Emily Henderson's Blog, page 194

The Quest For The Perfect, Affordable “Basic” Tee Is Over… Because We Did The Legwork

This post originally went up two Saturdays ago, the day after we heard the incredibly heartbreaking news that RBG had passed. We thought that donating the affiliate money made from this post to a wonderful organization called She Should Run, was a small way to still give you content while also acknowledging the deep loss the country had just experienced. But then after we woke up we felt that reading about t-shirts was not what anyone needed nor wanted (us included). I mean who cares about t-shirts when we just lost a hero?

We will still of course be donating because helping women become elected official is critical and what Justice Ginsburg was fighting for. But she fought for us long enough. Now we must pick up where she left off. Happy t-shirt hunting and VOTE!

I know this post I don’t know why but finding the perfect “basic” of anything can feel like the search for the holy grail (the Monty Python version, obviously). Shopping should have some laughs, right? But seriously, I think the clothing category, “basics” needs a rebrand because the term “basics” associates it with the term “easy”. SO maybe a simple shift to saying “ultimates” would make us feel less irritated when the search is long and hard. At least for us, there isn’t a killer bunny along the way:)

So I say all of this to talk about my quest in finding my “ultimate” t-shirt. But don’t worry it’s not just me. Mallory also is coming on this journey with me because she also was on the hunt and with two very different body types we can hopefully help twice the amount of people! O and Em jumped in at the end too:)

But first, let’s take a step back and talk about the reason for this post. This shirt below has been my favorite for over a year. I randomly found her at H&M on a whim and bought six in four different colors. But then, OF COURSE, it’s been permanently out of stock ever since. Devastating. My $13 dream t-shirt, gone. Look, I still have the shirts but after A LOT of wear, half of them have holes (and not in a cool, expensive-looking way).

This is why she was perfect and what I am looking for…

Jess’ T-Shirt Requirements:



Worn-in feeling fabricMedium lengthMedium sleeve length (no cap sleeve but not too long)Crew necklineFlattering up top but room around the hipsNO pockets (my boobs don’t require any further attention)Looks good with a “french tuck” (the little tuck behind the pant button that Tan France made famous and I love)Comes in multiple colorsNot one million dollars

It’s a lot, I know, but if I’m searching for my “ultimate tee” then the standards have to be high, right? I ended up trying on seven different styles that are all under $30 each. And just so you can have a reference point for sizing here are my sizes:

Shirts: I go between a medium and large but more so large
Dress: 10/12
Pants: 30 in high-waisted Madewell jeans (not sure if the high-waisted part makes a difference)
Bra: 36C/34D
Height: 5’3 3/4″

So before we get to the good stuff, I just want to say that these reviews are 100% based on personal preference and what feels good on my (and later, Mallory’s body). We are not saying these “requirements” are what everyone should want/look for. Everyone should wear what makes them feel awesome!

FUN FACT: None of these have neck tags!

ANOTHER FUN FACT: I haven’t had my hair done since March 10th.

The EveryWear Slub-Knit Tee – Old Navy: $8

Size: M
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10
Fit: I would say it’s pretty flattering. The sleeves and neck are good and it looks like it was made to work on a woman with some curves. I personally don’t love the length and the round hemline, though. However, if you are someone who likes that then I think this is a slam dunk option…especially for $8!
Fabric: Soft, medium thickness but a slight worn-in feel and 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: Sort of…

Short Sleeve Casual T-Shirt – Target: $5

Size: L
Overall Rating: 5 out of 10
Fit: I liked it better in person than when it’s photographed. A bit too slim of a cut for someone with boobs and hips, but not terrible. I would prefer the sleeve length a smidge shorter. The overall length is too long and tight for my shortish torso. Also, the neck is a little too small for my liking. Sizing up would have only made the top half less flattering.
Fabric: Soft but not as breathable. 50% cotton/ 50% Modal
French Tuck Approved?: No

Short Sleeve T-Shirt – Target: $8

Size: L
Overall Rating: 4 out of 10
Fit: This pic is kinda deceiving. Way too slim of a cut for someone with boobs and hips but not “terrible”. I like the sleeve length and the neck is cute but also too long for me.
Fabric: That classic stiff cotton but would probably be great after a lot of washes. 100% cotton.
French Tuck Approved?: No (too tight)

Vintage Wash Crewneck T-Shirt – Gap: $20

Size: M
Overall Rating: 7 out of 10
Fit: A little too slim of a cut for my hips. I really like the sleeve length and the neck is perfect but just too long for me.
Fabric: Slightly stiff but lightweight and 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: No

The Organic Cotton Crew – Everlane: $18

Size: L
Overall Rating: 6 out of 10
Fit: Overall it is kinda tight but I like how the top half fit. I don’t think sizing up would have helped because then the sleeves would be too long. Honestly not bad but I just don’t love it on me.
Fabric: Soft, pretty lightweight, and 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: No

Shrunken Short Sleeve T-Shirt – Gap: $25

Size: L
Overall Rating: 9 out of 10 (there’s always room for growth:))
Fit: This one is my favorite which is SHOCKING to me and again much better in person. When I ordered it I was sure that the “shrunken” aspect would highlight the things I want to avoid highlighting. However, between the neck being the right shape, the sleeves hitting at the right place, and the not “too long” length, everything just works. The more boxy shape is a winner in my eyes. I have already ordered 3 more:)
Fabric: Worn in cotton but also 100% cotton…
French Tuck Approved?: YES (mainly because of the shorter overall length)

ALSO…

Size: M
Overall Rating: 8 out of 10
Fit: I do like the smaller size because it does show my shape a little more;) and the sleeve length is cute. BUT there is no room for it to shrink so since it’s 100% cotton, I’m sticking with the large.
French Tuck Approved?: Still yes

Vintage Cotton Crewneck T-Shirt – J.Crew: $30

Size: M
Overall Rating: 1 out of 10
Fit: I was pretty excited about J.Crew because so many of you recommended it to me. Unfortunately, this shirt in particular is a no-go. The neck is too big, the sleeves and body are too long and I just don’t love how it sits on my body.
Fabric: Very soft, light (which I really liked), and 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: Not really

Now let’s move onto Mallory!

Mallory’s T-Shirt Requirements:



Soft fabric (IT MUST BE SOFT)Tuckable lengthShort sleeve length (can be cap sleeve…I’m not picky)Crew neckline but doesn’t look like a little boy’s shirt (meaning not ~too~ high on the neck)Breathable, boxy fit. It BETTER NOT be skin tightComes in multiple colors (same as Jess)Not one million dollars (I, of course, also agreed with Jess)

I have similar requirements to Jess because after all, don’t we all want t-shirts that are soft, look great, and aren’t crazy expensive? Like it’s a t-shirt, not a ballgown…she better be affordable. Let’s get into my sizing:

Shirts: Usually a small but could be a medium (especially in this category bc I love a looser fitting t-shirt)
Dress: 4
Pants: 26/27
Bra: Itty-bitty-titty-committee!! (32A)
Height: 5’7

Vintage Fit T-Shirt – Madewell: $17

So I bought this shirt in a mustard-orangey-yellow a while back (see below) and I REALLY like wearing it for the color, but then I thought –– wait I think the fit is good too…the reason I didn’t know for sure was because I had bought it in an XS since it was the only one left. So I thought, why not try it in my actual size and see what happens. That’s exactly what I did and here’s the deal…

Size: S
Overall Rating: 10 out of 10
Fit: Overall it’s the perfect shirt. Boxy, not too long on the sleeves, a solid crew, plus it’s VERY comfortable. Plus it has a cute rounded hemline so that’s a plus.
Fabric: Soft, lightweight, very comfy, and 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: YES

I thought I’d show you what the XS looks like just in case you were curious…

Cute and I’ll still wear it, but I definitely am team get your normal size since it doesn’t run big or small.

