Tile is one of our favorite materials for bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, entries, and more! Tiles can add pattern, color, visual interest, and texture. You can find gorgeous looks in cement, glass, porcelain, stone, and more. And in ultra-functional spaces, tile is also easy to clean and care for. It’s like the magic material! Here are some of our favorite ways to use this fabulous product!
The Classic
Subway tile is a long-term classic for a reason. This style delivers on a timeless look that everyone loves. We like to mix things up with thinner subway tiles, different colors of grout, and subways with a bit of texture. In the kitchen in the top photo, we used white tiles with a darker grout for contrast. And in the bathroom just above, we placed the subway tile vertically for an eye-catching design.
The Bold & the Beautiful
Tile gives you a stunning way to inject some personality into a space. For the pool room Pulp designed above, we added a wavy pattern that mimics the water in the pool just outside. It’s a cheeky look, but it’s also super-functional in a room that needs to deal with a lot of moisture.
Pattern Play
In the floor of this bold black bathroom, Pulp wanted to add some visual interest that could compete with the drama of the space. Those patterned tiles are the perfect complement. And they also look like a woven rug, which works well with the hall rug just outside.
Dimensional Design
Tile can also function as art for the walls. The geometric glass mosaic tile behind the sink in the powder room above is almost like a David Hicks pattern. It looks like a wallcovering, but is a bolder and more dimensional design.
In every home we design, Pulp defines fearless and bold style. Get in touch with our team today to create a new home that showcases your unique personality!
Your home should always reflect your personality – it’s what adds that unique charm and rare style that no one else can duplicate. Pulp’s team of experts knows how to bring that fabulous personal style into every space we design. When we took on a 6,000-square-foot Tudor project in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Seattle, it was an historic home from 1913, so it had some quirks. While there were stunning architectural features like stained glass windows and original doors, there were also odd nooks and crannies in the layout. Pulp came to the rescue with interiors full of personality and flair. Let’s take a tour!
ENTRY
First impressions are key, so Pulp wanted to set the tone right at the entry. These clients have amazing art, so we wanted to balance the home’s history with their modern art. A great bridge item is the super-modern glass light fixture that adds fabulous shape and style.
DINING ROOM
The dining room has a lovely balance of historic and modern design. The color palette is calm, with a dreamy quality that’s enhanced by the custom-colored Porter Teleo wallcovering on the ceiling. It’s the perfect backdrop for the breathtaking Oly light fixture.
LIVING ROOM
Pulp used the art and architecture to inspire the furnishings in the living room. An embroidered fabric on the sofas is creatively placed to add visual interest, with the seats covered in a performance velvet. Swivel chairs can turn to take in the view of the lake or can move to the perfect position for conversation.
KITCHEN
The kitchen had a low-key redesign, with new fixtures, hardware, and a backsplash inspired by the lake views just outside.
DEN
The den is a beautifully quiet gathering place for our clients to recharge and reconnect.
It offers a lot of space for guests and family, including functional ottomans that can pull out for extra seating.
PRIMARY SUITE
The gorgeous views of the lake inspired the tranquil palette in this suite. Textures and subtle patterns offer a quiet character and personality, including fabrics from Pulp’s S.Harris collection.
Does your home have a fabulous personality? If not, get in touch with our team for an injection of style!
Bathrooms are at the top of most renovation lists, whether it’s powder rooms or primary bathrooms. Pulp loves to recreate these spaces so they are stunning and have lots of functional bells & whistles. Here are 6 things to consider when reworking a bathroom.
1. Storage
One of the first things we talk about before a bathroom renovation is what type of storage our clients will need. Not only do you want to plan as much cabinet and drawer space as possible, but this is the perfect time to come up with specialty ideas. Custom cabinetry can give you specific storage for make-up, hair care tools, shaving items, towels, toiletries, and more! Talk to your designer about everything that you want to store in your primary bathroom and keep those countertops clean and clear.
2. Spa Details
A primary bathroom should be an escape, an oasis for the homeowners. This should be the place where you can (literally) wash away the stress of the day! So plan those spa details carefully. Some of the things we discuss with clients include a soaking tub, steam shower, heated floors, towel warmers, TVs, sound speakers, and even sonic wave bathtubs.
3. Tile
Pulp is a huge fan of tile and the wow-factor it provides. Not only is tile functional and easy to clean, but it also can really add an artistic element to the bathroom. The geometric glass mosaic tile behind the sink in the powder room above is almost like a David Hicks pattern. It looks like a wallcovering, but is a bolder and more dimensional design.
