The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline

The ladies kick off with a million-dollar beret-or-bow-tie dilemma, then talk through the particular pleasure of getting creative energy back after a demanding stretch. From holiday gifts and family Christmas rituals to the perfect pillow, the conversation moves between practical recommendations and the little traditions that make a home feel like yours.

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

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00:58 — Million-Dollar Dilemma
05:00 — Weekly Highs
10:13 — Restorative Saturdays
15:40 — Halloween Talk
31:25 — Holiday Gifts
42:03 — Christmas Trees
47:21 — Holiday Decorating
53:05 — Listener Question

After High Point, Paloma and Caroline catch up on friendship, design, and a sofa saga with a surprisingly happy ending. Then Kate Rheinstein Brodsky explains how working with Jeffrey Bilhuber—and growing up around her mother, Suzanne Rheinstein—led her to a more playful path in retail. The conversation moves from the “committee on taste” and paint swatches to the realities of family life, AI-generated design images, and the art of keeping geraniums alive. Along the way, Kate offers a perfect example of her mother’s polite way of saying she hated something: “That is so fun.”

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

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Chapters

00:17 High Point
03:02 TV Talk
10:24 Highs & Lows
15:08 Sofa Update
19:06 Kate Joins
21:19 Shop Freedom
24:17 Retail Roots
26:21 Suzanne’s Lessons
29:33 KRB’s Curation
32:47 Retail Realities
35:35 Committee Taste
39:53 Painted Floors
42:06 Know Thyself
45:46 Design Pet Peeves
49:09 Proper Curtains
51:14 Geraniums
58:06 Suzanne’s Wit
58:48 Rapid Fire

From the tyranny of text messages to the perils of patterned sofas, Caroline and Paloma have a few things to get off their chests. They discuss the pleasures of period dramas, the decidedly unpleasurable business of bad manners on social media, and why sharing the less-than-perfect side of design matters. Then it's time for a spirited round of Would You Rather?, where they're forced to choose between design dilemmas no sensible decorator should ever have to face. Wall-to-wall carpet in the kitchen, anyone?

For more on design, entertaining, style, and the art of living well, subscribe to The Install Edit on Substack!

https://theinstallpodcast.substack.com/

The Install

• YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
• Instagram: @theinstallpodcast
• TikTok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma Contreras

• Website: www.palomacontreras.com
• Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
• TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
• ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline Gidiere

• Website: www.carolinegidiere.com
• Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
• TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
• ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

00:20 Texting Overload

06:00 Television Favorites

10:00 Austin Adaptations

13:00 Marie Antoinette

16:30 Online Manners

19:00 Design Community

27:30 Design Dilemmas

31:30 Client Confessions

38:00 Rapid Fire

46:30 Design Regrets

48:00 Personal Touches

Good taste may open doors, but what gets a room into a magazine? Dara Caponigro joins the ladies to discuss Domino’s legacy, Frederic’s distinctly grown-up point of view, and why memorable interiors need more than pretty things. Along the way, she shares what aspiring contributors should actually send an editor, the pleasure of pressed sheets, and the decorating detail she could happily retire. First, Caroline and Paloma prepare for High Point, where a leisurely lunch can cost you a very good antique.

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

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Chapters

00:17 High Point Bound
04:10 Antique Urgency
06:45 Highs and Lows
14:14 Hair Apparent
17:21 Meet Dara
18:38 Cultivating Taste
21:24 Domino Grown Up
22:20 Betting on Print
24:56 Building Frederic
27:31 Editorial Point of View
29:26 Memorable Rooms
30:44 Standout Stories
33:26 Emerging Talent
36:47 Joining Schumacher
38:38 Inside the Archives
41:29 Creative Cross-Pollination
43:31 Beyond the Magazine
45:17 What Comes Next
45:58 Print Meets Digital
48:43 Getting Noticed
49:53 Submitting Your Work
50:40 Choosing Covers
52:17 Rapid Fire

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.

