Today marks the end of a month that has been painful and traumatizing, yet sadly not an anomaly for so many people. Yesterday we shared a few resources and ideas for anyone who needed some starting points to either begin or further their anti-racism education (including ourselves). It wasn’t a perfect post, and there were moments where we fell short. We might fall short again today, but we have to keep trying. First, we’d like to thank everyone who used their time to share their feedback and perspectives with us. We can imagine that even on the best of days, finding the energy to engage with and educate someone can be draining. These have not been the best of days. Secondly, we wanted to take today to share more – More resources we’ve been directed to, more ways we’ve researched to support the Black community, and more of the information that was generously shared with us in yesterday’s comments. Let’s get into it. One way we can begin to possibly better understand the perspectives of Black Americans is to watch, read, and listen to the content they are already creating. In this way we are able to avoid putting the burden of our own anti-racism education back on them, while also supporting them as journalists, authors, filmmakers, and artists. PODCASTS TO LISTEN TO, A DOCUMENTARY TO WATCH, AND BOOKS TO READPod Save The People is an award-winning podcast hosted by activist DeRay Mckesson in addition to Brittany Packnett Cunningham, Sam Sinyangwe, and writer Dr. Clint Smith. They cover everything from the news, culture, social, and political issues and specifically how they affect people of color. From our reader Kristy: “Here’s a recommendation for another podcast: NPR’s Code Switch. All of the episodes talk about race, but one of their most powerful discusses race and friendships. It was so moving and powerful, and spawned a great discussion between myself and friends, who all could relate.” Sooo Many White Guys is a podcast hosted by Comedian, Actress, and Author Phoebe Robinson that Jess really loves. There are 4 seasons of incredible dialogue on topics of racism, tokenism, and everything in between with humor beautifully woven in. If you haven’t seen the Ava DuVernay directed documentary “13th” on Netflix, consider watching it. It explores the prison system in America which, because of the 13th Amendment, is the only legal form of slavery. The documentary examines how this Constitutional Amendment was exploited by incarcerating (and re-incarcerating) the Black community, and how the prison system then became a billion-dollar industry. This is an amazing list of anti-racism resources, and here are even more books to read. Yesterday reader Michelle, recommended this children’s book for kids ages 5-9: A Kids Book About Racism by Jelani Memory MORE CREATORS & BUSINESSES TO SUPPORTIf you’re in the market for a new piece of art, this beautiful print by Cleo Wade serves as a reminder that thoughts and actions always start at home. The full proceeds of each sale will go to The Antiracist Research & Policy Center. ShoppeBlack not only has endless resources for all of us to discover black-owned businesses, but here is a list of bookstores you can purchase online when you’re ready to order some of the books from the lists that have been linked up above. Goodee, owned by twin brothers, Byron and Dexter Peart, have created an incredible store that only carries products from designers that are making a strong social or environmental impact. Sara has been on the delicate jewelry hunt recently, and just purchased this perfect single initial earring from Etsy shop Nolita Diamonds. If you’re looking for something beautiful, take a peek at all the different pieces this shop has. IF YOU CAN, DONATEConsider donating somewhere in lieu of exchanging money for something in return. Many of us reading (and writing) this post have some unearned resources at our disposal. Our government and institutions will not redistribute them. But we can, and we should. This article published on The Cut has a long list of places where donations can be made. ALGORITHM DIVERSITYA quick note before jumping into this section – Much of the content created by the activists, authors, content creators, and educators that are linked in this section is free (like a podcasts or the information someone might share on their social media account)! But we – the EHD team – know first hand how much work it takes to create high quality content you are proud of. As always, if you’re able, consider financially supporting these creators by buying their books, online lectures/classes, purchasing their services, or supporting them via a patron style monthly payment or one-time payment. This is a reminder to ourselves as well! One account to follow on Instagram is that of Ericka Hart (@ihartericka) a sex educator, model, writer, and racial/social/gender justice disruptor. She shares her perspectives on being black in America alongside important information about racism, sexism, and a myriad of other important topics. She also has two online Racial and Social Justice classes that you can purchase, a podcast you can listen to, and an extensive list of books to read in this highlight on her stories. Yesterday, reader Danielle put together and shared this incredible list of Black creators, designers, shows, and movies for us all to support and enjoy. We want to be clear that we did not create this list, and truly appreciate the time, effort, and generosity on Danielle’s part. We hope that by sharing it again here, more people can use it as a resource. From Danielle: “Change your algorithm on streaming platforms with Black entertainment movies, shows, and documentaries. This supports Black artists, Black tastemakers, and Black businesses. While also making you laugh, smile, learn, and binge watch Black lives in all complexities and layers. If you search for some and even add a few to your watchlist your algorithm will change and you will see whole swaths of Black entertainment that never popped up for you before.” FAMILY CONTENT
DESIGN CONTENT
ART
COOKING CONTENT
CONTENT CREATORS
CULTURE CONTENT
INDUSTRY CONTENT
CLUBS
TV – DRAMAS
TV – ROMANCE
TV – COMEDY
TV – DOCUMENTARY
TV – INTERNATIONAL
MOVIES – HORROR
MOVIES – DRAMA WITTY / COMEDY
MOVIES – SPORTS
MOVIES – SCI-FI
MOVIES – ROMANCE
MOVIES – DRAMA
MOVIES – DOCUMENTARIES
Reader, Herselfindublin also left a comment on yesterday’s post about how our platform algorithms shape our world views, along with more suggestions: “I’d just to add two things. A lot of streaming services and things like Instagram use powerful algorithms that track your choices and recommend new stuff based on them. So if you’re white you’re almost definitely being recommended mostly, if not exclusively, white content. But it’s really easy to hack this, and have the algorithm adapt to make more varied suggestions. On Instagram try and find Instagrammers who are not white. You don’t even have to change the types of accounts you follow – I pretty much exclusively follow design accounts and can recommend @designaddictmom, @iamkristabel, @malcolmsimmons, and @aphrochic for starters. Also look for and pass along recommendations of other POC on these platforms. And on Netflix etc., just search for a show or film you know to have a predominantly black cast – it doesn’t have to be “heavy” or “educational”, you can search for “Blackish” or “Black Panther”, add them to your favorites and the algorithm will then suggest more. This is also incredibly important because it tells the content creators that white people have no problem watching POC in films and TV programs, and that will in turn make projects by POC more likely to get commissioned, and to be commissioned in a variety of genres. A film I really enjoyed recently that has a predominantly black cast is “Uncorked” about a man expected to take over his family’s barbecue rib business but who has dreams of becoming a barista. It’s on Netflix, so if you haven’t heard of it yet then search for it and start changing your algorithm.” To both Danielle & Herselfindublin’s recommendations we’d like to add a few more from ourselves and other comments from yesterday’s post: Author Ijeoma Oluo, author Layla F Saad, actress Indya Moore, actor & comedian DJ (also known as Shangela), writer Kendriana Washington, actress Mj Rodriguez, designer Kelly Finely, designer Ariene Bethea, designer Veronica Solomon, Geeky Glamohemian, interior design enthusiast Miki Carter, designer Kelly R. Collier, furniture designer Nicole Crowder, and Pinterest coach and designer Christina Willis. If you are not Black, and choose to follow any of these suggested accounts, please do so respectfully. Start by listening. Spend more time listening. And then listen some more – something we are continually striving to do better at ourselves. A FEW MORE NOTES . . . .Let’s not forget that while George Floyd’s murderer has been charged (though the other officers have not), Breonna Taylor’s killers haven’t. She deserves the same support and justice. Click here to sign the petition and make phone calls to support this fight. Thank you to our reader Anne who gave us this link. While these specific cases have been brought to media attention, there are hundreds of other horrific incidents just like these that don’t make it to our newsfeeds or timelines because there isn’t video or photo evidence. These are not isolated or rare events. One very important way white allies can support the anti-racism movement is by showing up to protests and marches. This instagram post by Jen Winston does a good job of explaining why. If you are able to attend a march or protest, checking to see if your local Black Lives Matter chapter has any organized plans could be a good place to start. You can search for a local chapter here. Lastly, reader Jessica shared this article titled “5 Racist Anti-Racism Responses “Good” White Women Give to Viral Posts“. It’s an article written for White women by a White woman. It’s a good read, and gave us a lot of moments of self-reflection. Especially after yesterday’s post. That’s it (for now). Thank you to everyone who commented on yesterday’s post and shared their perspectives, knowledge, and resources. And thank you in advance to everyone who will continue to share today, while also respecting that some people may be too drained, overwhelmed, and tired to share anymore. To those people we say, your voice and story are important and we are ready to continue listening if ever you are ready to share again. Opener Image Credit: Design by Brigette Romanek | via Romanek Design Studio The post The Link Up: Anti-Racism Resources, Content To Diversify Your Feed, & More Ways To Support The Black Community Right Now appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3cqtoZH
