Emily Henderson's Blog, page 191

October 23, 2020

The Warm Weather May Be Fleeting But We Still Want To Stay Outside – 6 Elements For Creating A Cozy Outdoor Winter Lounge

Earlier this week we had a meeting with a wonderful blogger (more on her coming soon) who lives in Minneapolis where 6 inches of snow had just fallen. WHAT?! In New York, temperatures are now in the below 60 range and in LA, it was actually overcast for the majority of yesterday, flirting with us hard and giving us hope sweaters could be worn outside comfortably and instead of just in our air-conditioned homes. This change in weather (more in some areas, obviously) is bittersweet, to say the least. Our outdoor spaces, for those lucky enough to have one, have been ESSENTIAL to our mental well being. Since now Emily is actually living in a place with real “weather”, she posed this very important question for us all to think about: How can we help the readers enjoy their outdoor spaces for as long as possible?? So after some discussion, we came up with six key elements. It’s not rocket science but they are pretty important if you have any hope of staying comfortable outside until the snow really takes over. YIKES.

Let’s warm up, huh?…

Fire Pits

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the ultimate outdoor movie night and campout with intel

First and foremost, this is one of my favorite photos of Emily and Birdie. That mother-daughter bond is so darn special. But I digress. We are here to talk about the other heartwarming thing in this photo… The fire pit.

We talked about fire pits earlier this year when summer hit because whenever you can sit outside, a fire pit is ALWAYS a great purchase. Plus, you know, smores.

HOT SMORES TIP: Velinda and her wife Katie buy Reese’s Thins as a chocolate option and I am telling you it was the game changer I didn’t know I needed in my life… also I really miss our game nights.

Shall we get into the great pits that are still available…

Well, I like all of these because I picked them out but I really love how #1 has that great lid. Plus it has a little rack inside for grilling. Speaking of lids, #5 steals my heart for many reasons. First I love that bold color (it also comes in black and white), it has TWO lid options (the other making it a usable coffee table) and it just has a great modern yet unique shape. But if you are down to use propane #2 is simple, pretty, looks like it gives off great heat AND you can set your glass on the lip. Win-win.

Let’s keep this heat, hot…

Outdoor Space Heaters

If a large open fire isn’t your thing or it’s not safe for your space, an outdoor space heater is your next best “keep you warm” bet. It’s just important to know if you prefer an electric or a propane-fueled one, and also the size. The bigger the space, the larger the heater (or number of heaters :))

Now the space heaters of my childhood were exclusive to #5. Or at least those are the only ones I remember. But I was pleasantly surprised that there are more options that are somewhat affordable. Take #1 and #9. They are the modern (and electric) version of #5. I love how sleek they look. Also, #1 gives off a little vintage vibe to me with that top. I also love #3 because it’s so cute and small and perfect for a tiny outdoor patio or balcony. It’s almost a cross between a fire pit and a space heater. Lastly, the top of #7 changes colors if you want it to. Talk about a party;)

Outdoor Lanterns

photo by tessa neustadt | from: a blush and blue patio holiday party

This element is more of a mood-setter rather than giving you functional heat. Despite your body needing a little extra warmth, your eyes still want to be delighted with pretty details. Lanterns are great for that because they look good the entire day. I don’t think we have every styled an outdoor space without at least one if that shows you how passionate we are about lanterns. We really love them, y’all.

There aren’t too many available outdoor lantern options that I really loved but these all are awesome gets. #1 looks classic but has modern lines, #2 and #9 will add a layer of visual texted (our favorite saying), #4 is a fun new take on a lantern and lastly, #6 might be my favorite. They won’t be great to keep outside 24/7 but they sure are pretty.

Outdoor String Lights

Another all year round classic and EHD outdoor must-have. String lights make everything better. Ultimate ambiance. I don’t know about you but as soon as I flip those babies on I feel like I’m instantly either on vacation or transported to some magical, relaxing place. If you don’t have them we HIGHLY recommend you fix that.

#1 and #5 are a fun gentle twist on the classic cafe string lights. From there it really depends what you prefer. Do you like black with a teardrop blub like #6, or a round bulb like #3, or an opaque glass like #2?? #4 is great if you want to create a very light and minimal outdoor space.

Outdoor Blankets

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: 5 outdoor ideas & hacks that’ll instantly add style (& save you money)

Now for the coziest of the elements… blankets. We think that outdoor blankets should be thick, washable, durable and of course, add some design sparkle to your outdoor area. You have to also decide if you would prefer something water-resistant. But the most important thing is to make sure you love how the blanket feels when you are wrapped in it. Let’s get into it.

Since it’s winter (and the holidays are FAST approaching) I love #1, #8, and #14. But #2 and #7 have removable covers which is ideal for easy washing without sacrificing plushness. If you are a water-resistant fan then #3, #10, and #14 are great options that also look cozy to wrap yourself in…basially blanket sleeping bags.

Outdoor Weather Domes

Ok, this is one is pretty crazy and in all of my years at EHD (which is 4 tomorrow), never would I have thought weather domes would be recommended:) Aesthetically they aren’t what we would call beautiful. However, considering the state of the world and wanting to grab at any ability to have a somewhat comfortable “outside room” to hang out in in the winter sounds pretty great. 2020: The year of practical and not always beautiful purchases. Now for the questions… Does anyone have one? Do they work? They seem like a GREAT option but would love to know your thoughts.

1. 10′ X 10′ Weather Pod | 2. Bubble Tent Garden Dome | 3. 15′ X 15′ Weather Pod

With these three it’s really about size/price point. #2 is clearly THE luxury option but the other two look like perfectly awesome options:)

Well as we know winter is coming and I hope that this post gave you a little hope that extending your outdoor time might be possible (I know it also very much depends on the state or country). So enjoy the rest of you fall and for those that live in cold climates let us know if you have any other suggestions! Let’s all help us stay outside for as long as possible:)

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: The Ultimate Outdoor Movie Night and Campout with Intel

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Published on October 23, 2020 01:39

October 22, 2020

Design 101: What’s The Difference Between Bed Blankets, Bedspreads, and Coverlets??

Question: why are there SO many terms for the bed blanket? Is it a called a bed blanket? Oversized throw? Why is it sometimes called a coverlet or bedspread? And nowadays, I feel like even the term “quilt” which historically is a very specific type of blanket, has a “loose” meaning…

All these questions have been floating in my mind for a while now, so it was time to do some investigative research and really break down WHY all these things have different names and what their purposes really are. So if you’re wanting answers, you’ve come to the right place and we’re gonna learn this together.

BED BLANKET

DEFINITION: /bed·blang·kuht/ A large blanket designed to go at the end of your bed and on top of the duvet. Size-wise, your bed blanket should be as wide as your duvet, if not a few inches smaller.

photo by veronica crawford | from: a bedroom up date + how i feel about a tv in the bedroom

Bed blankets or oversized throws are probably the most common of the bunch, and they’re also usually the coziest. So if you’re looking for something to snuggle up with when you’re gettin cozy with some cocoa while watching The Bachelorette, a bed blanket is most definitely your best bet.

PSA: standard throws are not the same as bed blankets. EXTRA LARGE or OVERSIZED throws typically are. A standard throw is too small to cover the end of your bed and it looks awkward if you try to use it like a bed blanket (which I most definitely didn’t know until I started working here). There are, however, ways to use a throw on the end of a bed that’s not awkward. Here’s an example from Birdie’s nursery, styled to sell:

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: eliot’s room styled to sell

In this example, since there is already a “bed blanket” draped over the duvet at the bottom of the bed, throwing a standard throw on top of it just adds extra texture and in this case, color.

