All posts by Beth and Carolina

How to Get the Perfect “Shelfie”

April 15, 2019Entertaining + Home Livingcolor, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, living, Los Angeles, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, rooms, seattle, shelf, shelves, space, styling, styling shelves, tips, trendsBeth and Carolina

There’s nothing we love better than a good “shelfie.” That’s a shot of a gorgeously styled set of shelves, and there’s an art to getting that perfect look. We have a few tips that will help you style your bookshelves like a pro, so don’t be intimidated when you’re staring at miles of empty shelves!

Screen Shot 2019-04-04 at 8.56.41 AM — Interior by Pulp Design Studios.

Consider the Background

Before you place one thing on the shelves, think about the walls or back of the shelves. We love to paint a contrasting color there, or even add a stunning wallcovering like the one from Phillip Jeffries below. Having color or pattern peek through between the items on your shelves makes them more visually interesting.

shelf, wallpaper, color, blue, — Interior by Pulp Design Studios

Favorite Things

Show your personality on your shelves! This is the perfect place to showcase art and items that you’ve brought back from your travels – they should be things you love and that have meaning for you. Showcasing these pieces will really tell the story of YOU.

art shelves books souvenirs — Interior by Pulp Design Studios

Don’t Forget the Books

They’re called bookshelves for a reason! You should definitely include books on your shelves. But don’t just randomly place some books you found at a flea market. Select books that tell a story…literally. They could have specific colors on their covers that coordinate with the room. The topics could be about things you feel really passionate about, like art or music. Or if you are a major reader, be sure to display the books that mean the most to you.

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Master Bedroom Bookshelves Detail — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See the full project here.

Bring the Balance

Now that you have all the elements, the real key to the perfect shelfie is to visually balance all of the pieces. This is where the art of styling comes into play. You want to be sure that each shelf isn’t too “heavy” or “light” when it comes to what’s on them. Arrange books both lying down and leaning. Allow for some white space between objects, so nothing looks too cluttered. This will take a bit of trial-and-error – it still does for us, too! Step back and look at the shelves as a whole and then adjust the look as needed. You’ll know when you’ve hit the mark! Find inspiration and ideas in home design magazines, too.

shelves art books hidden storage — Interior by Pulp Design Studios.

Once you have the perfect look, take a photo and tag us in your shelfie! You can follow us on Instagram here. We can’t wait to see your style!

4 Tips for Small-Space Living

April 8, 2019Pulp Design Workcolor, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, living, Los Angeles, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, rooms, seattle, small space living, small spaces, space, tips, trendsBeth and Carolina

Downsizing used to only be associated with retirees who wanted less space once their kids were grown. But smaller homes are now a massive trend among all generations, especially in metro areas where the condo industry is booming. We recently transformed one of those “white box” condos in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle in the Insignia – a sought-after high-rise building. And we have some great tips for small space living that doesn’t compromise on style!

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Living Room Overall — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See the full project here.

1. Define Your Space

Create a way to define open spaces into individual living spaces. Use screens, rugs, and even wallpaper to style “separate” areas. In this 792-square-foot condo, our client wanted to have fabulous entertaining areas. We wanted to give the living room a sense of ambiance to set it apart. That’s why we used the stunning wallcovering on the ceiling (which the clients love).

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Kitchen and Dining — Interior by Pulp Design Studio. See the full project here.

2. Reflect the Light

Use glass and mirror to reflect light and create the feeling of openness. We used a glass-topped table in the dining area and a gorgeous glass light fixture to help move the light through the space.

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Master Bedroom Bookshelves — Interior by Pulp Design Studio. See the full project here.

3. Open It Up

Acrylic furniture and open spaces in furnishings, like the screen above, fool the eye into thinking the space is bigger! The neutral palette also helps a small space “expand.”

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Master Bedroom Overall — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See the full project here.

4. Hide the Clutter

Storage is your best friend. Any clutter in a small space is magnified. Use storage ottomans, under-bed boxes, and other organizational tricks to keep everything neat and tidy!

Use these tips to give your small-space living some big-time style!

Introducing…. ICON

April 1, 2019Entertaining + Home Living, News + Announcementsappliances, baking, color, cooking, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, entertaining, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, island, kitchen, living, Los Angeles, oven, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, rooms, seattle, space, stove, tips, trendsBeth and Carolina

When we started Pulp Design Studios in 2007, we knew we wanted to bring a unique and custom look to our clients’ interiors, to give each of them a stunning home that supports their lifestyle.

With this new magazine, titled ICON, we’re showcasing our best projects, tips, and ideas to help you add personality to your homes. It’s an inside look at the Pulp aesthetic and how we achieve it!

