All posts by Beth and Carolina

Liebherr Refrigeration: A Perfect Combination of Form & Function

While attending the 2016 Milan International Design Week as Design Hounds we were sponsored by Liebherr Refrigeration. We already know and love Liebherr, but what we loved most about our time with them is that their commitment to freshness and ease of use was completely evident. They truly consider the most innovative solutions that keep food fresh and take into account the usability. When many think of this German company, they think of performance and quality in refrigeration.

Beyond amazing quality and performance, we were surprised to find many thoughtful details that elevated refrigeration and made them completely approachable and usable- which, as you know, is the Pulp motto!

5 Great Features from Liebherr

Liebherr Interior

1. Push finger open. How many times have your arms been full or your hands dirty and you need to open your refrigerator? Life is made a lot easier in the kitchen with this genius feature. Just knock or push to open.

Liebherr Drink Shelf

2. Thoughtful details. How many times have you opened the refrigerator doors and had the items in your drawer rattle, shift, and slide? Little details like this fitting above set Liebherr apart… and their refrigerators are full of these little details.

Liebherr Freshness Date

3. Freshness is key. The two most asked questions we all ask in the kitchen are simple… “What’s for dinner?” and “Is this still good?”. Well, Liebherr is answering at least one of those questions! Since their refrigerators maintain freshness for longer than the average refrigerator, they offer guides and indicators. We love the BioFresh compartment that keeps food’s healthy vitamins, aroma, and appearance significantly longer than in a conventional fridge.

Liebherr Freshness App

4. Freshness meets technology. One of our favorite features is their app. The app alone is a great indication of what their BioFresh technology can do for the life of your food. But, the app in and of itself is something that answers an ongoing question and makes the user experience simpler.

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5. Design made easy. As interior designers, we’re always thinking about how products will work in our client’s space aesthetically… after all, it’s all about function AND form. Liebherr refrigerators can be stylishly integrated into cabinets and millwork. They’ve also created a freestanding that can be made to look like a built-in. But, one of the things we loved was their new wine refrigerator that was made as the same size as a microwave for easy replacement, as fresh foods are on the rise. Fun fact: you can talk to this wine refrigerator and tell it to ‘open’. Hello vino!

Liebherr is an outstanding brand that is always developing new and innovative solutions. Their products accommodate healthy driven lifestyles, always trying to boost freshness, enhance ease-of-use and save even more energy.

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Gessi: The Ultimate Bathroom Experience

We recently attended the 2016 Milan International Design Week as Design Hounds! We are still awestruck by all the amazing things we saw and experienced. We got to scour amazing vendors for new products for our clients, get behind-the-scenes looks at some amazing hidden design gems, and connect with some amazing people in our industry. One of our biggest takeaways from Italy was getting to see the showroom of a long time Pulp favorite, Gessi. We love and use Gessi plumbing fixtures for our clients, but the chance to tour their showroom in the fashion district of Milan made us fall in love with these amazing products all over again.

What we love about Gessi, outside of their gorgeous products, is their values and mission so tightly align with Pulp’s firm approach and philosophy: That the everyday experience should be elevated to significance dedicated to wellbeing.

Gessi’s mission is to make everyday life more pleasant with objects of extraordinary beauty and functionality. Their style has revolutionized the perception of a faucet from a mere plumbing fitting to an object of art, aspiration, and decoration.

Gessi’s philosophy is to push the bathroom beyond its traditional function as a strictly utilitarian environment devoid of any aesthetic significance and, instead, transform it into a true private spa where one spends quality time dedicated to physical and mental wellbeing.

Fascino Gessi glass holder and dispenser

A PRIVATE TOUR OF GESSI

See snapshots from our incredible experience at their fashion forward showroom. Innovation, gorgeous forms, and tons of customizable finish options. Every designer’s dream. Gessi is truly a match made in heaven for our clients who want more than just a bathroom, but an elevated experience.

Enjoy our own personal tour of the Gessi showroom in Milano…

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Featured image from Gessi

**Sponsored Post**

Pulp In Progress: Whole Home Renovation in Queen Anne

As part of our Three Step Design Process, we are 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 busy clients found Pulp Design Studios through friends and neighbors in the highly sought after Queen Anne Neighborhood in Seattle. They called upon us in the midst of their large home renovation and wanted our guidance to fill in the blanks. After our interior design consultation where we offered some insightful suggestions, we quickly gained their trust and were brought on board to design their entire home. Our clients could see our creative vision for their home and knew the impact we could have on their space and on the important end-result.

