Emily Henderson's Blog, page 138

How To Make Your House Warmer When You Can’t Fix Your Insulation

Years ago when I lived in San Francisco I lived in a house built in 1950. If I had to guess, that house hasn’t been renovated since. Insulation was abysmal and we had windows that were only held in place from years of painting over and over the window sill. I imagine this is why we discovered black mold in the walls and floorboards, a fact that the landlord could care less about–reminding us that if we wanted to terminate our lease he could find new tenants in a heartbeat. Oh, sweet SF.

Of course, San Francisco isn’t the coldest climate but it is wet and drafty most of the time (Have you ever heard “the coldest winter I’ve ever spent was a summer in San Francisco”?). As a Southern California gal, I was often cold in the city and I wish I knew what I know now. I know those who live in actually cold climates are laughing hysterically at me right now, but I wish I would have researched how to make your house warmer when I needed it. Perhaps then I could have unplugged my space heater every once in a while. But now that I know what I know, my hope is to share this knowledge with anyone else shivering in their drafty, poorly insulated homes.

Rugs & Tapestries photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: ryann’s moto reveal: a moody multi-functional living and dining room with a lot of soulphoto by tesaa neustadt | from: my living room update

Let’s face it. Hard surfaced floors are cold. As much as hardwood or cement tile floors look good, in the winter they can be one of the reasons your house is anything but cozy. Bring in the large-scale textiles. Adding large rugs will simply add an extra layer between your floor and your feet, making your home feel warmer and cozier. Similarly, hanging tapestries or large-scale art can provide an extra layer which helps to block airflow through the walls.

Hot Tip

A bookcase-lined wall is also a great way to block the cool air from coming through your walls. Your own little literary forcefield that also looks awesome.

Use Draft Stoppers

Under the door draft stoppers are a good option to keep warm or cool air from escaping from one room to another. They will also conserve energy (and thus save you money) by closing up that space under your door.

1. Door Draft Stopper 36 Inch-Beige | 2. Double Draft Stop for Doors or Windows | 3. 6 Inch Under Door Draft Stopper

Get A Window Insulator Kit

If replacing old windows is not an option for you, window insulator kits can help block unwanted drafts entering your home. They are user-friendly, affordable, and are a great option for those who aren’t trying to put a lot of money into a rental.

1. 3M Indoor Window Insulator Kit | 2. Window Seal Strip Self-Adhesive | 3. Max Strength Indoor Window Film

But if you are handy or are willing to spend a little more for something easier on the eyes then this next option is great for you!

Consider A Storm Window Insert (DIY or Custom Made)

For those that want a reusable option that’s a little prettier, storm window inserts might be just what you need. You have a couple of options. If you are handy with tools (or know someone who is and does) then you can totally build your own. If you have a lot of windows then this is definitely the more cost-efficient option. Here is a YouTube video tutorial (and a corresponding blog post) that will help give you an idea of what it entails (also you can use plexiglass instead of real glass if you want). But there’s a ton of info out there, so search away to find a version that works best for you.

via yellow brick home

But if power tools aren’t your thing, then there are companies that will build them for you. Yellow Brick Home did a collab with a company called Indow and they look great (see above)! This probably makes more sense for homeowners that are quite financially ready to replace their windows or you have beautiful vintage windows you don’t want to replace (but are real drafty). As you can see in the photo on the right the insert looks really nice. There are of course lots of companies so definitely shop around.

Line Your Curtainsphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how to pull together your own dream suite

Layering thick black-out curtains under your primary curtains can also help insulate your windows. Similar to adding rugs and tapestries, this simply will add a layer of protection from the exterior of your home. Thicker curtains will keep cold air out way better than thin curtains.

Get An Electric Fireplace

If you don’t have a fireplace, electric fireplaces are becoming more and more popular (are you proud of me for not saying they are so hot right now?). They are also more sleek, modern, and fresh-looking than ever so they’re definitely a more stylish option than say, a space heater.

1. Updike 19.7” W Electric Fireplace | 2. Hollis 32″ Electric Fireplace | 3. Frescan Electric Fireplace

Emily’s best friend, Suzanne, has this one and loves it (so does Emily but it’s a splurge for sure). It’s so pretty and looks built-in.

Let The Sun Shine

Lest we forget that the sun is the most natural heater there is! When the sun is shining during the warm part of the day, open your curtains so your home can absorb as much natural warmth from the sun. Then when the sun sets, be sure to close the curtains which will help trap the cold air when the temperature drops.

Leave the Oven Door Open (As It Cools Of After Cooking)photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: about those integrated appliances in the mountain house kitchen

I love when something is cooking in the oven on a cold night. I have a small kitchen so whenever we are cooking it gets 10 degrees hotter in there. To really maximize the heat potential, leave your oven door open after you have shut it off. Of course, keep your eye on kids and pets during this time so no one tries to play hide and seek in the oven.

Reverse Your Ceiling Fansphoto by tesaa neustadt | from: the easiest guest room makeover ever

Reversing the direction of your ceiling fan actually moves the warm air near the ceiling downwards. Most ceiling fans have a reverse switch on the motor housing so it’s easy to switch back and forth. No electrician necessary!

Move Your Sofa

If you have a radiator you should make sure that large furniture like your sofa is not blocking the heat flow. As much as you might want to hide it for aesthetic purposes, it actually needs room to do its job. If something is blocking it, the warmth can’t travel and is less effective in heating up your home. That said, should we do a post on how to make an old radiator look better?? I’ll let you vote on that in the comments.

Let The Shower Steam Outphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | design by emily bowser | from: moto reveal: emily bowser’s 32 square foot bathroom is packed with small space hacks

Shower steam is a precious commodity when you live in a cold house. A great way to capitalize on all that warmth is to shower with the door closed so you can collect the steam. When you are finished open the shower and bathroom door so you can let the steam out into the other rooms of your house.

As an added bonus, electric blankets are just good to have in the winter when your home isn’t retaining heat like it should be. Em is also a big fan. Here are some of the best-reviewed:

1. Purerelief Radiance Deluxe Electric Blanket – Queen | 2. Beautyrest® Zuri Oversized Faux Fur Heated Throw | 3. Sunbeam Heated Throw Blanket | Reversible Sherpa | 4. Wicked Cozy Heated Blanket | 5. Sunbeam Heated Blanket | 5 Heat Settings | 6. 50″x60″ Electric Diamond Sherpa & Faux Fur Throw Blanket – Threshold

That is all from us, but I am sure you all have a wealth of knowledge so please share all your tips and tricks down below. xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mountain House Reveal: Our Calm Scandinavian Master Bedroom

The post How To Make Your House Warmer When You Can’t Fix Your Insulation appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Jess’ Communal Patio Reveal – Beautiful Outdoor Furniture, Some Great Flea Finds, And Of Course… A DIY Dad Project

SURPRISE! I secretly finished and shot my building’s communal patio last November. That’s right, just in time for Santa to grab a glass of natural orange wine and soak in those sweet warm rays. So why did I not reveal it as snow was about to say “what’s up?” to most of the country? I’d love to tell you (said like Elyse Meyrs, obviously). Well, the timing felt um wrong. We were all gearing up for the holidays, ready for bottomless hot chocolates and endless trays of freshly baked cookies. No one, not even I was wanting to take in outdoor patio content despite how much I loved how mine turned out. It was holiday cheer or nothing as far as I was concerned. And when you work really hard on something, that’s not exactly how you want most everyone to feel.

And look it’s not even February. New York is an icicle. But here’s the long and the short of it. This month has already felt like a year for most people I know. And come the spring you may be like, “Hey, let’s makeover this outdoor space we have!”. But then you look at the lead times and well, your springtime makeover dreams might turn into summer dreams or even early fall dreams depending on when you purchase. I don’t want this to be a warning makeover! That would be horrible and hopefully isn’t even a thing. BUT I do want your 2022 to be as great as possible so you might consider considering looking now if this is the year you want to spruce up your great outdoors. Lead times were the main reason this wasn’t shot until November and things aren’t much better. I promise I won’t use the “S” word.

BUT as I said. This is NOT a warning makeover, this is a happy makeover. A makeover about community. A makeover about reminding people that just because a space looks depressing and hopeless doesn’t mean it can’t transform. I have proof. Remember these pictures?

Yeeeeah, this is what happens over years of tenants randomly putting and leaving their “outdoor pieces” on a communal patio space. Not a ton of cohesion. And this is not a dig to my amazing landlord! She had plans to spruce it up but the pandemic hit and there was a decent amount of turnover due to people reconfiguring their lives and housing needs. Lucky for me, this building was perfect for my new housing needs and getting to bring this space to life was so cool… and nerve-wracking because who am I if not someone who thinks her designs make zero sense until she all of a sudden she loves them as things start to come together.

Ok ready?!!!!!!

Sofa | Umbrella | Umbrella Base | Faux Natural Fiber Pom Pom Indoor/Outdoor Pillow | Navy Striped Outdoor Pillow | Tassel Lumbar Pillow (similar) | Patterned Pillow (unavailable) | Striped Throw | Navy Outdoor Rug

Here she is!! Ok, just one side of her! I wanted to honor the traditional style of the building (which you can’t see) but bring in jolts of freshness, A LOT of pattern, and A LOT of texture in some unexpected ways. That was my way of disguising the not so pretty parts that I couldn’t change. But before we talk about anything we need to talk about this sofa from Neighbor. The first thing my across-the-hall neighbor (ha) said was that he couldn’t wait to take a nap on it which he has since. It’s great because it’s stiff enough to nicely hold its shape but still comfortable to sit (and apparently sleep on). Honestly when he said that it made me so happy. All I wanted was for this to be a little oasis for everyone who lives here. Drinks, meals, and naps are welcome. I was a little nervous to choose “a color” because I had really pictured the cushions being light cream but I now can’t imagine it any other way. The warmth it brings to the space is so special. And while any color would have held up fine since the fabric is Sunbrella, I think the darker tone is ideal given that a ton of people are going to be using it over many years. The darker color is an extra insurance policy. Neighbor was also kind enough to send the protective cover so it still looks brand new.

I would also like to point out that I built it all by myself and it was super easy. I’m not a stranger to building things but you absolutely don’t have to be. Uhh and look at those chic cylinder legs! I love that modern touch so much.

Rattan Stool | Faux Potted Fern (similar) | Clear Ribbed Glass | Lanterns (similar) | Coffee Table | Stackable Vases | Pillar Candles | Glass Pitcher | Pink Fluted Cups | Woven Coaster (similar) | Bowl

Pattern play was high on my list since I wanted to keep the color palette pretty limited and classic. I had my eye on that umbrella from Business & Pleasure from day one. I love the skinny stripes and how they perfectly contrast the larger pattern scales of the pillows and rug. And get out of here with the fringe. It’s the best. Speaking of the rug, it’s from Annie Selke and it almost gives the illusion of tile which was my goal. The tile that’s there is super generic so adding in this stunning and boldly patterned rug completely distracts your eye and makes you forget about what the floor really looks like…

Hot Tip

Keep your color palette limited so you can go wild with pattern and texture. This way it will feel really layered and interesting but not visually overwhelming.

Planters (Hand-Me-Downs from Emily) | Lantern (unavailable)

Remember my plan to create a plant “privacy wall”? Here it is. I love it so much which is a relief because it was by far the thing that stressed me out the most. Plant styling is an art and I am veeeeery much a student. Julie gave me some great advice in the heat of my frustration and told me to think of mixing plants like mixing patterns – keep a consistent color palette, vary the sizes (in height and width), choose a variety of textures and leaf sizes. That’s how I approached it and it didn’t turn out horrible!

Oh and let’s talk about that coffee table. I bought it from CB2 during their Labor Day sale I think so it was $100 off (still not cheap but not too shabby of a discount). I actually almost said, “screw the patio it’s staying in my living room with me!” But I realized it really wasn’t right for my living room and looked pretty perfect outside. It is an outdoor coffee table after all and I love the added texture of the woven top and the sleekness of the metal legs. That “sleekness/airiness” is an important visual contrast when you see the other side of the space. Anyway, 10/10 for a chic outdoor coffee table. Oh, and if you live in a colder climate than LA (so most places) that coffee table can be flipped over and stored on the sofa under the cover. It all fits!