Slim Fit Short Sleeve T-Shirt – Target : $8

Size: M
Overall Rating: 5 out of 10
Fit: If I was unexpectedly sleeping over at a friend’s house and they let me borrow their clothes for the next day and handed me this shirt, I’d say “great this’ll work.” But honestly, she’s not much more than that. The sleeves are a little too long and the neckline seemed too wide. Not to mention the shirt was overall WAY too long, and I have a decently sized torso.
Fabric: The softest, comfiest shirt out of all the ones I tried fabric-wise, so if you want comfort, have a long torso, and don’t mind a longer cap sleeve…this one is for you. 49% Modal, 48% Cotton, 3% Spandex
French Tuck Approved?: It’s the only way to wear it

Basics T-Shirt – H&M: $5

Size: S
Overall Rating: 7 out of 10
Fit: I bought this shirt YEARS ago because I stumbled upon it and definitely needed a white t-shirt. It would be blasphemy if I didn’t include it in the post, after all the things we’ve been through together. It’s $5, so if you’re in desperate need of a shirt, this one will do the job and do it very okay. It’s got a pretty big swoop neck overall, but it’s stretchy fabric and tight-but-not-too-tight-fit will impress you.
Fabric: Stretchy, comfy, and 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: Yes!

Short Sleeve Slim Fit T-Shirt – Target: $8

Size: M
Overall Rating: 10 out of 10
Fit: This one is a real favorite. As you can see from the above photos, the shirt is a solid length –– not too long, not too short. It’s perfect if you want to french tuck it OR wear it untucked (which sounds foreign to me but I would do it with this shirt because the length is that good).
Fabric: A little thicker material, but still VERY comfy. 100% cotton
French Tuck Approved?: YES

Now we couldn’t end this post without a quick mention of Emily’s favorite tees in case you missed her talking about them in the past:)

Rounded V-Neck T-Shirt – Caslon: $25



photo by veronica crawford | from: a fashion review: new clothing on my body and how i like them (or not)

Emily loves the scoop neck and the relaxed fit.

We The Free Sun Valley Tee – Free People: $38

Emily loves this shirt! Her only tip is to size way down.

The Boxy Crew – The Great: $95



image source

The Great is a female-founded company and is one of Emily’s favorites. This tee is for sure a splurge according to Emily will definitely make you feel cool.

Well there you have it, t-shirts on our real bodies to hopefully help you in a real way in finding your perfect and ULTIMATE match. We hope that you have as good of a day as you can, make sure you have a voting plan and we will see you tomorrow.

Love you, and very much mean it. We need each other now more than ever.

The post The Quest For The Perfect, Affordable “Basic” Tee Is Over… Because We Did The Legwork appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How Often Do You Look At Your Coffee Table Books (+ Our Go-To Favorites)

I think one drawback of being a bibliophile is that I can’t bring myself to use kindles or e-books and I really don’t enjoy giving away books once I am done reading them. I collect and am comforted by books. My house is stacked with them and I need to be kept at least 50 ft away from a bookstore or I am at risk of spending hundreds of dollars.

However, it has come to my attention that my coffee table book collection is lacking (which is slightly embarrassing to confess on a design blog). I have only a couple design books, a few ones dedicated to artists I admire, and one that is dedicated to paintings of diners across America, but am far from a collector in this genre (nothing compared to my array of fiction). But now as I have progressed through my living and dining room makeover, I realized I need to start acquiring these books for my shelves. I want coffee table books to display as decor, to express my tastes and interests, but I also want them to offer continuous inspiration for my home and my soul.

I just have one burning question: how often do YOU check out your coffee table books? Once a month? Once a week? DAILY?? These books are far from cheap, so do you devour their content or is their presence as decor enough?? I need to know.

In the interim, I have rounded up some all-time EHD favorites (many of which I am itching to buy…):

1. STYLED by Emily Henderson: This is the very first design book I ever bought. I ended up giving it to my mom but I find myself constantly wishing I had a copy of it lying around so I might need to perform a search and rescue and bring it home to me. The style quiz is still the most genius idea and it’s full of the best styling tips and beautiful interiors (OH AND IT’S WRITTEN BY MY BOSS :)).

2. My Small Space: Starting Out in Style by Anna Ottum: I want this book very badly. I have a small space and love looking at how real people style small spaces so know I will reference it constantly. 

3. The New Bohemians by Justina Blakeney: Justina’s book is full of inspiring interiors bursting with life and color. Her style inspires me to not be afraid of leaning into Bohemian and to embrace LOTS of color.

4. Living with Color by Rebecca Atwood: All of us at EHD agree this book by Rebecca Atwood is beautiful and so inspiring. It makes bringing color into your home feel less scary and totally worth it. It’s also just straight-up eye candy to look at. 

5. Habitat: The Field Guide to Decorating by Lauren Liess: If you love minimal and traditional aesthetics, you will find so much inspiration and helpful tips here. This book also helped inspire the mountain house. From Emily: “Her design style is classy, classic and warm in a way that feels like you’re nooking into the corner of your favorite couch or chair drinking coffee out of an extra-special mug. She has given me ideas and inspiration on so many weekends.”

6. Elements of Style: Designing a Home & A Life by Erin Gates: This is another classic that Emily loves. It chronicles how designing a home can be an outlet of personal expression and an exercise in self-discovery — an aspect of interior design that is so important.

7. Get It Together!: An Interior Designer’s Guide to Creating Your Best Life by Orlando Soria: Orlando’s book is hilariously written and so so good. It has both life advice and interior design tips and tricks, so it’s not only inspirational – it’s also a great read.

8. Beautifully Organized: A Guide to Function and Style in Your Home by Nikki Boyd: For those who love neatly organized and crisp homes, this book will give you all the clean white homes and org porn you crave.

9. Wild Interiors by Hilton Carter: Plant lovers rejoice. Wild Interiors makes me want to become a plant mother who actually knows how to take care of her plant babies. All the interiors in this book are so beautiful and calming.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: 7 tips for creating a unique home you REALLY love

1. Commune: Designed in California by Roman Alonso, Steven Johanknecht, Pamela Shamshiri, and Ramin Shamshiri: This is another EHD favorite. From Emily: “Commune is a design firm that I admire immensely, so I pour over this book and have for years.” It’s basically an EHD right of passage to buy this book, so it’s on my list for sure.

