Emily Henderson's Blog, page 18

Everything You Wanted To Know About Soft Water – You Asked, We Answered

What’s the deal with soft water??? Unlike a design trend piece or makeover reveal, this post is for those of you who are considering investing in a water softening system for your home and are genuinely curious about what it’s all about. It is real peak adulting, the quietest of luxuries that once you try it, is really hard to go back. In fact, most of Culligan’s clients are repeat customers – people who have moved to a new house and need that soft water back in their lives or who grew up with a Culligan system and can’t imagine going without it in a home of their own. But “softening your water” also sounds intimidating, expensive, and just, like, “how??” So I figured I’d break it all down for you.

We worked with Culligan when we lived in LA, where our water was VERY HARD without us knowing it. We accepted this as just part of life until we softened it and the difference was incredible. After we moved to Oregon, getting Culligan out to the new house was on our minds – so when they approached us to partner I was so excited, thrilled even, to have them install the system that I know benefits my hair and skin (and my entire home!) so much.

Why Would You “Soften” Your Water?

My #1 reason for wanting soft water at my house: Softer Hair and Skin! A water softener reduces the hard water minerals that make my skin dry and my hair frizzy. It’s science! On your skin, the combo of hard water (basically excess calcium and magnesium, FYI) and soap or shampoo can block your pores and/or not completely rinse off, which can prevent your natural body oils from reaching the surface of your skin. If your skin is more sensitive like mine, it might dry out, get itchy, red, or you might even get a rash. NO BUENO. 

The same thing is true for your hair. The residue clings to your follicles, which makes your hair stiff and dry. If you feel like you need to wash your hair every day, your hard water might be a factor. (You can have Culligan test it for you – seeing the hardness levels can be eye opening!)

Soft water, simply put, is much softer on everything – less harsh. If you’ve ever had hard water and then stayed at a hotel with softened water, you’ve felt the difference. It’s like that every day here

Softened Water = Less Build-Up EVERYWHERE

If vanity isn’t your #1 driver in life (LOL), then you should also know that soft water helps so much with the cleaning (and longevity) of your bathroom, kitchen, and all water-using appliances in the home. When you are showering in, cleaning with, or washing hands in soft water, there is SO much less buildup on all the home surfaces and faucets your water hits frequently. Shower doors, tile, backsplash, stone, bathroom sink drains – anything that you typically have to scrub and squeegee is no longer covered in hard water residue. 

Everything is WAY easier to clean and keep looking brand new. I know the hard water minerals don’t seem like a big deal, but over time they really build up on (and in) all the surfaces and appliances that water touches (including laundry!). Now that our water is soft, our home is cleaner. And I didn’t have to lift a finger! 

What’s a Culligan Water Softener install like?  

Ok, I was intimidated by the idea of getting a softener installed (just like I am anything I don’t fully understand) especially since we did it after we had finished renovating. I learned through this process that working with the pros at Culligan is such an easy process, whether your kitchen is fully renovated or in the process of being built! Their process is simple: A Culligan team member will come over, test your water (to make sure you actually need a system), and they’ll personally recommend solutions for you. They can answer any of your burning questions and, if you want to move forward (we did!), they can help you plan the best place for your new system (in our case, a basement but could be a garage or utility room). 

Then, an expert installer spent about ½ a day hooking the system up to our main water valve. (I’ve been told that the timing will vary depending on the location of your system, your water source, and your pipes, but both of our installs – both in LA and in Oregon – took about 4 hours.)

The Whole Home Softener we got includes the salt tank and the accessories that make the system “smart” (so it can alert you when the salt needs to be refilled, etc). Honestly, the best thing about it is that both times we’ve had it installed, it’s been so seamless that I haven’t had to deal with it ONCE. Not one breakdown, one time I needed to troubleshoot, zero frustrations, and honestly, I haven’t even thought about it. 

If you have a lot of specific questions, I suggest booking someone from Culligan to come to your home to assess. But in short, they install it once and then you can either opt in to them servicing it (we did) or service it yourself. It’s a real “set it and forget it” situation, at least it’s been for us.

Why Do People Love Soft Water For Laundry?

As you can imagine, if hard water adds buildup on tile and glass, hair and body, then washing all your clothes, sheets, and towels in hard water is also less good, shall we say. With soft water, your whites are whiter, colors stay brighter and your soft fabrics stay fluffier. Plus, you use less overall detergent to get the job done – up to 50% less detergent is needed for a washing machine running on soft water. It’s really a whole home situation where I find that softened water is even better for cleaning our tile and honed stone.

Hard Water Destroys “Live Finishes”, I.E. Unlacquered brass

If my #1 reason for loving softened water is hair/skin, it’s closely followed by the fact that it allows my beautiful unlacquered brass (i.e. live finish) faucets to stay beautiful. You see, hard water is AWFUL for live finishes because the minerals can accelerate the corrosion of unprotected brass surfaces (literally turning it green in the not-so-good way and then eventually causing them to crumble). It’s not immediate but it is a real thing (and a huge bummer). We noticed our faucets turning green around the base in our Los Feliz home before we softened our water and I freaked out. Since softening our water we have zero issues (while we still have to care for them in other ways). So if you have live finishes like we do in our kitchen, then you’ll want to think hard (LOL) about softening your water.

Does This System Also Purify Your Drinking Water?

Soft water is totally fine to drink, but Culligan also has a reverse osmosis (RO) drinking water filtration system that gets installed underneath your sink. We installed this in my brother’s house as they wanted a filtered drinking system and they LOVE it – the RO system can reduce more than 90 (!!!) contaminants and makes it easy to grab a glass of delicious, filtered water straight from the tap. (Imagine – no more schlepping your plastic filter pitcher to-and-from the fridge all day!) 

We weren’t able to install this one at our house because our cabinet under the sink was too short (due to our farm sink and our tall-ish toe kick), so the box-like system didn’t fit. We still might put it in our corner cabinet and have it extend to our sink (it can be installed elsewhere and connected to your water line – even your fridge or ice maker can get the RO treatment!) but Ken was BEGGING for the RO system so we installed this one very easily in his kitchen. They are so happy with it (and it’s great for washing veggies, making drinks/ice, water for pasta, and of course, drinking water). So this is our experience and we have LOVED it. For all your questions, the Culligan customer service and sales team are so well versed in this stuff, and honestly just seeing them test your water can be super educational should you be uncertain if you want to invest in a water softener system or RO drinking water system. If you’re interested in finding out more about your home’s water and Culligan solutions, schedule an in-home water test with your local Culligan dealer today by tapping here.

How Much Does It Cost?

Culligan works with you to find the perfect solution for your water and home. This means the system + installs vary, so it’s impossible to say exactly what it will cost in your home until an expert has been out to test your water and assess your home. However, the brand does have flexible options to rent, finance, or buy systems – so you can work with them to get a solution that’s right for you + your budget. To get more information on what your home needs + pricing, tap to find a dealer near you + schedule a free in-home evaluation with Culligan today.  

*Photos by Kailtin Green

The post Everything You Wanted To Know About Soft Water – You Asked, We Answered appeared first on Emily Henderson.

My Friends Took Pattern Drenching To The Next Level With Spoonflower – And It’s Epic!

I love having creative friends and will brag about them endlessly – especially those who are braver than I am design-wise. I can be so safe and care so much about “timelessness” (especially with permanent finishes) so being friends with people who take risks so naturally, without second guessing is so fun for me. So today I’m showing you my friends Annie and Derik’s den/bonus room that has pink wall-to-wall carpet, a vintage school popcorn maker, and the same Spoonflower fabric pattern on the sofa, walls, window shades, vintage dining chairs, AND window seats. IT’S SO WILD. This is their home in Toluca Lake that she shares with her husband Derik DBone Reckley (a musician – check out his album here!), 11-year-old daughter Violet, and three pups. Annie remodels houses with her partner in ASOM Home (give them a follow). During the year-long remodel she told me that she was planning on pattern drenching this entire room in the same Spoonflower wallpaper and fabric pattern and I all but begged to come and shoot it even before I had a partnership with Spoonflower. But be prepared to see some risks that might surprise you – like that lamp! I have such feelings about that lamp! (and so does TikTok – its apparently a ‘holy grail’ find). For styling the room we really leaned into their style which is very rock ‘n roll, totally funky, wild, and highly creative. I pulled pieces from her house, hung their guitars and art, and embraced all the things that make them THEM. Color, vintage, and in this case even some kitsch (can you spot the velvet paintings?)

Floral Fabric | Floral Wallpaper

The star of the room IMHO (besides them) is that incredible vintage round sectional that they had reupholstered in this Spoonflower velvet fabric a few years ago for their old house – which inspired the whole pattern-drenching idea. I can solidly say this is the genius thing about Spoonflower – that you can get the same pattern for so many different applications. There are companies that offer fabrics and wallcoverings, sure, but not to their level. For this project, Annie chose velvet fabric for the sofa, linen for the shades, and pre-pasted wallpaper for the walls (but they also have cotton, canvas, traditional paper, and removable wallpaper). It’s so incredible to be able to provide all these options and why I wanted to tell this story.

This room is a bonus room upstairs and when they have friends over with kids they send them all up here to do their worst. They pulled the pink out of the pattern and went wall-to-wall with the carpet (which we love for this type of room – so soft). Annie loves vintage and had been hoarding these lucite chairs for a while so she had her upholsterer redo the seats and backs in the same velvet.

We hung the art and guitars and decided that the controversial lamp was worth keeping (Gen Z on TikTok love these lamps but I KNOW that that feeling will not be shared by everyone).