Hot Tip

Reminder: Mix your plants like you would your pillows. Play with scale, textures, and a consistent color palette.

Gold Beverage Bin | Side Table (vintage)

One thing you should know about me is I am Team Spindrift. No other soda waters or even spiked hard seltzers can hold a candle. I won’t disparage other brands by name but IMHO everyone else need not apply. If anyone from Spindrift is reading I will gladly be a spokesperson. So it was more than fitting to have Spindrifts in a beverage bucket for my fake patio party. But what I would actually like to talk about is that side table. I was with my friend neighbor (this one) at the Rose Bowl when I saw this cutie. It was only $20 and the top is a removable lid!! Why is that so exciting? Well, first it adds more pattern AND it’s a built-in furniture cover storage bin for when people are using the patio. I was thinking of painting it but everyone voted to keep it natural. Glad I listened.

Oh and see that little black table? Another $25 Rose Bowl find. Also, all those planters were courtesy of Emily’s LA patio. This patio was unintentionally, but clearly very inspired by that masterpiece. Maybe this post should be renamed “How to Get Emily’s LA Patio When You Can’t Retile”?? That rug is doing a very good job of giving a similar look and feel. Thanks again Em!!

Round Rug | Pouf | Throw Blanket (unavailable) | Vegan Leather Strap Plant Hanger | Haning Planter (similar) | Dining Table (currently retired for the winter) | Folding Dining Chair | Glass Lanterns

It’s hard to pick a favorite shot but this is a top contender. If you couldn’t tell, Emily Bowser came and worked all her styling magic. I wish we could have plates and treats set up every day by her. But let’s talk furniture for a sec. That table is from Article and it’s incredible. It’s somehow both extremely special and unique while also being neutral and so versatile. Oh, it could easily fit six people. All that being said, that table (Calliope) is currently not on their site but should be restocked when they launch their Outdoor 2022 line. If you really love it, might I recommend you shoot them an email or DM asking them to make sure they bring it back. Could help to ensure its grand return:) The chairs I snagged from Target and pray they heavily restock them because they are unexpectedly very sturdy and wildly comfortable.

I’m also super pumped about that round rug. If you look at the before photos, you can see that there’s a little staircase down to the patio. This made it impossible to just get one extra-large rug to cover the majority of the floor. So to help create a little reading/lounge nook moment, and distract from the tile, I asked Annie Selke if they wouldn’t mind sending this great little round rug. It adds even more texture and pattern (can you tell that was really important to me?) and it has a slightly sticky sort of film on the bottom so once it’s set it doesn’t budge but can easily be moved. SO nice.

Hot Tip

Pattern

Flatware | Woven Basket (similar) | Cloth Napkins (similar) | Patterned Plates (unavailable) | Pink Plates (unavailable) | Dark Gray Bamboo Melamine Dinner Plate | Ceramic Oval Tray | Faux Branches (similar) | Mint Green Footed Basket (vintage)

Bowser obviously gets all the credit for the table styling. I was honestly sad that we didn’t have a “house party” after because it was so beautiful. That wire-footed bowl was another Rose Bowl find for $15. That stays out there year-round.

If you’re wondering “where does she keep all these plates and cups and utensils??” Great question. I have a lot of cabinet storage in my apartment so I have a bin with all of my outdoor-friendly wares. I figure everyone in the building can use their own stuff when they want to use the patio and we can combine forces when we finally have a building celebration.

Please take another look at this great table and the stacked planters in the corner:) What can we say, the tree just looked better taller so we made it happen.

Medium Handled Basket | Lanterns (unavailable) | Ceramic Bead Garland | Pink Tumblers (unavailable) | Stacking Acrylic Clear Wine Glass | Blue Bowls (unavailable) | Wine | Copper Mugs (similar) | Vaso Grey Acrylic Drinking Glasses

Now let’s finally talk about my and my dad’s peg rail DIY (scroll back up to see the original one)! I’m SO happy with how it turned out. We only had a couple of fights, both pulled our weight (he’s not going to read this so I can confidently say that), and it was his idea to have the shelves be a different wood tone. Genius! It’s such a great place to set up cups, small bowls and plates for all the fun gatherings I plan to have this spring and summer (well fingers crossed). I actually can’t fit a decent-sized dining room table inside of my apartment so is will be the perfect extension:) This was not the sole motivation I promise!

And now see from this angle how cute the round rug looks under that very special chair to your left…

Lounge Chair | Crescent Pillow

UGH. Isn’t that chair perfect? When I saw this chair from Stori Modern in Shavoda’s backyard reveal I knew that if I ever had an outdoor space large enough I would see if there could be any way I could get one. Fast-forward a year later and somehow my manifestation (and their generosity) made my dreams a reality. It’s another piece that really can work with so many styles. It can easily go super modern, or eclectic traditional (like this space), modern boho (like Shavonda’s), and so many more. Why I think it works so beautifully in the space is that there’s a woven detail that talks to the woven details in so many of the other pieces. So while different in style, it totally works. And get out of here with those curves! I think it’s so chic but practical because you bet that fabric is Sunbrella too. I will say that I would recommend getting the matching ottoman or a pouf like the blush one I got. It just makes the lounging experience 10/10. I would have asked for the matching set but my space wasn’t wide enough.

That crescent pillow is sadly not an outdoor pillow (and it was Bowser’s) but it’s still available and it’s awesome. I also got a chair cover from Amazon that does the job and I put the pouf on the chair so both are protected in case you were wondering how I plan to keep those looking nice too.

Hot Tip

Don't constrict yourself to one style when building a space. Play with mixing styles as long as they live in the same color palette and materials.

Solar String Lights

A photo at night? I know we almost never do them but the sun was setting and it looked pretty beautiful. So now you can really imagine how my future parties are going to look.

And now for my favorite part…the before and afters!

Thanks for stopping by my home once again. I would be lying if I didn’t want to reimagine this space because I wanted a place to go get some fresh air and hang with friends. But knowing that if I wanted that, I could also bet that the rest of the building wanted that too. Hope that we get a chance to do it all together soon because my neighbors are pretty great.

Love you, mean it.

*Design by Jess Bunge
**Styled by Emily Bowser
***Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post Jess’ Communal Patio Reveal – Beautiful Outdoor Furniture, Some Great Flea Finds, And Of Course… A DIY Dad Project appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Emily’s Family Movie Rec, Jess’s Easy Wrapping Paper Storage Hack, and The Best Dinner Recipe One Of Us Has Ever Made

Hi everyone and welcome to this week’s link up! How was everyone’s week? Snowy? Sunny? Rainy? All of the above? Enough about the weather small talk, we’ve got a wonderful show for you today, so it’s time to press play on these binge-worthy links. *INSERT TITLE SEQUENCE*

Starting off with this week’s home tour as per usual. This week we’re taking you to an insanely beautiful home brought to us by none other than The Design Files. It’s the home of two artists who view their home as a creative experiment, or in their words “a warped maximalist colour feast; monster-bird dinner party; new gothic masquerade; baking disaster; totemic gunk pile; and cluster-bomb development laboratory!” If that explanation didn’t make you click, nothing will.

From Emily: Need a weekend family movie? I’VE GOT YOU. Lin Manuel Miranda is a true gift to the world (and our family). Encanto (in addition to Moana, In the Heights, and Hamilton) has once again blown us away with its incredible music and positive messaging (not to mention visuals). I have a theory that Moana didn’t win for best animated film because of its font (lost to Secret Lives of Pets – which was cute, fine, but NOTHING like Moana). This one HAS TO WIN. Our whole family (including Brian) LOVED IT, we now listen to the soundtrack all day every day and yes, I cry. I even started sprinting to “Surface Pressure“, not to mention “We don’t Talk about Bruno” – the music is INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU LIN, for giving your talents out in such a positive way that the whole family can enjoy.

From Ryann: Allow me to introduce you to the soup recipe that Rocky declared is the best thing I’ve ever made. It’s this Creamy White Chicken Chili by Half Baked Harvest but the consistency is more like a soup in my opinion (but you could definitely add more beans and less broth for a chili consistency). Anyway, it is so delicious and was so simple to make. I topped it off with avocado and tortilla strips and like I said Rocky loved it. He’s usually the cook in this house so it was great to finally bring something to the table (literally).

From Jess: Our EHD Budget Closet Org Challenge (that I technically forced onto the team…) has put me into turbo closet organizing mode. As I mentioned in the post, I actually have three closets in my apartment so there is not a single reason that I can’t be organized. I’m the only person that lives here! My most recent purchase was this hanging wrapping paper organizer. I am so on board/agree with Emily’s wrapping paper issues but the truth is I still have some materials and I was sick of trying to get to them, schmushed in the corner of my closet, sticking out of a backpack. So getting this well-reviewed $28 organizer has made me feel embarrassingly good. If you also have a relatively modest wrapping paper/ribbon/reusable bag collection and need an easy system like I did, I highly recommend this.

Also From Jess: If y’all are into it I’m thinking of starting a series on the linkup called DadTok where I link up the very “Dad Joke” TikToks Les Bunge sends me. Please enjoy this week’s offering.

From Mallory: Tired of misplacing things? Me too. I bought the 4 pack of tile trackers (they’re on a massive sale right now $40 for 4 – originally $70!) to put on our wallets & keys just in case we lose them or they get stolen or something. Now me and Chase will never have to wonder where our stuff is again (CRYING HAPPY TEARS).

From Caitlin: This week I was BLOWN AWAY by the story of the Villa Aurora in Rome. It has everything: a Texas-born woman who became an Italian princess! An inheritance battle! A nearly 500-year-old estate! A failed $534 million dollar auction attempt! The only ceiling fresco ever painted by Caravaggio! Ruins from Caesar’s villa where he courted Cleopatra! Letters discovered from Marie Antoinette, Louis XVI, and a bunch of popes! Statues on-site by Michelangelo! The NPR story is a great jumping-off point, but be sure to click around and read all the other linked pieces – it’s SO COOL.

Also from Caitlin: Significantly less cool, but just wanted to call out two things that have helped me manage my severe back pain: this acupressure mat, which I’ve used for over a year, and this knee pillow for side sleepers, which was a Christmas gift. I re-herniated a disc last month and have been in a ton of pain, but both of these things have been actual lifesavers (in addition to, you know, actual medication). If you also struggle with back pain of any kind, I can’t recommend either of these highly enough. Hope this helps someone out

Opening Image Credits: Design by Nabilah Nordin and Nick Modrzewski | Photo by Eve Wilson | Styled by Annie Portelli| via The Design Files

The post The Link Up: Emily’s Family Movie Rec, Jess’s Easy Wrapping Paper Storage Hack, and The Best Dinner Recipe One Of Us Has Ever Made appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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

It’s been nine months since my first Gel-X manicure and let me tell you: I’m never going back. Dips? Acrylics? Extensions? Regular gel? NO MORE FOR ME, THANK YOU. So today, I wanted to share a little bit more about Gel-X (you know – what it is, how much it costs, how long it lasts, the pros/cons) buuuuut I also wanted to bring in a few familiar faces to share their opinions and experiences. (If you’re the type of person with the dexterity to paint your own nails, we’re also sharing 21 different shots of our actual manicures – maybe we can spark some of your creativity! And, if you’re like, “uh, nails aren’t for me,” there’s even a picture of a real-life horse in here! Why? You’ll find out! Anyway, something for everyone!) Let’s start with the high-level overview, yeah?

