Emily Henderson's Blog, page 19

My Kids Rooms Through The Years (Bring On The Nostalgia)

Dear god, that sweet boy is now 11, which is not what this post is about, but a reminder that you were all right. When I first had Charlie, all you moms before me said it would go by so fast, and while I knew you were right (it is the universal sentiment) I’m still shocked that he’s going to be in junior high next year (she writes while crying on a plane). Today’s post isn’t about how much I love my kids (too much to say) nor how desperate I am to keep building my connection with them before they leave for college (8 years left and YOU BET I’M NOT SQUANDERING THEM), but about their rooms that I’ve designed over the years. You see, my thesis is unsurprising – that like choosing their outfits or Halloween costumes, baby rooms are much easier to design than kids’ rooms (as shown through these photos). This is more of a show and tell, with perhaps some new insights for you long-time blog readers (thank you, always, thank you).

Glendale HouseCharlie’s Nursery – 2015 photo by david tsay | from: charlie’s circus-themed nurseryphoto by david tsay | from: charlie’s circus-themed nursery

Year one, with the cutest wallpaper that I know he might have not liked forever, but my goodness it was so perfect for this room – light and airy, graphic, big pops of color. A solid design that has dated pretty well, if you ask me. Sure, it might scream 2013, but not in a way that I don’t like; it feels almost time-capsule-y.

photo by david tsay | from: charlie’s circus-themed nursery

A reminder that you can use a vintage dresser as a changing table – I have so many videos of Brian making Charlie laugh on this dresser.

Birdie’s First Nursery – 2016photo by tessa neustadt | from: a baby girl’s blush and green nursery

One of my all-time favorite rooms ever — to both stare at and be in. This house (mid-century in Glendale) was so special, and stylistically I was really aligned with it (it was so light and bright with huge pops of color throughout). That vintage rocker (shout out to MidcenturyLA) and the daybed (from Elsie Green) were epic. And while this white fluffy rug might seem impractical, it was just so unbelievably soft and we still have it at the mountain house in our bedroom (far less white, but it strangely aged really well, just looks more taupe now LOL).

photo by tessa neustadt | from: a baby girl’s blush and green nursery

The X and O artwork pieces by Jane Denton are at the mountain house (guest room) and are just so sweet. But the tree wallpaper mural is my favorite – I know we’ve seen it a lot, but in the right space, it really works and packs a huge punch.

photos by tessa neustadt | from: a baby girl’s blush and green nurseryLos Feliz HomeCharlie’s Room – 2017photo by tessa neustadt | from: charlie’s big boy room reveal

This version of this room is nicely designed, but I never really LOVED it. Totally cute, and most things in it are fine, but just didn’t feel like me (and likely not Charlie either, but he was 3-4 when we moved in here). TBH, I had to pull it together really fast for our Real Simple feature and Target, who was my main sponsor at the time, who wanted me to use as much Target as possible (which I was happy to do, but it felt a bit pulled together rather than designed).

photos by tessa neustadt | from: charlie’s big boy room reveal

I think that was when Pillowfort had just launched (their in-house kid brand) and was so cute. I still have all those vintage paint-by-numbers and wish so badly that I hadn’t framed them in black (wood or white would have been better) because I’ve wanted to use them over and over, but the harshness of the black frames always made them not work.

Birdie’s Second Nursery – 2017photo by tessa neustadt | from: elliot’s nursery reveal

Another favorite of mine — but instead of a green tree mural, I opted for this pink one. What I think I never wrote about is that the old plaster walls couldn’t hold the weight of the blackout curtains very easily, and they were always a problem. We tried reinforcing them behind the walls, but it was a big old problem (I honestly don’t remember how we fixed them or if we did anything at all besides trying to be careful).

photos by tessa neustadt | from: elliot’s nursery reveal

But these rooms just scream so much nostalgia to me — when I had two toddlers. But Brian was gone often at night doing plays and the business was unmanageably busy (in ways that I would never want to publicly complain about, but let’s just say I “shower-cried” often). Life changed pretty abruptly after that, what with lockdown, then the move up here to Portland, and I can happily say that the years of overwhelm are in my past. Now I just miss when the kids were that young – they were such hard years, but my god they were so freaking cute and fun and their obsession with me could never get old. I’m just so happy to have so many photos and videos of those years (and time at the mountain house, which felt like we could just be us four every weekend, away from the chaos of the city).

photo by tessa neustadt | from: elliot’s nursery reveal

I always wondered if I shouldn’t have done a wallpaper in the bathroom AND her bedroom, but TBH they were both cute (and since hers was a mural, maybe that’s ok?). That bathroom had no natural light (I wish I had put in a skylight), so it needed some action on the walls to not feel dead.

The Mountain House

Remember the years when the kids shared a king bed? Well, that’s not how it started…

Mountain House Shared Bedroom – 2019photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the kids’ mountain house room reveal!!

How cute is that safari tent? A big shout-out to Emily Bowser and Julie for figuring that all out. And the reason for that big white headboard was that it housed the mechanism for the steam shower (I believe), which we didn’t know we had to build a space for until the house was all laid out.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the kids’ mountain house room reveal!!photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the kids’ mountain house room reveal!!

The thing about rock walls is that they are more of an invitation to play. The kids certainly got use out of it while doing other games (war, fort building, etc), but it’s not like they have rock climbing sessions. I would 100% do it again, and it just made the room so cute and fun.

photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the kids’ mountain house room reveal!!

I love that their vanity in their current bathroom was their dresser here:)

A Refresh of the Kids’ Room in the Mountain House – 2019photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a refresh of the kids’ room in the mountain house

So here is where it got weird – when the kids were 3 and 5 we did so many family reading sessions at night that we ended up shoving the twin beds together so we could read them the same book as a family. So I figured I’d redesign it to make it look good, which I did. They shared a king bed for all of COVID, with me often sleeping in the middle of them until I transferred myself at midnight (something I often still do, but not on purpose).

Los Feliz Shared Bedroom – 2020photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: our boy/girl, 2-twin bed shared kids room

Meanwhile, since they loved sharing the bedroom at the mountain house, we realized they also slept so much better. So Elliot started sleeping on the floor of Charlie’s room in LA, thus me redesigning his room to have two twin beds. I started this process before lockdown but didn’t finish till we needed to sell the house, and I wanted every room to be “finished”. So the kids only slept in here one or two nights, right before we moved to Oregon (which was so weird to them TBH).

photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: our boy/girl, 2-twin bed shared kids room

Also while I loved that polka dotted comforter, the kids HATED it – they didn’t like the textural difference and in the middle of the night they thought it had bugs all over it (the polka dots) so I while I hoarded them for a while, they were pretty impractical and very unpopular in my house.

The Farmhouse

We moved into this house when the kids were 7 and 9 – full-blown children now. I have one kid who wants to redesign her room every day, and the other who really doesn’t want it to be touched – he loves it.

Charlie’s Bedroom – 2023 + Updated Headboard – 2023photo by kaitlin green | from: the ikea headboard hack for charlie’s room that only took emily one day to make

This room doesn’t feel finished to me, but it’s really hard for me to get motivated to think about it when he loves it so much. Recently, he said that he wants curtains because he thinks it’s hard to wake up when the blackout shades work so well. So we might do that so that the natural light can wake them up during the year (but not in the summer when the sun gets up at 5 am up here).

photo by kaitlin green | from: charlie’s room update/progress with a thrifted 80s vibe

Its such a tween bedroom – part kid, part desperate to be a teen. The green bookcase is now in his closet replaced by his electronic drum set. The huge round sofa situation is perfect for sleepovers (for now).

photo by kaitlin green | from: charlie’s room update/progress with a thrifted 80s vibe

All he wants are more and more posters all over his walls (same with Elliot now), and let’s just say we are not aligned. There are so many Minecraft or video game memes that he wants that I just don’t get (but I allow, obviously, wanting him to have full expression). I tried to explain the “Rodeo” print to them over and over and they are like “what?” – clearly my poster preferences are different than Gen Alpha. Although he does love the red crab one by David Shrigley because it has to do with gaming

photo by kaitlin green | from: charlie’s room update/progress with a thrifted 80s vibe

Right now that stuffy closet (which was just for the shoot) is where all of his clothes are and I wish I had done drawers so badly. We just have bins that get super messy. And currently, his desk is full of so much organized chaos, like any 11-year-old. The collections are out of control, in such a cute way.

