Emily Henderson's Blog, page 161
July 6, 2021
Step Inside This Colorful, Organic New Build Home That Is Dripping With Charm & Built-In Storage
The owner of today’s featured home tour is Dr. Celine Ord, an oncologist who renovates homes in her spare time (no big deal, right??). Ord (along with her husband, Justin) have renovated a total of six homes since 2012, their latest project being their new build home in Reno, Nevada, built in a Monterey Colonial architectural style. To get to know her a bit, a quick peek at her Instagram will inform you that she is a dedicated and talented physician with impeccable taste and a keen eye for neutral tones and organic textures. She is no stranger to renovations, but her home is her first new-build that is uber functional, equipped with ample storage, but does not skimp on style. What a dream.
Ord informed us that this house stands out from the rest of their projects because it has her favorite floor plan and flow, which is evident immediately through the open concept kitchen and living room that flows naturally. The kitchen itself is broken up with/grounded by the island (featuring SSS Black Beaded fronts) and serves as a focal point while maintaining an open, airy feel. All that natural light helps and is SO pretty.
Speaking of that island, not only is it full of storage, but she added on that side countertop with modern but simple legs for casual eating and/or hanging out with friends. It’s definitely a trend that we’ve been noticing (and love) but doesn’t actually feel or look trendy (which is also the dream). Then those stools not only have backs (a very big Emily recommendation for comfort) but the natural wood frame balances with the hood so effortlessly.
Ord wanted to reimagine the kitchen with a blend of navy and black tones so she used Supermatte Night Sky Slab doors for the floor-to-ceiling cabinets, and the dark tones are accentuated with Broadway Black quartz (by Daltile) backsplash and countertops. We love how she uses dark tones yet the kitchen maintains a warmth and brightness due to the light wood floors, crisp white ceiling, and minimal pendants with awesome exposed bulbs. Oh and let’s not forget that incredible fluted hood cover!
So to talk about the island a little more, notice how Ord quietly played with different scales of vertical lines. The island has a larger scale pattern with a modern traditional beaded cabinet design and then the hood cover is a small-scale fluted pattern that complements it so nicely. It’s what brings life to a beautiful but dark, neutral color palette.
The barstools have woven backs and seats that complement the line patterns I just spoke about as well as the other black accents in the kitchen.
Sidenote. While we love all of the closed storage here (visual chaos is not ideal), that glass front drink fridge is such an unexpected way to bring in color. Seeing those colorful cans gives life to this kitchen in the best way (ok yes they were styled but also most cans are colorful and cute these days).
Finally, the gold accents and cabinet pulls create a modern, traditional feel and brighten up the dark countertops and cabinetry. A little sparkle never hurt a kitchen:)
Opposite the kitchen is the living and media room where Ord embraces an eclectic modern Americana style. Of course, I can’t possibly move on without talking about that exceptional sofa. It is the perfect bright complement to the moody blue cabinets and acts as a divider between the kitchen and living room spaces. The curves and color are stunning and bring in movement and a special playfulness to space.
The next stop is this spacious pantry where Ord used several natural elements including the terracotta tile flooring to incorporate a charming old-world feel into this new build home. A small window provides a bit of natural light and the cabinets outfitted in Supermatte White Slab fronts brighten the space. The combination of the crisp white cabinetry and earthy tiles makes this space feel modern and vintage.
The muted Zellige tiles bring in even more earth tones, which emphasizes the organic and natural feel of the space.
Practically speaking, the walk-in pantry is stacked with built-in cabinetry which you will notice is a theme throughout the home. Ord expertly manages to include tons of storage while never compromising style. I mean that peg rail is just so freaking cute.
Continuing into the bathroom, Ord nails bringing in warmth through the light wood tones and again contrasts the soft neutrals with a dark grey skinny subway tile. That pattern brings in so much movement to the space, right?
Reflecting both the natural tones and bright-white spaces found throughout the home, the bathroom design accomplishes a sense of relaxation, akin to a spa or wellness retreat. Also, look at how much vanity storage they have! If you have the space, and are designing your bathroom, definitely think about maximizing on storage like they did. I can just feel that everything has its own perfect place.
The rattan mirrors from Burke Decor complement the other wood tones in the room, including the gorgeous vertical grain Impression Tahoe cabinet fronts. The rattan mirrors also look vintage so it adds the perfect amount of soul to a very modern bathroom.
The large storage cabinets function as extra wardrobe space and the SSS White Beaded fronts bring in warmth and compliment the natural tones in the space.
Also, can we table about that wood bath surround peeking out of the corner?? It’s stunning and another way Ord brought in more texture and pattern!
Quick side note: If you have read any of my previous posts on this blog, you might know I am a SUCKER for good storage so I am absolutely drooling over how much Ord managed to incorporate in her home. She makes the most of every room by providing ample storage solutions. What a dream!
The laundry room concludes this home tour and you will notice Ord’s theme of mixing wood cabinetry with exciting tiles and materials is continued here. Again, she blends function and style effortlessly, so not a single room in the house is lacking.
So if you are designing a new build, Celine has shown use that maximizing on storage is always a good idea, and make sure to play with pattern and texture so your home feels/looks like it has real visual depth:)
What is your favorite room?? I can’t decide so I’d love to hear your thoughts below! Until next time. xx
*Design by Celine Ord
**Photo by Nick Sorrentino
The post Step Inside This Colorful, Organic New Build Home That Is Dripping With Charm & Built-In Storage appeared first on Emily Henderson.
July 4, 2021
The Link Up: Jess’s VERY CUTE $30 Cordless Lamp, Ryann’s One-Size-Fits-Most Swimsuit, And The Best Sales Happening This Holiday Weekend
Happy holiday weekend, friends!! However you may be celebrating this weekend, we hope you get lots of fun time with family and friends and we’re so grateful you chose to spend a little bit of your time with us today! We’re ready to party together by dropping in our favorite links this week including a jaw-on-floor kind of home tour, a gardening hack, a really wild swimsuit, Emily’s book rec for the week (of course), and a BUNCH more. So here we goooooo!
This week’s home tour is a BEAUTIFUL project designed by Hoedemaker Pfeiffer and it is NOT one you want to miss. They perfectly blend Spanish architecture with modern furniture pieces (along with lots of awesome vintage finds) to create this fresh new space. The giant arched windows will make your heart skip a beat and you already know the Lawson-Fenning sofa + side table combo is totally up EHD’s alley. Check it out, it’s VERY GOOD.
From Emily: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. This book is so fun IMMEDIATELY. I flew through it in a day (so did Caitlin and Jess) and when I recommended it to my friend her only response was “who is going to feed my children breakfast now?” because she didn’t want to put it down. It’s about strangers that meet in an elevator in a hotel and one ends up being the date that night to a wedding. I think you know how this goes, but if you want a steamy comfort read while you are chilling this weekend, this is the one. Also, Jasmine Guillory has a new book coming out on July 13, and I’m very excited to read it 
From Caitlin: GAME-CHANGING GARDENING DISCOVERY HERE, FOLKS. My mom recently bought this super lightweight expandable garden hose and it’s awesome – it is so easy to carry around the backyard when I’m watering and hanging it up is a breeze. I’m dead serious: I’ll never go back to a standard rubber hose again.
Also From Caitlin: Jess and I are full steam ahead on our balcony MOTOs and I’m making my final orders this weekend! After a lot of thought and consideration, I’m ready to pull the trigger on the swing seat of my dreams (and the one that I put on my OG moodboard, hah). Serena & Lily is offering 25% off this weekend so the timing is right – let me know if you scoop one so we can match!!!
From Ryann: I wanted to give y’all a little update on this You Swim Bikini I bought a few months ago. I am not exaggerating when I say it fits me better than any swimsuit I have ever worn in my life. I wore it all last weekend and got so many compliments on it and I just feel insanely good wearing it. It has the right amount of coverage plus a high leg which I love. I recommend this brand to everyone I know and even my 7-month pregnant friend loves them!
From Mallory: You know when you watch a Pantene commercial and they say “Got dry, damaged hair?” in my mind I’m like “yeah, I do!!!” pretty much every time. I’ve been bleaching my hair since high school (omg you bleach your hair and live in LA? Unheard of) and it’s starting to get to the breaking off, turning green phase — well the turning green thing is a different story (something is up with the water in my apartment building) — that’s for another time. Regardless, this head of hair has seriously been put through the wringer, so it’s about time that I try some repair-esque products. Everyone keeps talking about this one… What do you think?? Did it work for any of you???
From Albie: The mini got this unicorn sprinkler for her birthday and while we knew it would come in handy during the summer, this week it’s EXACTLY what the mini (and us) need while we endure a week of excessive heat warnings. Back-to-back days of 90+ degree days requires LOTS of hydration and opportunities to stay cool, but we can’t keep her cooped up in the house all day. We’re finally inflating this baby so she can have all the summer fun her heart desires in the backyard.
