All posts by Beth and Carolina

It’s Pulp’s 17th Anniversary!

It is 17 years this month since Carolina Gentry and Beth Dotolo founded Pulp Design Studios! We can hardly believe how the time has flown by. We’ve accomplished so much and have celebrated some BIG milestones, so we thought we would highlight 17 of our most exciting moments at Pulp. And stay tuned, we have even bigger plans for our future!

1. Expanding to Seattle

Did you know that we started out together in Dallas? Beth moved to Seattle to open a second location a few years after Pulp launched, and it has been an amazing move that expanded the reach of our business.

2. D Home’s Best Designers

This month also marks the 10th year (yes, 10th!) that Pulp has been named one of the top design firms in Dallas! That’s a huge honor and we’re so thankful to our clients and to D Home for recognizing us each year.

Pulp Design Studios for S. Harris
3. Pulp’s Fabric Collections

In 2018, we were thrilled to launch our first fabric collection with S. Harris, inspired by travel and adventure. It’s been popular beyond our expectations! And we were so excited to launch a second collection for the commercial and contract world soon after. Also FYI – many of our fabrics are available as wallcoverings and finished goods, too!

4. Kips Bay Dallas

There are moments that really push a design firm to a new level and Kips Bay Dallas definitely did that for us. Pulp was assigned an awkward space that included 2 rooms joined by a hallway and bathroom. We love design challenges so we made the most of the interior space with a Wise & Wicked theme, showcasing a home office for a busy female entrepreneur and a hidden “sinner’s den” where she could spend her down time letting loose! The creative result definitely had people talking and we received a lot of press for our design.

Kips Bay Dallas by Pulp Design Studios
5. Pulp Properties

The Pulp duo is always thinking out of the box, strategizing new ways to make the most of our talents in different arenas. So we recently created a new division called Pulp Properties. Under that division, we opened a shoppable vacation rental in Palm Springs and a commercial property in Dallas. The Dallas building houses women-led creative businesses, including our own Pulp office. Look for this division to expand even more in the coming months!

6. DXV Design

Another pivotal moment for Pulp was when we were asked by DXV to be part of its Design Panel in 2016. We were asked to create a bathroom with products from DXV that would also pay homage to an iconic cities. Interestingly, we were assigned Palm Springs, which of course we loved. That midcentury modern bathroom design helped showcase our signature adventurous style and really made a big splash in the design world when it was featured in DXV’s national ad campaign.

Pulp Design Studios for DXV
7. Advisors and Ambassadors

With a forward-thinking approach to both commerce and creativity, Pulp has established a unique viewpoint that combines luxury design with a flair for the unexpected. And that has meant that many brands have turned to us to represent them and to guide their future strategies. We’ve been honored to serve as advisors and ambassadors for House Beautiful, Ann Sacks, Thermador, NKBA, DXV, and more.

8. Award Winners

When it comes to gorgeous rooms, Pulp has been honored to receive many awards for its creativity and style. Those include the Luxe Red Awards, the Gray Awards, and awards from Modern Luxury. In fact, we are finalists this year for a few Gray awards, which will be announced in just a week (fingers crossed)!

Seattle Modern Treehouse guest bathroom – a finalist for 2024’s Gray Awards
9. Pulp Moves Out

Pulp Design Studios works all across the country and we’ve recently expanded with new offices in Los Angeles, Lubbock, and Portland. We’re thrilled to have clients from Tennessee to Hawaii to New York, and everywhere in between. With our 5 offices, we can handle projects in any location.

10. Haute Hardware

It’s amazing to think about today, but the one thing that really started all of our product design and licensed collections was a little star. We were looking for a very specific hardware design and could never find it. So we designed it! And today that Starburst Pull is still a BIG seller for Pulp, now available in four fabulous finishes.

11. Kismet Collection

From that hardware collection, Pulp launched the Kismet Lounge line in 2017. It features textiles, throws, coasters, candles, and more. Motifs include an Eye of Ra, the Gemini faces that are inspired by our founding duo, and the Icon pattern, from our own Pulp logo!

