Emily Henderson's Blog, page 162

Justina Just Launched Her VERY GOOD Target X Jungalow Line (And These Are Our Favorites:))

When I started out in this crazy blog business there were very few people who did what we did (design content creator/influencer) so we all know each other, and thank god because over the years we’ve all really needed each other’s support – both emotionally, as well as in our collaborations. Justina and I have collaborated for years on different projects (remember the Airbnb project we did?), but more importantly, we are just fans of each other’s work and work ethos and knowing how hard she’s worked, knowing her different struggles over the year (same), I just get so proud of her every time she blows it out of the park (like today).

the airbnb project!more of the airbnb project:)rose bowl flea market 2015 (?)

We’ve spoken together at conferences and stayed up late many nights drinking and exchanging advice for whatever our business woes were at the time. The point is – I am SO EXCITED that not only is she working with Target in a similar capacity as mine, but she has launched her collection with them that is INCREDIBLE. When the EHD team saw it we all freaked out (and most of us are going to wait in line overnight for the first lamp below). Justina, I KNOW how hard you’ve worked over the years on your collections, books, lines of everything and I just love seeing every single second of your success. You deserve it all. So without further ado here is are our picks of her new collection that launched TODAY.

1. Rattan Floor Lamp: I want this so bad. We all do.

2. Euclid Fabric Pendant: Love how special the shape and details are but that the colors are neutral so it can really go in almost any room.

3. Mixed Material Shelf Floor Lamp: YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!! SO GOOD!!!!! Multifunctional furniture that’s SO DOPE!!

1. Marin Stackable Pouf with Casters: The genius is too much. Not only does this pouf bring color and style to a room but those cushions COME APART FOR MORE SEATING!! Small spaces especially can rejoice. Oh and it also comes in a coral gradient. Both are so cute.

2. Anza Woven Rattan Nightstand: Nope it’s not a chair, it’s a nightstand! I love the unexpected function and of course the texture that it would bring to a bedroom.

3. Olivia Round Pouf: Another piece of furniture that has a secret! That VERY cute pouf splits into two pieces for extra hang-out seating. So great for teens (but also adults:))

1. Shapes and Lines Framed Wall Art (Set of 2): Justina is a TRUE artist and has painted and illustrated for years. To be able to do this and write and design is crazy. Such a good diptych.

2. Curvy Framed Wall Art: Another awesome piece but in a cool shape that would easily bring some variation to a gallery wall (so it’s not all squares or shorter rectangles) or work perfectly on a slender wall looking for a friend:)

3. Shapes Framed Wall Art: See! She’s an ARTIST! It’s just so good and I love the colors.

1. Bolster Oversized Woven Uneven Stripe Pillow: Yes to this. IN my cart now. The broken stripe pattern is one of my favorites and the velvet ends just makes it extra elevated.

2. Maze Pattern Loop Tufted Pillow: Texture on pattern on coziness. Such a great pillow to throw onto any bed, sofa, or chair to bring in some depth.

3. Jungle Print Indigo Lounge Pillow: How cute for a playroom?! Or to use to watch movies or read on the floor?! I love the saturated colors and the whimsy of the pattern:)

4. Square Velvet Fringe Pillow: Such a great color and that fringe is so good. But it also comes in teal and gold so there’s a color for everyone.

5. Fringe Cotton Percale Sheet Set: I love love how fun these sheets are! Think how pretty your bed would look with these on it??

6. Woven Striped Throw Blanket: You know I love fringe and blues so this throw is right up my alley. It also just looks cozy.

7. Yarn Dyed Gauze Stripe Duvet Cover & Sham Set: Justina obviously has a bunch of beautiful and bold bedding options but I love the softness of this one. The different scales of stripes are really good.

8. Scalloped Edge Quilt Sham: So cute!!!!! I’m still very into scallops:)

9. Abstract Punch Needle Pillow: Basically it’s her art on a pillow which I love. The large-scale abstract pattern that’s still colorful is awesome because it would work with A TON of different color palettes.

1. Blue Terracotta Vase: I love a pop of cobalt (I loved how Orlando used it in his bedroom last week, too).

2. Striped Terracotta Vase: Just fun, cool, and a very easy way to bring in a little pattern into your space.

3. Chalk White Terracotta Vase: GAH!!! SO GOOD! (AND LOOKS SO HIGHEND).

1. Woven Wastebasket: You may not know this but Jess has a thing for cool wastebaskets and she really likes this one. I mean it’s very cute. It’s again another VERY easy way to bring style and texture to a room that probably could use a little rattan:)

2. Wooded Rose Incense Sticks with Terracotta Plate Holder: If you are in the market for an incense holder this is such a cute one! Why not have your burning incense be as stylish as possible??

3. Round Metal/Resin Gemstone Box Gold: Cool and unexpected. Would look great on your desk, bedside table, or in your bathroom!

Congrats, my friend. I’m so proud of you and can’t wait to hoard your goods. Also, remember when we were babies?

O and buy her newest book here!!

The post Justina Just Launched Her VERY GOOD Target X Jungalow Line (And These Are Our Favorites:)) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How To Make Your Tile Look Really Special Without Being Dated In 10 Years – New Classic Tile “Trends” That I’m LOVING

Here’s what I’m going for – tile sooo quiet and special that like a good actor, you can’t even see them acting – they just are so good that you just engrossed by them. I sound like a broken record but I here I go again – designing and renovating an older house to be unique yet timeless in a MINIMAL way is my creative challenge on this house. Achieving my “simple but special” goal takes more time and brain space than you’d possibly think, but I’m honestly enjoying every second of it. If you have a contemporary style or post-modern home you have fewer rules – you are beholden to less architectural moments. But if you are working within a classic style of house (like a craftsman farmhouse built during the Victorian Era for instance) it’s my opinion that you should use more classic hard finishes. Of course, what “classic” means to you could be totally different than me and yes there are a BILLION exceptions (we are putting wall-to-wall carpet in the kid’s room for instance). Also, ANYONE can break the rules when done RIGHT. But for this house I want my hard finishes – I’m talking flooring, tile, countertop material, and cabinetry – to feel like a fresh twist on “classic”. Listen, these SHOULD be permanent once installed and IMHO should look like they belong to the home and to you. I want quiet but not expected. Fresh but not trendy. Full of life, but not busy. High quality but not ostentatious or “fancy”.

Most importantly not boring. Interesting. I write about this in my next book ad nauseam but once you know the rules (which is the first half of the book) you HAVE to break at least a few of them to have an interesting home that reflects your creativity and personality. With the tile for the farm, we are working with Pratt + Larson who manufactures everything in Portland and has ENDLESS customization options. Like endless. They are wonderful. But I don’t want to do something WACKY with the tile, I want to do something quietly impactful and special. I almsost don’t want you to even notice it at first – which if you aren’t obsessed with design woud seem like an odd thing to obsess over – something people barely notice. But for the vibe of this house that’s what I want. Where you know you are somewhere special, but your eyes aren’t freaking out trying to understand it. The first step is working with high-quality material… after that, the challenge begins.

So here is a brain dump of all the ideas I have to do this with tile. If you want into my creative process, today’s post is for you

Search For Vintage Uses Of Tile – To Rethink What Is “Normal” via cnn

I secretly hate sharing this image (above) because once I found it (which took HOURS of digging) I caught my breath and knew that I needed to recreate a version of it. Especially with a house that goes a bit old world you can lean into some Victorian elements like this and still do it in a quiet way. Of course, this tile doesn’t exist so we have to literally build the pattern but it was a huge sense of inspiration to me.

photo by elliott anderson | via oregon live

It’s EXTREMELY hard to find vintage kitchens and baths on the internet because most of them were “before photography” or considered “dated” so were not photographed before they were ripped out. I found way more success looking up hotels in Europe and just staring at what they did in their kitchens and baths and more importantly how they did it. While you might look at that kitchen and scream how dated it is, look past that and instead note what they actually did and brainstorm how you can do a fresh version of it. That tiny little tile border around the window is unexpected and cool. I’m considering just mixing it in around our windows in the same finish and color as the field tile to just give it a TINY unexpected detail that you don’t notice until you are up close.

Go High Impact With One Simple Tile But Like A LOT OF IT – EVERYWHEREdesign by heidi caillier design | photo by haris kenjar photography

Sure, these bathrooms have different tiles on the floor but the sheer impact of the one tile on all of the walls – floor to ceiling and wall to wall is enough to make this EXTREMELY special. Heidi Caillier is a design goddess and specializes in modern vintage soul – she is SO GOOD. Of course this look is a LOT more expensive than you’d think but doable if you are doing it yourself. We wanted to tile the ceiling of our main bathroom but ARCIFORM thinks it will be $3 – $5k just for the ceiling labor. We came up with a different solution that still feels VERY special but reduces the amount of tile and labor. Stay tuned But the point is you don’t have to do something super detailed or wacky, you can instead just do a LOT of tile everywhere.

design by jr corleto | photo by virtually here studios | via cle tile

I love the simplicity of this bathroom, too and it’s a big inspiration for our bathroom. Herringbone on the floor (I’ll add a border) in an interesting scale (stay tuned) and just a TON of simple tile on the all walls.

design by jessica helgerson and yianni doulis | photo by aaron leitz and lincoln barbour | via architectural digest

Jessica Helgerson tiled every wall in her farmhouse kitchen and (notice even around the door and hood) and it’s just so pretty and special, but simple and classic.

design by fernando santangelo | via remodelista

Granted that these tiles are handmade and obviously very special, but it’s just one tile, staggered – EVERYWHERE. Note the different orientation around the window. LOVE.

Mixing Standard Tile Sizes (Subway, Square, Etc.)design by joão rodrigues and manuel aires mateus | photo by filipe lucas frazão | via here magazine

I LOVE this look and will be doing my own version of it. We ordered samples in a lot of different sizes and I’ve played with them for HOURS. The key to this is the perfect amount of “randomness” (but not random at all). Your tile installer will likely hate you, but the look is simple and pretty. I’d also not do a dark grout so that you almost don’t even notice the variation, your eye just moves around easily and doesn’t register what is happening but tells your brain that it’s SO PRETTY.

via tile cloud

Here’s an example of subway installed vertically next to squares of the same height. Again, I also love that they didn’t just go back and forth between the two – that they did two subway next to one square then one subway next to one square, then two squares, AND they staggered them. Perfectly random.

design by joão rodrigues and manuel aires mateus | photo by juan rodriguez

This wall is a combination of one row of squares followed by one row of staggered square and rectangular. But it takes your eye a while to figure that out – in a good way.

design by studio mcgee | photo by lucy call

In this one, Shea McGee moved from white subway to pink square and it totally works. You could strip that from floor to ceiling in color blocks. Stacking it would feel more contemporary but if you want an old world feel I think the mixed stagger shapes could totally work. Again the key to making sure this doesn’t feel dated is all in the quality of the tile and installation and in the colors. I think this looks super fresh. Also you could put the pink ALSO on the floor and just have it come up the wall.

design by leanne ford | photo by alexandra ribar

My friend Leanne did this one above which is so gutsy. She mixed different SIZES of squares, different tones, AND rectangles. She is brave and makes me want to be more brave.

