The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline

Paloma has two new hires and a welcome reminder that a full calendar can also be a sign of abundance; Caroline has family travel on the horizon and very little tolerance left for television gore. On the design front, the ladies question why hiring a professional should come with a hundred fabric samples’ worth of homework—and make the case for floors that will outlast a trend. A seemingly innocent game of what they’d give up quickly becomes a negotiation over chintz, designer clothes, and whether vacations and beauty treatments are constitutionally protected. They close with advice on tricky vendors: extend grace, follow up, and know when being nice needs to become being firm.Subscribe and followSubscribe to The Install Edit on Substack: https://theinstallpodcast.substack.com/YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcastInstagram: @theinstallpodcastTikTok: @theinstallpocastPaloma: www.palomacontreras.comInstagram: @palomacontrerasdesignTikTok: @palomacontrerasdesignShopMy: @palomacontrerasCaroline: www.carolinegidiere.comInstagram: @carolinegidieredesignTikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbtsShopMy: @carolinegidiereMusic attributionMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: SUDAKA5LHSDHNL85Chapters00:00 Impossible Choices00:39 Birmingham Afterglow03:18 High Point Plans05:20 Growing the Team08:24 Recognizing Abundance13:18 Sleepless Nights15:30 Family Travel17:31 Television Troubles22:17 Designer Homework29:04 Timeless Floors34:09 Giving Things Up35:21 Chintz Negotiations36:42 Books or Television40:52 Vacations or Vanity41:34 Fabrics or Fashion42:46 Instagram or TikTok44:36 Bread or Cheese45:33 Wallpaper or Furniture47:03 Tricky Vendor Relationships53:55 Until Next Week

Paloma reports from the Southern Living Idea House in Texas, where the rooms are ready for their close-up—and her hotel room could use a second opinion. Caroline returns from a dreamy Alexandria project visit to a sofa saga involving disappearing yardage, multiplying delays, and enough chintz to test anyone’s composure. Between a spirited debate over whether audiobooks count as reading and a fall-fashion review featuring questionable shoes, purple sweatpants, and opposing views on satin shorts, the ladies have notes. They finish with thoughtful gifts for the designer in your life—with one important distinction between a grand gesture and a measuring tape.Subscribe and FollowSubscribe to The Install Edit on Substack: https://theinstallpodcast.substack.com/YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcastInstagram: @theinstallpodcastTikTok: @theinstallpocastPaloma: www.palomacontreras.comInstagram: @palomacontrerasdesignTikTok: @palomacontrerasdesignShopMy: @palomacontrerasCaroline: www.carolinegidiere.comInstagram: @carolinegidieredesignTikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbtsShopMy: @carolinegidiereMusic AttributionMusic licensed through Soundstripe.Code: SUDAKA5LHSDHNL85Chapters00:16 — Texas Reveal02:16 — Hill Country06:00 — Calamity Club08:01 — Reading Rules10:38 — Southern Storytelling17:41 — Opening Night20:28 — Hotel Hangups24:04 — Thoughtful Design27:13 — Lived Experience29:59 — Shower Politics31:24 — Alexandria Homecoming33:14 — Sofa Saga43:11 — Holding the Bag47:22 — Fall Forecast48:40 — Fluffy Business51:27 — Evening Affairs53:47 — Gothic Florals55:01 — Playful Proportions55:52 — Bomber Debate57:46 — Burgundy Season58:09 — Suede Versus Leather1:00:36 — Questionable Shoes1:03:35 — Purple Reign1:05:33 — Finishing Touches1:07:05 — Satin Showdown1:09:17 — Designer Gifts1:13:10 — Until Next Time