Birdie’s Bedroom – 2023photo by kaitlin green | from: birdie’s bedroom reveal

I recently wrote about Elliot’s room and how she already thinks that her wallpaper is too young for her It’s such a cute room, though!!

photo by kaitlin green | from: birdie’s bedroom reveal

UGH I just can’t with her growing up.

photo by kaitlin green | from: birdie’s bedroom reveal

Listen, even though she identifies as a tween now (at 9), this room is so objectively her, and we designed it together. Right now she wants to be a designer with me when she grows up (as well as a baker, musician, and artist) and she even has my vocabulary, talking about “peppering pops of color” around the room. I mean…

Birdie’s Closet Reveal – 2024photo by kaitlin green | from: birdie’s closet reveal

Those scallop stickers are still so clever and affordable. You cold frame out doorways or windows or use them as ceiling trim. They come in a billion colors and sizes, FTW.

Article Bed Update – 2024photo by kaitlin green

We recently switched out her creaky vintage bed for this solid one from Article, which is overall so much better. And as you can see, she is adding to her collection of posters as well.

Well, that was fun for me (if not so sad – they are getting older). Quite the reminder of how short life is Regarding their rooms, from here on out, I’m letting them take the lead – if they want to engage in any sort of design of their rooms or change anything, of COURSE I’ll be the first one to raise my hand and help. Seeing them care about their style is super fun and I think natural considering they’ve heard me talk about it so much over the years. Thanks for listening

Opening Image Credits: Photo by David Tsay | From: Charlie’s Circus-Themed Nursery

The post My Kids Rooms Through The Years (Bring On The Nostalgia) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

My Friend’s Moody Dark Green Dining Room (You Should See The Before)

This is a real pleasure to introduce you to an eclectic cool dining room I helped design for one of my best friends. If you haven’t seen their living room, dining nook, or basement go check those out afterward, but what you’ll see is a continuation of this “traditional with a big edge” style, employing some classic elements along with a few contemporary twists. I LOVE how it turned out so much.

When they bought the house everything was neutral and pretty tame, so they amped it up pretty quickly with this green paint color (Bancha from Farrow & Ball chosen with Max Humphrey) then I came in and furnished it all (spending other people’s money on Saturday mornings is really my favorite hobby and satisfies my shopping addiction without the personal damage!).

Wallpaper | Trim Color | Art (vintage) | Lamp | Dresser (old) | Bowl | White Chair (vintage) | Lumbar Pillow | Blue Sofa | Striped Velvet Pillow | Loveseat | Coffee Table | Rug | Flush Mount | Spotlight

As you can see the dining room can be viewed from the living room so the colors really had to work together (and dare I say, they do). The green really pulls you in and then the colors once you are inside speak to the living room so clearly. I feel like it’s impossible to not feel happy looking at this photo.

Green Paint | Ceiling Light | Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Velvet Captain Chair | Rug

The rug was game-changing – the colors and pattern are perfect in here and really livened up the room. I had been eyeing it for a long time so I was so happy when I finally got to use it somewhere. The dining table is a really pretty walnut oval, with awesome curves (and I love how the curves talk to the light fixture). I opted for two captain’s chairs in a soft green velvet, then punched up the side chairs with these from Soho Home (the multi-color upholstery is so pretty, especially on the more classically shaped chair).

Marble Footed Bowls | Gold Candlestick Holders (similar) | Little Pedastal Bowl (similar)

FYI, they normally don’t leave a beautiful book open on their dining table when not being used:)

Bar Cabinet | Lamp | Art (unavailable)

This room is used as a home office at times (especially with all the shelving) so we added this cabinet (more oval shapes offsetting all the grid of the window and the stripe of the rug). And that punch of red in there with the lamp keeps it feeling moody and unexpected.

The colors really did all work so beautifully together – the greens, blues and warmer red tones create such a cozy and yet totally modern palette. It was also such a refreshing room to design – so different than my light/bright Scandi vibe. That green paint color has a lot of yellow which I typically don’t choose (not sure why) but I really LOVE it in here (but be careful in a really bright room it might be really bold/jarring).

For the shelves, I mostly just styled with what they already owned. I edited it and curated it a bit, only bringing a few things from my prop closet that I was wiling to part with.

I do love a before and after and this one really shows how layered and warm this room became:

Outfit: Denim Shirt | Long Skirt | Clogs

So again, if you haven’t seen their living room, dining nook, or basement go check those out. I just love how this house turned out so much and hanging out in here in person is even better. Cheers to friends who give me free rein to do cool stuff (and who have fantastic taste in making the project so seamless). xx

*Decorated by Emily Henderson (me!)
**Photos by Kaitlin Green

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The Link Up: Two “New” RomComs Emily Watched With Birdie, Jess’ Easy Scar Treatment, And 4 Proudcts To Make Your Meals Taste Even Better

Happy Sunday, Happy Easter, And Happy Belated Passover to those who celebrate! Emily was on an extremely exciting shoot this week in Southern California that we can’t wait to tell you all about and we LOVED getting to introduce you to our first design coaching clients, Chrissy and Peter (intro here and design plan post here). So a full week it was and we hope yours was good too. Now it’s time to link!

This week’s house tour is an incredibly fun yet chic sunroom-turned-kitchen that was designed with the owner’s cats in mind…yes, their cats. The first consideration was choosing a color palette that the cats could see (blues and greens) and the creation of a custom cat tree. But honestly, the design is so fun that aside from the cat tree you wouldn’t know they were so considered. Go check it out here!

From Emily: Two unexpectedly cute movies to watch with your tween this weekend. Elliot (9) and I had a girls’ night last weekend and I have successfully trained her to love teen rom-coms/coming-of-age movies (my master plan is clearly working). But y’all, we’ve seen ALL OF THEM, but somehow hadn’t seen these two. We watched Work It and Tall Girl, both of which had Sabrina Carpenter in without us even knowing! Both were so cute and fun (Work It is a dance movie, thus combining a lot of my favorite themes) and Tall Girl has some great messaging around being different, loving ourselves, and bullying. Unlike Kissing Booth (which I love, but admittedly has some poor messaging) these two felt really good to watch together (Work it is TV-14 and I have no idea why, it was very tame in every way). Obviously, if you haven’t watched To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before that is a solid go-to for us. But it’s nice to have some new movies to add to our spa night repertoire.

From Caitlin: This interview with Yoni Appelbaum on how moving is correlated with economic mobility is REALLY interesting (I promise!). As a Delaware native who jumped ship at 17 in favor of greener pastures (4 years in Boston followed by nearly 13 years in LA!), this portion really spoke to me: “People used to move toward opportunity. We’ve driven the housing costs up so high that instead of moving toward opportunity, Americans now move toward cheaper housing, if they move at all.” I’ve witnessed this shift firsthand – my 2012 move to LA would not be fiscally possible for me today, and my only dreams of buying now involve me moving to a place with fewer opportunities. I enjoyed the interview so much that I grabbed Yoni’s newest book, Stuck. Highly recommended for my fellow policy wonks!!

Also from Caitlin: If you’re looking for a sneak peek into the future, might I suggest AI-2027.com? It’s the first release from the AI Futures Project, a nonprofit org helmed by Daniel Kokotajlo. (I’ve been following Daniel for years – he’s an OpenAI whistleblower who worked as a governance researcher on scenario planning.) 5 years ago, he published some thoughts on what 2026 might look like – and man, he nailed it. (He was earning that OpenAI paycheck!!!) It feels like most of my friends and family haven’t grokked the radical impact AI is about to have on the economy – it’s going to be bigger than the industrial revolution, and it’s about to happen overnight – so this is a great, thorough readable introduction to the next few years. Settle in for a nice Sunday scary!

From Jess: If you read last week’s Link Up then you know I had an emergency surgery for an ovarian torsion. One of my least favorite days to date but luckily the incisions were pretty small (and most importantly everything was benign!). But to help minimize the appearance of the scars, my surgeon recommended these Mederma Medical Grade Silicone Scar Sheets. I think they are available at places like CVS and Walgreens if you want to avoid shopping online. Anyway, I just started using them and they are so easy. Of course, I haven’t seen any big results yet since it’s only been a couple of days but they are reusable, washable, and can last up to 21 days! They are good for burns and old scars too apparently. I didn’t know they existed before I was told about them and thought this info could be helpful to some of you too<3

Also From Jess: Now, I know this is so location-specific, but if you find yourself in Orange County looking for a splurgier place for brunch (they do dinner too) may I suggest the Restoration Hardware Ocean Grill at Fashion Island. It was my best friend of 25 years’ birthday and I really wanted to take her somewhere special that she hadn’t gone before. And while taking her to a restaurant at a mall wasn’t my dream scenario, the pictures looked too pretty to pass up. Also, it’s on the top floor with an ocean view so you don’t feel like you are at a mall at all. Let me just say that it was as beautiful as I hoped it would be, the service was exceptional (thanks, Hannah!), and the food was delicious. I’ll be honest, I got a little nervous when I saw the menu because it was simple, but everything was executed perfectly with so much flavor (it’s a bit of a splurge but get the mini lobster rolls with caviar). Oh, and the store itself is also stunning:)

From Arlyn: Psst…got undereye circles you’re ::cough cough:: tired of? I just started using this new color corrector from Tarte, and it makes SUCH a big difference for my toddler-induced dark circles. I had to get used to the application because at first, I just caked it on and it wasn’t a good look, but once I figured out how best to apply it and with the right brush (I use this one), it’s been so great. I need to find a setting powder because it’s a bit sticky and does crease a little without it, but in general, I’ll take running my fingers along the underside of my eye to smooth things out a few times a day then looking like I’m running on a perpetual 4 hours of sleep a night. As the name suggests, it’s a color corrector, NOT a concealer, so it’s going to have a bit more of a red undertone to balance the blues of eye circles, so you’ll want to add your foundation or any skin tints you typically use on top for the full effect.