Annie pulled the yellow from the fabric as well and painted the window trim, built-ins, and ceiling in this deep butter color. I personally want her to wallpaper the ceiling or paint it the dark green color – just to really go for it. But I love these little seats and the round pillows she had made as well.

The same fabric covers the window treatments along that big bank of windows, and we tried to shoot all of them closed so you could get the full effect, but it was impossible to see, ha. But ideal for a TV or movie watching during the day! Here’s a sample of what they look like closed:)

I think this sectional against the wallpaper is so powerful and really shows you the impact that pattern drenching can have. Yes, this was a thing in the 50s and again in the 80s, and yes, I am a bit scared to do it myself, but it’s SUCH A VIBE to be in

Annie even put the same pattern on her TV (also on the vintage coffee table book on the ottoman). Spoonflower’s Design Library is filled with thousands of gorgeous prints created by talented independent artists around the world. The design she used for this project, by Spoonflower artist peacoquettedesigns, draws inspiration from a medieval tapestry. It also comes in a few other colorways, although I love that green. Spoonflower also sells any of their patterns in pillows, duvets, curtains, and shower curtains – the customization feels endless. So rad. The scale of it is a bit smaller on the walls, FYI, so double check that if you want say the fabric and walls to be paired next to each other and repeat seamlessly.

Every time you purchase you are really helping to support an artist, graphic designer, illustrator etc. I’m VERY tempted myself to create some patterns for our next project mostly to see if I can stretch myself that way.

Shooting this space was a trip in the best of ways. The energy of the family comes through – their irreverence, fun, and creativity. And they could never have done this level of pattern drenching without Spoonflower’s inventory and abilities. Of course, you don’t HAVE to pattern drench and you could just order wallpaper like we did for our laundry closet and my niece’s closet. But if you want to really go for it, like Annie did in this room, you have thousands of pattern and color options, as simple as just a stripe or plaid.

*Design by Annie Segal, ASOMhome
**Styled by Emily Henderson (me!)
***Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post My Friends Took Pattern Drenching To The Next Level With Spoonflower – And It’s Epic! appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The Cutest “Sun Safe” Swimsuit Emily Got For Her Daughter, Mal’s Sweet (Pocketed) Dress, And A Riveting Article To Give You A Succession Type Of Drama

Happy Sunday, everyone. We blogged, we had a photoshoot, and the LA gals are happy to report that the warm sunshine has returned (not to rub it in the Portland team’s face, of course:)) Other than that we hope all of you are having a good day and are with people that you love (or are happily having some alone time!). Let’s get into these links, huh?

This week’s house tour is an 805 sq/ft NYC apartment that was gut renovated into such a beautiful and thoughtfully designed space. SO many special details but you have the see the stained glass interior window they had custom-made. Check it out here!

From Emily: The cutest rashguard style swimsuit for Elliot (I want a matching one) for real coverage. We are going snorkeling and I need coverage to avoid the fried back situation that happened last year (biggest parenting fail of our lives). Our kids are super fair-skinned and need extreme coverage when in the water so I pitched this to Elliot (who is 9 and has VERY specific and firm fashion taste – she only wants to dress like a teenager now). She approved, it arrived, and it’s so freaking cute. We also ordered the two-piece version that has long sleeves (we are standing firm on no crop tops in normal day life, but the long-sleeved two-piece feels appropriate and honestly just so much easier for them to take on and off or to go the bathroom when at pools).

From Arlyn: Since November, I’ve been trying to up my movement and exercise. My goal every week is to get in four 30-minute workouts and I’ve really enjoyed anything with dumbells. I really don’t need much (I’ve been doing fine with just my yoga mat and my dumbells), but I came across something like this and was really intrigued by it! An adjustable weight bench WITH built-in dumbell storage seems amazing. Has anyone used something like this? Is it gimmicky? Useful? Thought it was worth an ask here!

From Caitlin: Miss Succession? ME TOO. BIG TIME. But this profile on Lachlan Murdoch – Rupert’s youngest son, the once-heir to the Fox News fortune, and the literal inspiration for the Roy children – is filling the void. There’s drama! (Including a catty deposition, with questions like “Why were you too busy to say “Happy birthday” to your father when he turned 90?“) There’s intrigue! (At a Murdoch family counseling retreat, no less.) There’s misogyny! (The two eldest siblings – both women – were never considered seriously as future CEOs.) There’s…Nevada? (A Reno probate court, in fact.) It’s a GREAT read. It’ll also be The Atlantic’s cover story in April if you’d rather grab it on your local newsstand!

From Jess: I’m not one to make a rash shoe purchase. To me, it feels like a more important decision than almost any other fashion item (and the ones I usually want are not cheap.) I’ve been looking for a flat that’s “fun” but still versatile with my wardrobe. Also, I’m pretty indecisive by nature. So after months of looking at this particular pair, including putting it in our ballet flats post, AND seeing them on one of my favorite fashion “influencers” I finally bought these burgundy leather flats. To one’s surprise, I love them and have been wearing them nonstop!

From Gretchen: This week I’m linkin’ up two things that I’ve actually shared here before, only because they’re that good. They don’t have much to do with each other–like at all–but if you have two feet and a face like I do, then you might just be interested. The first are these ridiculously cute and cozy socks from Le Bon Shoppe. Originally, our photographer Kaitlin turned me onto this brand, but Marlee is a fan too and now I’m a full convert. I find that I tend to wear down most socks until they’re more like a slice of Swiss cheese. I’m convinced it’s because the socks I usually buy are cheap and close to threadbare to begin with, and not because I stomp around like an elephant. But these socks? They have done me sooo well. They are the perfect thickness, are so cute poking out of just about any shoe, come in endless colors and styles, don’t stretch out, and have yet to produce any holes–and this is the pair I’ve had and worn religiously since November. I got a few more styles to add to my collection and couldn’t be happier with how they look and feel. My favorites are the Girlfriend socks for their cute color accents and fit. Now onto face stuff…this Fenty Match Stix Contour Skinstick in Mocha is my tried and true holy grail. I’m not sure what magic Rihanna squeezed into this cream bronzer but I am obsessed. No matter the season, no matter if I’m ghostly white or slightly tanned, this blends effortlessly into my skin with just my fingers or a brush. It takes two seconds to apply and is sometimes the only makeup I leave the house with. The glow is real but not too intense and a little goes a long way. But I’ve finally used her all up and it’s time to re-purchase. I’m tempted to buy 14 of ’em because it’s just that good!

From Mallory: Another dress rec! I found this super cute red dress (WITH POCKETS) and it’s perfect for spring/summer. It’s very comfy and flattering and would be perfect for an Easter brunch or a vacation meal! Plus how cute are those bows?? It’s also comes in a ton of other colors if red isn’t your thing:)

From Marlee: The bad news is that it took me about 3 years to find the PERFECT cardigan – the good news is that I defied all odds and FINALLY found one. This cardi from & Other Stories is truly the sweater of my dreams – it’s the perfect boxy fit, it’s an alpaca and wool blend which sounds like an itchy nightmare to me but I CAN wear it without a long-sleeved shirt underneath (rare), and the buttons blend in and are petite and cute instead of being too big or bold. I have been (casually) looking for something like this that’s actually somewhat affordable and isn’t horrible quality for SO long. The other bad news is that most of the colors are sold out (still available in white and green!) but there is a suspiciously similar sweater on their site that’s $10 cheaper, as well as on random other sites like this one on Nordstrom. I will be checking their site frequently to check for a restock because I would love to snatch the butter-yellow one.

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow for a WILD reveal:)

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: A Quick River House Guest Bathroom Reveal

The post The Link Up: The Cutest “Sun Safe” Swimsuit Emily Got For Her Daughter, Mal’s Sweet (Pocketed) Dress, And A Riveting Article To Give You A Succession Type Of Drama appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The Cutest “Sun Safe” Swimsuit Emily Got For Her Daughter, Mal’s Sweet (Pocketed) Dress, And A Riviting Article To Give You A Succession Type Of Drama

Happy Sunday, everyone. We blogged, we had a photoshoot, and the LA gals are happy to report that the warm sunshine has returned (not to rub it in the Portland team’s face, of course:)) Other than that we hope all of you are having a good day and are with people that you love (or are happily having some alone time!). Let’s get into these links, huh?

This week’s house tour is an 805 sq/ft NYC apartment that was gut renovated into such a beautiful and thoughtfully designed space. SO many special details but you have the see the stained glass interior window they had custom-made. Check it out here!

From Emily: The cutest rashguard style swimsuit for Elliot (I want a matching one) for real coverage. We are going snorkeling and I need coverage to avoid the fried back situation that happened last year (biggest parenting fail of our lives). Our kids are super fair-skinned and need extreme coverage when in the water so I pitched this to Elliot (who is 9 and has VERY specific and firm fashion taste – she only wants to dress like a teenager now). She approved, it arrived, and it’s so freaking cute. We also ordered the two-piece version that has long sleeves (we are standing firm on no crop tops in normal day life, but the long-sleeved two-piece feels appropriate and honestly just so much easier for them to take on and off or to go the bathroom when at pools).

From Arlyn: Since November, I’ve been trying to up my movement and exercise. My goal every week is to get in four 30-minute workouts and I’ve really enjoyed anything with dumbells. I really don’t need much (I’ve been doing fine with just my yoga mat and my dumbells), but I came across something like this and was really intrigued by it! An adjustable weight bench WITH built-in dumbell storage seems amazing. Has anyone used something like this? Is it gimmicky? Useful? Thought it was worth an ask here!