Part Two strips the lacquer off designer showhouses: behind those glossy rooms are six-figure budgets, vendor favors, impossible timelines, and enough last-minute crises to qualify as cardio. Caroline and Paloma trade war stories involving rejection from the stone sponsor, rugs stuck in customs, draperies four feet too short, and 145 yards of fabric mysteriously disappearing into a valance. But there is a reason designers keep coming back: one memorable room can lead to clients, press, product collaborations, stronger teams—and some highly effective “trauma bonding.” They close with a rapid-fire guide to what to install, what to avoid, and why doing two traditional showhouses in one year might be just a little bit unhinged.Music licensed through Soundstripe.Code: 1O1ULMY5AYH4LV7GFollow The InstallSubscribe to The Install Edit on Substack for more design talk, behind-the-scenes stories, product finds, and installments of Ask the Install.The InstallYouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcastInstagram: @theinstallpodcastTikTok: @theinstallpocastPalomaWebsite: www.palomacontreras.comInstagram: @palomacontrerasdesignTikTok: @palomacontrerasdesignShopMy: @palomacontrerasCarolineWebsite: www.carolinegidiere.comInstagram: @carolinegidieredesignTikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbtsShopMy: @carolinegidiereChapters00:16 — Part Two 01:23 — Budget Reality 03:07 — Sponsor Strategy 09:37 — Vendor Drama 12:04 — Loans & Sales 15:05 — Tight Timelines 17:34 — Plan Z 18:25 — Disaster Stories 26:40 — Drama City 27:47 — Stay Organized 30:23 — The Payoff 34:01 — Hidden Returns 36:52 — PR Strategy 38:58 — Bankroll It 40:09 — Saying No 43:20 — Rapid Fire 48:46 — Dream Showhouses

Paloma and Caroline check in from Cabo and Paris for a vacation-edition catch-up that delivers equal parts glamour, chaos, and practical wisdom. They talk about changing travel plans, the joys of slower vacations, and what it’s like to travel with kids at different ages—from early wake-ups to future shopping buddies and museum eye-rolls.Along the way, they cover Malmaison, Josephine, and Paris museum adventures, Paloma’s very relatable decision to ditch a hotel that wasn’t passing the vibe check, and Caroline’s vacation highs and lows, including a spider bite, a bruised shin, and a deep devotion to French snack food. There’s also a standout product recommendation for taming frizz, followed by a smart and candid design discussion on why decorators should not be hiring the contractor—plus the client red flags that tell you a project may not be the right fit.Chapter Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Paris vs. Cabo01:14 – Why Paloma changed her original Paris plans02:48 – Caroline on her first kid-free trip in 20+ years06:25 – Shopping, Charvet shirts, and museum parenting07:53 – Malmaison, Lafayette, and Josephine as ultimate style icon11:08 – Pool days, beach reads, and vacation mode in Cabo13:23 – Paloma’s hotel horror story and the great Cabo switch16:52 – High/Low: trusting your instincts on vacation18:31 – Caroline’s lows: spider bite and shin injury from hell20:17 – Caroline’s high: beloved French chips and snack obsession22:01 – Margot cameo!23:34 – Glass-door mishaps and kid vacation stories25:17 – Paris celebrates PSG into the wee hours25:52 – Product Rec: Chris McMillan Styling Balm30:39 – Design Question: Should a designer hire the contractor?37:25 – When a client request becomes a red flag41:51 – Contract redlines, process pushback, and knowing when to walk away47:42 – Wrap-up: Notre Dame bells, cold weather, cocktails, and a meteor showerInstagram: @theinstallpodcastTik Tok: @theinstallpocastYouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcastPaloma:www.paolomacontreras.comInstagram: @palomacontrerasdesignTik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesignCaroline:www.carolinegidiere.comInstagram: @carolinegidieredesignTik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbtsShop My: @carolinegidiere