Rotate The Orientation Of The Tile To Highlight An Architectural Featureleft: image source | right: image source

This is a new favorite thing to do – take the same tile and use it to enhance an architectural feature. Depending on how arched yours is you might have to cut every single tile perfectly, but you also might be able to play with grout lines to achieve this. Obviously, this can be done on any straight surface too – I.e. around cabinetry, recessed mirrors, windows, doorways, etc.

design by alex bates and andrew hoffman | photos by marta xochilt perez for the maryn | via cup of jo

You can see it on this fireplace – it goes vertical at the top of the fire box and then at the hearth it orients go to in – mixing in another orientation or shape.

design by doherty design studio | photo by derek swalwell | via the design filesdesign by doherty design studio | photo by derek swalwell

Such subtle impact on that fireplace just by changing the orientation of the tile. LOVE.

The Difference A Tile Border Can Makevia fireclay tile

Oh I LOVE a tile border. We did one on our LA patio and it made it look instantly old world and took all the “trend” out of the cement tile pattern we used. I love how the above is just a simple color change and change in orientation but it’s not fussy. I usually do tile borders to run the length of the wall, but I love how they did this.

design by the victorian rectory | via devol

It’s my personal opinion that a herringbone needs a tile border if you want it to look old world or more classic (like above). It could be a different scale of tile and that one could have been even thinner but it just instantly frames the room and looks more custom (because it is). It just buttons all the diagonals up.

left: image source | right: design by nomad design

I love, again, how these two ran their borers perpendicular to the wall (or the transition floor) instead of along it. I love both but seeing this orientation locked a lot of ideas for me. Like then why not do a totally different scale into the wall.

image source

For all of you who want to do the checker or diamond trend but are nervous that is so hot right now, y’all, just add a victorian border. the customization of it really gives it more power and makes it more classic. We are doing our own custom version of this in the new sunroom (that will go more victorian than the rest of the house).

image sourcephoto by debi treloar photography | via marcela fittipaldi magazine

The above pattern (octagon with square) would look cute without the border, sure, but that border makes it SO SPECIAL and makes it look like it’s been there for years and years. The more intricate they are the more special they are in my opinion, and yes, you have to lay it out and make sure the pattern works (which is what I’ve spent SO MUCH of my time doing lately – literally out of cut paper, playing on the floor for hours).

Add Tile Trim For A Decorative Old World Detail via heritage tile

Just a little stripe makes it feel special. I’ve even thought about stopping the tile at the trim, but in another color and just carrying it throughout the room. It could just be a slight tone darker and a little stripe around the base.

design by dusty deco | photo by jonas ingerstedt

Look at the impact that that little bead has around the whole kitchen. I’m obsessed. Such a good detail.

via winchester tiles

Now I’m on the fence about these but I think mostly it’s the color, but the above and below shots did unlock some new ideas about taking one color and blocking out top and bottom, divided by a pencil trim. OR using the pencil trim as a stripe from floor to ceiling. Y’all the ideas of endless which is obviously both a good and bad thing.

via winchester tilesTile Border Around Doorway, Window Or Mirrorvia sparrow haunt

I know that this can look dated, but what is the fresh new version of it? I think it’s all about the quality of the tile and how you install it. It could be simplified OR it could be even more detailed and decorative, depending on what you are going for. It could be all the way around the mirror or integrated like theirs is.

design by martyn lawrence bullard | photo by douglas friedman | via elle decor

Talk about a LOT of tile. Here they used a contrasting tile around the border of the entire room, as a strong accent, including the floor bath and doorway. While this is certainly not the look I’m going for it inspired some ideas that we are working with.

design by jam architecture | photo by gieves anderson

Here’s it’s hard to see but if you look closely you can see the tile on both sides of the shower niche. We are trying a version of this in the drawings and I honestly can’t tell if I like it or if I wished that we would just continue it on all the walls, so stay tuned on that.

Of course, this post did not cover the difference grout can make but I wrote that post a few years ago – check it out here. Also, I’m doing a separate post all about making penny and hex tile special AND how I’m creating a custom mosaic tile for our sunroom out of existing shapes – I’m so excited about it.

Next up I’ll discuss how we are doing this exact same process for our cabinetry – all the details that will make your standard cabinets feel wildly more special and custom without the risk of it looking dated. I’m learning SO MUCH

Opening Image Credits: Design by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design | Photo by Aaron Leitz Photography

The post How To Make Your Tile Look Really Special Without Being Dated In 10 Years – New Classic Tile “Trends” That I’m LOVING appeared first on Emily Henderson.

“How Can I Stop Sweating While I Sleep?” Caitlin Desperately Searches For The Answer (P.S. She Came Up With 10 GREAT Options)

Hello. I AM MELTING. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been waking up from some crazy dreams in the middle of the night with my lower back drenched in sweat. I’ve since realized there were some environmental problems, like, uh, falling asleep while very stressed and wearing sweatpants while swaddled underneath a 20-pound comforter in an 80-degree room. But it got me thinking – how can I make the coolest bedroom ever without just turning up the AC or blowing a bunch of fans and hoping for the best?

And when I tried to look into it, I just found pages and pages of articles that were like “here are 20 cooling sheet sets” which made me feel really overwhelmed – just give me the good stuff, pal!!! The creme de la creme only, if you will.

So I did my research, asked around, read hundreds of reviews, and pulled together the 10 best-reviewed options – from a simple PJ shift dress to the best pillow ever to a $3,000 hydro-powered mattress – that will help keep your bed feeling cool and comfortable all night long. Menopause-experiencers, hot-flash havers, anxiety-induced night-sweaters, hot sleepers, folks without central air – we’re all going to get through this, together! Let’s start with the simplest solution and work our way up, yeah?

Become’s Night Dress

Was this technically designed for folks experiencing menopause? Well, yeah. But get a load of this: while these PJs may look sweet and simple, they’re actually super fancy – each dress cools the skin, wicks away moisture, prevents odor buildup, and re-releases heat back onto the skin when you finally start to cool down. Plus, they’re seamless, timeless, and maybe even a little stylish. (Like, this is something that a woman in a Nancy Meyers movie would wear to bed before pulling on a beautiful robe in the AM and strolling about a sun-dappled kitchen in the AM.) Dresses will run you just under $60 and there are a ton of options and cuts available for those who prefer shirts and pants, too. In any case, clothing is a good place to start before you, you know, spend hundreds – or thousands – upending your whole bed and bedding situation. (Feel free to drop any other cooling PJs in the comments!)

Coop’s Eden Pillow

This is it. The best pillow (not even just for night sweat suffers – I’m talking THE best pillow, period). 2,000 5-star reviews and my emphatic, enthusiastic endorsement can’t be wrong!!! Thanks to a gel-infused memory foam insert, both sides of this puppy stay cool all night AND each pillow comes with a half-pound bag of supplementary hypoallergenic fill, so you can make yours as firm or as floppy as you want. (For my side sleepers out there, the body pillow is just as great and if you grab a long lumbar cover, it can do double duty as your main decorative pillow when you make your bed in the morning!)

Parachute’s Percale Sheets

Yes, linen is breathable and great…but have you ever been in a cool percale sheet? Let me paint the picture for you: imagine stepping out of an awesome shower, jumping into your clean, taut, freshly-made bed with chilled percale sheets, and rubbing your legs together underneath like a little anthropomorphic cricket. IT’S AMAZING. I love how slick these feel – and hot sleepers in the reviews agree, there’s lots of feedback that reads “crisp” and “cool” – but I also love that Parachute lets you skip the top sheet. (My top sheets have sat unused for years. A simple shift to reduce a little clutter and waste!)

Buffy’s Comforter

This week, after a year-long love affair with my weighted comforter, I finally had to accept that it was “summer,” that I didn’t love sleeping under 20 pounds plus a duvet when it’s “90-degrees,” and that I may have been “overheating myself.” FINE. But that’s where this comforter from Buffy comes in – folks, the rumors are true. The cooling eucalyptus construction and perfect amount of fluff (not too puffy, not too flat) make it a dream for those who love feeling covered but hate feeling smothered. Plus, Buffy just dropped an even more lightweight version for folks who prefer more of a ~quilted~ look. Something for everyone!

Bearaby’s Weighted Blanket

Similarly, this weighted blanket from Bearaby is also made from eucalyptus fibers. Each piece is hand-knit and the open weave construction also helps air circulate, which keeps you cooler at night. If you think your night sweats have been brought on by stress or anxiety (guilty as charged!), testing out a weighted blanket – especially one that’s this beautiful! – may be just the thing the doctor ordered

Bedjet’s Cooling System

Alright, folks. We’re stepping into the BIG LEAGUES – we’re talking sleep systems and mattress upgrades from here on out. I first learned about the BedJet – a fan that circulates air under your covers – from Arlyn, who described it as a “veritable air hockey table.” You basically pick a temperature between 66 degrees and 104 degrees, and it’ll do its best to keep you comfortable all night. Added bonus for the BedJet: the air circulation helps pull sweat and heat out of the bed and there’s so real change to your current mattress, so you’ll barely notice it’s there.

Chilisleep’s OOLER Sleep System

In 2020, a bunch of my friends used their stimulus checks to purchase OOLERs – and you know what? They’re SO. FREAKING. HAPPY. about it. Still. The price tag on this is no joke ($749 for half a queen; $1499 to cover a full queen bed), but it’s a hydroponic pad (AKA you put water in it occasionally and it’ll circulate) that can you can set between 55 and 115 degrees. While it seems like a hearty investment upfront, I’ve heard nothing but good reviews alongside glowing confessions of reduced HVAC bills. (Turns out that just heating or cooling the bed is a lot more affordable than heating or cooling a whole house!)

