Emily Henderson's Blog, page 152

September 26, 2021

The Link Up: Emily’s $27 Dress For When You Need “That Dress,” Jess’s $4 Etsy Find, and A VERY Cute Dog Costume You Need To See

Hey everyone!! How are you? How was your week?? Good? GOOD! Bad? We’re here to make it better. We’re so happy to have you here this Sunday and can’t wait to share some of our link findings for you this week. It’s full of Target carts, Etsy finds, and even a hilarious dog costume we think is so cute (even those of us who don’t have a dog are racking our brains for an animal we can put it on). Anyway, we’ll let you see it all for yourselves. Enjoy this week’s link up!

This week’s home tour is the Chelsea loft of broadway actress Patina Miller (ever seen the Pippin revival?? SHE’S A LEGEND). The home was finished right before the big March shutdown in 2020 (great timing) and is filled with color, personality, and life. We love when rooms have modern, neutral walls then bring in color through furniture and decor – it feels so fresh but never boring – and the firm Evan Edward did an amazing job doing just that. Don’t miss this one (especially the fun kid’s room where the walls are definitely less white).

From Emily: It’s my dress when I need THAT dress. You know the one that makes you feel cute and fun but constricts zero parts of your body and is highly comfortable. I thought it would puff out and add too much volume but it drapes really nicely. It’s part of the “cloud” trend which leans babydoll but I’m into it for the comfort and flattery level.

Also From Emily: Speaking of awesome Target clothes, they just launched their Fall Fashion Designer Collection! Rachel Comey (I KNOW), Victor Glemaud, Nili Lotan, and Sandy Liang killed it. If you want to know my picks head to my instastories

Also from Emily: Do you follow the new design star winner Carmeon Hamilton? If not, it’s certainly time to start and even more importantly, it’s time to start watching her new show, Reno My Rental. It’s on Discovery+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime and it’s amazing. Go check it out because she is the best!!

From Ryann: Great news. I found yet another Etsy shop to add to my list of favorites. This one makes frames and they are so reasonably priced and good-looking. I just got this one in the mail and I am really impressed with the quality!! The faux wood is lightweight but the color and ornate detailing is gorgeous. It looks expensive and vintage and is exactly as pictured on the site. No question I will be returning to this shop for all future framing needs!

From Mallory: I went to Target to pick up some dish soap and I came out with 3 items that I didn’t anticipate purchasing but am SO glad I did (classic target). Here’s what I put in my cart: First things first. I passed the women’s dress section and this dress caught my eye. I tried it on over my clothes (because I was too lazy to go to the dressing room) and immediately knew it was comfortable, had a very cute pattern, and would be the perfect summer/fall transition dress. I bought it in the red color, then once I found out it had pockets, I went online and bought it in the gingham too. (FYI I sized down one because it’s a very loose fit (totally a “THAT dress”) but if you’re into the very oversized thing or if you have boobs (I don’t) then keep your normal size. I’ve worn this dress every single day since getting it and it’s perfect for WFH. The second thing I impulsively threw in my cart was this candle. I thought I wasn’t ready for fall and then I smelled this (it’s shaped like a pumpkin btw) and I’ve been burning it every day since I got it. For hours. It smells like my childhood home during the holidays and makes me SO HAPPY. Lastly, I actually got dish soap (because that’s what I came there for) and was BLOWN AWAY by how amazing this scent smells for fall. Even my boyfriend (who is protesting the end of summer) was doing the dishes and said “WHAT IS THIS AMAZING SMELL I LOVE IT.” It’s called Acorn Spice by Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day and boy oh boy is it fantastic. He loved it so much that he told me I should’ve bought the hand soap. I’m never making that mistake again. And then an honorable mention goes to this dress that I almost bought (and still might go back for if I need it because I’m wearing the other dresses a little too much). It’s very flattering and I love it in the black dot print (but the brown is also really really cute).

Also from Mallory: I know we talk about Armchair Expert a lot over here, but I had to mention that I LOVED this week’s episode with Andrew Huberman. I wasn’t expecting it to be as informative as it was…I learned so much about hormones and the way our bodies work. Give it a listen – especially if you struggle with getting good sleep at all – he has some interesting insights on sleep toward the middle/end that I found really interesting!

From Caitlin: OH MY, I have found my three favorite fall and winter candles! Stick with me for a second: spiced pumpkin for October, vanilla and ghost pepper (!!!) for November, and Spruce for December. Spiced pumpkin is pretty sweet but it feels like living inside a pumpkin pie, which may or may not be your cup of tea. (As a Libra who grew up on Bath & Bodyworks, I’m like “THE SWEETER THE BETTER!!!” but I do know that some people prefer an earthier pumpkin scent. This one is lit next to me right now, though, and I am SO CALM because I keep taking deep breaths in – what a dream!) Vanilla & Ghost Pepper is definitely more of a crowd-pleasing scent – not too spicy and not too saccharine. The first thing that came to mind when I smelled it was like, “ah, this is what a rich person’s spa smells like on a crisp fall day,” so I’m REAL excited about bringing that vibe to my house, especially when I have some folks over for Friendsgiving! And as a lover of clean and fresh scents…oh my gosh, Spruce. Incredible. It’s my favorite of the three hands down (and I love a tree scent – this is the best one I’ve ever smelled!!!) and I can’t WAIT for temperatures to drop below 80 so I can bust this out without feeling silly. Have only had them for a few days but the pumpkin candle is putting in WORK and it hardly looks used – so happy with the investment. Highly recommended!!!

Also From Caitlin: I’m sorry, I need to lie down for a FULL MONTH after seeing this Hocus Pocus dog costume (complete with Bette Midler wig). SO CUTE IT HURTS.

From Jess: With the season changing, I know I need to keep my immune system strong! For some reason, I completely forget about my trusted Wellness Formula. It’s incredible whether you are trying to maintain a strong support system or are in need of a boost if you are feeling a bit under the weather. And I’m not the only one who loves it. Basically, everyone I know swears by it and it’s won 16 awards for immune system support. Just a little tip from me to you:) Stay healthy out there people!

Also From Jess: As I was browsing through Etsy I came across these matches. I know it’s completely unnecessary to have matches that are pretty/kinda sexy (if matches can even be sexy) but for $4 WHY NOT? It’s officially fall and I know I will be lighting a ton of candles (like this one) well into the new year and displaying some nice matches seems like a nice little indulgence for my eyeballs.

That’s all for this week, guys! Hope you have a great rest of your day and we’ll see you tomorrow!! BYE! xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Evan Edward |Photo by Tim Williams | via Architectural Digest

The post The Link Up: Emily’s $27 Dress For When You Need “That Dress,” Jess’s $4 Etsy Find, and A VERY Cute Dog Costume You Need To See appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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Published on September 26, 2021 01:00

September 25, 2021

Fall Fashion: The One Essential Piece We Each Needed (And They Are All Super Different)

Sure, as adults we can “technically” shop for new clothes whenever we need to. Perks of having a job instead of an allowance (if you were lucky enough to have one). But there really isn’t anything like the feeling of getting to go “Back to School” clothes shopping. I can remember the EXTREME excitement of getting to pick out a few new things that would make me feel like I was more grown-up and dare I even say “cool”. Furthermore, I can remember standing in front of my mirror in my “first day of school” outfit before entering the 5th grade practicing the pledge of allegiance because I didn’t want to be the only kid who forgot the words. Once again, I didn’t realize I was an anxious person until I was 33!! Comical. But I digress. So even though we don’t get to go embark on a new school year, we do all have a type of clothing (some new, some old) that gives us that same “Back to School” fall energy. So if you need some new ideas to spice things up or are also looking for the perfect loafer, we’ve got you on all fronts. Let’s start with Em…

Emily: Utility And Chore Jackets

Jacket | Shirt | Jeans | Boots | Bandana

When we moved up to Portland, it turns out I really needed some fall essentials. I didn’t have the proper PNW layering clothes (and it is a specific thing). So the essential that I was missing from my closet is the “utility jacket.” It’s versatile and truly goes with everything. Plus you can layer the way people do up here (which was not something I was used to, but now I’m on board). The one that I ended up getting was this blue one from Alex Mill and I LOVE it (and have worn it a bunch). It’s oversized and roomy, plus it has huge pockets which is great for my walks (I keep doggy bags and masks in the pocket at all times). So I can dress it down for my dog walks or I can dress it up (which I did the other night with skinny jeans and this denim shirt that I love). Oh, and I bought some stuff from Mille a while back that I had to return and they gave me store credit so I used it to buy these boots which look SO good with the jacket. They’re a bit of a splurge, but are so well made and classic and I’ll wear them forever. Since I’m trying to only buy what I NEED I’m fighting the urge to buy this Madewell utility jacket since I now already have one, but if I were in need of another I would grab this.

Jess: Fitted Knits

you can dress it up or down!

A true shock to me and my otherwise not very fitted wardrobe that fitted knits would be a staple in my fall/winter wardrobe. But when my friend was in town a few weeks ago, we went to this little store downtown called Virgo and for fun, I tried this one on. Well, I ended up loving it so I stepped out of my comfort zone and tapped that debit card. It’s modest, can be easily be made casual but is also kinda sexy which I’m into. I’m still trying to live in my post-quarantine “take chances” mindset and this is a fun (but still safe) one.

Jeans

And without me even realizing it, the week before I bought this shirt at Zara (sorry I couldn’t find it online) and it’s basically the same ribbed material! I really love how these pieces make me feel which is my real one essential. I need to feel really good in what’s on my body. Here are some actual shoppable options if you are interested! O and #1 is my absolute favorite:)

Caitlin: Loafers

everything i’m wearing is old. sorry!