Basically, Gel-X is a press-on nail that cures like gel (read: your nail technician will size up your hands, glue on a nail of your preferred shape/length, and your ~new nails~ will be firmly attached for about a month after you shove your hand under one of those UV lights). Once everything has cured, your technician will proceed as normal – polish, art, lotion, oil, an occasional full hand model photoshoot for their IG, etc. – and when you’re finally ready to come back in a few weeks to switch things up, the removal process is the same as it would be for any standard gel manicure.

i’ll pop in later with more of my nail art, but here’s a taste!

Gel-X nails are flexible (so they won’t snap in half when you jam your hand into a wall, or a counter, or your car, or some other place, as regular humans are wont to do). They’re also really lightweight, especially when compared to acrylics, and they look natural – or, uh, as natural as neon cow print nails can look, at least.

More than anything, though, I’ve found that Gel-X nails just make me feel really, really, really great. There’s something kind of fun and visceral about clacking away on something, you know? But this isn’t just about me – three other EHD gals have hopped on the Gel-X train, so I wanted to grab their unbiased opinions, too. I’ll check in with you below (and I’ll spill the details on my average spend!), but first…let me throw it over to the queen of nail art, Veronica.

Veronica

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? My first Gel-X manicure was in June of 2021, because I wanted to do something special for my birthday, and since then it’s been a nice once-a-month self-care routine during the pandemic.

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? Before Gel-X, I had gotten gel on my regular nails and tried press ons / glue ons, but those only averaged about 2 weeks max.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? Not really. Gel-X is better for your nails than acrylics, but your nails do thin still because of them being sanded down in the process.

What’s your preferred shape and length? I go back and forth between getting somewhere between an almond and stiletto shape and a square shape. I usually keep them short-medium length because of my job (photographer who works on her computer most days, or is dealing with equipment when I’m on set).

How long do your appointments take? Appointments take between 1.5 – 2 hours.

How long do your nails stay on? I’ve never had a nail fall off when getting Gel-X, and I usually get mine done anywhere between three and four weeks because my nails grow out pretty quickly.

How do your nails feel? My nails feel good, not like they are being ruined or anything, but they are thinner for sure since starting Gel-X! Although, my nails have always been on the thin side.

Is there an average cost? The place I go to is on the more expensive side (between $90-100 before tip) because I found a nail tech I really love and trust, but I know a salon that a pal of mine has gone to and it’s around $65 starting price. It really just depends on the salon, but I have found it’s important to go somewhere you feel the techs are able to take care of your nails in a healthy way. 

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? I use Pinterest and Instagram for nail inspo and have saved boards on both. Two accounts I follow on Instagram are: Nia Ho & Vivian W and the other saved posts have popped up on my explore page.

Any pros and cons? I’m not a professional, so I can only speak to my personal opinion lol but pros – if you want something that will last without having to worry about chipping, breaking, or touch-ups, then the Gel-X is a great option.

Cons – it can add up and get expensive depending on how often you get them done and it’s important to get them taken off in a salon so you don’t ruin your nails trying to do them yourself. 

Ryann

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? I started October 2021.

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? Years and years ago I used to get acrylic nails but I hated it. More recently I was a press-on nail gal but only for special occasions.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? Oh yeah. At first, I felt like I couldn’t do anything with long nails but I got used to it pretty fast. Typing was very hard at first (I looked like this).

What’s your preferred shape and length? I get the medium length and almond shape.

How long do your appointments take? If I am getting a Gel-X removal plus a new set it usually takes an hour and a half.

How long do your nails stay on? The longest I have gone between appointments is 4 weeks and they were still holding on!

How do your nails feel? My actual nails feel a lot stronger than they did when I used to get acrylics. I think the Gel-X is a lot more gentle on your actual nails.

Is there an average cost? With tip it’s between $100-150 (when you do designs versus a solid color it’s closer to $150).

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? Instagram or my friends!

Any pros and cons? Pros: I feel put together even when I am wearing sweats. And I get compliments all the time. :’)

Cons: If the technician cuts my actual nails too short before putting the Gel X on as my nails start to grow out it can be painful because my nails start to grow into my nail bed (it’s gross I know). But the easy fix to this is to tell your nail tech not to cut your actual nails.

Jess

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? October 5, 2021 (my birthday:)).

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? I went a couple of years getting gel manicures all the time when I worked in restaurants because it was the only kind that actually lasted. Getting a regular mani at the time was like throwing money directly into the trash. Then a few years ago I got a gel manicure with a design for the first time and my god I loved it but wasn’t able to afford it on the regular. This go around however was my first time EVER getting “fake nails”. My mom gave me a hard no when I wanted those french tip acrylics in middle school. I guess being like all the other cool girls wasn’t a good enough argument. 

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? Lol yes. I felt like Edward Scissorhands but less proficient for at least a week. I remember the next morning trying to put on my leggings thinking “I don’t think I can dress myself. This nail thing is a LIFESTYLE!” I was mainly afraid of them ripping off which is apparently a VERY normal experience for newbs like me. But then when I got my second and now with my third, they just feel like my normal fingernails.

the second set that felt too wide (they also were a little shorter to be fair)

What’s your preferred shape and length? I love an almond shape and medium length. I don’t know if “medium” is a technical term but I want them to look longish and elegant but still want to be able to you know, type. I will also say that the physical gel-x shape is I think called Stiletto (not the tip shape but fact check me on that). Basically, I like the nail to look slender. The second set I got (the green one above) felt a little wide for me. Just something to think about if you are going in for the first time or if you want a different look.

How long do your appointments take? Eh, 1.5 to 2 hours depending on the design. The first time is the shortest since they don’t have to remove your old set.

How long do your nails stay on? So far about six weeks. BUT I have chosen designs where the “background” is clear or “natural”. Why that’s a good idea if you want to stretch out your mani is that the grow-out is less noticeable than if I had a solid color.

How do your nails feel? Ok, so the plan is to have my real nails grow long enough to where I can just go back to gel manicures and they are almost there (except one stupid one that broke so not sure if I need to wait until that one grows back). That being said, you can see my real nails when I flip my hands over. It’s not the prettiest if I’m honest but I’ve got goals. So when you go, you have the choice to keep your natural nails long or cut them short so you really can’t see them ever. How do my real nails feel you ask? When the fake ones get shaved off, they feel oookay. Look, it’s a sacrifice. I don’t know if it’s possible to have perfectly healthy nails and do anything beyond a regular manicure. All I know is that for now, I love having my nails done and fun for six weeks at a time. 

Is there an average cost? $105 + Tip (I usually give $30 because they do such a great job and they are literally painting art onto my hands).

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? Pinterest and Instagram. I have folders that I save to. But also Beyonce was my last inspiration so look at those celeb nails too! Veronica also shares accounts she loves which is so fun and very sweet of her. We go to the same salon too!

Any pros and cons? Pros: I LOVE my nails and they make me feel sexy, powerful, and put together.

Cons: It’s not cheap and I know that my real nails aren’t living their best lives. Oh, and activities like bowling and putting on necklaces are hard.

Caitlin

When’d you start trying out Gel-X? Got my first one on May 19, 2021 and I never went back.

Had you invested in nails or nail art before (e.g. gels, acrylics, press-ons, etc.)? I used to spend a bunch on standard gel manicures with full art – that’s the one beauty splurge that I really loved – but I had a really bad habit of picking it all off, which (a.) made my hands look kind of gnarly and (b.) was not great for the health of my nails.

Was there an adjustment period to Gel-X? For me, no. I was used to having longer nails so other than the constant fear that they were going to pop off, they felt totally normal to me.

What’s your preferred shape and length? I started with medium ovals, but I moved into long territory with the set you see above. Scale-wise, I think longer ones look best on my hands.

How long do your appointments take? Removal can take 30-45 minutes and then my new manicure can be another 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how much detail I’m looking for.

How long do your nails stay on? I maxed out at 8 weeks for the holidays – I literally had to cut them like my regular nails because they’d grown out so much. That said, I did experience some lifting on the base of my pointer finger when I first started – this was remedied by bringing it up to my nail tech and I haven’t had any problems since! If you’re doing a lot of schlepping or manual work, I’d highly recommend flagging that before your first set.

How do your nails feel? Good! While I don’t mean to suggest that Gel-X is making my nails stronger, they’re in WAY better shape than when I used to get gel manicures sanded off every two weeks. When my sets are removed, my nails look pretty normal, too – no breakage or thinning is happening underneath the Gel-X nail.

Is there an average cost? I pay a $20 booking fee to reserve my spot and then manicures are $60-100, depending on how crazy I’m getting. Tips are always 20-25% – so basically $100 on the low end, $150 on the high end.

Where do you get your nail art inspiration? NIA!!! My nail tech is LA’s best-kept secret and while I kind of don’t want to share the intel (it’s already hard to get an appointment – she’s popular!!!), YOU MUST CHECK OUT HER INSTAGRAM. I do not know how Nia does not have a million followers – she can do ANYTHING. Seriously, her IG page is filled with a staggering variety and you’re guaranteed to find something inspiring there. SHE IS THE BEST. (I wouldn’t want to spend ~2 hours with anyone else.)

as promised – this is doolittle, a big sweet dummy who loves to eat bananas, and these are my thanksgiving nails after a month of growth!

Any pros and cons? Pros: I feel really powerful and kind of intimidating when my nails are done. Shampooing my scalp feels like a dream. If I’m going to spend at least 8 hours a day typing, it cheers me up to see a little party going on at the tips of my fingers. Clinking my nails on glasses makes me feel really happy.

Cons: COST. I mean, when I break it down, I do think they bring me at least $3 of joy per day…but it’s not an essential and if things ever went south, I’m totally aware that this would be the first item cut from my budget. I don’t love subjecting my hands to such isolated UV rays once a month and sometimes I forget SPF before my appointments. Picking up coins is challenging. Working lobster clasps on jewelry is impossible. Nia’s studio is walking distance from my apartment and I get catcalled by a lot of creeps on my way to get my nails done. Despite all this…they’re worth it to me.

Apres Gel-X Nail Extension Kit

If you’re self-assured (I’m not) and want to give Gel-X a whirl at home, you can grab a kit right here. If not, check Yelp to find a highly-reviewed technician near you – if you’re going to splurge, make sure it’s on someone who can deliver long-lasting results that’ll make you smile.

But now I must know – what say you??? Tell me about your nail habits! Show me your nail art! Send me your inspo accounts! (I have an appointment next week and need a jumping-off point if anyone has suggestions.) LET’S JUST TALK ABOUT OUR HANDS. xx

The post 4 Women Honestly Review Gel-X Manicures (+ 21 Nail Art Ideas We Actually Tried) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Are We Done Buying White Towels? Here Are The Towels We’re Buying Instead That Last MUCH Longer

Who thought it was a good idea to have white bath towels be a thing? I truly don’t understand the idea of wrapping your body into a white towel and seeing all the grossness that develops over time (especially because you used the towel when your naked body was CLEAN…or so you thought). Really guys, what’s the purpose of white towels? Is it because we’re supposed to have them so super fresh and clean all the time and if we see there’s a little dirty on them then we know to wash them because they must be perfectly clean all the time? I understand the argument, but even with pure white, freshly cleaned towels, they’re never really THAT clean unless they’re brand new: Arlyn recently posted a story about stripping her white bath towels and it was a crazy thing to watch…our towels have SO MUCH nasty in them even when we wash them regularly…so why would we make them white?? Emily has also been griping about this exact issue and has shifted to nonwhite towels for their everyday lives. It’s just more practical and she hates feeling like she needs to replace them more frequently than she’d ever like. They just don’t last nearly as long as colored or textured towels and we are over it. So here’s my “hack” if you can really call it that…I just call it “the colorful, textured, and patterned towel.” FEAST YOUR EYES:

THE TEXTURED TOWEL DIFFERENCE

Black and White Towel

See the difference? Both of these towels are the same age and have been used a lot, but the patterned ones on the right have probably been used TWICE as much and STILL look this good. Two people, daily showers, a lot of washing, and a lot of action. BUT, the white ones on the left have not held up and the ones on the right truly have. In fact, they’re as fluffy as the day we bought them (the white ones, not so much). So why do people immediately think white towels are a staple? Let’s dissect it a bit more & give some examples of how it’s done…

design by i spy diy | via airbnb

I love that simple stripe towel against that insanely good moody pink. The best part about this towel “hack” (if you consider this a hack) is that it can totally transform your space and give it even more personality. I’m super into how the towel contrasts with the paint and immediately grabs your eye in this photo. It has the power to do it in your real-life bathroom, too.

design by jennifer stephan | photo by max burkhalter | via arch digest

Here the pattern is a larger scale which complements the small-scale penny tile VERY nicely in my opinion. Proof that the patterned towel can look good even in a more neutral bathroom. Plus these look really soft and plush too. We are definitely not suggesting sacrificing towel coziness for style. Both can exist! If you’re into a more colorful look, scroll down.

design by aml studio | photo by marko macpherson | via architectural digest

Now, this TOTALLY reminds me of a Max Humphrey design (I was shocked when I found out it wasn’t). It’s totally the color palette and wide stripe on the towels (which I love). And while these are primarily white the colorful stripes help to distract from that fact. I’m also VERY into the embroidery because then you can know which towel belongs to who so you’re not rubbing your nakey bodies on the same towel and sharing skin cells. Gross.