From Jess: Em has described that blinding rush of adrenaline when you see something YOU HAVE TO BUY. There is of course nothing that we “have to buy” but I think we can all relate and/or know that feeling intimately. So here’s my story. I was watching Alvin Wayne’s “3 Ways to Curate Your Kitchen Countertop” IGTV on Domino’s feed when I saw the absolute cutest cordless mini lamp of my life. I rushed to the comments to see if there were any clues as to where I could purchase this magical little item. SUCCESS! Someone knew the name so I was off. Guess what?! The super mini one is under $30! And they come in a million colors, are chargeable, last 6 hours, and like I said… are the freaking cutest. So I’m going to be honest with you. I got mine on Amazon because the color I wanted wasn’t available anywhere else. I promise I looked. BUT they also sell them at Nordstrom. So if you want gold, silver, or dark blue you are in luck! I want them in more colors but I’m going to wait until I know I have a place for them:)
Also From Jess: I know I’m super late to the game but when I’ve asked my friends and family recently if they’d seen Full Bloom on HBO Max they all said no. So maybe you haven’t seen it either? If that’s the case, GO WATCH IT. It’s the most incredible floral competition and the love and support the contestants and judges have for each other is so beautiful. I believe Em has recommended this show too, probably in her DesignStar post, so you now have two people telling you it’s worth the watch! I actually got my dad hooked on it and he’s called me multiple times to discuss. It’s a show for everyone. They are a little over halfway through the second season (it comes out every Thursday) and I REALLY want a third one so again, please watch:)
Fourth Of July SalesHi, hello, Caitlin here! Taking a break from my big sale roundup posts to just bring you the best of the best this weekend. I took a peek at your favorite retailers and pulled together the sales that y’all seem to be the most interested in! Without further ado, here’s some details for those looking to spruce up their homes…
The Target sale is REALLY great – up to 25% off furniture, outdoor furniture, and rugs PLUS an extra 15% off select items. This is the best sale I’ve seen from Target so far in 2021! West Elm is offering up to 70% off for their warehouse sale and the selection is GOOD GOOD. We’re talking $9.99 FOR FURNITURE, GUYS. (Not a typo or a mistake. Go peek at the inventory!!!) Wayfair is offering up to 60% off select items; AllModern is offering 15% off orders with code GET15. I am very into this round cocktail ottoman from the former and this SUPER cool console from the latter. Grab 20% off ready-to-ship furniture at Anthropologie (plus an extra 40% off sale items). Furniture sales at Anthro are RARE – even during holidays – so this is a real surprise treat!The Pottery Barn sale is okay. (I kid – there’s a lot of great stuff available, like this stunner of a bookcase, but I’m just bitter that my current dream bed did not go on sale.)Conversely, huge fan of the Rejuvenation selection this weekend. The lighting, decor & rugs (planters down to $38 from $129, guys!!!), and furniture sections are the real winners here. I already gave you the DL on the Serena & Lily sale, but all of their outdoor pieces are super beautiful and 25% off is a GREAT deal. St. Frank is an EHD favorite for beautiful textiles and decor (check out Key’s office for proof). They are giving 20% off the St. Frank’s summer getaway essentials with code: HOTHOTHOT. CB2‘s sale actually basically shot my eyebrows off my face – it’s way better than I expected. Up to 25% off in-stock furniture, up to 30% off outdoor, and up to 50% off clearance – it’s their best offering in recent memory. (Or at least, since I’ve been tracking sales stuff. Either way.) Highly recommend this trunk/bench for entryways and bedrooms and these bookshelves, which are worth every penny at any price TBH. World Market is offering an extra 20% off curbside pickup orders. Get out there, pal!! Grab 15% off fans and hardware at Schoolhouse. Big fan of this butcher paper holder and of these very sweet signs.Last but not least, there are a ton of limited-time sales over on Chairish this weekend. (If anyone wants to Venmo me $1800 bucks for these dining chairs…you know where to find me :))And for those looking to fill any holes in their wardrobe…
J. Crew is offering some NUTS savings – up to 70% off regular prices for their end of season sale. And don’t forget J. Crew Factory (aka my favorite store), which is offering 40% off site-wide. If y’all are about to head back into the office (!!!) or if you’re just trying to look a little more put together, these are worth checking out. Nordstrom has a bunch on sale, but IMO you should wait til the Anniversary Sale to pull the trigger on any orders. (Advanced previews kick off July 6th, though, so do some early browsing to score those deals when they come up!) Oh my, Farm Rio is offering 25% off sale items and you can bet that I bought this dress on Friday night!EHD fav Vitamin A is offering up to 30% off animal print swimwear. (If you need a refresher, you can check out how their suits fit our actual bodies in this post.)Grab an extra 50% off sale items over at Levi’s site this weekend. I’ve traditionally been a Madewell/Abercrombie loyalist when it comes to shorts, but some of these are looking REAL CUTE and REAL CHEAP. Use code SUMMER to take an extra 25% off sale items at Shopbop. (But also beware, because I somehow just spent a good 20+ minutes clicking through their inventory. What a well merchandised and curated selection!!)THE END! Thanks for spending time with us this Sunday! Now go get yourself a hot dog. Bye!
Opening Image Credit: Design by Hoedemaker Pfeiffer | Photo by Haris Kenjar
The post The Link Up: Jess’s VERY CUTE $30 Cordless Lamp, Ryann’s One-Size-Fits-Most Swimsuit, And The Best Sales Happening This Holiday Weekend appeared first on Emily Henderson.
The Link Up: Jess’s VERY CUTE $30 Cordless Lamp, Ryann’s One-Size-ACTUALLY-Fits-All Swimsuit, And The Best Sales Happening This Holiday Weekend
Happy holiday weekend, friends!! However you may be celebrating this weekend, we hope you get lots of fun time with family and friends and we’re so grateful you chose to spend a little bit of your time with us today! We’re ready to party together by dropping in our favorite links this week including a jaw-on-floor kind of home tour, a gardening hack, a really wild swimsuit, Emily’s book rec for the week (of course), and a BUNCH more. So here we goooooo!
This week’s home tour is a BEAUTIFUL project designed by Hoedemaker Pfeiffer and it is NOT one you want to miss. They perfectly blend Spanish architecture with modern furniture pieces (along with lots of awesome vintage finds) to create this fresh new space. The giant arched windows will make your heart skip a beat and you already know the Lawson-Fenning sofa + side table combo is totally up EHD’s alley. Check it out, it’s VERY GOOD.
From Emily: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory. This book is so fun IMMEDIATELY. I flew through it in a day (so did Caitlin and Jess) and when I recommended it to my friend her only response was “who is going to feed my children breakfast now?” because she didn’t want to put it down. It’s about strangers that meet in an elevator in a hotel and one ends up being the date that night to a wedding. I think you know how this goes, but if you want a steamy comfort read while you are chilling this weekend, this is the one. Also, Jasmine Guillory has a new book coming out on July 13, and I’m very excited to read it
From Caitlin: GAME-CHANGING GARDENING DISCOVERY HERE, FOLKS. My mom recently bought this super lightweight expandable garden hose and it’s awesome – it is so easy to carry around the backyard when I’m watering and hanging it up is a breeze. I’m dead serious: I’ll never go back to a standard rubber hose again.
Also From Caitlin: Jess and I are full steam ahead on our balcony MOTOs and I’m making my final orders this weekend! After a lot of thought and consideration, I’m ready to pull the trigger on the swing seat of my dreams (and the one that I put on my OG moodboard, hah). Serena & Lily is offering 25% off this weekend so the timing is right – let me know if you scoop one so we can match!!!
From Ryann: I wanted to give y’all a little update on this You Swim Bikini I bought a few months ago. I am not exaggerating when I say it fits me better than any swimsuit I have ever worn in my life. I wore it all last weekend and got so many compliments on it and I just feel insanely good wearing it. It has the right amount of coverage plus a high leg which I love. I recommend this brand to everyone I know and even my 7-month pregnant friend loves them!
From Mallory: You know when you watch a Pantene commercial and they say “Got dry, damaged hair?” in my mind I’m like “yeah, I do!!!” pretty much every time. I’ve been bleaching my hair since high school (omg you bleach your hair and live in LA? Unheard of) and it’s starting to get to the breaking off, turning green phase — well the turning green thing is a different story (something is up with the water in my apartment building) — that’s for another time. Regardless, this head of hair has seriously been put through the wringer, so it’s about time that I try some repair-esque products. Everyone keeps talking about this one… What do you think?? Did it work for any of you???
From Albie: The mini got this unicorn sprinkler for her birthday and while we knew it would come in handy during the summer, this week it’s EXACTLY what the mini (and us) need while we endure a week of excessive heat warnings. Back-to-back days of 90+ degree days requires LOTS of hydration and opportunities to stay cool, but we can’t keep her cooped up in the house all day. We’re finally inflating this baby so she can have all the summer fun her heart desires in the backyard.
From Jess: Em has described that blinding rush of adrenaline when you see something YOU HAVE TO BUY. There is of course nothing that we “have to buy” but I think we can all relate and/or know that feeling intimately. So here’s my story. I was watching Alvin Wayne’s “3 Ways to Curate Your Kitchen Countertop” IGTV on Domino’s feed when I saw the absolute cutest cordless mini lamp of my life. I rushed to the comments to see if there were any clues as to where I could purchase this magical little item. SUCCESS! Someone knew the name so I was off. Guess what?! The super mini one is under $30! And they come in a million colors, are chargeable, last 6 hours, and like I said… are the freaking cutest. So I’m going to be honest with you. I got mine on Amazon because the color I wanted wasn’t available anywhere else. I promise I looked. BUT they also sell them at Nordstrom. So if you want gold, silver, or dark blue you are in luck! I want them in more colors but I’m going to wait until I know I have a place for them:)
Also From Jess: I know I’m super late to the game but when I’ve asked my friends and family recently if they’d seen Full Bloom on HBO Max they all said no. So maybe you haven’t seen it either? If that’s the case, GO WATCH IT. It’s the most incredible floral competition and the love and support the contestants and judges have for each other is so beautiful. I believe Em has recommended this show too, probably in her DesignStar post, so you now have two people telling you it’s worth the watch! I actually got my dad hooked on it and he’s called me multiple times to discuss. It’s a show for everyone. They are a little over halfway through the second season (it comes out every Thursday) and I REALLY want a third one so again, please watch:)
Fourth Of July SalesHi, hello, Caitlin here! Taking a break from my big sale roundup posts to just bring you the best of the best this weekend. I took a peek at your favorite retailers and pulled together the sales that y’all seem to be the most interested in! Without further ado, here’s some details for those looking to spruce up their homes…
The Target sale is REALLY great – up to 25% off furniture, outdoor furniture, and rugs PLUS an extra 15% off select items. This is the best sale I’ve seen from Target so far in 2021! West Elm is offering up to 70% off for their warehouse sale and the selection is GOOD GOOD. We’re talking $9.99 FOR FURNITURE, GUYS. (Not a typo or a mistake. Go peek at the inventory!!!) Wayfair is offering up to 60% off select items; AllModern is offering 15% off orders with code GET15. I am very into this round cocktail ottoman from the former and this SUPER cool console from the latter. Grab 20% off ready-to-ship furniture at Anthropologie (plus an extra 40% off sale items). Furniture sales at Anthro are RARE – even during holidays – so this is a real surprise treat!The Pottery Barn sale is okay. (I kid – there’s a lot of great stuff available, like this stunner of a bookcase, but I’m just bitter that my current dream bed did not go on sale.)Conversely, huge fan of the Rejuvenation selection this weekend. The lighting, decor & rugs (planters down to $38 from $129, guys!!!), and furniture sections are the real winners here. I already gave you the DL on the Serena & Lily sale, but all of their outdoor pieces are super beautiful and 25% off is a GREAT deal. St. Frank is an EHD favorite for beautiful textiles and decor (check out Key’s office for proof). They are giving 20% off the St. Frank’s summer getaway essentials with code: HOTHOTHOT. CB2‘s sale actually basically shot my eyebrows off my face – it’s way better than I expected. Up to 25% off in-stock furniture, up to 30% off outdoor, and up to 50% off clearance – it’s their best offering in recent memory. (Or at least, since I’ve been tracking sales stuff. Either way.) Highly recommend this trunk/bench for entryways and bedrooms and these bookshelves, which are worth every penny at any price TBH. World Market is offering an extra 20% off curbside pickup orders. Get out there, pal!! Grab 15% off fans and hardware at Schoolhouse. Big fan of this butcher paper holder and of these very sweet signs.Last but not least, there are a ton of limited-time sales over on Chairish this weekend. (If anyone wants to Venmo me $1800 bucks for these dining chairs…you know where to find me :))And for those looking to fill any holes in their wardrobe…
J. Crew is offering some NUTS savings – up to 70% off regular prices for their end of season sale. And don’t forget J. Crew Factory (aka my favorite store), which is offering 40% off site-wide. If y’all are about to head back into the office (!!!) or if you’re just trying to look a little more put together, these are worth checking out. Nordstrom has a bunch on sale, but IMO you should wait til the Anniversary Sale to pull the trigger on any orders. (Advanced previews kick off July 6th, though, so do some early browsing to score those deals when they come up!) Oh my, Farm Rio is offering 25% off sale items and you can bet that I bought this dress on Friday night!EHD fav Vitamin A is offering up to 30% off animal print swimwear. (If you need a refresher, you can check out how their suits fit our actual bodies in this post.)Grab an extra 50% off sale items over at Levi’s site this weekend. I’ve traditionally been a Madewell/Abercrombie loyalist when it comes to shorts, but some of these are looking REAL CUTE and REAL CHEAP. Use code SUMMER to take an extra 25% off sale items at Shopbop. (But also beware, because I somehow just spent a good 20+ minutes clicking through their inventory. What a well merchandised and curated selection!!)THE END! Thanks for spending time with us this Sunday! Now go get yourself a hot dog. Bye!
