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](theinstallpodcast.substack.com). Or check out our ShopMy. 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 ## Chapter list **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**