BEDSPREADS

DEFINITION: /bed·spred/ A bedspread is a thin blanket designed to go on top of a duvet or comforter, and generally spreads the entire length and width of your duvet –– which makes sense considering its name.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: mountain house reveal: our calm scandinavian master bedroom

So basically a bedspread is the biggest of the bunch. It’s usually as big as your duvet in size, but is MUCH thinner. This is a great option if you want colorful bedding but with little commitment. Also since this can cover the whole bed, I think this is a PERFECT option for people that want white bedding but have dogs, pets, or children that will somehow find a way to dirty it up. It’s also a great option if you want a blanket at the end of your bed but are a hot sleeper (like me) and don’t want something too thick.

COVERLETS

DEFINITION: /kəv·ər·lət/ A coverlet is generally the same thickness as a bedspread (so it’s pretty thin) but it’s designed to either go in between your top sheet and duvet, or on top of your duvet. Sizing wise, it’s not as big as a bedspread, and is closer in size to a blanket, quilt, or oversized throw. Its purpose is to double up if you need a little extra warmth, but not too much warmth.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: a refresh of the kids room in the mountain house

QUILTS

DEFINITION: /kwilt/ A quilt is the same as a coverlet or blanket in size, but generally has an extra layer inside, making it thicker and thus serves the purpose of providing A LOT of extra warmth (not just a little). Quilts are also designed to go either in between your top sheet and duvet, or on top of your duvet. Quilts also typically have a stitched, well, quilted, pattern whereas a coverlet can be any texture or pattern.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: target’s new threshold collection 2019

Hot Tip

Layer, layer, layer! Mix and match quilts, blankets, coverlets, bedspreads, and even standard sized throws. Double the blanket = double the fun.

So in conclusion, a lot of it is about sizing…so a standard throw is small (too small for the end of a bed), so opt for a bed blanket, quilt, coverlet or beadspread instead. They’re all generally around the same size, except the bedspread, which is large enough to cover your whole bed. They can vary in thickness but bedspreads and coverlets are generally thinner than quilts or blankets. Quilts are (obviously) quilted and blankets can typically have the most texture out of the bunch (think pom poms, embroidery, fuzzy sherpa goodness, they can really have the works).

Then coverlets and quilts are the two that can be placed in between your top sheet and duvet OR on top of your duvet, so they’re typically a little stiffer than a bed blanket or bedspread, which are strictly intended to go on top of your duvet.

If you want more info on how to make your bed, let me direct you toward this post: Our Five Best Bed Making Formulas. Because hey, I didn’t know how to make my bed “the right way” until about a year ago.

And of course, we wouldn’t leave you without some shoppable options so you can implement this in your own home. ENJOY!

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: “Mountain House Reveal (Yes, Another One!): The Coziest Upstairs Guest “Bunk” Bedroom” | Styled by Emily Edith Bowser and Julie Rose

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Published on October 22, 2020 11:44

How Ajai Transformed Her Parent’s Dark And Cluttered Living Room Into Their Dream Minimalist Mid-Century Glam Oasis

As many of you are aware, earlier this year, my husband and I moved from Atlanta to Los Angeles and in with my dad and mom for seven months while being pregnant (to try and build our savings). This entailed my mother parting with her coveted “girl-cave” to make room for us. Well, fast forward to now, we have moved into our own apartment but my agreement to design, source, and furnish the living room in exchange for a free place to live remained intact, so that is what I have been doing the last several months. The plan was always to make this space an oasis for my mom, (since we took over her aforementioned “girl cave”) and to incorporate her self-proclaimed “minimalist meets mid-century glam” style she so desperately wanted.

During the design phase, my mom also mentioned she really enjoyed the mood boards I had for my own home but wanted to lean into a minimalist-glam-mid-century look (by the way, she believes she coined this style lol). One thing you should know about me is I believe the best designs are the spaces that truly reflect the people who live in them. That said, I was willing to partake in my momma’s newly created style, but as is the case for most design projects, there were a few challenges along the way when it came to achieving her desired look.

Here is what we started with:

THE CHALLENGES

Challenge #1 TOO MUCH CLUTTER

Since the stay-at-home orders began in SoCal, my mother has mentioned a desire for a more tranquil and airy space. However, her existing furniture did not provide that aesthetic. She was looking for more of a minimalist approach and she wanted less clutter. Over the years, she’s acquired quite the collection of items and furniture, and was finally ready to lighten the load.

Challenge #2 OPEN LAYOUT WASN’T FEELING COHESIVE

One of the challenges presented by the living room was its layout and that it also acts as the dining room, and I had to keep this in mind while sourcing furniture that wouldn’t take up too much space.

Challenge #3: FURNITURE WAS NOT UTILIZING THE SPACE WELL (AND MADE THE ROOM FEEL DARK)

My mother wanted to keep her mid-century dining set, so it was important we keep her existing table and chairs in mind. The rest of the furniture had to go, as it clashed with what my mother was looking for. The furniture my mom had before was quite large, and in my opinion, didn’t quite utilize the space well. So we went on the hunt for the right furniture that would satisfy my mom’s modern and cozy desires.

bar cart | ice bucket

The Solutions

ADD GOLD FIXTURES THROUGHOUT TO GROUND THE SPACE

Lighting has always felt like the jewelry of a home to me and when I think of Mid-century modern glam, I think of curves and gold. To add some glamour, I partnered with Mitzi and had our local electrician install their Gold Belinda drop pendants in the dining area and their Gold Belinda sconces in the living room wall behind the sectional. In addition to incorporating “the glam,” the gold lighting matched the gold bar cart and brought further cohesiveness to the space.

SOFTEN THE ROOM WITH LIGHT AND MINIMAL FURNITURE

sofa | jute rug | throw blanket

Ever since I can remember, my mom has day-dreamed about kicking her feet up on a white ottoman (with a matching sectional) while she watches her soap operas. In an effort to create a more open layout and minimalist design, we also cleared out some of the other knick-knacks, and donated the large hutch leading into her kitchen and the dark sofa set was replaced with a white modern sectional to provide a lighter aesthetic. The existing dining set replaced the large hutch that was donated, and the space the dining set was taken from now has (in the words of my mom) a “glammed up gold bar cart.”

GIVE THE SPACE SOME PERSONALITY

It was important for my mother to have the space express her personality because her initial “girl cave” was taken from her. She felt like she needed a few different areas in the room that were functional, but that still felt like the spaces belonged to her. With these spaces she was looking for a place to gather with girlfriends (eventually… after gathering is allowed again), have a cocktail (or two), and catch up on her stories.

The first section we tackled was the dining area. Did I mention my mom (like many other mommas out there) is a huge fan of the infamous shiplap wall (thanks to Chip and Jojo)? So, I went on a 5-week hunt (during the shipping crisis) for white-washed wood panels to make this dream a reality. Again, we sourced the wood materials quite some time ago and were so happy when they arrived weeks later, after several returns and exchanges (one of the wood boxes we received was filled with warped wood… a nightmare indeed). But this made us even more grateful with the outcome. This wall is cherished and has quite the story to go along with it… the perfect conversational piece. The paneled wall provides a textured feature and feels like it has been there from the beginning. The contrast of the gold lighting up against the feature wall makes the space feel modern and plush amongst its glamorous surroundings.