Eightsleep’s Pod Pro Cover

Similarly, the Eightsleep Pro Pod Cover is zipped onto your existing mattress. Just fill-up the tiny tank every few months with water and enjoy their thermoregulation technology on the mattress that you already own and love! I personally am leaning a bit more towards this one over the Ooler, as Eightsleep offers an app that can track your sleep wellness without any wearables. Oh, and did I mention that the app also offers guided meditations, white noise sleep coaching, and more? THE FUTURE IS NOW.

Tuft & Needle’s Original Mattress

Don’t have a huge mattress budget? ME NEITHER, PAL. The Tuft & Needle Original mattress is actually an awesome, budget-conscious pick. It combines two layers of memory foam with graphite and cooling gel, so it’ll pull heat away from your body all night. If you prefer mattresses with springs, never fear – the air channels in the Hybrid mattress also make it a super breathable pick! For what it’s worth, a ton of EHD staffers and contributors have T&N mattresses in their own homes – it’s tough to go wrong

Eightsleep’s Pod Pro

We’ve made it: the Tony Stark of mattresses, IMO. This is what my nerd-driven data dreams are made of, folks. I’ve been eyeing this mattress for the better part of a year, so let me break down its wild selling points: there are ambient sensors for room climate and outdoor weather so it can react intelligently; it tracks your resting heart rate, respiratory rate, etc. (where was this when I was training seriously for sports?!); it can wake you up by gently shaking or warming your side of the bed (no annoying alarm clocks!); it offers dual-zone heating and cooling; there’s also the advanced sleep tracking app we mentioned before. Cooling your bed to 55 AND getting to review arbitrary health markers every day? I’M SO SOLD. It’s like Peloton, but for sleeping. I want it SO BADLY.

And there you have it from me – the 10 products that can actually make a difference in your sleep temperature. I know there are tons of hacks out there, though, so PLEASE DROP YOURS IN THE COMMENTS. What’s worked for you to help you sleep through the night? Spill your secrets, please.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Julie Rose for EHD | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: One of Emily’s Best Friends Gets The Cozy Yet Sophisticated Bedroom Makeover She Really Deserves

The post “How Can I Stop Sweating While I Sleep?” Caitlin Desperately Searches For The Answer (P.S. She Came Up With 10 GREAT Options) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Airbnbs And Hotels We Each Are Dreaming About Staying At

It’s been pretty impossible to not start dreaming up vacations even if we aren’t actually planning on going on a vacation soon (aka me). And maybe it’s just me but the mere act of looking feels extremely adventurous, against the rules even. That sounded way lamer than I intended but for those of us still a little hesitant to hop on a plane you get it. FYI it’s not against any rules! And since vacations have been on the brain, we decided to share with you some of the places we plan on going to, “if money weren’t an issue” dream hotels and/or rentals, or just places on our “someday lists” that are really really beautiful! Ready, set, relax…

Emilyvia aman resortsvia miraval austinvia bay point landing

While I really just want to go back to Ojai Valley Inn every single time we think of a “getaway”, I suppose if I were to try somewhere new it would be the Amangiri in Utah or Miraval in Austin. It’s more of a girls’ trip or with Brian, less for the whole family but both look STUNNING, secluded, quiet, and delicious. I’d also love to take the kids to a Dude Ranch like Paws Up sometime, and we will definitely be visiting Suttle Creek when we need a quick retreat from Portland. Ooh and at some point, I want to go to my hometown in Coos Bay and try this new place. I know none are too exotic but exploring the PNW or a quick plane ride sounds like way more fun to us right now than getting on a 12-hour flight. 

via airbnbvia airbnbvia airbnb

While I’m still in the “let’s wait to travel till the kid are older” phase of life, there is one location/destination that does tempt us all for a family trip – Scotland. Brian has never been and his family is Scottish, meanwhile, after binging Outlander I became OBSESSED with going. I went when I was 21 while touring Europe and my best friend and I LOVED it because everyone was so nice, it was so easy to navigate, and it has medieval castles everywhere – basically untouched from the wars. A deep rich history, with less crowds than the rest of Europe and it just feels very kid-friendly with a lot of nature, quaint towns, and some city culture. A few years ago our cousins took their older kids there and rented out part of a castle and they said it was an absolute success for the entire family. Not just “for kids” or “for grownups”. So right now if we were to travel internationally Brian and I both would want to go to Scotland and stay in a castle (this one above is very pricey but a SO COOL).

Jessvia airbnbvia airbnb

Mexico is one of my favorite places in the world. I have dreamed of moving there more times than I can count but ya know, my Spanish is bad at best and I kinda love my friends and job here in LA. SO visiting is good enough for the foreseeable future. I first saw this Airbnb on Alexandra Cadiz’s (incredible designer and old office building neighbor:)) Instagram when she and her fiancé (incredible ceramicist) stayed there. I had actually forgotten about it when Julie reminded me and sent me the link. THIS PLACE IS MY DREAM!!!! Old, romantic, soulful, and in Merida where I actually went on a school trip to in middle school and have wanted to revisit ever since. It also sparked my love affair with this beautiful country. Actually, that trip was pretty transformative for me, and if your kids get an opportunity to do something similar LET THEM or maybe even insist! Anyway, I will be campaigning for me and 7 friends (8 is the max amount of ppl who can stay) to go to this utter oasis. *Starts Duolingo as she finishes typing this blurb*

via condesa dfvia condesa dfvia condesa df

It’s Mexico again! I’ve been to Mexico City for a total of 5 hours because I was either on my way or coming back from San Miguel de Allende (which if you haven’t been is too magical to describe in this short blurb). And both times I was there I told myself I would be back for a proper trip. And while stunning hotel (Condesa df) is a little out of my price range, a girl can dream.

Malloryvia plum guidevia plum guidevia plum guide

I’ve seen this airbnb’s backyard all over Instagram so it’s about time somebody links it and it’s gonna be me. Check out this awesome tiled, checkered sofa and all-around VIBEY desert lodge. Oh and the whole thing is bright pink which is so bold and never not cool.

via white watervia white watervia white water

My friend recently stayed at this hotel and it was SO beautiful I had to know where/what it was. It’s called White Water Cambria and oh boy oh boy is it stunning. Total Scandi vibes (and it’s RIGHT on the water btw). Check out photos of the lobby…it’s GOOD.

Ryannvia airbnbvia airbnbvia airbnb

Looking at these photos makes me physically ache with longing. I’ve never been to France (but am dying to) and this is exactly what I have always pictured my dream vacation home would look like. The cobblestone, the incredible view of Saint Paul de Vence, and the 12th-century exterior charm are magical but the interior is even more breathtaking. It is dripping with charm and has that cool, relaxed French style that I desperately want to emulate in my life. I am starting to wonder who gave this apartment permission to be this perfect for me and how do I manifest spending a summer here drinking wine and writing poetry??

via auberge resortsvia auberge resortsvia auberge resorts

I’ve only been to Austin, TX once but when I did it left a permanent mark on my soul. I’ve been wanting to go back ever since and if/when I do, I could die happy if I could spend just one night in this hotel. It has every design element and style that I am attracted to (including cabana stripes) as well as this unexpected old-world European charm that I am deeply in love with. Has anyone stayed here?? If so, I’d love to hear about your experience and live vicariously through you.

Caitlindesign by luke edward hall | photo by benoi linerodesign by luke edward hall | photo by benoi linerodesign by luke edward hall | photo by benoi linero

This isn’t the first time I’ve written about how inspired I am by the Hotel Les Deux Gares in Paris (designed by my current all-time favorite Luke Edward Hall – he’s so good) and it surely won’t be the last! I am so inspired by the masterful pattern mixing, the fearless use of bright colors, the blend of Deco and Chinoiserie and traditional elements presented in a new way. O and the “leave no surface untouched” attitude of color pops on every. single. ceiling. It feels so finished and considered and beautiful – I’ve never been to Paris and feel like this would make the experience even better. 

via airbnbvia airbnbvia airbnb

For what it’s worth, I almooooost included a link to the Bachelor mansion here. I wanted to stay there for my 30th birthday, but then I learned that it’s bananas expensive… so I guess I’d also settle for this super clean, simple, uber-relaxing cave house (with a private outdoor plunge pool!) in Greece. It’s no rose ceremony, but I have a feeling that I could make it work. Can you imagine spending a week relaxing and drinking wine and reading and enjoying the sun and walking around Santorini? WHAT A DELIGHT IT WOULD BE. (Plus, I have a feeling that these listing photos may be a welcome treat for some of y’all with more minimalist tastes!)

So those are ours! Any that you now have your eye on? Where are your dream vacation spots or ones that you are actually going on soon??

Love you, mean it.

The post The Airbnbs And Hotels We Each Are Dreaming About Staying At appeared first on Emily Henderson.

What Is Renovating Historic Homes Like And What To Splurge On Via ARCIFORM’s, Anne De Wolf (Plus The Reno Formula She ALWAYS Uses)

Emily’s team, Jess and Mallory, suggested I write about my experience as a renovator. We typically use the word “remodeler” but I like renovator too. However now I think of myself as an appliance, like a refrigerator or generator.  Hmmmm.

What is fun about this profession is that you learn something new every day.  This is my favorite part, but it is also often very nerve-wracking.  

But before I go into my experience as a renovator, I want to tell you a little about my background as it relates to my journey of becoming a renovator. I grew up in Germany and after finding out that I have a learning disability, my parents decided to enroll me in our local Waldorf School after grade school. I loved it there. The curriculum included many trades like woodworking, gardening, smithing, sowing, as well as many languages, theatre, orchestra, and literature. It was not big on sports, which I am eternally grateful for, as I am the least competitive person I know and the second most clumsy one. 

My dad was a big sailor. If you wanted to hang out with him, you either sailed or work on his wooden boats. The two of us always dreamed of sailing off into the sunset to worlds unknown. So when I graduated high school, we ended up on an old wooden boat in Charleston, SC which we were going to sail across the Atlantic. For 1 ½ years, we spent restoring this boat while living on it. This is when I met Richard, my husband and business partner, and ended up moving to Portland with him.