12. Launching ICON

Speaking of an icon, we took our own path in 2019 and launched an in-house magazine called ICON! This gorgeous and glossy publication – on its 11th issue! – showcases Pulp’s latest projects, offers fantastic design and home tips, and gives insight into how the interior design process unfolds. Look for a new issue that will be out this spring!

Pulp Design Studios ICON Issue 10
13. Commercially Speaking

Pulp isn’t just known for residential design. Our teams have also crafted interiors for office spaces, restaurants, wineries, and more. We bring our out-of-the box designs to any project!

14. Traditional Home Showhouse

One thing most people don’t realize is that you have no control over what space you’re assigned in a showhome. Sometimes you get a challenging area of the house, but it’s what you do with it that makes ALLLL the difference! When we were assigned an entry and stairwell for the Traditional Home showhouse in Dallas, we brought that iconic bold style that we’re known for. It created a showstopper moment before guests were even 10 feet into the house!

Traditional Home Dallas Showhouse, Bridget Beari Wallcovering, Buscemi wall covering, tina turner art, geometric railing, chaise lounger, s. harris brushstroke, double volume entry, modern staircase, entryway, circa lighting, gold chandelier, green and gold lamp, easel, Jonathan Adler easel, coffee table books, tom ford book, harpers bazaar book, credenza, dark credenza, black credenza, circle accent furniture, bowl, s. harris, drapery, curtains , gold lighting, gold chandelier, colorful rug, the rug company, original art, human form art
Pulp Design Studios for the Traditional Home Showhouse
15. Pulp TV

Video was a HUGE gamechanger for the Pulp team. We were early adopters of the medium, featuring interviews with our clients, walkthroughs of our projects, and behind-the-scenes looks at our product and interior design processes. Pulp TV is part of our media arm that includes our popular blog and ICON magazine.

16. Best of the Press

Pulp has received SO much editorial coverage over our 17-year history and we are proud of every single piece. Some of the amazing press we’ve received includes Architectural Digest, Traditional Home, Elle Decor, Veranda, House Beautiful, Forbes, Wall Street Journal, Luxe and PaperCity.

17. Design Book Feature

Pulp’s Wise & Wicked space was showcased in Carl Dellatore’s More is More is More: Today’s Maximalist Interiors from Rizzoli. Our space was definitely maximalist, and we loved being featured in such an iconic book. And as for future books … stay tuned!

Thank you for following us and helping us celebrate 17 fantastic years. We look forward to big and bold moves in the years to come!

The 4 Types of Pulp Projects

We’re often asked how Pulp works with clients and the type of projects that we take on. No matter what type of project, we’re always going help our clients define a unique personal style and transform their interiors into spaces that are brag-worthy and innovative! And with our new locations in Portland and Lubbock (joining our offices in Seattle, Dallas, and LA!), we’re able to work all across the country. While Pulp does create both commercial and residential interiors, there are 4 types of residential projects that we gravitate to most!

1. New Construction

When Pulp is brought in early in the build process, we’re able to help guide some of the architectural decision making so the house truly functions perfectly for our clients. We’re designing the full package for these clients — finishes, lighting, paint, and furnishings for the entire structure, so there is a strong vision and an ability to deliver a stunning home that’s beautiful and supports the way our clients want to live! Because really, it doesn’t make sense to work with a design team of our caliber if you aren’t able to have a holistic vision that comes to life in the final look of the home! Here are some of our most successful new build projects:

2. Full Renovation

Whether it’s a new life stage or a not-great house in the perfect location, a down-to-the-studs renovation can rework a house so it really fits what our clients need! We spend a lot of time before any work starts to help define what our clients are looking for. Then we give them our creative vision for their home and show them the impact we could have on their space and on the important end-result. Once again, we’re talking about a complete vision for this type of project, from paint, tile, and finishes to lighting and furnishings. We maximize every square inch of a home to work perfectly for our clients, while delivering a stunning style. Take a look at a couple of our best renovation projects:

3. Micro Renovation

This is a service that we developed and it really makes Pulp stand apart from others. So what is a micro-renovation? It’s making smart decisions that give you a big impact! Pulp guides our clients to creating interiors that are the best they can be without a huge investment. This is also a great service if you just want a refresh of your home. That can include light renovations, as well as finishes, fixtures, and of course furnishings! Let’s take a look at some of our best nip-and-tuck approaches to updating a home:

4. Furnishings Projects

Occasionally our clients have a fantastic house with a great layout, but they just need help getting things over the finish line! The Pulp team are experts at adding more personality to rooms and making them stand out with stunning design. In those cases, the right furniture, art, and accessories can make ALL the difference! Check out a few of Pulp’s fabulous furnishings projects:

No matter which project type you’re interested in, the Pulp team is ready to develop a unique and stunning vision for your home. Give us a call!

Pulp Launches Collab with The FineFind

Pulp Design Studios is excited to announce a new online home furnishings collaboration with The FineFind (pulp.thefinefind.com). The unique partnership allows Pulp to expand its popular online shop, now offering semi-custom home products that showcase Pulp’s fabric collections for S. Harris.

This exciting new idea allows Pulp to offer a world–class, curated collection of interior products for consumers, with trade discounts for other designers. The initial products include:

  • Three-finger pinch pleat drapery panels in either 96-inch or 108-inch lengths
  • The 18-inch square Ingrid ottoman
  • The 20-inch round Clare ottoman
  • Four sizes of pillow (sold in pairs) – 20×20, 22×22, 24×24, and 14×20 inches

Each product can be customized with some of the most popular patterns from Pulp’s fabric collections for S.Harris, like Scarab, Old Cairo, Castile, Leopardo, Hidalgo, and Pokhara. More product categories will also be added in the future.

The founder of The FineFind is Jodi Finer, creative director for Fabricut/S.Harris. Her idea for founding The FineFind came from seeing the disconnect between supply-chain sourcing and end-use application. She recognized a better way to provide access to beautiful and high-quality customized products. The FineFind’s goal is to be the most innovative environment for interior designers to understand and meet consumer demand using emerging technology that is changing every day.

Finer says that idea of being ahead of the curve is exactly why she wanted to partner with Pulp: “I see Pulp as a leader in the digital space. They are innovative, open-minded, consistent in their approach, and talented creatives. It’s part of our mission to support women-owned businesses, and of course their taste is impeccable!”

“We are so excited to be able to expand our online shop with these new products,” says Beth Dotolo, co-founder of Pulp. “We’re asked all the time about our fabrics and how to use them, and this gives people a way to easily have a ‘Pulp look’ in their homes.”

“I love that you can sort by fabric or by product,” says Carolina Gentry, Pulp’s co-founder. “If you already love one of our fabrics, you can very quickly see what that pattern looks like on a pillow or an ottoman. Genius!”

See the full collection by clicking here!

6 Tips for Kitchen Investments

When it comes to making investments in your home, the kitchen is one of the most important rooms to consider. Here are Pulp’s pro tips for the 6 most important elements to invest in for your kitchen design!

1. Counters

The key to the right investments in your kitchen is to think about what you use the most. Counters and floors get a lot of action in a kitchen, so you need to select materials and styles that will stand up to a lot of use and abuse. For example, if you know you’re going to set hot pans directly on the counter, you may want to consider a quartz composite that won’t burn or show marks from the pans.

2. Cabinetry

We encourage all of our clients to spend money to get the storage they need in the kitchen, like in the stunning Dallas space we designed above. This room is probably used more than any other in the house and there is nothing more frustrating than not having space for items. Or not being able to easily grab what you need as you’re cooking. Think very carefully about what specialty items you may need to store and walk through those ideas with your designer and contractor.

