Emily Henderson's Blog, page 184

Orlando’s Totally Creative “Great For Now” DIY Guest Room – The FIRST Londo Lodge Reveal

I’ve been hard at work up here at Londo Lodge and frankly I am loving all the distraction. I have to say, Jess’ post about holiday loneliness here on the blog really resonated with me. It’s been weird living alone during the holidays during a pandemic. And decorating for Christmas has felt both cathartic and kinda hollow. I’m thankful for the extra light and sparkle the Christmas tree brings into my ever-evolving living/dining room but I’m also kinda like WHO IS THIS FOR NO ONE IS GONNA SEE THIS (though having my sister and nephew up to help decorate it was a treat). I’ve been up in my new hometown of Fish Camp for two months now and, in a weird way, it’s been easier for me to interact socially here because I can have a stronger set of covid precautions. I have everyone get tested and quarantine before heading up, which works out because everyone I know is pretty much as observant and shut-in as I am. I also get tested every week and so far I haven’t gotten sick. 

Moving into this house – which was purchased as a place I’m hoping will be a shared vacation home for my family once this is all over – in a time when gathering is more difficult and fraught than normal has been a strange experience. I find myself fixating so much on how spaces will be used in the future that I forget to make them functional for the current state of things. My plans for how and when I will do the actual renovations on this house have changed since I moved up here for a few reasons. Firstly, the more I thought about it the more I realized I wasn’t really willing to compromise on the complexity of the renovation I want to do. And the renovation I want to do is going to be expensive, time-consuming, and likely something I won’t want to be in the house for. Secondly, and more practically, I’ve been pretty disheartened by the lack of respect and awareness about the coronavirus the locals up here seem to have. I’ve had a number of different people (internet installation, fireplace inspection, electricians, etc) stop by the house with not one thought to wear a mask, despite the fact that I open the door wearing one. Since I don’t necessarily want a crew of maskless men in my house, I’m kinda thinking it will be better to wait until things clear up a little bit before starting any major renovations.

Can we just have a sidebar conversation about toxic masculinity and masks? Nine times out of ten the person I see walking down the street not wearing a mask is a man. And since I know that many of the readers of this blog are women married to/dating men can I just ask you to get your men under control? It’s completely ridiculous that straight men seem to be much less likely to wear a mask, despite the scientific data backing up that it is a chivalrous thing to do in that it protects others and it can actually help protect your own health. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. Apparently, they’ve done studies and straight men won’t bring reusable grocery bags (LOL remember those? Like when we were allowed to reuse things without worrying they’d contaminate everyone?) because they worry it makes them look gay. Honestly, as a gay man sometimes I don’t see how straight women put up with this shit. Brian Henderson is the only straight man in the world that I like. The rest of them are trash. Just kidding. Kind of.

All of this is to say that while I wait for Covid to stop ruining everything, I wanted to do some quick and easy updates around the house that provided some inspiration to those out there who may be in the same state of not wanting random workers in their houses, getting their spittle everywhere, during a pandemic AND people who might not have (or want to spend) tons on updating their house in an uncertain time. One thing to note about the little updates that I’m doing at Londo Lodge (which I will be sharing both here and on my blog) is that they’re not really the style I’m going for in the final look of the house. In these mini-makeovers I’m going for a more rough/artsy vibe while in the eventual makeover I’ll be doing a Cape Cod meets Craftsman, formal vibe. Anyway, I just don’t want you to be confused when I start posting about the second round of makeovers because they are going to be different than these. Part of the point is playing around with design while I wait for the big changes to get underway. 

One more thing before I get to what I did in the guest room I designed for my parents. I GOT A DOG!!! I’m obsessed with her and she is the most beautiful girl in the world and is just a little butterball of PURE LOVE. Her name is Saturday (Satie for short, pronounced like “Sadie”). She is still in the midst of potty training and is very much a puppy (3 months old) but as a first-time dog dad, I have been pleasantly surprised at how easy she is. Yes, she thinks my kitchen is the toilet but honestly who cares she’s literally a baby? And because she’s part pit bull she’s cold all the time which means she loves wearing sweaters which is literally the cutest thing in the whole world. 

Okay, now to the topic at hand: what I did to transform the formerly BLAH downstairs guest bedroom to make it ready for my parents to visit ASAP (safely, of course). Eventually, the plan with this room is to blow out the walls and extend it into an adjacent powder room to create a larger guest bedroom with an en suite bathroom and French doors leading to a deck (that doesn’t exist yet). But for now, I wanted to make it cozy and comfortable.

P.S. ALL OF THE PRODCUT RESOURCES ARE OVER ON MY BLOG. COME ALONG WHY DON’T YOU… AFTER YOU READ THIS POST FULL OF INTERESTING AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION.

The jumping-off point for me was the beautiful wall mural I got from York Wallcoverings (full disclosure: I did a collaboration for them which was the motivation for this whole makeover). Anyone who knows me knows I hate accent walls (unless there is some sort of architectural reason for them) BUT I love a mural. The reason I don’t like accent walls is they can often seem haphazard and thoughtless. I don’t think this accent would have worked if I had just used a solid color or even a pattern. I think for that type of accent wall to work you’d have to use some sort of trim, there would need to be an indentation in the wall, or there would need to be another reason for the wallpaper or accent color to just stop. I’m sure this is a controversial topic but I will go to my grave screaming about how I don’t like accent walls (or TVs above fireplaces for that matter). 

Because I am not a fan of accent walls I wanted this mural to look as intentional as possible, more like a wall shape. Which is why I rounded the corners so it felt a little softer and more dynamic, less like a flat rectangle trying to cover one wall of a room. I did this by using a round piece of wood as a guide and cutting with a super sharp blade. 

One of the things I loved about this mural is how soft and neutral the color palette was. So for the rest of the colors in the room, I wanted to stay in the beige, ivory, flax world. I used to hate beige, but I’ve been getting more and more into it lately and love seeing it used in non-gross ways. It can be a really warm, soothing color. 

This room (and almost the entire house) was originally carpeted in beautiful, lush 1992 carpet. I have to say, I was a little sad to see it go. And even orMOMdo guilted me about getting rid of it (it’s soooo cozy on the feet). But I knew I would be replacing it with a pretty rug that goes almost to the walls so I was confident I could keep the space cozy while making it less nauseating to look at. I removed the rug myself and hauled it off to the dump (apparently it gets recycled which is kinda fun) and felt SO much better after. I still have a lot of this carpet to get rid of and it’s a lot of work (there are about 90 million staples underneath that are super hard to remove) but it’s one way I can get everything prepped for the final renovations here and less demo to pay for later. 

