All posts by Beth and Carolina

6 Ways to Fill Your Home with Art

Art is an essential part of interior design — a project will never feel complete without those finishing touches. We curate, hand-pick and hunt for the perfect pieces for our busy clients, filling a home with gallery original art, commissioned, customized, limited edition, ready-made and objet d’art works depending on the type of investment our client wants to make. Take a look below at some of our favorite selections from Pulp-designed projects.

 

1. GALLERY ORIGINAL ART

For our clients who are looking for a life-long piece to invest in, we work with our favorite galleries to hunt for pieces that our clients feel connected to. We have strong relationships with art dealers who have amazing taste in emerging and defined artists — we frequently walk away from meeting with them with amazing art in hand.

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This high-end original gallery piece is featured in our Contemporary Warmth project. In the entryway of the home, this gorgeous piece plays off of the blue in the living room chairs and creates a wonderful first impression of the space for guests.

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This original piece is straight from the gallery and adds a pop of high-end, graphic fun to the Dining/Kitchen area — exactly the feel we were going for with this casual dining area next to the built-in bar in the Contemporary Warmth project.

 

2. COMISSIONED ART

When we can perfectly envision what piece we’re looking for but can’t find anything that matches our vision, we commission artists to hand-make pieces that are exactly what we’re looking for.

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We commissioned this gorgeous artwork for this home office, turning a built-in bookcase into a showcase. Featured in combination with the art pieces above the stairwell, this project feels elevated.

 

DXVFor our Palm Springs Modern bathroom design for luxury plumbing brand DXV‘s national ad campaign, we commissioned a photographer to create the colorful bird image we were envisioning. The photographer rented parrots and took images in her studio — we sorted through them to find the perfect shot.

 

3. CUSTOMIZED ART

When we find art that almost (but not quite) fits what we’re envisioning, we customize pieces to fit perfectly in a home. We can scale pieces to fit a wall at exactly the right size, recolor ready-made prints to better match the home’s aesthetic, and add finishing touches to make your pieces completely unique.

Pulp-Design-Studios-Guardian-Cellars-Private-Dining-VingetteA fun crime-related art piece that we resized for the space — this just might be our client’s favorite piece of art in all of Guardian Cellars!

 

4. LIMITED EDITION ART

When our clients are looking to stand out with unique art but don’t want to go with an original gallery piece, we frequently turn to limited edition works. More unique than a ready-made piece but not as high of an investment as an original work, limited-edition art pieces strike the perfect balance.

pulpdesign-napa-trad-16-12-01This limited-edition piece was purchased from one of our favorite art galleries for our design in Traditional Home‘s Napa Valley Showhouse 2017. We had the piece customized by printing it in a larger size — the perfect fit for our design.

 

5. READY-MADE ART

Sometimes when a wall needs to be filled but we’re not looking for a large investment, we turn to ready-made art to fill the space. We carefully curate these pieces, taking time to scout out pieces that look high-end — it can be a challenge to find pieces like these, but with our professional know-how, we know exactly what to look for.

Pulp-Design-Studios-Living-Room8In our Contemporary Warmth project, we featured a wide range of art, from original pieces straight from the gallery to ready-made pieces.

 

_DSC1864 These classic art prints were customized by having everything below the eyes painted black, immediately making the prints feel higher-end — the finished product is a sleek new home office.

 

6. OBJET D’ART

Framing important objects and turning items into art can create some of our favorite displays. When our clients mention that they have an object they feel incredibly connected to, we often turn that object into art by framing it or displaying it in a way that feels artistic and fresh… It’s a great way to display something that our clients already love.

unspecified-12-1Incredibly well-traveled, the client behind our Lakehouse Retreat project collected these prints throughout her travels around the world. We took these papers and framed them for a personal touch in her Master Suite.

 

Pulp-Design-Studios-Living-Room1We took the high-low approach in our West Seattle Townhouse project, keeping the space feeling elevated and high-end while sprinkling personal touches throughout. Our clients fell in love with these paint-dipped feathers, so we framed them to make a focal point in this high-ceiling space.

