This week we thought a good ole fashioned checklist would be a nice way to check in given that it’s the last day of the month… Weather: Great. (happy dance) Perfectly springy, plus California is (mostly) no longer in a drought! Shoots: Lots and great. (all the thumbs up) March Blog Posts Recap: Such an amazing month full of posts we’re really proud of and you guys seemed to enjoy. (THANK YOU!!!!!!!!). Serious Plans to Relax: Already in motion. We are great and hope you are, too. This week, we are all VERY excited about our 15 recommendation so let’s get to it. -Everyone has been DMing Emily like crazy the last few weeks asking about her “glow” and skin in general, and she says it’s all because of this Pixi Glow Mist. From Emily: “I’m almost out of this stuff because I use it a few times a day. Sometimes I blend it in with my foundation but many times I just refresh my face with a spritz and yes, it makes me glow.” -Another Emily favorite this week comes from the Goop Podcast, which she loves, but a recent episode with Dax Shepard really got her good. They talk all about triggers and self-esteem. Topics we all can relate heavily to. She wants you to go listen now. -Arlyn said she DEVOURED Catastrophe on Amazon Prime a few weekends ago, and the new (and final) season just came out earlier this month (she finished it in a day). It’s hysterical, SO relatable for anyone who’s ever been married or in a long-term relationship, and she’s so very sad it’s now done. -Michael bought the most delightful, light and airy cologne. He knows scents are a very personal thing and they smell different on everyone. But this one just makes him so HAPPY whenever he smells it. It’s unisex and here’s the description they have (how fun does this sound): a fragrance inspired by the salty air and fresh waters from boating trips outside Trekroner Fortress at the entrance to Copenhagen’s harbor. -This week’s house tour is from our dear Grace and it’s of the one and only Maggie Gyllenhaal’s home. She basically obsessed with the bathroom in this home tour (that mirror! And all the tiles!). She’s pretty sure that she’s saved it on Instagram three different times by now. I think we all have “that room” in our saved section. -Veronica bought the NYX Ultimate Eye Shadow Palette a few weeks ago and she is in LOVE. It comes in six different options—Brights (the one she owns), Warm Neutrals, Cool Neutrals, Smokey & Highlight, Phoenix (fiery reds and corals), and Ash (cool grays and blues). She can only speak personally about the Brights option, but she said it makes getting ready in the morning so fun!! It’s great for everyday wear as well as nights out with friends or date nights. -Ryann takes Natural Factor’s Stress Relax supplement every day and she says it has really helped with stress and anxiety + it increases mental focus. -Bowser bought herself this ear cuff from Maison Miru and it is SO CUTE. “Makes me wonder why I went through the pain of piercing my conch on the other ear. Conch is a gross word. Sorry.” -Our resident sap, Jess, is at it again with a beautiful romantic poem from Cup of Jo. But honestly when was the last time any of us read a love poem? It’s time. -Grace’s new favorite summer dress is from Urban Outfitters (she promises you WILL get compliments wearing this dress, which is always a nice plus). It’s light, breezy, no fuss and a little flirty. A hit in the office and also all the girls at her gym. She sized down a size. -Do not crucify Arlyn (her own words), but she’s never really put too much stock in Oprah. “Look, she’s a phenomenal woman, and I don’t doubt her wisdom, but I never really gave her much attention for whatever reason. My hubby (who’s constantly on the search for his greater purpose) shared this episode of Super Soul Conversation with me and it shook me to my core. I listened to it twice on a long drive because I needed to hear it all again. It was a wonderful reminder to own who you are, to be right with yourself, and just live your own truth, which seems obvious but is actually very hard to do. This is all hard to explain…this episode was about so much more than this, but…just listen to it. It’s 30 minutes of your time that feels like soul cleansing.” -Velinda is a gift giver because she is the best and she loves this all-purpose wrapping paper. It works for any holiday/celebration, age or gender. Velinda, we are very excited to receive our beautifully wrapped gifts any time you are ready. -Jess found the most wonderful hydrating hair cream for damaged/color treated hair. It’s Windle and Moodie’s Invisible Day and Night Cream. This cream is light, leaves zero oily residue and gives your hair a light shine all the while taming the frizz/flyaways. Oh, and it protects your hair from UV damage. YA, IT’S AMAZING. As soon as it was delivered, Jess let Arlyn use some and she immediately went to purchase it for herself. Plus it’s vegan and gluten-free. Jess wants to now try all of their products asap. -Guys, The Citizenry just launched their spring line and the textiles are goooood! We love this blanket and this pillow A LOT. -If you are looking for a distraction from your distractions and want to read some REALLY good fiction, Ryann has you covered. It’s a short story and it’s just lovely and so well written. She was an English Lit major in college so from time to time she gets THIRSTY for some literary sustenance. This did not disappoint. Once again we love and appreciate you and will see ya tomorrow for another week of pretty stellar content. Happy Sunday. xx The post The Link Up: We Are Getting Serious About Summer Prepping and Soul Cleansing appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2OBtovj
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I’ve been purging my wardrobe lately but also maybe doing some shopping, mostly because I felt like I was in a rut, but also in the name of these Saturday fashion posts. So today I want to share with you guys a few things that I LOVE LOVE LOVE that I recently purchased, starting with that Levi’s jacket (above). It is the perfect year-round (nighttime) coat that makes me feel a little bit like a badass. I’m pretty sure I had it in high school, too. It’s just cool and despite the sherpa lining, it’s very slimming because of the crop cut. I am a BIG FAN. Next, I got this romper from Urban Outfitters and as you can tell I feel very pleased with myself. It’s super comfy and it’s just one piece of fabric, which mentally makes my life easy. There is no outfit to put together. It’s just THAT. It does run super small so size up (I’m wearing a medium). Then we have a dress I am really happy I got. I’m doing an Easter dress post (you know, for my return to a church, as one must embrace any ritual to dress fancy) and some of the dresses I ordered came early. I am telling you guys, I absolutely LOVE this dress. I think I’m going through a baby doll/generally dressing like a small toddler phase but I swear I’m not alone. It’s a thing. In retrospect, I don’t like those shoes with it (I think). But here is why the dress is great: It’s slimming in the shoulders and arms, but crazy voluminous everywhere else. There is a slip lining that falls more straight so even when you twirl (as you do) the slip stays put to avoid any, ahem, embarrassing moments. I admittedly like wearing short dresses but this is really only possible because of the invention of the spray tan. I want to give a shout out to Brittany (my spray tan expert) because that tan you see up there lasted OVER a week. I normally go to a local place and do Versa spa (level 2 with bronzer if you want to know) but it usually only lasts 4-5 days (and comes off unevenly). I’m normally cool with it because its affordable and fast (for reference: I have a membership for $60/month and I go weekly and I’m in and out in 5-6 minutes.) But then my friend was going on vacation so she wanted the real deal so I had Brittany spray me, too. The second day I was super tan, like VACATION tan, but as it mellowed out it looks pretty darn great. Anyway, if you are in LA she just opened up a store in West Hollywood called Be Bronze Studio. Tell her I sent you. Alright, moving on. These last four products I didn’t get a shot with me in them, but I’m including them because I bought them, I DO love them, so I want to recommend them. 1. Ray-Ban Sunglasses: I finally bought new glasses which I am very excited about. I decided to veer away from my usual aviators and I am loving these guys. I think they are a good frame size for my face and they are a nice mix between classic wayfarers and aviators. 2. Ruffled Embroidered Blouse: I posted an IGTV video the other day and a LOT of you asked where I got the blouse I was wearing. It’s from Zara and like most tops, I love that it’s boxy (shocking) but also very flattering in the arms and shoulder. Plus, it has this lovely embroidery that feels very appropriate for spring/summer. 3. Sundry Le Soleil Pant: I am really loving these pants that I recently got from Sundry. They are a super cute boyfriend straight-leg cut, and extremely comfortable. The stripe on the side and rope belt add a little extra flair but otherwise, they are very casual and cozy. Weekend mom pants, FOR SURE. 4. Carla High Neck Blouse: Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favorite shirts. It’s safe and easy to wear (blue! stripes! blouse-y!) but those ruffles and the Victorian neckline are special. I do a half tuck and it’s super flattering and I feel really good in it. It is, however, a splurge. Alright, that’s it folks. A short and sweet Saturday read. But before I go, we are gearing up for Earth Day and want to feature brands that care about the earth, whether beauty, fashion, farms, home, basically any that considers the impact it has on the earth and treatment of animals. So if you know of any that you can vouch for, please comment below and let us know so we can research and feature! The post 7 Items I Bought Recently (and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2UpkAho Apparently, I have a pretty intense fear of pattern combo-ing (outside of a classic grid, of course). This was profoundly brought to my attention when Arlyn assigned this post to me. After my momentary panic (clearly marked by my eyes opening as big as possible while I exhaled a “sure, no problem” in a medium pitched squeak) was over, I thought that what better way to get over this insane “fear” than to dive in head first into as much pattern combo-ing as my little plain white linen heart could take. I’m sure you feel super safe in my hands now. But I think my initial hesitation only works in your favor because I have rounded up options that both the patterned obsessed and patterned avoider can both love as I am more or less in the middle…as any true balanced Libra would/should be. Let’s first go in hard with the pattern on pattern combos. Ready to see what I came up with??? WAIT. First, in true EHD fashion, let’s talk rules or, better yet, guidelines when it comes to pairing patterned rugs and curtains. 