Emily Henderson's Blog, page 112

The 5 Hacks That Permanently Reduced My Clutter + Made Organizing Easier

Not sure if y’all have clocked it, but I have kind of co-opted the cleaning/organization beat here at EHD. Growing up, I was pretty unbothered by mess and grime – much to the chagrin of my mom and, later, my college roommates (sorry again, everyone!!!) – but as an adult, I’ve figured out some systems and discovered a few tried-and-true products that have made cleaning, organizing, and maintaining my home both easy AND fun. But today’s post isn’t about more things to buy – it’s actually about a few of the mental frameworks I’ve recently been employing to make it easier for me to part with the things I already have. See, I’ve always struggled a little bit with clutter (I mean…I’m a girl who loves the flea market, you know?) and it’s finally sunk in that the solution isn’t just adding more bins and baskets – it’s that I need LESS STUFF. Deciding what makes the cut is hard, though (especially when you’re as sentimental as I am!), so let’s dive into a few of the strategies that have actually been helpful for me in the hopes that maybe this can help you declutter, too 🙂

art direction by emily henderson | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | styled by emily bowser | from: clever organization hacks – a linen/guest closet and the smartest vanity org productsThe 20/20 Rule

The idea is simple: If I can replace something for under $20 and in under 20 minutes, I give myself the freedom to let it go. This has been game-changing for me – old nail polish? I can grab another at Walgreens in less than five minutes if I end up needing to. The almost-empty bottle of vitamins that I have been ignoring for months but still keep in the fridge in the event that I will one day wake up with willpower and will be able to commit to my vitamin regimen again? Spoiler: it’s not happening, so just let them go, girl! All those weird promotional drawstring backpacks that have sat dormant at the bottom of my closet for years but have still been schlepped from coast to coast and from apartment to apartment? JUST DONATE THEM, ALREADY.

I’ve really struggled with a sunk cost fallacy here for a while – “I already have this, and I’ve kept it for so long, and I might need it someday, so I should hold on to it just in case!” (Maybe that refrain sounds kind of familiar to you, too.) In reality, though, many of the things I’ve been struggling to organize are still things that I could grab quickly and affordably in a pinch. Like, why purchase another bin to store the aforementioned nail polish when I haven’t painted my own nails in over a year? I’ve been able to give away unused crafting supplies (why did I, a person who has literally never touched a knitting needle in their life, have so much yarn???), school supplies (where are my fellow pen hoarders at? Turns out I don’t need, like, 300 different gel pens!), and I’ve also finally been able to toss the stuff that’s just taking up space and waiting to expire. It’s liberating, y’all!

design by anne sage and caroline lee | styling by anne sage | photos by caroline lee | from: if you needed a sign to go big with your closet design…this is itThe Inventory Idea

This is a new thought pattern for me and it’s been TRANSFORMATIONAL. I’d always blamed my cluttered tendencies on my ADHD brain manifesting itself – you know, unintentionally making my surroundings look and feel like the inside of my head – but the reality is much simpler: my human brain is just not equipped to keep tabs on this much inventory. Swapping my previous self-punishing internal monologue of “I have too much stuff” with “I just have more inventory than I can track right now” has COMPLETELY changed the way I look at clutter.

Here’s the thing: I don’t think I’d ever really grokked that every single thing that I bring into my home contributes to my mental load and to my to-do list. Once something comes in that front door, it needs to be tracked and monitored and maintained…and it turns out that a lot of things in my home aren’t worth that kind of effort, you know? Humans simply were not built to keep track of hundreds of thousands of objects in addition to, like, staying alive. That’s not an exaggeration, either – the average American household has over 300,000 items in it. SERIOUSLY. I’ve accepted that I do not have the brain space or bandwidth to care for 300,000 things in addition to, you know, talking to my family and having a job and doing things with friends – something’s gotta give, and it’s gonna have to be the things.

Clutter doesn’t happen because you’re lazy or because of some moral failure – you simply just do not have the brain space to remember and sort all of the objects in your inventory. Think of yourself like a video game character with limited slots to carry items – what really matters to you? What actually deserves to take up your mental bandwidth? (Spoiler: it’s probably not the box of assorted cords for devices and appliances you’ve been collecting for a decade or more. You’re never going to go through that box, pal – just donate or recycle them and let yourself permanently remove “sort through miscellaneous cords” from your to-do list. IT’S GOING TO FEEL AMAZING, I SWEAR.)

design by velinda hellen | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: sara’s living room & dining room reveal
The Grey Zone Donation

THE MAYBES. That’s where I get hung up, at least. There are the things that are easy to toss in a donation pile; there are things that are obvious keepers…but what about the items in the middle? Maybe it’s a splurgey wool sweater that you may need one day…but you also live in Los Angeles, where the average daily temperature literally never warrants the hoarding of said overpriced wool sweater. How do you commit to purging and donating when you’re making a decision that isn’t clearly black or white? Enter: THE GREY ZONE.

The solution here is pretty simple, but it does require some willpower. Take all your “well, I do really like this, it’s in good condition, and maybe I’ll use it when [insert infrequent scenario here]” things and throw them in a box/bag/storage container of your choice. Choose a timeframe that makes sense for you – maybe it’s a week, maybe it’s a month – and TAPE IT CLOSED for that amount of time. If you don’t need to force entry into this box, donate it blindly once the clock’s run out.

Do not let yourself get caught in a last-minute check – “let me just make sure there’s nothing really important in here” is the kiss of death that’ll spoil your efforts (take it from experience!) – just let it go and enjoy the newly-created space, free of items that you’re ambivalent about. It’s kinda nice to be surrounded only by the pieces that you really love and use, right?

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: sara’s closet reveal – the bold design moment she’s been cravingThe 5-Year Question

Try this scenario on for size: think about that shirt in your dresser. It’s seen better days – maybe it’s a little faded, or it has low-key pit-stained (but in a way that only you really notice), or there’s a tiny hole in it, or you accidentally spilled soy sauce on the front leaving it unwearable in public (too specific, maybe?) and now it’s become your last-choice “home clothes” shirt. It’s the one you pull on when you’re out of everything else – if it could talk, it’d be the shirt that said “GIRL, you gotta do laundry RIGHT NOW.”

I’m here with an instant mood-boosting tip: RETIRE THAT SHIRT. Recycle it. Turn it into cleaning rags. Make a t-shirt quilt, if you’re sentimental! Either way, LET IT GO. I’ve found that I have a tendency to wear things into the ground, which is great (or better than the fast fashion alternative, at least, I guess). But at some point, I need to learn how to say goodbye – enter the “5-year question.” When I’m considering parting with pieces on their last legs – or decor that I’ve pulled from the flea market that no longer sparks joy – I just need to ask the following: “In 5 years, am I going to be glad that this is still in my inventory?”

Will I be glad that I’ve kept reluctantly pulling on my hole-y pink home-only shirt for trips to the laundromat, or that I continue to shove a broken flea market toucan statue in the closet in the hope that one day I’ll create a vignette that requires a broken toucan statue? Most of the time, the answer is a resounding NO. 30-year-old Caitlin is doing 35-year-old Caitlin a favor – she’s pitching stuff now so that future Caitlin can fully enjoy the stuff she really loves.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: inside all our (super organized) drawers & cabinets in the mountain house kitchenJust 1% Better

If you also went through a competitive sports phase (or, uh, “decades” of competitive sports, if we’re the same type of neurotic), you may be familiar with the “1% better” theory of marginal gains. To sum it up, a former director of British Cycling implemented a program trying to improve a host of tiny areas by 1% (like, sleeping 1% better, eating 1% better, training 1% better, reducing bike dust by 1% – it was a lot and very nuanced, but you get the gist)…and he was right. After implementing the 1% theory, British Cycling went on to win 16 Olympic golds AND seven Tour de Frances in just eight years.

Let that sink in – a meager 1% improvement across the board compounded over time and RADICALLY changed the expected results. Even on my worst day, I can find the energy to try and make my home at least 1% better – it’s a small, achievable goal that will exponentially improve my quality of life in the future. I don’t know if you’ve also suffered from “if I can’t do it perfectly the first time, I don’t want to do it at all” disease, but finally accepting that marginal gains are just as valuable as a weekend-long cleaning spree has been incredibly motivating and empowering. You don’t need to organize everything this weekend – just let yourself be 1% better.

left: design by caitlin higgins (me!), photo by sara ligorria-tramp, styled by emily bowser, from: caitlin’s first moto reveal – a vintage bathroom gets a modern update | right: inside my vanity…taking from my phone if you couldn’t tell

Here’s where I leave you – my most recent clutter clean-out (after all this yapping, I gotta show that I drink my own Kool-Aid, right?). I wish I had taken an actual before photo, but I truly cannot tell you how much peace this now-totally-organized vanity now brings me. What I can tell you, however, is where to find bandaids or soap or zit patches – my bath and self-care-related inventory is now totally under control and IT FEELS AMAZING. If this reformed clutterbug can do it…well, I think you can, too. (Next up on my 1% better list: cleaning the lipstick smudges off my makeup drawer. WHOOPS.)