From Caitlin: Miss Succession? ME TOO. BIG TIME. But this profile on Lachlan Murdoch – Rupert’s youngest son, the once-heir to the Fox News fortune, and the literal inspiration for the Roy children – is filling the void. There’s drama! (Including a catty deposition, with questions like “Why were you too busy to say “Happy birthday” to your father when he turned 90?“) There’s intrigue! (At a Murdoch family counseling retreat, no less.) There’s misogyny! (The two eldest siblings – both women – were never considered seriously as future CEOs.) There’s…Nevada? (A Reno probate court, in fact.) It’s a GREAT read. It’ll also be The Atlantic’s cover story in April if you’d rather grab it on your local newsstand!

From Jess: I’m not one to make a rash shoe purchase. To me, it feels like a more important decision than almost any other fashion item (and the ones I usually want are not cheap.) I’ve been looking for a flat that’s “fun” but still versatile with my wardrobe. Also, I’m pretty indecisive by nature. So after months of looking at this particular pair, including putting it in our ballet flats post, AND seeing them on one of my favorite fashion “influencers” I finally bought these burgundy leather flats. To one’s surprise, I love them and have been wearing them nonstop!

From Gretchen: This week I’m linkin’ up two things that I’ve actually shared here before, only because they’re that good. They don’t have much to do with each other–like at all–but if you have two feet and a face like I do, then you might just be interested. The first are these ridiculously cute and cozy socks from Le Bon Shoppe. Originally, our photographer Kaitlin turned me onto this brand, but Marlee is a fan too and now I’m a full convert. I find that I tend to wear down most socks until they’re more like a slice of Swiss cheese. I’m convinced it’s because the socks I usually buy are cheap and close to threadbare to begin with, and not because I stomp around like an elephant. But these socks? They have done me sooo well. They are the perfect thickness, are so cute poking out of just about any shoe, come in endless colors and styles, don’t stretch out, and have yet to produce any holes–and this is the pair I’ve had and worn religiously since November. I got a few more styles to add to my collection and couldn’t be happier with how they look and feel. My favorites are the Girlfriend socks for their cute color accents and fit. Now onto face stuff…this Fenty Match Stix Contour Skinstick in Mocha is my tried and true holy grail. I’m not sure what magic Rihanna squeezed into this cream bronzer but I am obsessed. No matter the season, no matter if I’m ghostly white or slightly tanned, this blends effortlessly into my skin with just my fingers or a brush. It takes two seconds to apply and is sometimes the only makeup I leave the house with. The glow is real but not too intense and a little goes a long way. But I’ve finally used her all up and it’s time to re-purchase. I’m tempted to buy 14 of ’em because it’s just that good!

From Mallory: Another dress rec! I found this super cute red dress (WITH POCKETS) and it’s perfect for spring/summer. It’s very comfy and flattering and would be perfect for an Easter brunch or a vacation meal! Plus how cute are those bows?? It’s also comes in a ton of other colors if red isn’t your thing:)

From Marlee: The bad news is that it took me about 3 years to find the PERFECT cardigan – the good news is that I defied all odds and FINALLY found one. This cardi from & Other Stories is truly the sweater of my dreams – it’s the perfect boxy fit, it’s an alpaca and wool blend which sounds like an itchy nightmare to me but I CAN wear it without a long-sleeved shirt underneath (rare), and the buttons blend in and are petite and cute instead of being too big or bold. I have been (casually) looking for something like this that’s actually somewhat affordable and isn’t horrible quality for SO long. The other bad news is that most of the colors are sold out (still available in white and green!) but there is a suspiciously similar sweater on their site that’s $10 cheaper, as well as on random other sites like this one on Nordstrom. I will be checking their site frequently to check for a restock because I would love to snatch the butter-yellow one.

Thanks for stopping by and see you tomorrow for a WILD reveal:)

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: A Quick River House Guest Bathroom Reveal

The post The Link Up: The Cutest “Sun Safe” Swimsuit Emily Got For Her Daughter, Mal’s Sweet (Pocketed) Dress, And A Riviting Article To Give You A Succession Type Of Drama appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our Costa Rica Spring Break Itinerary (2 Years Ago) With Quite Possibly The Most Magical Family-Friendly “Hotel” Ever…

I’ve been gatekeeping this for two years – (accidentally). When we got back from Costa Rica, Spring break 2023, my review to my friends and family was a level of enthusiasm they had never witnessed – “FIFTEEN OUT OF TEN,” I exclaimed. I planned the whole thing (turns out I either love control or I should be a travel agent) because my itinerary was TOP NOTCH – full of core memories and extreme family bonding (and rest, don’t worry). But I shouldn’t take the credit – Costa Rica is amazing and I don’t think you can have a bad time there. After hearing my breakdown, so many of my friends begged me not to blog about it until they could repeat the same bookings, so I complied. And then time went on and it felt weird to write about it months later and then, well, I forgot. But as we leave for Belize this week I felt compelled to make the case for Central America AGAIN for those looking into going on future trips. Yo… it’s going to be a long one but it’s for those of you who actually might go so read every single word (and I didn’t intend on blogging about this trip so these photos are not exactly travel blog family level:)).

Day 0: Land In San Jose

Our flight was long from Portland, we transferred through LA with a 3-hour layover (12 hours total – not nothing). Once we arrived in San Jose, we stayed at a hotel near the airport that night since we didn’t get in til the evening. The Hilton was fine and super affordable ($120 for the night) and Brian picked up the pre-reserved car the next morning while the kids chowed down at the oddly delicious buffet. It was a 2-3 hour drive to Monteverde the next morning which was fascinating, if not super bumpy (you need four-wheel drive though).

Day 1: Travel To The Cloud Forest – Monteverde

We spent the first three nights in Monteverde, up in the cloud forest. Most people do a 1/2 jungle, 1/2 beach tour, and this is the jungle portion. This was said to be a “must-see” rainforest and so lush The word “unspoiled” rings through your head. My kids are still not enthusiastic hikers, but there was so much to do for elementary school-aged kids (and apparently if you are a birder you are in heaven – there were tropical birds everywhere!). We got in around 2 or 3 pm, had lunch, walked around the grounds (so pretty), sat in the hot tub, ate dinner by the pond, and went to sleep early so excited for the next day. It was so peaceful.

Where We Stayed In Monteverde – Hotel Belmar

There are a lot of places to stay, much more affordable I’m sure, but Hotel Belmar was where we chose after a lot of research and it was extremely perfect for us in every single way. It’s not flashy, yet it is nicely designed and so well-appointed, meeting all our needs but nothing superfluous. Every room was clad in pretty wood, had super comfortable beds and bedding. And while we didn’t have AC, the temperature at night was in the 60s and we woke to birds chirping, windows open. They grow most of their food on the property so the food was incredible. But that’s the thing about Costa Rica, they don’t even need to say “farm to table” because almost everything is. They have super strict eco-tourism and organic growing laws so it’s just a really environmentally healthy country, making the food so freaking tasty even when raw and lightly seasoned. Literally every bite we had for 8 days was incredible. Hotel Belmar was around $400 a night for two queen beds (at the time) and it felt appropriately priced. There was a hiking trail on the property through streams and small waterfalls, yoga in the morning (which was too beginner for me but lovely), easy transfers anywhere we wanted to go, a delicious juice/smoothie bar, a big hot tub room you could book for your family, a pond-side bar/restaurant with live music as well as their nicer restaurant with a gorgeous view.

The hotel was sold out when we were there but never crowded and the service was perfect. We were there in March which was cooler at night but warm during the day, but had we gone during the summer we probably would have wished they had a pool (we didn’t at all). Our experience was so lovely in every way. We went to bed exhausted at 9 pm full of fresh food, a couple of cocktails, and while sharing a room with our kids might sound less ideal (without TVs) we all just read our books and fell asleep so early and satisfied. I will say that I don’t know if it’s as great for toddlers, not because it would be negative in any way but because it’s pretty vertical and less to do for that age than a resort-style hotel near the beach since they can’t zipline (there are lots of Airbnbs in the area though!). Zero sponsorship or discount and 100% love for this hotel.

Day 2: Ziplining + Animal Sanctuaries

(LOL – those were shots for the souvenir card, not actually ziplining there) Despite an extreme fear of heights, I forced myself to disassociate, strap on a smile and a harness, and fly (all in the name of bonding with my kids). And listen… there is a reason they do it on The Bachelor – that level of collective fear and adrenaline is extremely bonding (neurons that fire together wire together!). The dopamine you get when you land without dying makes you collectively celebrate being alive!! Of course, our kids had to be strapped together because in Costa Rica you are going from mountain top to mountain top, at times over a mile and so high up you’d vomit if you thought about it. They were too light to go solo, with the threat of being “stuck in the middle” and they did get stuck a couple of times but close enough to the end that I was ok as the guys came out and dragged them to the end but yes, I was totally panicking while also still disassociating). Did I enjoy it? I mean, no, not while doing it, but it was so bonding and wild and exhilarating for all of us and I’m so glad I didn’t let my fear stop me from having that experience with them. I will say that unlike being on an edge of a cliff, you are double carabinered into your harness and while it was enormously terrifying I actually wasn’t scared of dying, making it doable. YOU HAVE TO DO IT. (Update: this has helped my fear of heights a lot, not on edges of cliffs but I’m way better on gondolas now or even skyscrapers that were once very triggering). We went to Selvatura and it was fantastic. Also, they have a suspension bridge route if you didn’t want to zipline but wanted to hike around and walk on the bridges. Something for everyone and extremely well done with super friendly guides (bring cash for tips!).

Sloth And Butterfly Sanctuaries

After ziplining we visited the butterfly and sloth sanctuary. Both were sweet, fun, and calm and our then 7 and 9-year-olds were thrilled when butterflies landed on their fingers or they came face to face with a sweet sloth. These are short 1-hour long situations and rather humid but lovely, affordable, and a great memory.