This is definitely my mother’s favorite aspect of the re-designed space and may be my mother’s favorite wall in her home now. That brings me to the gold bar cart, which is a star of its own. My mom and I made a little vignette with her favorite cocktail glasses and trinkets, and she can’t get enough of it. Last (but most certainly not least) is the sectional. The goal was to make this the comfiest place in the house…

BRING IN THE COZINESS WITH TONS OF PILLOWS AND BLANKETS

My mother wanted to ensure she experienced plush serenity in the living room and the countless pillows added to the sectional provided just that. She can now plop on to the sectional with my dad to watch a movie and feel cuddled in every direction with all the fluffy pillows. Now, I know you are probably thinking “why so many pillows?” But let me reiterate that I design for the person living in the house thus, my mom. She wanted a million pillows and this made her happy, so I gave her a million pillows. This was also due in large part to the guilt I felt for taking away her girl-cave at the time (and my dad already has his own man-cave), so I really wanted to give her a space she could enjoy. After doing some spring cleaning (in the fall), swapping a few furniture items, and creating her desired spaces, my momma is happy with her new living room space and has deemed it complete (*sighs with relief*).

Now for the most fun and satisfying part – the before and after side by sides:

**Design and Photos by Ajai Guyot

The post How Ajai Transformed Her Parent’s Dark And Cluttered Living Room Into Their Dream Minimalist Mid-Century Glam Oasis appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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Published on October 22, 2020 01:00

October 21, 2020

A Refresh Of Our Favorite “Child Client’s” – Bedroom 8 Years Later

Eight years ago I designed a bedroom for the most lovely 9-year-old – Grace (watch the ‘vintage’ video here):

For those of you who remember this makeover – THANK YOU FOR YOUR YEARS OF PATRONAGE

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Published on October 21, 2020 01:00

October 20, 2020

Bold Floral Wallpaper Is Back BIG TIME… But With A Very “2020” Makeover

Much like my body during an attempted at-home HIIT class, design trends in 2020 have been slow-moving. Actually aside from the EXPLOSION of “Eccentric English Granny” back in the beginning of the year, design trends are much more lifestyle-based this year. A makeshift at-home office, meticulous organization in every single room, extra comfortable bed linens, etc. are what seem to be actually “on-trend”. Hey, it’s the year that none of us saw coming so I GET IT and am equally “on-trend” in my home. However, along with EEG came the rise of the “femme subculture of Cottagecore“.

Although I have been seeing this style/aesthetic/lifestyle pop up not only in interiors but in fashion too (and accidentally hopped on the bandwagon with the purchase of this dress back in April…for literally no reason), I figured I would do a little research since I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Cottagecore and floral patterns popping up in the home are happening simultaneously.

Cottagecore via Urban dictionary – A niche aesthetic based around the visual culture of an idealized life on a Western farm. Common themes include sustainability, gardens, farm animals, rural living, and nature.

Basically, this trend really catapulted at the start of quarantine due to the fact that many of us were more or less forced to bake, knit, and lounge… indefinitely (if you were one of the lucky ones). Romanticizing a simpler, whimsical life was/still is the name of this game so pretty delicate floral patterned wallpaper is IT when it comes to the interiors side of this zeitgeist movement. What else helps you visually escape more than nature and flowers? But, if you are extra curious about what Cottagecore is about here is an NPR episode. It’s honestly extremely interesting and complex.

However, today we are going to stick to wallpaper. But before we get into the floral patterns of 2020 (aka the more refined cousin of the Modern Victorian oversized florals), let’s revisit the floral wallpaper of yesteryear… 2018

left: image source | right: image source

I wasn’t kidding. These puppies were HUGE. To be honest I was never a fan. Sure they were interesting to look at and a clear nod to the original Victorian style, but otherwise really not my particular cup of tea (was that a cottagecore pun?).

image source

These realistic, moody florals were also a big staple for this style but I felt that unless done right were going to look dated quickly. Thoughts?

Well, that’s that. Big florals circa the simple times of 2018 (which feels like actual decades ago). But the florals of today are (to me at least) much more timeless, romantic, and likely the 2020 design MVP. Let’s dive in.

The Tiny Scale Florals

design by studio shamshiri | photo by stephen kent johnson | wallpaper from belfry historic

There are a few types of patterns in this trend that I will talk about but the really delicate yet busy patterns might be favorite. The above dining room is by one of my favorite design firms, Studio Shamshiri. Their work is so varied but it’s always textured, collected, and really really special. This room (one of their recent residential projects) would have been pretty without it but man does that delicate wallpaper just add a “wow” moment. You feel transported looking at it. Also, please note the reflection in the table. Such thoughtful design!

design and photo by laura of no feature walls | wallpaper from morris & co.

Ok, first off this room has three different floral patterns (note the varied scale) PLUS a taupe velvet lampshade. It’s both the coolest and the craziest and so whimsical. What’s not to love?! Follow Laura asap! Her Instagram is a total joy shock to the system.

The Medium Scale Florals

design by nathalie farman-farma | photo by rafael gamo | via t magazine

It’s not all about the tiny delicate florals. While the 2020/cottagecore florals aren’t super oversized, they can still pack a visual punch. In this room, I really love how the plates are almost camouflaged into the wallpaper.

design by miles redd | styled by howard christian | photo by noe dewitt | wallpaper from jasper wallcovering

The rooms above and below really take the floral patterns seriously and I love the saturated color risk taken in these spaces.

design by cordelia de castellane | styled by gianluca longo | photo by matthieu salvaing

design and photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: sara’s closet reveal – the bold design moment she’s been craving

But not all of us can or want to go that hard. Sara’s closet really shows how you can lean into this timeless trend, pack a design punch while not having it feel like visual stimulation overload.

design by studio mcgee | wallpaper by morris & co.

The same goes for Shea McGee’s daughter’s bathroom. It’s floral, romantic but still modern. I also think this is a great time to call out William Morris/Morris & Co. wallpapers. In my opinion, their designs are THE example of what this 2020 trend is…despite the fact that they are from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s… or is that the point;)

design by raili clasen | photo by karyn millet | wallpaper by lake august

This last one is for the modern folk because it is 2020 and I’m pretty sure cars should be flying by now. The colors and floral design speak a bit more to the current time as opposed to the past. But you want to know my favorite part? Well if you have been here for a while you know how much I love a wallpapered ceiling. It’s so fun and in this space visually balances out that bold yellow clawfoot bathtub.

So there it is. An honest to goodness trend post! So question. How do you feel about the EEG/Cottagecore inspired, busy floral wallpaper? Have you considered putting it up in your home??? Do you also want to run away to the south of France, pick flowers, bake pies, and quietly knit? Let’s talk!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Photo Credit: Design and Photo by Studio McGee

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Published on October 20, 2020 11:00

DESIGN MISTAKE: Different Walls, Same Art Configurations (AKA It’s Time To Bring Life To Your Walls)

A new design mistake coming at you, but it’s complicated so to really understand it we created a formula. Here’s what happens: you have this one piece of art and you put it on a wall, and you have this other piece and you put that on another wall. You continue until you deem the room ‘done’ and then you look around and wonder why the room doesn’t just sing.