 

Pulp-Design-Studios-Guardian-Cellars-Lounge-SeatingOwned by a husband-and-wife team who met while on the job as a cop and crime reporter, we wanted to infuse their story into the personality of the space. We framed a shooting range target for a clever and low-investment piece of art in Guardian Cellars‘ tasting room.

With an expert eye, tried-and-true sources, and experience, we’re able to take a high/low approach to most of our projects. Use a full range of art makes it possible for us to create sophisticated designs while staying true to the kind of investment the client is looking to make.

 

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

Our 12 Favorite Finds at High Point Market Spring 2017

Twice a year, designers flock to High Point, North Carolina for High Point Market, widely considered the best home decor and furniture market in the world. For interior designers, heading to High Point Market is a must — it gives us the opportunity to sit in, feel, and touch everything before we recommend it to our clients. We see the latest product lines as they launch, build our relationships with vendors, and find the perfect picks for interior design projects we’re currently working on.

We saw so many beautiful pieces, but these 13 lust-worthy pieces made our jaws drop…

 

1. Playful Marble Sculptures

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How fun are these playful marble sculptures? We love the whimsical and stylish approach to marble that is sure to be a conversation piece. We’ve already got big plans for these pieces! Look for these home accessories in our shop soon…

2. Round Two-Tier Table

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This gorgeous two-tier side table — with a stone top, brass and ebony — has already been requested by one of our clients for their home after they spotted it on our Instagram account. Can you blame them?

3. Geometric Flooring

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We fell in love with these Jamie Beckwith geometric wood floors in the Century Furniture showroom… Statement flooring is one of our favorite interior design trends right now.

4. Horse Mane Lamp

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This modern lamp stopped us in our tracks. We’re in love with the clever placement of the horse mane accent and the scale of lamp to shade… It’s jaw-droppingly beautiful. Expect to see this luxe lamp in an upcoming project!

5. Carved Dish-Handle Dresser

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It’s official: Circles are taking over the world of interiors. This dresser has such clever placement of its circle accents — they also double as the drawer pulls. Warm and modern style are at play here.

6. Playful, Art-Like Rugs

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This rug has already found a home in one of our client’s residences. The multi-color design is so playful and artistic, lending itself to a variety of modern interiors. Plus, since it’s made out of wool, it’s incredibly cleanable as well. We are so glad to have found this trade-only source!

7. Wood-Inlay Coffee Table

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The modern geometry paired with wood inlay in this dynamic cocktail table is so lust-worthy. This is yet another example of modern warmth that will add character and style to our clients’ homes!

8. Modular Sectional

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This modern sectional was an immediate pick for a media and game room we’re currently designing. With the ability to use it for a variety of seating scenarios, we already have grand plans to customize this sectional with performance fabric to make sure it holds up to all the fun that will be had here.

9. Stylized Bust Lamp

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We’re drooling over this incredible Kelly Wearstler lamp. With an artisan feel, this lamp is reminiscent of a bust sculpture — its organic-feeling sculpted base paired with its uniquely shaped bronze lampshade is completely awe-inspiring.

10. Circle-Adorned Casegoods

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This storage piece from Century Furniture is already on our list to add to future projects. Like all of Century’s furniture, it’s such an exquisitely made piece! The beauty of this piece is also in our ability to play with materials, swapping leather, fabric, and wood on our expertly designed whim!

11. Channel-Tufted Bench

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With its channel tufting and rounded lines, this stunning bench feels elegantly modern and sophisticated. It feels romantic in blush tones, shown here, but imagine it in a handsome charcoal or tan mohair. This got the major thumbs up from us!

12. Indirect Lighting

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We’re in love with the indirect lighting of this antique brass light fixture. Indirect lighting immediately gives a space incredible ambiance. Taking a cue from nature, this chandelier is modeled after a budding blossom, making it feel sophisticated with a vintage flair. Look for it on our lighting shop soon…

This spring at High Point Market, some of the big trends we spotted were restrained circles, warm geometrics, new takes on old materials, and not nearly enough color. But, we scouted it out, all the same! What was your favorite trend this year?

