Emily Henderson's Blog, page 103

Rashida’s HIGH IMPACT Christmas Decor (That You Can Still DIY Before Your Family Arrives)

Hey you guys! It’s been a while since I’ve had the pleasure to talk to you, so I’m excited to bring you some holiday decor inspiration (for the 2023 holiday season ha)! This year I was feeling super nontraditional with my approach to decorating. I had a full-on moment of rebellion! Anti-ornament, anti-everything that I’d done in the past. I wanted to challenge myself!

So, I set out for inspiration. Like many of us, I head to social media for inspiration, and I stumbled on lots of beautiful holiday goodness. I knew I wanted to go unconventional though, so I was happy when I came across Nicki Bamford-Bowes’ page and her post of this pink Christmas tree she made last year. The pink had me already, but then when I saw the huge black and white striped bow that cascades down the tree and the minimal ornaments, it was just the creative spark I needed.

I decided to remix her design on my own tree. I’ve had my tree since 2019 and absolutely love it. I found it at The Home Depot, but unfortunately, I haven’t seen it there since then. It’s the perfect height and has 4,000 fairy lights that make it stand out even without decoration. They have similar trees but with 1500 fairy lights (but who’s counting lol). Nicki’s gigantic bow idea was a must, and I also had some inspiration I’d saved from back in the summer of a bloom display by a company called Brightly Ever After that included a champagne bubble wall. I had my plan: a huge bow and clear ornaments displayed down the center.

I set out to find some fabric for the bow because I knew it would be super hard to find ribbon in the size I needed. I went to my favorite local fabric store G Street Fabrics in Rockville, MD (not G Street in DC lol) and they had just what I was looking for. I can spend all day there because they always have a huge selection, sales, and remnant pieces, which is great because fabric can be a splurge! I was hoping to find a dusty blue velvet fabric to give a pop of contrast and cool down our chocolate fondue living room walls, and I snagged exactly what I was looking for! I bought 3.5 yards of fabric and 2 yards of stiffener for the bow part. Check out my Instagram for a tutorial on this large bow. It was quite simple to make.

Gosh…I’m gushing over how good the DIY gigantic bow turned out. Every time I glance up at it, I just smile because it’s the exact bizarre Christmas look I was going for. I told one of my friends I was going for avant-garde and I think I nailed it. What do you think? Would you try your hand at this ginormous bow for your tree?

Living Room Drapery | Wraparound Curtain Rod | Striped Rug | Olive Round Pillow

The main reason why I’m so late in decorating my home for the holidays is because I thought to myself, “Maybe I should refresh the living room”, because why not right?” (I love torturing myself hahaha). I’ve loved our living room the past few years in all its different designs, but it’s a constant work in progress. Jasen (my husband) had the idea to pattern these large Ikea mirrors on the wall a few years ago, and it made the space feel larger. As much as I loved it, I was ready for art. I found some pre-loved art from a company called Kaiyo that worked perfectly with the brown walls. I realized I didn’t buy enough art so I had to complete the look with these polished nickel candle sconces and deep olive tapered candles that kind of look brown depending on the lighting. To add some Christmas flair I draped some arborvitae stems on the sconces and added ribbon strips. Simple and quick!

Floor Lamp | Sofa (similar)

Candle Sconce | Olive Green Tapered Candle

I love to style surfaces like shelves and tables (I have an uncontrollable obsession with coffee table books and just bought another the other day). So to add even more stress to my life, I decided that I wanted to build floating shelves in the living room. But in true Rashida fashion, I didn’t want the typical slender profile of floating shelves. I wanted chunky shelves! So I did what any good wife would do…dragged Jasen into building the DIY chunky shelves with me. The larger shelving would be a nice bold addition and also bring shape and form to our flat walls. Jasen and I built the shelves in about 4 days total, and it was pretty easy (DM me if you need help!). I painted them the same chocolate fondue color as the wall, and I love how they came out because they look like they’ve been there forever, which was exactly what I envisioned. I’m honestly so excited about all the ways I can style them, whether it be maximal or scaling it back, monochromatic or bold colors, books, and other tchotchkes…I can’t wait! Prepare to be sick of me and my shelf styling! Lol

White Fringe Stockings

To round out my mini holiday living room refresh, my good friends at Lulu and Georgia sent me this beautiful flush mount light that I’ve been eyeing for quite some time. I can be yay or nay when it comes to flush mounts because they can often be kind of blah, but I love how this one crawls the ceiling and looks so sculptural. I selected the polished nickel finish to again cool down the temperature from the brown walls. Plus, polished nickel has had my attention all year. I still love unlacquered brass though. 

Flush Mount Light

I also ordered a new rug from Lulu and Georgia. It hasn’t come yet, but it’s this beautiful khaki green that’s festive and cozy. I’ll be using our current rug for the Spring/Summer, and the new one for the Fall/Winter. Changing your rugs out seasonally can be a splurge, I know, but it’s worth it in the long run when it comes to preserving them over time. I’ll be sure to drop some updated pictures here when the rug arrives.

Floor Lamp | Sofa (similar) | Olive Round Pillow | Coffee Table | Khaki Rug

I made a few changes to the dining area as well. I know some of you guys remember my chair dilemma. I’m still looking and will not give up! I actually did buy a chair that one of you lovely readers suggested. I’ll be getting back to finishing my dining lounge project at the top of the year. In the meantime, I found this round marble table on Facebook Marketplace for just $200!!! It fits perfectly into the space! I kept things minimal with this hanging wreath chandelier over the table to keep things festive. We have plaster ceilings and walls, so I was happy to find this ceiling hook from The Home Depot that made hanging the wreath easy by using a construction screw. I scooped up these mini twig trees from Target during Black Friday, and these pots from Home Depot for the trees to go in.

Table (vintage) | Chair (vintage) | Dining Room Drapery | Wraparound Curtain Rod | Twinkling Twig Tree | Plant Pot

I also switched out some of the kitchen artwork for a more wintery piece. I frequently pop into a local vintage/consignment store called Evolution Home here in the DMV area and pick up things that I think I’ll use at some point. They always have nice artwork, if you’re local you should check them out! 

The house is finally ready to entertain holiday guests. I hope you like this refresh and are inspired to get your space holiday ready in a way that’s unique to you. Merry Christmas EHD readers! If you’re late to the holiday decor train like me, I hope I was able to give you some quick decor ideas and also some refresh ideas for your space. Let’s continue this convo down in the comments!

*Design and Photos by Rashida Banks

The post Rashida’s HIGH IMPACT Christmas Decor (That You Can Still DIY Before Your Family Arrives) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

16 Easy But Still Thoughtful Last-Minute Gifts (No Shipping Required)

I want to start off by saying this is a safe place for all of my fellow procrastinators. Trust me I know how you are feeling. It can range from mild personal frustration to being in a total shame spiral. The good news is all of those bad feelings are about to go away with this post. We wanted to make our final 2022 gift guide serviceable to anyone that has yet to get a gift but doesn’t have enough time to get something shipped. And while we don’t pass judgment on a last-minute Prime purchase, that’s not what you’re going to find here. These ideas are a little out-of-the-box, thoughtful and as the title says, don’t require shipping. Let’s get right to it then…

The Perfect Artsy Daily Newsletter Subscription

If you don’t know about The Jealous Curator, Danielle Krysa, then you are in for a treat. Her tagline reads “Turning jealousy into get-your-ass-back-in-the-studio inspiration since 2009” and boy has she been delivering. I’ve loved her account and site for years and Emily is actually friends with her. So what’s the gift?? Well, she just started a daily newsletter that features one to two artists and I can’t tell you how much I love it. She was kind enough to give me and Em a week free to check it out and as soon as it ended I immediately subscribed. It’s bite-sized so not overwhelming, gives me a burst of creativity every morning, and is only $36 for the entire year. If you have an art and/or design lover in your life, this is a GREAT gift. 10/10

Maybe Baby Newsletter and Podcast Subscription

Emily and I also both love Haley Nahmen, former Deputy Editor of Manrepller, and her writing. Haley’s newsletter, Maybe Baby, started out as a thought-provoking weekly article and is now that plus a weekly recommendation list and a podcast. Her description of what it’s about is this – “Chipping away at the inscrutability of modern life, popular culture, and how we feel about both.” It just makes you think and look at things in a way you might not have otherwise. I also really love the podcast and her monthly “Dear Danny” episode where she and her friend Danny answer reader questions. It’s always entertaining and I love hearing both of their perspectives. So if you have someone in your life (especially in the millennial and gen z age group) this is a really cool gift. It’s $5 a month or $50 for the year. It can also be free if you only want the weekly Sunday newsletter but I highly suggest it all:)

Buy Them Some Lunches At Their Favorite Lunch Spot

Last week, I got an email from Sweetgreen (my favorite salad lunch place ever) promoting their gift cards. At first, I didn’t think much of it and was ready to hit delete until I realized what a great gift that would actually be. Not necessarily Sweetgreen specifically but a gift card to cover your loved one’s or even coworkers’ lunch (or a set amount of lunches). I am NOT great at preppy my lunches and still don’t love to cook so if I got a gift card to my favorite lunch spot it would be a dream. I know people tend to give gift cards to fancy restaurants for dinner but I think gifting lunch is such a sweet gesture. Obviously, this depends on the restaurant you choose and your budget but how wonderful would it be to say “Hey, lunch is on me your first week back after the holidays”?? And if you don’t know where they like to eat Postmates or Grubhub are great options too (just remember to factor in those delivery fees:))

Inspire A New Hobby

We’ve clearly talked about Skillshare (where Emily has a class) and Masterclass before but it’s still SUCH a sick gift. Personally, I really want to expand my world/mind this year way more than I have in a while. I’ve been in a bit of a rut and I know that a lot of people I know are feeling the same. A really great way to shake yourself awake is to learn about something you’re interested in from a cool expert. Here’s to learning more about new things and ourselves in 2023:)

A Night Away

A night (or weekend) alone in a hotel was the #1 request when we asked moms what they wanted for Mother’s Day. I think it’s pretty safe to say that Christmas time works too. Of course, this would be an incredible gift for any adult on your list. So whether it’s a great spot in your town or something a little further out (like one of these two amazing hotels we got to stay at in Nevada City) I don’t think you can go wrong. But maybe a hotel isn’t their thing. Emily highly recommends getting an Airbnb gift card. This would also be really sweet if you already know they are renting an Airbnb soon but you can’t cover an entire stay. Your gift card will help make it more affordable!

