I’m going to take a guess and say that your blood pressure skyrockets when the phrase “do-it-yourself wallpaper installation” is uttered, am I right? But guys, the days of fussy, paste-y paper as your only option are SO far behind us and thank goodness because EHD loves their wallpaper. Now, it’s so much easier to find peel-and-stick varieties in very very cute patterns, and I don’t just mean at specialty retailers. What a time to be alive where you can swing by your local Target, grab a few rolls and completely change the vibe of a space in as long as it takes you to put it up. For any of you out there that are renters, commitmentphobes or just generally scarred from bygone installation (and removal) methods, this post is for you. But before getting into the nitty gritties of how we did what we did (and some other fun DIYs), let me walk you through where we are right now… Large Gingham Wallpaper | Twill Stripe Wallpaper | Delphinnia Floral with Metallic Ground Wallpaper Threshold reached out to see if we’d be up for working with their new neutral removable wallpapers (available in-store in the home innovation section of your local Target and Target.com). They sent us samples of three new patterns (above) and because it was hard to say no to that super cute large gingham, we set out to find a space we could makeover and Emily Bowser offered up a room in her home that was sitting pretty unused. Because we didn’t have a “real” live-in client, we created one based on something we felt we had a firm grasp on: a design student. I think the part of the team that attended design school would agree that the space they’re Wallpaper | Desk | Desk Chair | Task Lamp | Leather Basket | Rug | Planters | Bookcase | Resin Box | Wire Baskets | Clock | Plant Shelf | Message Board A good office should be a few things: comfortable, effective, organized, inspiring, regardless of what you’re studying/where you work, so we split up this space into a few different zones: the desk is Grand Central for work and projects, the seating corner is a great place to kick up your feet and flip through magazines/Pinterest when you’re in a creative slump (cat absolutely vital here) and the shelving in between is there to keep you tidy. Chair | Ottoman | Round Pillow Because we opted to keep the furnishing plan and pieces simple, the room was going to need a little punch by way of textiles, which is where the large gingham comes in to bring it all together. Let’s dig into some things to keep in mind with peel-and-stick paper because, while it is as simple as peeling back the liner and adhering to wall (i.e. no messy, pastes or glues and no need to activate it with water), we learned a few installation notes along the way to make this relatively easy task even more efficient for you. Supplies needed: one or two sets of hands, a step ladder, a straight edge, scissors, a sharp box cutter and a squeegee
In total, we used 7.5 rolls for 170 square feet and the whole process, start to finish, took us about 2 hours (though maybe budget twice that if you’re a Type A perfectionist). If you’ve never installed removable wallpaper before and have questions about ANY part of the process, how to figure out how many rolls you need, etc., pop into the comments and let us know what you need us to talk more about. The first wall is the most intimidating because you’re not sure where to start (we recommend hanging your first strip top to bottom from a corner), but once you get going, it’s like anything else…you just feel more confident as you’re figuring it out. Speaking of things to figure out, we’re moving on to another DIY part of this makeover. We had the idea to add in a clear inspiration board as not to cover up our newly installed paper, and instead of buying something, we did what any overachiever would do and set out to make one ourselves after searching “clear eraser board” on Pinterest and studying the plethora of simple DIYs we found. Here’s what you’ll need: A piece of acrylic (which you can buy at most home improvement stores) cut to whatever size works for your space, 3/4″ wooden dowel cut to size (noted below), 2.5″ wood screws, hot glue gun Now for how to do it:
And finally, a DIY that Bowser and Julie dreamed up which is SO creative and super cost effective…the pin-up shade: All we used for this was some gray Made by Design curtain panels, Threshold drapery clip rings (with the rings pulled off) and some simple nails. Simply measure your window, cut your curtain panel to size (be sure to leave a little extra for the hem), clean up the unfinished sides with iron-on hem tape, clip on the ring clips to the top, bottom and middle, then hammer in three nails at the top of your window (where the clips loop into) and BOOM, you have window treatments. How genius is that? And there you have it. An empty shell of a room transformed to fit any budding design student (or anyone, really!) with a few smart and simple DIYs, and of course, that cute and neutral yet punchy peel-and-stick Threshold wallpaper. What do you think? Can you see yourself working in this space? *This post is in partnership with Threshold but all words, designs and selections are our own. Thanks for supporting the brands we love that support the blog. The post A Home Office Makeover With Threshold Removable Wallpaper by Target appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2VpTK5E
0 Comments
Written by Arlyn Hernandez Plants. In the PG-censored words of Emily Henderson “What could people need to know? They’re so **bleeping** easy.” Let me rewind for a second, to give you some context. Picture this: All of team EHD, up in the mountains for a staff retreat in early January. The fireplaces are roaring, the soup is flowing, and we’re spit-firing off ideas for our editorial calendar for the first two quarters of 2019. I bring up the fact that I think the craving for plants has replaced the yearning for children for millennials and Gen Z (only sort of kidding), the rest of the team hoops and hollers in agreement, proclaiming that YES, INDEED we should be doing regular plant content. Enter Emily’s comment. She was pretty dumbfounded that we all collectively were SO excited about the potential to write more about plants, not understanding why we would…who would care? Um, everyone Emily, everyone (back me up here…please?). You guys may or may not know that I used to be the Design Editor at Apartment Therapy, but—sorry Maxwell if this is insider information—every.single.reader was OBSESSED with plants, so I had to imagine that such interest was pretty universal. I can go into a much larger philosophical/societal hypothesis on why I think that young people care so dang much about indoor greenery these days (we’re happy to own something, no backyards, putting off families+student debt, etc.) but instead, I’m going to focus in on what everyone on our team wanted to know more about…what plants can’t I kill easily? Somehow, we’re all obsessed with plants, but no one seems to be able to claim a green thumb or keep anything alive for extended periods of time. Anyone else around here feel that way? Though, I will say, I’m pretty proud because I’ve kept a fiddle leaf fig tree (that I bought for $30 at Costco!!!!) alive for seven months and find it pretty easy actually…just keep in diffused bright sun, water when the top inch or so of dirt feels dry (or the leaves start getting a little droopy…that tree is expressive and tells you what it needs pretty clearly). Anyhow, I digress. Emily might have plants all figured out, but we didn’t, so I reached out to an dedicated expert for some help. Rachael Freitas of UPCOUNTRY Plant + Design came to the rescue with lots of great tips for any plant newbies as well as 10 house plant varieties to consider if you’re thumb isn’t exactly a verdant shade of green. I’m going to let Rachael take it from here: First things first, you gotta master the basics of keeping a plant thriving (then we’ll get into the plants to actually buy). Here are three things to commit to memory (or just write it down…or Pin this article for reference!): Don’t repot ‘em!Sounds counter-intuitive to most, but the best way to keep your interior plants alive and well is to keep them in the plastic nursery grow pot they come in, rather than repotting them in your decorative container. When you purchase a plant, also purchase a plant liner. Most nurseries carry them, so just ask for the right size for your plants. From there, choose a cool decorative pot that is a bit bigger so the liner and plant can fit inside. (General rule of thumb: a 6” plant should go in an 8” decorative pot, an 8” plant in a 10” pot, etc. Plus, many really stylish pots rarely have drainage holes or look good with a saucer under them.) The reason for this is plants want to be able to drain. When you repot them into a decorative pot with no drainage holes, it doesn’t take long for that plant to drown. Additionally, houseplants enjoy the cozy environment their nursery grow pot provides. Keep the roots protected by leaving it in its original home. When the plant starts looking sad, you can repot into a larger nursery pot (also available at most nurseries). But most interior plants can thrive for years in their original container. Use distilled or filtered water.Surprise surprise—the fluoride, chlorine and other chemicals added to tap water may be killing your plant. So give them the fighting chance they need by using clean water. Also, water slooooowly. Really allow the water to soak into the roots. Don’t dump water in quickly – it will rush straight past the roots and out the drainage holes. Pay attention to their environmental cues.Since plants are living things, they often indicate what they need. See a plant reaching for a window? Rotate it and let all sides get their turn in the sun. Is your plant getting dry and brittle? Move it away from any heat and air sources. Yellow, wilting leaves, and brown tips generally mean it’s waterlogged, so steady that liberal watering hand. Most houseplants like to dry out a bit between waterings. By starting with hardier plants, you can learn their cues as you grow in your green knowledge…before diving into a fiddle leaf fig, let’s say. Overall, I’ve seen far more plants die due to too much love rather than not enough. So, while constant touch and water may feel like you’re taking care of your new addition, it may be doing the opposite. Watch your plant before you make any changes. Now! Onto the plants! These are my top 10 plants for beginners, mainly because they can hang with a bit of neglect and handle varied light conditions. One quick note: in terms of being pet safe, there are two noted here (but be sure to double check on the ASPCA website). A good course of action for pet owners is to gravitate toward hanging plants that are hung away from where a pet may reach. Okay, let’s get to it:
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (aka ZZ Plant) Great news! A plant that’s been on trend for the past few years is also tough to kill! Zamias store water in their roots, as well as in stems, so let it dry out before watering again. Note, while it can handle low light, it will get more leggy. Consider moving it around to areas that receive medium indirect light if you prefer dense foliage. Filters out: benzene, xylene and toluene. image source
Epipremnum (aka Pothos) It’s a bit comical to me how folks can turn up their noses to this plant. Yes, it’s basic. Yes, you’ve seen them in your grandmother’s home. BUT THAT’S WHAT MAKES IT GREAT. You can get immediate, bold greenery in your house and water it once or twice a month. This is a great filler plant and can handle lower light areas. It’s a trailing plant, and some varieties can be trained to climb. Filters out: benzene and formaldehyde.
Philodendron cordatum (aka Heart-leaf Philodendron) With a similar growth habit, it’s not surprising this philodendron is commonly mistaken for the pothos. It gives a bit more volume to your hanging plants, and should only be watered when its leaves start to droop slightly. It is unwaveringly forgiving toward neglect, so it’s a perfect choice for an avowed black thumb. Filters out: formaldehyde.
