All posts by Beth and Carolina

HOME TREND: Dimensional Tile

We’re always on the hunt for beautiful new architectural finishes for our interior design clients when working on remodel or refinish projects. More and more, we’re including these textured, dimensional tiles in refurbishment projects… How could you resist these gorgeous pieces? Take a look at our top picks for sculptural tiles below.

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1. Antracita Ceramic Tile from Tile Bar | 2. Made Modern Tiles by ANN Sacks | 3. Faces Tile in Oro by Porcelanosa | 4. Cubica by Porcelanosa | 5. Byzantine Subway Tile by Tile Bar | 6. KAZA Edgy Flat Tile by Walker Zanger | 7. Exagoni Dimension Grafito Brillo Ceramic Tile by Tile Bar | 8. Porcelanosa Wall Tile Ona Natural from Canaroma | 9. KAZA Seed from Walker Zanger | 10. Artis White Matt Tile by Porcelanosa

 

Feat. Image from Walker Zanger

WATCH: Beth + Carolina Play the Newlywed Game

…Well, more like the “been business partners for 10 years” game. What’s the most hilarious thing you’ve seen happen to her? What’s her favorite food? What music does she listen to the most? Beth + Carolina have been through a lot together… Let’s see how much they know about each other in this fun part three of our special Pulp TV series for our 10-year anniversary.

 

WATCH NOW: The Newlywed Game

See all of our videos on Pulp TV and read more about 10 Years of Pulp.

Pulp Design Studios Traditional Home Napa Showhouse Space

8 Tips to Make the Most of Your Interior Design Consultation

We frequently work with interior design clients who have never worked with a professional designer before. Using a professional can make the interior design process quicker, less stressful, and more cost-effective than trying to attempt all parts of the design process on your own. The first step to getting started: booking a consultation with an interior designer. Here’s how to get the most out of your meeting.

 

  1. Clarify Your Style

Let us know which style of design you’re gravitating towards — designing toward individual styles is our specialty. If you don’t know what the name of your style is, think about what styles inspire you in general: share your favorite fashion designers with us, think about hotels or restaurants with decor that blew you away, or even just let us know which design elements you don’t like.

 

2. Use Visual Examples

Using Pinterest boards, tear sheets from magazines, or even photos from the designer’s own work can be immensely helpful in clarifying likes and dislikes. From your inspiration photos, we can clarify your preferred color palette, art style, and other minutia of design.

 

3. Think About What’s Important to You

Think about what you value the most in a completed design: Beauty, quality, or functionality? What about the design process: pricing, timing or convenience? Let your design team know your expectations early on so we can make sure we’re focusing on the correct element.

 

4. Think About Your Lifestyle

Style is important, but even more important is how you live in a space. Too many TV remotes to handle? Little kids leaving muddy boots in the hallway? A cat that scratches up every piece of leather that comes through the door? These are all relevant to your designer. Pulp asks our clients to complete a Splendid Living questionnaire first to get to know your lifestyle as well as your preferred decor style, but make sure to notify your designer if something doesn’t get brought up otherwise.

 

5. Communicate Must-Haves

Budget and timeline are obvious necessities when it comes to working with a designer, but make sure to communicate other things like which pieces you want to keep or if having a place to put your feet up while watching TV is important to you. We’ll make sure to tailor our design with what works best for you.

 

6. Seek Out Your Designer ASAP

Bringing in a designer early in the process will save you time and help prevent costly mistakes and changes. Interior designers frequently are given discount pricing, so they can save you money in products alone. Being professionals also means they can spot a challenge earlier on in the process — having to change design plans last-minute can completely derail the project.

 

7. Ask Questions

Take time to write out a list of questions you might have about the design process. It’s always better to have questions answered up-front than unexpectedly halfway through the design process.

 

8. Understand the Design Agreement

Always make sure to look carefully through your design agreement before you sign and agree to the design process. We want to make sure the process is as transparent as possible to everyone involved.

 

Interior design isn’t just about decor, it’s about making your life easier. Follow these tips to ensure that your design process is off to a great start! Want to work with Pulp? Set up an interior design consultation with us.