A loafer? For fall? GROUNDBREAKING. But when you live in a warmer climate and can’t take advantage of a ton of ~ cool-weather trends ~ (BRB dreaming of 8 weeks from now when I can finally wear my big sweaters), season-specific footwear feels like a worthwhile investment, you know? These two pairs are some of my all-time favorites and I love breaking them out every fall and spring – they’re 5 years old but still look and feel like new. I’m not usually much of an accessorizer either, so I feel like these add a fun bit of personality to my more buttoned-up office-appropriate outfits. In any case, I love that they take up less room than my fall boots while delivering the same “the seasons are changing!!!” message. Here are a few I wouldn’t hate adding to my wardrobe this year…

Ryann: Patterned Pants

Turtleneck | Pants

Yes, I have fallen victim to the checkered trend. When Jess recommended these pants in The Link Up, I ordered them somewhat impulsively not sure how they would fit or what size I should even order. I ended up getting a size 31 (my normal size) and not only do they fit perfectly, they are WILDLY comfortable. They look like they are a rigid pant but nope they have a healthy amount of stretch and the fabric is almost like an activewear material. It is very good. I like the patterned pant for fall idea so much that I also bought these stripe pants that are a knitted material and also very comfortable. I love patterned pants for fall because you can pair them with a simple shirt or turtleneck and a light jacket and you have an exciting outfit with very little effort. By the way, a simple black turtle neck is another fall/winter must-have IMO.

Mallory: Faux Leather

Pants | Sweater | Boots | Necklaces | Skirt

When I told the team I was into leather (well faux/vegan leather) this fall they were shocked (and not in the way you’re thinking). Like the actual fashion trend: the leather pants and skirts and blazers galore. Remember when leather leggings were super in? Yeah, it’s not like that. It’s a baggier, sleeker, sexier kind of streetwear leather. Now let me put you at ease: I was never a leather kind of person. Sure, I had the classic leather moto jacket that I wore (well still wear) with everything. But beyond that, I was weary. UNTIL I went to Aritzia and tried on THE faux leather pants that everyone was talking about. Now at $148 – they’re a splurge (and I highly recommend trying them on in-store before you buy) and it was one of those things I didn’t know if I was ready for until it was always on my mind and I finally went for it. Now, they’re my favorite fall item. They keep me SO warm on cold nights and I feel so trendy in them (because skinny jeans are out now and you can only wear straight/wide leg denim so much before you explode imho). So now, these are the new fall neutral. I’m in love. In fact, I’m so in love that I bought a vegan leather skirt for the summer/fall transition (it’s still stupidly hot in the day here in LA) so I’ve been wearing this skirt (also looks super cute with tights for when it does get colder though) and I’m very into it. Faux leather for the win!!! Now here’s a roundup to prove it (and yes it’s all faux or “vegan” as they call it…

That’s it from us and our fall picks. Are any of you in the same boat? Do you have others you want to share with the class? Regardless happy Saturday and see y’all tomorrow.

Love you, mean it.

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: Six Fall Sweaters I’m Loving (+ How To Wear Them)

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Published on September 25, 2021 01:00

September 24, 2021

Our Favorite Sustainable Halloween Decor That WON’T End Up In A Landfill

HEY, HI, HELLO. It’s officially fall, it’s almost the weekend, and I want to take you on a little afternoon digital window shopping trip. Here’s the thing: I LOVE Halloween and season-specific decor, but I am a liiiiitle less crazy about the VERY expensive plastic pumpkins that seem to be permeating my IG feed right now. Like, there’s gotta be more to this holiday than spray-painted styrofoam, right?! RIGHT. So today, I wanted to highlight a few elevated, last-forever pieces of newly-released Halloween decor that you’ll be happy to pull out again and again, season after season. A few of these tasteful additions can make you feel like you’re living in a festive, fall home and not in like…inside of a Spirit Halloween pop-up shop. I searched ALL of our favorite retailers and feel pretty confident that I’ve picked the best of the best – let’s see if you agree, yeah?

Truly Great Pumpkins

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how we decorate for halloween

If you live in a hot climate, these iron pumpkin lanterns (#1) are a minimal, bold, and super-chic alternative to, uh, ::checks notes:: a melted, rotting pumpkin on your front stoop. Love the color, weight, and shape of these – they’re an awesome modern alternative to a plastic pumpkin.

Blue and white china meets pumpkins (#2) – ADORE THESE. What a lovely way to introduce the idea of fall without soaking your home in orange and black.

These plaid tweed pumpkins (#3) look SO much more luxe than their $5 price tag. They’re so special and high impact without being overbearing. (I love how understated the black is, but they come in orange, too.)

TERRA. COTTA. PUMPKINS. (#6) Genius. Minimalist, textured, quiet, and they can take you from September through Thanksgiving. I could see these outside in an entry vignette OR styled as a centerpiece – I love the versatility.

Super Cute Florals And Doormats

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: make your home fall ready with 7 simple tricks (using all target)

This doormat (#1) makes me so happy (vibrant AND punny!) and the cute review photos of it styled in real-life are SO CHEERY. What a lovely way to brighten up your entry and exit every day!

Are feather wreaths (#3) for everyone? NO. Are feather wreaths for me? YES. An emphatic yes.

HUGE heart-eyes for a dried eucalyptus garland. This showstopper (#4) is from Anthropologie, but you should check if your local nursery or plant center has anything similar – I bet it’d be cheaper AND you could support a small business in your community.

Easy Impact Exterior Decor

You know I had to include ONE piece of practical outdoor decor, right? This season, I’m in love with this double-sided light-up sign (#1). Welcome folks to your home when you have candy, and flip to the other side when you’ve run out. This is my new favorite alternative to like, turning off all the lights and sitting in the dark after you’ve run out in the hopes that kids will stop ringing the doorbell.

I can’t do a roundup without including Skelly (#2), guys. Is she timeless and understated? Well, KIND OF, YEAH. We love her – she’s made appearance after appearance here on the blog – and what’s Halloween without a little fun, you know?

Is a huge spider (#3) a lot? Yeah, sure. But it’s also a one-and-done outdoor decor piece – throw this on a roofline (or even on a bush!) and you’re fully decorated for the year. It’s a HUGE statement for only $35 and there are tons of creative installation ideas in the review photos.

This costume-wearing dog (#4) is THE CUTEST THING I HAVE EVER SEEN. When I saw this, Michael’s monologue to Toby immediately came to mind: “Who do you think you are? What gives you the right?” I CANNOT BELIEVE TARGET MADE THESE. My heart has grown three sizes since first clicking through. If I had a yard, I’d be out there at the stroke of midnight on September 1st getting a full little dog motif set up. (There’s also one in a ladybug costume in case you weren’t already saying “aww” enough.)

Keep visitors safe and on your walkway of choice with these smiling ghost path lights (#6). Target has a TON of great options for path lights this year (including zombie arms and multicolored versions!) but this one feels the most classic and timeless, you know?

Festive Tabletop Decor

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: 10 super easy + affordable halloween decor ideas

I mean, it’s no shocker that I love tableware, but this is my personal number one recommendation for getting into the spirit without feeling smothered by color or in-your-face Halloween motifs. A special tray or bowl or mug that you can break out and use for a few weeks every September-November means that you can experience the season on your own terms without needing to dive into a bin from the basement/garage/attic. Plus, there are a TON of awesome, sustainable options on Etsy – just search “vintage (pumpkin, cat, ghost, general fall/Halloween motif of choice) + (bowl, plate, cup, etc.)” to support a small business AND bring some one-of-a-kind pieces to your home. BIG FAN.

Oooooh, baby. This skeleton drinkware collection (#2) is for the Halloween die-hards out there. It’s a little too much for me (which is saying something!) but you KNOW I’d be first in line to attend a party hosted by someone with cups like this in their arsenal.

Stoneware mugs (#7) with a secret. These would be kind of fun year round, TBH.

These snake-shaped napkin rings (#10) are a little spooky, but they’re versatile and glam enough to use all year (if you dare :)).

I’m obsessed with this ghost-shaped platter (#12). It’s quiet and so easy to mix-and-match with your existing dinnerware – just plop this on the table and the mood is set, you know?

Other “Creepy” Decorations

YEAH YEAH YEAH I know, I said elevated, but DANG IT. This alien push-pin decorating kit (#1) has me wanting to borrow a friend’s kid for a day of crafting. (They also have a princess one that they styled out on a Watermelon and it’s SO funny – you can see the pic in the product description.)

A tiny ceramic vintage treat dish (#5) has me feeling ALL KINDS OF WAYS. My grandma used to keep M&Ms and Hersheys kisses around the house in tiny dishes like this – it’s such a fond memory. :’)

If you can’t do kitsch on a dishtowel (#6), where CAN you do kitsch? I mean. There are dogs in outfits. There are cats in outfits. It’s so sweet and silly without being overwhelming.

Y’all know how we feel about brass vessels and boxes here, right? This gourd-shaped one (#7) could work in your home year-round.

This $2 gingham melamine bowl (#9) is great for kids at the holidays, but it’d be just as cute doing double-duty as your outdoor tableware next summer.