4. Lighting
This is one of the MOST important rooms in the house for lighting, so layering that light is key. In the bathroom above, you can see that sconces are going to light the way in the mirror. Note that they are to the side of the person’s face, rather then above. Lighting from above isn’t the most flattering. Then you also need brighter canned lights, and an amazing statement light. This type of lighting plan offers bold light for tasks and quieter lighting for relaxing in the tub!
5. Color
Color always sets a mood in any room, and the bathroom is no different. With all of the amazing tile, paint, and wallpaper options available, be sure you’re taking advantage of all the colors available. Pulp likes to go more neutral in the primary bathrooms they design. That allows for a more relaxing vibe. But in guest baths, powder rooms, and kids’ bathrooms, show some personality and create those pops of color!
6. The Details
We take care of every single detail in our client’s renovations, including a smart electrical plan so there’s an outlet right where it’s needed. Other details include vanity areas, statement lights, window treatments, and seating. Remember that those details can really determine how much you love your new bathroom!
If you’re ready to start a new renovation, be sure to give the Pulp team a call!
Pulp is always looking for unique and exciting material, especially for our renovation projects. We love texture and natural elements, and we want to bring a sense of discovery and adventure to the interiors we design. Here are some of our favorite looks right now.
Porcelain vases from Regina Andrew have a beautifully artisan style, and the natural and textured finish offers a handmade look.
Varied shapes are embroidered onto a textural ground cloth and then embellished with chunky stitches and French knots for the River Stone fabric by Donghia.
Jean Cocteau’s art inspired the faces in the Poteries wallpaper pattern. The design from Scalamandre is available in blue or terra cotta.
The Washington drop pull from Modern Matterhas the look of a beautiful brass door knocker.
Texture and material take a softer approach with a lovely taupe-colored sheepskin by Zinc. We love the depth and dimension provided by this oh-so-natural look.
Abstract hand shapes are cast in solid iron with gold leaf finish to hold a 5-inch crystal sphere. This handsome accessory is from Global Views.
Pulp loves terrazzo stone looks, and this Arabescato Bianco pattern from Santa Margherita is a standout. It has a varying pattern with larger stones that’s stunning.
Stars and Xs interlock for a fantastic pattern that we love! Le Cafe is an interlocking porcelain mosaic tile from Bedrosians Tile & Stone.
The Pulse wallcovering pattern from Innovations has the look of a gorgeous stone. And it’s “green” in more way than one since it’s crafted of environmentally friendly cellulose.
The Zulma tape from Schumacher was inspired by the mosaic columns of a
seaside monastery in Palermo, Sicily.
If you’re considering a major renovation, check out our latest issue of ICON that covers every detail of what a Pulp renovation can be!
It’s finally summer, which means we’re all planning vacations and fabulous trips! The Pulp duo loves to travel, both with their families and with each other. As they’re gearing up for their getaways, they’ve found fabulous travel must-haves that everyone should pack. Let’s take a look!
BETH’S PICKS
I always want to be comfortable on the plane, so these great joggers from CRZ Yoga are the perfect trip ‘fit.
Pure silk creates a cloud-like sleep mask from Slip that blocks the light for a dreamy in-air snooze.
You can never have enough containers when you travel and these pieces from Cadence snap together thanks to magnets!
No matter where I go, I want a little kick in my food. These travel packs of Jennifer Fisher’s Spicy Saltare always in my bag!
These flat-pouch bottles from Kitsch are easy to fill and TSA friendly.
CAROLINA’S PICKS
I love to have moisture on hand when I travel, so this fab lip balm from Sisley Paris is a real lifesaver.
Everything is organized and packed within reach in this lightweight traveler from Parallelle, an amazing woman-owned company!
I just used this Clutch charger in Italy and it saved the day! It’s thin, light, and magnetically attaches to the phone.
This on-the-go set from The Pillow Barincludes everything I need on the plane: a travel pillow, satin-lined eye mask, and oversized cotton throw!
These comfortable pants from Spanx have a four-way stretch that keep you looking good and feeling good when traveling.
Pulp loves to use and style multifunctional pieces in their projects. Rooms can be reinvented as a family grows and changes, and so can the furniture! Noir asked Beth and Carolina to take its Wellington Hutch and show all the ways that this storage piece could be used. Check it out!