2. The Kinfolk Home: Interiors for Slow Living by Nathan Williams: Emily referenced this book a ton when designing the mountain house. From Emily: “This book is full of hipster porn, in the “handmade modern” vibe (I mean, I need to trademark that RIGHT NOW). It’s like Amish-meets-super-rich and I want to be both of those things”

3. Remodelista by Julie Carlson: Remodelista does it again. From Emily: “I think I can say with all my confidence that Remodelista is my #1 source of digital design porn on a daily basis. Their book, even though it’s years old, feels fresh, modern and timeless. (I also love their new organizing book).”

4. Surf Shack: Laid-Back Living by the Water by Nina Freudenberger: This one reminds me that I need to work my ass off so I can have a beach house one day. It’s also a favorite of Emily’s. From Emily: “This book is amazing. It’s full of more real homes that, ahem, are not “shacks” in any sense of the word but instead have so much inspiration and ideas that take the fussiness out of design. It’s not totally boho but instead builds a lovely bridge between relaxed and cohesive. It’s BEAUTIFUL.”

5. Live Beautiful by Athena Calderone: This absolutely gorgeous book explores real homes and breaks down the details of the rooms and offers helpful tips on how to bring these elevated elements into your own space.

6. Axel Vervoordt: Portraits of Interiors by Michael Gardner: Each page in this book is stunning. It features seventeen homes and demonstrates how Axel Vervoordt incorporates nature, art, and timeless interiors in his designs.

7. The Big Book Of Chic by Miles Redd: Okay, this is like the bible for interior design lovers. The cover is deceiving, because you would never know the insides of this book are dripping with the most magnificent interiors. It’s a splurge, but it would be a great gift.

8. Monochrome Home: Elegant Interiors in Black and White by Hilary Robertson: There is nothing boring about a Monochrome Home, trust me. From Emily: “This book is STUNNING. Hilary Robertson is a master stylist and editorial storyteller and this book is full of inspiration without any color in a good way. “

9. The Finer Things by Christiane Lemieux: This is another one of Emily’s favorites that she references a lot. It recognizes the hallmarks of timeless, heirloom-quality pieces and has a TON of information on furniture and textiles.

In addition to design books, I want to incorporate more artistic books in my home as well because I strongly believe that art, fashion, and interior design are extremely intertwined. Here are the ones I have my eye on:

1. Egon Schiele The Paintings by Tobias G. Natter: Egon Shiele’s paintings are bizarre and border between madness and genius. I am very inspired by his work, even though I am no painter, because it is so raw and personal.

2. Unseen: Unpublished Black History from the New York Times Photo Archives: I am a huge fan of real photographs of real people living their lives – so a book that unveils unpublished photos is very intriguing to me.

3. Wilshire Blvd by Adrian Gaut: I used to live a block from Wilshire Blvd so it is a part of Los Angeles that I feel very nostalgic about. Adrian Goat highlights the architectural details that are so unique to this area and it’s very “LA.” in the best way.

4. Pieter Bruegel the Elder (The Library of Great Painters) by Wolfgang Stechow: This one is Jess’ rec and she says it has a really pretty, light blue and textured linen under the cover, so it looks great on shelves. Plus, Bruegel’s paintings are classically beautiful and so pleasing to look at.

5. Louis Vuitton: The Birth of Modern Luxury by Paul-Gerard Pasols: I want this one so badly. I am currently watching it on eBay waiting for the right price because I really don’t want to spend over $100 on a book. I love the LV designs from the ’90s and would devour this book.

6. Basquiat by Leonhard Emmerling: Jean-Michele Basquiat was a graffiti artist in the ’80s and his work is SO COOL. I wish I knew more about his work so I’d love to pour over this book.

7. Body: The Photography Books by Nathalie Herschdorfer: Body celebrates the human form and rejects the current culture of body shaming. I am extremely passionate about body positivity so this book is one I’d love to dive into.

8. Capri Dolce Vita by Cesare Cunaccia: The cover of this book is clearly beautiful but what’s inside is even more stunning. Capri is a resort island dating back to the height of the Roman Empire and this book displays its ancient charm (making me wish I could travel there immediately).

9. Kahlo by Andrea Kettenmann: Who doesn’t love Frida Kahlo?? I have one book of her work and reading about her process is so interesting and inspiring. Her paintings are weird and self-aware and I am a huge fan.

10. Portraits of the Renaissance by Nathalie Mandel: I find vintage portraits so charming and intriguing, so I’d love to sift through this book.

11. Supreme Models by Marcellas Reynolds: Black women have revolutionized fashion and this book pays tribute to the most iconic black models in the fashion industry.

12. Art House by Chara Schreyer & Gary Hutton: Art and interiors are symbiotic and this book celebrates just that.

That’s all from me, but I’d love nothing more than to hear your favorites so drop them below. Happy shopping and happy Friday sweet friends. xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: A Basement-Turned-Office Reveal (+ 7 Steps For How to Pull Off “Edgy Neutral”)

The post How Often Do You Look At Your Coffee Table Books (+ Our Go-To Favorites) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

How To Design Your Bedroom For The Best Night SLEEP (+ Introducing Target’s New Casaluna Line)

You’d think that “SLEEP” would be the main goal when designing a bedroom but it’s often not. I’ve put TVs in bedrooms before (a big sleep no-no) and have indeed over-pillowed before (because it looks pretty and makes me happy), and I love the idea of fun patterns and bright colors even in a bedroom. But I’ve changed, (gotten older? wiser?) and now sleep is the #1 reason I use this room and it’s my thesis that “SLEEP” should be considered in all design decisions. So today I’m walking you through the elements of a bedroom designed for SLEEPING. We partnered with Target and their new Casaluna line (which is SO BEAUTIFUL) and if you haven’t seen it for yourself in-store, know that it’s their higher-end, all organic, sustainably made line at still an affordable price point for luxury. Plus it’s very, very beautiful so the designer in me is still satisfied, when awake. So if you need more sleep feel free to use this post as a guide for how to design your bedroom to do just that – SLEEP.

Keep It Minimal (But Warm)

There is truly such a difference between cold and minimal. Both don’t have “a lot of stuff” but only one is inviting. It’s actually quite simple – warm minimalism is achieved through textiles and textures in monochromatic or soothing colors. Here we have these soothing blues and creams in different textures, a rug that pulls them all together (that rug is very good in person, btw) and accented by wood and brass (both warm). Also consider adding a cat or some sort of cozy animal, in your color palette of course, to the bed – a lovely, textural living sculpture!

Stick To A Calm Color Palette

Chair | Stripe Blanket | Slippers | Blanket Ladder | Chunky Knit Blanket | Cable Knit Blanket | Green Vase | Art (not available) | Frame | Lamp (not available) | Dresser (vintage) | Ceramic (handmade by Sara)

Now “calm colors” means different things to different people so I’m not saying you have to use neutrals. But for “calm” I always think low contrast (not a ton of black and white busy patterns) and cooler tones (yellow and red aren’t typically “calm” but also do whatever you want, it’s your bedroom!)