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

Our clients are a busy family with two school-aged children and are both creative entrepreneurs in the Seattle-area. Our clients have hip and creative personalities and  needed help translating that style into their home. They came to Pulp for help finalizing their renovation and we have now taken on the interior design of their home in phases, beginning with furnishing and continuing through next year into a dining room addition.

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

Client, Mark + Rachel:

“We did much of an extensive cosmetic remodel ourselves; floors, paint, trim, fireplace.”

It was apparent to us that when we started lighting selection that we could really benefit by using an interior designer. From there, Pulp helped us with furnishings by merging our tastes and helping us feel more confident making the house more modern (rather than going for a traditional look, that wasn’t really us).

– Mark & Rachel, pulp client

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 how our clients live and experience their home and how we could make it better, all while embodying and elevating their personal style. Then we started by gathering inspiration from our client in the form of a Pinterest board and began to collaborate between our Dallas and Seattle offices on the design.

seattle best interior designers, dallas best interior designers, residential interior designers, kitchen interior designers, seattle decorators, dallas decorators,

Q. What is the inspiration behind the new design?

After digging deep into our client’s taste through our Splendid Living approach, we found that our clients are both passionate about fashion and have a great sense of style (which we can’t get enough of!). They love brands like Rag & Bone, Lanvin, and other strong, edgy labels that have an urban energy. Our job was to articulate their love for fashion and translate it into a chic luxe space that’s family-friendly and will stand the test of time.

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

The home was previously owned and built by a shipyard manager in the early 1900’s. We love a home with history and our clients wanted to honor the history, as well. Our challenge was to take some of those existing elements and incorporate them with a modern approach.

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

Client, Mark + Rachel:

Easy. The lighting, but maybe it’s because it’s the only thing that’s been installed and it’s gorgeous! Seeing it all together will be exciting!

– Mark & Rachel, pulp client

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Step 3: Execution + Installation

Status: In-progress! Our client’s renovation is almost complete, including the installation of all of our amazing light fixtures and wallcovering. Furniture & drapery are on order and many of the custom pieces we designed are currently being made, just for our client. We will share the process on @pulpdesigns Instagram as it’s available…

Splendid Living with Dallas Influencer Cynthia Smoot

What is Splendid Living? For Pulp, Splendid Living goes beyond beautiful spaces and is about how you ‘do’ life in your home, making room for everyday indulgences. It’s about experiencing life, enjoying it, and having a beautiful home that is tailored towards enhancing your everyday life.

 When we design spaces that are a thoughtful reflection of our clients, we have to start by getting to know them with our Splendid Living questionnaire. Our interior design firm’s Splendid Living approach offers completely personalized design that is built around how our clients answer many of our Splendid Living questions. We thought we’d ask some of our favorite people in style, fashion, and entertainment a version of the same questions we ask our clients when we begin a project… First up:

 

MEET CYNTHIA SMOOT

Cynthia is a socially savvy wife and mother, a Publicist for Gangway Advertising, and a Lifestyle Blogger at OhSoCynthia.com. And, for all of us Bravo junkies out there, she happens to be a major insider and have all the behind-the-scenes scoop on the new Real Housewives of Dallas! After being connected with Cynthia online, we first met Cynthia in person over five years ago at a Dallas event we threw. Her boundless energy and fearless approach to Dallas’ social culture has kept us watching her ever since.

Like most of our clients, Cynthia is on-the-go busy and but still relishes in life’s indulgences at home. We wanted to see how Cynthia lives splendidly…

Q. Tell us about your household?

A. I live with my husband, Randy, and 15-year old son, Jackson, and our dog, Tuco. The original 3/2 was built in 1954. Like most of the homes in Park Cities, it has been remodeled and added onto over the years. It is now a 4000 sq. ft. 5/5/3. As for the style??? It’s just a brick home. I don’t think it was patterned after any particular style other than All-American.

Q. What is your favorite room in your home, and why?

A. My bedroom is my favorite room because it’s the most relaxing. Between my job at Gangway, my blog and parenting a Sophomore who’s learning how to drive, my days are stressful and BUSY. In my bedroom, the walls are painted a deep ocean blue so it’s very serene and calm. I have a beautiful sleigh bed that I love to climb into, read magazines and just disconnect.