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When recent racist events happen – like the tragedies of Ahmed Aubrey, Breonna Taylor, and George Floyd happen, I don’t know how to write about it. Sitting safely in my bubble, I’m horrified and sick. I turn away from the videos, unable to watch – the truest evidence of my privilege – and can only imagine the deep psychological impression that these videos must have on the black Americans who have seen them. And yet these videos amplify the evidence and justifiably enrage a country, including myself. It’s a sad fact that it takes these types of videos to mobilize such a large response. I started writing this on Wednesday, but was having a hard time “finding the right words/tone” that didn’t feel like pure virtue signaling or entirely defeated. Our Friday design post got pushed due to client’s approval process, so we scheduled a post already written about “Brian’s Happy Escapism Music,” a post aimed at highlighting upbeat music to help lift a little bit of the quarantine blues. So yesterday morning it went up per usual at 1am. I woke up at 6am, and realized my idiotic mistake, scrambled for my laptop and hit “un-publish” but not before I read the comments where I (rightfully) got called out. The fact that that post went up in the first place did nothing except highlight to me my true privilege – the ability to escape. I can only sit and look at myself, ask myself hard questions and reflect on what I’m doing or not doing that is contributing to or hurting it all. I feel sick. And shame and I know its not about me but I still don’t want to move forward with a ‘let’s combat racism!’ attitude without acknowledging that I’m so ashamed of us. Human beings, white human beings, can be so cruel. We’ve really f*cked this. Shame on us. To let fear, faux masculinity, posturing, poor modeling, bad education, violence and latent or absolute racism run your brain enough to kill a man simply by not removing your knee? It’s unimaginable. Which means thats how far gone it all is. I know a lot of cops are very good people, looking to protect us, that is their actual job – PROTECTION. Some do it so well and i’m honestly sorry for the good ones that are feeling like genuine garbage all week. I’m thankful for what you do and was at least relieved to read that many police chiefs are speaking out about his actions. I guess lately I’m feeling like we have a pretty terrible government in general if “protection” is their main function. What a fail, on so many fronts. The powers that be, our government, isn’t doing enough – likely because they too are privileged, old, and white to feel an imminent threat to themselves. It’s just like how a lot of politicians don’t really care about public education – They have no vested interest in the success of the education system because their children (or grandchildren) don’t attend public schools. They lack the motivation, the true drive, to make it their cause. Similarly, white politicians (and white Americans as a whole) have rarely taken it upon themselves to take actions that would truly lead to dismantling racism in America. In case I haven’t made it clear, I am not exempt from this. I am not a cop or politician. I am an enraged, disgusted, and full of shame citizen. I don’t know how to write about macrame or soup today. I don’t feel like it at all. But I do have a platform, and a responsibility to use that platform to amplify causes like anti-racism. Ijeoma Oluo writes “Anti-racism is the commitment to fight racism wherever you find it, including in yourself. And it’s the only way forward.” Cup of Jo wrote a great article about this on Thursday that I found so helpful, filled with a lot of great resources. In an effort to take steps forward in this moment, my team and I pulled together a few simple ways to take action today (and we’re always open to adding more if you have suggestions to add in the comments):
We’re not experts on anti-racism, but we wanted more so we pulled together a few other ideas from some internet research and social media accounts we follow – 1.) Read about black history and read literature by black authors. Do it often. Become educated so when you do talk to others about the racism in our society and government, you are armed with facts and data to support your arguments about institutionalized racism in America. Here’s a great list to start with. 2.) Look around and see what changes you can make in your own industry to be more inclusive. The interior design world, for example, is a heavily white-dominated industry. We are going to be doing more work to actively support, amplify, and bring attention to black and POC designers and makers, and will be making a concerted effort to bring different and diverse voices and experiences to this blog. 3.) Listen to black people and their experiences. Don’t rely on your black friends or family to answer your questions about race (unless they openly share with you, or have expressed their willingness to be a resource for you). Instead, use social media and the internet to seek our articles, videos, and podcasts produced by black artists, activists, and journalists who have already done the emotional labor of sharing their experiences. This is great Instagram account to start with, and the podcast 1619 by The New York Times was an incredible listen. 4.) Use your financial privilege if you’re able to seek out and buy from black-owned businesses. Tomorrow we’re going to share a few that we know of, but would always love to hear of more that we can help bring attention to. 5.) Use your vote to help put black and POC in higher positions of power and demand reparations from your local, state, and national governments. If you want to understand the modern white role in racism more this book, White Fragility, is supposed to be very good and it’s next on my reading list. It’s a bracing call to action about recognizing white people’s roll in systemic racism. I’ve listened to author Robin Diangelo on a couple of podcasts, but need to read the book. Here are some other great ideas that we love: I’m sick and outraged and ashamed and it all feels f*cked. I can’t do anything to bring back the lives of Ahmed Aubrey or George Floyd or any of the MANY OTHERS, but if I truly have any sort of voice or influence, then being ANTI-racist is what I want to share on my platforms. Admitting privilege, and feeling disturbed and enraged isn’t enough. It’s long past time for me, and all of us, to be actively anti-racist. Let’s do more. Black Lives Matter. If you have other ideas or ways to contribute, help, causes to donate to, honestly any good suggestions to do or not do, please leave them in the comments. Even if its a good inspiring quote. We’d love to read and I know we aren’t the only ones. xx **P.S. My team is pulling together posts highlighting black American run small businesses in the design/lifestyle/fashion world. If you have any you would like to recommend, please do so in the comments. The post The Tragedy Of George Floyd And Our Responsibility In The Anti-Racist Movement appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2ZQn5vJ When I was young, like between the ages of 8-10 years old, I had a tactic I would use on my parents to try to get out of doing chores, or out of trouble. If I got caught using let’s say a blinds twister – you know those long, clear, ribbed plastic wand things that you twist to close blinds? A blinds twister! If I got caught using one of those as a katana blade on my mom’s daffodils in the backyard (which was very satisfying by the way, you can cut clean through the stem if you swing hard enough) and I got dragged inside to explain myself, I would try something that had a low success rate but I would try anyway – I would play dumb. I would do my best innocent, put-upon face and say, “I didn’t know.” Even though I totally knew that I shouldn’t have been Ninja Turtle-ing the flowers. It didn’t work in most scenarios, and I would have to spend the weekend planting new flowers, or maybe cleaning the back of my closet wall after getting caught throwing homemade “ninja stars” at it. I was into ninjas, ok? But sometimes, just sometimes, I could sneak one past Bob and Suz, and they’d buy my fake oblivion hook line and sinker. I was pretty convincing sometimes, which may have been the early seeds of me heading towards being an actor. Which is actually terrifying to write, let’s hope all of our kids are bad actors so we can catch them cutting our daffodils! Oh God, I also just realized that this bad habit may have followed me all the way into adulthood – Emily accused me the other day of being “intentionally obtuse” when I was trying to get out of folding laundry by saying I didn’t know where her things went in her drawers. “Intentionally obtuse” is the adult way to say “playing dumb”, which is totally what I was doing. Anyway, as bad as this tactic is, it is actually helping me through these tough q’tine times when I use it ON MYSELF. Let me explain and start at the beginning. I’ve had lots of ups and downs through the pandemic – I started out great, seeing it as an opportunity to spend more time with the family, but I don’t think any human can be stuck inside with the same people for two months and not start to lose it a bit. I was noticing myself getting really short-tempered and annoyed with everyone. I felt put upon and was looking for little excuses to escape to my laptop, like that was going to help me, when in fact all I was doing was looking at Facebook or depressing news. I would pull out of it in the evening when I had a glass of wine and watched Nailed It with the kids, but it would start up again every morning. I think a lot of it was coming (and is still coming) from having all of my creative outlets completely shut down. I worked hard to get back into acting in the theater, which I wrote about here, and I had just wrapped one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had right before we had to stay at home. I was playing a great role in a great play which was extended so many times that I was able to work on it for like 5 months. It was scratching every itch that I could possibly have artistically. I was so excited to see what was next. But staying at home and all theater disappearing was next. Bah humbug. So I found myself without an outlet, and without a job since all the videography (my day job) had dried up too. So I was basically unable to do anything that I felt ownership of. Sure, I could try to be the most kick-ass homeschool teacher there is, and I have some tricks for that to feel fulfilling, but I’m human and I can only go so long without feeling down about the whole situation. I would go from getting the kids fed and