Emily Henderson's Blog, page 105

These Are The Top EHD 10 Reveals of 2022 (According To You!)

I think you all know that room reveals are by far our favorite thing to share on the blog. The amount of time, manpower, emails back and forth, shopping, styling, scheduling, and coordinating that each reveal requires is no easy feat, and we all feel so proud and accomplished when one makes it to this blog. EVERY reveal we get to be part of is exciting and we are all so grateful this is a part of our jobs. And with a small team of 5, we also have our incredible team of contributors to thank for sharing their talent with us so we can give you even more reveals each year. So to wrap up this eventful year, we figured it would be fun/illuminating to round up the 10 reveals that got the most views in 2022. Would you care to join me?

10. Malcolm’s DIY-FILLED Office Reveal: How To Lean Into Color And Create A Stimulating Work From Home Spacedesign and photo by malcolm simmonsdesign and photos by malcolm simmons

This home office by Malcolm has everything. Moody walls! Brass details! Vintage pieces! DIYs! A David head neon sign! We know we aren’t the only ones who are waiting anxiously for another makeover from him now that he’s in London, and this office making the top 10 is proof.

9. How Sara Course Corrected Her Initial “Clean, Modern, And Very Neutral” Primary Bath Design Plan Into The Actual Design She Wanted – It’s A Suprise Reveal!design and photo by sara ligorria-trampdesign and photos by sara ligorria-tramp

Sara’s bathroom reveal starts as a cautionary tale about ordering permanent finishes a little too soon but ends with a beautiful lesson in making it work. And you would never know this bathroom wasn’t her original design plan because it is so layered, stylish, and functional. I LOVE the niche above her toilet and the wall color is stunning.

8. MOTO Reveal! How Jess Made Her WFH Office/Living Room Totally Multifunctional (With Big Help From The World’s Most Beautiful Smart Monitor)design by jess bunge | styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp

Coming in at #8 is Jess’ WFH office/EHD command center. This is where the magic happens, people!! But I suspect the real reason that it made it to this list is because it is a real stunner. The pink curtains were a slight design risk that totally paid off and I love how they pair with the luxe chandelier (that came with the apartment–how cool is that?). But lest we forget the true stars here, which are of course that desk and unbelievable chair. 10/10 Jess!

7. A *First Round* FarmHouse Reveal – Readying Our Guest Room For Family To Visitdesign by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin greendesign by emily henderson | photos by kaitlin green

Oh look, IT’S THE VERY FIRST FARMHOUSE ROOM REVEAL. And another pink-forward room (takes notes vigorously). Emily needed to quickly pull this guest room together for a family visit, and luckily Target saved the day and was down to sponsor. I love the choice to go monochrome with the bedding, which makes this room feel uber-cozy and inviting. That light wood side table is also one of my favorite pieces!!

6. Reveal – Beautiful Outdoor Furniture, Some Great Flea Finds, And Of Course… A DIY Dad Projectdesign by jess bunge | styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-trampdesign by jess bunge | styled by emily bowser | photos by sara ligorria-tramp

Can you believe Jess designed this shared outdoor area for her and all her neighbors to enjoy?? She is a real gem. When said she wanted to freshen up this space, I don’t think anyone expected such a thoughtful, happy design that is super functional. I know most of us aren’t thinking about outdoor refreshes in the dead of winter BUT I suggest bookmarking this one for later because it has a ton of great styling ideas and of course a DIY :).

5. My Best Friends 1970s Basement Gets A Comfortable, Cozy Makeover – Wood Paneling And Wall-To-Wall Carpet Includeddesign by emily henderson and priscilla frost | styled by emily henderson | photo by sara ligorria-trampdesign by emily henderson and priscilla frost | styled by emily henderson | photo by sara ligorria-trampdesign by emily henderson and priscilla frost | styled by emily henderson | photos by sara ligorria-tramp

This basement living room is ONE of my personal favorites of the year. Maybe it’s the cozy log cabin vibe, or simply that wood paneling. Who can say?? But I really love this room. Emily and Pricilla Frost designed it (it’s Emily’s friend Robyn’s basement). You must head over to the full reveal to see the before and after. It’s almost unrecognizable!