WATCH: Straight From Our Clients

It’s been 10 years of creating designs for amazing interior design clients. We’re so lucky to have the chance to improve our clients’ lives through design — it’s surreal to have been doing so for a full decade. Hear from our clients themselves about what their experience with Pulp was like…

 

WATCH NOW: Straight From Our Clients

See all of our videos on Pulp TV and read more about 10 Years of Pulp.

Our 6 Favorite Table Lamps

Taking spins on ordinary items to make a design feel unexpected and fresh is one of our favorite things to do for our interior design clients. All of March, we’re sharing ways to make homes feel more individualistic and customized… Choosing necessary items with a fun twist is one of our favorite tricks. See our design team’s choices below.

 

BETH’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“Bold blacks are making their way back into interiors in a big way — this sculptural black and white table lamp is no exception. I’m in love with the concept of treating ordinary objects as art — this lamp is just as much art as it is necessity.”

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Ro Sham Beaux Ananas Table Lamp

 

CAROLINA’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“This gorgeous bronze and white table lamp feels so elegant yet understated. Its smooth lines and organic-feeling shape make it a beautiful addition to a sophisticated residence.”

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Armato Table Lamp

 

TRACY’S PICK
Senior Interior Designer + Purchasing Manager

“I’m completely in love with the soul that comes from hand-created items… These one-of-a-kind hand-forged lamps are no exception.”

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Scala Hand-Forged Table Lamp

 

TARA’S PICK
Junior Designer

“It’s no secret that tassels are hitting the runways in a big way this season. I love the transition this tassel lamp takes from fashion to interiors — a truly statement-making, individualistic piece.”

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Tassel Lamp

 

SHANNON’S PICK
Junior Designer

“Sometimes the most beauty comes from simplicity — this white-and-acrylic lamp with a pop of gold is an amazing example of that.”

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Dale Lamp

 

EM’S PICK
Design Intern

“I’m obsessed with this unique twist on a statement lamp — using the lamp shade to add even more edge to this piece is genius. The organic, sculptural base is also incredibly swoon-worthy.”

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Halcyon Accent Table Lamp

Which is your favorite lamp of the six?

Home Tour: Eclectic Abode

Traditional with an eclectic twist, this historic Queen Anne home is highly personalized without losing its roots. Full of pops of teal and red amidst a background of textured neutrals, this home is a careful balance of warm grays and blacks set against bright whites, color and natural woods. Designed with kids in mind, this home is both beautiful and durable — a highly curated space ready to stand the test of time.

Take a tour of the space while learning more about the client and their experiences with Pulp…

 

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

A pair of busy medical professionals with two young kids, these clients lived next door to our clients from the Fearless Style home. When talking to their neighbors about their experience with Pulp, these clients realized that we would be a great fit for them and their design needs.

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“We finally found our forever home, and I just wanted to finish it and make it beautiful.” – Dominique M., Client

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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?

After trying to design the home on their own, these clients realized that their home never felt as finished as they wanted it to be. While they had never before envisioned themselves using an interior designer, they realized that Pulp could make a huge impact on their home.

Initially, these clients brought Pulp on to do exclusively furnishings — after chatting with Pulp’s designers, they realized that adding a cosmetic refresh could dramatically increase their home value. Along with doing doing furnishings, Pulp repainted the kitchen and refinished the fireplace.

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“I wanted somebody that actually had a good eye for things and also knew more about what was out there to pull from.” – Dominique M., Client

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Q. WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST PROJECT CHALLENGE?

To keep the integrity of the home’s Victorian roots, our clients wanted to keep the original lighting. Designing around the existing lighting was a challenging process, since we wanted to update the home to feel more fresh and inviting while also involving this vintage lighting.

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“I remember being really surprised that after we had talked for a bit, you came back and everything being like, ‘That is exactly what I want.'” – Dominique M., Client

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Q. WHAT WAS THE MOST DRAMATIC TRANSFORMATION?

We gave the kitchen a cosmetic refresh, making the room feel bright and airy from just a coat of paint and a few accessory and furnishing changes.