ready for school, to school, to making them lunch, to getting them outside for some sort of activity, to dinner, to picking something that the whole family could watch, to putting them down, to falling asleep because I apparently fall asleep at 9 now? The whole day was engaged with the family, which is awesome, but I’ve got an id (like Freud, not a license) and my monkey brain started to revolt, which in my case resulted in Grumpy-Brian. I know that this is the routine for a lot of people out there, especially a lot of moms, and I have nothing but respect for those who’ve been doing it the whole time, but it’s a big shift for a lot of us and I think some of us are getting hit hard by it. It sounds selfish I know, and it probably is, but I know myself well enough to know that if I don’t feel some ownership of at least some part of my day the depression starts creeping back in. I’m lucky enough to have a wife who knows me well and allows me to take the time I need to figure things out. She suggested that I drive some stuff down to LA because we needed to clear out the garage, but also because she knew I needed a few hours of alone time. And it helped a ton. I drove with the windows down, listening to music and singing to myself. Boom. The endorphins snuck in. I realized something on that drive – I had tricked my mind into releasing the chemicals that made me feel better. It wasn’t just driving, I still drive a bit here, it was the freedom to sing like an a-hole to the Hamilton soundtrack at full volume. It wasn’t for my kids or for the family, it was because I needed it. And it paid off. So I wanted to see if there were other ways to trick my brain into giving me more of those sweet, sweet endorphins. I’ve started forcing myself to “play dumb” about the whole pandemic thing. I essentially treat my brain like my parents and see how much I can get away with before I get caught and pulled back to reality again. It’s a form of denial, I know, but I’m fine with that for now. I think it’s better for me to be mentally healthy than an informed citizen at this point. That basically just means staying away from the 24hr news cycle. Don’t worry we are still being very careful to keep our and everyone else’s family safe. But for my current mental health, I like feeling dumb and just following the fun, wherever I can find it. Play dumb, follow the fun. I listen to my happy music when I go on solo-drives, when I go on runs, when I’m in the shower, anytime I can dumb down. The pandemic doesn’t exist when T. Swift and I are belting out “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” together. Life isn’t monotonous when I’m harmonizing with my girl Mariah on “Always Be My Baby”. The endorphins get to come out and flood my dumb brain. So I’ve put together my “Help Me Ladies” playlist that I literally listen to at some point every day. I don’t know why, but pop divas have been my life through this whole thing. They’re happy, bright, effervescent – everything I need right now. I ordered the songs pretty intentionally, so try it without the “shuffle” and I think you’ll be singing along within a few minutes. And guess what?? When you’re singing a happy pop song you can forget the world for a few minutes! It’s ok! Just let go for a bit. For a totally different vibe but just as distracting, I made a playlist for when I’m in my “Mid-Life-Crisis-Mobile” aka my ’85 Chevy. Emily got this for me for my 40th, which was amazing. It is the exact make and model that I drove in high school and had been on a statewide search for it for years. I actually flew up to San Jose to get it from a dude who was a mechanic and kept it pristine since he brought it off the lot in 1985. Needless to say, it’s my third child, I love it so much. There’s really nothing like the feeling of pulling up to a four-way stop in progressive LA, to find two Teslas and a Prius gawking at my “Dazed and Confused” wide-body truck revving. It makes me giddy. But a big red truck needs a classic rock soundtrack, and in fact, I don’t allow any other music in it, claiming it will make the truck break down. The kids seem to buy it. The only exception is my buddy Derek “Dbone” Reckley who made an album last year called “Man” that fits my truck to a T. Here’s my playlist for the truck, which you can also use for yard work when it’s time to turn the brain off: Another way to play dumb and follow the fun is indulging in some stupid fantasyland thinking, and nothing is stupider or more fun than feeling like you’re on a boat with Michael MacDonald. So when it’s time to hit the lake with some chilled Pinot Gris and a cheese board, throw on your captain’s hat and fire up the “Yacht Rock” playlist. Its sole purpose is to teleport you to the deck of a sailboat with a hot mustachioed captain whose sailors shirt is unbuttoned, blowing in the wind. Let him sail you away. My last playlist is for all the Deadheads out there and it’s another form of escapism. Can we please not shame escapism right now? We’re all dealing with this in our own ways. Anyway, for the true Heads, don’t just this list, I love Bobby, I do, but my favorites just happen to be Jerry songs (which is why I can’t bring myself to go to a Dead & Co. show yet). And I’m not super into the staccato fingerpicking that Jerry was pulling in the mid-’70s. I’d love to hear some other suggestions though! So those are four playlists that let my brain take a break, let go, and get some of those needed endorphins. Music has a unique way of dumbing my brain down and buying me some much needed time away from the real world. But you have to try at it, I still have those times where I’ll be listening to “Good As Hell” but my brain is down the rabbit hole of the latest bad news cycle, and I have to actively pull myself out and into the song. Most of the time it works, and I’m doing a little “white guy shoulder shake” and feeling better. But sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s ok. We’re just doing our best. So get those headphones out and start playing dumb. And please give me all your suggestions for songs that are helping you get through this. The post Brian’s Secret Guaranteed Happy Mood Playlists (And Why They Are So Important To Him) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2yHCzqC Today is your lucky day ladies and gentlemen. Rarely do we post two reveals in a row, but we are feeling generous and, well, VERY inspired by both designers we are featuring today. So get excited for another beautiful home tour because we’re about to dive right in. Long Beach based Interior Designer, Shaun Crha, did what many of us hope to do for our parents one day. He built a guest house for his dad to move into when he is ready, so he can age at home and be close to him and his twin brother. Shaun and his husband originally built the guest house (that they adoringly refer to as The Casita) because his Dad retired and moved from California to Arizona and they wanted to have a place for him to stay when he travels back and forth to see his grandson (Shaun’s twin brother’s son). But although it is a temporary place for him for now, Shaun was thinking ahead when he built and designed this guest home. When his Dad gets older and is going to need a place to live, the Casita will be move-in ready. He’s in perfect health now, but they wanted him to have a place that allows him keep as much of his independence and dignity as possible as he ages. So, Shaun designed the guest house to be an easy to maintain studio apartment for his dad. Are you ugly crying yet?? Me too. But the story behind the design is not the only wonderful thing about it. The Casita is 340 square feet inside and 378 square feet if you include the covered front porch which he says gets a lot of use in the evenings (scroll down to see why – it’s BEAUTIFUL). So, not only is the space specifically designed with his dad in mind, it is also packed with small space hacks and solutions. Small space and studio apartment dwellers, you are going to want to bookmark this one. Let’s start with the modern traditional kitchen that really displays his combined strategy of function and style. The Stylish And Functional KitchenRefrigerator | Stove | Cabinets | Faucet | Sconce | Cheese Board | Tea Kettle | Utensil Holder First things first, we must talk about the obvious show stoppers (those cabinets). We absolutely love the neutral color palette and how the black cabinets with the brass hardware make the whole space pop. We are all about dark moody cabinets in kitchens (hello Portland kitchen) and Sara recently discussed in her kitchen reno design plan that she is considering going to dark, too. But as I said, style was not the only consideration for the design. He also thought ahead and installed levers on the faucets and door handles that are easier for someone with arthritis to open and use and opted for lower cabinets to make everything more accessible. Shaun also explained that he didn’t want to use upper cabinets since it could close in the space and make it smaller. Instead, he kept everything low to the ground except for the shelving unit that is custom made by RadWeld Customs. It keeps the space open but offers additional storage and opportunities for open shelving styling. Are you ready for more hacks?? Great. Let me introduce you to the kitchen island that serves double duty which ultimately saves on space. It is a cooking work surface but just add a couple of bar stools and it quickly becomes a dining table. We love this hack for a small space or studio that doesn’t quite have a dining area (because eating on the sofa should be reserved for special occasions, right?). Now let’s move on to the next multi-purpose yet SUPER stylish area. The Combination Bedroom/Living AreaBlanket | Rug | Bed | Sconce | Iron Doors | Cabinets | Loveseat This combined bedroom/living area is peak small space innovation. In lieu of a bench at the end of the bed, he went with this loveseat which visually lets you know that this is mean to be two different areas. Doing this is hard to pull off, but we think what really makes it work is the large vintage area rug from Blue Parakeet Rugs. Shaun explained it was the biggest investment but so worth it because it was big enough to use under the bed and into the living area space too. It’s a beautiful piece of art that introduced character, color, and texture into the neutral space plus allows the areas to flow naturally into one another. Instead of bringing in a bunch of small furniture and cluttering the space, Shaun installed these Ikea cabinets to frame the bed. This is a great way to utilize height and wall space to keep a small space open. It’s basically extra storage, but make it ~stylish~. Side Table | Coffee Table | Ceramic Tray The Bright And Airy