That’s it for me today. Signing off from 82 degree LA, where I’m sitting with my Spiced Pumpkin candle and dreaming of living in a tiny Northeastern town with a quaint house and a dog and big pile of color-changing leaves. In the interim, though, this window-shopping break did the trick of getting me into the spirit. NOW – what say you???? Any winners here or decor pieces YOU break out year after year? Share with the class, please xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: My Spooky (And Super Simple) Kid-Approved Halloween Decor

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Published on September 24, 2021 11:00

The Debate: To Keep Or Replace The Original Vintage Windows (And How To Make Old Windows As Safe And Eco-Friendly As Possible Without Replacing)

A big box was checked a while ago and it’s one that all of us were pretty darn invested in. After so much back and forth – YOU HAVE NO IDEA – we came to the solid conclusion on the windows of the farmhouse. One we feel so good about, and frankly so relieved because it’s secretly what we wanted the whole time. The biggest question? Whether to keep the original diamond pattern windows on the second floor, knowing that the first floor was going to be mainly new.

As a reminder, there were only 4 original diamond patterned windows downstairs (two in the living room, one in entry, and one in stairway) and the rest were aluminum from the 60s. One of the things we knew we wanted to do from the first second of seeing this house was open the living room to the backyard with large glass doors, which would mean those two windows in the living room would likely have to move, or if not they might look weird next to brand new doors. Those two were easy as we already had a place to repurpose them, but the upstairs windows were the biggest conundrum. It wasn’t an easy decision and here’s why:

The original glass in the windows is old, certainly not double-paned or tempered and a few of them at this point are broken (yay). The ones that were still intact are so BEAUTIFUL and wavy and you find yourself sighing “they just don’t make them like that anymore”. It might be a subtle difference to many people but to us that wavy glass was everything. It’s an indicator of originality and one that I was VERY sad to lose (I fell in love with them after the plastic siding and false shutters were taken off the exterior of the house). But our fear of safety and draftiness was strong. We wanted strong, super sealed up windows. We kept saying, “we are paying for and installing this hyper eco/green HVAC system to try to seal up the house as much as possible just to have drafty old windows?” Trying to be green isn’t always an easy answer. Yes, they are single-paned but making something new to replace something old is also a drain on our planetary resources. More on this conundrum later. We explored taking the original windows and making them double-paned. Fun Fact – my sister and brother-in-law have a company in Portland that does this – Viridian, and get this, my FIL ALSO does this in Sacramento – Artisan Windows). It’s a patented tool that they both rent from the inventor as part of a franchise (only 12 of them in the US). They come on-site and window by window replace the original glass with UV rated double-paned, keeping the original sash, frame, and often even weighted pulley system. Ultimately because of the complicated divided lite patterns, we were told it didn’t make sense to do this. Essentially what they would have done is dissect the window, trying to keep the muntins that hold the glass (the wood that makes the diamond pattern), then insert a sheet of double-paned glass into the sash, then reapply (glue) the original muntins on the interior side, while likely custom-making the same pattern for the exterior to match. Ours are so thin that it would be hard to preserve them. Is it doable? Maybe. But due to the complicated pattern it was costing about $2k for each window (we had 10 windows upstairs) and honestly there was no guarantee that it would A. Work well or B. Look how we wanted it to look. With a less complicated pattern of course it could – they do it all the time, but both my BIL and my FIL said the same thing – it’s doable but very, very tricky. If you have one specialty window in your home, go for it, but to do this tricky and unpredictable window surgery to 10 windows felt very risky (everyone agreed).

Meanwhile, we had to make some decisions pretty quickly to get the window order in (6 weeks ago, before we moved). In case you don’t know windows (especially custom) have an extremely long lead time in normal times (12 – 24 weeks depending on the company), let alone in this building boom/labor shortage we are experiencing. And without windows, you can’t close up the walls and get to your finishes installed (tile, drywall, etc). So your windows can hold up the whole job.

We are SO HAPPY to be working with Sierra Pacific Windows on all our new windows for this house. I sought them out because they are based in Northern CA, with a massive reforestation program where they grow their own wood there and in WA. Another reason we wanted to work with them is because not only do they make beautiful classic windows (because they do), but they can customize ANYTHING, and yes recreate vintage-inspired divided lite patterns – like our diamonds. So far we have been extremely impressed with the options in finishes (wood and aluminum clad), the customer service (I’m talking to you Chelsey & Jennifer), and quality (we tested them out in person and were super impressed). So we knew who we were going to work with on the new windows, but we still hadn’t decided on what to do with the second-floor bedroom windows.

THE BIG DEBATE – Down To 2 Options

So the question became:

Do we have Sierra Pacific recreate the original windows upstairs (make new) and essentially redo all the windows in the house (remember there are only 4 original windows downstairs)? Or keep the original windows upstairs and try to design the new windows on the first floor to work with the diamond pattern.

exterior and interior of the same original windows

Now what we didn’t want was for it to look jarring – for the old to look too old and the new to look too new right next to each other as if was an accident – or like we couldn’t afford to redo all of them (even if that is 1/2 the truth). It needs to look intentional, cohesive with some quirk, sure.

We chose #2 – To repair and keep the original windows upstairs, and design and install new windows on the first floor while repurposing the original windows in the living room (I can’t wait to show you what we have planned for them).

How Will We Make These Old Windows Safe And More Insulated? We have chosen to NOT try to make them double-paned and instead to preserve and repair the original glass (see #1 above). We know that this will compromise our intent to seal up the house, but after seriously weighing all options we feel that this not only makes the most sense, but preserves more of the originality of the home that we love. And again, it’s all how you look at it when it comes to being green. Replacing something that works (albeit maybe it doesn’t work that well) isn’t better for the environment than working with what you have. Should you put in double or triple-paned glass windows now if you are replacing all of them or building them? Absolutely. But it’s my feelings (and the experts agreed with me) that throwing away to replace is not better for our planet. Regarding safety. We are going to rig them temporarily to be single-hung instead of double-hung while the kids are little so they come down from the top instead of up from the bottom (with a little peg stopper). Since the windows are low I just worried about them opening and well, falling out the second floor (this obviously wouldn’t be to code now). We’ll retrofit them to be operable without the weights so that we can insulate the weight chambers which is where the bulk of the draft comes through. We have quite the insulation plan proposed by our insulation sub that has more passion about insulation than I ever thought possible. I can’t imagine you are interested in a blog post about how we are insulated our house to be the most sealed up as possible (while sourcing as green material), but if you are let me know… I’m also happy to share our sub after our work is done (scheduling is a bit tricky these days).Maybe storm windows? We’ll assess the situation after our first winter and decide if we want interior or exterior storm windows (if it gets drafty or chilly enough). Knowing that that is always an option makes us feel even better about our decision. We’ll put a film on the original beautiful shaky but thin glass that insulates a tiny bit but more importantly for me, makes it not shatter or shard if it gets broken. If it gets bumped into its acts as a huge sticker that keeps all the broken glass in place, avoiding something terrifying or deadly (seriously if you have untempered glass as a sliding door consider getting it replaced – I have a horrifying story about a friends kid running into their single-paned glass sliding door from the 60s and it almost doing the worst you can imagine – barely avoided). Versatile (ARCIFORM‘s husband company) will source vintage glass to replace any that was broken. So we’ll have the waviness and vintage vibe (with the film on top). It’s hard to find large sheets of this obviously, but the upstairs windows aren’t huge (and the divided lites are small) so they don’t think it will be a problem. In fact, we are adding a new “vintage” window to one of the bedrooms to add balance to the exterior view and Versatile will be basically recreating the exact window with vintage glass. This is because I feel it would look weird to have a window with vintage glass and one with new glass in the same room.

So the big question becomes how to design the first floor new windows to work with the original diamond windows upstairs. And while you won’t see this from inside the house you sure will when outside looking back at it. And if you are thinking that we’d just do the diamond pattern downstairs, the answer is we’ve thought about it, but:

A. We like the idea of a simpler divided lite pattern and…

B. The custom diagonal pattern was $90 each divided lite – with each window having around 12. So that’s in addition to the normal cost of a high-quality window. This threw our budget totally off making most windows $5k or more.

And C. There is something less charming about all the diamond patterns in the new windows downstairs, almost competing too much with the second-floor original diamond pattern. We decided to let the original be the stars of the upper floor and simplify the first floor to be supporting characters.

We are however doing custom specialty divided lite patterns in a few places on the first floor that I can’t WAIT to show you. I of course want to bring you into that process, show you how we came up with the pattern to bridge the old with the new, but it’s another long post in and of itself. But for now…here’s a sneak peek at some of the “diamond motif” windows we’ve been considering:

Now I know that the windows have been a bit of a debate and while we have a lot of experts on this decision, but that doesn’t mean that we have all the solutions to insulating vintage windows without replacing them (which is the origin of the debate). I know in the past a few of you had some really unique new ideas that I’d love to hear as we still have time to make some adjustments (not to order new, but just to retroactively do anything to the old windows). xx

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Published on September 24, 2021 01:00

September 23, 2021

See How Ajai TRANSFORMED Her Client’s Builder Grade Guest Room -Get Ready For A Ton Of Cozy Design Ideas & Working-Mom Real Talk

I can’t believe it’s been ten months since my sweet baby boy (Jack) was born. Ten months of diaper changing, breastfeeding, and little-to-no-sleep. Though there have been so many beautiful moments with my baby boy, there have also been rough ones. I’ve experienced so many emotions during this mamahood-entrepreneur journey, and the thought of going back to work after living as a new mama in the pandemic, was a bit frightening. Nonetheless, I am finally in a place where I feel I can take on a couple of design projects, be a good mama, and maintain my sanity. That said, I chose to take on a project (a guest bedroom) for clients I’ve worked with in the past, and who have become very good friends. I should also mention this project was in Seattle, so I would be traveling with my little one on the airplane for the very first time…quite the experience.