After I graduated from Marylhurst University, I realized that my love for old things could be made into a career. So, when Richard and I decided to partner up, we chose to make structures built prior to the 1930s… ARCIFORM’s niche market. It is very important to focus on what you love and want to learn about when you decide to start your own company. We created a business plan including 1 year and 5-year goals and budgets, which helped us stay focused and kept us in line. It also makes you good at what you do. You become the expert that people turn to.

flooring is reclaimed 100-year-old fir from a silverton school

ARCIFORM prides itself in preparing for as many eventualities as possible to prevent our clients from getting sucked into an emotional and financial renovation vortex. We are lucky in that we can bring questions to the table and have the many awesome craftspeople that are part of our team and share their knowledge. Case in point: Yesterday I was meeting with Adam, Stephyn, and Jamie about Emily’s and Brian’s roof framing details. I had thought I had figured out all the connection details with our engineer, but of course, Jamie pointed out that there are unusual connections where the new beams join in corners… Had he not pointed this out, we would have been scratching our heads and hustling for answers while in the middle of hoisting up large beams. Thank you, Jamie!  

It is super important to have as many team members on board as early as possible. Start with an extensive list of what your project might look like, figure out who can help make that a reality and get them on board for feedback right away. If you want to change your structure, get an engineer on board; if your systems need to be updated or changed, invite in the electrician, plumber, and heating and cooling subs. There is a skill to this though–you do not want your experts to be inundated with having to review many options, (that is what your designer is there for), but during key decision-making moments, have them give you their feedback. 

Build relationships and respect those relationships. It can make or break the success of your project. In fact, the number one trade we try to teach our staff is good communication. Keep your team members up to date with quick check-ins. Do not write novels, just a quick “hello, this is where I am at,” goes a long way. Too much information is overwhelming and gets ignored, too little information causes anxiety and misunderstandings. Do not just point out a problem but suggest a solution right away.  Renovation is about problem-solving. We are hired to think creatively based on our many years of experience.   

ARCIFORM is very diligent about the project development process, which includes navigation of the client’s expectations. Every client is different. We all like to splurge on some things but not on others.  Renovation is not necessarily the most glamorous, as a lot of effort is invested in fixing what is already there. 

all of the surfaces were restored and we upgraded the electrical

I will first outline how we tackle fixing and addressing what is there from a renovator’s point of view, and then I will give you a little insight into what people like to splurge on from the perspective of a remodeler. Here is typically how the initial process works:

We make sure the foundation is sound. Homes built prior to about the 1940s in Portland (which is the only area I am familiar with) rarely had footings below foundation walls. This is not bad if the house sits on stable ground, but if the ground shifted and settled, and if there is a lot of moisture in the ground, this can cause challenging issues. I check if the ridge is straight and the line between the siding and the foundation are straight. I also check if the doors and windows open well and or if there are large cracks in the walls. Of course, if you get dizzy while walking around a house is also a good indicator of uneven floors. A marble rolling around on a floor on it is on accord can also tell you where settling has occurred.  Second in the lineup is fixing or replacing the roof, the siding, the doors, and the windows. You want to be sure that whatever you do inside the house does not fall victim to the elements. As Emily will likely share with you in her posts, there are many wonderful products out there for period-appropriate siding, windows, and doors that also meet current energy codes and are great performers. Here, the devil is in the details. Proportions and installation methods are key when the goal is not to lose the charm of the old home. We use this rule of thumb: foundations first, then go from the outside in and the top down. We like to fix upper levels before we look at the main level and lastly, we do the basement remodels if that meets the client’s needs. We do this so that we can access and route plumbing, electrical, and ducting through spaces that we have not spent months making perfect. If the clients need their basements remodeled first, we make sure we have a plan in place for any future projects above, so we can prepare structural changes, adjust plumbing and ducting, and can account for electrical upgrades to save money in the long run. 

Ok, now a quick look at top splurges. I do not consider renovations splurging as you really invest in what you have and will get a great return on your investment if you did it right. “Right” is the key ingredient. But even that can be very relative.

this is an added the conservatory off the library & kitchen which supports a balcony above

The top splurge that ARCIFORM experiences is space. We build many additions and remodel many basements because people want more elbow room. If you can afford it, purchase a little bigger home, as adding onto a small home can be costly. Single story homes are not meant to support a second story, systems need to be in perfect working condition when covering them up during a basement remodel and building additions that meet the material and detail standards of the first half of the last century are complex and costly. In the long run, this can also be a good investment though, as adding space generally increases the value of your home exponentially. 

in this kitchen, we refurbished most of the original cabinetry and removed an old double oven and reconfigured the space for storage. 

ARCIFORM is known for our great kitchens that we build with longevity in mind. Over the last 100 or so years, kitchens have become many people’s favorite space for their communal and creative pursuits. So here is where we splurge. Many of my clients love every detail: beautiful cabinets, lovely tile, stunning counters, and sparkly hardware, and let us not forget the awesome appliances on the market today.

design by arciform

And of course… bathrooms. If it is the main bathroom or adding a bathroom for each kid or having a bathroom in the basement,  bathrooms are a luxury that we all like to splurge on. Here, as like what is happening with the kitchens, the suppliers have really upped their game. Fixtures, fittings, tile and counters, everything is just becoming more and more beautiful, inspiring us all in creating spa-like spaces for ourselves and sweet privacy for our children and guests. 

My personal splurge is tile. The funny thing is my current house has all the original tile still in place, so I cannot create my Turkish bath dream.  But if I could, and I am more than happy to splurge in my head, I would tile the entire inside of my house.

When renovating historic homes, include the experts to help you spend money wisely, splurge on things that add comfort on a daily basis, and prioritize planning over rushing through the process. That’s my advice to you:)

Opening Image Credit: Design by ARCIFORM

The post What Is Renovating Historic Homes Like And What To Splurge On Via ARCIFORM’s, Anne De Wolf (Plus The Reno Formula She ALWAYS Uses) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

A Tale Of A Girl In Search Of The Perfect 48″ Induction Range And The 6 Different Options I’m Considering (Along With A Rant, Of Course)

When I first wrote this post my thesis was that there is a hole in the American market, but after doing more researching and self-reflection, I’m now wondering if it’s just our perception. I wonder if just because we are used to a convenience/luxury it doesn’t actually mean we need it or should have it. Today’s appliance tale (and the 6 I’m seriously considering) is an exploration in just that.

For the farm, I wrote that I’m shopping for an induction range instead of natural gas for environmental reasons (read this post as to why if you are just catching up). But my intent to find that 48″ induction range of my dreams has been thwarted by, well, what feels like a massive hole in the American market. This has been frustrating for everyone as it has totally held up the design of the kitchen and with long lead times, my lack of decision will most certainly hold up the construction. So what happened? I was so sure!!!

It seems like, after a lot of research, I have not found a 48″ beautiful full induction range that has the large oven capacity that we are used to (if I’m wrong – please, PLEASE let me know). But maybe I’m used to a big SUV (double wall oven) and shouldn’t be surprised that by getting a beautiful crossover (a 48″ range/stove) we’d have less storage (interior cooking cubic feet). What I’ve kinda come up with is that you really can’t have everything, and furthermore exploring whether we actually NEED everything anyway. Americans specifically think we “need” all these conveniences in life, and the bigger the better, and we are learning more but perhaps we really don’t (and shouldn’t). Just because we are USED to something does not mean we need it or that our life will be less fulfilling without it. It’s a “more is better” mentality, and we all know how this ends – it’s not. Today we are talking ranges, but it’s a larger conversation that we are having a lot at our house and in the office.

Another good example of this is our main bedroom in the farm. We are adding on 8′ to make it larger (so we can have a big walk-in closet) and sure for resale I think this is smart, but the reason we are doing this is because we are used to a large bedroom here so now we “need” it in our next house. This is a dangerous way to consume and is making me rethink a lot. Working with Anne (who is European – from Germany) has been very enlightening because this mentality (and I’m even pretty conservative in this way) is very American. But I still struggle with the deprogramming that “bigger is better”, and it’s worth chatting about (and asking you all). So here goes:

I want full induction range to reduce our natural gas consumption (again, Oregon is electrifying really quickly meaning that we have a lot of green energy sources in which to electrify our houses, thus reducing our use of fossil fuels in our home). Brian wants lots of oven and stove capacity – many burners as well as big oven space for some fantasy future dinner parties. I want it to be BEAUTIFUL. Brian is fine with it just being normal.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: about those integrated appliances in the mountain house kitchen

Currently, at the mountain house, we have a 36″ gas cooktop and a double wall oven with 24″ wide by 17″ deep interior space. It’s GREAT. We’ve never struggled with fitting in ANYTHING and I’d say we use both ovens at once at least twice a month. We hosted Thanksgiving during Covid and it was quite the success. Of course, maybe on a day to day, we could stagger the cooking times, and not NEED both ovens but this is a case of “you use what you have, if you have it”. It’s like how you can dirty 15 towels a week if you have them, but if you only have two towels, you’d only dirty two.

At our old house in LA, we only had a 36″ range with a single oven and you know what? We lived happy fulfilled lives, but we also VERY rarely cooked and now Brian and I have both found the pure joy of cooking together and know it’s something we want to continue to pursue when we move to Oregon.

But after HOURS and WEEKS of researching I’m realizing we just can’t “have it all” – full induction, 48″, with large oven capacity and beautiful (please tell me if I’m wrong). So here are our options:

Option #1: Downsize To A 36″ Induction Range

If we could let go of our 48″ dream size there are SO MANY more options. Apparently, these are plentiful on the market because a lot of apartment buildings or new construction homes don’t have gas lines so induction (which is electric, but not the ’80s electric) is the best if not the only option. So if you are in the market for a 36″ range you have a lot of beautiful options.

Pros: There are a ton of 30″ – 36″ induction ranges that are awesome, beautiful, and well-reviewed. And obviously the smaller they are the more affordable they are.
Cons: My fear is that our kitchen is on the medium to big side and we cook a TON so it might be too small, both aesthetically and functionally. A 36″ one would likely look small and not meet our cooking needs – but also, that might just be my perception and it might be totally fine!

1. Bertazzoni Professional Series 30 Inch Wide 4.6 Cu. Ft. | 2. Viking 30″ Electric Induction Range | 3. 36″ Transitional Induction Range | 4. Majestic II 36 Inch Electric Freestanding Range | 5. 30″ Retro Electric Induction Range | 6. Cafe 30 Inch Wide 5.7 Cu. Ft.

Option #2 – ILVE 40″ Full Induction Range

ILVE Range

Like I said we lived with a 36″ range in our old LA house and we didn’t die, so would a 40″ range with a double oven be enough? Maybe! These are awesome are VERY pretty and while I know very little about them besides being made in Italy, it could work.

