Emily Henderson's Blog, page 104

My Recent Vintage Haul…And A Few Peeks Around The House

One of my favorite things about Portland is all the vintage stores. There are a lot and they are GOOOD. They aren’t crazy cheap or anything but just well-curated. So when I’m missing Lake Arrowhead or realize I haven’t left my house in 5 days, I pop over to one of the antique malls and remember that despite feeling like we live in the country we have a whole city of cool stuff 13 minutes away. So today I have some recent vintage finds for the house…

Antique Victorian Lampshades

As you can see we are finally pulling together Elliot’s room. I found these shades at the antique mall and fell hard for them. I bought the red/pink one first and then kept thinking about the green one. I originally wanted to swag one over the craft table in the corner but when I showed it to her she was like, “let’s do both over the bed!!” Then I showed her the green one and she squealed and I’m such a sucker for that squeal. They will be oversized, but how cute are they???

Back to the shades…then we thought maybe doing both in the corner, like so 🙂 I need to get them rewired and a long chain added then I’ll figure out where they can go.

Pink Sweatshirt | Pink Sweatpants

By the way, our kids are LIVING in these velour/micro-fleece matching tops/bottoms. They aren’t PJs but totally could be. They come home from school and put them on like cozy house clothes. They are just extremely soft and cozy (Sweatshirt and Sweatpants – both $12. Charlie has the camo version).

Vintage Mirror

This floral mirror I thought would be so cute painted. It’s fine as-is but feels like a good opportunity to make it brighter (and much easier to paint than a dresser – I’m slowly trying to convince us that if we have enough color in other places we don’t need to tackle a major paint job). She wants to paint the roses a bright white and the leaves green, but I think the whole thing in one poppy color will pop off the wallpaper better.

Hot Pink Quilt Topper

I bought that quilt topper on Etsy as it’s the only quilt that she loved (most pinks are more muted and mauvey or more “baby” as she says, but this hot pink is awesome). So I’ll likely pick a backing fabric and sew it together (or drop it off to get sewn). Pretty darn cute.

While shopping with her we found these two pieces of art that we both LOVED. The dog is a needlepoint and the little floral guy is an oil painting.

I’m not sure where they are going to go yet (and pretty sure the rose is supposed to go vertical. They were both pretty affordable (under $20).

The Family Room Seascape Wall

I’m currently still trying to make the wall color + sofa color work in the family room and I found these paintings that are doing the trick. I’m not totally convinced that the color will stay, still, but I’m going to keep collecting these moodier night seascapes (I call them moonscapes), and then once I have 7-10 of them hang them all and see if that does it for me. All three of these were from local vintage shops (the large one was a steal IMO at $270).

A Weird Planter

Lastly, how awesome is this planter???? She’s big, too (probably 2′ tall). I want to put a larger tree in it but I love it against the tile and have a big plan for the corner of this room by the windows (not where it is now). It’s arts and crafts, handmade, and was $100 which is a good deal for its size. I’ll have to put a liner in it of course. Also, I’ve been collecting awesome plants and I don’t know what this is but it’s so sculptural and cool. Look at me keeping it alive!!

That’s it for now but expect more. Infusing the vintage into the house has been giving me bursts of happiness. The challenge for me is always to keep it looking elevated and not like a thrift store, but I think through the color palettes and buying nice quality vintage it’s working. xx

If you are curious, here are all of the room sources:

Birdie’s Room :
Carpet: Dorsey by Stark Carpet in steel
Windows: Vintage, original
Window Treatment: Decorview
Wallpaper: Shumacher Baudin Butterfly
Trim Color: Extra White SW 7006 by Sherwin-Williams
Closet Door Color: Upward SW 6239 by Sherwin-Williams
Outlet Covers: Rejuvenation

Family Room:

Secti onal: Rejuvenation
Lighting: Rejuvenation
Wall Color: Ponder SW 7079 by Sherwin-Williams
Outlet Covers: Rejuvenation

Sunroom:

Tile: Pratt + Larson
Wall Color: Extra White SW 7006 by Sherwin-Williams
Flooring: Oregon White Oak by Zena Forest Products
Outlet Covers: Rejuvenation

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

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ASK THE AUDIENCE: Which Fabric Should Em Use As A Custom Curtain To Cover Her Washer And Dryer??

We are getting pretty close to being totally done with the mudroom, which ties with the kitchen, sunroom, and our bathroom for my favorite room in the house. It might win because I’ve never had one before and it’s just so needed in Portland. I have a lot to tell you (like how the dog wash station is actually working), but today is all about the fabric curtain that will hide the washer and dryer and add a pop of pattern that I want in here. I’m obsessed with the tile (Pratt + Larson) and the wall color (Dew Drop SW 9641 by Sherwin-Williams) and the stone is a Carerra from Bedrosians.

Here’s what we are looking at – we have these high-efficiency Miele washer/dryers (that we got from Build with Ferguson). And they are actually really nice to look at. But I love the idea of bringing a pattern in here. If you are wondering why the marble is higher than the washer/dryer the answer is that I don’t remember:) When it was installed like that I assumed the washer dryer fit in it perfectly but then after we put in the appliances I was like “huh”. Jamie cut and added a piece of leftover white oak as a shelf because we were not going to re-fabricate the stone, and it’s not a big deal but sure, it’s kinda odd. We are going to push the washer/dryer back so that we can hang a curtain. How are we going to hang a curtain you wonder? Me, too! I think I have leftover Pepe and Carol rods that I might play with or even get a small wood dowel and some brackets and use epoxy glue? Stay tuned on that.

Also how pretty are those white oak cabinets??? They are also from Unique Kitchens & Bath, in white oak and very very gorgeous. We just got the ladder installed in December, stained it, and I can’t wait to show you it.

Curtain Fabric Idea Option #1: A Classic Ticking Stripe

So here’s what I did – I have a pretty solid inventory of vintage fabrics because they make me extremely happy and using them is something that I honestly do consistently use in shoots (for napkins, tablecloths/runners, make into pillows, etc). So everything you see here is what I used to have and some of them are obviously not the right choice, but by trying them out it’s easier to see what will work and what definitely won’t work. This isn’t enough yardage obviously but the idea is a classic, utilitarian ticking stripe. Picture it not wrinkled obviously. It’s fine but maybe a bit boring and expected?

Option #2: Sewn Together Classic Tea Towels

I was and still am REALLY into this idea. So you basically take vintage-inspired tea towels (I bought these at a local store recently for $14 each) and sew them together. This gives me a pattern (check), feels utilitarian which I like for the mudroom, but it’s more unique and kind of a fun twist/idea. Emily M. and Kaitlin weren’t as enthusiastic about it which has made me doubt the idea but even now looking at these photos again I’m like, “ooh this is so cute”.

Option #3: A Vintage Gingham

Ok, now this works and is a contender. It’s a homespun gingham (which just means looks/feels handmade and is thick and really drapey). I think there is enough but definitely cutting it close. Classic farmhouse pattern, gives some contrast, and is certainly sweet. Could it be less expected? More interesting? Sure.

Option 4: A Sweet Cotton Tablecloth

I actually really love this option. I just bought it the other day at the antique store (shout out to Stars) for $13 and it has a sweet ruffle and some embroidery (and whatever those holes are called). It’s super bright white which we love and while it might be a bit small I’m surprised by how much I like it. I do however fear that it’s a no-go due to its proximity to the dog wash and the fact that our dogs shake off their mud all day every day. I’m SO GLAD that we did semi-gloss paint on the walls + tile/stone everywhere else, and really forgiving white oak cabinetry. So I think a white fabric is not a good idea.

Option 5: Vintage Plaid

Here we begin my real plaid show and tell – I’ve been collecting them forever and there are a lot more where these came from (remember when I used to say that I was a combination of Marie Antoinette, Mad Men, and Footloose? I think the Footloose part is still accurate but maybe it’s more Downton Abbey? and more The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel ?? Little House on the Prairie??). Anyway, I like this one but I like others more (keep reading). What makes these all special is that they are patched together, don’t line up perfectly, and just feel so authentic and soulful.

Option 6: A Yellow Floral

Initially, I wanted a floral in here because I was going to do the plaid in the powder room (which is nearby). But vintage florals that are good are so very hard to find. I’ve had this tablecloth for probably 15 years and have used it for so many spring shoots. I LOVE IT. It isn’t big enough but if we had loved it I might have been able to cut and sew it to make it fit. Ultimately I think it’s not right but fun to see.

Option #7: A Blue/Green Floral

We said no to this on the shoot date but looking at it now I’m like, “HOW CUTE!!!” The colors work OK, it certainly is unexpected, still feels farm, and totally me. I think Kaitlin and Emily M. were more into the plaids and I could go in either direction but this is exciting me a lot. Again, we’d have to cut this up and sew it together to become a rectangle and then reattach the ball fringe (you can’t lose that). But this could also be really cute as a tablecloth in Elliot’s room, on her craft table…

Option #8: Solid Indigo

I always hoard indigo fabric and this one is so pretty, but I think it’s a better thrown or tablecloth than this curtain.

Option #9 – Another Vintage Plaid

We loved this the day we shot and I love it even more now. It caught my breath. OOF, it’s good. I know I’ll use it somewhere prominent if it’s not here, don’t worry. Definitely in the top 3 for me.

Option #10: Even Another Vintage Plaid

I believe that this was the winner that day because the tones of the plaid worked best with the wall color and the floor color, but now looking at it I’m leaning toward #9! They both look good – this one is just a bit darker and moodier, but maybe not as bright and happy. This is so hard.

These are the stress-free styling decisions that made me fall in love with styling – options that carry so little weight. Like if I choose wrong I can just pull it down and try another and I think 3 of these could totally work. So I’ll let you weigh in – here they are again:

But these are the top contenders:

VOTE!!! I may just go with the popular vote on this one because I think all four of these could look good in different ways. LMK. xx

Mudroom Resources:

Cabinetry: Unique Kitchens & Baths
Stone: Bedrosians Tile & Stone
White Oak Windows and Doors: Sierra Pacific Windows
Tile: Pratt + Larson
Wall Color: Dew Drop SW 9641 by Sherwin-Williams
Hardware: Rejuvenation
Appliances: Build with Ferguson

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post ASK THE AUDIENCE: Which Fabric Should Em Use As A Custom Curtain To Cover Her Washer And Dryer?? appeared first on Emily Henderson.

