All posts by Beth and Carolina

Hot Kitchen and Bath Trend: Matte Black and Brass

Shopping Guide, , , , ,

There are so many new trends for Kitchen and Bath right now. We had the opportunity at KBIS to explore and see the trends first hand. The top trend that stood out was the brass-tone finish options and combined with matte black finishes. Here at Pulp Design Studios, we are head over heels for this combination and so many of our renovation and new-build design clients are asking for this look. The matte black grounds the space while the brass adds a bit of glam!

Check out our current favorite matte black and brass pieces we spotted…brass, matte black, kitchen trend, bath trend, brass in the kitchen, matte black in the kitchen, brass in the bathroom, matte black in the bathroom, brass hardware, matte black hardware, kelly wearstler tile, litze collection, blanco, brizo, kohler, brass shower head, matte black bath tub, matte black sink, mr steam, brass bathroom, gold bathroom,

1. Odin Single-Handle Freestanding Tub Filler by Brizo | 2. Maven Ojai 8″ x 8″ Field Tile by Kelly Wearstler for Ann Sacks | 3. Black Finish Cabinetry by Wood-Mode | 4. Traditional Ceiling Mount Raincan Showerhead by Brizo | 5. Litze Bath Collection… Coming out Soon by Brizo | 6. Jason Wu Trash Can by Brizo | 7. Solna Single Handle Articulating Kitchen Faucet by Brizo | 8. Litze Bath Collection… Coming out Soon by Brizo | 9. Prion 45 S Ceramic Sink by Blanco | 10. AromaSteam Steam Head Round by Mr. Steam  | 11. IV George Brass Bath Faucet with Handshower by Kohler | 12. Maven Solstice III 8″ x 8″ Field Tile by Kelly Wearstler for Ann Sacks | 13. Litze Bath Collection… Coming out Soon by Brizo | 14. Iron Works Historic Freestanding Oval Bath by Kohler | 15. Somerset Cup Pull by Top Knobs | 16. Lloyd Wood Console Lavatory by Toto | 17. Black High Pressure Laminate by Wilsonart

 

image source from Brizo Litze Bath Collection

Top 5 Kitchen + Bath Lifestyle Trends

Design Insider, , , , ,

interior design by Pulp Design Studios

We recently attended KBIS with the Modenus Blog Tour so that we could get an insider scoop on the latest and greatest innovations and trends in kitchen and bath design. We feel it’s important to stay on the cutting edge of design, especially for our new construction and renovation clients who rely on us to know what will improve their lives and home equity.

What we found, outside of style trends, is that lifestyle driven solutions that improve the way we ‘do’ life were front and center. We’re able to apply these trends to our Splendid Living design approach for amazingly stylish and functional outcomes. See what we found…

1. Storage & Organization

We saw some amazing products for storage and organization! Top Knobs offers pre-made components that increase storage and functionality, maximizing on hard-to-reach spaces and making those large voids of cabinets highly organizable storage work-horses. Our clients will love this added functionality to our gorgeous designs… A super exciting find for us!

BlindCornerSliding_In-Use_2 ChromeWirePantryPullout_In-Use

Wood-Mode impressed us with their completely customizable storage solutions that have a bespoke approach. All of Wood-Mode’s cabinets are made-to-order custom, so we were blown away by the level of finish out on the interior components. Take a look at this cigar humidor below, complete with custom drawer components. The sky is the limit when it comes to design here…

Wood-Mode Cigar HumidorWoodmode KBIS

2. Durability is Key

People are becoming smarter, even in the luxury market. Our clients are wanting their designs to stand the test of time. With our backgrounds in hotel, restaurant, and commercial interior design, durability is non-negotiable and we bring this approach to our high-end residences.

Blanco completely blew us away with their super stylish and on-trend IKON sink. It’s scratch resistant and virtually indestructible. Clients, rejoice!

Blanco IKON Sink

We were blown away by the Mohawk wood-look tile and luxury vinyl flooring surfaces. We’ve used wood-look tile for a while in our projects in key places, but they really set the bar for creating a highly cleanable and durable surface that looks like a luxe wood. We love this style flooring for kitchens, bath rooms, and laundry rooms where water and wood typically don’t mix!

