All posts by Carolina V Gentry

2016 Holiday Gift Guide: Dog Lover

Inspired by my French bulldog, Ripsi, I’ve pulled together a chic dog gift guide for the pet lover in your life… Interior design extends to every facet of your decor, so dog beds count too! Grab the chicest dog gifts, below…

dog-lover-gifts-001

1. Mungo & Maud Lion Rope Dog Toy | 2. EcoHug Canvas Little Joe Owl | 3. Zanies Wood Interactive Wood Puzzle Toy | 4. Ware of the Dog Crazy Stripe Sweater | 5. Woof Treat Jar | 6. Martingale Dog Collar | 7. Found My Animal Adjustable Rope Leash | 8. Halo Liv-A-Littles Natural Treats | 9. Furbo Dog Camera with Treat Tossing | 10. Natural Dog Company Snout Soother | 11. Pup & Kit Joey High Back Bed

Take a look at the rest of our gift guide series here.

Featured image: Alta Societa for Glamour Italia

The Valencia Project: The Completed Chair Makeover with Ultrasuede®

Sponsored by Ultrasuede®

We recently posted about the process of making over my chair, dubbed ‘The Valencia Project,’ which also happens to be my dog Ripsi’s favorite seat in the house! After moving into a new home and becoming my own client, updates to existing furniture were imperative.  You’ve seen the ‘Before photos – now take a look at the stunning ‘Afters,’ showing how I combined pet-friendly Ultrasuede®  with a woven fabric on my well-loved, classic barrel-shaped chair.

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Chair 3

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Chair 4

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Chair

In my professional opinion…

We are always thinking about how our clients ‘do life’ and we want both functional and beautiful spaces for them to enjoy. As professional designers, we are able to bring our experience, knowledge, and resources designing high-use areas in commercial and hospitality design to our residential clients.  There’s more to it than meets the eye – and that’s a great reason to hire a pro.

It’s so important to hire a designer who can help make key decisions that will make an impact on your daily life. It is equally important for maximizing your investment.  Having access to trade sources, like custom furniture workrooms and fabric manufacturers, allows us a lot of flexibility in our design work. As designers, we enjoy the privilege of pursuing trade-only options from preferred vendors, such as fabric specialist Kravet.

By the way,  our upholsterers love using Ultrasuede for its perfect stretch, no sagging, no waste and is easy to sew for multiple applications, tufts, pleats, button tufting.  We never have an issue with how it conforms to frames. Which makes it easy for us to coordinate with our workrooms.

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Portrait Ripsi

What I love about Ripsi’s (new) favorite chair

I wanted my chair to have its own personality and loved using an accent fabric on the outside back to create a custom look. I love that I don’t have to worry about the light color getting dirty, whether ruined by Ripsi or my dark denim. High performance fabrics are the bomb, and with Ultrasuede most stains are removed by gentle blotting with a water-dampened cloth.  Love is… enjoying your home stress free and not worrying about everyday pet messes.  (Who wants to replace major furniture items because of stains?)

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Study 2

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Study Chair 2

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Portrait Carolina and Ripsi

The new luxury is…

time to enjoy life.

See the complete chair makeover in my own home, AKA Ripsi’s place to perch:

 

 

Consumers and interior designers ask for Ultrasuede® by name:

Ultrasuede® + Ultrasuede® at Kravet

 

The Valencia Project: A Chair Makeover with Ultrasuede®

Sponsored by Ultrasuede®

While we create amazing spaces for our clients on a daily basis, sometimes we’re our own designers and we treat our own homes with the same philosophy as we apply to our client’s lives. We thought we’d tell some of our own personal design stories here… starting with a key chair makeover.

Time for a Refresh

I recently moved into a new home and became my own client in a little project I like to call #TheValenciaProject. I had a chair with a lot of history and great bones that I just didn’t want to part with, but it just looked dingy in its new home. The chair had seen better days. It was originally covered in a generic fabric that did not wear well over time.

before ultrasuede chair

 

Living with Pets

I loved the light color of the chair but, along with everyday wear and tear, my French Bulldog had her way with it. Ripsi loves to rub on all of our furniture. She chews her toys, drools, and gets her dirty paws all over everything, including her favorite piece of furniture…my cream colored barrel chair.

That’s the problem with light-colored fabrics. Unless chosen correctly, pale textiles typically don’t wear well or hold up to real life. Let’s face it, we all live in our spaces with children, dogs and messy family members so we need to think about how our furnishings are going to withstand everyday life.

So, back to my chair’s facelift! My design challenge for myself was to find a light and bright fabric that would wear well and feel luxurious and comfortable to the touch. I turned to my hospitality and commercial design experience and pulled out my Ultrasuede® samples.

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Chair - Before Ripsi

Color Selection

When we design for our clients, we are always looking for the most livable fabric options. We don’t want them to fear light colored fabrics. We search out sources with the flexibility to customize using an array of colors, while still focusing on durability and cleanability.