Q. What is your favorite project by Pulp Design Studios? And, why?

A. I’m going with ‘Relaxed Luxury‘. I had an interior designer tell me once that you should “refresh” your house at least every ten years: new bathroom fixtures… new paint… And now that I am approaching the big 5-0, I get it. I’m not the same person I was when I got married at 30. My taste in decor has changed. What I am drawn to in a color palette has changed. And, obviously, styles have changed. In my 20s and 30s I was all about accumulating and acquiring stuff. Now, I am divesting myself of “stuff” as much as possible. In 2 years I will be an empty-nester. My husband and I plan to sell our current home and downsize. It will be a new beginning and…

I am drawn to your “Relaxed Luxury” project because this is where I am in my life. I want elegant simplicity. Less is more and I can’t wait to simplify my life!

POWDER BATH[‘Relaxed Luxury‘ powder bath by Pulp Design Studios]

Q. What was the last time you entertained?

A. All of my family lives out of town and we weren’t able to connect this year for the holidays. On Christmas Eve I had two of my best girlfriends over and their husbands.I always say “There’s the family you are born with and then there’s the family you choose – that’s Framily”. So, I had my family over for a tamale dinner, lots of cocktails and Christmas Eve merriment. When I entertain, I don’t spend hours in the kitchen stressing out over the meal. There are too many great chefs in Dallas for that! I purchased amazing Beef Tenderloin Tamales from The Tamale Company, made guacamole, queso and a pitcher of margaritas and we just enjoyed everyone’s company.

tamales

Q. Before company arrives, what items do you hide?

A. All of my son’s lacrosse gear that is usually strewn all over my living room and dog toys so my guests don’t trip over them.

Q. What’s your favorite thing to cook at home?

A. I am the casserole queen. I have not mastered the ability to cook 3 or 4 different things and have them all come out of the oven at the same time, so I stick to a casserole and a salad! My favorites is a King Ranch Chicken Casserole recipe I got from my Mother.
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Q. What are your favorite indulgences around the home?

A. Fresh flowers are my favorite indulgence.Even if you just pick up a bunch at the grocery store they brighten any room. My favorites are day lilies because they smell so amazing.

fresh flowers

Q. What’s one thing you can’t live without in your home?

A. My television. I am completely addicted to HGTV and Bravo. Home decorating/repair shows and the Housewives are my guilty pleasure.

Q. What’s on your bedside table?

Magazines. Lots and lots of magazines. Vanity Fair is my favorite national magazine. And I subscribe to all of the local publications. It is my job to keep up with the local press, but I also love the act of flipping through the pages and appreciating the photography and stories. Print is NOT dead!

magazines

Q. What’s the most important thing you do to get a good night’s rest?

A. My absolute favorite time of day is the moment that I crawl in bed each night. The minute I lay my head down, I literally feel the stress of the day leave my body and I can RELAX. I have always been a good sleeper. Within 5 minutes of my head hitting the pillow, I am out for the night.

Q. What is your ideal Saturday morning at home?

A. I love to sleep in. Which to me, means waking up naturally, without an alarm clock. I love to wake up and just lay there for a few minutes, relishing that the fact that it’s Saturday and I don’t HAVE to get up if I don’t want to.
Brunch is my favorite meal of the day because not only do I love all brunch foods but I love to day drink, so to indulge in Eggs Benedict and a Blood Mary over a leisurely meal is heaven.
deco-eggs-benedict

Q. Fill in the blank: The first thing I do when I get home in the evening is _______________.

A. Take off all my makeup and bra and put on my PJs and my comfy robe and slippers. I seriously live in my PJs.

Q. What is your favorite color or color combination?

A. Currently, I am loving neutral tones accented with pops of color. I love the sophistication of whites and grays with pops of color using peacock blues and tangerine.
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[a Pulp Design Studios’ interior design scheme for a client]

Q. What are your go-to sources for home inspiration?

A. HGTV shows. They are always surprising me with unique ways to utilize space and add fun touches.

Q. What are your favorite fashion influences?

At this age, I find myself not so much “influenced” by trends or styles. I know my body and the styles that look good on it.
A. For example, I am short-waisted, so if high-waisted trousers are the in thing, you will not catch me dead in those because the waistband would literally be at my bra. I’m all bout fit and form. I like to hunt small, locally owned boutiques as much as possible as opposed to hitting the mall department stores. I like to support small business and I want to find lines no one else carries! My favorite Dallas shops are ElementsLion & WitchAccessory ConciergeRio RitzMilk & Honey and Vintage Martini. For evening wear, my go to is Dallas fashion designer, Ese Azenabor. Her couture pieces are jaw-dropping and she always lands me in the society pages!