It took a really long time for this all to click in my own brain – there’s a real difference between recognizing that you have too much stuff and actually building out the framework to handle that problem – so I really hope that these five ideas could help others in the way that they’ve helped me. Feel free to drop any of your organization tips or wisdom in the comments – I’m always ready to learn more. LET’S CHAT, PLEASE??? xx

Opening Image Credits: Art Direction by Emily Henderson | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | Styled by Emily Bowser | From: Clever Organization Hacks – A Linen/Guest Closet And The Smartest Vanity Org Products

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Farmhouse Update: On Painting Our Fireplace (Again)

Over the last year, I’ve made around 45,263 design decisions. Not all of them were “correct” and while many weren’t “wrong” per se, they may not have been the best choice. I’ve come to realize there is a big difference between a “design mistake” and a “design regret”. The former is something that is “wrong” and you really try to fix or come to terms with not ever fixing, and the latter is more nebulous and painful (where something could just be better). I’m writing a full post about it for the living room (where a couple of huge design regrets live) but today’s post also contains a very fixable design regret. The fireplace in the main bedroom was designed and built to mimic the original one in the living room. We installed the same brick and then painted it.

The Inspirationdesign by max humphrey | photo by christopher dibble

Max Humphrey designed my friend’s beach house living room with a dark-painted fireplace and we loved it. Sometimes it looks dark blue, sometimes closer to charcoal but it’s just so pretty. And it’s my personal and strong opinion that TVs and gas fireplaces (the black boxes) look better on darker fireplaces. So before we left for all of July we attempted to choose the right color that gave it this vibe.

We chose Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams, felt confident, then went on our trip. Done!

Seeing these photos of me holding up a swatch even now I want to shout, “Hey past Emily! That color is much lighter than the inspiration shot!”. But that’s what that lady chose and now this lady has to live with it (or change).

The Current Paint Color: Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams

So we get back and turns out it’s a lot lighter than I wanted. We were all like, “Wait, that isn’t Smoky Blue. Then, sure enough, we held up the swatch and it matched perfectly. HAHAHA. It’s SUCH a good color (so good that we decided to put it on our stairs, which we did and LOVE) but it is lighter than we had wanted in here. Then we were told that the masons weren’t done with the fireplace – that the bottom wasn’t grouted (as you can see) and there were like 4-5 missing bricks on the side, so the painters (or us) would have had to paint more anyway.

This is not the only paint color I was “surprised” by when I got back and I made the decision that I would live with almost all of them – to ensure that whatever we do choose to do that we take our time and do it right (and btw, we have so much leftover white base paint that we can take it in and just have it tinted so we aren’t ordering new paint or wasting the paint we have). And of course the longer we live with it the more we like it – it’s just a really really good blue…

Fireplace Other Paint Colors I’m Thinking About…left paint color: night watch by sherwin-williams | right paint color: cascades by sherwin-williams

So I asked my team to photoshop on all some other colors to see and boy is it helpful. The left is Night Watch by Sherwin-Williams and the right is Cascades by Sherwin-Williams. I definitely like how the one on the right still has some blue undertones. We didn’t want a pure black, just an almost black.

left paint color: pearl gray by sherwin-williams | right paint color: night watch by sherwin-williams

But just in case, I wanted to see what it would look like if we did a lighter color like Pearl Gray, and as predicted it just doesn’t look as good. Not only does it not ground that wall enough, but I have found that gas fireplaces and TV just pop out too much on a light fireplace.

Now we aren’t deciding on the new color today because I’m not secure on the design of this room yet. Here is what is up in the air:

We’ll get the new bed in a few weeks, and it is a tone but having it be here in person will help a lot. We are using our old living room rug, which I still love but is very stained. I’m going to try to get it cleaned and if it’s still kinda bad (which is very possible) then I’m thinking about having it cut down into smaller rugs to layer over the kids’ wall-to-wall carpet (after being cleaned). But if we get a new rug in here it will definitely help dictate the fireplace color. I’m thinking about painting the walls in here a light tone – just something to warm them up (I miss the wood trim around the windows and ceiling A LOT, TBH).Art, accessories, another layer of curtains? I’m loving how simple this room is TBH, but I can admit that it’s also kinda boring right now. I almost always like to choose paint colors last, but as you know when you are renovating they want them before you move in as they usually paint before finish electrical and plumbing fixtures go in (understandably) so thus the regrets happen. For us, we were choosing them against tarped-up spaces and artificial lights (and even left a few rooms only primed because we felt so insecure). So to fix or figure out how to live with these regrets I’m taking more time and making sure that the other elements are dialed in before finalizing the paint color. A HUGE thanks to our partner on this Sherwin-Williams for understanding the challenges of renovations and being patient with me.

So that’s where we are currently at. Wish us luck! xx

If you are curious, here are the rest of the room sources:
Wood flooring: Oregon White Oak by Zena Flooring
Windows: White oak, Aspen Casement by Sierra Pacific Windows
Fireplace: Slimline 7X with Tranquil Greige Refractory Brick by Heat & Glo
Current Fireplace Color: Smoky Blue by Sherwin-Williams
Skylights: Skylights with Room Darkening Shades by Velux Skylight

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

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The Coffee Table Styles That Won’t Injure Your Kids (+ Kid-Friendly/Design-Approved Options)

The living room, well more specifically the coffee table, is basically a kid command center. That’s where snacks are eaten, toys are built, games are played…it’s even a helping hand for little munchkins needing some stability when they are learning to stand up. SO because this piece of furniture is such a kid magnet it’s not a bad idea to choose a coffee table without sharp edges that can injure them pretty easily. And if I’m honest, I’ve been known to break some skin on a coffee table corner so it’s a 10/10 for adults too. Now unless you have a completely soft ottoman for a coffee table, there’s always a chance of injury. An edge maybe not be a corner but it’s still an edge, you know? But we came up with five different types of coffee tables that are far less “accident-prone” if you are currently shopping. Oh and there’s a special surprise at the end! But first, let’s look at what Emily used when Charlie was a toddler…

photos by tessa neustadt

Em went straight for the round leather ottomans. Not only are these nearly injury-proof, but the leather also makes them insanely easy to clean! I personally love that she got two in different sizes. That means more soft places to play on and they help fill the space better. Notice how they are styled differently. On the left, it’s “Charlie-approved” with zero styling. Then on the right is for when the kids aren’t around and you want it to feel a bit more pulled together. A tray is your best friend for an upholstered ottoman. It makes it so you can actually set things like glassware on it.

Upholstered Ottomansphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: my friend’s kid and pet-friendly family room reveal

Since we were just talking about this type of coffee table I thought we should start with them. As I said above, an upholstered ottoman is probably your safest bet when it comes to avoiding potential trips to the emergency room. So not only are they great for kids but they can add a really fun and interesting texture to your living room. We recommend choosing a contrasting fabric like Emily did in Suzanne’s old living room (denim fabric sofa with a leather ottoman). You can also choose one that has a pattern and/or a different color. Basically, to make your space feel more “collected” stay away from anything too matchy-matchy.

1. Cove Woven Leather Ottoman | 2. Hustle Leather Ottoman | 3. Wilmington Upholstered Round Ottoman | 4. Unwind Slipcovered Ottoman | 5. Genuine Leather Round Pouf Ottoman | 6. Grant Rectangular Ottoman | 7. Theo Ottoman | 8. Colten Round Coffee Table Ottoman | 9. Aldora Round Ottoman | 10. Round Saddle Leather Ottoman Pouf | 11. Reagan Upholstered Ottoman | 12. Large Round Tufted Storage Ottoman | 13. HIRA | 14. Angolare Ottoman | 15. Dax Leather Ottoman

What’s great about an upholstered ottoman is that if you want a rectangle or square shape but are afraid of sharp corners you can have both! Take #2, #7, and #14 for example. Each has a totally different style but gives you those 90-degree angles. If you are looking for something more neutral #3, which I’ve seen in store and was much bigger than I expected, is great! Simple with interesting details. Also, remember to not be afraid of velvet! It’s actually a kid-friendly material and #6 and #8 are pretty options:)

Rattan Coffee Tablesdesign by velinda hellen design | styling by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: velinda’s first freelance client reveal: molding the ‘builder-grade budget’ + where they saved & splurged

Moving right along to rattan. So if fabric isn’t your thing or you just love a natural fiber material then rattan is both great for your design eye and child. Plus it’s a pattern without being “a pattern”. The only thing you want to be careful of (with any coffee table actually) is weight. Rattan especially tends to be very lightweight. A blessing if you are someone who needs to move their coffee table around a lot, but a curse if your child is using it as support and could likely topple over with it. Just some food for thought.

1. Melanie Woven Coffee Table | 2. Jimenez Round Coffee Table | 3. Lundy Solid Coffee Table with Storage | 4. Rosie Coffee Table | 5. Round Natural Ribbed Rattan Cyrus Coffee Table | 6. GAMLEHULT

Look at how different each of these are! #2, #3, and even #6 are great for storage which is always a plus and can make them heavier/more stable:) #1 could work in almost any style of home and if you love a trend, #5 nails the pencil reed style Caitlin talked about a few months ago. And how can you not love the detail of #4?! It’s freaking so cute.