 

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

6 Must-Have Sculptural Art Pieces

We’re kicking of a month of art-focused articles here on Pulp Editorial — it might be our favorite topic yet! We firmly believe that art is an essential part of any interior design project — no room feels finished without the final 15 percent. We’re jumping right into the month with our six favorite sculptural art pieces.

 

BETH’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“This is one of my all-time favorite sculptural pieces. With so much texture and personality infused into every tentacle, this piece is filled with emotion.”

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Jen Rose Art, Divisible By Eight (available at Carneal Simmons Contemporary Art Gallery)

 

CAROLINA’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“An organic-feeling sculpture inspired by coral, this piece feels so fresh and high-end. I love the intricate details and neutral color palette with pops of blue.”

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Ceramics by Gregory Miller, Blue Coral (available at Carneal Simmons Contemporary Art Gallery)

 

TRACY’S PICK
Senior Interior Designer + Purchasing Manager

“I’m a big believer in metallic accessories’ ability to elevate a room. These broken egg sculptures feel raw and original.”

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Dann Foley, Broken Egg Wall Art (available to Pulp clients)

 

TARA’S PICK
Designer

“Fun and graphic, this pop art piece is a modern and unconventional find that will add a twist to any space. The added large scale of this piece makes it feel so playful and next-level fun.”

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Geordi Large Sculpture

 

SHANNON’S PICK
Junior Designer

“I’m in love with the textured and organic feel of this table sculpture. It adds a lot of interest to a space while not being too overwhelming — the perfect fit for a client who loves art but wants the focal point on another part of the space.”

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Trifoli Table Sculpture (available to Pulp clients)

 

JANA’S PICK
Junior Designer

“I’ve fallen in love with implied space lately — this piece feels delicate while also being impactful and thought-provoking.”

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Donnelly Sculpture

 

Which art style appeals to you the most?

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

Monthly Wrap: April 2017 Edition

We love transforming our interior design clients‘ spaces in head-to-toe renovations. This April on Pulp Editorial, we were talking all about makeovers and big transformations. What did you miss this month?

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5 Tips to Get the Most Out of Working With a Designer // 9 Essentials for an Organized Living Room // Ten Things We Love in April // Home Trend: Geometric Shapes // Before + After: Lakeside Retreat // Home Tour: Lakeside Retreat // Lighting Fixtures That Double as Art // 11 Essentials for Your Home Spa // Our 7 Favorite Wall Coverings

On Pulp TV: Lakeside Retreat Home Tour

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What was your favorite feature this month?

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

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6 Light Fixtures that Double as Art

When we design, we think about the “six walls” — the four vertical walls, the floor and the ceiling. Often, the best ways to make a home feel dynamic and fresh is by adding focus to the floor and ceiling. We rely on adding the final 15 percent — the finishing accessories and artwork — to make a home feel complete. So why not choose lighting that doubles as artwork? Our designers picked their favorite artful lighting pieces.

 

BETH’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

This light fixture is a strong statement piece — the dark metal balanced against the openness of the fixture feels intentional and art-like in its own right.

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Currey & Company Marugoushi Chandlier (available to Pulp clients)

 

CAROLINA’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

I’m completely in love with the organic feel of these lines. The metal feels light and airy while still structural and the shape of the lights is so fresh — the entire fixture feels balance and original.

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Seed 01 Chandelier

 

TRACY’S PICK
Senior Designer + Project Manager

This pendant lamp’s shape is a twist on the standard pendant — with clean lines and sharp angles, this piece feels fresh and modern.

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Visual Comfort Dot Stance Rotating Pendant (available to Pulp clients)

 

TARA’S PICK
Designer

This table lamp has a natural-feeling shape and gorgeous cream hue, making it perfect for a laid-back feeling vibe that needs a little bit of a pop.

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Visual Comfort Bayliss Table Lamp (available to Pulp clients)

 

SHANNON’S PICK
Junior Designer

This incredible lighting fixture immediately brightens up a space. With three hoods working in tandem, this lighting fixture would work perfectly in a graphic-heavy or industrial-style home.