Day 3: Tree Climbing Park + Afternoon Farm Visitway up there!

Day 3 started at a tree climbing park which was so fun for the kids as they got to climb so high and repel down (with a short ziplining tour, too). It’s super safe and similar to a climbing gym (but on your own). You hike from one to another, 10 total. I only did a few (they were redundant) but the kids loved it and did all 10. We moved our bodies, it was challenging, and a great memory. We also ziplined there but on a much smaller course than day 1. My email says we went to Sky Adventure Arboreal Park, but I couldn’t find it online (I think maybe Treetopia?). We loved it.

Organic Farm Visit

In the afternoon we went to the farm that was associated with the hotel (where they grew all their meat and vegetables). I’m sure there are other cheaper farm visits that are great but we were smitten with the people and food at Hotel Belmar so we did their 3-4 hour tour which was SO GOOD. We fed all the animals, went horseback riding, made sugarcane drinks, and learned about organic farming in a way the kids understood. It was so stunning, they were so friendly and we ate delicious homemade cheeses and sweets. If you stay at the hotel I believe you get a discount (it was $95 for adults, $75 for kids, and lasts 3.5 hours). We found it absolutely worth every penny (speaking of bringing cash to tip! We did $20 per person which might be too much but if you can afford it, do it as it all goes to local lovely guides).

That night we had food and drinks down by the big pond with live music while the kids ran around on the lawn and Brian and I literally held hands and talked. It was so peaceful, dark, and starry (little light pollution). We were in HEAVEN. Also, there are so many fruity non-soda mocktails in Costa Rica so the kids LOVED happy hour with us every night:)

Day 4: Drive To Kintari Glamping Resort

Our drive to our next beach destination was going to be 3 1/2 hours so I booked a night at Kintiri Glamping Resort which was an adults-only glamping resort on the top of the mountain going about 45 minutes out of our way. For our last morning at Hotel Belmar, I did yoga and we all went on a hike on the property (a not to miss – creek, waterfalls, so easy). We needed to kill some time after check out before we set out on our drive so we went to a chocolate farm tour, which was a big miss (we almost left 1/2 way through). We then drove 2 1/2 hours to Kintiri (which had just opened so they allowed us to come midweek for one night even though we had kids). It’s AMAZING. Like the honeymoon of your dreams amazing. Geodesic domes with infinity pools, above-ground pools and saunas, and really good food. And y’all these places aren’t expensive – like $250/night at the time. The kids were blown away sleeping in a dome. I will say the sheer elevation made me nervous (again, I have a fear of heights and love looking at trees over an expansive view). Oh, and it was super hard to find (but they were really responsive via WhatsApp). The point is – if you don’t have kids definitely look into it as they were building it out even more when they were there. LOVED. I don’t think you’d need to make this stop though, going straight from Monteverde to Isla Chiquita wasn’t that long so very very doable (and perhaps a better use of time than the 2 hours out of your way up the mountain).

Day 5: Drive To La Isla Chiquita – The Most Magical Glamping Resort Ever

After 2 or so hours of driving, we arrived at the beach where we had fresh fish at a very mom-and-pop restaurant, waiting for our boat (the above photos were of that, not the island). We waded with our stuff above our heads, shoes in hand to get on a little dingy as they took us to our island. It was already pure magic. We pulled up at Isla Chiquita with the friendliest staff and not an inch of cement, tropical drinks immediately in hand, and charming signs with arrows everywhere. It felt like we were stepping back in time – the sense that it felt so off the grid but strangely luxurious. We checked into our tent (with plumbing and electrical, but no AC) and immediately noticed all the monkeys in the trees. Families of them. We stayed in the master suite for the first night because ours wasn’t available yet. The 360 views were incredible and it had its own plunge pool. Their site does a great job of showing it, but nothing will match seeing it in person. That suite was $500 a night, whereas the ones with two double beds (that we stayed two nights in) were $230 a night – and while the master suite is awesome, the whole island experience is so magical that we were just as happy in the normal tent (fun to do both). Honestly, it was worth twice that much if you ask me. The first night we booked the bioluminescence tour after dinner which blew our kid’s minds as we floated around the island in the pitch dark with cocktails and mocktails.

The Most Magical Glamping Resort Ever – La Isla Chiquita

These photos literally do ZERO justice to the resort – if you are interested please check out their website and your mind will be blown. Honestly best 4 days of my life there.

Day 6: Out At Sea, Snorkeling

Big snorkel day! We booked a tour to take us out to the islands and spent the day in the water with our kid’s minds blown seeing all the tropical fish. The crew was awesome (all booked through La Isla Chiquita – they make it super easy). We explored multiple islands and bays and they had a lot of entertaining anecdotes. The only note is that we didn’t bring money and they dropped us off at a beach that had commerce and could have bought drinks and food so always bring money (they provided lunch on the boat, but for treats, drinks, and souvenirs). It was perfect. We were out til 2-3 pm then came back and sat by the pool and read, ate delicious dinner at the open-air restaurant, and fell asleep early and satiated to the sounds of monkeys in the trees.

Day 7: Catching Our Dinner

Fishing! We booked 9 am morning fishing without lines, where the guides took us out on a tiny boat and taught us how to fish for our dinner (which we ate that night to varying stars). Such a memory. So fun. The second half of the day was again by the pool while Brian and I took turns getting massages at their sweet little open-air spa. Our last night was incredible. I wasn’t QUITE ready to go home (which says a lot for me) but we had done all you could do here. There isn’t a real beach here so you kinda have to book the excursions or you are just hanging in a hammock or by the pool. The staff is incredible and the food is so good. The amenities are simple and perfect. And while I did get stung by a baby scorpion that was hidden in a towel they had gotten from the mainland (!!) that isn’t typical, I promise! And it was very exciting although, we didn’t tell the kids til after we were home (again that’s not typical, just a funny anecdote so don’t let it color your perception – it stung, fell on the ground, and then I had a big swollen bump and was fine.)

All In All Some Costa Rica Facts:

Some of the questions I think you might have if you are curious about Costa Rica:

Did You Feel Safe?

YES. Tourism is their industry (for better or worse) so what I’ve heard is that there is a collective effort to make sure their reputation as being so family-friendly and safe so it stays intact. Thus the push towards eco-tourism so that it doesn’t deplete their environment. The people are incredibly nice, with “Pura Vida” being their mantra (pure life – meaning just enjoy life!). The vibe is full of happiness, gratefulness, and just so welcoming. I’m not naive to the fact that we are still Americans coming to a developing country, depleting resources for our temporary pleasure. Which is why if you can afford to stay at the more eco resorts that are sustainable/organic and pay their staff well you should, and please bring a lot of cash to tip the locals. Tourism is depleting, full stop. It’s the job of the wealthier to not be cheap if we can afford to be generous. Also don’t be an asshole, ok? This isn’t White Lotus.

Is It Ok To Speak English?

Sure! But also maybe try Spanish? Most people in hospitality or tours do speak English, but if you can learn some basic polite terms that could be good and is respectful. I still speak conversational Spanish from working in restaurants for so long so the kids were super impressed while I showed off. But many people go without knowing any and do just fine!

Do You Need To Book Everything In Advance?

Yes to the good hotels, especially with multiple kids (there are more couples hotel availability for sure). I booked them all in August (many good ones are booked less than 4 months in advance). We also booked the rental car in advance because we were warned about the lack of four-wheel drive cars, and while I booked all the excursions in advance we didn’t need to at all (but it made me feel safe).

Bring cash to tip (in 1s, 5s and 10s and they won’t accept if they are torn or imperfect so keep them pristine). Wear breathable clothes with layers and think Tevas or Keens. This is not White Lotus – no need for heels or “fits”. I didn’t bring enough lightweight clothes for humidity and ended up wearing the same dumb cotton shirt and linen shorts every night at dinner once on Chiquita because my jean shorts were so claustrophobic. Bring bug spray and sunscreen (or buy in the bigger towns – they aren’t easy to find everywhere). Also, if you are allergic to mosquitos like me you might need to bring from America as they only sell organic stuff (sorry, I know that is problematic but I was being EATEN ALIVE with hundreds of bites until a nice American shared their deet with me and I finally had some relief).

That Itinerary Sounds Intense! Was It Too Busy? Too Much?

LOL. No. Well, not for us. Because Costa Rica is not heavily populated, with little traffic and few crowds (at least when we were there) navigating was so easy and never depleting. We started our days early so there were never lines and spent the second half of every day either by the pool or beach. I read 3 novels if that tells you much. We didn’t go to restaurants that required reservations that we couldn’t get, but again we didn’t stay at big more “American-style” resorts. Our days were so full but not annoying, rich but not overwhelming, active but not exhausting. I think the common denominator is nature – nature is so calming. And the fact that they care so much about the environment, it’s inherently minimal and the food is filling but not heavy. All the locals are so lovely and kind that it feels like a big warm hug. We felt so grateful to be there enjoying their culture and doing our best to contribute to their local economy while having truly the best 8 days of our lives. Thank you, Costa Rica Pura Vida!

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A Quick River House Guest Bathroom Reveal

Welcome to a quick reveal of my brother’s guest bath which is small, cute, blue and right next to that new pink bedroom that we are obsessed with. Max Humphrey and I designed this together – starting almost 3 years ago when I was still in Arrowhead! He has the same tile in his bathroom, which was the jumping-off point and we designed the rest of it it to be simple and contemporary.