From Mallory: I found the PERFECT transitional jacket – or shacket if you will – it’s this guy and let me explain. I’m the kinda gal who needs to always bring a jacket “just in case” and this one is the one I reach for always. Plus, it’s currently on SALE for $100 off. The fit is amazing, it’s crazy soft and it’s super high quality and goes with everything. Note it’s lighter than your average leather jacket (which I like because I don’t love how constricting leather jackets can be) and it’s a super classic silhouette so you don’t have to worry about it going out of style. I could not recommend this guy more!

From Gretchen: Almost a year ago now, Em hosted an event at Rejuvenation with the Brownstone Boys to promote their book, For The Love Of Renovating, and like with any good social event, there was of course, a drink station. This was how I first became acquainted with Straightaway Cocktails. They’re an alcoholic beverage company actually based out of Portland, but are seemingly popping up everywhere. The packaging is so cute that I’m tempted to keep them out on my counter and call it decor, plus the drinks themselves are simply delicious. Well, this week when I flew back to Portland, I noticed they had these beautiful boozy cans offered on the plane! I snagged the espresso martini one and it might just be my new go-to flavor (the margarita in a can being my original fav). Now be careful, because these drinks pack a PUNCH! The espresso martini is something like 20% ABV and the old fashioned (another big winner on the flavor front) is double that! But if you’re looking for a big buzz packaged up in a cute little can, then maybe give this a shot! (Pun intended)

From Marlee: I’m a big major huge foodie <3 (did any PDX locals partake in Pizza Week last week?!) and I can’t take a trip to the grocery store without buying a least one new fun and/or intriguing goodie to try:) With that said I would love to share some consumable goods that I’ve been enjoying recently. Some of these are local to Portland (look for them at New Seasons) but if you’re not in the area you can order them all on various websites! Enjoy!

Oregon Seaweed Chili Crisp: the best chili crisp I’ve ever had. I also LOVE the Fly By Jing Chili Crisp, but this one is great because it’s pretty mild so you can pile it on and get a ton of flavor without overdoing it on the spice. Put it on rice bowls, toast, sandwiches, EVERYTHING! The hint of seaweed is incredible and not overpowering at all.

Tanglewood Chai: the BEST chai concentrate – it’s sweet (but not too sweet) and has the perfect amount of spice that leaves a little burn in your throat. I just drink over ice with oat milk (1:1 ratio) but on their website, they recommend putting a little splash in your oatmeal (GENIUS) or using it while baking.

Momofuku Spicy & Tingly Salt: a large sprinkling of this plus a little oil and honey makes the best salmon rub of all time. I received a pack of these as a gift two Christmases ago and I’m finally down to the last couple of sprinkles:( The tingly one is my fave!

Grillo’s Pickle de Gallo: I recently went to a birthday party where the host supplied hot dogs and it was everyone else’s job to bring a topping – I picked this up on the way and it was soooo yummy. I only had the chance to try it on a hot dog but this would be so good on sandwiches or as a dip for chips.

Thanks for reading and you bet we have a fun reveal for you tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: A One Day Makeover For My Friend – A Teen Basement With Colorful Gallery Wall Using What They Already Had

The post The Link Up: Two “New” RomComs Emily Watched With Birdie, Jess’ Easy Scar Treatment, And 4 Proudcts To Make Your Meals Taste Even Better appeared first on Emily Henderson.

30 CUTE Pull-On Shorts For Our Most Comfortable Spring/Summer Yet

The time of year is upon us when we tend to start thinking about shorts. We get to free our bottom limbs and run free! But we must not forget that traditional jean shorts are not the only option. Actually, let’s just get rid of zippers and buttons entirely! That’s right folks, I’m talking about cute, fashionable, comfortable pull-on shorts. In the words of Kim Cattrall, “I don’t want to be in a situation for even an hour where I’m not enjoying myself”. While she wasn’t necessarily talking about zippered/buttoned shorts, it could easily be included in the meaning. Pull-on shorts are inherently the most comfortable and least restricting type of shorts. The team has been singing their praises for years. But for some reason, we’ve only ever done posts dedicated to the more athletic versions. Well, that stops today because we are on the hunt and thought you might be too. Let’s start.

Mila Linen Short – $98

These were the shorts that inspired this post. Marlee was the one to actually suggest this post idea because she had just started her pull-on short search. Naturally, we all agreed it was a great idea because we love a pull-on short and these ones were total winners. They are a little more expensive, but are sustainably made (from Reformation), and are so classic that they will never so out of style.

High-Waisted Paperbag Waist Striped Short – $42

For a similar stripe with a little more going on detail-wise, how fun are these?! I love the frayed hem, the paperbag waist, and how the stripes also have a little design within them. These would be great to throw on around town or perfect next to a body of water. Perfect for at home or on vacation. They also come in a solid patterned cream version (you’ll get what I mean when you look at them).

Damson Madder Krissy Linen Blend Boxer Shorts – $85 | New Mariner Jersey Short -$60

Damson Madder is a very cool London-based, sustainable brand that my cool friend told me about last year. Needless to say, I was happy to see that Anthro did a collab with them! They are known for their fits and these shorts are so freaking cute. Definitely in the world of the boxer shorts trend but a little more refined. But if you love the red stripe look but want more of a nautical feel, these J. Crew ones are awesome. Vibrant but classic.

Farm Rio Palm Tree Shorts – $198

FYI, these shorts are the most expensive on the list but also…look at them. These heavenly beauts are SO fun and since they’re from Farm Rio, I know without a doubt super high quality. The details are so special! It is a part of a set (here’s the top) but these could easily be worn with so many other tops. A loose white button-up would be effortless. These definitely give “vacation” but I say let home feel like a vacation too when you pop these cuties on.

La Ponche Linen Pull-On Shorts – $98

Another fun option! I love the color (but they also come in sand with a plus size option), that statement tie at the top, and the stitching. Plus, the length is so nice. No chance of those cheeks saying hello:) They are just a little more tailored and special than your average pull-on short.

Organic Cotton Poplin Boxer Shorts – $39

Sorry for the blurry photo but it was the best I could do. Anyway, how great is that green! These are also in that boxer short trend category which I am very tempted to try. They just look so damn comfy but also cute. I know it’s not for everyone but at the price I might give it a whirl. Plus, so great for poolside, right? (But can we also talk about the cuffs of the top??)

right: photo by kaitlin green | from: the best new spring denim i’m really really into (and everything is comfortable)

Miramar Cotton Terry Walking Shorts – $98 |  “Denim” Sweatpants

I’m going to be honest, I didn’t know about the viral “denim” sweatpants Em was wearing in this post until I looked it up after she talked about them. They sound INCREDIBLE. So when I saw they had a shorts version, I HAD to include them. Duh. They come in three different washes (one lighter and one darker than the one pictured above), and if they are nearly as comfortable as everyone says the pants are, these are a homerun.

Easy Denim Shorts – $47 | Stretch Ruffle Short – $37

But if you want a pull-on short that isn’t printed to look like a jean but is still comfy here are two great options under $50. The ones on the left do not have any stretch (aside from the elastic band) but will give you a cool relaxed look. Love that wash color. Then those cuties on the right have that sweet ruffled hem. They are also lower rise so keep that in mind whether that’s your preference or not.

Denim Pull-On Shorts – $72

A Madewell soft, denim boxer short? Sign me up! Easy, soft to the touch, cute, and made with their “summer-friendly cotton-blend Airy Denim”. That means they are perfect for the warmer weather. I also know Caitlin and Arlyn have been big fans of Madewell’s pull-on shorts in the past.

Linen-Blend Pull-On Short – $25

Why yes, you can be this chic for $25;) I mean get outta here, right? These tonal stripes and that sleek waistband are so good. Just enough color without it looking too bold. You could wear these to the office or on vacation, easily. They also have a bunch of other colors and pattern options if you are interested:)

Pull-On Shorts – $54

More “boxers” but that pocket is so cute! I just couldn’t resist. Also from Madewell, also super light and also extremely comfortable.