1. Scale, scale, scale. Mix them up! This is probably the most important guideline. If you have a large scale pattern on your curtain, you’ll want to choose a rug with a small scale pattern and vice versa. This way, your eyes won’t be in visual overload and it will give your space dimension. 2. Consider your color palette. This is kind of a no brainer and is a rule for all three of our categories today but just make sure your colors at least talk to each other. Choosing a bunch of random colors won’t look cohesive and will probably be visually overwhelming. 3. When in doubt, just go for it. Okay, so this isn’t a “rule” more than a good piece of advice. Pattern on pattern can be intimidating, but as long as you love what you’ve picked out and considered the previous two guidelines, then just do it. 4. Don’t be too matchy. If you have a floral curtain, avoid going floral in your rug. Same goes with geometrics. You can pull it off if the scales are different enough and you have more going on in the space, but you want to side step being too matchy-matchy here to feel natural and not forced/amateur. Okay, now let’s get into the EHD-approved pattern on pattern recommendations: 1. Light Floral Curtain // Blue Plaid Rug | 2. Embroidered Border Curtain // Diamond Wool Rug | 3. Striped Curtain // Blue Grid Rug | 4. Blue Patterned Curtain // Diamond Wool Rug | 5. Diamond Curtain // Lattice Rug | 6. French Toil Curtain // Black Plaid Rug | 7. Tassel Curtain // Leopard Print Rug | 8. Embroidered Curtain // Multicolored Rug | 9. Vines Curtain // Circle Rug | 10. Pink Florals Curtain // Blue Rug My personal favorites are #1, #2, #5 and #8. That last category was like a peaty scotch that smacks you in the face (in a great way) but now let’s take it a little easier with some easier drinking. If that just went right over your head I am now taking you onto the pattern + solid combos. Still fun but a little more palatable to the pattern adverse. But first, rules… 1. Pick your moment. We typically love a bold patterned rug and solid curtain but if you have patterned furniture then a patterned rug might not be the best choice. However, a fun complimentary curtain might be. It’s always about balance. 2. Keep it interesting. You don’t need to always go for the safe white curtain. I’m also talking to myself here. Pick a color, even in a textured fabric like velvet. A great way to choose a color is to look to your rug for one of the more subtle colors. It will be more of a visual surprise and also bring it out in your rug. Combo time… 1. Forest Green Linen Curtain Panel // Wool Cotton Boucle Rug | 2. Linen Curtain Panels (set of 2) // Color Block Tufted Rug | 3. Aina Curtains (set of 2) // Scale Natural Jute Rug | 4. Tasseled Moira Curtain // Bella Rug | 5. Velvet Curtain Panel // Stockholm Flatwoven Rug | 6. Honeycomb Light Filtering Curtain // Pamela Wiley Zigzag Rug | 7. Belgian Linen Curtain // Alrik Rug | 8. Fringed Linen Curtain // Mosaik Teal Rug | 9. Concentric Squares Curtains (set of 2) // Raymie Rug | 10. Tie Tab Window Panel // Patchwork Design Rug Yikes, I don’t know if I can choose a favorite. But if I HAD to then maybe #1, #3, #6, #10. But as you can see, each one has a dominant piece (mainly the rugs) and most of the colorful curtains were chosen by the least assuming color of its rug buddy. This last roundup was unexpectedly challenging because how does one make a solid rug and solid curtains interesting without the furniture and decor getting involved??? Well, I figured it out and here are my secrets… 1. Vary up the texture. It’s the quickest and easiest way to keep it solid and visually interesting. This works particularly well if you’re going with neutral on neutral. For instance, a velvet curtain paired with a chunky woven rug, or a textural linen drapery combined with a raised tonal tufted pattern on a rug. 2. It doesn’t have to be all neutrals. If you don’t want a lot of different textures then have fun with color. Whether it’s high contrast (two very different colors) or tonal (two very similar colors). It’s an easy way for the space to look very cool and pulled together. 3. Follow all the rules at one. Doing both of the above rules together (texture and color) is also totally great. 1. Cordless Roman Blackout Shade // Natural Fiber Rug | 2. Light Filtering Linen Curtain // Gray Boucle Jute Rug | 3. Lace Trim Curtain // Fawna Handwoven Rug | 4. Worn Velvet Curtain // Flokati Wool Rug | 5. Paper Rollup Shade // Chunky Woven Jute Rug | 6. Herringbone Curtain Panel // Navy Shag Rug | 7. Textured Blackout Curtain // Fleka Rug | 8. Velvet Curtain Panel // Marled Patina Rug | 9. Stitched Linen Curtain // Border Twill Rug | 10. Sanela Velvet Room Darkening Curtains (set of 2) // Cable Knit Sweater Area Rug For the solids, I have to go for #4, #5 and #8. That shag rug in #4 is so good! Wait, before we go, we had to round it all out with some drapery hardware and rings…it’s a one-stop shop here at EHD! 1. Matte Black Drapery Rod | 2. Classic Curtain Hardware Set With Cap Finial | 3. Drapery Ring Matte Black, Set of 7 | 4. 1 3/8″ Drapery Rod With Wood Finial | 5. Amp Black Curtain Rod Set | 6. West Slope Drapery Rod | 7. Sculptural Wood Rod | 8. Clip Drapery Rings for 1″ Rods | 9. Rorke Black Curtain Rod Set | 10. French Curtain Rod | 11. Seamless Black With Brass Band Curtain Rod Set | 12. Cast Iron Clip Rings | 13. Racka Curtain Rod Combination | 14. Cast Iron Curtain Rod | 15. Decorative Sphere Finial – Marble & Brass | 16. | 17. Black Curtain Rings, Set of 7 | 18. 1″ Drapery Rod With Acorn Finial | 19. Matte Black Ring Clip, Set of 7 | 20. Matte Black Rod Set | 21. Mid-Century Wooden Rod That’s it. I know already?! I hope you liked the combos, learned some good tips and if you were pattern fearing before that you are now less fearful. Rugs and curtains are such a fun opportunity to bring some personality to your space in a big way. So go forth and have fun…it is Friday after all. So did you have a favorite combo? Are you convinced and are going to try a pattern in your house? Do you have any curtains and/or rugs you love and want to share with the world? Then please comment below. Love you, mean it. More Power Couples to Check Out:
The post Power Couples: How to Expertly Pair Curtains & Rugs (+ 30 Combos to Try) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2uzasEs The EHD team just wrapped a staging/styling project in Eagle Rock (goes on the market tomorrow) that we are so proud of and today we are giving you sneak peeks and talking about how to give a house some soul, even while trying to sell it to the masses (though they can absolutely apply to any house that needs a little styling love). There are some pretty special things about this house and I wanted to shoot it for the book (those photos are to be kept a secret) so we teamed up with The Platform Experiment (an actual staging company) as well as some of our favorite vendors--Article, Lulu & Georgia, Serena & Lily, MidcenturyLA, The Citizenry, Shelfology (those super thin and awesome steel shelves up there are by them), and Lost & Found—to design, style, stage and shoot the entire house over two months. It’s not typically our business model to work for free for weeks just for pretty photos of styled out spaces, but we got a lot out of this special house that we are excited to show you so IT WILL BE WORTH IT (what we chanted throughout the whole process). How to Stage a House With Soul to SellThere are a lot people out there that will opt for, even fight for, a house with personality, style and soul and they will sacrifice space and function for it. Hell, have you met my closets? Our 100-year-old Tudor FULL of soul and charm has the tiniest closets ever and I knew it and didn’t care because I wanted that house. But what if your house doesn’t have that much innate charm? Can you still style it with soul? YOU BETCHA. Here are some tips to help you stage or style whether your house has an inherent charm or not: Give Your House a Muse.A muse is kind of a more romantic (if not pretentious) way of saying a “theme” but more in the scope of a city an actual person. In this case, it’s a Modern New Orleans with a California bent. This means more old world antiques, deeper jewel tones, warm pinks, greens, and blues (carpet and a room you’ll see) and some drama throughout. But we’ve chilled it out with a lot of neutrals to give your eye a rest and some more streamlined pieces with hits of black to make it feel edgy and cool. You might recognize that living room from the Target fall shoot we did there, where we rented out this house (how I learned about the location), and here it’s transformed with my favorite sectional from Article (I have the linen version up at the mountain house). The owners William and Amanda already had that pretty rug, and then we recovered their vintage chair from MidcenturyLA in a white Crypton fabric (those lines! so pretty). The wall sculpture is a collection that he found on a set he was working on and we, well, just hung them on the wall. Remember, a collection has a lot of impact when it’s displayed the right way like this. It’s just wood blocks, but it looks so cool. Mix in Vintage and Antique Pieces.Nothing