Mohawk tile wood flooring, KBIS

3. Ease in Cleaning

Alright- possibly one of the most impressive things we saw the whole trade show was TOTO‘s self-cleaning toilet. Yes, you heard right. This toilet not only cleans YOU while you sit, but it cleans itself. First of all, the bowl is made from a product that prevents stuff from sticking. Second, it’s cyclone flushing creates a tornado like effect to clear the toilet while conserving water. Third, when the lid closes it cleans the toilet with a special UV light that kills germs. Housekeepers, beware! Your job just got easier. Now, let’s not forget the seat warmer, and washlet functions. The Neorest is truly the toilet of the future! We’re so excited to be specifying this top-of-the-line toilet on a current project. Who knew there was such a love affair to be had with a toilet?

NEOREST 750H Vignette 5x7NOEREST 750H Actilight 5x7 NEOREST 750H Lifestyle

Speaking of clean, Wilsonart recently launched a laminate surface that is antimicrobial! Yes! Antimicrobial agents protect the surface from the growth of mold, mildew, and bacteria that cause odors when used for countertops and work surfaces. Wilsonart’s Antimicrobial Protection won’t wash away or wear off, and doesn’t change the beautiful surface design and texture. That’s completely revolutionary!

Wilsonart HD Laminate with Antimicrobial Protection

4. Health and Wellness are decision makers

We are all concerned about a longer life and fighting off diseases. There are several ways we’re learning to incorporate health and wellness into our homes, through kitchen and bath design. First, is the use of steam! We covered this in a recent post on the Benefits of Steam in the Home, about Mr. Steam and Thermador.

Something we didn’t touch on was aromatherapy and chromatherapy. We have both been dabbling in the use of essential oils for various wellness benefits, but Mr. Steam has taken this a step further and incorporating them into their steam bathing technology. They’ve even included music therapy for a complete holistic approach to health.

mr steam chroma therapy

Chakra_7_Oils

5. Entertaining takes center stage

We all love to entertain, but now entertaining is taking center stage when it comes to kitchen and bath design. Through appliances, Thermador (our favorite!) has designed an oven that can accommodate catering trays- previously unheard of in residential kitchens!

catering tray

And, even the footprints of the home are changing to accommodate entertaining. Kitchens are being designed with catering kitchens, which operates as a back-of-house type kitchen while a serving kitchen in the front-of-house allows for entertaining guests. This keeps all the hustle and bustle behind the scenes. This responsive home, designed by Bobby Berk, showcases below a serving kitchen with access to a catering kitchen behind the two doors.

Responsive-Home-millennials-contemporary-transitional-home-4

Lifestyle is driving design in Kitchen and Baths, through these top design trends. And, as we like to say…

“It’s not just about a beautiful home, it’s how you live in it.” – Pulp Design Studios

We love that Kitchen and Bath is trending towards how people are actually living in their spaces, and not the status quo, so we can bring these benefits to our clients in a more accessible way.

 

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Pulp In Progress: Guardian Cellars Tasting Room

Pulp Design Work, , , , ,

As part of our Three Step Design Process, we thought we’d start by taking you on a tour through projects that are currently in progress. It will be a fun look into who we’re working with, what made them want to hire a designer, and how we are working with our clients to help solve some key design challenges that will improve their daily experience. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse at some of our designs before they’re completed!

Step 1: Consultation + Intake

Our clients, in Seattle, we’re readers of our blog when Pulp Design Studios only had it’s Dallas office. When Pulp opened our second office in Seattle, they were excited that we had come to their city and reached out immediately.  At the time, we completed a consult for their residence and agreed that we would keep in touch for when they were ready to invest in their space. We all kept in touch via social media and when the time came for them to invest in their business, Guardian Cellars, they called us to help them design a space that was as elevated and exciting as the wines they produce. Take a look at the new space they are relocating their existing tasting room to… as you can see, it needs a lot of love! But, they’re in good hands.

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Q. Who is the client and what is their scope of work?

Our clients are a married couple who own two wineries in Woodinville, WA. But, here’s where things get a little complicated… they also both lead professional careers and are raising a toddler! So- not busy at all, right?

We love the story of the Guardian brand- he is a police officer and she is a crime reporter. They met on the job and decided to follow their passion and formed Guardian Cellars together. The time was right for them to invest in their business and their brand. They enlisted Pulp for the complete renovation and furnishing of their new tasting room. They knew we would help embody their vision to make their new space unique, impactful, and on-brand. This will be like no other winery in Woodinville!

