I hope you all enjoyed my new series for Hello, Splendor, City Inspitred!

You did!?

Wonderful! Because I will be making an appearance here more often!

YAY!

So I’ve got another one for ya… quick and simple ways you can spruce up a space.

Let’s get started!

We all have them… the four legged beast that greets our guests and the UPS guy.

(No, I’m not talking about your spunky teacup yorkie)

My question is, why is your entry console being used as a landing spot for junk mail and trident wrappers?

Tame and dress up your naked entry console in 5 easy steps…

Step 1. Lighting is everything. Place matching column lamps on each end of the table. I can guarantee you no woman considers the dreaded recessed down facing can light a friend.

Step 2. Hello, gorgeous! Now that we have flattering lighting, hang a round or oval mirror and center on the table. It will create a bit of sparkle and makes the entry feel larger. Plus, everyone likes to glance at themselves when coming and going!

(Don’t lie, you know you pass by a store front window and check yourself out)

Step 3. Add an ottoman in an interesting shape or a cube in a funky pattern. This extra pop creates a nice balanced vignette and gives off a playful vibe.

Step 4. Books make wonderful accessories for any surface! Find 2 or 3 books with bold graphic spines and stack them largest to smallest. You can even top them off with a small object like a shell from your recent beach vaca!

Step 5. Stop and smell the roses. Flowers and plants add an organic and fresh feel to any space. Plus, they smell so good! But, if you are like me, you forget to water the entry plant. I stick with succulents, they are low maintenance and come in a variety of colors and textures. So you have a brown thumb? Don’t worry, faux plants make a wonderful substitute.

See, that wasn’t so bad and now there absolutely no room for those tempting pre approvals (shred ‘em!).

Like what you see?

Console and Sunburst Mirror by Made Goods* / Lamps by Arteriors* / Ottoman by Global Views* / Books, Tom Ford and Design Sponge at Home can be found at your local bookstore or online. / Faux Succulent by LDF Silk*

*Items available through the trade only.

Hello again friends! After a quiet spell here on Hello, Splendor we’re back at it again with an especially exciting post. Do you remember Beth and Carolina’s design duel posts from the PULP blog? Yeah, we thought so. It was one of our favorites too. Well, we decided to dust off the covers and start it back up again!

Here’s the idea… We asked some of our favorite design bloggers to go up “against” each other and share their own unique taste in an oh-so-friendly design duel! There are no winners or losers here; just a fun look at two different takes on the same space.

And that space is (drum roll)…

The Breakfast Nook

Erika Bretchel of small shop studio

Erika has a bohemian, chic style that is the envy of the entire PULP team. Her blog is stunning and her brand styling business is booming! (see more of her breakfast nook HERE)

VS

Elise Yetton of Pennyweight

Elise has collaborated with PULP favorites such as Kinfolk Magazine, operates an online vintage shop, and curates a gorgeous blog. Besides her online accolades, her modern, organic aesthetic is sophisticated and inviting!

ding. ding. ding.

Erika’s Picks: Saarinen Tulip Table | Chloe Acrylic Chair & Rens Sheepskin | Lucite Hoop Chandelier | Powerstone Dinnerware & Gold Triangles Drinking Glass | Agate Candlesticks | St. Germain and Champagne

Elise’s Picks: Docksta Table | Tolix® Marais A Chair | Unfold Pendant | Wood Bowl Set | Floral Arrangement (from Saipua) | Mimosa

 I am so excited to be blogging on Hello, Spendor and starting up a new series, City Inspired!

In this series I will be sharing with you some of my
favorite cities and design inspired by those destinations!

First stop, London!

The thing I love about London is the mix of traditional and contemporary.

 A stunning example of that is my favorite museum in the city, the British Museum.

Starting at the top right:

A modern twist on a traditional Windsor crystal chandelier in this white Minka chandelier .

Keeping with the traditional architectural finishes,
this wood panel wallcovering by Andrew Martin should fool any guest!

This limited edition art print of HRH crown jewels by Ann Carrington was appropriately made
out of pearl buttons!

The timeless Chesterfield sofa in leather by Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams
is a piece that will never go out of style.

Speaking of style… this quirky coffee table book
of Britain’s own Vivienne Westwood is a library must have.

A simple and modern cocktail table with mother of pearl
inlay from Oly Studio is perfect for high tea and crumpets.

England’s own official flag makes a statement as
a bold and graphic area rug from who else, Jonathan Adler!

I always found pocket watches to be so charming
and just love this printed pillow from Square Feathers.

There’s just something so regal and proper about
this golden horse lamp from Barbara Cosgrove Lamps!

A modern interpretation of the wing back chair from Ironies and paired
with a whimsical lion paw foot stool from Oly Studio.