Symmetry = Less Stimulation

Round Mirror | Large Wall Art (not available)

Your eye likes it when things match because it’s less work to process “what is happening” – so when your nightstands “match” it’s almost like we only have to do 1/2 the visual processing. I’m making us all sound like newborns that get exhausted with too much stimulation, as if two different nightstands would confuse our baby brains so wildly, but I’m telling you – our eyes and brains understand symmetry easily and stimulates our brain so much less (thus ready for sleep).

GOOD BEDDING = GOOD SLEEP



1. Consider Your Inserts

Regardless of your style, it’s time to seriously consider what goes on your bed – both inside your bedding and on top. (Obviously, the mattress is important too, but that’s not this post). We are talking inserts, pillows, sheets, blankets… But before you begin, ask yourself some questions to help guide you because there are a lot of options.

1. How cool or hot do you “run”? This might also shift by season (and often does). Depending on the answer there are light, medium, and heavy inserts and provide, well, light, medium, or heavy heat and weight. I’m a medium girl myself (in down, not down alt). Speaking of…

2. What “fill” best suits you?? Most bedding inserts are made from either Down or Down Alternative. What’s the real difference? I’ll break it *down* for you:

3. How many layers do you want? What is your level of comfort needed (mine is HIGH, Brian likes less)? Do you want to feel like you are swimming in softness (me)? Or have just the basics with less fuss (Brian)? We’ve landed on four king pillows, one comforter, and a big quilt for colder nights.

4. How important is machine washable? How often do you want to replace? Some materials (down, goose and wool) don’t do well in a typical washing machine so opt for down alternative going forward.

Once you know all of those things, you have the following basics to think about: mattress topper, comforter insert, and pillow inserts. This can be kinda intimidating (and an investment) so I’ve broken it down for you so you can purchase (if you need) with more confidence.

Mattress Topper

Foam Topper | Down Alternative Topper | Down & Feather Topper | Wool Blend Topper

The mattress topper is a luxury for those of you who A. want to soften a firm mattress B. crave even more comfort, C. want to protect the mattress as much as possible and D. really want to sleep in the clouds. These are attached simply on top of your mattress and yes, add a cloud-like softness. They also can add heat so might be better in winter months. These options in the Casaluna collection are simple (in a good way) – Down, Down alternative, foam topper, and wool. The down and feather blend looks AMAZING and I’m tempted to get it for the kids here in winter as they have a similar one (in down alt) on their bed in LA and they LOVE it. The foam is more firm and feels more like a memory pad. But for those of you who like a “crisp bed” you probably don’t need a topper. You DO however, need a pillow.

Pillow Insert

Medium Firm Down Alternative | Cool Loft | Firm Down Alternative | Medium Down Surround | Serene Foam | Firm Down Surround | Soft Down | Goose Down | Wool Blend

Ideally, we’d all go into the store, be able to test these out ourselves, but these days that’s less convenient. My personal opinion is to get one that is more firm – like the medium-firm down alt for leaning against, and then Brian and I are leaders of team “SOFT DOWN“. It’s incredibly soft and fluffy. I’m curious if any of you have tried the “cool loft‘ and if so leave in the comments. The idea of it keeping you cool all night sounds dreamy.

DUVET INSERT

Light Weight Down Alternative | Mid Weight Down Alternative | Ultra Weight Down Alternative | Light Weight Down | Mid Weight Down | Ultra Weight Down

Don’t be intimidated by the options – just remember if you like fluffy and still warm and you don’t mind not being able to wash it yourself then stick to down. If you are prone to allergies go with down alt. We now have the light-weight down for summer/fall and mid-weight down for winter.

Mid Weight Down Blend | Light Weight Down Blend | Wool Blend | Ultra Weight Down Blend

IT’S TIME TO LOVE YOUR BEDDING

Now you’ve figured out the basics, let’s jump right into the sheets. The new Casaluna line is VERY PRETTY, and I know you can’t tell through photos that it is very soft and comfortable BUT IT IS. But choosing off of photos is hard because frankly they are very well styled and all look so attractive. So here is what to think about:

You have fabric options both in color AND texture. I’ll explain.

Fabric Options

Linen Blend | Hemp | Washed Supima Percale | Lyocell | Jersey | Temperature Regulating

Stop worrying about thread count (that was just a marketing fad), think about touch and quality. Linen and Hemp are both so beautiful to look at and have a more handmade feel, but some (Brian) consider it too rough. I love a percale myself as they just feel crisp and fresh, but I can certainly lean toward Lyocell which is even softer (and has a bit of a sheen). Jersey is cozy and while I haven’t tried the temperature regulating sheet if this is a struggle of yours give it a roll. All the bedding is sustainably sourced and of VERY high quality.

Basic Bed Necessities

After sheets and pillows, you get to think about the other elements and layers you want. If you have a duvet cover with an insert you do NOT need a flat sheet (as the duvet cover is washable) and maybe you don’t like to have four pillows up top (we do). We’ve purposefully left off decorative pillows because they aren’t necessary for “sleep” but you can certainly add them.

Yah, But How Do We Layer The Textiles?

Ultimately this is about your preference on comfort, feel, and volume of layers. But if you are going to mix (yay!) as your official designer, I say go for it with as many different textures as possible (in a tonal, minimal colorway). In this bed, we have hemp sheets (top and bottom), linen/cotton blend shams, a comforter, quilted blanket, and knitted throw. Now you probably don’t need all of those, but it sure does look pretty, cozy and Lady (the cat) found it VERY easy to nap on, so if you need a cat spokesperson to convince you she’s it. If you want it to be simpler skip the top sheet and the throw, but I personally think that a quilt at the end that ties in with the shams at the top makes your very comfortable bed look also beautiful.

Hemp Sheet Set | Linen Shams | Comforter | Quilt | Throw | Side Table | Table Lamp | Tray | Reed Diffuser | Botanical Art | Bookends | Rug

Consider The 5 (Fine, 4) Senses:

What if you tried to curate a sleep-inducing room for all 5 senses? How do you even address them to make your body fall asleep and stay asleep longer? Obviously what you touch (or touches you) is important with the bedding, but we’ve covered that. Now onto sight, smell, and sound and just know we are skipping taste but feel free to consume dark chocolate, wine, or tea before bed to ensure your perfect nighttime sleep-inducing sensory experience.

Sight – Reduce The Light

Not only do you want to keep it visually “minimal” but you want to have the right lighting for the before-bed-wind-down (reading) as well as reducing the light in the morning to sleep longer. For this consider:

Eye Mask | Glass Vase | Knot Object

1. Lamps. This could be a pendant on a convenient switch, a fabric shade like for more ambient lighting, or a metal shade for more directional lighting like this one. Just make sure it’s easy to reach and a low wattage bulb. If you need a reading light consider a smaller lamp clipped to your headboard with more directional light.