This issue features two of our favorite projects, a fashion-forward and modern home, and a condo that’s perfect for entertaining. And speaking of entertaining, we also give you ideas for a great outdoor room, a fab spring cocktail, and a playlist from Spotify.

We hope you enjoy our first edition of ICON!

Start flipping… ICON | ISSUE 1

How to Design Your Kitchen to Fit Your Cooking Style

March 27, 2019Entertaining + Home Livingappliances, baking, color, cooking, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, entertaining, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, island, kitchen, living, Los Angeles, oven, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, rooms, seattle, space, stove, tips, trendsBeth and Carolina

The first thing we ask a client before we begin to work on their kitchen renovation is how they like to cook. That single question really lets us know which direction to take the design. Different cooking styles will let you know what you should invest in and what features are less important. Here are some of the ways people use their kitchens and how that impacts design!

modern eclectic design, unique furniture, where to get furniture, seattle modern home, seattle home ideas, seattle interior design, seattle interior design ideas, kitchen design idea, modern kitchen, white kitchen ideas, modern home kitchen — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

The Entertainer

If you love to entertain and have friends and family over, then a large kitchen island is perfect for you, especially in an open-plan kitchen. It provides seating for people to gather as you cook, and gives you a surface for serving. You also may want to consider a wine refrigerator, an extra ice maker, and maybe even a built-in coffee machine. That’s a real crowd pleaser!

The Social Foodie

If GrubHub is one of the top 2 apps on your phone, then you need a very specific kitchen. You’ll want plenty of storage for leftovers in your fridge, and a great way to reheat. A stylish place to sit and enjoy your favorite dishes is a must, like the island we designed above. With the white counters, it’s also a great spot to Instagram the fabulous food you’ve brought in, or a dish you’ve created over the weekend.

Pulp-Design-Studios-Kitchen2 — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

The Serious Cook

Even though you may not have the time to create a gourmet meal every time, you definitely know your way around the kitchen. You’ll want to invest in a great range, maybe even with a fantastic new steam oven or a warming drawer. You’ll also want a lot of storage for all those implements, pasta machines, and ingredients. And don’t forget how important lighting is. Task lights, like the pendants you see above, will help you clearly see every recipe.

Fearless-Style-Fit-for-a-Family-9-1 — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See the full project here.

The Family Affair

A big family can give a kitchen a real workout , especially when an island often doubles as a homework spot. If you have a lot of family members in the home, consider doubling up on key pieces like dishwashers. They’ll really save you a lot of time and effort. We also like to suggest under-counter drink fridges, so kids and teens can help themselves without opening and reopening your full-size refrigerator over and over. And a nice long island will give you seating for everyone and a great place to get the kids involved in dinner prep.

So what’s your style? Since the kitchen is the heart of the home, be sure yours is really working for you and your family!

Home Tour: A Modern Family Home with an Edge

Beth & Carolina take you on a tour of this builder home that the Pulp Design Studios team worked to personalize for our fun clients.

Perfect Room Designs for Modern Kids

March 20, 2019Entertaining + Home Livingbedroom, books, boys, children, color, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, design for kids, girls, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, kids, kids rooms, living, Los Angeles, pattern, play room, pulp, pulp design studios, rooms, seattle, space, teens, tips, toys, trendsBeth and Carolina

Today’s kids are more tech savvy and plugged in than any other generation. The way they learn and explore their worlds is changing. So what they need in their bedrooms and playrooms has definitely altered, too. We love to design fun and functional spaces for the littles (and not-so-littles) in our clients’ homes. Here are our top tips for creating interiors that work for modern kids!

Show Their Personalities

Kids need to feel like they have a space that’s their very own. So we ask our clients’ kids a lot of questions about their favorite colors, which toys are their faves, and what they like to do in their down time. It’s so important for them to have rooms that make them feel at home, too!

Pulp Design Studios - Kids Craft Space — Craft room by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

Plug In and Unplug

Kids and teens today are more plugged in than ever. They need areas in the home for homework on their tablets and laptops, video games, and so much more. We like to provide desks for work and USB ports in outlets for super-charging when needed. But we also design spaces like the craft station above, so they can have spaces to unplug and unwind – so important for growing minds!

Support Their Hobbies

Kids love to explore and experiment, and it’s great if they can have spaces in the home to follow their dreams. We designed a music room for a creative client family so they could enjoy playing instruments together! It’s a great space for the whole family to enjoy.

Nod to Nautical Family Home in Queen Anne, Seattle, WA 98119, Modern Family Home, Playroom design, Built In Rock Wall, Skate Ramp, Play room design — Playroom by Pulp Design Studios. See the full project here.