Opening Image Credit: Design by Hoedemaker Pfeiffer | Photo by Haris Kenjar
The post The Link Up: Jess’s VERY CUTE $30 Cordless Lamp, Ryann’s One-Size-ACTUALLY-Fits-All Swimsuit, And The Best Sales Happening This Holiday Weekend appeared first on Emily Henderson.
July 3, 2021
We All Tested Emily’s All-Time Favorite Hair Tool And This Is How It Went
When Emily gets excited about a product and HIGHLY recommends it, like most of you, we are equally as excited and curious to try it! I mean after all, we were fans of Em before we were employees:) So when Emily got her hands on The Mermade Hair Waver which is essentially is a 2021 modern-day crimper (but wildly better) I think all of us secretly were scheming to get our hands on one. But Em, being the extremely generous boss that she is, beat us to the punch and offered to pay for us to try one (there are a couple of brands that have them) so we could do a fun post about it. And guess what? This is that fun post! So here are our real deal reviews.
But first, let’s get into your different options:
1. Mermade Hair 32mm PRO Waver | 2. Aima Beauty 32mm (1.25″) Triple Ceramic Curling Iron | 3. Double Ceramic Triple Barrel Waver | 4. CHI x Barbie 1.25” Triple Barrel Titanium Deep Waver | 5. amika High Tide Deep Wave Hair Crimper | 6. Tidal Hair Waver
Now we have only tried #1 and #2 on our hair. But all of the other ones have at least 4 out of 5 stars on their reviews. #1 is The Mermade that Emily has and truly loves. It’s under $100 but if you want a less expensive option then go for #2 and #3. The most expensive is #5 at $120 which to be honest I’m not sure why but it’s well-reviewed and I want to give you all the options. Basically, there’s a hair waver for everyone:)
Ok, you have your tool options. Now let’s get into Emily’s tips and tricks…
Emily
Ok, so it’s definitely big but don’t be nervous. It’s not scary once you start using it and the results are worth it:)
Matching the wave is VERY important but also very easy. You just want to be careful about those crease lines so tilt the top slightly away from your head. Then BAM, awesome hair in a few minutes (granted I’ve really gotten the hang of it and also have short hair, so it would likely take more time on longer and thicker hair)
So yes, I LOVE this tool a lot. Especially for summer, I feel like a lot of people want an effortless, beachy wave and this achieves that so well. But like Jess said, I wanted to let the other EHD gals try it out and see if they felt the same since no one head of hair is alike:) Let’s see what they have to say for themselves!
Ryann
I joked the first time I tried the Mermade tool that it made me look like Alanis Morisette. Tbh, I don’t think I am far off?? But in all seriousness, I don’t think this tool is the most effective one for my hair a few reasons. 1) I have extremely thick hair that does not hold curls well even if I douse it in hair spray (which I don’t want to ever do). And 2) Since I have thick hair, curling it with a hot iron takes A VERY LONG TIME. The after photo you see above was took me about 25 mins and I really rushed through it if I am being honest. If I did it properly it would probably take about an hour which is just not productive IMO. I am pretty sure I get better results when I just sleep with braids in my hair. BUT THAT’S JUST ME. I think the Mermade tool is best for anyone who has thinner, short to medium length hair, but the EHD gals told me I look very cute so that made me feel good:)
Mallory
this is from the 32mm barrel toolOkay so originally I bought the SMALL Amazon waver hair tool which is much cheaper than the OG Mermade tool (which is great since I was 50/50 about how it would look on my hair so I didn’t want to invest a ton). I learned a huge lesson from this first tool: SIZE MATTERS. I had accidentally bought the 26mm and not the 36mm and boy is there a difference. The 26mm made my hair look way more crimp-y and very Cleopatra-esque which would be great for a 90s party but was a little much for me every day. I then ordered the 32mm once I realized my mistake and things really turned around for me. Well until I learned another valuable lesson….use heat protectant!!! I signed up to destroy (I mean bleach) my hair back in high school, so I can’t say I’ve got the healthiest keratin in the game. I was kind of just living with the fact that my hair was going to break off so I never used heat protectant — until I used this tool and it actually really started breaking off. No one else on the team had this issue (probably because they were smart and actually used a heat protectant like their hairstylists say) but be warned: if you’re like me with unhealthy, dry, and kinda damaged hair USE HEAT PROTECTANT and then all will be okay.
Here are a few recs from us and our hairstylists:
1. Bb.Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer | 2. Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Cream | 3. OUAI Heat Protection Spray | 4. Oribe Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray | 5. ALTERNA Haircare CAVIAR Anti-Aging® Perfect Iron Spray | 6. UNITE Hair 7SECONDS Detangler
Also, sorry if that scared you — you should also know on a less intense note that I actually love how quickly I can do my hair (and have it look good). I almost never styled my hair before I got this and now I style it all the time — and in under 5 minutes!!! This thing honestly rocks and is totally worth the money (especially if you get the cheaper Amazon one) I love this thing!!!
Jess
right photo: first time | left side: second time and a little betterFinally my dreams of becoming Ariel after watching The Little Mermaid 1,500,062 times as a child are getting closer and closer. Ha, well sort of… so big hair tools are VERY intimidating to me and this one is definitely a big boy! But practice makes perfect. Now, Em and Mal were the first ones to try this waver out and their hair looks SO CUTE. But they both have shorter hair so I wasn’t convinced it would have the same fate for my long, thin hair. The first time I tried the real deal Mermade brand tool I looked like I was going to Homecoming in 2006… it was pretty funny but not my ideal look in 2021. However, what I realized (and Mal told me later too) was that I had the wrong start height. I was way too high up for my length! To avoid this early-aughts look, I needed to start it right below the eye like I did in the right photo. Muuuuuch better. I’m still getting the hang of it but like the look of the more horizontal waves. Feels a bit fresher and beach-ier than what I was doing before the pandemic.
a little sneak peek from our last shoot and photo by miss veronica crawford:)I think this photo maybe sells it more? It’s a little more relaxed after a couple of hours which I prefer:)
had some crease problems on the right side of my head but then was able to smooth them overHa! you thought I was done talking.
Now, you really want to make sure that you hold the top of the tool tilted away from the top edge of your hair or else it WILL leave a crease and not the one you want (as you can see on the left). The good news though is that you can always give it another go and smooth it over a bit:) All in all, if you are not really a hair person like me but want to try something different I think this is a really great option! Just don’t give up too easily and play with it. We can do this together:)
So that’s all folks! A new hair too (to us at least) that most of us really love. Have any of you tried one of these? Any other tricks or tips? Or is there maybe another awesome hair tool we should know about? Let’s talk!
Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: After Three Years We Can Actually Use Our Upper Deck (Because We Finally Have The Right Outdoor Furniture…And Fabric)
The post We All Tested Emily’s All-Time Favorite Hair Tool And This Is How It Went appeared first on Emily Henderson.
July 2, 2021
What Do Kids Actually Remember And Love About Summer Vacation?
When Brian and I were 29 we spent 2 months backpacking in Southeast Asia during the recession when we had just moved to LA, had no work, and were pretty depressed (we used his uncle’s pilot passes to get over there). We saw so many parents traveling with young kids in Vietnam and Laos, kids in backpacks touring around. We promised each other that when we had kids we would be THOSE people, that we would take them around the world no matter what ages they were, that we wouldn’t let them stop our then “see the world” desire and they would have experiences that would shape them forever. But oh how things have changed. We are decidedly NOT those people, in fact kinda the opposite. Here’s another story…
5 years ago Brian and I took the kids to Australia when Birdie was 3 months old and Charlie was barely 2 years old. We went for Brian’s job – he had a video series he was hired to shoot (which now seems odd/irresponsible that the client flew in an American for it). But we thought it would be a “fun” thing for the whole family to do so we extended the trip to add some vacation time. We were there for 3 weeks, and during and after the trip we promised that we wouldn’t go anywhere internationally or far with them until they were at least 4 and 6. None of us were able to appreciate it. It was expensive and exhausting. At the time we couldn’t even enjoy a meal out, we prayed there wouldn’t be a meltdown at the restaurant and then have to rush home to put them to bed at a normal time. We were in a nap trap during the day, we couldn’t drive on the other side of the street (and hard to Uber with car seats) and then Brian got Listeria and was bed-ridden for 5 sweaty days before our 20-hour flight home where Charlie watched Paw Patrol until his eyes almost bled. Obviously, I’m grateful we were able to do it, but boy did we realize that traveling with young kids made for basically zero fun for us.
But I get it that sometimes you have to book “a trip” to take time off and before we had this mountain retreat we needed to get out of L.A. A LOT – and a staycation at home in the summer is hot and traffic is terrible. So the following summer we booked an Airbnb in the valley for us and two other families with small kids. Our friends were not impressed when we pitched it to them (it was only 20 minutes from home). But it was my treat and forced them to come. It was AWESOME. It had a pond, a barn, miniature horses, and ponies that roamed the property. We could be together, it was pretty affordable, and we didn’t leave the property in 3 days. It obviously helped inspire the idea to look for a mini-farm in a city. It solidified the idea that we didn’t need to travel to get a vacation.
Since we’ve had this house (four years now!), we haven’t gone anywhere else besides Ojai Valley Inn and Disneyland. Until last year right before Covid, we felt ready to attempt another “trip”.
They were 4 and 6 and while we weren’t going abroad, we were ready to take a “trip”. It was THE BEST weekend of our lives as a family – I’m not being hyperbolic, Brian and I debriefed afterwards and said it was the best 2 days we’ve ever had together. Why? It was so easy and flexible, full of manageable “newness” but very little work or stress. The kids were finally on the same schedule (no naps!) and old enough to not melt down in public (no risks!!).