I was tempted to leave the sub-floor as-is, as it was sort of weathered and splatter painted in a Leanne Ford way that made me happy. But I ended up painting it A) because I thought the splatter would look too busy and I wanted the room to have a soothing vibe and B) I felt the painted surface was a bit more safe, less likely to splinter. I actually just found random paint in the garage from the house’s exterior that I used and it’s holding up perfectly. If I were doing this as a permanent solution I’d probably have taken more care about what type of paint I used but since this is only gonna be like this for a short while I didn’t wanna waste the money. 

The doors in the house are a really pretty neutral wood and while I plan on replacing them with heavier, more traditional doors eventually, I love the way they interact with the color of the rug and the rest of the textiles in the room. There’s actually a lot of really pretty light neutral wood tones all over this house and I’m getting a lot of inspiration from them.

Speaking of light, I replaced the dated flush mount with a simple globe pendant that I swagged to center over the bed. Someone on Instagram DM’d me this morning to ask me why I did that and it took me off guard because I had no idea. I just hadn’t thought *not* to do that. Like it seemed like the globe should have some relation to the bed, to make it feel cozy on that side of the room. It has the effect a canopy might have, creating a little atmosphere above the bed. But it’s weird how design can be instinctual like that sometimes. Like I do things without even thinking about it because I know that’s how it’s supposed to be.

The rug and the bench definitely helped amp up the cozy vibe, bringing in more textiles and more neutral colors. And the mid-century nightstands and dresser bring in a bit of a teak vibe that also nods to the Japanese flourishes around the room. While the mural provided the inspiration for the room, I never would have chosen it had it not reminded me of a vintage Japanese painting orMOMdo bought for me years ago (which you can see hanging between the two doors). My mom spent part of her childhood in Japan so I grew up loving Japanese art and design and thought it felt appropriate for a guest room where my parents would sleep. 

Speaking of orMOMdo, she made the window coverings! I’m gonna have to do a tutorial about them because they’re actually super easy and we’re basically putting them in every window of the house (until I replace all the windows and doors and get legit window treatments). As someone who’s bought those paper accordion temporary window shades more than once after a move, I have to say these are a much better temporary solution. They’re not super user-friendly (you have to roll them up by hand which I don’t mind but might not be everyone’s cup of tea) but they cost less than $20 a piece and I think they look pretty chic for that price.

Believe it or not, I did all of this work by myself. So in my opinion this makeover is pretty approachable for anyone who’s not afraid of a little DIY (and who doesn’t mind their fingers turning into bloody stumps from removing carpet). I even wallpapered for the first time! The whole wallpapering process took me about three hours. The paper I selected came unpasted, which is actually the most forgiving for walls like mine that have texture. The hand-painted texture of the mural also helped hide any bumps so I’d suggest something similar to any of you out there that don’t want to skim coat your walls but are craving a wallpaper moment.

This room was definitely a study in high-meets-low design. Some things were more of a splurge (the rug and the wallpaper) but some were a total steal (you’ll die when you find out how much that bed cost!). Over on my blog, you can see more photos of the project, get all the details about sourcing, and find out where I scrimped and where I splurged. Head on over and check it out!

Design and Photos by Orlando Soria

The post Orlando’s Totally Creative “Great For Now” DIY Guest Room – The FIRST Londo Lodge Reveal appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Shavonda’s Feel Good Makeover #1 – The Twin’s Room (Pure Joy ALERT)

GAH. Ready to feel good? This week we have the reveals of the 3 kids bedrooms we designed in a very fun and feel-good collaboration with Shavonda Gardner and Target. It’s transformative – both in design and life and while things certainly shifted on my end and I couldn’t even be there, they turned out GREAT, thanks to Shavonda and our lovely local assistant, Jordan. While I didn’t get to see any of them in person, I love them all and don’t think there is a favorite (read Shavonda’s post about it here).

But first, as a recap, we started this collaboration probably 3 months ago. It was September, the covid numbers were low and Brian’s parents live in Sacramento (where Shavonda lives) where we normally spend Thanksgiving every year. So we figured we’d come up a week early and Brian and I would work safely for the week shooting and installing the space. It was going to be so fun – a deserving family, a new blogger friend, and making a bunch of little humans happier. As a reminder, Shavonda’s sister, Andrea, is a single mom (4 kids – 12, 7, and twin 3-year-olds) and she serves as a military ICU nurse whose been deployed twice doing covid relief (wear a mask, stay home). They just moved to Sacramento and had no furniture. A total blank canvas. We designed the rooms digitally together, on Zoom and FaceTime, and had all the major pieces ordered. Then we would start accessorizing, installing, and shooting the week before thanksgiving. Well, that’s when that stupid virus started spiking and Mal and Sara were going to fly, (we were driving with the kids) and we were staying with Brian’s parents (who are NOT OLD, but they are technically vulnerable). It started feeling reckless and scarier every single day as the numbers jumped so high. Between Andrea’s family, my team, and production help there would be a lot of people in prolonged indoor spaces, indeed “gathering” in the house (5 days, 8 hours a day). So I called Shavonda and Target and canceled the shoot – I just couldn’t risk getting Brian’s parents sick and it felt irresponsible to have my team fly even if they were ok with it. Then it got worse. That same week Shavonda’s 3-year-old niece died unexpectedly and she had to come to LA to help her sister-in-love. And it started feeling like this wasn’t going to happen, that it wasn’t the right time, this wasn’t the priority and we all felt awful in a million ways, mostly because of her family tragedy (that I think a lot of you already donated to, she thanks you).

But at this point, the twin’s room was full of the boxes of furniture and they were sleeping on the sofa. I had a styling assistant, Jordan, lined up already so without me or Shavonda, Jordan was left to do all the unpacking, oversee the painting/wallpapering, change out the light fixtures, and not to mention put together like 18 pieces of furniture. I know firsthand how much work this is and it’s A LOT, so thank you. Like a million thank yous.

Meanwhile, we had a lot left to buy that we planned on doing together that week early in the morning before crowds. But since I wasn’t there I asked Andrea if she wanted to take the kids on a shopping spree to Target to pick out their own holiday decor… THEY HAD SO MUCH FUN. Supermarket sweep!!!! I actually love that they got to be involved and feel connected to their own rooms, which is really how it should be. (But thank you Andrea and Shavonda for lugging 4 cartloads of holiday decor to the car).

So a few weeks after the original canceled date, Shavonda wanted to style out the rooms. She along with Jordan worked their tails off to pull the rooms together and shoot them without me (and yes, I felt awful and grateful) and y’all, they turned out SO GREAT (but also no surprise there). I hardly take credit for the room design as I really didn’t do much besides helping choose the furniture, rugs, paint color/wallpaper. The second, third, and fourth layers were all Shavonda. So while this was a “collaboration”, I would feel weird if anyone thought I designed these alone or if anyone gave me more credit than I deserved – She did it for her sister, her family and her designs are well, as you’ll see. They are exciting and very “Shavonda”, with a heavy dose of “HOLIDAY” thanks to Target (everything is Target). HERE WE GO.

As you can see, it’s a blank slate, just two toddler beds that they were growing out of. I would show you the other side of the room but literally, nothing is there.