Alexis Stripe Cotton Drawstring Shorts – $78 | Beach Short – $64

These two feel less boxer-like to me because of the cuts (absolutely love how the sides are shorter) and the drawstring detail. The dark navy ones also come in a bright green and the light blue ones have a matching button-up top. These are great swim coverups too!

Zoey Linen Short – $98

And if you love a drawstring but not a print, these Reformation shorts are beautiful. So simple but so versatile. They come in three other neutral colors and these would be a breeze to dress up or down.

Pull-On Drawstring Shorts – $78 | High-Waisted Linen-Blend Shorts – $22

For some additional solids, I adore the pockets on the Madewell cuties on the left. They come in 5 other color and pattern options but the style is what really makes them look less like a pull-on and more like a “normal short”. They’ll never know how comfortable you are! Then for a steal at $22, these Old Navy ones are the perfect throw-on-and-go pair that also come in seven other colors:)

Seersucker Pull-On Shorts – $15

Aside from the sweet gingham print (it also comes in a butter yellow) I really love the texture of these shorts. They are made to look super relaxed and boy do they. Also, that price? SO GOOD.

Pull-On Poplin Shorts – $68 | High Waist Stripe Cotton Blend Drawstring Shorts – $88

More Stripes but with really fun details! The contrast pattern trim on the pockets and the cuffed bottoms on the left shorts make me want to add to cart immediately. Then if you like a little metallic moment in your pull-on shorts there is a silver thread in the shorts on the right you’ll love. Fun but neutral:)

The Somerset Shorts: Linen Edition – $98

Stripes aren’t the only pattern we love. These floral cuties are so fun! They come in seven other colors in petite, standard and plus sizes. The options are endless and CUTE.

Mid Rise Linen-Blend Pull-On Short – $50

Would you believe these are Abercrombie? I know we’ve been raving about their evolution for a minute but it’s still so exciting! These mid-rise (yes!)summertime linen shorts are playful, chic, and highly rated. If shells aren’t your style they have seven other options to choose from.

High-Rise Paperbag Skort – $75 | Offbeat Printed Pull On Short – $78

The florals continue on:) Not really sure why the shorts on the left are being called a skort because in every photo they really look like shorts but I wouldn’t be mad about either way. Love the high waist, the flowy bottom, and that subtle but playful print. I think if I had to choose a floral short it would be these ones on the right I can’t get enough of that pattern and for whatever reason they almost feel slightly sporty? I just think they are so freaking fun.

High-Waisted Linen-Blend Striped Short – $45

These are the same AE ones from the beginning of these post but I really loved these colors and pattern:) Ok, onto the next!

Woven Skirty Shorts – $88 | The Anywhere Barrel Short – $88

A flared “skirty” short? CUTE! I’m a big olive green fan (as you’ll see) and the cut/seams of these are so good. For the shorts on the right, I know they are way sportier than all the other ones but I couldn’t help myself and had to include. LOVE the patterned drawstring, such a fun addition to make something simple a little extra special. And those pockets are cool too!

Hunters Mid-Length Relaxed Shorts – $98

These last two options will likely be a little style-specific but I love them so much. These ones how overly relaxed and kinda baggy these are. They are mid-rise, mid-length, and cut up on the sides so have have a little more of a sexy shape. I want a pair bad! Oh and there are two different denim wash options.

Shot Caller Pull-On Shorts – $98

Those pockets are so sick. It’s almost like the coolest construction belt you’ve ever seen. I couldn’t decide which was I like more so I put in both. These are also on my fashion wish list!

That’s it from me. If you’ve been needing some shorts I truly hope this was helpful. No need to not be the most comfortable (but cute) at any given moment, right?

Love you, mean it.

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Can This Old Leather Sofa Be Brought Back To Life? We Tested Two Products To Find Out

Hello, friends! Gretch here. It’s been a while since I’ve taken you inside my apartment, and admittedly, you won’t see much of it in this post. But we’ve got a new friend in the mix, and just like me, she could probably benefit from a little cosmetic work! This little leather beauty here is what you might call a “hand-me-down”, but to me, she’s an absolute treasure!

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted a leather sofa. Maybe it’s because I grew up in a house with one (identical in color, too) and I’m a sucker for nostalgia. A sleek, leather seat is also very “cool girl” in my eyes–a sofa you might find in a real city girl’s loft apartment. And there’s just something so nice about its buttery texture and wipe-ability. In a lot of ways, leather really gets better with age…with proper care, of course!

A brief origin story–if you don’t recognize the sofa, you may recognize this room! This is our photographer, Kaitlin Green’s living room. And this cutie sofa that is now mine was once hers. For 10 years! She and her husband bought it brand new from West Elm for their first place (and yes, it is still available). It was one of the first bigger purchases they made together. A special one. Over the years, this sofa saw lots of love: friends coming over to watch the game, a shared bottle of wine, or cuddles with their pup, Remy. Eventually, even more snuggles (and maybe a few stains too) came along with the addition of their two daughters.

photo by kaitlin green | from: kailtin’s living room reveal

They really treasured it–something I think we should all strive for when it comes to picking out the pieces for our homes! And for being 10 years old, she really ain’t looking too bad. But there comes a time to invite in some newness and when we re-did Kaitlin’s living room, she was generous enough to pass this sofa on to me.

But if you too have inherited or found a piece of leather furniture that could use a lifeline, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve watched enough YouTube tutorials to predict that with a few affordable products, I could more than likely bring this baby back to life. Or at least give her a little boost. I haven’t done this before so I wasn’t sure which leather cleaner/conditioner solution would be the best to use, and there are quite a few on the market. So today I’m putting two of them to the test.

Here’s our starting point. The leather looks and feels quite dry, but thankfully, there are no rips or tears. A few minor stains here and there, but honestly, I have been living with it in this state for a while now and it could be way worse. While the center seat cushion definitely looks the roughest, I left it untouched until the end of my rigorous testing to see which of the two products worked better to finish the job. Also big shout-out to Marlee for helping me do this and taking all the photos!

We tested out two products. On the right top and bottom cushions, we used Leather Honey’s cleaner and conditioner. And on the left, we went with Lexol’s cleaner and conditioner combo. Both of these came highly rated, but I will go ahead and spoil it for you–there was a clear winner in my eyes.

It was a super easy process if you want to see it in action (the video will play after a couple of quick ads)

Step One: Cleaning

We went in with the cleaning solutions first (obviously) and a couple of microfiber cloths, like the instructions said. Right off the bat, I will say, you’re probably better off using a white microfiber cloth if you’re gonna do this. I imagine you’d see all kinds of satisfying grime coming off onto your rag, but I only had these gray ones, and with both of the products, I couldn’t really tell what it was doing in terms of cleaning.

Lexol’s cleaner said to pour a small amount onto the rag and rub it in. It applied smoothly and pretty evenly. Because my leather was pretty soft, less taut, it was a bit tricky to pull the rag across in a big sweeping motion without it bunching. But I was able to fully coat the seat. It said to wipe away the excess with a damp cloth, but the couch absorbed the product pretty quickly, so there was no real need for that.

Leather Honey’s cleaner worked about the same, but it had a spray bottle instead. It took a little longer to saturate the cloth enough to use. Again, I tried big sweeping motions and coated the cushion as best I could, but it was hard to tell if it was actually doing anything. With both of these products, I viewed them more as a “prep step” rather than essential to making the sofa come alive again. Both sides looked maybe a little more moisturized and even after cleaning, but it was an underwhelming step.

Step Two: Conditioning

But step two with the Lexol conditioner was a breeze! The product comes out kind of white, but goes on clear and is reallllllly easy to move around and buff into the leather. Again, I kept pouring little dollops onto the rag, rubbing it into the leather in circular motions until the whole cushion was coated. This product was super easy to use and was clearly adding some moisture back to the leather, getting me excited for the end results.

This is how it looked immediately after. It definitely evened out some of the leather’s discoloration (hard to say if that was from the cleaner, the conditioner, or both). But I was most impressed by how soft and smooth the leather was feeling after conditioning. Like butter! I didn’t notice any funky smell, and I can’t stress this enough, the product was REALLY easy to move around on the material.

But Leather Honey’s conditioner? Not so much. The instructions were virtually identical to Lexol’s: a small dab of product onto the rag, rub in until evenly coated. This one did mention that the product would work better if it was warmed up, and after going in with it straight out of the bottle and STRUGGLING, I did try zapping it in the microwave. It helped a little bit? Maybe? But this product really did feel and move like honey–sticky. It was thick and hard to wipe around the leather. I felt like I couldn’t get it to spread evenly because the product was clinging and soaking into the leather too fast. And the only way to combat that was to keep adding product.

Doing this side was genuinely a little scary because it was coming out SO dark. Like so dark. I for sure put on way too much, but also felt like I didn’t have a choice if I was to coat the cushion evenly, like it said. It felt splotchy and I was so worried it was going to permanently change the color of the leather…

Because just look at how dark it was!!! This was after coating each of the side cushions with just one layer of the conditioners. I was joking with Marlee that at this stage, it was really feeling like the Neapolitan ice cream of couches. The left side compared to the super dry middle seat and the perfectly buttered right seat? Insane.