3. The Right Appliances

How do you cook? That’s a question you should ask before you start purchasing the appliances for your kitchen. If you love to bake and craft gourmet meals, then a fabulous range like the one in a Pulp-designed Seattle kitchen is going to be on your must-have list. Or if you love wine, you may want to invest in a full wine fridge. Other options we talk about with clients are large refrigerators, fridge drawers, microwave drawers, double dishwashers, coffee stations and more. Select the right appliances to fit your lifestyle!

4. Faucet

You probably never think about how often you will use the faucet in your kitchen sink, but it is definitely a work horse! There are a lot of options in faucets today that will give you more functionality. You may want a tall faucet for deep pots, or one with a detachable sprayer. We really like the wave-over faucets that don’t require you to touch a thing for the water to start flowing. High-tech ideas are definitely out there, so explore your options.

5. Lighting

We love statement lighting in a kitchen, like the modern fixture above from Gabriel Scott in a modern farmhouse Pulp designed in Dallas. It’s like adding a piece of art the room! But you also want the light to function well, putting the spotlight on where you’re working or eating.

6. A Pantry

We love smart storage in kitchen! Most of our projects include a pantry because they keep things so organized and efficient. Think carefully about what you’ll store here so you can custom craft the right sized shelves, drawers, and cubbies for everything you want to tuck away.

Ready to design your dream kitchen? Give the Pulp team a call – we work all across the country AND around the globe!

Product Spotlight: Float Room

Bathrooms are one of Pulp’s favorite rooms to design – we love the mix of function and beauty in these spaces. For a modern look, we’re using more floating vanities, too. Here are a few of our best “float room” examples, and why we’re obsessed with this style!

Double Float

For a lakeside Seattle home (above), we wanted the primary bathroom to feel connected to the outdoor spaces. This double floating vanity continues that sense of air and space for a modern oasis.

Adding Space

In smaller bathrooms like the one above in a high-rise Seattle condo, a floating vanity opens up the room, making it seem larger than it is.

Making Magic

There’s a bit of magic to a floating vanity that fits the Pulp team’s aesthetic of unexpected looks. In the Dallas bathroom above, it’s almost a mystery as to how that gorgeous wood counter is levitating above the floor.

Unique Style

A modern organic bathroom in a Seattle penthouse above has a cloud-filled wallpaper.
So the wood counter appears to float in the clouds, showcasing that unique design that we love.

If you’re looking for adventurous style and a one-of-a-kind look for your home, give our team a call!

Just for You: Why Custom Design Is Key

At Pulp Design Studios, our team is known for crafting the most beautiful and functional homes for our clients. But we also want the interiors to be special and to stand out from the crowd of cookie-cutter designs. We specialize in custom design that will give our projects a unique and stunning style. Why custom? Because we can create the perfect look that only our clients will have, and custom also can offer amazing solutions to design challenges. Here are some of the custom innovations we’ve devised for our projects!

Sometimes we can’t find that perfect design that we’re looking for in a room, so we create it! In the Dallas project above, we crafted a glam dining room table that was perfect for our clients and their gorgeous home design. Unusual materials can also create a unique design. So we also had muscovite hand applied to the wall behind the custom bar in that same room.

For a Dallas modern farmhouse, our clients told us they love to live and entertain outdoors, so we knew we wanted to give them some fabulous designs that would elevate their outdoor rooms. The Pulp-designed daybed swing above is now a favorite destination for the entire family!

Furnishings aren’t the only custom creations that Pulp crafts for our projects! We also love to design cabinetry that is super-chic and functional. For the Texas bathroom above, we added reeded drawer and door fronts to give the vanity a look that you can’t get anywhere else.

High-tech needs can also find a solution in custom design! The Pulp team used art to hide the TV in the project above, creating a unique folding door that opens to reveal the screen. In a music-lover’s house below, we gave them pull-out shelves that brings the tunes even closer to the action.