groundbreaking here, just your daily reminder that vintage and antique pieces have good, storied energy that will make your house feel more like a home and give it soul. Where a piece of furniture or rug has been provokes an emotion in us that a new piece just can’t. Between The Platform Experiment, the rug dealer (CorreMarie) and our own collection (plus what William already had), this house had SO much beautiful vintage. We borrowed that chair from MidcenturyLA and I want that painting SO BADLY (perhaps a gift for designing/styling your house for free?). Balance That Vintage With More Streamlined Pieces.In order for a house to feel balanced and therefore be attractive to as many people as possible (what you want when you are staging), you want to hold the reigns on having too many decorative details. That antique lamp needed to be balanced out with a modern, streamlined side table and a simple upholstered bed (both from we borrowed from Lulu & Georgia). William found that textile tapestry at a flea market and hung it to draw your eye up (I’m still on the fence about it, wishing that the black parts weren’t so high contrast though I understand that traditionally, Kuba cloths are), but also please note the pendant, in the original style of the house. By the way, that exposed turret ceiling you see (round, so special) was previously just your average 8-foot ceiling. ISN’T THAT CRAZY? They busted through and exposed it and it’s just stunning. I know you are dying to see more of this house, I’m sorry!! We have to have a lot of original photos for the book so I have to hold them (and it’s hard to do, folks). Rethink Your Dead Zones.This “home office” is actually just a basement that we turned ad hoc studio/office space and it’s soooo cool. William and his team had worked down here at some point, but it was a storage room when we started the project. They put in a window a while ago, but mostly they just painted the ceiling black (to disguise the pipes, etc) the walls white and poured new concrete. We will be doing a whole reveal of this room as it doesn’t really fit in the book so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks. We borrowed those desks from Lulu & Georgia (so great, with a lot of hidden side storage) and warmed it up with the chairs, also from Lulu & Georgia. For this space, we used William as our “muse” and styled it out with drawings and props from his career. Again, more on that later. Okay fine, ONE MORE: MAN. I love that shot. That was wasted space (a “dead” zone) so they put up wood with what seems to be venting but how insanely cool does that look? VERY. The dining chairs (from Article) bring in that cool edgy matte black via the leg frames and leather seat. Don’t Be Afraid to Take Some Risks.A pink room to stage and sell a house? IT’S OKAY. At this point, whoever buys this house will likely be REALLY into it and it will be an emotional purchase. It will be someone who gets this style and normally people who “get style” also know how easy it is to repaint a room. But this room color is SO pretty so we couldn’t bear to paint it back to white (it’s Benjamin Moore’s Odessa Pink). We had an abundance of eclectic art so we went with a gallery wall up over that antique style daybed from Lulu & Georgia (which fit perfectly in this smaller room). We let the gallery wall be the focus and kept all the textiles more simple and neutral (all of those are from The Platform Experiment as is the side table—they have such great pieces with a lot of character and soul). So yes, we took a risk and added even more drama to a pink room but it’s an absolute JOY to be in and has so much depth and interest, even though it’s on the smaller side. And we didn’t stop there… It’s Okay to Be Bold.I’m still under the impression that almost everyone loves blue so I think this is not only okay to do but actually something that can really add value. We will be doing a whole post about how to create a super chic moody bedroom and why this works (versus just looking like a cave), so again (sorry), stay tuned. But I had to show you this shot because it’s so editorial and dreamy (as is that chair we borrowed from Lulu & Georgia, draped with that tasseled throw from Serena & Lily). There is so much more that I can’t wait to show you but I have to hold on more photos for the following reasons: A. Not all the images are edited (but we wanted to announce the sale) so those of you in LA could go to the open house. B. We are saving some posts for full reveals coming soon! C. We have to save bathrooms and kitchen for the book. We don’t want you guys buying the book and then being like “wait, I’ve seen ALL OF THIS.” As someone who is notoriously bad about keeping a GOOD secret (I can keep your bad ones), this is hard for me. If you live in LA and want to take a peek at in person, or if you are in the market for a very family-friendly, beautiful, special house with a view and a flat back grassy yard, head to an open house this weekend they’re having (we’ll link up the information as soon as it’s live so come back later today for that). I have nothing to do with the sale, just proud of the EHD Team + Platform work here. For anyone interested, the house is a combined 1,940 square feet, 3 bedrooms, 2 baths with a basement office (with a bathroom), is in one of the most desirable school districts (Dahlia in Eagle Rock) and has views of THE Eagle Rock. It’s not huge but it sure is special. Contact listing agent Lauren Reichenberg at 310.503.0580 for more information and be sure to check back later today for the listing link for all details (including price, floorplan and open house hours). ***photography but Sara Tramp for EHD, art direction by me, styling assistance by Velinda Hellen and Erik Staalberg
The post How We Staged a House (To Sell) With Soul + Some Sneak Peeks appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2JM1D4J Earlier this year, when we did our reader survey, literally thousands of you begged us to do more simple projects (or what we call internally “micro projects”). You also requested in hoards that we do more vintage and second-hand-focused blog posts so that’s what we’re here for today, folks. Double whammy. You might have noticed that I’ve been deep in the thrifting and flea market-ing game lately (hope you didn’t miss this past Saturday’s post) partly as a result of what you guys asked for but mostly because it’s ALL I actually ever want to do. So today, we’re trying something different we hope you’re into. We picked up that safari chair up there for $20 last month at the St. Vincent de Paul of Los Angeles thrift store because that is a steal of a deal. Sure, the high-gloss cherry finish on the frame screamed 2002 and made the black canvas seat and back look faded and dingy (which, to be fair, it was…nothing a little wash couldn’t fix, though), but it was in great shape and pretty clean…it just needed a little kick in the tush in terms of style and bringing it into 2019. Did I mention this was $20?!? For a chair that, in the right finish, could go for at least a few hundred in a retail boutique in LA? I’m no chump. So it came home with me and myself and Emily Bowser from my team helped to give this lady a refresh. We love a good cheap makeover around here. It was a pretty simple process (which is outlined below), and in my usual fashion, there were some mistakes made that we learned from along the way and will share with you. But ultimately, we just hope seeing what can be done with a little vision, a little cash and a little sanding/staining will make you want to run out this weekend and see what you can find to make your own. I’m your official flea market and thrift store ambassador…just go hunt. You never know what you’ll find or what you can turn it into. Okay, PSA over. Let’s get into how we rehabbed this baby and what everyone wants to see…the “after.” Step 1: Find a chair that has solid bones-slash a silhouette you’re into. If this is your first DIY rodeo, we don’t recommend spending a fortune here, so the twenty buckeroos I spent on this felt like a worthy investment should things go south (though I’ve done this enough, I knew it wouldn’t). Step 2: We knew we wanted to get rid of that shiny cherry finish, so we went to town sanding the frame once we took it apart. (Quick note: take pictures of the process of taking something like this apart because it was actually a little bit of a puzzle putting it back together, more than you would think). We used 100 grit sandpaper for the bulk of the job and finished it with a finer 220 grit we put on my trusty DeWalt orbital sander. For the harder to reach areas, we used angled sanding blocks. Definitely use face masks and protective glasses! Was there purple-y dust everywhere during the process? Yes, but we persevered because we were confident in the final prize of a rad chair. We sanded…and sanded…and sanded. Step 3: You might see this photo and think…”wait, why is this all of a sudden a weird red? Did someone spill their Kool-Aid all over perfectly sanded wood?” No my friends, we just couldn’t leave well enough alone. The purple tone persisted so we decided to try a paint stripper. In theory, this should have worked. We used a paintbrush (make sure you wear protective mask, glasses and gloves!) to apply and let it sit overnight, knowing this situation was INTENSE. In the morning, we used a scraper to remove the stain and remove it did…except somehow it was worse?? It was even more purple. Here is the part of the post where I say DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO. Maybe we needed to do it a few times, or maybe the wood was too raw, or maybe this wood was just TOO stained?? This whole step could have been skipped. Just go straight from sanding to staining (well, wipe down after sanding, of course, to reduce sawdust). Step 4: Stain that puppy. Stain it dark enough to cover any undertones, like, literally stain it black. We used Minwax Ebony which required two coats. I highly recommend you do this outside because of the fumes and definitely put down a cloth to avoid transferring black onto everything you own. Wear