Emily Henderson's Blog, page 106

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

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

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

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

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

Here’s a bit of the painted process:

The Painted Stairs

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

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

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

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

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

*”Good Photos” By Kaitlin Green

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Bed Debacle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Option 1:

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

Option 2:

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

Option 3:

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

Option 4:

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

Option 5:

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

Option 6:

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

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The Link Up: Em’s DIY Ornament She Can’t Wait To Try, The Moisterizure That’s Making Jess’ Face Feel Great, And A “Can’t Stop Listening, It’s So Good” Podcast

We made it to Sunday y’all and we are happy to be here. While we’re all trying to enjoy the holidays and not overwhelm ourselves, that comes less naturally to some of us:) But we are grateful to be here with you all and hope you all have as many fun plans as you see fit (like Em’s incredibly sweet cousin crafting party). But for now, let’s link!

This week’s house tour is going to truly steal everyone’s hearts. If you think you’ll be immune, we hate to tell you that you are wrong. We don’t think we’ve seen a house this charming, this happy, this inviting, THIS COLORFUL, and yet still elevated and incredibly put together in a while. But no one should be surprised because this house was designed by the incredible Frances Merrill of Reath Design. You also might be delighted to find out that the homeowner, Katie Jordan, and Frances also worked together on this infamous home project🙂 So please go get your big dose of eye candy and have a great rest of your day!

From Emily: The DIY ornaments (inspired by one of my favorite bloggers) that my kids and I are tackling this weekend. We are having another crafting party but with older kids (today, actually) so I wanted to come up with something that was slightly more grown up (some of the kids are tweens and teens). My hope is that they can make multiples for themselves and to give them as gifts (and hopefully they’ll turn out really pretty?). At the same time, I still don’t want a ton of mess, clean up, risk of paint on the sunroom floor, or huge costs. So when I saw Grit and Polish’s post about these DIY wallpaper sample ornament baubles I thought they looked pretty doable and fun (especially if I go to the craft store and get really colorful paper that I know our kids will like – not just wallpaper samples).

From Ryann: I can’t stop wearing these leggings. I have heard amazing things about Alo but now I can tell you firsthand that their quality is unmatched. These ones hold their integrity so well which is very important to me and the waistband doesn’t slip down like others tend to do. I would even go as far as to say that Alo leggings surpass Lululemon!

From Caitlin: I just flew through Season 2 of the Cover Story podcast. Let me set the stage for you real quick: two ex-spies drag some New York Magazine reporters to Montana, claiming that an esteemed billionaire/venture capitalist is running a perverse trafficking ring in the middle of this formerly-sleepy town. And, well…it only gets stranger from there. (Spoiler: turns out that the accused AND the spies are all pretty crummy guys!) If you’re going to be sitting on a plane, on a train, or in the car over the next few weeks, download this for the ride. It’s a well-paced, pretty shocking, and well-researched listen.

From Mallory: I bought these snowmen from CB2 and I am in love with them!! So simple and sleek but make awesome winter/holiday decor. I love them so much!!! They are sparking so much joy for me rn.

From Jess: I have two go-to/favorite skincare brands. Shani Darden and Dr. Dennis Gross. I tend to mix and match their products such as Shani’s Retinol Reform and Dr. Dennis’ Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads. Both incredible! But after I finished my SD moisturizer, I wanted something a bit richer for the cold dry winter months. So I decided to try Dr. Dennis Gross’ Vitamin C Lactic Dewy Deep Cream and his Vitamin C Lactic Firm & Bright Eye Treatment. I’ve been using them for a few weeks and LOVE how they make my skin feel – super hydrated and bright. And because I clearly have a problem, I bought his Stress Rescue Super Serum with Niacinamide during Black Friday. I’ve only used it a little but it feels great and none of these products irritate my sensitive skin. I know these are pricier brands but if you have the budget I can’t recommend them enough.

From Albie: To know me is to know that I love tea, which is part of my gardening motivations — to have my own tea garden. As much as I love tea, it only dawned on me just the other day that I don’t have any good “old-fashioned” teacup sets. I ended up falling down a rabbit hole & coveting Spode’s Creatures of Curiosity collection. And by the way…the collection is more than just tea wares…hence the rabbit hole. The color combinations & pattern play…it’s all so good! This is also how I was introduced to the Spode brand — where have I been — and now I have way too many things in my shopping cart. 

Again, have a great rest of your Sunday and see y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Images Credits: Design by Project M Plus | Styled by Velinda Hellen and Emily Edith Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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Our Easy, Fun, And Affordable Kids Cousin + Crafting Holiday Party (All From Target)

I’m sticking with my “fun and easy” life theme these days, especially around the holidays. In the past, I have had a real ability to overcomplicate crafts and make them hard to execute (and be extremely messy – remember when I tried marbling with toxic nail polish inside when the kids were 1 and 3?? Total disaster). This is usually due to me wanting to do things with my kids that are above their level (which I think there is a time and place for, tbh). Sometimes this can lead to frustrations and disappointments from all parties which can be a real bummer. But I learned during lockdown how much more fun doing less intense crafts and not caring about the end result was. It’s about the process, the connection, the fun of it all – not how it looks. So I pitched a “Cousin – Crafting – Christmas (and Cocktail) Party” to Target who was very happy to sponsor it:)

Wreath | Wooden Ornaments

Our house was already decorated for the holidays, and relatively clean, so with one stop at the fully stocked local Target (shout out to Washington Square) we snagged their craft/ornament kits, gingerbread kits, and festive treats and invited my siblings and their kids over for an afternoon and evening of fun.

It was messy, as it should be, but also contained and the kids were able to do so much of it on their own. With the help of my friend Kaitlin (a professional photographer and neighbor who also shoots families and weddings so I knew she could handle 6 kids), we were able to capture the spirit of fun to show you, without stepping on the kid’s toes. My motto this year is “done is better than perfect, and fun is better than done” and this party was so easy, affordable, and really fun – even the cleanup was fast.

The Prep – A Simple Set Up

Decorative Metal Market Cart with Trees and Mini Wreath | Honeycomb Trees Décor (Set of 3)

I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to really style the shots with six kids involved so whatever we put on the table would need to be cute and foolproof. My kids helped (mostly because they were so excited to get started before the cousins came over) and since our house was already decorated for the holidays we set up the table but that was mostly it.

Christmas Santa Mug | Christmas Christman Tree Mug | House Mug | Gingerbread Man Mug | Candy Canes

We covered the table (and island) in butcher/craft paper and I wanted a little bit of unbreakable decor so I found these ADORABLE honeycomb trees in the Spritz section for $3 a bag (three in a bag) that the kids put together. Then we put out markers, craft supplies, and holiday mugs and then threw some candy canes on the table. I didn’t even cut off the white strings on the trees, which of course now I regret but I just kinda threw everything on the table and let the kids (and Kaitlin) go for it. When I was shopping for this at Target I kept everything in bright and fun colors (“Please, not boring colors, mama” – Birdie) but of course, it doesn’t hurt to have that tile and the incredible light in that room.

Decorative Metal Market Cart with Trees and Mini Wreath | Decorative Metal Truck with Tree and Star | Red Beaded Garland

I added two toys (the white truck with the tree in the back and the market cart). I was so tempted to hang a wreath in every window but stopped myself, threw up the beaded garland instead on command strips, and just called it “done”.

1. Christmas Santa Mug | 2. Decorative Metal Market Cart with Trees and Mini Wreath | 3. Dog Mug | 4. Christmas Christman Tree Mug | 5. Decorative Metal Truck with Tree and Star | 6. Honeycomb Trees Décor (Set of 3) | 7. House Mug | 8. Glass Bowl | 9. Gingerbread Man Mug

The Crafting Kits

5pc Create-Your-Own Holiday Treats Art Kit | Color-Your-Own Santa’s Workshop | Create-Your-Own Holiday Craft Stick Characters Kit | Paint Your Own Wood Ornament Variety Set | Create-Your-Own Holiday Picture Frame Craft Kit | Watercolor Brush Pens

The craft kits are very, very good. As you know we are very into ornaments over here, so I bought four holiday crafting kits and these photo frames and let them go at it. Our kids are 7 and 9 and can read so they basically just did it on their own, but even Frank (my 5-year-old nephew) could do all of these as they are really simple and fun.

These are all the Mondo Llama line which is so affordable and comes with everything you need inside which makes it very, very easy on us and feels really contained and manageable.

These kits are designed to be really fun, colorful, and engaging for kids, and they truly are. I actually think that these are the best craft kits on the market (we’ve bought a lot). They allow for a lot of creativity with gems, paints, and stickers while also showing you the options you can make if you like a step-by-step. So they can really do whatever they dream up or just follow the directions.

Trying to shoot 6 kids in 2 hours without telling them what to do, where to look, etc, proved just as difficult as we thought it would be so we didn’t even get any final shots of the ornaments but they looked like little kid versions of what is on the box. It got dark so early and they rushed over to do the treats setup (understandably).