11 Kitchen Trends 2023 Will See A Lot Of…And We’re Pretty Excited About Them

What can I say? We’re feeling good, hopeful even. It’s a new year, we’ve got an incredible January planned for you all and we are kicking off this first week of 2023 with one of our favorite posts…kitchen trends. This year, in particular, the trends just feel good, like there’s truly something for everyone. Or better yet, there might be something that opens up your mind to a style or feature you might have originally cast off as “not my style” if you’d only heard about it. Honestly, that’s my favorite part about trend posts and is really the point of them. We know that when most people hear the word “trend,” especially when it comes to an expensive room to renovate like a kitchen, there’s an almost involuntary repulsion. Why? Well, “trends” typically have a shelf life, right? But we know that when executed well, shelves can hold up for many many years:) And from last year’s predictions, metal cabinetry, double islands, frosted glass cabinet doors, and statement pot racks haven’t gone anywhere. So I hope you’re ready to get heavily inspired as well as be introduced to some incredible talent.

Colorful Monochrome Kitchensdesign by homme boys | photo by adam ports

How could I not start with the Homme Boys, Austin and Alex? Maybe it’s this happy yet not overly bright yellow kitchen that is infusing my brain with hope for a good 2023. I think if someone was to propose a saturated monochrome yellow kitchen, I would be hesitant to immediately get on board. But in the right hands (like with these designers) it’s somehow both energizing and soothing at the same time. That, I believe, is the direct result of going monochrome. Your eye is able to rest and gently bounce around to all the special details – the tile, the geometric shape of the hood and space above the cabinetry on the left, that picture window (and the view!). I asked them if they had any tips for someone who might also want to design a colorful monochrome kitchen and here’s what they said”

“We think the monochromatic look is done best when you fully immerse the room in the chosen color but change things up with a complimentary neutral and varying textures. For this kitchen, we complimented the bold yellow with a bright white and brought it through in cabinetry details, the countertop, plumbing fixtures, and hardware. On the reverse side of things, we chose the use of yellow in two ways- through the use of the color Dylan from Portola Paints saturating the cabinetry and geometric walls and the cadmium zellige from Zia Tile that has a color story all on its own.”

design by joy williams | photo by robert white

Next up is a kitchen the wonderful Joy Williams designed for the Southeastern Showhouse. Joy took this pretty blue and instead of using tile to get the monochromatic look like the Homme Boys did, she chose wallpaper. Not only is it a pretty option in and of itself, it’s a great affordable alternative if you love the statement of say, a bold marble but don’t quite have “a bold marble” budget. I also really love how she balanced the busyness of the wallpaper pattern with the lightly veined stone countertop and backsplash. This way your eye isn’t overwhelmed and is actually drawn upward.

design by the design atelier | architecture by harrison design | build by the berndsen company | millwork by kingdom woodworks | styled by eleanor roper | photo by emily followill

For my last offering in this category, here is this stunning kitchen by The Design Atelier. What I love about this version is that it’s not entirely monochrome. The wood accents create just enough contrast to add depth but not steal the show. However, with that jaw-dropping blue stone slab, I’m not sure if anything could distract from it. I also love how this kitchen shows how even if you have a more traditional style, you can still get achieve this look. It’s playful yet wildly elegant.

The New Cabinet Cutouts

Sweet little cabinet cutouts are not a 2023 idea but they are having a moment and some people are going for a newish version…

design by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin green

Take Emily’s new beautiful farmhouse kitchen. She used cabinet cutouts to add that “farm/English” countryside vibe. But what’s extra special about her design is that without being overt, they are little H’s for Henderson. I love this almost secret personalization and stamp on this kitchen.

design by meta coleman | photo by chaunté vaughn

For a more classic take, designer Meta Coleman added them to all of the top upper cream cabinets. Not only do they add visual interest but they draw your eye up, helping you take the full space.

I also just love that tile and island color. This whole kitchen feels so welcoming.

left: design by colombe studio, photo by pion studio | right: design by charlotte harris lucas, styled by kendra surface, photo by laurey w. glenn, via southern living

But here’s where things get a little wild. Look at these incredible oversized versions by Colombe Studio and Charlotte Harris Lucas. Still a classic design but in such a fun, modern style! Cutouts never fail at adding sweetness to a kitchen in the best way. I think we’ll be seeing lots of new versions this year.

Dark Metals (We’re Not Talking Matte Black)

We love brass and we love stainless steel but starting last year I was noticing more and more the use of dark bronze and blackened steel. I have to say I’ve been loving this new direction and now it’s really making a statement in kitchens.

design by kosa design | photo by read mckendree

I mean look at this kitchen designed by Kosa Design! Those metal cabinets are the perfect moody contrast to those natural warm wood cabinets and ridiculously pretty views. But notice how the metal has a ton of movement. It makes them feel connected in the space given everything else has a lot of movement (ie. the wood and the stone…and that view:)).

I asked the designer, Luke Ferran, if he had any tips if someone is considering metal cabinetry, and here’s what he said:

“It’s important to consider the weight of the metal and that’s why we opted to wrap wood doors in a lightweight steel. The steel was chemically etched and treated until we found the *just right* finish.”

design by a1000xbetter | photo by virtually here studios

But if you aren’t renovating but love the idea of adding a darker metal then take a page out of a1000xbetter‘s book and get something like a pendant! You could even just get some kitchen decor in a dark bronze or blackened steel for an even easier accent. Can we also just take a minute and look at how beautiful this kitchen is??

Mixed Counter Edges

As someone whose never renovated a kitchen, there are some things that don’t think too much about. One of those things is countertop edges and if they should all be the same…

design by amber lewis design

But if Amber Lewis says, “hell no!” mix up those edges then I saw “hell, yes!” FYI she didn’t literally say that. I just get that vibe when looking at this photo of a recent kitchen she designed. I feel like choosing the same counter edges is a quiet “rule” that I’m happy to see is loudly being broken. Aren’t you? Think of the possibilities!

Now, I think there are a few reasons why this is a good option. 1. It is likely cost-effective. Say you love the look of an ogee edge but don’t have the budget to do your full kitchen – maybe then just do the island like Amber did. 2. It’s a great way to mix styles in a kitchen…again like Amber did. This is a fairly modern kitchen. So by adding a detailed edge to the island, it softens the design and brings in extra character.

design and photos by rachael wilshaw

Now, Rachael Wilshaw designed this beautiful kitchen with two special edges! I love how these more classically traditional stone edges contrast with the rectangular tile around the range. There are almost too many special elements in this kitchen to point all of them out. But please note the mix of stone and wood open shelves. So good:)

“Handpainted” Florals Or Naturescapes

Let’s get decorative! Because people tend to be VERY careful in their decorative choices in their kitchens sometimes a beautiful choice, like a handpainted mural, is avoided. Hopefully, that ends this year.

design by colombe studio | photo by depasquale + maffini

I think this kitchen by Colombe Studio is pretty convincing. While every choice in this kitchen is a knockout (I see you tile floor), everything is in service of the gorgeous mural. I’m not sure if it’s actually handpainted or wallpaper but regardless it makes this kitchen. And if you ask me it feels pretty timeless.

design sophie dow donelson and celia bryson design | styled by patrick biller | photo by darina bellini studio

However, if you don’t have the space or budget for a big nature art moment, you can always add it in an unconventional way! In this kitchen by Sophie Dow Donelson and Celia Bryson Design, that floral textile(?) hung on the end of the cabinetry is such a fun addition that’s totally unexpected (in placement and material). You don’t always need a big piece to make an impactful statement.

Large Scale Tiles

While small-scale tiles really hit the design scene in a big way last year, this year is more “go big or go home” which I appreciate in design and in life. And look, small scale is not out, marble is also NOT out, but it’s time to make a little room for these large scale tiles:)

design by heidi caillier | photo by haris kenjar

Heidi Caillier can do no wrong in our book! When you look at this kitchen, there are so many special things happening – the lighting, that moody navy color, the stone, those stools! But what helps ground the whole space are those large sale stone tiles. Given that there are so many wonderful lines in the cabinetry and beadboard backsplash, having fewer lines in the flooring (with either smaller-scale tiles or skinny wood planks) helps to balance and ground the whole space.

design by hamran | photos by inger marie grini

This next kitchen by Hamran is a knockout. What a gorgeous modern, minimalist kitchen that’s only enhanced by those large-scale tiles on the backsplash. This kitchen and the one before prove that this “trend” works for any style. Also how great and unexpected are those blue pegs!

design by ysg studio | photo by prue ruscoe

Large-scale tiles aren’t just for floors and walls…they work for counters and islands too. To be fair this blue stone used by YSG Studio is INSANELY cool because of the color (duh) but also the wonderful movement. I think that’s the key to why it works so well. You almost have to double-take to make sure that it’s not a single slab. Oh, and see how great the large-scale tile contrasts with the small-scale wall tile (in size, color, and texture). Just perfect.

Pill-Shaped Islands

Now let’s talk about THE kitchen island of 2023 – The Pill-Shaped Island. It’s modern in nature but can easily work in a more traditional kitchen with the right materials, of course. I think it’s just a pretty option, especially when you want to break up the shapes in your kitchen design.

design by le whit | photo by nicole franzen

This kitchen by Le Whit is extremely special and that island is a big part of that fact. While there are a few other curves within the design, the rounded ends of the island help to really give a nice flow to the space. And how cool are those ombre stools?

design by jean stoffer design | photo by john stoffer

Even the son and daughter-in-law of famed designer Jean Stoffer, John and Maura, decided a pill-shaped island in their serene and chic kitchen was perfect for them. Here’s what John said when I asked why they went with the pill shape:

“We went for the rounded island to help with the flow of the room. We moved our kitchen into a small room that used to be a formal dining room. In order to have the island length we wanted, rounded off the edges helped with flow around the space. And for obvious aesthetic reasons :)”

The choice clearly paid off!