We woke up on a Saturday morning and decided to take the train to Santa Barbara and explore. The kids packed their own backpacks for the first time – with help, but no schlepping on our part. We Ubered to the train station in LA and took the first train north. Brian and I remember being on the train with Charlie playing legos on the fold-down table and me teaching Birdie how to draw a butterfly right next to him. The kids were SO excited to be on a train and it was shockingly nice and comfortable with very few people on it. With a glass of white wine and a half decent train food lunch, we played with the kids, watched the ocean go by, and I wanted to cry out of pure happiness during the 2-hour short trip. It was SO EASY for us and so fun for them. It was a new experience but with almost zero planning and little financial stress. When we got to Santa Barbara everything was on foot and with just a backpack each we didn’t have anything to schlep. We found a motel with availability, dropped the bags, and explored the city. We had no car to deal with parking. No suitcases full of extra stuff. Just the four of us, four backpacks, and no plan. The kids had autonomy with their own bags so they felt like big kids, we didn’t have to worry about parking or having a drink at dinner and driving. There is such freedom in not planning and just having things be easy. I’d like to do THAT again, for sure, once it’s safe for kids.
It made me really think about what I loved about summer growing up and what really imprinted on me. Maybe the need for big trips is just a pressure we put on ourselves in the name of “showing them new things” and exposing them to other cultures. But then I look at these families that take a year off to travel all around the world and I think about how special that must be for them, too.
So in lieu of any big trips, we’ve been thinking a lot about what our summer family traditions will be. What touch-points we want our kids to remember when they are grown. What experiences will actually imprint? It’s my current hypothesis that the best childhood memories are all about simplicity, ease, and repetition (while they are really young), a sense of safety and security, and of course just being together with family and friends (ours and theirs). Camping. Road trips. And even going to the same places every year with the same people. While it might not be considered “cool”, I think that sameness and annual traditions they can count on are probably what makes them happiest. I wonder if the pressure to do something “different” and special is more for us to feel like we are still interesting, rather than for them? Or am I just getting old, lame, and lazy? (I don’t care if you think yes:)). When we move to Oregon we are excited to explore and have day trips, so there is some desire to still see somewhere new, but only if it’s easy, comfortable, and close. Is this just post-Covid latent anxiety and being scared about the world? Or is it just trying to recreate the nostalgia of a simpler era for our family? Maybe both.
So what do I remember about summer vacations as a kid? We always played softball, did 4-H, and competed our wares at the county fair. We built forts, slid on discs down the dirt hill, and swung on the rope swing. We jumped on the trampoline, rode bikes, and picked salmon berries. We rarely left the yard or the state (except to go to Utah/Wyoming to our uncle’s ranch) and never left the country but every summer was full of so much fun. Granted my parents had 6 kids and we lived way out out in the country there wasn’t this need to escape a big city or book a lot of playdates. We went camping a lot but mostly just hung out and did family projects. Because our parents are both teachers they were around a lot (so no camps except church camp when we were 12). Our family did one summer “project” together which included building a huge play house, planting, and harvesting a massive vegetable garden. When I was seven we even produced a family dinner theater musical with two other families (the real-life Waiting for Guffman – not joking – it’s AMAZING to rewatch the VHS tape). One summer when I was 8 we took an RV around the US for 6 weeks – all the way to New York and Disneyworld with 5 kids. I have no idea how much my parents planned for that trip and I’m sure it was “work” but it still felt easy and simple with a free schedule and lots of downtime playing games on the dining table.
Brian remembers an annual week-long trip every year to Balboa with a family with two boys where they could take the ferry by themselves to the arcade. He remembers the fourth of July at a friend’s house in Lake Tahoe with 5 other families (and a ton of kids). He felt freedom and autonomy as the kids played independently while the parents hung out and talked/partied. The rest of summer for him was riding bikes and little league with his crew in his neighborhood. He remembers it being THE BEST. He couldn’t really put a finger on why, just summers were the best.
These are magical years – where the kids are less work, more independent but young enough to want to just hang out with their parents. They will go fast, we know, so we are soaking it all up and maybe when they are bored of us when they are 13 and 15 we’ll get more adventurous.
So if you are feeling guilty that you haven’t taken your kids somewhere “special” or “traveled” since before Covid, I’m here to assert that maybe we don’t need to anyway – at least not for their sake. Maybe we all learned during Covid that camping, nature, and exploring locally is easier, just as fun and so much less work (not to mention cheaper and kinder to the planet). Not to guilt anyone who is planning a big trip – we all have different needs and boxes to check. But my boxes are very, very few these days and involve s’mores, sand, and swimming. I’m hoping that when they are 30 that they’ll have nostalgia for the feeling of their childhood summers, not just because of the big orchestrated trips if/when we take them but also the repetition of our simple summer days and nights. But I’m not a child psychologist
So I’m curious, what do you remember about your childhood summers that made them special? What summer traditions did you or do you have that your kids can use as touch-points? What were your favorite family “trips” that really imprinted and shaped your childhood? And are you feeling a big trip this summer or keeping it more low-key?
The post What Do Kids Actually Remember And Love About Summer Vacation? appeared first on Emily Henderson.
July 1, 2021
Sara’s Mom’s Living Room Is Back With A Much Needed Personal Update – Two Years Later
Sara here, and I’m back with an update on my mom’s living room. Some of you will remember the original living room makeover I gave her for Mother’s Day in 2020. But since then she’s been making it more her own. And without a shadow of a doubt, it is BETTER.
But first, let’s just start with a little reminder of where it started…
The living room had dark red walls, creamy butter yellow ceilings, and lots of dark leather and wood furniture. This was the living room I grew up with, so I have a soft spot for it. But overall it felt really heavy and I didn’t think it represented my mom’s fun and bright personality.
So we painted the walls white (but left the ceiling yellow), brought in lighter furniture, and added pops of color through art and textiles. Which got us here:
I really thought I had given my mom a living room that reflected her, while also fitting neatly into the boundaries of good design.
I think there’s a lot to unpack around the idea of what the interior design industry considers “good” or “elevated” design, and how it’s impacted my views of interior design. Originally I started trying to sort out my thoughts here in this post, but realized REAL quick that even beginning to peel back the layers of appropriation, classicism, and ableism that need to be addressed would necessitate more than a paragraph in a living room reveal post. Not to mention how a lack of diverse racial and cultural representation has impacted interior design (and my own opinions about my mom’s design aesthetic). I still have a lot of though organizing to do, but I’m working on that post and hoping to bring more than just my voice and views to that post as well.
For now, here’s what I’ll say about how this all culminated in a very personal way in my mom’s living room: My mom wanted to paint the ceiling blue, and I said “that would be too bright.” She wanted a fun, colorful sofa, and I said “leather will be timeless.” She wanted to include more of her Guatemalan textiles, and I told her “too many different patterns will feel chaotic.” I offered to help her refresh her living room, and instead I design-policed her, and made her space more “palatable” to my own design aesthetic. One which was largely developed in the predominately white, trend-chasing, consumer-centric echo chambers of social media and high-end editorials.
Don’t worry though. My mom immediately began making the room her own as soon as I left. So without further ado, bienvenidos to my mom’s improved living room. It’s more colorful, it’s more alive, it’s more her. And it’s so much happier.
Ok, so what’s new? We’ll my mom finally painted the ceiling blue, like she had always wanted to, and it’s amazing. I’m at a point now in my design journey where I want more color and pattern too, and I freaking love this blue ceiling. Of course, my dad doesn’t remember the name of the paint color. Classic dad.
Next, you’ll probably notice that she’s got the colorful saturated sofa of her dreams, in her absolute favorite color – yellow. This sofa is actually what kickstarted this whole second-wave makeover off. I walked into the living room one day and noticed it was…sofa-less. “Mom, what happened to your brand new sofa?” I asked.
“You’re brother needed a sofa for his apartment.” A mother’s love and generosity truly never ends.
It all worked out though because I ordered her a replacement that is 100x better for her. It’s the same exact model and size – The Sven Sofa from Article, but in the Yarrow Gold velvet. It’s bright, it’s her favorite color, and the velvet is way more cat-friendly since they don’t try and use it as a scratch pad nearly as much as they did with the leather. I’ll also point out that this brings my family’s total of these sofas to FOUR: Ours from our first apartment – which now lives in my parent’s family room, the loveseat version – which was originally in this room but now lives in my brother’s apartment, our sofa in our TV room in Pacific Blue velvet, and now this happy yellow one. When I say it’s a good sofa, I speak from experience.
My mom also had my dad move in this vintage Mexican armoire that had been living in the kitchen. Want to know a secret? It’s the family liquor cabinet. Not only does it store all my parent’s wine, spirits, and mixers, but also all the drinkware. It fits the space really nicely and adds a ton of character.
Bringing in the armoire meant she had to do something else with the writing desk that was originally on that side. She just moved it over to the other side of the windows, and again it was genius. It fits perfectly under the art I hung there, and really helps balance the bigger armoire. Plus the rooms actually feels cozier with more furniture in the space (rather than crowded, which would have been my argument).
She moved a bigger plant up to the mantle, added more small “things”, some pillar candles flanking the fireplace, and swapped out my quieter pillows for pattern on pattern pillows. And it’s all so, so good.
MOM, YOU WERE RIGHT *insert angsty teen eye roll*. Let’s take a look at some satisfying before and afters:
One last detail I’d like to point out are the kitties. Fish, our family cat of 20 years sadly, but peacefully, passed away at the end of 2020. Not long after, I was taking a walk around my neighborhood and found some kittens playing in someone’s yard. The owner came out and asked if I was interested. I called my dad and he agreed that I could bring one kitten home to them. That’s Ebi up there, and she is my mom’s favorite new daughter.
My mom called me 5 minutes later and said “bring another one home too, don’t tell dad. He can’t say no once it’s here.” And so, here’s Ebi’s brother, Ika.
Mom, you’re an inspiration and have been a style icon since day one.
I’ve got one last pitch, and then I’ll wrap this post up. My mom is a kick-ass kindergarten teacher in a low-income school district here in Southern California. She’s been teaching for 35+ years in the same district and doesn’t plan to stop anytime soon. During the pandemic, she went above and beyond for her students. Not only did she do the required hours of Zoom teaching with them 5 days a week (which, as you can imagine with kindergartners is IMPRESSIVE), but she then did small group and one-on-one tutoring with each and every student on rotating days to ensure that each child got dedicated attention. AND she put together activity packs each week that she personally drove to each student’s home, so they could still do things like art projects and have snack time. Basically, she’s an angel. This coming school year she’ll be back in the classroom, which she’s so excited about. And any chance I get I always like to throw out a call to collect Target Gift Cards for her to use throughout the year in her classroom. If you feel so inclined, you can donate here. Every penny goes right to her classroom and students. And she cries every time I forward her a gift card from a kind stranger on the internet, which is pretty endearing.
*Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp
The post Sara’s Mom’s Living Room Is Back With A Much Needed Personal Update – Two Years Later appeared first on Emily Henderson.
June 30, 2021
Are Body Part Decor Pieces Back? And Are They The Ultimate Conversation Starter??
I don’t know about you, but I’ve been feeling VERY inspired by some old Emily Henderson projects lately. Maybe it’s a generational thing – Em was about my age when she designed some of the rooms I’m lusting over – but to this day, I’m so impressed by her bold mix of bright colors, caramel leathers, and brass tchotchkes styled alongside so many incredible flea market finds.
So on a recent Zoom, I brought up Em’s stylistic evolution – you know, her growth from almost-maximalist to the designer of a dreamy, quiet, timeless shaker farmhouse – and then asked if she’d design any of her former rooms differently if given the chance. That’s when this photo came up…
photo by laure joliet | from: my bedroomI have to be honest – I know this picture is almost 8 years old, but this vignette still makes my heart skip a beat a little bit. (Anyone else?) I’ll always be a sucker for an orange-y wood casegood and that painting is one of my all-time favorites, but the real standout for me here are those weird and fun leg molds. For what it’s worth, today’s Emily said she would have toned down the styling on this dresser, but those legs swept me off my feet and got me thinking.
photos by tessa neustadtI realized that there’s something special about a statement piece of furniture or decor – be it shaped like a hand, or a foot, or a head – that adds a little something extra to a space.
Once, when I asked Em what to save on and what to splurge on, her answer was simple: splurge on the conversation starters. When it comes to body decor, though, there are conversation starters and showstoppers available at all kinds of sizes and price points. You can make a statement with one piece. You can fill an awkward corner (no more arbitrary plant placement!), add the perfect finishing touch to your shelf, and express your personality with ONE PIECE OF DECOR. I ended up digging around and y’all, I found SO MANY EXAMPLES of this in the wild.
Today, I want to give you some eye candy – let’s look at the tiny tweaks and major renovations that bring body parts to the forefront of the home. And at the end, EHD rounded up some decor options at every price point (like, from $10 to uh, a piece that basically costs a month’s rent) so you can bring some easy, conversation-worthy pieces to your home, too. LET’S GET STARTED, YEAH?
design by chelsea hing | photo by rhiannon taylor | via yellowtraceLet’s kick it off on the right foot (sorry, I swear that’s the only pun in here) with this office by Chelsea Hing. The space is minimal and simple, but it’s anything but boring. It’s proof that you don’t need a ton of stuff to make a huge impact – a thoughtful hit of pink, a huge piece of bold art, and a made-you-look accessory take the room to the next level.
design by geremia | photo by aaron leitz | via cleverI’m in love with the sweet, quirky addition of two hand sconces in this shop. It takes a classic vignette with timeless styling (hello credenza topped with flowers, vessels, bowls, and candles) and elevates it just enough. Imagine the same space with a more linear sconce and it’d fall flat – the organic nature of the hand speaks to the items being displayed and makes a cohesive, soothing space.
design by alicia holgar | photo by shannon mcgrath | via the design filesAH. Sigh. How serene is this apartment? In a space filled with quiet neutrals, soft textures, and curved shapes, the two-faced vessel adds the perfect amount of quirk while echoing the more robust pottery collection in the back half of the room.
styling by annie portelli | photo by amelia stanwix | via the design filesI love this vignette as it says SO MUCH about the person who lives here. The face bowl is unexpected and a little playful – this home belongs to someone who is cool, but in a fun and cheeky way.
left: design by eat bathe live, styled by simone haag, photo by dylan james, via domino | right: design by black lacquer designOf course, you can never go wrong with a peace sign cast in a shiny brass finish. On the left, it adds a little shine to an incredible textural and layered space; on the right, it’s the cherry on top of a happy and glam Hollywood Hills entryway. I think it’s easy for metallics like this to go cheesy or young really quickly, so I love how both are styled with a ton of breathing room and alongside some grown-up coffee table books. It’s a simple and clean finishing touch that won’t break the bank. Big fan.
design by hommeboysOh my, we LOVE this Carmen Ellis footed vessel at EHD – so much so that you can actually spot it in Julie’s bedroom and in this makeover of a teen’s bedroom that we published last year! There are so many incredible statement-making moments in this room – the wallpapered ceiling! The lime-washed walls! The arched door! The textured chairs AND rug AND bed AND headboard AND…. (you get it, right?) – so it was a super wise decision to keep the dresser’s styling VERY simple with just one standout piece. And if you’re only going to use one vessel…why not go with the unforgettable choice?
design by black lacquer designHOW SWEET AND HAPPY. Everything in this space has a buddy – the black accessories pop off the white quartz countertops while echoing the hex tile floors; the onyx bowl’s veining echoes the wooden vanity, but this whole space really sings because of that jade hand, which shines next to those walls and brings a ton of spunk to this space. Plus, it’s practical for jewelry storage
left: via house of orange | right: design by denham interior design | photo by amy bartlamNever thought I’d be this into feet, but uh, HERE WE ARE. Those shelves on the left are masterfully styled, but that foot adds juuuuust the right level of funk (in the good way). It’s silly, whimsical, and it has more interesting proportions than a bowl – something dense next to those vases and that mint piece would have made the shelf seem a little heavy – but the curvature of the foot sends your eye right back up to the lamp. WELL DONE. And I can’t get enough of this tiny foot on this console-turned-bar – it’s the perfect way to start a conversation between strangers when you throw your first big dinner party. (Plus, it does a nice job of balancing out the dark bottles.) SEND MORE FEET (DECOR) PICS TO ME, THANKS.
design by liz kamarulHi, Liz Kamarul, I’m a fellow ribbon chandelier owner (albeit a much smaller one!) and a huge fan of this space. You don’t need a ton of stuff when every piece is this special, and I love how this bright white torso brightens up what could have been a dark void of a corner. (Get a load of that hand at the top, too! Body parts for days!)
left: design by studio tate, photo by sharyn cairns, via the design files | right: design by black lacquer designWho doesn’t love a bust? (I just bought this one for my bathroom makeover and am so excited to get it in the mail!) This is the dream decor choice for folks looking to bridge uber-modern and traditional styles. It’s timeless but it’s also graphic, and it looks just as comfortable on an end table/bar as it does chilling next to a disco ball on a pistachio green cabinet. If you’re looking for versatility and longevity, this is the best choice.
left: design by chelsea hing, photo by rhiannon taylor, via yellowtrace | right: design by patricia ketelsen, photo by eugeni pons, via ad spainBut OH MY, these installations TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. Boy, does this elevate a space!!! Like, guys – this is a gray room with tan carpet and a beige room with tan carpet, but they BOTH look like a million bucks (or even a billion bucks, TBH) because these busts are so dynamic and cool and fresh. Who needs a plant in a corner or a cabinet in the entryway? BUST IT UP. I also love this from a budgetary perspective, as you can find both pedestals and art pieces at the local flea market – style them out in a corner together today; throw the bust on a mantle and a plant on the pedestal later. Infinite decorating options that are guaranteed to look good. HAVE I SOLD YOU YET?
design by black lacquer designI’ve been lusting over the entirety of Nicole Byer’s bedroom for years at this point, but I’m especially partial to all the mixing going on in this shot. Sure, you’ve got the mint bust (so good!), but the vases are a liiiiitle anthropomorphic and the lip pillow reflected in the mirror is flirty and bold. But beyond that, this shot is just a masterclass in going for it – the modern credenza with lucite pulls, the classic marble bookends, the fresh take on the bust, the ornate mirror reflecting the classic banana palm print…I think that a lot of the time I worry about making the wrong choice, or about my colors looking just a little off, or about being too weird, and this just assuages those fears. (Can you tell I’m a big fan?)
photo by jenna peffley | via architectural digestObviously, had to throw in one more banana palm wallpaper shot for my regency and Palm Beach fans! This home’s styling is so eclectic and cozy and welcoming that the bowl on the table just says, “Hey, come on in. Sit down and grab a nanner. Let’s chat for a while“. (Okay, it probably actually says “banana,” but this is my post.) In a more sparse or minimalist home, this would be an elegant statement piece (imagine it solo on a huge island!), but it’s cheery and accessible and homey when styled here.
design by heather nette king | photo by amelia stanwix | via the design filesContinuing our little foray into the maximalist world by showing y’all this incredible mantle vignette by stylist Heather Nette King. The back of this piece is stunning, and it’s elevated on a simple black box (it almost disappears into the wall, right?!) so that the bust’s face is reflected in the mirror. This is such a cool and fun way of making the things you already own feel new and fresh – are there any pieces you could turn around and throw in front of a mirror so you could experience them in a new way?
left: design by paradowski studio, photo by pion studio, via sight unseen | right: via trit houseThe above shot on the left is a different angle of the space we chose for the opener photo. When there are so many geometric and measured shapes at play, it’s refreshing and dynamic to add in something organic, like the human form. The same goes for the space on the right – when working with so many earth tones and simple lines, it just feels right to include some natural shapes, too. (Check out the art on the wall for more examples of the human form at work!)
left: photo by caitlin mills, via the design files | right: design by proem studioI love these two shots as they show that any existing space can be spruced up with a quick decor addition. Whether it’s a tiny head, mini bust, or little hand gracing the top shelf (I know – that one on the right was a little bit of a Where’s Waldo :)), each of these choices add a ton of personality and life to the shelf without impeding functionality.
design by black lacquer designYou don’t need much to polish off a space when the pieces you’re using have THIS much soul. It harkens back to my all-time favorite Emily lesson – the conversation starters are the things worth splurging on. A more compact dining nook may have been jammed into this space, but it’s not necessary when the things in your home could probably pull double duty as an art exhibition.
via architectural digestSpeaking of exhibitions – this Gucci setup has held a place in my mind and heart for a while now. There’s a ton to say about the pattern mixing and absolutely wild layering (can you spot the peacock?) but what I’m really drawn to is the collection of porcelain hands on the left. They’re special and rare enough that even a collection of 3 (or 4, or 5) can make a huge and special visual impact. Plus if Gucci says it’s cool…
left: design by tracey lester, photo by amelia stanwix, via the design files | right: design by black lacquer designSpeaking of collecting…OH HEY. And did you see that ear on the left, too? On the right, I love how this maximalist vignette is connected by the elevated hand reflecting back the white from the painting above and to its left.
via architectural digestAnd you know I’d be remiss to leave out something as iconic as the Dali Lips sofa, which may just be the original body part decor piece. This little lady turned 50 last year (she doesn’t look a day over 25!) and she’s a guaranteed showstopper in every room (and in any color). Throw her in a room with cathedral ceilings or dress her up with some Groucho Marx-esque eye paintings above – she works everywhere. The original cool girl, right?
photo by caitlin mills | via the design filesLast but not least, an option for those who want a more permanent installation…can you believe that these floors are real?! Eyes are a pretty timeless motif and the most accessible body part but it’s hard to go wrong when you go this hard. (“If you’re not going all the way, why go at all?” – every ice skating coach I’ve ever had, in advice that’s surprisingly prescient here.) It’s a full-on art piece in the home that will be enjoyed for years to come.