1. 5pc Create-Your-Own Holiday Treats Art Kit | 2. Freestanding Wood Snowman | 3. Color-Your-Own Santa’s Workshop | 4. Freestanding Wood Gingerbread Man | 5. 26pc Watercolor Brush Pens and Blending Brushes | 6. Create-Your-Own Holiday Picture Frame Craft Kit | 7. Create-Your-Own Holiday Craft Stick Characters Kit | 8. Paint Your Own Wood Ornament Variety Set | 9. 16ct Paint Markers Bullet Tip

Holiday “Baking” Made Easy

After we finished crafting, we went into the kitchen and started the sugar consumption and no-bake holiday dessert kits. Now we also make things from scratch but when you have lots of kids and want to catch up with grownups, the kits kept it really manageable and not a crazy flour disaster. The kits were all varying degrees of difficulty and the kids could follow step by step or again, just go for it.

Our #1 Favorite Sweet-Making Kit – Chocolate Covered Pretzels

I think the biggest hit was the chocolate-dipped pretzels – it didn’t matter how messy you made them, they looked so cute and were delicious.

Holiday Pretzel Decorating Kit | Rolling Pin | Bowls | Santa Cookie Cutter | Candy Cane Cookie Cutter

The kids loved these the most because you could actually eat them, whereas the gingerbread houses not so much. We bought two of these boxes (thank goodness) and went through them all – so easy and satisfying to look at.

Yes, Kaitlin did stand on the island to get that shot…

One of the biggest reasons we moved back to Portland was to raise our kids near their aunts/uncles, grandparents, and cousins. They are all around the same age and get along really well. They go to different schools and we don’t live that close, but end up seeing them at least once a month to where they feel connected. As you can see the Starke family DNA is STRONG.

My brother and sister joined in after work (at sunset which is around 4:30 – oof) and while the kids didn’t really need help, it sure was fun to have this excuse to do this with them.

The Gingerbread House Building Kits

Holiday Gingerbread Barn | Holiday Pre-Built Gingerbread House

I tried my first gingerbread house with the kids when they were 1 and 3 (real rookie move) and found out quickly how frustrating it can be to keep it together, let alone the mess. While the kids are a lot older now, these kits make it really, really easy for them to make – some more curated (like the barn), and then some were more of a free for all (the football field).

You can of course make this all from scratch but these kits simply make it much much much easier, which means that we get to have more fun and less frustration.

1. Holiday Gingerbread Barn | 2. Holly Jolly Sprinkle (Set of 4) | 3. Holiday Cookie Decorating Kit | 4. Sports Stadium Kit with Green Icing and Festive Paper | 5. Holiday Pre-Built Gingerbread House | 6. Holiday Pretzel Decorating Kit | 7. Super Strong Gingerbread Icing | 8. Mini Village Gingerbread Kit | 9. Holiday Sprinkles

Ready-Made Sugar Cookies

Holiday Cookie Decorating Kit

Lastly, we bought the sugar cookie kit that came with ready to eat with frosting options, and as you can see they got very “creative” while decorating them.

The whole night was full of squeals, a LOT of sugar (with only 2 meltdowns afterward), and it was really really easy because the kits kinda planned everything for us. We are big into crafting here and have a ton of supplies, but when you have a lot of people over there can be too many options and the crafting can be overwhelmingly messy. So if you are going to have a crafting/cocktail party (highly recommend) I can’t recommend these kits enough.

Black and White Kids Plaid Button-Up | Red Kids Plaid Button-Up | Microfleece Plaid Crewneck Sweatshirt | Yellow Kids Plaid Button-Up | Red Dress

Was it chaotic? YES. But in the best of ways and to be expected when you have six kids and so much sugar. When we finished all the crafts and desserts and dealt with a couple of meltdowns, we did the only thing possible – put on The Grinch, shut the door, and the grownups chatted around the fire.

When I got the photos back from Kaitlin I was so impressed that there were so many that turned out so well considering it was too chaotic to really set up proper shots.

She even caught our kids in this moment (below) when I wasn’t there and I kinda wanted to cry. Are you joking???? I swear I didn’t set up that moment, but it goes to show what bright colors, a good photographer, and a well-lit room can create:)

Thanks to Target for partnering on this party and post. I am so grateful to have a job that gives me allows me to hang out with my kids during the busiest time of the year. xx

Everything we used is rounded up in my Target Storefront (with all our holiday decor, too)!

This post was sponsored by Target but all words and opinions are all mine🙂 #targetpartner #targetfam
*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Our Easy, Fun, And Affordable Kids Cousin + Crafting Holiday Party (All From Target) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Only Practical Gift Guide You’ll Need This Holiday Season

Sometimes, I feel like practical gift posts end up being a bunch of weird garbage. Like, no, my fellow gift guide compiler – I totally understand your headspace, but I don’t think that most of us have any interest in giving or receiving an at-home Egg McMuffin maker, you know? (Okay, well, I may want to receive one, but we all know that it’d only get used a few times before I’d think it was too annoying to clean, or hard to use, or something like that, and then it’d be stashed away in a cabinet for decades.) This post is not about Egg McMuffin makers.

This post is about practical gifts, though – things that I’ve tried and loved throughout the year (or, in many cases, things that I’ve had for a while that I still highly recommend). See, I grew up with a mom who crushed the usable gift game – stuff I didn’t even know I needed, but that I ended up using daily – and now I want to pass a few of those ideas on to you. Nothing here is super sexy or exciting, but they are the kind of products that make me say a little silent “thank you” every time I break them out (which is pretty lovely, if I do say so myself!). Let’s get it started with a few of my kitchen favorites from 2022…

1. Silicone Air Fryer Liners: Air fryer users, YOU NEED THESE. Buy them for gifts. Buy them for yourself. (I’m so enthusiastic about this that I’ll even buy one for you. What’s your address?) These silicone liners are a breeze to clean – grease and gunk roll right off – and you won’t have to spend any more time scraping hot fried food out of the nooks and crannies of an appliance. 5 stars are not enough stars.

2. 3-Tiered Cooling Rack: Is this a total revelation to anyone else? How did I go 31 years without knowing that collapsible stacked cooling trays exist? This is an unbelievable find for bakers who lack counter space (or for your friend who just really loves making cookies in enormous quantities).

3. Graza Olive Oil: Sweet branding, easy-to-use packaging, glowing reviews, and a really lovely mellow flavor. Everyone needs olive oil at some point (even me, the world’s worst home chef!) and this is a great choice that still feels a little special.

1. Silicone Lids: You know the old “every pot has a lid” idiom? Enter: these airtight silicone lids, which come in a set of 5 and eliminate the need for plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They take up no space, attach snugly, and are easy to clean – what else can you ask for?

2. Reusable Pot Scrubbers: Swap out steel wool for these reusable (and machine washable!) pot scrubbers. I find that while a lot of folks have embraced kitchen swaps like sponge cloths, far fewer know about these little scrubbing miracles – isn’t it time that you get to be the cool friend who introduces your circle to the new ~it~ product?

3. Lomi Composter: Splurge-y? YES. Worth it? Also yes (according to Bowser, at least). If you have a larger budget to play with, you can’t go wrong here. (Like, we all have food waste! It will be used!)

4. Double Decker Dish Rack: I have this dish rack. I love this dish rack. (I don’t have a dishwasher, either, so this puppy sees a LOT of use.) It has a tiny footprint and a slim profile, but it holds so much stuff. File this under “tiny upgrades that make big differences in your quality of life.” (Like, I don’t hate scrubbing dishes now? Incredible.)

1. Cove Litter Box: It’s a little splurge-y, but worth every penny. I’ve had my Cove for about 2 years and it’s transformed cleaning the litter box from a “daily chore I detest and dread” to a “daily chore I don’t mind that much.” Picking litter is never a blast, but the material here is SO much easier to clean and maintain (it’s kind of like if Apple invented a litter box). Treat the cat lover in your life to a Cove – they deserve it 🙂

2. Travel Carrier: Give your pet a nice lil upgrade from the standard black mesh carrier! This bag opens in a variety of ways, can be slid straight onto a suitcase handle (so you can roll your companion around smoothly and easily!), and the included travel mat doesn’t look disgusting after going through a washing machine (amazing).

3. Scratching Board: “Aesthetically pleasing” and “cat scratchers” are not normally words that you’d find in the same sentence, but this really threads the needle perfectly. Grab this board with or without wall mounting hardware and watch your cat enjoy!

1. Tushy Bidet: I have one. Jess has one. Bowser has one. Most of my close friends have one, too! It’s pretty easy to install (not my favorite task, but it was relatively quick) and it’s such a nice little luxury. Your gift recipient will never want to be without it (I promise).

2. Magnetic Toiletry Capsules: My boyfriend bought these for me (after seeing them on my 2020 gift guide – what a peach!!!) and they absolutely live up to the hype. I’ve traveled domestically and internationally with these containers carrying gels (shampoo, body wash, etc.) and true liquids (like a toner) and they’re the best toiletry items I’ve ever owned. The construction is SO efficient, they’re fun to use, and I’m excited to expand my collection!

3. Fabric Shaver: This is actually on my list this year – it’s something I need but always forget to buy. I’m excited to clean up some pilled sweaters and remove some snags on the microsuede bench my cat’s been clawing up lately! (If you’re planning to use this on furniture or larger surfaces, opt for the rechargeable version).

4. Period Belt: OBSESSED. My mom gave me one of these over the summer and I haven’t shut up about it since – basically, you strap this on near your ovaries, choose a heat/vibration setting, and cramps begin to ease almost immediately. My periods are still painful (like vomit-inducing bad), but this makes them so much more tolerable (if you knew how gnarly my period gets, you would be blown away by this review).

