Podcasts · The Install: Life & Design with Paloma and Caroline

Gracious or Graceless?

6 Oct 2026 · 43 min · S2 E29

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

Music attribution

Music licensed through Soundstripe. Code: SUDAKA5LHSDHNL85

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

Links in the notes 1

• https://theinstallpodcast.substack.com/