The clients originally weren’t interested in updating the kitchen at all — our designers slipped a slide into their presentation featuring some of the before and after images from refreshed kitchens in previous projects and the clients realized how much of an impact painting the cabinets can make. Now, the room feels so much larger, more expensive, and fresh, while also dramatically improving the home’s value.

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“It’s bright and it’s light and it still feels homey.” – Dominique M., Client

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

I absolutely love the change in the kitchen. It’s incredible how little needed to be done to create such a dramatic difference in the feel of the room. Visually, painting the kitchen and adding some finishing touches makes the biggest difference in the entire Great Room area.

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

Refreshing the Breakfast Nook in the kitchen area made an incredible difference to to the home and to the usability of the space. We reupholstered the cushions in the window seat to make them durable and kid-friendly, as well as adding in wipeable pillows to add to the comfort of the space. Now, the family uses the space not only for quick meals, but also for spending time together. I’m so excited it made such a difference!

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See the entire project for yourself, complete with a brand new Before + After gallery and client testimonial:

An Eclectic Abode

Don’t forget to hear about the project from the clients themselves through Pulp TV…

Happy exploring!

Pulp TV: WATCH 10 Years of Pulp, Then and Now

Happy 10-year anniversary, Pulp! It’s been 10 years since Beth and Carolina started their humble business, which grew into what is now a nationally recognized design company published in Vanity Fair and Architectural Digest.

To celebrate 10 years, Beth and Carolina reflect on then and now… Let’s take a trip back to 2007, when Pulp got its start.

WATCH NOW: 10 Years of Pulp, Then and Now

See all of our videos on Pulp TV and look back at 10 years of Pulp!

For the Perfect Green Home

We’ve fallen head-over-heels in love with greens this season… And no, it has nothing to do with impending St. Patrick’s Day — this hue is a stunner year-round. Our interior design team chose some of their favorite pieces to infuse a little bit of green into the home.

 

BETH’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“Chic metallic silvers are catching my eye now more than ever. Paired with a cushioned green velvet, this round stool is the perfect pick for a well-curated seating area.”

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Tabouret Round Stool (Contact Pulp to purchase)

 

CAROLINA’S PICK
Co-Founder + Principal Interior Designer

“The geometric tufting and sculptural legs of this lengthy sofa are completely drool-worthy. Its long shape ensures that all of your guests can get a spot, but its shape and color make it  an artful addition to the room.”

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Mayweather Sofa 2.0

 

TRACY’S PICK
Senior Interior Designer + Purchasing Manager

“This multi-toned emerald paired with metal inlay make this coffee table absolutely to die for. Its sculptural feel ensures that it will be the focal point of the room while perfectly encompassing its owners’ personal style.”

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Savona Emerald Coffee Table by Palecek (Contact Pulp to purchase)

 

TARA’S PICK
Junior Interior Designer

“The acrylic collection from DVF is one of our favorites for sophisticated accessories. This kelly green bowl is an instant crowd-pleaser at dinner parties.”

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AVF Acrylic Infinity Bowl in Emerald

 

SHANNON’S PICK
Junior Interior Designer

“This rug hits both my love of bright, solid colors and my love for patterns, all in one. It’s a more subtle way to add some pizazz without jumping head-first into an all-pattern rug. Plus, who doesn’t love this gorgeous hue?”

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Climbing Leopard Rug by Diane von Furstenberg for The Rug Company

 

EMILY’S PICK
Marketing + Communication Coordinator

“This small, fashion-forward box is a subtle nod to color-blocking runways. I’m obsessed with this blue-toned green in combination with the mustard-hued tan and grays… It’s such a fun way to add pops of color without feeling overwhelmed by green.”

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Mondrian Box

 

EM’S PICK
Design Intern

“Imagine how gorgeous this piece of green art would be in an all-neutral room… The perfect pop of color. If there’s one thing I’ve learned at Pulp, it’s that you can’t forget the art in an interior design!”

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Green Abyss art

What’s your favorite way to incorporate bright colors into design?