1. Moccasin Slippers: I love these LL Bean slippers SO MUCH and wear them year round (even in LA, even when it’s 110 degrees in my apartment). They’re cushy and comfortable and my all-time favorite Christmas gift – I got my first pair in 2019 and they’ve been near-permanently attached to my feet since.

2. Weighted Blanket: A weighted blanket that’s chic and simple enough to be displayed every day? SIGN ME UP. I actually love sleeping with weight so much that I opted for a permanent weighted comforter (this one!), but this knit is an ideal option for those who prefer to add and remove pressure as they see fit.

3. Knee Support Pillow: My mom gave me one of these for Christmas last year and I fell in love with it after a few weeks. I like it so much that I actually have one on both coasts (one at my apartment, one at my mom’s house!) – it’s small enough that it doesn’t disrupt sleep (like, it’s easy to roll around and keep this in place) but powerful enough to make a notable difference in my back pain. Big fan!!!

1. Vaccination/Passport Holder: I just got back from Europe and I wish I had thought to purchase something like this before leaving. I loosely jammed my vaccine card in my passport and nearly lost it about, uh, a million times. If someone you love is traveling somewhere with health requirements, save them the hassle of digging around for two key documents with a case like this one!

2. Portable Folding Chair: You never need a portable folding chair until you NEED a portable folding chair. I used to keep this one in the trunk of my car and it saved the day at least once a year. (I ditched the car and officially went vehicle-free in 2022, but kept the chair. Priorities!)

3. Clear Gift Card: I signed up for a free trial of Clear on a whim at the Seattle airport with Jess (because she already had it!) and thought I’d cancel – NOT THE CASE. It ended up coming in clutch on a flight out of LAX a few days later (hello, fellow Terminal 5 frequent flyers) and I’ve been really thrilled with the product ever since. You don’t need this and TSA Pre (and I’m too lazy to renew my TSA Pre, so Clear it is!) but it really has made travel way easier for me (a person who is prone to constantly losing their ID). I didn’t expect to love it, but here we are – it’s gift guide worthy!!! 🙂

4. Neck Pillow: This was a 2021 gift from my mom and it’s been awesome (she ended up buying one for herself, too). I spent a few hundred hours on planes this year and have been so grateful to have a tiny, reliable, easily-packable pillow at my disposal. I can’t do red-eye flights without it!

1. Temperature Controlled Mug: Full disclosure: I don’t drink coffee or tea, but y’all seem to LOVE THIS MUG. Every time we publish a gift guide, someone brings up the absence/presence of this mug (i.e. “you should have included it on this list” or “I also love this mug, but it should have been included on this list 10 times”). People who make hot drinks at home really seem to love this product. (Feel free to jump in with your experience down below, pals!)

2. Thermoflask: After a lifetime of trying and failing to drink more water, this was the water bottle that finally worked for me. I have the 24 oz and love the straw lid; my boyfriend, an advanced water drinker who doesn’t need to be bribed to stay hydrated, has the 40 oz and uses the chug lid. It’s easy to clean and comfortable to carry – huge fan.

3. Silicone Straws: These reusable straws are portable (those pods on the right are little cases, so you can always have a clean straw on the go!) and painless to clean (that’s a little brush at the bottom). They make perfect stocking stuffers and they’re great to have on hand if you also love to use a straw that doesn’t feel like sucking on a wet napkin (sorry, paper straw lovers).

1 AirTags: Consider me swayed – this is the one product that I’ve really grown to love in 2022. Slide one in your checked baggage to keep tabs on your bag while traveling! Toss one on your keys! Throw one in your wallet! Attach one to your friend who has a tendency to disappear on a girl’s night out! (It’s me. I’m the runner). There are a ton of great use cases here and you can’t have too many (or it’d be hard to accumulate too many, at least) – if you’re looking for a no-fail recommendation, this is it.

2. Rechargeable Electric Lighter: Pals, it’s almost 2023. We’ve gotta knock it off with the single-use BIC candle lighters. It’s time to make the jump. (Maybe pair this with a nice candle, a la Jess Bunge’s Gift Kit idea?)

3. Portable Jump Starter: This year, I finally parted with my beloved 2009 Subaru Legacy, which had been sitting dead in my incredibly tiny garage since the start of the pandemic. You know how we got it turned back on, out of said garage, and on to the purchaser’s tow truck? THIS PORTABLE CAR CHARGER. (But also, if you don’t ever want to have to ask a stranger for a jump…this comes in pretty clutch).

4. Charging Stand: Simultaneous wireless charging for your phone and your Airpods? SOLD. Courant’s products hold up beautifully – I bought 2 of the Catch 3 trays in 2020 and have gifted the Catch 2 a few times – but their customer service and shipping can be a little dicey, so be sure to order from a stockist (vs. directly from their website).

1. Wool Dryer Balls: My favorites. Cute colors, extreme efficacy, and they look the same after running through hundreds of cycles in my laundromat’s heavy-duty industrial dryers. There are definitely more affordable options out there, but these are the ones that I’ve tried and loved and can happily vouch for 🙂

2. Little Green Machine: The aforementioned boyfriend grabbed me this carpet/upholstery cleaner for my birthday after reading about how I wanted one on the blog (again, a literal dream!) and I LOVE IT. It cleaned a stubborn, frustrating, bright orange vomit stain off my taupe hallway rug (my cat’s, not mine – just for the record) in seconds and my white outdoor upholstery looks brand new again. A must-have gift for anyone with soft goods and pets in their home!

3. Dyson v15 Detect Absolute: This is the crème de la crème of cordless vacuum cleaners (and it’s also what I asked for this year, for the record!).

That’s it for me today – what say you, though??? Any favorites to recommend to the class? We’re all ears. HAPPY FRIDAY 🙂 xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Arlyn Hernandez | Photo by Sara LIgorria-Tramp | From: Arlyn’s Warm (& Sort of Last-Minute DIYed) Holiday Reveal

The post The Only Practical Gift Guide You’ll Need This Holiday Season appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Holiday Around Our Farmhouse – This Year “Done Is Better Than Perfect”

I almost didn’t shoot our house this year because I was behind on life, was set on not overwhelming myself, and wasn’t terribly impressed with what I had done (as well as have some behind-the-scenes personal/business stuff that is taking so much of my brain space and time right now). But some of you were so encouraging and supportive that I figured I’d show you what I did, without too much styling (although admittedly some of it does look super cute now that I see the photos – I’m SO HARD ON MYSELF these days). So while there is a lot of design still up in the air, here is how our holiday decor landed this year.

Entry

Faux Pre-Lit LED Alpine Trees | Woven Boucle Striped Christmas Throw Pillow | Oversize Embroidered Textured Lumbar Throw Pillow (similar)

I just put two pre-lit alpine trees in the corner + two pillows and called it a day, but those dogs are really selling the space. I think these Alpine trees (these from Terrain and others around the house from Target) are my favorite addition to the holiday decor market. They can be shoved in so many corners, don’t need decor, and just add life at night when the lights are off.

Winter Sweater

Now in case you are wondering why I didn’t put a wreath on that incredible painting by Melinda Forster, it’s because there is a big wreath through the glass front door right in front of it – so you can’t double wreath. I could have put a swag of cedar over it, but again – just didn’t. But look at my pups! Zipped Sweater linked here (I’ve been wearing it almost every day)

Bench With Gallery Wall

Wreath | Red and White Ribbon | Sweater Knit Square Throw Pillow with Pom Poms | Sweater Fleck Jacquard Knit Lumbar Throw Pillow | Color Block Boucle Throw Blanket

About a month ago I did hang this little gallery wall which is making me happy:) So for the holidays I threw a couple of green pillows on the bench and hung a mini-wreath over the art.

Sconce | Bench

I put a red and white striped ribbon on the wreath and used twine to hang it from the sconce. I’m on the fence if I should remove or add to the bottom of the gallery – next to the “this is not a pen” drawing that I got 13 years ago (artist unknown).

Sweater Knit Square Throw Pillow with Pom Poms | Sweater Fleck Jacquard Knit Lumbar Throw Pillow | Bench

The pillows are Target and the bench is the original Katy Skelton bench that launched the whole movement of leather straps on benches (it’s 8 years old, I believe, and still so good).

My Office Sunroom

Red Beaded Garland | Candlestick Holder Set | Taper Candles | Artificial Tree | Tree Collar | Wood Tree Ornaments (set of 4)

In the sunroom/office is where I got to do a more curated tree and I loved how it turned out. I bought a box of vintage silk-wrapped balls and the wood snowflakes from the antique mall, mixed it with some wood tree ornaments from Target, and ripped fabric. So happy. I also love this faux tree so much and wish I had bought the bigger version of the tree for our living room (and might next year if it comes back in stock). It looks super natural and organic (you’ll see our other one is too triangular and dense for me – but not tree-shaming myself!).

Pendant | Dining Table | Dining Chairs (vintage)

I work here most days so I didn’t do a tablescape beyond throwing down some pine branches from outside and these candlesticks from Target. Ignore the chain link fence out the window, we are two weeks away from the final inspection and can finally pull down the “root protection” chain link throughout our property which is just going to make the biggest difference.

Birdie’s Dress | Charlie’s Shirt | My Dress | My Slippers

My kids are officially 7 and 9 and it’s just NUTS (and incredible – these ages are just so fun). Charlie turned 9 this week and it feels different than any before – so close to 10, starting to turn away and lean on friends.