The Tile

Wall Tile (Spa) | Floor Tile (Lantern)

We worked with Ann Sacks on the tile and chose their Context line for the walls in this really pretty denim blue color called Spa. The wall tile is 2×12 so you can see we did a vertical row and then a horizontal tile on top, essentially creating a type of stripe. It’s a nice way to lay out tile to have it not be busy but do something interesting (neither a stack nor a stagger, no offense to either of those :)). We wanted to do a sort of color drench in here so we used a darker blue penny tile in a color called Lantern on the floor – a real Max Humphrey move. As you can see there is a lot of color variation to the tile that you can’t really tell on a sample, so when it’s installed it has some dark spots making each piece look more organic (but good to know).

The Shower Plumbing

Shower Trim Kit | Transfer Valve | Handshower | Handshower Hose | Handshower Wall Mount

We went with the Purist line in the Vibrant Brushed Moderne Brass with cross handles. The Purist remains my favorite line of theirs for both modern and transitional, but can absolutely go “modern traditional” as well. And per usual it comes in nine different finishes – all so pretty.

Niche Stone | Drain

Trim Stone | Wood Mat (similar)

Max chose the grout for the tile which was lighter on the walls and a bit darker grey on the floors. We talked about it after the grout was put in, and both of us would’ve done a darker blue grout on the floor, adding more of a contrast with the walls. We used white Caesarstone leftovers for all the trim and niche.

Wallpaper

We wanted to add some other design elements but didn’t want to make it too busy (and honestly at this point we were on a budget so we didn’t want to add a second tile. I felt that a paint color wouldn’t be impactful enough and didn’t necessarily want to add any wood paneling or anything like that. So once I found this wallpaper from Mitchell Black I loved how it picked up on the warmer tones of the brass and wood, but was still quiet and organic. We also didn’t know how we were going to design the guest room (and this bathroom is inside the guest room so they really needed to coordinate). So whatever we chose we didn’t want to lock us into a specific color palette just yet. This wallpaper is so neutral, soft, and pretty.

Vanity | Knobs and Pulls | Toilet Paper Holder | Faucet

This bathroom is pretty small, but this vanity has a lot of storage and works really well in here. We switched out the hardware to be black wood (stained, from Etsy) and I love that it looks like freestanding furniture. The sink and counter come with it making it easy for purchasing and install.

Light Fixture | Mirror (similar) | Vase | Hand Towel

I LOVE that light fixture, by Worley’s, which you can customize both the metal and the wood. I was greedy and wanted a multi-finish sconce so this black and wood double sconce was perfect here and married all of our finishes.

The mirror was a $50 Home Goods purchase, y’all. I know these are a bit trendy and I bought it on a whim, but once I held it up we all agreed it was pretty dang cute and the idea of continuing to shop for something “better” wasn’t necessary. I like the tone of the wood with the wallpaper and the shape of the mirror with the organic “flock of birds” like pattern.

For this bathroom we did a deck mount faucet, mostly to switch it up after a lot of wall mounts Designing five bathrooms at the same time makes you want a bit of variety.

Old Wallpaper | New Wallpaper

But behind the scenes, we may have wallpapered a dark slightly gold-flecked navy blue paper at first…it was a big “hell no” which was a bummer, but thank god the install of it was also problematic so we were able to re-install the new paper for free. So much better

Art (unavailable) | Towel Bar | Towels (similar) | Shower Doors (custom) | Toilet

The flow between this bathroom and its bedroom is really pretty and while it’s small, it’s highly functional, so pretty, and does the job. Only one more bathroom left Stay tuned!

*Architect: Anne Usher
**General Contractor: JP Macy of Sierra Custom Construction
***Interior Designers: Emily Henderson (me!) and Max Humphrey
****Styling: Emily Henderson (me!)
*****Photos by Kaitlin Green

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Joann Fabrics Is Closing: Here Are 17 Other Places To Buy VERY GOOD Home Decor Fabrics

Earlier this year, it was announced that Joann (or Joann Fabrics as I will forever call it), was going out of business and closing its hundreds of stores nationwide. Crafters, sewers and anyone who ever DIYed a Halloween costume two nights before the big day all shed tears. But for real, I’m very sad about this. I grew up being dragged (begrudgling) to Joann with my lifelong sewer of a mother what felt like every week. I can still remember what our local store smelled like, sounded like—the snipping of the Gingher shears down the metal yard marker—how the lights were never quiet bright enough for my taste. I recall how it felt to run my hands down an aisle of fabric, the gentle thud thud thud of each new bolt.

When I eventually discovered the home decor fabric aisle, with the wide horizontal bolts, I’d dream up projects to do with everything I saw. Of course back then, I didn’t know how I’d grow up to be a top tier level lover of textiles. I would have skipped through the parking lot into the store with my mom if I had. And now, the stores will be no more.

Yes, a lot of larger cities and towns have their own local fabric shops, but those are so few and far between now. I’m glad to say I recently found a Calico near(ish) where I love now, but for most people, Joann was it. The go-to spot for some thread, zippers, fabric glue…all the things. It’s a sad existence we have now where nearly everything is a big box homogenous store and nothing is a small boutique specialty shop.

So, the big question now is…where on earth are we all buying fabric without Joann? While I can admit that Joann didn’t carry a huge heap of designer-worthy home textiles, it did do the trick most times. And going in person to touch, feel, and see will never be beat. I’m about to share 15+ online destinations for buying fabric, but nothing will ever compare to holding a fabric in your hands. Samples can be ordered, sure, but the process takes so much more time. Sorry, I’m moping. Let’s get to the point here.

Below, I rounded up 17 sources for where to buy fabric for home projects as consumers (not trade professionals), from budget options like Etsy all the way to super luxe fabrics that are typically only available to the trade.

$ ($0-$50/yard)Spoonflower

We love Spoonflower around here. If you want what feels like endless options when it comes to prints and plenty to choose from in terms of fabric type and weight, Spoonflower is great. Their stuff is digitally printed on top of fabric which works for most applications, but keep that in mind in the case that you’re looking for something with a woven design (this is much more expensive, FYI).

Dandelion in Yellow Light Blue By Apostrofo Design | Fraser Hunting Tartan Plaid Outlander by Laura Wright Studio | Small Linocut Block Print Floral French Provincial Country Plaid in Dark Red By Pemjo Studio

Etsy

There’s nothing I can say about Etsy here that most of us don’t already know. It’s an absolute treasure trove for fabrics of all kinds, from all over the world. I’ve gotten some amazing block prints here, some gorgeous quality linen, and always for way less money than I’m expecting to pay. It can be overwhelming, for sure, but the more specific your search terms, the better. Also, if you have a specific fabric in mind from a designer or even trade-only brand, make sure to look here in case someone is selling some yardage. You just may find what you’re looking for.

Pure Linen 58″ Wide Natural Fabric With Floral Hand Block Print by Fabritual | Natural Linen Fabric with a Check Pattern by Lino Takas | Blue & White Striped Drapery Fabric by Home Style Fabrics

Tonic Living

I knew Tonic Living from years ago, as they used to make custom window coverings, but now they’re a great source for fabric by the yard and other soft home goods like pillows. I got the beautiful Siena Stripe linen that’s below for the window treatments in my kitchen and it’s amazing quality (I believe mine was about $36 a yard). Tonic Living has some great neutrals and stripes, but also some bold prints like that Elora fabric in Forest Green.

Elora Fabric, Forest Green | Brunswick Stripe Fabric, Moss | Siena Stripe Linen, Buff

Loom Decor

Loom Decor has SO MUCH amazing stuff. Fantastic linens, stripes, checks, plaids, florals, and abstract prints. They also offer custom drapery, custom bench cushions, and other home decor that’s significantly more affordable than other spots online. I even found a quote from Emily on their website talking about how much she loved Loom, so we know she gives it her sign-off of approval, too.

French Laundry Stripe – Champagne | Country Toile – Sapphire | Checking In – Honey

$$ ($50-$100/yard)Calico

I used to spend my lunch hour at Calico back when I worked at a design magazine. Being constantly surrounded by images of beautiful homes makes you hungry for design progress, let me tell you. Calico is like an upscale Joann, with more designer-named fabrics. That makes it pricier, of course, but I always found that they had some great sales. I should mention that Calico focuses on home fabric, which is always wider and more durable than say, fashion fabric. Like Loom, they also offer a ton of design services including reupholstery, custom drapery, cushions, custom pillows, and more both online and in-store.

Littlefield Check – Spring | Tylan Plum | Kuba (Kc) – 3 Green

Mood Fabrics

Anyone who ever watched Project Runway is going to be familiar with Mood. They offer both fashion and home fabrics, plus tons of specialty things like trim, super long zippers you can’t find elsewhere, beading, buttons, etc. It’s kind of a fabric Mecca in person (particularly in Manhattan), but their online component isn’t half bad, either. Prices are all over the price as they have really affordable things, and really luxe things, depending on what you’re looking for.

Rose Diamond and Stripe Checks | Pear Rectangle Checks | Kingfisher Ikat Checks

Luna Textiles

This one was new to me, as I found it during my search for this article. But I really loved all the contemporary and geometric prints Luna sells. Prices range from around $40 to upwards of $80+ a yard, and much of their fabrics are made from natural, recycled, or rapidly renewable fibers.

Angled Ombre in Unaka | Aperto in Rustic | Broome in Andy

Serena & Lily

Did you know Serena & Lily sells fabric by the yard? (Hot tip: So do places like Pottery Barn and even Lulu & Georgia.) It’s all in the style of what you’ll find there and prices range from $98 to $188 a yard.

