Beth & Carolina take you on a tour of this builder home that the Pulp Design Studios team worked to personalize for our fun clients.
All posts by Beth and Carolina
Perfect Room Designs for Modern Kids
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!
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.
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.
Keep these ideas in mind as you help your kids find their own place to call home!
Why You Need to Rethink Wallpaper
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.
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!
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.
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
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!
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!
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.
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
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
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:
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.
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.
We loved the colors and patterns in these wooden tiles showcased by Mirth Studio!
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.
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 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!
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.
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 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.
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?
The Pulp Edit: 10 Naturally Elegant Trends We Love
Top 10 Trends That Showcase Natural Elegance
Natural materials and colors are having a moment again for spring, but there’s an elegance and grace to these organic looks! We also love anything unexpected and unique, and there are definitely some surprises in what we’ve found. Let’s take a look at our top 10 trends:
The colors are nature-inspired and the pattern reminds us of an abstract photo of a landscape. We’re so in love with S.Harris’ Godwin fabric in the Earthwind colorway that Pulp co-founder Beth Dotolo is using it on her dining room chairs!
Copper is a gorgeously warm material, so we love these copper plates. In fact, Pulp co-founder Carolina Gentry collects these and Beth Dotolo got this one for her in Palm Springs from a vintage shop during Modernism Week.
The blue colors of sky and sea are still having a major moment, and we love them on the abstract tiles from Popham Design – we’ve used them several times in our own projects. They’re featured here in a Moroccan home photographed by Richard Powers for the Jan/Feb issue of Elle Decor.
For natural raw talent, it’s hard to beat Lady Gaga. She’s unafraid to be herself, and we are in awe of her constant transformations from bold and unexpected to understated and elegant. Photo by Inez and Vinoodh in the Oct 2018 issue of Vogue.
Black, white, and warm wood – the elemental looks that create magic. This room by Cortney Bishop on Kiawah Island showcases why this combination is always a winner. Photography by Katie Charlotte Fiedler for the Jan/Feb issue of Traditional Home.
In that same issue of Traditional Home, we spotted this stunning oversized photo from a home designed by Charlotte Moss. The outdoor scene in this huge scale makes it look as if you can walk right into the garden, which is a new take on bringing the outdoors right inside the home.
We believe you should bring one thing back for your home from every trip, especially if it’s organic and handcrafted locally. These chic souvenirs really add unique touches to interiors and are packed full of memories from your fabulous travels. We brought the owl back from Greece and the pipes from Mexico.
The handpainted wallpaper from Porter Teleo is gorgeous in muted tones and primitive shapes. The Geo pattern is so compelling that Beth is considering it for her new home’s kitchen!
Eggs are a symbol of new life, which is why they’re perfect for spring. This photo by Derek Henderson from the Oct 2018 Vogue is gorgeously natural, and it showcases moody spring colors that we’re totally down with!
Rooms with a view, stunning landscapes, and an organic form for the tub – what’s not to love?! We’re working on a double-shower right now with a fabulous view, too, so this room in a recent issue of Gray Magazine caught our eye. Photography is by Larry Goldstein.
Before + After: Pulp Design Studios Creates Custom Details for a New Build
We love new construction, so when our Seattle clients asked us to join their new-build project, we were excited to jump right in! We pushed the boundaries on the builder finishes to raise the customization level of the project and give the clients a colorful and modern home. Let’s take a tour and we’ll show you all of the details!
Family Room
“We partnered with the clients to push the limitations of the standard builder finishes available to the homeowners and make a more personalized space. The result is a fashion forward and playful modern residence that the homeowners are proud to call home.”
– Beth Dotolo
Dining Room
“Our designs are always customized for our clients’ lifestyles. The design team added in wallcovering, lighting, and unique furnishings in this project to tell the edgy and modern style story that fit the clients.”
– Carolina Gentry
Kitchen
Master Bedroom
There’s even more to see in the full project – just click here to take a tour! If you’re interested in that cool Gemini throw in the family room, you can find it here!
Want to know how we can transform YOUR home?
Book a complimentary call to discuss how we can help!
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…
Interior Designer Style + Home Favorites
BETH’S PICKS
I’ve been looking for some statement hardware for my office…love these brass cobra pulls!
I fell in love with this organic geometric rug for my bedroom.
I have been loving tiles with a unique shape, but that read as understated when installed.
I just got back from a girls trip (holla!) and Hotel San Cristobal in Todos Santos was amazing, and every instagrammer’s dream.
Adaptogens are where it’s at in this crazy world. These Dram Adaptogenic Drops are my daily dose!
CAROLINA’S PICKS
I just ordered this photography for my bathroom to add a pop of color!
This Walker Zanger ebony and brass tile is stunning installed!
I always love a unique sculptural piece of art, especially these from Foxwood Co.
I love an amazing pillow spray little added luxury to help you sleep at night.
Boots can be so hard to shop for and these are my new favorite boots!
How to Find the Right Size Rug for Every Room
One of the top requests we get from our clients is how to define a room with the perfect rug size. The right size should not only protect your floors and give you some warmth in the room but should also balance the room. Choose a rug too small and the room looks awkward. Choose one that’s too large and it could overwhelm your furniture – kind of like using a king comforter on a queen bed.
To help you “right-size” your room, we’ve come up with a quick and easy guide to choose the perfect rug:
LIVING ROOM
In a living room, you want to help define the seating area with a rug, so you need to choose a size based on the size of the room. In a very large space like the one below, use a rug that’s 11×14, 9×12, or even bigger. It will anchor the seating area and will keep the room from feeling cavernous.
In a smaller living room, the rug should be a bit longer than your sofa, and you want the front legs of all the nearby furniture to either touch or be on the edge of the rug. In this size room, consider an 8×10 or 6×9.
DINING ROOM
The key to selecting a rug in the dining room is actually the table. You want to be able to fit the table and all of the chairs on the rug because it defines that seating area, just like it does in the living room. And there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to scoot your chair up as you’re sitting and hitting the edge of the rug.
ENTRY AREAS AND HALLWAYS
In a home’s entry, let the shape of the space be your guide for the rug. You could choose a more rectangular shape in a longer open entry like the one below.
Or in a more open foyer, consider a round shape. We like how this shape works so well with the round light fixture in this entry.
In a hallway, select a runner that’s long enough to go from one end of the hall to the other, and be sure it’s wide enough to define the walking space. A rug in the hall is also a great way to bring in more pattern and visual interest!
BEDROOMS
The most important reason to have a rug in the bedroom is to have a warm place to step onto as you get out of bed in the morning. So select a rug that’s large enough to reach both sides of the bed with plenty of room to spare.
We like to select rugs that reach to the middle or end of the nightstands and to allow room at the end of the bed for a bench, too. Measure the space carefully from one side of your bed to the other to ensure you have a large enough rug for your room!
BONUS TIP!
In the photo below, we’re showing another of our rug design secrets – consider doubling your rugs to add more visual interest and space definition!
Use this easy guide to help you select the perfect rug for your spaces!