Now if you have a busy wallpaper or tile going on and you need to pull it back in the towel department, you too can still participate in this towel idea, just go with a solid color or colorful and texture instead.

THE SOLID COLORED AND/OR TEXTURED TOWEL

Now let’s chat about solid-colored towels briefly…I haven’t experimented with using a solid color towel for a very long time (mine have always been either white or super patterned) so I’d love to know your personal thoughts on this matter, but here is my current opinion:

image source

First off, I’m obsessed with this bathroom. Heavily. Second off, having solid colored towels will look better longer than white towels, because of the quick “dingy factor”. Nothing is more disgusting than an almost grey-ish, non-bright white towel, but over time the terrycloth material starts to get weird too and it makes you have to replace them SO FAST. So having a color other than white takes care of showing all the years of dirt and use. However, the second component is why you have to focus on the quality of material of the towel you’re buying. Low-quality materials will always go bad faster. So if you get a good towel in a good material, it’s going to last you A LOT longer than a white one. The third component is texture. If your towel is textured, the texture will also make it look better longer since it’s a bit more forgiving of things like wrinkles:)

If you’re inspired to shop for non-solid white towels, here’s a little roundup to get you started (FYI, the ones I have in my bathroom are linked as #1 and I could not recommend them enough):

1. Lena Bath Towels | 2. Reversible Gold Stripe Towel | 3. Karla Cement Bath Towel | 4. Casaluna Bath Towel | 5. Arches Towel | 6. Harper Hand Towel | 7. Dashes Lines Towel | 8. Waffle Towel | 9. Green Celine Bath Towel | 10. Nordic Soft Checkerboard Towel | 11. Super Plush Towel | 12. Reversible Black and White Towel

Alright everyone, here is my closing thesis: towels will last longer if they’re not white, patterned, or textured (SUPER POINTS IF THEY’RE ALL 3). The busier, thicker, and better quality the longer they will last also. Let’s stop throwing towels away so fast and let’s make them last longer than 1 year!! Hope this post was helpful ––  I’d love to know your longest-lasting towels in the comments…I’m passionate about towels so this will be a fun chat!! Ta-ta for now!

Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: MOTO Reveal: Emily Bowser’s 32-Square-Foot Bathroom Is Packed With Small Space Hacks

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Our 18 Favorite Things From The New Studio McGee X Target Collection (And That’s The Narrowed Down List)

When I first saw this new collection my first reaction was “o wow, it’s real good”. I mean Studio McGee has been never had a “bad” collection at Target (or anywhere else) but when you see our picks you are going to understand what I mean. They stepped it up. They know how to nail “neutral” in a really interesting and special way. What I also love so much about this collection is that these pieces are not overly trendy or headed “out” maybe ever (unless the whole world goes full-on Jetsons). It’s full of classic, clean, and beautiful pieces that I can’t imagine anyone getting sick of. This is also what we mean by broadening our idea of sustainability. If something is well made, you have an actual need for it, and you’ll keep it forever… that’s sustainable. Also, I am sorry to say that this is primarily a teaser post. The collection launches this Sunday, Jan 23rd, but with how fast their collabs sell out I wanted you to be prepared if any of these could solve a design woe. BUT some of the items ARE available right now so it’s not all bad:) So without further ado, let’s talk about this awesome collection!

Promontory Cabinet with Sliding Doors

When I first saw this cabinet, I was like where can I fit this in my apartment?! Of course that is exactly what you shouldn’t do when you actually don’t need something, but god is it a beauty. I love the sliding doors, the natural wood-toned shelves and paneling that contrasts the light exterior, the brass hardware. It’s truly special and looks so high-end. Granted this piece is on the pricier side for Target but so much cheaper than anything similar on the market.

Ogden Burled Wood Console Table | Burl Wood Cross Corner Decorative Wall Mirror

Burl wood furniture at Target?! Yes, please. I actually saw the burl wood side table and this mirror in store last weekend and I have to say I was impressed. Real burl wood is out of so many people’s budget that to have an actually great dupe is so nice. The mirror in person was a little bit darker than in this photo but still so pretty and has a vintage feel. I almost bought it but since I didn’t have a perfect place for it, I very sadly passed. Now I might buy that console because I do need one. My only reservation is that I was hoping for a console with a little bit of storage. I guess we’ll see what I choose on Sunday:)

Bountiful Wood and Glass 2 Door Cabinet

A classic Target piece, reimagined. Emily has forever raved about this larger cream version for years. But I love the two-tone design. It could work for so many different styles. It also comes in a variety of sizes if you like the look but need something bigger or longer.

Springdell Rounded Sherpa Bench | Tustin Wool Tufted Rug

Yes, these are both from Target. That bench. THAT BENCH. It’s cozy yet modern and oh-so chic. It would be so great for an extra-long living room where you don’t want to cut off the eye line with high-backed seating or could be great as an end of the bed bench. Lots of options with this kid.

And I just love that rug. It looks like it will only be available in 5×7 and 7×10 but it’s a great-looking rug, looks like it would hide some stains since it’s not bright white and is a great price. Win-win-win.

Thousand Oaks Wood Scalloped Desk | Thousand Oaks Wood Scalloped 3 Drawer

I love this part of the collection. That wood detail is SO GOOD. The hardware is also SO GOOD. These pieces will definitely stand the test of time and could always be painted down the road for a new look. How pretty would they also be in a dark moody blue? O and that wood detail is also on the back of the desk so it can happily float in a room and look stunning from every angle.

Scalloped Bowl | Checkered Resin Box

Now let’s talk smalls. The two pieces above were both also instant purchases for me. Well, actually I did purchase the bowl in-store:) It really reminded me of these bowls that I LOVE but are more than I want to spend. O and it’s BIG. Great for a large coffee table or a dining table centerpiece.

I’m hoping that the boxes will stay in stock because I just don’t know exactly where I would put them yet. But you know that check pattern is making my heart skip a beat.

Light Woven Vase | Large Soft Striped Basket

That vintage-inspired woven vase is so cute! But it’s also a decent size which I love. It would add such a nice amount of texture to a room.

If you know EHD you know we love a basket. For shoes, blankets, toys, you name it, we say but it in a basket. So naturally, we love this large one. The mustard-colored stripes make it a little more unique than your average traditional basket but is still nicely neutral.

Sunnyvale Woven Counter Height Barstool | Interlaken Rattan with Woven Seat and Back Dining Chair

We get asked A LOT about dining chairs and stools. So when I saw these two I was delighted, to say the least. I love love how high-end the woven design on the stool looks (the back is very pretty too). Also knowing that the seat is woven makes me pretty sure it’s pretty comfortable. Plus it’s very in line with Em’s “for stools to be actually comfortable they must have backs” rule. It also comes in black!

Then I just think that dining chair is SO SWEET. That slight sweetheart back is too cute. But that all aside, the weave design is beautiful, this puppy is overflowing with texture, and I think it would add so character to any dining table look. It could easily work with coastal, boho, and vintage room styles.

Rattan Wall Sconce

Oh baby I gasped when I saw this. It’s the way more affordable version of what we’ve seen on the market and that double arm and brass tone are so pretty.

Midway Metal Patio Club Chairs (Set of 2) | Folding Patio Ottoman

I kinda can’t believe it’s time to start thinking about outdoor furniture but with lead times what they still are it’s really not a bad idea if you are wanting to freshen up your outdoor space. The whole collection that goes with that black chair is incredible. I love the simple lines and stop with those gold knobs. So sophisticated and feels very European which I am embarrassingly a sucker for:)

But also that cute stool is awesome. It almost gives me a little BDDW vibe which is an absolute EHD favorite. It’s perfect for extra seating, a footrest, or a nice little table if you stuck a cute tray on top.

Vivian Park Upholstered Swivel Chair | Arbon Wood Dowel Accent Chair

Then last but most certainly not least are these beautiful chairs. Emily loves a good Target chair (she’s had these for 5 years) and so do I. The simplicity and elegance of that slipcovered chair are beyond. Plus it swivels which makes me love it even more.

But then in the same collection, you have the “traditional with a twist’ chair that feels like Anhtropplogie would be selling it. The cushion-wrapped arm is cool and modern and makes you take a second look. It’s those special details that make something fine to awesome. I wish I had a place for it in my apartment:/

So there’s that. We’ll remind you of the launch in The Link Up on Sunday but if you see something you really want I would bookmark it because I know this collection is going to sell out. Congrats to Studio McGee and Target! So tell me…what’s your favorite piece?

Love you, mean it.

*Photos via Target

The post Our 18 Favorite Things From The New Studio McGee X Target Collection (And That’s The Narrowed Down List) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The 13 Kitchen Appliance “Trends” We Are Seeing In 2022 (The Smart And The Questionable)

Saying we “need” anything these days beyond our health, food, water, money, shelter, love, and Netflix isn’t really accurate. We could all survive on those things alone. So instead of placing value on what we “need”, I want to propose we should consume more by how much we USE something. For example, I have four raincoats and they all get so much use for different weather and walking occasions. Could I own just one and survive? Sure, but I’d have to either layer a lot under or leave unzipped based on the level of precipitation, the temperature outside, and how fast I feel like walking those dogs. So as I design and purchase I’m thinking far more about USE than need or want. This does not negate any desire to be less consumptive, it’s finding that middle ground between practicality (use) and luxury (love) – and by positioning “how often we use something” as the most valuable part of the equation, we are buying more for long term. And I’m not alone…

Lockdown changed how we cook, clean, and generally use our kitchen – with the quick conclusion being “A LOT MORE”. If the kitchen was the “heart of the home” before, then it became that PLUS all the guts. Thus the explosion of kitchen remodels with the goal of better cooking function, easier maintenance, more storage, and yes, while we are at it, more amenities to varying degrees of luxury and waste. While designing our kitchen I once again dove into what appliances are “new”, “smart” or simply just universally opted for these days – both for day-to-day function and maybe for those who entertain grandly. These “trends” are not just style or even color, but more function, operation, and layout. How many dishwashers do we really need? What exactly IS a speed oven? Are people still using a microwave? Let’s explore…

Induction Rangesdesign by sophie williams and lawrence brand | photo by veerle evens | via clever

Turns out we aren’t alone on the induction range train (nor were we first on it). The movement towards non-fossil fuel ranges is coming at us fast with now New York and California proposing laws to ban gas ranges in new construction. Yes, you can boil water in a minute and it’s a very accurate, fast, and consistent heating but it is a learning curve for cooking (and we’ll need new pots and pans). For instance, Brian likely won’t be able to butter baste our steaks like Matty taught him to (which is a magically delicious way to cook steak). You see the heat disappears when the pan is not on the surface – it’s electromagnetic. For those occasions, we are getting a hot plate or will go out on the grill.

via devol kitchens

They are easy to clean, fast to cook, and better for the environment. Again, don’t throw out your perfectly good gas range, but if you are remodeling consider an induction range. You are not alone and the planet will hopefully someday thank you – if we are still here by then We are getting this one. If you want to reduce your use of gas (if you already have a gas line) and still have induction there are many that do 1/2 gas and 1/2 induction. If your electricity goes out frequently and you don’t have a generator then having one gas source to cook isn’t a bad idea.

design by fig interior design and jam architecture | photo by gieves anderson | via dwell

You also have the option of the induction cooktop and a wall oven – giving you flexibility on where you put them (the oven can be on an island with the cooktop on the perimeter if you like). It’s like moving to an electric car – don’t throw away your Toyota to buy a Tesla, but I’ve learned and want to share that we are all moving toward electrifying everything with clean energy quickly, so if you are renovating and replacing your range anyway, opting for induction (electromagnetic) puts you ahead of the curve and is better long term.