4. My Friend’s Carpeted Basement Bathroom Gets A Budget Makeover (With A Lot Of Readymade Products And The Transformation Is Insane)design by priscilla frost | styled by emily henderson | photo by sara ligorria-trampdesign by priscilla frost | styled by emily henderson | photos by sara ligorria-tramp

Well looky here! This is the basement bathroom connected to the above basement living room (also designed by Pricilla Frost with help from Emily). This bathroom was once fully CARPETED and we aren’t sure who thought that was a good plan, but as you can see it’s been completely transformed. That geometric floor tile is awesome, and I am very into the black-white-and-dark-blue color scheme happening here.

3. Sara’s Galley Kitchen “Update” Turned Into A Full Renovation (And The Result Is Well Worth The Wait)design and photo by sara ligorria-tramp | styled by emily bowserdesign and photos by sara ligorria-tramp | styled by emily bowser

Sara’s kitchen wasn’t always going to be a full renovation but we are pretty happy that it turned out that way. She designed a kitchen that nails the modern-traditional style effortlessly. I love the green cabinets paired with the blue oven, and all the brass details (like those rods for hanging baskets and utensils) are really special.

2. Our Front Door Reveal – On Choosing The Right Color + What It Did To My Psyche AND Our Curb Appealdesign by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin green

It’s another Farmhouse reveal, DUH. We are all obsessed with that red door. After considering many different color swatches including black, yellow, green, and blue, Emily and Brian landed on this stunning red. The color really is perfect and sets the tone for the rest of the home. Now add “own a home with a red door” to my bucket list.

1. The Farmhouse Kitchen Reveal And All My Thoughts And Feelings About Itdesign by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin greendesign by emily henderson | photos by kaitlin greendesign by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin green

To literally no one’s surprise the Farmhouse kitchen clocked in at #1 and it’s not hard to guess why. After two years of anticipation, I think you all were as excited to see this kitchen as Emily was to reveal it (which is why this blog exists, right?? :)). I haven’t personally seen this beauty in person YET but I can’t wait to. It really is so beautiful, soulful, and timeless. I die over all the wood, the tile, and of course the vintage island!!

And there you have it, folks. This officially wraps up our top 10 reveals in 2022. We can’t wait to show you what’s cooking for next year!! xx

The post These Are The Top EHD 10 Reveals of 2022 (According To You!) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Emily’s Favorite Easy Read Of The Year, The Best Netflix Holiday Special According To Caitlin, And A Juicy Podcast Episode

Happy Friday and happy, happy holidays! We figured everyone is pretty much shopping fatigued at this point in the year so today we thought we would share some books, movies, shows, and podcasts to enjoy over a (hopefully) long, relaxing weekend. This will be the last EHD link up of the year (oh how time flies!) and we are taking the next two days off the blog, so thank you for joining us and we will see you back here on Monday.

This home tour will have you believing that green and red is a killer color scheme that works all year long. It is a Victorian terrace designed by Tiffany Duggan of Studio Duggan, who excels at creating spaces that are polished, soulful, yet completely inviting. Please, give your eyeballs a treat and check out the whole home tour.

From Emily: This is my favorite easy-read book of the year. I received another text from one of my best friends (who shares my reading list usually) and she said “This. More books like this”, after my recommendation. Every Summer After, by Carley Fortune (a former romance editor, turned writer) is a sweet, coming-of-age, nostalgic, feel-good romance that I personally need more of. It’s well-written, with good dialogue and a story that is easy to relate to, but it’s one of those you instantly can get into and curl up with all day. This year I’m doing a non-fiction book club with my best friends (mostly self-improvement spiritual and/or business-related) because I can just read easy rom-com after easy rom-com and I do want to use more areas of my brain. But over the holidays for those of you who don’t want to have to think but want to dig into a feel-good book, I’d say of the 40 or so books I read this year that this one was my favorite.