Oval Coffee Tablesphotos by sara ligorria-tramp | left from: mountain house reveal: our light-filled neutral textural living room | right from: mountain house reveal: how we designed our super kid-friendly family room

Who knew this post would be a chronological timeline of Emily’s coffee tables post-children but here we are! After the ottomans came her oval vintage Saarinen coffee table and later her well-loved Lulu and Georgia coffee table. What she has said is she loves about both of these tables is how sturdy and heavy they are. Her kids very zero chance of moving them around. Plus there are no sharp corners to worry about. So while a head could still bonk against the edge, an oval shape is still very kid-friendly. Plus it’s a fun yet elegant shape for any living room.

1. Paola Coffee Table | 2. Arches Oval Coffee Table | 3. Oval Natural Wood Zeke Coffee Table | 4. Thomas Bina Olivia Coffee Table | 5. Tony Coffee Table | 6. Panos Acacia Wood Coffee Table | 7. Brix Coffee Table | 8. Nero White Marble Oval Coffee Table | 9. Flyte Oval Coffee Table

When it comes to affordability you can’t beat #3 and #9. For something a bit modern but still natural you have #5, #6, and #7. You know I love #2 and, of course, #4! Those added details make my little design heart sing. And for those who want a little glam #1 and #8 are perfect.

Round Coffee Tablephoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the ultimate family-friendly media room + wet bar

A classic is a classic for a reason. Who doesn’t love a round coffee table?! So to my memory, Emily hasn’t used a round coffee table in her home but has used them a bunch in others she’s designed (like the Portland Project media room:)) They are great for sectionals and if you use them with a normal sofa just beware of the scale. Here’s a post with rules to help! HOT TIP: Nesting coffee tables are great if you need more length. Let’s see what cornerless beauts I’ve found for you today…

1. Maddox Coffee Table | 2. Curator Solid Wood Coffee Table | 3. Homage Round White Oak Wood and Marble Coffee Table | 4. Mullins Coffee Table | 5. Odeon Coffee Table Round | 6. LISTERBY | 7. Volume Round Pedestal Coffee Table | 8. Winona Marble Coffee Table | 9. Shaker Coffee Table | 10. Round Natural Wood Zeke Coffee Table | 11. Eatman Pedestal Coffee Table | 12. Jono Round Coffee Table

First off, I am wildly impressed with #10 from World Market. It’s not wildly expensive and it’s cool and modern. What’s not to love? Then for a higher price point, I love love #3. That pink stone is so good! Honestly, I would happily have any of these in my house. Which one is your favorite?

“Organic” Coffee Tablesphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a quick update: the changes i’ve made to my la living room

What, did you think I wasn’t going to talk about the coffee table you see above? Not a chance. This was another iconic Emily Henderson coffee table that was great for the design of her living room and for her kids. This one is also super heavy/indestructible. Key for messy little kiddos:) Again, very few things in like can guarantee zero injury but organically shaped coffee tables aren’t your worst bet.

design by sarah zachary | styling by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a historic mid-century modern home that was completely brought back to life

One organic shape that has become very popular is the kidney shape. It’s less dramatic than a live edge but has more movement than say, a round or oval shape. It’s cool AND fun. Shall we see what we’ve got and even show you the coffee table Emily is getting for the farmhouse living room?!?!?!? SURPRISE!!

1. Keiko Mahogany Coffee Table | 2. Organic Modular Table | 3. 3 Legs Coffee Table | 4. Vestry Table | 5. Swole Coffee Table | 6. Abstract Coffee Table | 7. Floating Wood Live Edge Coffee Table | 8. Pisces Coffee Table | 9. Selby Coffee Table

Before we get into Em’s new coffee table, let’s dance our eyes around these beauties. I love how easily they can go from natural to modern to super trendy. There’s really something for everyone and every style!

Ok, ok Emily has decided to go with #4 for the farmhouse living room! But that table actually comes in two sizes giving you the option to nest them (which she is going to do). I love the wood tone, the subtle organic shape, and the super clean lines. Mixed in with her vintage pieces and cool art, it’s going to balance beautifully. Definitely go check them out on the site to really get a sense of them!

So that’s it from me today! Do any parents have any more tips? Can anyone personally speak to any of these? Let us know in the comments.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credit: Photos by Tessa Neustadt

The post The Coffee Table Styles That Won’t Injure Your Kids (+ Kid-Friendly/Design-Approved Options) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our Wall To Wall Carpet In The Farmhouse Bedrooms

When we first bought the house the bedrooms were carpeted, but like most older homes the carpet wasn’t exactly salvageable (from the ’80s which turns out is no longer “twenty years ago” and instead is now FORTY YEARS AGO). We had hopes that underneath the carpet was beautiful original wood flooring – perhaps a herringbone or parquet pattern, but it was just a strange laminate and a weak little subfloor. We thought about installing wood flooring, of course, but after having carpeted bedrooms at the mountain house we were very excited to just do it again. My 27-year-old self is so confused at future Emily for being so enthusiastically a wall-to-wall carpet lady, but when it’s done nicely in a bedroom (and you don’t have hazardous pets, which we don’t) it’s just so cozy. At the time we were also looking to shave money off labor and we deemed the kid’s bedrooms as the place to do it 🙂 Full disclosure, this carpet is not a “budget” carpet (Stark is high-end and high quality) but we fell in love with this one at the mountain house and after shopping around a lot, decided to do a similar but different version here. Brand loyalty I suppose 🙂

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: mountain house: the kids’ room reveal!!

This room was the beginning of my love affair with wall-to-wall carpet. Not only was it super cozy, but it really simplifies the room in a lot of ways, and with that slight pattern we didn’t feel the need to add a rug (we still might here, btw). We did the same carpet pattern but a different colorway in the guest room.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: mountain house reveal (yes, another one!): the coziest upstairs guest “bunk” bedroom

Both floors have held up so well for our family. It’s been 4 years and the kid’s room and play attic have gotten a lot of action (rarely shoes), the lighter guest room less so. Both are on the second floor so less access to the outside (which I think is a good thing to think about). And with the memory foam pad underneath they are remarkably cushy (seriously, everyone remarks on it).

Deciding on the carpet for this house felt harder. We love the idea of keeping it light, to work with the Scandi vibe upstairs. I definitely thought about doing the navy blue again, in all three rooms, but that felt like quite the color commitment and would lock us in design-wise. Initially, we wanted their performance carpet, Davis, and placed the order, yay all set! Then we found out that there were delays and it was 5 months out. So after stain testing this one (with raspberry jam) and having it fully come out, we went for the wool version that had the same vibe. And now that it’s installed we are SO happy. TBH I’m still new to the wall-to-wall carpet game, having only done it in a few rooms. But when I have there is nothing like a fresh, cozy, wall-to-wall carpeted room in the colder months.

But quickly some memory lane, to really hit the before and after story hard.

When we first bought the house…

Then after a year of construction, it looked like this:

Install Day!

The week before we were to move in (and live here) the carpet arrived and boy was it a transformation.

First, we put down the memory foam carpet pad (see above). Now I want to call something out that has nothing to do with the wall-to-wall carpet itself. At the mountain house, we used memory foam underneath and I remember thinking that we did this special thing nobody had before. Then when I was shopping for a memory foam carpet pad for this room at the carpet place I found a thick memory foam pad and assumed it was the same. We asked the salesperson and he said, “Yes, this is the thickest memory foam you can get”. So we bought it and checked that box. Now the sad thing is that after installing it and the carpet we realized that it’s not the same. At the mountain house, we either used double memory foam or (and this is what I think) a 1″ rug memory foam rug pad, cut to fit. This one is still cushy (1/2″ + carpet) but not the “padded room” experience we were expecting. That has nothing to do with the carpet, it’s what you install underneath. Now it’s too late (the carpet is literally stapled down). But, if you are about to install carpet consider going rogue and getting as close to a 1″ memory foam carpet pad as possible (or double up two 1/2″ ones). Your installer will likely think you are nuts, btw. Brian pointed out afterward that we really couldn’t have done the 1″ because the carpet would have been far higher than the thresholds to the hallway – it was already much higher than the hallway floor, so adding another 1/2″ might have looked dumb and been pulled up easily. That’s all to say, def don’t get a cheap carpet pad if you are opting for a more woven wall-to-wall like we did (with a pulled carpet you have more cushion). We loved the look of the woven, versus a pulled carpet (which is more typical – not in a bad way). But there are pros and cons to both.

Carpet Installed!

The carpet is very, very, very pretty. It’s the Dorsey and it has a lot of variation in texture and yarn dye, which I hope will make it more forgiving. It’s light but not WHITE. It’s 100% wool and like I said, when I stain-tested it with the jam it passed with flying colors. But it’s still a light color and let’s just say no finger painting upstairs. We don’t allow shoes in the house (and the kids are programmed so well at this point to take them off immediately on entry) and there is no food upstairs (due to the carpet), but they are still kids and while the dogs don’t pee on rugs, they are still dogs and this is still rainy Oregon in the winter. I’m not going to lie that there are days when I’m nervous that we should have made a darker or more forgiving choice, but it’s so pretty and soft!! We will likely layer a rug here or there, too.

Just look how pretty it looks. I love how the subtle stripe contrasts against the diamonds of the windows (and will work so well with the butterflies in Birdie’s wallpaper). It’s a pattern yet not, and with the variety of yarn colors, it looks really sophisticated and high-end.