The Gift Of A FUN Workout

Mallory is a big fan of Classpass and she’s not alone. Almost everyone I know that has used it loves it for its great classes and flexibility. So if you have a person in your life that loves group classes or wants to start getting into some this is the ultimate gift.

Upgrade Their Favorite Streaming Service

This idea came from Caitlin and I think it’s kinda genius. I feel like there are very few people who love ad breaks, right? So why not upgrade their favorite streaming service!? Caitlin’s boyfriend is the inspiration behind this idea because YouTube Premium is on his wishlist. As someone who only watches the occasion YouTube video, I forget how huge it is and how many people watch videos all of the time. I just found out it’s how one of my best friends starts her morning! So for the YouTube upgrade specifically you need to get a Google Play gift card which can then be redeemed on YouTube.

Hulu is another great one to upgrade! I’m SO bummed every time an ad break comes up when I’m watching Abbot Elementary. It doesn’t have to be this way!

Make Their Life A Little (Or A Lot) Spicier

I know a ton of people who are hot sauce lovers and know that they would really love this gift. Mallory was the one who suggested this company because her hot sauce-loving friend received it as a gift and highly recommends it! Here’s what she had to say about it:

“If you are or know someone who is a hot sauce fanatic, then this is the perfect gift. I have a friend who is obsessed with this subscription – you can choose the level of ‘hotness’ you want and how many hot sauces you want to give, but they have some super unique bottles from a billion different places. Such a unique gift idea!!”

A Concert They’ll Always Remember

This gift should be gifted more often! Every time I go to a concert I think, “Why don’t I do this more?!” And why yes, that is a picture of an Alicia Keyes concert with a surprise visit from HER I got invited to. NBD. Singing “No One” at the top of our lungs is a forever memory for me:) There’s just nothing like live music. So look up the artists coming to your area, get tickets for their favorite band or get something like a Ticketmaster gift certificate if you think having them choose is better. You could also potentially buy tickets directly from your local venue (if that’s where the person you are gifting to lives too). Caitlin gets this for her mom every year and they always have an incredible time. What a cool tradition to start, right???

Get Your Wine Lover The Perfect Gift

I am a BIG natural wine fan and I can’t tell you how much I would love getting a delicious natural wine delivery. We can personally vouch for Dry Farms because I have heard great things from my friends and Mallory is also a huge fan. Here’s what she had to say about it.

“We got a wine subscription to Dry Farms as a gift one year and it was incredible (especially for natural wine drinkers). The one we got was 3 bottles a month for 6 months, and it truly was the gift that keeps on giving. I LOVED having bottles constantly in my fridge without having to think about it and they were all incredible. I especially love natural wine because it’s less sugar and ultimately makes me feel better the next day (like I’ve never had a hangover after drinking natural wine) which is awesome. Plus it’s so fun to explore new wines I’ve never heard of and they’re all soooo unique! Highly recommend.”

They also have an option to just do a one-time delivery if you don’t want to get the monthly subscription. So while shipping is technically involved with this one, you can easily give a card telling them they have something to look forward to:)

Give Them The Gift Of A Lift!

I don’t know if Ubers and Lyfts have gotten more expensive in your area but they have in Los Angeles. So getting a gift card from either of these companies would be so so great! What’s better than knowing you are helping someone you care about to get home safely? Not much. 10/10!

For The Snack Lover In Your Life

This is the only recommendation that none of us have tried ourselves. But I saw it on Instagram and thought it was so fun! What a fun and creative way to expose people to things around the world. Plus the more we experience each other’s cultures the more we can appreciate and understand them. I know it’s only snacks but who doesn’t love snacks?!

They Deserve A Nice Service, You Deserve A Discount

I have been singing the praises of Groupon for YEARS!! This is the easiest and most affordable way to get someone a great service whether that’s a massage or a car detail, or another one of their many options. I actually told my brother I wanted a car detail when asked what I wanted for Christmas this year. If you are unsure about what they would like Groupon also sells gift cards. I think this is a truly great and thoughtful gift.

Give Them A Smokey Treat

Please excuse that horrible header (smh). Sometimes “cute” titles are hard. But this is actually a really cool gift for the cigar lover in your life. Ryann’s husband was the one that inspired this idea because of how much he loved getting this particular subscription. It’s also pretty affordable too! Here’s what Rocky had to say about it.

“I liked it because they would send exclusive cigars you couldn’t get in-store anywhere, and most of the cigars were small batch and pretty rare.”

That all sounds pretty great and special to me!

Vintage Lovers Will LOVE You

If someone on your list loves vintage or handmade things then you just simply can’t go wrong with an Etsy gift card. We got one for Ryann for her birthday last year and she loved it! Everything I’ve purchased on Etsy I have loved and knew came from a great small business. You really can’t lose. And if you want to give them some shop suggestions get out this post Ryann wrote🙂

Give Them A “Hello” From A Celebrity

Last but definitely not least there’s Cameo. If you don’t know what this is, it’s a company where celebrities, athletes, and pop culture personalities send messages to the person of your choosing for a set fee. It’s a pretty special gift for the person that never needs anything but would love or just get a total kick out of their favorite celeb saying hi to them.

Do you feel better? Breathing a little easier, I hope. Regardless, best of luck in all of your holiday gifting adventures. You’ve got this.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Brady Tolbert | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Brady’s Holiday Decor

The post 16 Easy But Still Thoughtful Last-Minute Gifts (No Shipping Required) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Megan Hopp’s Rollercoaster Ride Into Homeownership + What She Plans To Do With A $25K Construction Budget

Suddenly Suburban: A Pandemic Tale

Let’s take a little trip back in time to February 24, 2020. I’m celebrating my 33rd birthday at one of my favorite West Village spots, Marie’s Crisis, a historic piano bar where the drinks are affordable and the singing is LOUD. One of my dearest friends is a pianist there, and I am just so happy to be surrounded by friends, singing Sondheim, and drinking an unknown amount of white wine. It’s a magic New York City night where everything is just right, and it does not escape me what a perfect fit the life I have crafted thus far in NYC is in that moment. I have recently wrapped up a transformation on our rent-controlled apartment in Park Slope, where we plan to stay for a good long while. My fiance and I are planning a wedding for the following summer, and I’m doing things like having a custom outfit built by the coolest designer whose studio is in an old factory building in Gowanus. Professionally I’m on a roll, and after years of pounding the pavement and cobbling together the most bizarre and sometimes frightening combination of work, I have a steady stream of quality projects that just keep growing. It’s been 7 years since I landed in NYC with no job, a sublet that was right above STOMP the musical with an enormous wooden fish on the wall, and a heart and spirit that while hopeful were also frankly shattered. The 7 years it took to get to a night like Feb. 24 2020 were long, winding, and grinding, ups and downs-mostly downs, too many random roommates to count, 6,572 first dates (you know what I mean), and a whole lot of credit card debt. BUT I was here, I was happy, I was singing show tunes, and all would be well…

So I’m not going to bombard you with details about the beginning of my pandemic experience, partially because we all have our stories and mostly because I left NYC only a few weeks into lockdown to go stay with family for “just a little bit,” and the immense amount of compassion and in a bizarre way wonder I have for those who stayed in the city throughout the entirety of this time completely outweighs my understanding of what it meant to be in NY during this pandemic.