From Caitlin: Can we talk about Who Killed Santa? I’ve been kind of disappointed by Netflix’s holiday offerings this year, but THIS ONE WAS SO FUN. The gist: Jason Bateman and Maya Rudolph were hired to film a Christmas special, but they’re not given a script and they have NO IDEA what’s going on. The rest of the cast (including Will Arnett, who stars as Detective Terry Seattle) and crew all know what’s going to happen next, but the guest stars are completely in the dark and they’re forced to improv through each scene. Everyone is breaking and laughing constantly and it just seems like they had a ton of fun shooting it, which I LOVED. What did you think? (And if this sounds up your alley, there’s an entire series called Murderville that operates on the same premise – it came out in February of 2022 but never really hit, you know? Worth the watch over the holiday break!)

From Ryann: I have to second Caitlin’s Murderville recommendation. This show is so funny and deserves more recognition!! Granted, I love Will Arnett and love when actors break character even more, so this show is a 10/10 for me. I think fans of SNL or Arrested Development will love this show (and it’s appropriate for older kids and teens so could be a great show to watch with the family over break). Let’s get this show another season, please!!

Also from Ryann: One of my favorite comedians, Catherine Cohen, does an advice column for W magazine, and anytime I feel like I need a pep talk I go there. Reading her words is like getting sage advice from your hilarious older sister who is extremely cool and only wears sharp-winged eyeliner. I will even re-read her older columns just to bring me out of a bad mood and it works every time. I love and revere this woman and think everyone else should too!

From Jess: If anyone is looking for a feel-good holiday movie, I thought Hanukkah on Rye was so freaking sweet! Not only was it great to see a holiday rom-com about something other than Christmas, but it was also honestly the perfect “Hallmark” holiday movie. You can actually feel the chemistry between the leads (not always the case) and while their romance is unrealistically fast (like in all of these types of movies), the progression felt WAY MORE natural than most of the ones I’ve seen recently. If you love this genre then you will love this movie:) Oh, and if anyone’s a Jane the Virgin fan then get ready to see Petra in a whole new light:)

Also From Jess: If you haven’t watched From Scratch yet, it’s A MUST. You will cry but you won’t regret it. And it’s based on a true love story. GO NOW!

From Mallory: Guys. John Mayer was just interviewed on Call Her Daddy this week and it’s time to get your popcorn, cocoa & candy canes and have a listen. I’m not kidding when I say that all my friends and I have been WAITING for this to drop. I recently got into Call her Daddy after listening to Alex Cooper on Emily Ratakowski’s new podcast, High/Low. Both of these podcasts are fairly new in my life but I highly recommend them so far if you’re in need of some new ones 🙂

That’s all from us. Please have a great weekend and HAPPY HOLIDAYS! xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Our Living Room, Dressed Up for the Holidays (With a ‘And How I Feel About It’ Running Commentary)

The post The Link Up: Emily’s Favorite Easy Read Of The Year, The Best Netflix Holiday Special According To Caitlin, And A Juicy Podcast Episode appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Jess Tried Roman Clay “Paint” For The First Time And Here’s How It Went

Sorry, it’s been a minute since my last closet update. Surprise, surprise I’m running behind. If you’ve missed my plans to DIY the heck out of my walk-through hall closet (a closet that connects my hallway to my bathroom) then check out the intro and the first update. But if you know exactly what’s going on design-wise then I will tell you I have made my life much harder. “But Jess, how did you do that?” Well, I decided that I wanted the look and texture of roman clay. What is roman clay? It’s an eco-friendly plaster that you apply to smooth interior walls with a putty knife. That’s right, no brushes allowed! “Jess, have you ever applied roman clay to a wall before??” The answer to that is no…until this past weekend. But before we get into my “roman test run,” I wanted to remind y’all that I have decided to also create my own design of Morse Code to honor my late mother with her name and a sweet message she wrote me in a card years ago. I know it sounds weird and my very ugly drawing below doesn’t make it sound cool, but I promise if you keep reading I might be able to change your mind.