Jack has always been a very chill baby, but for some reason, I imagined he’d be crying and unsettled on the plane, with clogged little ears, and constantly reaching to grab the person’s hat sitting in front of us. I was very much expecting to have the worst flight ever. I’d heard from so many other moms, who warned me of just how badly this could go. I was told to make sure I was breastfeeding him as the plane took off into the sky, have plenty of bottles on hand during the flight so I could help his ears pop, hold him tight throughout the flight, and try to schedule the flight times with his naps. Panic set in quickly as I began to think about having to nurse in such close proximity to a complete stranger (I like to sit in the middle seat because my husband sits in the aisle seat, as he’s 6’4” and needs the extra legroom). I was also afraid of being so close to people after practicing social distancing for such a long time (and with my little one). All that to say, I used my travel reward points to upgrade us to first class and I summonsed dad and Grandma to come along.

Children require a ton of attention, especially during the infancy stages. My husband and I were able to juggle our little guy before he was mobile. However, when the crawling began, the working stopped. How nice would it be if I was able to look at Jack and say, “hey little guy, take a 2-hour nap because mommy has to conceptualize a space for her client,” and he actually did it? Wishful thinking… Anyhow, we call Jack “king-baby,” and for good reason – it’s his world, my husband and I just live in it. This meant, someone else would have to endure his reign while mommy and daddy worked. Dad and I (I call my husband dad now, and he calls me mom, which tickles me because my Grandma would do the same with my Grandpa) immediately began looking for nannies and daycares, so we could transition into a normal workweek. We decided on the daycare route, as I’ve watched far too many lifetime movies about nannies (scary ones). Seriously though, since we wanted to socialize Jack at a younger age, we thought it would be good for all of us to get out of the house more often, and this daycare just so happened to offer a co-working space for Dad and I. This made the transition much easier, as I was not very fond of handing over my baby boy to someone else for hours on end. I liked that I could be close by and still stop in to nurse him throughout the day.

Finally, the first day of daycare was upon us. This was such a big day for all three of us, it was Jack’s first day of school, and Dad and my first day of actually being able to focus on work only. We were so nervous, but excited at the same time. We handed Jack over to his new teacher and sat down to our individual desks. We spent the next five hours wondering what Jack was doing and checking our phones for updates. We got little-to-no-work done, but we did get through the first day. We spent the next couple of days getting better at working while Jack was learning and making friends. By week two, my creative energies began flowing, and by week three, I’d solidified the design concept for the guest bedroom. Like many, social distancing really had me reflecting on my time spent traveling. I missed the adventures my husband and I had in Germany and France. I began pulling inspiration from these bed and breakfast stays and adventures, and in chatting with my clients, I learned they too missed the time they spent traveling internationally.

My clients mentioned how they would be having guests come over to stay with them during the holidays, and how they wanted their guest room to feel cozy and bnb-like. The current state of the room was builder-grade, and being used for storage. There wasn’t much character, and everything was stark white (including the carpet). The room was also a bit on the small side, and the current mattress was a queen, so it was important for me to cozy the space but also make sure the guests did not feel as if the walls were closing in on them.

Window Treatment

Wallpaper | Paint

REWIND – I would like to mention that at the start of every project, I have my clients choose a single object, one that inspires them and influences the feel of the room. Through my design process, I like to revisit this item to make sure the room reflects this item and incites the same feeling. The item behind this room’s design is a marble abstract brush. It’s sophisticated, fun, and textured. Along with those aspects, I wanted the room to feel magical, so I went on the hunt for a wallpaper that would embody all of the above. I found the most exquisite floral wallpaper called Coquette from Wallpaperie. I love how elegant the design is, and I was able to have it applied to all the walls without shrinking the space. The room still felt open and spacious while we were in it. It was the perfect contrast to the muted sage lower half of the room. Along with painting the bottom portion of the wall, I had wainscotting added to the lower half of it, as I wanted the space to have more texture.

Bed (unavailable) | Nightstand (unavailable) | Remote Places to Stay by Gestalten, Debbie Pappyn, and David De Vleeschauwer | Rug | Sconce

The lead times for furnishings during the stay-home-order was horrid (and still is). I used the next coming weeks to source and solidify furniture. During the sourcing process, I came across a beautiful all black bed frame and nightstand with a cane detail by 31 chapters. This is my third time working with 31 Chapters, and I’m happy I did because they rushed the bed and nightstand for me (they were the first pieces of furniture that arrived on-site). Their pieces are some of my favorites. I love using black to cozy up a space, and the cane detail on the bed added to the texture I was working to achieve in the room (such a beautiful and organic detail). When it comes to bed frames, I’m a big fan of head and footboards because I never get to use them in my home (you know… because my husband is 6’4”). However, I still had to take into account that different people would be sleeping in this bed, so the fact that the footboard meets the top/surface of the mattress was a plus.

Euro Sham | Velvet Pillow | Duvet Cover Set | Charcoal Quilt

More and more, I craved for this space to embody cozy. I wanted my client’s guests to really feel at home during their stay. I wanted their guests to have a hard time getting out of bed because of how comfortable it was. This meant providing them with different blanket weights and a variety of pillows. I’m one of those people who likes my pillow thin. I basically want to feel like I’m sleeping on a piece of paper, and I only need one. My husband on the other hand, loves a large firm pillow, and he likes to have them all around him. Now when it comes to sheets and blankets, I’m quite the opposite of my husband. I love being bundled up in layers of sheets and duvets (linen to be exact), so a linen duvet cover set from Magic Linen was a no-brainer. I have a grey set at home, and we absolutely love it. They’re warm and cozy enough for me, and light enough for my husband. That said, during our travels, I can appreciate a place that gives us plenty of options, so I wanted my client’s guests to have options as well.

The more I sourced, the more I felt like I was in my element, and falling in love with design all over again. I remembered how special the designer and client relationship was, and how nice it was to be able to have someone trust me with their design dreams and wishes. This really motivates me to make sure I get it right and convey everything they envision. With that in mind, I began looking forward to the trip to Seattle. I packed the necessities and as lightly as I could, and decided that if Jack needed anything additional, I could purchase it once I was in the city. Dad had a carry-on, Jack and I shared a carry-on, and I brought a checked bag and box for the items I sourced in-person and wanted to add to the guest bedroom. All items made the trip, except for a round wooden stool I chose to act as another bedside table. Even though I bubbled and towel wrapped it, I found the wooden stool broken into several pieces when I opened the box (I was pretty bummed about this one). Nonetheless, we approached the checkpoint, and I began sweating bullets.

Black Vase Trio | Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur | Sconce

One of the TSA officers yelled for my husband and I to come over to his lane. We were instructed to remove Jack from his car seat and carry him through. Another officer checked the breast milk I’d packed for the plane, and another officer checked the stroller. The stroller base kept causing the alarm to trigger, which ended with us all having to go through an extensive search on all of our belongings and have additional pat-downs… we were in the checkpoint for quite some time. After finally making it through the checkpoint, it was time for me to pump. It was then I discovered the terminal didn’t really cater to this sort of situation. I ended up having to pump in the bathroom (not ideal). All of the previous had me terrified of flying with a baby.

We eventually made our way to our gate. This is where things started to look up. Turns out, parents with babies get to board the plane first and have extra time to settle in before the passenger-stampede. After settling in, I noticed how intrigued Jack was with everything going on around him. I even caught him smiling while he looked out of the window, as the airplane took off into the sky. Jack enjoyed a snack the first 20 minutes of the flight, I nursed him shortly after, and once we were cruising through the clouds, he fell asleep for the remainder of the time. It really was a lovely first flight.

When we arrived in Seattle, we headed to our hotel, and we rested. The next morning, my husband drove to collect my mom from the airplane, and I hit the ground running. I headed straight to my clients to get things ready for installation. With the help of some pretty amazing clients (they really were heaven-sent), wallpaper went up, sconces were mounted, and I added the finishing touches to the spaces. The next day, I met up with Ellie (the photographer) to photograph the space. It was nice to be able to work alongside another new mama, who too was navigating running a business after having a baby during the pandemic. We shared tips with one another, and enjoyed being in our element.

Becoming a mother has had an impact in how I design now. I always want to make sure there’s love in the space, instead of designing merely for aesthetic and functionality. Jack not only inspires me, but he helps to keep me grounded. I believe this translates in the way I create now. The love I have for designing a space, procuring the perfect items to tell a story, and learning about the journey’s of my clients and how they came to be in their home, means so much to me. In addition, traveling has always been a passion of mine and after completing my first successful on-site as a new mama, I have the confidence to take on even more projects while pursuing my passions. My husband and I made a pact before Jack was born, to always push him to pursue his dreams. This experience, and the feeling I felt after, is a memory I look forward to sharing with Jack as he gets older.

Re-entering the world as a new mother and learning how to navigate parenthood alongside running a business was tough, but I’ve loved every minute of it. Call me crazy, because I’m ready to do it again. I’m already looking forward to my next design project.