We love Ultrasuede®  because it has a very luxurious look and feel, and it’s super easy to clean. It also has almost 100 colors to choose from so it’s perfect for customizing. Most importantly for me right now, it’s high performance features allow me to upholster my favorite old chair without any anxiety.

Our motto at Pulp is “It’s not just about a beautiful home, it’s how you live in it.” So, what could be more perfect for our clients or myself?

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Chair - Design Progress

Designer Expertise & Design Resources

As professional designers, we are able to bring our experience, knowledge, and resources designing high-use areas in commercial and hospitality design to our residential clients, in ways that go beyond the eye.

We are always thinking about how our clients ‘do life’ and we want both functional and beautiful spaces for them to enjoy. Having access to trade sources, like custom furniture workrooms and fabric manufacturers, allows us a lot of flexibility in our design work. As designers, we enjoy access to options from our preferred vendors, such as fabric specialist Kravet.

before ultrasuede chair at workroom

 

Sneak peek of the AFTER!

Ripsi is super excited to get her paws on her new chair…  Stay tuned for the full reveal!

Pulp Design Studios Ultrasuede Chair - After Sneak Peek Ripsi

Consumers and interior designers ask for Ultrasuede® by name:

Ultrasuede® + Ultrasuede® at Kravet

6 Summer Soup Recipes

Summer is here which means more daylight hours and extra long days filled with outdoor activities. This time of year people are more laid back and want quick recipes that are light and full of fresh ingredients! Here are six of our favorite soup recipes for your hot summer days…

 

sumer soups, great soup recipes

Clockwise from top: Chilled Cucumber Soup | Corn & Lobster Chowder | Mexican Lime Soup with Chicken | Summer Squash Soup with Basil Pistou | Cold Potato-Leek Soup | Green Gazpacho

Enjoy!

Soak up the sun with these 5 smoothie recipes!

5 Delectable Smoothie Recipes

A simple smoothie is the perfect way to start the day.  I prefer one with a handful of fruit and lots of veggies, but whatever your preference may be, it’s a sure-fire way to get in a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables before running out the door!

5 Delectable Smoothie Recipes

Pulp Design Studios Favorite Smoothies, Green Ginger Peach Smoothie, Healthy Breakfast Recipes
1. One of my favorite recipes in the morning is this green ginger + peach smoothie!  You can swap the peaches for berries, or any other type of fruit. Quick tip: Add a couple of cardamom pods and a chunk of fresh turmeric for a little kick.

 

Pulp Design Studios Favorite Smoothies, Green Ginger Peach Smoothie, Healthy Breakfast Recipes
2. You will love this mango + yogurt smoothie and so will your kids!

 

Pulp Design Studios Favorite Smoothies, Green Ginger Peach Smoothie, Healthy Breakfast Recipes
3. Boost your immunity with this smoothie full of healthy antioxidants.

 

Pulp Design Studios Favorite Smoothies, Green Ginger Peach Smoothie, Healthy Breakfast Recipes
4. If you like carrot juice you will love this one.  It’s so fresh!

 

Pulp Design Studios Favorite Smoothies, Green Ginger Peach Smoothie, Healthy Breakfast Recipes
5. Make it your own: How to create a custom smoothie using this simple guide.

 

Featured Image via Vogue Spain | Image 1. via Minimalist Baker | Image 2. via Joy the Baker | Image 3. via The Awesome Green |  Image 4. via Minimalist Baker | Image 5. via The Awesome Green 

 

5 Must-Try Restaurants in Dallas

As Beth and I travel to Minneapolis for our DXV Design Panel 2016 photoshoots, I can’t help but think about what each city has to offer from a food standpoint. Dallas is actually a mecca of amazing food of all kinds. Whether you’re visiting our amazing city or ready to try something new, I wanted to share a few of my favorites with you.

jonathon-s-oak-cliff

Early Breakfast
Jonathan’s Oak Cliff: This neighborhood eatery is open early (7am) and has a variety of southern classics. My favorite is The Migas with turkey sausage and egg whites! It isn’t the fanciest place, but the food is delicious! (image via Thrillist Dallas)

oishii dallas

Lunch & Dinner
Oishii: My go to Asian spot, with a mixture of Sushi and Pan Asian cuisine, you can’t go wrong! Must haves, Egg roll (the best egg roll ever), 42 roll, spicy salmon cabbage salad. (image via D Side Dish)

El Bolero Dallas

Patio/ Mexican
El Bolero: A great lunch spot with tasty fresh Mexican food (not Tex-Mex), great patio and interior flare. Must haves: Red Snapper Ceviche and Enchiladas Verdes. (Featured Image via Dallas Eater)

Casa Rubia Dallas

Date Night
Casa Rubia: A sexy spanish tapas restaurant with great cocktails. Must haves: Spanish Octopus, Paella of the Day and Pork Collar.

osk

Hamburger Joint
Off Site Kitchen: A casual place for the whole family and the burgers NEVER disappoint. My fave, The Locals Only! (image via Entree Dallas)

Enjoy!