TWO Dishwashers In One kitchendesign by shauna of the house of silver lining

This came up over and over – with salespeople and other designers – two separate dishwashers in one kitchen. At first I was baffled, then did what I should always do – consider the other side, weigh the pros and cons, don’t judge! Part of my job, not to mention being a human being, is not dismissing something simply because it sounds wild. This obviously excludes having double appliances for religious reasons.

So after monitoring our lifestyle, our true “dirty dishes needs” I realized that no, indeed we do not need two dishwashers. For me, it falls in the “if you have it you like it and might use it, but if you don’t you won’t miss it” category.

design by amber interiors and platt architecture | photo by shade degges

For us, we have two kids, cook most meals at home daily, and run the dishwasher once a day at night, so we are covered. Now if we had 6 kids or entertained ALL THE TIME I could see the need, or desire I should say, for two dishwashers. I frankly don’t like it becoming a “trend” because it feels a bit excessive and once the wealthy decide that they/we “need” something it trickles down and then becomes a mass mainstream consumer problem. We all have versions of this – I just bought a fancy pair of tall dark brown boots that I don’t need as I have a shorter pair that works just fine, but I wanted a taller pair that I feel like will also get a lot of wear/use.

via studio mcgee

Just think about if it’s right for your lifestyle and monitor your current dishwasher patterns to see how often you’d actually use two dishwashers. Ask yourself honestly “will I use this often?” because you can convince yourself that you “need” or “want” anything. I personally think that one is enough for most families’ daily usage. At the same time, I think it’s relevant to point out that we are putting a small stacking washer/dryer on the bedroom floor of our home. So again, we aren’t innocent of these “convenience splurges”. I do feel that it will get a ton of use though as the bedrooms are far away from the laundry/mud room so this is what we have chosen to do. Nobody is impenetrable to the seduction of convenience – just make sure that it’s something you will USE, not just show off as something you “have”.

Dishwasher “Drawers”design by athena calderone | via fisher & paykel

On the other hand dishwasher drawers (especially double, stacking) seem awesome to me and highly useful. They aren’t as popular yet here but are big in Europe. They are great for smaller households so you don’t have to wait until the whole load is filled to do a wash. But also good for bigger households where you want to stay more on top of it throughout the day. A good friend of mine with 3 small kids has double stacking dishwasher drawers and loves it because she has so many sippy cups and kid plates to wash from breakfast and lunch before dinner. So she doesn’t have to waste the water and energy to do only a half load, and instead just does one drawer quick wash per meal.

via remodelista

There aren’t that many brands in the states that make these, but I hope more and more will make them. Shavonda put them in her kitchen and LOVES them.

design by shavonda gardnerThe Pebble Ice Machinephoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: about those integrated appliances in the mountain house kitchen

Ah, the pebble ice machine – likely my favorite unnecessary “luxury” appliance out there and one that is hard to go without once you’ve experienced the ease and beauty of these tiny little cubes in your kitchen and in your mouth. Again, if I didn’t use this appliance so much I wouldn’t be able to stand so thoroughly behind it. But I love it so very, very, very much and we use it all day every day (not just for parties). This could also be because my family believes in ICE COLD water, a trait that my siblings share – it must have been handed down from my parents. It’s also excellent for a home bar if you entertain a lot. But common sense tells me that it’s like having another refrigerator that runs constantly – i.e. more energy. So again ask yourself if you really would use it. Good friends of ours got one for their outdoor kitchen/bar and realized that they only used it one night a week when they were outside. Having the energy running was so wasteful so it sits empty and off and they wish they hadn’t gotten it. So make sure you are going to use it or it’s a waste of energy and space. Of course, if you have a lot of parties you never have to ask someone to “grab a bag of ice” again…

Double Ovens – In Wall or Rangedesign by the brooklyn home company | photo by matthew williams | the nord roomdesign by elliott barnes | photo by cassie floto warner | via architectural digest

This might seem obvious but after talking to salespeople about this it seems that due to lockdown double ovens – whether in-wall or under a range are skyrocketing in popularity. Essentially having the ability to cook two things at once, different temps and different times is highly useful to a lot of people. We used ours A LOT last year and still would if we had two (we don’t right now, which is a bummer) – and not just for special occasions. That’s why we chose an induction range that had a double oven beneath it – both smaller than normal wall ovens, but it gives us the ability to cook two different things on different temps/times. I think this is a sound purchase if you cook or entertain a decent amount.

design by cristof eigelberger | photo by douglas friedman | via architectural digestSpeed Ovens design by cheshire architects | photo by sam hartnett

Ah, the Appliance du jour. The kitchen’s golden boy. I have zero experience with this new-ish appliance and have heard varying reviews. Essentially a speed oven is both a microwave for reheating and a convection oven that heats up much faster than a normal oven and bakes things in 1/2 the time (fact check me on that – different sites said different things). It sounds smart, if not a bit intimidating (and yes people do complain that it’s not easy to figure out initially). It seems to me that if you have a double oven and a microwave you don’t need a speed oven, but if you are opting for a single oven (on a range for instance) then a speed oven could be great for cooking many dishes or baking desert and cooking dinner at the same time. We opted not to have one because having not had one we know that we can get along without one. Since we work from home, pre-heating isn’t a problem anymore, although I don’t love the waste that pre-heating can make. I suppose that “speed” isn’t really a problem for us since we’ve slowed our life down. We also know that if/when we redo the other Victorian house on the property we might put one in there instead of an oven. It’s nice it’s also a microwave and we could just use a hot plate for a stove when needed. Also, only 3 major brands currently make them so they are still pretty expensive. Secretly I want to try one and hope that when I do I don’t regret not putting one in at the farm (I would love to hear your experience with speed ovens).

On the other hand, Velinda used a speed oven in her ADU kitchen and it’s GENIUS for small spaces when it can be both microwave AND oven. I just think if you have both of those things already you might not also need a speed oven. But again I’m speaking as someone who hasn’t had one therefore I don’t think I’d “use” it often. You also don’t need a pebble ice machine (see above) and yet I have one, use it love it, so there’s that.

“Column Fridge” And Freezers design by studio mcgee

Since the pandemic many people are opting for more cold storage space in their kitchen than ever before – us included. Thus the popularity of the fridge and freezer “columns”. These are two separate vertical appliances with their own doors – one fridge, one freezer. You can buy them separately and yes even install one in the kitchen (fridge) and one in the pantry (freezer). They can be “normal” stainless/white, and panel-ready for the integrated look. For the farm, we are getting a 30″ fridge column and a 24″ freezer column, both panel ready (from BlueStar) to integrate into the cabinetry. After really looking at the food space, we now know that more freezer space was important as you can only hoard so much perishable fridge food. You can always freeze more leftovers or make/freeze batch food. We’ve always needed more freezer space so I’m excited to have this (and negates the need for the “garage freezer” that most of us had in the ’80s and ’90s).

design by studio mcgee

I suppose another reason for the current popularity is how clean they look – no drawers or water/ice cavities to stop your eye. Many of these columns have water and ice capabilities inside the fridge, but they are up higher so kids can’t reach them easily, FYI.

design by ashley montgomery design | photo by lauren millerFast Beverage Or Speed Catering Commercial Dishwashers (In Your Pantry)design by steve cordony | photo by edward urrutia | via the design filesphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the ultimate family-friendly media room + wet bar

I’ve seen the uptick in this lately and I get it. If your “bar” is far away from your kitchen where the normal dishwasher lives and IF you use a ton of glassware or dishes frequently, then I could see this being a useful luxury. We put one in on the Portland Project at the wet bar that was in the basement and boy did we love the idea of it. I’m curious if the family really used it. I also know that because it was commercial it required more water volume which meant we had to upgrade some of the pipes on install. A few readers have DM’d about these speed dishwashers and how a 6-minute cycle (that’s right) can obviously benefit your life a lot if you entertain many people frequently. So far the ones I’ve found are very expensive and aren’t panel ready (you can’t hide them) which is probably why people put them in their pantries or likely “butlers pantry”. While I’ll likely never use this enough to “need” it, a 6-minute dishwasher cycle does sound DREAMY.

Appliance Garage FTWdesign by chris loves juiladesign by ian hogarth | via the modern house

While not a new appliance per se, the recent uptick in the “appliance garage” is revolutionary to visually unclutter our counters. This is an easy to access, yet closed-off cabinet that can house all your daily countertop appliances – microwave, toaster, ninja, blender, electric teapot, etc. I can’t tell you how grateful I was/am for our appliance cabinet at the mountain house that housed our coffee maker, microwave, and toaster. It not only eliminates the visual chaos of those necessary appliances but it keeps the mess (coffee grounds, bread bits) to one location – easy to clean. HUGE FAN over here.

design by rashida banks | from: rashida’s totally transformed kitchen reveal (that includes one of our favorite “new classic” kitchen trends)Colorful Ranges design and photo by shavonda gardner

It’s about time. Now many serious chefs love the stainless look of appliances – both fridges and ovens assuming they are a luxury brand (Wolf, Subzero, etc) that they want to show off. For the rest of us, we either want them to disappear or look less, clinical or something. Some colorful ranges have been available for a while, but there are more and more on the market in so many colors. BlueStar specifically (made in America) makes what feels like hundreds of colors and they are SO PRETTY. Cafe Appliances also has a few that are pretty. We opted for black because we have blue tile going on and the induction range that we wanted didn’t have the right color of blue for us, but I personally think this is a GREAT place to bring in color, whether its safer like white/black/green/blue/red or going more bold like pink, teal, yellow. This is such a personal choice, but it is a forever one so be sure you really love the color long-term.

design by dee murphy | photo by zeke ruelasOn Counter Gas Burnersdesign by annie segal | photo by sara ligorria-tramp

One of my best friends put these burners straight onto her marble and it blew me away. These are from Pitt and they are stunning. You must do your due diligence and research your stone to ensure it’s the right fit. Also, in case you think that cooktops allow for more cabinet space you should know that between the mechanics of the cooktop/gas and the mechanics of the downdraft that most of the cabinet space underneath is already taken. I love this look and if I were to opt for a gas cooktop I would seriously think about using these instead.