Green Striped Ribbon

More campaign shots of me using wrapping cloths:) If you missed that post about how I’m really excited about this ancient Japanese Tradition (fabric over paper) read this post.

In The Kitchen

Wreaths | Red Ribbon | Striped Ribbon (similar)

I had SERIOUS wreath confusion/doubt and after trying out a few different ribbon ideas and landed on this one – red wired burlap and a neutral ticking stripe (similar). It looks so cute, but I think next year I have an idea that is more “me”. The wreaths are great (from Target) and I bought the darker red burlap online. The ticking striped “ribbon” is just yardage that I had that I cut to add another layer. But there is something about these that feel more “traditional” than I am (or than I want to perceive myself to be). At the same time, they are so pretty in the kitchen. At one point I had four options hanging up there – thick bright red satin mixed with red/white ticking stripe, thick bright red satin with white satin, and large white with red/white ticking stripe – all on different windows. I do like how the burlap is more casual than the satin and ultimately it looked the best of all the options so we left it…but I’m not convinced it’s “my wreath”.

I also added twinkle lights on these so that at night they add some glow.

Nutcracker with Top Hat | Nutcracker with Crown | Dish Towel | Red Paper Accordion Trees (similar)

I snagged those large nutcrackers from Michaels (on sale for $15 each) and Birdie quickly asked me what color we were going to paint them (this is a recurring conversation – I buy natural wood Scandinavian stuff, and she pulls out her paint brushes).

Nutcracker | Wood Trees | Cable Knit Tree | Red and White Striped Placemat🙂

The little wood trees and nutcracker are from World Market, the cable knit tree and tea towel are from Target (I think it’s a placemat), and the cedar branches from our backyard – which I probably should have added more…

The Fireplace Mantel

Santa Mailbox (in red)

I did a fun reel with Target in late November so this was pretty much all done then (and all Target). The wreath is real (look at me!) and I kinda wanted to replace the garland with a real one, but not enough to actually do it. We’ve had the green Santa box for years (here’s the same one in red) and the kids drop letters in it frequently (I think it’s probably the last year and we totally forgot to do Elf on the Shelf which they are asking for so I need to run out and find that dude). And yes, we need a fireplace screen. I found a vintage one at the thrift store that we use until I find the one that I want, but it’s super ugly so removed it for the photos.

Alpine Balsam Mini Artificial Christmas Tree | Stockings | Wood Garland (similar) | Candlestick Holder Set | Taper Candles | Reindeer | White Houses | Lanterns | Ribbed Green Candle | Pine & Snowberry Seasonal Faux Sprig Bundle | Faux Garland

Picture Light (similar) | Chandelier | Wicker Ottoman (similar) | Sheepskin Rug

We left this as a wood-burning fireplace, with a gas starter thing, which is awesome. We only really light it when we are in the room at night, but it’s been really lovely and Brian and Charlie really enjoy building the fire.

Our Nostalgia Tree – Full Of Our Favorite Ornaments

Quite possibly my favorite day of the year is when we open our ornaments and the kids react to each one with a million “I remember this’!”. It’s just dripping with memories and the whole family wanted it in the living room to actually enjoy it. Historically, we have a curated tree in the living room and this tree in the family room but we don’t have space in our family room and just wanted this vibe in here. I’m not over the curated tree necessarily but it has a time and place (like the sunroom) and I wasn’t about to debate my kids about it.

But if I’m being honest I don’t love the tree that I bought – it’s too dense and triangular. The light color is good but next year I’m going to donate this (likely to the ReBuilding Center since they have high ceilings) and instead buy a 9′ version of the one that we used in the sunroom. I know this is a hot topic which we really don’t need to rehash. I also think we want to join in on the very Oregon tradition of cutting down our own trees – so we might do that for a kid’s tree upstairs (Birdie decorated her ENTIRE room with all the leftover decor that I had and she really really wants a tree).

We made popcorn garland with the kids (which admittedly took hours) while watching Christmas movies, but I LOVE the look and vibe it gives (and it’s another great tradition). Also, we only made enough for this angle of the tree (and you can see it ending at the bottom haha). The only non-family ornaments that I bought were the white and red stripe fabric balls which you can get here.

The tree is totally full of memories of things that happened that year. We are looking for a “mud” ornament to represent this year and then are going to get some 1st and 3rd-grade ornaments for the kids and likely get some Pokemon ornaments because it’s all they talk about.

Holiday Glasses (similar) | Brian’s Shirt

We took a bunch of family photos for us inside (it was pretty yucky outside) and my attempt to not show too much of their faces was to put these ridiculous glasses on them. Ha.

There you go, y’all. Christmas 2022 around our house. Next year we should have our furniture and dining nook done in the living room (and family room) so I might add more as it’s my favorite thing to do. But I actually love a more pared-back version (and you might see a front door decked out next week).

Oh, and for links to the kitchen go here, here, and here, the sunroom here, and the living room head here!

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Holiday Around Our Farmhouse – This Year “Done Is Better Than Perfect” appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Suprise Home Tour! See How This Designer Transformed A Nursery, Kid’s Room, & Home Office In Her 1809 Historic Home

When beloved photographer, EHD mentee, and TV personality (have you watched her new show yet??), Keyanna Bowen, sent us this project she photographed for Christie Veres, we knew instantly we wanted to share it on the blog. Christie Veres is a Delaware-based interior designer who is currently renovating her historic traditional stone home built in 1809, and the rooms you are about to see check all of our boxes–they’re colorful, full of personality, stylish, practical, and the before and afters are almost unrecognizable.

But another aspect that sparked my interest is that she has one of those movie-esque corporate-to-designer story arcs that we all love to hear about. Before she made the full-time shift to interior design, she worked in Washington, D.C. for about ten years for the government in contract negotiations. After hearing this I needed to know more, so I asked Christie what that career move looked like for her. Here’s the story from Christie: “When my husband and I relocated to Wilmington, I kept my job for a time working remotely. The combination of remote work, a new city, not knowing many people, and being in the last trimester of my pregnancy led me to spend a lot of time at home. Spending that much time at home awakened an interest I had always had in making rooms “feel” certain ways. I quickly began to realize how passionate I was about design when I noticed the extent to which I could quiet my mind and become immersed in the creative process. I decided to take some classes, which really helped me with the technical aspects of design, especially the computer programs for drawing such as AUTOCAD. Still, the shift was scary – especially taking that initial leap. I was fairly far along in an established career path, and it was difficult to pause, step back, and transition to an entirely new industry. But once I took that step, I think it was the challenge that motivated me. Learning how to create a business, creating that business, finding solutions to problems that arise on job sites, and connecting with trades, vendors and clients have given me a sense of momentum and further reinforced my love of design.”

Well, I am already inspired! Now that you have a bit of background, let’s head to the reveal portion of this program:

Logistically speaking, Christie is still renovating other parts of her home (next up is the kitchen, laundry room, and powder room) but she always knew she wanted to finish her nursery and son’s room first. When they moved into the home, she was pregnant with her second child so it was important for her to have those rooms settled, so her family could feel at home. Her goal was to create a nursery that would feel calming and peaceful with an English garden vibe since she knew she would be spending a lot of time in there with her newborn daughter. And it’s safe to say she succeeded. This room evokes a calming sensation right away, with the perfect balance of soft colors and bold yet comforting patterns.

The wall-to-wall bookcase is custom and gives this room a beautiful focal point. Christie designed and drew the vision and had Salvage Works bring it to life, and I just love that she chose to wallpaper the wall space in the center, creating a perfectly inviting nook for the baby’s crib.

The custom shelf, wallpaper, and pattern curtains take center stage in the design, so the other elements are mostly neutral and understated which gives this room a lovely well-rounded look and feel. I love the wooden crib which brings a natural, cozy element to the space.

Crib | Wallpaper | Curtain Fabric | Chandelier | Art

Oh, that chandelier is just perfect for this room. It catches your eye but isn’t too overwhelming or loud.

The curtains are from Urban Loft and are made with the Rebecca Atwood Blooms fabric. It’s a really lovely pattern that adds a playful, whimsical element and ties in the warm pink colors throughout the room.

You wouldn’t know it from looking at this gorgeous bathroom, but this is a room that presented the biggest challenge during the renovation. Christie explained that given the age of the home, there was a thick mud (mortar) bed under the tile that needed to be demo-ed so it was a very labor-intensive process to remove the mud bed and mesh nailed to the subfloor and to install a new mud bed to ensure the floors were level before the new tile was installed. Any renovator knows that every project comes with unforeseen challenges, but when the outcome is as satisfying and beautiful as the above bathroom, I expect it’s all worth it.

The original bathroom had square tile going up about 3/4 of the wall, with wallpaper on the rest of the wall to the ceiling. I really love that she replaced the tile and wallpaper with paneling and painted it a warm blush pink, that pairs so beautifully with the wood vanity. All the brass finishes are just the icing on the cake.

That Rebecca Atwood wallpaper is so good (it’s one of our favorites!). The small scale of the wallpaper paired with the large zellige tiles creates a dynamic look that is very appealing, and I love that she went with a different shape floor tile, too.

Bed | Curtain Fabric

In her son’s bedroom, she went with a predominately blue color palette because that is his favorite color, and then complemented the color scheme with cheerful, classic patterns. I love that she played with several blue hues and sprinkled them throughout so the room feels layered and intentional.