The instructions should’ve said “remain calm and let it dry down” because here’s how it looked the next day. Way better! Phew! Now these are iPhone shots, so the coloring will look a bit different, but it was for sure lighter and more even-toned in person once it had the full 24 hours to dry.

BUT I will say, I think the Leather Honey did actually darken the leather a shade or two. Don’t love that!! It’s not so bad to me that it’s super noticeable, but the Lexol right cushion was definitely the winning solution. So much so that I decided to go ahead and clean/condition the super-dry center cushion with the Lexol combo to finish the job. That is the difference you see above. But let’s pull back a bit and see the full before and after:

Here’s where we started…

And here’s how she looks now! I don’t know about you, but I DEFINITELY notice a difference between these shots (and in person, for sure). Before, the sofa was just so crusty, looked quite wrinkled, and felt super dry. Now that the sofa cushions are fully conditioned (this was shot a week later), I can say I both feel and see a difference. Did it give me a brand new sofa? Not really. But I’m happy I did it and it was truly so easy, I think it’s something I’ll try to do every six months or so.

I think the Leather Honey would’ve worked better on a tighter leather upholstery, but it was the big loser here. I am however a BIG FAN of the Lexol combo, how it moved and how it transformed. I still have a ton left over for future applications, plus it’s the less expensive option! If you’ve got a piece of leather furniture, a car seat, or even a leather purse that needs a little lift, I really recommend giving Lexol a try! Let me know if you do and if you’ve got questions, I’ll do my best to answer them in the comments

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Design Coaching: Peter And Chrissy’s Builder-Grade Kitchen Plan (I’ve Got Thoughts!)

Oh boy, this is fun. I love inserting myself into other people’s problems (usually when asked) so this whole “help someone else design their house” thing is already making my dopamine spike. After sifting through countless submissions (sooo many good ones–thank you to all who applied!), battling weeks of email hacking snafus, and balancing our super stacked schedule, we FINALLY found our match. You can read about this sweet couple here!

To refresh your memory Chrissy and Peter, our first participants in the Renovation Coach series, have 3 kids under the age of 3, really good taste, and enough experience with remodeling to not hire a contractor. And yet, like all of us, doing it alone feels daunting and scary (because it simply is the nature of the beast).

About The House

The house was built in the 90s and has an addition and some awkward angles and finishes for sure. But the neighborhood is great and the lot is HUGE. They want to change a lot about the house – adding a primary bedroom, moving the powder bath, adding a mudroom, moving the washer/dryer upstairs, and redoing the kitchen (maybe more, but that’s what came out of the 2-hour initial session). For our purposes, we are talking kitchen, but it was so good to know what else they were thinking – how long will this string be??

For total visual context of the space before we get into the ins and out of this kitchen, here is a video of the space! (just wait for the ads to play:))

Back To The Kitchen (Pre-Move-In)

Here’s how it looked when they first moved in. From the drop ceiling to the weirdly shaped island to the unfortunate, immovable structural elements, the kitchen was not their fantasy – both in function and style. Their biggest complaint has been the lack of storage but truly it all needs updating–countertops, cabinets, appliances, flooring, you name it. The flow is a bit weird overall and they’re open to reimagining the space entirely. Oh, and the cabinets are falling apart. “BUILDER-GRADE” (she shakes her fists at the sky).

They’ve already made some killer changes, starting with the floor. They opted for this beautiful wide plank wood flooring, getting rid of the checkerboard, which only enhanced the datedness of the kitchen, but also opened up options. By changing the direction of the wood floors it also really helped to better connect the kitchen to the living areas. 

Here is what their kitchen looked like the day we stopped by to check it out. As you can see, they are mid-project and have been agonizing over the best solution for this space to keep moving forward. They’ve explored a number of layouts and have yet to land on the right one (her keynote collages look like mine – abundant and messy a la A Beautiful Mind. When we first got there she had a plan and two hours later we totally changed it (for the better, we think).

Chrissy’s First Mockup (Pre-Meeting)

Christy wanted to extend the size of the kitchen into the space next door (which seemed to be initially intended for a dining room). Desperate for storage and a nice big island for cooking and entertaining, they thought that this could be a good solution. I didn’t, TBH, especially because once you get into the space the biggest issue is two different ceiling levels.

The dropped and vaulted ceiling is really the culprit here. Well, actually it’s just a regular 8ft ceiling in the kitchen zone that feels like a dropped ceiling because the rest of the space is vaulted. But this cross section is definitely structural, holding up part of their kids’ room upstairs, so they have to find a way to work with it.

There were some other issues, as well that they wanted to address.

Speaking of structural, both the wall attached to the stairs and this diagonal corner wall connecting to their current washer/dryer closet, have to stay. In this back area is the entrance from their garage, a tight walk-thru, with laundry on one side (that they want to be moved upstairs) and a teeny tiny powder bath on the other. Ideally, they’d love to find a way to add a mudroom in this area…but one project at a time. My perspective was that all these little moves would end up costing $250k at least and not all of them were worth it. Moving a powder bath 5 feet could cost $25k (could also be less, but you just don’t know) so I advised against it unless they were 100% sure this was their “forever home”.

Stepping into the kitchen, this is your main view: a bank of tired cabinets, the sink, the dishwasher, and a view that overlooks the dogs’ potty zone. (Did I mention they have two cute pups?) The whole house actually gets really great light exposure from the many windows in the living room, and Chrissy hasn’t loved looking out into this area. They’ve discussed removing this window entirely (or maybe the one in the dining room) or just shifting it over to make room for their ideal cabinet layout. Regardless, they will put in new windows should they keep them here.

Plumbing will likely stay on this back wall to keep costs and complications down. But they want to shift the sink over, swapping it for a bigger/better one, then flanking it with a panel-ready dishwasher and trash drawer. And of course, all of this means new cabinets, countertops, hardware, appliances, etc. Again, here is their last mood board (which is rapidly changing, per the usual design process).

Chrissy has great taste and design eye – I loved her mockup. None of these elements are final except for the style/color of the cabinetry. The one thing they know for sure is that they love the AXSTAD blue kitchen cabinets from IKEA. The price is right and the look and color really speak to them. Us too. Initially, she wanted to extend the cabinetry all the way across, into the vaulted ceiling dining area, creating a bar zone and prep area with more storage. But she’s struggled with the right combination of cabinets that will align with that ceiling height jump in a visually pleasing way.

Additionally, they are losing the corner cabinets, instead shifting the oven zone in line with the back wall to create more of a galley-style kitchen. In order to make this work and look right, they will need to address this weird wall situation and plan to bump it out to make it flush with the walkway opening. Doing this will also add about a foot of space to the powder bath on the other side (another project they have plans for, but again, one thing at a time!).

Another part of Chrissy’s design (and we are definitely aligned here) is to keep the island. Well, this funky island will not be staying, but a new rectangular island will take its place. Again, one of their big issues is having enough storage, so prioritizing extra cabinetry here makes sense. They talked about keeping the stools where they are currently, but Gretchen had the idea to build in the overhang at the end of the island instead, near the garage entrance. Enough room for the kiddos to have a seat on a couple of stools while dad cooks, and plenty of room to stand and gather around the back of the island when entertaining–which they do a lot of–while maximizing storage along the backside. The cooktop would stay here (though at one point in our meeting, we discussed swapping it with the sink but that would likely be too much of a ha$$le).

Behind the island is their “pantry”, in quotes because it’s more of a Harry Potter closet than a pantry, positioned in the void under the stairs. In all of Chrissy’s plans, integrating a new pantry cabinet was a staple of her design. If you scroll back up to her mockup, she originally envisioned it next to the paneled fridge, likely coming out past the 8ft ceiling divide. The problem then became making it look right with the vaulted ceiling. Would it come up past the 8ft and intersect with the vault? Or stay the same height? Does IKEA even make cabinets to fit a situation like this? And how would this all shake out measurement-wise?

Well, Gretch suggested instead turning the original stair/pantry wall into a grand wall of floor-to-ceiling-pantry cabinets, closing off the existing door, and moving its access to the side hallway with some clever angled doors or drawers. Both Chrissy and Peter perked up at this. Of course, it will all have to make sense dimensionally and could be impacted based on the size of the new island. And it means more projects. But it could be a very cool statement moment and would give the chef something more interesting to stare at than the current situation.

With more storage going in the island and the potential for a larger pantry area across it, the initial bar/cabinetry build-out into the living space now becomes less crucial. But the problem still remains. How do you integrate this living area with the kitchen so it feels cohesive and connected? Ending the cabinets in the same place as they are now might keep the kitchen feeling small. But extending it into a wet bar or just more counter space isn’t super functional if they also need this area to hold their dining table. Sure, it’d give them more storage but it’s unlikely they’d actually use it for prep space.