Antiqued Mirrored Accents

Are you surprised?? I clocked this trend a few months ago and now am wholeheartedly convinced that antiqued mirrors will but huge in 2023. Given that “antiqued” is literally in the name, this is another “trend” that’s not new and when done well, can stand the test of time.

design by dhd architecture & interior design | photo by david mitchell

Are you in love because I am? This kitchen by DHD Architecture & Interior Design from their Flatiron Triplex Penthouse project is pretty special. I think the use of the mirrors in the uppers is so beautiful and undoubtedly makes this space feel bigger but also textured. Please note the dark bronze hood;)

design by alessia zanchi loffredo | photo by ryan mcdonald

This use of antiqued mirrors is much more of a statement and wonderfully contrasts the more traditional design of the cabinetry. Now I know that when you hear “antiqued mirrors” you think traditional right? But here they look wonderfully modern in how designer Alessia Zanchi Loffredo decided to install them. These mirrors give you options people!

The New Neutral

This might be the biggest trend of 2023. Why? Well because if you are renovating it’s the most accessible since it’s really just a paint color. Yep, the new neutral says goodbye to a bright white or a cool light beige – this is more of an earthy, soft yellow/green. WAIT! Stay with me. Once you see these photos I think you’ll be convinced (even if it’s not what you would pick for your own kitchen).

design by workstead | photo by matthew williams

Workstead is an EHD favorite lighting brand and design firm and I think you can see why. Their design walks the line between modern and classic, yet so so inviting and unpretentious. This kitchen is the perfect example of that with its warm taupe-y cabinet color. It’s neutral, a little moody, but still easy to work with a variety of other colors…like an orangey rust-colored island.

I also would like to call the pink and red stone trend now. It’s not on this list but it is on my other “watch list” 🙂

design and photo by devol kitchens

Maybe another way of looking at this is a “muted” neutral. deVOL kitchens know how to use color and this cabinet color (that to be fair leans more yellow) still falls in this category. It’s not taupe but it’s also not a true yellow.

design and photo by devol kitchens

It’s just a beautiful muted neutral that still feels happy to look at. But then again this whole kitchen makes me feel happy to look at.

design by sarah sherman samuel | photo by nicole franzen

Have you seen Sarah Sherman Samuel’s new show, Inspired Interiors?? Well, that’s where I saw this great kitchen she designed for one of her employee’s new homes. They wanted a California vibe in their new Michigan home and that’s exactly what they got.

design by sarah sherman samuel | photo by nicole franzen

This cabinet color has much more brown in it but still has the yellow/green undertone that this “new neutral” is all about. If you are looking for an earthy color this could be perfect.

design by studio bka architects | photo by jacqueline marque

Let’s go even darker and saturated. Now, this cabinet color is still in the same family but far more green and is so pretty. It feels modern but really grounded. The whole mix of a modern subway tile, a vintage-inspired range, and modern traditional cabinetry is so beautifully balanced. Studio BKA Architects nailed it.

So as you can see there’s a range in tones with this color trend but they all give the same vibe and feeling. Would you paint your cabinets one of these colors?

Two-Toned Colorful Cabinets

For my neutral-averse friends, fear not. This next one is all about color! And more than one…in the same room. We all love a white and black, white and wood, white and navy two-toned cabinet combo. But this year is all about taking a chance on color. Wanna see?

design by charlie ferrer | photo by jared kuzia

Can you believe how beautiful this kitchen is by Charlie Ferrer?? And by two-toned I really mean multi-toned. I love that they chose to go for a soft blue for the uppers and they go really saturated for the bottom cabinetry. Then to really up the happy dial, a mustard yellow island. I think because the top half of the room is visually very calm that this doesn’t feel overwhelming. It’s just awesome. I also will never not love a diamond-patterned floor (especially painted on top of wood).

design sophie dow donelson and celia bryson design | styled by patrick biller | photo by darina bellini studio

Surprise! A double-trend kitchen by the talented Sophie Dow Donelson and Celia Bryson Design. First the “handpainted” naturescape detail and now the two-toned colorful kitchen. This one could actually almost work for the colorful monochrome trend too with all the purples. However, despite falling into these trend categories, I don’t look at this kitchen and think “this is a trendy kitchen.” Instead, I think this is a joyful, colorful kitchen with both wonderful traditional and modern elements. Also, look at the eggplant color and blue color. They both live in the same tonal world which is why they work so well together.

Whimsical/Design Your Kitchen For Just You

Ok, this trend may actually be my favorite because this trend is all about creating the exact kitchen you want, not worrying about what a future buyer might want or dislike. Life is short so why not have the kitchen of YOUR dreams right??

left: before | right: after and design by bri emery and spaulding company

Bri Emery‘s INCREDIBLE new kitchen in her Upstate New York home is a breath of fresh air. There’s a chance if she would have described her design plan that you might be worried about resale value, right? But look how it turned out! It’s so special, full of joy, and in her sweet A-Frame I think this kitchen is an incredible one-of-a-kind gift to anyone who might own this home should Bri and her husband sell. But for now, they just get to enjoy it fully.

design by hannah polskin | photo by emily sudlow

For this next kitchen, artist Hannah Polskin wanted to put her beautiful mark on her minimalist kitchen. Naturally, she decided to customize her kitchen island. With her unique design, this kitchen now has so much movement and joy. I love how free it feels and also what a statement it makes! Step aside marble island:)

design by catherine earp

Lastly, we have this boldly sweet and colorful kitchen designed by Catherine Earp. It is one of two luxury huts called Aller Dorset, located in the Dorset countryside of England. So while this isn’t anyone’s full-time kitchen, it is a great source of inspiration, showing that bold colors, patterns, and sweet details are worth going for if that’s what you are drawn to. How could you not smile every time you walked into a kitchen that looked like this? Impossible.

Ok, the 2023 kitchen trends have been called! We promise to keep you updated as the year progresses:) So what do you think? Any favorites?

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Workstead | Photo by Matthew Williams

The post 11 Kitchen Trends 2023 Will See A Lot Of…And We’re Pretty Excited About Them appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Farmhouse Kid’s Bathroom – Bringing You Up To Speed On The (At The Time) Painful Process

HERE WE GO. Welcome to 2023 and with it some natural shifts around here. After much debate, I’ve decided to bring you along the process of fixing some mistakes and showing you rooms that aren’t ready for their birthday party but are pretty darn close. I wanted to wait to show you the kids’ bath when it was fixed, perfect, etc – but things are taking longer than I had intended and I’m wanting to shift the blog this year (now that I have a wonderful team up here to help me) and really bringing you in on every part of the process – not just construction and reveal. That should have always been the intent but this last year, transitioning the company and my family up here, I was so underwater renovating that I couldn’t physically do more than 1-2 blog posts a week, without a team to help. And honestly, it was just such a construction zone for so long that it was really hard to understand what was happening visually. That’s all to say that with my small and mighty team up here and in LA, and my willingness to show you my mistakes/regrets/changes, we’ll be doing more quick process posts in hopes that you’ll still come back for the final reveal. Can I get a collective pinky swear?? Ok great. Here we go…

Where Is The Kids’ Bath?

The kids’ bath is on the second floor, exactly where it was originally (I think it was the original primary bath) and with almost the same footprint (it was a good layout and we attempted to save some money here by not moving the plumbing).

Before – The Mid-90s Renovation

This was the only bathroom that felt like we could leave as-is (beyond updating paint and light fixtures) and we almost did. Now, this bathroom wasn’t original to the house, it was redone in the 90s in a really sweet way and now that it’s almost 35 years ago, it was pretty run down. Once ARCIFORM came over they were concerned about how it was remodeled and pointed out a lot of oddities/flaws. They advised us that we would ultimately be bummed that this bathroom was left as-is, while the rest of the house was a more fresh, high-quality remodel. I’m obviously so glad now that we made that call. Had this been a “doing this over time” situation we would have kept it and waited til the end, but this was more of an “all at once” renovation which is more painful at the time, which obviously means less long-term construction. Had the house been more livable downstairs and not needed full electrical and asbestos/mold removed everywhere we would have done that – I’m only saying that so that you have full information in case you are in that predicament. Slower is better – over time is the wise way to do it if you can. But often you can’t.

I do kinda miss that toilet (although I love our new one and I don’t think I’ve ever said that before). All the plumbing, lighting, and medicine cabinets were given to the ReBuilding Center and sold to those remodeling on a budget. Now that I’m looking at these “before” photos I’m hoping that we have the train rack shelf thing (below) in the garage as it will work so well in the guest bath!!

So yes, it was all demoed out and new plumbing and electrical were done (in the same location. Then we added drywall, tile, and our beautiful new fixtures. It wasn’t quite the snap of your fingers that I’m suggesting and you can read about the design process HERE. And if you want to see a quick video update check it out here! (just wait for the ad to play…THANK YOU!)

Where We Are Today

I love so much about it – the green and white tile, the lighting, the plumbing fixtures, the light switches, the shower door – the whole vibe is super special. That tub nook is so cute, and so is the vanity – a lot to love here.

BUT… MY BIGGEST REGRET/PROBLEM

Welcome back to the nightmare situation of publicly dealing with my very own mess up – the “too cool white”. Now when we chose this color there was some confusion on my end when deciding between Pure White (which we chose for the exterior and love) and Extra White (which we love in the rooms and has a lot of blue in it). It was a dumb and very expensive mix-up. And honestly Pure White might have been too cool for this tile anyway. But we chose this white when the bathroom was all covered in plastic and the tile was seemingly a pure white. Y’all, this was the wrong white. I wanted to repaint before I showed you, embarrassed of my own mistake. But it’s taken a while to choose the right “white” and then we have to book a painter, it’s a 3-4 day job with prep and dry times (and the walls and trim are two different finishes – satin and semi-gloss). The whole thing sucks, but now that I’ve had some distance from the initial nausea. I’m accepting of it and have transitioned into problem-solving mode. As I tell my kids “every problem has a solution” and now I’m ready to show my friends:)

As you can see the paint color makes the tile look yellow and THE TILE IS NOT YELLOW. So many lessons learned. I’m not going to harp on it too much here because there are so many other pretty things to talk about. But yes, I messed up and have felt a lot of anger and frustration with myself (ARCIFORM wasn’t involved in paint decisions due to scheduling and needing to make some decisions really quickly – I was like, “I got this!” *hand in face emoji*). I haven’t even let Anne come over yet to see it because I’m too embarrassed. It’s all so dumb. Anyway, I have my strengths – one of them is styling and the other is admitting fault then solving problems.