In our Modern Laredo Mediterranean project below, Pulp meticulously mapped out one-of-a-kind looks with Stark for the living room and the staircase. A custom design really elevates the look of those spaces!

If you want your home to be personal and unique, give our team a call! We work all across the country and love to craft interiors that no one else will have!

House Tour: University Park Transitional

Pulp projects range from new builds to renovations to requests for furnishings and finishes. For this transitional project in the Dallas University Park neighborhood, we were called in by a fellow interior designer who had started the project, but wanted Pulp’s help. It’s so hard to design your own home when you’re the professional (the Pulp duo can relate!), and she loved our aesthetic. So this project was about taking the design over the finish line. Let’s take a tour!

ENTRY

The house has an open plan filled with gorgeous natural light. Pulp loved the light wood floors and the white surfaces. We brought in modern furnishings to complement the home’s design and add beautiful shapes and visual interest.

GREAT ROOM

The open-area great room is a very large space in this house, so Pulp crafted different zones to create a more intimate setting. There’s a traditional seating area in front of the television, as well as a conversation area with four swivel chairs. This room is one of our client’s favorites. She loves all the patterns the Pulp team layered in, as well as the palette. And because her family includes a dog and kids, we invested in performance fabrics that will hold up to anything the family can throw at them.

KITCHEN

The kitchen is a gorgeous modern gathering space. Pulp brought in modern seating and contemporary pendants to add a little edge to the more timeless white-kitchen design. We love those unexpected touches.

POWDER ROOM

The dramatic powder room design is one of Pulp’s favorite spaces in the house. The geometric glass mosaic tile behind the sink is almost like a David Hicks pattern. It looks like a wallcovering, but is a bolder and more dimensional design.

DINING ROOM

The family loves color and pattern, so the Pulp team created a magical mix in the dining room, including a Pulp-exclusive wallpaper that’s from one of our fabric patterns for S. Harris. We also used different textures and a gorgeous raspberry paint color on the ceiling. It’s an adventurous look that makes this house very unique and personalized.

THE STUDY

We took a bolder approach with color for the study, saturating the room in a deep, dark black. It’s the perfect backdrop for that bold light fixture and the art.

PRIMARY SUITE

We loved the architecture in the house, especially in the principal bedroom suite. We kept things neutral and calm, crafting a retreat for our clients. And we included a reading area where they can have some quiet time on their own.

In the principal bathroom, Pulp’s goal was to add lovely design touches to elevate the space, including a lucite stool, a lovely fixture, and updated details.

It’s those details that really make a Pulp project stand out. If you need a makeover for your home, give our team a call! And to see more of this project, click here.

Oh, Baby – A Sophisticated Nursery Room

When those all-important life changes happen, Pulp has been lucky enough to have our clients bring us back to update their homes for new chapters. We had designed a lovely guest bedroom for this Highland Park project in Dallas when our clients found out they actually needed a nursery! So we gave the room a chic makeover that is now the perfect space for a bundle of joy. Let’s take a tour!

The small vestibule just outside the door sets a chic tone, which we wanted to continue into the new nursery. The only thing that changed here is the view into the bedroom!

We loved the quiet palette we originally created for this room, so we kept that color scheme, but added a few more unexpected details. We updated the light fixture to a playful “bubble” design and added wallpaper to the ceiling to give the little one something to study from the crib.

We swapped out the seating from the original guest room for a glider rocker from Vanguard, perfect for rocking a baby to sleep. Or for the family fur baby! We loved the table from Arteriors so much that it stayed in the room’s design.

One of our favorite finds for the nursery was a fabulous crib with built-in storage. It also converts to a toddler bed when the time is right.

Do you have a big life change happening in your home? Need a gorgeous redo for a new look? Give the Pulp team a call!

Founders Five: 10 Essentials for Entertaining

‘Tis the season… for entertaining guests and hosting holiday parties! To help you make the most of your social calendar, Pulp Design Studios’ co-founders select 10 must-haves to help you welcome and host in style!