The twinnies got upgraded too, well, twin beds which is just highly appropriate and adorable. I love that modern white spindle and the room was designated into two different zones – beds and play space.

Shavonda wanted yellow (and I really wanted it to feel cheery so yah, yellow does it), but a full yellow room is HARD. So we took it up to 40″ which STRANGELY is the exact height of the headboard. So crazy! We gave them blackout curtains (the same ones we used to have in our kid’s room before the final makeover) and please note that there are four panels per window since the windows are really wide. They are high so ideally, those would be shades, but curtains break up the yellow in a good way and it does look really cozy (besides roman shades always have light leaks which was a HUGE problem to our kids when they were 3). Curtains are really the only way to successfully block the light.

This side of the room housed the little play area that is rather appropriately dominated by their own Christmas tree. When I pitched the holiday portion of this to Target they were like, ‘Sure, but how much holiday can you put in a kid’s room?’ I then kindly reminded them that our kids have historically had their own trees.

Shavonda found this sweet little braided rug, and the oval worked so well there because the closet door would have hit almost anything else. Also, please note the train that goes around the tree and the little Santa climbing the ladder.

That is some serious Christmas joy right there. Imagine being a 3-year-old who literally didn’t have anything in the room but beds and then they get all of this, in their own room!!!

Shavonda told me that Andrea was just so happy. And now that she is being deployed AGAIN (yes, right before the holidays) for more military covid relief to all the understaffed hospitals (again wear a mask, stay home) she gets to leave knowing that her twinnies will have this super fun room to hang out in.

There’s the lady of the hour. Pulling out THREE rooms (again this is just the first of 3) without the creative partner that was intended, but with some kids who got to pick out their own holiday decor (can you imagine three-year-olds on a Christmas shopping spree??) and a new lovely design assistant Jordan. While the process was full of a lot of twists and turns, the end result of these kids having a good Christmas in an adorable room, designed by their GREAT auntie (not that kind of great auntie, you know) is what matters. I can’t wait to show you the next one – there is a themed wallpaper that we all loved (hint: rhymes with Bar Fors:)). And a bonus for you readers, once the holiday is over and a lot of the decor is removed Shavonda still wants to finish the design because as you just saw the accessories are mostly ‘holiday’ which isn’t so ‘year-round’, so you’ll get to see these rooms totally finished.

Here’s a “get the look” and all the links to products that we used:

1. Mid-Century Solid Wood Spindle Bed | 2. Merry Christmas Garland | 3. Plush Sherpa Blanket in White | 4. Plush Sherpa Blanket in Red | 5. Embroidered Santa Lumbar Pillow | 6. Christmas Tree Shaped Throw Pillow | 7. Rotating Tinsel Christmas Tree | 8. Bear LED Nightlight | 9. Solid Jersey Sheet Set | 10. Jersey Comforter Set | 11. Ellwood End Table with Drawer | 12. Reindeer & Polar Bear Nutcracker | 13. Small Metal Wagon Figurine | 14. Kids’ Table & Chairs Set | 15. Small Cone Santa Figurine | 16. Large Cone Santa Figurine | 17. Small Truck Figurine | 18. Llama Musical Snow Globe | 19. 4 Christmas Character Stocking Holders | 20. Hudson Cubby Bookcase | 21. Puckered Pom Pom Stocking | 22. Large Green Bottle Brush Tree | 23. Large Blue Bottle Brush Tree | 24. 4 Small Blue and Green Bottle Brush Trees | 25. Cat & Dog Nutcracker | 26. Multicolored Pom Pom Garland | 27. Matte Black Clip Rings | 28. Clipped Dot Curtain Panel | 29. Dauntless Curtain Rod | 30. Polar Express Book | 31. How the Grinch Stole Christmas Book | 32. Fabric Cube Storage Bin | 33. How to Catch a Reindeer Book | 34. Construction Site on Christmas Night Book | 35. A Charlie Brown Christmas Book | 36. Little Blue Truck’s Christmas Book

1. Santa Star Ornament | 2. Mrs. Claus Ornament | 3. Pre-Lit Spruce Christmas Tree | 4. Elf Boy Ornament | 5. Bird Wreath Orn | 6. 4 Penguin and Deer Ornaments | 7. Christmas Animated Train Set | 8. Buffalo Plaid Reindeer Ornament | 9. Faux Wool Snowflake Tree Skirt With Pom Poms | 10. Nordic Rabbit with Incandescent Sisal Lights | 11. Climbing Santa Figurine | 12. 25 Piece Ornament Set

A huge thanks to Target for not only wanting to support these feel-good projects but for being so incredibly gracious and flexible to what this year has thrown at us. Thank you for helping make these two twins pretty darn happy this Christmas.

*Design by Shavonda Garnder
**Design Assistant: Jordan Ballenger
***Photos by Lisa and Gary Ashley

The post Shavonda’s Feel Good Makeover #1 – The Twin’s Room (Pure Joy ALERT) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

A Heated Internal Debate – Are There Some Tiles That Are More “Bathroom” Than “Kitchen” And Are There Rules?

A few years ago as I was designing the and house I was knee-deep in tile samples. As I was looking at some Julie said, that one feels like it doesn’t belong in the kitchen, it’s more ‘bathroom’. At that point, I wouldn’t say I was a seasoned designer, but certainly had some experience and this has never occurred to me. Ever. I kinda thought that any tile could go anywhere (as long as it works functionally and practically, of course). This notion that ‘this belongs in a bathroom, not kitchen’ blew my mind. So as I continued to design, I did in fact see what she was talking about and I had also mentally (subconsciously) categorized some tile. Here we go.

Can Penny Tile Go In A Kitchen?



design by amber interiors | photo by tessa neustadt

This feels like an ‘only floor’ tile to me and more specifically, in a bathroom, not a kitchen. But why??? One reason is that it’s highly grouted (and therefore harder to slip on when stepping out of the shower) and marinara spills in the kitchen would be hard to clean out of all those grout lines. But then as I was researching for this post I saw it in kitchens and it looked cool. Would I still do it? I’m scared, but it clearly looks good.

design by joan schindler | photo by lucas allen | via house beautiful



design by splinter society | photo by sharyn cairns | via est living



Why Is Subway/Square Or Brick Tile Or Brick-Shaped Tile Almost Always The Kitchen Backsplash?



photo by tessa neustadt | from: emily’s kitchen and dining room reveal

For whatever reason, brick tile is my strong go-to for kitchens in a multitude of finishes and configurations of course, but any other shape always surprises me. Here’s my theory – there are a lot of ‘starts and stops’ in a kitchen – shelving, cabinetry, outlets, window frames, etc, and having the tile be linear allows for less awkward cuts of the tile shape. If it’s square/rectangle it’s a cleaner break – does that make sense? But then I look at these examples below and I’m like, yah, those look awesome.

photo by zeke ruelas | from: the casa soria kitchen reveal (+ 5 things i would have done differently if it were my kitchen)



design by dee murphy | photo by sara ligorria-tramp

Both of those examples (by friends of mine and rooms I love) had to then order a bull-nose (the thin top row of tiles that caps it off) which complicates the cutting, install and ordering process for sure. But it looks awesome.

design by kate arends of wit & delight | photo by 2nd truth photography

Albie asked me to look at her kitchen design board (coming soon!) where she has a large scale hex tile as her backsplash and my only comment was ‘I just feel like a ‘hex’ is more ‘bathroom’, but I don’t know why (thus the idea to write about it). See the kitchen above!!! I typically don’t like ‘rules’ unless they are for function. Rules limit creativity (it’s what my whole next book is about – knowing the function so you can have more fun).