Wanna bring something special home? Check out your local flea market or thrift store first, but then take a peek at some of our favorite picks…
1. Hand Vessel | 2. Hand Bowl | 3. Classic Legs | 4. Carl Auböck Model #4273 ‘Foot’ Brass Paperweight | 5. Traditional Decoration Tattoo Rooster Articulated Hand | 6. Polystone Foot Statue | 7. Calfee Hand Jewelry Holder Tabletop Figurine | 8. The Original | 9. Candle Holder Handsup | 10. Female Body Ceramic Vase | 11. Mannequin Hand | 12. Eye Trinket Tray Set | 13. Memorabilia Mvsevm Nose | 14. Figurative Surreal Sculptural Nose Vase | 15. Hand Object on Stand
1. Adeebah Rock on Hand Sculpture | 2. White Face Sculpture | 3. Decorative Brass Hand Figurine | 4. Porcelain Female Foot | 5. Hand Ashtray | 6. Brass Hand Ring Holder | 7. Decorative Hands | 8. Palma Candleholder | 9. Vintage Chalkware Feet | 10. Vintage Bust | 11. Stark Hand Sculpture | 12. Michelangelo’s David Nose Classic Greek Roman Art Wall Sculpture
And to that end, I ask – DID I WIN YOU OVER? Will you be adding a body part to your decor any time soon? Fingers crossed that next time you see a glove mold at your local antique store or flea, you’ll look twice (and maybe even bring it home). LET’S TALK WEIRD STUFF, PLEASE?
Opening Image Credits: Design by Paradowski Studio | Photo by Pion Studio | via Sight Unseen
The post Are Body Part Decor Pieces Back? And Are They The Ultimate Conversation Starter?? appeared first on Emily Henderson.
June 29, 2021
The ORC Reveals That Blew Us Away And The Design Lesson From Each You Can Use In Your Home
As design lovers, I believe there are few things more exhilarating and satisfying than seeing a really good before and after. All of us (?) have experienced the perils of design paralysis, so seeing someone design a room in 8 weeks is WILD and so freaking inspiring. For those that don’t know, The Better Home a& Gardens One Room Challenge is a bi-yearly, 6-week (I think this year it was 8 weeks though?) design challenge where selected featured designers, guest participants (as well as anyone wanting to unofficially participate) completely transform a room of their choosing. Truly all of them are INCREDIBLE but we thought it would be fun to show some of the ones that really knocked our socks off.
But why just ooooo and ahhhh over these pretty rooms when we can also get some killer design lessons and hacks to possibly bring into our home?? So my plan is that by the end of this post we will all be so inspired and fired up that in 8 weeks our next room will be totally designed and finished. Deal? Ok cool. Ready, set, goooooo!
Fariha Of Pennies For A FortuneLesson: Carpet Camouflage
design and photos by fariha nasirIn my opinion, Fariha can do no wrong. Remember her painted DIY outdoor marble diamond tiles?? This room went from builder grade to high-end sweet romance flawlessly with all of that beautiful wall paneling. But one thing that I thought was SUCH a smart choice was the wall color. This muted mauve-y rose works perfectly with the carpet. I mean you hardly even notice the carpet in the after photos. So Fariha clearly saved a lot of money (and headaches) by embracing the carpet and choosing a wall color that both stands on its own but tonally blends in so perfectly.
Now chic wall color aside, there are so many beautiful moments! The tonal art, the playful patterns, the contrasting dark fireplace THAT SHE MADE are all moments that really made this room sing. As in all of these rooms I’ll be talking about, I didn’t want to show the whole space because I want you to go and see the full reveals on these designer’s sites. Show them all the love! Here is her reveal.
Rachael Jackson Of Banyan BridgesLesson: How To Use Bold Colors Right
design and after photo by rachael jacksonI also can’t believe this transformation (I promise to not say that for each one but like, I might:)) I was first made aware of Rachael when Julie showed me her insanely cool mural work. This gal knows how to inject joy with her bold and colorful art. So when I saw this masterclass in bold color usage, I was not surprised when I found out who was responsible. Now, that was the only thing that didn’t surprise me because there are so many fun and unexpected moments.
First up is the lower cabinet color. It’s one that I wouldn’t have thought of, but for this space I can’t imagine it any other way! This is a basement so giving it life with color was imperative and the cabinets being one of the largest pieces, that’s a great item to tackle. Now had she kept the uppers, that color might have overpowered the entire space. So if you are thinking about using a bright and bold color like this, that is something you might want to consider. But also there are no rules about going bold in a kitchen if that’s what you want. I am a big believer in simply closing your eyes, imagining what you are planning, and seeing how it feels. It always helps me to know if I’m going in the right direction:)
design and photo by rachael jacksonWhat I also love about this design is that Rachael used that checkered pattern as a way to not have all of the focus on the cabinets but not make the space a total color explosion. Please also note the genius of the small-scale pattern on the walls and the large-scale pattern on the floor in the same neutral colors.
There are a million other details that I want to talk about (like the vintage hutch, the cool art, the yarn wrapped cords for the ceiling lights, etc. etc.) but go to Rachael’s site for all of the details AND see her beautiful mural on the other wall:)
Brit Of Brit Dot DesignLesson: Don’t Forget Your Ceilings
design and after photo by brit dot designBrit calls this space her Desert Deco Den and honestly there couldn’t be a more perfect name to describe it. When I first laid eyes on this stunning space, I went straight for that sofa. THAT TRIM! I still love a squiggle and a checkered pattern, don’t @ me. But then my eyes floated up to discover that amazing ceiling detail. If you’ve been around for a minute you might remember this post in which I talk about my love for cool ceilings so it’s no surprise that this has me excited.
design and photo by brit dot designWhat I love specifically about this one is that it gives you the “deco look” with the shape and light fixture but then brings in “the desert” with the natural wood pieces on each end. All in all, I implore you to look up and consider how you can elevate/incorporate a ceiling accent into your home! Here are some more ideas! And here is Brit’s full reveal.
Ariene Bethea Of Dressing Rooms InteriorsLesson: How Upscale Glam (Without Breaking The Bank)
First off, I hope that you at least know the name, Dressing Rooms Interiors. If not go follow Ariene right now. She owns an incredible vintage shop/design studio that is full of wonderful treasures that would make any maximalist’s heart very happy. But we are here today to talk about her amazing kitchen redesign.
What I think is the most impressive part is that the layout and appliances didn’t change yet it looks like a completely different (and very elevated) kitchen. I think that the key to nailing an “upscale glam” look is to go clean and graphic with a touch of metallic which is exactly what she did.
design by ariene bethea | photo by our brick house styleThe neutral yet bold choice to go with black cabinets looks so pretty and expensive. But to avoid making it look too heavy, she gave one wall of cabinets glass inserts. Spoiler Alert! Those are the same fronts she had from before but had customized. I love that she was determined to use her original ones because that obviously cuts down on waste. Then with a new patterned backsplash and a new light (and less busy) countertop, Ariene’s kitchen looks completely brand new. But what is glam without a little sparkle even peppered throughout:) The beautiful pendants, chair, and table all add a high-end warmth that really makes the space sing. Here is her full post:)
Erin Zubot DesignLesson: How To Create Special Traditional Details
design and after photo by erin zubotBoy oh boy is this a CUTE kids’ bathroom! Erin’s tile choices are so simple yet special and are totally in the world of what Em was talking about in her last tile post. But then you have that awesome wall paneling, the modern wall color, the black toilet seat cover, and the HANDMADE shower curtain. Excuse me?? It’s all so good. I do have to say that my favorite detail is the hole design on the vanity doors. I know they are kinda hard to see but I guess that means you’ll have to go over to her site
design by the brownstone boys | photos by carbon storiesYes, those two photos are from the same ORC space! Ok, they are technically in different rooms but are both in their now awesome basement. I love them equally because they pull at two different design style heartstrings. I mean that stained glass window is SO BEAUTIFUL and the surrounding wood paneling detail (that’s also on the far right wall) makes the space feel more modern against that wonderful more traditional cabinetry. Classic with a hint of playfulness (also you have to see the wallpaper they used on the other side of the room because it’s a great and very fun optical illusion). But what is design if not REALLY FUN??? That laundry room makes me want to do laundry and was RuPaul’s Drag Race inspired. Just when I thought I couldn’t love it more:) So yes, don’t worry about every room being “cohesive” if you want to have an awesome, unexpected moment. Also, go now to their site because the full reveal is really special.
Haneen Of Haneen’s HavenLesson: Say Yes To Ornamental Beams (You Really Can DIY Them)
design and photos by hannenThere are a million things to love about this bathroom (*cough* tub… *cough* tapestry and portrait). But one thing that I really love are those faux beams!! They add so much soul to an already beautifully designed space. I think it’s easy to get intimidated but the idea of installing faux beams but honestly they don’t seem tooooo hard. Look at this link! But aside from my love of those beams, this is definitely a special bathroom. You need to see the shower too! So head on over to check out the rest.
Benson DwellingLesson: Using The Same Detail For Cohesive Dimension
Big Benson Dwelling DIY fan over here and this room only confirms it. The color palette is super happy but calm/chic and I love, love those sconces. However, what I want to focus on is the tubular motif. I think it was super clever of them to keep things interesting yet cohesive and to switch up the orientation, scale, materials in achieving this look. It’s a great reminder that you don’t have to make things super complicated to create something awesome and unique.
design and photo by kristy & paul bensonFun Fact: That secret-looking cutout on the right is A WINDOW! It was their solution to not have the bed look too off-center. Again, super clever! Check out the rest of the room here.
Jewel Marlowe Of Jeweled InteriorsLesson: Dare To Go Even Bolder
design and photo by jewel marloweThis is a masterclass in wallpaper installation. Aside from the tonal trim, that wallpaper is wrapped around everything and it looks so cool. Another laundry room I would happily prance to to wash my neverending amount of dirty clothes. Jewel was in need of a new washer and dryer so she took this opportunity to really go for it in the design/color department. Her original gold wallpaper was super pretty but the blue one is such a showstopper. Then you add in that perfect piece of art that brings in even more color and goes with the established floral theme, along with that killer light fixture and optimal counter for function…you have a perfect laundry room. This is another sign you should give into your colorful dreams and go for it in your laundry room! See more here.