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

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Chapters

00:00 Impossible Choices
00:39 Birmingham Afterglow
03:18 High Point Plans
05:20 Growing the Team
08:24 Recognizing Abundance
13:18 Sleepless Nights
15:30 Family Travel
17:31 Television Troubles
22:17 Designer Homework
29:04 Timeless Floors
34:09 Giving Things Up
35:21 Chintz Negotiations
36:42 Books or Television
40:52 Vacations or Vanity
41:34 Fabrics or Fashion
42:46 Instagram or TikTok
44:36 Bread or Cheese
45:33 Wallpaper or Furniture
47:03 Tricky Vendor Relationships
53:55 Until Next Week

Together in Birmingham, Paloma and Caroline find Antiques at the Gardens tickets approaching black-market status and their social calendars threatening a perfectly respectable bedtime. Between Caroline's Harry Styles high and an accidental three-pair sunglasses purchase, they launch “Gracious or Graceless,” passing judgment on early arrivals, shoes-off parties, reclining airline seats, and the delicate business of telling someone there’s spinach in her teeth. The etiquette extends to design: borrowed ideas, unsolicited requests for sources, and knowing when inspiration has become imitation. The ladies finish with advice for a renter facing honey oak—and a welcome reminder that an unfinished house is no reason to put your life on hold.

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

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Chapters

Birmingham Together

• Antiques After Hours
• Weekly Highs
• Harry’s House Party
• Sunglasses in Triplicate
• Sunscreen Discussion*
• Gracious or Graceless
• Arrival Etiquette
• Shoes Off?
• Spinach Diplomacy
• Table Manners
• Free Design Advice
• Client Knockoffs
• Reclining Rights
• Inspiration Versus Imitation
• Resource Requests
• Party Posts
• Regifting Rules
• Sending It Back
• Honey Oak Help
• Permission to Wait
• On the Road

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 to The Install Edit on Substack: https://theinstallpodcast.substack.com/

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

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00:16 — Texas Reveal
02:16 — Hill Country
06:00 — Calamity Club
08:01 — Reading Rules
10:38 — Southern Storytelling
17:41 — Opening Night
20:28 — Hotel Hangups
24:04 — Thoughtful Design
27:13 — Lived Experience
29:59 — Shower Politics
31:24 — Alexandria Homecoming
33:14 — Sofa Saga
43:11 — Holding the Bag
47:22 — Fall Forecast
48:40 — Fluffy Business
51:27 — Evening Affairs
53:47 — Gothic Florals
55:01 — Playful Proportions
55:52 — Bomber Debate
57:46 — Burgundy Season
58:09 — Suede Versus Leather
1:00:36 — Questionable Shoes
1:03:35 — Purple Reign
1:05:33 — Finishing Touches
1:07:05 — Satin Showdown
1:09:17 — Designer Gifts
1:13:10 — Until Next Time

Paloma and Caroline begin with September overload, tennis trauma, and the apparently unreasonable notion that opponents should hit the ball somewhere you can actually reach it. Then they welcome Annie Meyers-Shyer, whose path from Harper’s Bazaar and Chanel to the beloved This Oak House proves that a sharp eye is only the beginning—the details, collaboration, and occasional plywood mock-up make the room. Annie shares how she preserved the soul of her Gerard Colcord house, built an audience by pulling back the curtain on renovation, and learned to follow “the next right thing.” Plus: why balance is a fallacy, living rooms are underrated, and fake cutting boards should be shown the door.

Subscribe to The Install Edit on Substack: https://theinstallpodcast.substack.com/

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

• 00:17 — September Scramble
• 02:24 — Fitness High
• 03:41 — Tennis Trouble
• 07:50 — Television Tolerance
• 12:48 — Austen Adaptations
• 14:22 — Meet Annie
• 17:33 — Fashion Foundations
• 21:04 — Defining Taste
• 24:15 — Designer Collaboration
• 28:55 — Finding Home
• 31:05 — Colcord Character
• 32:34 — Preservation Pressure
• 33:53 — Hard Decisions
• 36:59 — Let It Breathe
• 38:50 — Sharing Sources
• 41:49 — Balance Fallacy
• 44:56 — Storytelling Homes
• 48:07 — Rapid Fire
• 52:20 — Phase Two
• 54:24 — Birmingham Bound

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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.