Is ‘Scallop’ Tile More ‘Bathroom’ Than ‘Kitchen’?



photo by jess isaac | from: master bathroom reveal

I’ve used scallop twice, both in bathrooms and really liked it – but my gut would be it feels more ‘bathroom’ than ‘kitchen’ because, well, scallops are on ‘fish’ and fish swim in water and bathtubs are full of water. It’s a logical conclusion.

photo by tessa neustadt | from: modern old-world master bathroom

And yet!!! look at this floor below in this KITCHEN.

design and photo by bri ussery | via domino



Other Designers Weigh-In

So I texted a bunch of my designer friends and former team members and asked them what THEY think.

From Justina Blakeney: I’m a real ‘no rules’ person, so I think all different kinds of tiles can work for different things. It’s all circumstantial.

From Cleo from Project M Plus: Hi! Definitely do not use penny tile on a backsplash! I’m not a fan of dark grout and white tile in the bathroom, for some reason – the dark grout hides the dirt yes, but feels more for the kitchen. I also never spec. Running Bond for bath, I prefer something custom or very simple stacked.

From Orlando: Like I actually can see penny tile working as a backsplash but I also think there are probs some tiles that seem more “kitchen” than others… (he was driving so that’s all he could give)

From Albie: In theory, I can see how certain tiles can give off a vibe that says “kitchen” or “bathroom” — something I’ve been guilty of subscribing to myself — I think the overall look of the tile is contingent on the other elements in the design. How they play off of one another can alter how we assess how & where to use a tile in a way that’s unexpected but absolutely gorgeous. I could absolutely make a case for penny tiles in a kitchen application. Depending on the design style & color palette, a penny tile could be the perfect finishing touch to the design. 

From Velinda: I would definitely be open to penny tile in a kitchen, but I’d probably lean more toward using it as a floor (but never say never. I may fall in love with a backsplash concept tomorrow). Penny tile is obviously classic (great for older homes/rustic vibes etc) but it’s also ‘cool’… I’m thinking New York eateries and loft spaces. Plus, there’s such potential for endless possibilities of pattern, color so it can be a fun touch in even a ‘contemporary/post modern/poppy-funky home). I see no problems here:

design by blakes london | photo by malcolm menzies

From Shavonda: Hi friend!! Oh, this is a great one! I personally don’t like glass tile in kitchens. Bathrooms, yes. Mudrooms or laundry rooms yes, but I don’t particularly care for them in kitchens.

From Rosa: I feel like penny tile is more bath than kitchen. Yes, I’d put it on a floor but I’m not a fan of it for a backsplash. I’m a bit of a traditionalist and figure that some design elements have stood the test of time for a reason. Classic penny tile has been used on floors for 100 years so it’s all good in my book! I like medium to larger scale tile for kitchen backsplashes better than small format tile, which feels much more bathroom-y to me.

From Rashida: My husband and I were shopping for kitchen tile, and I showed him a geometric marble mosaic style that had shades of grays and whites, and he said “That looks like it belongs in the bathroom.” After rolling my eyes (haha I really liked that tile) I had to agree that there are some tiles that are very “bathroomy”. But norms can be broken as long as you’re willing to deal with the maintenance that may come with it. For example, penny tile is typically seen in a bathroom, but can be done in a kitchen if you use a darker color stone with matching grout lines, or if it’s used in a pattern. I see restaurants do it all the time, and I know they have frequent spills. So if you’re thinking about it, I say go for it.

From Brady: When it comes to tiles in your kitchen and bathroom, while there is quite a bit of crossover, there are a few that I would probably never bring from one space to the other. 

Penny Tiles – stick to the bathroom floors or walls with these guys – cleaning up a kitchen mess from these sounds like too much work for my taste and visually they feel a bit busy for a kitchen backsplash. 

Hex Tiles – in large format they work in the kitchen but I prefer them in a smaller format and used on bathroom floors.

3D or Textured Tiles – you can sometimes get away with a very textured tile for a kitchen backsplash but I’d avoid using anything too textured in a bathroom setting as all those crevices can catch mold and debris.

Well, there you have it. A LOT of opinions but ultimately the only one that matters is the person living in the home. So think through how you live, the maintenance required of your dream tile (and grout), and GO FOR IT. Life’s too short to not design your house the way you want. There’s about to be a lot of bathrooms and kitchens in my future so maybe breaking some ‘rules’ will be in the cards for 2021:)

But now I want to hear from you! Any thoughts? Experiences? Let’s talk tile, folks. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: All the What’s, Why’s & How Much’s of the Portland Kitchen (+ Big Reveal)

The post A Heated Internal Debate – Are There Some Tiles That Are More “Bathroom” Than “Kitchen” And Are There Rules? appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The Gifts Emily Can’t Wait For Brian To Open, Stocking Stuffers Caitlin LOVES, and The Best Gift To Get Your Dad

Hey all and welcome back to another Link Up. We’ve got some great links for you this week (some that include gift ideas for the ‘hard to shop for group’, which we know we definitely need right now)…so check it out and let us know what you think. We’ll see ya in the comments! Now let’s jump right in

How To Brighten Up Your Holiday Dinner Table (Because A Small Gathering Still Deserves A Lot Of Cheer)

Well, the title really says it all. This Christmas (like Thanksgiving) looks a lot different in terms of party size. But just because the “guest count” is say 4 vs 14, doesn’t mean that busting out (or buying if needed) those festive holiday plates and creating a happy tablescape isn’t just as important. Maybe more? And more doable since it’s fewer people??

Actually, Emily has been really passionate about this. Much like her easy but impactful holiday decor hacks, adding a couple of bold and happy elements to your table can change your home and mood drastically. Did you see her adorable Thanksgiving tablescape that she and Birdie designed together?? But for Christmas specifically, it was a special set of plates she got that sparked her current tablescape enthusiasm. Keep reading to see them:)

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how to have great holiday cocktail party in a tiny apartment (all the hacks you need to know)

But first, let’s table about color palette. Looking at all of the tables of EHD holiday past they are super pretty but definitely more muted. Lots of golds, whites, and soft greens (and one that featured a lot of blush and was so beautiful). This year, however, Emily is really leaning into a bold red which I’m sure is no surprise if you’ve been following along this year. Color is IMPORTANT right now!

