All posts by Beth and Carolina

Kitchen & Bath Trend Hunting at KBIS

We are over the moon excited to be attending KBIS, the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show, next week! We’ve been asked to attend with Modenus as part of their Blog Tour, where a team 24 influencers in the home design industry (that includes us!) tour the latest and greatest innovations in Kitchen and Bath. For us, we’re incredibly excited to stay up to date on the latest innovations and products for our Pulp Design Studios clients. We’re ready to be wowed with jaw-dropping installations and products!

When renovating or building a new home, Kitchen and Bath are typically the two largest investments in your home. They are also the two spaces that can possibly affect the way you live and function in your home. It’s so important that they’re designed well, for daily use and to stand the test of time. Take a look at some of Pulp’s recent Kitchen and Bath designs to inspire you…

Pulp-Design-Studios-Master-Bath-Detail Pulp-Design-Studios-Master-Bath2 Pulp-Design-Studios-Kitchen2 Pulp-Design-Studios-Kitchen21 Pulp-Design-Studios-Bar1

We are over the moon excited to see what the Blog Tour sponsors have up their sleeves in new innovations and we’re crazy excited that we have used most of these sponsors in our designs throughout our careers: KBISThermadorBlancoTop KnobsTOTOWoodModeWilsonartKarastan, and Mr Steam.

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Get ready for lots of fun @pulpdesigns instagram posts, where we’ll share updates in real time. Be sure to follow us, interact, and ask questions! You can also follow along on social media by using hashtag #BlogTourKBIS!

Home Tour: Jewel Box Townhome

Not too long ago we completed a great project in West Seattle! This project was featured in Domino and the Today Show!  We wanted to take you on our own little tour of this project and share some of the background and the project challenges…

Q. Who is our client and how did they find us?

A. Our clients, a busy working couple, had recently purchased a townhouse in West Seattle. They moved from Dallas to Seattle, and being from Dallas they knew Pulp well and wanted the opportunity to work with us. One of our homeowners is actually a writer for many magazines specializing in home and garden, so she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to design!

They wanted a new look that reflected their personal style and they were finally ready to invest in themselves to create a space they could be proud of and show off to their friends.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

Q. What was the client’s project scope and why did they seek out a designer rather than attempting it on their own?

A. Our clients wanted to refresh the Living Room, Dining Room, and Powder Bath- with a plan for renovating the kitchen at a later date. They are an incredibly stylish couple and knew they wanted something high on style, but didn’t know how to pull it together on their own. They also needed help articulating their style, in how personal style translates to the home. This project in particular was fun for us because we were given full control to create a concept that was within budget, but had a dynamic yet livable feel.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

We took a high/low approach and splurged on some key pieces (like the bone inlay coffee table) and then scaled back with artwork that was created using feathers and ikea frames to fill up a double-volume wall.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

house tour: #westseattletownhome

Q. What was the biggest project challenge?

A. Our clients were not ready to remodel, so we found ways to cosmetically enhance this space without involving construction. There were minimal changes requiring an outside contractor that made a huge impact: The dining room chandelier, the powder bath wall covering, and relocating the television and moving cords to make for a more welcoming space.

house tour: #westseattletownhomehouse tour: #westseattletownhomeQ. What was the most dramatic transformation?

A. You must take a look at the before and after photos of this space. The overall feel of the space is truly the most dramatic transformation. It went from a cookie cutter townhouse with items from big-box retailers, to a fashion forward dynamic space that our clients felt proud of to entertain in. It feels like so much more of a reflection of this hip couple than their space did before.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

Q. Carolina, what is your favorite part of this space?

A. Even though our clients allowed us full control, they gave us a ton of push back on the teak hand chair! They thought it might be too odd and out of their comfort zone when we shared it with them in their design presentation. After a little convincing and a few private conversations between the two of them, they decided to let us go for it! In a conversation between the two of them they said:

“We’ve chosen to hire an interior designer, so why wouldn’t we trust them push us outside of our comfort zone?”

That chair is now their absolute favorite piece and mine, too! They love it and all their friends are wowed by it. That little design victory is one of our favorite memories from this project.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

Q. Beth, what is your favorite part of this space?

A. It’s really hard to choose just one part, but as a whole I’m proud that our client chose to trust our creative vision and that we created a really dynamic space from furniture to the finishing touches of art and accessories within budget.  This is what we do for our clients each day and we love seeing our vision come to completion. Even though our client had a budget, we understood that it was an serious investment for them and we are so proud that our client feels that it has paid off. It’s truly a lifestyle ROI.