2. Window Treatments. We shot this in Sara’s bedroom and she had these custom blackout shades installed (that are so pretty). But there are many readymade blackout shades and curtains available. Quick HOT TIP – curtains block out the light better as most roman shades have some sort of light leak depending on the direction it faces and the time of year. We love these curtains from Target that block out light and are really affordable.

Tray | Mug | Napkin

3. Sleep Masks. It does seem kinda silly that we obsess about blackout curtains when really you just need to cover your eyes with a snug piece of soft fabric. Historically sleep masks have either been really uncomfortable OR super expensive. Enter this new Casaluna silk mask. You barely feel it’s there, it blocks out the light and now I use it every night.

Smell (Let’s Call It “Fragrance”)

Essential oils via reed diffusers are so lovely and subtle, and lavender can tell your brain to relax and drift off. I wasn’t really into these until we bought some at the mountain house and I LOVE how they A. kinda look like flower arrangements and B. you don’t have to light them like a candle therefore more safe. They just give off a very subtle fragrance without you doing anything but refilling when empty.

Sound – SHHHH

As I was writing this I realized that we didn’t address sound in the photos! But consider this for yourself – would you sleep better with a white noise machine? Earplugs? Fall asleep to a meditation, song, or storytelling podcast? The Casaluna line of bedding doesn’t sing you to sleep, but creating a calm sound environment is also important for good sleeping (especially for us light sleepers). Brian swears by the Sleep With Me podcast – to get him to sleep and if he wakes up in the middle of the night he puts it on again and it works.

While I hope you are still awake I do hope this post helps you design your bedroom to actually SLEEP. We all know the rules – stay off the phone, don’t go straight from TV to sleep, etc. But the bedding you choose, including the inserts, can make a big difference on you first of WANTING to get into bed (I crave my bed), falling asleep, and even more importantly staying asleep. The Casaluna line was designed just for that, and being sustainably made you can also rest your conscious that you are doing best for the environment. High quality, good for the earth, BEAUTIFUL, and ready for you to have many great nights of sleep.

Emily’s Outfit: Top and Pants

**Styled by Emily Bowser | Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post How To Design Your Bedroom For The Best Night SLEEP (+ Introducing Target’s New Casaluna Line) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The 2020 Fall Collections Have Hit And Postmodernism Is Finally Mainstream… But In An Unexpected Way

We normally don’t do reviews posts about seasonal collections. It’s not that we’re against them because boy do we love when those new products hit the digital shelves. It’s just that we typically like to see what’s out there and then create more helpful and actionable ways to bring them into your homes. Basically, we try and “EHD” is up real good. BUT this season was a little special and something that we have been waiting for with bated breath so we are just going to dive right in and admire. 

We have been talking about the very “Instagram approved” 2019 postmodern trend for well… a little over a year at this point. I’m pretty sure the entire team fell deeply in love with a least a few of its main characteristics (ie chubby furniture, fluted accents, electric blue, ’80s inspired patterns, delicate and sculptural accent seating, and totem sculptures). I personally can’t choose a favorite. But like most every other “ultra-cool” or “extremely expensive” trend, none of us could really afford the incredible vintage options ($$$$) or the beautiful artisanal decor ($$$$) that we were seeing. TORTURE. Now we’ve have seen hints here and there at our favorite major retailers but FINALLY it’s here in a big way for the rest of us to fully enjoy at a much more doable price point. I will say though that these stores have veered more on the neutral color palette likely to make it more palatable to the mass market. A little unexpected? Sure. But honestly, as long as the shapes are here, I am here to celebrate.

Let’s start with one of the first adopters of the postmodern trend…

CB2

Table Lamp | Daybed | Ruffle Credenza | Cement Coffee Table | Black Wood Side Table | Mirror Coffee Table | Marble Table | Fluted Credenza | Barrel Chair

CB2 is known for being the trend-forward really big box store (along with West Elm) and this new collection is no different. It’s giving us the chunky, wavy, bold shapes that we love about this trend. Emily actually had some thoughts on some of the pieces from this collection: 

Serafin Leather Daybed: The ENTIRE EHD team internally slacked about this daybed when it dropped. It’s postmodern and therefore not for everyone, but goodness it’s a piece that I want to look at a lot. 

Slope Cement Coffee Table: This table reminds me a lot of Orlando in a very good way. While I know that it leans ’80s, its subtle and the base has a secret sculptural shape that I love. 

Bruciata Blackened Wood Side Table: I want this for the mountain house. Don’t need, but yes, want and had it existed when I was designing it I would have purchased it immediately. 

Muse Mirror Coffee Table: I’m not ready for it but appreciate the risk-taking. Woah. I think it’s safe to say that “high glam” has never been my thing, especially ’80s high glam, so this table is hard for me. I’d love to see it styled in a space. And curious if I’m just “not ready” and will be into it next year or if truly it’s not ever going to be my thing. 

Now, I’ll talk about the rest of the pieces pictured above!

Scrunch Table Lamp: This lamp has postmodern written all over it. It’s cool and weird and ruffled and patterned.  It would really be an awesome “conversation piece” in a room.

Ruffle Sprayed Concrete Credenza: Waves are the way of the postmodern trend. This piece isn’t for everyone but in the right space would look really cool. 

Babylon Round Small Table: Just the right amount of “chunky”, has a beautiful natural marble pattern and would seamlessly blend with a lot of different styles. I would loooove to have this piece in my house but this one isn’t cheap and I don’t have the space. 

Truffle White Credenza: I can hear that sweet “flute” playing loud when I look at the details of this piece. Beyond that is perfectly curved and chunky. Pretty darn chic if you ask me:)

Fitz Russet Chair: We are huge fans of barrel chairs and this one is great. The deep rust would bring in that pop of color that is really in line with this trend and the details of the tufting almost look tubular. Yes, yes, yes. 

Anthropologie

Rug | Abstract Object | Marble Side Table | Console Table | Candlestick Holders | Sconce | Floor Lamp | White Side Table | Woode Square Side Table

So not only did Anthro create a stunning new collection with Amber Lewis but according to Emily, their collection with Christiane Lemieux “stopped me in my tracks”. Y’all it’s truly beautiful and has so many great postmodern inspired pieces. 

Hand-Tufted Lunar Eclipse Rug: The pattern gives me modern Memphis vibes but isn’t so patterned that it will take over your space. 

Mouren Decorative Object: This is just cool and of course I reeeally want it. I just wish it wasn’t quite so pricey. But it’s seriously perfect for a “not too attention-grabbing” piece of decor that will really up your room’s style. 

Millart Side Table: Can I just say masterpiece? This red marble is incredibly special and is just the right amount of bold. Also, look at that fluting detail

Anya Travertine Console: Chunky cylinder heaven. It also comes in a side table, coffee table, and dining room table. You could literally have one in every room. Maybe don’t though:) Mix it up!

Parette Pillar Candle Holder: These are graphic, chunky, and perfectly textured. FYI They are expensive.

Desi Outdoor Sconce: This sconce is for sure on the modern side. But if you want something bolder to modernize your space or just go all out postmodern then these are a nice option.