So as you can see we have three different Sherwin-Williams whites that we are choosing from. Rene from Some Kinda Landscape came over and helped pull the whites that she thought would work (she painted our prop closet and part of her service is color consultancy so I figured I’d get someone else to weigh in on this with me). Above we have these three colors – all of which look identical to each other and are creamier, but as we have all very well learned in this process – all whites are very very different.

Faucet | Stone

Ugh. How pretty is that faucet? I’ll be talking more about the plumbing and lighting in the final reveal – all from Rejuvenation, but will certainly link up everything at the end of this post. This is the faucet that made me want to reach out to Rejuvenation on partnering on the plumbing – It’s from their Conner line and is just so beautiful.

Switchplates

The Vintage Dresser Turned Vanity

Vanity Base (vintage)

I love that vanity so much. I found the dresser at a flea market a few years ago in LA and up until now, the kids have used it for clothes. But when we were designing this bathroom I wanted something that felt special and soulful (and wanted to save some money). There are a million beautiful vanities on the market, but when you want something unique, your options tend to be vintage or custom…and anything custom is always like thousands of dollars. So Jamie retrofitted this (cut out the plumbing in the drawer) so that we could still have storage. The keyholes just kill me, in a good way.

Anne and Stephyn helped draw this backsplash design that I had referenced for like a year and it was a lot more to do it (and we had a tile backsplash so it wasn’t necessary) but now that it’s done we LOVE it.

Regarding the backsplash – the countertop and backsplash were supposed to be a white Thasos – a creamy white marble. But after spending some time this summer at the mountain house where we have Thasos in the kids’ bathroom, I was reminded how annoying it can be for kids (on honed Thasos you can see all toothpaste or soap marks, and they often stain for months). So I stopped that and went stone shopping. At the same time, the kitchen and main bath stone (a beautiful Carerra) was picked up from Bedrosians and dropped off for fabrication. They had enough to do this bathroom (the vanity and the shower jamb). So my options were to keep shopping and see what I could find that works with the green/white that wasn’t a full slab or just literally give them the green light to fabricate this as well out of the same stone. I chose the latter (mostly out of ease) knowing that this stone is beautiful and more forgiving than Thasos (Thasos is so white that it almost doesn’t even look like a real stone and you may as well get a Quartz IMHO). That’s all to say that the stone is also cooler than the tile so when choosing the new white color for the walls I need to make sure that it shares the undertones of the stone as well. This is hard for someone who I’ve come to realize sees colors differently than other people – not saying I have any sort of color-blindness, but the number of times I’ve gotten in debates with people over what color something is, is A LOT.

The Tub/Shower Area

Tile | Hook

Should we talk tile here??? I wanted to do something unexpected but not crazy busy so I brought the floor tile up the wall, mixing the different shapes (and mixing the grout on the wall). It’s pretty darn fun if you ask me. The tile is from Pratt + Larson and install was by Level Plane Tile and Stone. On the other side of the room, we have the shower “room” and tub nook. I like the shower room versus one that is more open with glass so we did this twice in this house.

Shower Door (custom) | Shower Set | Shower Head

At first, I thought that the shower door came in short, but then realized its likely for venting. I’ve gotten used to it and it’s not something we are going to redo but wish that we had put a venting transom above it. Not a big deal though at all. I love the brass around the glass and the little knob (all per ARCIFORM’s recommendation).

Tub | Facuet

The clawfoot tub was something that Brian specifically wanted to keep from day one. We didn’t keep the one that was in there because I wanted to give my partner Rejuvenation rooms with 100% of their product (if they sell it). So we donated the tub to the ReBuilding Center and it’s in someone else’s house now 🙂 We do like that this one is double-sided and allowed us to do the faucet behind it and have perfect symmetry in this nook.

Towel Bar

The Tweaks And What We Are Adding

Sconce

We want to change out the white shades to glass shades so we don’t obstruct the future mirror too much.

Mirrors (vintage)

Add a mirror over the vanity:) And yes, we wanted an inset medicine cabinet but I don’t totally remember why we couldn’t. It was due to framing/electrical I think…it’s definitely something we could have had if we planned better for it, but I think it would have had to be really small between framing (or we would have had to reframe). Near the end, I just wanted to move in so no, we weren’t going to re-frame (it’s the kids’ bath after all).

Changes/Ideas For The Tub Wall SideChanges/Ideas For The Vanity Wall

Looking at these photos while writing this post, not at the house (on vacation) makes me so excited. I can more objectively see the potential with one final layer and a couple of tweaks. Oh, one more thing I want to call out that someone recently said. Ahem, “Ooh the tile looks like grass,” which wasn’t exactly what we were going for by bringing it up the wall but of course, I can see it. I thought about it for a while and was like, “Does it look like grass? Would blue or pink have been better?” But then I reframed it quickly, as I do, reminding myself that we love grass and actually moved back to Oregon so that our kids could have grass instead of concrete to play on at recess (something missing in most LA schools). Anyway, so if you are thinking “that tile looks like grass” you aren’t alone, and yet we are still very into it 🙂

Bathroom Resources:

Plumbing Fixtures: Rejuvenation
Switchplates and Hardware: Rejuvenation
Elongated Picket Tile: Pratt and Larsen
1×4 Herringbone Tile: Pratt and Larsen
Clawfoot Tub: Rejuvenation
Sconce: Rejuvenation
Semi-Flush: Rejuvenation
Vanity and Mirror: Vintage
Toilet: Kohler
Shower Door: Custom/Local
Tile Install: Level Plane Tile and Stone
Stone Fabrication: Alphaworks
Renovation and Carpentry: ARCIFORM

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post The Farmhouse Kid’s Bathroom – Bringing You Up To Speed On The (At The Time) Painful Process appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The $24 Cozy Jumpsuit Em’s Kids Won’t Take Off, Mal’s Chic Coup Glasses, And Our Favorite Pants

Happy New Year!!!! We hope you all had a wonderful celebration and are taking it as easy as possible today. We are officially back in the office Tuesday and we can’t wait to see each other’s sweet faces on Zoom. Right, ladies?? Ha. So since it’s only day one of 2023 let’s keep this brief and drive right into the first link up of the year!

This week’s home tour is in fact a TikTok famous apartment in Melbourne, Australia designed by Josh Jessup and Matt Moss. As you can imagine it’s full of bright colors, wild pieces, and SO much creativity. We think that this apartment is a great lesson in having fun with your interiors because your home should make you smile and maybe even laugh, right? Is that our 2023 motto? Check out the whole place on The Design Files.

From Emily: The $24 coziest velour sweatsuit our kids are living in, like all day every day. Brian does most of the shopping for the kids and he came back with these sets that are micro fleece and stupidly soft. They love them so much that they beg to wear them to school which I have a problem saying no to (as someone who also likes to live in comfortable clothes). They sleep in them, spend all day in them, and even change from school clothes into them when they get home. Charlie likes the camo set (top + the bottoms are just gray) and Birdie has the hot pink (top + bottoms). We are actually going to buy another set to last us through the end of winter. They are sold separately btw.

From Mallory: I finally got these CB2 coupe glasses that I’ve been eyeing forever and I am in love with them! I got them as a gift and they are perfect (also hint hint if you need a good gift idea, consider these for the martini/coupe glass lover!) Hot Tip: I keep them in the freezer and pull them out when I’m ready to serve my famous dirty martini. They feel so fancy and luxurious. Could not love them more:)

Also From Mallory: It’s time to introduce you to my new favorite hot sauce brand, Tia Lupita. It’s UNREAL good and the ingredients are so clean. I love the salsa verde and habanero flavors so much. If you’re in need of some hot sauces or if you’ll be enjoying Christmas tamales, grab these (they’re in most grocery stores!)

From Ryann: These flare leg pants are my new party pants. I bought them in-store on a whim a month ago and had no idea how much I would end up wearing them. I’ve already worn them to many a dinner, a concert, to parties, and I am definitely planning on wearing them on Christmas Eve with a small heel and a cute top. They are very flattering, COMFORTABLE, and slimming if you are into that and go with pretty much everything I own. And only $18! Run don’t walk!!

so many fun colors!

From Caitlin: I just discovered Shiny By Nature, which is an affordable AND sustainable clothing brand that’s specially designed for women with big hips and butts!!! (I KNOW. UNREAL.) I grabbed a few pairs of their wide-legged corduroy pants on sale back in December – the colors are so fun and vibrant! – and now I’m absolutely obsessed. If you’re on the hunt for great, cheery basics, I EMPHATICALLY recommend checking them out. I really can’t wait to wear these all year round!

From Albie: Two years later and I am still dining table shopping — can you believe it? Now to be fair, I haven’t been dining table shopping this entire time…mainly because we have one…it’s just not a very good one. Our current dining table arrived damaged two years ago, with a hole right in the tabletop. Since it’s still functional, I’ve just always thrown a runner over it & called it good. I recently resumed my search, however, and fell in love with the Cross Fixed Table from DWR. It’s about a foot longer than we’d like, however, I am obsessed with this beauty. Since I can’t have the table I desire, I do plan on tablescaping & styling it for the season. You know the saying… dress for the table you want lol. 

From Jess: If you are looking for soft leggings for activities like yoga, pilates, reading, or watching TV, I HIGHLY recommend these from Girlfriend Collective (my favorite leggings company). I originally got these on Black Friday and have been living in them since they arrived. I normally go for their high-waisted compression leggings, which I still love, but wanted to try something different. Also, I DIG the red color! I wore them with this bright red hoodie to my friend’s house and everyone loved them. 10/10

Ok, now go enjoy the rest of your day and see you all Tuesday!! xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Ben Medansky | Styled Velinda Hellen and Erik Kenneth Staalberg | Photo Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: The New Design Rules

The post The Link Up: The $24 Cozy Jumpsuit Em’s Kids Won’t Take Off, Mal’s Chic Coup Glasses, And Our Favorite Pants appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our 2022 Personal Reflections – The Good, The Hard, And The Lessons Learned

Please excuse the wildly cliche opener of a mirror in a room for a post about reflections. We didn’t take a group shot this year (at least I don’t think we did) so a beautiful room with a big ole mirror to talk about our big ole feelings felt appropriate. This is the very last post of 2022 and connecting with you on a personal level, sharing the good and some of the hard is exactly how we wanted to close it out. We are endlessly grateful for you all and hope that reading about our 2022s brings us all a little closer.