I GOT YOU. There is a formula, a science in which we use to consider decorating pieces on ALL FOUR walls of a room. To speak in scientific terms, your eye wants to move around at a pace that is both exciting and relaxing. It has to do with variety, keeping it interesting and a bit unpredictable, yet giving it some negative space and simplicity to calm it down a bit.

After staring at years of my/EHD work I realized that we have a very intentional (yet organic) way of doing this. Here are the options (pick one for each wall):

One large piece Gallery wallGrid Medium pieceDiptychMirrorStacked piecesSomething sculptural3 Dimensional, (like a clock)

Hot Tip

Vary the orientation and the medium/type of art of two pieces next to each other.

That’s right – every wall in a room is addressed with a different configuration of art/mirror or sculpture. Two of any of those things next to each other looks competitive and yet redundant. Imagine two gallery walls next to each other? Two large paintings? Two mirrors? Two grids or diptychs? It seems like of course, you wouldn’t do that, and yet I see it over and over mostly because all of us just use what we have and simply hang it on the walls in an attempt to not have it blank. I GET IT. We can help.

But since real-life examples and explanations are almost always better… Shall I demonstrate? Behold:

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: portland project: the living room reveal

Let’s take the Portland living room for example (let’s call it Exhibit A). We have a grid on the fireplace wall, a single horizontal piece, a single vertical piece, and a peek into the open dining room that has a diptych.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: portland project: the living room reveal

Then on the other walls, we have a ‘leaning gallery’, a blank wall because then we have a large vertical leaning in the nook. No mirror or anything ‘sculpture’ but that’s because we have the sconces that help add that 3-dimension. See how your eye is never bored and continuously hopping around?

Exhibit B – Our bedroom in LA. We have for you one big ‘piece’ (the frame TV), a mirror and I added a ladder which also acts like a ‘sculpture’ or 3-dimensional piece.

left: photo by tessa neustadt, from: our master bedroom reveal | right: photo by veronica crawford, from: our bedroom update (also how i feel about having a tv in the bedroom)

On the other walls, we have one vertical, two stacked pieces that don’t match (a mini-gallery), and a triple stacked grid (pretty sure that is a sandwich Brian would like to eat), with a big vertical mirror by the closet (not shown). And YES you can have opposing mirrors in one room, just not next to each other.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: our boy/girl, 2-twin bed shared kids room… with a heavy dose of mama drama

Exhibit C – In the kid’s room we have a gallery wall, a big statement canopy with two smaller pieces that match (a diptych of sorts), a mirror, a kite (3 dimensional), and a sconce (another 3-dimensional piece but more graphic than the kite). Each wall has its own thing going on, but all working together.

photo by tessa neustadt | from: our master bedroom – finally

Exhibit D – Our old bedroom. A diptych above the bed, a single vertical, oval mirror, 3-dimensional sconces, and a mixed stack (mini-gallery).

photo by tessa neustadt | from: our master bedroom – finally

This is an example of multiple mirrors in one room that still works. They are close but not on the same wall:)

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: portland reveal: the 5 design elements every awesome “big kid” playroom needs

Exhibit E – The Portland Family Basement playroom. Here we have a large focal piece next to a large gallery wall, a clock (round to shake it up), and even the swing is the ‘art’ for that corner, adding dimension.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: portland reveal: the 5 design elements every awesome “big kid” playroom needs

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: emily bowser’s “refreshed for function” small living room makeover

Exhibit F – Emily Bowser’s living room. Here we have a triptych (flanked by 3-dimensional sconces), a large round mirror (to break up the squares). And on the other side of the room…

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: emily bowser’s “refreshed for function” small living room makeover

Here you have a vertical mirror, a single horizontal piece, and in the background a sculptural art piece. All different shapes that make this room sing.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: moto reveal: jess’ living room

Exhibit G – Jess’ studio apartment living room. An incredible floor to ceiling gallery wall, with a single vertical piece next to a vertical stick sculpture, with a large mirror and those peg hooks act like another 3-dimensional sculpture.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: julie’s huge (and diy packed) bedroom upgrade

Exhibit H – Julie’s Bedroom. Julie really nailed it with her array of awesome wall art. First, there’s that great gallery wall full of 3-D objects right next to the neutral stacked diptych (nice balance). Then she DIYed that single vertical piece between her windows followed by her ‘raised off the wall’ horizontal triptych. To finish off the space, that long pill mirror. basically something interesting and different at every turn.

I could go on but it feels right to end on ‘H’:)

BUT if you are a little overwhelmed here is a great EHD go-to:

Does this answer your burning questions on how to decorate your walls in a unique yet cohesive way? I hope so. I know it can feel really intimidating when you are staring at empty walls. But as long as you vary the configurations, scale, and orientation (while working within a decided color palette, of course) you are likely going to get exactly the room you’ve been wanting. xx

Opening Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Reveal: A Budget and Rental-Friendly Living and Dining Room (With 80% Thrifted Finds)

The post DESIGN MISTAKE: Different Walls, Same Art Configurations (AKA It’s Time To Bring Life To Your Walls) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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Published on October 20, 2020 01:00

October 19, 2020

Velinda’s First Freelance Client Reveal Part II: Her 7 Expert Tips On Mixing A LOT Of The Styles

Happy (Monday)… or weekend… or whatever day you’re reading/whatever day this is. We touched based just last Tuesday. Or was that two months ago? Can anyone even tell anymore? Who knows. If you’re alive and reading, you’re doing very well.

Anyway, Velinda here, back to pick up from whenever that was that we left off, we’re revealing my ‘first freelance client project’! It’s a client who came to me, overwhelmed by a garage/studio project a few years ago, while I was in design school. They promised to return when they were ready to embrace the masochism that is full-home renovation. Go read that post for the full setup.

I LOVE these clients. If all Full-Service clients could be as incredible as Olly, Mer, cheeky baby Duncan and one-eyed Hamlet-the-dog, our new little VHD team would be SET FOR LIFE. (IE. They threw us a socially-distanced, fully-masked champagne party when we wrapped our shoot. We are now friends). SO…. I asked for permission to poke fun of their wildly different, ‘eclectic’ blend of style desires. So, here we go:

Mid Century ModernScandinavianSlight Boho Rustic-Traditional FarmhouseModern, but not starkSpanish/Moroccan Contemporary, but comfyEnglish pubColorful, post-modern art movementEclectic…. (ya think?)

With a ‘dash’ of: “I’m not someone who adheres to a rigorous style. I was brought up in English houses with all kinds of different stuff thrown together that somehow worked. So basically, those ‘style words’ above are hints at what is truly ‘us’”.

As a licensed design-marriage and family therapist, (D.M.F.T) it’s clear there are some serious identity ruptures, mixed with an inability to define clear boundaries, likely attributed to developmental wounding and perhaps treated by a meticulous routine of daily spa treatments and pattern-exposure therapy. But, alas, I was not a licensed therapist at all (Though my wife became one on the DAY of our shoot! A joint effort is in store? Make #DMFT a thing?). Instead, my job was to hone in on the world my style-commitment-avoidant clients had in mind. And it happened. Here’s how:

But first… we welcome you back…

Ehhhh… Let’s try again… we welcome you back!!