*Design by Ajai Guyot
**Photos by Ellie Lillstrom

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Published on September 23, 2021 01:00

September 22, 2021

New Reveal: ALL The Details Of The Primary Suite At The Real Simple Home

Oh how I’ve missed a good reveal and it’s even more fun when I never got to see it in person. So when Keyanna of East & Lane (mentee + a true triple threat content creator – design, on-camera + photography) sent through her photos of The 2021Real Simple Home I was so happy and incredibly grateful that the design not only worked out, but was something that we were both proud of. I took the lead on the overall look and feel (much inspired by the farmhouse) and then Key took over on accessorizing and styling. And she nailed it. A huge thanks to Misty and Stephanie, the editors in charge of the execution of the design during what was a very challenging year to do anything in person. Managing so many designers, vendors, and the builder couldn’t have been easy and yet they were a total joy to work with. So without further ado, here is the room that Key and I designed.

Oh that wallpaper. I’ve been obsessed with House of Hackney for a while and I see more and more of it on the internet, my love for it does not wane. It’s the perfect floral (and comes in a few different colorways and in fabric as well). I MIGHT do our sectional in the TV room at the farm in a darker version of this fabric, TBD.

We chose to just do the top half, installing a horizontal shiplap on the bottom from Metrie and I love how it turned out. For the farm, we are going to do horizontal in a few of the rooms, but adding a bead to make it slightly more decorative, almost like super wide beadboard.

Flushmount

We decided not to have matching nightstands because the original dimensions of the room showed us (below) created some challenges. We would either have to not center the bed on the wall (with the headboard in front of one of the windows) or shove it closer to the closet, making it very off-center. And listen I’m not insistent on symmetry in a bedroom, but it is the one room in the house that I do enjoy some symmetry. Also, that bed is from Target and is honestly so good! It comes in a bunch of different fabric options too.

But I wasn’t going to put a bed in front of 1/2 a window (centering in front of a window is totally fine). So by shoving it over we had only about 20″ between the bed and the closet door (not ideal), with a lot of space on the other side. Since the room wouldn’t be symmetrical our idea was to put a small table or nightstand on the left side of the bed, with a sconce and a large dresser as a nightstand on the right, making the bed fit just barely between the windows but engaging the whole wall.

But like most decoration and renovation projects these days, things changed. The dresser that we really wanted for the right (this striped number) wasn’t going to be available so we got a backup. And you know what? It looks great.

We really wanted to lean into the Eclectic English Granny theme and mix stripes AND florals. But since the dresser couldn’t come in the time we sourced this chair from World Market which is legit AWESOME. In a perfect world it would be vintage (Jayson Home had some great options), but my goodness, for the price it’s an excellent purchase. With a smaller nightstand (or I should say in lieu of the dresser) this chair helped fill out the room and create a super inviting corner.

It’s just such a happy room. Of course, I had plans of doing a built-in desk with a bookshelf above the window, but ultimately we found this desk that fit pretty darn perfectly to put in the window nook. And no, those curtains weren’t meant to be that short I think there was some miscommunication probably on my end when ordering them. HA. We got them and the shades from Wovn Home and besides our error, they turned out beautifully.

Such a lovely little nook (and great styling, Key). I have that rolling office chair at the mountain house (I returned the vintage one that I borrowed from Midcentury LA) and can promise you it’s excellent for the price. I’m wondering if I should snag it for my little office here because it’s so comfortable.

We had originally chosen a denim-y blue fabric for the curtains and shades, but I’m SO glad that it was out of stock and we switched to this muted lavender (it’s called Fog on the site). All colors were pulled from the wallpaper (including the pink rug).

Floor Basket

Over there you’ll see where they added the two closets (one for each person, I presume). I REALLY wanted vintage doors but just couldn’t source any for our budget online that worked with the builder’s plan. Turns out that with the wallpaper and the paneling, these standard doors are JUST fine.

Custom Closets

The closets (via California Closets) were a good reminder of how functional a closet can be if really planned out. While we really didn’t have much to do with the styling or the design, I wanted to include it here because it’s great (and I’m very jealous and can’t wait to plan out the farmhouse closets). I love that you have colored options for the drawer fronts and can totally configure the hanging space for your needs.

Rug

That MIGHT be my favorite shot. I love how the wallpaper interacts with the penny tile from Ann Sacks. I’ll be honest here, I thought that the bathroom was going to be a bit boring. I really wanted either tile or paneling on the wall behind the vanity, but due to budget and time they couldn’t. So I was so pleased to see that with the mix of materials, lighting, mirror, faucet, and hardware it actually turned out simple, classic, and pretty. We worked with Kohler on the plumbing fixtures (my favorite Purist line) and Ann Sacks on the tile, with Rejuvenation on the hardware and mirror and Circa Lighting on the sconce (I had the same one in our bathroom in LA). Key styled it with a cute vintage rug from Eliko Rugs and lovely little accessories (a lot from her own inventory).

We worked with Minted on the art (I love that collage) and since it is a small bathroom (no tub, just a shower). It was nice to keep it so simple.

Shower Head | Wall Tile

I love that tile on the walls – it’s such a pretty texture. I think I would have not put the black on the damn, and niche but I think that is what they used on the bench and had more leftover so they put it there (we didn’t specify what should go there, so I get why they did that). The texture of that tile is so pretty. We had wanted the grout on the floor to be darker, but the white looks good, too (I just can’t tell about the penny with the textured brick tile).

That tile is part of the Ann Sacks line made in Portland (yay) and I’m pretty darn tempted to use it in Ken’s River house because the variation in it is so pretty (an update on that in is the works).

This was one of those projects (like the book) that was hard to really prioritize as it felt far away and not in front of my face. So a huge thanks to Stephanie, Misty, Keyanna and all of our partners for helping it turn out so well. I would live here in a SECOND and hope that the farmhouse guest bedroom (my inspiration here) can turn out as good.

P.S. Here’s a list of all the products for fast clicking.

*Lead Design by Me, Emily Henderson
**Co-Designed, Styled, and Photographed by Keyanna Bowen

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Published on September 22, 2021 01:00

September 21, 2021

Love Wallpaper?? Then Feast Your Eyes On This NYC Apartment (There Are 5 And They Are All Awesome)

Jess here! Before Megan gets into the incredibly beautiful home she designed, I thought it would be fun to give a little back story to how we know each other:) Megan and I actually went to college together, studying theatre! Now years later, we’ve reconnected through design which is extremely cool and truly wild. She’s such a talented actor and as shown by this home (and her other designs – go to her Instagram to see what I mean) has built an awesome design career that’s full of fun, fresh, and boldly patterned spaces. A true creative. So when she reached out about featuring this project on the blog it was the easiest “yes”. Another easy “yes”? Wallpaper. If Caitlin didn’t convince you last week, she will. Take it away Megan:)

The road to building a career in interior design is much like any endeavor, at the bottom of the mountain you have no experience of the actual climb, the circumference is wide and varied and as a result, you will do anything and everything to start to make your way up. My first official solo client was in 2014, while I knew I had good style impulses and an “up for anything” attitude-I was so so so so very green-my greatest lessons along the way have not so much been in honing my skills (though I have of course improved), but rather in learning how to work with, talk to, and ultimately select clients. The thing about interior design that is so different than most other types of artists is that you aren’t selling a finished product, you are in a constant state of pitching ideas which is so counter to any sort of creative process. Imagine being a painter painting someone’s portrait, and before every brushstroke you take you are required to ask for feedback and ultimately permission before you put paint to paper. However, as time passes and steps are taken up the mountain the circumference becomes narrower and narrower, you learn what you love, what can’t work without and with that little by little you gain agency to work with clients who are in alignment. For me, all roads lead to pattern-any potential clients adverse to wallpaper need not apply.

I am what I like to refer to as a “person with a preference for cosmetic renovation”. Growing my career in NYC, it’s not as if I was ever in the position to rip down a prewar apartment building and start from the ground up. That coupled with the co-ops and building approval requirements galore, I got into the habit of creating spaces that had the most amount of impact with the least amount of invasive construction. I’m not sure which came first the chicken or the egg-but wall treatments, specifically pattern forward ones quickly became the heart of all of my work.

My client Sarah reached out to inquire about hiring me to help transform a recently purchased two-bedroom co-op built in 1960 (and not updated since), into a fresh and custom three-bedroom home for her family, which includes her husband and two young children. In the consultation phase, Sarah shared some images and thoughts on styles she admired, and right away I knew she was going to be a client who spoke my language and would be a privilege to work with. This project was entirely “from scratch” in that with the exception of one small side table there was nothing at all the family was bringing with them to their new home in terms of furniture and décor.

The entire residence was taken down to the studs, the bathrooms and kitchens were gutted, a third bedroom was created and from there we set upon the task of creating a custom home that not only fit the family functionally but was a fully realized comprehensive design where every room and space made a statement on its own but played nicely with the rest of the home.

THE NURSERY

Crib | Art

This was the smallest room in the house that we created by walling off what was once a dining nook parallel to the kitchen. We wanted to create a soft whimsy pastoral vibe while not being thematic or juvenile. We opted for the illustration style floral wallpaper that allowed us to use big doses of unapologetic pink elsewhere in the room like the scalloped style velvet chair. I like this print a lot because of its versatility, at some point in the future their daughter might want to shift the look of the space, there are many ways this wallpaper could be built upon to entirely change up the design of the room without changing the walls themself. Throughout the home, we executed custom millwork to do double duty covering up the ever so common NYC HVAC units as well as providing some extra storage be that shelving or cabinetry.