Lily of the Valley Linen | Classic Gingham Linen | Seahaven Linen – Terracotta

Folio Fabrics

Again another new-to-me destination. Here, you’ll find a good mix of modern prints, classic florals, global patterns, and plenty of nubby neutrals and solids. Their website says they are “designer-curated” so at the very least, it’s not an unending marketplace of fabrics that feel like they go from bad to worst, with just a sprinkling of decent thrown into the mix. It definitely feels culled and organized but with hundreds of pages of options.

Adrian Oxford | Bella Dessert | Faye Heather

Sunbrella

You can grab Sunbrella fabrics from lots of different retailers, but don’t forget you can go straight to the source, too! Sunbrella is a fantastic choice for all your outdoor upholstery needs, as well as indoor upholstery that you want to withstand a house that goes hard on its things (think: teenage boys, clumsy husbands, rowdy dogs).

Exquisite Aloe | Cabana Classic | Lure Denim

$$$ ($100+/yard)Chairish

Guys, Chairish has fabric!!! I had no clue, to be honest, but found it when I was doing a Google search for “Zak + Fox fabric to consumers.” Most of the sellers here offer a set number of yardage (from a single yard to multiple yards), though some will do by the yard. You can even find vintage fabrics here, which is always an exciting treasure hunt of sorts.

1 Yard Linen Fabric Harley in Saddle by Heather Chadduck | Sweet Pea Rose Print on Cotton/Linen Blend Fabric by Stevie Howell Studio | 1 ⅝ Yards Tulu Linen Fabric in Blue by Zak + Fox

Cathy Nordström

Once upon a time, I found an image that I fell head over heels for (shouldn’t it be heels over head???) and after hunting down the fabric that was featured in it, I found Cathy Nordström. Her fabrics are designed, produced, and hand-printed in the designer’s native Sweden. They’re all homey and playful in a way that feels grounded and ever-lasting. I promise that one day, when I own a home and have some permanence, I will be using that Anita print in Plum on a dining banquette just like in the photo I linked above.

Anita – Plum | Gingham – Lemon | Faye – Rust & Lilac 

Perigold

Perigold is Wayfair’s bougie interior designer sister. They sell all kinds of home goods just like Wayfair, but on top of that, they also have designer fabrics from trade brands like Schumacher, Scalamandre, Eastern Accents, Sanderson, and Kravet (plus more). A heads up that this is not where to go if you’re looking for a wallet-friendly fabric, but it is worth a bookmark if you’re on the hunt for something super special you’re willing to invest in (without having to find your way into your city’s design center).

Copley Square Fabric by Roth & Tompkins | Poppy Hand Block Print Fabric by Schumacher x Molly Mahon | Lyla Embroidery Fabric by Schumacher

Fabric World

Fabric World sounds like Walmart’s equivalent to textiles, but no my friends, it’s SO much better than that. This is to-the-trade designer fabric made available to consumers. Lee Jofa, Thibaut, Cole & Son, Brunschwig & Fils, Anna French (one of my favorites)…all the names I used to write about in my luxury interior design magazine.

Poppy Paisley Ochre Fabric by G P & J Baker | Lily Flower Coral Fabric by Thibaut | Maya Teja Fabric by Gaston y Daniela

The Expert

The Expert launched a few years ago as a marketplace of sources for highly selective interior designer advice. You could book an hour consultation with say, Hendricks Churchill, to help with any given task, instead of hiring them for tens of thousands (or more) of dollars. Now, they also have a shopping component, and their fabric curation is TOP NOTCH.

TOP.

NOTCH.

I mean, that Blips and Ifs fabric by Jennifer Shorto I included below is so wildly good. I want it on a sofa. And who doesn’t love a sweet Lulie Wallace print?!? Anyway, if you have a good chunk of change to spend, absolutely come here to peruse. You’re going to find something really special.

Blips and Ifs Fabric by Jennifer Shorto | Sallie Fabric by Lulie Wallace | Elko Plaid Fabric by Schumacher

Rebecca Atwood

Not only do we all collectively love Rebecca Atwood’s designs, but she’s also just such a lovely person. Of course, you’ve seen plenty of her prints across multiple of Emily’s projects, so I couldn’t not include RA here in this roundup. Her fabrics range from about $80/yard to $180/yard, depending on the base fabric, whether it’s digitally printed or woven, and a handful of other variables. I have the Scribble fabric in Eucalyptus on the curtains in my dining room and it’s so beautiful (though I may actually change those out in place of something else and use this fabric on pillows elsewhere…a story for another day).

Blocks Fabric in Sage/Marine | Crescent Plaid Fabric in Shell Pink | Scribble Fabric in Eucalyptus

L.A. Design Concepts

Don’t be mistaken: L.A. Design Concepts is not just for people in Los Angeles. Their website offers all of the big trade names I’ve already mentioned, but what makes them pretty special is that you can bring them the name of a trade-only fabric you want that they don’t sell, and they can help you source it.

Citrus Garden by Schumacher | Sameera by Oscar De La Denta for Lee Jofa | Kelmscott Tree by Morris And Co

And there you go! Of course, as I was finishing this list, I stumbled upon a few other spots (like the absolutely adorable Pepper Home and The Inside), so there are plenty of other stores out there that sell great home fabrics to consumers. In fact, I’m sure you all know tons of other places, too, so please be sure to share the wealth of knowledge in the comments as you always do.

Until next time…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson and Max Humphrey | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Brother’s Beautiful Guest Bedroom – A Warm and Modern Retreat

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New Wallpaper In The Farmhouse Primary Bathroom Water Closet (And How I Feel About It(!!))

Like the kids’ bath, this bathroom was “done enough” but I always knew that I wanted to add wallpaper to the water closet (i.e. the toilet room). But life had other priorities and I didn’t feel like rushing any more decisions. The room didn’t need it and I have to be careful because I like “stuff” so sometimes it’s better for me to keep the foundations of a house simple so I can style with my fun things without it getting crazy busy or overdesigned. But after two years of living in this bathroom (which I LOVE) I’ve decided that a pattern in this room wouldn’t add much visual clutter (whereas I’ve thought about doing a pattern on the curtains and I think that might be too much and take away from the sereneness of this room).

As a reminder, this is what it looks like (when it’s clean) and the floor is really the star – one tone but so much pretty texture and that blue tile is PERFECT. Shout out to Pratt + Larson

But the water closet was kinda boring, yet fine! It’s just a water closet! But it’s also a missed opportunity. And I figured that the wallpaper installer could do both the kids’ and this room on the same day, so I got motivated all of a sudden.

Left: Coppice (Blue) | Right: Coppice (Sage)

I narrowed it down to this pattern – another tree motif (no one is surprised here – nature motifs have long been my go-to). I love that this pattern has a lot of organic movement without a lot of negative space – i.e. it’s busy but not high contrast since the branches run into each other. I also love the warmth of the “wood” that I knew would work with all our hits of wood and gold in the bathroom.

Tile | Stone | Shower Set | Shower Head | Drain (no longer available) | Marble Tray (similar)

Honestly, I love the blue colorway more, but I was genuinely fearful that I would have too much blue in this bathroom, what with the floors and the shower room being all blue. I was afraid that you’d walk in and it would be overwhelmingly blue. If I’m being honest, I also think I was influenced by people saying “woah, you have a lot of blue in your house” and maybe not wanting to just take my “comfort color” easy route.

Which Wallpaper Did I Choose?

Wallpaper | Sconce | Art (vintage) | Toilet | Toliet Lever | Wooden Tray (similar) | Toliet Paper Holder | Switchplate Cover | Basket (not available)

The green! And when I first walked in I was like, “woah”. As in it felt like a LOT. Now that I’ve gotten used to it, I really like it, but admittedly it is a lot. I think if I could snap my fingers I’d add paneling, our horizontal beadboard up to wainscot height, like in our powder bath, but I’ve got other fish to fry so likely won’t get to that for years if ever.

The artwork helps tie in the green with the blue on the floor – I think the undertones are working fine, but maybe not as ideal as they could. All in all, I’m happy, it’s cute/fun, etc, but I didn’t have the same reaction as I have in the kids’ bath (which I think I perfectly nailed the wallpaper color and pattern).

When you look at it altogether – with the shower room and pulling the green from the big tree it works together and I’m pleased

I suppose the narrowness of the room makes it feel a little more overwhelming than I had predicted – like if it were wider and/or we had paneling 40″ up the wall I think it would be better. But I swear I’m not unhappy and have zero inclination to do anything about it, I just think it’s funny how you can be 100% sure about something that once installed is only an 80% love. And that’s ok because it’s just our toilet room (thank goodness).

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post New Wallpaper In The Farmhouse Primary Bathroom Water Closet (And How I Feel About It(!!)) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

THE UPDATE WE’VE WANTED: Lea Downsized To An Apartment And This Is How She’s Turning Their Rental Into Their Urban Oasis

Hey friends, it’s been a while since I last updated you with our downsizing journey. If you missed it, no worries, you can catch up here.

We are going on a year probably by the time this is published, and I have to say, it’s been less challenging than expected, and we are loving it and living with zero regrets. Did it come with a lifestyle change, sure, but we knew that going into it and embraced what was to come. One of the reasons we chose to downsize and move into the city was to reduce stress and begin our journey of planning how to live differently and with less. We still don’t own a car and I’m proud to say it’s been a year now and while it can be challenging sometimes, it’s less than you’d think. And not only are we reducing our carbon footprint, but to be honest, I don’t miss the expenses that come with owning a vehicle. Now, it just takes a little more planning and intentionality around travel.