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Subscribe to The Install Edit on Substack for more design talk, behind-the-scenes stories, product finds, and installments of Ask the Install.

The Install
YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
Instagram: @theinstallpodcast
TikTok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma
Website: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline
Website: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

00:16 — 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 continue to endure the on-going Southern summer heat and humidity, a Botox clock that suddenly seems to be running fast, and the Sisyphean task of growing out one’s hair—fortified by probiotic ice cream and a root touch-up pen stashed in the car console. They celebrate Substack’s slower, meatier charms and make a spirited case for shelter magazines to come back thicker, more beautiful, and worth paying for. Then the gloves come off on designer showhouses: career-making exposure, multiple-six-figure rooms, the glamour of being assigned a basement hallway, and the hard-won truth that one great photograph can matter more than square footage. Part one ends with the volume turned up—and the really juicy disasters still waiting in the wings.

Subscribe to The Install Edit on Substack for weekly essays, product links, behind-the-scenes extras, and the next installment of Ask the Install.

The Install
YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
Instagram: @theinstallpodcast
TikTok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma
Website: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline
Website: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

00:17 — Heat Wave
02:16 — Beauty Maintenance
04:20 — Full-Fat Treats
07:44 — Hair Rescue
11:28 — Substack Revival
14:25 — Industry News
15:34 — Print Matters
19:42 — Showhouse Secrets
22:17 — Showhouse History
23:38 — Career Momentum
26:53 — Basement Reality
30:49 — Invitation Only
32:50 — Room Strategy
35:13 — Budget Shock
36:40 — Small Spaces
39:07 — Creative Freedom
43:44 — Announcement of Part Two

Paloma and Caroline sweat through the last gasps of summer while tackling a still-suspicious rug, the indignity of hauling two Apple devices in one tote, a bittersweet staff change, a possible Sussex homecoming, and Vanity Fair’s best-dressed list—including the eternal question of whether Lenny Kravitz is technically dressed at all. Then they tumble headfirst into the RushTok rabbit hole, where reported $20,000 dorm rooms, chinoiserie lamps, Broadway-worthy recruitment numbers, and corporate sponsorships prompt the only sensible conclusion: girl, get to class.

Keep the conversation going between episodes: Subscribe to The Install Edit on Substack for more from Caroline and Paloma.

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

00:18 — Summer Heat

01:25 — Rug Rescue

06:40 — PowerBook Problems

09:34 — Bag Baggage

13:53 — Embracing Change

18:54 — Royal Return

25:37 — Best Dressed

33:11 — Dorm Décor

39:42 — Too Much?

47:22 — RushTok Rabbit Hole

55:41 — Brand Invasion

58:24 — Rush Anxiety

Caroline’s ideal weekend—pool time, Mahjong, and a teenager who voluntarily wants to hang out—meets its natural nemesis: a Starbucks that forgot to open, while Paloma celebrates Margot’s first day of kindergarten and reflects on a painfully heavy run of news. The mood lifts with a revealing identity game in which Caroline emerges as an orange, Easter-loving Sunday-morning smoothie, while Paloma is an olive-green, Valentine-loving Friday night with unmistakable croissant energy. Then they put “chic” on linguistic probation, make a surprisingly persuasive case for a little gatekeeping, and sentence balloon trousers, board shorts, and several other late-summer trends to fashion jail.

Keep the conversation going between episodes: Subscribe to The Install Edit on Substack for more from Caroline and Paloma.

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
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TikTok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
TikTok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
TikTok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
ShopMy: @carolinegidiere

00:17 — Mahjong Magic
04:14 — Starbucks Chaos
06:52 — Kindergarten
10:25 — Heavy News
16:51 — Personality Game
27:18 — Chic Overload
32:46 — Gatekeeping
40:03 — Scarf Season
41:40 — Retro Summer
44:03 — Peplum Problems
46:35 — Fashion Feeling
48:06 — Utility Mode
49:10 — Sporty Spice
51:06 — Sign-Off

Paloma plans a trip to Paris Deco Off trip while Caroline uses Lionsgate to manifest the number-one interior-design podcast, one “big, fabulous, juicy nugget” of a project, and a back that survives two dogs sleeping on her feet. Meg Braff joins for a gloriously wide-ranging conversation spanning her new book, Gracious Interiors, her vibrant wallpaper and fabrics line, her time as an ambassador for U.S. Cottton, Scorpio jewelry, Palm Beach light, and more. Along the way, she makes the case for client chemistry over giant budgets, starting every project with a floor plan, and letting the house tell you what it wants.

