The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline

TheInstallPodcast
  • 4.6 (60)
  • Design

The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline is a weekly conversation about creativity, business, and building a life shaped by good design. Hosted by interior designers and longtime friends, Paloma Contreras and Caroline Gidiere, the podcast offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of creative work. From running a design business and navigating growth, to travel, culture, and personal style, each episode blends industry insight with real-life reflection. Through thoughtful conversations—both between the hosts and with occasional guests—The Install is an inviting space for designers, creatives, and anyone drawn to intentional living and beautiful ideas.

  1. 3d ago

    Bad Hotels, Good Hair & Better Boundaries

    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. 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

    50 min

  2. Jun 16

    How Travel Shapes the Way We Design and How We Live

    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 citysave or splurge on a hotelhotel chain vs boutique hotelbest gardenfavorite design shop abroadfavorite indulgence while travelingbest hotel bathroomfavorite antique shoppingfavorite local craftfavorite travel souvenirone 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

    54 min

  3. Jun 9

    Bunny Mellon Behind the Scenes with Bryan Huffman

    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. Takeaways Dressing 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 aesthetic Chapters 00:00 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

    1h 4m

  4. Jun 2

    Talking Shop with Heidi Callier

    This week Paloma and Caroline sit down with celebrated designer Heidi Callier. Heidi talks candidly about what it takes to run a top interior design firm, the importance of making time to be cretaive, balancing work life and family, finding the right team, how to manage a remote team, how she packages and presents her work, and even the timeline from start to finish. The ladies start with the weekly "High/Low" and move on to a game of "Love It or Hate It." The episode ends with a rapid fire list of questions for Heidi. Takeaways Remote design studiosChallenges of managing multiple projectsImpact of overhead on design businessHighs and lows of the design industry Mixing patterns and textilesChallenges with delayed projects and pricingRemote client presentations and decision-making Influence of Design TrendsBalancing Work and Personal Life Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Studio Setup08:36 Highs and Lows of the Design Industry24:51 Mixing Patterns and Textiles45:16 Challenges with Delayed Projects and Pricing50:44 Influence of Design Trends

    59 min

  5. May 26

    Technology & Design + Tour Recap, Beauty, Fashion & More

    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 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. Chapters 00:00 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

    1 hr

  6. May 19

    Inside the Photoshoot: Next Level Styling with Editor and Stylist Ben Reynaert

    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 ShootsCreating a Layered Home Styling and Photography CollaborationPreparation and FlexibilityChinoiserie Tour and Outfit Selection Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Benjamin Rayner05:41 Craving Personal Elements in Homes11:08 Allowing Spaces to Evolve16:18 Designing for Real Life22:27 Timing and Planning for Photo Shoots28:00 Being a Chameleon in Styling33:26 Styling and Photography Collaboration56:22 Chinoiserie Tour and Outfit Selection

    59 min

  7. May 12

    Chinoiserie Tour: On Location at Belvoir Castle

    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 historyMet Gala fashion Bookshelf stylingMixing metalsWood finish for floors Tapestries What new skill would you love to have? Chapters 00:00 Exploring Beaver Castle and Chinoiserie Design35:15 Desired Skills and Talents

    37 min

  8. May 5

    Building A Brand with Mark D. Sikes

    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 familyThe importance of hard work and perseverance Chapters 00:00 Fashion Trends: Sunglasses and Windbreakers21:04 The Met Gala and Fashion as Art34:32 The Kardashian Influence01:04:24 The Pursuit of Beauty and Friendship

    1h 7m
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4.6
out of 5
60 Ratings

About

The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline is a weekly conversation about creativity, business, and building a life shaped by good design. Hosted by interior designers and longtime friends, Paloma Contreras and Caroline Gidiere, the podcast offers a candid, behind-the-scenes look at the realities of creative work. From running a design business and navigating growth, to travel, culture, and personal style, each episode blends industry insight with real-life reflection. Through thoughtful conversations—both between the hosts and with occasional guests—The Install is an inviting space for designers, creatives, and anyone drawn to intentional living and beautiful ideas.

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