BathroomTowel Ring | Sconce | Faucet | Vanity Cabinet | Medicine Cabinet | Floor Tile | Rug You all know I am a huge advocate for the towel hook, and I love that he installed a vintage bar with three hooks to give more storage and provide some visual interest. Again, he maintains the neutral color palette with a dark and moody vanity cabinet which makes the space feel bigger. Lastly, the floor tile and vintage rug bring in some personality and color. Function wise, Shaun decided that a walk-in shower would be easiest for someone to age-in-place, and it ended up being one of the most beautiful parts of the whole project. There’s also extra framing inside the bathroom walls so he can install a bench in the shower, or handrails and grab bars that will support someone’s weight when they need that extra help one day. Now let’s move on to the outside space that just might be my favorite part (and the sole reason why I have converted to team gravel backyard for life). The Multifunctional Outdoor SpaceBefore they built the Casita the backyard was all grass. Shaun explained, he “wanted to create a more relaxed courtyard for the Casita with the gravel, something that felt like a mix of the Mediterranean, South of France, and Morocco”. He definitely hit the nail on the head and an added bonus is it is inexpensive, saves water, and the gravel releases heat faster so the courtyard isn’t as hot in the Summer. The backyard is also a great example of creating “zones” in order to make the most of the space. They set up chairs and a table for outdoor dining, a place for everyone to gather around the fire pit, and a bench perfect for sipping coffee in the early morning. As intended, looking at the photos transports me to another place that feels so relaxing and calm – like an actual oasis. And there you have it. I don’t know about you, but I am feeling very inspired to make the most out of every inch of my apartment, with function AND style in mind. Of course, big thanks to Shaun for letting us feature his beautiful project and story. Now, let’s chat in the comments. I’d love to hear what your favorite part of this space is because I have PLENTY of favorites. See you in the comments section, friends. xx Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | Design by Shaun Crha The post Home Tour: How This Designer Built A Beautiful Modern Traditional Guest Home For His Dad To Age In Place appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2AjoQqk I think that small reno or “update” projects are on a lot of our minds since the weather is nice (read: already extremely hot) and these types of projects help to keep boredom at a minimum thus sanity at a maximum. Thoughts like, “How can I make my home feel more special?” or “What are some easy ways to add character?” have likely been floating around your brain. And to be honest there is A LOT you can do if you are willing to pick up some tools and get to work. Last week we showed you Alison Pierce’s stunning home where she mostly worked with what she had when it came to updating. And while there are SO MANY tips to take from that post, she also had the blessing of a home filled with endless architectural vintage charm. But what if you live in a new build (like this one originally was in 2019) or your older home just doesn’t have those special details? You create them yourself. I know sounds intimidating but it’s SO worth it in the end. With that said let me introduce to the very talented Shanty Wijaya of Allprace, the developer and designer of this incredible home you are about to dive into with me. She purchased it with the intent to give it some real soul, more usable square footage, and then sell it to a lucky buyer (With the help of our favorite staging company A 1000x Better. Remember this Craftsman they also staged?). So when I was looking at the photos of this home I thought to myself that there are A TON of great ideas for people who want to upgrade their homes beyond some new furniture and maybe tackle a reno project. So let’s start this house tour and get you inspired to use some power tools (or just a paint brush:) MIX UP THE PANELING ORIENTATIONOne of the first things that caught my eye was the accent paneling and that Shanty chose to install all over the house. We are huge fans because it just adds instant architectural character. But what she chose to do (that I LOVE) was to keep it visually quiet with the light warm gray paint color. It feels like a secret. Like you don’t know why it feels so cozy despite the mostly light-toned neutral palette. Now the main sneaky yet genius detail (and the real point of this “idea”) was that she mixed the orientation of the paneling in the same line of sight. I mean talk about a perfect way to have the traditional feel of paneling in a modern way. It feels fresh and keeps your eye moving while also helping to “separate” and designate each room in this open plan. Here is what Shanty said about the paneling plan: “Yes, did that in purpose to add depth and interest to the overall look while still subtle to the eye. First, I decide to do the horizontal paneling in the den room by the front door. Horizontal direction following the same direction when you enter the home, so it flows in the same direction with your eyes, making the space feels bigger and longer. This also purposely to draw the eyes to the kitchen wall and living room (fireplace room), the main focal points in this home. Instead of continuing the horizontal direction, the eyes then stop on vertical paneling on kitchen and living room walls (fireplace room), it further accentuates and emphasize both room as the main focal points. It also makes the room feel taller and bigger and highlight the kitchen skylight. HIGH COLOR CONTRAST MOMENTSThere really just isn’t an easier way to highlight a design moment like a bold color against a mostly light surrounding. It helps to focus your eye and bring some personality to a room. Plus who isn’t a fan of navy blue cabinets? But what really makes this kitchen stay away from feeling cold is that vintage island. It adds the perfect amount of warmth while still letting the blue cabinets shine. Now dark cabinets, while classic and beautiful, aren’t necessarily a new idea. However, Shanty used the same blue to highlight that killer built-in bookshelf. So not only does that color make the room cozy and interesting but to make sure that wall didn’t look like a blue hole she chose natural wood shelves to contrast perfectly. I love this look so much and it would be so easy to DIY with an old bookshelf if you wanted to. Also, that reading nook looks like actual heaven. ACCENT WALLPAPERThe accent wall was HUGE in the early ’00s. You would have been hard-pressed to find a home without one (mine included). But then the designed world decided the accent wall was out and we were left needing to paint or wallpaper our other three walls. However, for the past year or so the tides have been turning back and Shanty is proving it. But if you want to hear more about it we actually wrote a post about it. In our opinion, she nailed it in this house. What she did so beautifully was that she chose wallpaper that had a white background so looks seamless with the rest of the wall color. Also, she chose to “double accent wall.” What do I mean? Well, each of these three wall have both paneling and wallpaper so it feels even more intention and not as loud. I do have to say that this plaid/shiplap combo is my absolute favorite (it’s SO GOOD, right?). I love her choice to put the wallpaper on the bottom because A. It’s different and B. It doubles as a cool headboard. This is giving me some real good ideas for an upcoming project I have in store;) BOLD TILE FLOORINGGuys, a bold tile pattern is always a good choice. Emily is a big believer in this too. But I mean come on. The tile choices in all of these bathrooms take them from pretty to STUNNING. Now what I also love (and is very smart of Shanty) is that all the other elements are fairly traditional. This way (especially for resale) you aren’t going to need to renovate your entire bathroom if your potential new buyers aren’t as cool as you are and don’t like your tile awesome choice. I would also like to take a design moment of appreciation for that rainshower/skylight masterpiece. It looks like you are actually showering in a warm winter summer storm. “I want to go to there.” Smart design really pays off. Here is another awesome bathroom with great tile. Again traditional wall paneling and fixtures but the tile, glass shower wall, shower niche and vanity mirror bring it perfectly into 2020 without looking too trendy. Also, skylights forever. They are magical and we will never stop singing their praises. If you have the budget, they aren’t as expensive as we thought they would be. If you have a dark room, consider one. You will thank us later. Is there anything sweeter than a light pink cement tile? Probably, but it’s a close second. For this one, the sink and the mirror are more on the modern side but the wall tile, wood accents, lighting, and toilet are very much traditional. Plus get out of here with that beautiful ceiling! So good. ALL DARK MONOCHROME EXTERIORPainting the exterior of your home is no easy feat and if you pay someone then it’s $$$$. But if you are in the market for a new coat of fresh paint on the outside of your home, then we want you to consider an almost 100% monochrome look. It’s so clean, modern and yet timeless. They used Wrought Iron from Benjamin Moore. And if you install french doors then please consider these light toned ones. Look at how they pop against that dark charcoal colored home when they are open. It’s too good. Shanty also took the high contrast look to the front with that light wood trellis and her unstained dutch door. It all makes for a striking house. Talk about curb appeal. But let’s look into what’s behind those garage doors… (BONUS IDEA) ADD SOME NEEDED USEABLE SQUARE FOOTAGEA guest suite! Yep instead of using this as a garage (because in CA, where this house is, the weather permits year-round uncovered car storage). Adding square footage to any home, as long as its been approved by the city, is a GREAT idea. It’s just a lot of work so it may be a little harder to DIY… but not impossible:) This one, in particular, is great because it’s a full functioning studio apartment with a cute kitchen, bathroom, and a separate entrance. Also, I will never tire of that Serge Mouille ceiling light fixture:) I mean how cute are these details?? But another bedroom isn’t the only way to add usable square footage. A backyard office is the best. I can tell you from my current situation staying with my father, who has a little backyard office, that being able to work and then close the door