Zamioculcas zamiifolia (aka ZZ Plant) Great news! A plant that’s been on trend for the past few years is also tough to kill! Zamias store water in their roots, as well as in stems, so let it dry out before watering again. Note, while it can handle low light, it will get more leggy. Consider moving it around to areas that receive medium indirect light if you prefer dense foliage. Filters out: benzene, xylene and toluene.
Chlorophytum comosum (aka Spider Plant) Ahh, another grandmother’s favorite on the list. This trailing plant is does well in bright to medium indirect light, is pet safe, and should decidedly not be called the Spider Plant because #gross. Let it dry out between waterings, and pat yourself on the back as it starts to grow its flowers. Filters out: formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Sansevieria (aka Snake Plant) Before I got started in plants, I would have 100% told you these were fake plants every time I saw them. And they may as well be, because they’re tough. as. nails. Does well in low light, and can handle being watered once a month. An incredible air filter, I strongly urge every human to have one next to their bed and on their desk. Filters out: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Peperomia polybotrya (aka Peperomia Raindrop) My current plant crush has thick, chubby leaves so cheery I can’t help but smile when I look at this sucker. My most recent Raindrop purchase was a month ago, and I’ve only watered it once. It’s thriving in my low light living room, but I have been known to leave on the LED overhead light for a few hours at a time. It’s a great upright plant, and is (drumroll, please) PET SAFE! Filters out: formaldehyde.
Ficus benjamina (aka Weeping Fig) This plant feels like the kid that got picked last in dodgeball (aka—me). If the 1980s had a plant mascot, it would probably be the benjamina. It’s basic, but in the right light, almost indestructible. If you’re looking for an interior tree, this is a great option! Just shop for one with an interesting corkscrew trunk or asymmetrical canopy. That will give you the style you’re looking for, but without the high-stress maintenance schedule. Filters out: formaldehyde, xylene and toluene.
Dracaena marginata (aka Dragon Tree) While broad-leaf plants are the common denominator on everyone’s Pinterest wish list, this tree deserves a second glance. Water only when the top third of the soil is dry, and know that while it can handle low light, it will grow more slowly and produce less leaves than its medium-light pals. Filters out: benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, xylene and toluene.
Ficus robusta (aka Rubber Plant/Tree) Yes! Another plant gaining popularity is tough to kill! As long as this guy is in bright to medium indirect light, and dries out a bit between watering, it should grow with no issues. Prune back stems in the spring to keep a more compact size and encourage more dense growth. Filters out: formaldehyde.
Hope this gets you started on your path to a thriving indoor jungle of your own! And because your new plant babies that will absolutely thrive under your care and need a more permanent place to call home, we rounded up some of our favorite pots and planters right now in different sizes and price points. Small: Stoneware Planter With Stand | Medium: Dyp White Two-Tone Planter | Large: Geared Planter Small: Whitney Planter | Medium: Lupa White Planter | Large: Ceramic Sevilla Outdoor Planter Small: Eleva Planter | Medium: Wood Base Planter | Large: Rough Cast Extra Large Brass Planter Let us know if you have any questions, what plant varieties have worked for you indoors, any awesome sources for plants or pots…sharing is caring! The post Expert Approved: 10 of the Hardest to Kill House Plants + Planter Roundup appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2GOsri6 Hi everyone! Missed you. So glad we are back together because man, was I overwhelmed by the love last week when I revealed my living room and cannot tell you how much it meant to me. Are you ready to see my sweet little kitchen I teased in the intro (also head there for befores)? That’s her at the end there! With this one, I had some challenges. Challenges that are EXTREMELY relatable to most renters, I think. Because in a living room or bedroom, you can paint the walls, switch out the lights and hang art to make it feel totally new. BUT in a kitchen (and bathroom), there are typically less than attractive permanent materials that, without involving construction and $$, you must live with. My kitchen had two things going for it, though: That open shelving (hey pretty!) and enough space for a dining nook (what?!). However, there were three things that were a thorn in my side: The floors (that I begrudgingly embraced), the countertop and a broken refrigerator. (Fun fact, my lease stated that my landlord wasn’t required to provide appliances, so it was on me to figure this one out…I asked). My mind started spinning with ways to functionally rectify these visual “wrongs.” I started with the fridge as that was the most pressing. Or so I thought… Smeg Fridge | Cabinet Knobs | Recipe Book | Dessert Book | Top Shelf (left to right): Woven Bowls | Wooden Bowl (vintage) | Striped Porcelain Bowl | Wooden Bowl | Second Shelf (left to right): Gold Knot Basket | Napkins (no longer available) | Wine Glasses (no longer available) | Champagne Flutes Now, there were a couple of restrictions. Obviously, as you can see from the photo, it couldn’t be a tall fridge because of my shelving overhang. So what started out as something SO exciting (the opportunity to display beautiful kitchenwares) became a real burden, real fast. I was left with about two options for refrigerators I didn’t hate that I found online. The other rather obvious other issue was that it couldn’t take up a lot of my precious square footage. I had my breakfast nook to consider! Well, I ended up living with said broken fridge until TWO WEEKS before the shoot. Whoops. I just kept putting it off. It ended up not feeling that pressing since I only kind of cook. I’m trying to cook more but I wouldn’t say I love it. Plus, who really wants to spend money on a fridge they know they aren’t going to love?? (I’m raising my hand). Then, another serendipitous thing occurred. You may have noticed that that pretty Smeg looks an awful like the one from Velinda’s tiny kitchen reveal. Good eye! It is the EXACT one. There was a bit of a miscommunication and a fridge that opened on the wrong side was sent to Velinda. Smeg, being the wonderful company that they are, sent her the correct one. But the wrong one wasn’t picked up right away, so I thought maybe they might consider letting me keep it and then they wouldn’t have to deal with shipping. They said yes (!!!) and I got the fridge I always dreamed of having. Guys, there is a wine rack inside. Guys, an ACTUAL wine rack to help secure my already strong bond with the Trader Joe’s wine section. Top Shelf (left to right): Black Wood Vase | Scalloped Neck Pitcher | Blue Handled Vase (vintage) | Pom Mug (similar) | Marbled Vase | Glass Pitcher | Tall Blue Vase | Amber Glass Vase | Paper Vase That is the only thing in my kitchen that was gifted (I like being upfront about these things). Everything else came straight out of my ever-shrinking wallet. But we are not going to think about that because we have the rest of the kitchen to discuss. The easiest change I made was switching out the cabinet knobs. But the first real kitchen “DID” (Do-It-Dad, as a commenter from last week’s reveal VERY accurately coined) was this alder plywood countertop inspired by Sarah Lonsdale (Remodelista co-founder). If I had only been able to change one thing in my kitchen, it would have been this countertop. It updated the entire space instantly and completely. Now, because I am historically a form-before-function gal, I did not heavily seal this bad boy because I wanted to keep the wood looking as natural as possible. I—i.e. not my dad—used a water-based matte wood seal to protect the wood. Two coats if I remember correctly. I was heartbroken that I had to change the wood at all because I loved its natural state but I knew it would be destroyed within a day of me using it if I didn’t so it wasn’t an option. Also, remember last week when I said “I was careful but not crazy neurotic” about my white sofa? Well, I’m a neurotic nut when it comes to water on that countertop. As soon as I’m done washing my dishes (and periodically during), I quickly wipe up any and all water that dares to touch its holy surface. I should just put another coat of seal on it. But doooo I? Okay, let’s get into the basics of the construction. I interviewed my dad to re-remember how he accomplished his amazing feats (both the construction and annoying daughter opinions). I thought this might be helpful in case some of you are really handy and would like to do the same. FYI these are just basic guidelines and some construction common knowledge is needed: 1. Listen to daughter then promptly ignore her. 2. Measure existing countertop and sink opening. 3. Cut the main piece of 3/4″ alder plywood to counter size and then use a router tool to cut out the sink dimensions. 4. Cut desired size of front lip and miter the front edge of the countertop and front lip piece together. TIP: Mitering will take away 3/4″ of your original depth measurement. So add that in when you are measuring. 5. If desired, make a freestanding backsplash (mine nicely sits on top of the old backsplash). 6. Seal wood with a water-based matte finish. Follow the directions on the can. 7. Use clear silicone to seal counter overlay to sink and backsplash to the countertop. (I have been assured by my dad that it will easily peel off my metal sink if I have to take it off when I move. You just definitely do not want any water to get under the counter where things like mold could grow. 8. Enjoy while your daughter is crying tears of joy. Top Shelf (left to right): Pink Carafe (unavailable) | Glass Jelly Vase | Abstract Vase | Second Shelf (left to right): Two-Toned Ceramic Bowl | Open Weave Basket | Bottom Shelf (left to right): Black Skillet | Wine Decanter | Cookbook Oh hey shelves! My shelves were kinda an unexpected challenge. Mainly because I am one single person that can only comfortably seat four people for a meal and simply doesn’t need a ton of plates and glassware. Everything I needed for everyday life could fit on two shelves, so what was I going to do for the other ones? I first thought maybe wine but sadly my place doesn’t have the best temperature control so it gets both really hot and super cold. Long story short, I had been saving this perfect bottle of red for about a year and when I finally decided to drink it, it was corked. I’m not totally over it yet. So wine was out. What’s the next best thing? A beautiful collection of vases and pitchers. I had an unhealthy amount of fun buying vessels I may or not ever use for their actual purpose. Some are Target, some are IKEA, then a sprinkling of Zara, West Elm, Etsy, foreign makers and vintage. I love them because they are beautiful and make me happy, not because I need them for everyday use. Same goes for the next shelf down. Since the top row was colorful and patterned, I got the advice from expert EHD stylist Emily Bowser that I should go neutral. Clearly, she was right. Finding bowls and baskets that were narrow, yet tallish (that I liked) was not super easy but I succeeded. I love all the pieces I found. But full disclosure: That really cool vintage one on the far left is Emily’s (Henderson) and I will have to replace it. Unless…would she really notice if I don’t give it back??