Mudroom
No matter the size of your home, everyone can use more storage! We love how versatile this cabinet is with its wide shelves. One of the first style ideas that our dynamic duo came up with is to use it in an entry as a very chic “mudroom.” This is where you would store shoes, bags, mail, hats, jackets and more, keeping them out of sight and organized!
Cocktail Bar
The Pulp team loves a good cocktail, so of course we love the idea of a bar cabinet. The shelves are perfect for glassware, cocktail shakers, liqueurs, garnishes, and more. In this case, we would use the bottom two shelves for items that aren’t used as often (like that rare bottle of scotch), keeping the upper cabinet ready for the mixologist!
Pet Feeding Station
Many of Pulp’s clients don’t like to have their pets’ food and water bowls taking up space in their rooms, so this style idea offers a unique way to hide them away! The bottom section is also the perfect height for a four-legged friend to reach their dinner. And the shelves offer storage for treats, leashes, toys, and more.
Sources
The throws, pillows, and wallcovering that you see in the photos above are all Pulp exclusives! You can find them by clicking here!
Designing with a neutral palette doesn’t have to be boring. In fact, the Pulp team loves to use those calming colors to craft beautifully bold interiors. But how do we do it? The secret is to use 4 design ideas to take things from so-so to wow-worthy! Try these tips for gorgeous rooms:
1. Texture
In a room that has a quiet palette, it’s important to add a lot of texture for visual interest. In the modern Dallas farmhouse that Pulp designed above, we used a variety of different textures. The leather fringe, velvet pillows, tweed upholstery, and wood surfaces not only feel fabulous, but they also add depth and dimension to this living room.
2. Pattern
Even though the colors in a room may be limited, there’s so much you can do with pattern to liven things up! In the Dallas dining room above, Pulp used grays and browns for a sophisticated look. But a bold pattern on the rug and wallpaper on the ceiling make things daring and dramatic. And there’s even a pattern on the walls to break things up. The result is much more adventurous, proving that you don’t always need eye-popping color to shake things up!
3. Material
When it comes to a modern organic look, it’s definitely a material world! So think natural when working with neutrals. For the stunning modern treehouse Pulp designed in Seattle, we gave a neutral space a gorgeous style by using wood, metal, concrete, stone, and fabrics. That array of materials makes this living room look like it’s part of the natural world just outside those windows!
4. Tone
Did you know that Sherwin-Williams offers over 120 shades of white paint colors? It’s all about the undertones, which can range from green to pink to yellow. So when you’re designing with neutrals, consider varying the tones and shades of one color for a serene and calming oasis. In that modern treehouse that Pulp designed, we used a driftwood color as a starting point and then layered in lighter and darker tones. It created a dreamy bedroom that’s perfect for a good night’s sleep!
Use these ideas to make the most of your neutral palettes! And if you need help designing your new home, give our team a call!
The trend of working from home is definitely not going anywhere. In fact, Forbes says working from home is 5 times more common than it was just 5 years ago, and only 20% of employees work full-time in the office anymore. Most people work at home for at least part of the time, so a home office is still at the top of new construction and renovation lists. Pulp specializes in crafting those work-from-home spaces that are stylish, functional, and ergonomic. Here are our top 5 tips for creating a home office that really works!
1. Bring in the Experts
Depending on what you do for a living, you’re going to have very specific needs for your home office. So it’s always a great idea to bring in the experts. Maybe you need a custom partners desk because you work with your spouse. You might need a wall of monitors like you see above, because you need to watch several screens at a time. Or you could even require a special adjustable desk so you can stand or sit. To get exactly what you want, it is very important to bring in the people who know how to create your solutions. That includes tech experts, designers like Pulp, and millwork specialists! You’re going to spend a lot of time working in this space, so be sure it’s just right!
2. Seating Is Critical
You definitely need the very best office chair that you can buy. It should fit your body type and should be at the perfect height for your desk and keyboard. But none of us sit at our desks all day long, especially if we have laptops. So we always design home offices with additional seating, like lounge chairs, sofas, and guest chairs. Give yourself a lot of great places to sit and work – or even just to think or read!
3. Consider Your Background
Online meetings have become one of the most common ways to conduct business. And one thing we can’t stand to see is those blurred backgrounds or messy rooms behind someone on Zoom. You want to present a professional style at all times, including online! We always consider where our clients will sit for those meetings and give them a gorgeous backdrop that will impress their clients, customers, or colleagues. In our Kips Bay project above, we even turned a small niche into a Zoom Room with a stunning wallcovering. Then we had an artist paint the wallpaper pattern onto the ceiling and across the home office, as if the design was escaping and flying away. It definitely makes a statement!