This week, Paloma and Caroline welcome one of their best friends, Bryan Huffman, an esteemed and celebrated decorator from North Carolina. For the last decade of her life, Bryan chatted every night with style icon Mrs. Paul Mellon, or "Bunny" as her friends called her, became one her closest confidants. In this episode, Bryan shares endearing details of her iconic style and stories of how they became friends, how she and Jacqueline Kennedy developed a close relationship, how Bunny came to purchase her Rothko collection, her generosity, her humor and wit, and many, many more. But before the trio delve into discussions of Mrs. Mellon, they play a new game, "Would you Rather?" - a game of personal preferences and social etiquette.TakeawaysDressing AppropriatelyPersonal PreferencesSocial Etiquette Etiquette for party arrivalThank you notes and giftsTravel and lifestyle preferencesReal estate and property preferencesFriendship with Bunny Mellon Bunny Mellon's unique approach to interior designInfluence of Swedish interiors on Bunny Mellon's aestheticChapters00:00 Dressing Appropriately16:15 Personal Preferences22:22 Etiquette for Party Arrival28:11 Real Estate and Property Preferences33:40 Friendship with Bunny Mellon46:49 Bunny Mellon's Aesthetic01:00:24 Bunny Mellon's Creative Process01:09:20 Bunny Mellon's Humor and Wit

Caroline and Paloma take up the topic of Technology & Design - what is relevant and how they are using it. The two open with a discussion and recap of their recent Chinoiserie tour, exploring magnificent houses and gardens. They reflect on the beauty and inspiration of the gardens, as well as the unique experiences at each location. The conversation continues with a discussion of Dior in LA and the emergence of fashion trends for this decade, the influence of older women in culture, what's going on in music, and summer vacation plans. The conversation turns to Technology & Design including the relevance and current use of Instagram, Tik Tok and Pinterest, and whether or not designers need a website these days. Caroline and Paloma also discuss impact of AI in design. The listener question asks tips for mixing patterns and colors.TakeawaysGardens as Timeless BeautyBusiness Model of Historic Houses The influence of older women in culture is increasing, with a focus on celebrating women over 50.AI can be a valuable tool in design, but it cannot replace the experience and discernment of a designer.Mixing patterns and colors in design requires an intuitive approach and can be guided by studying the work of designers with resonating styles.Chapters00:00 The Chinoiserie Tour27:35 The Magnificent Gardens34:03 The Cost of Stately Homes42:02 The Influence of Older Women in Culture48:19 Music and Concert Plans57:22 The Role of AI in Design

Caroline and Paloma are on location from Belvoir Castle during their recent tour of treasure houses and stately homes in the United Kingdom that hold original Chinoiserie wall hangiings. The two discuss their experience at Belvoir Castle, exploring the historical significance of chinoiserie design and original wallpapers. They also delve into the Met Gala and their favorite looks of the night. On the design front, the ladies tackle some "hot takes," and questions posed by listeners, including the art of styling bookshelves with books, the balance of mixing metals in a space, the choice of timeless wood finishes, the beauty and warmth of tapestries, and the one skill they each wish they had.TakeawaysChinoiserie design and historyMet Gala fashion Bookshelf stylingMixing metalsWood finish for floors Tapestries What new skill would you love to have?Chapters00:00 Exploring Beaver Castle and Chinoiserie Design35:15 Desired Skills and Talents

Continuing their series, Inside the Photoshoot, Paloma and Caroline deconstruct the perfect photoshoot with invited guest, esteemed photographer, Isabel Parra. The conversation covers the process of preparing for and executing a photo shoot, including the investment, collaboration, and communication involved. It also delves into the role of a stylist, the importance of project suitability, and the technical aspects of photography such as aspect ratios and image composition. The three discuss a range of photography challenges, travel logistics, turnaround time for assets, photography rights, complexity of photography agreements, trends in photography, efficiency in photoshoots. Caroline and Paloma finally tease out of Isabel her latest health and food obsession. The listener question this week delves into Caroline' s dining room storage. TakeawaysCollaboration and communication are essential in the process of preparing for and executing a photo shoot.Understanding the investment and costs involved in a photo shoot is crucial for designers and photographers. Adapting to weather conditions is crucial for maintaining consistency in photography.Efficient communication and collaboration are essential for successful photoshoots.Understanding photography rights and licensing is important for both clients and photographers.Chapters00:00 Introducing Isabel Parra05:13 Styling and Publications11:04 Collaborative Approach to Projects17:26 Stylist Recommendations and Aesthetics23:46 Project Rejection and Fit31:25 Consistency in Series of Shoots37:11 Turnaround Time for Assets45:30 Trends in Photography53:02 Health and Lifestyle