Q. Why did the client decide to hire an interior designer rather than taking the project on themselves?

Client, Jennifer + Jerry:

“We’ve (sort of) figured out our complicated lives, which includes making/selling 7,000 cases of wine, running our current tasting room, two full-time jobs in addition to the winery and raising a toddler, but there’s no way we’d have time to do this ourselves.”

“Beyond that, we’re big fans of  Beth and Carolina and said to ourselves early on that it would be so awesome to see their beautiful work in a wine tasting room setting.”

– jerry & jennifer, Guardian Cellars

Step 2: The Design Phase

Here’s where we took everything we learned from our clients at our consultation and intake process and put all that information and our creativity to work for our clients. We started really getting to know the brand, their goals, who the customer is, how their staff functions in their current space, and how we could make it better. Then we started by gathering inspiration from our client in the form of a Pinterest board and began to collaborate between our offices on the design.

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Q. What is the inspiration behind the new design?

The inspiration behind the new design is a fun play on their Guardian brand, where we’ve embraced the ‘cops and robbers’ concept. Both of our clients have a real passion for their careers, so why not incorporate it into the design of their growing business?!  Most of all, they wanted a space that was unique and appealed to their loyal clientele, as well as a younger generation of wine enthusiasts. Their brand and design is modern, edgy, and provoking.

Q. What was a unique design challenge and how is Pulp solving the problem?

Along with embodying the brand of Guardian Cellars, we had to respect the investment they were putting into their small business. Renovating and re-opeing a winery is not cheap. So our goal is to make the most of the budget for the project by making impactful design choices that will make the most of their investment! We’re excited to share our outside-of-the-box design elements when Guardian opens in a couple short months…

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Q. What about the new design is the client most excited for?

Client, Jerry & Jennifer:

“In one word: everything! We can’t wait to work in such a chic, yet highly functional, space.”

-jerry & jennifer, Guardian Cellars

“We love that Beth and the entire team at Pulp have taken such great care to consider all the little things we, as a winery, have to comply with by law. Everything is blended in so smoothly and looks just beautiful.”

“If you ask each of us individually? Jerry can’t wait to see the custom-designed tasting bar – seriously, it’s so cool. Jennifer is on cloud nine that Pulp created a private dining area that will be perfect for small mid-week business retreats, parties and even dinners.” 

Step 3: Execution + Installation

Status: In-progess! Demo started early February and all the approved items are on order and in transit! We will share the process on @pulpdesigns instagram as it’s available… And, be sure to follow @guardiancellars on instagram, too!

 

featured image inspiration photos- from left to right:  Charles Krug Winery,  Avroko, Kelly Wearstler Channels Wallpaper, Salt Tasting Room, Poppytalk, All other images by Pulp Design Studios. 

How to Find and Style a Vintage Cocktail Table

Shopping Guide

interior design by Pulp Design Studios

The cocktail table is a key part in the home because it is usually a very lived in piece. It sets the center stage of the living room! Selecting the right table and styling it is key for a successful space especially when mixing the old with the new.

Vintage cocktail (or coffee) tables mixed with modern accessories is a great combination to get that curated look. Chairish is an amazing online retailer that lets you buy and sell vintage furniture and decor. We browsed around and found amazing tables that are the perfect conversation starters.

Depending on the size, there are a few key items you should include on a cocktail table. Add all or just a few of these items to perfect styling your coffee table:

  • Books: add no more than a stack of three books that correspond with each other and have a theme – need help styling your coffee table books? Here are 5 styles for your book stacking pleasure! 
  • Tray and/or boxes: the perfect place to hold the remotes, coasters, and control the chaos of smaller decorative items.

Designer Tip: For a perfect geometric move, add a rectangle tray to a round coffee table and a round tray to a rectangular coffee table, a simple yet impactful look

  • Candles: adding a candle makes your coffee table more sophisticated and helps to create ambiance when lit. Plus, having a pretty bowl of decorative matches add a ton of personality.
  • Greenery: whether it be an artificial plant or a vase that you keep filled with fresh flowers you can never go wrong with adding  life into a space.
  • Personal Trinkets: this is where you can really add your personality in a space, whether it be a beloved memento or a sculptural piece that you just adore, it adds a presence thats unique to you.
  • Coasters: don’t ruin your coffee table with a glass water stain! Find some chic coasters to add glam and keep your coffee table clean.