4. Focus on Functionality
There are two things that are super-critical to making your home office work better. One is lighting and the other is storage. Be sure you have a lot of light sources, like lamps, overhead lighting, and natural light. Each one will help you focus on a specific task! And you can never have enough storage. We like to avoid all clutter with file drawers, shelves and doors that hide printers and routers, and storage for paperwork. Studies show that you can think more clearly with an organized space, so be sure you have what you need!
5. Inspire Productivity
You definitely want your home office to be inspiring and beautiful, not a room that you dread going into. Be sure that you have plenty of art, pattern, color, and texture. This should be a room that’s very personal, that motivates you to do your best work, and that makes you happy every day. Include things that mean something to you, as well as decor that showcases your personality.
Use these tips to design a home office that will keep you motivated and excited to start your work every day! And if you need help with a redesign or remodel, give our team a call!
When our Seattle client purchased a 1980s home set in a gorgeous tree-filled property, she asked us to help her modernize it with new furnishings. But she was so thrilled with the results that she decided the home needed a bigger and more modern upgrade, so she asked Pulp to come back for a renovation. We created an innovative redesign that transformed the home into a stunning “modern treehouse” that has a warmth and an edgy elemental style. Let’s take a tour!
Entry
Pulp believes you should set the tone and mood for the home right in the entry. So we started with an homage to the trees outside, with fabulous art on the stairwell wall, a mirror to showcase those amazing views, and a lot of natural materials.
Living Room
Pulp layered neutral tones and lush textures throughout the living spaces. Curves and soft shaping balance the sharp lines and angles of the architecture. In the formal living room, Pulp opened up the partition wall that separated the family room and kitchen from the living room, creating more space and flow within the interiors.
Dining Room
The furniture throughout the home is neutral but has an edge to it, and the natural textures of concrete and wood are highlighted with soft textiles and metals. And we love the natural light that floods every room.
Kitchen
The original kitchen was very stark and had drab-colored cabinets and walls. Pulp’s renovation included new cabinetry in a warm wood that reflected an updated organic style for this modern house in the trees. Stone with natural striations complement the elemental tones in the space. We also maximized the storage with built-ins that included an appliance garage and coffee station.
Primary Suite
For a serene primary bedroom and bathroom, Pulp wove together clean lines with natural textures and neutral colors. Nature-inspired elements like wood, stone, and metal highlight the modern spaces for an effortless and cozy yet sophisticated design.
Guest Bath
Part of the renovation included an addition that was originally part of the garage. This new space includes a guest bathroom that offers Pulp’s signature style of unexpected and bold details. It is layered with dramatic stones and textured tiles that make a distinctive statement.
To see more of this gorgeous Seattle modern treehouse, click here. And if you would like to have Pulp transform your interiors into a stunning dream home, contact us by clicking here!
It is 17 years this month since Carolina Gentry and Beth Dotolo founded Pulp Design Studios! We can hardly believe how the time has flown by. We’ve accomplished so much and have celebrated some BIG milestones, so we thought we would highlight 17 of our most exciting moments at Pulp. And stay tuned, we have even bigger plans for our future!
1. Expanding to Seattle
Did you know that we started out together in Dallas? Beth moved to Seattle to open a second location a few years after Pulp launched, and it has been an amazing move that expanded the reach of our business.
2. D Home’s Best Designers
This month also marks the 10th year (yes, 10th!) that Pulp has been named one of the top design firms in Dallas! That’s a huge honor and we’re so thankful to our clients and to D Home for recognizing us each year.
Pulp Design Studios for S. Harris
3. Pulp’s Fabric Collections
In 2018, we were thrilled to launch our first fabric collection with S. Harris, inspired by travel and adventure. It’s been popular beyond our expectations! And we were so excited to launch a second collection for the commercial and contract world soon after. Also FYI – many of our fabrics are available as wallcoverings and finished goods, too!
4. Kips Bay Dallas
There are moments that really push a design firm to a new level and Kips Bay Dallas definitely did that for us. Pulp was assigned an awkward space that included 2 rooms joined by a hallway and bathroom. We love design challenges so we made the most of the interior space with a Wise & Wicked theme, showcasing a home office for a busy female entrepreneur and a hidden “sinner’s den” where she could spend her down time letting loose! The creative result definitely had people talking and we received a lot of press for our design.