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
Instagram: @theinstallpodcast
Tik Tok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
Shop My: @carolinegidiere

00:16 — School Days
01:31 — Paris Plans
06:25 — Manifesting
11:18 — Growing Pains
13:10 — Meg Braff
15:42 — Miss Cotton
18:04 — Morning Rituals
20:06 — Scorpio Club
22:46 — Shop Talk
27:39 — Pattern Archives
30:47 — Design Process
36:42 — Client Chemistry
39:19 — Floor Plans
42:09 — Rapid Fire
45:06 — Guest Edit
49:26 — Book Tour

Caroline and Paloma tackle underarm “chicken nuggets,” summer-camp chaos, and a once-pristine abaca rug under canine attack. They trade television recommendations, debate Nantucket’s “No Influencers” dustup, and consider the many ways money can whisper—or flex. They close with candid advice for aspiring designers: keep overhead low, hire carefully, and recognize when someone is in over their head.

The Install Podcast is now on Substack. Subscribe today!

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast
Instagram: @theinstallpodcast
Tik Tok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
Shop My: @carolinegidiere

00:16 — Chicken Nuggets
06:48 — Weekly Recap
10:57 — Kitchen Comeback
13:44 — Rug Rescue
22:31 — Screen Time
30:14 — Cheer Pressure
34:22 — Influencer Wars
41:35 — Design Careers
44:44 — Smart Growth
47:32 — Costly Lessons
51:31 — Sign-Off

Caroline and Paloma battle triple-digit heat, post-surgery recovery, and a case of TikTok-certified “tech neck” before celebrating the multigenerational client relationships that make interior design feel like a family affair. Then they reveal the things truly worth the splurge—from French butter and signature fragrance to the perfect white T-shirt, an indestructible suitcase, and the workout subscription the internet loves to hate. They close with two artful new collaborations and a master class in scale, proving that when in doubt, go bigger, hide the lamp harp, and never underestimate the diagnostic powers of a cardboard box.

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Paloma: www.palomacontreras.com
Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign
Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign
ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline: www.carolinegidiere.com
Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign
Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts
Shop My: @carolinegidiere

00:13 — Heat Wave
02:44 — Highs & Lows
04:45 — Tech Neck
10:49 — Family Ties
15:45 — Install Updates
20:39 — Paloma’s Picks
27:19 — Caroline’s Picks
42:25 — Chic Collabs
44:08 — Artful Fashion
48:56 — Scale School
57:36 — Sign-Off

Fan favorite Bryan Huffman returns—gloriously uncensored—to review the seven deadly sins of polite conversation before whisking us back inside Bunny Mellon’s world at Oak Spring. He spills on no-tape gift wrapping, microscopic vegetables, Lay’s potato chips, ice in wine, Porthault linens, and Givenchy “armor,” while revealing the humor, discipline, generosity, and tenderness behind an American icon. Consider this your invitation to luncheon—just don’t discuss your sleep score, diet, or route there.

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00:15 — Bryan Is Back
01:18 — Social Studies
10:10 — Southern Manners
12:35 — Picky Eaters
16:54 — Inside Oak Spring
21:14 — Art Without Fuss
23:04 — Wrapping, Bunny-Style
26:36 — The Bunny Bar
30:52 — Luncheon Is Served
37:30 — The Famous Cabbage
39:13 — Bunny and the Swans
41:54 — Giving It Back
45:57 — Porthault and Old Money
50:11 — Givenchy as Armor
55:37 — Champagne for Eliza
1:02:23 — Bryan Signs Off

Paloma and Caroline take a conversational tour starting with Caroline’s one-and-done push-up and the psychological tyranny of a kitchen-island pile to the comforts of office routine, their new Substack, The Install Edit, and a heartfelt remembrance of Urban Electric founder Dave Dawson. Along the way, they celebrate couture craftsmanship, referee World Cup loyalties, review royal and Wimbledon fashion, debate marriage, motherhood, and women’s financial independence, compare an overly affectionate ChatGPT with a judgmental Claude, and issue a unanimous restraining order against men’s flip-flops. They close with a spirited defense of interior design timelines and fees—part business reality check, part closing argument.