photos by kelsey ann rosephotos by kelsey ann rose

What I will share is a quick overview of how we decided to move to Alexandria, VA, where we are now. After two weeks of not leaving our 600 sq ft apartment (which only had one door to the bathroom in it – hello zoom calls) along with wild rumors of bridges and tunnels closing, my now husband and I decided to rent a car from Hertz and drive to Ohio to go stay with family for two maybe three weeks. Two months later we decided it was time to check on our apartment and give our family a bit of their house back. On the drive home, we stopped through Alexandria where good friends live to do our first “covid friend bubble.” We were desperate for friend time, and a change of scenery. While in Alexandria it was time to face the music that lockdown wasn’t ending any time soon, so plans needed to be made. We officially canceled our wedding that was supposed to be in Hawaii that summer (a real bummer), and we needed to figure out where to live – our Park Slope apartment just wasn’t viable for the both of us to work out of. While searching for affordable rentals outside of NYC in Connecticut or upstate (which didn’t exist because EVERYONE was doing this), it hit us that maybe we didn’t need to live within commuting distance of NYC during this time? Jump to us finding a very tiny townhouse in Alexandria for an unbelievably affordable price that we figured we would be in for say three, four months max. We made the decision to officially sign the lease on our drive back into NY to check on the apartment, which then turned into packing the apartment and pulling away in our U-Haul one week later. As we settled into our temporary little rental house for an undetermined amount of time as the world stood still and chaos continued to swirl, life also somehow continued to press on. We kept our original wedding date and swapped our destination bash for a very small backyard ceremony. Then what do you know – I became pregnant.

photo by emma hopp

I don’t have to tell you that some rearranging of life and things happen when a new human joins the party, and with COVID still very much in peak scary mode (no vaccines, etc), a little more space and room to breathe felt like the fit. So we bought a house! We bought a house in the exact neighborhood of the friends we initially came to visit and who hosted our makeshift wedding in their backyard. When you’ve been renting in NYC without any plans to leave, buying a house with thousands of square feet for less than a million dollars makes you feel like your living arrangements have suddenly hit Daddy Warbucks status. We live in a townhouse so while our outdoor space is a small paved courtyard – you could tell me I live on a farm and I wouldn’t know the difference. To say I was excited to design a whole house that I owned for my new family of three is the understatement of the century.

Everything about our new life still feels a little odd and unfamiliar to me, such as the amount of space we have in the house, the style of the architecture is far more traditional than anything I ever thought I would live in, driving a car every day…but don’t get me wrong buying large boxes of La Croix at Target and hauling it home in my Prius is BLISS. Our house is a charming townhouse with white-washed brick and a stoop I can hang out on with my son where we can point out dogs and stuff like that toddlers like to do. The house was built in 1969, which comes with some real perks in my opinion. I’ve always been an old house gal, and so the hardwood floors, crown molding, and wood-burning fireplaces were MUCH appreciated. I actually always assumed that my first home purchase would be an absolute fixer-upper, this could not have been less the case. Being that we had a newborn son (like three weeks old new), it just wasn’t the time in life to fully renovate. The house was in pristine condition, as the former owners had taken such beautiful care of it, the finishes simply weren’t my style, and there wasn’t an inch of wallpaper to be found! 

So here I was ready to embark on the transformation of this home and found myself facing the laundry list of obstacles and decisions that I work with clients on every day all day, the main hurdle of course being budget. Now, this is something I want to be really honest about, because in this industry I think there is a real lack of transparency when it comes to talking about JUST HOW MUCH decorating a home costs. To this point I had only ever designed NYC rental apartments for myself, which means a.) you simply don’t need that much stuff to fully design a small home, and b.) because I knew my time in these spaces inevitably would have an expiration date, I never had any desire to spend that much on pieces and materials unless I knew I could utilize them in the future. This home however was the opposite scenario in all regards, while this house probably isn’t our forever home, it’s somewhere we will most definitely be for a solid chunk of time, and in owning it, it’s an opportunity to have the work correlate with the value of the house itself. 

I started off the process by making a “realistic dream list” of projects I would like to do in the house, things like “furnish the entire house,” and re-tile the entry landing. I knew I obviously couldn’t afford to fully renovate the kitchen, but maybe I could swing getting the cabinets professionally repainted. I brought over my contractor (Luxor Improvements) who I work with in the DC area, to walk through a hopeful punch list, and he in return provided me with an itemized price list. My husband and I decided we were able to spend up to 25 thousand dollars on construction fees (this is just the labor – not the materials), and as such, we edited down the list to include a logical combination of must-haves and eliminated things like built-in window seat cabinets in my son’s nursery that ultimately just didn’t make the cut.

Below is the final scope of work I landed on alongside a look at where we started in each room. The list below reflects an amount of work on the home I felt could meaningfully transform the space for the least amount of money possible, all while keeping as many features of the home as they stood.

Common Space:Wallpaper Walls & CeilingEliminate Can LightingAdd Two Flush Mounts Swap ChandelierPaint StairwellFurniture & DecorKitchen:Move Ceiling Lighting Locations & Swap FixturesWallpaper wallsStove Hood (we kept the existing one and built a decorative box around it to save some money!)Paint Kitchen CabinetsCabinet HardwareFurniture & DecorEntry:Floor TileWallpaper WallsPaint Front DoorSwap Ceiling LightFurniture & DecorPrimary Bedroom:Remove Built-in Bookcase Wallpaper WallsSwap Ceiling LightFurniture & DecorNursery:Wallpaper Walls & CeilingSwap Ceiling LightFurniture & DecorGuest Room:Wallpaper WallsFurniture & Decor (this room we used all previously owned furniture with the exception of one chair I purchased for $3 at Goodwill)Den:Wallpaper WallsPaint Fireplace BrickReplace Sliding Door with French DoorsCarpetSwap Ceiling LightFurniture & Decor

What ensued next was a tireless series of months crafting the design and sourcing materials and furnishings in the most cost-effective and clever way possible. I lived at my local thrift stores, scoured Facebook Marketplace endlessly, and connected with some truly excellent vendors who were interested in collaborating with me thus enabling me to receive some amazing pieces and product for a lot less than if I were purchasing off the shelf. 

You don’t need me to tell you that the last few years have been unprecedented with expedited decision-making, moves, and life choices at a rapid-fire pace, and landed us all in completely unfamiliar territory. While my ability to pick up and move and shift my environment to the changing needs of our family was and is a privilege I am well aware of, the uncertainty of this new lifestyle and surroundings hasn’t been without its challenges. Working through the creation of this home I have learned a lot about myself, how I relate to design on a truly personal level, and what maybe needs to change in the future. Stay tuned as I share the finished space and all that went into it!

Opening Image Credits: Design by Megan Hopp | Photo by Kelsey Ann Rose

The post Megan Hopp’s Rollercoaster Ride Into Homeownership + What She Plans To Do With A $25K Construction Budget appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Em’s New Favorite Cozy Clothing Item, Caitlin’s Incredible Bold Pants, And Our Ultimate Affordable Winter Skincare

First and foremost Happy Hanukkah!! We hope that those who celebrate have a beautiful holiday filled with so much love. In case you missed them the past two years, Rebekah Lowin who runs a stunning lifestyle blog that includes a ton of Jewish holiday ideas and DIYs, contributed this post and this post talking about why Hanukkah is so special to her. If you haven’t gotten a chance to read them I highly recommend it. The more we can learn and know about each other, the more connected we will inevitably become. So with that let’s get into this week’s links.

This week’s house tour is like literally stepping into a fairytale. You really just have to see it for yourself! The designer Emma Ainscough, couldn’t have made it more special. The best part is that it’s a vacation rental so you can stay there!! Check it all out on Domino here.

From Emily: You may have seen yesterday that I got some new clothes (full post here) but this jacket has been worn the most by far. It’s more like a “sweater jacket” or “swacket” if you will, with a lot of stretch and a great tailored look. I highly recommend it.

From Caitlin: Today I peeked in my closet and realized that I’ve really embraced the 2023 Pantone color of the year. To that end, I need to emphatically and wholeheartedly recommend a few recent purchases: this incredible velvet mini skirt (so fun for NYE! 50% off right now, too – I went with my normal pants size :)), these awesome wide-leg trousers (I’m a 12/14 with big legs and a butt and got the XL, but wish I had gone with the L), and this super cozy oversized sweater (nearly 70% off! I went with the L after some debate and am glad I didn’t size up).  If you’re also ready to enter your Elle Woods era in 2023, these are great picks that work on all kinds of bodies!

From Mallory: My face has been SO PUFFY lately and it’s been very annoying (especially in the mornings), so I’ve been trying some things to try to get it to depuff (gua sha massage, jade roller, etc). But my favorite thing lately has been these under eye gels that I got as a gift one year. My neighbor recently told me to put them in the fridge and it is life-changing. I love wearing them for the first few minutes of my work day (perks of WFH since I do look a lil wild with them on) and it helps me wake up and depuff. I’d love to know if anyone else deals with this and what the heck you do for it!! Comment your tips and tricks please:)

From Albie: One thing I love almost as much as tea — house clothes! I am serious about my comfort while home, especially since I’m home full time, so I have an entire wardrobe for being home. Lately, my comfort wardrobe capsule has been all Harper Wilde pieces, paired with a really good robe — I also have a thing for robes. I’ve been almost exclusively wearing Harper Wilde for the better part of a year because finding intimate pieces that I’m comfortable in hasn’t always been easy. Never did I ever think I could be home and comfortably wear a bralette — being top-heavy, I’ve always equated support with wire, therefore thinking I had to sacrifice comfort to get support. Now that I have found bralettes that actually support me, it’s totally changed my relationship with brassieres & improved my comfort at home. 