Our client said that their favorite part of the finished product was the feeling they get when they see it each day. She told me that it makes her happy to walk into her space each day and that she and her husband just sit together with a cocktail in the evening and talk about how much they love their Living Room.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

As designers, creating that emotional impact that improves how people feel in their spaces is what is so important to us.

house tour: #westseattletownhome

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

Jewel-Box Townhouse | graphic style with an edge 

Enjoy exploring!

Spellbound – a Guildery Collection Styled by Pulp Design Studios

Pulp Design Studios was asked to style a collection by Guildery, a company that produces made-to-order products. Beth and Carolina curated a decorative fabric collection to have a look already styled for shoppers. For their Styled-By they chose an eclectic blend of three fabrics that express a bold, distinctive style.

Like art, pattern is subjective and it takes a trained eye to achieve those interesting balances that reflect the homeowner. We chose this combination because we love to have an eclectic blend in our projects that screams individuality. Unexpected pattern matches, like the Splotch pattern combined with the more geometric Fret Sketch, creates a balance that is warm and filled with personality. – Pulp Design Studios

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Shop the entire collection here!

 

 

Before & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite Makeover

Before & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite Makeover

We are fortunate enough to work with some pretty amazing clients. The clients from our latest interior project recently reminded us of what their Master Suite looked like before…

Even after we’ve been designing for as long as we have, these before and after photos are jaw-dropping. It is an amazing reminder of the transformations we’re helping to create.

Before we got our hands on the now Master Suite, it was a Mother-In-Law’s Suite with an exterior entrance on the side of the house. We worked with our team of architects and contractors to flip the entire second floor to meet our families needs. The Master Bedroom was on the other side of the home and there weren’t enough bedrooms to fit their family. First of all, they needed 3 bedrooms for the kids, including a craft room (hear more about that on our client’s video). And, they also needed a Master Bedroom, with Master Bathroom & Closet, Laundry Room, and Playroom. Not a small feat.

Before & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite Makeover

Here’s what you’re looking at in the Before photo: The exterior door is now the home of ‘his’ closet. The window above the sink is now home to the water closet. And, hopeful little bathroom is now home to the amazing bathroom you see below.

Before & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite MakeoverBefore & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite MakeoverBefore & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite Makeover

Even though the countertop and sink are in completely different places than before, let’s take a minute to see how the daily experience changes with this stunning makeover…

Before & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite MakeoverBefore & After: An Unbelievable Master Suite Makeover

Worth the investment? Our clients think so. And, so do we!

Top Trend from HPMKT: Global & Vintage

Like we mentioned in yesterday’s post, traveling to High Point Market each Spring and Fall affords us the opportunity to see and spot trends before they hit the market. We shared the top home trend of brass, white, & acrylic. But, today we’re here to share another trend we spotted all over market: Global & Vintage. Think 60’s & 70’s silhouettes, ethnic patterns, animal print, and tribal touches.

A we love to work with a vintage and global appeal on our interior design projects because it lends itself to a well-traveled and collected look. It adds a layer of effortless sophistication that’s uncontrived.

See some of our favorites pieces spotted at the High Point Market showrooms… And, get ready to see some of these gorgeous pieces in our projects.

We’d consider the vintage and global trend more of a mainstay. But, whatever you want to call it, we love the feel and vibe of this emerging favorite.

check out our @pulpdesigns Instagram account for more details on the items shown here.

Top Trend from HPMKT: Brass, White, & Acrylic

Traveling to High Point Market each season gives us the opportunity to spot the latest trends. We get to put our finger on the pulse of what’s happening in interiors, many times 6-8 months before it’s available to consumers. This market, one of our favorite trends – one that we use in our interior design projects often – is the brass (or gold), white, and acrylic.

The combination of brass, white, and acrylic has an ethereal quality and can be introduced into a variety of styles because of it’s neutrality.

See some of our favorites pieces spotted at the High Point Market showrooms… And, get ready to see some of these pieces popping up in our projects.

Whether it’s a contemporary interior or a more traditional or transitional interior space, this trend has a place and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon. It’s the new classic.

check out our @pulpdesigns Instagram account for more details on the items shown here.

PULP SOURCEBOOK: MODERN GREAT ROOM

Pulp Sourcebook: Modern Great Room

Interior Design by Pulp Design Studios

This modern interior design by Pulp exudes warmth, and gives our homeowners the comfort to ‘do’ life in their space. Shop the style that Beth and Carolina created that pushed these client’s style boundaries, taking them from sleek contemporary to warm and modern using pattern, textural elements, and color.