Now to decorate 🙂

*Pretty Progress Farmhouse Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Our Wall To Wall Carpet In The Farmhouse Bedrooms appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How To Make Your Bookshelves Look Better (We Have 5 Easy Tips For You)

I’ve always thought that having a home with floor-to-ceiling built-in bookshelves would be a dream, but such a luxury can actually be quite sinister. When you have shelves galore the cold hard truth is that you’ll need things to fill up said shelves. And ideally, you’ll have things that speak to you and your style which takes time and effort to curate. Once you do have all your things in order, then you have to face the daunting task of styling. Luckily, there is somewhat of a formula to follow if you want your shelves to feel collected, stylish, personal, and intentional. So today, I am walking you through our 5 steps to get your bookshelves looking better than ever. Class, let’s begin:

Stack Books Vertically And Horizontally staging by a 1000 x better | creative direction by gillian lawlee | photo by scarlett macdonald

The first step to styling bookshelves is to arrange your books. Whether you have a few books or an entire library, start by stacking them vertically and horizontally. You can play around with this as much as you want, but make sure you leave room for your decorative objects if you plan on using them. In the above photo styled by A 1000 X Better, they opted to fill most of the shelves with books, creating an eclectic library look. However, there is still room for small objects so some personality and flair are added to the space.

styled by emily henderson for cup of jo | photo by  ryan liebe | from: cup of jo makeover

Remember when Emily helped design and style Joanna of Cup of Jo’s living room all those years ago? Name a more iconic duo!! On these shelves, they left more space between books to play around with art and decor. As you can see, arranging the books horizontally and vertically allows the decor to be dispersed in unexpected ways. Books take up much of the shelves, but where there is decor it’s very special. Like, do you see the brass swirl lamp?? It’s such a statement and makes the shelves feel very “styled” instead of random. There’s also a small collection of narrow-necked vessels that creates an intentional styling moment.

design by ryann trombetti for ehd | syled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: ryann’s moody living and dining room

In my living room, I styled my entire bookcase with books if you can believe it. Boring, I know. But I did this because A) I have a lot of books and needed the storage and B) I wanted to create a scholarly library look. Since I was going for a real library feel, I kept most of the books stacked vertically but when I needed more space, I stacked books horizontally on top. This is a very relaxed way to style bookshelves and works well in a space you want to feel lived-in and inviting.

HOT TIP: For a collected look, avoid putting the same color books near each other (unless you want your shelves to be neat and color-coded). Instead, pepper the light and dark colors around to create an eclectic yet pulled-together look.

Lean Artdesign by julie rose for ehd | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a mid-century eclectic living room with kilz primer and paint

Using art is our number one trick to styling your bookshelves like a pro. Framed art scattered between your books and various decorative objects will make your bookshelves feel like their own design moment. In the above living room styled by Julie Rose, she chose to create height and take up unused wall space by leaning large scale framed art on the top shelf.

design by velinda hellen for ehd | photo by sara ligorria-tramp| from: velinda renovated & furnished her “fixer upper” for under $55k…here’s how

When you lean art on shelves it draws your eye to the back of the shelf, making the space feel deeper and layered. Above, Velinda couples two framed pieces in her living room by leaning them on top of each other to create a relaxed but collected look. As we all know, art shows off personality so if you have the room to play with it on your shelves, we always encourage you to go for it.

If you are looking for some fun art to play with here are some ideas:

1. Vintage Beach Painting | 2. Graphic Notes by Paul Cezanne | 3. Folded Lines Framed Wall Art by Minted for West Elm | 4. Fruit Still Life Framed Wall Art | 5. Center Disruption White Framed Wall Art By The Holly Collective | 6. Saddled Chestnut Race Horse

Create Vignettes Within The Shelvesdesign by sara ruffin costello | styled by erik kenneth staalberg and velinda hellen | photo by sara ligorria-tramp for the new diesgn rules

To prevent your shelves from feeling like a thrift store with random objects laid out next to each other, try creating vignettes within the shelves. If you focus on making one cohesive vignette at a time, the entire shelf won’t feel as overwhelming. You can start by adding books, stacking them horizontally and vertically, and then start to layer in your art and objects. In the above room designed by Sara Ruffin Costello, most of the shelves are split into two separate vignettes (one on each side) which leaves some breathing room within the shelves. Keeping some space open gives your eye a break and keeps the shelves from looking too visually heavy.

photos by tessa neustadt | from: bookcase update

This built-in bookcase from Emily’s Glendale home will always be the prime example of shelf styling. These shelves have seen many iterations but a few things remain the same: the color palette is cohesive, enough space is left open so you can take it all in at once, and she mixes up the decor so the shelves feel balanced and collected.

HOT TIP: Make sure to mix it up. When arranging your objects, sculptures, art, books, and even lighting, be aware of the textures, sizes, and styles, and avoid putting a lot of the same elements near each other.

Here are few decorative objects we love:

1. Vintage Bust of David | 2. Zeta Murano Glass Bowl | 3. Emmet Teak Bowl | 4. Five Link Hand Carved Wood Chain Decorative Object | 5. Calabria Vase | 6. Wooden Sphere

Include Greeneryphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: in defense of the comfy sectional

To easily bring in some movement, add a potted plant or even a vase with branches. Plants are a surefire way to add color and vibrancy to your shelves without disrupting the color palette or style. Plants can also create height and shape, and quite literally bring life to your shelves.

HOT TIP: For a less expensive option, go outside and forage for branches. The more dramatic the branch the better, and add them to a vase for an easy yet impactful styling moment.

1. Faux Potted Greenery | 2. Monstera Deliciosa | 3. Potted Houseplant Wandering Prayer

Use Bookendsdesign by velinda hellen design | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how to make your smallest room, the coziest room in your home

You might think that a bookshelf would eliminate the need for bookends, but bookends are actually a great way to allow for space within the shelves. On Sara’s built-in above, she uses bookends to separate her individual vignettes and to keep her books from falling over. Unique bookends can also provide style and texture while serving a purpose. I love how Sara used a potted plant bust as a bookend which adds a ton of personality. She also has marble and wood half circle bookend on the top which adds a round shape and even more texture to the shelves. If you are considering adding some bookends to your space, here are some we love:

1. Gray Lava Stone Bookends (Set of 2) | 2. Vintage Brass Bird Bookends | 3. Human Heads Bookend

Annnnd congratulations! You’ve just graduated from styling bookshelves school. I hope you now feel empowered to tackle your shelves like an actual pro. Now I would love to know what other styling questions we can help with so please drop them below. Happy Monday! xx

Opener Image Credit: Home of Corbett Tuck | Styled by Velinda Hellen, Erik Kenneth Staalberg, Emily Bowser, & Julie Rose | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for The New Design Rules

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The Link Up: The Design Show Emily Can’t Stop Watching (And Was Almost Cast In!), Jess’ Affordable Tools To Get Wavy Hair, And Our New Favorite “Healthy” Chips

Happy Sunday y’all! Aren’t we just cruuuuuising through September. Aside from the Hendersons fully loving being in the farmhouse and things continuing to move along up there, there’s not too much to report. Well, we do have a very exciting EHD birthday tomorrow for our Mallory and we hope she has a wonderful day off:) Do any of you have any good news? Please share in the comments! Ok to the links…

design by lucy cunningham | photo by harry crowder | via house & garden

This week’s house tour is a stunning 17th-century stone farmhouse. Previously owned by another designer, there wasn’t too much that it needed outside of decor. Lucy Cummingham, the new designer, said “It was one of those houses you walk into and it feels like a warm hug.” Once you look at the photos you can easily see what she means. It’s really the perfect home to look at on a Sunday if we do say so ourselves:)

From Emily: Y’all. I can’t STOP watching Instant Dream Home. It was a show I “tested” for (meaning spent 8 hours with other hosts to find the right combination of chemistry and after much deliberation turned it down. It was meant to be a 24-hour renovation and as the design lead I honestly just didn’t want that type of craftmanship on my head (and it shot in Atlanta for 4 months. Meaning 4 months away from my family, during the pandemic). So when it came out recently I was like “WAIT THAT’S THE SHOW!!!” and I started watching it. It’s now a TWELVE HOUR RENOVATION and if you are wondering how the hell they are doing it, you’ll see. It’s meant to be an Oceans Eleven style with 5 different experts in different areas (design, landscape, etc), where someone deserving is “nominated” and then it’s a crash surprise makeover (I pitched the “Feel-Good Flash Makeover” show to Netflix six months prior to this, btw). Then they build and plan everything off-site (at their “headquarters”) and bring it in on cranes. It’s RIVETING. The design is pretty good, too! Watching it, all I can think of is how much production went into it and how unbelievably stressed I would have been if I had said yes. The families they cast are so deserving and even though you know that the paint isn’t dry and everything is likely a little janky (does the plumbing even work?), you do get a real sense that their lives will be changed for the better. I have a million issues with the shows (like what do they do with all their stuff???) but considering it sounded like a trainwreck to shoot (which I’m sure it still was) I am legit into it and impressed. Give it a go this weekend. Even my kids love it because it’s so action-packed and riveting to watch.

If you’ve been around here for a while then you likely remember Emily talking about an incredible organization called Miry’s List. They are a nonprofit organization supporting families resettling in the United States as refugees, providing the things that they need to get started in their new lives – from diapers to beds to cleaning supplies and toiletries. They just started their 2022 Bed Fund for Refugees campaign. 100% of proceeds purchase the most important household essentials for their newest families that are in the first 30 days with them. Their goal is $400K to support 300 more families. Want great news? They’ve confirmed the first $50,000 donated will be matched 1-for-1 by The Shapiro Foundation and Milana Vayntrub so your money can go twice as far. Miry and her team are doing such important work for families that have been through the most unthinkable situations. So if you are able, please consider donating.