Outdoor Sconce | Door Paint Color

Yes, the before wasn’t quite the ‘truly us’ they were going for:

But now…

Now, of course, their specific style-desires were quite specific to them, but the approach I took to blending their worlds is a bit more ‘universal’, so we thought it would be helpful to share a few tips that helped us:

Custom & Semi-Custom Builds | Custom Roman Shades

1. Color it carefully – Okay, this is a personal preference. I’ve seen rooms EXPLODE with color in the best of ways… But, it can go bad so fast. So, despite blending styles, we united them all through a shared color-palette, set against a lot of neutrals. The neutral backdrop actually scared my client at first, prior to the rugs, cabinet/door paint, and art wall going in, it was all browns and white. And my client really wanted color! But by carefully placing where we wanted to use bold pops and tying the entire scheme together in the living room rug, we achieved a ‘colorful’ blend of worlds that wasn’t pure chaos. General philosophy: give your eye a break (this was Emily Henderson-taught) and choose your ‘pops’.

Art | Sconce

2. Illuminate your styles with luminaires! (Basically, use light fixtures to tie the ‘worlds’ together) – Lighting is one of my favorite elements within design. I can’t begin to sum up the importance of lighting, BUT outside of functional purpose: ambient, task, and accent selections… it’s such an easy place to play! Why? It’s easy to replace and fairly simple to find very cool pieces that don’t break the bank. So, if you mess up, you’ll be crying replaceable, inexpensive tears. (Lighting is a great place to try out trends too). Our lighting ‘worlds’ were a combination of Scandi, vintage-minimalist, Minimalist-modern, Traditionalist-modern, and pub-traditional (vintage sconce above sofa). All of these terms are 100% gut-feeling-meets-some-design-history defined, so please be sure to quote me. The gist is, we stuck to the same finishes to unite lighting from multiple times and worlds, and for us, it works and makes the design unique.

Rug | Sectional (custom configuration with armless end)

3. With a good vintage rug, it’s hard to go wrong – And this is just scientific fact. A rug anchors it all. In doubt? Go vintage. I have yet to see a farmhouse, mid-century modern, contemporary, Parisian-glam, boho, industrial, post-modern or any other you-get-the-point style go wrong with the right vintage rug. Instant soul. Instant character. Instant, ‘please forgive my flaws, I’m not even trying to be perfect’. It’s just simple science… for those of us who believe in such a thing

4. Shape & Finish don’t have to match – Mixing ‘old’ and ‘new’ worlds, consider a classic shape with a ‘modern’ twist (ie. a vintage chair in a modern fabric) or visa versa…. A ‘modern’ piece in a classic texture (a sculptural, contemporary floor lamp with a linen shade). We don’t have a ton of examples of this in this project, so we’ll keep it short. But it’s a good idea!

We did build a very clean, contemporary base for a traditional, rustic-inspired pantry door, so we’ll leave you with this example:

5. Stick to the Fail-Proof Basics – Let’s be honest, these can take practice and aren’t ‘fail-proof’, but once you get the ‘feel’ for these, they are bullet-proof staples for any combined style-palette. So, it’s worth practicing & including the following:

Contrast: Shapes, Color, Pattern, and/or textureBalance & scale: Sprinkle said shape, color, pattern, and textural details around the room, as well as a balance of your preferred styles throughout the space. This will help achieve the ‘balance’/will keep your eye from getting stuck in one spot. And make sure your pieces ‘fit’ so your eclectic space will still have flow. Focus on proportions that fit overall, but also mix it up here. Put ‘lightweight’/daintier objects next to ‘heavier’/larger ones.

Our example: we used an oversized sectional for this room (which we LOVE…) but to keep the room from feeling too heavy overall, a series of ‘daintier’ coffee tables instead of another ‘large’ object. It’s worth noting that each of these tables would have felt way to small alone next to the sofa, but combined, they consume the same footprint we would have allotted for a larger piece.

These are interior design basics that will help your room feel ‘purposeful and curated’ instead of ‘confused’.

I’ll throw in a few additional ‘boxes’ to check for you AP students. These elements will fit almost any space:

Touch of vintageSomething personalA focal/anchoring elementSculptural and/or linear elementsAn ‘eye-break’ (that last one is Emily Henderson taught… you don’t have to ‘fill’ it all… sprinkling in ‘blank’ surfaces will let your eye breathe).

6. Don’t think of a ‘style’ the way you do a ‘themed birthday party’ – If I attend your ’20s Gatsby party, there’d better be nothing but feathers, sequined gowns, and mirrors (and so much bootlegged scotch). In contrast, If I visit your deco-inspired house, I hope to encounter very few feathers, find shapes inspired by sequins (simple & geometric), and encounter carefully-placed mirrors… while still enjoying so much bootlegged scotch!

If you find yourself drawn to a certain style, do a bit of research (even a quick google search) to note some of the basic elements of the design that might be drawing you in…. Then layer in pieces inspired by this.

Our example: My client’s desire for ‘rustic/farmhouse’ didn’t result in mounting game on the wall (though it could in the right space). Wood and linen finishes pull in the right touch. A desire for ‘Moroccan/boho/worldly influence’ didn’t result in color and pattern tile from wall-to-wall (though I’d LOVE it)… Instead, we landed with neutral shapes, color, and organic elements inspired by said desire. You get it… ‘farmhouse traditional’ can be found in the T&G finish finishes. ‘Postmodern-colorful’ inspired the art wall. ‘British pub’ resulted in the COLOR DOOR paint that can be found throughout CAMBRIDGE? And the traditional, brass finishes of the hardware. Modern is instantly achieved through sculptural pops of black. Unless you are going for an elevated, high-concept recreation/interpretation of a style (done carefully) OR a ‘kitschy’ spin, loosen your grip a bit.

Abstract Figurative Art | Wood Block Print | Wall Color | Dining Table | Chandelier

7. You’re Contemporary, and That’s Okay – Ready for a surprise? (Maybe not, for many of you)… Trends and styles circling through today (while ever-inspired by movements of the past) are not ‘modern’. They’re ‘contemporary’. Contemporary, as I always thought of it, was that super bland version of the late ’80s/early ’90s… and I was RIGHT…. When I was 5. Now, contemporary is 2020 (Lord, save us).

‘Modern’ remains the architectural style in the early/mid 20th century. (ie. mid-century modern). This blew my mind when I learned the difference and has helped me hone in on what a client who truly loves ‘modern’ is drawn to…. vs someone who loving a current trend.

Why care? Well, unless you’re set-designing the offices of ‘Ratched’ or holed-up in a stellar, mid-century time capsule in Joshua Tree, you will almost certainly have some contemporary influence. So what do you do with this new-found identity? You call your Licensed Design Marriage and Family Therapist… and you consider pulling in a bit of ‘contemporary’ art. It’s a good, safe place to start your growth.

This project, thanks to Covid, took longer than any of us anticipated, yet still, our ‘hero’ family is coming to me with ideas for future projects! Amazing. Can’t wait to work with them again…. (?) ….said ideas include a master bathroom that is:

Per Partner 1: Moroccan-inspired, scandi oasis
Per Partner 2: comedy-spa

Someone please, tell me what this means!!!? See what I’ve had to deal with?

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Published on October 19, 2020 01:00

October 18, 2020

The Link Up: Emily’s New Favorite Drinking Glass, Mallory’s 60% Off Shoe Find, And An AWESOME Painting You Can Win

Howdy! Thanks for droppin in here friends. How’s your week been going? Good? Bad? Average? Same. Maybe we should all have a real conversation in the comments instead of us just talking to ourselves…But before we get to that, we’re very excited to present you with some VERY good and exciting links on this fine Sunday so let’s get to it!