Stimulate Some Fun

Growing minds need a lot of stimulation, but so do growing bodies! We went all out for a client who wanted his kids to have a fun room where they could climb a rock wall or even skate board! You may not have that kind of space, but you can still give them a play room full of color that lets them have fun with paints, puzzles, toys, and more.

Pulp Design Studios - Kids Play Room — Play room by Pulp Design Studios. See the full project here.

Keep these ideas in mind as you help your kids find their own place to call home!

Why You Need to Rethink Wallpaper

March 18, 2019Entertaining + Home Livingcolor, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, design ideas, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, living, Los Angeles, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, rooms, seattle, space, tips, trends, wallpaperBeth and Carolina

We get it – wallpaper used to be scary and it still has a bad reputation. You used to have to work for days in a complete mess to get old wallpaper off the walls. It was frustrating. But today’s wallpapers are completely different! They come in gorgeous patterns and colors, and are far easier to install and remove. Here’s why we want you to rethink wallpaper:

Nothing Is Permanent

You don’t have to make a long-term commitment to wallpaper – there are fantastic temporary versions that will stay up as long (or as little) as you want them to. If you change your mind, it’s easy to take them down. Stains and spills aren’t permanent either. We love the new wipeable designs that stay fresh and spotless.

jewel-box-powder-bath-playful-coastal — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

Show Your Personality

Wallpaper adds whimsy and drama more than any other decor could. Love books? Use the pattern that features thousands of Penguin Paperbacks. Feel at one with the sea? Let sea creatures make you smile in a powder room. There are endless possibilities!

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Living Dining — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

Define Your Space

Wallpaper can be used in new and innovative ways. By installing it on the ceiling in this Seattle condo we designed, we helped define the living area as a separate space from the dining area. It gives the illusion of individual rooms in an open plan.

Traditional Home Dallas Showhouse, Bridget Beari Wallcovering, Buscemi wall covering, tina turner art, geometric railing, chaise lounger, s. harris brushstroke, double volume entry, modern staircase, entryway, circa lighting, gold chandelier, urchin sculpture, wood side table, the rug company, colorful rug, gold chandelier, gold lighting, leopard print bench, leopard print seat, bone inlay bench, arched door — Interior design by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

Make a Bold Entrance

Wallpaper sets a tone and provides the look of art in any space. We especially love it in an entry where it tells your visitors that this is a home that knows how to make a statement!

We want you to rethink wallpaper because it opens up so many new possibilities to set your house apart from everyone else’s and to showcase unexpected details. Let us know what you think about these wallpaper looks – are you ready to be bold?!

3 Things to Bring Back from Every Trip

March 13, 2019Entertaining + Home Livingboutique hotels, color, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, home, hotels, house, ideas, inspiration, interior design, interior designer, living, Los Angeles, mementos, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, restaurants, rooms, seattle, souvenirs, space, tips, travel, trends, trips, vacationBeth and Carolina

If you’ve been following us for a while on this blog or on our Instagram feed, you know how much we love to travel! It infuses everything in our designs and always sparks our creativity. And there are 3 things that we bring back from every single trip that can transform your home’s interiors. What are they? Read on!

Screen Shot 2019-03-03 at 8.26.25 AM — Pulp Design Studios

Inspiration

We pay close attention to the colors and patterns we see on our travels. It could be the color of whimsical buildings or the pattern on a woven bag, but we are always on the lookout for something new. We’ve been inspired by street art, posters, pottery, and so much more. Keep your eyes open!

Phillip Jeffries shelves shelfie ideas — Pulp Design Studios

Mementos

Bringing home a piece of whatever country or city you’ve visited is key! Not just for the memories those souvenirs will bring, but also because those crafts will add unique and unexpected touches to your home. They tell a story about who you are and where you’ve been. They are our favorite accessories to use in any room.

Pulp Design Studios Handsome Highrise - Master Bedroom Detail — Interior by Pulp Design Studios. See full project here.

New Ideas

Boutique hotels and innovative restaurants are full of amazing ideas for your own home! If you’re in love with the bed in your favorite hotel, bring that feeling home with upscale pillows and luxe linens. Check out the lighting in that gorgeous restaurant – is there something similar you can find for your dining room? Designers like us are always inspired by the decor in those destinations.

When you take your next fabulous vacation, remember to look for those things you can bring home. They’ll help transform your home into an oasis, too!

Founders’ Five: 10 Items That We Are Loving This Month

March 11, 2019Shopping GuideBeth's Picks, Carolina's Picks, founders picks, shopping, shopping guideBeth and Carolina

Here are some of our current favorite finds that we want or that are making our lives better and more stylish, right now…

Interior Designer Style + Home Favorites

BETH’S PICKS

I have had my eye on this Chloe Belt Bag for summer to pair with a cure pair of cutoff shorts.