From Ryann: I am actually sort of mad that I went to Trader Joes and decided to try out these Sour Cream & Onion Flavored Rings. I love to snack and my favorite food is chips so going to Trader Joes, in general, is dangerous for me. Anyway, I immediately got home, opened them up to try them, and the bag was gone in less than a day. They are so good, you guys. It helps that my favorite chip flavor is sour cream & onion but I think anyone who is trying to cut down on regular potato chips (these are made from red lentils and rice meal) will enjoy this snack. My only complaint is they need to sell them in a bigger bag.

LOOK AT THESE PIECES! THOSE FABRIC COMBOS! What a stunning collab with two brands EHD are big ole fans of – Reath Design and Kalon. If you have the budget, please buy these!!

From Mallory: I recently just found my winky lux lip balm and forgot how obsessed I am with it!! It’s totally clear lipstick but when you put it on it changes the ph balance in your lips making them a more saturated version of your natural color. It’s so cool and I love wearing it!!

From Jess: If you want a WILDLY easy snack/treat recipe check out these date balls. I made them at the beginning of the pandemic and forgot how insanely delicious they are. Softly sweet, with a hint of salt and somehow taste like they are made with butter. They are also oddly filling. I can’t recommend them enough.

Also From Jess: In an attempt to enhance my kinda wavy hair I finally bought this diffuser attachment for my hair dryer. I did a light google search and the consensus was that this was a great one. Then when I went to purchase it for $23 it had 4.5 stars with over 11k reviews. I was pumped. Now I’ve only used it twice but I’m happy with the results! I want to continue to play with different curl mousses (I have fine hair so I can’t use “heavy” products if I want a semi-decent wave/curl). I bought this one because the reviews were good and it was under $10. The waves are happening! But I think I used a little too much product so there’s a chance I’ll be even happier with the results. BUT has anyone tried this mousse from Oribe? I love the brand but it’s pricey so I want to feel more confident that it’s worth it. Let me know!

Have a great rest of your weekend and see y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Lucy Cunningham | Photo by Harry Crowder | via House & Garden

The post The Link Up: The Design Show Emily Can’t Stop Watching (And Was Almost Cast In!), Jess’ Affordable Tools To Get Wavy Hair, And Our New Favorite “Healthy” Chips appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Are We Putting Artificial Turf In Oregon??? Let’s Discuss

Before you freak out, this is just a debate. We are in the middle of landscaping (and will be for months) and recently 4, FOUR, different people who I respect have said, “You should think about turf. It’s awesome and makes it so you can use your lawn year-round”. Plus it’s incredible these days. The first time we reacted with an “Uh, no. It’s a farm in Oregon”. But then the same conversation kept coming up!

Is Turf Happening In the Pacific Northwest?

So here is what is happening – people are secretly putting turf in their backyards – NOT their front yards. The winter is wet, for sure. And everything is so green and lush and beautiful, but it means that playing on the lawn is very muddy and soggy. Additionally, it’s fragile and easy to get messed up with dogs running around that can create these huge bald spots that turn into a mud pit. So oddly despite it being so green and easy to grow up here, your lawn can be seen as unusable during many months of the year. Then the summers are so dry that you have to water A LOT if you want it to stay green (like many of you said, most people let their lawns go dormant and brown for the last couple months of summer and it comes back super green in November).

From our perspective, turf is something you can install in California (and we did). It’s a huge drought down there and honestly, if you have a contained backyard (especially one that isn’t supposed to look rustic) turf is a really really good option.

Our Experience With Turf

We secretly LOVED having turf at the mountain house. LOVED. Zero mud. Zero maintenance. Great in the snow and in the summer. The dogs can just run and run with nary a bit of dirt on them. As a reminder in Arrowhead we weren’t allowed to put in real grass due to the drought and even if we had, the maintenance is a lot (freezing/dormant in winter, needs a ton of water in summer). Never soggy. Always useful. And our property there had a ton of shade so it only got hot in a few spots. The whole install cost $16k which is a ton, but it’s one and done and we never have to think about it.

Does it look real? Hmm. Not up close but it looks good. It’s just so unbelievably useable and practical. So after the FOURTH person told us to do it (again these are people who we think have a great sense of style and really get our aesthetic) we were questioning our decision. Why is everyone telling us to put turf in the Pacific Northwest!!!???? Here are our thoughts:

This is a farm property. And while we have to design it because the construction basically ripped up the original plantings, we want it to look rustic and natural. We do not want this property to look like an “estate” or have a manicured backyard look, (nothing against that at all but not the vibe we want here). So, we are opting even away from steel edging and letting the grass and any shrubs kinda just grow into the woods (against the persistent advice of our landscape designer, haha). Honestly, we just want it to look like how it might have naturally grown 50 years ago (with of course the added pickle ball court and another special modern amenity I haven’t even told you about). But boy is a soggy lawn a bummer with dogs. And our dogs (because we have two) love to chase each other around fast and get so muddy. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s annoying for sure. Right now we can’t let them out because of the dirt and have to instead walk them three times a day (which for the most part I love and will always do but they want to be outside all day which I get. However, if we let them out it’s a whole ordeal that we often don’t feel like dealing with. So yes, having a designated turf area that was big enough for them to run around would be awesome. But it’s OREGON. This is the land of lush greenery where every plant thrives! It feels so odd to put in something artificial when the real thing grows so well here. And I used to feel bad about the water usage for irrigation (and still want to be mindful of it) but it rains so much here that it’s off 9 months of the year (which made the irrigation install bill extremely hard to swallow, honestly). We want that lush natural beauty of real greenery. If we had a small area that made sense or that was more hidden we’d probably do it there. But the way the property is has the house in the middle and the rest of the yard really flows around it so it would be an obvious change.

So the question is, for those of you who live in a non-drought rainy climate – is this a thing? Do you have it? Does anyone have examples of it looking more “real”? It’s almost like you hear about these mythical backyards with turf that look “real” but no one has photos of them. It does make more sense to me that people are doing it in their backyards but not in front. And again, I think if it were a more contained yard (like Arrowhead) that is not meant to be rustic or overly natural we would just do it. It’s like gas fireplaces with fake logs – for the most part, it’s worth it not looking “real” because you can use it so much more often, but for this property, it just doesn’t feel right. Brian is a hard no, I’m more open to it I think because generally I’m very easily convinced of things that are more practical and make our lives easier…

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You Are Going To Want To Look At These Fall Collections (Our 12 Favorites)

“It’s the most wonderful time of the yeeeeear…” Nope, keep those jingle bells in storage for at least two more months. I’m talking about the fall and its new design collections! The team was talking about it and we decided that fall collections are usually our favorites. I guess it’s kinda like “The September Issue”! Brands wait to really show off once people are settled in after a hot summer. Don’t get me wrong, incredible collections come out all of the time. But I think you’ll see what I mean when I present these 12:) Shall we?

Crate&Barrel

Y’all this collection was seconds away from not being in this post! Why? It wasn’t announced until yesterday. I innocently woke up yesterday morning, happy that this post was already scheduled, then BOOM, Crate&Barrel and Athena Calderone announced their INCREDIBLE collaboration. That holiday metaphor from the intro was now even more realized. So if like us, you fell in love with Athena’s Brooklyn brownstone and Hamptons oasis, you are about to be overwhelmed with design joy. She took some very heavy inspiration from her personal vintage finds to bring us pieces that speak to her aesthetic but at prices that are a bit more feasible. It was nearly impossible to not want to show you everything but I was able to break it down to 12. To see the entire collection, head here.

Athena Calderonestyled by colin king | photos by adrian gaut | via architectural digest

1. Le Tuco Shearling Accent Chair: This chair is just wonderful (and named after her sweet pup!). The curvy yet simple shape, the cozy pile height of the fabric, and of course, those ball feet – all perfect. I also really love that the color isn’t a bright white and instead a warm beige.
2. Courbe Green Ceramic Table Lamp: If you saw her Hamptons home then you know this lamp is a direct inspiration from her kitchen lamp. That medium-toned shade paired with a green ceramic base makes it feel so inviting.
3. Rodin Brown Velvet Bench: I can’t get enough of delicate simple wrought iron and this bench has just that. Then mixed with that lust brown velvet seat?? So good.
4. Sassolino Concrete and Burl Wood Coffee Table: A perfect, interesting shape with really special materials.
5. Rodin Black Iron Floor Candelabra: I currently have three candelabras in my living room alone and now I think I need four! Just kidding but wow is that a beaut!
6. Honore Oak Wood Media Console: Here is another piece that was inspired by one of hers. While I love a minimal, clean piece of furniture, I really love when a piece can be both simple and ornate. It almost has an organic brutalist vibe, right?
7. Tisse Oversized Woven Rattan Flush Mount Light: I suspect this flushmount will be on backorder VERY quickly.
8. L’Enchere Square Wool Ottoman: Maybe you don’t have space for the full chair but love the look so much that a little ottoman would be the perfect extra seat in your house (*she says to herself looking around her own living room*)
9. La Struttura White Terracotta Sculpture: Unquie affordable art is NOT easy to find…unless it’s this sculpture.
10. Sinuous Curved 2-Piece Right Arm Chaise Sectional Sofa: While curved sofas are definitely “in” right now, a gorgeous sofa is forever a gorgeous sofa.
11. L’Union Black Metal Arc Floor Lamp: Yet another incredible piece taken from her vintage collection. Is it possible to want every piece from a large collection?!
12. Palle Beige Shearling Decorative Sphere Pillow: Gimme that golden color! I think this would look veerrrry nice on my sofa, right??