The home tour that caught our eye this week is via Clever. It’s a french flat that went totally against Parisian style and really leaned into modern minimalism (in all the best ways). It suck out to us especially this week because it has a roly poly chair which was VERY controversial in the comments of this post from last week…honestly just read all the comments they’re so funny.

From Emily: I finally found the glasses that look modern and sleek, but won’t break thus saving my marriage. We all know the famous CB2 marta glasses– the uber simple highball glass that is VERY affordable. What’s the problem? They break so easily. Like I go through 12 a year, probably. The breaking isn’t the problem, the rogue glass that somehow only BRIAN steps on IS the main problem. He’s always fine, but the complaining about those glasses had to stop and once the dishwasher broke the last one, I found these on Target.com and was skeptical that they were going to be thick enough. BUT THEY ARE. Once testing them out I bought 12 of them. If you want that ‘thin straight’ glass look but with more durability then consider these shiny ladies in the short tumbler or the highball (or both).

Also from Emily: An artist friend of mine, Eel painted this incredible portrait of RBG and she is raffling it off on her instagram and website. When she showed it to me I was like ‘WOW – people need to see this’ so go over and check it out if you want to celebrate this notoriously world changing lady for the rest of your life.

From Malcolm: When deciding to paint black accents throughout my home (doors, stair rails, and more surprises), finding the perfect black was definitely a journey. Quite a dramatic journey, in fact. Check out my “Arlington Reno” highlights on Instagram for the piping hot black tea. I was elated to finally stumble about Valspar’s Black Magic, which I’ve now started to incorporate throughout the house! It’s definitely a dramatically saturated color, but it perfectly balances out my otherwise lightly-toned and brassy design elements. Next up to receive the treatment will be my closet doors (stay tuned for a full series of articles about this closet and full bedroom makeover! So excited!).

From Ryann: If you are looking for a VERY good, slightly spooky and creepy movie to watch this Halloween season, I highly suggest Devil All The Time. It is based on a book (which explains why the story is so good) and Tom Holland’s acting in it is superb. I loved it so much I ordered the book and can’t wait to read it!

From Mallory: I’ve always been a big fan of these shoes that Emily has and wears all the time (#emfluenced) but I never wanted to bite the bullet and pay $130 big bucks for them. But behold…OUR TIME IS NOW YOU GUYS! They’re 60% off and only $50 bucks right now, which is much more approachable. Also just in general, if you’re a shoe person (like me), Nordstrom has some real hot sales happening. I also got these shoes (which sold out QUICK) for $26 bucks (originally $75!!) I’m slowly turning into your weekly sale shopper girl and hopefully it’s helpful lol.

From Caitlin: my personal style is pretty casual, but I’ve long been obsessed with Farm Rio. After months of pining, I just grabbed two tops from their sale section — this bright green and pink banana-printed one and this flowy, white, pineapple-embroidered one — and OH MY GOSH I LOVE THEM. The box they came in smelled SO GOOD (opening it made me feel very “Elle Woods hands over her resume”), the quality is amazing, the fit is true-to-size (I’m always nervous about new brands) and I’m so glad I decided to pull the trigger on them!!! (PS. If you have a Shop account and you put them in your cart and almost check out — like, put in all your details and bail before you add in credit card info — you may get a text the next day with a special 20% off coupon code. It happened for me so maybe it’ll happen for you, too???)

Also From Caitlin: I’m a lifelong spaghetti fanatic and I’m in love with this recipe for pasta al limone e proscuitto. It sounds fancy, but it’s basically just THE BEST mix of cheesy cream sauce (my favorite) with hits of super zesty lemon (my other favorite) and prosciutto (full disclosure that I did use bacon, but like…it was similar enough!). It’s only 8 ingredients and you may already have them all at home already (I did, and literally never have anything in my kitchen).

Also, we usually only share lists about the best sales for major holiday weekends, but we know that the world is a little different this year. If you’re looking to start knocking out your holiday shopping now, here are the 10 best sales we love for gifting this weekend…

Anthropologie is offering 25% off everything (yes, including furniture) site-wide.West Elm has free shipping for orders over $79 with code FALLTREAT. (They also have up to 40% off good furniture — all the items discounted are here.)This literally never happens, but Samsung is offering up to $800 off The Frame through October 25th. THIS WOULD BE SUCH A GOOD GIFT (if you can hide the box for 2 months).Madewell is offering 20% off site-wide or 30% off orders of over $200 with code SPREETIME. (Catch up on our denim reviews here and our sweater reviews here to see some pieces in action!)It’s the final weekend of Rejuvenation’s Porch Event (20% off curb appeal essentials) and Fall Savings Event (up to 50% a little bit of everything — over 1,200 items have been deeply discounted).Save $150 on a Dyson cordless vacuum through October 19th.Take 20% off site-wide at J. Crew with code WARMUP.If you’re the card-sending type, Minted is offering 10% off all holiday cards and 15% off card orders of over $200 with code CHEER2020.Grab 20% off your order at Boll & Branch with code EMILYH20. (Plus, 10% of your purchase price will be donated to Habitat for Humanity through the end of the month.)Skinstore is offering 22% off site-wide with exclusive code SKINSTORE22.

That’s it for this week, folks! See you tomorrow!

Opening Image Credit: Design by Heju Studio | Photography courtesy of Heju Studio | Via Clever

The post The Link Up: Emily’s New Favorite Drinking Glass, Mallory’s 60% Off Shoe Find, And An AWESOME Painting You Can Win appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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Published on October 18, 2020 01:00

October 17, 2020

Is The Cardigan The Fall Outfit MVP?? + 11 Of Our Favorites Reviewed

Even though the warm weather still persists in L.A., all of us at EHD are more than ready for the cozy fall/winter season. I for one, wake up almost everyday praying for anything besides 90 degree weather — especially ever since I’ve fostered a deep emotional love for cardigans.

I used to be more of a sweater gal until I realized the myriad of styling options that cardigans offer. For one, with cardigans you can stay warm while also showing off your top underneath, which is not an option with a pullover sweater. Pairing a chunky or long cardigan with graphic tee, ruffle top, or turtleneck adds so much more dynamic to an outfit. Secondly, cardigans come in SO many different styles. They can be sculptural, chunky, balloon sleeved, ruffly, long, cropped, etc etc. The list goes on and on. I am passionate about cardigans this fall and am excited to add more to my wardrobe, so in classic EHD fashion I asked the rest of the team to share their favorites. All I will say is get your wallet ready because the EHD cardigan game is STRONG.

Emily’s Favorite:

Cardigan | Shorts (similar)| Boots (similar)

Urban Renewal Sweater, $49: This is my first grandpa sweater which feels ironic as it was so popular when I was in junior high.. I LOVE putting it on every morning/night almost like its a robe, but more pulled together than that (and looks cute enough on zoom calls). The bottom is snug enough (in a good way) to billow out in a strangely flattering way. Long Live the 90’s.

Jess’s Favorites:

Jeans | Shirt | Cardigan

Ruffle Cardigan Sweater, $98 – What an unexpected win! I only tried this one on because my cousin told me to and I ended up loving the ruffle (the color was always heck yes). It’s really nice how the ruffle draws your eye up and gives the optical illusion that your waist is more narrow. Plus it feels “fancy” without having to try to actually look fancy and put together. Last thing I’ll say is the weight of it is great and feels really high quality. All in all, a really great cardigan that is ALSO on sale right now! Got a medium in this one.