Drawer Fridgesdesign by kbh københavns møbelsnedkeri | photo by line klein | via remodelista

Now extra drawer fridges might seem like a luxury (and they are) but if you don’t have a “garage fridge” and you have people over frequently then you might need more space – I know that we did and do. So if you are renovating this is a good thing to think about. We used one of ours for adult beverages – beer, mixers, La Croix, and lemons/limes, then the lower for kids snacks, fruit, yogurt, juice, etc. Granted we didn’t have a huge fridge at the mountain house so I can honestly say that we needed this space (we didn’t have that coveted garage fridge). So yes, this is something we used a lot of and will opt for it in the future. Big fan over here.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: about those integrated appliances in the mountain house kitchenBeverage And Wine Fridgesdesign by home studios | photo by brian ferry | via yellowtracephoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the ultimate family-friendly media room + wet bar

I love the idea of both of these for houses with A. a lot of entertaining or B. if where you entertain is far from the kitchen/fridge. We’ve had a wine fridge at the mountain house, but didn’t realize that they don’t get crazy cold because white wine is best drank at 45 degrees or higher. Well Brian and I enjoy extremely cold white wine, like we put ice in it, so we found that we use our wine fridge at the mountain house more like a “pre-chilling” place then transfer it into the fridge before drinking to get it super cold. This actually works when we have parties and go through multiple bottles a night, but if it’s just us then we could easily just keep a bottle or two in our actual fridge. Now in the Portland house we installed a beverage fridge and wine fridge in the basement because it’s far away from the fridge so this makes sense to me, too. But at the farm we don’t need one since our living room and family room are both close to our kitchen/fridge. If we get super into wine later we have lots of space in the basement which you enter through the pantry so we could set something up down there.

design by zach stamatis of zoe feldman design and thomson & cooke | photo by stacy zarin goldberg

So there you have it. “Trends” are really just about giving us ideas and what could really work in our homes. But again, if we shift our mindset to “what will we actually use” versus “what do I think I want because it seems fun and convenient” we are going to all be happier. And by “we” I am us and mother earth:)

So now let’s talk about appliances? Any advice from first hand users??

Opening Image Credits: Design by Amber Interiors and Platt Architecture | Photo by Shade Degges

The post The 13 Kitchen Appliance “Trends” We Are Seeing In 2022 (The Smart And The Questionable) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The 13 Kitchen Appliance Trends 2022 Is Definitely Cooking Up

Saying we “need” anything these days beyond our health, food, water, money, shelter, love, and Netflix isn’t really accurate. We could all survive on those things alone. So instead of placing value on what we “need”, I want to propose we should consume more by how much we USE something. For example, I have four raincoats and they all get so much use for different weather and walking occasions. Could I own just one and survive? Sure, but I’d have to either layer a lot under or leave unzipped based on the level of precipitation, the temperature outside, and how fast I feel like walking those dogs. So as I design and purchase I’m thinking far more about USE than need or want. This does not negate any desire to be less consumptive, it’s finding that middle ground between practicality (use) and luxury (love) – and by positioning “how often we use something” as the most valuable part of the equation, we are buying more for long term. And I’m not alone…

Lockdown changed how we cook, clean, and generally use our kitchen – with the quick conclusion being “A LOT MORE”. If the kitchen was the “heart of the home” before, then it became that PLUS all the guts. Thus the explosion of kitchen remodels with the goal of better cooking function, easier maintenance, more storage, and yes, while we are at it, more amenities to varying degrees of luxury and waste. While designing our kitchen I once again dove into what appliances are “new”, “smart” or simply just universally opted for these days – both for day-to-day function and maybe for those who entertain grandly. These “trends” are not just style or even color, but more function, operation, and layout. How many dishwashers do we really need? What exactly IS a speed oven? Are people still using a microwave? Let’s explore…

Induction Rangesdesign by sophie williams and lawrence brand | photo by veerle evens | via clever

Turns out we aren’t alone on the induction range train (nor were we first on it). The movement towards non-fossil fuel ranges is coming at us fast with now New York and California proposing laws to ban gas ranges in new construction. Yes, you can boil water in a minute and it’s a very accurate, fast, and consistent heating but it is a learning curve for cooking (and we’ll need new pots and pans). For instance, Brian likely won’t be able to butter baste our steaks like Matty taught him to (which is a magically delicious way to cook steak). You see the heat disappears when the pan is not on the surface – it’s electromagnetic. For those occasions, we are getting a hot plate or will go out on the grill.

via devol kitchens

They are easy to clean, fast to cook, and better for the environment. Again, don’t throw out your perfectly good gas range, but if you are remodeling consider an induction range. You are not alone and the planet will hopefully someday thank you – if we are still here by then We are getting this one. If you want to reduce your use of gas (if you already have a gas line) and still have induction there are many that do 1/2 gas and 1/2 induction. If your electricity goes out frequently and you don’t have a generator then having one gas source to cook isn’t a bad idea.

design by fig interior design and jam architecture | photo by gieves anderson | via dwell

You also have the option of the induction cooktop and a wall oven – giving you flexibility on where you put them (the oven can be on an island with the cooktop on the perimeter if you like). It’s like moving to an electric car – don’t throw away your Toyota to buy a Tesla, but I’ve learned and want to share that we are all moving toward electrifying everything with clean energy quickly, so if you are renovating and replacing your range anyway, opting for induction (electromagnetic) puts you ahead of the curve and is better long term.

TWO Dishwashers In One kitchendesign by shauna of the house of silver lining

This came up over and over – with salespeople and other designers – two separate dishwashers in one kitchen. At first I was baffled, then did what I should always do – consider the other side, weigh the pros and cons, don’t judge! Part of my job, not to mention being a human being, is not dismissing something simply because it sounds wild. This obviously excludes having double appliances for religious reasons.

So after monitoring our lifestyle, our true “dirty dishes needs” I realized that no, indeed we do not need two dishwashers. For me, it falls in the “if you have it you like it and might use it, but if you don’t you won’t miss it” category.

design by amber interiors and platt architecture | photo by shade degges

For us, we have two kids, cook most meals at home daily, and run the dishwasher once a day at night, so we are covered. Now if we had 6 kids or entertained ALL THE TIME I could see the need, or desire I should say, for two dishwashers. I frankly don’t like it becoming a “trend” because it feels a bit excessive and once the wealthy decide that they/we “need” something it trickles down and then becomes a mass mainstream consumer problem. We all have versions of this – I just bought a fancy pair of tall dark brown boots that I don’t need as I have a shorter pair that works just fine, but I wanted a taller pair that I feel like will also get a lot of wear/use.

via studio mcgee

Just think about if it’s right for your lifestyle and monitor your current dishwasher patterns to see how often you’d actually use two dishwashers. Ask yourself honestly “will I use this often?” because you can convince yourself that you “need” or “want” anything. I personally think that one is enough for most families’ daily usage. At the same time, I think it’s relevant to point out that we are putting a small stacking washer/dryer on the bedroom floor of our home. So again, we aren’t innocent of these “convenience splurges”. I do feel that it will get a ton of use though as the bedrooms are far away from the laundry/mud room so this is what we have chosen to do. Nobody is impenetrable to the seduction of convenience – just make sure that it’s something you will USE, not just show off as something you “have”.

Dishwasher “Drawers”design by athena calderone | via fisher & paykel

On the other hand dishwasher drawers (especially double, stacking) seem awesome to me and highly useful. They aren’t as popular yet here but are big in Europe. They are great for smaller households so you don’t have to wait until the whole load is filled to do a wash. But also good for bigger households where you want to stay more on top of it throughout the day. A good friend of mine with 3 small kids has double stacking dishwasher drawers and loves it because she has so many sippy cups and kid plates to wash from breakfast and lunch before dinner. So she doesn’t have to waste the water and energy to do only a half load, and instead just does one drawer quick wash per meal.

via remodelista

There aren’t that many brands in the states that make these, but I hope more and more will make them. Shavonda put them in her kitchen and LOVES them.

design by shavonda gardnerThe Pebble Ice Machinephoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: about those integrated appliances in the mountain house kitchen

Ah, the pebble ice machine – likely my favorite unnecessary “luxury” appliance out there and one that is hard to go without once you’ve experienced the ease and beauty of these tiny little cubes in your kitchen and in your mouth. Again, if I didn’t use this appliance so much I wouldn’t be able to stand so thoroughly behind it. But I love it so very, very, very much and we use it all day every day (not just for parties). This could also be because my family believes in ICE COLD water, a trait that my siblings share – it must have been handed down from my parents. It’s also excellent for a home bar if you entertain a lot. But common sense tells me that it’s like having another refrigerator that runs constantly – i.e. more energy. So again ask yourself if you really would use it. Good friends of ours got one for their outdoor kitchen/bar and realized that they only used it one night a week when they were outside. Having the energy running was so wasteful so it sits empty and off and they wish they hadn’t gotten it. So make sure you are going to use it or it’s a waste of energy and space. Of course, if you have a lot of parties you never have to ask someone to “grab a bag of ice” again…

Double Ovens – In Wall or Rangedesign by the brooklyn home company | photo by matthew williams | the nord roomdesign by elliott barnes | photo by cassie floto warner | via architectural digest

This might seem obvious but after talking to salespeople about this it seems that due to lockdown double ovens – whether in-wall or under a range are skyrocketing in popularity. Essentially having the ability to cook two things at once, different temps and different times is highly useful to a lot of people. We used ours A LOT last year and still would if we had two (we don’t right now, which is a bummer) – and not just for special occasions. That’s why we chose an induction range that had a double oven beneath it – both smaller than normal wall ovens, but it gives us the ability to cook two different things on different temps/times. I think this is a sound purchase if you cook or entertain a decent amount.

design by cristof eigelberger | photo by douglas friedman | via architectural digestSpeed Ovens design by cheshire architects | photo by sam hartnett

Ah, the Appliance du jour. The kitchen’s golden boy. I have zero experience with this new-ish appliance and have heard varying reviews. Essentially a speed oven is both a microwave for reheating and a convection oven that heats up much faster than a normal oven and bakes things in 1/2 the time (fact check me on that – different sites said different things). It sounds smart, if not a bit intimidating (and yes people do complain that it’s not easy to figure out initially). It seems to me that if you have a double oven and a microwave you don’t need a speed oven, but if you are opting for a single oven (on a range for instance) then a speed oven could be great for cooking many dishes or baking desert and cooking dinner at the same time. We opted not to have one because having not had one we know that we can get along without one. Since we work from home, pre-heating isn’t a problem anymore, although I don’t love the waste that pre-heating can make. I suppose that “speed” isn’t really a problem for us since we’ve slowed our life down. We also know that if/when we redo the other Victorian house on the property we might put one in there instead of an oven. It’s nice it’s also a microwave and we could just use a hot plate for a stove when needed. Also, only 3 major brands currently make them so they are still pretty expensive. Secretly I want to try one and hope that when I do I don’t regret not putting one in at the farm (I would love to hear your experience with speed ovens).

On the other hand, Velinda used a speed oven in her ADU kitchen and it’s GENIUS for small spaces when it can be both microwave AND oven. I just think if you have both of those things already you might not also need a speed oven. But again I’m speaking as someone who hasn’t had one therefore I don’t think I’d “use” it often. You also don’t need a pebble ice machine (see above) and yet I have one, use it love it, so there’s that.

“Column Fridge” And Freezers design by studio mcgee

Since the pandemic many people are opting for more cold storage space in their kitchen than ever before – us included. Thus the popularity of the fridge and freezer “columns”. These are two separate vertical appliances with their own doors – one fridge, one freezer. You can buy them separately and yes even install one in the kitchen (fridge) and one in the pantry (freezer). They can be “normal” stainless/white, and panel-ready for the integrated look. For the farm, we are getting a 30″ fridge column and a 24″ freezer column, both panel ready (from BlueStar) to integrate into the cabinetry. After really looking at the food space, we now know that more freezer space was important as you can only hoard so much perishable fridge food. You can always freeze more leftovers or make/freeze batch food. We’ve always needed more freezer space so I’m excited to have this (and negates the need for the “garage freezer” that most of us had in the ’80s and ’90s).

design by studio mcgee

I suppose another reason for the current popularity is how clean they look – no drawers or water/ice cavities to stop your eye. Many of these columns have water and ice capabilities inside the fridge, but they are up higher so kids can’t reach them easily, FYI.

design by ashley montgomery design | photo by lauren millerFast Beverage Or Speed Catering Commercial Dishwashers (In Your Pantry)design by steve cordony | photo by edward urrutia | via the design filesphoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the ultimate family-friendly media room + wet bar

I’ve seen the uptick in this lately and I get it. If your “bar” is far away from your kitchen where the normal dishwasher lives and IF you use a ton of glassware or dishes frequently, then I could see this being a useful luxury. We put one in on the Portland Project at the wet bar that was in the basement and boy did we love the idea of it. I’m curious if the family really used it. I also know that because it was commercial it required more water volume which meant we had to upgrade some of the pipes on install. A few readers have DM’d about these speed dishwashers and how a 6-minute cycle (that’s right) can obviously benefit your life a lot if you entertain many people frequently. So far the ones I’ve found are very expensive and aren’t panel ready (you can’t hide them) which is probably why people put them in their pantries or likely “butlers pantry”. While I’ll likely never use this enough to “need” it, a 6-minute dishwasher cycle does sound DREAMY.