Dresser | Mirror | Rabbit Lamp

THE KID ROOM

Wallpaper | Bed | Rug | Table Lamp | Baskets

Dresser | Pendant

This room is probably my favorite in the home-I have been wanting to do an entirely aggressive plaid room my entire career and it finally came to pass here and now with this little boy. The large-scale blue plaid was one of my first suggestions for the space and Sarah was quick to confirm she was onboard. From there I layered in modern blue and yellow shapes and materials to create a light-hearted but super chic design. Favorite elements of the space include the quirky-cool blue pendant light and bright yellow one-piece desk chair, perfect for climbing all over and homework procrastination (or is that just me?).

Bookcase | Striped Bins | Desk | Chair | Woven Basket

THE PRIMARY BEDROOM

Bed | Tassel Lumbar Pillow | Bedding

Nightstand | Rug | Sconce | Tray | Rattan Tissue Box Holder

Very in line with our overall philosophy for this project, the requirements for this room were not boring, but ultra-luxe and relaxing. I’m a blue woman through and through and as such reserved my favorite pale blue hues for this room. We wrapped the walls in a surprising and abstract blue pattern grasscloth, textured natural fiber papers are an absolute must in my opinion when it comes to crafting a sanctuary-style bedroom. The wall treatment absorbs sound, so the space literally feels different when you step foot inside. We opted to paint our millwork in a blue to match and topped off the room with a custom size area rug so as to continue in the work of dampening any opportunity for unwanted sounds bouncing off the floor or walls.

THE PRIMARY BATH

Vanity | Double Sconce

In opposition to the community bath, the goal with this bathroom design was to create as clean and open a space as possible. Per NYC living we didn’t have an endless amount of square footage in this bathroom, so my goal was to stitch together a monochromatic design that created a sort of soft grey haze across the space without any jarring design decisions halting you in your tracks. It was imperative however to weave in a certain amount of variation through shape. So while we stuck to a consistent Carrara marble throughout, we played we shape, pattern, and scale in pairing herringbone, large and small square tiles, and decorative baseboard and pencil trim tile all together so as to have a thoughtful amount of variety within a singular highly consistent design.

THE FOYER

Flushmount

We all know how the saying goes, “the foyer is the first impression of one’s home-it sets the tone”. I like to think of the foyer as being a sort of magical pass-through from the outside in where you are hit with a splash of something special all on its own. As I mentioned previously which wall patterns we intended to use and where were initial and core to the thought processes in the design of this home. In the end, we went big in the foyer selecting a graphic metallic brushstroke pattern from Schumacher. The paper was certainly a splurge, but using it in a small confined space allowed us to use less but on all walls for full impact. The foyer needed to be family functional so we went with a dark acrylic table that could stand up to bumps and bangs with no sharp edges, as well plenty of storage baskets that also provided a touch of whimsy (note the pineapple).

THE COMMON SPACE

Sofa | Rug | Coffee Table

We knew we wanted to implement pattern on our walls in just about every other room in the home-so to counter that decision I decided to flip the switch and keep the walls in the common space a nice crisp neutral white with a warm grey neutral trim for contrast. This decision allowed us to hone in on curating a combination of “showstopper” pieces to fill the living and dining room. Whether it be the burl wood media console, blue glass mosaic buffet, green velvet sectional, or palm pattern side chairs, the goal for this room was to create a feast of interesting things to look at all while being family-friendly in terms of use. The sectional for example while velvet is made of synthetic materials, therefore, resisting stains unlike a silk or cotton velvet in comparison. The blue dining chairs ended up being an obsession of mine-I think they are about as incredible as a dining chair can be, so stylish and unique, but plastic which as a new mom am learning that anything “wipeable” is GOLD.

THE COMMUNITY BATH

Mirror | Vanity | Wallpaper

This is a term I made up for one reason or another for the second bathroom that would serve as both the kids and guest bath. However, the word “community” ultimately had a lot to do with the vision behind the design as I aimed to create a room that was both wildly colorful, pattern forward, and engaging for the kids while still being interesting and appropriate for adult eyes as they experienced the design as a guest. Essentially, I wanted to implement the fun of a powder room with the function of a kid’s day-to-day bath. One of the things I am most proud of in the home is the tile floor in this bathroom. We explored so many different options-painted tile, mosaic patterns but ultimately nothing was quite a fit. Initially, I was looking to source blue penny tile but wasn’t able to find a color that quite fit the bill when it occurred to me that blue grout might do the trick and did it ever. The combination ended up being one of the most clever in the space all while amazingly affordable.

By the time this project reached completion over a year had passed and I was a few more steps up the mountain. The opportunity to work with clients who are an effortless fit and are wholeheartedly open to implementing your ideas helps to expedite your journey up. This project allowed me to create a space in the way I know best, to follow my impulses, and to deliver on a design that not only reflected my clients but also me. I’m nowhere near the top of that mountain yet, but the further up I get the more of me I see, and I can only imagine what pattern I’ll find at the peak.

*Design by Megan Hopp
**After Photos by Kelsey Ann Rose

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Published on September 21, 2021 01:00

September 20, 2021

Real Simple FULL Home Tour – The First Showhouse I’ve Done In YEARS

The 2021 REAL SIMPLE HOME is finally out! When they asked me to do it again I knew I couldn’t do it alone, what with moving this summer and designing the farm and not having an in-house design team anymore. So I spoke to Keyanna and asked her if she would be interested in doing it with me, our first co-project and she was down for it (also not realizing at the time how busy she would be this spring and summer). But I LOVE Real Simple, it’s one of my favorite magazines ever and the editors are some of my favorite people to work with. This year was different because they were working with a house that a builder was going to be selling after the feature was shot. I loved that it was an older home, versus a new condo in the city, but it also meant that we had to think about resale a bit more (and that gave some limitations and some decisions were made by the builder). I wasn’t able to go style and shoot it, so seeing all the space together made me so happy. IT’S SO FUN.

So today we are giving you a full tour of the house. Here’s generally how it works – they reach out to designers and assign them spaces. We do this mostly for the press opportunity and portfolio work, with a stipend to cover travel, etc. We work closely with the Real Simple editors to borrow pieces from companies to showcase in the magazine, which everyone finds valuable. I’m always hesitant to do a showhouse because while they don’t pay like client work does, it’s even more important to make sure that it looks great because so many more people will see it. So once Key said she could help me I felt so much better and said “yes”. I took the lead on the overall art direction and major pieces and she took over on styling, accessorizing and was actually there installing the furniture. So without further ado here is the tour of the full house and we’ll do a detailed tour of our room later this week (Key shot more photos than the magazine so we have lots to show you).

Outdoor Spaces By Eduardo Rodriguez

Console Table | Hanging Chair | Round Rug | Side Table | Striped Pillow

I love this porch design by Eduardo. Aside from the fact that everyone loves a hanging chair, he added in and styled a long console table to really make you feel like you are welcomed into the home before you are even inside. What’s additionally great about a console like that is that you can also style it with a bunch of plants or just have it as a place to set things down so you can open your front door without the struggle to get your key in the door while having a million heavy bags in your hands. Also YES to a large round rug if you have the space.

Whoever buys this house is unbelievably lucky because I’m sure that the majority of people wanting to buy a home would kill for a wraparound porch… and this one is so pretty. The monochrome color palette goes perfectly with the exterior (not drawing too much attention) but still pops with the bold patterns and mix of great textures.

This is outdoor “zoning” at its finest. I love all three areas (bar, lounge, and dining). I would happily attend an outdoor party here.

Now let’s go inside…

Living Room by Natalie Papier

If I walked into the house and saw this living room I would immediately want to be friends with the people that lived there. The bold (but not overwhelming) colors, the eclectic accent, and the overall vibe all make me happy.

Swivel Chair | White Side Table | Curtains | Faces Vase | Wooden Hand

I really like this layout too. The team and I were just talking about the importance of creating a solid “conversation” layout in a living room and this did just that. The green sofa is SO pretty, the rug is graphic, colorful, but not too overwhelming and those swivel chairs are awesome. Brian and I are actually on the hunt for a set. I mean who doesn’t like a swivel chair.

Ah, the long narrow living room. I am all too familiar. But Natalie did a great job by adding in another sofa that wasn’t too heavy visually and could be added to the “conversation”. Also BIG fan of hanging art in front of shelves. Unexpected and looks great! Here’s actually a post I did on all of the weird but fun places to hang our art if you are needing some inspo.

Dining and Living Room by Delia Kenza

What a pretty and modern kitchen that’s still warm and inviting. I love the statement backsplash, the two-toned cabinets, lighting, and those stools! I am a FIRM believer in stools with backs for maximum long sitting comfort.

So elegant and simple! Those clean lines are so pretty and those pops of color add the perfect amount of playfulness. Also, those pendants are incredible.

Primary Suite by Keyanna Bowen and Me (Sneak Peek)

AH! I really love how it turned out and Key did SUCH an incredible job. THAT WALLPAPER. Like I said in the intro, we (like all the designers) had some limitations and needed to work with the decisions the builder’s made but all in all, this is such a happy and cozy space to relax in.

Yep, we did the primary bathroom too! Can’t wait to share all the ins and outs later this week. O and we’ll give you ALL the product resources then:)

Office/Zoom Room by Ryia Jose

Y’all this office is good. The wall color is bold but still calming and the choice to paint all of the moldings and ceiling makes it feel really fresh. Plus all of the patterns and textures help to contrast and “lighten” the darker walls. I also love that this desk looks more like a table (always a go-to for me). It’s beautiful from every angle and those spindles add even more visual texture to the space. Almost too many things in this space to point out and admire.