From Jess: Last weekend I FINALLY “finished” a felt leaf garland I started cutting out last year and I’m really happy with it!! This is the tutorial I was inspired by but ultimately didn’t follow. Clearly, I wanted to make my life harder because apparently, if history is any indication, that’s what I like to do to myself. What I did instead was cut a ton of cream-colored felt leaves (this felt in antique white), pinched some to look more “real” with hot glue, and left most unpinched. Then I adhered them to a rope (I got this one) with some hot glue so that the garland looked nice and thick. I finished it off by hot gluing little black pom poms to only the pinched leaves. Right now it’s 5′ so I have 10′ more feel of rope that I haven’t cut off (it’s nicely hiding on the side atop a cabinet:)). Maybe I’ll add another 5′ next year and 5′ the year after that. My own little short-lived tradition:)

Oh, and those beautiful woven shades are from Decorview🙂 Revealed in 2023!

From: Ryann: If you are looking for a good, starter skin care kit (or want to gift one to someone else) I highly recommend this one from Peter Thomas Roth. I picked this up from Target a week ago when I ran out of all my face moisturizers, and I have been so impressed with the results. My skin has never felt so soft (and for more context, I use the CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser and this Vitamin C serum too). But this skin care kit is so good for the price and great for someone who wants to build their skincare routine.

Lastly, we wanted to share a GoFundMe that was started by EHD alum photographer, Tessa Neustadt. Her father suffered a massive heart attack in early November and is currently on life support in the ICU but is on the road to recovery. As we are sure a lot of you have experienced this can accrue debilitating costs and Tessa is an only child of divorced parents, putting the financial responsibility solely on her. Because she now needs to take an undetermined amount of time off this makes finances all the more difficult. Asking for support is extremely hard for her but if you have it within your budget to help, we know she would be endlessly grateful.

Again, for those who are celebrating, have a wonderful Hanukkah and for everyone else have a great rest of your Sunday. See everyone tomorrow!

Opening Image Credits: Art Direction by Emily Henderson, Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Target’s Holiday Assortment Is Here To Make All Our Gatherings Look And Feel Extra Special This Year

The post The Link Up: Em’s New Favorite Cozy Clothing Item, Caitlin’s Incredible Bold Pants, And Our Ultimate Affordable Winter Skincare appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Four Cute Jackets And Sweaters – Easy Outerwear For Cozy Holiday Timesssssss

We are headed out today to go to the mountain house for the holidays (so excited) which means we had to ship all presents down (which means we are done!) and packing super light – just cozy clothes for hanging at the house, going on walks, playing in the snow, and the occasional visit to my favorite place – Skypark Santa’s Village (You know, the vintage year-round Christmas themed adventure park that was renovated 10 years ago and is just so sweet). Madewell reached out for a social partnership where I tried on and chose some pieces that I wanted for the trip and I figured I’d show you my favorites here.

Wool Sweater Jacket | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

When I saw this online I didn’t know if it was boiled wool, stiff, etc., but I’m very happy to report that it’s a sweater shacket (a swacket?). It has a lot of stretch but is still tailored and extremely way cozy. So it looks like a boiled wool situation, but it’s a knit if that makes sense. It’s solid and something I’ve been wearing a lot since I got it (I didn’t end up getting the expensive one from Rails that I loved, and this one is way more affordable).

Polo Sweater | Classic Chain Necklace Set | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

This sweater is super solid for those of us who don’t want anything too fitted right now, and yet it’s flattering. It has slim arms, but lots of room in the bust/tummy with a really good length (not too short not too long).

Puffer Pullover | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

This was a solid and fast “hell yes” for everyone in the room. Super lightweight, easy to pack, pockets, flattering, looks cool, warm, etc. It’s just good.

Turtleneck Sweater | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

I’m not much for a turtleneck sweater (what with the large love pillows) but this has a boxy cut. Now that I’m looking at the photos I still don’t think I’m a turtleneck sweater person (the striped one above is so much more flattering on my body type IMHO). It is boxy with slim arms, super warm, and very classic.

Coat | Turtleneck Sweater | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

Lastly, I layered on my favorite trench which I’ve been wearing on repeat since I got it. I literally just wear it over my black athleisure, throw on some boots and I look like I’m pulled together (I suppose this was the initial appeal of the trench coat, right? It covers so much of you that you don’t have to wear an actual outfit underneath.

I’m rushing to pack for our trip and today (Friday) we have FINAL INSPECTIONS!!! I see the inspector walking around the house now and begging my dogs not to bark at him:) This means that all of the chain link fencing on the property (to protect the tree routes during construction) can get taken down as well as all the stickers on the windows (to prove energy efficiency, etc). It’s actually a really, really big deal after a 2-year renovation. ARCIFORM and I should celebrate!! Having the chain link fencing removed is visually incredible – they were around every single pretty tree (and some of the ugly trees) and make it so hard to really visualize how incredible the property is going to be. More to come in 2023. xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Four Cute Jackets And Sweaters – Easy Outerwear For Cozy Holiday Timesssssss appeared first on Emily Henderson.

All Of The Best Christmas Movies (Romantic Comedies, Kid-Friendly Picks, And More)

It’s time for my yearly magnum opus: an overly comprehensive roundup of holiday movies. In 2020 and 2021, I limited myself to Netflix original films (and you can catch up on those rankings right here!)…but today, I want to expand the pool a bit. After chatting with the rest of the EHD team, we identified four key Christmas movie categories – romantic comedies (because our team is a little corny, obviously), movies that are comfortable to watch with your adult friends and family (no awkward encounters!), classic films that are fun for the whole family (you’ll know these by heart), and picks that kids will love (both new and old!).

The other kicker: the movies had to actually be pretty good (or SO bad that it circles back into being hilarious – it’s weird how that works, isn’t it?). A lot of holiday films are formulaic, or forgettable, or just not worth your time (looking at you, Falling for Christmas – a devastating disappointment!), so I only included movies that are fun to watch. It’s a big list – get ready to skim, and keep an eye out for any new titles to add to your streaming service queue of choice! – but I’m sure there are a ton of other great Christmas movies out there that I missed or haven’t seen yet, so feel free to drop your favorites in the comments. LET’S BEGIN.

Rom Coms

Love Actually (2003): Nine (!!!) intertwined storylines; too many iconic moments to count. (Fun fact: Kiera Knightley was 18 and Thomas Brodie was 13 when this film was released.)

The Family Man (2000): A high-rolling Wall Street banker wakes in an alternate reality to find himself married to his college sweetheart. It’s nice to finally see a man have to choose between career and love in a Christmas movie for once, you know? (No shade to the whole “domineering woman meets small-town single dad” genre, of course).

Last Holiday (2006): After learning of a surprise terminal illness, Queen Latifah quits her job, cashes out her life savings, jets off to Europe, and lives the rest of her life to the fullest. (Spoiler: her work crush follows her across the world, too). This is my favorite Christmas rom-com, y’all!

Love Hard (2021): An LA blogger with a cute apartment (I’m halfway there, guys) spends the holidays in Lake Placid, NY (my childhood haunt!) with the guy who catfished her and his family. It’s sweet and fun.

The Holiday (2006): Two women swap homes for the holidays – one moves into a Hollywood mansion, the other takes residence in an English village – and naturally fall in love with local men. (Poll: would you go for Jack Black or Jude Law? I’m a Jack Black girl all the way!!!)

Holidate (2020): Two strangers-turned-friends agree to become each other’s platonic plus-ones for a year’s worth of holidays before catching feelings. It’s a Christmas movie you can watch all year long!

Serendipity (2001): John Cusak and Kate Beckinsale fall in love after reaching for the same pair of black cashmere gloves (cute). 10 years later – and living on opposite coasts – they trust fate to bring them together again. A must-watch for all my fellow ~woo woo~ “put it out into the universe” pals out there!

Single All The Way (2021): Tired of his family’s pestering, a man convinces his best friend to pose as his boyfriend on a trip home for the holidays. (Added bonus: Jennifer Coolidge also stars in it).

The Preacher’s Wife (1996): An angel is sent to answer a preacher’s prayer and then he, uh, falls for the preacher’s wife. Beyond that: Denzel! Whitney Houston! What else do you need?

New Year’s Eve (2011): Not totally Christmas, but still seasonally appropriate. It’s the Garry Marshall version of Love Actually, with an all-star cast and cheesy intertwined plot.

Bridget Jones’s Diary (2001): It’s not not a Christmas movie, you know? An early 30s woman finds herself in a love triangle with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant. It’s famously relatable (except for the fact that most of us will never find ourselves in a love triangle with Colin Firth and Hugh Grant).

Happiest Season (2020): A woman plans to propose to her girlfriend at a family Christmas party before learning that her partner hasn’t come out to her conservative parents. (Bonus: it was written and directed by Clea DuVall, who played Marjorie on Veep!).

Last Christmas (2019): Emilia Clarke works as an elf in a year-round Christmas store. Henry Golding sweeps her off her feet. Michelle Yeoh plays Santa!!! Why isn’t this movie bigger?!

While You Were Sleeping (1995): Festive, but not overwhelming, with lots of classic tropes – mistaken identity! A coma! Amnesia! Love triangles! Wedding disruption! It’s an easy watch.