nothing precious, protective glasses, face mask, oh, and WEAR GLOVES unless you want black fingertips for two weeks. Also, as we were doing this, Emily Bowser and I kept saying “wait, why don’t we stain things more” as in, instead of painting. We will forever just stain everything black now. You’ve been warned. There are a few more steps you’re not seeing in the last grid (we had to take the chair apart to fully sand, strip and stain the dowels that held the canvas seat and back, plus we cleaned the canvas which left it looking worn but in a cool, purposeful way), including the moment between stripping the wood and staining it where we thought maybe we’d leave it oak colored, but it was just too pink. Hence why we stained the whole frame black, and we’re happy we did, because here’s the finished product… Maybe we’re all biased, but no one here thinks this looks like a $20 chair…what do you think? It could ABSOLUTELY be at least $300…so if you think about it, we just saved $280…that’s how it works, right?!? Styled in this corner of my living room, with my new antique oil lady, it’s such a cool juxtaposition. Throw in an ottoman for ultimate lounging, and you’ve got yourself a little reading/podcast listening nook. (Oh, and for anyone who might ask, the dress is vintage and these are my absolute new favorite sneaker). Here is the before and after side by side because that’s the real fun in these kinds of projects. Like seeing a poorly lit frowning face next to a professionally photographed and made up face advertising a “miracle” serum in a late night infomercial. Except there’s no asterisk here or trick of the eye. Just a genuine refresh of something that was already pretty great…a make-under really. Thanks to Emily Bowser for helping throughout the process, and like I said earlier, I hope you’re inspired to get your hands busy in the near future with a thrifted treasure. Have fun, and tag us using #ShowEmYourDIY if you finish something this weekend. The post Before & After: How We Took a $20 Thrifted Chair & Made it Cool Again appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2HFOtV3 Hi, everyone. It’s me, Laurren, here again to talk color. More specifically, brown. A few weeks ago, when we first met and I brought you this post about fun color combos, we didn’t once discuss brown. I’m going to right that wrong today by devoting a whole post to the hue because… IT’S BAAAAAAACK! Well, maybe it’s not fully back, but its bags are packed and it’s headed this way. If you’re thinking “But Laurren! Brown has been back for a while as evidenced here and here and here and here…” You’re not wrong! Things have warmed up over the years. We’ve seen a shift from painted furniture and cooler color palettes to spaces that include blonde-toned woods and earthy textiles and paint choices. But I’m not talking the golden-hued teak credenzas or camel-colored leather sofas of recent years. (That’s all still great though.) I’m talking brown brown…deeper, darker, richer hues, from terra cotta and mahogany to walnut and chocolate and everything in between. If you never thought this day would come, where we’re taking a deep dive into brown and, dare I say, actually kind of crushing on it all…I didn’t either, despite knowing that in the world of design—both in interiors and fashion—things are constantly cycling, with most trends emerging as a counter-reaction to another. Sure, brown is always around in some capacity. Furniture is, after all, most often made of wood, lol, but shades and tones and the way and quantity in which it’s used certainly fluctuates. I mean, literally everything can come in brown—furniture, floors, walls, upholstery, textiles, cabinetry—and in the ‘70s, everything kinda did. Things were generally pretty drab before the 1950s. Not devoid of color completely, but it was expensive to dye textiles and plastics had yet to be invented, so things took a VERY colorful turn in the ‘50s and ‘60s as new materials emerged. In the ‘70s, folks were like NO THANK YOU and the motto became “wood panel it all!” The retina-scarring ‘80s ushered in the ‘90s country kitchen shortly followed by the all-Tuscan-everything that shook the early 2000s (SO.MUCH.BEIGE). We’re still recovering from that last one. For a good decade, painted furniture and the all-white kitchen/bathroom/everything have dominated homes and Pinterest boards around the world, so it seems only natural that a big shift is on the horizon. How do we know it’s happening? We’ve seen some retailers like CB2 beginning to carry darker wood pieces, but fashion is generally the best indicator of what’s on the agenda decor-wise since trends often trickle down from there. And lately, fashion has been all about brown… As you can see in these images from recent fashion weeks, tone-on-tone is definitely a thing and you’ll never go wrong pairing brown with red, but it’s that brown/teal/red combo at bottom left that really has my heart going pitter patter. You didn’t come for the fashion, though, so let’s move along. Furniture seems like a logical place to start… In the above image, mismatched pieces in varying wood tones pair with woven accents to create a rustic-boho space that feels decidedly different from the wood-heavy minimalist vibe currently dominating Instagram. (You know the look: matching light wood furniture, sunset hues, ceramics galore.) Not that we don’t appreciate those spaces—we do—but, there is something about exclusively outfitting a room with pieces in a singular tone, material or style that, no matter how carefully chosen, can feel a little “done-in-a-day,” if ya know what I mean. The dining space above might not garner all the internet “likes,” but its sophisticated, collected-over-time feel will definitely help it hold up in the long haul. From the walls to the furniture to the textiles, the chic bedroom pictured above, in all its dark, chocolate-y glory, is a glaring style contrast to the more casual dining space discussed at top. It can be hard to get away with SO MUCH of the same hue, but it works here in large part thanks to the visual counter courtesy of that white upholstered headboard. (Imagine, for a moment, if the whole bedframe was iron? Very different story.) The wood finish on that French nightstand is very similar to the grasscloth-clad walls but that sliver of white from the table’s marble top is what keeps the piece from getting lost in the shuffle. It’s the little things in design, you guys. If you worry about darker wood furnishings—particularly antiques—feeling stuffy or visually heavy, consider repurposing a piece in an unexpected way. Set against glossy tiles and topped with a bubbly vessel sink, the strong and stately console-table-turned-vanity pictured above tones down the playfulness of the room’s chipper pink-and-green palette. If you’d prefer to dip your toes back into brown rather than dive head first, take a cue from the bathroom above: there are a lot of pretty things happening here (That pendant light! That claw-foot tub!) but, upon first glance, your eyes instantly land on that beautiful mahogany china cabinet, am I right or am I right? That’s thanks to the space’s all-white color palette—it provides the breathing room needed for that beautiful antique to become the strong focal point it was always meant to be. (FYI the wall paint is Montgomery White by Benjamin Moore.) I think it’s also important to note that, though an unconventional choice for a bathroom, that Turkish rug goes a long way toward making this whole thing work. (The cabinet is pretty big and could feel a little jarring as the room’s only flash of warmth.) It’s not all about wood pieces, though. Here, a not-quite-terra-cotta sofa teams up with cooler shades of gray to warm up this stunningly stark office space designed by Danish studio Norm Architects for Kinfolk magazine. It’s a surprisingly versatile brown—lighter and redder in shade—and would lend itself to a range of design styles. We particularly love how well it plays with the thread of royal blue found in the two (very different) rooms pictured below. With the popularity of all-white interiors came, perhaps, the most asked and agonized over question in all of design: should you paint original wood-toned trim/moldings/doors? We get why the thought ruffles feathers, but we also get why someone would want to do it. (Sometimes you just don’t want that much contrast between trim and walls okay?!) If that last sentence made you say to yourself “who let this lady in here??!!!” then you’ll be happy to know times may be a changin’, as we’re seeing more and more folks embracing original finishes and sometimes even choosing to install wood-toned trim where it once wasn’t. And we’ve gotta say: it’s pretty darn dreamy. Here’s an example in a more minimal design scenario. A big part of why this works is that there is no molding where the wall meets the ceiling to detract from the sleek aesthetic and the gray plaster walls balance all the warmth with a hit of cool. Moving on to the topic of flooring, I don’t know that brown patterned floors are a thing, but this space—well, actually this entire home—is so, so beautiful I couldn’t not include it. So let’s just call it…brown patterned floors…they’re happening…ish. What makes the room pictured above different from all-wood spaces of years past—outside of the fact that it’s, you know, actual wood—is the shift in pattern between the flooring and wall molding and the fact that the wood doesn’t lean particularly warm or cool in tone. A palette of three very “now” hues—terra cotta, blush, and lilac—help to soften the serious, minimally furnished space and the white ceiling lifts everything. The kitchen above takes the wood treatment allllllll the way up to the celling—and man is it good. Again, this is in large part thanks to the change up in pattern—it just wouldn’t feel as special or as current without the herringbone design wedged in the middle to break things up. Plus, this is likely real wood (even if just veneer), unlike the faux wood paneling of decades past. Clean, modern finishes in pastel-y hues provide the contrast needed to keep things from