Q. What is your favorite way to spend your leisure time at home?

A. I’ve already said it above, but my favorite thing to do is to grab a glass of wine and unwind in front of the television watching the Real Housewives, or Fixer Upper on HGTV. Coming April 11th, I will be watching my friends on the Real Housewives of Dallas! Although I’m not sure that watching them will be relaxing, since I will be live-tweeting all  of the episodes! LOL. Join me on Twitter to dish the dirt and get behind-the-scenes scoop at  @OhSoCynthia!
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Q. If you could change one thing about your home, what would it be and why?

A. Because our house was built in 1954, it is rather choppy. Although it’s been improved over the years, it’s still not as open a floorplan as I’d prefer. My son graduates high school in 2 years and we plan to downsize. I told my husband to start mentally preparing himself because I will be having an Estate Sale to divest myself of literally everything. I can’t wait to start all over with a brand new house and brand new furniture!! You know men hate change, so it will be his worst nightmare and my ultimate fantasy!
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Thank you so much, Cynthia, for sharing with us how you live splendidly!
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images: Cynthia Smoot photo by Thomas Garza, tamales via Abeline Scene, king ranch casserole via Serious Eats, fresh flowers via The Sparkle Blog, magazines via Garance Dore

WATCH: Home Tour of Pulp’s First Project

It was 9 years ago that we decided to start an interior design company while working at another large commercial firm together. We just had a vision. We started designing furniture and taking residential jobs on nights and weekends… And, thanks to our amazing clients (some of which we’re still working with today on new projects), it was 5 years ago that those projects called us to take the plunge into a full-blown firm. We thought we’d celebrate by taking you on a tour of our first project as a firm! See Relaxed Luxury,  a Pulp favorite that’s still trending and current today!

Watch our video tour of the original Pulp project…

Happy Birthday, Pulp!

We can’t wait to see where this next year takes us!

Pulp In Progress: A Lakewood Mexican Mid-Century Update

As part of our Three Step Design Process, we are 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 busy Dallas clients reached out to Pulp Design Studios after reading about us in a magazine. A couple years prior they had completed a nearly total home renovation on their mid-century modern home. They were at the point where they needed some professional direction to finish their renovation and make their home feel more cohesive and personalized.

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

Our clients are a busy family with three children wanting to maximize the space they currently have for their growing family. They love their home but wanted a complete and cohesive look. They brought on our design team to help with some key renovation items and furnishing throughout to help their space flow, add functionality, and create a cohesive story that matches their eclectic tastes.

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

Client, Regan + Josh:

“We were fortunate to acquire a unique home built in 1959 from its original owner. The house was a time capsule that had been styled, furnished, and maintained in its original mid-century modern / mexican design for over 50 years. We wanted desperately to keep the original theme and feel of the house intact while updating the space and personalizing it with our own belongings.”

“After 2 years of tackling this project on our own, we realized we needed professional guidance to achieve the overall look and feel we’ve been wanting. Not to mention, with three little kids demanding most of our free time, we just didn’t have the time or energy to get this project completed on our own anytime soon.”

– regan & josh

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 how our clients live and experience their home and how we could make it better, all while embodying and elevating their personal style. Then we started by gathering inspiration from our client in the form of a Pinterest board and began to collaborate between our Dallas and Seattle offices on the design.

pulp-in-progress

Q. What is the inspiration behind the new design?

The home’s architecture itself is a huge inspiration for the design and it’s all about bringing this home into today. The house was originally built in 1959 with some amazing unique features, which the clients wanted to keep and we wanted to design around. We wanted those original architectural elements enhanced and to create an updated stylish and functional flow throughout the entire home. It will have an incredibly modern and eclectic feel that’s a pure reflection of our homeowner’s unique style.

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

The client was attached to several items existing from the original design of the home because they had a meaning to the original architecture. One of those items was the unique wall covering, which covered the Powder Bath door. But, it really needed a update! We were able to compromise by moving forward with new wall covering. We kept the door and are using it in a creative way by turning it into a unique piece of artwork. Everyone wins!

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

Client, Regan + Josh:

“We are most looking forward to a unified design approach to our crazy and eclectic home. So far, we’ve had one room wallpapered, and based on those results,  we are beyond ecstatic for the rest of the design to get installed. Pulp understands the look we are trying to achieve, and we’re just so excited to see the final outcome!”

– regan & josh

 

Step 3: Execution + Installation

pulp-in-progress

Status: In-progess! All the approved furnishing items are arriving and almost ready for installation, some of the wall covering has been installed, and we are moving forward on the renovation portions of some of the final spaces in the home. We will share the process on @pulpdesigns instagram as it’s available…

Hot Kitchen and Bath Trend: Matte Black and Brass

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

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!

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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.

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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

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

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