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: arlyn’s warm (& sort of last-minute diyed) holiday reveal

And since her plates were the impetus for this post let’s just start there…

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a homespun holiday gathering with chateau hendo

1. Rustic Reindeer Terra Cotta Salad Plates (set of 4) | 2. Festive Stripe Plate | 3. Red Tree Imprinted Appetizer Plate | 4. Vinter Dinner Plate | 5. Small Ceramic Dish | 6. Tall Glass | 7. Inslee Fariss Twelve Days of Christmas Menagerie Juice Glass | 8. Irma Dessert Plate | 9. Irish Coffee Mug | 10. Woodland Trees Plate | 11. Santa Christmas Mug | 12. Ralphie Holiday Mug | 13. Wilshire Jewel Cut Red Double Old-Fashioned Glasses (set of 4) | 14. Dapper Animal Holiday Salad Plate | 15. Holiday Snowflake Salad Plate

I mean how cute is all of this dinnerware?? So I will stop the suspense and tell you that #2 are the Henderson holiday plates this year. Emily loves the bold color and graphic stripes and I totally agree. So I took the bold and graphic note and found #4 and #10. But if you like to keep things more subtle then I LOVE #1, #3, and #15. Also, note that most if not all of these plates are salad/appetizer/dessert size. This way you don’t need to buy an entire dinnerware set but instead, add a little something-something to your everyday dinnerware.

Same goes for glasses and mugs. They are SUCH a cute addition without breaking the bank… unless you want to go big:) #7 and #12 are so whimsical but definitely look to be on the fragile side so depending on the ages (or clumsiness) of your family you might want to take that into consideration. But #9 and #11 are really cute and by the looks of them, a little sturdier for the young ones (maybe just add hot chocolate instead of an Irish coffee:))

Onto table linens!

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how to create a casual, affordable and beautiful holiday tablescape (all with target)

1. Cotton Fair Isle Tablecloth | 2. Quadri Reversible Placemat | 3. Gold Metal Charger | 4. Maxwell Green Round Easy-Care Placemat | 5. Multi-Plaid Table Runner | 6. Watercolor Nutcracker Napkins (set of 4) | 7. Windowpane Table Runner | 8. Round Placemats (set of 2) | 9. Fete Dark Green Cotton Napkin | 10. Sketsi Table Runner | 11. Holiday Windowpane Plaid Table Runner | 12. Multi-Plaid Tablecover | 13. Plaid Placemat | 14. Bonita Red Fringe Napkin | 15. Table Runner Cotton Jacquard

Now here is where things get cute and super affordable. You could literally not change a single dish but throw a table linen on and it’s instant holiday cheer (that takes up less storage space). For tablecloths, you can’t go wrong with #1 or #12 (though #12 will hide spills better). But that’s where placemats can help! #4 is SUCH a showstopper and since it’s like faux leather, are really easy to clean (it comes in a bunch of other colors too like red:)) Then for a table runner, #7 and #10 are so sweet and are a little more on the modern side. Lastly napkins. #6 is secretly stealing my heart but #14 is just an easy slam dunk.

Last but not least some cute table serveware and decor:)

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: holiday entertaining just got a whole lot easier

1. VINTER Bowl | 2. Marble & Brass Cake Stand | 3. Holiday Plaid Enamel + Wood Serving Tray | 4. Prancer Place Card Holder | 5. Tree Serving Tray | 6. VINTER Platter | 7. Ceramic Bowl | 8. Flatware Stocking (set of 4) | 9. Metal Salad Servers

Emily has and loves #3. It’s the perfect balance of traditional and casual AND you could use it the whole holiday season as general decor in our house. But I can’t get over how great #1 and #6 are from Ikea. So simple, pretty, and affordable. Also how freaking sweet are those utensil stockings and place card holders? Are they necessary no, but do they add a lot of joy?? Well, I think so.

So that’s our little two cents on decorating your holiday dinner table. A bold color and some cheeky but pretty accessories might just help add in some cheer. But clearly, if you don’t feel like it, it doesn’t mean it won’t be just as joyful. We are just here if you need ideas:) Happy Saturday.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Photo Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How to Create a Casual, Affordable and Beautiful Holiday Tablescape (All With Target)

The post How To Brighten Up Your Holiday Dinner Table (Because A Small Gathering Still Deserves A Lot Of Cheer) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

When You Think You Can’t Pull Off Certain Trends And Then Maybe You Can? We Test Some ‘Best Sellers’

I feel like I know ‘what is me’ which is different than what I like or think is cool on other people. And while I’m still down to experiment, with covid and the fact that I never leave the house I’m not exactly trying out new trends this year. So Urban Outfitters wanted me to try some of their ‘best sellers’ and as I opened the box there were only a few that I felt like were ‘me’, and you guys would have known it. So instead of trying to ‘pull them off,’ I enlisted Mal and Veronica to try them on, as they are far more into the ’90s trend than I am. You should know that this was shot before the spike, and we tested before shooting and wore masks all day. There is a twist to this story, so keep reading.

Sweater | Boots | Jeans (similar) | Socks

So first is the “what I did love and thought was ‘me'” category – that sweater and those boots. Those boots are really chunky and I didn’t think I would love them but guess what guys… I DO. Plus I’ve worn them four times since I got them and love that they have a heel (but it’s a platform so it’s more comfortable). Also up here there is ice on the street and sure, I have snow boots, but there might be a time soon where I want to look cute in the winter without falling. The sweater has a really pretty balloon arm and is super cozy. It is cropped so I have to wear high waisted jeans, and I like skinnies with this to offset the crop. I love it and it’s a great cozy holiday sweater.

Puffer Jacket | Beanie | Jeans (similar)

I also love this super puffy cropped jacket and what you can’t see is that around the sleeves and the waist it has elastic that keeps breezes from coming in. It’s lined with a soft cotton and is VERY warm. I liked it with the skinny jeans and chunky boots, to balance it out. Also a cute beanie.

Onto the rest of the pieces. So I gave Mal and Veronica a budget to pull together some outfits. She chose this cute little school-girl skirt and super soft cropped sweater, with similar boots.

Pleated Mini Skirt | Cropped Cardigan | Boots

It looked SO CUTE on her, and after her photo I joked that I could never pull it off and it would be fun to show the audience that. After I put it on we were all shocked that while it’s definitely not ‘me’ it actually was pretty cute on and I didn’t look nearly as ridiculous as I thought I would.

Pleated Mini Skirt | Cropped Cardigan | Boots

Goes to show that age is just a number and even though Mal and I are almost 20 years apart you are never too old for any style (and indeed I did feel much younger and fun). There was a decent amount of breeze going on – between that tiny skirt and the cropped top, but y’all, we both felt pretty darn cute in this outfit.