behind you at the end of the day is life-changing. I am going to really miss it when I go back to LA. Anyway, do it if you can! Since this is separate from the main house, Shanty stayed within the color palette but installed these plywood walls that look so Scandi and clean. I don’t think any of us would be mad about working in there. Ok, that is it for this BIG tour, I have kept you long enough. I hope that if you were thinking of starting a bigger home project that this got you very inspired. I know I am. Also thank you again to Shanty and A 1000x Better for letting us share this home! Love you, mean it. Photos by Jessica Alexander The post Looking For A Home “Update” Project? This Home Has 5 Ideas That Will Inspire You HARD appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3epAoqN I don’t know if the heat has hit where you live but I can tell you that it has hit California hard and the idea of dipping into a (not too cold because I’m a wimp) pool is what I need. But alas, I have no pool where I am but have decided that I will purchase some kind of “water thing” to help make this already not normal summer a bit more enjoyable. BUT if you are like me and are apparently “late to the kiddie pool party,” we have to act now (like today). Kiddie pools, hot tubs, even non diy slip and slides are selling out like HOT CAKES, and finding them to round up wasn’t easy. So while Sara’s incredible creative “crate pool” was sufficient, even she has moved onto greener (read: larger and more comfortable) pastures (see below). So in an effort to not waste any more time, I think we should jump right in so we can get shopping. HOT TUBS/SOAKING TUBSLet’s start big with the most “permanent” option, hot tubs. Now I know saying “hot tubs” feel counterintuitive to cooling off but they can serve you in both ways. You can take a refreshing soak during the day and then warm up in the cool evening if you are so compelled (you just want to time it right so it has time to heat up). Hot tubs are also NOT cheap but if you are wanting one it might just be worth it. However if you don’t care about the “hot” part in “hot tub” there are ways to DIY! Remember our #ShowEmYourDIYOutdoor post where the very talented Bri Moysa showed us hers and it only cost $650? Well, if you don’t it’s that VERY cute soaking bath in the photo above. Again it’s not a hot tub but it is a far more affordable option. But if DIYing isn’t your thing, here are the ones I found for purchase. Some of the ones I found are “plug and plays” (which sounds almost too easy), some are inflatable and some are a traditional hot tub that require more than just a plug. However they are all above ground and require zero construction (YEA!). And let’s not forget that the great thing about a hot tub is that they are amazing year round (and day round? no, Jess that’s not a real term)… 1. 5-Person 20-Jet Plug and Play Hot Tub | 2. Cedar Soaking Tub | 3. Cypress Spa 34-jet | 4. Select 300 2-Person 20-Jet Plug and Play Hot Tub with LED Waterfall | 5. Coleman SaluSpa Portable 4 Person Outdoor Inflatable Hot Tub Spa | 6. Dundalk Wooden Oval Hot Tub | 7. Portable Outdoor 4-Person 114-Jet Inflatable Hot Tub | 8. 7-Person 30-Jet Premium Acrylic Bench Sterling Silver Spa Hot Tub | 9. Contour 7-Person 25-Jet Plug and Play Hot Tub Now let’s get into the more affordable options… INFLATABLE/KIDDIE POOLSAs someone who would love nothing more than to cool off in waist-deep water with a cocktail in hand while her favorite tunes delighting her eardrums, a kiddie pool is THE ANSWER. Sara, as shown in that stunning above photo, would also agree. Luxury at its quarantine finest. But I guess that kids apparently really love kidde pools too. So whether you are 5, 35, or 65 years old, an inflatable pool is a great summer cool off option. But guys, I am not joking when I say these are selling out fast. These were basically the only ones I could find that could feasibly fit at least one grown adult. So if you are thinking about it, don’t think too long. 1. FUNBOY Mini Inflatable Pool | 2. Play Day 120 Deluxe Family Pool | 3. Intex Kiddie Pool | 4. Intex Swimming Pool | 5. Heart Mini Inflatable Pool | 6. FUNBOY Mini Inflatable Pool | 7. Wading Watermelon Pool | 8. Sunset Glow Inflatable Pool | 9. Fruits Mini Inflatable Pool | 10. Summer Cool Stars | 11. 3-Ring Pool Watermelon Style | 12. Inflatable Leisure Swimming Pool Now, to avoid our lungs collapsing here are some air pumps… 1. Electric Air Pump | 2. Portable Hand Air Ball Pump Inflator Kit | 3. Electric Air Pump for Inflatables Ok so now that we have the “pool” in place, let’s talk water toys… WATER TOYSNow while I personally may stop at with a simple kiddie pool, water toys are one of the true joys of summer. What kid (or adult) doesn’t love a slip and slide, or a unicorn sprinkler? Only ones that hate fun. But just to be clear, you don’t need to buy a water toy to have fun but they sure do help and will likely keep your children (and you) happy for hours. Here are the ones that we thought were the raddest:) 1. Ginormous Rainbow Tunnel Sprinkler | 2. Grand Slam Baseball Water Slide | 3. Max Liquidator 2pk Puts | 4. Wet & Wild Hydro Twist Pipeline Sprinkler | 5. Inflatable Tropical Pineapple Sprinkler | 6. Rainbow Slip Slide Play Center with Splash Sprinkler | 7. Water Blaster 2Pack Water Squirts | 8. Unicorn Sprinkler | 9. Sprinkler Inflatable Ball | 10. Blobzter Water Slide | 11. Inflatable Palm Tree Yard Sprinkler | 12. Wet N’ Wild Mega Melon Ball Jumbo Sprinkler | 13. Automatic Garden Water Sprinklers | 14. Squirt Gun 6 Pcs Water Blaster | 15. Splash Bombs Water Toy 4pk | 16. Inflatable Rainbow Sprinkler | 17. Slip’n Slide | 18. Tidal Storm Hydro Swirl Spinning Water Sprinkler So, in conclusion, here are the things I hope you got from this post:
Now if you still need some outdoor shopping resources, we have GOT you: The Outdoor Furniture Roundup Post | The Outdoor Accessories Roundup Post | Kids Playhouse Roundup Love you, mean it. The post You Don’t Need A Pool To Cool Off in Your Backyard: All Of Our Favorite (And Still Available) Hot Tubs, Inflatable Pools and Water Toys) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2M5kfek When I was 16 I decided I wanted to start learning about interior design for the same reason everyone wants start to learning about interior design: my room was ugly and I wanted to redecorate. So I bought two interior design books: Domino’s Book of Decorating and Elements of Style (obviously because Emily’s book wasn’t out yet, okay???) and googled “what computer program do professional interior designers use?” The Google led me straight to a program called AutoCAD so I immediately downloaded the free trial. My thought process was: if I could teach myself photoshop, so how hard could it be to teach myself this? Well, after watching hours of free tutorials online and playing around with it, I realized it was VERY HARD, so I used an old fashioned sketchbook to draw out my room design. Flash forward 6 years later, I landed a job working for an interior design blog –– neigh –– THE INTERIOR DESIGN BLOG –– and I have a confession to make: I walked into the EHD office STILL not knowing what computer programs interior designers actually use. So I’ll start by answering that million dollar question: what program do interior designers actually use?? Here at EHD, we use a bunch of different programs. Julie (who went to real interior design school) uses SketchUp and AutoCAD, but the vast majority of us use Photoshop and Google Slides. I’ll say that one more time in terms that are more relevant for this post. The EHD team uses 3 professional programs that cost money AND GOOGLE SLIDES. I couldn’t believe this news. This is a FREE program most people already have on their computers and know how to use. If you don’t know how to use it, it works the same way as PowerPoint or Keynote, and IT’S VERY EASY TO LEARN. So, when it came to designing my studio apartment, I revved up my Google Slides skills and got going. Here’s what I ended up with: Now I have a couple of things to say here. First off, if you’ve been following my studio apartment saga at all, you may have noticed that this mood board looks completely different from the two versions I’ve shown you before. That’s because I’ve designed and redesigned this mood board probably 300 times. I know I just said “probably” but 300 is actually not an exaggeration. But THAT’S one of the main benefits to doing something like this on Google Slides, it makes switching around furniture pieces SO easy and it allows you to see the entire evolution of a room, so if you want to go back to where you started you can. I’ll get more into the details in a bit, but how we typically layout a room with Photoshop and Google Slides is by “wall” or “perspective” since these aren’t 3-D renderings. As you can see above that’s my bedroom wall or the perspective from the living room. Now let me show you another wall in my apartment where I took it from real life to a real design plan: REAL LIFE ROOM:DESIGN PLAN MOCKUP:I’m sure you get it at this point, but you can make as many of these as you want. I have almost every wall from every angle, but that’s just because I’m very visual and I want to see every detail laid out before I make any big design calls. So, now that you understand what it is exactly that I’m going to teach you how to do, it’s time to actually show you! I made a video tutorial if you’re into that sort of thing (note: it will play after the ad) but if not then, just skip it because I’m going to outline it all too. START A NEW GOOGLE SLIDE PRESENTATIONGoogle Slides is free and easy to use. Like I said, it’s basically PowerPoint or Keynote (which you could use instead if you’d rather), but Google Slides is a little easier to share with others and have them edit (which is especially helpful if you’re designing with roommates or a significant other that cares). So, the first thing you need to do is start a new presentation –– it should look something like this when you begin: I like to give it a title and a title page, but obviously, you don’t have to. Click the little plus sign in the top left corner and make a new blank slide (not text boxes), then you’re pretty much set up to start adding in the goods (yup, it’s that easy). START BUILDING YOUR SPACEThe next step is to start creating your space from the ground up (literally) so start with the floor. Take a photo of your apartment, OR…
Hot Tip