Here are two of our favorite coffee table styles:

GET THE LOOK:

1. Mid-Century Modern Iron Base with Glass Top | 2. Agate Coaster Teal Set | 3. White Box Rod Rectangular Tray  | 4. Chloe: Attitudes Book | 5. Piedmont Vase | 6. In Vogue | 7. The Fashion Insider’s Guide to Paris | 8. Ocean Jar Candles

GET THE LOOK:

1. Leon Rosen Mid-Century Waterfall Cocktail Table | 2. Beyond Extravagance | 3. Cigar Style | 4. Black and White Box | 5. Mixed Succulents and Mosses in Whit Ceramic Oval Container | 6. Carved Asian Brush | 7. Black Flat Beaded Asian Brush | 8. Red Carved Asian Brush

steam in the home, steam bathing, luxury steam shower, interior design, the benefits of steam shower

The Benefits of Steam in the Home

Entertaining + Home Living

Using steam in our homes has been an age old function, but recently it has skyrocketed as an essential addition to luxury kitchens and baths. Steam showers and steam cooking are adding value to the home and becoming that quintessential luxury items that no high-end home should be without.

Aside from the growing popularity of Steam, we love incorporating steam in our client’s homes for more functional purposes: Because steam has an incredible benefit for your overall health and well-being.

Now, let’s explore how we’re using steam in the home…

Steam Bathing

Mr. Steam

Steam bathing may be viewed as just an additional luxury to your home, but in today’s generation is a lot more than just luxury.  Steam bathing brings numerous health benefits and adding it into our homes is now easier than ever.

The list of steam bathing benefits is more than 40 long, but here are some of the key benefits to using a steam shower and adding it to your home:

  • Respiratory Health
  • Enhanced Skin Care & Hydration
  • Detoxification
  • Pain Relief & Increased Circulation
  • Mental Well-Being & Better Sleep
  • Boosts Metabolism & Calorie Burn
  • Physical & Muscular Wellness
  • Inexpensive to Operate & Energy Saving
  • Increased Home Equity

So, basically…. Why wouldn’t you have a steam shower?

Mr. Steam makes it easy to add steam into your shower with as little as a 3′ x 3′ 7′ steam shower (and, of course, larger)! We have used Mr Steam in a couple client homes- But, one of the things we were so thrilled to hear is that existing showers can be converted for steam without the need of a separate room or area. (Pssst- for our previous clients who did not use steam- let’s talk!)

How does it all work?

  • A steam generator, typically no bigger than a briefcase, heats the water.
  • Steam, heated to 110 relaxing degrees, enters the shower enclosure through steam heads.
  • You sit in total comfort, taking in the steam for 10 to 20 soothing minutes, followed by a refreshing shower.
  • Now wrap yourself in the comfort of a fluffy towel heated by a towel warmer to complete the total spa experience.

We are absolutely enamored by the steam shower experience. Every home should make use of steam in the shower, because what may feel like a luxury is really what will improve our overall health, well-being, and daily outlook.

Steam Cooking

Thermador Kitchen, steam ovens, the best steam oven, kitchen renovation

People have been steam cooking for ages! But, this age-old cooking method is becoming a key component in kitchen cooking through steam ovens. We have used Thermador steam ovens in our client homes and, as culinary enthusiasts, wanted to share why we love steam cooking, especially combined with convection cooking…

  • Steam and convection ovens provide unrivaled taste, texture and quality.
  • Food tastes better and loses fewer vitamins and minerals when cooked with steam
  • Steam lets you reheat without losing any moisture, texture or flavor
  • The Steam & Convection Oven features Thermador’s True Convection baffle system that directs heat to cook foods faster and more evenly than other convection systems.
  • When combined with convection, food is crisp on the outside and moist on the inside.
  • With Thermador, no pre-plumbing is required.

One of the things we especially loved about Thermador was that they are now making ovens that can fit a full catering tray, along with incorporating a steam oven. So, since most of our clients love to entertain, that’s a key feature that no other brand has.

Whether it be in your kitchen or in your bath, the benefits of steam are numerous and contribute to your health and overall well-being. Sometimes luxury takes you back to the basics… And, how simple is the concept of steam? It doesn’t get simpler and more luxurious than that.