Cropped Hoodie | Jeans | Chelsea Boots

Next Veronica tried this cropped blue hoodie which I thought was cute, but I have SO MANY cozy jackets and I know that she loves this color. Pre-covid, at work, she would wear the coolest brightest cobalt blue eyeliner and I knew that she could pull it off (and yes, those are the same boots). She looked very cute.

Cropped Hoodie | Jeans | Chelsea Boots

I tried it on and really liked it, too, but I let her keep it since I don’t want more jackets up here because I literally go nowhere and it was just more ‘her’.

Mom Jeans | Cropped Cardigan | High Top Converse

Here Mal tried these mom jeans with the same top and looked SO CUTE. I on the other hand, ha, well you’ll see …

Mom Jeans | Cropped Cardigan | High Top Converse

That is not an ‘I feel good in this’ look. The thing about ‘mom jeans’ is that the cut (high waisted, flat butted) can often enhance any mom-pooch you might have. And listen, no shame in my pooch game, but I’m certainly not that interested in enhancing it. But then Mal pointed out that it’s not the cut, it’s the length of my torso which is indeed short. Most high waisted pants have been historically hard for me, and now I know why – it’s the short torso (and that’s ok, and why I wear so many short skirts and skinny jeans – the long legs). So needless to say she kept these ones.

Balloon Sleeve Sweater | Sparkle Mini Skirt | Chelsea Boots

V wanted to try a dressier more cocktail looks which I thought was super fun and flattering. She said the sweater is really soft, and we loved the proportions of the boxy sweater with the mini skirt. We ran out of time for me to try this one, but she did a good enough job modeling it that we didn’t need me, too.

Crop Top | Trousers | Chelsea Boots (similar) | Necklace | Earrings

These girls love a crop top (and there are certainly a lot to choose from on the Urban site). But with those high waisted and pleated pants it looks SO CUTE. It’s a sort of menswear/schoolgirl look that is very trendy right now and she said it was very comfortable.

THIS ONE CRACKS ME UP…

Jumpsuit | Chelsea Boots

Mal tried on this jumpsuit which she LOVED and looks super cute in. I said there was no way it would look good on me, as it is VERY form-fitting and tight. She claimed that it was thick and yet stretchy which can be more forgiving and once I put it on she was RIGHT. It is super soft, fitted, and yet forgiving. It’s actually a great ‘around the house jumpsuit’. Would I wear it all the time? Nah. But she is going to and she LOVES it.

And here are all of our pieces in one place:

!function(d,s,id){
var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';
if(!d.getElementById(id)) {
e = d.createElement(s);
e.id = id;
e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepos...
d.body.appendChild(e);
}
if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {
window.__stp.init();
}
}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');


[image error]
Turn on your JavaScript to view content

So there you go. Some I love, some they love, all from Urban Outfitters. If you want to know what to get your mid-20s sister, daughter, niece, or granddaughter these two will tell you that the ’90s trends at Urban are where it’s at.

Not-Ugly Vinyl Record Storage Options (Beyond the Kallax, Because Brian’s Driving Em Crazy With Records Everywhere)

I LOVE A NICHE POST FOR A VERY SPECIFIC PROBLEM. Welcome to the roundup that I was born to write! I’m glad you’re here! Here’s the background: a few weeks ago, Em mentioned that Brian’s burgeoning record collection was getting out of control and that the Hendersons are in need of some new storage options.

And this is a problem that I know VERY well!!! My record collection is enormous. Prior to joining the team at EHD, I worked at labels, in streaming, and spent years on a vinyl startup, so I also have hundreds of LPs hanging out around my apartment.

But here’s the thing: trying to find visually attractive ways to store these records is THE. FREAKING. WORST. The universal go-to choice is the IKEA Kallax, and while it’s sturdy and affordable (I had a full warehouse outfitted with these at my last job!), it’s not necessarily an aesthetic fit for every home. So today, I’m here with a collection of not-ugly vinyl record storage solutions for all types of decor styles!

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: brady’s living room refresh with the citizenry

But first, some parameters to help you on your future search:

They’re Big: For simplicity’s sake, let’s just say that the average LP is 12.5″ tall by 12.5″ deep. Units with adjustable shelves or open backs will be your friend. They’re Heavy: In my experience, it’s safest – for your furniture and your flooring – to assume that 50 records will weigh about 30 pounds. LPs are DENSE. These 50 records will also only take up about 13″ (read: not that much space), so you need to keep shelving’s weight limits in mind. Do not overload! Store Them Upright: You want to keep records as vertical as possible at all time to prevent both warping and damage to the outside sleeve (which can happen if there’s any unbalanced pressure). You also want to keep them out of direct sunlight if possible, but I digress.Keep it Local: If you’re into mid-century pieces, check Craigslist/FB Marketplace first for vintage pieces that were specifically designed for vinyl. If MCM isn’t your style, I’ve got you with picks below

The No-Fail Gift You Can Literally Give To Anyone And They Are Guaranteed To Love It. No, SERIOUSLY.

I know you probably think I’m going to say something like “a hug” or “tell them that you love them” and yeah, sure, but this is an actual GIFT, too!!!! Three years ago our emotional mascot at EHD, Jess, (she’s so thoughtful) had a great idea for a gift that I coopted and it has become a tradition not only at EHD but something I employ frequently. It’s what we call the compliment vase (or box). No one in the history of time has not liked this gift. Guaranteed.

Here’s how you do it. You buy a cute vase, bowl, or box (because most people like those ANYWAY) and then you type out and print a bunch of compliments (you can also hand write obviously). At work, we would do 3-4 per person for everyone’s birthday. Then you print them out and cut them individually like the fortunes in fortune cookies. You fold them and shove them in the jar. The compliments can be silly (you pull off crop tops better than anyone I know) or serious.

a really good day celebrating ryann and veronica

Before Covid, we would all go to a happy hour and the birthday person would read the compliments out loud and try to guess who it was from. You may have seen this on stories–we laugh and cry and that person walks away feeling more special than they ever have (at least that was my experience). Now you don’t have to read them out loud, it can just be a gift you send and they read it privately, but as I was writing this I think that we are going to do it for Christmas–even with the kids. You can go around in a circle and have each person open their vase and read the compliments and you are GUARANTEED to feel good. And if you know anyone that is celebrating solo this would be an AMAZING gift to make them feel loved.

I don’t know why it’s more special than a card, but it is. I think it’s the act of opening each one and reading it out loud, and listing compliments is actually easier than writing a meaningful card.

This was from my team this year on my birthday, which they snuck into my house (in LA since I was coming to visit) and left it for me. Especially in such a dark year, waking up on my birthday and reading what my team likes about me made me feel seriously incredible. So touched. It was so special and it honestly improved my self-confidence knowing that despite being apart and not being able to have fun together they still really like me. (The feeling is very mutual).