If your house or apartment or whatever you're designing has EVER been listed online, just google it, and find those professional real estate photos to pull from. So, I found a professional picture of my apartment listing and took a screenshot of the floor. If you can only screenshot one small section of the floor because of furniture and what not in the photo, don’t worry. Just screenshot as much as you can, then drag that jpeg into your google slide presentation, and then copy and paste your image a bunch of times (like I did below) until you create the whole floor. This will apply to a lot of things once you start adding in furniture pieces (like wallpaper, tile, etc), so just remember that it’s more important to get the scale of your floor (or wallpaper, tile, etc) right than to stretch and morph your photo to try to make it fit across your screen. If you don’t know how to take a screenshot on your computer, here you go (this is important). If you’re on a mac, press ‘SHIFT’ ‘COMMAND’ and ‘4’ all at the same time, then drag and select the area you want to screenshot. If you’re using a PC or iPad or something else, here’s an article that teaches you how to screenshot on any device, or you can just search for a YouTube tutorial for your specific device. Once you’ve taken a screenshot, it will usually automatically end up on the desktop of your computer and you can access it there. So once you know how to screenshot (and where to find your screenshot), you can do the same thing you did with the floors with the walls (my walls are white, so I just left the background blank). Then, the next thing to do is to add any architectural features into the space. So, for example, if you have a window, take a photo of the window, (or again, screenshot your apartment/house’s online listing photo), upload it to your computer, then drag it into your google slide presentation, crop, and adjust the size to scale it to the room. You can also use the “shapes” tool on Google Slides to add in any walls, poles, smoke detectors, trim (don’t forget your trim), etc. Then once you have that basis, it should look something like this (but obviously, it will look more like your space, not mine): Now you have the foundation, so you can fill your room with WHATEVER YOUR LITTLE HEART DESIRES. Sounds easier than it is – trust me, I get it – and I’m going to give you some VERY helpful tips for how to do this (and make it look good). We made it to the fun part, guys! SCREENSHOT ONLINE FURNITURE PIECESFirst, I’d recommend starting with the furniture you already have/want to still use in your space, which, you can either take photos of your items in your apartment, OR if you have anything that’s sold online, you can screenshot the furniture pieces there (the second option will look cleaner and better). For example, we have 2 pieces of art and a World Market dining set that we got off Craigslist, but luckily they were all still being sold online, so I just took screenshots of each item from their respective online stores. Here’s what our current dining chairs look like online (ooh, by the way, they’re on SALE if you’re into them. They’re very comfortable and I highly recommend). Then I’ll ONLY screenshot the chair on the grey background (not the whole page):
Hot Tip
I HIGHLY recommend finding pictures that have the most MINIMAL background possible, before you take your screenshot (like this plain grey background in the above photo). This will make the next step MUCH MUCH easier. So now you should have a screenshot of your furniture item on the desktop of your computer, but it’s not quite ready to go into your Google Slides presentation just yet, here’s what you have to do next… MAKE THE BACKGROUND TRANSPARENT“How do you take the backgrounds out of the screenshots?” That is yet another million dollar question, people. You may be shocked to find out the answer is NOT Photoshop (although you can use photoshop to take out a background –– and I often do), this option I’m about to show you is actually EASIER and FREE. These are the instructions for mac users, but if you have a PC, you can follow this video to achieve the same thing Step One: Screenshot your item by holding down [SHIFT] [COMMAND] [4] at the same time Step Two: Go to your “Finder,” and it will appear in your “Desktop Folder” Step Three: Double click the photo and it will automatically open in an app called, “Preview” Step Four: Click the “Toolbar” button, and then select the magic wand looking tool (I circled them below) Step Five: Highlight the background (It will turn red) and then it will become a “selection” Step Six: Hit “Delete” and the selected background will be deleted Step Seven: GO TO “FILE” and “SAVE.” There’s no need to rename the photo, if you hit “save” it will save your original screenshot as a .png with no background Step Eight: Drag and drop your photo into Google Slides and VOILA! No background! START FILLING IN YOUR SPACERemember, I recommend starting with what’s already in your space, especially if you’re going to keep things, that way you can get a sense of what you have and you can start playing around with it from there. So this is how my space looks now… This is our first apartment, so we don’t have much furniture to add in, clearly. So at this point, your space might look A LOT fuller. If you’re starting from scratch completely or getting rid of every item in your home, obviously you don’t have to do this step, but I found that if you’re planning on keeping some of what you already have, this step will come in handy later. DUPLICATE YOUR SLIDE AND PLAY AROUNDNow you’re finally ready to design and redesign and redesign again! Once you have your first slide finished and your room virtually mocked-up, you can duplicate your slide and start playing around with it.
Hot Tip
Be sure to duplicate your slide every time you add in something new or switch something around. This is why Google Slides is the best program to use. Here’s what my dining nook area looks like after designing and then redesigning it: It’s pretty fun to use, and I’m basically addicted to going onto my computer and playing around with the space. It’s like rearranging furniture without lifting a finger. Plus, you can see every single version of your design plan and that way, you can compare and see what works best for you (and the design). Like I said, my apartment mockup has about 300 different versions of every single wall in every single version imaginable. But it’s really fun to see where you started and where you end up. Here’s the first slide in my apartment design to prove to you that it’s fun to keep every single version (even if the design you start with is just flat out not good)… HAHA LOOK AT THAT FIRST DESIGN. This is bananas. I can’t believe I even put that together, but you gotta start somewhere right? Could you imagine if I had just started doing things to my apartment? I could’ve had a zebra rug I wouldn’t know what to do with. Although the zebra rug could come back at any moment –– what do I know? But that’s the joy of Google Slides. You can see THE ENTIRE DESIGN PROCESS ON YOUR COMPUTER SCREEN FROM START TO FINISH. Let me know if you have any questions on this Google Slides design process! But if you want to know how to start planning your initial design check out Emily’s How to Design a Room post Xx The post We Discovered the Easiest Way to Mock-Up a Room Design Plan (It’s Not Photoshop) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/3gtGvw2 Recently, I decided that I was going to put all my #shelterinplace energy into one room – my kitchen. I spend most of my free time in there these days after all. And last week I shared my initial plan for a $3k budget, kitchen UPDATE. Last week feels so long ago. Almost as if it was a different lifetime. A different life. Remember in that last post when I said I pull triggers fast and impulsively? Well, I’ve really done it now. Let me fill you in on what’s transpired since that last post went live. So many of you commented with some amazing suggestions – “Rip out all the top cabinets and just do open shelving!”. Love it. “Why not invest in new lower cabinets at least?” Why indeed! And then a few of you shared your own “update” stories. Most of them went something like, “we did a kitchen update so we could enjoy our kitchen until we could afford a full renovation . . . that was 25 years ago.” I can see how that could easily happen – you put a little effort into the kitchen, and it becomes functional. Suddenly everything else becomes more of a priority than fully renovating a room that is already good enough. Finally, while talking through plans with my dad, we realized that it would be easier to take care of a few things now – like moving electrical, getting rid of the back door and centering the window, and picking permanent flooring (to save money we’re going to install some of the leftover pre-finished hardwood that’s been sitting out in the garage, which we used throughout the rest of the house). Which kind of made us wonder if it was just worth it to do . . . everything. The first part of our renovation took almost a year and half because my dad was going back and forth between here and NY, where he works. But right now, he’s kind of stuck here. So it makes sense to take advantage of that uninterrupted time. Plus, he’s really, REALLY excited for something to do. Like me, my dad is a bit of a workaholic. Must be genetic. So, WE’RE BITING THE BULLET AND FULLY RENOVATING THE WHOLE KITCHEN. Now I know that there’s going to be a lot of you out there that will be bummed with the change of plan, and trust me, I was really excited to take on a simpler “update” project and document it. But I also really want to take advantage of the fact that my dad is here and happy to help us. And it makes more sense to hustle and get it all done. It’s a really small kitchen, and he thinks it will only be a 5 week project. Don’t worry though, it’ll still be a DIY project. And this time I don’t have a full-time designer taking care of all the hard stuff for me (I will forever be grateful to Velinda for designing our living room and dining room. She also happened to do her own amazing little budget kitchen reno, and built a super cute mini kitchen in her basement). Folks, I’m about to learn how to install my very own sink. We’re also going to try and keep the budget down where we can as well. Besides using leftover flooring to save money, we’re going to go with Ikea cabinets (but hopefully get Semihandmade cabinet fronts to elevate the look), I already bought our sink on Craigslist for half of what it would have cost new, and doing most, if not all of the labor ourselves will certainly keep the cost down. But I also want to keep in mind that this is the only kitchen renovation this house is going to get. In preparation, I spent most of this long weekend binge-watching the most recent season of Riverdale (a show so extra that you can’t NOT watch it), pinning design ideas, bugging Julie to help me with a cabinet layout plan, and putting together different kitchen design