Back story — When searching for apartments, I was very particular about the location as well as the overall structure. I didn’t want to leave our house (here’s the living room and kitchen) to move into a new construction box of an apartment. I was looking for something with character, square footage, and proximity to the places and things we frequent along with greenspace for Remi (our dog) and all of that had to fit within budget. We first looked in the North Loop district of downtown Minneapolis, but the main challenges were parking and greenspace. What we did find was an old commercial building being reconfigured as apartments about two miles away. Fun fact that I didn’t realize at first, this building was where my parents first met and worked together while they adopted me. The building was originally built in 1956 by Northwestern Bell (also where my grandmother worked). I guess it was sort of kismet that we ended up living here.

Our unit is a 2BR/2BA – just under 1800 sqft. And with full transparency, it’s $3600/month + all utilities to give you an idea of the rental market rate in Minneapolis, MN. Personally, I love living on one level and having an elevator within steps out of our front door makes it easier on my husband too (he was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1999). This is the floorplan provided to us (some of it has changed a little and so some of the measurements are also not entirely accurate). For instance, our entryway measures almost 10 feet wide by 14 feet long and our laundry room/mudroom is large enough that I had two IKEA PAX units installed in there to organize storage and we installed a small second refrigerator in there as well (I feel a blog post coming on revealing this space). I am currently working on approval to install a utility sink in our laundry room.

While we are a stone’s throw outside of downtown Minneapolis, we are right next door to parks/trails and lakes, which seemed like the perfect balance for us. Having greenspace was so important to us for Remi (our dog) and my husband loves to take walks with her in the woods. There are even two lovely community gardens that surround us, one has fruit and vegetables and the other is full of flowers and a cute little free book library. The thing I was drawn to the most in our unit (not all units are the same and there are only 50 units in the building) was the large commercial windows, concrete floors, and high ceilings (also exposed down to their raw concrete form) which gave a very loft-like aesthetic. If we had moved up one floor (top floor) we would have downtown skyline views but we would also have lost all of the character of this building because that floor was added onto this building to make room for the community rooftop patio in 2023. I love that our dining room/kitchen feels like we’re in a light box, especially at night. Sometimes at night, I’ll light and sprinkle tealight candles all over for the most gorgeous glow. I do plan to hang a pendant light (Akari 75) in here but obtaining approval has been a timely and costly road to go down, so while I save, it will have to wait.

Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Clam Chair | Pedestal

It’s no surprise that there are no pop-y colors here, that’s just me. I’m a very earth-toned gal and living in the city, I really wanted our home to be a place of peace. A sanctuary from all of the bustle of city life outside but also embracing the cityscape in our home. A little intro about me, I love to thrift and my home is filled with lots and lots of thrifted treasures, I love to forage in the nearby woods, and I love a good second-hand find.

My first lesson living in this new place was scaling furnishings to fit, so our first purchase was a large dining table (our old one looked tiny and out of place here) that would also need to pull double duty as a worktop since we don’t have an island in our kitchen and countertop space is pretty minimal. A smaller kitchen wasn’t a dealbreaker for us because living as an open-nester (that’s what we refer to ourselves as, since we still technically have one kid at home) we don’t cook a lot or prepare large meals. It was another way for us to learn to live with less. I don’t think I’ve ever been a true fan of those massive kitchens you see primarily in new builds. I honestly love a smaller, more intentional kitchen. They feel more like home. One of my favorite spots in the kitchen/dining room is the cozy chair in the corner where the windows meet. It’s perfect to have a cup of coffee and people watch, I especially love curling up there on a rainy day. 

Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Clam Chair | Pedestal

Additionally, when looking for an apartment, I hoped to find finishes that would be easy enough to live with as a renter since we likely wouldn’t be able to make a lot of changes to the space and I was surprised to find this one with beautiful tile installed throughout the unit, full sized appliances, and quartz countertops. Let me tell you, I weeded through TONS of apartments online while searching for our next landing spot because I knew leaving a house and homeownership to move to an apartment, living as a renter would be a big change.

Lampshade w/Bow | Sideboard and Chair | Ceramic Pedestal Vase | Pillow

The next big purchase we made was this vintage Henning Kjaernulf sideboard that I didn’t know I was looking for. Hehe. Actually, I was looking for a bar cabinet (we entertain friends a lot in our home and I love to bartend) but I couldn’t find one that I felt was interesting enough in detail or that I had envisioned in my mind and quality made without conjuring up something custom built. What I did know is that I wanted to block this odd door that I wish they had the foresight to place on the outside wall, as it only houses the central air/furnace for our unit, and we only need to access it to occasionally change the filters.

Curio Cabinets

If you remember our previous home, these cabinets were a couple of my cherished pieces because one, I love them but two, they hold alllll of my many dishes, pottery and serveware behind glass doors so that I can always see them and enjoy the contents when I walk by but also, make storage accessible because apartment kitchens (or at least mine) don’t have a ton of extra storage and our cabinets run just the one wall. It’s a great piece that pulls double duty as storage and also display. It’s also one of the things most visitors stop to look at.

Console Table

So here’s something I learned, while I love the concrete floors and they’re very easy to keep clean, I’ve also learned that I have had to embrace the imperfections that come with old concrete such as chips, stains, they show water drops (and I have a very drippy dog), etc. also, if you drop anything on them like a slippery glass while washing dishes forget about it! And I bet you’re all wondering how they feel on our feet. TBH, the first three days were BRUTAL! Then our feet acclimated and now we’re used to them but we also are a household that wears house shoes aka shoes that are only worn inside and never outside – I am a strict no shoes in the house person. Additionally, I know you’ll ask if they’re heated. Nope. I wish they were because yeah, on cold Minnesota winter days they ARE cold. On the flip side, I love the concrete columns and the markings and writings that are on them from years past, along with the old electrical boxes that were once installed in them but now are empty shells and have become odd little nooks and crannies. It translates very wabi sabi to me.

Sectional

I love the open concept in our unit because it’s nice to always feel connected, especially when we’re entertaining. However, I wanted to define dedicated spaces within our open concept floor plan, especially since I chose not to lay large area rugs because the concrete and the reflections that cast onto them at different times of the day are just too beautiful to cover. It’s like they’re always alive. I wanted to create a sort of “pit” or conversation pit. I achieved this by going with an L-shaped sectional and then adding a console table on the one side to sort of gain the feel.

Pit Sectional | Clam Chair | Console Table | Linen Hanging Pendants

If I had to name my style, I wouldn’t be able to put a stamp on it,  but I would describe it as organically eclectic, refined maximalist (ha, if that’s even a thing), Afrocentric, Japandi, and very Virgo. Everything has a place, even if it looks out of place, it was purposefully meant to be there. Also, the earth tones, mixed with hits of blue and green, I mean, that has Virgo written all over it.

Listen, I love to collect things and I don’t shy away from displaying all of my treasures. I just gravitate towards a really tight color palette throughout my home to keep things from looking too busy for my eye. I like to look at shapes and how they interact with one another, and I like to mix materials to create texture.

Bench | Ceramic Pedestal Dish | TV Samsung Frame 75”

This bench came in a color I wasn’t expecting, the one pictured online was a more warm oak finish but I’ve learned to embrace this one, and unintentionally it coordinates the dining room table and inside of my curio cabinets. C’est la vie!

So if I had a say so in floor plan design, I wouldn’t have put the primary bedroom off of the living room. Because noise. My husband loves to stay up late at night watching movies and he’s hard of hearing so he has the volume cranked up to 1000.

Storage Bed | Chandelier | Long Lumbar Pillow

Our bedroom was the first room to pull back together after the move and the easiest. I actually installed the art that used to hang in our previous home’s living room in our bedroom to play up these really high ceilings. Another thing we did in here was swap out the chandelier for an alternative that has ample lighting when we need to turn on the big light but also fit more of my aesthetic. By “we” I mean I hired out someone to swap out and install the new lighting. I love how it feels like bubbles floating above and the delicate tension against the rough concrete ceiling is a nice contrast.

In other news, I’m all for these large windows in our bedroom but my husband, not so much. If he had it his way, they’d have black out curtains closed up 100% of the time. To compromise, I am researching installing window tint on these windows. Admittedly, I was inspired by my son who recently tinted his car windows and I noticed that you can see out just fine but looking in provides more privacy. More to come there, but I’d love to hear your thoughts if anyone has tried this before.

Don’t look too closely at our coverlet, there are holes all over it. LOL. Life with a dog who gets bedtime zoomies and doesn’t realize she’s 80 pounds. These vintage wall sconces will forever be a favorite of mine. I purchased them from a local shop and one of the owners sourced them while visiting Morocco one year. They can be hardwired, but as a renter, we weren’t able to do that here.

This little chest was a Facebook Marketplace find I scored for $40 (on the inside it’s signed with love, Dad).

I purposely left out sharing a glimpse of our bathroom because it’s a 2025 project of mine to up the ante in there and share the reveal later. Stay tuned. If I’m ambitious enough, I’ll also share my son’s bathroom which doubles as the main bathroom for our unit. 

Speaking of, here’s a tiny glimpse of my son’s bedroom (the largest of the two bedrooms).

Wall Lamp

He’s 25, so finding ways to make him feel comfortable with a space of his own to retreat to but also one that feels individually him has been bittersweet.

If I were to sum up his style, it is very Japandi. In fact, he would love to live in Japan one day. If I turned the camera around and showed you the opposite side of his room, you would all understand the 25-year-old in him. Basically, it consists of a gaming computer (he built himself, this is the 3rd he’s built), 3 computer monitors installed on an arm attached to his desktop, a mic (which I hear him screaming into at all hours) and a large 55” TV installed above them all. He clearly needs to pay the electrical bill.