Why Him (2016): This was an EHD team recommendation that’s also not technically a Christmas movie, but still pretty Christmas-y – a dad travels to Silicon Valley for the holidays and realizes that his daughter’s boyfriend, a tech multimillionaire who’s a little bit of a loose cannon, is about to propose. (I don’t know if you can tell from the poster, but he’s not a fan). FYI this is more of a “watch with friends,” not family:)

Friends & Family

The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017): Christmas wasn’t always this big of a deal, you know? Based on a true story, the film tells the story of Charles Dickens – who was nearly broke after three consecutive flops! – and his creation of ‘A Christmas Carol,’ which changed the world (and the literal meaning of Christmas) forever. If you’re going to watch one new holiday movie this year, this should be it.

Four Christmases (2008): After their yearly holiday vacation is canceled, a couple visits all four of their divorced parents’ homes on Christmas Day.

The Family Stone (2005): An uptight career-oriented woman finally meets her boyfriend’s free-wheeling, relaxed family at Christmas…and it doesn’t go as planned. (Also, the casting here is incredible. Diane Keaton should be in every Christmas movie).

Meet Me In St. Louis (1944): It’s the musical that launched “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” everyone! Track a year in the life of the Smith family leading up to the 1904 World’s Fair. (Fun fact: Judy Garland and director Vincent Minnelli were dating while filming, and Liza Minnelli was born 2 years after the film’s release!).

The Dog Who Saved Christmas (2009): This is – and I am not joking – the worst movie I have ever seen. I loved it. A dog needs to learn to bark by Christmas, lest his family return him to the shelter for failing to live up to his guard dog duties. Mario Lopez voices the dog. It’s a mess. Make a drinking game out of it or throw it on when you’re a little slaphappy and overtired with friends. It’s awful. You’ll have a blast.

The Knight Before Christmas (2019): This is similar to the film above. It’s supposed to be romantic – a time-traveling medieval knight falls in love with Vannesa Hudgens – but it’s absolutely goofy. My mom and I have never laughed harder at a Christmas movie.

Scrooged (1988): A curmudgeonly but wildly successful TV executive (Bill Murray!) is haunted by three ghosts after firing a staffer on Christmas Eve. (I’m sure you can guess where this is going, right?).

A Bad Moms Christmas (2017): This is an Em recommendation! Three stressed-out moms are overwhelmed by the holidays (they’re juggling crafting memorable experiences for their families while hosting their own moms – woof) and they decide to rebel against expectations.

Die Hard (1988): It takes place during a holiday office party. There are 4 Christmas songs throughout the film. It’s a Christmas movie. Case closed.

El Camino Christmas (2017): But if Die Hard isn’t overtly holiday enough for you, this one may do the trick – a guy ends up barricaded in a liquor store with five other people during a shootout on Christmas Eve. (This is a great choice for those who are looking for something a little less saccharine – like, your stoic dad would probably watch this with you).

Christmas on the Square (2020): A wealthy woman plans to sell her small town to a developer – putting all her neighbors’ homes and businesses at risk – and then Dolly Parton (an angel both in the movie and in real life, I think) shows up. It’s kind of a slog, but you’ve gotta watch it once, you know?

Jingle All The Way (1996): A workaholic dad spends Christmas Eve hunting down the hottest toy on the market for his son. Classic 90s vibes.

Gremlins (1984): This is a movie about what happens when men don’t listen to directions. (I’m kidding…but I’m also not kidding?) A guy doesn’t take care of his new pet (a Gremlin, obviously) and ends up unleashing a horde of tiny monsters on his idyllic town on Christmas Eve. (Bonus: this film was one of the reasons the PG-13 rating was created, so proceed with caution if you have younger kids!).

Fred Claus (2007): Santa’s brother, Fred, gets bailed out of jail and heads to work at the North Pole in an attempt to pay off his debts. It’s a cute sibling rivalry and enjoyable for the whole family (…but maybe skip this one if you don’t want your kids to see Santa getting beat up by his bitter older brother).

Trading Places (1983): Christmas meets social commentary meets insider trading – it’s almost 40 years old (and some of the jokes haven’t aged well, to be fair), but this film still feels relevant. Two financial firm owners take the “nature v. nuture” debate to the next level when they frame a wealthy manager for a crime and hire a street-smart unhoused man (Eddie Murphy!) to take over his position, betting that Eddie Murphy will turn into a rich jerk and that the disgraced manager will fall into poverty. It’s pretty heavy, but served with a big dose of Christmas cheer. (It also apparently plays every Christmas Eve in parts of Italy, which is hilarious).

Edward Scissorhands (1990): Group this in with Gremlins and Die Hard on the “alternative Christmas movie” list. I mean…the whole thing is a long story about why it always snows on Christmas, you know?

Jack Frost (1998): Michael Keaton, a touring musician who prioritizes fame over family, dies in a car accident on Christmas Day (no!) but is brought back to life as a snowman the following year after his son plays a sad tune on a harmonica. Can a father and son make amends? (I’ll let you guess how it turns out.)

A Very Murray Christmas (2015): An all-star cast (Bill Murray, George Clooney, Amy Poehler, Jason Schwartzman, Chris Rock, Miley Cyrus, Maya Rudolph, Michael Cera, Rashida Jones…I’m only stopping because I’m running out of space) stars in a quick and unassuming holiday special. The original song by Phoenix is the icing on the cake.

Classics for Everyone

The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992): The Muppets and Michael Caine take on the classic Dickens tale. (I think this is my all-time favorite Christmas movie, everyone! I loved it as a kid and I still love it in my 30s. It’ll never get old).

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965): I KNOW, I KNOW. It’s technically a TV special, not a movie. TOO BAD – it’s a classic. Charlie Brown is disappointed by the commercialization of Christmas (me too, cutie!) and searches for the meaning of the season. It’s very tender!

Elf (2003): “I thought maybe we could make gingerbread houses, and eat cookie dough, and go ice skating, and maybe even hold hands.”

The Year Without a Santa Claus (1974): Watch this Rankin/Bass original that inspired the art direction of Elf – it’s sweet and heartwarming. When Santa comes down with a cold and a bad case of ennui, Mrs. Claus and the elves need to lift his spirits. SO HEARTWARMING. (And not just because of Heat Miser!).

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1964): Tune in for more Elf inspiration here – like, Buddy’s outfit was ripped straight outta this film). The stop motion is timeless and gentle and kind – if it’s been a few years since your last watch, take an hour, grab some hot chocolate, and enjoy. (Also, we need more movies inspired by songs).

The Home Alone Franchise (1990): This is the most popular Christmas movie in America for a reason. (Let it be a lesson to all of us that precocious troublemakers are surprisingly self-sufficient).

It’s A Wonderful Life (1946): Believe it or not, a movie about a man’s suicidal ideation on Christmas Eve was not an immediate hit!!! This film initially tanked at the box office and didn’t even come close to breaking it even – it only became a classic after it entered the public domain, which allowed it to be broadcast without licensing or royalty fees.

Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey (2020): A depressed toymaker finds new hope when his jubilant granddaughter shows up on his doorstep. It’s like the Greatest Showman, holiday edition – a modern classic for sure.

Miracle on 34th Street (1947): A man named Kris Kringle fills in for a drunk Santa at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade (some stories really do last the test of time, right?) and is eventually hired to make regular appearances as Santa at the Macy’s in Manhattan. When Kringle claims that he really is Santa, he’s taken to court (of course) to judge his mental health and authenticity. It still feels timely, doesn’t it?

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (1989): I mean…a guy who cares this much about getting the perfect tree and setting up the most beautiful decorations kind of seems like a keeper, no?

The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993): It’s a Q4 hit. Enjoy it in October! Enjoy it in November! Enjoy it in December! It’s got everything the end-of-the-year needs, from the Pumpkin King to Sandy Claws.

It Happened On 5th Avenue (1947): Two unhoused men move into a seemingly-vacant NYC mansion while its owner is vacationing in the south. It’s a classic tale of “money poor, but rich where it counts.”

A Christmas Story (1983): “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid!”

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! (1966): Technically another TV special, but…it’s my list, and I’m making the rules. It’s bright, it’s cheery, there are some iconic (and now gif-able) animation moments, and it’s almost entirely narrated (which almost feels fresh today!). Set aside 25 minutes and tune in – it’s worth it.

Kid-Friendly

Klaus (2019): A failed postman is exiled to a frozen town, where he forms an unlikely partnership with a reclusive toymaker. Together, they bring a lot of joy to a dark town that needs it most. IT’S GORGEOUSLY DONE.

The Santa Clause Franchise (1994): A divorced dad becomes Santa (both physically and occupationally) while everyone thinks he’s a nutjob. His son – the world’s cutest kid, I think – steps in to help save Christmas. It never gets old, does it?

The Polar Express (2004): If you’re a fan of the uncanny valley, this is for you. (It’s not for me, but I can acknowledge that it’s still a good movie!). After the entire town has gone to bed on Christmas Eve, a skeptical boy boards a magical train for the North Pole in an attempt to learn the truth about Santa.