I am so impressed with how she mixed patterns and scale to give this room a relaxed, playful vibe. One of my favorite details is what looks like an extra large baseboard behind the bed. I wasn’t sure what it was at first so I asked Christie, and she explained it is actually a cast iron baseboard radiator that she painted the same color as the window casings! It’s so cool looking and is such a good hack to disguise a not-so-aesthetically pleasing radiator.

Connected to the boy’s bedroom is this sweet and fun playroom. I love that she extended the color scheme into this room which creates a continuity between the two rooms.

Daybed Fabric

How cute are those city illustrations? Also, I can stop looking at the bedding combination paired with the daybed pattern. The patterns and scales are different enough that they play with each other nicely and create a very interesting, cozy look.

Wallpaper | Vanity

In the bathroom, she extends the blue theme with a playful cloud wallpaper (by Rebecca Atwood) and classic dark blue tile. The cafe curtains are made from Marika Meyer fabric and I love how they add another small pattern, making the bathroom feel layered and eclectic.

How perfect is that light wood vanity? I love how it contrasts with the dark blue tile, and that she accentuated the texture with a bamboo box for toiletries.

Between the kid’s rooms and her home office is this lovely hallway. What struck my eye immediately was the stair banisters and I had a hunch that they might be original to the home because of how much charm they bring to the space. It turns out they are original, and it’s so cool that Christie was able to salvage them during the renovation.

Paint Color | Wallpaper | Rug

Christie wanted to create an office that would feel warm and ageless to highlight the historic charm of the space. For the paint color, she chose Pigeon by Farrow & Ball because she was going for a moody feel, and she wanted it to contrast with the white walls in the hallway but not be too overwhelming. The color is really stunning and it pairs so wonderfully with the wallpaper ceiling. By the way, doesn’t this room just make you want to go run and wallpaper a ceiling?? It’s a really great way to bring the eye up and make the room feel cozy.

One of my favorite things about this room is that she kept the original paneling, fireplace, and candlestick sconces. It really gives the room a historic, classic essence that is so hard to achieve without vintage elements.

That Dutch door is AWESOME and also original to the home, as is the hardware. So cool. I love how the paneling continues on the door and cabinets, to give the room a lot of depth and texture.

Can we take a moment to admire the bookshelf styling?? I love everything that she chose to style with from the vintage typewriter to the gold candlesticks to the vintage paintings.

Huge thanks to Christie for letting us tour and share her fabulous home. We can’t wait to see more! Now let’s give it up for the before and afters:

*Photos by Keyanna Bowen
**Design by Christie Veres

The post Suprise Home Tour! See How This Designer Transformed A Nursery, Kid’s Room, & Home Office In Her 1809 Historic Home appeared first on Emily Henderson.

9 Gift Kit Ideas That Anyone On Your List Will LOVE

For me, I can get really in my head about not getting the perfect or most thoughtful gift. I’ve talked about this before in my and my dad’s Father’s Day guide. But one type of gift that always looks and feels extra special is a gift kit. Why? Well, even if it’s just a candle and matchstick striker, the fact that you took the time to put together a gift with more than one component shows effort (even if it was super easy because you may have read a blog post with the perfect suggestions:)) That isn’t to say that if you were to just buy a candle that wouldn’t be enough! It totally is. But if you are someone that likes the concept of a kit and needs ideas for the adults (or young adults) in your life (including the coworker you only kind of know), this is the gift guide for you!

Now there is a range of items and prices within each idea. And you definitely don’t need to buy one of everything from each category. These are just some cool and easy ideas that we think a ton of people (including us) would love to receive. Ok, let’s go…

Candles With Matchstick Strikers/Booksphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the best candles to gift this season (and a passionate argument for gifting candles)

I know to some a candle and matches don’t seem “that” creative as a gift. Please ignore that SNL skit from a few years ago because I would LOVE LOVE LOVE this gift. The key is to get a great candle and a special-looking matchstick striker. Plus a consumable gift is the best because it won’t clutter someone’s home forever. Instead, this will make it peaceful for a little while:)

1. Candle “529”: Yes, I am recommending this candle once again because it’s still in my top 3. Here is an excerpt from the first time I recommended it back in 2020: “I put my nose to the candle and was immediately at ease, but not in an “ooo this smells good” kind of way (which it did) but in the “why do I know this smell?” way. Then I looked at the card that accompanied the candled and the scent was described as “The nostalgia of summer in New York.” In an instant, I realized that’s what my ease was. A scent of happy memories of warm summer evenings in New York. I almost got misty before I was like, “Jess, it’s a candle. Get ahold of yourself.” Basically, I am now a forever customer. Actually, I’ve already ordered two more. I’ve truly found my summer candle and cannot recommend it enough. I know this sounds like a totally biased review but with the combo of Bergamot, Geranium, Ginger, and Sandalwood, it’s a no-brainer amazing candle and I hope that it too can remind you of simpler, beautiful summer evenings. (Also the soap smells AMAZING but in a normal, not tear-inducing kind of way:))” FYI it’s not a just “summer candle” because I would and have burned it in every season.
2. Garden Mint Candle: I may never forgive Sara for exposing me to this candle brand because the scents are intoxicating and this one is a favorite. This is what she had to say about it in her candle review back in the day: “The spot for absolute favorite candle goes to Tatine’s “Garden Mint.” It’s herby, dark, mysterious, and extremely sensual. Once upon a time, I was shooting a home where the owner was burning this beautiful candle and I found a store that carried it THAT DAY and picked one up before heading home. I haven’t smelled anything like it since. I literally have my nose in this candle right now, as I try and decide how to best describe its complex notes. It’s certainly herby, but not floral. It’s minty, but not like a pack of gum. It’s like mint mixed with soil wet from a summer rain, an old bookstore on a crisp overcast fall day, AND I JUST WANT TO BURN THIS CANDLE ALL THE TIME. Plus it has the one characteristic that I think truly defines a good candle – you don’t have to be burning it for the scent to reach your nose. In fact, often just by setting out this candle, it does a great job of scenting the room without a match in sight (saving you some serious cash).”
3. Ginger Black Tea Candle: This one I found at Target last year and have bought many times over. Here was my initial review: “This is by far my favorite candle of the moment. Are you ready?? Ginger Black Tea. It’s the perfect season transition candle because it’s light for the summer but still warming and cozy to get you gently prepared for fall. A total random find that now is in heavy rotation. Oh and it’s only $10. Dreams really do come true.”

1. Vintage Matchbooks: I used to collect vintage matchbooks because they are so fun! These are easily found at a flea market but you can also buy them for a decent price on Etsy. This is an easy way to “bulk gift” by choosing a matchbook that best suits the person you are gifting to and then getting them a great candle to go with it. Easy peasy.
2. Small Glass Cloche with Black Matches: This one is definitely more expensive at $32 but so pretty and doubles as a decor piece!
3. Devo Match Striker: This is the most expensive at $50 but for a good friend that loves candles, it would be really special if your budget allows it. It also can work with almost any style!

Tea With A Cup And Honeyphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the mountain house kitchen reveal

This is another great one for a coworker or acquaintance, but is an awesome gift for a close friend or family member that truly loves tea!

1. Solid Matte Stoneware Mug: Emily owns (as shown above) and loves these mugs. They have a handmade look, are 16oz (yes, please), and are only $4 for one. Oh, and they also come in a cream color. You just can’t beat it.
2. Utility Objects Nagai Mug: For a design lover this is a cool mug. It’s got that fun drama with the handle but still feels pretty and classic with its natural color and material. I would love to get this mug:)
3. Swoon Blue Coffee Mug: When I first saw this mug I couldn’t believe it was only $8. I think it looks so much more expensive and that blue color is stunning. 10/10

1. No. 01 Bellocq Breakfast Black Tea Blend: One of the last restaurants I worked at in New York was a casual fine dining British restaurant and they were extremely particular about everything that was served, especially the tea. Bellocq was their tea brand of choice and let me tell you it’s impossible to not feel elegant while drinking it. This is a more expensive tea but for the tea lover in your life, I think it’s a wonderful choice.
2. Sips Tea Box: This is a tea company that offers one-off boxes as well as subscriptions. My future sister-in-law got it for me last Christmas and I thought it was really thoughtful.
3. Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical: I believe this is sold in certain grocery stores so you can get it for much cheaper than the link I found (sorry!). But this was been a long-time favorite of mine…like since college. If you decided to get the bigger box this could be another easy way to make a bulk gift by dividing the tea bags into cute mugs.

This next item is only needed if you buy a loose-leaf tea FYI:)

1. Copper Ball Tea Infuser with Handle: Simple, pretty, and only $7!
2. Rose Gold Tea Ball Infuser: I love the look of this one and it’s even cheaper at $5.
3. Heart of Gold Tea Strainer: If the kit is for a tea lover you actually well, love, then I think this heart-shaped infuser would be really special and a great reminder of you whenever they use it.

Your local farmer’s market or shops are great for finding local honey which I really love the idea of. But if you don’t have one near you or don’t have the time, here are three great alternatives.

1. Biointensive Native Wildflower Honey: Flamingo Estate is an incredible company that supports sustainability and only uses the highest quality local ingredients for all of its products. I’ve never had their honey but have used their other products and think they are all fantastic. This would be a really special option.
2. Honey Spoons: Aren’t these cute!! And would also be perfect if you are planning this as a bulk gift. Think how cute a mug with a couple of tea bags and a honey spoon would be.
3. Kauai Wildflower Honey: While Brightland is known for its olive oils, they have just come out with a honey and it sounds goooood. The notes are hibiscus, eucalyptus, coffee trees, passion flower, and guava flowers. Sign me up!