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Shape Up 3-Piece Chandelier

 

JANA’S PICK
Junior Designer

This fixture is a beautiful combination of vintage brass and glass — a sophisticated-yet-modern addition to any room. I’m completely in love with this organic-feeling shape and material.

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Theodore Alexander Tyrol Chandelier (available to Pulp clients)

 

Which lighting fixture is your favorite?

 

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

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5 Ways to Make the Most of Your Interior Design Time

When we meet with new clients at our first consultation, we share tips with our clients about how to get the most out of this process without racking up the bill. We’ve shared with you our top tips for how to get the most out of a design consultation and the benefits of working with an interior designer… Now, we’re sharing our best tips for going through the design process — the same tips we share with our clients when they get started in the process.

 

  1. Communicate clearly

Being clear, concise and timely can make a world of difference in terms of saving time and money. Let us know what your expectations are up front and when your needs change — we would rather know as soon as possible! Organized communication is the key.

 

2. Don’t be shy

Clear feedback on presentations is crucial for us to be able to understand your expectations. We always try to get it right the first time around through our Splendid Living approach, so understanding what you love and what you dislike helps us make the right edits. We want your honest feedback so we can make concise revisions and create a design that’s more specific to you.

 

3. Timing is everything

Making sure to involve your designer in any needs that change is vital to keeping your design process going smoothly. Notifying your designer right away prevents unnecessary design work, therefore keeping costs down. Approving design proposals quickly can also save you from paying for service fees required to reselect items that have become unavailable during the waiting time. Additionally, please make sure to reschedule appointments at least 24 hours in advance.

 

4. Don’t go shopping!

We all love shopping, but even the smallest spontaneous purchases and changes can affect the entire design and cause additional redesign time!

 

5. Trust us.

You’ve hired your designer for their vision, expertise and ability to execute. As professionals, we can see the big picture and visualize your space. The more you trust our vision and prowess, the more money you’ll save in the long run and the greater the payoff will be in the end.

 

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

Lakehouse Retreat Home Tour bedroom

Home Tour: Lakehouse Retreat

We completely renovated this home inside and out to accommodate 16 guests in a stylish, hotel-like setting. Owned by a long-time client of ours, this home reflects the owner’s personal style — well-traveled and eclectic — while also serving as a landing pad for her large family. We created spa-like guest bathrooms equipped with robes and lotions, guest bedrooms with multiple beds and high-quality comforters, and a party deck with a bar/entertaining area, to create the ultimate getaway for our client.

View the entire project here and don’t forget to see the before-and-after photos here.

 

Q. WHO IS OUR CLIENT AND HOW DID THEY FIND US?

We’ve been working with this client for years — we’ve designed several of her business locations and another of her homes. When she decided to invest in this lakeside residence, she knew it needed a serious overhaul and called us in immediately.

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Q. WHAT WAS THE CLIENT’S PROJECT SCOPE AND WHY DID THEY SEEK OUT A DESIGNER RATHER THAN ATTEMPTING IT ON THEIR OWN?

This was a complete top-to-bottom renovation. With an unstable deck that needed to be replaced, dark and dreary wood paneling throughout the home, and a worn-down interior, this home needed to be completely transformed. Our client knew she wouldn’t be able to do this without us, so we were her first call.

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Q. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST PROJECT CHALLENGE?

Making room for 16 beds in a four-bedroom house was challenging in itself, let alone making sure that the space looks stylish and not cluttered. The home needed to be durable and cleanable since there would be plenty of guests coming straight in from a swim in the lake, and it needed to feel open and fresh despite accommodating a large group.

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Q. WHAT WAS THE MOST DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION?

The entire home is mind-blowing to look at before-and-after photos of, even for us. Filled with dark, dated wood and worn-down finishes, it’s barely recognizable as this new, bright and airy space. See before and after photos here

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Q. CAROLINA, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THIS SPACE?

The guest room with a master bed and attached bathroom is full of layered patterns and textures. It’s gorgeous and completely captures the eclectic, global vibe the client was after. It really feels like you’re staying in a luxurious hotel, with robes and amenities available in the bathroom and a lounging area in the bedroom. In fact, I’ve stayed in this room before and enjoyed it

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Q. BETH, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF THIS SPACE?