Harriet Pleated Floor Lamp: Emily bought this lamp because as she said, “I simply needed it”. If I had a bigger house I would also be hitting that “add to cart” button. The modern sculptural arm is SO GOOD.

Baron Side Table: This was one that Emily pinned too because it’s awesome. In a world of right angles, this side table is the rounded beauty we need in our homes. 

Navier Side Table: However, if you are in the need of a right-angled side table THIS ONE is it. So chunky, so cool

Lulu and Georgia

Dining Table | Swivel Chair | Cone Side Table | Two Tone Side Table | Black Coffee Table | Art

Lulu and Georgia (one of EHD fav’s if you haven’t picked up on that in the past) went really earthy and natural with this collection. It’s pretty special if you ask us since it still calls to the postmodern shapes. Two styles, one collection. What a dream!

Mela Dining Table: This is my favorite piece! I love a blonde wood and the shape is stunning. 

Tobi Swivel Chair: Chunky with a side of Boucle. (How many times will I say chunky in this post…yikes!)

Rocio Side Table: The cone center is so cool and those legs are my favorite shape. 

Tay Side Table: The table really is the perfect blend of nature and modern. 

Masaro Coffee Table: These legs are really serving me ’80s Memphis and I’m not sure how I feel about them but regardless I’m intrigued. 

Michee Print: Electric blue! THE color of the postmodern style but in a very approachable and beautiful piece. 

Urban Outfitters

Gold Accent Chair | Cabinet | Mesh Bowl | Mirror | White Accent Chair | Floor Lamp | Credenza | Pendant | Bookshelf

If there is one big box store that “gets” the postmodern trend it’s Urban. It’s almost upsetting how many cool pieces they have (and not just the postmodern stuff! They have a lot of new styles you should check out.)

Tia Velvet Chair: This chair is so pretty and the shape is so interesting. It would bring such depth to a room with that saturated yellow. 

Tabitha Storage Cabinet: This cabinet is one of my favorite pieces and comes in a media console and dresser but I love the glass doors! Everything from the shape, round drawer knobs, and legs are totally postmodern.

MoMA Wire Mesh Bowl: Another electric blue piece that is really cute and a great way to dabble into the color. Plus the double-layered look is very chic. 

Yoji Wall Mirror: I also really love this mirror. First off, it’s full length and normally these organically shaped mirrors have brass frames. But the matte black wood is so pretty and unique! 

Selene Upholstered Chair: Tubular metal-framed chairs and sofas are classic postmodern pieces but are normally sooooo expensive. While $649 isn’t what I would call cheap, it is a much better price than the average find (unless you score a killer deal on a vintage one).

Tabitha Floor Lamp: If my living room pendant light is any indication of my love for paper lantern lights, the floor lamp is almost too cool. Such a bold shape and statement and the wood base is the cherry on top. But also basically a Noguchi knock off. 

Tabitha Credenza: Whoever “Tabitha” is she is V cool because her name is all over this collection. Don’t theses doors 100% look like Katie Sarokhanian’s cabinets in her kitchen??

Yuko Metal Pendant Light: Sculptural lighting is important to this trend and this pendant is such an affordable option! This one reminds me of Emily’s best friend, Corbett’s dining room pendant

MOTO REVEAL: Julie’s Anything But Beige, Amazing DIY Bathroom Refresh

Hey all, Julie here and I’m back already! We told ya, it wouldn’t be too long till you heard from me again.

Design 101: Let’s Talk About Throw Blankets And How To Style Them + Shop Our Favorites

If you haven’t noticed from the multitude of pumpkin items at the grocery store… fall is in the air. That means with each passing day the undeniable urge to “cozify” our homes is getting stronger and stronger (and I’m not mad about it). Have you given in yet?? There’s one easy way to start leaning in and that’s (you guessed it) THROW BLANKETS PEOPLE!

I’ve personally always been enamored by the art of the throw blanket. How to throw it, where to throw it, which throws to buy… the questions go on and on so… Welcome to the official EHD throw blanket guide.

I felt the best plan of attack for this post was to break it down by furniture item. Meaning, I’m breaking down all the pieces of furniture you can throw throws on…including some you may not have thought to throw throws on before. We’re starting with the most obvious: the sofa.

SOFA THROWS

I started asking my throw questions to Emily a while back, who created this IGTV to teach me how to throw a throw (if you haven’t seen it –– give it a watch it). If you’re anti-Instagram or if you just want this video clearly laid out…here’re your throw placement options for your sofa:

The Corner Throw

Quite possibly the most widely used option…here is the corner throw drape. It can be casually thrown to look more “organic” or you can go with a folded, more clean-cut look. Here are some examples:

left: photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: portland living room reveal | right: photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: a budget-friendly living room reveal with 80% thrifted finds

So you’ve made the choice to either be organic (right) or folded (left), now you have one more stylistic choice you need to make…all the way up and over the back of the sofa, or the seat-cushion-only throw. The options above are the up and over option…here are some SCC (seat-cushion-only) examples:

left: photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: living room styled to sell| right: photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: mcm bachelor pad reveal

As you can see here, you also have the option to go clean-cut or organic. The choice is yours my friends

Why You Should Take “Kid-Friendly” Out Of Your Vocabulary – Also Meet Albie!

Hi, Albie here! Wife, mom, interior designer, and all-around idea machine. This combination is likely why I’m an interior designer. 

As a teenager, I remember constantly shuffling the furniture around my tiny bedroom — usually at 3 am — tinkering and ideating ways to the room to feel less tiny…because it was definitely tiny. When I moved into my NYC studio — my first apartment on my own — I was determined to transform it into my bachelorette pad in the sky. What both scenarios had in common? No, not that they were small spaces, but that they were mine… all mine. The only person’s needs I had to consider were my own. Then I met my now husband. Then we had a baby. Poof… my bachelorette pad became a home for three, forcing me to really flex my small-space design muscle. How does a family of three comfortably live in a studio apartment in Hell’s Kitchen? Lots and lots of space-saving design decisions & shopping solutions. Yes, I did some “baby-proofing” — bumpers on the corners and all that — but never did it ever enter my mind that I needed to make my home “kid-friendly” — I’m not a kid…my husband’s not a kid… and my kid won’t be a kid forever. Now five years and two apartments later, I still refuse to subscribe to “kid-friendly” design and here’s why you probably shouldn’t either.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how we designed our super kid-friendly family room



What Exactly is “Kid-Friendly” Design?

If you do a quick google search of the phrase “kid-friendly design” you’ll be hit with all kinds of “ideas” but no clear definition… at least not anything specific. Instead, you’ll find suggestions to accommodate your home to work for your children, everything from the best performance fabrics to use to tips on incorporating your children’s artwork tastefully — all pointing towards “adultifying” things that are deemed “for kids”, so why isn’t it just considered good design? Or, if we must put a label on it, why not call it “parent-friendly” design — design for parents who still want to feel like their home is made for grown-ups?