Sketching Kit

This was a kit that I actually received from one of my best friends (who is an artist) and I thought it was so beautiful and thoughtful. She gave it to me when I was starting to design more so she thought having some real sketching tools would be a nice gift…she was right!

1. Strathmore 100 Sheet Sketch Pad: This was the sketch pad I received so I can say it’s great and has a lot of pages to play with.
2. Artist Pad: This is a very pretty option! It also comes in other colors.
3. Strathmore 400 Series Drawing Paper Pad: This is like the first option but a much smaller version with 24 sheets instead of 100. It might be a great choice for someone who is just starting out or wants to travel with it. Not as heavy:)

1. Classic No. 2 Pencil: Everything from this company is beautiful, including their pencils.
2. Sakura Pigma Micron Fineliner Pens: I received one of these pens in my kit and I loved using it.
3. Sketching & Drawing Set: What a set! You could just get this and be good.

1. Engraved Brass Ruler: Anything gold is always a great option.
2. Westcott Clear Flexible Acrylic Ruler: This is great, flexible, and under $2.
3. 12″ Metal Ruler: Since this is a metal ruler, it’s sturdy, simple, and under $3!

Cooking/Bread Loversphoto by kaitlin green | from: the farmhouse kitchen reveal and all my thoughts and feelings about it

Last year, my cousin’s now husband was getting thrown a surprise 30th birthday party. Of course, I wanted to get him a gift he would really love but I had NO IDEA what that could be. I didn’t want to simply do a bottle of booze (which is always a nice gift) so I thought it would be funny to get him “grown-up salt and olive oil” (aka the good stuff that we rarely buy for ourselves). I headed to the store and bought him a pretty box of Maldon salt and a really nice bottle of olive oil. I joked that it was a right of passage now that he was in his 30s. To be fair he loves to cook and is a Libra like myself, so we are no strangers to the finer things:) Anyway, he loved it and my cousin told me he’s now obsessed with Maldon salt. So I am now of the opinion that this is a great gift for anyone on your list that doesn’t need to avoid salt. I use this salt on most of my meals and I LOVE a delicious olive oil. In addition, I think adding a loaf of freshly baked bread to the mix would be the real icing on the cake:)

1. Maldon Sea Salt Flakes: This is the box I have! I like leaving it out because that bold pattern adds some “fun” to my kitchen:)
2. Maldon Sea Salt: I really love the look of this box. Very simple and chic.
3. Maldon Sea Salt – Resealable Tub: I think getting a 20oz would be hilarious if the gift receiver already loves Maldon Salt.

1. Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I’ve had this olive oil and it’s very good with incredible ingredients.
2. “Drizzle” & “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil: I have also used this olive oil set at my friend’s house and it was great! Also, that packaging is so fun.
3. Espuny Olive Oil: I really love this packaging and the description made it sound very good:)

1. Tartine Bread by Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson (Local and Kindle): If you are gifting this kit to a baker or an aspiring one, this would be a great book to give them! I’ve been to the Tartine bakery and I can tell you for a fact that they know what they are doing.
2. Garlic Herb Focaccia Making Kit: Who doesn’t love focaccia?! This would also be a great addition.
3. Handcrafted Bread Mix: This mix has 5 stars from 782 reviews. I think it’s safe to say this is a good one!

Soup Starter Kitphoto by veronica crawford | from: the five cooking mistakes i’ve been making (as told to me by a chef)

This idea came from Emily because it’s what she gave to their nanny/tutor at the mountain house who loved it. I mean Emily’s love for souping is definitely contagious if you are around her so I can only imagine how excited she was to receive this truly awesome gift.

1. Staub Enameled Cast Iron Deep Oven: This one is a top-tier pot but it’s hard to not love a true classic that will also last a lifetime.
2. Perfect Pot: I am a little biased because my friend was on the design team for this pot BUT she is a serious cook that is extremely thoughtful in everything she does. I have no doubt this is an incredible option that’s also so cute! Win-win! They also offer a 100-day free trial with free returns:)
3. Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven: This one is a great affordable option that looks super classic.

1. Pallares Solsona Chef’s Knife: Ooo baby I am a sucker for a wooden handle. So so pretty.
2. Zwilling J.A. Henckels Professional S, Chef Knife: This is the knife that Emily Bowser gifted Emily (Henderson) and she loves it. 10/10
3. Five Two Essential Kitchen Chef’s Knife: My cousin and her husband (the Maldon Salt one:)) has these knives and really loves them! Plus the handles come in a few really pretty colors.

1. The Angled Board: I haven’t tried this board but I have other things from Material and I love them all. I have no doubt this is a great board. Plus I love that beautiful dark walnut wood. It also comes in black.
2. Epicurean Black Non-Slip Paper Composite Cutting Board: These are the ones that Emily has and she raves about them. They stay in place with their rubber corners and are super lightweight.
3. Nonslip Wood Cutting Board Set: These are the best of both worlds because they are nonslip and they are wood. Plus the set is only $20!

New Homeowners – The Kitchen Non-Essentialsphotos by kaitlin green | from: the essentials we needed at the farmhouse – all from target

When we were talking about this post Em really loved the idea of putting together a gift kit of those non-essential but really nice-to-have (and pretty) kitchen accessories for someone that has just moved or is moving into their first place. FYI this is the biggest list so by no means is it required to get one of each. If you can, great! If you can’t or don’t want to, also great!

1. Marble Paper Towel Holder: Emily bought this one for the farmhouse and thinks it’s so pretty. This mix of light wood and marble is usually a slam dunk.
2. White Marble Paper Towel Holder: This is a more modern and slightly dramatic version that I really love.
3. Rubberwood Paper Towel Holder: I love that little leather loop at the top. It looks really expensive but it’s actually only $20 (I know that may still seem like a lot for a paper towel holder but I’ve seen pretty ones like that easily start at $70).

1. Kaloh Stoneware Spoon Rest: I personally love this one because it’s a part of the same collection as my plates and bowls! Also, that little pop of blue is so pretty.
2. Marble Spoon Rest: This is the one that Emily bought for the farmhouse and it’s perfectly simple yet kind of luxe:)
3. Quinn Handcrafted Stoneware Spoon Rest: What a cutie!! I love the two colors, I love the shape, and I think everyone would love this one.

1. Mill Stoneware Utensil Holder: Classic, feels traditional yet organic. Perfectly textured and would look great in any kitchen.
2. Hold Everything Utensil Holder: This one isn’t cheap but if you have someone that loves a minimal white wood, they are going to love this SO much.
3. Marble Utensil Holder: For only $25 this is a steal!! It looks way more expensive and I just love it.

1. Acacia Round Salt and Pepper Grinder Set: Chic, a little dramatic, and affordable.
2. CrushGrind Modern Ash Wood Spice Mills (Set of 2): This is my favorite set! They look so special and I love that you can easily tell which is salt and which is pepper.
3. Oak Salt & Pepper Grinder: Another set with a really pretty shape. Who wouldn’t love these!?

1. Lotus Cruet: That pop of color is so so cute and the entire bottle is just special. This is a great and unique option.
2. Nuevo Oil Cruet: A little sparkle in a kitchen never hurt anyone:) Plus this curet is COOL and elegant.
3. Simple Oil Cruet: This one is simple with just a hint of something special. If your friend has more of a traditional style this is the one for them.

1. Open Plaid Flour Sack Kitchen Towel: You can’t go wrong with a simple dish towel with a classic and pretty pattern. So versatile!
2. Linen Dishcloths (Set of 2): I think these colors are so beautiful! They also come in a green and a black combo.
3. Checkered Tea Towel (Set of 3): Don’t these just make you happy looking at them? I also think they would hide stains pretty well:)

Romance Novel Kit (+ Wine)photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: our scandinavian (and easy, mess-free) holiday living room reveal + how i finally figured out my biggest styling problem… and solved it

This wasn’t Emily’s idea but it was obviously inspired by her:) I think this is such a fun gift for a friend or sister because I know I would love to receive it. You are basically telling the receiver, “Hey friend, take some time for yourself because you deserve some fun quiet time!” I didn’t include a wine roundup since it’s so much easier, better, and likely cheaper to buy locally. I will forever shout out my favorite natural wine shop here in Pasadena called Good Luck Wine Shop. They even are making their own wine that’s really good. I have also been told on excellent authority and have experienced myself that any wine by winemaker Judith Beck is going to be incredible.