Pros: So pretty. Lovely colors. Full Induction, with still two ovens.
Cons: The interior size of the large oven is 17″ wide by 14″ high by 16″ deep which is technically big enough for most large roasting pans (16 x 13″) but still on the smaller side. And the other smaller oven could be for sides. Would 40″ feel too small for our kitchen? I don’t know!! Maybe not???

This could work, it really could. We’d have to change some of our habits and we might only be able to do a 20lb turkey in the future, but It’s doable.

via the modern houseWait, Why Are There So Few 48″ Full Induction Ranges In America??

There are SO FEW 48″ FULL induction ranges in America and that’s because the market just doesn’t support it right now. The electrical output for this size of a range is a lot, and until more states start electrifying then not a lot of people or states will likely purchase these. “Electrifying” is a term that means switching our dependence on natural gas to clean energy via solar and wind power (not coal). California has now mandated it with new construction, and Oregon is certainly up there too, so we could do it, but it’s good to know and something I didn’t realize. Also, yes, currently for many states an induction range is more expensive to run on a daily basis than natural gas – so your bills could be higher. We know this and are willing to pay more to reduce our footprint and hoping that the market changes and clean energy can be more democratized for all. Of course, induction is so much more energy efficient (not wasting nearly as much heat), but in our current electrification status in most states, it’s indeed more expensive to run. I didn’t know this before and was SO FRUSTRATED to only find a handful of options. But when I did I realized they all had something in common – smaller oven capacity.

As we were about to pull a trigger on one of these below beauties, Anne warned that a friend of hers had one of these and they ended up adding a wall oven in their pantry because they felt the oven size was too small. That would be a REAL BUMMER. So I actually went and experienced one for myself and indeed they are much smaller than what I was used to… But here are the options and thus begs the question that just because we are used to something (double wall oven) doesn’t mean we NEED it. Does it??

Option #3: La Cornue – Chateau 48″ Full Induction

La Cornue Range

This full induction 48″ range is STUNNING.

Pros: I mean, so beautiful. So many color options. Reviewed SO WELL in regards to cooking, baking, etc. It’s epic and can make a kitchen.
Cons: The oven size is so much smaller than we are used to. The interior oven size of the larger oven is 17 1/2″ wide by 18 1/2″ deep, and 9″ high. I tried a turkey roasting pan and it fit, then I tried a slightly bigger one and it didn’t fit (the handles made it unable to close) but that might just be a handle problem. But almost all reviews that I’ve read are that you just have to mentally adjust your thinking and often use two cookie trays instead of one. Also while we don’t typically host for Thanksgiving, Brian was not psyched about possibly not being able to do so in the future. And I get that. But I also don’t want to make huge decisions based on a future fear of inconvenience. But Brian is a real “Thanksgiving guy” and the possibility of this future fantasy day being thwarted by a current design decision was really bumming him out. Also, this model has a very long lead time and is not cheap (nor should it be). But boy would it make me happy.

Option #4: Aga 48″ Elise Full Induction

AGA Range

Another BEAUTIFUL option from a very trusted brand.

Pros: So beautiful. Classic if not a bit more modern. Full induction at 48″. Less expensive than La Cornue. Lead times seem doable. Each oven can have different functions meeting a lot of different cooking needs. It’s GREAT.
Cons: Interior oven size. When we looked at the specs we realized that it is 17″ wide by 14″ deep. That felt very shallow but when we confirmed with a salesperson they said that they’ve never received any complaints about it. And when I looked at most turkey roasting pans they are 13″ x 16″ so technically they can fit, but it’s a tight squeeze for sure. And again you need smaller baking sheets, but that’s just a slight lifestyle adjustment. These don’t come in as many colors YET, but they are launching new colors in 2021 and I confirmed that you can get it with the brass knobs (which I was very excited about).

This is a firm contender and I’m excited to see it in person at a showroom.

Option #5 – La Canche 48″ Dual Fuel

La Canche Range

Now this one is duel fuel for the burners which means they have some induction and some gas, but the oven is electric as well so it’s MOSTLY electric. Usually, when it says Dual Fuel it means all gas burners with convection or electric oven. Technically we could use the induction almost exclusively and reduce our energy bill and gas output. But it’s not available in America yet in full induction.

Pros: These are also SO BEAUTIFUL. AND the interior capacity of the larger oven is 21″ wide by 16″ deep – WAHOO!!! So certainly big enough for Brian’s future fantasy turkey. Brian is campaigning hard for this one and it might have my vote, too.
Cons: Not full induction burners, which is something we really wanted. I’d love to reduce the use of gas when possible, but if we truly can use the induction burners most of the time it seems responsible still. Also, these do have a 10-11 month lead time as they are made in Europe and shipped via boat (which is better for carbon emissions, but certainly far away).

Option #6 – Get A 36″ Induction Cooktop With A Separate Electric Wall Oven (BlueStar)

Cooktop | Wall Oven

While we did kinda want larger than 36″ to have more space, I know that 6 burners are plenty for the Hendersons as it’s what we have now (Brian tried to argue this one, but I’m right:)). I love BlueStar as a brand so I’m considering them.

Pros: Full induction cooktop. Relatively affordable. Made in America and so beautiful with a lot of customization. The wall ovens are so pretty in the colors they come in and can be panel ready as well (integrated)
Cons: We’d have to literally redesign the kitchen as we’ve designed it for a 48″ visually epic range and have left no place for a wall oven. We have already ordered the windows so this is not an easy redesign AT ALL. We would have to lose a window and the overall kitchen design might suffer. Also, the 36″ induction cooktop is way more contemporary than a range in style. It looks far more modern, which is obviously fine but we are going for a casual, shaker, farmhouse vibe, and this doesn’t have that same impact so we’d need to redesign the whole kitchen to de-emphasize this area and make more of a design statement somewhere else.

Option #7: Use A 36″ Or 40″ Range And ALSO Put A Single Wall Oven In The Pantry

This is where Brian looked at me with a hard side-eye and he worried about my common sense. In his perception, my obsession to have a beautiful induction range means we are now buying TWO separate ovens and putting one in a pantry? It didn’t make a ton of sense, but sure, it would solve the problem… but if we are trying to reduce consumption does having TWO ovens do that? I guess we could find a used one?? I can tell you what he’s going to say about that:) We could also see how it goes and when we go to redo the Victorian house (which has no oven or range now) put in a 36″ range with a large oven for overflow. Again, not the most relatable choice but an option for us because this special property came with that original farmhouse. This would take likely 4-5 years, though.

design by design emporium ltd

So that’s where we are at. All of these are valid options – all BEAUTIFUL, all truted brands. But there are a lot of unknowns – mostly about the future lifestyle of our family. I’ve read a ton of reviews on all of these and as you can tell I trust that most of these will meet or surpass our cooking needs so I didn’t really emphasize that as a pro or con in our considerations. This is more about size, number of burners, and oven capacity. I love ALL of these stylistically.

HELP – FEEDBACK ABOUT OVEN SIZE NEEDED…

So what next? Well. First off I wanted to write this post to get your experiences, specifically those of you who have one of the stunning ranges with the smaller capacity ovens. Does this really bother you? Like in your heart of hearts are you bummed that your oven space is a bit more crowded? Or is that just a fear that we all have that should be debunked? If so I’m HAPPY to do that publicly with your endorsement. My hope is that you’ll have a similar experience to many bloggers that have reviewed these (that I worry are sponsored) where the smaller oven capacity is actually fine, because the larger one was not really NEEDED anyway. Brian will be reading EVERY SINGLE COMMENT

Beyond listening to your experiences I’m going to challenge Brian and I to not use the lower oven and see if we truly need TWO or if so, note how often we do. I’m also going to buy some smaller cooking sheets and see if we can get away with them – like maybe we are just used to those big 22″ trays and once we move to using two smaller ones we’d be fine! And lastly (and possibly more importantly), we are going to a ton of showrooms in Portland to test as many out as possible. I might even bring my dutch ovens and a turkey roasting pan to pretend cook

Of course, what we end up choosing will also be dependent on lead times, color options, availability, and cost. So my hope is that we don’t finally decide on one and then realize it’s an impossibility or out of stock for 3 years:) But like I tell my kids all the time – almost every problem has a solution and no one is going to die if I don’t have my dream range.

I hope that through these conversations we can A. get the induction market going in more price points and sizes, and B. create more conversation around noting what conveniences truly enhance our day to day lives and what “luxuries” aren’t exactly a daily value-add, we are just “used” to having them. You guys have taught me so much about this, so thank you

So what are the pros of smaller oven sizes from those of you who have them and THANK YOU. xx

Opening Image Credits: Right – Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp, From: It’s Finally Here: The Reveal of the Mountain House Kitchen | Left – Photo by Tessa Neustadt, From: Our Modern English Country Kitchen

The post A Tale Of A Girl In Search Of The Perfect 48″ Induction Range And The 6 Different Options I’m Considering (Along With A Rant, Of Course) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Orlando’s Primary Bedroom Reveal!! (And His Super Simple Paint Trick That Will Add “Architecture” To Any Space)

I spent most of the winter trying to survive blizzards and ripping out the remainder of the carpet from my dated 1992 home. And finally, after months of working on projects around the house, I’m starting to enjoy some of the results of my labor. My primary bedroom – and the other bedrooms for that matter – are done! However, in true Orlando fashion, I did ANOTHER makeover on my bedroom after taking these photos. Right after I figured out how to make my existing furniture work, I was approached by furniture maker Jonathan Louis to do a collaboration about their brand new bedroom furniture (side note: it’s AMAZING). So if you follow me on Instagram you might notice things already look a little different. But, I really loved this version of the room so I’m excited to share it with you! (You can see the latest updates on a sister post I did over on my blog today!).

remember this??

I made the decision to move to the woods in the height of covid when I really had no idea when things would get better. When I moved, we still had no idea when the vaccines would be ready and if they would even make a difference. As things open up, I actually still can’t get over what a miracle the vaccines have been. We could still be waiting for them to arrive with no end to the pandemic in sight. CAN YOU IMAGINE FOUR YEARS OF THAT (which is what some scientists were estimating)? The rest of the world, for the most part, is still waiting. We are so lucky and I’ve just been feeling so grateful for the vaccines and science.

I’ve lived in LA for 14 years and I’ve never really felt welcome to the table in terms of the real estate market as someone without the help of family money or a rich husband (or wife). I moved back to California because I love houses and space, so I wasn’t interested in buying an apartment or condo. Also, after living in a condo for four years and seeing the headaches they can bring in terms of no one wanting to spend money to keep the common spaces nice, I decided that life wasn’t for me. So I moved to the woods and boy has it been a RIDE.