Substack: The Install Edit

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Paloma: www.paolomacontreras.com

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Caroline:www.carolinegidiere.com

Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign

Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts

Shop My: @carolinegidiere

00:13 — One Push-Up and Weekly Highs
02:39 — Routines, Travel, and Resetting
05:10 — Cluttered Home, Cluttered Mind
08:39 — The Install Edit Returns to Writing
12:52 — Remembering Dave Dawson
15:53 — Couture as Creative Energy
20:17 — The Beautiful Game
25:09 — Royals, Reunions, and Wimbledon Fashion
30:18 — Marriage, Motherhood, and Independence
34:52 — ChatGPT Bestie, Claude Scold
37:46 — Hot Takes and Men’s Feet
39:41 — How Long Design Takes
42:05 — You Can’t Rush Creativity
45:04 — The Real Value of Design
50:06 — Twenty-Five Hours Is Nothing
51:18 — Spicy Caroline Signs Off

Paloma and Caroline open with a moment of horticultural hubris: Caroline’s geraniums are giving English-country-house abundance, while Paloma’s are still auditioning for the role of “weed.” From there, they celebrate an anniversary and revisit a very-of-its-moment 2005 wedding dress, mourn Chanel’s decision to discontinue beloved beauty staples, confess to needing a vacation from their addiction to planning vacations, and convene a ruthless Serve or Swerve tribunal. Balloon pants are convicted on sight, oversized button-downs receive strict styling probation, tomato red and signature red nails are vigorously defended, and the dreaded “dumb-length” midi skirt is issued a restraining order. There is a plea for men to embrace gray hair and a fantasy trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. They close with smart advice for design lovers who want to collaborate with a professional without turning the project into a decorative custody battle and advice on how best to use The Expert and it's time allotment.

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YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast

Instagram: @theinstallpodcast

Tik Tok: @theinstallpocast

Paloma: www.paolomacontreras.com

Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign

Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign

ShopMy: @palomacontreras

Caroline:www.carolinegidiere.com

Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign

Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts

Shop My: @carolinegidiere

00:35 — The Geranium Games: Green thumbs, green envy, and a lesson from Peppa Pig
06:37 — Highs and Lows: Anniversary flowers and a 2005 wedding dress
08:28 — Chanel Has Some Explaining to Do: Discontinued favorites and makeup-TikTok alternatives
14:45 — The Anxiety of an Empty Calendar: Fourth of July plans, baseball nostalgia, and travel withdrawal
19:31 — Life in Permanent Overdrive: Cortisol, dopamine, spreadsheets, and the spa-retreat solution
22:21 — Serve or Swerve Begins: Balloon pants and silky pajama dressing
26:32 — The Proportions Department: Oversized button-downs, neutral nails, and red-nail loyalty
32:24 — Summer Accessories on Trial: Basket bags, tomato red, and the unworn red shoe
37:11 — Beware the “Dumb Length”: Midi skirts, office flip-flops, and polka-dot theory
43:44 — Men, Embrace the Gray: Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, and aging stylishly
49:42 — Listener Question: Loving art and antiques without becoming your own decorator
55:27 — Making the Most of The Expert: How to prepare for a productive design consultation
58:18 — Wrap-up

This week, Caroline and Paloma confess to vacation weight gain, debate whether rosé is sabotaging their summer, and compare notes on concerts, puppies, and peach ice cream. They also dive into the decline of American shelter magazines (with a passionate plea to bring back House & Garden), discuss whether they'd trust a driverless Waymo, share their favorite places to source antiques, and celebrate America's 250th birthday with a nostalgic look back at the Bicentennial and the Colonial Revival craze. Plus: gardening tips, Wimbledon predictions, and a TV recommendation you'll definitely want to binge.