1. Beach Read by Emily Henry (Local and Kindle): I will let Emily’s blurb about this book speak for itself: “When I picked up Beach Read at 9 pm on Monday, after putting the kids down (and seconds after finishing The Duke Heist) I was immediately into it. I stayed up till midnight (not advisable) and then read it every second I could in between meetings on Tuesday, concluding on Tuesday night at 7 pm (yes, it was poor parenting). It’s funny, witty, smart, relatable, and yes STEAMY with so much almost kissing (and a lot of actual kissing). Emily Henry is doing the modern romance genre RIGHT and I actually just preordered her next book – first time in Emily Henderson history.”
2. Every Summer After by Carley Fortune (Local and Kindle): Again, I will let Emily tell you about it herself: “It’s a joke amongst my friends that I like movies with a lot of “almost kissing” (chemistry-induced tension with so many butterflies – i.e Felicity and Ben). So I found this end-of-summer coming-of-age beach read so sweet, nostalgic, and romantic. I read a LOT of these summer beach reads to varying degrees of approval, but really really enjoyed this one (I find that in this genre many times their first book is my favorite because they’ve spent years on it, then once its a hit they have to force out one a year if not more). Anyway, Every Summer After by former editor, Carley Fortune, is hard to put down and a lovely little escape. Is it predictable? Sure. It’s why I love the “happy ever after” genre – I have zero anxiety reading them and it’s 100% “feel good”. Anyway, congrats Carley on the shift from editor to author (another rom-com trope I love).”
3. The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory (Local and Kindle): This was another Emily favorite that I actually read! Well…listened to:) It was everything she said it was going to be. I was enthralled the whole time and was sad when it ended. This book is actually the first of a series if you want to get more than one!

1. Textured Faux Fur Reversible Throw Blanket: Welcome to the Henderson’s official favorite family blanket that’s only $25! They each have one and LOVE them. Emily’s only warning is to be careful washing them because after a couple of washes they are as soft.
2. Brushed Herringbone Throw: This one comes in a bunch of colors and is not only soft but would look really pretty draped on a chair or sofa.
3. Plush Fleece Throw: Tell me this doesn’t look super fluffy and cozy!

Cozy Kitphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: our scandinavian (and easy, mess-free) holiday living room reveal + how i finally figured out my biggest styling problem… and solved it

I think it’s safe to say that almost everyone loves to be cozy. That makes this kit an almost no-fail gift! Aside from the socks, you’ll see some repeat individual categories but with just more products I or the team loves. So let’s jump right in.

1. Butter Crew Socks: I think Butter Socks are the go-to cozy socks. I’m pretty sure everyone on the team has them and of course, loves them because they truly feel like butter.
2. Cozy Marled Crew Socks (Set of 2): These come in a set and are rated 5 stars! Are you also thinking “bulk gifting”??
3. Yellowstone Geysers Cozy Socks: These are fun and buying them helps to support the Parks Project which is an organization that’s projecting our national parks. Now that’s a win-win!

1. Faux Mohair Throw: “Insanely soft” and “luxurious” are two words on the site that help to describe this extremely beautiful throw blanket. I’m partial to this cardamom color but they have a few others including a bright blue.
2. Solid Texture with Fringe Bed Throw Blanket: This is the kind of blanket that even when you aren’t snuggled up in it, it looks good anywhere. Simple, pretty, and only $30.
3. Taupe Chunky Cable Knit Throw Blanket: You simply can’t go wrong with a cable knit blanket. It’s classic and will keep you cozy all winter long.

1. Reflection Fashion Glass Candle: This is one of Emily’s favorites! Here’s what she recently said about it: “I even bought the same candle that I had at the mountain house because the smell is so incredible and it makes me feel so nostalgic for that year living there. They were out of the larger version, but I’m going to buy it the next time I see it as it lasted two years of using it 3-4 times a week and smells so great.”
2. Maison Louis Marie Candle No.6 Neige De Printemps: Here’s another Sara Ligorria-Tramp rec that is also in my top favs. She has ruined me. “The candle for the minimalist in your life. Everything from the beautifully designed type on the box to the clean and complex scent of citrus it has wafting through the air. It almost smells like the green part of a citrus tree. I also want to throw out an honorable mention for their spicy scent Aboukir, which almost took the spot on this list.”
3. Paddywax Black Fig + Rose Candle: I wrote about this candle last year in my gift guide to give you further proof I am being very sincere. Here’s what I said: “Ok, this is going to sound weird but this candle smells like Brady circa 2016 which means it smells like the EHD office when I first started. My dad gave it to me for my birthday this year and after a couple of hours of trying to place the scent, I was like, “It’s the old office!” First off, Brady is one of those people that always smells awesome (something I’ve never been able to achieve. Does anyone else feel like perfume only lasts like an hour on them?). Because of this the office always smelled really nice. So it’s a very nostalgic scent for me personally but is also just a great smelling candle.”

Office Kitphoto by zeke ruelas | from: moody mid century home office

I would bet that there are still a lot of people that are working from home that still don’t love how their workspace looks. Or even if they went back into the office and just never felt like making it a little better. That’s where you come in:) Now, we aren’t suggesting that you give them everything from a stapler to a plant to a new chair. But we came up with three simple things that might make a small but impactful difference. First, let’s start with a letter blotter because Em thought it was important and I agree!

1. Blue Italian Leather Desk Mat: Oh that blue is so pretty! Think how nice it would be for the receiver to not only protect their desk but maybe make a not-so-pretty desk better to look down at.
2. Gathre Desk Blotter: This one would be great for your trend lover. The shape is fun, the white is chic, and it’s just cool.
3. Rein Saddle Leather Desk Blotter: A classic beauty. The tone of this leather is one of my favorites and I think anyone would love it. I mean look at it! How could they not?!

1. Metal Rollerball Pen: It sounds silly but I love having a pretty pen on my desk. It just makes me happy. This fits the pretty pen bill! Love the brass and love the shape. Plus this is from one of Em’s go-to desk product companies.
2. Uni-ball Signo RT1 Retractable Gel Ink Pen: I decided to Google “best pens” and this article from Wirecutter came up. These were on the list and I liked that you got a lot of color options. Especially for people who love to color-coordinate their notes, these would be awesome.
3. Hexagonal Retractable Brass Pen: I honestly just thought this one looked really cool:) I mean, it has circle cutouts…of course I love it!

1. SOH Melbourne Candle Mr. Moss: When I lived in Melbourne I worked at a shop that sold these candles and I can’t tell you how much I loved them. My first love was their Fig Tree candle but I also adored Mr. Moss. It has a wonderful more “masculine” scent of moss, wood, vetiver, and smoke. 10/10
2. Holiday Forest Fir Glass Jar Candle: I think we all love a good holiday “fir” scent and from personal experience, this one is great and also starts at just $5!
3. P.F. Candle Co. Teakwood & Tobacco Jar Soy Candle: For an affordable alternative to Mr. Moss, try this one! I love this company and actually just bought this car air freshener. Normally, I feel sick with any air freshener but the Amber & Moss scent was so good that my friend asked if I could get her one.

Baskets

I felt like I couldn’t leave you hanging by not providing at least a few basket options for all these great kits you might want to put together. Here we go!

1. Rectangular Twisted Open Checkered Weave Basket: Starting at $16 this is such a cute basket. I love the weave pattern and the bigger one (pictured) has those great handles. I think anyone who gets this basket will be pumped.
2. Recycled Cotton “Thank You” Tote Bag: I know we all have a lot of totes, BUT a tote is a great (and reusable) way to package a gift. I particularly love this one and would gladly carry it around!
3. Small Seagrass Storage Basket: This is another super cute and super solid basket that would also be a useful one to use in a home. Might as well make the entire thing a gift right? 🙂

Are you all “kit-ed out” or are you feeling excited and relieved to have some ideas to help you cross some people off of your list? I hope it’s the latter! If you have any other tried and true gift kit ideas throw them in the comments:)

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Jess’ Bold Berry-Infused, Cozy Modern Holiday Apartment

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Caitlin’s FINAL Living Room Update – Including Her Dream Vintage Score, Fabric Chairs Her Cat “Can’t” Ruin, And A Big Mistake…That She’s Fixing

You know how all babies look kinda wonky for a while after they’re first born? (Except for all of my friend’s babies, who have come out looking amazing and beautiful and definitely not like weird little wrinkly/puffy aliens.) Well – that newborn phase is kind of where I am in my living room process. It doesn’t look like much right now – you may even think it looks kind of bad! – but I can finally see all the bones and pieces sliding into place, you know?

It’s always weird to share in-progress spaces on the internet, but I’m really excited for y’all to see the full transformation from “a bunch of furniture in a room” (what you’ll see today) to “intentionally designed space” (that you’ll see next month – I’ve made more progress since these photos and we’ll be shooting at the top of 2023!). But today, I want to walk you through the weird middle ground phase – it’s taken 3 years of sourcing (vintage takes time!) and I’ve made a pretty egregious and embarrassing mistake (read on for my enormous paint fail – renters, please learn from my error), but this is the last “before” that I’ll show before the dramatic “after.” Ready to see what I’ve been working on? We’ll start in the back corner, closest to the dining room…

The Vintage Score Of A Lifetime

…WHICH IS THE NEW HOME OF AN UNBELIEVABLE FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE SCORE. I’ve written a lot about how to find good vintage on the internet, but my number one piece of advice for all secondhand sourcing is usually “keep it vague – folks who know what they have tend to price it accordingly.” So, uh, imagine my utter shock and surprise when I fired up Marketplace, typed “Marge Carson Elephant Bar Cart” – one of my white whale pieces – into the search bar, and found an EXACT MATCH, in near-perfect condition, including the original stool, at an achievable price point, and JUST A FEW MILES AWAY.

I do not know what kind of karmic deed I did to be rewarded with a dream piece that usually costs between 2 and 3 months of rent, but I AM SO GRATEFUL. It did still take a few nervous months to save up for it – I was always worried someone else would swoop in and steal it, as I tragically do not have a dedicated account with several hundred dollars earmarked for impromptu furniture purchases – but man, I lucked out. Welcome to the Concrete Jungle, new friend 🙂 (And shoutout to Jess, who said the name to me – you’ll soon see that it’s very appropriate.)

