.
Thoughtful details include lamps that work for bedtime reading, side tables that function as nightstands, as well as lots of extra pillows and a cozy throw. Just like in a regular guest room, a hidden bedroom needs those special details to welcome friends and family. (By the way, do you love the starburst hardware on that table? You can get yours here!)
The Artistic Wall
This lakeside home near Seattle has more square footage, but the clients wanted to maximize the rooms by adding as much space for guests as possible. The Pulp team is known for smart solutions, so in this case Beth designed a wall that would roll back to reveal a fold-down Murphy bed.
Again the details make all the difference. Wallpaper behind the bed provides an elegant focal point that’s perfect for the art studio and negates the need for a headboard. A nearby table fills in as a bedside surface for phones and books. And once the guests depart, the bed disappears to open the space back up for the in-house artists.
What do you think of these hidden guest spaces? Need unique solutions for your own home? Get in touch with the Pulp team today!