Pulp TV: WATCH Eclectic Abode Home Tour

We’re thrilled to be launching a new project, this eclectic Victorian home in Seattle’s Upper Queen Anne neighborhood! This residence is a highly personalized home for two busy medical professionals with two young kids. Filled with textured neutrals and pops of teals and reds, this home perfectly reflects the family while still being highly durable and cleanable.

WATCH NOW: Queen Anne Victorian Home Tour

See all of our videos on Pulp TV!

 

The Pulp Edit: March 2017

March 2017 is all about customization and individualization on Pulp Editorial. We rounded up our favorite tricks and trends for making a space feel custom and personalized on this month’s Pulp Edit…

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This drool-worthy Pierre Frey linen is bound to be a statement piece in any room. To make a room feel even more customized, don’t feel afraid to step out of the boundaries and swap out neutrals for bold fabrics like this, creating a feeling of customized art in the room. This fabric is even slated to be in one of our upcoming clients’ designs.

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This installation from Bardula Studio in Moncler’s new Madison Avenue storefront — as featured in Architectural Digest — makes the room feel like a standalone piece of art. Installing custom tile patterns in your home immediately makes the room feel incredibly individualized. Why not commission tiles to perfectly reflect your design sensibilities?

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Since seeing these gorgeous Kelly Wearstler by ANN Sacks tiles at KBIS this year, we’ve been obsessing over the idea of putting these little beauties into one of our clients’ homes. These statement tiles with metal inlay would be a perfect match for one of our interior design clients with a big, bold design personality… Finding a statement tile that matches your aesthetic is one of our favorite ways to make a home feel more individualistic.

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Don’t forget about how important texture and shape is to a home. As much as we love bold colors and patterns, texture and shape can sometimes speak even louder. These sculptural tiles from ANN Sacks have an amazing convex exterior that make them feel art-worthy in their own right. Want a customized feel without feeling like your home is overbearing? Sculptural tiles might be the answer.

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We’ve said it once (or maybe twice, or maybe one hundred times), but we’ll say it again because this month is all about customization… A design just doesn’t feel complete without the final 15 percent — ACCESSORIES. There’s no quicker way to make a design feel more personal than by adding home decor accessories that speak to your personality and individual aesthetic.

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There’s no bigger way to make a statement than by going big: literally. Large-format art takes up whole-wall spaces or wraps around a room, filling a room with its personality. This piece by Charles Arnoldi is in a home designed for business executive Paul Boschetto by decorator Sheldon Harte and featured in Elle Decor. Nothing speaks more to a client’s personality than their taste in art — why not go big, bold and intrinsically individualistic?

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This personable kitchen is in the home of Spanish interior designer Manolo March and features floor-to-ceiling velvet-upholstered walls — swoon. Nothing feels more swanky or custom than upholstered walls. If you’re as in love with this trend as we are, don’t be afraid to pull the trigger and make your home feel maximum-level personal. We spotted this design in the pages of Elle Decor.

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This design by Nick Olsen, featured in the pages of House Beautiful, breaks just about all of the “rules” of design. But we’re in love with rule-breakers here at Pulp… We encourage everyone not to shy away from picking colors outside of the same color family or items from a variety of design eras. This curated design has us falling in love with its bold, personable vibe. We can absolutely imagine who lives in this space, and we’re sure that the close friends of whomever lives here agree that it matches them perfectly.

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There’s nothing more compelling than wall coverings in fresh materials, like this hand-cut wall covering from Phillip Jeffries. These beautifully cut natural wood pieces overlay a silver metallic background, a welcome take on the storied wood wall trend of the ’70s.

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We’re obsessed with the big, bold personality that shines through this space — everything from the lighting fixture to the art and watercolor-print rug is perfectly on point. Ron Woodson designed this home featured in California Home + Design  after speaking on a Modernism Week panel with both Ron Woodson and his design partner Jaime Rummerfield, we fell in love with their California aesthetic and the huge personality in each of their spaces.

 

Keep an eye on Pulp Editorial as we talk all month about customization and individualization, and don’t forget to check out all of the Pulp Edits we’ve published previously.