The Snowman (1982): This, however, is WAY more my speed. A boy makes a snowman on Christmas Eve; it comes to life and brings him to meet Santa. The animation is so soft and lovely. (Still great for adults, too! It’s like a bubble bath for your eyes).

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): Little ones love Jim Carrey and his dog in this movie, y’all. Ron Howard directed this version and it’s safe to say that he is a national treasure.

Alien Xmas (2020): This is my favorite Netflix animation special (and it’s from Jon Favreau, the director of Elf)!! When aliens team up to steal the earth’s gravity (and, consequently, all of the presents), a tiny alien named X falls in love with the Christmas spirit and works to thwart their kleptomaniac plans. So much heart and SO, SO CUTE.

Arthur Christmas (2011): When Santa forgets to deliver presents to one child (out of, uh, 600 million), it’s up to his youngest son, Arthur, to deliver a present before Christmas morning. Super underrated.

Eloise at Christmastime (2003): Eloise (of the Plaza Hotel, of course) decides to involve herself in everyone’s business. (Literally, SO much happens in this movie that it cannot be condensed into a small blurb.) Julie Andrews stars as the nanny, too.

The Christmas Chronicles Franchise (2018): After two siblings accidentally crash Santa’s sleigh, they team up with Santa to save Christmas. Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn should play Santa and Mrs. Claus in EVERY MOVIE. They’re incredibly endearing (and a little sarcastic? It’s refreshing).

PHEW. Lotta words here. Did you find anything new to watch? Do you have any recommendations or synopses to share? What’s your favorite Christmas movie? LET’S TALK ABOUT IT. Happy Friday – see ya in the comments 🙂 xx

Opening Photo Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Emily’s “Messy” But FULL Of Memories Christmas Family Room

The post All Of The Best Christmas Movies (Romantic Comedies, Kid-Friendly Picks, And More) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Tour This Remodeled Craftsman-Scandinavian Style Kitchen + The Best Advice From A Custom Home Builder

I first met the Williams family right after the pandemic while working on a fun styling project together, and one of the first impressions I had when walking through their home was how intentionally it was designed for a modern family while honoring the home’s original character. In other words, it didn’t look like a 1900s home that was ripped apart and filled with builder-grade/home-flipper gray (I’d like to see a paint color swatch named that one day). The Williams family home was warm and inviting and felt truly lived in, as it should be.

The homeowners, Mark (a custom home builder and owner of Mark D. Williams Custom Homes), along with his wife Melissa (an internal medicine doctor) share their beautiful home with their 3 kiddos ages 6, 4, and 2. The ages I’d like to think are some of the best! Mark and Melissa had recently remodeled their previous home and weren’t in the market to move but as the story goes, they were out for a neighborhood stroll one sunny Saturday afternoon in Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Lakes area, and decided to tour a new-to-market open house. Keep in mind this was pre-pandemic when you actually had time to tour a home before it sold. Once they walked in, they just knew. You know how that goes, if you know, you know. Am I right? One of the reasons they won with their bid was by waiving inspections (again, this was pre-pandemic and not a typical approach of that time) but as Mark knew they would be remodeling most of it, he was prepared to take care of what may need fixing.

At the time of the remodel (the year was 2020), Melissa was 8 months pregnant and they were living in the house (something Mark tells all of his clients NEVER to do) but on the 9th month, they moved out into a tiny rental while they had the baby who was born halfway through the 1st COVID wave–hitting the all-time triple jackpot. Remodel + new baby + global pandemic.

Choosing to remodel the house was easy, especially the kitchen because it was not original to the home. The kitchen had gone through at least one previous remodel in the 1980s.

The kitchen felt dated to these homeowners and a little too small for a growing family. Mark and Melissa wanted more of a clean-lined, modern Scandinavian-Craftsman style aesthetic. And that’s exactly what they achieved.

One thing I noticed when touring their beautifully remodeled home was the attention to detail and how they incorporated charm and old home character (such as keeping the original millwork and built-ins in their dining room) but kept it feeling youthful for generations to come. One way they did this was by forgoing any trends in permanently installed fixtures, and honing in on more updated traditional elements while peppering in some personality into the places that can be easily changed later.

They added in-floor heating, which admittedly feels a little luxurious but VERY practical especially when you live in Minnesota where temps reach what feels like living in the Arctic Tundra. They also went with natural stone countertops (they choose Carrara marble), inset cabinets, a pantry/coffee storage station, and higher countertops. The standard countertop height is 36” but going with 38” is a small detail that just looks a bit more striking. They also added lots of drawers in lieu of cabinets for better storage solutions.

I asked Mark, coming from a builder’s standpoint, what is one tip you’d give for someone remodeling their kitchen and he said “Hide outlets!! Put them on the bottom of the upper cabinets along with LED lights so there are no outlets in the backsplash and a clean tile look. Also, paint your cabinets ON-SITE so all the crown matches perfectly and there are no nail holes that look badly patched.”

Side note: I remember the first time I met the Williams family and set up this pancake shoot and Mark walked in and said “oh yeah, this looks like how we do breakfast,” halfway joking as this was for a styled shoot. I knew what he meant and coming from a stylist, while I look for the “styled shot,” it’s equally important that it speaks to and tells the story of the family that lives there. And when you get smiles like this, you don’t even feel like you’re working.

I’ll never forget their sweet daughter asking me if they get to keep the flowers. I mean…So sweet.

Back to the design. The addition of these gorgeous Pella Architect series windows that are north-facing and wrap to the west, let in so much gorgeous natural light that can bounce around their beautiful kitchen.

Another one of Mark’s design tips is less is more. This is why they chose to bring the countertop up as a backsplash for a more seamless and modern look.

I love the hidden LED lighting under these floating shelves and again, look at all the natural light that just filters through so beautifully. 

The family’s choice to go with Carrara marble is a true classic that not only looks good, but gets even better with age.

I also love how these cabinets go all the way to the ceiling, and as you can see, here’s that seamless backsplash Mark loves so much. 

Here’s a closer look at how they hid their electrical outlets and the under-cabinet LED lighting so they aren’t a distraction on their beautiful backsplash.

I love the vertical planks on the kitchen island. Another detail that speaks softly and doesn’t leave the sides of the island with a blank surface.

The beverage station with built-in cabinet doors that slide back to reveal the Miele coffee station was another of Mark’s must-haves during the remodel.

The abundance of drawers in their kitchen is truly an organizer’s dream and one that also functions well for the kids to reach their snacks and dishes to help themselves. 

Upon entering their home, the kitchen feels so inviting, all the way to the hidden sound system which was playing one of Mark’s playlists and their daughter sparking up “oooo I love Megan thee Stallion!”

Peering into the dining room from the kitchen, the pop from the wallpaper adds a nice touch of their personality and keeps with the modern Scandinavian aesthetic. Once speaking with Melissa, I learned she loved the green in the wallpaper because when it’s winter and all white outside, it is nice to see that extra greenery.

Here’s a sneak peek of the dining room. Look at that gorgeous original millwork!

When I asked Mark what some of the key things to consider when executing a full remodel were, his #1 tip was to LEAVE during construction if you can! Everything will take 10x as long and seem dirty and more expensive if you live in it regardless of the true cost. Mark emphasized also making sure to order everything prior to starting the remodel to ensure there are no delays during construction.

Lastly, I asked the family now that they’ve lived here for a couple of years what would they change. “My wife and I would disagree on this,” Mark replies. Melissa wants to paint the lower cabinets a different color now (which we can do…) Otherwise, it fits perfectly for the space and us. I would probably take the slide-back doors OFF the coffee center, the warm douglas fir wood inside is so beautiful to me and really warms up the space around all the white woodwork.”

Whichever they decide to do it will no doubt be intentional with family in mind.

*Design by  Mark D. Williams Custom Homes
**Styled by Lea Johnson of Creekwoodhill
***Photographer Chelsie Lopez Productions

The post Tour This Remodeled Craftsman-Scandinavian Style Kitchen + The Best Advice From A Custom Home Builder appeared first on Emily Henderson.

A Quick Painting The Stairs Post…And How It’s Been Holding Up

This is a case of “how we tried to keep the budget low by saving money on the floors upstairs” which now just seems hilarious and cute. That’s right. Years ago when we bought this house we knew that we needed to do a lot of work on the first floor (reconfigure the living room, add the totally necessary sunroom, and redo the poorly constructed 60s addition). But the second floor was fine! Just needed some paint and new carpet. It’s just for the kids anyway, not our room…But once we realized that we needed all new plumbing and actual electrical, it was full of asbestos and lots of lead paint, we ended up tearing open the walls. But we were still in this “let’s save up here, the kids don’t need fancy” attempt. We wanted to splurge downstairs on some things, including the flooring, but upstairs? No, it was fine! We’d put in new carpet (there wasn’t original wood underneath), and paint the stairs and the landing. Done.

Underneath the carpet here on the stairs was wood flooring (just not in the bedrooms and I don’t remember why or what was in there). While I love a runner ideally this would’ve been a natural wood.

The stairs, underneath the carpet, were in great shape. The subfloor was good and they didn’t creak very much. The landing was fine, just needed some patching and a bit of restoration but I actually like the look of wobbly wood painted white in old houses. Great. So the decision was made and everyone agreed – just keep the wood stairs, the stringer, and the flooring on the landing and paint it.