Emily

Oh, 2022. Huge life changes that came with a lot of emotions, including joy, relief, fulfillment, gratitude with a side of regret, insecurity and disappointment. What is consistent (and I think a big mid-life thing) is there are so many questions in which you can’t rush the answers. 2022, post-lockdown was one of the more challenging years in recent history for us. And that’s ok. I’m here to learn all the lessons. My kids are thriving, Brian is still my favorite person to hang out with, and I get to see all my best friends and siblings more frequently now that we live in Portland. The blog is still stable (thanks to you), after a wild pandemic year or two with spiking, volatile traffic (some incredible months, some just odd). I feel like the clarity that I had during lockdown is still here, priorities are firmer than ever, and who, what, and where I focus my attention is strong. This year we went to a happiness conference which was pretty enlightening. My book came out (and continues to do well, but we didn’t make the New York Times Bestseller list like Styled did, which was a bit disappointing, honestly). I went on Good Morning America and was reminded that live national TV is panic attack inducing. We moved into the farm and feel so grateful to work with so many partners on such an incredibly odd/exciting career of personal and home content creation for millions to see/view/like/judge and share. I’ve never been so hard on myself and I’m trying to figure out why. I have some theories. I found an awesome freelance team in Portland that I love working with every week (shout out to Emily M. and Kaitlin Green) and so love and appreciate that my team that you all know, Jess, Ryann, Mal and Caitlin who continue to navigate the exciting waters of the internet with me and add value to the world. Meanwhile, we are starting to dial in the house with decor, room by room which is lighting my fire again (and so much less fraught than a renovation – I LOVE STYLING). I’m writing a full post about how it has been living in Portland so more to come. All in all, I feel like it was another year of joy, questions, desperately trying to stay slow, lessons, and being grateful for my team and all of you who spend time here (especially the long-time readers that keep me going when I’m down – thank you) xx

Ryannwedding in tuscany | my niece and I | the happiest day of my life!!

I didn’t realize it until I sat down to write this, but this year has been all about change. My Life™ has changed and I have changed, and I don’t think I would have fully appreciated that fact if I wasn’t asked to reflect on the past 365 days. But whew, where to begin?? Oh right, I got married this year!!! And everyone loves to ask “how is married life?” and “does it feel different?”. I swear most people expect us to answer “Nope it’s the exact same as before!” But it isn’t. It is different, it feels deserved, and things did shift after we got married (for the better). And I know marriage is not always easy (a narrative our society is addicted to perpetuating for some reason) but marriage is great right now and I am so grateful. What else? Oh *goes to Italy once* I am also a world traveler!!! Earlier this year we went to Italy for my husband’s brother’s wedding and it was the first time either of us had ever traveled internationally. That experience was not only fun/exciting/new but it also taught me that I can travel without having a panic attack and that my husband and I are great travel partners. I am famously an anxious traveler but we had an incredible experience that prompted us to book our honeymoon in 2023–this time to Japan. Amazing. But sadly, life isn’t revolved around me jetting off to another country once a year. Life, as we all know, is obsessed with ups and downs. And to be honest, there are far too many downs for my taste. I believe most people know that my brother passed away on August 8th, 2021 at 29 years old, and this year I found that I will always move through life with grief. The grief transforms and reshapes itself constantly, but never goes away. I also witnessed people closest to me experience their own devastating losses this year and I’ve come to realize that the best things I can do in life are nurture my relationships, show up for the people I love, and make honest connections. In 2023, I can’t wait to watch my brother’s daughter grow up and become more like him every day, travel with my husband, and continue to change/grow as a person. What a cool life <3

Jessmexico city | my cousin’s wedding with my favorite dance partner | new york | not shown: the not good times

I was trying to see if I could give this year a letter grade but that feels kinda impossible. My initial thought was D+ but that’s likely a little dramatic and due to emotional exhaustion. But honestly, in terms of my personal life, this has been a rough year. I’ve been battling depression due to probably what are still the after-effects of the pandemic (not that it’s over) and all the horrendous things happening in the world and in the country daily, but also because of some things I don’t want to talk about on the internet. Everything on that front is manageable, thankfully, but that doesn’t make moving through it easy. Depression during lockdown felt a little different. While still extremely hard and 0/10 stars, there was at least some weird solace in knowing I wasn’t missing out on living life. I’ve never really suffered from “FOMO” but when you’re dealing with depression in “normal” life there’s just a general sadness of not having the ability to fully experience it while others are/can. I also know that clearly I’m not alone in these feelings. Most of my friends are going through something similar even if they are for totally different reasons. I’m wildly grateful that we all have each other but it’s easy to then not to want to burden your friends that also have their own struggles. And to be fair my depression really only kicked into high gear in the latter half of the year and even then I have had some truly wonderful moments. Like my dear college friend and cousin getting married (not to each other:)). Jess Bunge LOVES to dance so weddings are right up my alley. I got to go to NY for a long weekend to see some of my best friends as well as a longer trip in the summer. I went to go see Rodrigo Amarante, Stevie Nicks, Florence and the Machine, and Alicia Keys in concert! All so incredible and moving. In the spring (the better part), I went to Mexico again and felt more alive and like myself than I had in years. Also, in terms of daily life, I still love my job and know what a huge deal that is. I think the real issue is that in my personal life I have been mostly just letting life happen to me. I’ve kind of lost a sense of real ownership and going through the motions which I know just comes from a lack of feeling worthy. That’s something I’ve battled with my whole life and I know it’s only ever been alleviated when I make strong decisions and put myself even just a little outside of my comfort zone. So that’s what I plan to change this next year. I already have plans in the making to hopefully apartment swap with someone in New York for a month or two (not before my living room is revealed:)), visit my dad in Paris (yes, the already coolest dad on the planet has decided he’s living in France for three months starting this January), and a few other ideas I’m still figuring out that are more inside job things. I’m just tired of feeling stuck but I’m the only one to unstick myself. So that’s where I’m at and hopefully, if you are dealing with similar feelings you know that you are absolutely not alone. 2023 here we come…BE BETTER, OK???

Caitlinvermont wedding with dennis | nyc wedding with college teammates | europe with brenda

Do you want the good news or the bad news first? (Hope you picked “bad,” because that’s where we’re starting here.) When I look back, a lot of 2022 felt like I was bouncing from crisis to crisis – the year started with two back-to-back deaths, followed by an unending slew of personal stresses (my favorite: the multi-month black mold nightmare in my apartment), and December’s highlights included a rough bout of Covid (my first time – had all the symptoms; tested positive for 15 days straight; do not recommend) immediately followed by my 12-year-old cat’s first-ever trip to the kitty ER. But a lot of the negative emotions and stresses related to these bad things were blunted because…

(This is the good news part.) GUYS. It finally happened!!! I fell in love in 2022!!! For the first time ever!!! At age 31!!! (If you couldn’t guess, it’s with that guy up there on the left! AHH!!!) As it turns out, a lot of sucky things happen to suck a lot less when there’s a kind and patient and thoughtful person around who’s willing to help you navigate all the murky and mucky stuff. I’d never been able to ~get there~ in previous relationships (very NOT Libra of me) and was pretty sure I was destined to be the fun brunch friend – like, if your squad is in need of a gal with a bad date story, I’ve got hours of them – so activating a new part of my brain and feeling a whole bunch of new feelings has been VERY EXCITING. (I could write 2,000 words about the ~meet cute~ and everything else, but I’ll just say this: he’s the best, I love him, and he reads the blog so SAY HI TO DENNIS, PLEASE.) Also exciting: it was a great year of travel and friendship. I flew cross-country 16 (!!!) times; watched a ton of my best friends get married in NYC, Vermont, Delaware, and California; went to Firefly (in Delaware, very fun) and When You Were Young (in Vegas, also very fun, but in the “it’s an absolute disaster” way); enjoyed Seattle and Northern California with the EHD team; watched my favorite band play in both Boston and Philadelphia; welcomed a slew of new babies (congrats to all my new mama pals!!!); and capped off the year by traveling through Germany, Austria, Slovakia, and Hungary with my mom (could have done without the Covid we both brought home, though). The highs were high and the lows were low, but I’m just feeling really lucky to have my mom and my friends and my cute boyfriend and my sweet coworkers and all of you, too. Life’s looking pretty okay right now, I think 🙂

Malloryon the vegas strip | palm springs trip | my sisters wedding dress appointment!

The phrase ‘new chapter’ gets thrown around a lot when it comes to resolutions and reflections for the upcoming year, but I mean it when I say 2022 has felt like I’ve entered one (in the best way). While the year has been slightly less ‘eventful’ (comparatively) to some of the others in the recent past (In 2019 I moved to New York then to LA for EHD, 2020 was obviously weird but memorable, and 2021 felt like such a massive contrast to 2020 with ‘normal’ life trickling back and some big travel moments), but being more stagnant this year has brought a massive amount of personal growth and change I never would have predicted. 2019 me and 2022 me are two very different versions of myself: the new me has developed strong goals and wants in life & has figured out a lot more about who I am and who I want to be. It’s been a year of reaching for new heights. I started a TikTok account and got a few of my first (and extremely awesome) partnerships which has been a dream come true!!! and I’m learning more and more about how I can reach my fullest potential while still being happy (which is so important). I’ve always been a big ‘work hard, play hard’ kind of person, and lately I’ve been honing in on what both work and play should look like in their highest form. For example, when it comes to ‘play’ I’m realizing how much I love having TICKETS to literally anything & that having meaningful connections & making memories are the most important things. I’m so thankful to be surrounded by so much love in my life – both from my family, friends and my very special person, Chase. Having a life partner like him through these years of turbulence has been so special, and I will never take that for granted 🙂 And when it comes to work, I’m loving where I’m at and am so grateful to be a part of this team. Having a job that creatively encourages me in this very specific (but incredible) field that I never would have known existed if it wasn’t for EHD and you all –– so THANK YOU. I can’t wait to see where 2023 takes us as a team & I’m so excited to continue learning, evolving and growing into the person I hope to be. Now let’s kick this new year off right!! 🙂

Well, that’s all EHD wrote:) Happy happy New Year’s Eve and cheers to a brighter 2023.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Julie Rose for EHD | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: One of Emily’s Best Friends Gets The Cozy Yet Sophisticated Bedroom Makeover She Really Deserves

The post Our 2022 Personal Reflections – The Good, The Hard, And The Lessons Learned appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Data Is In! These Are The Top 25 Most Purchased Items Of 2022

I think my favorite comments on the blog are the ones that say something like, “Are y’all listening in my house? I just said that I needed (insert item here) and I came to the blog and you’ve found it for me.” And while we aren’t listening in your houses – we have neither the budget nor technology to make that happen – we are using a sweet bit of data to help figure out which categories/products/styles are trending in an attempt to bring you the best pieces at the best prices. So today, to conclude our weeklong 2022 wrap-up, I’m bringing you the creme de la creme – the top-selling items from the entire year. We linked them, you loved them. Wanna see if anything you clicked on made the list? (There are definitely some familiar faces here, I promise.)