Our Solution?

So what if instead, it became a built-in dining banquette, flanked with cabinets and shelving? This might feel more visually intentional than closed-off cabinets and could address the ceiling shift in a way that makes sense–to us at least. Remember, Chrissy is not married to this window staying here, so a new window could shift around or it could leave altogether and make room for a matching bookcase to flank either side of the bench (with the window in the middle?). The bench (and the shelves) would provide even more storage, but could also turn this wall into a really beautiful, thoughtful focal point.

So that’s where we left them, with plenty of new ideas and potential solutions swirling. The biggest question now is how does this all fit together?? Does that wall really have the right length for a double oven, sink, trash drawer and dishwasher, drawers, panel-ready fridge, open shelving bookcase (that starts at exactly the right spot with the weird ceiling shift), plus a built-in dining bench? How big should the island be? Can a grand pantry wall fit into the mix?

Their Homework

We were so excited about the layout change, but Chrissy really needed to figure out math-wise if they could fit their appliances AND the cabinets in the same kitchen footprint, utilizing the island for the cooktop and knowing that we’d have more storage in the new pantry and the floor-to-ceiling library cabinet focal moment in the dining room. We can’t really do much until we know that the layout will work within the footprint (we all feel hopeful).

They have to do some homework to get all of those answers, so we’ll check back in with them soon. I also tasked them with taking an inventory of their kitchen things, what all they’ll need to store, and mapping it out based on the new proposed design — a practice we swear by! Maybe they’ll find they don’t have so much of a storage issue after all?

As I was writing this I realized that this is a LOT to try to understand without you being in the space. If you’ve made it this far you are as invested as we are. With 3 kids under three years old, attempting a kitchen remodel is a doozy (thus me wanting to help). They think they can get it done in under 3 months and I’m loving their enthusiasm. They aren’t hiring a GC and instead are going to hire subcontractors and manage the project themselves, which honestly I think will make it go faster if they are on top of it and certainly could save them some money. They have already started getting bids and making relationships with subs and honestly, we all know that no one can get shit done faster than a mom, so maybe the 3 kids under 3 years will actually prove to be the motivation to drive fast. Regardless, we are along for this ride and hoping to not just be a backseat driver. Next up is seeing the update on the layout with our new plan and then we’ll go shopping for tile and stone (assuming that we are good to use the IKEA kitchen).

Since this is the first time we are documenting someone else’s project (and not doing renderings, etc) let us know if you have suggestions on the rollout of this – it’s a lot of information to get so we’ll try to break it down so you can weigh in and also gleam any help for your own project. A huge thanks to Chrissy and Peter for being our guinea pigs:)

The post Design Coaching: Peter And Chrissy’s Builder-Grade Kitchen Plan (I’ve Got Thoughts!) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Good Looking Reclining Sofas DO EXIST: Here’s What To Know About Them + 24 Of Our Favorites

You know what’s fantastic in terms of design and furniture? When form meets function. I’m a huge fan of that. So when a friend of mine asked me recently if I could help her find a “not totally ugly” recliner sofa, I suited up and got to work. After all, I used to work for a company that sold recliner sofas you’d never be able to tell were just that (though sadly they no longer sell them, so I was back to the drawing board).

Recliner sofas and chairs, for that matter, are the kind of thing designers balk at because well, they look like a half risen tray of cinnamon rolls. As if someone decided long ago that “feet up” also had to mean lumpy, bumpy, and inexplicably curvaceous in all the worst ways. Like this:

Sitting on them though? Pretty okay. Once those tootsies go up and you get to sit back, you kind of forget about looks and only focus on comfort.

BUT WE CAN HAVE BOTH NOW!

According to this article from Yahoo Finance, the recliner sofa market is set to grow by almost $9 BILLION by 2028. That number is staggering, considering it feels like almost no one is buying these things anymore. Though maybe it only feels that way because so many mainstream companies are finally starting to offer recliner sofas with some actual design and style behind them that you really don’t know if someone is sporting a recliner in their living rooms until you see it in action.

Just take a look at this corner sectional by Sundays. You’d truly have no idea looking at it that it has three motion footrests and reclining backs. NO CLUE.

Some of them now have headrests that unfold to come up and support your noggin like the Jarron from Castley (left), but once you close them, they just look like normal sofa back pillows. You can even find some that look like the sofa at right from a company called Povison, with French seams a la Sixpenny.

I mean it’s kind of mind-blowing that the sofa on the left, by Hooker Furniture, turns into the one on the right at the click of a few buttons. What a time to be alive…(for furniture innovation, everything else is questionable).

Reclining Sofa FAQs

Speaking of buttons, there are some things you need to be aware of if considering a reclining sofa (also called power motion sofas, in case that helps you search for them during your research). Here’s what to know before buying one:

They are far more expensive than a traditional non-reclining sofa. Chances of finding a standard 3-seater sofa for under $2,000 is rare, and if you do, I’d be worried about the longevity and quality of it, TBH. I did find two under that price point, but they are at least from reputable brands/sites that likely carry some sort of warranty. Most are electric now and need a power source, meaning, you’re going to need to have an outlet available. If you’re used to floating your sofa in the middle of your room, I hope you have a floor outlet. Are you one of those people in #2 who float your sofa? Well, a lot of them aren’t the prettiest from behind so you’ll want to be aware of that.Read the product description closely to find out if just the leg rest comes up or if both leg rest comes up and the back reclines, because both exist. You definitely don’t want to drop a few thousand on a sofa thinking it’s one thing, and it ends up being only half of what you expected.Again, read closely to see how many footrests come up (especially in a sectional). Most sites will give you the chance to customize it, but not all do. Also, some might have footrests that move individually, or together as a bench. Be mindful of what you’re looking for compared to what you’re buying.Check the warranty because they malfunction/break. Anything with a button just simply does not last as long as something manual. It’s a tale as old as time. Buy an extended warranty if you can. Make sure you have the clearance for both the fully extended footrest and the fully reclined back, because these babies are BIG and DEEP.They’re mostly sold in just a few neutral colors like white, cream, and gray. A few retailers will give you more custom fabric options, but those are likely much pricier.Most of the good-looking ones on the market right now kind of all look the same…chunky and blocky, but it’s a fairly transitional, versatile shape that works in a lot of home styles.

Alright, time to go shopping. During my hunt for good-looking reclining sofas, I found that most range in price from around $3,000 to upwards of $6,000 for a larger sectional. Of course, there are variations below and above that, but that’s the median range. I broke them up into two price categories: Under $4,000 and $4,000+. Let’s take a look:

The Best Reclining Sofas Under $4,000

At first glance, I’m sure you can understand why I said they all have a very similar look. There’s kind of three versions here: The pillow-top plush cloud sofa look, the tight Italian modern look either squared off or rounded, and a classic mid-century tufted vibe. My previous company actually used to sell #5, and it was simple yet effective and comfortable. I really love the offerings from Homebody and Castlery (the white feels nuts but it’s a performance fabric, at least), though it’s hard to not be drawn to something like an olive velvet from West Elm, a brand that does provide a fair amount of fabric selection for their reclining sofas. If you are within the delivery areas of a Living Spaces, it’s hard to beat the price of #4. The same goes for the really cute curved sectional from Scan Design, which is shockingly under that $4,000 price tag.

1. 121” Modern Power Oversized Pillow-Back Reclining Couch Sofa | 2. Bernhardt Luc Tan Power Reclining Sofa | 3. Amed 89″ Upholstered Power Reclining Sofa | 4. Morro Bay II Beige Fabric 128″ 3-Piece Power Reclining Modular Sofa w/ Power Headrest | 5. Bridgers Power Recliner Sofa Warm Grey | 6. Luxe Sofa – 2 Seat | 7. White Pillow-Style Electric Power Reclining Sofa With USB Charging | 8. Ryden 4-Piece Modular Power Reclining Sectional | 9. Everett Leather Reclining Sofa | 10. Jaron Performance Fabric Recliner Extended Sofa | 11. Leo Motion Reclining Sofa – 123″ | 12. Ohana 3-Seat Zero Gravity Modular Reclining Sofa

The Best Reclining Sofas Over $4,000

If you have some more money to spend, the designs get a little bit more daring, though not much. For instance, the sloping arm of #1 is so nice and doesn’t read “grandpa’s recliner” in the least—plus it’s huge at 116 inches wide. Of course, that channel tufted leather option from Layla Grace has been a popular design for the contemporary set out there, and this one has power footrests! I’m fairly certain #3 and #7 are the same sofa just by two different names, one in fabric, one in leather, but they are both a super classic shape that won’t go out of style anytime soon. For something a little more traditional, the Pottery Barn sofa at #6 has a rolled arm, which would satisfy the needs of someone who likes more of a vintage vibe with the guts of modern living. Arhaus’ version (#8) is a shape I love for a family or media room, with the soft pillow-like arms and base.