Pulp Sourcebook: Contemporary Warmth Office

Shopping Guide, , , , , ,

Interior Design by Pulp Design Studios

 As featured in the current issue of D Home, our busy lawyer couple, with three children, purchased a home that was modern on the outside, but dated on the inside. They called on Pulp Design Studios to make their dreams a reality. For this stunning office space they ensued a down to the studs renovation, moved walls and even moved the stairs, resulting in a dramatic result. Beth and Carolina layered in warmth and style throughout creating an edgy office space that exudes inspiration and creativity.

GET THE LOOK:

1. Hourglass – White Sand | 2. Document Box | 3. Jagger Small Box | 4. Helmut Newton – World Without Men | 5. Rothko | 6. Cigar Style | 7. Diana Authentic Horns, Set of 2 | 8. Casper Aluminum Skull | 9. Black Chester Box | 10. Zebra Print Hide Rug | 11. Dru Small Sculpture | 12. Horn Asian Brush | 13. Agate Bookends Medium

Whether you just love what we do and want to create it for yourself or you have a space that you’d love to get the ‘Pulp Treatment’, we hope that this series inspires you to live more beautifully.  And if you’d like to hire us (And, really…you should hire us!  wink. wink.) get in touch and tell us about your project!

Note: Color is in essence, reflections of light and one’s surroundings.  As a result, the color you see in our client’s space would certainly translate differently into your own.  If you are not working with a designer, play with paint samples on various walls in your own space to see if you get the effect you want.  We would also be glad to provide you with a consultation if that would be valuable.  We want your space to reflect its own beauty and your style.

DXV Design Panel 2016

News + Announcements

We are SO thrilled to announce that Pulp Design Studios has been selected to represent DXV American Standard in the DXV Design Panel 2016, among with other talented designers and friends: Richard Anuszkiewicz of Richard Living, Susan Jamieson of Bridget Beari Designs, and Genevieve Ghaleb of XY Contemporary.

We will be designing an amazing bathroom for their Fall 2016 national ad campaign! This is an amazing opportunity for our firm. We are a huge fan of DXV products and couldn’t be more proud to align our firm with such an incredible brand.

Follow along using the hashtags: #DXVDesignPanel #DXVTopSecret to get all the details and see all the amazing designs as we can share them…

See some of the gorgeous designs from Design Panels’s past: DXV Design Panel.

Behind-the-Scenes: Blog Tour KBIS in Las Vegas

Design Insider, , ,

We were recently asked to attend KBIS with the Modenus Blog Tour! It was a truly amazing experience, where we got to connect with some amazing vendors, get behind-the-scenes looks at some amazing design, and connect with some amazing women in our industry. Here’s a day-by-day look at what we did…

DAY 1

We arrived and scoped out our hotel and room before heading out to meet the whole crew… We had some amazing views from our room in The Cosmopolitan. As designers, we reveled in all the design details, and of course critiqued what we would have done differently from a functional standpoint.

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

DAY 2

After a delicious brunch with all the ladies (hello, mimosas), we headed to the Wynn Hotel for an amazing tour of the hotel, spearheaded by Vegas native Jackie Von Tobel. We had been to the Wynn before during our days in hospitality and commercial design, but it was an incredible insiders view into a truly stunningly designed space. Every single detail is thought through…

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

2016 Blog Tour - KBIS - Las Vegas

XS Nightclub Vegas Wynn

XS Nightclub Bathroom

After the tour at the Wynn, we departed to get to see a couple of show houses in Henderson. One was a pair of great responsive smart homes designed by Bobby Berk and the second was the New American Home, with appliances by Thermador. Take a look at a few of the shots from around the show houses:

DAY 3

We headed for KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, where we would be for the next two days…

Beth and Carolina Pulp at KBIS

The day started with a look at Mohawk & Karastan where we learned about their incredible hard surfaces. We all took a test where we had to identify their performance products as compared to other high-end flooring, and it was tough! We’re looking forward to exploring their flooring more (and sharing with you), but first- we had to pose with a Karastan carpet that we recently specified for a project!