The Chairs (In A Surprising Fabric I Love)

First – I have since flipped this layout (and the elephant end table – a $2 Long Beach Flea find! – may find a new home, lest I become known as “the insane animal furniture everywhere” lady), but I wanted to take a second to sing the praises of these Mitchell Gold +Bob Williams chairs. I was looking for something that felt a little 70s – I’m shooting for a disco-meets-deco vibe in here – with a more petite profile, and these fit the bill perfectly. The entire piece was customizable, so I opted to get the base in wood (it’s the ‘Natural’ option) and chose a Sunbrella performance basket weave for the upholstery (in ‘Almond’ – I love it).

I know Sunbrella is normally viewed as an outdoor fabric, but it’s also the only upholstery option I’ve found that can hold its own against my cat’s claws. (I actually wanted to use it in here so badly that I asked the Sunbrella team for help in sourcing indoor chairs – they were the ones who pointed me in the direction of MG + BW and I’m very thankful they did!)

An early testimonial: these chairs were delivered a few months ago, which was simultaneously amazing (great shipping times!) and terrifying (what if my cat destroyed them before the shoot?). I’ve been so pleased, though – my cat’s taken a particular liking to the front portion and to the top of each chair (read: she is constantly scratching on these, despite my best efforts to redirect her) and they’ve held up beautifully. I know that nothing is totally indestructible, but these have given me the ability to enjoy an upholstered chair without the constant worry of imminent and immediate ruin. Highly recommend Sunbrella’s indoor fabrics to any other pet owners out there:)

The Work-In-Progress Fireplace

There’s a lot to be done here – I’m planning on grabbing a vintage trunk to replace the leather statue (yes, that is the third animal item in this post, for anyone counting) and obviously, the mantel needs some styling. I do love the original elements here, though – I want to give some breathing room so the sconces and fireplace can really shine on their own. I’ll also swap out the art on the Frame TV for the shoot, but well…no promises that I won’t change it back to this Bosch after the photography is done:) (For anyone else who is interested in weird 16th-century art – BoschBot, my favorite Twitter account, posts random bits of the painting every few minutes. Definitely NSFW, but so fun to see the details up close!)

The New Rug and Old Coffee Table

THIS RUG. It’s the Harwich Natural Woven Jute Rug from Annie Selke and OH MY GOSH, I LOVE IT. I originally was planning to use a smaller leopard-print hide in here (it’s actually still leaning up against the fireplace – I’ll find a spot for it somewhere!), but realized I needed something to ground my floating furniture a bit more. I love the harlequin print as an alternative to a ubiquitous checkerboard and the woven texture makes it feel a little less precious, you know?

The 1970s tubular lucite coffee table was a 2019 steal from AES of LA. I’ve historically been a serial coffee table switcher, so holding on to the same piece for 3 years has been HUGE for me. I know you can only see a glimpse but trust me – it’s beautiful and I love it 🙂

My Dream Sofa That I…Kind of Resent?

If I can offer you one lesson, it’s this: your sofa can be curved, it can be leather, or it can be armless. DO NOT GO FOR ALL 3. I love my funky 80s sofa when I have company – it’s perfect for comfortable conversations and for enjoying drinks with friends but…well, I kind of resent it the rest of the time. You can’t really take a long nap here (which may be good for me, to be fair – your girl can snooze) and pillows slide right off, so it isn’t great for relaxing in general.

Long-term, I actually think I want to scrap my current dining room plan in favor of using the sofa as a banquette with a round dining table (naturally, now that I’m almost done with the living room, I’ve realized that it’s the perfect scale for that the dining room – I checked!). Short-term, it’s livable (and at least I love looking at it, too). I guess that now I’ve learned that having a nap-worthy sofa is more important to me than my friends being like, “oh, this is a beautiful conversation area.” C’EST LA VIE.

Flanked By A Sweet Rose Bowl Find (For Now)

Y’all, the Rose Bowl deities SMILED ON ME last month. I found this pair of Salterini-style tables for a SONG (like, we’re talking like 1/10th of the price here, y’all). Dealers stopped me to ask if I knew what I’d found. Someone tried to buy them off me in an aisle! I know they’re a little patinated, but I love their character and their history. I don’t know if they’ll stay next to the sofa in the final iteration of the reveal – they may relocate to the front door as a little drop zone! – but there’s something really thrilling about walking into a room that’s filled with found pieces. I think searching for vintage fulfills some sort of deep-seated hunter/gatherer urges in the weird part of my monkey brain, or something (anyone else?).

My Problem Corner

Or like, a half-problem corner, I guess? My mom actually got me this canoe shelf from TINI (an old LA vintage store, RIP) about 7 years ago after I sent her near-weekly updates of me visiting it in-store (like a lunatic – again, being driven by my monkey brain, maybe?). I pulled it over here to test the size and scale as I wanted to put a similarly-sized closed storage piece here – maybe something a bit campaign-y? – where I can also hide (or at least obscure) all my wifi/router mess. Alternatively, I was noodling on a round foyer table here in the corner – I think either would make me really happy, it just depends on what’s on FB Marketplace when I’m ready to plop down ~$200. Stay tuned!!!

The Window Wall

I’m VERY excited about this. My new curtains (just cheap semi-sheer ones from IKEA) will be hung appropriately – you can see their new endpoints, which I marked with tape – and the windows will be flanked by those horse mirrors that I nabbed at the Rose Bowl last year with Jess. The waterfall bench will be replaced by this white oak media cabinet from Room & Board (set to be delivered in just a few days!!!) which will house my record collection and turntable, in addition to providing a nice place for my cat to stare at all the action on the street below:)

A Ringing Bamboo Shade Endorsement

While I have you – I spent about $180 on these four cordless bamboo shades ($41 for the 29″ wide ones, $48″ for the 35″ wide version) and I am SO, SO, SO HAPPY WITH THEM. I spent a really long time trying to figure out which cheap woven shade was the best and I couldn’t be more thrilled with my choice. If you are also in the market for window coverings that look great and won’t break the bank, I cannot recommend these more highly. (I got them in ‘Squirrel,’ which is a really cozy and warm natural wood tone.) I’m so excited for you to see them with the updated curtain rod and drapery – I’m so thrilled to have found an affordable and renter-friendly window treatment solution! (It only took, uh, almost 4 years? NBD.)

My All-Time Greatest Rose Bowl Score

The back wall, opposite the fireplace, is filled with 4 VERY un-styled bookshelves which you don’t have to stare at yet:) But I am still freaking out about this Rose Bowl find – I fell in love with the whimsical shape, thought it’d be a nice fit for this empty space (I was inspired by Erik’s similar living room closet/chair combo here!), and figured I could clean up the original leather upholstery a bit. (It isn’t in the best shape, but it’s more of a “looking” chair than a “sitting” chair, you know?)

The dealer originally asked for $300, but I negotiated it down to $215. After I’d purchased it, he told me that it was an “original, probably worth about $2,000.” Honestly, I kind of laughed it off – I’m more interested in the shape than the resale value – but I clocked the original stickers on the bottom of the chair while I was carrying it out to my car. I’d like to introduce y’all to the George Mulhauser Scroll Chair, produced by Plycraft in the 1950s, which now seems to fetch a biiiiit more than $2,000. I am genuinely the luckiest person in the world (when it comes to vintage finds, at least).

An Egregious Paint Failure (No!!!)daytime | nighttime

THIS IS WHERE MY LUCK RUNS OUT, THOUGH. After waffling between two Sherwin-Williams paint colors – Romance, a warm-toned pink that had been my gut instinct, and Alyssum, a cool pink that perfectly matched my dining room wallpaper…well, I made the wrong choice.

Pro Tip: If you’re a renter painting your walls, make sure that the color works with the trim, too. I finished one wall before stepping back and getting the ‘ick’ almost immediately – the cool tones here clashed WAY too hard with the warm white trim, and it got even worse at nighttime. I’d checked the paint on every wall at every time of day and thought it’d be the perfect choice to pull both spaces together – I just forgot to consider the immovable elements, which feels like the cardinal sin of customizing a rental.

Alyssum | Romance

I still love my instinct to go pink, but I’ll be swapping shades ASAP. I don’t know why I was so obsessed with perfectly matching my wallpaper color when I should have instead been optimizing for a tonal match. I do wish I’d gone with my gut the first time around, but at least I tried (and at least I didn’t get too far into the paint process before pulling the plug).

This is where I’ll leave you – a ~50% completed room that took years to compile (and that currently has a face only a mother could love, despite the time spent – this is regular design for regular people :)). It isn’t much now, but I can’t wait for you to see the transformation – I’ve always wanted to see some half-finished projects on the internet so I could analyze what changed in the final makeover reveal (in hopes of applying that to my own home), and, well…I guess I’m now the person publishing some half-finished projects, hoping that maybe it’ll encourage someone else. IT’LL GET THERE, I PROMISE. (And in the interim, if you have any ideas or suggestions…I’m all ears.) See you down in the comments, yeah? xx

The post Caitlin’s FINAL Living Room Update – Including Her Dream Vintage Score, Fabric Chairs Her Cat “Can’t” Ruin, And A Big Mistake…That She’s Fixing appeared first on Emily Henderson.