When you look at most of the “expert” tips on how to make a design kid-friendly, it’s suggestions that would also be perfect for a space that has no kids — performance fabric is a great idea because of its durability, stylish storage solutions is perfect in a small home short on actual storage space, finding ways to display sentimental artwork would make any traveler’s heart smile — yet somehow these tips, and more, have dubbed “kid-friendly” as though the alternative would be to just live in squalor. 

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



Spoiler: Having kids at home doesn’t void the house of good design. 

I would get asked so often how I decorate with a toddler — “how do you have nice things?” would actually, often, be the exact question — and my reply? “Why wouldn’t I have nice things?!” That’s when I often tell people about my own childhood, growing up around glass coffee tables and priceless vases and so many other things that probably wouldn’t be deemed “kid-friendly” nowadays. 

I grew up in the household with plastic on the cream velvet sofas — plastic that my mother now regrets removing by the way — but not because my parents didn’t trust me; the plastic was because my parents didn’t trust anyone and they wanted their upholstery to last forever. My parents’ idea of designing around me was simply explaining to me why we don’t stand on tables, jump on sofas, or write on walls. The end. We had rules. I didn’t break em. Unless you count my using the back of the sofa as a balance beam because I thought I was the next Dominique Dawes, which I’m clearly not. 

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a colorful, happy home makeover for an incredibly deserving family

Taking my cues from my parents, it never occurred to me to design our entire home around our kid — I want a storage coffee table because where else am I going to put my collection of throws and pillow covers. The switch to a washable rug? Duh, because my husband is super clumsy with his beverages yet insists on putting them on the floor. Do my design decisions take my daughter into account? Of course they do… just as much as I consider my husband’s needs. It’s about what works for all of us — every occupant of the home — and yet, the idea of kid-friendly design has been glamourized as some sort of groundbreaking design development, when truth is, it’s basically just utilitarian design masquerading as being kid-friendly. With or without a child in the home, it would likely still meet the design needs of the grownups in the house; and if not, then it’s up to them to discern if they’ve actually made choices they can live with or if they’ve sacrificed their home happiness for their child who won’t be a child for very long. 

As parents, my husband and I always try to remember that unhappy people don’t raise happy kids. This isn’t to say that designing exclusively around our daughter would make us unhappy — definitely not what I’m saying — but what message are we sending when we’re sacrificing our velvet sofa and wool sofa for fear of what she might do…one day…maybe? Are we expecting her to be destructive? Are we assuming we won’t make just as much of a mess? Are we saying we don’t trust her to value things in our home? Just like I did, our daughter has grown up with a pretty awesome understanding of taking care of things — not because they’re valuable or so she won’t get in trouble, but because this is her home too and *gasp* she likes nice things just like mommy.

Will there be some design choices that you make exclusively because you’re a parent? Sure! For example, in our pantry, the snacks are deliberately on the lower shelf so that baby girl can self serve. Without her, I most likely should’ve had our snacks in a totally different spot. But on the other side of that, when she was a baby in our studio apartment, we opted for changing pads we could use on our bed, versus an entire changing table and went with a mini crib because spatially it made good design sense. So this isn’t to say design that suits children’s unique needs doesn’t exist; but let’s be honest — “kid-friendly” is relative. 

hi, it’s me!

So I repeat…

What exactly is “kid-friendly” design?

It’s parent-friendly design.

It’s utilitarian design.

It’s good design. Plain & simple. 

As with anything, the way I have lived has shaped my opinion on this, so I’m curious — do you think there is a place for “kid-friendly” design when we’re creating our spaces or are you with me on this one? What does kid-friendly design even mean to you? I’d love to know where you land on this!

Opening Photo Credit: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: My House Tour From Good Housekeeping

The post Why You Should Take “Kid-Friendly” Out Of Your Vocabulary – Also Meet Albie! appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Emily’s New Matching Pajama Set, Mallory’s $20 Mules & An (Actually) Indestructible Dog Toy

Hey everybody & welcome back to the Link Up. I think we should just hop right on in since September is basically over and time is of the essence.

With that, let’s get right into the house tour for the week. This home tour is a London flat we found via Remodelista & it has an insanely good kitchen. We’re gonna shock you with this one… because speaking of the kitchen, those steel cabinets are from IKEA (go look at it you probably won’t believe me). We also love that paint job in the bedroom. Excellent work Red Deer & Studio Thorne. Snaps to you!

From Emily: This is SUCH a good bed especially for the price. Looks so high-end.

Also From Emily: Amber Lewis’ line just launched at Anthropologie and it’s pretty great! I’m a BIG fan of this coffee table (and not just because I like the name obviously)

Also, Also From Emily: Too soon? The best matching holiday PJs ALWAYS sell out in one of our sizes, thus negating the whole “matching” thing, so while I had no intention of going the holiday route so early (Birdie just needs a new nightgown so I was shopping) I found this black and white buffalo check with a hint of holiday that has MATCHING SETS FOR THE DOGS and snagged them early. If you think I’ve gone too far too early, trust me that I’m not alone. This year, due to COVID, we are home and looking forward to any holiday moments and even Brian said (with no sarcasm, I swear), “see if they have any matching Halloween PJs for us”. I scrambled to type those words down before he realized what he said. I WILL, BRIAN, OH I WILL.

From Mallory: If there’s one thing I’m ready for, it’s fall. So I’ve been denim shopping (at Madewell, of course) and just found these straight leg jeans. I LOVE THEM. They’re 40% off for Madewell insiders btw. Since we’re talking about Madewell, I also found this cardigan in the sale section and the ruffle on the sleeve is too cute for me to handle. I just ordered it and can’t wait for it to come so I can wear it with these shoes that I stole from my mom’s closet (which are also on sale for 55% off…so yeah, they’re $20 mules…) all of these items together will be my fall uniform if you care to partake in this outfit & match with me

All The “Hows”, “Whys” And “How Much’s” Of The Turf At The Mountain House + Introducing My Landscape Designer – Brian Henderson

Few debates have run so all-consuming and lengthy as the “should we have bark, sod, or turf in the backyard” at the mountain house. It’s right up there with other compelling debates, like “The 2019 almost marriage altering wood ceiling argument” and “Where the heck do we put the TV and can I please have one in our bedroom?”. Ah … oldies but goodies. These debates usually run a year long and we get SO SICK of talking about them, changing our mind, weighing cost, function, practicality, and yes style, in hopes that there would be a clear winner.

Wanna watch a little video about the whole backyard plan before we dig into the post?? Me too. (Just wait until the ad plays)

The Debate Between Real Sod And Artificial Grass/Turf

Before we moved up here full time we were fine with the bark. We didn’t love it, but it was appropriate and easy and pre-dogs it didn’t bother us. But that’s changed. Besides the bark we had these two options:

Real Sod:

The Pros: Real grass – when healthy – is prettier than fake. It’s a lot cheaper upfront (we already had irrigation as the family that lived here a decade ago had real grass). It is soft and comfy for falls.