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Then we were taken through a tour of the Thermador line. We have specified Thermador for our projects plenty. But, to get a walk through of all of their products and innovations, we realized that Thermador really does set the bar for kitchen appliances. Perhaps the thing we loved most about Thermador, aside from their lifestyle-driven design, is their customization! Look at these ‘food preservation center’ door fronts below! And, it didn’t hurt that they wined and dined us.

thermador at kbis

To end the day, we were whisked away in a party bus back to the Wynn for a private dinner at the SW Steakhouse, hosted by TOTO with Courtney Novogratz. As if we didnt already love TOTO enough, we were treated like royalty! We’ve got lots more to share on them later- specifically about their self-cleaning toilet (Yes, you heard right).

Beth and Carolina Blog Tour KBIS

BlogTourKBIS group at Wynn 2016

TOTO Dinner at SW Steakhouse Private Room

Beth and Carolina Pulp Vegas

DAY 5

On our last day together, we headed back to KBIS… Our first stop was to visit the DXV Booth to check out their amazing products in anticipation of our partnership with them for the DXV Design Panel 2016 (more on this in the coming months)!

Beth Dotolo Carolina Gentry DXV Design Panel 2016

We stopped by the booths for an insider’s look at some of our Blog Tour sponsors…

First stop, was Blanco! We were blown away by the new IKON sink. The black (and virtually indestructible) apron front sink was utterly stunning and completely on trend, while still timeless.

Blanco KBIS IKON Sink

We then took at look at Top Knobs. We loved some of their super affordable and incredibly stylish hardware pieces, many of which we snapped shots of instantly for projects. But, I think what we were most excited to see was some of their interior cabinet components!

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Top Knobs Cabinet Organization

Wilsonart surprised us! We’ve been using laminate for years on commercial projects, but they are truly reinventing the way people look at surfaces. Some of the installations were really incredible, and we’re looking forward to using them more on our projects.

Wilsonart KBIS

Beth Carolina Pulp Wilsonart KBIS

After our amazing dinner the night before, hosted by TOTO (with lots of potty talk!), it was time to stop by their booth for an official look at the amazing self-cleaning toilet… It’s truly an incredible piece of technology that you can really invest it. You use it everyday, so why not make sure it’s top of the line? Take a look at the Neorest… We’re officially obsessed.

TOTO toilet as featured on Kardashians

TOTO plumbing at KBIS

Last stop on the KBIS floor was Woodmode. We loved learning more about their cabinetry. It’s completely made to order and completely customizable. Their finishes and interiors were absolutely stunning, but most importantly for our clients is the ability to specify sizes, heights, and unique storage components- like a cigar humidor!

Woodmode KBIS

Woodmode KBIS

Woodmode KBIS

To end the experience, our whole group was treated to a steam experience at the spa by Mr Steam. After learning more about the benefits of steam, we are going to start pushing for all of our clients to incorporate a Mr Steam product in their bathroom design. We will share lots more on this in the coming weeks, since we’re incredibly passionate about health & wellness.

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But, out of our entire experience, the thing that enriched us the most were the relationships we made. They say it’s hard to make friends as adults, but we left Vegas with 25+ incredible new friends (and, designers, at that). Each and every one of them was incredible, with a personal journey of their own… It left us fulfilled and curious. You see a photo and bio of someone and think you know what you’re getting into. Sometimes it’s nothing like what you expect and sometimes it’s exactly what you’d expect but with so many more layers.

We left this trip transformed- we cried for our new friends, laughed with them (hysterically), and learned so so much about so many great new design trends and products. Modenus has created something truly special with this experience and we can’t wait to share everything we learned with you.

If you haven’t heard of the sponsors from Blog Tour, we will be sharing lots more in the coming weeks. We are not obligated to share, we’re just passionate about what we learned!

And, please, follow each and every one of our Blog Tour partners in crime– they are all amazing in their own rights. Especially, Veronika and Flo, with Modenus.

Thanks for joining us on this amazing adventure…

Pulp Sourcebook: Dallas Highrise Living Room

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Interior Design by Pulp Design Studios

This Dallas high-rise project presented a unique challenge for Pulp Design Studios. Working around standard builder finishes and a specified budget, Pulp incorporated vintage finds, rustic wooden and modern accents, and pops of color to personalize the space.  Shop the style that Beth and Carolina were tasked with to keep the budget in-check and create a collected look in this Dallas high-rise.