This is after months of construction but as you can see it was in worse and worse condition.

Here’s a bit of the painted process:

The Painted Stairs

We chose the color Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams and we love it. Now in the grand scheme of things do I wish that we had wood stairs and wood floors instead of carpeted rooms? A tiny bit, but not very much. The cost difference was certainly not huge in comparison to the cost of the renovation so it just seems silly now that we tried to save money here. I truly do love the color and I love the wall-to-wall carpet – it’s very cozy, comfortable, and calming. Did painting the stairs instead of installing new stairs save us some money? Sure, but honestly probably just a couple thousand dollars in materials and a couple thousand in labor. Which isn’t nothing! If I could go back in time would I still make that choice? I honestly haven’t thought about it til this very second, which means I don’t really regret it. But sure, if I could snap my fingers I’d put that gorgeous Zena flooring everywhere and layer rugs.

I asked my painter what they used and how they did it and here’s what she said:

1. What kind of primer did we use on the stairs? We used Zinsser Cover Stain oil-based primer (Stain Blocker).
2. How many coats of primer were applied? 1 coat of primer.
3. How many coats of the TREAD-PLEX Waterborne floor coating will be applied? 1 light coat first, then 2 hours later we do a full coat of paint.
4. How will it be applied? Hand or Spray? Sprayed.
5. Do you do the tread and riser at the same time? If not, what order will they be painted in? Will the stringer be painted 1st? The stringer gets painted first, then once it is dry, we cover it up with masking paper. Once the stringer is completely covered, we start painting the stairs. 
6. How long does it need to cure between coats? 2 hours.

The Real Question: How Has It Kept Up Since Moving In?

It’s only been since late August, so 3 months tops. We always knew that we were going to add a runner but it’s taken longer than I planned, so there are some tiny chips on the edges of the treads and hard-to-see cracks already due to a lot of wear and tear. I’m very excited to get the stair runner installed (we chose this one). Stay tuned!

*”Good Photos” By Kaitlin Green

The post A Quick Painting The Stairs Post…And How It’s Been Holding Up appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Remember Emily’s Best Friends’ Modern Organic Home? Today We Are Showing The FULL Home Tour For The First Time

From Emily: Two of my best friends in LA, Corbett and Leigh , have the most incredible home and it deserved its own full house tour. We met 14 years ago when we were set up by Brian’s cousin and became super close, really fast. We had our babies, traveled internationally, and did most of our 30s and now 40s together. Moving away from them was very hard (and I’m very excited to see them at the mountain house for New Year’s). Their house could absolutely be in a magazine, it’s just so stunning. Fun fact – Leigh Whannell is the creator/writer/producer of the Saw series, Insidious series, and most recently the incredible Invisible Man (with Elizabeth Moss). Corbett, an actress and lead parent, is the incredible design talent that renovated this home with no professional help (beyond us helping to style for some sponsored shoots). It was a FEAT and turned out more beautiful than I think anyone could have predicted (it was extremely dated with very bad finishes). So along with their three children, they get to live in this stunning home, and we get to hang out here, too. I can’t WAIT to shoot their outdoor kitchen that they just finished and we still need to finish, style, and shoot their kids’ rooms. It’s all truly epic. xx

Hi ya’ll! Ryann here to be your virtual guide through this stunning home. As Emily said above, this home is epic and could/should be in a magazine but instead, we get to share it here which we feel very lucky to do 🙂

What better place to begin than this completely show stopping kitchen? I am sure I am not the only one who was immediately struck by the metallic island. It’s precisely the luxe finish this kitchen needed to contrast with the cement flooring, natural wood tones, and modern fixtures. The marble countertop and brass island really warm up this space and make it so engaging to look at. My eyes seriously never tire of staring at this kitchen.

Aside from the big finishes that make such an impact, there are a ton of small details here that elevate the design. Like, I love the towel bar with hooks on the side of the sink counter for hanging dish towels. It is such a nice touch that is both thoughtful and practical. The leather pulls on all of the cabinet drawers are also very good and emphasized the natural, organic vibe that is happening here and throughout the whole house. It’s these little elements that help achieve the high-end, effortless California look :).

The windows behind the sink are accordion windows that open to the pool and have a bar on the other side. When Sara shot this, the exterior was being worked on so as Em said, we still need to go back and shoot that side of it–it’s insane. Stay tuned for that.

Now it is high time we talk about that stovetop. Your eyes are not deceiving you because yes, those burners are set right on top of the marble countertop! It’s obviously very cool and makes it so the entire kitchen is covered in warm, inviting wood cabinets. It takes integrated appliances to a whole new level. This is a fairly new design concept and even Em hadn’t seen anything like it before when the kitchen was finished a few years ago (and she even considered this idea for the Mountain House kitchen). So cool!

Also as I am sure you’ve noticed, this kitchen has great innovative storage, like this integrated spice rack. It’s in the perfect spot, right next to the stove for easy access.

Remember this dining room? We first revealed it four years ago and it’s been a favorite of ours ever since. As you can see it is a pass-through dining room that opens up into the kitchen. With an open concept like so, it’s so important for the spaces to feel separate yet in tune. In this case, the wood cabinets that match the cabinetry in the kitchen create a strong sense of continuity. But in general, you will see as we continue the tour that this home is one of the BEST examples of maintaining a similar style and vibe throughout. It’s really impressive.

By the way, the chairs are made from Crypton fabric, so they are extremely durable and stain resistant, which is obviously SO important for a family of five with small children (if you want a full review on them head here). Also please note how well the chairs contrast with the live edge wood table with gorgeous brass wishbone-shaped table legs. I think all black or wood chairs would give off such a different vibe here and I LOVE what the blush pink chairs do to the space. They obviously add color but also lighten up the room and add a playful, comfortable look.

That gallery wall is one of my favorites. For years, Corbett had been collecting seascapes and this wall became the perfect place to showcase them. As she and Em started putting the gallery wall together, some were framed and some were not, and it wasn’t fully coming together. That is until Em pulled three framed seascapes she happened to have, and they ended up working perfectly. The result is this awesome gallery wall that brings in a ton of warmth and texture and keeps the dining from feeling too stark or cold. For example, a large modern or abstract art piece could look cool here, but it could also make the room feel too much like a museum. The vintage seascapes add movement and a lot of soul.

Between the dining room and living room, there is this built-in cabinetry with shelving above that provides ample space for displaying art, books, and sculptures.

We revealed this living room in 2018 and I love that it still feels fresh, layered, and cool. The furniture is timeless (I spy Emily’s old Anthropologie coffee table), the choice to mix and match side tables gives the room a dynamic look, and even the pillow patterns are lively but classic. Oh, and if you are worried about an all-white sofa with three kids, you can read all about why they chose that color here :).

Even four years later, I still cannot get over that amazing wall hanging that MQuan customized specifically for that spot. It’s the perfect addition to this room and compliments the tone and color palette so nicely.

I know that this goes without saying but those leather sling-back chairs are amazing (and vintage, of course). They add warmth and so much soul.

Okay, say it with me: What. A. View. I will never get over this room!

This is possibly one of my favorite shots ever published on the blog. This room really nails the elevated but lived-in and inviting vibe. I just love the wood logs stacked high in that wall cut-out, plus there is something so intoxicating about a floor-to-ceiling window that provides so much natural light.

Next up on the tour is the family room which is very cozy and eclectic as you can see. There is so much to love but first and foremost, those shelves. They are custom and so gorgeous. I love that they went with an open shelving design with dark metal and wood. It keeps the space from feeling too heavy, connects it tonally to the rest of the house, and offers a ton of storage.

The sofa is also very good. I love that it is shaped almost like a semi-circle, so it becomes the most ideal conversation area. It’s also big enough for this family of 5 to snuggle up and watch TV together (and yes, there is a TV in this room, it’s just not pictured).

And no, you aren’t imagining things because yes, this room has been on the blog before. You might remember when we shot this room with that blue sofa above. The story behind that is Corbett had already ordered that green sofa for this room but it had a crazy long lead time. So in the interim, since the room was done sans sofa, we shot it for a partnership with Sixpenny. Both versions look really great and cozy, but I do love how the green sofa pops against the neutral carpet and light curtains. Plus the velvet texture gives this room even more depth.

Velinda, Emily Bowser, and Julie styled the shelves for the shoot and of course, knocked it out of the park. My personal favorite piece is that oversized hourglass, but I also love that they alternated between leaning and hanging the art within the shelves. It creates an intentional, layered look.

The wall-to-wall closed storage at the bottom of the shelving unit is so important. It’s a very smart addition (imagine all the board games, toys, books, kid supplies, etc. you can hide in there!) and that wood is seriously stunning.

The primary bedroom is one of our favorite examples of mixing natural, organic textures and tones, which is why we wrote a whole post about it here. The linen bedding, leather pendant light shades, wood accents galore, the faux sheepskin rug, and the leather-wrapped wood bench all come together to create an extremely layered look that still feels cozy and inviting.

The 4-panel mural is also epic (and vintage–can you believe it??), and further emphasizes the natural, “refined outdoors” vibe.