options. So now that I’m on a tight schedule to design my dream, forever, permanent kitchen – WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? Let’s get into the options . . . OPTION #1Part of me wants to go in a light, neutral direction. With a gray or oatmeal lower cabinets, and light uppers. There’s something very traditional, elegant, and timeless about this direction to me. And I’m really considering splurging on stone countertops. It’s still nice and smooth for rolling out doughs, but won’t compete with the warmth of the wood on the floors. Plus, stone will keep butter very chill for biscuit and pie dough making (yes, this is a serious consideration for me when designing my kitchen). Which leads me to Option #1 – Taupe/gray lower cabinets, white upper cabinets and walls, light colored appliances, stone counter, and a warm organic window treatment. I love how light and traditional this design feels. It makes me think of lazy Sunday mornings baking bread and drinking tea. My biggest concern with this option? Mac won’t like the light lower cabinets. OPTION #2Next up we have the idea of going for dark, dramatic lower cabinets in BLACK. I have a feeling this is going to be Mac’s favorite option. There is something really elevated about the look. It’s cozy, while still feeling high end. And dark lowers might be a tad easier to keep clean in a kitchen, right? My concern with this option is that it’s going to be a lot of DARK in the house. The TV room is dark, the kitchen would be dark, and I have design ideas for the front bathroom that are dark. I don’t want the house to feel too heavy. So here we have design Option #2 – dramatic black lower cabinets, dark appliances, and a gray and white striped window shade. This design makes me think of hosting Saturday night dinner parties, and mixing up cocktails for our guests in this kitchen. OPTION #3Moving right along. There’s a part of me that’s still really interested in bringing in a color to the kitchen – namely green, which is the overall theme for the whole house. Green in a kitchen feels very English countryside, and I think the green still plays really beautifully with brass accents and a marble counter. Here we have Option #3 – Green cabinets, dark appliances, and a more traditional blue striped window shade. The green is very saturated, but that’s the only option that Semihandmade has in a green tone. Truth be told I don’t mind it – I love how rich it is. Plus this kitchen (below) from deVOL makes me really want a GREEN kitchen. Semihandmade do make customizable doors that come unfinished so you can lacquer them yourself whatever color you’d like, but I don’t have too much faith in my dad and I being able to give the cabinets professional-quality lacquering. And I want our cabinets to be well done, so they last. My concern with this design is that the green will be too saturated, and will feel like too much color next to our TV room. OPTION #4Stone counters aren’t going to come cheap. There’s a big part of me that wants to go for them anyways. You know, splurge on one aspect of the kitchen that will make a big impact. Plus I spend a LOT of time in the kitchen, so I might as well make it the room of my dreams. But there’s another part of me that knows how much more affordable wood counters would be, and they would still look beautiful. So for my final option, I’ve thrown in wood counters instead of stone, and nice neutral window shade to bounce the warmth around. This could work with dark or light lower cabinets, but for the sake of a design board I’ve popped in a lighter option. But maybe I go part stone, part wood? Best of both worlds? Now the question is which is my favorite. The truth is I’m really torn. PLUS, it’s not just my kitchen. Mac needs to sign off on the design plan, too (as soon as I get him to sign off on a full kitchen renovation, which I’ve already decided we’re doing, but he may or may not know is happening yet). But I’m also desperate for the opinion of my fellow EHD team and YOU. This is the first time anyone is seeing my design boards, and I’m waiting with bated breath for advice. What direction do you think we should go in? Because there’s nothing like peer pressure to help you make a permanent decision about your home HAPPY TUESDAY, FOLKS! Opening Photo Credit: Photo via deVOL The post Sara’s Kitchen “Update” Spirals Into A full Renovation (Plus – Help Her Choose A Design Plan) appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2XrVwG8 While life has changed (as have my hair, lashes and tan from this time last year). But a lot of us have some plans of enoyging some kind of body of water and/or sunbathing soon. I found myself shopping for swimsuits and found out I wasn’t alone (my team and friends were also on the hunt). So I thought we’d update this swimsuit post – about modest but still cute suits to wear around friends/family/kids (you can wear whatever you want obviously, I just don’t like to chase/rescue kids in a string bikini). There are some new ones I’m eyeing and some from last year that Im still LOVING. From last year… While on vacation up at the mountain house, we were at the lake all the time so wearing swimsuits was pretty much an everyday occurrence. The thing was, I had all these cute suits (all one-pieces—nothing super revealing) but I wasn’t feeling very confident or comfortable playing and being active with my kids. I felt like I was constantly adjusting up and down and felt a bit too exposed. I felt I needed to be more “modest” as a mom being around friends, in-laws, and kids, but was also struggling with wanting to feel stylish and cute. Typical… When I started this post, my idea was to find modest but not too “mom-ish” swimsuits that I felt very comfortable in and review them for all of you. But little did I know, this post would become more about a larger culprit, the bikini industrial complex, than about finding the right suit. So, at first I went on a MISSION to find the suits I actually wanted to wear, and I’m so happy to say I found some that I feel comfortable in while also still feeling young and stylish. Of course, what makes me feel comfortable and stylish could be wildly different from what makes you feel that way, but here are the suit details I’ve found that are working for me:
In the end, I tried about a million suits to find exactly what I was looking for. The ones you are about to see are ones I will likely be wearing all summer, and feel very good in. I know we have had swimsuit posts before, but this time I wanted to actually show you (yes, on my body), despite the very real anxiety I am having thinking about my body in a swimsuit being displayed on the internet—keep reading to the end for my concluding thoughts on that. Here goes nothing: The All Buttoned Up Cover-Up, $75: Not a swimsuit, but I love this cover-up so I wanted to share. It’s light and easy to throw on, and looks really cute on top of a red one piece. 1. Heidi Klein Zip Detail One Piece, $295: Okay, you are going to see a few red swimsuits in this roundup, but this one is my favorite. I love the ribbed texture, the soft cups give the right amount of support, and the gold zipper detail adds a fashionable element so it doesn’t come across completely sporty. 2. The Current, $95: All my boxes are checked with this one. It is thick, lined, has a square neck, a cute cutout in the back, plus GREAT support. The site says to size up if you are a bra size D or larger, but my normal size was fine for me and I didn’t feel like I was spilling out of it. Side note: myself and my staff love love love Summersalt and as we were preparing this post, everyone was ogling over everything on their site. They just have really cute swimsuits that are super flattering and have lots of fun colors. I would definitely go check them out if you haven’t already. 3. Underwire Swim Dress Set, $175: This suit is pretty, and I always wanted to try this shape swimsuit on me (because who doesn’t love a good twirl moment), but ultimately I didn’t fall in love with it. I can say however that it is high quality so for those that like this style, I think it’s a great option. Although, the underwire isn’t nearly as supportive as it could be. 4. Beach Break Paddlesuit, $128: Wetsuit definitely comes to mind with this one, but in a cool way. It is VERY comfortable and obviously less revealing with the high neck and cap sleeves, but the red color and the mesh detail actually make it feel stylish and flattering. Even Brian said “that’s a cool suit,” which is saying something. 5. Zuma One Piece (similar), $120: Even though there isn’t built-in bra support in this one, the fit is tight enough that you feel supported. It is great for paddleboarding and kayaking because of how much coverage it gives in the front and back (it’s almost a wetsuit), but the scoop neck and color block, it feels stylish. 6. Sofia Flutter Sleeve One Piece, $250: My team loves this one and I really like it, too (hello, ruffle sleeves!). The only problem is that I feel it does not have enough support for me. There are no soft cups or bra support and it isn’t as tight fitting as the others so I feel it wouldn’t keep everything up top in place, but it is SO CUTE. The woven ribbon detail is really special. 7. By The Bay Skimpy One Piece, $128: Again, the cap sleeve and high neck create a sort of wetsuit/lifeguard vibe, but this one has a really cute hole cut out in the back that I love. The bright red adds a bay watch sexiness element, without being too loud about it. The bottom is a bit cheekier than the others but I still feel comfortable in it. 8. The Mesh Diver, $95: This one feels sporty but not too “swim team.” It is also by Summersalt so it is high quality and thick lined, and has soft cups so it is supportive. I like the racerback and mesh detail that adds a stylish element. 9. Kiki One Piece, $135: I love the scoop neck and T-shirt style swimsuits that are very in right now. They are so flattering and look cute worn with cut-off distressed shorts. The only issue I have with this suit is I wish it came in more fun colors and I also really would love if the pocket details weren’t just details and actually functioning pockets. 10. Doss Demi Underwire One Piece Swimsuit, $240: Brian really likes this one and I do too, but the underwire pushes up the ladies in a way that could cause a slip at any moment, plus the little cut-out, though cute, does make me feel too exposed. I don’t feel completely comfortable in it because it doesn’t fit perfectly up top, but I do like the overall shape and the floral pattern. 