Sourcebook - Dallas Highrise

GET THE LOOK:

1. Citron Scales Embroidered Pillow | 2. Eggplant Cotton Velvet Pillow | 3. Orsino Vase | 4. Natural Horn Bowl | 5. In the Spirit of St. Barth’s | 6. Big Book of the Hamptons | 7. Sol Mirror | 8. Limed Wash Stool | 9. Showstopper Lamp  | 10. Large Gabrielle Vase | 11. Gray Chevron Rug

Whether you just love what we do and want to create it for yourself or you have a space that you’d love to get the ‘Pulp Treatment’, we hope that this series inspires you to live more beautifully.  And if you’d like to hire us (And, really…you should hire us!  wink. wink.) get in touch and tell us about your project!

Note: Color is in essence, reflections of light and one’s surroundings.  As a result, the color you see in our client’s space would certainly translate differently into your own.  If you are not working with a designer, play with paint samples on various walls in your own space to see if you get the effect you want.  We would also be glad to provide you with a consultation if that would be valuable.  We want your space to reflect its own beauty and your style.

Pulp In Progress: A Seattle-Area Kitchen Renovation

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As part of our Three Step Design Process, we thought we’d start taking you on a tour through projects that are currently in progress. It will be a fun look into who we’re working with, what made them want to hire a designer, and how we are working with our clients to help solve some key design challenges to improve our client’s daily experience. Plus, you’ll get a glimpse at some of our designs before they’re completed!

Step 1: Consultation + Intake

Ashley, along with her husband Joe, found us through social media and discovered she actually worked with Beth’s husband. After filling out our online intake form, we learned a ton about our new clients and booked a consultation to see what their space looked like.

exisitng kitchen 3 existing kitchen 1 existing kitchen 2

Q. Who is the client and what is their scope of work?

Our clients are 30-something professionals in the Seattle-area who purchased their first home together. As avid cooks, frequent entertainers, and wine aficionados, this couple was ready to make their house, with standard builder finishes and unfurnished rooms, their own!  They wanted something fresh and happy that was an expression of them and their style, and the new home they purchased just wasn’t that. It was time to invest in better appliances and finishes for a lifestyle return on investment. They came to Pulp to take on the interior design of their whole home in phases, beginning with a complete Kitchen renovation and overhaul!

Q. Why did the client decide to hire an interior designer rather than taking the project on themselves?

Client, Ashley + Joe:

“We knew we could put together something that would work for the kitchen, but, I know we would have played it safe and ended up with something resembling all the other kitchens on Pinterest.”

“We wanted something original, authentic, and reflective of our personal taste.  This room is the center of our house and our daily activities, we both love to cook and entertain so it also came down to wanting to love spending time in this room whether it’s just us making dinner on a Tuesday or we have a house full of people for dinner and, inevitably, we’re all having a glass of wine, hanging out in the kitchen before dinner.”

Step 2: The Design Phase

Here’s where we took everything we learned from our clients at our consultation and through our Splendid Living intake process and put all that information and our creativity to work for our clients. We started by gathering inspiration from our client in the form of a Pinterest board and other collections of images and began to collaborate between our offices on the design.

Q. What is the inspiration behind the new design?

Since our clients really disliked all the orange-toned wood, they wanted their kitchen to be bright, fresh, and modern without being overly fussy. We decided to go high contrast with lots of whites and creams. And, since they spend the most time in this space, we’re giving it a Living Room feel with lots of great art, amazing lighting, furnishings, and textiles. Rich and saturated pops of color with contrast off the neutral finishes.

Q. What was a unique design challenge and how is Pulp solving the problem?

A unique request our client had was that they wanted zero upper cabinets. It is quite possibly the first time we had a client tell us they have too much storage! But, we had to devise creative ways to treat the walls that would be functional and not break the bank filling the walls with hard surfaces. The look will be really incredible and feel soothing and open!

Q. What about the new design is the client most excited for?

Client, Ashley + Joe:

“I know Joe would say the wine fridge, for me it’s not something tangible. I can’t wait to walk in and see this beautiful finished space. We’ve lived in the house for a year and I would say this is the first room that will feel done. Ironically, it’s also the beginning of our work with Pulp to get the rest of the house feeling like our home.”  

“The finishes, art, and lighting that the Pulp team picked for us are things we never would have come across but really love!”

Step 3: Execution + Installation

Status: In-progess! Demo starts this week and all the approved items are on order and in transit! We will share the process on @pulpdesigns instagram as it’s available…