Right, roman clay. Last week, I went to Portola Paints & Glazes in Burbank to check out their options since they are known for their limewash paint and roman clay. I went in thinking I had a plan and then immediately realized I wasn’t even sure about the colors I wanted to sample. So with the help of an extremely kind and patient employee who listened to me talk nonsense about my “circle design” (thanks, Dustin!), I chose 10 color swatches to take home with me because I was kinda overwhelmed and sample pots are $10 each. See below.

Every color they have is beautiful but these were the ones I gravitated toward the most for this project. I brought them home and pretty immediately knew I want to go cool-toned. Wish I could have just made that decision on the first trip. SMH.

But actually, when I went back to get the samples, another wildly generous employee (I can’t remember his name!) showed me exactly how to stencil and create my pattern. He even let me film him demonstrating it! I was so grateful because, like I said, I’ve never worked with a product like this and was more or less winging it. Cool cool, Jess. FYI this post is in no way sponsored by Portola. I was just blown away by their customer service and think everyone should know:)

Above are the colors I chose to play with. Please don’t be bummed! I know that the color palettes from my last post were much more vibrant but working with more than two clay colors on this project is too much for my skill level and honestly, not what I want aesthetically. I promise to now bring some more color with the curtain:)

HOT TIP: They recommend using a metal putty knife. But if you are working with a super light roman clay color (like Piano Room which came highly recommended) then you are going to want to use a plastic putty knife. I guess with light colors the metal can leave dark marks.

first coat during the day

Naturally, I was nervous because if I “failed” my whole design plan would be out the door. Dramatic much? Well, I gave it a go anyway on two small pieces of drywall I bought at Home Depot. But first I carefully watch their YouTube tutorial as I continually glanced at my two empty canvases thinking that all those art classes as a youth had to pay off right now. I also decided that I would try the Presidente (on the left) and Mare Island (on the right) as my two base options. I really liked the light grey but didn’t feel it would make the statement I wanted.

Honestly, after my first coat, I wasn’t mad, slightly impressed even. I think trying to do it on the floor made the bottom halves a little trickier but ultimately I felt like I might not be a lost cause after all .

second coat during at night

Then after that first coat dried, I gave it a light sand with 320 sanding sheets, wiped it down with a rag, and went for the second coat. The process is a little laborious but too not terrible.

I then let them dry overnight and the next morning I was ready to try out the stencil method I was taught. Here’s how to do it…

1. Draw your shape directly only on the wall.
2. Cover it with preferably light-colored masking tape.
3. Draw your shape again on top of the tape (I don’t think this is necessary as long as you can see your original stencil FYI).
4. Use an Exacto knife to cut along your stencil line.
5. Remove excess tape.
6. Take a clear sealer, and then with your finger, rub it over the edge of where you are going to paint (for me that’s inside the circle).
7. Take a cloth and remove the excess sealer from the inside. This will keep your paint from bleeding out under the tape.
8. Get your tape and add more to the outside area of your shape to give yourself more of a “cushion” to avoid getting paint where you don’t want it.
9. “Paint” away!

As you can see I added more tape for extra protection but this is how my first and second coats looked. You can go a little thicker on the second coat if you want less “variation”. Just don’t forget to sand and dry wipe after the first coat.

Here is my first full attempt with Presidente and Fade to Black…as you can see I had some mishaps with the tape pulling off the clay. NOT GREAT! But I went back to Portola and asked them if this happened because I applied the clay directly to the drywall without a primer. They kindly said yes and that for my real walls, as long as the current wall paint is water-based paint I will be 100% fine and priming isn’t even necessary!! I was so relieved. I mean if there weren’t all of those tears I would be super happy with it.