Jeans | Shirt | Cardigan

Espresso Cardi, $168 – Man do I LOVE this one. Long, chunky knit cardigans are my jam! This guy feels like a fall hug but still cool enough (did you see the buttons?) to throw on for a trip to the store or a social distance friend date. Once this puppy is on, it’s hard to convince myself to take it off (which is good since this one also isn’t cheap). O and I got a size medium.

Jeans | Shirt | Cardigan

Eclair Cardi, $128 – This is probably my dream “classic cardigan”. It’s soft, has the perfect not “too oversized” look so it looks cute but comfortable, and I love the light cream color (good for all seasons). I actually got a size small in this one when I normally go medium to large in tops. So it for sure runs BIG. I know it’s pricey but short cardigans that I like are SO hard for me to find that this felt like a huge win that I was willing to splurge on.

Albie’s Favorite:

Cardigan

Loose Knit Cardigan, $13: I love to layer and this is the ultimate all season layering cardigan. I’ve thrown it over a tank top to look more put together or paired it with a button down for a casual yet professional look. It’s light weight and breezy but has also survived a lot of washes.

Caitlin’s Favorites:

Cardigan | Top | Jeans | Boots

Cheri Longline Cardigan, $148: Guys, eschew your lightweight fall jackets for one of these!!! I decided to try this out because I liked the idea of looking like I was ready for business while wearing a comfortable glorified robe, and I LOVE IT. This cardigan is the perfect weight for autumn — it has a tight enough weave that it’ll actually keep you warm at night (I was good when temperatures dipped into the mid-50s) but it’s also breathable enough and without a weird lining so that you won’t feel gross or sticky while doing cute, more physical things like picking apples or pumpkins. It also comes in a super cute orange color AND it’s 25% off this weekend! 10/10, timeless design, will wear for all future autumns, WORTH IT. (PS. I got a Large and like how much room there is because I’ll be able to layer it over a thicker sweater later this winter, but you can go one size down if you want.)

Cardigan | Shirt | Jeans | Shoes

Virginia Sweater Cardigan, $138: First, I’m obsessed with ABLE in general. (If you’re not familiar, think of them as Madewell except sustainable and ethical. The design and prices are similar but ABLE’s quality is WAY better, IMO). Anyway – I have 36F boobs and cardigans are normally a no-go for me, so I love the way that this one drapes. It definitely has “smart grandpa settling in to do some reading in his easy chair” vibes, which I *love* for fall. It also looks super cute buttoned over a t-shirt dress (obviously not pictured here, but the site model does it) and comes in a few other color variants! VERY COZY, very Thanksgiving appropriate, wholeheartedly recommend.

Mallory’s Favorites:

Jeans | Cardigan | Top (similar)

Bobble Cardigan Sweater, $98: Have you heard I’m only exclusively wearing balloon sleeves for the rest of my life? At least for cardigans, anyway. I’ve had my eyes on this Madewell cardigan for QUITE some time and when the EHD ladies said we’re doing this cardigan post, I dropped everything and sprinted to Nordstrom to retrieve it because we LOVE an excuse to buy something we’ve been eyeing for “blog purposes.” I can say I am VERY happy with the outcome, it really does live up to the hype because it has POCKETS and those cute little dingleballs on the sleeve for a fun added detail. The only thing that would’ve made this better would’ve been a better hair day for me personally, but you can’t always get what you want. You can, however get this sweater, and if it wasn’t clear before, I definitely approve. OH AND IT COMES IN RED WHICH IS ALSO CUTE.

Jeans | Cardigan

Cropped Balloon Sleeve Cardigan, $45: We used to do lil clothing swaps in the office (pre-pandemic, of course) where some of us (usually Veronica or Sara) would bring in big bags of goodies for the taking. This was one of my scores from Veronica (miss you vbaby!!) and OH MY GOD I LOVE IT. I’ve been living in this cardigan everyday, even when it’s 100 degrees out. It’s comfy and cozy and a lil cropped (but not too cropped) and it just drapes perfectly. I wear it over my outfits but I’ve also just worn it as a shirt before and if you’re part of the ITBC, then it’s the perfect no-bra or bralette-only kind of thing.

Ryann’s Favorites:

Jeans | Shirt (Similar) | Cardigan | Boots (similar)

Oatmeal Cardigan, $35: I am so impressed with the shape, color, detail, and price of this cardigan. It’s REALLY good you guys and it feels and looks way more expensive than it is. It’s also that classic oatmeal color that I love and it looks good dressed down with jeans or dressed up with a dress and heels.

Jeans | Shirt (Similar) | Cardigan

Ribbed Cardigan, $59: The color of this one is so good. It has a very subtle red/dark purple multicolored weave and I like that it sits right at my waist (I am wearing a Medium- but the Small oddly fits just fine too). It also has a balloon sleeve which is KEY especially for a cropped sweater. Though I have no clue what Thanksgiving looks like this year, I know I will be wearing this cardigan.

Alright, that’s all from team EHD, but I am curious to know if you are team cardigan or team pullover sweater?? Let me know in the comments and have great weekend. xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: Six Fall Sweaters I’m Loving (+ How To Wear Them)

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Published on October 17, 2020 01:00

October 16, 2020

Cooking School With The Kids … And A Surprising Parenting Hack Discovered

Growing up my siblings and I were required to do cooking 4-H which meant preparing a meal in front of judges. It sounds terrifying (and it was) but obviously was empowering and taught a lot of skills (I made a mean clam chowder and sweet and sour meatballs which I’m pretty sure required actual MSG as an active ingredient). We had to follow the recipe precisely, using knives to level off the measuring spoons, and were required to set the table perfectly without hesitation. I think we all know that kids these days need more life skills (including our generation – changing tires, mending clothes, etc) especially those of us in cities. Well, I’m trying so hard during this time, where we are shut in with these almost humans for 24 hours a day, to have them learn how to cook (and clean and do all the things that we as parents have to do to run a house). Guys, its hard now, but its actually a GREAT parenting hack. Here are the real benefits of then learning how to cook (that I see, but I’m not a parenting expert).

Less work for me (at some point, RIGHT??). Why should I cook their meals when they can?? Of course, it increases my workload right now, but I hope it will eventually pay off and they’ll do it by themselves. They get to choose from a couple different recipes or if they are inspired of course they can do something else. (As a reminder our kids are 5 and almost 7).They don’t battle doing the dishes as much when THEY make the mess. Here’s the psychology – they know that they have to clean up their messes, so by making this mess themselves they feel more ownership over it. It’s screwed up, but if we make their meals I’ve heard them say ‘But, I didn’t make that mess’, which is SO ANNOYING, to say the least, so this way they can get their head around cleaning up a bit more. It’s good for their confidence and they feel so empowered. Some days have been fun, others its a total struggle (with one of my kids, my other kid LOVES IT) but ultimately they have both been SO PROUD of themselves afterwards and Birdie even says ‘it tastes so much better when I make it’ and I’m like yeah because you put two tablespoons of mayonnaise on each piece of bread. They practice reading. Charlie is ‘the head chef’ and he walks us through the recipe as he is a new reader. This definitely slows it down (which is why I normally try to start an hour before lunch time) but it’s just so awesome to see him lead us through the recipe by reading. They explore basic fractions, science/physics, and safety (not to mention better motor skills). We aren’t great “teachers”, but through this process I can see they are learning all sorts of good things that is also WAY more fun for me to teach.It’s ‘home schooling’ in a way that is actually fun for me (and hopefully them). Remember, that since we opted out of distance learning in favor for home school we actually are in charge of teaching them ‘stuff’ and not all of it is fun for us. This is.