BETH’S PICKS

Give your guests the perfect perch for charging their phone with this magnetic stand from Courant.

You can decide if you want to get these fabulous pinstripe linen loungers from Deiji Studios for guests or just for yourself. I would get a set for everyone!

Guest rooms are definitely more welcoming when they smell fabulous. Try this spicy Shinrin Yoku scent from Het Ki Nen.

The Ruban d’Hermès tray offers a chic place for guests’ keys and jewelry, or use it for small snacks when entertaining!

Turkish cotton towels offer a unique touch for your guest bath, especially with a fun pattern like this one from Happy Place.

CAROLINA’S PICKS

Offer your guests a more chic drinking glass like these marbled designs from Moda Operandi!

The Savon de Marseille soap cube is crafted from French olive oil for a luxe experience for your guests!

This bottle basket from Gohar is designed with 100% cotton fabric in West Africa, weaving the perfect package for an entertaining hostess gift.

I love a fabulous charcuterie moment, and these beautiful boards from Lulu and Georgia, two in marble and one in wood, provide the perfect backdrop for snacks.

Crafted from pure organic cotton in a supersoft ribbed texture, these towels from Parachute will wrap your guests in comfort.

Dallas Modern Farmhouse Tour

The key to a beautiful modern dream home isn’t just the gorgeous furnishings or art that’s selected for each room. The best designers will guide you to smart investments that will inspire you to live your best life in your home. Pulp is known for looking at the big picture, for designing a home holistically so it functions perfectly for our clients, while also creating wow-worthy spaces. In this Dallas modern farmhouse, Pulp gave a transplant New York family their very first single-family home after years of apartment living. So we wanted to be sure it had everything they wanted – and more. Let’s take a tour!

ENTRY

The house has a very modern and chic design that offers a new twist on farmhouse chic.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and doors let in beautiful natural light.

GREAT ROOM

This family loves to entertain and welcome family and friends, so the open spaces flow into each other in the great room. There are zones for gathering, cooking, eating, and conversation.

KITCHEN

The beamed ceilings seem to flow directly down into the kitchen cabinetry, creating a modern twist on a traditional element. Custom cabinetry and a large family island offer function, while the waterfall counter and stunning light fixture from Gabriel Scott draw all eyes to the design. Texture and layered wood tones perfect the mix of updated and vintage styles that were key to this home. All appliances are from Thermador.

DINING ROOM

Pulp is known for creating custom looks for our clients, giving them unique and very personal interiors. We designed the glam custom table in the dining room, as well as the beautiful muscovite wall covering behind the bar. Those touches make a Pulp home stand out from the crowd!

STUDY

The Pulp team’s expertise is in listening to what our clients really want in their homes. The result includes spaces like this one, where a unique work area was custom-designed for our clients to fit their profession and their tech needs. It’s a dramatic yet cozy space.

PRIMARY BEDROOM

One of Pulp’s favorite spaces in this home is the primary bedroom suite. We love the calm tones and textures – it’s the perfect place to retreat to after a long day. The natural world right outside the windows inspired organic textures and motifs, like the faux bois console table. Pulp also designed a custom headboard for the bed to give this room a bespoke look.

PRIMARY BATHROOM

Continuing that modern organic design theme, the primary bath creates a serene retreat for these Pulp clients. It includes a free-form tub, a walk-in shower with multiple shower heads and jets, and dual floating vanities.

OUTDOOR ROOMS

This family loves outdoor living, so Pulp designed multiple seating and gathering areas to give them outdoor rooms that are just as chic as the indoor areas. Family favorites include the fire pit and the bed swing that Pulp designed just for them. You can also see the art that spells out the family mantra in the photo below.

See more of this gorgeous home, including kids’ rooms, a gym, laundry space, game room, and more. Just click here!

And to get your own custom look for your interiors, give Pulp a call!