Anthropologie

Anthro came out with two special collaborations this fall and they are so special and SO different from each other…

Amber Lewisphotos via anthropologie

Amber Lewis knows how to make neutral and natural, special and unique. It was hard to pick only nine pieces (so please go check out the rest) but I think these will give you a solid handle on what she’s come up with this time. The materials are simple but the shapes are the kinds I dream about. Ok, just look for yourself.

1. Garvey Kitchen Island: If I had a big enough kitchen I would buy this in a heartbeat. It looks simultaneously custom and vintage and I think it’s so beautiful. If you are renovating your kitchen don’t overlook this one.
2. Garvey Mirror: Love that the scallop shape is simple and on both the top and bottom.
3. Ottoman: Perfectly oversized (36.5″) and look at that leg shape!
4. Carmel Organic Percale Sheet Set: Moody and happy at the same time. I’m really getting into these kinds of patterns 🙂
5. Portrait VI Alma, by Shelly Madruga: So beautiful, love the colors, and comes in different sizes.
6. Pedestal Dining Table: I mean you see that joinery… Do I need to say more?
7. Media Console: The shape, the legs, the micro knobs – all wonderful.
8. Bellamy Pillow: The perfect balance of trendy and timeless.
9. Hook Rack: So pretty and much larger than it looks! A statement wall rack if you will.

Matilda Goadphotos via anthropologie

And now we switch over to Matilda Goad’s overwhelmingly charming and colorful brand new collection with Anthro. It’s likely no surprise that Caitlin was in love fast, but all of us were swooning over the textures, patterns, and sweet shapes.

1. Bistro Table: We all couldn’t get enough of that rattan base. It’s fun and completely timeless.
2. Mina Bench: I love the colors in this bench and how the pattern is playful but not too much. Perfect if you want to add a patterned piece to your room but are afraid of going too bold.
3. Decorative Tray: Gimme those fun colors and sweet shapes. What a wonderful way to add some personality in a low-stakes way.
4. Bar Tools Set: Again, the colors are so joyful and I love the ball detail!
5. Tufted Plaid Rug: This rug is so sweet but doesn’t feel “too young”.
6. Scalloped Pendant: We all also loved this pendant A LOT. If you don’t love the green it also comes with brass:)

West Elm

Are you someone who wants total calm in their home? If that’s the case, Mara Hoffman, fashion designer, created this collab with you in mind. This sweet 28-piece collection is full of texture and movement.

Mara Hoffman

1. Planter: Simple and textured with a beautiful shape. Also comes in two sizes.
2. Sconce: I love that this looks like a modern shell but doesn’t feel at all “beachy”. I think it would work with a bunch of different styles.
3. Corded Round Pillow: Most of the structured round pillows on the market lean really modern. I love that this some has an organic feel and would be perfect alone or in a pillow combo:)

CB2photos via cb2

Emily specifically mentioned how much she loved CB2’s newest collection. It’s modern and extremely cool (per usual). Let’s just dive right in.

1. Mahogany Black Hall Tree: I mean… imagine how beautiful this would be in an entryway? Modern and classic.
2. Merrick Wood Entryway Cabinet: Oh you know I love this one. Circles forever!!
3. Phoebe Polished Brass Chandelier: If I were planning to replace my chandelier (don’t worry I’m not) I would be heavily considering this one. It looks super high-end but is still simple.
4. Lamina Polished Brass Pendant Light: Can we say Caitlin called this trend??
5. Two-Tone Shearling Throw Pillow: I love the colors, love the color blocking, and that fabric looks so cozy!
6. Spule Short Metal Bookcase: So freaking chic and would perfectly balance out a room with lots of chunky wood pieces.
7. Bolster Black Leather Throw Pillow: Can a bolster be sexy??
8. Noor Cream Boucle Lounge Chair: I really love hits of chrome and done right are totally timeless. I think this chair hits all the marks.
9. Hirsch Red Round Marble Dining Table: Elevated and warm. I love the rusty-toned marble! It’s classic but with a twist. Don’t worry they have a black marble option too:)

Target

Our favorite retailer has a lot of wonderful new goodies from three different lines. We, of course, will go over all of them:)

Thresholdphotos via target

The fall decor is here and it never fails to get us so excited about the new season that we aren’t even sad summer is gone. I love that they gave us a good amount of modern options.

1. Tall Woven Rattan Wicker Pumpkin: Tell me that pumpkin isn’t chic?? I dare you. I love the delicate dark-toned rattan. It makes it look so elevated.
2. Log Holder: I love a good log holder. The curves on this one make it look a bit softer and could work with almost any style.
3. Watercolor Mountain Framed Canvas: Emily has gotten a couple of different versions of this one and they always look SO GOOD and more expensive than they actually are.
4. Abstract Unframed Canvas: Another great large piece of art that’s more for the abstract lovers…like myself:)
5. Oversized Embroidered Block Print Square Throw Pillow: I put this in my affordable pillow combo roundup too because I love it so much. A great option for the fall but also works all year long.
6. Ceramic Harvest Handled Vase: Love the shape and it reminds me of one of Emily’s favorite pitcher vases from this bedroom – tall with a delicate handle.

Opalhouse – Jungalowphotos via target

We all know and love Justina for her bold colors and patterns but LOOK at these furniture pieces…

1. Verdin Accent Table: That’s FOUR different woven patterns on that one incredible side table.
2. Verdin Console Table: Caitlin told me “I can’t believe this is only $200! It’s so good! I think I need to buy it!” I agree:)
3. Laridae Bookcase: Another masterpiece and is also vintage-inspired with that little basket at the bottom. It’s such a good detail and also comes in a side table, coffee table, and console table. 10000/10

Threshold – Studio McGeephotos via target

I also hope you are ready for this one…

1. Simple Abstract Shape Framed Canvas: If this piece was sold anywhere else it would be AT LEAST 10x the price. It’s so good.
2. Small Carved Cream Vase: A perfect neutral and textured vase.
3. Promontory Sliding Glass TV Stand: So pretty and comes in other sizes too!
4. Townley Platform Bed: This one blew my mind that it was from Target. Not inexpensive but a great shape, cool fabric, and comes in other colors.
5. Oversized Space Dyed Striped Lumbar Throw Pillow: A lumbar pillow is such an easy way to mix up all of the squares on your sofa. This one is very good.
6. Floor Lamp: Hello, beautiful! So chic and modern. I’m a huge fan of it and its price.

Urban Outfittersphotos via urban outfitters

Now let’s get a little more trendy but with pieces I think can last.

1. Congruent Media Console: I love the details of this piece. It looks like the center is almost floating. Minimalistic but super unique.
2. Anna Fruit Bowl: Just a very cool modern fruit bowl that also comes in a couple of other colors.
3. Alonzo Storage Hutch: Again, simple but with an edge.
4. Ansel Pendant Light: It’s hard to tell but there’s a swirl pattern in the glass that I think is such a fun surprise and makes it more interesting.
5. Alonzo Long Dining Table: Same family as the tall storage hutch! I love that the top and legs are rounded.
6. Rita Stool: Who doesn’t love a cute textured stool? The color contrast is so pretty.

Jayson Homephotos via jayson home

Jayson Home (an EHD favorite) always curates the coolest collections and I’m about to give you a taste…

1. Clyde Modular Sectional: Does that sectional not look incredibly comfortable? The depth and clean lines make it look cool and timeless (that color is awesome too:))
2. Italian Ceramic Portrait Bowl: Remember my plate trend post? Well, this cutie fits the bill perfectly. Love the color, pattern, and that epic side-eye.
3. Thiago Lamp: Ha. How cute is this lamp? Also, that pencil reed looks so good;)
4. Original Abstract Portrait XXXX: Jayson Home has a ton of great art and this is just one example. I think it’s so special and makes you stop and start for a moment.
5. Rift Wall Shelves: Rattan shelves? Are you kidding me??! I love this SO MUCH. Perfect for leaning art on.
6. Pomona Planters: A good planter can add so much to a room and this one, with its 3-D rectangles, is a very good one.

Pottery Barnphotos via pottery barn

Pottery Barn is a master at giving us modern and rustic options. This collection is no different but it is really good…

1. Harper Quilt: Em has been vintage quilt crazy which simultaneously has made me a little quilt crazy. I really love the modern pattern and muted blues in this one A LOT. I think I would opt for either the quilt or the shams as not to have it looking too matchy-matchy.
2. Fairfax Handcrafted Terracotta Medium Jar: Vintage is always ideal but vintage-looking when done right is not a bad option. This one was done right.
3. Heritage Farmhouse Turned Leg Extending Dining Table: This table gives me farmhouse sunroom vibes. Plus it extends for all those big dinner parties you plan to have:)
4. Delaney Kitchen Console: A modern kitchen island option!
5. Conway Articulating Arm Sconce: I think this is so so pretty. It also comes in a table and floor lamp version if you don’t need a sconce.
6. Basketweave Patchwork Pillow Cover: Texture and pattern baby! It’s also in a beautiful color. Win-win-win.