Appliance Garage FTWdesign by chris loves juiladesign by ian hogarth | via the modern house

While not a new appliance per se, the recent uptick in the “appliance garage” is revolutionary to visually unclutter our counters. This is an easy to access, yet closed-off cabinet that can house all your daily countertop appliances – microwave, toaster, ninja, blender, electric teapot, etc. I can’t tell you how grateful I was/am for our appliance cabinet at the mountain house that housed our coffee maker, microwave, and toaster. It not only eliminates the visual chaos of those necessary appliances but it keeps the mess (coffee grounds, bread bits) to one location – easy to clean. HUGE FAN over here.

design by rashida banks | from: rashida’s totally transformed kitchen reveal (that includes one of our favorite “new classic” kitchen trends)Colorful Ranges design and photo by shavonda gardner

It’s about time. Now many serious chefs love the stainless look of appliances – both fridges and ovens assuming they are a luxury brand (Wolf, Subzero, etc) that they want to show off. For the rest of us, we either want them to disappear or look less, clinical or something. Some colorful ranges have been available for a while, but there are more and more on the market in so many colors. BlueStar specifically (made in America) makes what feels like hundreds of colors and they are SO PRETTY. Cafe Appliances also has a few that are pretty. We opted for black because we have blue tile going on and the induction range that we wanted didn’t have the right color of blue for us, but I personally think this is a GREAT place to bring in color, whether its safer like white/black/green/blue/red or going more bold like pink, teal, yellow. This is such a personal choice, but it is a forever one so be sure you really love the color long-term.

design by dee murphy | photo by zeke ruelasOn Counter Gas Burnersdesign by annie segal | photo by sara ligorria-tramp

One of my best friends put these burners straight onto her marble and it blew me away. These are from Pitt and they are stunning. You must do your due diligence and research your stone to ensure it’s the right fit. Also, in case you think that cooktops allow for more cabinet space you should know that between the mechanics of the cooktop/gas and the mechanics of the downdraft that most of the cabinet space underneath is already taken. I love this look and if I were to opt for a gas cooktop I would seriously think about using these instead.

Drawer Fridgesdesign by kbh københavns møbelsnedkeri | photo by line klein | via remodelista

Now extra drawer fridges might seem like a luxury (and they are) but if you don’t have a “garage fridge” and you have people over frequently then you might need more space – I know that we did and do. So if you are renovating this is a good thing to think about. We used one of ours for adult beverages – beer, mixers, La Croix, and lemons/limes, then the lower for kids snacks, fruit, yogurt, juice, etc. Granted we didn’t have a huge fridge at the mountain house so I can honestly say that we needed this space (we didn’t have that coveted garage fridge). So yes, this is something we used a lot of and will opt for it in the future. Big fan over here.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: about those integrated appliances in the mountain house kitchenBeverage And Wine Fridgesdesign by home studios | photo by brian ferry | via yellowtracephoto by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the ultimate family-friendly media room + wet bar

I love the idea of both of these for houses with A. a lot of entertaining or B. if where you entertain is far from the kitchen/fridge. We’ve had a wine fridge at the mountain house, but didn’t realize that they don’t get crazy cold because white wine is best drank at 45 degrees or higher. Well Brian and I enjoy extremely cold white wine, like we put ice in it, so we found that we use our wine fridge at the mountain house more like a “pre-chilling” place then transfer it into the fridge before drinking to get it super cold. This actually works when we have parties and go through multiple bottles a night, but if it’s just us then we could easily just keep a bottle or two in our actual fridge. Now in the Portland house we installed a beverage fridge and wine fridge in the basement because it’s far away from the fridge so this makes sense to me, too. But at the farm we don’t need one since our living room and family room are both close to our kitchen/fridge. If we get super into wine later we have lots of space in the basement which you enter through the pantry so we could set something up down there.

design by zach stamatis of zoe feldman design and thomson & cooke | photo by stacy zarin goldberg

So there you have it. “Trends” are really just about giving us ideas and what could really work in our homes. But again, if we shift our mindset to “what will we actually use” versus “what do I think I want because it seems fun and convenient” we are going to all be happier. And by “we” I am us and mother earth:)

So now let’s talk about appliances? Any advice from first hand users??

Opening Image Credits: Design by Amber Interiors and Platt Architecture | Photo by Shade Degges

The post The 13 Kitchen Appliance Trends 2022 Is Definitely Cooking Up appeared first on Emily Henderson.

12 Kid-Friendly Storage Solutions That Will Help Them Create Good Habits (But Also Look Great)

Happy New Year! It’s not too late to still say that right? Well, I’ve said it anyway so…

Every new year always marks a time when everyone wants to reset, especially as it relates to our health, homes, and habits… triple H, not the wrestler. LOL. There are lots of ways one can go about resetting our health & habits, however, when it comes to our homes, it always comes down to a few major tenets – cleaning, organizing, renovating, designing… unless you simply plan on moving. 

If the past two years taught us anything, it most certainly taught people the value of home. 

In an instant, people were clamoring to find ways to make their homes feel, well, more like home… while also contending with the fact that home was also now a place for work, school, fitness, and so many other things as the outside world began to slow down & shift. Personally, home is still – more or less – all of these things for me, so with every new project I completed last year, this was top of mind. This was especially the case with my very last reveal of 2021 – the flex lounge.

If you followed along with me during the Fall 2021 One Room Challenge then you know I finally tackled the space between our media room and launderette – both of which I’d revealed earlier in 2021 – designing this space to be where I could work from home, focus on my fitness, and the mini could homeschool. Of the three zones for this space, the most prominent would be the mini’s schooling & activity area. While she would no longer be homeschooling full time, I still wanted to ensure she would have a designated area for learning, creativity, and play – separate from her bedroom or the media room – in the same way, I wanted to create a space for my work.

Left Art | Right Art | Picture Light | Floating Bookcase | Lidded Storage Box | Two-Toned Basket | Desk | Desk Chair | Clear Letter Tray | Acrylic Monitor Stand Riser | Acrylic Floater Frame | Rolling Cart

Mapping out the space was the easy part – the mini got the only 90º corner in the space. Having two walls to work with meant I could optimize how that corner would be used, leveraging the vertical space for storage solutions for all her many interests, while still having the flexibility to change as she grows & her interests evolve…and, of course, employing parent-friendly solutions throughout the design. P.S. ICYMI… I don’t subscribe to the notion of “kid-friendly” design, so much as I believe in good design techniques that parents can use. 

I designed her space from the bottom up:

What needed to have a footprint on the ground?What would be best using vertical solutions?What could be hidden away until needed?

Knowing that she loves to create – whether it’s drawing & coloring or building with legos and magnets – I needed areas to accommodate all of her creative pursuits; while also leaving space for downtime activities, like reading.

Wallpaper | Four Tier Magazine Stand | Acrylic Floater Frame | Peg Boards | Wire Drawers | Workstation (Custom) | Wall Mounted Drawers | Lego Head Storage | Floating Picture Ledges (similar) | Girl Art Work | Gold Elephant Hooks | Three Tier Rolling Cart | Bin Clip | Round Table | Chairs (Set of 2) | Large Rug | Alphabet Rug

On The Ground 

Two-Piece Trunk Set (similar): This is where we hide store unsightly and/or infrequently used toys & books. Fortunately for us, the mini doesn’t have a ton of toys that get unruly… we purge pretty often and most of the toys she’s into are usually part of something else that she just continues to build on. 

Three Tier Rolling Cart: Being the most mobile storage in this space, this is where most of her academic activities live, with a shelf for workbooks, coloring books, and activity supplies (each labeled). This is what makes the most sense right now but can totes change as often as we need it to. 

Four Tier Magazine Stand: One person’s magazine stand is another person’s paper center because that’s exactly how I use it – for printer paper, construction paper, and project/drawing paper. The last tier is where we store her 10” square Lego bases. We move this piece back & forth between our work areas, depending on the day, because it’s so light & easy to just pick up. 

Albie Says… having mobile storage solutions allow for more agility when it comes to function as well as design.

Custom Workstation: For the past 5 years we used these wire drawers for her wardrobe storage – great renter-friendly & small space storage solution – but now I wanted to use them for activity storage (i.e. school project folders, wooden design blocks, Osmo creative kits, etc.). I partnered with Formica again (remember my kitchen counters) to create something that would give the drawers a built-in look & feel with the added bonus of another surface for creating.

These “anchors” in the design have come in so handy for both the mini and I. 

Like any well-organized space, everything has a home, so whether it’s time for her to tidy up or for her weekly reset, she’s not scrambling to figure out where everything goes and she can clean up after herself pretty autonomously. Even if she doesn’t put everything back as perfectly as I would, she’s more than capable of at least putting them back where they belong… and doing so pretty neatly I might add.

Her main table is just that – a table with 2 chairs – surrounded by flexible, multipurpose design solutions. 

While most people will tell you to get items that can serve multiple functions for peak organization, I was perfectly fine with her main table area serving a single function because I knew that everything else would serve her in a myriad of ways, and space would not be wasted. 

On The Walls

Pegboard & Accessories: One thing about me is I love me some pegboard solutions, especially in unexpected places. After installing a slew of pegboards in our garage – don’t worry, we’ll be back in the garage this year! – I knew they’d be a perfect vertical space solution to serve as an extension of her workstation. Rather than clutter the surface with all of her materials – scissors, paints, pencils, etc – they could be within her reach on the wall, and out of her way when not in use. 

Albie Says… pegboards are easily customizable by adding more pegboards, like a gallery, and expanding your attachments.

Wall Mounted Drawers: Nearly 2 years ago when I purchased this drawer storage, I didn’t mount it to the wall & living with it on a surface affirmed for me how valuable wall mounted storage truly is. It holds the mini’s ever-growing Lego collection without being in the way – it’s deep enough that the top can be a small Lego work area, yet shallow enough that it doesn’t compete with the workstation. Plus like her pegboards, we can continue to build up, adding on more drawer storage. 

Floating Picture Ledges (similar): By now you’ve likely surmised that I don’t always use things in the way that they’re explicitly intended. I knew these picture frame ledges would be the perfect foundation for what would be a focal point in this area – a library. While she has tons of books she cycles through, there are some that are regular favs, while others seldom get touched because they’re simply reference books. Combined with artwork from She x This, this wall is a constant source of inspiration for the mini.

Gold Elephant Hooks: There are few things that are sentimental to my mini, and all of her backpacks rank high on that list, each marking a personal milestone for her. Rather than shove them in a trunk or clutter her everyday closet with them, with these hooks, we’ve created a sort of memorial for the different stages of her life that each bag represents. And naturally, the bags are also practical, holding different activity supplies & books. If necessary, in time I can decide to relocate the hooks for another purpose.

Flanking the aforementioned wall solutions are also a number of acrylic items that serve all of us…

An acrylic key & mail sorter serves as a mini command station for my husband and I, along with the weekly memo board. Having the memo board there also gives the mini insight into what’s going on for the week.  Single panel floating acrylic frames : Exactly like the ones above my desk – are where she can display artwork, post affirmations cards, or leave us little notes using the coordinating magnets.

Albie Says… acrylic pieces introduce function without adding visual clutter.

Acrylic Clear Rail | Two-Piece Trunk Set (similar)

Curating this space for the mini is just as much for us as it is for her. Yes, she gets some have this area all to herself for schoolwork, creative activities, and imaginative play; but for us, it allows her to have a space where she can be reasonably autonomous & maintain on her own… giving us a bit of a break on keeping her entertained and/or cleaning up behind big messes. I designed & organized with her abilities in mind… not just her age. Because everything has a place, she’s able to keep up with the systems – daily tidy-ups and weekly resets – with little interference from us. It also helps that everything here can grow with her so I don’t foresee us needing to do any major design overhauls for quite some time. 

