Serve, Swerve and Design with Verve

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.Want detes and the links? Check out our Substack. Or check out our ShopMy.YouTube: @theinstalldesignpodcastInstagram: @theinstallpodcastTik Tok: @theinstallpocastPaloma: www.paolomacontreras.comInstagram: @palomacontrerasdesignTik Tok: @palomacontrerasdesignShopMy: @palomacontrerasCaroline:www.carolinegidiere.comInstagram: @carolinegidieredesignTik Tok: @carolinegidieredesignbtsShop My: @carolinegidiereChapter list00:35 — The Geranium Games: Green thumbs, green envy, and a lesson from Peppa Pig06:37 — Highs and Lows: Anniversary flowers and a 2005 wedding dress08:28 — Chanel Has Some Explaining to Do: Discontinued favorites and makeup-TikTok alternatives14:45 — The Anxiety of an Empty Calendar: Fourth of July plans, baseball nostalgia, and travel withdrawal19:31 — Life in Permanent Overdrive: Cortisol, dopamine, spreadsheets, and the spa-retreat solution22:21 — Serve or Swerve Begins: Balloon pants and silky pajama dressing26:32 — The Proportions Department: Oversized button-downs, neutral nails, and red-nail loyalty32:24 — Summer Accessories on Trial: Basket bags, tomato red, and the unworn red shoe37:11 — Beware the “Dumb Length”: Midi skirts, office flip-flops, and polka-dot theory43:44 — Men, Embrace the Gray: Mick Jagger, Stevie Nicks, and aging stylishly49:42 — Listener Question: Loving art and antiques without becoming your own decorator55:27 — Making the Most of The Expert: How to prepare for a productive design consultation58:18 — Wrap-up