1. Malena Motion Reclining Sofa – 116″ | 2. Hooker Furniture Chatelain 2 Piece Power Sofa | 3. Downing 111″ Upholstered Power Reclining Sofa | 4. Hooker Furniture Atlas Cream Power Reclining Sofa with Power Headrest | 5. Shelter Motion Reclining 5-Piece L-Shaped Sectional – 109″ | 6. Ultra Lounge Roll Arm Reclining Sofa – 110″ | 7. Four Hands Tillery 111″ Top Grain Leather Power Recliner 3-Piece Sofa | 8. Coburn Three-Piece Motion Sofa | 9. Lift Off Power Recliner 4-Piece Modular Sectional | 10. Harmony Modular Motion Reclining Sofa – 117″ | 11. Leisure Power Recliner Leather Sofa 84″ | 12. Luxe U-Shape Sectional – 6 Seat

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And this is where I leave you, design friends. The reclining sofa isn’t for everyone, but if functionally, it fits what you’re trying to get out of your seating in your home, there are so many more options than you probably thought there were. You do not have to be relegated to cinnamon roll recliners, as today’s post taught you. You can have the best of both comfort and style worlds. Hallelujah!

Until next time…

Opening Image Credit: Malena Motion Reclining Sofa from West Elm

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Our First Design Coaching “Client” – With 3 Kids Under 3, A Builder-Grade Kitchen And A Lot Of Ideas

A couple of months ago we put out the call to find a reader (or apparently two, more on that later) to help coach through a remodel. It was extremely hard to choose the right family/project – I wanted to do all of them. Some were a full house “where do I start – it’s a gut job”, most were solid design challenges where I could feel the overwhelm come through the writing. I’m so sorry we couldn’t interview everyone (and in true Emily fashion I ended up choosing two – just NOT being able to choose). But like hiring a new team member, it really came down to chemistry, the potential for design, compatibility, and frankly our collective excitement level. IF this is a project that I am dedicating my team’s time to (through meetings and content creation, not design work) I wanted us all to really really enjoy it as much as possible. While this is “free” for them (we aren’t being paid by them) EHD isn’t paying for the renovation, so making sure that someone was serious about doing it and genuinely excited to do the work that it would take to do without relying on us was a key factor. After culling through them all it’s clear that there is a big hole in the market – that design coaches or consultants could be a real career for so many people who can’t afford the true luxury of hiring a designer and yet just want someone to help them through it to avoid massive pitfalls and wipe the tears. I know this is part of what The Expert is doing but it’s clear the need is really large. ANYWAY, that’s all to say that I’m excited to introduce to you our first family – Peter and Chrissy (+ their three young kiddos).

The application came from Peter on behalf of Chrissy – be prepared for this sweetness. Here is the letter he wrote:

“Emily/Gretchen/team!

Peter Cambor here. So nice to e-meet you and really excited about this post you and the potential of you assisting in our remodel! First of all, I am an actor/writer/director/producer/bit-of-everything that moved up to the Portland area a few years ago with my wife and now 3 kids (was only one kid when we moved in 2021 –  we now have 3 kids under 3.. Insanity! But the best kind!) So nice to e-meet you! 

Okay. Real talk. My wife, Chirssy, is an amazing human being, a full-time mom, a huge fan of your blog, and she has been doing design for, well, forever – She has done small projects for other people, but she mainly does improvements and designs to the house we are living in at any particular time. She sent me your blog post saying how cool she thought this would be, and I am totally on board, and well – I figured I would just apply before she got the chance! We have done a number of projects together on a few different houses that have had incredible transformations, and this house we just moved into has, well, a number of projects to be done (Work in progress, Emily. Work. In. Progress.) 

Side note: In some strange twist of fate, I have become Chrissy’s handyman/contractor over the last few years. This from man who didn’t own a drill – and now I am not too terrible at the remodel stuff (thanks YouTube!) So we do a lot of projects together. My ability is….let’s say I, too, am a work in progress – but I have learned a ton in the past few years…

Basically, our house in needs a lot of work, and Chrissy and I are sort of torn about how/what to do with it. We have been sort of chipping away at it, small project by small project, but the thing we would be bringing to you is our KITCHEN, which is, to put it lightly, a total disaster. It is a full-on 90s nightmare. For reals. It literally keeps Chrissy up at night. There are a lot of interesting challenges with the space, and we have a few game plans in place, but just don’t know which way to go with it. From what you said in your post, this might be a good fit for you and what you are trying to do.

We want to do this on a budget (we are pretty savvy – scratch that – CHRISSY is pretty savvy at doing things on a budget – I don’t have hard numbers in front of me but we do have a pathway to doing it around 20K – no joke – and I think we have good options to do it that way. There might be a bunch of different cool angles in which this could work for your format. 1. The Kitchen remodel itself obviously, 2. The fact that Chrissy is sort of looking for mentorship/guidance in design and building confidence 3. ME looking for mentorship guidance in my JV Contracting abilities, 4. The on-camera stuff is totally cool with us and we get it – photo or video –  I have done a lot of TV through the years as an actor… I do more behind-the-camera work now. Not sure how much of this is video or blog posts/photos. But all good either way.

Chrissy was really excited at the idea of this being something to do as she loves your blog/work – but also I think to build her confidence and sort of get her interior design juices going! She’s been such an amazing mother and gladly immersing herself in being a mom and just hasn’t had the time for the design stuff. But design is her happy place and she’s so good at it( I’m her biggest fan!) Anyway – she sent me this (your blog post) said she was into it, and, well I thought I’d just jump in and apply!

…

With Gratitude,

Pete, Chrissy, Claire, Beau, and Birdie”

The effort put in here, the sweetness and enthusiasm were just infectious – while other people might prefer more cut-and-dry applications, getting to the point, etc, I’ve always hired or chosen projects/employees based on my excitement level (remember I’m an enneagram 7). Peter went on to show us the projects they’ve already done themselves – take a look:

What this shows is that they can execute a good design, that they understand the work that it might take, and that they appreciate good design. I was so impressed. Doing these projects with small kids means running around means they must love it. One of the things I feared with doing this “coaching” is that since I have no control over the timeline, budget, or design choices what if they don’t ever finish or it takes three years or god forbid our personalities don’t mesh then I’ve launched this thing that you guys get invested in and we don’t ever finish. So seeing what they have done before on their own, gave us hope.

So we jumped on a Zoom call and as predicted as so much fun. We found out that Peter is in the entertainment industry (I didn’t google or do any background checks, of course) and like us, they moved up from LA during COVID. So if you recognize him (I didn’t because I haven’t seen his shows but Jess did as soon as she saw the photo of them! Grace and Frankie and NCIS:LA anyone??) know that is NOT why they were chosen. Their application was just extremely compelling, their project was perfect, and our chemistry was immediate. So this is them:) We are so EXCITED and later this week we’ll show you all the ins and outs of their kitchen project. You can get a little sneak peek from the opener photos. xx

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A One Day Makeover For My Friend – A Teen Basement With Colorful Gallery Wall Using What They Already Had

When I retire I’m going to do this once a week for fun (and a little extra spending dough) – pop into a home, edit, curate, and restyle, then “BYE”! Like a fairy god-Styler (??). It’s INSANELY satisfying. Nic and Curtis were stumped with how to hang all their art down in their new dark basement (for their almost teen girls) and I assured them that I could do this in my sleep. So Gretchen and I went over one day, took inventory, ordered some new sconces, poufs, pillows, and a fake plant then came back and redid it all in one day.

The Basement Before:

Here’s where they started – a huge dope leather sectional, white lacquer furniture, and a vintage chair. Everything was leftover from their old basement and I knew that we could make them work (and this is not where they wanted to invest any real money). Also how rad is that wall-to-wall carpet??

They had a pile of art for us to play with (and we ended up stealing from a few other rooms, too). All really fun, graphic, youthful pieces that are perfect for a tween hang space.

And because videos are so fun below is a cute little video Gretchen put together to show you the space and a little bit of the process (just wait for the ad to play first:))

One Day Later…

Wall Color | Scones | Art (the homeowner’s) | Carpet

Oh, she is moody and dark and oh so cozy!! The trickiest part was hanging those sconces – we wanted to integrate them into the gallery wall, but without symmetry. Once they were up we hung, the rest of the art in between, balancing the shapes, colors, and orientations. The poufs were added for extra seating for kids and to fill out the space (the TV is opposite the sofa) and I kept them low, wide, and tonal so they felt balanced.