Outside of his room, is our very large hallway, which I am working hard to visualize how to utilize the square footage best and possibly break it down into a reading or listening nook as our audio and record player is housed nearby. I once tried it out as an office nook but found I hated it. I was working in a walkway area, and because of the long hallway, the natural light wasn’t great and it was just uninspiring. Another fun fact, there are 19 windows in our unit and since we are a corner unit, we have light coming in from the east and north.

If our son were to move out, I would convert his bedroom into a lounge, library, office, guest room. I would even turn his closet into a type of speakeasy – I’ve been scoping it out and it’s large enough for a small bar and high top table for two. Ha. Clearly, I’ve had many hours invested thinking of its future possibilities.

BEFORE & PROCESS

Chaise Lounge

AFTER

Pendant Lights | Chair | Floor Vase

I’m not a big DIY-er. I’m certainly not known for my DIY skills or DIY portfolio, but I did install these IKEA BOAXEL shelves in our entryway. Again, scale played a large part as previously, the sideboard looked puny on its own and the lighting that came with our unit was not great for an entryway.

Pendant Light

All art is original and vintage, and my favorite is the mother and child painting painted by a family friend in the 60s and handed down to us.

In the entryway, we learned it was imperative that we change the lighting because the original lighting was just too dim, even with the dimmer dialed up all the way. That is another thing I was pleasantly surprised to learn that all of our switches are on dimmers. I’m not one for turning on the big light in the room, but in our case, and being this is our entryway with no windows for natural light, it was a necessity. We gained approval from our property manager to change them out, and the maintenance guy (John) has been the best. He came out and swapped them out for us as well as the light in our bedroom. I originally wanted a large wall of bookshelves I had found online but the cost was out of budget as they would’ve run over $3,500, and in addition, I didn’t want to part with this sideboard (with nowhere else to currently move it to as an option). So I found a way to give me the feel of the wall of bookshelves but still incorporating what we already had in the space for a fraction of the price. I purchased one BOAXEL shelving unit measuring 23 ⅜’ x 79” and one 73 ¾’ x 39 ⅝’ unit to create this look. I feel like it gives our large entryway drama, tells a story of who lives here immediately, and also is functional in that it acts as a space to drop keys, mail, and eventually will stash shoes in the cabinet once I clear out the clutter that’s currently inside it. I actually just came up with that last idea as I was writing this out. On the left side of the shelving unit I’d like to source a large full length mirror, you know, to outfit check ourselves before we head out the door. But it has to be a super cool mirror. I’m still on the hunt. Finding ways to incorporate our own style but remain rental friendly has been a fun challenge. 

The other corner of our entry has a coat rack I found at the thrift store, it’s a secondhand IKEA EKRAR I picked up for $5. It works great, but I’m still trying to figure that little side out a bit. It’s lacking personalization.

Unpopular opinion, while we can paint these walls, I like the creamy white that came with the apartment and will keep the walls light for a gallery-like feel. So yeah, I’m still team white-ish walls. At least for out here. I actually did consider limewashing them all, but we would have to restore the walls when moving out and that’s just more than I was willing to take on.

Entering into springtime someday soon, our patio is the next to be revealed. I will say, designing a small space patio is tricky, but here are a few teasers as to what’s to come, so please check back for this one to see how we maximized the space. I plan to bring plants into our home but I’m taking things slow. I admit I love throwing those doors open on a good day and I love the transition between outdoors and indoors.

Two Oasis Sectionals (one left arm and one right arm) | Planters (Onyx Gloss)

Pedestal

Until then, Me and Remi sign off and see ya next time!

Thank you for reading,

Lea

*Reveal Photos by Rebekah Poppen

The post THE UPDATE WE’VE WANTED: Lea Downsized To An Apartment And This Is How She’s Turning Their Rental Into Their Urban Oasis appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Emily’s 6 Favorite Green Paint Colors She Would Use Again And Again

It felt like an appropriate day to show love for what feels like the world’s most popular color – green. While I’m more of an expert in “blue,” its sister color – green – is also a favorite and beloved by most people. We know that the design world is LOVING reds, burgundies, mauves – all these warm, deep tones, but I personally still think that the right green can be both on trend and more universally loved (long term). Sherwin-Williams has so many different tones of greens that we’ve used over the years, many clocking in as our favorite colors we’ve ever used. So if you are wanting to paint something in your room green, these are ones I love and recommend wholeheartedly. Here we go:

Evergreen Fog SW 9130left: design by caitlin higgins, styled by emily bowser, photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: caitlin’s long, dark hallway makeover | right: photo by kaitlin green

Evergreen Fog SW 9130 was the Color of the Year three years ago and sure, I liked it when I saw it but it wasn’t until I painted my brother’s family room this color that I fell in LOVE. My goodness, it’s so pretty and rich – with so many different wonderful undertones that change. Sometimes it’s bluer and other times more gray, but always green for us. I will say that that room has north, south, and western light so it gets a lot (non-direct) and I’m sure that has something to do with it. Additionally, we did sample this color in Brian’s new office, which only has one small window, and in there it read mostly as gray, so it definitely changes depending on the light. You can see the difference above – Caitlin’s hallway is dark (no windows and only a few doorways), so it’s a bit cooler, whereas it’s much greener in Ken’s family room. Also sneak peek – we shot it for a big shoot, but can’t show you the whole room so stay tuned

Pewter Green SW 6208design and styling by emily henderson and brady tolbert (and team) | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the portland kitchen renovation reveal

I still absolutely love this dark, deep, almost pine green of the OG Portland project kitchen (Pewter Green SW 6208). It does have a lot of blue undertones, but remains solidly green.

design and styling by emily henderson and brady tolbert (and team) | photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the portland kitchen renovation reveal

I think paired with all the cooler tones of the stone and then contrasting off the wood flooring, this shade is pretty perfect. If you are scared of going too “yellow” or olive in your green, then I can solidly say this one is so beautiful and pretty hard to not love.

Rosemary SW 6187design by emily henderson and sarah weldon | styled by emily henderson and emily bowser | photo by steven Mcdonald | from: the prettiest green and pink kitchen remodel that we completed in 7 weeks

Rosemary SW 6187 was the winner for this kitchen’s cabinetry that we did two years ago, and while it obviously feels similar to Pewter Green SW 6208, it has a bit more warmth and “yellow” in it. We matched it to the green of the leaves in the wallpaper, which is a good hack if you are using wallpaper and want to find a paint color that will go perfectly with it.

design by emily henderson and sarah weldon | styled by emily henderson and emily bowser | photos by steven Mcdonald | from: the prettiest green and pink kitchen remodel that we completed in 7 weeks

My goodness, I love that project so much and that green is one that I’ve almost used many times since, but have opted toward some with undertones that speak to the specific project we are working on. It really does have the tone of rosemary and pairs so beautifully with brass or silver.

Rocky River SW 6215photo by kaitlin green | from: my brother’s river house mudroom reveal – a fantasy utility room for the whole family

Heading even bluer (and possibly more forest?) we chose Rocky River SW 6215 in my brother’s mudroom. We felt that being on the river, “Rocky River” was clearly appropriate.

photo by kaitlin green | from: my brother’s river house mudroom reveal – a fantasy utility room for the whole family

A color like this will look very dark if it were color drenched on all the walls or in a room with little natural light. However, in here it reads as a bold moody color, but still bright and fun with all the white.

Mountain Road SW 7743photo by kaitlin green | from: how i convinced my friend to paint her room really dark: a kid/dog-friendly basement makeover with article furniture

This color was SO hard to choose because that Article sectional has a lot of yellow (or olive) undertones. These more olive, yellow under-toned greens are super popular right now and in this dark room it just read as warm and green (whereas in a room with a lot more natural light the yellow pigment came out more).

photos by kaitlin green | from: how i convinced my friend to paint her room really dark: a kid/dog-friendly basement makeover with article furniture

I LOVED this color (Mountain Road SW 7743) on these walls so much that I almost painted our front door in Mountain Road, but it pulled a lot more yellow outside so always make sure to sample on YOUR walls with YOUR light.

Laurel Woods SW 7749design and styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: emily bowser’s beautiful hardworking, multipurpose room reveal (+ get ready for her diys)

Emily Bowser chose Laurel Woods SW 7749 for her guestroom/office, which is what I painted the exterior of our mountain house and I LOVE it. It’s pretty dark, in a good way so be prepared for it to soak up light and be moody.

design and styled by emily bowser | photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: emily bowser’s beautiful hardworking, multipurpose room reveal (+ get ready for her diys)

I love how Emily styled it with these deep hits of black and caramel – such a pretty color palette.

left: design and styled by emily bowser, photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: emily bowser’s beautiful hardworking, multipurpose room reveal (+ get ready for her diys) | right: photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: i’ve had my new invisible smart locks for 4 months – here’s an honest review

For the mountain house, I wanted something that read as “dark” but not so dark that you couldn’t tell it was green. A warning: when you are outside, the natural sunlight (even if indirect) will make the color look a lot lighter (our neighbors tried to go “dark” but didn’t choose dark enough and it’s much lighter and brighter than they wanted. So you might think you are going dark, but then in the sun it might look bright green, so err on the side of much darker if you want a medium to dark exterior.

So this color, Laurel Woods SW 7749, will read super dark inside a room without a ton of natural light (which is what Bowser wanted) and more medium/dark outside. But if you put in a room inside with a lot of natural light, the green will come out more and might be “brighter” than you might want.

I truly hope that someday technology will solve all of our paint debate issues – I would love to walk in to a room with some VR goggles so I could try different colors until my heart’s content. But for now, all you can do is go off recommendations from people who have painted a lot (like me) and then make sure to sample all the colors on different walls at different times of day and then stare at them for so long that your husband might question your sanity At least that’s my method!

Opening Photo Image: Photo by Kaitlin Green

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