Instagram: @theinstallpodcast

Tik Tok: @theinstallpocast

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast

Paloma: www.paolomacontreras.com

Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign

Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign

Caroline:www.carolinegidiere.com

Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign

Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts

Shop My: @carolinegidiere

• 00:00 Highs & Lows
• 09:52 Summer Diet Confessions
• 15:50 Geranium Update
• 20:15 Magazine Hot Takes
• 25:30 Waymo: Yes or No?
• 28:50 What We're Watching
• 32:35 America's 250th Birthday
• 37:00 Americana Style
• 43:05 Listener Questions
• 49:30 Wimbledon & Royal Watch

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.

00:00 – Intro: Paris vs. Cabo
01:14 – Why Paloma changed her original Paris plans
02:48 – Caroline on her first kid-free trip in 20+ years
06:25 – Shopping, Charvet shirts, and museum parenting
07:53 – Malmaison, Lafayette, and Josephine as ultimate style icon
11:08 – Pool days, beach reads, and vacation mode in Cabo
13:23 – Paloma’s hotel horror story and the great Cabo switch
16:52 – High/Low: trusting your instincts on vacation
18:31 – Caroline’s lows: spider bite and shin injury from hell
20:17 – Caroline’s high: beloved French chips and snack obsession
22:01 – Margot cameo!
23:34 – Glass-door mishaps and kid vacation stories
25:17 – Paris celebrates PSG into the wee hours
25:52 – Product Rec: Chris McMillan Styling Balm
30:39 – Design Question: Should a designer hire the contractor?
37:25 – When a client request becomes a red flag
41:51 – Contract redlines, process pushback, and knowing when to walk away
47:42 – Wrap-up: Notre Dame bells, cold weather, cocktails, and a meteor shower

Instagram: @theinstallpodcast

Tik Tok: @theinstallpocast

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast

Paloma:

www.paolomacontreras.com

Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign

Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign

Caroline:

www.carolinegidiere.com

Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign

Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts

Shop My: @carolinegidiere

This week, with Caroline recording from Rome, The Install Podcast takes up the subject of travel and how it inspires not just our design but encourages our creativity.

This week, we explore:

• favorite social media accounts,
• have you had your colors done?
• are you a hotel snob?
• Is there a house, city, home, restuarant that stopped you in your tracks?
• favorite hotels abroad;
• favorite hotels in the US;
• the chicest hotel;
• what makes for a memorable hotel stay;
• are you an adventurer or a creature of habit when you travel?
• how design influences the way we see things or approach design;
• what designers see that most travelers miss;
• quick fire travel & design favorites:
  • most inspiring city
  • save or splurge on a hotel
  • hotel chain vs boutique hotel
  • best garden
  • favorite design shop abroad
  • favorite indulgence while traveling
  • best hotel bathroom
  • favorite antique shopping
  • favorite local craft
  • favorite travel souvenir
  • one thing you always photograph

Upcoming Design Events:

d. Porthatul sale begins June 8

Christopher Spitzmiller Seconds Sale Starts June 12

Newport Design Week and Nantucket By Design events coming up next month, ticket are on sale now!

Instagram: @theinstallpodcast

Tik Tok: @theinstallpocast

YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcast

Paloma:

www.paolomacontreras.com

Instagram: @palomacontrerasdesign

Tik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesign

Caroline:

www.carolinegidiere.com

Instagram: @carolinegidieredesign

Tik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbts

Shop My: @carolinegidiere

• 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.

Takeaways

• Gardens as Timeless Beauty
• Business 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.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Chinoiserie Tour
• 27:35 The Magnificent Gardens
• 34:03 The Cost of Stately Homes
• 42:02 The Influence of Older Women in Culture
• 48:19 Music and Concert Plans
• 57:22 The Role of AI in Design

Stylist, Editor and Author Benjamin Rayner joins Paloma and Caroline to delve into what can make a photoshoot magical. The conversation starts with the importance of authenticity in styling and the planning and preparation required. Benjamin shares insights on the philosophy of layering, the balance between clutter and personalization, and the fluidity and evolution of spaces. He emphasizes the importance of adaptability, collaboration, as well as understanding the mood and feeling of the space, and adapting to different environments. He discusses the importance of understanding the designer's aesthetic, creating a style guide, and sharing reference images to guide the styling process. The conversation covers the collaboration between styling and photography, emphasizing the importance of preparation and flexibility. The trio also touch on the expense of photoshoots and different approaches depending on whether you are just getting started or whether you are and established designer.