Art (the homeowner’s) | Credenza (similar) | Table Lamp (similar) | Coffee Table (similar) | Woven Round Tray (similar) | Ottoman

Then above the credenza, we styled more art (keeping the room balanced) and then used what they already had to style out the credenza. We found a bunch of board games which helped, but in general, it was pretty minimal.

Pink Pillow | Round Pillow (similar)

The sconces can articulate all different ways and since they are plug-ins they could be moved if need be. They are more mood lighting, wall washers versus a super bright light but they have other lamps for that reason.

Side Table (similar) | Chair (vintage) | Burgundy Pillow | Faux Tree (similar) | Black Planter (similar)

It’s dark and cozy and then all these huge pops of pink and white are youthful and wild and I think they have a memory with each piece, so it’s a room of nostalgia as well.

Leather Sectional (similar) | Berry Velvet Pillow | Ball Pillow | Printed Pillow (similar) | Round Pillow (similar) | Pink Pillows

At first, I had a ton of wild pillows on the sofa but pared it back to these which felt less messy, and slightly more refined (but still playful with the ball shapes).

Also if you want to see the basement before they moved in here you go:

Wild, right? It’s such a personal preference, but I personally love a dark room to be dark like this one because without any natural light, it feels dead so you may as well lean into the vibe and make it cozy. Who is next??????

*Styled by Emily Henderson
**Photos by Kaitlin Green

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The Link Up: Emily’s New Street Style Sneakers, Marlee’s Makeup Prep Moisturizer, And Two More Swimsuit Recs

Happy Sunday everyone. You bet Emily didn’t waste any time adjusting back to “bus, club, another club, another club”. And by that we mean, writing posts, prop shopping, photoshoot, another photoshoot:) It’s spring and we are as busy as ever getting you the good stuff. And some of that good stuff is right here below. Let’s link!

This week’s house tour is a 1830s-era Creole cottage modernized to have an art gallery vibe and boy did they with the most incredible 48′ hallway. Why is the hallway so special? Well, let’s just say some Velux skylights helped a lot:)

From Emily: My sweet friend and photographer Kaitlin Green surprised me with some new cool sneakers after hearing me wish for some street-style slim Nikes. These cobalt blue Pacifics check the slim “Samba” vibe but with that iconic swoosh that I’m very loyal to:) Thank you, Kaitlin!!

From Marlee: Here’s a hack – if there’s a product you want but you’re not ready to fully invest in it, just split it with a friend (obvious, but I’ve never done this with skincare before)! I just got this Ilia Face Milk and it’s GOOD… it’s a super lightweight moisturizer but it’s meant to be a skin prep step before makeup. The formula is made to sit under skin tints/foundation and other makeup products. Sometimes I feel like when I use my normal moisturizer, my makeup just melts right off my face. This gives me a super hydrated base and my makeup sits so nicely on it. It’s pricy so I split the bottle with my friend but I have a feeling I’m going to end up going back for my own. I’ve been combining it with the Saie Glowy Super gel too (they just released a new shade, warm glow) and it’s a holy combo. It literally illuminates me. 100/10!

From Gretchen: Last year, we team-retreated our butts off in Mexico and lucked out with an awesome swimsuit campaign via Summersalt. Each of us picked out a couple of suits to show off and Kaitlin snapped a million pics of us all hanging out by the pool. But these suits weren’t just for show. I really and truly LOVE the swimsuits I came home with and both of them have become staples in my swimwear rotation. What I love about Summersalt suits is that they prioritize comfort but don’t shy away from punchy colors or striking silhouettes. I really surprised myself after falling in love with this bright pink and orange one piece, because I’m pretty partial to a solid black suit (the other one I snagged and LOVE LOVE LOVE falls into that category). But something about this bright color combo, plungey neckline, and fun wrap design just makes me feel GOOD. It goes really great with a tan and holds you in all the right places. But there’s something fun and flirty about the waist tie specifically that has me still reaching for this suit a year later. Plus, I must say the material has held up super well!

From Mallory: My favorite swimsuit brand for years now is Triangl – they’re mid-priced bikinis sold in sets and they have the CUTEST styles. I just purchased this new one (this is my first one) and I’m a huge fan. You can choose how cheeky you want the suit for a lot of the styles and I love how soft and comfortable the materials are. They’re more interesting than your standard string bikini and I find these suits super flattering if you’re into a two-piece!! For a one-piece, I have to say I was super impressed with the Summersalt suits I wore in Mexico last summer – the black and red ones were my favorite over the white one. Good compression, really comfortable, and great coverage while still being flattering and fun!!

From Arlyn: Do you have some clothes that no matter how much you wash, they still kind of have a deeply embedded…stink to them? Maybe some sports bras, basically all-black leggings, the armpit area of some shirts? Well friends, do I have something for you. I’d heard the commercials for Downy Rinse & Refresh for a while but kind of ignored them because I prefer to buy less commercial brands for my cleaning agents. But I had specifically a few wireless bras where the band that sits on the rib cage always seemed to smell like I came right from the gym. I liked the bras, but felt like they were too far gone (FYI, did you know black clothes tend to stink more and hold on to stink longer than normal clothes? It’s true! It’s because of the dye…anyway). So I came across the Rinse & Refresh at the store the other day and just decided to try it and boy did it deliver! I’m not a fan of fragrant laundry detergent and this does have some, but I’m telling you, all of my clothes came out of the machine smelling truly like new and even after wearing, the yucky smells were long gone. I’m VERY HAPPY.

From Jess: The first thing I have to say isn’t a link but more of a PSA. Last week, I woke up at 2 am from what I thought were just painful cramps. Fast forward to the pain getting much worse, heading to the ER, and then getting emergency surgery for an ovarian torsion. Thankfully I had incredible care and support but I was very close to just staying home and “toughing it out” for a lot longer. Surgery is the only remedy for this type of medical issue and the longer you wait the more at risk you are for complications. I know that so many of us, myself included, have been very conditioned to “be strong” and that mentality could have really put me in danger. Since having the surgery, I have found out that at least 5 women I know or know of have also had this surgery. What’s nuts is that I had only heard about ovarian torsions for the first time from a TikTok video I watched somewhat recently. The ages of the women who had this happen to them range from 19 to 60 at the time of surgery. It happens all of a sudden and fast, y’all. This is all to say that if you are a “tough it out type” but start to have “irregular” pain in your lower abdomen don’t wait to get help. I know the way our medical system works also makes us want to stay away from potentially unnecessary care in fear it’s going to cost a lot of money. That was absolutely running through my mind and I am lucky to have good health insurance. IT’S SO MESSED UP I WANT TO SCREAM! So while I haven’t gotten the final bill (she says while sweating), I’m so grateful I didn’t listen to those initial thoughts. Take care of yourself!!

Fun tidbit for the Les Bunge fans: Les Bunge is an April Fools lover and has gotten my brother and me more times than I’d like to admit. So wouldn’t it be my luck that not only was he in Amsterdam the day I went into the ER but you bet he didn’t believe me until I had to text his girlfriend to get him to call me back. At least there was a little bit of cosmic humor in all of the pain that day. Ha.

Also From Jess: As you can imagine I’ve been watching A LOT of television this week. My typical nonstop partying and shopping sprees have been put on hold for the month;) But I have to say that if you haven’t been watching the non-US Love is Blind franchises you are missing out. Actually, I haven’t enjoyed the US seasons in a while but think the others are really interesting. You get to see how the dating cultures are similar and different. The newest season of Sweden is great. You have the option of dubbing with subtitles or just subtitles with their actual voices. I usually like to at least hear what their real voices sound like but then end up turning the dubbing back on for ease. There are people you love, people you can’t stand, and a very heartwarming ending! Highly recommend.

From Caitlin: I love a messy business story, and this long read on the Knot’s fake bride problem is a DOOZY that unfolds in some really surprising directions. I’ll excerpt a particularly shocking part here, in which a sales executive attempts to alert the management team that the ads her clients are purchasing aren’t being displayed on the Knot’s website: “Davidson’s colleague Rachel LaFera reported the same issue to an executive, who exploded, LaFera recalled. “She grabbed me by both of my arms, and she started shaking the shit out of me, red-faced, spitting, saying, ‘You have to stop, just stop! You’ve got to stop bringing all this up. Stop it!’ ” LaFera said. “I was so in shock.” (When I reached out to the executive for comment, she replied, “

,” and then said that she had mistook me for someone else.)“

Also From Caitlin: As a J.Crew fan myself, I wanted to alert you all that their big spring sale is huge this year. So now through 4/14 you can get 40% off sitewide. See?! GOOD!

Thanks for reading and tomorrow come back for a fun reveal. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: A Pink Breakfast Nook Of My Dreams (My Friend’s Makeover I’m Jealous Of…)

The post The Link Up: Emily’s New Street Style Sneakers, Marlee’s Makeup Prep Moisturizer, And Two More Swimsuit Recs appeared first on Emily Henderson.