Brass Knot | Desk Chair | Fabric | Woven Basket | White Vase

In a “WFH” world, having an office with more than one desk might be a must. So this shelf desk is such a great way to achieve that. So much function. I think that “pinboard” is a DIY (and if not could be). It’s a fun and easy way to add in another pattern but with some cute function. I’m thinking of putting in a massive “pinboard” in the rental office too! Maybe real inspo boards are making a big comeback??

Basement by Raili Clasen

Definitely not jealous of this basement setup at all… I mean I love our makeshift two-nightstand “hack” holding up our TV…

But seriously this is such a great, multi-functional space. I love the nod to a classic 70s wood-paneled basement but with that awesome two-toned paint job. It really makes the space feel lighter the light green on the top. Oh, and keeping the ceilings white was the right call too. The ceilings look low and continuing the light green paint up would have made the room feel SO MUCH smaller and darker. I also love that there is plaid and warm, medium-toned wood pieces that are also 70s nods but totally fresh feeling.

This space is another masterclass in zones: living, ping pong (so fun), and workout.

Yoga Mat | Exercise Ball | Weights | Mirror | Bicycle Art

This is an extremely cute workout area. I love the privacy screen and that it’s a different tone of green that also matches the exercise ball. While a color-coordinated workout area is not necessary it does make things SO FUN and pretty. I just think overall this room was set up in such a smart, fun, and beautiful way.

Mudroom by Katie Holdefehr

I feel like I could write a whole book dedicated to mudrooms after design the farmhouse one. Even though we can’t see all of it (I wish I could because it looks so cute from these two shots) I love the versatility of that rack from California Closets and that HedgeHouse Cabinet is very good.

Laundry Room by Leslie Corona

A functional laundry room can make your life sooooo much better and this one looks like it will absolutely do that for the eventual owners. Counterspace for folding, a sink for hand washing, a place to hang clothes, and decanted products? Check, check, check, and CHECK. Plus the pink wallpaper makes it a fun and pretty place to be in which I also think is very important when doing a not so fun chore:)

The Organization by Nikki Boyd

After having our closets/laundry room done by California Closets in our old LA house, I completely see why it’s worth the investment. Having a solid organizational system is simply a game-changer. California Closets also did this home one and Nikki really made them so great and useful.

And for the finale, we have a little kitchen organization. Having a place for everything is all I want in my home but the kitchen is the first place that needs to happen for me.

So if you are in the market are a BEAUTIFULLY and creatively designed home, this could be yours! If not, like me, you can enjoy all the amazing designers that made this home extremely special. xx

*Photos by Christopher Testani

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Published on September 20, 2021 01:45

September 19, 2021

The Link Up: Emily’s New Kids’ Breakfast Hack, Jess’s 70% Off Fall Dress, And The Pumpkin-Shaped Pan We All Want This Fall

Happy Sunday! Who’s ready for another Link Up: Fall Edition… well the first one at least?? I know. We are as excited too. Let’s jump on in:

This week’s home tour is another spectacular deVOL kitchen (do they ever disappoint?? We think not). British style icon, Pearl Lowe, tapped deVOL to design her holiday home kitchen, just minutes from the beach. After her last deVOL kitchen turned out insanely beautiful, there was a lot to live up to but we think it sure exceeded all expectations. PLUS there’s a disco ball in the kitchen. A DISCO BALL. We’re in love. That is all.

From Emily: Two of my mom friends separately told me about this easy breakfast for kids. It’s a pancake in a cup where you add water and shove in the microwave and boom it’s done. Before you judge (because I probably would have) the kids LOVE IT SO MUCH and it and more importantly it has 10 grams of protein. That’s a LOT. Listen, I’m not a nutritionist and I KNOW that eggs are likely more healthy, but for those mornings where there is too much scramble to actually scramble, and you are choosing between types of cereal, these have been GREAT. Again, most importantly the kids love them (obviously, they are pancakes in a cup).

From Ryann: In another installment of “Tik Tok Made Me Buy It” I have discovered an incredible lightweight serum that I just have to share. It’s this True Match Nude Hyaluronic Tinted Serum and it has officially replaced my everyday foundation. I don’t like using foundation anyway because it is often too heavy for my liking but I DO want a bit of coverage for my uneven spots. Anyway, this serum DOES IT and it actually helps keep my skin moisturized throughout the day. 10/10 my friends!!

From Caitlin: I have officially decided to embrace fall – even though it’s going to go back into the 80s next week here in LA, ugh – by breaking out my favorite loafers. I love the cut of these (not too boxy, not too thick, not too slippery) and the quality:price ratio is so, so impressive – I grab a pair every year and they hold up better than shoes that cost 5x as much. My closet is already stacked up with pink and yellow versions dating back to 2017, so I think I’ll be going for the leopard this year (though at only $59, maybe I’ll grab it in a normal, wear-everyday color too?).

Also From Caitlin: I got a targeted IG story ad for this pumpkin patch loaf pan and this fall pumpkin square pan (each square has a different motif!!) and I have never swiped up so fast IN MY LIFE. They’re so sweet and special and judging by the real-life photos on the page, they actually work!!! BRB scheduling a party at my house where I can serve pumpkin-shaped pumpkin bread on a vintage pumpkin plate. (JK, I do not own a pumpkin plate yet, but that store is one of my favorite Etsy shops for vintage dinnerware!!)

From Mallory: Like Caitlin, I’m coming around on the fall train (slowly but surely…summer I already miss you) and I’m starting to lean in buy purchasing cute plaid dresses (and from none other than J. Crew of course…it’s the best “fall/holiday” store imho). I’ve had my eye on this dress for quite some time bc it’s the perfect summer/fall transition and it’s officially 30% off (making it $89 instead of $130). I sent it to Caitlin and she said “ooh like Reformation but cheap and festive” and I was like EXACTLY. I’m pretty much only wearing puff sleeves/renaissance looks with lug-sole boots this fall, so if you want to join me, feel free

Also From Mallory: Have you ever had a hot dog that’s ACTUALLY good? Like one that tastes like real meat and not like baloney? Today’s my birthday (wahoo!) and yesterday I grilled up some hot dogs with a few of my friends to celebrate, and it reminded me that I’ve been meaning to share my secret to making hot dogs actually DELICIOUS. It’s called Snake River Farms Hot Dogs (you can usually find them at Ralphs/Vons/Pavilions kind of stores). They made me go from “hot dogs are okay” to “I NEED TO EAT A HOT DOG EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE.” They’re $10 a pack at Pavillions (which I’m aware is expensive for a pack of hot dogs) but trust me when I say they make your dog insanely delicious. Plus when you have a food that’s only 3-4 ingredients (dog, bun, ketchup, mustard…ketchup is optional but please don’t ever skip mustard) it goes from good to great when you up the quality of the dog. I know I’m probably more passionate about hot dogs than the average person, but trust me it’s because of these dogs. Anyway, thanks for coming to my hot dog ted talk.

From Jess: Last weekend, after 5 years of living in LA, I FINALLY went to Joshua Tree. My best friend found us the most wonderful Airbnb and we basically didn’t leave it for the 2.5 days we were there. So aside from the whole house being perfectly curated, it was the tabletop appliances that really caught my eye! Maybe I’m the last to know but Haden is a VERY cute more affordable alternative to SMEG. The Airbnb had their microwave, toaster, and coffee maker all in the “putty” color. But they have some other realllly cute color options if you are in the market.

Also From Jess: If like all of us you love the look of Em’s awesomely patterned dresses, I found one via Refinery29 that is SO cute, looks like a flattering cut, is only $40 (!!!) and since it’s long, will last you till next summer.

That’s it and happy birthday Mallory!! See you all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credit: Photo via deVOL Kitchens

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Published on September 19, 2021 01:00

September 18, 2021

You’ll Never Believe This Reader DIY’ed These Cabinets for $500… And It Was Her First Custom Build DIY Ever

A few weeks ago, we asked you guys to send in rooms in your home that were inspired by past EHD projects, Lisa responded with an AWESOME version of the mountain house powder bathroom, then threw in that she recently did a wildly impressive DIY project in her home if we’d like to share it on the blog. “LIKE TO?? WE’D LOVE TO” – that was my initial reaction when she told me she DIY’ed these cabinets herself…for less than $500…in 10 days. And it was her first custom build DIY ever. You guys seriously will not believe it. How cool is that?? I had to get some more information on how this was humanly possible so I asked her a boatload of questions, and whether you’re a DIY newbie or expert, she has lots of great tips everyone needs to know for any DIY project (not just building cabinets).

First, let’s show you what she did!

BEFORE

We all know someone (or are the someone ) that has this garage in their life. And for some reason it’s CONSTANTLY the project that’s sitting there, waiting to be organized but the actual doing of said garage org is quite difficult to find time for (because let’s admit, it’s VERY time consuming, laborious, and well, not the most fun thing to do with your Saturday probably). UNLESS you turn it into a full-fledged design project and make it look REALLY PRETTY (just wait for it). Lisa had been wanting to do something with this space because there was a major problem that needed to be solved in their everyday living.

The problem at hand: “Since we do not wear shoes in the house, and the stairs are right outside the main entry door to the house, we would try to wear our shoes as we were coming down the stairs from the inside of the house and it was like a death trap. I would cringe every day so we needed a landing area for our shoes and storage for household items.”

So basically, Lisa needed a “mudroom”… desperately… so she created one. DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!