This was an incredibly fun project. We refreshed the entire space to feel more like the happy medium between a hotel and a residence. Our team added little touches to the bathrooms, like plush robes and shampoos, to make the space feel lush and inviting. In terms of completed spaces, I love the entire master suite — knowing that the homeowner will be able to retreat into her own little space, with both a gorgeous  master bath and a den attached to the master bedroom, feels like the perfect touch. Its layered patterns and global feel are sophisticated and inviting. Our team did a gorgeous job.

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Continue exploring the space by watching our home tour video below…

What was your favorite part of this project?

For professional interior design services, contact Pulp Design Studios℠.

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Our 7 Favorite Wall Coverings

Looking for a pop of color or texture? Wall coverings. Looking to elevate a space? Wall coverings. Simply put: to make the biggest difference in your space, wrap the room with a luxurious wall covering. A signature element of Pulp’s interior design style, our interior design team is sharing their favorite wall coverings — get the scoop below!

 

BETH’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“This wall covering feels so organic and textured — its luxe colors and hand-drawn feel ensure you’ll never get tired of it in your space.”

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Porter Teleo, Tangled

 

CAROLINA’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“With its artsy vibe and variety of colors, this pick would be perfect for a creative space. In fact, we’ll be adding this selection to one of our upcoming designs.”

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Pierre Frey, Arty

 

TRACY’S PICK
Senior Interior Designer + Purchasing Manager

“So elegant in its textured simplicity, this pink-hued cream covering is the perfect pick for a serene space.”

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Phillip Jeffries, St. Barts Serenity in White Washed

 

TARA’S PICK
Junior Designer

“I’m obsessing over this multi-textured white covering — it’s such a sophisticated way to add a layer of interest into a room without committing to obvious color or texture.”

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Elitis, Peace

 

SHANNON’S PICK
Junior Designer

“When it comes to wall coverings, I like to think bold. Imagine this hand-painted butterfly wall covering in a powder bath or in a children’s playroom — completely gorgeous!”

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Voutsa, Butterflies in Black

 

JANA’S PICK
Junior Designer

“This black-and-white piece is perfect for some subtle pattern without being over the top. Fans are one of my favorite patterns of the moment, and I love this contemporary take on that pattern.”

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Erica Wakerly, Fan

 

EMILY’S PICK
Marketing Coordinator

“Gold and black is one of my all-time favorite color combinations — let’s be real, it’s everyone’s favorite. Paired with this geometric pattern, it’s perfection.”

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Erica Wakerly, Angles

Whose pick is your favorite?

DXV Modern Bathroom, How to Create a Home Spa, The Essentials for a Home Spa Experience

11 Essentials for Your Home Spa

We’re all about making your daily bathroom experience spa-like… In between your facials and spa visits, what better to make you feel more relaxed than by making your daily experience as comforting and uplifting? We always recommend to our interior design clients that they create personalized spaces — don’t forget about personalizing your bathroom.

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1. Adem Mirror | 2. Vola Electric Towel Warmers with Thermostat | 3. Pink Petal Roses Solar Salt Mineral Bath | 4. Diptyque Precious Oils for Body and Bath | 5. Facial Steam | 6. Pamela Love Zellij Candle | 7. Fornasetti La Chiave Nero Diffusing Sphere | 8. DKNY Hand Towel | 9. Mr.Steam Linear SteamHead | 10. Mr.Steam Ceiling-Mount Recessed Light | 11. DXV Oak Hill Freestanding Soaking Tub

HOME TREND: Geometric Shapes

Geometric shapes are becoming more and more infused into all realms of home decor. We’re seeing them pop up in lighting fixtures, wall covering and fabric patterns, and accessories… We’re put together a list of our nine favorite geometric home items, designer-chosen and ready for your home.

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1. Pitney Mirror | 2. Exitor 6 Light Chandelier | 3. Denmark Pillow | 4. Intermezzo Pillow | 5. Brass Geometrics (Set of 4) | 6. Isometric Sculpture on Stand | 7. Fielding Lamp | 8. Hex Shelving Unit | 9. Angles Rug Teal