For the most part, I love living in Fish Camp, my idyllic town at the southern gate to Yosemite. I have really wonderful neighbors – all of whom have been friendly and Gay affirming. I wake up every day and see trees out my window, hear birds chirping. It has been a really wonderful escape from the weirdness of city life during covid. However, now that things are starting to get back to “normal,” I’m definitely ready to stop being a Forest Troll. I’m ready to spend time with friends again, to be able to grab a salad when I want to, and OH MY GOD to order from Postmates. It’s really hard to be lazy and disgusting when you live in the woods and have to drive into town and buy groceries AND THEN COOK THEM ALL BY YOURSELF. I love country living and I’m glad I’ll be able to split my time between the woods and LA, but, Girl, I am ready to get back to the hustle and bustle.

from: orlando’s diy guest room reveal

Now that I’ve told you my entire life story I can get to the topic at hand: MY BEDROOM! One of my favorite things to do lately is to look at the before photos of what the house looked like when I bought it and then look at these “after” shots. When I moved in, the room had blue carpeting (so did the entire house). Eventually, I’m planning on installing some pretty wide plank wood flooring in here, but for the time being I’ve been having a good time experimenting with using semigloss wall paint on the floors. Yes, they make paint specifically for floors and yes that probably would have been a better option but A) I’m not planning on keeping the floors like this for long and B) It was a lot easier to just grab semigloss paint at my local hardware store (which didn’t have interior floor paint).

I have been getting a TON of questions from people about the floors so I want to spend some time chatting about them. A lot of people are asking me if I’m pleased with them and would recommend them to others. The answer to both those questions is YES. Visually speaking, I hated the carpet. Yes, it was SUPER CUSHY on the toes but it made me want to rip my eyeballs out. I’m not anti-carpet in any way, I love a nice carpet in a bedroom. But this particular color really dated the house and made it impossible for me to give it any sense of style. Additionally, it made all my 80s/deco style furniture look retro (in a bad way) instead of chic. Ripping out the carpet was time-consuming and led to my fingers bleeding profusely for weeks. Cutting and removing the carpet was easy, it was removing the millions of staples that proved to be the real challenge. The repetitive action of staple removal was what led to me having bloody stumps for fingers. And there was 3000 square feet of it. It was not a pretty picture and by the time I was done I hated the world.

There are a few downsides to ripping out your carpet and painting your floor and I want you to be fully aware of them should you ever want to do this. Firstly, my sub-floor is pretty rough. There’s lots of gauges in it, lots of random blobs of plaster, some splinters. Painting the floor smooths this out somewhat but the look is definitely rustic. I really like the character it brings but that’s not for everyone. Also, if your home was built and then immediately carpeted, you’ll probably notice a lot of gaps between the wall and floors. I haven’t dealt with that in my house yet and it kind of adds to the rustic look but again, it might drive you crazy. If I keep the floors like this for more than a year I’ll probably add some trim pieces where the floor meets the walls to fill those gaps. 

Finally, a painted floor is sensitive and a little hard to clean. I’m kind of waiting for my floors to get scuffed up so they have more character and age, but for a perfectionist little dings in the paint might be a complete dealbreaker. Overall, I am really happy with my painted floors. I think this is a really elegant solution for someone who might not have the budget for adding in wood flooring OR someone who wants a more artistic, rustic look.

Bed | Nightstand | Table Lamps | Marble Tray (on nightstand) | White Vase (no longer available) | Ceramic Bell | Bell Hanger (DIY)

I had this beautiful patterned bed from a previous collaboration with The Inside and I still love the style and think the bed was a great value. However, after having a patterned bed for a few years I was excited to get a solid upholstered bed again. Basically, something that I didn’t think about is that it’s really fun to have a patterned bed but it really limits your bedding and pillow options – you have to always choose simple solids or risk a disgusting pattern combo. Pattern mixing is hard. And sometimes IMPOSSIBLE.

Bench | Basket | Rug

The cute little waterfall bench was kind of a design fail on my part. I LOVE the bench and think it’s adorable but I didn’t check measurements before ordering and thought it would be much longer. As always, my solution was to add a basket. More and more these days I’m realizing there aren’t many design problems a basket can’t solve. Shelving looks boring and cold? ADD A BASKET! Nowhere to put your cashmere blanket collection? ADD A BASKET! Need a place to hide all your kids’ toys and garbage? ADD A BASKET! I’ve since moved this cute little bench into my living room, where its scale is much more at home but it served me well for months with the help of Basket.

Paper Lantern | Light Kit

One of the biggest style issues in my house was the lighting. Basically, every room in this house had ugly lighting or a gross disgusting fan in it. It’s hard to tell from pictures, but the ceiling in my bedroom is a bit odd, which makes lighting placement a challenge. Previously, a boob light was plopped on one side of the room on a slant. That felt awkward to me so I decided to center the globe on the peak of the room (which isn’t centered). Eventually what I want to do in here is simplify the roofline so it’s just one slope up. The complexity of the architecture of the ceiling looks badly designed and like an afterthought and it makes me furious on a daily basis.

I’ve already replaced the big paper globe with a more formal fixture from Lamps Plus, but I had a few of these around the house for the first few months living here and they were a great, inexpensive solution for getting the ugly lighting out of here. Unfortunately, I’m a huge Isamu Noguchi fan and once you look at his iconic light sculpture globes the cheap party versions look like cheap party versions. That being said, I think these paper lanterns are a really warm, pretty solution if you’re looking to bring in another material and not spend a ton. And this phase of my makeover process is all about being economical.

Throw Pillow Fabric | Duvet Cover | Blanket (no longer available) | Sheets (from Target no longer available)

The bedding is a combo of Target (their striped flannel sheets were one of my faves but I think they stopped making them) and Parachute. Every morning I fastidiously make my bed and then two seconds later Satie (my sweet and tiny puppy) jumps on it and messes it up. I think she has as much of a bedding fetish as I do because she’s constantly luxuriating on the beds in every room of this house, fluffing the pillows until they’re just so, and napping all day like an actual angel. I actually don’t understand how my dog is so fit and muscly all she does is sleep all day. It’s not fair!

Art (Left) | Art (Right)

The art is from Minted and while it seems a little random to have a seascape in the middle of the woods, I had a reason for choosing it. As you know by now I grew up in Yosemite and it always drove me nut that everyone had Yosemite art in their houses. It was like HELLO YOU COULD JUST LOOK OUT THE WINDOW. So I wanted something that had a soothing landscape vibe but wasn’t a representational painting of Half Dome or something. This diptych by Caryn Owen worked perfectly with the color palette in the room and had the calming vibe I wanted.

Dresser | Table Lamps | Speaker | Art | Wall Color | Chair (similar)

Speaking of calming vibe, the paint! The color is “Olive Branch” by True Value. There’s a True Value hardware store in Oakhurst, about twenty minutes from me, and I swear I go there every single day. The people are really friendly and helpful and they randomly have a ton of cute home accessories (I found some great cocktail tables there last week!). In order to give the rooms in my house a bit more formality, I decided to add simulated crown moulding and extended baseboards. I did this for a few reasons. Firstly, most homes aren’t built perfectly so the line where the wall meets the ceiling is usually a zig-zagging mess. So if you paint along that line you’re just accentuating the imperfections in the architecture. 

To create the border around the top part of the wall, I measured 5” down from the ceiling and taped it off. I also added a 5” border around the pre-existing PUNY baseboards to make them look chunkier and more substantial. I’m not gonna lie, adding these borders in definitely makes painting more tedious. But now that I’ve painted three rooms in my house this way I have gotten better and more efficient at it. I’m a perfectionist when it comes to painting so while I’m kind of annoyed I haven’t been able to find a painter up here to help me and free me up for other work, I’m glad the job is getting done perfectly.

Ottoman | Trim Color

This bordering style of painting is definitely something I’d recommend to anyone who has a house like mine – kind of a boring box with no architectural details to give it flavor. The borders around the ceiling, windows, and doors accentuates the architecture the way trim would and just gives the space a sense of importance. It’s a hack I plan on doing everywhere in the house because I love the elegance it adds. 

Whoever built this house had a really great sense for wood tone. I love the natural color of the interior doors. I plan on replacing them with more traditional shaker-style doors but I will definitely be taking these to a salvage place because they’re too pretty to just throw away. 

All in all, I love the way this version of my bedroom looks. I’m excited to show you the changes I’ve made because they’re definitely an upgrade (head over to my blog to see!). But this phase of my house design, and the content I’m making about it, is really more about what you can do to improve your house without spending a ton of money. And one of the ways to save is to use preexisting pieces. FOLLOW ALONG WHY DON’T YOU AND WATCH ME CONSTANTLY MAKEOVER THIS ROOM OVER AND OVER AND OVER FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. 

Goodbye!

The post Orlando’s Primary Bedroom Reveal!! (And His Super Simple Paint Trick That Will Add “Architecture” To Any Space) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: 2 Books Emily Couldn’t Put Down, The Finally In Stock $50 Outdoor Rug We Love, and The Sale We’re Most Excited For This Weekend

Goooood morning, afternoon, or night depending on when you decided to click on and read this post. How are you? Our week has been pretty great as LA is starting to open up more and more, meaning the pandemic light at the end of the tunnel is looking brighter. Regardless, it’s Sunday and we’ve got a lot of goodies in store for you this week.

You might not believe us but this week’s home tour is actually a RENTAL. Boy did they nail it. Tilly Barber, founder of the furniture restoration company, Homebody already had some AWESOME pieced (which makes sense given her businesses), so this home was the perfect place for her and her housemates to store all of their awesome stuff…or to live in it –– either way. The pieces are really special, so check this tour out if you’d like to feel inspired on this fine Sunday.

From Em: So I’ve read close to 60 novels since the pandemic started (in addition to self-help and non-fiction). Before you come to any judgment about me or you, you should know that they are all PAGE TURNERS and many of them involve dukes. I used to read voraciously (and was why I was an English major) but then just kinda stopped and getting back into it has changed my life. I’m a major pleasure-seeker so knowing that I have a good book to get into bed with, in the most uncertain times, has made my days so much happier. So I’m going to start recommending them here. I’m not going to give any real proper reviews or criticisms, just tell you the ones that I couldn’t put down, that made me feel happy, and gave me something to look forward to every day and on weekends. So here goes:

1. Beach Read: I have no idea why I avoided reading this for a year, but Emily Henry’s writing feels like hanging out with a cool, funny friend and the romantic tension throughout is SO GOOD. It’s light. It’s easy. It’s funny, snarky, and witty. The dialogue is excellent – real, but better. I was so sad when I finished that I pre-ordered her next book “Friends We Meet on Vacation” which was sweet but no, not nearly as good or steamy. I thoroughly enjoyed the hell out of this book.