…just kidding, I will give it back…maybe. Bottom Shelf (left to right): Coffee Mug (no longer available) | Pasta Bowl | Dinner Plate | Cereal Bowl | Countertop: S & P Shakers | Art (vintage) | Vinegar Decanter | Oil Decanter Let’s take a minute to talk about the things I actually use like the plates and bowls. I found these at West Elm only about a month ago. Me, procrastinate? But I seriously cannot sing their praises any louder. They look handmade, are sturdy AND are dishwasher safe. Not that I have a dishwasher but a girl can dream. I bought six of each because I plan to have them for a long time and will maybe someday live in a home that seats six people (right?!?). I chose the plates and cereal bowls in white and the pasta bowls in gray (which has a very pretty light blue undertone). I love mixing up dinnerware sets with either different colors or totally different collections. It helps to keep your shelves and meals looking interesting and collected. Like how I have different mugs. I got these from the wonderful store I worked at during my short stint in Australia called Lily and The Weasel in Melbourne. Hi Sue! The mugs are from the Australian ceramic company Robert Gordon, which I believe is now also sold in the US. Like in my living room, I had to get some vintage art into this kitchen. One thing I have found is that art is the easiest thing to collect when you travel, particularly when it’s small. Like those tiles. They’re from a Madrid flea market when I was in Spain after walking part of the Camino de Santiago with my family and that little painting I got for $20 at the Melrose Flea Market a couple of years ago. Serious scores that I treasure. Now a super easy and affordable way to add some style to your kitchen is with cute oil and vinegar decanters. These weren’t crazy expensive and they add a modern accent to the countertop. It was getting a little too casual until I added those. FUN FACT: I got that marble tray for Christmas and despite my bubble wrapping attempts, it broke on both ends during my flight. But when I looked at it broken, I thought it looked cooler. Happy accident. Bottom Shelf (left to right): Amber Glass (similar) | Short Water Glass | White Glass (no longer available) | Countertop (left to right): Ceramic Canister | Light Spreading Knife | Wood Spatula (similar) | Rubber Spatula (similar) | Striped Marble Board (similar) | Wood Board (vintage) | Brush Bottoms up! It’s glassware time. I wanted simple but textured, like most everything in my apartment. Let’s start with the tall amber beauties that I got on my 30th birthday trip with my best friend to Guadalajara, Mexico. They were so reasonably priced, the amber tone was perfect and they are thick. This is great for my incurable clumsiness and added necessary color. Plus, when I look at them, they remind me of one of my favorite trips and personalized the space in a functional way. To the right of those are great and inexpensive all-purpose glasses from Target. I love that little line detail in the center for a hint of visual interest. Then take one more step to the right and those were a gift from my other bestie that surprised me with them from Japan! They look so organic and beautiful. The stemware above is all from CB2. I chose the wine glasses because they have a cool organic shape and the champagne glasses because they are more modern and refined. All in all, I think the look turned out exactly how I wanted. Also, that striped marble board was online only from Target. WHAT?! Is it time to talk about the mirror? I think it is… Mirror (vintage) | Metal Shelf | Spice Jars | Tea Kettle | Copper Towel I feel giddy even writing about it now. This mirror has been in my family for at least four generations. It hung in our home all throughout my youth but when my dad downsized, it was just going to sit in storage. NEVER! We let my cousin (the amazing one who helped hang my gallery wall and make the cushion you are about to see) have it until I had a place for it myself. I was moving to Australia at the time and wasn’t going to take it there. Too risky. But then I came back and was able to take it off her hands (sorry Becca!). I was excited, to say the least. I love how much personality it brings, the convex mirror and that I feel like I have an important piece of my old home in my new one. While we’re here, let me throw in one quick small space hack: a wall-mounted spice rack. As you can see, I only have two closed cabinets. So to free up some space, I bought this cool shelf from CB2 and decanted my spices into these jars from World Market. Finding modern spice jars that I liked was not easy but these are very cute. To never question what they are, I just wrote the names of the spice in sharpy on the bottom of each jar. Let’s now chat about another brass friend, the ceiling light. Sara did her best to get a decent shot but the kitchen is too narrow and small to get a normal angled photo of the light fixture. Oh, the light hunt. ANOTHER challenge. The first issue was that it needed to be more or less a flush mount light because anything that hung lower, like a pendant, would have awkwardly blocked part of the shelving. The second issue? The placement of the junction box was too close to the shelving and not centered between the wall and shelf, so whatever light I chose needed to be narrow enough to give the illusion it was centered. The last issue was that since it’s the only light in the kitchen, it had to be ambient and disperse light evenly and all over. Hmmmm. I searched long and hard and then about two months ago, I found this one on Etsy for only $150. It’s handmade (and well at that. It is perfect and I highly recommend it to anyone interested. Now for the moment, you (I??) have been waiting for…the banquette. I first thought about doing a cute bistro table and chairs but then realized I was missing an opportunity. An opportunity both in space maximization and design creativity. The banquette trend has been on the rise for a while now so it’s not like I reinvented the wheel. Obviously, a built-in with drawers for storage would have been amazing but again this is a rental and putting my dad through all that extra work was not going to happen. I didn’t want to ask and he probably would have said, “Nope, I’m out and good luck.” Vase | Abstract Art | Frame This is my version of “keeping it simple.” Red oak stair treads, a brass rod for support/aesthetics, brass brackets not pictured (they are hiding underneath) and DIYed velvet back cushions. This was another design that just sort of came to me. I think all the modern European homes I drool over daily have taken over my brain because this banquette has a very modern Parisian feel but with just the right amount of So Cal flavor (the wood tone). The wood is HEAVY so everything feels extremely solid. The benches are free-standing (landlord approved) and the table is secured with a french cleat (genius!). With a french cleat, all I needed to do was gently and easily slide the flat bracket into the offset bracket and viola! It’s all secured with brass a rod. Julie was the actual savior in the install department. There is no way I could have successfully done that alone. The tabletop was very heavy. But let’s jump back into the construction side. Here’s how he (and I) did it: 1. Dad asks, “Do I look like an idiot?” when daughter questions if he could build the banquette after showing design plan. 2. Dowel, glue and bar clamp 3 sets of two stair treads to each other and let them dry overnight. (Due to the width of the kitchen and dimensions I needed, a single tread wasn’t wide enough for the benches or table top). 3. Use a bullnose bit to round and bullnose the corners and side facing the kitchen (the fronts already were bullnosed when purchased). 4. Sand wood. 5. Cut legs with a table saw to size. 6. Give pieces to daughter to figure out the rest because dad has to go home (out of state)… 7. Daughter takes a 1 1/2 paddle bit to make holes for the brass rod to fit into. 8. She cries after a reasonable number of setbacks and pressure of only having one shot to get this right because the wood is too expensive to replace and the clock was ticking for the reveal. 9. She cuts rod with a miter saw. 10. She takes home to seal with a water-based matte finish. 11. Use gold brackets and gold screws to secure the benches together (then breaks gold screws because gold screws are soft and red oak is hardwood). 12. She then pre-drills and then starts the screw process over again. 14. Finally sort of succeeds. 15. She then puts up the table with a french cleat. 16. Father returns to correctly fix benches. 