Sourcebook: Modern Great Room

GET THE LOOK:

1. Garnet Sculptures | 2. Amina Trays | 3. Gray Hex Hide Rug | 4. Teal Ikat Pillow | 5. Walker Bone Boxes | 6. Sculpture. From Antiquity to the Present Day | 7. Art of the 20th Century | 8. Dru Small Sculpture | 9. Slate Throw | 10. Teori Pillow | 11. Intersecting Brass Sculpture | 12. Kaiden Bowl

Shop some of the other inspired furnishings and accessories here!

SEE THE INTERIORS:

See the rest of Pulp Design Studios’ Modern Great Room project.

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.

Co-Founders, Pulp Design Studios

Pulp Design Studios Takes High Point Market

It’s that time again… We are headed to High Point Furnishings Market! Our design team is spotting the latest in trends, scouring for new sources for the shop, and shopping for our clients. Here are a few things you’ll want to know:

Pulp InstagramIf you’re not attending:

If you’re not already following us on the Pulp Instagram, join along. We break our usual format and give you a first look into all the new product debuts, along with all the fun in between! (psst… we may even post a few impromptu videos!)

SStourIf you are attending:

Let’s hang out! Since Beth is a High Point Market Style Spotter this year, join us at the Style Spotters LIVE & come tour two of our favorite showrooms: Century & Barbara Cosgrove. Beth is leading a small group right after the LIVE event. The tours are really just a great chance to get together and chat all things design with an insiders look at our favorite showrooms. RSVP’s required!

Style Spotters LIVE
Tuesday, October 20 – 9am-10:15am
IHFC Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom A

Style Spotters Trend Tours
Tuesday, October 20 – 10:30am – 11:30am
Departing from the IHFC Building, Green Wing, 11th Floor, Ballroom A.

 

Either way, we will report back with all the newest finds and product debuts, letting you know what’s hot this year and what we loved.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

Home Tour: #YarrowPointResidence

We recently completed a great project in Seattle! This project was featured in the September issue of Rue Magazine, where we were also named one of the Top 5 Designers to Watch! We wanted to take you on our own little tour of this project…

Q. Who is our client and how did they find us?

A. Our clients are two working parents with a young daughter. They had recently purchased a new home and wanted to make it their own. They searched the popular website Houzz. When they came across our portfolio they felt our firm and our family-friendly approach would be a great fit for their style!

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

Q. What was the client’s project scope and why did they seek out a designer rather than attempting it on their own?

Our clients really wanted to focus on the Great Room to start. They loved modern style and also valued quality. They were up against a few challenges that caused them to seek professional help.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design StudiosWith their modern aesthetic, they needed help creating warmth and personality among the clean edges. It’s not an easy balance to achieve so they knew they needed help.

These clients also didn’t want your standard big-box retailer items. They wanted a mix and wanted access to sources that aren’t always available in the Seattle area. A designer was key to bring in outside resources.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

And, they knew they were ready to personalize their space and take it to the next level. But, with a young child they needed professional help to make sure it was safe for their daughter, but that it would also hold up against the wear and tear of having young children.

We loved that our clients came to us with the mindset that great style and livability didn’t need to wait until baby grows up. You truly can have both!

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

Q. What was the biggest project challenge?

With this being a great room, the layout and flow was really important. We wanted the spaces to feel communal, but still have ‘zones’ that would also provide a sense of space and intimacy. We accomplished this by creating different seating groups for different uses.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

The other challenge we had, which is incredibly common, is getting our clients to approve items that are outside of their comfort zone. The dining room drapery and lighting was a hard sell at first, but ultimately for the clients it ended up being an easy choice and they trusted us to move forward.

In almost every case a client has allowed us to do something they were uncomfortable with, that element ends up being their favorite piece in the space.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

Q. What was the most dramatic transformation?

The house was in great shape before, it just really needed to be infused with the personality of our clients. So, really, the biggest transformation was the overall warmth and livability that the space now has. This space is now inviting and filled with character. So really, the ambiance, style, and functionality are the biggest transformations giving our family a place they really use without fear.

 Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

Q. Carolina, what is your favorite part of this space?

I love the rugs! They’re all hair-on-hide rugs that are perfect for cleaning up easy messes. We used our prism rug (which is one of my personal favorites!) in the dining room and it added a ton of needed life and movement to that area.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design StudiosHome Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

Q. Beth, what is your favorite part of this space?

I really love the dining room drapery that we customized. It’s such a dynamic pattern, and still calming at the same time. Our clients were initially tentative about the bold pattern, but their trust won out and the drapery ended up being a key component in this space.