2. The Vanishing Half: I read this probably 6 months ago and it’s still one that I feel like was a page-turner, that I can’t get out of my head, and that I also learned A LOT. It’s about two sisters, twins who navigate very different experiences in life as one shifts to white-passing and leaves the other sister to navigate a very different life. It’s a multi-generational story (which I always love), is extremely well written, deals with a lot of past and current social issues in a really personal way and is just totally gripping. This book will be read in college Lit classes for sure, but trust me that you can’t put it down.

From Mallory: Has anyone tried Methodology before?? I just got a marketed for it and it sounds VERY interesting… basically, it’s a meal service that delivers to you and comes in fancy glass jars. I’m thinking about doing it for lunch a few times a week since it stresses me out to work from home and figure out what to eat for lunch some days (like when I don’t have leftovers) and I can’t keep doing the same tuna salad over and over again HA. I’ve tried Hello Fresh before but am not super into the quality/portion size of the proteins…anyone have any suggestions or meal services they love?? I know Em’s trying out Green Chef right now (which someone said is also a Hello Fresh company or something??) Anyway, I’m interested in the market and would love your full report.

Also from Mallory: The outdoor season is upon us, so I just wanted to let everyone know that one of our favorite outdoor rugs is fully restocked at target and it’s a STEAL. I completely understand why it sold out last year… it’s so classic and you can get a 4×6 for $50 all the way up to a 9×12 for $220. I’m a firm believer that outdoor rugs shouldn’t be super splurgy since they get so trashed from being outside year after year, so I’d snag this before it sells out again. Oh and if you’re curious how we styled it out last year this one’s for you.

From Ryann: My sweet, sweet sister-in-law sent me some makeup for my birthday and I am obsessed with everything she bought me, but one thing in particular really blew me away. I have so much trouble finding good mascara (hello tiny eyelashes) and the kinds I have used in the past always clump. This one by Milk is FANTASTIC. It goes on so smoothly, doesn’t clump, and actually makes my eyelashes look longer and fuller. I am not a makeup expert but I think this mascara is a real winner, folks

From Albie: One thing my husband has always wanted since the day we moved in was a deep freezer… don’t ask me why. Now that we have one though, it really feels like I’ve turned a corner as an adult. It’s come in super handy for getting meat for grilling Sundays but also for things like breads & veggies that we may buy ahead of time when we catch em on sale. 

From Jess: As you may know by now, Caitlin and I are racing to finish our balcony makeovers by 7/20. Since I like to complicate everything, I am painting and “installing” IKEA outdoor floor tiles. But guess what? They need to be cut down to fit. Originally I was going to hire out since my dad is unavailable (the audacity) but then decided I didn’t/couldn’t wait. It’s a race after all! So I hopped in my car and bought this cordless jigsaw. I love it, it makes me feel very powerful and for both the tool and battery it’s only $99. Since I know there will be more projects in the future I think it’s a pretty great investment:)

From Caitlin: In our meeting this Monday, I launched into a tiny tirade about this book – it’s SO good and I read it all in one sitting last weekend. Basically, it’s about the most prolific serial killer you’ve never heard of. He was arrested in 2012, the FBI considered his behavior “unprecedented,” and he struck all over America. I would write more buuuuut I’m not trying to give anyone anxiety (the EHD team’s reactions were an even split between “must read!” and “please stop talking about this”), so just click through to read some wild details.

Also From Caitlin: Megababe is having their 20% off sale this weekend! If you’re new to the brand, I live and die by Thigh Rescue (you can grab the mini for $8!), the Body Dust (if you’ve ever gotten boob sweat or felt sweat drip down your body while doing chores – AKA me – this is a lifesaver, especially with the Dust Puff) and the natural deodorants ACTUALLY smell great and work (I just picked up Smoothie for the first time, but usually Soapy is my go-to). Highly recommended if you’re looking to feel comfy in the heat this summer!

Thanks for reading this week! We’ll see you tomorrow. Happy Sunday! Xx

Opening Image Credita: Design by Tilly Barber | Styling by Annie Portelli | Photo by Caitlin Mills | via the Design Files

The post The Link Up: 2 Books Emily Couldn’t Put Down, The Finally In Stock $50 Outdoor Rug We Love, and The Sale We’re Most Excited For This Weekend appeared first on Emily Henderson.

One Year Later: How Much Has The Design Industry Actually Improved And How We Can Continue To Push For Equity

This time last year, I was up for consecutive late nights planning a massive digital undertaking — Share The Mic Now: Home Edition. In case you missed it, in an effort to instigate real conversations around diversity, inclusion, and race in the home industry, I adapted the original Share The Mic Now initiative. 

It was huge!

I half expected no one to really take to the event, yet it was such a catalyzing moment, not only for me, but for many of my peers in this space. I watched personal & professional relationships develop, content consumers diversify their feeds, and brands make sweeping promises to change. I was blown away by how well the event was received, not just by the participants but by everyone watching. It took on a life of its own and became the start of something else in the industry.

But how’s the saying go… It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. 

On the one hand, it really started to feel — for the first time — like there was an actual shift starting to happen. On a personal level, my world was turned upside down — being recognized for the initiative, cheering my friends on for their professional recognition, and seeing brands make small strides towards better practices. On the other hand, I strongly suspected that a lot of it may have been performative. The days turned into weeks turned into months, and a lot of the heightened interest in diversity began to fade. Emails went unanswered and, for a lot of people, everything went back to “normal”, and diversity was just another talking point for PR spin. 

So for the past year, I’ve been watching… 

What’s everyone going to do next? 

Where do we go from here? 

Will anything really change?

photo by ellie lillstrom | from: albie’s new living room round one!

This past year has undoubtedly rocked many/most of us to the core. Between the pandemic, the election, the protests, and just the overall tornado that was 2020, the STMN was a bright spot in my year. It gave me hope, when most days felt hopeless. It brought me friendship, as so many were losing loved ones. It inspired me to push forward, even if it’s into an uncertain future. 

As the STMN anniversary started to get closer, I found myself thinking a lot more about the initiative, what it meant, and everything that’s transpired since. 

Top of mind were —

What are the participants from STMN doing now?Are allies still “listening and learning” or are they proactively being part of the solution?Have editors, social media managers, producers, and other gatekeepers been listening to our cries to more well-rounded voices now that they’re more visible?Is this industry actually ready and willing to change?

I can write all day long about what I’ve observed since hosting the initiative and feelings it’s stirred inside of me, but I decided to do my own version of “where are they now” and reach out to some of the STMN participants. STMN was my introduction to a lot of the participants and, if I’m being completely honest, it’s not always easy to keep up with our online friends… not the way we’d always like to; so this was the perfect opportunity to actually check in on my people.

Joy Cho

As an Asian-American, I already knew that there was a lack of exposure for BIPOC designers within the interior design world, but [being a STMN participant] opened up my eyes even more to the discrepancies present.

I have seen many industries, brands, influencers, etc…spend more dedicated time, space, and money on BIPOC artists, makers, designers, and brands which has been wonderful. We are nowhere near the fully inclusive world in which we would love to see, but we’re inching closer and closer.

I’ve also made sure that my business is using my reach to bring awareness to more small businesses that I love highlighting and sharing. And within my day-to-day life, I am supporting BIPOC brands even more however I can, from clothing I purchase, restaurants I dine at, and overall choices I make on where to spend my money.

I hope to see a true immersion of inclusivity…more BIPOC faces on the cover of magazines (I am currently on the cover of Domino and only the 2nd Asian-American ever), on TV, in features, being hired for amazing work, etc. I know we can get there, but everyone needs to play a conscious part in order for that to happen. To be able to have my kids and other BIPOC kids grow up seeing people who look like them as notable figures will do wonders for our future generations.

Kim Vargo

On a surface level, I was lucky enough to become friends with my STMN partner, Danielle [McKim] @tuftinteriors. Digging deeper, her honesty and vulnerability of sharing her home buying journey is something that will strike me at any given moment. It allows me to give myself a good gut check at every opportunity that may come my way, and ask myself the question: Am I taking the place of a voice that has a great story to share, with a different life experience? As a result of STMN, I hold all of my business relationships accountable to ensure that I’m part of an inclusive community and always lifting others.

Jenelle Lovings

STMN has impacted in so many ways. This campaign gave me the push I needed to finally begin my design firm. After gaining so many followers, I had no choice but to pull the trigger on an LLC I was sitting on since 2017.

STMN assisted in introducing a Black interior Design community to me. I had no clue there were so many of us (still a few by comparison).  Everyone, for the most part, has been extremely warm, inviting, and supportive. I feel that I’ve made legitimate connections and friendships as a result.

Being a part of STMN has definitely proven to be lucrative. I have participated in paid page takeovers and, of course, the income generated from my business.  I was even given the opportunity to interview for a television show, something I would have never even thought to want, let alone seek out. 

Being a part of STMN is a little bittersweet. While I am so grateful for all of the love and support I have been given, it isn’t lost on me that some of that support was as a result of the need to promote Black voices during a time of unrest. This whole movement was on the heels of the murders of George Floyd and Ahmad Arbery, along with many others. That outcry of social justice moved many people to finally seek out Black businesses and brands and show support for the Black community in a meaningful way. Finally, we are beginning to have our voices heard and our contributions to culture seen in a way that is beneficial to our community and not just repackaged for others to profit from.   

I have always had a desire for mentorship and have felt its importance…most of all, my need and desire to be a mentor to young Black women in the interior design industry. I have had students reach out for advice. I have even pushed and encouraged a woman to start her own design business as well. I think, now more than ever, we are developing this mentality that there is endless room at the table, so why not help bring, push, pull, another up?!

As far as business is concerned, I have a few things in the works that I am looking to develop. Being exposed to so many great minds and talent has inspired so many ideas of how I can better serve this industry and grow my own business, which is exciting. My goal is to be fully self-employed within the next 5 years, and now, I feel like I am on a path to achieve that.

I hope to see even more inclusion to the point where it is just second nature. I realize that is something that may take longer than a year to accomplish but that is my hope. I would also love to see even more partnerships and collaborations between Black designers. Designers from all over, teaming up on projects, learning and growing from each other.  