17. The end. Now, let’s get down to brass tacks. The wood was about $500, the rod was $100 (outlet price), the gold brackets were about a $100 and then maybe add another $50 for the little stuff. So without the cushion and labor (thanks for doing it for free dad!) and/or tools, it was $750. NOT CHEAP. But after all the money was spent and the tears dried, I couldn’t love it more. I sit at it every day and it makes the apartment feel bigger because I am really using the whole space in what I think is the best way possible. ANOTHER DISCLAIMER: While I am an emotional person (don’t show me a makeover show, I will cry), I don’t typically cry when I’m frustrated and things don’t go my way. However, when I have unnecessarily put the pressure of a thousand design suns on my back and bank account, well…crying is inevitable I think. Cushion time? White Frame | Register Art (vintage) This was a tear-free project. The first thing I bought was this lovely blue velvet fabric at Mood Fabrics (I kinda felt like I was on Project Runway), then I picked up two pieces of 2-inch foam and single layer batting from a different store (why you gotta be like that Mood?). I had them cut the foam to the exact size I wanted the cushion to be but got larger sizes for the batting. The batting was going to need to wrap around the back of the cushion with the fabric so that is why it needed to be bigger by a few inches. After all that, I went to my local hardware store and got a thin but sturdy piece of plywood and had them cut it for me to match the foam. The last thing I needed was a way to hang it flush to the wall. My dad recommended keyhole hangers. Awesome. So what you have to do is chisel out a hole in the back of your wood piece so that the keyhole can lay in there flush to the wood. That will give you the closest mount to the wall. This was important to me since the sides are the first thing you see on the cushion when you walk in. Brady’s DIY headboard was a HUGE help as it served as a guide for the fabric wrapping part. However, my cousin really deserves the credit on the cushion construction. I did the keyhole chiseling but she was a corner folding, stapling pro. It may have taken us four hours…the tortoise wins the cushion race, right? Also, that piece of art is from when we all went to Round Top and it was a steal at $10. I really wish it was in a bigger frame which I will rectify soon. IKEA really needs to expand its RIBBA series and give us better/more size options. This one is just what I had…the night before. Top Candle Shelf (left to right): Short Gold (similar) | Black Matte | Hammered Iron (unavailable) | Marble with White Taper Candle | Gold (only in store) | Bottom Candle Shelf (left to right): Hammered Iron (unavailable) | Marble with Grey Taper Candle | Short Gold (similar) | Black Matte | Modern Brass And here we are at the last and final DIY: My candle holder display shelf. This wall niche was another instant love affair (ooo character) but after it caused some design limitations with the bench/I didn’t know what to do with it, I fell out of love. That was until DIY genius Emily Bowser, yes she DIYs too, came over and said I should make a shelf and display my collection of candlestick holders. She said it so nonchalantly too. Like it was so obvious. Is that what it’s like to be a styling ninja? Probably. Well, took her advice I did…two days before the shoot? Yep, two days. I went back to the hardware store, where I picked up a very long but thin and skinny piece of wood, a dowel stick and a can of matte black spray paint. I had them cut double the amount of pieces I needed in case I messed up. I then went home to predrilled the dowels, spray painted all three pieces and let them dry. Once they were ready, I used two gold nails I had and hammered them in through the holes I had already made. I knew there would be wood framing around the niche so I was guaranteed to hit a stud. Once the dowels were in place, I simply placed the piece of wood on top. Easy peasy people. Now I get to admire my holders instead of trying to find hidden storage for them. If I had I can guarantee I wouldn’t see those suckers for months. Phew! So much info but I hope you all enjoyed it and maybe helped to inspire a little DID or DIY in your own life. I may not have all the construction answers but I do have a genetically obligated carpenter who I can relay them to. We will see if he is still answering my calls. He might be done with me for good. Thank you all again for letting me share my first real completed design project with you. It has been truly incredible and I don’t really have the words (I know, me with no words?). Look out for the bed nook and bathroom in 2021! Just kidding it will be this year. Totally doable. Absoollllutelyyyy. Love you. Mean it. xx, Jess WAIT. The before and afters. Please enjoy…now I’m done. The post Jess’ MOTO: You Have To See How She Hacked Her Kitchen With DIYs appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2tCdlnp This is one of those posts that as I was writing it, ended up changing my mind about the ENTIRE room. But instead of deleting out all the “debates” at the beginning, I left in the thought process that brought me to a big TWIST at the end, so keep reading. **But before I get into talking about our mountain house, I want to recognize a fellow family blogger’s fire tragedy. Chris Loves Julia were also documenting their mountain cabin renovation of which we have loved following along. Last week, it tragically burned down and well, it shook our office and our family, with almost everyone tearing up so I can’t IMAGINE how they feel. I didn’t want to continue going along, documenting our mountain project, without just recognizing their tragedy and knowing that it might be hard for them to read along. Not sure what else to say except we, like them, are so grateful that no one was inside. They are a great family to support, creating wonderful content and putting good things out into the world so if you don’t follow them, now’s a good time to start. We are so just so, so, so sorry. It’s another “where we are and where we might go” post on the mountain house, this time in the room that ALWAYS CHALLENGES ME the most: the dining room. Why? Keep reading, but first let’s remind us all what she looked like before. Besides this strange peninsula in the middle, it was kinda the same shape. We put in new GORGEOUS windows from Marvin (more on that later) and changed out the flooring (from Ross Alan Reclaimed Lumbar--the nicest family with the prettiest wood, so if you live in LA, please go check them out and say hi from us). What you can’t see is that the walls all had a thick layer of orange peel spray and the corners of the entire house were rounded—like every window, every doorway, everywhere. Do you want to know the most annoying way to blow your budget? Smooth coating walls. More on that later (and we didn’t do that here, actually, they are a slight plaster). It’s a pretty room with GREAT light, but it’s not there yet. A lot of the elements could change. LIGHTINGFirst, once again I have a scale issue and I’ve finally learned my lesson. I, Emily Henderson, like smaller lighting fixtures over dining tables. Sometimes it takes three times, making the same mistake to really get it (Glendale house, Los Feliz dining room and now here). It’s like how I keep buying high waisted wide leg sailor pants and yet I always opt to actually wear a skinny jean. Always. So the other day I told my best friend as I was purging my closet, “I’m making a promise to myself and you that I will NEVER EVER EVER buy another pair of this style.” And then three effing days later, I bought low waisted wide legs as if that’s going to be any better!!! Anyway. There is a reason for the larger fixtures. Originally we were going to punch through the ceiling and show the joists to match the kitchen, but once we decided on the plumbing in the directly-above master bathroom, we couldn’t. So the ceilings were supposed to be a foot higher. I also wanted glass as to not abstruct the view. They don’t look too overscale in the photos but when you are sitting at the table, they feel big above you. They are seriously beautiful, with black and brass detailing and they give great ambient light. It’s not ideal, as they were custom (from The Urban Electric Company) but I’m hoping my friend’s new 100-year-old huge Tudor will be a good fit for them. Meanwhile, I’m still trying to figure out what should go there, and I may not know for a while until I for sure decide for or against a banquette going all the way around the windows. I’m leaning towards what we like to call a “micro pendant/sconce” like this: image source | design by studio joanna laajisto Next, the ever-controversial pony wall:A few facts about the pony wall: 1. Yes, the column is load-bearing and as we tried to move it, our engineer said the most we could move it is 12 inches to the right because our huge bathtub sits above it. At one point, we were going to get rid of the “pony” part of it and clad the column in wood, but then we thought that MAYBE we’ll still do a huge dining banquet in which case we’d want that wall. So it was one of those things that we thought to keep for now, deal with later. But as the coats and boots are being strewn about (it’s right by the backdoor which is how we walk to the woods/lake), I was like ugh, maybe I should make this awkward wall more functional. Many of you shared my same woes on our family room update post, and we even polled it on Instagram Stories last week and it was 53 to 47 to close it up. We are so used to it being open and even though there is still a big opening directly next to it, it’s hard to close things up. So I did what any professional stylist would do: I hung up a piece of fabric to see how it felt. The idea would be that we would dry wall the dining room side of it and turn the family room side into a very shallow wall of hooks for coats. MAYBE a low shelf for boots. Kind of like a mini mudroom, similar to: The pros of closing up the wall are as follows:
The cons of closing up the wall are as follow:
A lot of you want us to do floating shelves there which we had considered, but then I have to put something on them and I don’t want to create a space that I have to style. We already have a bar, so it would just be something that would just create visual clutter. So where are we right now on the pony decision? Last weekend, as we sat at that table with friends, fabric over the opening, everyone agreed that they missed the openness. Brian was pretty adamant about not closing it up and I was on the fence so I suppose that’s our decision for now. I do think its a missed opportunity for function, and there is something a little dated about it but I will say this: There is STILL a chance that I will put in a big built-in banquette in which case we’ll want that wall. Let’s talk about the real problem here… TABLE & CHAIRSRight now, we have this IKEA table (I know, it’s pretty darn good) chosen because the day before we were moving all of our stuff up there, we realized that we didn’t have a table and IKEA stocked this one. Turns out we actually really do like it. We brought all our extra dining chairs up there to play around (and sit on), so naturally, I took photos so you could see the difference between wood and black. What do I really want? A GORGEOUS live-edge table and beautiful yet comfortable chairs. BUT DO YOU KNOW WHAT DOESN’T ACTUALLY EXIST? REALLY beautiful + unique + REALLY comfortable + sculptural + kid-friendly chairs. It’s not that I haven’t looked, it’s that by nature of being a chair, it can’t actually be all of those things. It’s like trying to find really low-calorie/low fat + really delicious food. It’s just not how life works and you have to compromise somewhere. I know this because our dining chairs at our Los Feliz house were in fact VERY comfortable but they were kinda boring. My next door neighbor/good friend has them now because I found my dream set of Cherner chairs at the flea market which are a 7 on the comfort scale, but every time I’m hanging out around her dining table, my bum being nestled by the padding on all sides, I regret choosing style over comfort. So here I will NOT choose style over comfort. It’s a bummer, TRULY. Maybe you are wondering what level of comfort a family could possibly need and I’ll go ahead and say our’s is VERY HIGH. What makes a chair comfortable?