25. Your Favorite Faux-Leather Lumbar

Ah, yes – the famous faux-leather lumbar. It made its blog debut in Em’s 2019 mountain house primary bedroom reveal, and it’s been a bestseller ever since. If you want your bed to look polished and finished without the hassle of juggling a ton of throw pillows every morning and night, this is a great choice. (But hurry if you want to grab one – it’s almost sold out again!)

24. Caitlin’s Rattan Floor Lamp Dupe

Tale as old as time: I fell in love with a $1,500 Anthropologie lamp, dug around the internet, and found the look for less. (90% less, if we’re being particular.) I loved the brass details, the woven shade, and the fun scalloped detail. (I also discovered that the TJ Maxx website is just as great as the store, too – it’s worth a bookmark if you also love a bargain!)

23. A Quick-Ship Pedestal Dining Table

It’s always exciting when we can flag a great deal for you, and this table was no exception. We highlighted this piece in one of our holiday sale roundups (I believe it was in our July 4th post!) because it was deeply discounted – we’re talking nearly 50% off here – with reasonable delivery times! A lot of work and research goes into bringing y’all the best deals, so I’m thrilled that this one worked out for so many readers.

22. An Organic-Meets-Luxe Bench

SWOON. I mean…it’s kinda dreamy, no? The woven frame, the cane backing, the brass feet, the customizable cushions – what else could you need? (I actually eyed this piece for my own home, but decided that my cat is not responsible enough to curb her clawing urges.) We often see this piece going on sale for up to 30% off, and we’ll continue to flag those steals for you in 2023 🙂

21. Ryann’s Festive Halloween Candle

It’s never too late to prep for Halloween (or for the spooky pal in your life), right? It’s often hard to find decor that blends functionality with fun – especially when you’re looking at seasonal items, which are so frequently just decorative – but this sweet little candle threads the needle perfectly.

20. Amber Lewis’ New Etsy Collection

When I first slacked this collection to the team in October, Em responded, “ooh that’s really good.” 15 minutes later, she followed up: “This is a really good collaboration. I’m putting like 6 things in my cart and it’s supporting a lot of makers. It’s really a win/win.” SHE’S RIGHT! The artisan pieces curated here are gorgeous, heirloom-quality…and, I mean, you know how we feel about furoshiki (spoiler: we LOVE it).

19. Em’s High-Rise Workout Shorts

Here’s what Em had to say: “These are my go-to’s that I wear many mornings for my morning routine. The waistband sits nicely and stays put (but zero cutting in as it sits higher). There is a little flair which I find flattering, has pockets for my beach card, and after I work out, I jump in the lake and swim around and they are GREAT swim bottoms. Oh, and it has built-in red underwear (sounds weird, but excellent for being active). Again, I feel like these shorts with a swim top or tank would look cool and sporty at the beach, and just feels less exposed for daytime swimming with the kids. I wear them with my red swimsuit, mesh pullovers, and Tevas, and not to sound like quite the dorky mom, but I do feel like it looks cool while secretly I’m VERY comfortable and confident.“

18. Brian’s Holiday Sweater Recommendation

You may recognize this little number from Brian’s gift guide – he tried it on at the mall and especially appreciated the sleeve length (not too short, not too long). He went on to describe it as “super cozy” and mentioned that it may be at the top of his Christmas wishlist – do you think he found one under the tree last weekend?

17. Em’s New Family Room Sofa

LOVE. This was one of Em’s first furniture purchases for the farm, and it’s even better in person – huge, deep, timeless, and luxe. Here’s what she had to say: “The sectional is from Rejuvenation and it’s extremely comfortable and cozy. The fabric is a performance velvet and that last chaise seat is big enough for me and both kids.” (Check out the living room update to see it in real life – it looks like an ideal sofa for snuggling!)

16. This Classic And Affordable Vanity

Who knew a budget-friendly vanity could look so high-end? Priscilla Frost, the designer of this affordable basement bathroom makeover, did – she swapped in a new faucet, changed up the hardware, and made this piece look like a million bucks. (I mean, the bones were already beautiful, but Priscilla really made it sing!) The marble top, the open and closed storage, the deep navy finish…it’s a total steal for under $1,000.

15. Caitlin’s Favorite $4 T-Shirts

I LOVE THESE SHIRTS. The price is obviously awesome, but they’ve also held up beautifully over the past 18 months with near-weekly laundering (I know that’s not always the case with affordable clothing!). They’re not too tight, an ideal weight, and they’re the perfect base layer to mix with jeans or with bolder, more statement-making bottoms. J’ADORE. BIG TIME.

14. Ryann’s Slide Sandals (That Won’t Break The Bank)

Here’s what Ryann had to say about these chic slides: “Last year when I bought these sandals, I truthfully didn’t know they would become such a staple in my wardrobe. I think I bought them in-store for a last-minute event I was going to that day. Cut to today, I now wear them at least once a day because they are so easy to slide on and go. They are $20 but look so expensive and look good with any jeans, shorts, dresses, etc etc. The band is soft and not too tight so they are very comfortable to walk in too. 10/10!”

13. Em’s Go-To Dinnerware

Boss says it best (mainly because these are, you know, her plates): “Once again I’m singing the praises of our crazy affordable and long-lasting glass plates and bowls. I only needed to buy one set (so we have 12 of each) because we had 8 already, but here’s my pitch if you haven’t heard it yet. These plates are extremely flat, lightweight, and durable which means that the kids can easily set the table, do their own dishes, and easily load them into the dishwasher (it’s so satisfying, I’ll be doing a reel about it soon). While I love handmade pottery plates, those are more like the modern-day “fine china” – great for special occasions. But for day-to-day, I will only use these – little bowls for cereal in the morning, side plates for lunches for them, and dinner plates for everything else.“

12. Some Vintage-Inspired Denim

A straight leg with a bit of breathing room, a comfortable rise, and a great wash – it’s the trifecta of awesome jeans. If you’re looking to retire your skinnies in favor of something a bit more on-trend, these are a great choice.

11. The Swimsuit We Keep Coming Back To

Two years in a row for this sweet suit! It’s out of stock right now, but add it to your favorites and keep an eye on it as spring rolls around – it’s a winner. Em’s thoughts: “Navy and white stripes, cute cut-out, very supportive and thick enough to mask my extra tummy-warming layer (tummy dimples!). BIG FAN of this. I bought a 6 which fit great (but I haven’t gotten it wet yet). It also has a matching rashguard which I LOVE. This is a very ‘me’ suit that I know I’ll wear all summer and was PSYCHED to find it.” (Spoiler: she did, in fact, wear it in 2021…and it was still a favorite in 2022. A total score!)

10. Stylish Wear-Anywhere Sneakers

Double endorsements here from the EHD team! Both Em and Ryann recommended these sneakers – Em mentioned that she’d been living in them all summer, and Ryann supplemented with some personal testimony: “These are my favorite sneaker to wear when I am running errands, want to look cute and stylish, and also am living on a prayer that I’ll get myself to the gym at some point. They really are so versatile as they can be worn with so many outfits but are also supportive and comfortable to walk or even run in. I truly wear them constantly and cannot recommend them enough!“

9. Mal’s Holiday-Friendly Dress Recommendation

This year, Mal shared three of her favorite holiday dresses with us, but this loose and gauze-y pick topped the list. Her criteria: “A festive dress to me must be 1. flowy (because there’s nothing worse than an outfit that’s too tight after a meal) 2. comfortable enough to cook in all day and 3. elevated enough to feel like you’re dressing up for the holiday. And 4. ideally, cute enough to wear for many more parties/events afterward.” This one checks all the boxes (and it’s also VERY affordable right now – only $35, down from $138!).

8. Comfortable Lug Sole Boots

Heeled boots aren’t always the easiest to wear for long stretches, but these seem to be the exception (according to Emily, at least!). “I’ve been wearing those boots NON-STOP. They feel so comfortable for having a little lift,” she wrote. They’re a little utilitarian twist (that lug sole!) on the classic Chelsea boot silhouette – fun, right?

7. Em’s Oversized Car Coat

“I think I whispered out loud ‘oh, hell yes,’ when I put this coat on,” Emily wrote. “It’s EXTREMELY GOOD. It’s fancy like a tweed wood coat, but long (extremely warm and cozy – maybe not New York in 15 degrees warm) and drapes in such a flattering way. It has pockets, a cute collar, is lined (which makes it easy to slip into), and is a great colorway and pattern. I wore it all day yesterday and got like 12 compliments on it. It’s not too hot for inside either (if you don’t layer underneath) so it’s not one of those that you have to take off when you get in the grocery store or on the subway.”

6. A Cozy U-Shaped Sectional

I’m including this sectional without a link and with a MASSIVE caveat – Interior Define is going through some major growing pains right now, and I can’t recommend placing a new order here until their supply chain is back in working order. That said, if you purchased a sofa after seeing this basement makeover and you’re unhappy with the extended lead times or communication you’ve received from the brand, please shoot me a note (you can find my email right here!) – I’d love to help flag your order for their team. We haven’t highlighted the brand or their products since we learned about their shipping delays (right now being the sole exception), and I’m sorry if you’ve been disappointed. Please let me know if I can help!

5. Our Favorite Style of Jean

Team EHD loves a demi-boot cut jean, y’all. I bought my first pair in 2019 after seeing Jess wearing them in the office (RIP to in-person work – saw so many cute and inspiring outfits every single day!), and they’re the only cut of jean I wear these days. They’re comfortable and easy to style and the little flared leg makes every outfit look a bit more special and considered. 10/10, you can’t go wrong here in any wash!!!