Lulu And Georgiaphotos via lulu and georgia

Hello, Lover! Sorry, I mean Lulu & Georgia;) Our deep love for this brand is not a secret and that is because they never miss. Here are some of our fall favorites:

1. Kennard Accent Chair: Simple, chunky, and luxe. I love the modern shape of this chair and it’s in the same color/fabric as my sofa that I LOVE. I think it’s so beautiful and perfectly rich.
2. Puddle Mirror: You also know I have my eye on this bad boy. Sarah Sherman Samuel knows what she’s doing (obviously:))
3. Velvet Disc Pillow: Another Sarah creation that seems simple at first but if you click the link you’ll see it has a modern ribbed siding. So cool.
4. Bouclé Ball Pillow: Wait, one more Sarah pillow! Boucle is still a favorite of mine and this ball pillow is fun and I love that putty color.
5. Heritage Rug: This solid brick-colored rug is so beautiful and rich! So cool and elegant.
6. Biagio Round Side Table: As someone who has a marbelized green side table (mine isn’t actual marble like this one), I can attest to the life it brings to a space. This one also comes in black and white but there’s just something about that green.

Well, we made it to the end! What did you think? What were your favorites? Even if we’re just window shopping it’s so fun to see what’s new and out there, right?

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credit: Styled by Colin King | Photo by Adrian Gaut | via Architectural Digest

The post You Are Going To Want To Look At These Fall Collections (Our 12 Favorites) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

This New Orleans Home Has A Secret Passageway That You Have To See To Believe

Deeply saturated moody walls, vintage portraits galore, and a secret passageway are just a few of the elements in this former church turned Airbnb that make it endlessly exciting to gaze at. This is a “home” tour like you’ve never seen before but before we get deep into it, a quick note from Emily:

We shot so many amazing houses for the book, and today we are launching a new series where we do features on the designers and homes, one at a time – with all their photos in one place. We are starting with likely the most jaw-dropping of all of the spaces, which doesn’t imply that it’s better than the others – just one that surprised us over and over. Sara Ruffin Costello is a total style maverick. This “house” is a former church in New Orleans and isn’t a home, but an Airbnb which allowed Sara to probably push boundaries further. It’s just incredible. I’ve known Sara since I was an assistant stylist 18 years ago in New York. She was one of the founding editors of Domino when it launched, the creative director, and I looked up to her so much in my 20s. She had this beautiful West Village brownstone, with sweet kids and was so lovely and down to earth. I was in my early 20s and I remember thinking that seemed like a pretty great life to aspire to. She since moved to Louisiana and when I saw this space on her Instagram, I immediately begged to shoot it for the book. It far surpassed our expectations. Sara Tramp, Velinda, and Erik really killed it on the photography and styling. So go follow Sara now. She continues to inspire with all of her projects and I was so lucky to have been near her while learning my way through this style industry. Thanks, Sara. xx

The first room of the tour reflects a vibrancy that rivals the very city it is housed in. A New Orleans transplant herself, Sara Ruffin Costello once wrote that “part of the allure, of course, is that even post-Katrina, New Orleans is like a movie set.” Indeed, those who have ever visited can attest that the city has a charm and appeal that is almost dreamlike. Considering her deep admiration for the city, it should come as no surprise that the same goes for this Airbnb she designed. It feels like a dream because it has all the things one hopes to find in interior design: unlimited charm, a mix of old and new, daring choices, vibrant colors, exciting patterns, and unbelievable art, all packaged together to create a warm, inviting feel.

In this first bedroom, dark blue walls create the backdrop for a dramatic four-poster bed and a golden, decadent tapestry. Immediately you are enveloped by the moody blue color which is emphasized even more so with the matching blue bedding. The bedding adds a ton of texture which contrasts the smoothness of the walls, and the low brass sconces add warmth along with the tapestry. As you’ll continue to see throughout the home tour, it’s these small details that make a good design GREAT.

Connected to the bedroom is this bathroom that is decorated with floor-to-ceiling dark subway tile. It’s hard to tell from this angle if this is a full bathroom so I wonder, is it possible this is a single shower closet? If so, that explains the daring spirit of Sara Ruffin Costello’s designs to a T.

If you ever thought moody and saturated were contradicting adjectives, think again. The inky blue wall color is both rich and dark, adding so much depth to the room automatically.

It is worth noting that a four-poster bed draws the eye up, so the vaulted exposed wood ceiling is a treat for the eyes. As your eye is drawn up you’ll also see the jute roman shades, which complement the wood ceiling, and both work together to add an airy warmth to the space.

To contrast the dramatic wall color, SRC plays with patterns to brighten the space. The old-world Mediterranean style tile flooring is paired beautifully with a similar color Persian rug, creating a ton of pattern and texture. The rug adds a layer of coziness but has rich colors that complement the Victorian style of the room. Speaking of color, I really adore the subtle choice to paint the grid of the window panels a warm tone which adds to the red accents throughout the room.

Oh, and did anyone notice the painted-over electrical outlet? It’s such a good trick to “hide” it in plain sight.

As you’ll see, all the pieces of art throughout this entire Airbnb are striking and bring a vintage collected vibe into every room. In this mini gallery wall, she plays with scale but keeps the color palette and style consistent so the gallery feels cohesive. I also can’t help but love that mini soldier bust.

Moving on to the next room, the adjoining hidden door is a really unexpected and playful choice. Continuing the pink wall color and golden yellow baseboard across the door makes the door disappear seamlessly into the room. When closed completely, the tiny brass door knob and brass lock are noticeable and add a sweet and whimsical touch. To starkly contrast the pastel pink wall color, another awesome vintage portrait breaks up the wall color with a black ornate frame.

It’s nearly impossible to choose a favorite room from this tour, but this living room is hard to compete with. The mixing of styles (rustic meets glam meets Victorian charm comes to mind) makes it such an exciting room to behold. Immediately, SRC knows how to grab your attention and bring the eye up with that regal candle chandelier. Then as your eye bounces around trying to capture all of the decor elements once, it becomes clear that she is a master at combining textures. The plush cushions, velvet throw pillows, rustic wood ceiling, and mismatched vintage frames create so much depth. To round it out, the small-scale patterned cafe curtains add a perfect dose of southern charm.

The softness of the pastels coupled with dark moody and comically serious oil portraits creates a really fun and unexpected juxtaposition. The brass tables also add a warm metallic tone that blends into the room nicely.

Since this is an Airbnb and is meant for overnight guests and not permanent residents, the layout and function are a little different, making the design even more playful. On the opposite side of the living room/sitting area, is this vanity cabinet with a built-in sink. No matter what the function may be, it definitely is a surprising choice making the room feel even more refreshing.

I must mention that one of my favorite decor tricks that SRC executes a lot is low art placement. The abstract piece above the cabinet could have been hung higher to be centered on the wall, but the low placement intentionally adds visual interest.

A wood sliding door with a gorgeous medium finish and dramatic grain separates the living room and powder bathroom. She switched up the tile in the bathroom but I love how the bathroom tile is a larger and simpler version of the living room tile and has the same color. It creates cohesiveness without being too predictable.

Listen, I’ve never met a built-in bookcase that I didn’t like, but this one will likely live in the built-in bookcase hall of fame. The narrow, light wood door separating the two sides feels very playful and gives this sitting room an enclosed hidden library feel. It’s just SO good.

While there’s so much to admire about this room, I couldn’t help but notice how the jute rug and wicker accents add a layer of warmth that helps create that lived-in, inviting feel. With so many dark tones, this room could come across a bit cold but the light decor pieces keep that from happening. And again, the brass accents add a warm metallic contrast to the space.

File this shot under Photos That Have Been Seared Into My Brain. I can’t get over that wingback chair with the modern pattern against the deep green shelves. Oh, and I love how the window shutters add charm and an endearing architectural feature instantly.

On the opposite side of the room, the tile flooring continues seamlessly into the next bedroom which is just as moody and dramatic as you’d expect…

Another low art placement makes an appearance (I seriously can’t get enough of this trick) but holy smokes this brass chest of drawers is so dramatic and fun. The metallic gold shade pops against the inky blue walls so nicely.

When the whole EHD team shared our obsession with this room, Emily immediately noted the deep mahogany bed in particular. It’s certainly a statement piece and one that was a bit of a risk but ended up really paying off. But bed aside, the armoire is impossible to ignore. If you remember this room from Emily’s book, you know that the regal size and dark wood finish of the piece are not the only noteworthy things about it…

That’s right folks, that is an antique armoire turned secret door that leads into the bathroom suite. Pardon this next phrase but, I CAN’T EVEN. It will be hard to talk about anything but this for the next several months, but it’s also worth noting that this room in general is a prime example of dark wood done right. I think it helps that the bedframe and armoire have similar wood tones and they really pop against this particular shade of dark blue paint.

As if an antique armoire turned secret door isn’t cool enough, the inside of the door reveals a strip of bright botanical wallpaper. I do wonder if that was original to the armoire or added later but in any case, SRC never misses a surprising pattern moment.