Kips Bay Dallas by Pulp Design Studios
5. Pulp Properties
The Pulp duo is always thinking out of the box, strategizing new ways to make the most of our talents in different arenas. So we recently created a new division called Pulp Properties. Under that division, we opened a shoppable vacation rental in Palm Springs and a commercial property in Dallas. The Dallas building houses women-led creative businesses, including our own Pulp office. Look for this division to expand even more in the coming months!
6. DXV Design
Another pivotal moment for Pulp was when we were asked by DXV to be part of its Design Panel in 2016. We were asked to create a bathroom with products from DXV that would also pay homage to an iconic cities. Interestingly, we were assigned Palm Springs, which of course we loved. That midcentury modern bathroom design helped showcase our signature adventurous style and really made a big splash in the design world when it was featured in DXV’s national ad campaign.
Pulp Design Studios for DXV
7. Advisors and Ambassadors
With a forward-thinking approach to both commerce and creativity, Pulp has established a unique viewpoint that combines luxury design with a flair for the unexpected. And that has meant that many brands have turned to us to represent them and to guide their future strategies. We’ve been honored to serve as advisors and ambassadors for House Beautiful, Ann Sacks, Thermador, NKBA, DXV, and more.
8. Award Winners
When it comes to gorgeous rooms, Pulp has been honored to receive many awards for its creativity and style. Those include the Luxe Red Awards, the Gray Awards, and awards from Modern Luxury. In fact, we are finalists this year for a few Gray awards, which will be announced in just a week (fingers crossed)!
Seattle Modern Treehouse guest bathroom – a finalist for 2024’s Gray Awards
9. Pulp Moves Out
Pulp Design Studios works all across the country and we’ve recently expanded with new offices in Los Angeles, Lubbock, and Portland. We’re thrilled to have clients from Tennessee to Hawaii to New York, and everywhere in between. With our 5 offices, we can handle projects in any location.
10. Haute Hardware
It’s amazing to think about today, but the one thing that really started all of our product design and licensed collections was a little star. We were looking for a very specific hardware design and could never find it. So we designed it! And today that Starburst Pull is still a BIG seller for Pulp, now available in four fabulous finishes.
11. Kismet Collection
From that hardware collection, Pulp launched the Kismet Lounge line in 2017. It features textiles, throws, coasters, candles, and more. Motifs include an Eye of Ra, the Gemini faces that are inspired by our founding duo, and the Icon pattern, from our own Pulp logo!
12. Launching ICON
Speaking of an icon, we took our own path in 2019 and launched an in-house magazine called ICON! This gorgeous and glossy publication – on its 11th issue! – showcases Pulp’s latest projects, offers fantastic design and home tips, and gives insight into how the interior design process unfolds. Look for a new issue that will be out this spring!
Pulp Design Studios ICON Issue 10
13. Commercially Speaking
Pulp isn’t just known for residential design. Our teams have also crafted interiors for office spaces, restaurants, wineries, and more. We bring our out-of-the box designs to any project!
14. Traditional Home Showhouse
One thing most people don’t realize is that you have no control over what space you’re assigned in a showhome. Sometimes you get a challenging area of the house, but it’s what you do with it that makes ALLLL the difference! When we were assigned an entry and stairwell for the Traditional Home showhouse in Dallas, we brought that iconic bold style that we’re known for. It created a showstopper moment before guests were even 10 feet into the house!
Pulp Design Studios for the Traditional Home Showhouse
15. Pulp TV
Video was a HUGE gamechanger for the Pulp team. We were early adopters of the medium, featuring interviews with our clients, walkthroughs of our projects, and behind-the-scenes looks at our product and interior design processes. Pulp TV is part of our media arm that includes our popular blog and ICON magazine.
16. Best of the Press
Pulp has received SO much editorial coverage over our 17-year history and we are proud of every single piece. Some of the amazing press we’ve received includes Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Elle Decor, Veranda, House Beautiful, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Luxe and PaperCity.
17. Design Book Feature
Pulp’s Wise & Wicked space was showcased in Carl Dellatore’s More is More is More: Today’s Maximalist Interiors from Rizzoli. Our space was definitely maximalist, and we loved being featured in such an iconic book. And as for future books … stay tuned!
Thank you for following us and helping us celebrate 17 fantastic years. We look forward to big and bold moves in the years to come!
Wherever You Are
We work all across the country, designing primary residences, pied-à-terres, and vacation homes, for our clients near and far.
Texture and material take a softer approach with a lovely taupe-colored sheepskin by 