Don’t you just love this contemporary bar cart from Arteriors, also
known as a drink trolley?! Makes a perfect tea server… scratch that… stout
server!

Keeping the original character of a space is so important,
like this herringbone parquet wood flooring. Remember, not everything has to
look brand new!

Note : Not all items are available to the public. Please contact Pulp Design Studios if you are interested in purchasing.

1. Proof that blogging is good for something! My christmas loot that Kevin spotted on this little blog!

2. New Years Eve was beautiful here in Dallas! Who knew we’d get a day outside in the sun?!?

3. Since Kevin & I fell asleep before midnight on NYE, we made up for it with mimosas in the morning…

4. s’mores and wine by the fire & a Homeland marathon (Did you watch?)….

5. and, a bubble bath (with wine, of course)! We really made up for NYE with a day of relaxation & being home drunks.

6. The following day, Carolina and I had a double date with our hubby’s at La Duni (twice) & went to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Anyone read the books? Carolina is obsessed!

7. I found this awesome caricature from years ago of Carolina & I!! The Viking & The Mexican. I love it!

8. And, I spent a quick weekend jaunt on the West Coast this past weekend. Perfect place to be in the winter!

Can you believe the first week of the year is over?? Anyone else feel like we’re in a time vortex?

All photos by Beth using instagram!

photo by Julie De Waroquier

Can you believe it’s the year twenty twelve?? I can’t. Well, 2012, I have big plans for you!

I never do resolutions, because honestly, I never stick to them. Who wants to set themselves up to fail? I don’t. Instead, I’m just trying to be better. Better about everything. I want to empty the dishwasher when it needs to be emptied, take the few extra steps to the recycling bin, write that note I’ve been meaning to write to tell that certain someone that they are appreciated, file that paper that needs to be filed when I’m done with it rather than creating piles, organize my closet and purge what I really don’t need. You get the gist. I want to take charge of my life by doing things NOW, rather than constantly create pressure for myself with things that need to be done later.

So, what changes will you make this year?

And, ps, HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Happy Merry Christmas Eve!! I just had to share this photo of Max (old habits die hard) with Santa that we took at the Downtown Neiman Marcus yesterday… Devilishly cute, huh?

Hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!

The holidays are officially here! I’m sure you are ready to get your holiday drink on…like me! Whether you’re planning a fun holiday gathering or ready to kick up your feet after a long day of shopping, this amazing Crystal Head Vodka is sure to quench your thirst or strike up an interesting conversation.  It would make a great gift and it has a cool legend to go with it.  I want one!!

Happy Holidays!!!

We’re all guilty of waiting until the last minute to buy gifts or remembering that special someone at the eleventh hour! Here are some gift ideas to help out those last minute shoppers… And, let’s be honest, I’d take any one of these gifts as my first choice!

1. Cooking Classes!

2. Gilt Groupe e-Gift Card

3. iTunes Gift Cards

4. Home Made Edible Gifts

5. A Bottle of Wine with a Custom Label

6. A Magazine Subscription

7. A Spa Gift Certificate.

8. Dwell With Dignity Donation in the name of a loved one

And, last but not least…. You can always give the gift of style with a PULP Design Studios gift card!

I hope this list gets you through the last of your manic holiday shopping… I’ll be ready for Saturday night when we can all sit back, crack open the egg nog, curl up with a loved one and wait for Santa to arrive.

1. Beth’s son (and Carolina’s godson) celebrated his 2nd birthday this month at the Dallas Children’s Museum.

2. Carolina snapped a shot of Maxton anxiously awaiting his gifts.

3. All glamour aside, when we aren’t running to client meetings or showrooms, this is real life at the studio.

4. A current palette we’re pulling together for a PULP interior design client.

5. Did you shop our Pulp Design Studios Joss & Main sale last week? It was a smashing success!!

6. Beth & Ashlina, The Decorista, at the VandM party co-hosted by Pulp Design Studios at ID Collection.

7. Look who else made it out: Our real life friends Kyle of Knight Moves and Abbe of Studio Ten 25.

8. And, what party pic would be complete without our trusty lunch bunch pals, Laura & Grant.

We swear Carolina was there, too, but she’s a little more camera shy than Beth (and, really, who isn’t?). We can’t wait to share the rest of the party pics!

How was your week!! Is everyone ready for the holidays?

All photos by Beth & Carolina using instagram!

Image via imgfav

I bet you thought I had forgotten about this amazing giveaway!!  Well, maybe I just wanted to keep you guessing on who could have won?!  Congrats to Gabrielle @savvyhome our winner!!! Thanks to everyone for entering!!! Maybe you will be the lucky one next time!!!