going in a more rustic direction. For your noncommittal folks, the kitchen above is a stunning example of how to tiptoe into the wood wall treatment. (Doesn’t it feel like whatever goes on those shelves just instantly becomes EXTRA special?) Of course, we’d be remiss to talk color without talking paint. Here, deep brown walls with an almost chalky finish amp up the drama of simple bedding and furnishings. While the furnishings in the dining space pictured above aren’t something the EHD team typically gravitates toward, the lighter, more cocoa-toned wall color is no doubt very enticing and could definitely translate to a variety of design styles. (The paint is Vicalvi’s Havane in a matte finish, which might be hard to get in the States. Maybe try something like Log Cabin by Benjamin Moore.) Here in the living room of “The Home,” the Copenhagen show apartment of the Danish Brand Ferm Living, moody blue-gray walls are topped with a is-it-brown-or-is-it-burgundy? celling. It’s a bold, beautiful treatment best suited for larger spaces. (Though it could feel super cozy in a smaller bedroom.) The blue and gray furniture really perfects the room’s color palette. Shades of brown + green + steely blue-grey with a hint of pink—I guess I’ll have to file this color combo under missed opportunities, as evidenced by the two-toned space pictured above. It’s both cozy and dynamic. We can’t forget about wallpaper! A busy brown print like the one pictured above might be a little much in a larger space, but in a powder room, it feels just right. We’re on board with the neutral palette used here but also wouldn’t hate to see how a bolder pop of color would pair with the print. The color of this abstract graphic wallpaper—it’s Graffito by Kelly Wearstler—is called “salmon” but definitely feels like more of a light cocoa in this photo, so let’s just go with that, okay? The use of color, texture and pattern makes the room feel delightfully rich and layered. Because I don’t know where to fold in a discussion about this brown wood-topped bathtub, I’m just going to leave it here as a parting gift to you. : ) Almost 2,000 words later…whew! We made it. Thanks for hanging in there. Are you convinced yet? A brown convert? I just realized I didn’t really touch on cabinetry, but you gotta stop somewhere! Tell me your feelings—do you think brown is back? Do you think it never really went away? Do you have horror stories of brown rooms past? Spill it because while tons of these rooms sell brown hard, we know it works in very specific instances, and all of you aren’t currently running out right now to brown up your spaces. The post The Unexpected Trend We’re Seeing That Makes Any Room Instantly Timeless appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2FwqR1g I feel like I’m about to give a wedding toast for my daughter who after four mediocre boyfriends/wedding attempts has now found and married the love of her life. There is a lot of emotion, relief, happiness and SO MUCH PRIDE wrapped up in this kitchen—and you know that’s not that easy for me to say. I pushed myself, ran into obstacles, almost gave up on the dream (remember when the cabinets were going to be a classic shaker?) was rescued (by these folks) and now get to make so much soup inside this rustic-modern-Scandinavian-contemporary-minimalist-kitchen. I feel like the luckiest person on the planet. There is a lot to get into here and you might just be scrolling past this to see the rest of the photos, but STOP AND RESPECT YOUR FORE-FATHERS/KITCHENS: Our first inspiration were these: And then we thought we had a plan but as you can see from this post, there was a lot of design work before we even got to those final two. For the I Design, You Decide, we had it down to two versions, here: After you all voted for the white cabinet/black island combo, there were tons of comments about how all the little ridges would turn into grease and grime traps and you were right, so we made some adjustments and went with a plain white shaker: There were a lot of “PLEASE NO!” but also a lot of “YES LOVE IT” but ultimately, it wasn’t what we really wanted. Then…I was SAVED by Ross Alan. At the last minute, we were able to make it our dream kitchen with their real reclaimed wood on the cabinets and it turned into what it should have been all along: So after a 3-week renovation and with a budget of $5,700, we turned it into our dream mountain house kitchen! JUST JOKING WHAT DO YOU THINK THIS IS PROPERTY BROTHERS??? FLIP OR FLOP?? This kitchen, the whole house, took a YEAR, with one lead designer (me) + three design support/project managers (Julie, Grace and Velinda), a GC + many subs and while I don’t know how much it cost, I would say it’s anywhere between $50-$75k just for the kitchen. Yes, I’m very lucky I had some help with product placement (brands we love that we reached out to for product in exchange for exposure) but labor is labor, which is your main cost. Paying licensed, experienced craftspeople what they deserve will simply add up (and it should). I’m only telling you because perpetrating the lies of renovation costs and quick construction timing does nothing good for humanity, your marriage/budgeting nor your general mental health. They say you can’t have “fast, affordable and good.” You can often have two out of the three, and in this case, ultimately what we got was just the one: GOOD, but to be fair, I love it and will even go as far to say it’s “VERY GOOD.” Our contractor Jeff Malcom (of Malcom Enterprises), and architect John Lyles, did a fantastic job, full of high-quality workmanship. But high-quality takes time, especially when you are working with such custom finishes and appliances. But enough! Let’s talk finishes…AS A WARNING, there is a lot to breakdown, especially with wordy-mc-wordy here writing it, so today’s post is just about the finishes, and we’ll cover how we integrated all the appliances and the coffee bar/dry bar very soon, as well as all theinterior organization of the cabinetry. The Reclaimed Wood Cabinets & Flooring:I have to immediately start this with Ross Alan Reclaimed Lumber, a young family-owned custom reclaimed wood and furniture builder in Los Angeles who made our kitchen (and ceiling/floor) dreams truly come true. We had the layout all done and even some of the boxes built when they came into the picture. This was the original intent for the house, but I had never done wood before nor did I know how to do it, so we ultimately had settled on a classic shaker. They said “calm down, of course we can put our beautiful reclaimed wood on the cabinet fronts.” What we used here is a 200-year-old reclaimed beechwood from a barn in Ohio and we were able to work with our local cabinetmaker to get them installed and looking, frankly PERFECT. Ross, pictured below, happened to be up there the day that we were shooting so we got him in a photo (we missed you Georgie!): But I don’t want this to just be a post of TADA HERE’S OUR NEW FANCY KITCHEN without respecting the process, the design agonies, the decisions, and give you tips on how it works. We touched base with Ross and Georgie so they can walk through the steps you should know about what went into making this dream kitchen a reality (with a big grid of photos of all the “ugly” stuff before it had it’s makeover montage and turned into a prom queen):
According to Ross Alan, the cost for material ranges between $9-$12.50 a square foot (depending on the accent material chosen). To clad, finish and install the cabinet doors, it was $65 a square foot, and the island cladding installation was $14 a square foot (in addition to the material costs). For the island, we used Ross Alan’s corral and snow fence boards which were milled to 5/16″. Because that wood is naturally grayish with a lot of variation, we went with an ebony stain so that it would be more refined. The photo on the bottom left was actually us testing out what a heavily textured wood would look like in black, but for the finished product, it was NOT painted. The wide planks are FULL of texture and character (I wish you could see how great they are IRL), but in all black, juxtaposed with the lighter beechwood throughout makes it SO special and modern. We finished it off with a few coats of water-based matte polyurethane to keep it from losing color and also to protect it from water, kids, etc. That matte finish means there is NO shine, so all you see is the beauty of the reclaimed wood, and there was barely any color change from unfinished product to sealed product. The Countertops:We had a marble all picked out when we thought we were going to have shaker painted cabinets, but once we went to this reclaimed wood, we felt that we had enough texture so we switched to Cambria (in their matte Cliff White) and I literally couldn’t be happier. I know that stone is a lifestyle choice and it’s one that we made for our LA house but I’ll say it again: things that age look better in older style homes (unless you have a full staff to maintain and clean up after you). So for this house, which feels mid-century/brand new, going with a quartz which is far more durable felt like the better move. With the plain cabinets, I was concerned there wouldn’t be enough visual texture, but like I said, once we made the switch to the wood, that opened us up to go with something simpler like a quartz. This Cambria quartz is so beautiful and far more durable than a natural high-maintenance marble (it’s a composite stone, which makes it stronger). Plus, it looks so clean and refined. The faucet from Kohler is beautiful and brought in one of three hits of brass in the room (which is just enough for a mountain house). That bridge shape is just so pretty, and I love the Vibrant Polished Brass finish. As a reminder, as part of my partnership with the brand, I was able to preview their finish to order program which means I can personalize select faucets by first choosing a style I really loved and then bringing it to life in a finish of my choice, which is then made to order (you can visit your local Kohler Signature Store or Kohler Experience Center to learn more