The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline
TheInstallPodcast 11 episodes Nov 10, 2026
The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline is a weekly podcast hosted by interior designers Paloma Contreras and Caroline Gidiere. It offers a candid look at the realities of creative work, covering topics like running a design business, navigating growth, travel, culture, and personal style. Each episode blends industry insight with real-life reflection, featuring conversations between the hosts and occasional guests. The show is aimed at designers, creatives, and anyone interested in intentional living and beautiful ideas.
Episodes
I'd Like To Thank . . . Me
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.Subscribe and followSubscribe to The Install
The Committee on Taste with Kate Rheinstein Brodsky
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-gener
Honey, My Nerves Can't Take It
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 betw
Beautiful and Never Boring with Dara Caponigro
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. Fi
Why Do You Want To Hurt Me?
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
Gracious or Graceless?
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 del
But I Have Notes.
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-
The Next Right Thing with This Oak House's Annie Meyers-Shyer
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 th
Showhouse Secrets Part II - The Showhouse Must Go On
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 th
Showhouse Secrets Part I - Breaking Down Costs and Benefits
Episode SummaryPaloma 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 t
Dorms Gone Wild
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 re
I Know It When I See It
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
The House Tells You What It Wants with Meg Braff
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
Hard Lessons and the Pros and Cons of Design
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.
If I Can See the Harp, It's Too Small
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 subs
Bunny Bars, Baby Broccoli, and Balenciaga with Bryan Huffman
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 ico
How Long Does It Take? + A Little Spice
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 fas
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 t
The Rosé Recovery Plan
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 celeb
Hot Takes, Lost Lotions & The Great Scallop Reckoning
Paloma and Caroline catch up on a chaotic week of puppy parenting, jet lag, birthday prep, travel recovery, and one truly tragic Charles de Gaulle skincare confiscation before diving into the latest design news, including Mark Sikes’s J.McLaughlin collaboration and The Hedges’ David Netto refresh. They also compare wellness routines—from lymphatic drainage to Caroline’s heroic everything-but-the-k
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 mus
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 c
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 bec
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 wee
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 a
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 im
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
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
Inside the Photoshoot: Hiring a Photographer with Isabel Parra
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
Hiring A Designer
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 d
Inside the Photoshoot: Pitching for Press with Veranda EIC Steele Marcoux
The conversation covers a range of topics including photo shoots, and the selection process for featuring projects in a magazine. The speakers also discuss the importance of standing out in submissions and the impact of social media on design trends. The conversation covers a range of topics including design trends, editorial stewardship, and the focus of the next issue of Veranda magazine. The sp
Design Destination: Palm Beach
The conversation begins with a discussion about the highs and lows of the week. The conversation then delves into Palm Beach as a design destination and its popularity post-COVID. The conversation covers a range of topics related to Palm Beach, including accommodations, dining, and design. It also delves into the concept of consignment shops as a source for unique home decor items and discusses th
You'd Be Surprised to Learn: Introducing Your Hosts
The conversation revolves around the joy of spending quality time together through podcasting and the challenges of balancing personal and professional life. The hosts discuss their experiences, insights, and advice related to these themes, providing valuable takeaways for the audience. The conversation covers Paloma Contreras' journey from teaching to marketing and design, her transition to entre
Save vs. Splurge
The conversation covers a range of topics including family updates, highs and lows of the week, dressing and decorating aesthetics, and saving and splurging in interiors and fashion. The speakers discuss the balance of high and low in design, the importance of comfort and style in fashion, and the value of quality over quantity in design and fashion. The conversation covers a range of topics relat
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