I love these below, but they are everywhere and that back looks VERY straight. These look more comfortable but I still don’t want to sit for hours and hours (I write at the dining table from 5-7 am most mornings). Something like the below could work, they are large scale and have upholstered seat and arms…but perhaps too contemporary for us. Are you ready for this???? After writing this post for three hours on Saturday, I finally realized what needs to happen that will solve all our problems: the light, the pony wall, the comfort, adding style and interest, the need for kid-friendly… PLOT TWIST IN THE DINING ROOM DESIGN!! We need to go back to the ORIGINAL plan which was to do a big built-in banquette on the three sides where the windows are and the pony wall. That’s what I ALWAYS wanted because EVERYONE loves sitting in a banquette. We’d make it deep and have a ton of pillows, so I can add much needed softness and texture. We’d likely do leather or a vegan leather for the bench. We’d obviously need an oval or round table, and then put three chairs on the front side, chairs that the kids can sit in with maybe an upholstered seat but not arms or back, thus checking off two of my boxes: sculptural + kid friendly. I’m not going to be sitting there, my spot is smack dab under a window. And yes I know that it MIGHT be annoying for everyone when the people in the middle have to get out, but it’s worth it. Who opts for a table at a restaurant when there’s a big comfy booth open? People who care nothing about coziness and comfort. We had dinner there with friends on Friday night and it just didn’t feel good the old way. But by rotating the whole set up and eating breakfast by the window, it became such a happier, more inviting, more desirable space. It’s a space you WANT to actually sit for hours. By doing a built-in along the window, it gives the pony wall some purpose. Our architect felt that there was a lot of wasted space in the middle up there, but we have kids and open space is FINE. It actually feels really, really good. Lastly, it solves the light situation because we could simply get rid of the pendant closest to the kitchen and the other one is PERFECT for a rounded table/nook. Even the location of it is perfect. I get my comfort, a place for me to sit and write and hang out on upholstered cushions. The kids will get their more kid-friendly chairs that are really pretty (I’ll probably just get cushions made for the Paul McCobb chairs that I have or mix up vintage). We keep the pony wall because we love how open it feels and we don’t have to change out the lights. Then we’ll put some low hooks for the kids’ coats on the other side of the pony wall. BOOM. Even Brian was excited about this new plan. Thanks for letting me externally process this all with you. I know not everyone will agree with this, but when designing a house, I really try to make EVERY single room as desirable as possible. A room you actually WANT to spend hours in and sometimes you don’t know what that is going to take until you live in a space for a while. Thoughts? Feelings? Comments? The post Mountain House Mondays: Our Dining Room Dilemma appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2IAFlSS This was a short week for us but am I alone in thinking that “short” weeks actually end up feeling so much longer than normal weeks? You go into them thinking they’re going to just zip by and HA you’re wrong. Maybe it’s breaking with day-to-day routine that just fudges things up. If anyone has scientific proof that 4-day weeks are ACTUALLY longer than 5-day weeks because of some strange time warp thing that happens, please let me know. Anyway, half the team (including me) was away working on SO MANY SHOOTS this week and I’m tapped out. Buuuut if you were following along on my Insta Stories, you saw that we are starting to shoot THE MOUNTAIN HOUSE and that means reveals right around the corner and I’m SO EXCITED. Something else I’m so excited about is the launch of our new PROJECTS section of the site. This one was a long-time coming. For at least a year, my old Portfolio section was super outdated, some of the links were dead…it was just all over the place and there really was no way to get to the posts that corresponded with those portfolio projects. But after months of work designing, finding all the posts related to projects we wanted to include, and tagging on the back end (thank you team for working so hard on this), it’s ready for it’s close up. Let’s say, for instance, that you want to see all the reveals from the Portland Project in one place…you can do that here. Same with my houses, team EHD MOTOs, previous design projects and all sponsored makeovers. We’ll keep this baby updated as new projects come along and as we start revealing the Mountain House. Dig around, check it out, and let us know how you like it! Okay, let’s all shake off those Sunday scaries now and get into all the articles, Insta accounts, and products we’re buzzing about right now, and as always, share anything that had you excited this week/made you happy/you bought and just love so much you want to scream it from the rooftops of the comments section. xx One of Michael’s (and my) favorite candles is Maison Louis Marie’s No. 09 Vallee de Farney. Burn it and feel like the fancy pants person you dream of being. Because let me tell you…it SMELLS LUXURIOUS. This past week, we lost the great fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld (who evidently left his fortune to his cat…). I turned to one of my fashion icons to start to process what’s next for the fashion industry. And speaking of fashion, DID YOU SEE THE MONCLER GENIUS PROJECT????? New Show Review Alert: Russian Doll on Netflix. Ryann said she watched the whole series over the weekend (it’s only eight episodes) because it’s that good. Smart, funny, existential, and Natasha Lyonne is phenomenal. Plus, it was created by women, including light of Ryann’s life Amy Poehler. Arlyn is obsessed with the Instagram account The Vintage Rug Shop (@vintagerugshop). It was founded by Brittany from @brittanymakes and every.single.thing she posts makes Arlyn want to cry a little. Such beautiful stuff and a great resource for quality vintage rugs. Not inexpensive but GREAT eye candy. Sara decided to bring her boot game when she shot Jess’s MOTO with these dope backless booties. The insane bonus is that they are currently $33.50! As you may have read this week, Jess did about a year and a half of product research for her big home reveal. Thesehandmade woven nesting baskets, that come in a set of three, are one of her favorite finds. She loves the beautiful woven detail and how great the quality is. This week’s home tour comes to us from the Windy City and my lord is she a sophisticated, stunning lady with so maybe quiet yet bold details. Your eyes will be very happy. Bowser is a HUGE Bulletproof coffee advocate. She lives on it. This instant mix makes it easy for her to have it when she’s traveling or on the go. Her other recommendation is to add it to any coffee (preferably also Bulletproof) in a leak-proof coffee travel mug like this and shake. Velinda has a teen gift idea (because who ever knows what to buy teens, amiright?). This genuine leather backpack purse. Her sister said this purse style is all the rage in her high school and she wore her last one out, so she’s getting this for her birthday because the quality is high, the design simple and cute, and the price very fair. Hopefully, she doesn’t read the blog since Velinda is disclosing her bday gift. As most of you know by now we stole Arlyn from Florida and moving to CA has really changed her skin (IT’S SO DRY HERE). Then throw in winter and her skin feels like a dehydrated T-Rex (her words). Thankfully she recently discovered the Laneige Sleeping Mask which she uses 1-2 times a week and she says it’s made a big difference in how her face looks/feels/how her makeup goes on every morning. A++ Jess wanted to pass on some good vibes to start your week right with this video.
The post The Link Up: A Mind-Blowingly Good House Tour, My Favorite Candle + a New Site Feature appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2GHKxCI I’m keeping this one short and sweet today because it was A WEEK and time was super limited for writing (you may have noticed I didn’t do much in terms of blog posts this week). Exciting, full of super fun projects, styling and SO MUCH SNOW that made my heart happy but phew…it’s done and now I’m snuggling with my babies in the mountains. You’ll be happy to hear that I went shopping recently (I mostly hit up Zara and Lou & Grey—which I love so, so much for its cozy loungewear you can dress up), so there are some new favorites in the mix (including new pajamas that the team forced me to show you, so sorry in advance). Okay, so Monday was a holiday (the office was closed), so I don’t have an outfit to show you. Whoops. Tuesday: Striped Top | Jeans (similar) | Coat | Hat (similar) | Boots Let’s start with the top. It’s new from Lou & Grey and basically a pajama top that can be styled for work. I love the dropped sleeve on it. The jeans are old Madewell but the high waist (and the fact that they’re super tight) make me feel great. The coat is also new from Zara and perfect for these cooler LA winter days, and same for the hat which I’m so bummed isn’t on Zara’s site. Maybe you can find it in store? I gotta tell you, I felt pretty cool in these. The soles are treaded and rubber (I think), so they’re great for walking around the city. Wednesday: Striped Turtleneck | Pants | Moto Jacket | Boots We were headed up to the mountain house on Wednesday, so the two-hour car ride meant I wanted to be comfy. These Lucky Brand utility pants were super comfortable (they come in three colors), and the turtle neck—another score from Lou & Grey—was a home run. Oh, and that moto jacket is from Target and so good for the price. Pajama Set | Striped Turtleneck | Beanie | Boots It was a snowy wonderland up there this week, so I gave a test run to my new sweats from Lou & Grey (I promise this post is not sponsored by Lou & Grey…I just really love their stuff). That’s the same turtleneck I had on earlier, and the fuzzy boots and beanie are from Target. Thursday: This is all you’re getting from Thursday, unfortunately, but at least I love these new pajamas to show you! They’re a light jersey and you can’t see it in this photo really, but there is a contrast piping that looks really cute in person (subtle, but cute). Friday: Top | Jeans | Boots | Apron (similar) HA the apron and rolling pin. Okay, so that top (from Zara), but because it’s a little see-through and has eyelets, I didn’t have the right bra to wear it properly and show you, so…I threw on an apron because why not? These jeans from Rag & Bone have a really nice stretch to them. I think this particular cut is their “best-selling skinny” or whatever, and I can see why. They’ll be a new go-to when I don’t feel like suffocating in my a-little-too-tight high waist Madewell jeans from Tuesday. Oh, and of course my new favorite Chelsea boots from Nisolo. I seriously wear these all the time (as I do all their shoes). To help with #bragate, I switched into a new sweater from (you guessed it) Lou & Grey. I love a good colorblock and dropped sleeve (and cozy sweater in general), so this one is a winner! Hope you had a great week, and see you tomorrow for our link up post + a big site announcement!! xx To see what I’ve worn this month, check out: What I Wore February Week 1 | What I Wore February Week 2 The post All the Ways I Wore Stripes This Week appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2Vhy0ZP ***Written by Arlyn Hernandez This fun, playful room right here used to be just plain gross. I’m not talking about dirty beige carpet that’s well past its prime and bad paint, I mean…it wasn’t even a real room. It was a dark storage area in the basement (keep reading to see the “before”) that until we got our hands on it was, in our opinion, a total waste of potential. Yes, all homes need storage, but this was like a straight up garage-like dump pit that would be a dream for the hoardiest of hoarders that stretched across the entire length of the house. Let’s take a look at the original floor plan so you can understand: That “storage” space above looks like it’d be really exciting for anyone who has a ton of stuff, but also, unless you have a business with serious inventory or your family has an