I have been coveting that armoire ever since I laid eyes on it 3 years ago. I still think armoires need to make a big comeback.

I imagine that view never gets old, so of course, floor-to-ceiling windows were in order. Waking up and sipping coffee here must be heaven.

I love the subtle impact that the art piece above the fireplace brings to the space. It’s perfectly modern but has a raw edge texture that aligns with the aesthetic of the room wonderfully (and frankly the entire house).

You guys. Suspending a mirror over the window in their primary bathroom is such a COOL design risk that fully paid off. The asymmetry is so good and the window cut-out is also unexpected in the best way and gives this bathroom so much beautiful natural light.

I love these little leather pulls. If you recall, the kitchen and family room have similar leather pulls which is a small, thoughtful detail that gives this home such an apparent sense of continuity.

This enclosed shower with glass windows is daring and so good. With such dramatic marble veining going on, there’s no way anyone would want to conceal all that beauty.

I haven’t seen that many indoor showers with wood flooring but BOY, isn’t it special?? This detail really brings home the organic, natural esthetic that Corbett was going for.

On the other side of the bathroom, they have this free-standing tub, an awesome wood cabinet for storage, and another lovely zellige tile wall. The zellige tile wall looks extra textured and nuanced because it was installed with darker grout, which highlights the different tones of each tile. Most people might go for a lighter grout that could blend in more, but I’m sure you can tell by now that Corbett is not like most people and doesn’t shy away from a design risk.

And this, my friends, is where I leave you. Bravo Corbett for designing a stunning home, and huge thanks Em for being best friends with such a creative and talented lady who lets us tour her fabulous home :). What part is your favorite? Sound off in the comments below, and have a great rest of your Tuesday. xx

*Design by Corbett Tuck with furniture/decor help from Emily
**Styled by Velinda Hellen, Erik Kenneth Staalberg, Emily Edith Bowser, and Julie Rose
***Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for The New Design Rules

The post Remember Emily’s Best Friends’ Modern Organic Home? Today We Are Showing The FULL Home Tour For The First Time appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Mallory’s Epic Renter-Friendly Wall Treatment And Headboard DIY Idea That’s In Need Of Your Opinion

Have you ever had a genius design but struggled to figure out the execution?? Hi, I’m Mallory and let me tell you about my current design dilemma. Now I’m not a “DIYer” per se, but I’m attempting to be one for the sake of the blank wall above my bed. It’s 50/50 if I will die by staple gun, but it’s a risk we’re gonna have to take. Let’s dig into the situation at hand.

You may remember I’ve been designing my studio apartment and have come a loooong way from the mattress on the floor we started with (no seriously, I did not have one piece of furniture when we moved in. Even the mattress was freshly purchased). Let me set the stage: it’s a 500 sqft studio apartment with some very “white box” architecture (it’s a new-ish building so let’s just say it’s not dripping with charm). So you get it, I’m in a rental apartment that screams “rental” and I’m on a mission to make it my own. The design style we’re going for? Thank you for asking. The vibe is “Palm Springs, fun, with a smothering of sexy+ Hollywood, and California cool”. I want it to be indisputably Californian (as you can probably tell from the description lol) but also full of personal charm. I LOVE the feeling of being in Palm Springs hotels, homes, and the all-around aesthetics, so I’m hoping to bring some of that “Googie” vibe into this space as well. SO with that, I OBVIOUSLY could not just leave the wall above my bed blank!! This is a design blog after all and I’m just not that kinda gal. So after much deliberation and drowning in wallpaper samples, I figured out the plan. Almost.

When I saw this photo I freaked. The cane bed is MAGIC and I wanted to create something that would feel as luxe and awesome as this. One option would be to just make a custom bed, but that’s pricey and I wanted this to be a fun renter-friendly solution that incorporated the entire wall. Also, I’ve been wanting to add wallpaper somewhere into my main living space (I already wallpapered my bathroom which I’ll show you very soon and I’m IN LOVE) because it adds an incredible amount of personality and style. Plus, I’d like to do a magic trick where we all see the white box disappear before our eyes – please and thank you. So, with that headboard inspiration and a wallpaper inspiration from the Sands Hotel, Pink Cabana by Martyn Lawrence Bullard, it was time to draw up my dream and make it become a reality. But first, we had a bed situation to take care of.

The Bed Debacle

Remember when I said we started out with nothing but a mattress on the floor? Our second purchase was an incredibly necessary one: the bed for the mattress. We needed it fast and cheap, which narrowed down our options quite a bit. Surprisingly, we scored a blue velvet bed from Wayfair for $150 that was INCREDIBLE for the price, but not so surprisingly, two years in one of the legs snapped off and we were sleeping at a diagonal for longer than I’d like to admit. I ended up propping it up with a wood block where the leg would be (bc I’m such a little DIY girly) and that got us through until we could find the bed of our dreams (which was a journey trying to find), first let me show you a photo of the old bed.

She was so good to us and if the bed was better quality I probably would have pushed to keep her, but the reality was that at any given moment our bodies could “plop” onto the bed and immediately land on the floor. The screws were also coming loose, so I lovingly referred to her as “Rickety”. She was there for us at a pivotal time in life and we learned so much from her, but it was time that our relationship with Rickety had to come to a close. Here’s our last photo together:

So sweet. The mems were good, but we were ready (even in this photo that front leg was so wobbly it was only a matter of time). So, I went hunting for the perfect bed that ideally had legs that could hold human weight (seemed like a reasonable ask). While that was a baseline request, we also had some other boxes this bed needed to check, and those boxes were so fricken specific that I don’t know where to begin but I’ll try.

To start, my boyfriend, Chase had literally one dream for this apartment and that dream was a black velvet bed. He truly wanted nothing else, just a black velvet bed. Should be an easy request to fill right? WRONG. Retailers are not interested in selling black velvet beds, and if they did the dimensions were be all wrong for our very small space. So let me tell you about what else this bed needed to have:

Black velvet fabric7″ legs so we could store things under the bed (critical for 500 sqft)A shape that wasn’t just a boring squareA tall headboard so we could comfortably sit up in bed without our backs being on the wall Fit a queen mattress

So our “little, simple dream” became a very complex journey, but I was determined to get it right so we wouldn’t end up with a bed in a landfill in 2 more years. I scoured and scoured until my scourer was sore. I almost bought this Target bed (but the headboard was a bit too low for us although the price is IDEAL), this Apt2B bed was a consideration (but it didn’t have the curved headboard I was so horny for) and this bed was another consideration but it had no legs at all (sigh). Then I found a bed that sent my heart straight out of my chest: the Berlin Bed from Modshop (one of my favorite furniture stores ever!!) The only problem? Well it didn’t have legs either and it didn’t come in black on the website (soooo close!!) BUT THEN I read the fine print and had heart palpitations again “don’t see what you want? email us and we can do any fabric you want.” I screamed. I sent a pleading email asking if they could create the black velvet bed of my dreams and throw some 7″ legs on it and was surprised to see a response that said “of course and let’s partner while we’re at it!!” For transparency, this post is not sponsored but Modshop did gift us the bed of my dreams and I am literally still screaming with excitement that this all fell into place. LET ME SHOW YOU THIS FREAKIN AWESOME BED!!!

Unreal right?! I still can’t believe it and feel so lucky to be able to work with this brand I’ve always loved. So with that, I knew I had an even stronger obligation to make this feature wall as epic as possible as you can imagine. So are you ready to see my design plan?? Note: I have 6 versions and need your help narrowing down the details but here is our first rendering!! DRUM ROLL PLEASE.

Option 1:

Eh?? EH?? What do we think?? I honestly love the way that this looks (and btw some of these options are real life and some are photoshopped). We started doing the DIY with foam, velvet, and a staple gun but then stopped so we could decide exactly how we want to proceed, and because I’m not that great at DIYing. It’s still up for debate if I should go to an upholstery place to get that black curve line professionally made because mine is looking a little jank in real life. BUT the cane and wallpaper are for sure going to be DIYed (I have a way to make wallpaper removable that I’m planning on using). So anyway, this is Option 1, the next option is nearly the same but the cane on the sides is a little lower, a subtle difference but I’m planning to hang pendant lights (I think these) on the sides of the bed so I gotta figure out if I want them to line up with the cane or live above the cane. Here’s what I mean:

Option 2:

Like I said, a subtle difference but one that I care about. Which version is best?? The next option is also a little different (look at where the black lines meet). Basically, the vertical line goes all the way down and the horizontal line is shorter, let me show you:

Option 3:

So that’s a line joining option to think about, and then of course we could also go for no horizontal lines at all, like in this option:

Option 4:

I think this one looks a little wild and takes away from the cool wall-to-wall thing that was happening but I figured I’d throw it in for fun. Same thing with this next one which I thought was interesting but not necessarily my favorite:

Option 5:

It would look better with the pendant lights hanging there, but still not one of my top options. Lastly is one I’m highly considering (but not sure how it would look having to join these pieces of cane together without the black velvet foam outline thing:

Option 6:

Alright, so those are the 6 options. Tell me what ya think in the comments please and thank you!!! I can’t wait to show you the full reveal SO SOON –– this is the last big step!! AH OKAY SEE YOU IN THE COMMENTS!! xx

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