4. A Game-Changing Swimsuit

I have two of these – even the EHD team gets #emfluenced! – and can attest that they’re the best swimsuits I’ve ever purchased. Here’s the testimony that won me over: “Today, what you can see above is the new shapewear suit invented by a mom in Silverlake (where we lived in LA) and it’s GENIUS. Her whole thing is why have shapewear for under your clothes and not for swimsuits! I bought one because I was being heavily Facebook marketed by it and I’m glad I did. Now, one of my best friends tried it on who has a much longer torso and is very small-chested and it didn’t work for her. We decided it’s mostly for people who carry more weight in their midsection and need more boob support. I LOVE it and before this post, I ordered the high-waisted sapphire in “short” Medium just in case we sell it out. That’s how much I stand by these suits.” (Seriously, worth every penny – though I will add that I have a very long torso and still love it!)

3. Em’s Lightweight Linen Blouse

This linen top made its debut in a post called “Emily’s Easy, Throw On And Go Summer Outfits That Still Make Her Feel Put Together,” and…well, that kind of nails it, doesn’t it? You can’t beat a breezy, classic top in a timeless silhouette for comfort and style. (As always, some firsthand feedback from Em: “This linen shirt is EXCELLENT. It drapes so well, is extremely lightweight, so easy to wear and layer even on hot days. If I grab it straight out of the dryer it’s wrinkle-free. It’s a splurge but if you are looking to just buy one and wear it for work and on days off, I think it’s a solid buy.“)

2. The Famous Abstract Coffee Table

I’ve NEVER seen more clicks, guys. Thousands upon thousands of clicks within minutes – like, the kind of numbers it usually takes a week to accrue. (To no one’s surprise, the few pieces left in stock sold out almost immediately.) Let Em sing the praises one more time (Anthro, are you reading? We want more tables!): “It’s heavy. Solid. It’s not a casual hoard, but it’s an INCREDIBLE price for this wonder. And not to be a car salesman but it won’t be around for long. After I gave it away (to a friend) I lamented it daily, thinking I could find something similar. I couldn’t/didn’t. It does the job of a square, rectangle, and an oval at the same time. It visually fills more space than its dimensions. It’s just so good.“

1. Em’s Sauna Blanket

I mean…I knew it was coming, but I’m still pretty freakin’ flabbergasted. It’s the behemoth product that cannot be stopped (but I guess that’s kind what happens when you have the top Google result for “sauna blanket review.” C’est la vie!). Em’s HigherDose blanket shot its way onto the 2021 edition of this list – seriously, we first posted about it in November of 2021 and it was a Top 25 item within 3 weeks – AND it was a bestselling item every month in 2022, so I’m not surprised that it’s here…but also like, DANG, who knew the market for sauna blankets was THIS huge? It’s extraordinary.

THAT’S IT. What say you? Did you fall in love with anything from the blog (or from this list) this year? Let’s talk about it, yeah? xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Sarah Zachary | Styling by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: A Historic Mid-Century Modern Home That Was Completely Brought Back To Life (Hope You’re Ready For Some COOL Original Details)

The post The Data Is In! These Are The Top 25 Most Purchased Items Of 2022 appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our 2022 FLOPS And Surprise Blog Post HITS (Wanna See If You Agree?)

Blogging/”Content Creation” is pretty akin to gambling. Some plays win BIG but if you play enough bad hands you just might lose your shirt. Luckily, all of our shirts are still firmly on our bodies but looking at the unexpected “wins” and “losses” of this past year is not only exciting but super informative! We never want to be a site that stops posting those fun, more random posts that connect us with all of you. Getting more eyes on posts is always the hope, and with some posts is the goal, but hanging out with you all every day is what drives us and has (IMHO) kept us here, still able to create. So let’s see what happened this year, shall we?

The HitsHow To Make Your House Warmer and Cozier When You Can’t Fix Your Insulation (+ Some Solid Renter Hacks)photo by sara ligorria-tramp

I was so happy to see this on the “hit” list! It was all thanks to a guy that I went on a couple of dates with that was living in an apartment he was freezing in last winter. Who says dating is pointless?? Just kidding. He’s great and we actually became friends. The part of this post’s success that was a surprise was how much traffic it got. I thought it was a useful post because most, if not all, of my apartments have had bad insulation. What can I say I love old buildings which typically come with lots of pros but good insulation is not one of them. This clearly resonated and I hope made a difference for my freezing friends!

4 Women Honestly Review Gel-X Manicures (+ 21 Nail Art Ideas We Actually Tried)

Next up was definitely a “passion post”. I was three months into my Gel-X journey and all the EHD gals that were also doing it were equally as excited to show off their fun designs. I knew it wouldn’t be relatable to a lot of people but I know how desperate I always am to find new design inspiration which made me think others are too. So at first, the traffic was pretty low (“a miss” if you will). The EHD community didn’t care all that much (but if any of you listen to The Deep Dive podcast with June Diane Raphael and Jessica St. Clair, you much be changing your tune:)). But this baby was a sleeper hit and over time has accumulated A TON of views – mostly from Google. Fun fact: I often update the post with my new designs in case you want to check back in on it. I think for the holidays I’m going to dabble in some simple gems and I’m pretty excited about it.

Oh and Hot Tip! I was able to grow my nails with my gel extensions so now I no longer need them and instead use what’s called Gel Builder. I think it’s just a thick gel polish base that they put gel polish on top of to keep them from easily breaking. It’s also a little more affordable!

What We Did With Our Perfectly Usable Kitchen Cabinets And Appliances From The Farm

The shock we experienced when this post was a massive success was comical. We knew it would a little niche since it was about a business that’s only in Portland (so not super helpful if you lived anywhere else) but it’s important to all of us to promote companies that are making a wonderful difference in the world. Y’all this post got so much traffic which honestly made us feel really hopeful for the future. The way it resonated was so powerful and hopefully inspired people to look up similar businesses in their areas. And if you are in the PDX area you have to check out the ReBuilding Center. It’s wonderful and the people that work there are the best!

Unphotoshopped Women Honestly Review Summersalt’s 3 Bestselling Swimsuits

You might be asking why I was surprised that this post was a hit. These kinds of posts always do pretty well because seeing real bodies in varying sizes in clothing is always helpful. But y’all this wasn’t a normal “hit,” this was a STAR. Google was a huge factor in that because this was our #1 post for daaaysss. Also, while we all truly loved a least one of these suits each, the fact that they were all from only one brand made us wonder if the post would be as popular as our other swimsuit posts in years past. Well, it was beyond the previous year’s traffic and we are always so so grateful for your encouraging words. It shouldn’t be a big deal to simply wear a swimsuit on the internet (or even in public) but our societal body standards haven’t made it easy. So again, thank you<3

17 Incredibly Cool DIYs And IKEA HACKS That Will Make Your Home Feel Extra Special (All Levels Welcome)

DIY posts are usually a hit or miss. It just depends on what they are! I was a little worried about this one because a lot of the DIYs were pretty trend-forward which isn’t for everyone. I get that. But I am happy to report that minimally a lot of y’all were interested in at least looking. Phew. Plus, not to toot my own horn, but they were pretty cool:) More to come in 2023!

The MissesOur Primary Bath Debates, Priorities, Layout Choices, And Storage Solutions…

This one was truly shocking. Process posts are usually super popular – especially when it comes to Emily’s projects. Honestly, maybe it was just the opening photo. Ha. Renovation process photos are hard because either there isn’t enough structure to make them compelling or there is but it gives too much away. Another thing to be aware of is that all of our photos must be a certain ratio size and always be horizontal. That may not seem hard but let me tell you it’s not, not hard.

Jess’ DIY Bench 2.0 – Her Solution To Her Ugly Electronics (Plus An Ask The Audience)

This traffic wasn’t “bad” but I expected it to be much better. Again, it’s process, it’s a DIY, and it’s personal. The blogging trifecta! But for whatever reason, it didn’t speak to a ton of you which is totally fine. I promise it won’t stop us:)

Also, a fun/tragic fact about the bench is that unless I want a cable running around my fireplace and turret…this cannot house my electronics hahaha. Someone (that someone is me) didn’t check which wall her internet was coming from. I don’t regret making this cabinet bench for one second but I will need to come up with another solution for my electronics…UGH.

Stylish Purses That Fit A Laptop  (+ One Accessory To Make Them Even Cuter)

A real swing and a miss but hopefully helped maybe a few of you. We try to think of pain points in our own lives and I was in search of a quality (and cute) purse that could hold my 16″ laptop. My beloved belt bag is useless in this department:) Maybe it was just too niche or not enough of a priority for people.

Painting The Farmhouse Exterior – Our Inspiration, Biggest Debates, And How Choosing Between White Paints Can Be Hilariously Maddening – Even For Me.

This one is even more baffling than the bathroom post! Exterior posts are usually super popular – especially exterior paint posts. It must be because painting the exterior of a house is SOOO intimidating because it’s pretty freaking expensive. I get that any help in that department is extremely appreciated. Can’t win ’em all!

15 Really Good Father’s Day Gift Ideasphoto by suraya barbee

With this one, I was also pretty stunned. It may or may not be a shock that a majority of our readers are not fathers. So posts like these are usually pretty popular since fathers are notorious for being impossible to shop for. But I guess this year or this post just didn’t pop. I still highly recommend looking at this post because they are great gifts that the dads in our lives truly love.

Storytime: I didn’t find out until after the fact that apparently, my dad wrote a father’s day post without telling m because he really loved writing the one he did the year prior. I didn’t ask him again because I didn’t want the team to feel pressured to say yes because he’s my dad. It’s understandably hard for me to be fully objective when it comes to him. So maybe if y’all want another Les Bunge father’s day gift guide in 2023 maybe I can persuade him:)

So those were all of our surprises! Are you surprised? Do you agree? If you get why some didn’t work we would love your opinion. But please never forget that we are people with real feelings so let’s keep the comments constructive<3

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: *Design by Sara Ruffin Costello | Styled by Velinda Hellen & Erik Kenneth Staalberg | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for “The New Design Rules”

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The Top 10 Instagram Reels of The Year (Did You See Them All??)

Hey party people!! Mal here, back on the blog to give ya a rundown of what’s going on over on our Instagram 🙂 Hope everyone had a happy holiday and that you’ve got some fun plans coming up for NYE!! Man oh man I love this season! Alright, now it’s time for some reflection, so let’s have a look back at our Instagram reels (since reels ruled 2022) and take a peek at which ones performed the best because why not??