inexplicable amount of equipment-heavy activities, who really needs that much space?!? Here’s what it looked like IRL: Because we shifted things around on the ground floor and added the second floor with three additional bedrooms and two bathrooms, we needed to find space for a laundry room but also felt like a home with (now) five bedrooms needed a larger “hang out” area…hence that expanded media room. Which then, of course, meant moving around this floor plan. We stole from the storage space to create that laundry room and pivoted the bedroom, made room for the new staircase, but also carved out a storage space that felt more than plentiful for a family who already has a garage, a mud room, and a storage shed in the backyard (which you haven’t seen yet). Here’s where we landed so you can get some context of where we are with today’s reveal: This room could have of course been set up as a FIFTH bedroom (it says “4” up there, but there are five rooms in total), but we thought it’d be a fun opportunity to design it as a playroom/hang out spot for the imaginary kids of the imaginary family that imaginarily live here. And, because so many of you have asked about family-friendly design slash kid room design, we’re going through the five must-have elements to keep in mind when putting together a playroom for bigger kids. Let’s do this. Use kid-friendly textiles and materials.When you’re designing a kid-focused room, textiles are SUPER important for longevity. This is not the moment to flex your white sofa and rug muscles, folks. As angelic and well-behaved as your children might be, let’s get real…no one is immune to peanut butter and jelly smears or marker streaks. Here, we went with a velvet on a sofa from Interior Define, which is a great fabric for anyone with kids and pets, as much as you think it wouldn’t be (most people think it’s “fancy” and hence not family-friendly). You can’t snag it or pill it, plus most poly velvets are really easy to wipe (as long as you get to it quickly). Also, a patterned rug like the one we used here from Dash & Albert is key, since the color variations make it easier to hide smaller stains. Here’s another talking point that most people don’t think about in terms of being kid-friendly: art. Most framed art pieces are stitches waiting to happen if your children are rambunctious animals that flop around a room, walls included. Think about it…glass…falling off a wall, shattering, slicing skin open, let’s move on from this dark, troubling subject, but FOR REAL HOW GENIUS IS WOOD ART? We got these pieces through artist Jennifer Urquhart, and they were just the whimsical touch these walls needed, but also, there’s no fear of these being damaged really or inflicting harm. You don’t have to go seek out wood art like we did here, but there are lots of softer or shatter-proof options like wall hangings, pennants, canvas art, etc. Inject pattern and color (but carefully).This is not to say you need pattern and color EVERYWHERE, nor does everything (anything?) need to be crazy bright. A solid bit of advice is to riff off one primary color (here, we went with blue, obvs), and then vary the tones you use so it feels a little more pulled together. Kids toys, books and craft supplies are usually SUPER colorful as it is, so leaving the base of the room a little less over the top will go a long way to not feeling like a scene out of Willy Wonka. And in terms of pattern, have some fun…it’s a kid’s room after all, but by using one color across the board in both solids and prints, it’ll feel a touch more “grown up” while still being fun. We brought in personality through a checkered throw, wavy and polka dot-y throw pillows, a rug and, of course, the art. Create zones for work and play.What’s that they say about all work and no play? Well, you get it. But yeah, for a playroom (or general “kid” area), it’s important to create zones. Your room doesn’t have to be as large as this one either to do that. But carving out a little nook with a desk, chair and task light helps with focusing on things like homework and projects, while a space where baskets of toys, balls, instruments and the like a little removed from the “serious work area” limits distractions. Also, let’s pause a moment and talk about that amazing wood basketball hoop. We got this one through The Good Mod and it’s SO GOOD. This would work just as easily in a grown man’s digs as it does in this kid playroom. And we’ll get to that swing in just a sec… Choose lots of comfy (modular) furniture for plenty of hang out spots.When picking out furniture for a room that’s going to be used predominantly by youngins, it’s a good idea to go with more modular pieces (like those nesting coffee tables from Structube and the Interior Define sofa). The tables can easily be used individually right where they are for things like coloring, snacking, scribbling, but are also easy to split apart and move out of the way for impromptu dance parties or superhero acrobatics. Sprinkle in the whimsy.This is the part where you take a mostly age-inclusive room and turn it into something that is obviously much more fun, spirited and jovial. If you stripped away the toys, stuffed animals, swing, and large-scale art and lighting, this would be a perfectly adult room, but it’s that “whimsy” that makes it more youth-appropriate. Here are some of the playful elements we added: Large-scale lighting: The black floor lamp and white table spotlight (both from IKEA!) that you see in the shot right before this one are just large enough that they feel fanciful without being crazy out of scale. Overscale art: That abstract piece by Mia Farrington above the sofa is another case of how we played with scale. Since we already had a gallery wall of sorts above the blue velvet sofa (all those cute wood pieces), we knew we wanted a single piece here, and the giant scale of this print just felt so happy and not at all serious. Lots of pillow shapes and sizes: You don’t see it all here, but the pillows on both sofas aren’t very stiff or “elegant.” There’s a mix of squares, lumbars, round and even cutie little animal pillows to keep things from feeling too surly. Fun elements: I’m sorry, but how cute is that rope and wood swing from Schoolhouse (just make sure it’s properly installed into a sturdy ceiling!)? The vintage toy plane we borrowed from Aurora Mills also makes our hearts happy. Plus, the larger pillows on the sofa are just the right size to toss on the floor (because all kids, for whatever reason, love being on the ground). And that’s it! Let us know should you have any questions on any of the above topics or anything in this room we didn’t cover in terms of its renovation. We’ll be sure to pop into the comments and answer! Oh, and here’s a comprehensive Get the Look of the whole room with all the shopping links. 1. Color Block Pillow | 2. Arrows Throw Pillow | 3. Black & White Fabric | 4. Wooden Art Collection by Jennifer Urquhart | 5. Interior Door by Metrie | 6. Sofa | 7. Interior Door Lever by Rejuvenation | 8. Rug | 9. Nesting Tables | 10. Table Lamp | 11. End Table | 12. Wooden Basketball Hoop via The Good Mod | 13. Basketball | 14. Red and Blue Basketball | 15. Guitar | 16. Wire Bins | 17. Clock | 18. Rope Swing | 19. LED lamp | 20. Buffalo Check Tray (set of 2) | 21. Desk | 22. Chair (set of 2) | 23. Pencil Box by Jennifer Urquhart | 24. Stapler | 25. Roman Shades by Hunter Douglas through Decorview | 26. Windows by Milgard | 27. Beach Painting | 28. Mountain Painting | 29. Abstract Art by Mia Farrington | 30. Floor Lamp | 31. Caravan Day Sofa | 32. Marble Pillow | 33. Hannu Fabric | 34. Lucca Pillow | 35. Lumbar Pillow | 36. Plaid Throw | 37. Toy Airplane | 38. Wood Flooring by Hallmark Floors | 39. Pure White by Sherwin-Williams | 40. Door and Window Casing by Metrie | 41. Baseboard by Metrie 42. Beadboard by Metrie ***Photography by Sara Tramp for EHD, design and styling by Emily Henderson and Brady Tolbert (and team). JP Macy of Sierra Custom Homes was the fantastic General Contractor, and Annie Usher and the architect. The post The 5 Design Elements Every Awesome “Big Kid” Playroom Needs appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2GYHwgj There are three approaches when it comes to dining room furniture: matching chairs, matching side chairs + different head chairs, and an eclectic mishmash where no two chairs are the same. Frankly, there are no wrong answers, it’s just a style choice. So…to match or not to match is the big question. Maybe you like the idea of contrast, or you want the people sitting at the ends of your table to feel a little bit special, or you just have so many amazing chair choices that you don’t want to pick just one. (We wouldn’t blame you, there are so many great chairs out there.) So how do you put them together? That’s where this handy post comes in. In many traditional dining sets, the chairs at each end of the table are styled a little differently: they usually have arms, and are sometimes larger or more ornate to reflect the importance of that position at the table. These days, we don’t take seating charts as seriously, but a little contrast is still a nice look, so for this guide, we’ve chosen to pair up armchairs and side chairs. Of course, you can also use these principles to pair side chairs with other side chairs, or armchairs with other armchairs (if you just really love arms). Before we get to the shopping bit, let’s take a look at a few real-world examples of mixed chair pairings. Like Ginny’s up top, where two time-honored classics come together. Eames shell chair, meet bentwood. These styles have a lot in common: they’re both light and understated. But there’s an element of contrast, too: the wood tones of the bentwood chairs are a nice balance to the smooth whiteness of the shell chairs. Together with the modern pedestal table, a crowd of shell chairs on their own could feel a little too space age-y, but paired with the bentwood chairs, they’re just right. This dining room is a bit more traditional, with upholstered head chairs paired with side chairs that have a rustic vibe. Besides adding a rustic/industrial element to the space, the side chairs also help to lighten up the room. A whole table of upholstered chairs (especially around the hefty trestle table) might feel a bit heavy or stuffy, but pairing them with lighter side chairs creates a nice balance, while making some allowances for comfort. (Because we get it, not everyone wants to sit for hours on a hard chair.) The Curbly’s dining room is a great example of how to work within the same color palette but bring in contrast, tension and visual interest with mixed silhouettes and materials. This room brings together two chairs you might not think to put together (one very modern, the other vintage). But here’s why they work together: the wood and metal set up a pleasing contrast to the upholstered chairs at the head of the table because proportionately, they are both still visually light and “leggy,” plus the cohesive color palette brings everything together in a way that feels like they always belonged around the same table. In last year’s Feel Good Flash Makeover (if you haven’t seen the video yet from that post, run don’t walk, and grab your box of tissue on your way over), Emily and the design team paired super sensible black wood chairs (for the kids) with a cozy upholstered armchair to bring in a little softness (for momma after a long work/parenting day…and maybe for homework time sans spaghetti sauce looming disasters). The light blue works to balance the darker chairs, and both silhouettes are visually light and hit at about the same height. Here’s a look Emily created to showcase Target’s spring collection a few years back, with lots of seating choices that all work together for a super eclectic vibe (even with some of the pieces leaning traditional). For anyone who isn’t brave enough to go with three different chairs, here’s what else would work from this look: rattan chairs + slipper chairs (for a bit more of a funky pairing), or slipper chairs + bench (this one is more “family” friendly and traditional), or rattan chairs + bench (which will come off boho but refined). Simplified ModernDo you love clean lines and elegant, understated looks? Do you lean a little more mid-century or industrial? If you’re not about fussy materials or overly artistic silhouettes, this is the board for you. 1. George Armchair // Alba Dining Chair | 2. Prouve Standard Chair // Green Dylan Dining Chair | 3. Remy Arm Chair // Masey Wood Dining Chair | 4. Slope Dining Chair // Henry Chair | 5. Coppice Armchair // Bentwood Chair | 6. Bertaux Armchair // Clark Dining Chair Okay, so admittedly #1 would get PRICEY, but we aren’t going to pretend we understand everyone’s decorating budgets, so we left it on the board because it’s just so dang cool if you have, um, $3,000 to spend on dining chairs. I’m really digging #2 and think it would really jazz up a super simple table. Plus the green upholstery is a great way to bring in color if say, you don’t want to paint your walls but are craving a little sumptin’ sumptin’. The Windsor-style black chair from #3 is a pretty classic frame, but when paired with a fluffy leather-like upholstered chair, it’s all of a sudden a little bit edgier. For a really mid-century modern friendly pairing, #5 is where it’s at. Cool EclecticIf you’re drawn towards the unusual and the quirky and your taste tends to be a bit off the beaten path, then these unexpected pairings will be a perfect fit in your dining room. 1. Castine-Striped Dining Chair // Maple Bentwood Dining Chair | 2. Wire Frame Dining Chair // Zeke Indoor/Outdoor Dining Chair | 3. Bendt Dining Armchair // Workshop Chair | 4. Hoffman Side Chair // Carson Bench | 5. Malou Chair // Emmerson Reclaimed Wood Bench | 6. Antonio Acrylic Chair // Marte Dining Chair In pairing #1, the slipper chair is pretty voluminous in that it has no openings, so putting it together with something much lighter and simple is the key to a balanced marriage, while in #2 it’s less about opposites and more about a similar airy, wiry frame (with the yellow adding a nice punch to the more industrial West Elm chair). And because we LOVE a chair + bench mashup, #4 and #5 come into the mix but with very different aesthetics. Oh, there probably isn’t a more “opposites attract” pairing than #6: lucite and white upholstered mixed with all wood and caning, but somehow…it works because it screams “I’M COMFORTABLE WITH TAKING RISKS” and who would dare question such confidence? Modern LuxeCreating a “luxe” look isn’t all flashy metals and bling. It’s actually a lot more subtle than that (but every pair here has a velvet chair because what’s a glam vibe without some sheeny velvet?). Another pillar of “modern luxe” is interesting silhouettes that feel a little more special and art-y. Let’s take a look. 1. Ibis Dining Chair // Dasilva Upholstered Dining Chair | 2. Azalea Grey Mink Chair // Cerchio Chair | 3. Silver Lining Armless Dining Chair // Elim Velvet Dining Chair | 4. Rust Orange Velvet Chair // Haylee Mono Rattan Chair The velvet colors here could all be interchanged with anything that works for your decor. For #1, I’d go with the black metal chair as the side and the rust armchair as the head, but in #3, I think the green velvet as the side chairs and the white CB2 chair as the head chair would be SUCH a killer look. There’s also something really nice and balanced about #4, with the persimmon-colored beetle chair and the rattan bucket seat…they work well together because their bodies are similar in shape so it’s less of a blatant style clash. Soft NeutralWe highly suspect that this is where most of you will feel comfortable. It’s definitely the most “livable” aesthetic, and look, not every piece and every room in your home has to be this big statement or risk. This “Soft Neutral” is exactly what it sounds like: quiet flaxes, heather grays, varied wood tones and straight up comfort. If you find yourself drawn towards classic looks, check out these armchair and side chair pairings, which will fit seamlessly into a more traditional interior without feeling stuffy or overdone. 1. Bacci Chair // Logan Dining Chair | 2. High Back Dining Chair // Dane Dining Chair | 3. Ercol Originals Stacking Chair // Shaw Walnut Bench | 4. Alastair Arm Chair // Owen Metal Frame Chairs | 5. Melrose Dining Chair // Windsor Bench | 6. Natural Linen Armchair // SKOGSTA Chair The prices on this board really run the gamut, from that nearly $1,300 Rejuvenation bench (that’s SO STUNNING with the chair we paired it with) to an under-$50 IKEA chair (that could easily have come from some boogie boutique somewhere in LA for 10x the price in terms of look…maybe not material or craftsmanship). While #1 is a good coupling of mid-century styling and curves, #2 actually works because they’re opposites (one is sharp and angular, the other is soft and sinuous). Both those chairs from #4 are SUCH great prices and when paired together, they elevate each other. And uh…that blonde wood bench from Target at #5 is so good, I’d say if you don’t have room for it in your dining room, grab it for another area in your home because it’s so good (and under $250). Okay, you made it this far, and now you’re probably wondering…wait…what about tables? While we didn’t include them specifically in this round up, we have written two different chairs + dining table power couples posts so you can get some idea of how to pair things (like this one and this one). Also, did you know we have all our current furniture pieces (including dining tables for the sake of this post) curated in our SHOP page? Head here for a TON of picks at a variety of price points. ***Thank you so much to contributing market researcher Nancy Mitchell for helping us to pull this piece together. The post How to Mix and Match Dining Chairs Like a Boss (+ 28 Pairs We Love) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2GW2CMo
1005x662 (2500x1646)
346.73 KB
1005x662 (2500x1646)
346.73 KB
1005x662 (2500x1646)
346.73 KB
The post Testing Post appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2twafBi ***Written by Jess Bunge Annnnnnd we’re back! The reveal of my teeny tiny living room is here, hopefully, for all of your enjoyment. I love her so so much. We have been through a lot in the past 18 months, five of which it only had a mattress and a little bistro set from IKEA in the kitchen. Yep, five months of not a single. piece. of. furniture. in. this. room. If you are having a hard time pulling the trigger on your home design, trust me when I say I GET YOU. But what I also want to say is that you should just make a decision on something. Even if it’s one small piece, a paint color or simply hanging some curtains. It’s insanely frustrating how easy it is to fall into a rut if you’ve been looking at your space in the same light for a little too long. You won’t believe how much drive will start to flood into your veins once you see the space slightly more filled out. Please learn from me. But there is a balance, right? You also want to find the right pieces and while money should grow on trees, it doesn’t. So time it does take. Just don’t let the reason why your design is taking forever be because you’re fearful of making a bad decision. If your choice is thoughtful and you love it, go for it. Therapy session complete, because you guys are here for a MAKEOVER REVEAL. Now as you may have read in my intro post yesterday, this apartment is a big deal for me. It’s the first place I’ve lived by myself and every inch of the 363 square feet served as an opportunity to show what I was made of and make a home that was me/who I wanted to become. I definitely didn’t put any pressure on myself… Squiggle | Pendant Light | Curtain | Rug | Coffee Table | Pouf | Wall Color | Chair (vintage) | Grid Painting (vintage) Design paralysis was alive and well during this process but there were a couple of pieces I knew I desperately wanted very early on. That Katie Gong Wall Squiggle and the Ferm Living round pouf. I have been a fan of Katie’s for a few years now. She is a Bay Area-based woodworker and sculptor that creates insanely cool and beautiful pieces. So when I reached out to see if she was willing to gift and she said yes, I nearly fell over. I don’t take asking for product lightly, especially from small businesses. It meant the world to me that I was going to be able to have such a stunning piece of art in my living room. And look at it! That squiggle adds so much personality while still maintaining an organic neutral feel. The second piece is my beautiful pouf. I knew it was going to give me that cool modern European style I really, REALLY wanted. And look how killer it is?? Without it, the room would have been too neutral and missing that color pop it needed. I think I actually did a happy dance when they said they would send it. Honestly, I use it almost anytime I’m lounging on the sofa. It either serves as a soft place for my feet to rest or a spot to house my laptop while I watch Netflix… or Hulu… or HBO. Plus, when I have a few friends over, it’s an extra seat. If you looked at my moodboards yesterday, you may have noticed that my rug changed with each board. I was having a hard time finding a neutral rug that felt cool and modern. Well, I did. This rug, which you may also recognize from the Portland Project Living Room and now the Mountain House Family Room. It was THE one. I also have a strange obsession with grid patterns. I really had to reel myself in anytime I saw a piece of art with a grid. I wanted them all. However, I settled on that vintage beauty hanging next to the squiggle from Chairish and I love it. But seriously I had to constantly remind myself that an apartment full of grids is not what I really wanted. Which brings me to another piece of advice. Just because you love something doesn’t mean it should be everywhere in the same room. That could be a color, pattern or type of object. Collections are good, but a one-note design is not. Your room will lack depth and that ideal eclectic-ness most of us are striving for. Did you also notice my sad ceiling fan and beige walls are gone? See ya later suckers and be still my heart. That Farrow & Ball paint makes the space look like actual heaven. Okay, I haven’t been but in my heaven, it’s this color. Pointing is my personal perfect warm white recommendation. Also as I mentioned yesterday, I am a huge advocate for changing out lighting in a rental. Tell me that stunning Noguchi pendant light (not gifted) doesn’t change the entire feel of the room. If I can do it, you can do it. Don’t be afraid to take on the challenge. Just make sure you have a tall enough ladder. In my old apartment, I only had a step ladder and a stack of books. Not safe or recommended. However, that Complete Works of William Shakespeare really came in handy that day. Floor Lamp | Curtain Rod | Curtain Rings | Curtain | Throw Blanket (not available) | Small White Vase | White Pillow | Copper Pillow | Green Tea Table (unavailable) So it wasn’t until I was deep into the design process that Donna decided to steal another piece of my heart. Donna is that brass floor lamp. What’s funny is that a few of my items came with female names and I love to make jokes that they are my girl gang. Maaaybee living alone has made me crazy. Whose to say? But back to my gal pal Donna from Schoolhouse Electric. The dome shape was why I immediately fell in love because she was really modern. But what was extra special was the matte brass finish. It says luxe without being flashy. Another special piece that was graciously gifted was the throw blanket from Lulu and Georgia. When I saw it on the site, I knew no other throw would do. The mustard color and geometric pattern were simply perfect. Plus the quality is so good. It has a great weight and keeps me feeling very cozy as I doze off to sleep on my sofa which I will chat about next. The sofa, not my college-like sleeping habits. In yesterday’s post, I talked a lot about my dad’s carpentry skills. But what I didn’t mention was his knack for thrifting. That malachite tea table was a piece he found for $60 at a thrift store. He just liked it and thought I might, too. Then a month later while I was perusing the interwebs for work, I came across it and it actually retails for $600. WHAT?! Thanks again, dad. I don’t deserve you. Sofa | Round Pink Velvet Pillow | Sherling Pillow | Lumbar Pillow (vintage) | Wood Tray (vintage) Meet my other gal Caitlin or more formally know as The Caitlin Sofa by The Everygirl for Interior Define. While I knew Interior Define was the company I most wanted to work with, I still looked around to see everything on the market. I like researching products if you can’t tell from my job title. But my initial instinct was right, they were the one for me. I’m a lady who likes to have options. And if my “DIYs” have proven anything it’s that I also