about the program). For anyone wondering why we put the sink (also from Kohler) in the island, take a minute and read our kitchen layout post but I will tell you this—it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made and here’s why: THE DISHES ARE ALWAYS DONE…mostly because I’m always standing there waiting for my soup to cook, talking to whatever guests are sitting on the stools. So I keep the kitchen clean. all. day. Whereas if it were along the window wall, I would put it off because I wouldn’t be able to talk AND do the dishes at the same time. The Lighting:The island pendant is the Ellis Light from Katy Skelton (please note the leather wrapping) and is so beautiful and everyone, LITERALLY everyone, I know wants it. It isn’t meant to give off all the light in the world so we have track lighting for the island and the window wall counter. The sconces are The Urban Electric Co. and bring in that super modern lantern vibe that I love. The matte black ties in with the island pendant and the brass plays well with the brass plate on the Allied Maker flushmounts over the peninsula (and that Kohler faucet). Because there were a lot of “lighting moments,” keeping everything linear or smaller was important as to not overwhelm the space. Those little mini dome ceiling lights were also great as not to block the view between the kitchen and the living room. The Window & Door:The window and door are both white oak, from Marvin and yes, as beautiful in real life as they look in these photos. You will be hearing a lot about them this year because what those windows did for the house was nothing short of transformative. The style (the pretty wood!), the different functions, the insulation, the amount of beautiful natural light in there is just insane because of the windows. The door (this is a side door that opens up to a set of stairs leading to the driveway) was custom designed by us (which is easy to do with Marvin) and as you can tell, it’s STUNNING. Speaking of light, look up and you’ll see two skylights (from Velux) bringing even more much-needed light into the previously very dark kitchen. They were covered in snow a week before this shoot but don’t worry, they are absolutely designed to withstand all the elements and when you are standing at the cooktop (more on appliances in another post, but this is from Viking with a built-in, pop-up downdraft that we got via Build.com), it’s the most perfect soft light ever. The Seating:The final mix of stools ended up being PERFECT. They both “go away” in the most perfect way, keeping the space feeling as big and open as possible but at the same time, they are BOTH so comfortable! People sit for hours and hours and hours at the island while I cook soup after soup after soup. Had I gone with a natural wood color at the island, it might have taken away from the wow-factor of the ebony-stained wood, but with the black-on-black stool (from Industry West), they blend in seamlessly. Same goes for the Article stools are the peninsula. The tan leather (which is buttery soft, FYI) and the light wood frame work so, so well with the reclaimed wood cladding. All the Details:The Light Switches:The light switches and outlets are from Forbes and Lomax and I never knew how cool I could feel dimming the lights. It’s not a necessity but if it’s in your budget, it’s lovely to look at and functions so well. The Hardware:We used a combination of small and large handles, knobs and ledge pulls that we sourced through Schoolhouse. They are all in the same matte black finish and the mix makes it feel so custom, special and still streamlined. I think the big star here is Ross Alan and the integrated appliances we sourced through Build.com, which you’ll learn about next week. This kitchen is a warm modern dream of a room and I feel utterly unworthy to be cooking soup in it. I know the work that went into it was intense. The time and budget weren’t nothing and the help was extreme. So I want to give a huge thanks to Julie, Velinda and Grace for working so hard on this project. It was such a learning curve for me, and I hope to impart all of our lessons to you, if you are interested. I hope you guys know me well enough to know that when I say I couldn’t love this kitchen more, it’s 100% the truth. I walk into this room and breath a larger breath than I thought my lungs could hold. Nothing is perfect in life but when you get close to it, you would be remiss to not recognize how lucky you are. I can’t wait for the winner of I Design, You Decide to come up here and let me tour you around this house for hours. Speaking of which we are now opening that up to many more winners (not for a full 5 days but for a day visit/party…we’ll reveal more as soon as we start to lock logistics down). I’m just so grateful that this is my job. I kinda want one big EHD reader house party/rager. Stay tuned… Meanwhile, I know there is a lot to cover so please ask all questions in the comments and if you are so inclined, please share. And if you want even more of the mountain house kitchen reveal, hop on over to House Beautiful who ran an exclusive interview and story on the space. ResourcesFinishes: Pure White by Sherwin-Williams | Cambria White Cliff Matte Quartz Countertop | Dry Bar & Coffee Bar Countertop by Bedrosians Tile & Stone | Brick Wall Tile by Bedrosians Tile & Stone | Reclaimed Beechwood Flooring by Ross Alan Reclaimed Lumber | Reclaimed Beechwood Cabinetry Cladding by Ross Alan Reclaimed Lumber | Island Black-Stained Reclaimed Wood Cladding by Ross Alan Reclaimed Lumber Appliances (all via Build.com): Viking 36″ Built-In Natural Gas Cooktop with 36″ Built-in Downdraft Ventilation | Viking Panel Ready Dishwasher | Viking Panel Ready Ice Maker | Viking Panel Ready Refrigerator | Marvel Panel Ready Refrigerator Drawers | Edgestar Wine Cool | Viking Double Electric Wall Oven Lighting: Ellis Pendant Light by Katy Skelton | Vic Sconces by The Urban Electric & Co. | Mini Dome Sconce in Brass and Opal by Allied Maker Furniture: Esse Counter-Height Stool in White Oak by Article | Sling Counter Stool in Black Leather/Black Metal by Industry West Fixtures & Hardware: Purist Faucet in Vibrant Polished Brass by Kohler | Whitehaven Apron Sink by Kohler | 4″ and 8″ Ledge Pulls by Schoolhouse | Knurled Knob by Schoolhouse | Edgecliff Pull by Schoolhouse | Edgecliff Appliance Pull by Schoolhouse | Switches and Outlets in Antique Bronze by Forbes and Lomax Windows & Doors: Sliding Picture Window by Marvin | Custom Side Door by Marvin | Skylight by Velux *Catch up on all mountain house posts here, and don’t miss the first reveal of the kids’ bedroom here. The post It’s Finally Here: The Reveal of the Mountain House Kitchen appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2YiEh9S Happy spring folks! Now that it’s after the vernal equinox, we’re basically required to talk about it as often as possible until it gets so hot, we just roll over into complaining about it instead. Example: After a big ole sunny tease of a weekend (last weekend when it was 85), we were immediately brought right back to reality with the need for sweaters and umbrellas. WEATHER TALK IS FASCINATING, HUH? Anyhow, a happy bright (SPRINGY) spot in our week was the celebration of three EHD team member’s birthdays and us reaching 780K Instagram followers (THANK YOU!). It was great because we were finally ALL together. With all the recent shoots, we’re all damn near strangers with half of the team being out of the office multiple times a week. Needless to say, it was a very happy reunion. Speaking of birthdays, what we have decided to do for birthdays is buy a pretty vessel and fill it with compliments we all write to that specific person. It’s the BEST and makes everyone feel so good. We can’t recommend this enough for any person you need to get a gift for. But enough about our lovefest, let’s get to our links… Now that we are seeing the first signs of spring and summer is nigh, Emily has found what sounds like the sisterhood of the traveling one-piece swimsuit. She describes it as the best swimsuit she has ever owned and is worth every penny. It slims the waist, has great chest support and shows just the right amount of cheek. Plus, the fabric around the bum is laser cut so it lays SO nicely and doesn’t create any unwanted bumps. Everyone in the office wants one now. We know that the world has been raving about it nonstop but it’s for good reason: Shrill on Hulu is everything the world needs right now and Aidy Bryant is a shining beam of light. Do not miss this. Now that EHD book #2 is fully underway, Velinda and Erik (the book styling assistants) have been finding some amazing new companies. Let us introduce Filling Spaces. They design everything in Portland, Oregon, and are dedicated to fair wages and comfortable working conditions for their artisans. It’s a good, conscious company that creates beautiful work. We are really lovingthis pouf. The parenting book, How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Adele Faber and Julie King is Emily’s new favorite. It’s a lot of stuff she already knows but man, to be reminded of the tricks and tools to make parenting less agonizing and more ENJOYABLE is always such a good thing. They have a new version specifically on how to talk to little kids so they will listen and listen so they will talk. The original however is a parenting classic/staple. Emily’s other favorite parenting book is Now Say This by Julie Wright. She is endlessly fascinated by the fact that men don’t really read parenting books, and would love to ask the audience if their partners do. Brian will read any article that she sends him and he likes her to give him the Cliff’s Notes of the books, which she thinks is great. But she finds it so interesting that reading up on how to raise children seems to be a female sport/hobby despite the fact that modern millennial men are so involved. LIKE, SO INVOLVED. Speaking of Emilys and parenting (well…cat parenting), Emily Bowser is a cat person (that is the understatement of the year). She literally owns a meat grinder because in her less busy life, she made them raw