In the bathroom, green large-scale tile covers the floor and most of the walls creating a bright and happy atmosphere. It’s a surprising switch from the bedroom, making the tile color choice feel even more exciting.

HOT TIP: An easy way to add character and pattern to any bathroom is by opting for a vintage Persian rug instead of a bath mat. I love that she went with a bright pink rug to really contrast with the light green tile.

This tile wall has a soft gradient which makes the color change and reflects light differently, and white shutters add some sweet vintage charm to this otherwise modern bathroom.

It feels fitting to end with this bedroom, which is so different than the rooms we witnessed above, yet carries a familiar mood and dream-like state. Although it is the only neutral room in this home tour, there is no shortage of drama or elegance.

For starters, the curtains added to the four-poster bed make the bed feel like its own separate room within a room. So romantic and Victorian.

Now that we are nearing the end of this home tour, I can confidently say that SRC is a master of low art placement. I love how she hung the art almost directly above the cabinet/side table and placed the sconce directly over that. It makes this little corner feel like its own special design moment.

Just as I began contemplating a shift away from hanging tapestries, this room proves me dead wrong. The tapestry brings in so much color, whimsy, and movement to the room all while bringing in even more warmth because of the woven texture. It’s too good.

I’ll leave you with this dreamy bedroom shot as it feels most apropos to the reoccurring themes of this home: dramatic, collected, dream-like, and inviting to name a few. Now, I’d love to hear your favorite part(s) of this space so please drop a line down below. Thanks for reading and happy Wednesday. xx

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

The post This New Orleans Home Has A Secret Passageway That You Have To See To Believe appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Welcome To Our Bedroom + All The Upholstered Beds We Considered And What We Chose

I feel like we’re those people who were obsessed with their dog so much that after it died, they immediately adopted the same-looking dog, and named it something similar in hopes of recreating what must have been a really well-fitting relationship or perhaps filling a loss… Everyone around them is like “wait, isn’t that…?” and they (we) are like, “oh no, this isn’t Lucky, this is our new dog Lucy, she’s totally different”. That’s us with our mountain house bedroom (previous dog) and our new farmhouse bedroom (new dog). We’ve been sleeping in this room for 10 days now and I’m so loving it, and that’s saying a lot since there is nothing in here (there’s more now, but you get it – it’s very unfinished). I’m just so happy to be here now and yes, it reminds me (intentionally) of my former favorite bedroom – at the mountain house (below).

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: mountain house reveal – our calm scandinavian primary bedroom

When you walk into our new bedroom, it’s like the same room…The same layout, similar windows, vaulted ceiling, skylights… And if you think it’s weird that I want to copy a former room of my own, I don’t disagree. But it’s what we want – airy, simple, minimal, warm, with a fireplace, skylights, and a lot of wood. We want a low cozy unfussy bed, and big plush bedding – no dresser, no clothes, no mess but this time with a TV. Add some cool/quiet art, lighting, a reading corner, and that’s kinda it. It may not be the most exciting bedroom you’ve ever seen, but I’m pretty excited about it thus far. Think “Japandi Farmhouse in Oregon”… because that’s a thing. Also in a year from now, we can always paint, wallpaper, or add a mural if we feel it needs something more, but for now, we are loving the natural light simplicity.

Move-In Day – 10 Days Ago

Exterior Door | Window Treatments | Floors | Skylights | Sconces | Push Button Switchplate | Single Switchplate

As you can see it’s super blank, with just our pretty Zena Forest Products wood flooring, some micro sconces, our skylights, and white oak windows and doors. The bed will go in between the sconces.

Wall Color | Fireplace Paint Color

Before you get too far into judging this room, we aren’t sure about the fireplace color which I’ll write all about. We love the color (and actually proceeded to use it on the stairs after seeing it here – Smoky Blue by SW), but we thought it was going to be darker. They have to do another coat anyway since they weren’t finished with the masonry (at the bottom) but we are giving ourselves some time to make sure we are even headed in the right direction. So stay tuned on the color of the fireplace (wired for a Frame TV obviously).

Down the hall, you can see the bathroom and to the right of the fireplace, there is a big enough space for a chair/ottoman or my chaise lounge (which currently occupies that area). But this post is about the bed.

What Type Of Bed Do We Want And Why?

This bedroom is tall and could hold a big four-poster bed or a canopy but Brian and I have specifics likes and dislikes when it comes to beds:

Brian doesn’t like sleeping in a canopy or four poster beds, for whatever reason. Something about feeling claustrophobic but I wonder if it’s stylistically a bit feminine for him. I could sleep in one because I want to not-so-secretly transport myself into one of my Victorian novels, but he’s not quite there yet in his “literature journey”, and I must be patient with My Lord. We like low beds and actually kinda hate high beds – I’m talking about the mattress height, not the headboard height. We like to be able to easily plop and land, not have to lift to get up. It’s a personal preference, but it just makes us feel safe and comfortable. Therefore, we don’t need a bed that needs a box spring and opt for platform beds. So all the beds you’ll see here are platform beds, which means it’s just a mattress on a frame. I went round and round about customizing a statement bed (remember this bed from our Glendale house??). But the more I remember that bed, the more I wanted to do something more timeless. Every time I see that bed I wish I still had it somewhere in my life (I sold it to a reader for far less than I paid for it since it wouldn’t work in our next LA home in any room). But I also figure that if I get a really simple neutral bed, I can drape any number of vintage fabrics or quilts over it to change out the look frequently. And the possibility of that makes me happy. The only other thing I considered was taking all of the vintage plaids I’ve collected and quilting them together to do a full custom vintage plaid bed (which sounds incredible), but I suppose the fear of it looking dumb and the time/cost that would go into customizing it won me over. We just want something quieter that I can play with stylistically and not be quite a permanent statement. So here’s what I considered:

1. Tessu Bed | 2. Cayman Upholstered Bed | 3. Cove Bed

I thought seriously about just getting this Article bed again (we have it in our mountain house bedroom). It’s simple, solid, and well made in a good color. I guess I didn’t go for it because I didn’t want to 100% repeat our bedroom… 2. This Pottery Barn barn one has cute little legs and nice proportions (a little taller). And while this Jenni Kayne bed is more expensive, it’s pretty and I love a skirt (especially for more traditional spaces).

1. Abisko | 2. Nein Bed

I kept pinning and found myself still drawn to more contemporary beds and liked these two a lot. Fun fact – The Medley bed is made in Portland. Let’s give them some love!

1. Lafayette Natural Upholstered Tall King Bed | 2. Serina Bed | 3. Kipp Platform Bed

These three just felt a little special and I fantasized about them a bit.

1. Ava Stone Blue King Bed | 2. Solene Platform Bed

I wanted to go for a blue bed (shocking) but at the time we were seriously concerned that we had a “50 shades of blue” house… Brian especially was like, “No blue. Let’s do neutral”. And I was in this phase of “ok, whatever you think” due to decision exhaustion.

1. The Wythe Bed | 2. Modern Cushion Bed

The Winning Bed

I have had my eye on Maiden Home for a while – they are really killing it in the “American-made-women-owned-beautifully-crafted-contemporary-yet-timeless-furniture” department. Check them out and you’ll see that every single one of their pieces is so pretty (and man, their branding and marketing team really knows what they are doing – I want to live in their catalog).

The Wythe Bed

Any of the above beds could work, and this bed isn’t a big loud statement and yet we really liked the knife edge simplicity, and Brian specifically loved how low to the ground it is. I realized recently that it’s too low for our leather nightstands, which will work great in the guest room, but now I’m on the hunt for low nightstands… and a tall piece of art 🙂 What I see is a really nice surface to hang different quilts or fabrics (hopefully this works as planned). Plus, supporting an up-and-coming women-owned brand is important to us. Full disclosure, we did a product trade for PR, social production, and photography assets, but that’s not the reason we chose it. We are very lucky that a lot of brands reached out about working in this room, but I’m really wanting to work with and showcase furniture and brands in a more intentional way.

Such a pretty profile. But what fabric????? They have like 75 fabrics to choose from (including this sustainably sourced gorgeous mohair and leather as well as performance fabrics, tweeds, linens, velvet, etc). I really really hope we didn’t go too safe, but we ordered it months ago and it’s getting here soon sooooo… Ok, to find out what color/fabric you’ll have to wait… As you know it’s not a crazy bright saturated color, but it’s not a white linen either. This bed just looks cozy and simple and while it’s not a big statement piece on its own I think you get that we are opting for simpler, more timeless main pieces of furniture because I like to have more fun in the art and textile world. And if you have “too much fun” in your furniture, art, and accessories then it can easily go very wild (which is awesome, but not the look we are going for in here).

Stay tuned…

*Bedroom Resources Thus Far:
White Oak Windows and Doors – Sierra Pacific (Aspen casements)
Window Treatments – Decorview
Flooring – Zena Forest Products(Oregon grown and milled)
Sconces, Switches, and Outlets – Rejuvenation
Fireplace Color – Sherwin Williams, “Smoky Blue” (might darken, but love the color)
Wall Color – Sherwin Williams, “Extra White” (which is a cool white, FYI).
Skylights – Velux (with room darkening shades, of course).

**Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Welcome To Our Bedroom + All The Upholstered Beds We Considered And What We Chose appeared first on Emily Henderson.