And this is my first attempt with Mare Island and Fade to Black. Now, as much as I appreciated that guy showing me his taping method, since my patterns are in a line I came up with a better way that I’ll show you in a minute:)

And here’s how the first round turned out. Not toooooo bad for my first time, right?? I mean sure it was a bit mind-numbing stenciling, taping, cutting, putty knifing(?), sanding, and then putty knifing again…but that’s what I do. Nothing is allowed to be simple with me, I guess. I mean remember the bench??? But the bench turned out amazing and I can’t wait to show you!

Ok, ok. This is how I decided to tape for the second round…

I used two long strips across instead of a million tiny pieces of tape! This way also made it easier to line everything up so I didn’t accidentally trend upward or down. I should also warn you that your cuts (especially if you have circles) are not going to be perfect. Unless you have a VERY steadiest hand! I like the imperfect look for this project.

See how much better that is!? Even with that tear, it’s so much easier to take off.

But now let’s take about which combo looks the best. I photoshopped the pictures so that there weren’t any tears since they are really distracting and won’t be in the final product:)

Ok, so the top row is the Fade to Black and the bottom is In the Navy. I know it’s hard to see the blue on the tan color but that’s just because the lighting is weird. I think I’m leaning toward the blue-on-blue and here’s why…

While this photo was taken at night (aka zero natural light), I think the blue base gives a nice depth, and the lighter blue pattern is more playful.

Also, if you look at the two options from this angle, I don’t love the idea of all of the trim being that tan color. The blue makes more sense to go on every surface inside the closet and it works with the tile of the bathroom better, right?

P.S. Did you notice my new little brass rod??!

Towel Set

And to give you a little design direction for the bathroom, these are the towels I am crossing my fingers I can get. I know that all the combos technically go with these towels but I just like of contrast of the blue with them a bit more.

To be honest, I’ve realized that I am easily scared by dark paint (or plaster) colors in my own home when trim and doors are involved (FYI I’ll be using acrylic paint in the same color for the trim and doors). It feels a little overwhelming and what if it looks bad?? Those are just some silly thoughts that come into my brain but I want/need to quiet them because it’s just paint and I can always pivot.

So thoughts? Feelings? Has anyone worked with roman clay and has tips? Let’s talk because I’m starting next week!

Love you, mean it.

The post Jess Tried Roman Clay “Paint” For The First Time And Here’s How It Went appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Floor Lamp | Sofa (similar)

Candle Sconce | Olive Green Tapered Candle

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

White Fringe Stockings

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

Flush Mount Light

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

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

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

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

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

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

*Design and Photos by Rashida Banks

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

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

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

The Perfect Artsy Daily Newsletter Subscription

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

Maybe Baby Newsletter and Podcast Subscription

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

Buy Them Some Lunches At Their Favorite Lunch Spot

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

Inspire A New Hobby

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

A Night Away

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

The Gift Of A FUN Workout

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

Upgrade Their Favorite Streaming Service

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

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

Make Their Life A Little (Or A Lot) Spicier

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

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

A Concert They’ll Always Remember

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

Get Your Wine Lover The Perfect Gift

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

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

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

Give Them The Gift Of A Lift!

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

For The Snack Lover In Your Life

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

They Deserve A Nice Service, You Deserve A Discount

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

Give Them A Smokey Treat

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

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

That all sounds pretty great and special to me!

Vintage Lovers Will LOVE You

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

Give Them A “Hello” From A Celebrity

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

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

Love you, mean it.

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

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

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

Suddenly Suburban: A Pandemic Tale

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

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

photos by kelsey ann rosephotos by kelsey ann rose

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

photo by emma hopp

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Wool Sweater Jacket | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

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

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

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

Puffer Pullover | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

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

Turtleneck Sweater | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

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

Coat | Turtleneck Sweater | Cali Demi Boot Jeans | Boots

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

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

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

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

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

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

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

Rom Coms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Friends & Family

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classics for Everyone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kid-Friendly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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