You also don’t have to put it in a cute box or vase, you could put them in a card or even a bowl or mug you have in your kitchen. But I personally think that it makes it even more special to give them a place to store them, that also acts as a nice piece of decor. Your dad who is so hard to shop for still likes compliments. Your co-worker likes compliments. Your neighbors like compliments. EVERYONE likes to be told what people genuinely like about them. They’ll think they are just getting a cute lidded box, and then as they open it they’ll be so surprised and touched by the nice things you’ll say about them.

Arlyn even framed hers and put it in her gallery wall – an idea I meant to steal.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: arlyn’s moody dining room reveal is all about the insane power of paint

So if you are into this idea we figured we’d give you some ideas of boxes or vases that we love. You don’t need to spend a lot, obviously. The gesture is what’s inside.

Lea Johnson’s Basement Reveal: Workspace by Day and Family-Friendly Living Room by Night

Hi guys, it’s Lea again! I am thrilled to be back and grateful for Emily and her team for giving me this space to share my brand new basement reveal!

When you think of basements, what is the first thing that pops into your mind? You might have a vision of a dark, cold, maybe even a little smelly space (you know that basement smell) and anything but cozy, bright, and inspiring, amirite? Well, when the pandemic hit and we, like so many, were forced to work from home or study from home, I quickly realized I needed to carve out a workspace somewhere. Lo and behold, my basement became the place to do just that.

Sofa | Rug | Chair | Table (similar) | Light Fixture | Tree

I’ll admit, our basement wasn’t disastrous beforehand when I first attempted to cozy up the space. Prior to this, it was just an empty space full of boxes and totes – kind of a makeshift storage space. It wasn’t bad, but with two of us working from home and one studying for college from home, we desperately needed a more functional (and beautiful) space to both work and relax.

THE WORKSPACE

The first thing that instantly transformed the space was changing the paint color. While I love gray, I wanted something that felt more fresh and to me, and nothing is more fresh than a crisp shade of white. I went with PPG Timeless white paint straight off the shelf and loved the way it immediately brightened up the space.

Next, we needed to transform one side of the basement into a functional workspace without making it a full-blown office. I want this basement to pull double duty for game night/fight night (did I mention we’re huge UFC fans over here?) and a place to enjoy snacks and (eventually) entertain. Luckily for us, and unusual to most basements, this one gets tons of natural light as it’s east facing. It’s the opposite of dark and dingy so it was the perfect canvas for what I wanted to achieve.

Though we have great light in there, I love sourcing light fixtures that are beautiful and functional. So my favorite brother-in-law came over to help me install a gorgeous Japanese paper lantern that I sourced from Bunkado. While I grew up in a heavily Scandinavian family (Yes, I’m adopted) I have always loved Korean and Japanese interiors and so the paper lantern here seemed like the obvious choice with its minimalistic aesthetic and shape. I also added a ceiling medallion as it keeps the space from feeling too builder-grade. I feel like it helps elevate a light fixture even more.

Paint | Table | Rug | Chairs | Pendant (similar)

To make our workspace functional for all of us, I put in this table that is large enough to comfortably sit 2-3 people. Now that I had a surface space adequate for working from home, that doubles as a conference table for Zoom meetings, triples as a break room table, quadruples as a game night table, and quintuples as a place for our projector to sit when we watch events on the “big screen”, I was all set. The shelves hold most of my books and the Google speakers but the amount of books allows everything to blend nicely into the background. Don’t love the idea of a speaker being a main feauture. And finally, the new ceiling light gives a nice soft, overhead glow perfect for working and studying from home.

Hot Tip

Install extra wall rails and brackets to prevent future bowing of shelves. As you’ll see later, my shelves are beginning to bow from the weight of all of my books.

I don’t know about you, but even though we won’t be hosting Christmas this year or having any Christmas parties, I still wanted to sprinkle some cheer around this space. Since we don’t have any little kids anymore, I tend to decorate more for the season than the Holiday and if you know Minnesota, well, we’ve been known to have blizzards in May. Yeah, let that sink in **rolls eyes**.

To bring in the winter/holiday feel, a natural Fraser Fir tree is always my go-to and they smell SO good! I’m all about recycling and being resourceful so the bead garland I made using wood beads I found at the thrift store for under $3. I also made the salt dough star ornaments and the paper Scandinavian stars (I learned how to fold these from my years as a Girl Scout). The ceramic bells I had on hand from Target but I thought they were fitting for the tree. The citron velvet striped ornaments are the same ones I invested in last year as well as the star tree topper. This year instead of using a tree collar or skirt, I opted to just wrap the base of the tree in an old rug I had.

Now on to the bright and cozy side of the room…

THE COZY HANG OUT SPOT

Sofa| Coffee Table (similar) | Rug | Ceiling Light Fixture | Gallery Wall Frames | Sconce

I really wanted this section to feel cozy and a place where my husband and his friends could hang in while not making it a bachelor pad or “man cave” (or smelling like one). During this pandemic, I’ve been craving color and I’ve always had a love affair with citron velvet. I also knew I wanted a more modern and low profile sectional so to tie the two together we went with this sectional by Jonathan Louis. It brought so much life into this room! I feel like it’s presence gives the space so much soul. This sofa comes in so many configurations and fabric options and I debated every color spectrum but ultimately did a fur test with Remi (our dog) and was pleased that this color held up (I hear velvet is very pet friendly and easy to clean). Cheers to another stylish yet functional decision.

Did I mention our projector and our appreciation for UFC? We don’t have a projector screen in the traditional sense so when we do pull out our projector we project it right onto this wall, where it’s easy enough to remove my DIY art when the event occurs. Additionally, we watch TV down here more on the regular so the TV takes up the adjacent wall.

Speaking of the DIY art, it cost me under $20 to make using a thrifted canvas I had found for $2.99. I applied joint compound all over it and then created a makeshift frame using trim pieces that I nailed right into the canvas frame. It was so easy peasy and I think it looks pretty good here in my 100% biased opinion.

In order to keep it extra cozy down here, I wanted a really soft rug because basement floors tend to be cold (especially in Minnesota) so I went with this super plush rug and I love the abstract design it adds. I feel like I’m walking on a cloud and I want to squish my toes into it all the time.

I had found the vintage sketches a year ago out thrifting but never could find the right use for them. Once I found these inexpensive minimalistic frames at Target and displayed them here it felt like the perfect fit. Finally! Who else hoards found items in the hopes of finding them a proper display space one day?

TV | Circle Candle Holder | Leaning Square Frame | Match Holder | Candle Holder

On this side of the room we have our Frame TV and while we don’t typically like a TV to be the focal point of the room, well…there’s only so much you can do. To add some additional layers to this wall, I propped up some frames and used leftover wallpaper samples and wrapping paper as my “art”.