Nile JohnsonLesson: Accent Walls Done Right
To think these two photos are the same room is bananas. But that’s the magic of an incredible design, right?! So what you see below is actually a render (and a VERY good one because it took me a minute to realize). But it’s so good that I had to talk about it regardless. This bedroom is both totally luxe but also warm and welcoming. Sure, the mix of texture and pattern have a lot to do with that but I really think that accent wall is the secret sauce and the biggest reason.
design by nile johnsonNow, accent walls are a HUGE topic in design. Some say never, some say what’s the harm, and others are on board if it’s in an architectural feature. Arlyn talked all about it in this post. And from this angle, it looks like Nile enlisted the architectural feature version (which is our favorite). We can’t wait to see this fully completely in IRL! But for now, here is more info. How do y’all feel about accent walls??
Natalie Papier Of Home Ec.Lesson: Ulitmate Pattern Play
Get ready for your eyeballs to explode! I mean I want to be in this bathroom IMMEDIATELY. I don’t think I can pick a favorite part. So let’s just go through all of the elements, shall we??
First, that yellow tile cabana stripe is so freaking awesome. We told you cabana stripes belong inside But seriously, it’s so simple but THE MOST visually impactful. Especially since it runs from the wall to the floor to the opposite wall. Also, yes to yellow! Then you have that floral wallpaper at a slightly smaller pattern scale…WOW. It’s happy and playful with tiny bits of yellow to bring in the stripes. I also want you to notice how much white (aka negative space) there is. That is such a huge factor in why these bold moments feel less overwhelming:)
design by natalie papier | photo by easterday creativeI would also be remiss to not mention that strawberry side table. SO FUN AND SO UNEXPECTED. Another slightly unexpected and easy moment are the asymmetrical mirrors. And lastly, that natural wood vanity adds so much warmth. It’s kinda the perfect modern (but not too modern) bathroom. Head here for more photos and all of the details:)
Dominique GebruLesson: An Impactful Facelift
design by dominique gebru | photo by tyler hooks for laura metzlerNow, Dominique’s old kitchen was in her words, “fine” and we totally agree. But the facelift that this kitchen (and dining room and new archway) got made it SO GREAT. Like Ariene’s kitchen, we see how a few cans of paint, a new backsplash, and hardware can literally transform a space. And had she just done that it would have been awesome. However, that cabana striped roman shade and the now bigger and better IKEA hacked island (very in line with yesterday’s post) make it that much more elevated. But there’s one thing about this kitchen that’s my favorite…
design by dominique gebru | after photo by tyler hooks for laura metzlerThose custom floating shelves!! I think they bring a welcomed added warmth (wood almost always does) and look so good wrapped around that beam. You also see the tile so much better in this photo and I can’t get enough of the pink:)
Head to Dominique’s site to see the rest.
Kate Pearce Of Kate Pearce VintageLesson: How To Visually Ground A Colorful Color Palette
Kate is a pro at colorful and eclectic design so the fact that this basement is totally inspired is no surprise! Side note, I love how many basement renos we have this year and how different they all are. But what I really appreciate about Kate’s is that her colorful color palette is grounded by the fact that her ceiling and floor are neutral. Had she chose a nonneutral color for the ceiling and/or the floor it still could have been awesome but there’s something about the dark charcoal she chose that gives it kind of a sexy vibe. It is a speakeasy after all:)
design and photo by kate pearceWhat also makes your eye happy is that there are dark neutrals throughout that keep it all balanced. But how great is the tile pattern, mixed with the larger scale diamond floor pattern and the super small scale gold grate pattern on the cabinet doors. Then you also have the contrasting curves of the two arches along with the back of the bar stools. It all just balances beautifully and truly feels like a speakeasy I want to be in right this moment (FYI this moment is at 5:14 pm;)). Head here for the rest.
Tiffany Of Pretty Real BlogLesson: White Isn’t Your Only Neutral Color Option
design and after photo by tiffany of pretty real So happy that Tiffany knocked out another incredible ORC! Remember her office nook we featured last year? Anyway what I love about this space (aside from that amazing built-in), is her color palette. I think a lot of the time when we think of a neutral space, white is our immediate go-to. Well, it’s time for that to change because the colors that Tiffany chose add so much more large-scale depth and richness. I LOVE the color of the built-in (and notice how you hardly see the carpet…just a little call back to the first lesson). It also acts as an accent wall… architectural feature kind (another callback!). But then you have that light but rich brown on the walls which is immediately contrasted with white curtains and a light-toned sofa. It’s such a welcoming, cozy but extremely stylish space that you need to see the rest of it on her site. Enjoy!
Victoria Ford Of Prepford WifeLesson: How To Make Antique Furniture Incredibly Fresh
design and after photo by victoria fordIn my ORC research, I was introduced to Victoria and I am so happy! I love her modern traditional (with a heavier lean on the traditional) style. She took on not only a guest room but also the guest bathroom. NBD. Caitlin and I both loved her choice to use that stunning antique bed with that grid wallpaper and pops of bold colors. I wouldn’t have thought of putting that bed and pattern together but it’s so awesome. Any guest would be lucky to lay their head on those pillows:)
design and after photo by victoria fordThen this bathroom! That tile combo is SO GOOD. I love how the colors in the floor pattern perfectly speak to the color palette of the rest of the room. Also, how great is that oversized gallery wall?? I’m obsessed with how it nearly touches the tile trim and the ceiling. All the art is very traditional but that layout makes it feel so modern. You are also going to need to head to her site to get a closer look at that beautiful vanity and vintage sink. Every time I look at this bathroom I keep seeing more things I love. For more of the bathroom head here and for the bedroom head here.
Sachi LordLesson: When In Doubt Install A Skylight (Or Two!)
Y’all SKYLIGHTS! Another designer, that I am so happy to now know about truly made such a stunning transformation in her bathroom. First, that ceiling was just waiting to be exposed. If you are on the top floor and are looking for some more height, see if you are able to bust open your ceilings. Emily did that in the mountain house main bathroom and I can’t imagine it any other way. So aside from adding A TON of height, Sachi enlisted our favorite skylight company, Velux, to really make this bathroom an airy oasis. That beam likely made it impossible to just have one skylight, but I really love the look of the two.
design and photos by sachi lordMoving down, that simple but creative tile pattern adds a ton of extra movement. So impactful! And speaking of simple and impactful, look at those niches next to the vanity. The wood detail really warms up that wall and acts as frames for the wonderfully styled pieces in them. Who needs art?? It’s all so pretty. Here is the full reveal which includes her bedroom!
After a cool 3300 words, I hope you are as inspired as I am and maybe learned a thing or two from these incredibly talented designers. I know it’s impossible but do you have a favorite?? Are you ready to start on your next project (or pick one up that you got stuck on)? See you in the comments!
Love you, mean it.
Opening Image Credits: Design by Natalie Papier Of Home Ec. | Photo by Easterday Creative
The post The ORC Reveals That Blew Us Away And The Design Lesson From Each You Can Use In Your Home appeared first on Emily Henderson.
June 28, 2021
When You Want “Custom Furniture” But Don’t Have The “Custom Budget”: How To Hack IKEA Products From Storage Cabinets To Custom Built-Ins
Hello internet friends!! We’ve got a fun topic for you all that involves a highly popular Swedish budget furniture store…any guesses??? Here’s a hint: you can buy meatballs there…you guessed it…IKEA! Also, did you know we’ve all been pronouncing IKEA wrong? Small side tangent, anyway we’re here today to show you how you can turn boring (but affordable) IKEA products into actually awesome, totally custom works of art that scream “you.” Here it is:
Storage Cabinet Hacks
design by house of hawkes | via remodelistaHere’s a really great cane DIY done by the boutique design firm, House of Hawkes. The possibilities with this DIY are truly endless, you could create it with light cane in the middle and paint the wood black (which would look awesome) or you could paint the entire thing one color (including the cane). There are SO many opportunities for personalization & cane is SO pretty and adds instant texture so go for it.
photo left: design by peony and honey | photo right: design by kismet houseAnother thing that’s highly attractive in design is the fluted wood trend. I mean, who doesn’t love a gentle groove texture in wood…it’s TOO GOOD. This awesome DIY cabinet was done by 2 really great bloggers. Here’s the Kismet House’s version from TikTok if you want to watch a video on how it’s done (technically not with an IKEA cabinet btw) and then here’s a full blog post over on Peony and Honey if you want a more detailed step-by-step with an IKEA cabinet
via decorlovinOkay this is SERIOUSLY GOOD. I’m getting total Kelly Wearstler vibes from this lil lady and I am INTO it. Can you seriously believe this is IKEA?? I’m shook. All it takes are some IVAR cabinets and these sexy little legs from Pretty Pegs. DONE. (Btw these legs fit on the Besta unit and a couple of others too!!)
design and photo by make it bohoThis hack is another IVAR cabinet upgrade but with a little added compartment on the bottom making it totally unrecognizable and chic! This just shows what a couple of power tools and cane can do:)
Window Bench Hack
design and photo by hydrangea tree houseGENIUS. How cool is this window seat?? Kelin hacked these pre-made IKEA drawers into an expensive-looking wall-to-wall window seat. It’s so epic.
design and photo by that homebird life Here’s another awesome window seat hack done by that homebird life and boy is it also good. Plus, who doesn’t love a little leather pull tab hardware situation mixed with a moody navy window seat?? I’m falling in love fast. Oh and don’t miss that natural wood toe kick. It takes “the IKEA” right out of it.
Credenza/Sideboard HacksThe Skinny Sideboard
design and photo by gloribell lebronThis hack is a genius solution to creating a wall-mounted credenza that’s skinny enough to fit anywhere. The wood addition on top makes this piece look so much better than your average IKEA console!! Speaking of skinny wall-mounted sideboards…
design by velinda hellen for ehd | photo by sara liggoria-tramp | from: sara’s living and dining room revealSara’s house is filled with some pretty awesome hacks (shoutout to the designer, Velinda!), including this genius shoe storage solution for Sara’s narrow entryway. The cabinet is wall-mounted and super narrow, so it can work in virtually any entry –– plus this is the easiest hack ever (and I briefly mentioned it above): just swap out the hardware and TADA. Instantly more custom.