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

But, truly, I think my favorite part of this space is the customized sectional. Since installing it, I’ve watched our client’s daughter dive right in and play in all the pillows.

It shows you that this family has a place to really nestle in together and what can be more precious than that?!

Home Tour: Seattle Great Room by Pulp Design Studios

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

Modern Great Room | personalized livable style

Enjoy exploring!

Home Tour: #HighlandParkContemporary

We’ve been sharing little glimpses of our #HighlandParkContemporary project for quite some time now! With the launch of our new site, we figured- what better time to share an amazing makeover!? We’re diving in with a home tour and some of our favorite moments from the project.

Pulp Design Studios Entry Stair Living

Q. Who is our client and how did they find us?

A. Our clients are two busy lawyers with three girls. They love to entertain, they’re a super close-knit family and they were looking to create their forever home. A client of ours, who we are now on our third project with, referred us to them when they heard they needed a designer. Thank you! 

Q. What was the client’s project scope and why did they seek out a designer rather than attempting it on their own?

Our clients purchased a home that had a contemporary exterior, but the interior needed major help. The home just felt really good to them and they loved the location, so they purchased it knowing it would need a down-to-the-studs renovation (see the complete before & after gallery).

8.0 - BEFORE

They had never taken on a project of this scale and they knew they needed to seek out professional help.

After being referred to Pulp, they took a look at our website and projects and knew it would be a great style fit.

Q. What was the biggest project challenge?

The biggest challenge was the second floor. It previously had a mother-in-law’s suite and a strange layout. It needed a complete overhaul to accommodate this family of five. We turned the mother-in-law suite into the Master Bedroom and Master Bath, creating an amazing closet (with an office inside the closet for her).

Pulp Design Studios - Master BedPulp Design Studios - Master Seating Area

And, since their children are such close siblings, the layout of the rest of the second floor was modified so all the girl’s rooms connected. Carolina interviewed all the girls before designing their rooms and their one request was a craft room! This was a fun introduction into the design, that also provided a home for the mess that typically comes along with creating art.

Pulp Design Studios - Girls Room Pulp Design Studios - Kids BunkPulp Design Studios - Little Girls Bunkbed Pulp Design Studios - Kids Craft Space

Q. What was the most dramatic transformation?

The home as a whole was completely transformed, but the staircase is probably what modernized the home the most. We took a typical staircase, complete with ugly banister and carpet runner (see the before in our before & after gallery), and we collaborated with our architect and contractor to create a stunning floating staircase, with glass railing. It’s pretty breathtaking!

Pulp Design Studios - Stairs

Q. What was the biggest impact that design had on this family?

When we filmed our client’s testimonial video, they shared that in their previous home they were not big on cooking in the kitchen.

Now, since the kitchen was completely custom & designed with a home for everything- they not only cook more in the kitchen, but they spend more time together as a family in the kitchen.

The girls told us that they have fun cooking challenge games as a family and about how much time they spend in that space. It’s so heartwarming to hear that our clients, even the younger ones, realize the impact that design has on their daily lives and interactions.

Pulp Design Studios - Kitchen Pulp Design Studios - Kitchen2

Q. Carolina, what is your favorite space?

I absolutely love the office! It has a ton of character and warmth and is probably the most eclectic space in the house. I love that we were able to relocate the spiral staircase into this room, to keep part of the look of the original home. It’s a super functional space with a ton of character. We always say that we design for our clients and not for ourselves, but between the zebra hide, the wall covering, and the tchotchkes in-between, I would move right in.

Pulp Design Studios - OfficePulp Design Studios Office Seating Pulp Design Studios Office Details

Q. Beth, what is your favorite space?

My favorite space is the Master Bath! It’s stunning and beautifully designed. I’m a big fan of daily soaking in the bath and this tub and overall ambiance is just amazing. There’s also a hidden television behind the mirror and custom vanities for the perfect morning routine. I would probably spend most of my time in that bathroom!

Pulp Design Studios - Master BathPulp Design Studios Master Bath Detail

Q. What was your favorite part about working on this project?

Our favorite part is probably getting to spend a ton of time working together with these clients. They are an absolutely incredible family and have created a beautiful life, both inside and out.

Our clients trusted Pulp to help them create their forever home and their trust in us paid off in a major way.

Meet these clients for yourself:

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

Contemporary Warmth | a family’s forever home

 

Enjoy exploring!