Rhonda E. Peterson

Participating in the first Share The Mic Now: Home Edition was both empowering and liberating. Many Black interior designers, architects, craftsmen, bloggers, and influencers rarely are seen and heard in these areas because we are not selected to be featured in mainstream publications, speak on industry panels, or be a part of activities and events where our talents are showcased.

This initiative allowed me the opportunity to share my voice with an audience that otherwise would have not known or let’s be honest, given any thought to my existence. I was able to share myself and my story in a way that allowed the audience to see that there is more that connects us, than divides us. It created an interest and a dialogue that continues one year later, that I think has strengthened and gained in momentum.

Being a part of this initiative gave me that extra push to do something different, to move forward with what had been placed on my heart to do with my daughter, Gillian, with GiGi and Rho. GiGi and Rho began as a way for me to help my daughter navigate middle school, by strengthening her confidence, self-esteem, and character. We began sharing our journey in a number of ways, including our social media platforms, in hopes that it too would inspire, encourage, and motivate better relationships, not only between moms and daughters, but all women, in effect becoming our own movement/initiative. Again, just as with Share The Mic Now: Home Edition, showing that regardless of what stage in life we find ourselves, at any given moment, there is still more that connects us, than divides us. 

One of the most impactful things you can do for an individual or group is to allow them to be seen and their voices to be heard. It empowers and liberates everyone to see past barriers, to find and create opportunities that will be life-changing.

Gail Davis

[Share The Mic Now: Home Edition] allowed my voice to be heard in front of people that would have NEVER known or asked about me. Sharing Tobi [Fairley]’s platform allowed her followers to hear from a POC their first-hand experience in this country and industry.

[I’ve experienced] a broader audience, and also feel more powerful in myself and what I offer to the world. I no longer waiver & I ask exactly for what I want. 

A year later, I hope to see continued change. 

Marie Cloud

Participating [in STMN] has helped fuel my courage to post and share boldly, while encouraging others to do the same. It brought on another layer of community for me. Seeing other Black designers voice the same concerns and frustrations ironically brought a sense of unity and pride in my Blackness within the home industry. I’m committed to speaking truth and advocating for space, credit, and compensation for those of us that have been suppressed, marginalized, and not welcomed more often than not.

I have encountered and connected with genuine allies and brands, not many, but a few. Lol…those that continue to advocate beyond the black square…those that cut fair checks to Black creatives/businesses…those that have an intentional approach to ensure their leadership and board room has Black representation..and I can’t forget those that call-out privilege and are not afraid to speak boldly on behalf of others. Yes, I have definitely witnessed these and other strides forward.

Then there are others *sigh* 

…those that are just waiting on this “caring for human rights” trend to fade out so they can go back to being a sh**ty human, in hopes that no one will notice because it’s so normalized. This unfortunately is what I sense is common. 

Overall, I do see a slight shift but we have a long way to go. 

Ensuring that I speak up more in industry spaces is vital for me now. Asking the questions that some minorities are afraid to ask or exhausted from asking. Such as “is there any intentionality around inclusion or diversity of leadership?” or “what are you doing to create visibility and representation of Black faces and their talents?” This line of questioning doesn’t stem from a place of confrontation but from a place of concern that Black people may not have been considered. So I see it as a duty to ensure that the questions are asked and that we are seen and heard.

My hope is that we continue to pursue opportunities to amplify the work, stories, and the impact of Black people in the design community and beyond. The ultimate goal is to reflect a unique tapestry full of various shades and expressions that we can be proud of. Wow, that sounds so lovely and unified, right? It would be great if we all believed and wanted that. 

To bottom-line it, I want to see this industry…pay Black designers what we are worth, put them on the cover and throughout your pages, give them that leadership role they deserve, give credit for their dopeness and please, please stop asking us to teach you how to care about us and our lives.

Monique Valeris

I was honored to be a part of the Share the Mic: Home Edition last year. As one of the few Black design editors, it was a moment to share my experience and, hopefully, set an example for minority students and emerging journalists who strive to obtain success in this competitive industry. You approach work differently as a Black editor—there’s so much against us, so I wake up every day proud to represent us as best I can. I’ve made it a goal to introduce new, diverse voices into my editorial content over the past year and I’ve also been able to showcase my passion for the home space across a range of platforms, including TV segments on behalf of Good Housekeeping. 

I know meaningful change won’t happen tomorrow, but I’m confident in my community’s ability to remain strong and hope that people of color continue to shine in the face of racism and discrimination.

Nicole White

I think we are all still exhausted mentally and physically from the weight of George Floyd’s murder. For a lot of us, that exhaustion is especially heavy because our businesses are thriving now more than ever in part because of that death. We’ve been “discovered” as black designers and creatives because of that and experiences like Share The Mic Now, but it’s been bittersweet to digest. It’s mixing gratitude with sorrow daily and that’s been a real struggle for me.

While in many corners of the interwebs, it may seem like the past year went by without any change, within our little circle here, our optimism is still alive… the changes are happening… and the community is strengthened. I don’t think that any of us had delusions of overnight change, simply a demand for progress. And I’ll admit, with the way things were looking, sometimes the progress is hard to spot. I’ve personally had doors open up to me that seemed like impossibilities, opportunities that were once only vision board items, and built a community that also includes you reading this. 

All because of the Share The Mic Now initiative. 

photo by ellie lillstrom | from: albie’s at-home movie theater revealWhat Is My Hope For The Next Year… And The Many Years To Follow?

The past year shook tables that needed to be shaken, and by getting uncomfortable, all of us were forced to reckon with a lot of dark corners of our industry… and society at large. My hope is that we continue to get uncomfortable and seek out ways to do away with what we already know isn’t working. 

I’ve received countless DMs expressing the impact simply following more diverse creators has made on people. Imagine if we keep that same energy everywhere, not just on social media — the businesses we patronize, the politicians we elect, the literature we read, etc. So I also hope that we continue to hold people accountable, have difficult conversations, and see the true beauty in diversity. 

What Can You Do? How Can You Help?

A year ago, I addressed that question that most Black people were being asked — “how can I help?” I suggested that you can donate to organizations that are in support of social change, diversify your feeds with a variety of creators outside of your usual bubble, and to normalize a variety of faces & cultures in your households…because that was the point of the STMN initiative was — to shake up the Instagram algorithm, to better reflect the diversity of the world around us, and to highlight the marginalized. 

Over the past year, right here on EHD, the team has shared Indigenous owned shops to support, as well as content creators & resources to help diversity the content you consume. I have shared countless books — for adults and for children — that touch on diversity and racism, to also help get conversations started. All these suggestions and resources are still relevant, but after a year of learning and listening, this racial reckoning requires more action — from consciously supporting brands, businesses, and creators that align with our values, to holding our elected officials accountable when it comes to the legislation that’s being proposed. As I write this, there is a lot of talk around Juneteenth becoming a federally recognized holiday. Yay! Yay? Can we truly celebrate this milestone while two doors down, others are looking to ban critical race theory from our education systems? 

This is where we have to step in. 

This is when our voices matter. 

Large sweeping gestures aren’t always feasible (or necessary), but when we start in our own communities, homes, social settings, schools, etc., we can, hopefully, start a ripple effect throughout society. And where you fall short, pour into others that are doing the work. 

Did you follow along with the Share The Mic Now: Home Edition last year? How did it impact you? What did you take away from the experience? A year later, what changes have you seen and/or hope to see?

*Graphics by Albie K. Buabeng

The post One Year Later: How Much Has The Design Industry Actually Improved And How We Can Continue To Push For Equity appeared first on Emily Henderson.

7 VERY Cute Summer Outfits I Wore For My Last Target Shoot And Highly Recommend

Last week we had a big Target fall shoot so per usual I shopped for wardrobe to wear in the photos/video and also per usual I found some VERY, VERY VERY cute lightweight summer pieces at Target right now. I had to bring some options to set and while I only wore two outfits for the shoot I wanted to show you everything else I got and loved. Also, this is not at all sponsored. I just thought since I had them for the shoot, I might as well show you in case you are in need:)

Blouse | Pants

That shirt is SO CUTE and I definitely kept it. It’s got my name written all over it. The collar, the sleeves, the seam details – it’s a solid blouse that is awesome. The pants are actually shockingly good (for being high-waisted and pleated) but I’m not selling them well in these photos. I don’t really need slacks right now so I ended up returning them, but for those of you looking for more business casual I found the cut very flattering and cute. Plus the rust is a fun and slightly unexpected color.

Blouse | Skirt

Here we have a solid chambray blouse that is a bit oversized in a good way, and with this awesome gingham skirt that I’m wearing right now. I’m wearing a small in the skirt and it doesn’t cut in AT ALL (such a pet peeve of mine). It’s so easy to wear, cute to tuck in, and I can even wear it over a bathing suit -it feels that casual and easy.

Blouse | Jeans

Another great summer blouse (for $20) with cute eyelets and ruffles and just easy and breezy. This one is more see-through FYI, but I just found it so easy to wear and casual.

Blouse | Jeans

I couldn’t decide which would look better on camera – blue or white and they didn’t have either in small so I got the white one in XS and the blue one in a Medium and loved both. The blue one is oversized but still so cute and easy to wear.

Blouse | Jeans | Shoes

Those are my summer jeans that I wrote about last week – a couple times actually. They are EXTREMELY comfortable, have a cute cut, nice wash and they are the jeans that I dig out of the laundry every time.

Dress

How cute is this dress??? Mallory said it was a bit baptismal and she’s not wrong (I likely have an attraction towards it because of it). I’m certainly not innocent of wearing many a sister wives’ dress, that’s for sure. The sleeves are so cute and the skirt is lined (YAY) so no slip needed (I can’t own anything that requires a slip because I won’t ever wear them).

Dress (unavailable online)

I did NOT predict that this would look good on me – I thought it would go pretty “maternity” (and it is would be a great maternity dress) but it doesn’t. It drapes well, ties nicely in front, has sweet buttons and those big sleeves obviously are so cute. I wore it this weekend because it is VERY easy to wear, lightweight (it’s getting very hot here) but still looks like I’m trying.

Head to stories to see what else I tried on that I didn’t buy. And remember – buy what you need:) But if you need some lightweight, easy to wear, and very affordable cute summer clothes I can honestly recommend all of those above. xx

The post 7 VERY Cute Summer Outfits I Wore For My Last Target Shoot And Highly Recommend appeared first on Emily Henderson.