I also have this amazing cozy reading chair which needed a light source so I found the perfect wall sconce…

Accent Chair | Sheepskin | Cabinet | Cabinet Doors | Sconce

The wall sconce is “hardwire only” and we didn’t have an electrical outlet installed. To remedy this, I used inexpensive battery operated puck lights that function off of a remote control and using a Command strip I stuck the light where a lightbulb would have gone.

The media cabinet (which is two cabinets pushed together) sits on the floor and because the rug pile is so high at first we couldn’t open the cabinet door. To affordably fix this, we slid two 2×4’s underneath the cabinet like a pair of skis to elevate it just enough to be able to open the doors, allowing the cabinet to overhang a couple of inches so that the 2×4’s aren’t noticeable.

As this room was evolving I knew I wanted a really cool light fixture that would speak nicely with the abstract, modern rug. I’ll admit it’s not for everyone because as you can see one of the arms hangs down fairly low. Determined to make it work, I positioned it so the low arm would be positioned over the sectional where ideally someone would be sitting and not standing. Even with standing up, no accidents or head bumps yet. We have 8’ ceilings down here so if I had 9’ or higher the arm wouldn’t even be a second thought. It’s gorgeous and sculptural and that’s all that matters. I’m very passionate about this light fixture.

Throw Blanket

Now, we didn’t have a gathering but we did some holiday food styling for fun. My photographer (who also wore a mask) and I sure enjoyed some sustenance and snacking while working and we pretended we were having a party with my Christmas playlist playing in the background (think Sia and Sam Smith mixed with Wham (of course) and Mariah Carey). I mean…SO fun.

It was a long time coming (or at least in pandemic time it seemed long) for this basement to finally come together but come together it did, and just in time to hunker down for another long winter!

Happy Holidays!

*Design by Lea Johnson of Creekwood Hill
**Photos by Sage E Imagery

The post Lea Johnson’s Basement Reveal: Workspace by Day and Family-Friendly Living Room by Night appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Under $50 Gifts I Bought For Myself And Others (That I HIGHLY Recommend)

In an attempt to not have Brian do that last-minute thing where he buys me stuff I don’t need but feels bad I don’t have much to open, I went ahead and bought some of my own Christmas presents this year – things that I DO need (fine, or want). While I was at it I purchased a few things that I thought would be good gifts to recommend and wanted to try them first. So today I have for you some gift giving ideas, all under $50 and from Nordstrom and my thoughts about them.

Let’s chat first about my apron – As you’ve seen I’m a real apron person (because I’m so messy) and I burned the ties of my last one on the stove. This one is AWESOME (and even flattering). What you can’t see is that it has pot holders INSIDE on the bottom corners in addition to (pockets for phone/utensils). I didn’t know about the secret potholders til I wore it all weekend and found them. SO smart. I love this apron.

Oven mitts | Gray pitcher | Silicone cooking utensils | Apron | Black and White Sweater

Now there are a lot of oven mitts out there, but here’s to hoping that our dogs don’t eat the ends of these (I don’t think they will). They are silicone and they have magnets that keep them together.

The gray pitcher/vase is matte on the outside, glossy on the inside and while I bought it as a great gift for like a coworker or neighbor, I’m keeping it.

Food 52 also makes those matching silicone cooking utensils and I love that they are just one piece of silicone, with no break where food can get caught.

And yes that black and white sweater is new and while cropped it’s VERY cute.

Gifts I bought others (under $50)

Kai Roller | The Chubby Stick Sampler Pack | Black and White Puzzle Box | Black and White Soft Scarf | Pill Box

I bought the black and white puzzle box because it’s a super cute ‘office’ prop for someone. I did not attempt to do it because I was afraid that I wouldn’t be able to do it back.

Charlie immediately stole the black and white soft scarf and is using it to perform his Greatest Showmen scenes. He hasn’t taken it off in 4 days except to sleep. So he wholeheartedly endorses.

That pillbox is A GREAT gift for anyone that has to take medicine and wants to make sure that it’s never missed and yet cares about style. I feel like there was a huge hole in the market for this. It’s also a good stocking stuffer.

Kai Roller | The Chubby Stick Sample Pack | Black and White Soft Scarf

Kai roller – my MIL was here and after she smelled it on me she basically begged for it for Christmas. I told her just not to wear it around Brian because it occurred to me that it might be weird for his wife and mom to share the same scent.

Now you know my obsession with the chubby stick (like 8 years strong) so if you know someone who wants to try this moisturizing stick but doesn’t know ‘their color’ then at least this sampler will let them try all of them. And since these aren’t “lipsticks”, I’ve found that I can wear a variety of shades because it goes on so light (and I never need a mirror to apply which is awesome).

Water Bottle | Blanket | Beer Glasses | Scarf

My team first introduced me to this water bottle two years ago and while at first I was like ‘woah, this is expensive’ they convinced me to get it, and now it’s the only one we opt for (literally we’ve only had one for like 2 years). But please get the one with the sippy top so you don’t have to unscrew it all the time (like when driving). Keeps it cold for days.

You know how I feel about cozy blankets so if you know anyone in need of more comfort right now (all of us?) this is CRAZY SOFT.

Blanket | Beer Glasses | Scarf

I put those glasses on Brian’s gift guide and bought them early to try them. They didn’t freeze in time for us to shoot but over the weekend we put them in the freezer and he LOVES them. They also come as whiskey glasses, too. The chicest beer cozy EVER.

I wanted to get Brian a scarf and like to support Patagonia at all times (I personally feel aligned with how they support the environment and have given so much to fighting climate change). This is more of a fashion scarf (it’s warm, but not necessarily cozy) so it’s good for guys (or anyone) who wants a scarf to elevate an outfit.

I bought more and not everything worked out, but all of these items are great (and all under $50) from Nordstrom. They have their site built to be super gift shopping friendly with tabs of ‘gifts under $50’, ‘gifts under $100’ which made it really easy if you are looking for things that are special but not crazy expensive (they also have luxury gifts). It’s a way wider variety than I thought it would be.

For easy gift access, here are all my purchases in one place:

!function(d,s,id){
var e, p = /^http:/.test(d.location) ? 'http' : 'https';
if(!d.getElementById(id)) {
e = d.createElement(s);
e.id = id;
e.src = p + '://widgets.rewardstyle.com/js/shopthepos...
d.body.appendChild(e);
}
if(typeof window.__stp === 'object') if(d.readyState === 'complete') {
window.__stp.init();
}
}(document, 'script', 'shopthepost-script');


[image error]
Turn on your JavaScript to view content

So if you are a bit “gift stumped”, absolutely go see what they have up their sleeve (which is A LOT). I honestly don’t think I know anyone that wouldn’t love something from Nordstrom. Happy “Checking Off That Gift List”!

*This post is sponsored by Nordstrom. Thanks for supporting the brands that support EHD.

**Photography by Veronica Crawford

The post The Under $50 Gifts I Bought For Myself And Others (That I HIGHLY Recommend) appeared first on Emily Henderson.