food. You read that right. But she also loves having things shipped to her because she’s busy (lazy). Smalls, a REAL cat food company, is great because they walk you through a short survey to figure out your needs and then they will text you to make sure you’re ready for a new shipment and if you need anything adjusted. Her cats love it and the packaging is also amazing and totally recyclable. Michael was recently was served an ad for the cutest jacket but it turned out to be a fancy brand and cost THOUSANDS of dollars. And so instead he found something VERY similar in style from H&M…for only 50 bucks! Yay! Arlyn lives in a super long, kind of narrow apartment with thick plaster walls from the 1920s, i.e. a home that was not made with wi-fi in mind. She tried extenders, getting a new router, and the only thing that helped was the Orbi mesh system. It’s pricey, but she says it’s honestly some of the best money she’s spent in her new home. Time for a home tour, no? San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is one of Jess’s favorite places in the world. So when this stunning home tour by designer Michelle Nussbaumer popped up, her heart basically stopped. It’s colorful, rich, full of vintage and highlights the design essence of that magical city. Magical city to a magical skirt. Sara is in love with this leopard print silk number from Urban Outfitters. In her opinion, it’s the best dupe for the Réalisation Par skirt that’s been all over the interwebs. She loves it just as much as the $200 version. Ever since Bowser got everyone in the entire office into Enneagrams, Grace has been loving reading articles to see what it says about her (she’s a 6). This one about the best morning ritual for each type was a fun read. FRIENDLY PSA: Serena and Lily is having a crazy sale where EVERYTHING is 20% until TOMORROW. These are a few of our favorites: This hanging chair,this throw pillow, this throw blanket and this wallpaper. Arlyn really connected to this article about JOMO (Joy Of Missing Out) and all of us are here for it. When Ryann stumbled across this date night idea, she asked herself Is there anything more LA than this? It’s a curated date night for two that apparently ends in being serenaded by a famous musician. Created by one of the producers of The Bachelor (WHAT?!) and Ashton Kutcher. But don’t worry, if you aren’t in LA, Airbnb experiences are all over the world and you should definitely check them out. Need some amazing feel good empowering music? Look no further than Lizzo. Jess can’t turn her music off and has been non-stop dancing around her apartment.
In the spirit of our compliment-filled week, we wanted to give you all some because why not… You are beautiful inside and out. You have the best taste in blogs. You are strong. You are incredibly supportive. You have great feedback (but seriously). And you are appreciated (and not just by us).
Have a great rest of your weekend and dance around your living room. See ya tomorrow. xx The post Summer Is Coming…They Said As They Drooled Over Emily’s Life-Changing Swimsuit appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2HOv6s1 11 Flea Market Things I Regret Not Buying 1 Thing I Did Buy and LOVE (That You Told Me Not To)3/23/2019 I honestly don’t even think about my method or the science behind how I shop the flea market. It would be like a surgeon explaining how to set a broken pinky finger. You just do it. It’s so easy. But in the March issue of Real Simple, Orlando and I BREAK IT DOWN and help writer Natalia Provatas with the emotional, physical and mental advice of how, why and when to go and how, why and when to purchase. We even talk about our very similar philosophy on haggling which you have to pick up to read. So I figured instead of the regularly-programmed fashion Saturdays (we did a big fashion post yesterday for anyone who missed it), we’d go through some recent flea market finds (ONE WHICH 79 PERCENT OF YOU HATED) and talk through all the pieces I ALMOST bought. When I insta-storied this, 79% of you said you didn’t like it. Tell me how you really feel. I didn’t look at the story results until after I purchased but I DO NOT regret it (and it wasn’t cheap, either). I love everything about it: it’s a still life (check), it’s by a Scandinavian artist (check), it’s moody (check), and the colors are so warm and yet still bright. But even I didn’t know how much I was going to love it until it was in my dining room which you’ll see at the end of the post. Before I get to that, let’s chat about the things that I almost bought and why. I always forget that this kind of stuff can be a post you guys want to see/read, so I take bad photos and I’m never in them because I usually go by myself at 6 am, but next time I’ll take more and better photos, I PROMISE. In my attempt to not let my new Sunday ritual (church) usurp my old Sunday ritual (the flea), I now have a packed Sunday full of, well, all stuff that makes me feel REALLY GOOD. This bench is one that you have to have a place for and it has to be perfect, but after I left I realized it could have gone in the entry of this house we shot last week and it would have been PERFECT because the sconces near it were modern. But I didn’t think about it beforehand and in the wrong place, this could look really junky. This rug (3×7 probably) was only $140 but I didn’t need it so I didn’t hoard, but I probably should have grabbed it for when we’re styling up places to shoot for the book…whoops. I love a pretty box. This one was $80 so I skipped it, but it is unique and interesting so had it been $30, I would have snagged it. It felt really retro, which could be great in the right space. Now, I was relieved to hear that this was already sold because I was SO TEMPTED by it, even though I know it’s kinda ugly. A lot of this “1970s office basement” furniture is coming in soon and even I’m not totally ready for it. Think chic-er versions of Lazy Boy recliners. But this one at least had an interesting shape, the tone of the wood was good and the leather was beautiful and OH SHOOT NOW I REALLY WANT IT. Like I said, RELIEVED that it wasn’t an option. Cool weird art that I didn’t need, but now I wish I had bought as a prop for the book. P.S. we are STILL looking for awesome houses if you know anyone who is a design rule breaker and wants us to shoot their house. I love a lawyer’s cabinet very much and this one was BEAUTIFUL with a soft finish and interesting yet not too decorative in detailing. I mean HOW many of these do I need in my life? They literally hold one pencil, but I just love how this vintage office or store filing cabinets look. They evoke this era that doesn’t exist anymore and they make me happy (but I passed this one up because again, I didn’t need it). I do however need a dog painting, basically always. I bought the artwork below but skipped the above because I didn’t realize how much I needed it ’til later when I was looking at these photos. SO STUPID OF ME. Okay, so the below was a debate but I’m so happy I got it: It’s a Cy Twombly lithograph from a show in Paris circa 1972. I’m a huge fan of his and I’m also in the market for quiet + interesting art for the mountain house. It may just look like a bunch of scribbles, but to me, it’s a piece of an artist I love. WHY WOULD I NOT BUY YOU, YOU ADORABLE USELESS CHAIR??? Regrets. I was trying to use restraint but now I’m full of regrets. Sure it was a tiny (a child’s chair) and sure I have no place for it, plus yes I see that it’s kinda in garbage condition but IT’S JUST SO CUTE. I will forever be a sucker for Victorian wicker. Now here’s a sofa that I was instantly drawn to. I sat on it and it was VERY comfortable. I asked about it and it was $600. I said I’d take it, not knowing where it would go but knowing that a $600 sofa in very good condition with modern lines is not something you pass up and it’s a hoard worth risking. But then two things happened: 1. He didn’t take cards. These days, 85% of the vendors take Venmo, PayPal or credit cards. I didn’t have cash. and 2. At the last minute, he mentioned that he got it from an estate with a lot of Restoration Hardware and new brands and he estimated it was three or four years old. While I’m absolutely NOT opposed to buying something new-ish if its a great deal nor do I dislike RH (I love them, in general), the romance did die a bit. I wanted this to be a ’70s or ’90s post-modern chunky sofa that no one else would have in order to justify the hoard. I couldn’t put it in my living room because my new chairs (that you haven’t seen) are in a charcoal wool so this was truly a VERY BIG RISK. Once I found out that it was only a few years old, I didn’t feel like I had found a treasure any longer. Oh the psychology of buying vintage. I KNOW I’m not the only one who has bought something at the flea market only to later find out it’s from HomeGoods or West Elm. All fin, of course, but it’s just not the intent of vintage shopping. You want a one of a kind, in general. You want that feeling of discovering a treasure, a steal, something that no one else can have. So I told him to release the hold and I’d keep thinking and if someone else bought it, it was fate. I came back right before I left (two hours later) and it was gone which made me happy. Someone else should buy it and I wanted the choice taken away from me. Alright, now for a little HA I TOLD YOU SO. Like I said, I did end up buying that bottle still life and in my dining room, on a white wall styled really simply, I think it looks so dope and seriously pops: Here’s the face of a woman who is pleased with her purchase and kind of glad she didn’t see the actual Instagram poll result before pulling the trigger on it because otherwise said woman might have second guessed herself (but probably bought it anyway, phew): So…what do you think? Smart purchase? Still hate it (if you do, whyyyyy??)? Overall, was there anything I walked away from that makes you want to shake me and scream “YOU’LL NEVER BE COMPLETE WITHOUT THAT”? Let me know. I’ll probably hit up some flea or thrift situation tomorrow. Another day, another flea market.