At number 10 we have one of my personal favorite reels, the “intro” reel to the farmhouse renovation:

10. Our Farmhouse Renovation Story

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Cute right?! I remember begging Emily to record this voiceover because I knew it would make such a fun video –– I wanted to really tell the story of the farmhouse & why they’re renovating it so that if you were new to EHD and clicked on this, you’d totally get what was going on. I even pinned it to our page when that new feature came out for that very reason. I think it sums up the whole Portland farmhouse reno pretty well 🙂 Now onto number 9:

9. How To Create A Personal Gallery Wall

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This is one of my favorite reels –– it’s actually an old video (I think it was originally an IGTV) that we repackaged into a reel and I was really happy with how it turned out!! I remember seeing this gallery wall for the first time (from this reveal!) and I thought the ideas were so creative, so I wanted to turn it into an educational video so people could get inspired. I’m glad that this performed well because it just proves that quick, snappy videos can sometimes get the point across easier than a longer form. Now onto another oldie but a goodie:

8. Hanging Curtains All Wrong

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This reel was inspired by a blog post we wrote years ago that has always had a lot of impact on our readers (and continues to be one of the most constantly referred to blog posts both internally and externally). Seriously though, y’all love this post! And I can totally see why. It’s full of “dos” and “dont’s” that are so clear and helpful for when you’re trying to navigate the scary world of curtains (especially because you have to put a nail into the wall and they are often times extremely expensive).

7. Our Farmhouse Kitchen Reveal!

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Ah in number 7 we have our very exciting first big farmhouse reveal, the kitchen!! This space was such a labor of love and we all are obsessed with it. The tile, that salvaged island, that sexy range…all of it is perfect and this was such a fun before and after. We shot a bunch of kitchen reels so there might be more on the way soon…now onto our sweet number six:

6. My Curly Hair Styling

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TBT to this shoot!! We had so much fun learning how to style curly hair on this day (and also Ryann got a perm!!!) The whole day was a blast and I’m glad we got a fun reel out of it that you guys enjoyed. The best kind of days are the ones where the shoot is fun and the content is even more fun. Then when it performs well, like this one did, it makes our hearts sing!! Now for the top 5 (hint: it might have some more fun farmhouse reveals!!!):

5. The Painted Stairs

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The stairs are back!!! Emily just wrote a post on these stairs + the plan for them (hello new runner coming soon)!! If you’re curious how the paint is holding up after a few months, it’s all in that post too. I love this reel so much, this was all done by Sarah, an awesome gal that was freelancing with us in Portland. She killed it!!

4. The Oddly Satisfying Exterior Primer

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Emily posted this video to stories and I watched it about 7 times before I finally turned it off…I knew immediately it needed to live on the grid and it would be a great reel. This video is so relaxing and totally reminds me of the type of reels this account posts (which I’m obsessed with watching). It’s so much fun to see the process, especially when it’s that satisfying!! Ding ding ding, time for top 3:

3. Sunroom Floor Reveal

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Similarly to the last video, Emily sent this to me and I was like, “AH THIS WILL BE SUCH A FUN REEL!” and looky here, you guys clearly agreed!! The flooring reveal is so much fun, especially when that Pratt and Larson tile is that beautiful…I mean COME ON. I’ll never not love that tile border. Yummy. Okay, now the runner-up is…

2. Our Salvaged Kitchen Island

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How unreal is this?? We revealed the farmhouse salvaged island in this reel, and I remember taking a few of these videos and turning them into this. I had no idea the reel would blow up the way it did, but alas here we are!! We know you guys love vintage (and so do we) plus the video is short and to the point so the salvaged island really shines! AND IN OUR TOP SPOT (DRUMROLL PLEASE)

1. Sunroom Before & After

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This sunroom before and after!!! There are 3 main reasons why this did so well: 1. the before/after is INSANE 2. It was posted on Emily’s birthday! 3. It was one of the first nearly “finished” corners we showed of the farm (and it’s so pretty). I love watching it and it’s quick (which helps things go viral too I think). The Instagram reel world is so wild to be a part of…it’s pretty much the wild west of social media that we love discovering more and more.

Thanks everyone for reading and SO MUCH LOVE to you and your family during this new year. Hope everyone has a fantastic NYE & 2023!! WOOP WOOP!

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: The Griffith Park Master Bedroom Reveal

The post The Top 10 Instagram Reels of The Year (Did You See Them All??) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Top 10 Posts in 2022 You Couldn’t Stop Reading (This Might Be Our Favorite List :))

We feel endlessly lucky that in a time when our attention spans have a hard time lasting past a 3-minute video (guilty!) that we have you all who take the time to really read our posts…especially the long ones. So we wanted to take a little (or actually long) trip down memory lane and chat about the posts y’all spent the most time reading and hopefully enjoying.

10. Introducing Bowser’s Never Before Seen Backhouse Backyard (+ Her Plans To Make This Awkward Space Great)

We don’t need to tell you that Emily Bowser is a STAR! Her posts are relatable, engaging, and extremely entertaining. This post, in particular, was really fun because it was our first time getting to dive into the rental property which was a huge part of why Emily and her husband decided to buy this place. Plus is anyone else excited about this backyard reveal??? FYI this is not the last time she’ll be on this list:)

9. Design Agony Is Back! But This Time It’s All About Picking Out The Right Decor For Your Room

This meant the world to me!! Design agony posts are so rewarding but definitely take a lot of work because we want to make sure we give you solutions that will actually work if you decide to take our advice. So when I saw that this post was on the most minutes engaged list it gave me hope that not only did the people I was able to help get something out of it but maybe readers with similar agonies did too! Did y’all like the “personal shopper” angle? I promise there will be more design agony posts in 2023.

8. The OG Portland Project House Was For Sale Again (And Sold Fast) + Some 3 Year Later Reflections…And Real Budget Numbers

I don’t think annnyone should be surprised by this post making the list. It’s very hard to share mistakes and budgets when it comes to big renovations for thousands of people to read. I might sound like a broken record but renovation show budgets ARE NOT REAL! Actually, wait. When I watched Nate and Jeremiah’s show I felt that they were pretty transparent about what the homeowner’s budgets could achieve and then the real value of what they got them gifted. But let’s be real, this show is the exception and not the rule. Hopefully, we are moving in a more realistic direction with home renovation shows. ANYWAY, this was simply an honest and juicy post that I was proud that Em wrote.

7. Moving Through Some Regret – The First Look At The Farmhouse Living Room Plus What I’m LOVING So Far 🙂photo by kaitlin green

The farmhouse living room reveal that wasn’t a reveal! Just the prettiest process post ever. This was clearly SO exciting for everyone to see because it felt like the first time we were getting close to some real reveals. Plus who doesn’t want to read about a professional designer’s design regrets? It makes us all feel better because designing a home (or even a room) is hard. There also happens to be over 400 comments which undoubtedly kept some of you on the site for a few extra minutes:)

6. Emily Bowser Is Back With Another WILD Reno Rollercoaster: The Front Yard (PART ONE)

She’s back! This lady knows how to tell a story in such a compelling way. Also, these posts are not brief which is just further testament to her ability to engage and not not a reason why they make this list every year. For this post specifically, I don’t think anyone could have read about their sewer line issue without their eyes bulging out of their head. Look, these are the real things that so many homeowners know all too well. I’m sure it’s reassuring that there are people on the internet who deal with the same shit (pun intended:)).

5. The Current State Of The Farmhouse Family/TV Room – What We Are Troubleshooting, Confused By, And Debating…photo by kaitlin green

Now, this actually wasn’t a long post (SUPRISE!) so it was the comment section that really made this one a “time on post” winner. Designing is like playing dominos. Once one piece falls, usually everything else is affected in an annoying way. This is definitely the case with this room and you all were trying your best to help Em with your suggestions. This is another reveal I can’t wait to see!

4. Years After A Forced Budget Kitchen Reno (Due To Black Mold And Out Of Control Renovation Costs)…Emily Bowser Is Designing The Kitchen She Actually Wantedphoto by sara ligorria-tramp

Yep, #3! So it was towards the end of November when I got an email from Bowser with the subject line, “Surprise!” Honestly, it was one of the best emails I had gotten in a while. Not only was it a complete blog post but it was a complete blog post from Bowser. To say it was a treat would be an understatement. Again, she gave us a super relatable post about the reality of budget constraints, design disappointment, and ultimately a happy ending!! I have a feeling the reveal might make next year’s list:)

3. All The Ups And Downs Of Emily Bowser’s Front Yard Renovation (Part 2!)

Ok, ok this is getting ridiculous, Bowser. We get it, people love your posts and want to read every last word. FYI I (and the team) are also those people! This one was just as juicy as any other but also showed us some real progress which is always really exciting. No surprise here.

2. Sara Got Married! A DIY Wedding In The Desert That Was Filled With Nothing But Lovephoto by anais possami

I mean, this post was so so so special. Not only was it BEAUTIFUL, but you could also feel the love and heart behind this whole weekend. Sara is a very special EHD alum and for those who have been long-time readers, I am sure it also felt extremely special to get to see how Sara and her husband Mac celebrate the start of this beautiful new chapter as a married couple. So while this wasn’t a short post I think it was impossible to not stare at every photo making us all stay much longer. Stunning yet so personable. If you missed this one, I highly suggest reading it asap<3

1. The Farmhouse Kitchen Reveal And All My Thoughts And Feelings About Itphoto by kaitlin green

And OF COURSE, this was the longest-viewed post!!! I mean, THE Henderson farmhouse kitchen was finally done and ready for its gorgeous debut! I think we can all agree that this is an “Emily Henderson kitchen” through and through and it was impossible to not pour over every photo and read the 250+ comments. It almost has an 8-minute average time on post. For those who don’t know that’s a VERY long time for the internet. Thank you to everyone who read the post and loved it as much as we did.

So there weren’t any real “surprises” but it’s still fun to see the ones that made it to the top. Hope you have a great rest of your day, maybe you should read a blog post or two, and we’ll see you tomorrow.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Portland Project: The Living Room Reveal

The post The Top 10 Posts in 2022 You Couldn’t Stop Reading (This Might Be Our Favorite List :)) appeared first on Emily Henderson.