5 Must-Haves for Cinco De Mayo

Even though Cinco De Mayo is on a Thursday, carry that Fiesta into the weekend with these must-haves for the perfect Cinco De Mayo…

  1. These Mexican Mimosas are great for that Sunday brunch.
  2. Hello Fiesta in a glass! This is the best Michelada recipe!
  3. Quick, easy and tasty Mexican Corn Dip!  It will be a favorite at any get-together and easy enough for those who don’t cook.  It’s so good you don’t even need the chips!
  4. My go to Mexican Fiesta decoration website!  Sarape’s, Banners, Pinata’s and more!
  5. Items produced in the small villages of Mexico by the hands of creative and powerful women, Mi Golondrina has gorgeous Mexican clothing and more!    

 

Featured image by Carolina Gentry 

Tips for Perfectly Organized Kitchen Drawers

Drawer organization is extremely important!  Let’s face it, it’s really easy for drawers to turn into unruly bottomless pits of kitchen gadgets, twisty ties, ziplock bags etc… Follow these 5 tips for perfectly organized kitchen drawers.

5 TIPS FOR ORGANIZED DRAWERS

  1. PURGE: Sift through everything you have and get rid of anything you haven’t used in a very long time.  If you haven’t used it in years you probably won’t use it, so throw it out.
  2. STREAMLINE: Organize things based on its use.  Put all of the cooking utensils in one pile, prep utensils and gadgets in another pile, baking utensils in another pile etc. etc you get the gist.
  3. PRIORITIZE: Based on the size of your kitchen or the amount of drawer space you have, prioritize what items will need immediate access.  For example, keep all of the cooking spoons close to the stove, all of the knives and cutting boards close to each other since they will be used together.
  4. ORGANIZE: Purchase drawer organizers that fit the size of your drawers.  For utensils, I personally like bamboo dividers that are expandable and easy to move around based on the size of your drawer.
  5. SEASON: If you have the space, creating a spice drawer is amazing.  If your supermarket has a bulk foods section, check it out and buy the spices in little baggies at 1/4 of the cost you would if you bought them in a jar and store them in your own jars.  It will save you time and money!

Drawer Organization.001

1. Lipper International Expandable Bamboo Utensil Holder | 2. Seville 5 Piece Bamboo Organizer Boxes | 3. Bamboo Knife Dock | 4. Droppar Spice Jar | 5. Variera Insert for Spice Jars |

Featured image from SieMatic 

how to fold a bathroom towel, how to display towels, how to fold a towel like a hotel, how hotels fold towels, the right way to fold a towel

How To Fold a Bathroom Towel

There are so many ways to fold a towel but this is the easiest foolproof way for anyone to fold a towel for a spa-like feel in 3 easy steps. Here we go…

1. Fold your towel in half widthwise.
2. Fold in half again widthwise in the same direction.
3. Fold side in about 1/3 of the towel width on each side.

how to fold a towel, how to display bathroom towels, how a hotel folds towels, the way hotels fold towels

Voilà! The perfect fluffy towel. If you have a banding on your towel the banding will go all the way around the towel and create a clean uniform look for your linen closet or shelves.

how to organize your pantry, tip for pantry organization, worlds most stylish pantry, kitchen renovation, beautiful kitchen renovation ideas, renovation ideas for stylish kitchens

Tips for a Perfectly Organized Pantry

Last year our interior design firm designed several home kitchens and, especially when designing kitchens, we always think about functionality for the heart of the home.  I recently moved into my own home and realized how important it is to have things at arms length for daily cooking and entertaining. Creating accessible and organized spaces are key for the things you use on a daily basis and for the things you use for special occasions in a smart way.

There are three main areas that can get out of control fast; The Pantry, Drawers, and Refrigerator. We will be sharing some of our favorite tips to keep them under control… Follow along as we tackle the hardest space to keep organized: The Pantry.

 

5 TIPS FOR AN ORGANIZED PANTRY

  1. Organize food in categories.  Keep healthy snacks together in bins and only let your children eat from those bins.
  2. Use airtight stackable storage for those tight spaces to maximize your space.
  3. A lazy-susan inside a pantry is great for accessing items from the back of the shelf with ease.
  4. Labeled bins and containers make it clear of exactly what is inside.
  5. Spend just a few minutes each week tidying up your pantry and toss expired items.

 

How to Organize a Pantry.001

1. Linus Open Cabinet Organizers | 2. OXO 10-Piece Pop Container Set | 3. Removable Canister Labels | 4. Iron Stacking Wine Racks | 5. Linus Divided Turntable | 6. Large Bronze York Open Stack Basket | 7. Pantry Dividers | 8. Double Stainless Steel Turntable | 9. Iron Spice Rack | 10. Expandable Shelf Organizer

 

Featured image from Decorpad