The post 11 Flea Market Things I Regret Not Buying + 1 Thing I Did Buy and LOVE (That You Told Me Not To) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2Fux1R2 The first round of spring fashion is here and while I’m not ready to go all out with florals yet (but will be so soon), this feels like a good transition from winter to spring, with a few staples that I’ve never tried (MOTO JACKET! HIGH TOP CONVERSE!). I wanted this post to showcase some outfits that would be somewhat of a stretch for me, because let’s face it, chambray-all-day habits are hard to break. Luckily, my super stylish friend Suzanne Thune helped pull together some looks that I felt good in and could actually see myself wearing in real life. Let’s start with my first moto jacket (above) which is a big hit with the French bulldog contingent. I’ve never been that into moto jackets mainly because they never fit me well. I have secret boobs and they always felt so constricting, but this one has more room (but is still tailored) and I have worn it three times since. It edges up any outfit especially a more casual one like this (but I am sure can be easily paired with a dress for a really cool date night look). Those shoes are my new go-to sneakers and they really up the coolness factor with the platform and I also love how long and narrow they look. Dr. Scholls also has a great pair that is much more affordable (and very comfortable, I own those, too). These shorts are THE NEW SHORT for me. I love them so much I need to buy a backup pair just in case I lose them (or they fall apart…although I still have two pairs from last year that I will wear all the time, too). The top is my new favorite one from Ulla Johnson and while it is a splurge I have a strong feeling it will be like my red one from two years ago that I ended up wearing 100 times and STILL wear. It’s the right amount of boho for me and has that boxy blousy cut that I love. It’s also easy to care for because it never looks wrinkly so all I have to do is throw it on, no ironing necessary, AND works as a casual look with shorts, or a nighttime look with skinny jeans and heels. These overalls are very easy to wear, they don’t hug tightly in the belly (in fact, they fall in a really flattering way) and with the boxy blouse it feels so effortless, comfortable, but definitely looks put together. Plus, it’s not denim colored which is a change for me. The shoes are new, from Frye, and I LOVE THEM. They are headed into the western trend but not too far (no studs or decorative doodads) and have the perfect amount of heel. Hot tip: pointy toes = longer leg, if you are into that (I am). This blouse is special. It’s from The Great where everything can seem a little basic and the prices are high and you think why would this be this much? but then you put it on and you are like oh, I see. These are actually the best sweats in the world. The shape and fit of everything they make are just so good. So this shirt may not look like much, but it IS. It is triangle shaped (so it’s even wider than the boxy cut—yay for me!) and the detail around the neck is lovely. Suzanne works at The Great so that’s why you’ll see a few of their pieces here (and yes I get a press discount but I do GENUINELY love the clothes and the women behind them). The brand is full of the casual, comfortable, flattering yet modern pieces that I am addicted to. So, if you like a drop crotch as much as I do, then head over to their beautiful store in WEHO and try everything on and tell me what you think. Oh, and ask for Suzanne. Okay, up next is an outfit that Suzanne was wearing to drop off her kid at school and I ran into her at Starbucks right after and said to her “HOW DO YOU LOOK SO COOL AND WHY CAN’T I PULL THIS OFF??” She did NOT agree, and shouted that of course I could wear this and insisted on getting naked and dressing me in her clothes to prove that even I could pull off wearing a gray sweatsuit out of the house. I, however, thought that I should at least swap the sweats for a ripped jean and since it was 80 degrees in LA last week, we switched the beanie to a linen baseball cap. So now you need to tell me which is “cooler.” Suzanne sticks with her outfit and while I do think it looks cool, I can’t really wear that to work, so it’s more of a Saturday-morning-grocery-store-run outfit, which doesn’t seem like a very important outfit that is in need of thought. But if I wear jeans instead then I can totally wear this on a Friday or on a day when I’m styling on set. PLEASE WEIGH IN BUT REMEMBER WHO YOUR REAL FRIEND IS HERE…Me. (JK I’m sincerely curious if I’m just not cool enough to wear a monotone gray sweatsuit). Up next is a look that I hope you love as much as I do. Listen, I will admit that this boiler suit is hard to shoot so it may not come across super flattering in photos but I’m telling you right now it’s incredible. The cut. The front pockets. The tailoring. The wide-legged pant. The roomy waist. The ruching in the back…it’s just so good. I am wearing a size 1, but took it back for a 0 and Suzanne is wearing a 0. But, if I wanted a roomier, more oversized look, that size would’ve been perfect. Again, you have to try it on to be convinced of how good it is. It is a splurge so if it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no, but think about it this way: it’s both a shirt and pants, and you don’t need any accessories. Let me know if you need any other purchase rationalizing in life, I’m INCREDIBLE at it and have considered having a booth at the mall for all those who need someone to help them rationalize a splurgy purchase. Oh, and those are my new clogs that I wear every. day. Clogs are the new mules I’ve just decided. These are from Madewell and they aren’t a fortune and are so comfy. WIN WIN. Onto my most favorite (and affordable) top: It’s kinda a throwback Emily Henderson top but it feels more modern and fresh. The Victorian puff sleeves are flattering (I think) because it plays with proportions in a good way. Those shoes are my new summer sandal. Who doesn’t love a little nurse chic, right?? What with the platform, the white sole, the blush leather AND the insane comfortability, I am sold. I’ve worn them four times since this shoot. Also, the skirt is super comfy but I suggest you size down because the fabric is very stretchy. Alright, in another not so shocking combo, we have a white blouse with, drumroll please, DENIM SHORTS. Yes, I also bought those clogs in pink. They’re that good. Originally, I was unsure if the top was interesting enough but once it was on my body I really liked it. It falls well, has cute little ruffles, a pretty V-neck and cooperates with my half tuck needs. I know what you are thinking and yes, my face is much lighter than my legs. I forgot to get a spray tan so I basically rubbed this brown lotion all over my legs and then they were WAY too dark a compared to other parts of my body. It was both disgusting and hilarious. Lastly, a dress that I’m on the fence about keeping because, well, I have nine of these, but it is super flattering as the shape of it gives you nice curves even if your body falls more straight (if that’s what you’re going for). To be honest, I should have worn other shoes to style that outfit better, but I had these Nisolo oxfords and I really wanted to wear them. WHOOPS. Oh well, you get the idea. 1. Ruffle Sleeve Blouse | 2. 501 Long Shorts | 3. Pink Clogs | 4. Floral Blouse | 5. Leather Jacket | 6. Black Leather Sneakers | 7. 501 High Rise Shorts | 8. Gray Long Jacket | 9. Beanie | 10. Pullover Sweatshirt | 11. Sweatpants | 12. Converse Sneakers | 13. Jeans | 14. Linen Baseball Hat | 15. Jumpsuit | 16. Tan Clogs | 17. Ruched Sleeve Top | 18. White Demin Skirt | 19. Platform Sandals | 20. Denim Dress | 21. Black Oxfords | 22. Black Short Overalls | 23. Moto Booties | 24. White Bottom Up What do you guys think? Are you on board with the new “cool” Emily? (JK). Do you wanna see the outtakes? HA. ***photography by Veronica Crawford for EHD The post My “Casual, Comfortable, Cool” Spring Weekend Wardrobe appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2TRjqvY |
Author Kimberly ReedDesign Consultant at Furnishing Knowledge:KI Archives
April 2023
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