I’ve been opting for comfort these days and loving these Common Projects Track Sneaker.

Ashwagandha is my new best friend. I add a dose to my coffee every morning.

I love this robe from Block Shop Textiles. Want!

My girlfriends, who love to cook, turned me on to this Six Seasons cookbook that highlights dishes around seasonal vegetables. Perfect pairing to my weekly produce delivery!

CAROLINA’S PICKS

I am a big home cook and I love clean eating. I’ve been diving into this Clean Simple Eats for fresh ideas.

Foxwood Co does it again! I love this stunning serving dish.

So thrilled to be working with Spirit of Salt on a special project. I love this clutch!

Indoor / Outdoor fabric is always a good idea and Perennials makes it look effortless and fashion forward. We love, and use, this Perennials Porter Teleo rug for our projects.

A bucket bag for my bucket list. I am really into this hunter green bag from KHAITE Luggage!

New Trends in Kitchen & Bath

March 6, 2019Design Insider, Shopping Guidebathroom, color, Dallas, decor, decorating, design, fridge, home, house, ideas, interior design, interior designer, kitchen, living, Los Angeles, oven, pattern, pulp, pulp design studios, range, refrigerator, rooms, seattle, shower, space, technology, tile, tips, trends, tubBeth and Carolina

We just returned from the Kitchen & Bath show (KBIS) in Las Vegas where we saw incredible new products coming soon for the home! One thing that’s for sure – those rooms are going to be bolder, more colorful, and more “wired” than ever before. Let’s take a look at our favorite trends from the show:

Monogram - Richard AtoZ Design - Color in Kitchen — Monogram’s Richard AtoZ Kitchen Design

Bold Color

Forget the white kitchens and bathrooms of the past, it’s all about bold color in the future! Green, purple, blue, red, yellow – if you can imagine the color, you can have it in your kitchen or bathroom. We especially loved the stunning plum color in the Monogram kitchen above.

GE Appliances - Customize color pulls and knobs — GE Appliances

Appliance manufacturers like GE are also getting in the act, offering customizable looks in pulls, knobs, and facing materials.

Blue was definitely the trending color for the bathroom at KBIS. It was the key look in so many showrooms.

Mirth Studios - Wood tiles — Mirth Studio

We loved the colors and patterns in these wooden tiles showcased by Mirth Studio!

Ann Sacks - Tile made from Kohler Waste — Ann Sacks

New Technology

The smart home is getting even smarter with new technology, materials, and ideas. For example, the gorgeous green tiles above from Ann Sacks were created using Kohler waste. It creates a more sustainable product by using leftover pottery and factory sand or dust.

Thermador - Connected to Josh Ai - Good Morning Makes You Coffee — Thermador

One of the most exciting (and eye-catching) new products was Thermador’s connected and integrated kitchen, featuring Josh.ai. Want a cup of coffee in the morning? Just ask Josh and he’ll make you the perfect brew!

Kohler - Kohler Connect with Alexa — Kohler

Kohler Connect is connected to Alexa and allows you to control your shower just by asking her to set the temperature and control the jets.

Statement Stones

Tiles went bold and fearless at KBIS with geometrics, strong natural patterns, and dramatic black and white. The Sicis bathroom above stopped us in our tracks!

The glimmer of those gold intersecting pieces was the perfect counterpoint to the black-and-white pattern.

This more natural pattern from Antolini was no less dramatic!

Antolini Italy - BookMatched Marble — Antolini

The bookmatched marble created a chic and ultra-modern design.

New tile patterns were also on display, like this fabulous radial look with statement tiles from Ann Sacks.

Monogram - Richard AtoZ Design - Material Play and Lighting — Monogram

Innovative Design

We were so excited about seeing new products and ideas, and there was so much that caught our eyes on the show floor. We loved the use of materials in Monogram’s Richard AtoZ Kitchen Design above, with the embossed cabinets and under-shelf lighting.

Thompson Traders - Dimensional Design — Thompson Traders

Thompson Traders seems to be able to do anything in metal and we were obsessed with this dimensional design for a sink.

Forget your old tub spout, DXV showcased a waterfall-like faucet at that was soothing and powerful.

James Martin - Hospitality Feel - Based in Dallas — James Martin

Based in Dallas, James Martin took some cues from restaurant and hotel design for the home, with gorgeous results!

We can’t wait to use some of these fabulous products in our upcoming projects! Which ones caught your eye?

Wherever You Are

We work all across the country, designing primary residences, pied-à-terres, and vacation homes, for our clients near and far.

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