But there is a hole in the market

There is a hole in the market and if I weren’t in a ‘stop pitching ideas that will just make you over-scheduled’ mode I would 100% pitch a kids cookbook. Not because i’m a great cook, but for kids stuff I haven’t found a book that hasn’t made me super frustrated. I’ve now ordered 10 kids cookbooks and while there are a handful of recipes that we have used in each, for the most part they are flawed. Now, to be clear, I think that our kids are very young so these books are I think for the 8 – 12 year old demographic, but for our kids ages (4 and 6) there isn’t a book.

Here are the problems that I’ve found with the kids cookbooks out there:

Most of the cookbooks are visually too hard to read for my kids age with an ingredient list on the side, steps on the other page and then the font is FAR too small for them (and me) and way too many graphics that distract them rather than help them. There are too many recipes that kids just won’t eat, taking up space in the book. Listen, I know that eventually they’ll eat curry veggie wraps, but with so many of these books there are only like 4 recipes that they actually want to put in their mouth for lunch.

Here’s what I would like (and what I might start doing): hack these recipes and rewrite them for kids. What does that mean? It’s a step by step that includes the portion amount within the steps so they don’t have to reference the ingredient list instead only focusing on one sentence, and one step at a time. In the perfect cookbook there would be an appealing to children photo (skip the green garnishes okay?) and then a paragraph for parents with some tips or common errors, etc. But one whole page would be step by step in large font, including the ingredient amounts within the copy. There could be a couple picture steps IF NEEDED – maybe for older kids who aren’t being helped by parents, but for us I just want a one page for them to read, follow and own, without trying to also follow picture steps.

I get that eventually they’ll need to learn how to follow a real recipe (with an ingredient list, etc) but right now we need to boil it down to the basic instructions that THEY can follow, to make simple food THEY get excited to eat. Now I know what you are thinking…

Do they cook themselves vegetables??

HAHAHAHAAH. We’ve de-prioritized veggies on the meals that they cook because there is just no way that a 5 and 7 year old are going to voluntarily make themselves a veggie wrap. Right now I just want them excited about cooking and feeling independant and autonomous (especially these days where they are around us 24/7 – how are these kids going to figure out that they are their own person?). Of course I want them to have vegetables but they eat tons of fruit, carrots and avocado and we do smoothies on occasion (not enough). But no, they don’t eat enough vegetables – they can barely handle if an herb touches their plate – but we are picking our battles and letting that one slide if they make and clean up their own lunch. We need this to be fun until it becomes a daily habit/less of a battle, then we’ll start mixing in the veggies….

Our Favorite Kids-Friendly Tools

A quick caveat – at 5 and almost 7 our kids are old enough to use most grown up cooking stuff, but I do know that having ‘their own’ might get them excited. It’s up to you. I personally don’t want more garbage in my drawers so they have some dedicated kids stuff, but its not like they need their own cutting board – they’ll use it for a week then it becomes landfill.

Metal glove for cutting – This glove is actually GREAT if you want them to cut with an actually sharp knife or use a mandolin.

Kids Kitchen Tool Set: This one is so cute but pretty expensive. Generally they can use a normal peeler but these are designed to help prevent cuts so if you are concerned they might be a great bet (plus they are very cute)

Cutting board: Every time I go to chop anything all I want to use is THIS cutting board so of course the kids use it too. And so does Brian. It’s extremely lightweight but durable. The cut marks don’t look super scratchy, and the black really works in our kitchen so it’s not like it stands out

Ninja Blender: If they need to blend something we like this one because it’s super easy for them to use.

Kids Kitchen Step Stool: This is the stool that we had until the kids were about 4 and were confidant on a normal stepladder. This one was great, didn’t slip but still slid easily to move it around the kitchen (from cutting board to doing dishes) but it does take up a lot of real estate – she big (they are all big and clunky).

Unicorn Apron: Oh I know that you want them to wear a cute canvas and leather stripe apron from Hedley and Bennet, but this is where the exception to wanting to ‘act grownup’ fails. Birdie insists on putting on her unicorn apron (2 for $11) every single day.

Two favorite cookbooks for our kids’ ages (so far):

Good Housekeeping Kids Cook! | Cooking Class: 57 Fun Recipes Kids Will Love to Make (and Eat!)

Again, I wish these cookbooks were a little more user friendly, but there are a few recipes in these books that the kids really LOVE making themselves (Popcorn Chicken, Chicken Salad Sandwich, Peanut Butter and Jelly Pockets, Green Eggs and Ham’which, etc).

Now I just found this kids recipe subscription box that says is great for emerging readers. Has anyone tried this? I’m VERY interested.

If you want to dive it and get them excited, maybe this kids cooking tool kit would be cool? I’m super hesitant to buy it though because I’m fearful that it will just end up clutter up my drawers or worse – end up in the landfill. Plus, I’ve found that part of this “empowering” is kids feeling like a grownup and using grownup tools. Birdie insists on tying her apron herself and she wants no help with the peeler. So, I think my advice is skip the kids version and just teach them how to use your tools. BUT if you are looking to entice them or if you want to give someone a gift (or if you are nervous about your tools), I do think that a cooking set will get them initially excited (it just might wane, almost immediately).

They really just want to make themselves pb and J, almost every single day and its not like we don’t (we probably have 2 a week at least) but the point is we are TRYING to transfer this responsibility (and autonomy/control/power) to them. Realistically this whole ‘reading a recipe thing’ happens 3 meals a week and it does take more time, we are priviliged to have that time. Remember that we are also home schooling so they can take a LONG lunch break. Brian thinks i’m nuts because what would take us 15 minutes is now an hour chore (plus eating and cleaning), and again THERE ARE BATTLES, but while we have this time they will learn skills with the hope that in 4 years they’ll be cooking family dinner for all of us. I think of Tieghan of HalfBaked Harvest and how incredible she was/is as such a young self-taught chef and now makes meals for her huge family all day every day and i’m like YES, THAT IS THE GOAL.

If you are considering trying this with little ones you should know a few things.

Lower your expectations in every way. They will make a disaster in the kitchen. They will not do the best job chopping. Just be cool. Let them choose the recipes (which is why i like having the physical cookbooks with pictures). They take turns (with requisite fighting and complaining). I need to be better about planning in advance (to get ingredients ) and just choosing two in which they can choose between. Tackle 2-4 a week MAX (including breakfast/lunch/dinner). Even if its just pancakes on the weekends, make then read the recipe and be the ‘lead chef’ and you’ll feel like you accomplished something. Do NOT leave them unsupervised, especially with pots of boiling water, but know that they will likely burn themselves a bit or accidentally peel off some skin when peeling carrots – so I guess you have to be okay with that.

So if you guys know of any recipe blogs for KIDS where I can print out easy to read/follow recipes for early readers let me know, or cookbooks for that matter that I may have not found. In the meantime, head to my Instagram stories if you want to see how its going IRL.

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Published on October 16, 2020 01:00

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