If you ask any designer – most at least – they’ll tell you that they design their spaces so that the client won’t need em again… at least not for that space. We wanna do it once…barring any big life changes of course. That’s what was top of mind for me as I designed her corner, but specifically as it relates to the organization. 

One of the biggest organizing mistakes I see people make is constantly messing with the system. 

As our lives change & evolve, so should our systems, but the most effective system is one that can be sustained for a significant period of time. The mini’s current system, as it is, is one that has been serving us for 3 months. Even with changes made to her area over the holidays, the systems remain intact. And should we have to switch to distance learning, the space is ready to accommodate that change too.

When it comes to organizing for your littles, it should be no different than organizing for ourselves. I totally understand the urge to buy all the age-themed things because they’re cute & colorful & fun… but are they helpful? 

Where do you land when it comes to getting your kiddos’ spaces organized? Do you find it to be a challenge or do you think you have a pretty good handle on what needs to be done? 

*Design by Albie K. Buabeng
**After Photos by Ellie Lillstrom

The post 12 Kid-Friendly Storage Solutions That Will Help Them Create Good Habits (But Also Look Great) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The 2022 Bathroom Trends That Renovators Won’t Want To Miss

Hi folks and welcome to our 2022 bathroom trends predictions part II. Last week we dove headfirst into the non-renovation, renter-friendly trends so today we are focusing on all things renovation. As a renter myself, I was frankly surprised at how much these reno-based trends excited and inspired me. If nothing else, these emerging trends remind me that interior design is always shifting according to the world around us and that is a beautiful thing. I don’t think I need to remind you that a lot has happened in the past two years and a lot of the trends you are about to see are a reflection of that. So with everything happening right now, let’s escape with these 8 bathroom trends, shall we? Here we go.

Asymmetrical Sink Placement design by hunt architecture | photo by leonid furmansky | via dwell

Functionally speaking, an off-centered sink allows for more counter space so you can display your daily skincare products and simply have more space to get ready. As someone who has a single pedestal sink with no counter, I can say that having that extra space would be a dream (you have no idea how often my products fall to the floor while I am getting ready). You can also use that space to style a tray or opt for a decorative object like a stand-alone lamp (which happens to be one of our renter-friendly trends).

design by olga ashby | photo by vigo jansons

When it comes to renovating, one of the things we try to emphasize is designing for you or your family’s needs. If you think about who will be using which rooms and for what purpose, it will help you make the best design decisions. For example, this sink placement is really great for guest bathrooms or single-person bathrooms but may not be the best if it’s a shared bathroom where two sinks would be more applicable.

designs by flack studio | photos by anson smart

As far as aesthetics go, the asymmetrical sink placement looks interesting and fresh. In these smaller bathrooms, it helps allow for more counter space on one side (so important in a small bathroom) and it creates visual interest. For example, the mirrors are placed directly above the sink, creating an off-centered look. To counterbalance this, a sconce can be used to take up that extra wall space, creating a “rule of thirds” like composition.

The 2022 Version Terrazzo Tile design by run for the hills | photo by philip durrant | via

I was hesitant about this one at first, but the more I saw it show up on my feed, the more I realized it is just the tile trend we need in 2022. It’s undeniably playful, versatile, and sustainable which makes its resurgence in the design world a welcomed treat. When we are all craving color and pattern, terrazzo tile is the vessel that can work with modern, minimal styles while still adding that extra special detail.

design by lorla studio | photo by vivian johnson | via

What I love about this trend, and the above bathroom in particular, is how the terrazzo adds a playful element but the overall design can remain calm and relaxing. Designer Laura of Lorla Studio was inspired by minimalist Scandinavian aesthetic so she wanted to keep the bathroom neutral and calm. The soft color palette and minimal fixtures help execute this vision.

design by girodroux et delpy | photo by stephen julliard | via elle decoration uk

This mid-century luxe bathroom aesthetic pairs perfectly with the exciting terrazzo tile. The brass finishes and dark navy cabinets complement the speckled terrazzo, creating a perfect fusion of playful and sophisticated.

design by oh joy and cleo murnane of project m plus | photo by bethany nauert | via oh joy

I actually talked about this bathroom in the previous bathroom trend post, but I think it’s worth noting that the terrazzo tile brings it to a whole other level. I mentioned this bathroom nails the monochrome look and a part of that is due to the multicolor tile. The key to making monochrome work is applying different tones of the same color. This helps break up the color so it’s not too visually heavy and the tile helps achieve this.

design by alexander & co | photo by anson smart |styled by claire driscoll delmar | via est living

To wrap up the terrazzo trend, we have this gorgeous bathroom that marries organic stone materials with a sliver of multicolor terrazzo. I love that the terrazzo backsplash breaks up the earth tones to create a playful effect.

Built-In Vanities You Can Sit And Get Ready At design by studio johnston | photo by anson smart | via yellowtrace

I tend to sit criss-cross applesauce in front of a floor mirror when I do my makeup because I find sitting is the most conducive to get getting my face ready for the day. It’s either that or I just really love sitting. In any case, I 100% understand why bathroom vanities are emerging in bathroom designs at the moment. I think the past two years of the pandemic has helped a lot of us slow down and that includes our morning or evening routines. If space allows, including a built-in vanity is functional and luxurious.

design by jane hallworth | styled by michael reynolds | photos by sam frost | via architectural digest

I’ll never forget this home tour. It blew everyone at EHD away for good reason. Among many other frankly shocking (but SO good) design decisions, this bathroom took up a lot of our headspace and gave us all heart eyes. The vanity here is not traditional but SO good. I love that they built it off the side of the wall instead of digging into the wall to create a nook. It’s an unexpected choice among many other unexpected choices that make this home tour so unique.

photo by sarah sherman samuel | photo by nicole franzen

It’s hard for me to not talk exclusively about THAT CHAIR but I’ll use my best restraint. Sarah Sherman Samuel shared that she wanted this guest bathroom to feel like a boutique hotel this built-in vanity really drives that vision home. Oh, and we love that oversized bulb sconce something fierce.

The More Affordable Way To Use Marble design by jane hallworth | styled by michael reynolds | photos by sam frost | via architectural digest

We are used to seeing large slabs of marble used for bathroom floors but what no one tells you is how much more expensive that can be. Finding the right single slab for a space is costly and the more expensive the stone, the more expensive the installation cost is. So the large format marble tiles are a little more affordable and they slightly break up the flow of the veins which can be a more exciting choice, especially in a large suite-like bathroom like the one above.

design by studio hus

This bathroom by Studio Hus was designed 5 years ago, proving that this has been a slow-burning trend that is still going strong. I love that the flow of the marble is broken up so there are subtle nuances in every square.

design by kelly wearstler

It should come as no surprise that this bathroom is designed by Kelly Wearstler, who I personally refer to as the queen of dramatic marble. Her choice to apply large-scale marble tiles from floor to ceiling makes this bathroom suite feel like a luxury spa.

Oddly Placed Sconcesdesign by frederick tang architecture | photo by gieves anderson | via clever

We can’t talk about bathroom trends without mentioning lighting and y’all, this lighting trend is showing up everywhere I look. I am fascinated and delighted by the unexpected lighting placement designers are having fun with and cannot wait to see more of it this year.

I love the stacking of these mix-matched sconces because it fills that extra wall space and creates a sculptural moment. This could have been done with art but the sconces make it more functional and unexpected.

design by frederick tang architecture | photo by gieves anderson | via clever

In the same bathroom, the two asymmetrical sconces above the tub serve the same purpose by being sculptural and functional. This bathroom is from a gut restoration of a 2,700-square-foot Brooklyn brownstone—originally built in 1899. The designers were focused on historic preservation and modernization, so while this bathroom feels more modern I think some of the charm stems from their focus on honoring the architecture.

design by framework studio | photo by kasia gatkowska

This double pendant-sconce magic in this bathroom by Framework Studio is wonderful. Another micro-trend we’ve been seeing is sconces on mirrors so it’s especially fun to see both play out here.

design by homme boys

There is so much to love about this moody powder room by Homme Boys (like the Roman Clayed walls or that petrified wood sink) but the stacked bulb sconces are hard to beat. The sconces are from Hudson Valley Lighting, a retailer that is always ahead of the curve when it comes to lighting.

design by pappa smiron | photo by brittany ambridge

Okay, I rest my case. I can’t take my eyes off those three staggered sconces. It feels so artistic because the placement is perfectly odd and again, the asymmetry creates a special sculptural element. Can we/should we also talk about the chandelier and bulb light combination here??? I am stunned and positively delighted by the choice.

Exposed Shower Pipes design by moore house design | photo by erin mcginn and zack dezon

When Emily mentioned the exposed shower pipe trend in one of our meetings I started to see it everywhere and in the most surprising bathrooms. The above bathroom for example is incredibly minimal so the matte black pipes really stand out. With high-end spaces, the choice to opt for exposed pipes is really intriguing which is all the more reason to do it. It should also be noted that an exposed pipe is a lot cheaper than having to dig into the walls to install.

design and photo by carlay pagedesign by insidearch project

In this modern luxe bathroom, the shower pipes match all the brass elements so it feels less shocking and more cohesive. This brings so much more personality to the space while remaining modern and fresh.

design by sarah solis | photo by shade degges photography

I’ll wrap up this trend with the above shower that blew me away. The modern staggered tiles paired with the vintage-inspired shower piping is a great way to combine styles and eras. It gives an industrial vintage look that feels very high-end and intentional.

Curved Backsplashesdesign by beata heuman

We don’t see a ton of traditional backsplashes nowadays but when we do they are often curved, scalloped, or arched. This scalloped number by Beata Hueman is undeniably fun which is a common theme among her designs. We love the scallop trend and predict it’ll stick around because we all are craving fun elements in our homes right now.

design by julie rose for velinda hellen design | styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: julie’s first lead design with vhd – a primary bath reveal + tips on how to easily blend classic & contemporary styles

We love Julie’s application of the curved backslash in this modern traditional bathroom makeover. Julie said this about the choice: “The other vanity dilemma was how to make the wider, middle section feel purposeful since it overlapped with the two flanking windows. The solution was to create a beautiful two-tiered, curved backsplash moment using the Sereno Bianco from Vadara. This quartz stone is not only very user-friendly, it also has the most beautiful veining pattern in person making it one of our go-to quartz for our clients.” We’re obsessed.

design by beata heuman

Here’s another backsplash by our gal Beata Heuman. We love how the curve of this backsplash flows over the window, bringing in an added layer of movement. The stone slab also breaks up the colorful decor elements, which adds a level of sophistication to this otherwise playful bathroom.

Corner Sinksimage via hotel villa maroc

If you are renovating a small bathroom and are wondering where the sink will go, this trend is tailor-made for you. Corner sinks are not only space-saving, they add a certain vintage charm. It’s definitely ideal for a powder bathroom that doesn’t require a ton of storage, and man is it pretty.

design by beata heuman

Beata Heuman flips the script by opting for this corner sink placement in a bathroom suite that (spoiler alert) has a whole other sink on the opposite side! I am never not in awe of her designs but this one left me speechless. So if you need permission to install a corner sink in a larger bathroom, this is undoubtedly it.

design by sarah sherman samuel | photo by nicole franzen

I leave you with this custom floating vanity by Sarah Sherman Samuel. It really is the perfect fit for this corner space and brings in a modern flair to this otherwise retro-inspired bathroom.

Okay my friends, this concludes our 2022 bathroom trends. I hope you enjoyed and let us know which trend (or trends) you love most down below. xx

Opener Image Credit: Design by Alexander & Co | Photo by Anson Smart | Styled by Claire Driscoll Delmar | Via Est Living

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