There are a couple of different ways you could update a basic IKEA unit…one of them was done by EHD alum and friend, Arlyn Hernandez, from her all-around epic makeover takeover you may remember she did a while back…
design by arlyn hernandez | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: “arlyn’s moody dining room reveal is all about the power of paint”Arlyn worked with Semihandmade and Park Studio to give this baby the makeover of a lifetime and AIN’T SHE PURTY? If you haven’t heard of Semihandmade before, then hold on to your butts because they will change your life (as well as a few other IKEA-compliant companies:)). They basically create awesome cabinet fronts that attach onto IKEA cabinet bases, so it’s easy to make your products feel custom and all-around awesome. The whole company is one giant life hack and we love it. Arlyn went with their beaded front in desert gray from Sarah Sherman Samuel’s line with the brand paired with handles from Park Studio. We’ll show you one more example of this very easy hack:
design and photo by sarah sherman samuel | via semistoriesI mean how could I bring up the subject of IKEA hacks and not talk about queen Sarah Sherman Samuel’s console??? She seriously hacked the BESTA unit by adding wooden balls she found on amazon and then (obviously) she used her own line from Semihandmade for the doors. GEN-IOUS. Also, do you know how easy it is to swap out IKEA legs through Pretty Pegs?? Their options are all so good and they’re specifically made for IKEA products!! And it’s not just for consoles…you can swap out sofa legs, bed legs, really any legs you wanna swap, they got you covered.
design and photo by starr simpsonOk, last one with a similar (ish) concept that was done by Ohana House Co. The main difference here is that she used regular wood from The Home Depot, so that’s an awesome (and probably even more affordable) way to go if you’re looking for that! Also, you can add a lot more custom personality. Here’s a full youtube step-by-step if you want more deets
The Floating Console
via ikeaSoooo we recently found out IKEA has a DIY blog (and yes it’s in Swedish but your computer can translate it to English… I totally thought this was some sort of scam when I first clicked on it but don’t panic like I did)…it has some of the best, budget-friendly ideas we’ve seen. They created a floating console hack with the IVAR cabinets and it’s pretty epic. All you have to do is paint the cabinets, attach them to the wall and then add cool hardware. BOOM. Floating console-level achieved. You could also totally add a piece of wood or marble on the top and make it a vanity or something
design and photography by sara liggoria-tramp | styling by emily edith bowser | from: sara’s not done (but updated) kitchenRemember that cool Semihandmade thing we were talking about?? Well, another company we LOVE that does IKEA cabinets fronts out of Oregon is Kokeena. We’re firm believers that this will get you the quality you want without blowing up your bank account (which already tends to happen regardless whenever you’re attempting a kitchen reno). We’ve done this strategy in many projects…like Sara’s kitchen above and in Velinda’s client’s builder-grade budget kitchen reno below.
Now, since we are talking a lot about IKEA kitchen renos I just wanted to throw out that if you’re considering going full-blown IKEA cabinetry all the way…here’s an honest IKEA cabinet review one year later that describes whether or not it’s worth the savings… FYI she used just IKEA so it’s a total review on their products.
design by amanda holstein | from: “are ikea cabinets really worth the savings?”Custom Built-In HacksThe BILLY bookcase seems to be the go-to bookcase by a variety of DIY interior design bloggers. Considering it’s pretty much the most standardly shaped (and affordable) bookcase on the internet, AND it has lots of storage, it’s pretty clear why it’s so transformable. Wanna see??
design and photo by the makeristaAn oldie, but a goodie from The Makerista. This BILLY bookshelf hack is iconic and looks AMAZING. This is a great way to go if you have an older home and want to add an architectural feature that looks like it’s original. Also if you’re going historic, we highly recommend adding the rolling ladder…we’re suckers for a good ladder over here. If you’re looking for a less fussy and more contemporary version of the built-in bookshelf look (or if you just want to do it faster & cheaper), then check out this incredibly smart hack by Elise Joseph which they accomplished for less than $500 and in 1 day:
design and photo by elise joseph | via domino Then lastly, if you’re a renter, here’s a genius renter-friendly version from Grillo Designs. Technically she doesn’t use IKEA cabinets, but if you’re set on using IKEA then don’t sweat, you can still use the BILLY bookshelves and follow the same steps. Oh and by the way, if you don’t follow her on IG, then I suggest ya do because she has lots of awesome tips and hacks that are all renter-friendly!
via new swedish designBy the way…if you want to throw in a fun little situation for your cat at the bottom of your BILLY bookshelf, this Swedish company has got you covered. It’s so cute and budget-friendly.
Coffee Table And Side Table Hacks
design and photo by made by carliThis coffee table hack is SO much easier than it looks and it’s a super simple way to add a fun little wood texture into your home. You could stain the top really any kind of wood color you’d want, so the opportunities are pretty much endless here.
design and photo by lone fox homeThe tiled side stable has truly taken the social media world by storm, so if you want to attempt this hack your gen-z child will appreciate you so much. IKEA has a version of this DIY on their swedish blog where they tile a side table with legs, but you could also attempt the BESTA unit version that Lone Fox Home does in this photo above (here’s the full tik tok tutorial btw).
The tile trend doesn’t end there guys. You can pretty much tile anything and everything –– I think this coffee table would work super well tiled and so would this desk/console table (btw these are selling for like $500-$2000 so if you want to start your side business now is the time).
So that’s it for the IKEA hacks, I hope this was helpful…if you’re planning on attempting any of these (or if you have attempted them…) drop a comment below! Oh also feel free to link more cool IKEA hacks. Okay, that’s all. Bye!
Opening Image Credits: Design and Photo by That Homebird Life
The post When You Want “Custom Furniture” But Don’t Have The “Custom Budget”: How To Hack IKEA Products From Storage Cabinets To Custom Built-Ins appeared first on Emily Henderson.
June 27, 2021
The Link Up: Two More Books Emily LOVED, A Bra That Comes In More Than One Skin Tone, & $25 Sandals Ryann Won’t Take Off
Hi hello and welcome! It’s Sunday and chances are if you are here, you know what that means. It’s Link Up time and the EHD team has some awesome product recs that we simply can’t wait to share. So let’s get right into it, shall we?
Today’s home tour is a modern traditional farmhouse located just north of Portland, OR. Sound familiar??? Its idyllic location and European inspired charm is SO good and makes us all want to follow Emily out of the city and into the Oregon “countryside”:)
From Emily: If you are looking for another great read try Reckless, by Selena Montgomery (aka Stacey Abrams). The fact that Stacey Abrams is ALSO a romance novelist is so impressive to me, so I had to give it a shot. I thoroughly enjoyed Reckless, about three orphans who commit some mysterious crime then grow up to have to deal with it. There is a fun romance between the protagonist (Kell, a high-powered defense attorney) and the sheriff. It took a minute to get into it but trust me, not long. It’s a series so it doesn’t have a conclusion re the mystery, but I’ve already started the next book that follows one of the other children, grown-up. P.S. this is what most romance novels do – the love story doesn’t continue but you start another character’s journey. This is why Shonda Rhimes didn’t understand why people were freaking out about Bridgerton not renewing the hot guy (Regé-Jean Page) for multiple seasons. Their story is ended and we are on to the other siblings – so each book and each season is its own love story (and don’t worry – ALWAYS happy ending which I know can be annoying for some, but I find great comfort reading them). Anyway, Reckless is a fun romance thriller, but just more impressive is Stacy Abrams in every way.
Also from Emily: If you liked Beach Read by Emily Henry, you’ll LOVE The Hating Game by Sally Thorne. It’s a workplace romance, the usual where the two HATE each other and compete against each other only to, you guessed it, fall in love. This one you can’t put down the second you start. It’s fun, steamy, and with really good snarky dialogue.
From Ryann: Last weekend, I innocently went to Target to buy something that I actually needed (what that thing was has escaped me though. hmmm..) and what happened next was completely out of my control. I meandered through the shoe section and these sandals pretty much fell into my cart! So weird. Once I tried them on I realized it was fate because they are really nice, chic, and look expensive (but are only $25). I liked them so much I bought them in both black and yellow and I can already tell I’ll be wearing them with so many outfits.
Also From Ryann: I have a new hobby and it is more proof that the year 2020 made me even more of a hermit. It’s called PUZZLING and I look forward to working on my puzzles every evening. My fiancé and I recently finished this one which was super fun but now I am very into all the Piecework Puzzles and want to collect them all. We are doing the Spaghetti Western one currently and next up is this beauty. The only problem is we don’t have a good table for larger puzzles so does anyone know of any compact puzzle tables or good puzzle mats?? Please advise.
From Albie: Here is another bra from my haul that has blown me away — Third Love! I went with the classics kit so I could try more than one bra style & aside from being crazy soft, the shades of brown are so yummy! As a woman of color, not having to only choose between “nude” and black is a dream come true. I have sienna, espresso, and mahogany.
From Caitlin: I’m back on the East Coast today for my best friend’s bridal shower, but I decided to extend my trip a little bit so I could squeeze in some beach time with my mom! Last fall, she scooped this sun shelter on clearance and I’m excited to get it back on the beach – it’s kind of tricky to fit back into the little bag alone (cue to a scene of me yelling “I DON’T NEED HELP” while sitting on the floor in the entryway when we opened it up for a test run) but once you figure out how to de-assemble it (spoiler: it involves someone holding the tent AND someone zipping the bag around it), it’s quick and easy and the price is pretty unbeatable.
From Jess: I feel like every time I go out I wish I had a light jacket juuuuuust in case I want an extra layer but never have one that feels light or summery enough. I know I could have easily solved this long ago but for one reason or another just hadn’t. But then this past Monday I innocently popped into Target for a broom but per usual took a stroll through the clothes section. Then I saw this it! An easy-breezy, almost linen-like, light cream blazer. I love it so much and am probably going to buy the brown one too (looks more rust in person). It’s the perfect way to look like “you tried” without actually needing to. Highly recommend!
Also From Jess: In case you’re in need of a bop. I’ve had it on repeat for the past week.
From Mallory: I’m having a real candle moment over here so I bought these AWESOME candle holders from Food52 that I’m obsessed with. I paired them with these super overpriced but also awesome candles (in the ribbed green color) and I’ll say it again: I’M OBSESSED.
Also from Mallory: It’s PERFECT timing for us to have a special Madewell code for you because I just bought these sandals and I was about to rave about them this week anyway. Emily has them in the calf hair version which is also very cute, but I was in need of a simple tan summer sandal and boy oh boy do these fit the bill. I also love that they’re velcro but don’t scream “LOOK AT MY VELCRO SANDAL.” It’s a classy velcro. Man, it is so easy to get on and off.
As Mallory mentioned above, Madewell has extended a special discount for our readers!
Code: EmilyHenderson
Code Dates: June 22nd – June 29th
Details: $25 off purchases of $125+
That’s all she wrote, folks. See you tomorrow? Yay, It’s a date!
Opener Image Credit: Design by Jessica Helgerson and Yianni Doulis | Photo by Aaron Leitz and Lincoln Barbour | via Architectural Digest
The post The Link Up: Two More Books Emily LOVED, A Bra That Comes In More Than One Skin Tone, & $25 Sandals Ryann Won’t Take Off appeared first on Emily Henderson.
Emily Henderson's Blog
- Emily Henderson's profile
- 10 followers