11. Lipsi One Piece, $228: Here is another underwire one piece, but this one still doesn’t work cup-size for me and is kinda uncomfortable. So many of the others really are more flattering. A few new ones:Vitamin K came out with my favorite black suit but in blue and pink YAY! And the Heidi Klein piece that I love in red, now comes in blue and white stripe (it’s VERY expensive but it’s the one I always wear because it’s supportive, flattering (it’s thick) stays put, fun (brass zipper) and I like a racerback. So, there you have it. These are the swimsuits I will be considering keeping, but as promised, I wanted to share my thoughts and process about this post. When I first decided to do this, I had tried on a bunch of suits in my room by myself in front of my mirror and felt good in them. I told my team, “sure I’ll shoot them on my body, no problem.” Then the day of the shoot I was on my period, felt bloated, and as I looked at the photos on the camera screen I said “nope. Not going to do this.” All I saw were the fat pockets in my armpits and the slight bulge outside my thighs (things that I’m sure only I notice). But then I asked myself why? WHY would I be ashamed. I’m healthy and strong, and those are the words we use in our house to teach our children to use (we NEVER use “skinny” or “perfect”). But I fell victim to the visual story/lie that I have been told my entire life: that of Photoshop and retouching and perfect lighting. I don’t really have any shame or embarrassment in any other aspect of my life, so why would I let the least interesting part of me, my looks and physicality, dictate how I feel about myself in photos and, more importantly, shift this story?? It seems no matter what size you are (be that “too skinny” or “not skinny enough”), no one is safe from the unrealistic, unattainable standards we see perpetuated in advertising and fashion every single day. Don’t get me wrong, the industry has come a very long way, and it is refreshing to see the shifts towards REAL body positivity and inclusivity, but we have a long way to go. I muse with my friends all the time that hopefully someday there won’t be a “modeling” industry. It seems so dinosaur and archaic that we allow one version of the female body show us how we should all look. It is so dated and last century. High fashion can do what they want, but it seems to me that designing clothes for just one small one size seems SO cheap and easy. I wish brands would do the harder job of dressing bodies in all shapes and sizes, celebrating healthiness, and caring about happiness. I joked with our photographer, Veronica, “have you ever shot for Sports Illustrated, because get your olive oil brush ready.” I’ll be honest trying on 10 swimsuits was embarrassing to shoot and even more-so to “OK” the photos that I liked. Hilariously as I’ve been writing this post and reflecting (per usual) I see the irony that someone who is a size 4-6, has both hair and lash extensions, and a spray tan isn’t exactly the beacon of “realness”. We all struggle with our own vanity issues and frankly its hard to to de-learn years of mass-media (which, no surprise, is often driven by men) telling us we have “too many” curves or “not enough.” So, hopefully, posting un-retouched photos of myself online is step one in the right direction. That’s not to say that I think doing things that make YOU feel good about yourself are wrong (like putting on make-up or getting a spray tan). But we should be aware of why we’re doing those things, and making sure we’re doing them because WE like the way they make us feel and look, not because we’re trying to live up to some pretty unrealistic body standards. Fun fact: all companies have “fit models” which means models that are in every size they offer their clothes in (which frankly is often embarrassingly non-inclusive) to ensure that indeed those sizes will fit. They have size 8, 10, 12 (and often more) fit models AND YET MANY STILL ONLY SHOOT SIZE 2. It’s the easiest solution EVER to simply shoot their clothing in every size. I realize this will cost more resources, but scale it down, don’t bother with photoshopping or retouching. Just shoot like we did in one hour with a cannon. It’s not that hard to be real. It’s actually pretty easy. Now looking at this post in its final form, it shouldn’t have been that hard, and I shouldn’t have been that hard on myself. When I’m being healthy I feel good and feel that I look good. I’m not embarrassed. I understand I’m considered small, so if I’m “small” and I feel this aggressively self-critical then how the heck does the industry make other people feel? I can’t wait until the status quo catches up with this generation that has so much body pride, that promotes body positivity and knows that the picture of one size that every woman should aspire to will be absolute thing of the past. Feeling healthy is what should we should all strive for. To be pressured to look and feel happy while comparing yourself to the ubiquity of perfection is absolutely demoralizing. I believe we can change that. I want to start by buying from companies that don’t photograph one size. If I see a company hiring real women of all shapes, colors, sizes, and ages to model their clothes and suits (which more and more are doing) I want to buy their product. I’m done with the bikini industrial model. Hopefully, you are, too. ***Photography by Veronica Crawford **The “Bikini Industrial Complex” was coined by Emily Nagoski + Amelia Nagoski. I’ve only listened to a podcast about it, but I hear the ted talk is GREAT. The post Active & Modest Swimsuits That Make Me Feel Good (Plus, My Thoughts On The “Bikini Industrial Complex”) Plus Plus Some Updated Favorites appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/30xI6IK Happy Memorial Day Weekend folks. Hopefully today you are able to celebrate (or not celebrate) in whatever way feels right to you and keeps everyone protected. And if you are interested in some great sales, we rounded up all our favorite one’s happening right now. Okay now here is what EHD has been loving this week: If you want to see a beautiful house then check out this one designed by Katie Monkhouse Interiors. It’s both earthy and modern and while we think the bedroom above is our favorite room, the study is also a stunner. From Emily: “I had to quit my love affair with my local spray tan machine 2 months ago, which was painful, but have finally started lathering up with this at-home backup. You HAVE to buy the mitt, but once you apply evenly and often I/you can get that golden natural look that frankly I had no idea how much I was missing. Starting last week I applied twice a week and while the vanity shame was high, I felt better. happier. strangely even healthier.” Also from Emily: Like the former Pacific Northwest Family we liken ourselves to be, Brian bought the kids their first official hiking shoes, and let’s just say it’s all they want to do now. If you haven’t heard, some very exciting design blog news happened this past week with two of our favorites. Apartment 34 is BACK! After a brief hiatus this year, Erin is back blogging and with a beautiful new site to celebrate. And speaking of a site redesigns, Sarah Sherman Samuel also debuted her newly designed site. We are very familiar with how much work goes into a redesign (it’s no joke). So we wanted to give a big congrats and that we can’t wait to fully dig in. From Sara: I FINALLY got myself a set of good baking sheets. I’d been using a cheap small set for the last three years, and I can’t believe the difference these new ones make. No warping, even baking, nice and big, and two for only $20. I honestly don’t know why it took me so long to make this jump. And now all my silicon liners and pre-cut parchment sheets (SO much better than a roll) fit like a charm. O and coincidentally Jess also bought these and loves them just as much. We are at the point where we don’t even need to speak to purchase the same items. From Mallory: I’m desperate for a summer dress that I can wear at home during the work day or on the weekends. I found this dress for $28 (it’s 50% off) and she might be the one… but I’m trying to do ALL my research, so I’m debating if I should get this one instead (it’s $27). Which one should I get? Also as a bonus, I found this cute and casual little black dress with buttons for $11 (78% off) while doing said “summer dress research” that I’ll also probably get because it’s such a good deal. This home tour is so dreamy that you’ll wish there were more photos to stare at. If you love a Victorian meets eclectic modern style, you will be obsessed just like the rest of us. From Ryann: Remember when I said in this post that I was praying that these jeans would go on sale?? Well I have since decided to access the smart part of my brain to see if I could find a similar pair on my favorite luxury consignment retailer, The Real Real. Turns out this was a very smart decision because I found these Moussy jeans for half the price. These aren’t the exact ones I want but I have faith that they will show up on this site one day and I will be thanking myself for buying second hand instead of splurging. From Jess: My father has basically become a professional gardener now. At least four times a week we eat something from his vegetable garden and his flowers are frequently displayed on the dinner table. When I was thinking of a link this week he said, “Jess, this is the best gardening tool ever. When I tell you it’s good, it’s really f*$&ing good. Can’t you tell from my yard?” He rarely gives out that kind of adoration for things so I knew I had to tell you all about it. So, if you are a gardener, an aspiring gardener, or have a relative (cough father’s day will be here in a minute) this is THE TOOL you or they need. Plus it’s only $36 and is likely on sale this weekend:) From Julie: If you are in need of a dose of nature like I am then check out this video, “This is not a beautiful hiking video”. It’s all about a personal journey of hiking The Pacific Crest Trail and it was posted in 2017 about one week before I attempted thru-hiking the trail myself. It’s beautifully shot, truly inspiring (makes me cry every time I watch it) plus it’s over 9 minutes of pure nature. Also if you are wondering about what Memorial Day sales we think are this year’s best then head to our big ole post about it That’s it from us for now. We are out of office tomorrow, but be sure to come back later today for Emily’s updated swimsuit post. See you then. xx Opener Image Credit: Design by Katie Monkhouse Interiors | Photo by Margaret Austin The post The Link Up: The Self Tanner That Replaced Emily’s Spray Tan, 3 Dresses Under $35, & A Peaceful Nature Video appeared first on Emily Henderson. Originally from Emily Henderson https://ift.tt/2TByjjP |
Author Kimberly ReedDesign Consultant at Furnishing Knowledge:KI Archives
April 2023
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