Paloma open the episode with a discussion of their upcoming Chinoiserie tour and the selection of outfits for the trip.

Takeaways

• Styling for Photo Shoots
• Creating a Layered Home Styling and Photography Collaboration
• Preparation and Flexibility
• Chinoiserie Tour and Outfit Selection

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Benjamin Rayner
• 05:41 Craving Personal Elements in Homes
• 11:08 Allowing Spaces to Evolve
• 16:18 Designing for Real Life
• 22:27 Timing and Planning for Photo Shoots
• 28:00 Being a Chameleon in Styling
• 33:26 Styling and Photography Collaboration
• 56:22 Chinoiserie Tour and Outfit Selection

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.

Takeaways

• Chinoiserie design and history
• Met Gala fashion
• Bookshelf styling
• Mixing metals
• Wood finish for floors
• Tapestries
• What new skill would you love to have?

Chapters

• 00:00 Exploring Beaver Castle and Chinoiserie Design
• 35:15 Desired Skills and Talents

Close friend Mark D. Sikes joins Paloma and Caroline for a lighthearted game of "Serve or Swerve," where they discuss the latest in fashion trends, providing insights into their personal fashion preferences and experiences. The conversation covers a range of topics including airport fashion, the Met Gala, Coachella, and the Kardashians. It delves into the intersection of fashion, celebrity culture, and societal influence. The three also discuss Mark D. Sikes' new fabric collection and his advice for young designers on building a brand, including the importance of hard work, the pursuit of beauty, and the value of friendship.

Takeaways

• Fashion trends are subjective and can be influenced by personal style and body type.
• Comfort and practicality are important factors to consider when choosing airport attire. Airport fashion is a topic of debate, with discussions on sweatsuits, Capri pants, and silk pajamas as acceptable attire.
• The Met Gala and Coachella are events that spark excitement and interest, with discussions on fashion, music, and celebrity appearances. Success of the Kardashian family
• The importance of hard work and perseverance

Chapters

• 00:00 Fashion Trends: Sunglasses and Windbreakers
• 21:04 The Met Gala and Fashion as Art
• 34:32 The Kardashian Influence
• 01:04:24 The Pursuit of Beauty and Friendship

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.

Takeaways

• Collaboration 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.

Chapters

• 00:00 Introducing Isabel Parra
• 05:13 Styling and Publications
• 11:04 Collaborative Approach to Projects
• 17:26 Stylist Recommendations and Aesthetics
• 23:46 Project Rejection and Fit
• 31:25 Consistency in Series of Shoots
• 37:11 Turnaround Time for Assets
• 45:30 Trends in Photography
• 53:02 Health and Lifestyle

Paloma and Caroline tackle the recurring listener question what to know when hiring a designer. The conversation delves into the process of hiring an interior designer, the role of the designer in various project stages, considerations for client involvement, and the importance of trust and understanding in the client-designer relationship. Key takeaways include the significance of trust in the designer's process and the importance of a positive client-designer relationship based on mutual trust and respect.

The two also discuss the challenges in the design industry, the importance of artisan craft and craftsmanship, using lotion, botox frequency, and the impact of aging on personal care and cosmetic procedures.

Chapters

• 00:00 Connecting Through Design
• 09:02 The Value of Artisanship
• 16:52 The Aging Process
• 29:31 Introduction and Filler Inquiries
• 35:04 Considerations for Entertaining Spaces and Design Decisions
• 40:11 The Role of the Designer in Procurement and Delivery
• 45:11 Understanding Full-Service Design and Client Involvement
• 50:20 Experience and Expertise in Project Scope and Type
• 57:00 Building a Successful Client-Designer Relationship