have a REAL soft spot for custom furnishings. That’s why I bit the bullet on Interior Define because of all their customization options. I knew I wanted an off-white fabric, single seat cushion (dreams) and with simple light wood legs. And without any trouble that’s exactly what I got to design. I chose the 79-inch linen (pebble weave) with the natural oak (tapered round wood) legs. They also recommended I get the cushion fully wrapped (for a little less money you have the option to only have fabric on one side) in case I do make a spill no cleaner can clean. I’ve had it since April and haven’t needed to flip the cushion yet. Am I a real adult? Also, the color still looks amazing. I’m careful but not crazy neurotic so I feel very good about highly recommending this fabric to you all. Coffee Table | Bronze Side Table | Marbled Side Table | Table Lamp | Painting (vintage) I think it’s time to talk coffee tables. I’m ready. It’s painful thinking about the hours I spent looking for a coffee table that was the right size, height and style. I said that once I found it, I never needed to look at a coffee table again. Dramatic? Yes. But here were my challenges. I already had my beloved pouf and I wanted it to nest under my future coffee table. The trick was that said coffee table couldn’t be too wide because my living room is small. Duh. Then on top of that, I needed it to be black metal to pick up the other black accents in the space. I already had a lot of wood pieces and any more would have again gone too boho. Lastly, its visual weight needed to be light because I didn’t want it to compete with the heavy pouf. Let’s keep the heavyweight champ fights out of my living space, okay? It’s super important to consider the visual weight of items so your space feels balanced…especially in a small space where things get can get heavy fast. But then one morning the heavens opened up and I received a promotional email from a Danish company called Kontrast. There it was right on my screen, the perfect coffee table. Not only were the measurements EXACTLY what I was looking for but so was the style. Notice the adorable brass feet that pick up the other brass accents perfectly. I am still pretty speechless with gratitude they sent it to me. For anyone wanting to snag this cutie, as a coffee table, you would probably want an additional piece like a pouf so it’s the right length for your sofa. But if your living space is larger, it would make the perfect side table, too. Shall we also talk about my heater for a sec? I first thought I would put a tree in front of it because I almost never use it so there would have been little chance of fire. But then I thought about it and I really didn’t want a tree. I was afraid the look was going to go a little too boho (is that my new big fear?) and I have a talent for killing plants. I want to save the trees. Not take them against their will and kill them slowly. Another idea I had was to design a cabinet with a door in case I ever did want to use the heater to heat my apartment. But did you know good wood is expensive? I was naive but wised up quick when it was ready to buy wood for all of my “DIYs”. Since I didn’t have a better plan or a big enough budget, I embraced it. When I look at it know I kind of find it charming. Oh, and there is my one outlet. Not in a very useful area as it’s nearly impossible for me to have a TV without an unfortunately long cord wrapping around half of the space (not an option) or laying out the room in a way I didn’t like (also not an option). But to be honest, I have been watching TV exclusively on my laptop on and off for almost a decade. It really doesn’t bother me. I might invest in a projector and find a cute way to hang a sheet over the gallery wall for the off chance I want to have a movie night with friends. Speaking of the gallery wall, here she is… Top Right: Horizontal Abstract | Middle Left: Ceramic Wall Art I have A LOT to say about this shot. If you thought my coffee table issue was an ordeal, I raise you a gallery wall. I knew I wanted one badly as it was going to really drive the style I wanted home but was completely overwhelmed by the idea of designing one. What was the art going to be? Where was I going to find it that didn’t take all my money? How many colors did I want to incorporate? How would I choose the right sizes to fit the wall perfectly? What color frames did I want? Only white, only black? Modern or vintage? Both? How much did I want unframed? My head hurt. I actually only officially put everything up with my cousin last week. The night of “The Install,” we watched Emily’s IGTV she shot at Michael’s house at least three times to make sure I was going to create a decent looking gallery wall. When my boss has tips, I listen. So to start, we taped the measurements of the wall onto the rug (very scientific) and then just went for it. I did my best to evenly distribute the colors, shapes, sizes and frames (or lack thereof). I’m extremely happy with the end result. I feel very silly for letting it agonize me for as long as it did. One of my favorite parts is the unconventional “framing.” I had been looking at that square canvas-wrapped piece that Minted kindly sent through for a while. My original plan was to get it framed because I didn’t know they had a canvas wrapped option! YAY options! I made a last-minute decision to change it and am so happy I did. On the other side of the wall is my “Everything Will Be Ok” ceramic art. I found Tina, the artist, on Etsy and instantly fell for her ceramic work and love the texture it brings. Win! My last “no frame” idea was the clips. My inspiration for the clips was the piece at the top right by Jenna Bauer courtesy of Saatchi Art. It’s how it was displayed on the site and I thought it would be a great way to change up the framing. The window on that wall was a pain in my neck and I wasn’t sure what I was going to do with it. But once I saw Jenna’s piece, my pain was gone and my heart started to sing. I mean look how cool it is?! Top Left: Tan Line Print | Top Right: Black L | Middle Left: Mustard Print | Middle Center: Canvas Squiggle Line | Middle Right: Vintage Poster | Bottom Left: Blue Geometric | Rock Match Holder | Amber Bud Vase | Chair Book | Painted Rock | Woven Basket | Wooden Ball | Blue Box | Black Footed Stand Now I don’t want to leave out my framed buds. Both the little blue guy on the bottom left and the black and white “L” shaped piece higher on the right are by the same artist, Inka Bell courtesy of Uprise Art. If you are looking for beautiful unique art, you absolutely should check them out. When I was searching the site I didn’t even realize these two pieces were by the same artist. I just loved them and obviously have a type. Geometric, simple and full of depth. For the frames themselves, I went as budget as I could. IKEA was my first stop. I was joking with my cousin that I was an Authorized RIBBA Frame Retailer because I bought so many. I just wanted every option in both black and white. Doesn’t sound like me at all. Then for the pieces that didn’t want to nicely fit in a RIBBA frame, I went to Frame It Easy and CB2. And before we get into the shelf/bench construction, let’s talk styling. Like many of you, I have been a fan of Emily’s for years as well as the artists she would use time and time again. So when I was designing my space I was crossing my fingers and toes that the wonderful Mquan would maybe send me one of her ceramics. The crossing of limbs worked and she agreed to send me the coolest, handmade painted rock that ever existed (the black and white one above). Sara and I both were looking at it perplexed wondering how she does it. I now feel like I am a true EHD team member. Now, let’s talk about my wraparound bench. I really don’t know what to say except it just came to me one day while I was sitting on the floor staring at that wall. I had been looking high and low for a bench but none of them were right. They were either too short, too long or too deep. Something too short was most likely going to dwarf the space but too long would awkwardly block part of the entry into the bedroom area. And a bench that was too deep was obviously going to take up prime real estate I didn’t want to give up. Then the entry hallway is not crazy narrow but couldn’t take a big piece of furniture. Plus I wanted something unique. Onto bench construction. The wood wasn’t cheap…$600 for two long pieces of heavy, thick Alder wood. To construct it, my dad used a table saw for the long cuts, router tool to curve the edges and a miter saw for the short cuts (the legs). He then sanded the wood with an electric sander. To finish it off he joined the large pieces with little dowels he added (like IKEA does) and brass latches to secure them underneath. Then the legs are screwed in with wood screws. I decided that I loved the natural finish so much that I left it raw. So far so good since it doesn’t get much human interaction…just eyeballs! My last and final design struggle was the search for the perfect mirror. Mirrors are kind of a must for a small space in my opinion. They are magical objects that make your space feel bigger, bounce around the light helping it feel brighter and are practical so you don’t leave your house looking crazy. Needless to say, I needed one. Boy oh boy did I search. Again it had to be modern but simple. I stumbled upon this wall mirror by Moebe and I knew I had found it. They were gracious enough to send it my way, and I cried with joy. Now my entry and apartment look brighter and complete. I fell for the black frame but that frame comes in different finishes. I couldn’t recommend it more. Here is a fun shot to help you better understand my crazy little space layout. This is the view from my front door and on the other side of the wall on the left is my bed nook. I say nook because it only fits up to a queen sized mattress. Wall to wall. Peg Rail | Terracotta Vase | Black Purse | Mies van der Rohe Book | Wooden Box (vintage) But this is the entry money shot. I do have a hall closet directly behind this shot but when I get home I just want to hang up my coat, purse and hat with as little effort as possible. Opening a door?! Toooo much for this tired old lady. So to solve this problem on a budget I went DIY. But for real this time. I found these peg rails from The Container Store that were $15 each. I know, way to go Container Store. I sliced off the middle ends with a miter saw to make them match seamlessly and after a dash of black spray paint, I was in business. I considered leaving them natural but the tones of the two pieces were too different and I wanted the color to contrast with the bench. That box was a steal for $20 from the Rose Bowl and is the perfect shoe storage as the first thing I do when I walk through the door is kick off my shoes. So before we get into those juicy before and afters, I thought I would be a little indulgent and just show you a few more photos from the shoot. There were just too many good ones. That is all thanks to our endlessly talented EHD photographer, Miss Sara Tramp. Colorful Abstract | Ceramic Wall Art | Legs Print | Black Ring Sculpture All the styling pieces of my dreams. Thought you should get a better look at that MQuan ceramic and see a picture of some of my family members.
I also wanted to show off my favorite red keychain. Portraits are a part of the MOTO experience and while grateful, I am mostly shy in front of the camera. I’m all eyeballs and crooked smiles. But Sara got this shot and I didn’t hate it. A real first:) But also if you really knew me I could’ve been on the verge of falling asleep with my eyes being almost closed. I have a falling asleep superpower. This about wraps it up for today. THANK YOU for all of your kind words yesterday. I learned a lot about myself and design through this MOTO process and feel SO lucky to have gotten the opportunity to do this and share it with all of you. Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments. I can’t wait to show you the kitchen next week. I think you’re really going to dig it. Love you, mean it…but seriously. Here are those VERY fun before and afters because who doesn’t love a good transformation side-by-side? The post Makeover Takeover: Jess’ Long Awaited (Small Space) Living Room Reveal appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2SLEqDy |
Author Kimberly ReedDesign Consultant at Furnishing Knowledge:KI Archives
April 2023
Categories |