AFTER

stair sticker tiles | floor tiles

Can you even believe that’s the same space??? IT’S BEAUTIFUL. I’m still in shock it cost her $500 and took her 10 days… LIKE HOW. Well, I asked her how the heck she did it, don’t you worry. It’s time to get down and dirty with some Q&As with Lisa.

Q: What inspired you to start the project?

This was actually my first DIY where I built something with my own two hands back in December so there were lots of youtube videos involved! I built everything in the garage photos and I only started the DIY because Covid struck and my husband wouldn’t let anyone in the house so I decided to learn myself. I think my biggest tip for anyone wanting to start a project is: anyone can DIY – you just need to navigate all the bumps along the way. I’m kind of the epitome of that since I make a TON of mistakes and am slower than your average human. I said I wanted to cry multiple times building these cabinets but you never know how capable you are unless you try and I’m so glad I did!

Q: How long did this project take?

This project took me ten days to build. Since this was one of my first projects, I was so hooked and obsessed with DIYing once I got that first build under my belt. Power tools are incredibly empowering and it’s a feeling like no other when you build something with your own two hands. I was so excited that I worked in the garage uninterrupted the final weekend where I spent 12 hours on Saturday and 8 hours on Sunday finishing the project.

stair sticker tiles | floor tiles

Q: What’s the cost breakdown?

I only spent around $500 on this entire project and my neighbor received a quote for $6,000 for a similar layout. Woohoo savings!

Cost breakdown:

I bought 4 pieces of 4’x8’ MDF sheets and 8 pieces of 24″x48″ precut MDF for the shelves which totaled about $300. The bench I made out of a common board and spent around $80. The stair sticker tiles I had leftover from my first DIY project which was remodeling my powder bathroom. I also installed shiplap on the walls so I used leftover scraps from that project too so I consider those to be free – I’m repurposing. Floor tile on the garage floor was from Amazon and I bought 2 packs for $40. Miscellaneous costs were paint, wood glue, screws, and nails

So that’s the total for materials – since I had never done any building DIY projects in the past, I had to purchase all the power tools. The cost is a bit painful in the beginning since power tools are so expensive, but the money you save in the long run is so worth it. I purchased a finish nail gun – my first purchase – and it’s one of my favorite tools. Funny story: I realized after I watched my IG highlights why I ended up making the bench for one of Santa’s helpers. I bought a miter saw that came with a 7-1/2” blade. I thought it was a great buy because it came with a laser so you get accurate cuts every time since you can see exactly where you’re cutting with the laser – great for someone beginning in DIY. However, I didn’t realize how limited I was since it could only make a 7” long cut. Due to the short blade, I could only buy around a 12” wide piece of wood or else the blade was too short to cut through the entire piece of wood. Had I known the disadvantages of buying that size, I would’ve stopped being cheap and bought the larger one that cuts 12” – so much more versatile. Once I decided to make the cabinets, I invested in a table saw and omg it’s a total game-changer. I can cut wood up to 32”, big difference from 7”. I also bought a Kreg jig pocket hole system which is really fun to use. This is the tool that makes the pocket holes that holds the wood frame of the cabinet together and the screws are hidden in these “pockets” so that is definitely a must buy.

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Q: That’s awesome you were able to reuse a lot of material from your bathroom project. Can you give us more info on the peel and stick tiles?

Sure! The tiles are actually two different kinds of peel and stick tiles and they’re water resistant – you can actually put the thinner one in a shower! The smaller print one is from Etsy and I like how I could waterfall the edges of the stairs since it was paper-thin. The other sticker flooring was thicker and not as pliable so I used that for the garage floor landing area.

Q: Where there any big mistakes you made? What takeaways do you have?

The cabinets and bench I made from MDF. I struggled SO much with the bench. I was so excited to get rid of the clutter in my garage that I jumped into the project with literally no idea what I was really doing and just tried to learn as I go. Examples include: cutting wrong measurements and not making a cut list – there’s a reason why they say “measure twice, cut once”. When making the bench I didn’t realize how much the actual bench itself would shrink from adding the pieces of wood that would frame the front/back and the drawers – so in the end it was so shallow it could literally house shoes for an elf! I also didn’t make a wood cutting list and I was just winging it so there were a ton of mistakes.

After struggling with the bench I learned that DIY projects take a LOT of planning so you don’t make so many mistakes and waste material. When I started building the cabinets, I watched so many youtube videos so many times I felt like I could build it in my head before I even started. That alone gave me more confidence going in. Granted I still made some mistakes…but I just felt much more prepared. By the time I got to making the final bookshelf, I kept doubting myself that I was doing something wrong because it was so much easier and I actually built it without any mistakes! I vividly remember jumping up and down when I completed that one! The bookshelf was actually one of my favorite parts of the design. We turned it 90 degrees from the cabinets so it would be facing us. That way when we took our shoes off we would still be walking on the tiles and not on the dirty garage floor. Also aesthetically it was more pleasing since you see the side profile of the cabinet from the front view as opposed to our stinky shoes.

When I started building the cabinets, I was having difficulty aligning the right angle of the cabinets. Regardless of how hard I tried to hold the pieces together, every time I drilled a screw the pieces would move. Using multiple clamps of different sizes helped with this process and now I’ve become a clamp hoarder. In my search for more clamps, I found this tool which locks the wood in a ninety-degree angle and your corners always end up perfectly flush – you’ll feel like a professional carpenter. Now any time I build a cabinet I always use this tool!

Also, I always seem to struggle with painting. I believe I painted the shiplap wall four times. I used a satin finish and you could see brushstrokes on so many pieces of wood. I tend to stretch out my paint – meaning, I try to get as much paint off my roller before I add more paint. I learned that is clearly not the correct way to do it. With the pressure of pushing the roller into the wood trying to stretch out the paint, combined with the inconsistent amount of paint on the roller, I ended up with a horrible paint job. After a lot of sanding and changing to a flat sheen (which hides more brush strokes), I was finally able to achieve my desired results. Also, I have now discovered this product called Floetrel. It’s a liquid you mix with your paint and it extends the drying time and eliminates brush strokes. Now, I use this EVERY time I paint anything a dark color.

Lastly, I had no idea how to install drawer slides and I wanted to cry about five times I was so frustrated. I religiously watched this video and even now, every time I install any type of drawers to this day, I watch it.

Q: WOW it seems like you learned a lot from this process. Would you mind sharing your wisdom and sharing some more of your resources for new DIYers?

Yes! Here we go:

Resources for New DIY-ers:

Tip: Now if I build anything I use this website called arc site (total game-changer) and it has saved me a ton of time and I’ll actually catch any cutting mistakes as I’m diagraming it out as opposed to wasting wood and having to recut my pieces – since wood is like the cost of gold lately. I also never used MDF before and I just bought it because it was the cheapest option and didn’t realize how heavy it was, so it was a massive struggle trying to move these cabinets once they were fully built so next time I would just buy regular plywood to make these. Building the outer box of the cabinet then adding the shelves in that order helps tremendously. The first video I saw did not recommend that so the first cabinet was a struggle. Also since this was my first DIY project cutting anything, I neglected to realize how much sawdust there would be. It literally covered every inch of my garage and it took me a full two days to wipe down every. single. thing I had in there…that was fun. So the biggest tip: be mindful of how much sawdust is created and cover EVERYTHING before you start.

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Additionally, here are some other resources I’ve found helpful:

Since board and batten walls seem to be on-trend currently, here’s a website that will calculate how wide the panels should be so they can be evenly spaced on the wall. It’s great because those calculations can be tricky and frustrating and all you have to do is enter the number of panels you want and your wall width and it does all the math for you! I also like to use Planner5d. It’s a free website where you can make 3D renderings of your space. Really helpful when you’re trying to pick tiles for rooms or to visualize a layout as well. Here are some photos of renderings I’ve made with ArcSite and Planner 5d (below)When building cabinets, use European hinges – they’re the best. They adjust the cabinets up, down, left, and right so you get a perfect gap between the cabinet doors.

How to build a bookshelf video that helped me a lotThis was the most helpful tool and I pretty much used this to build the cabinets.This video helped immensely just watching her build it too

Q: Is there anything you would’ve done differently for next time?

Next time I would make overlay drawer fronts for the bench. I made the drawer fronts inset. I prefer the look of inset drawers and cabinets, but they are a thousand times more difficult to make because the gap around the drawer needs to be perfectly equal. When you make an overlay drawer or cabinet, you’re literally just slapping the wood on top of the cabinet frame so it is much more forgiving and labor-intensive – hence why I chose to do overlay on my cabinet doors. I now understand why having custom-made cabinets is SO expensive! The labor involved is extremely difficult and time-consuming.

I mentioned in my previous email the initial video I watched to build the cabinet had horrible instructions and it ended up causing me a lot of time wasted and frustration. There’s a lot of “free” building plans on the internet and you never really know how knowledgeable the source is. I would just exercise caution where you get your building plans and education from, especially if it comes from the University of Youtube like mine. The next project I built after this was a desk I found on a website and although it looked pretty, the legs were way too thin and unstable almost making the desk unusable so I would just check your resources when you’re building anything.

My husband found a solution to the sawdust problem I mentioned earlier and he bought me lots of drop cloths to cover all our items and a wet vac. We hook the vacuum up to the table saw and the majority of the sawdust gets sucked into the hose. However, it pulls a lot of electricity and we shorted the circuit breaker multiple times. I remember the first time, I shut the power off for about half an hour because I couldn’t figure out how to turn it back on and my kids got kicked off their Zoom class and they were ecstatic. So if you use one, just make sure you’re not running multiple things on the same circuit.