The Cons: It’s illegal to put in real sod up here due to water usage (we would be criminals!), it freezes in the winter so we worried that we would be able to maintain it well and we had a lot of shade in the summer so we were worried about it thriving without enough sun.

Artificial Turf:

The Pros: Very little maintenance, year-round green, little mess/dirt for kids especially when it rains/snows. Practical AF.

The Cons: It’s expensive up front (anywhere between $6 – $15 a square foot installed), it can look fake and bad if not done right. It can get hot in the sun.

Neither was a clear choice…

Enter The Dogs – The Ultimate Deciders

Enter the dogs – the final turf decision-makers. When the dogs arrived, we had bark out in the back – a typical and very affordable mountain landscape choice. They “enjoyed” this bark a lot and spent most of their unsupervised time jumping in the pond, then chasing each other back and forth only to end up digging up dirt around the perimeter, bathing in mud and bark. Meanwhile, all the dust from the bark floated its way into our home, permeating every room. We knew that we had to get rid of the bark within days of having these dirty little pups. But do we install real sod? Well like the grass gods answering our prayers (wouldn’t it be awesome it if were always this easy?), the next week we brought down the dogs to LA to stage the house and those little mothers started digging holes in the middle of the grass in our backyard. We couldn’t stop them. The second they were let outside they would dig up everything! We were going to replace the sod anyway there (and we did) but it made it clear that these two mud pups will abuse any future grass. DONE. TURF. IT. IS.

So we did what any designer + husband team would do – we rushed the process because we were going mentally a little cuckoo dealing with muddy pups every day destroying our house. We knew that we wanted a fire pit area and a hot tub (this is a mountain house and both feel like long term investments for winter – and if we ever Airbnb it, it obviously adds a lot of value). But I was being a perfectionist and “cared about the design too much” so Brian took this project over to speed it up. I agreed that this wasn’t where we should spend a ton of money or be too precious. We are up here for at least a year but after that who knows? And if we didn’t do it quickly we wouldn’t get it done until after winter as a lot of the exterior construction stops late November – April. WE HAD TO HURRY.

We Got Multiple Quotes

So our first quote from a landscape contractor included turf for most of the yard (around 1700 square feet), plus a stone path to a stone patio where the two boulders are, creating a natural gas fire pit area. This quote came in at $56k, which we thought was incredibly high and frankly shocked us. He thought maybe he could get it down to $45k and this did NOT include digging the trench for the gas, hooking up the gas (done by a plumber), or laying the slab for the hot tub. We knew that landscaping your house is almost as expensive as renovating the inside – mostly because of labor, but we had not predicted this.

So we got another quote, slowing down the process (but still rushing too fast, don’t worry!). This time we called Save Pro Turf and we had an amazing experience (not gifted or given a press discount – just super impressed with the product and service). We decided to not spend the money on a stone patio and instead just put down pebbles and we nixed a path I wanted since we didn’t really NEED it after all. By doing this we got the quote for $16k. Now, this didn’t include bark removal, tree trunk removal, some grading, trenching the gas line, installing the gas line ($850), and lastly pouring the slab for the future hot tub. These things will add up to a few thousands of dollars, but they were still FAR under that $56k quote. Plus, the turf was in stock and they were available to do it 3 weeks later (many of the other companies we called were booked through November, and then depending on weather they might not have been able to do it til spring – NOOOOOOO!!!). We could NOT live with that bark. It was making our house DISGUSTING, the dust, the mud, the chewing of the bark all over the house, NOOO.

The Scramble To Find Sub-Contractors

I don’t know how it is where you live but up here, all contractors and subs are SLAMMED with work. It’s great for them, but as a homeowner, it was almost impossible to book any subs for these jobs (and no one really cares about my Instagram following which I only reluctantly mention as a hail mary JUST IN CASE). I reached out to our GC Jeff Malcom (who did the mountain house) and asked for him to ask his subs for us, and while he tried to help he reminded me that “subs will always prioritize working for general contractors over homeowners because they’ll get consistent long term work from them, whereas with a homeowner it’s just a one-time thing”. Fine.

So we were scrambling to find crews to de-bark, trench for gas pipe, grade the earth, and then get a plumber to install the pipe for the gas. It was also labor day weekend and no one wanted to work overtime, understandably… without a pretty penny at least. So we ended up paying far more to get crews to come on the weekend or after hours. The turf was coming on September 8th and if we didn’t have the yard ready by then they couldn’t do it for another month after that. But by rushing it we paid about 30% more for labor to get it all ready in time. FUN!

We lived with the de-barked – full dirt backyard for over a week which wasn’t ideal (remember dogs and kids), but also fun for the kids as we had some great mud-ball fights that horrified Brian and admittedly took days to get out of my hair.

INSTALL TIME

Here’s what I can’t recommend enough: hire a very experienced turf company that specializes in turf to install. There are many ways to mess this up and make it A. look terrible or B. not last as long as it should (pull up on the edges, not prepped properly underneath, etc). Save Pro Turf knew exactly what they were doing. They came out twice to do drawings and measurements and mapped it all out.

The day of the install they arrived with close to 10 guys – all so pleasant and genuinely seemed like they loved their job. I mention that as a huge compliment to Jeff who runs the company – that he clearly takes care of his team (some have been with him for 10 years). They did some additional grading and started prepping the earth. This included spreading out a recycled concrete layer to compact and act as a weed barrier.

Brian and I had to go to LA to shoot something so while we were gone his parents kept sending me photos and videos of the process and it was INTENSE. They arrived at 8 am on Wednesday and they were totally done by Thursday afternoon! I do think that this is unusual and they said they had double the crews to make sure they finished before a massive job the following week (so I wouldn’t typically expect it to take such a short time).

Do We Love It???

OH, DO WE. It instantly changed our backyard and lives. The kids can actually use it, play on it, lay on it. The pups can run around and if they avoid the pond/dirt they remain clean! If they are unsupervised and they DO get in the pod and dirt then the faux grass almost acts as a big doormat and brushes it off of them if they stay out there long enough.

Does It Look Real??

Artificial grass rarely fools you completely. But in my opinion, there are five factors that help it look more real:

Get high-quality turf that has multiple shades of green and brown in it. We chose Pro80 that was sourced through the turf company (it doesn’t sell direct to consumer as far as I can see and that is because they don’t want consumers to order and try to install it on their own). It’s a darker green which is more appropriate for the mountains (as opposed to a brighter that might be more “Palm Springs-y”). It has some brown on the inside which gives it some dimension.

FUN FACT: Most turf is only $2-4 per square foot, it’s the install that makes it between $7 – $15 (ours was $8/square foot with install)
Get professional turf installers to install. After watching them do it, it is an art form that requires experience. Like installing expensive wallpaper, if you aren’t going to have someone good do it, you might just be wasting your money. Don’t totally flatten your yard. A perfectly flat rectangle of a yard with turf definitely looks more like a putting green and a little fake. It’s OK if this is what you have, It’s not like you should “add hills” but if you have some sloping or some movement, keep it – it looks more real. Break it up. Like tip #3, the more you break it up the more real it looks mostly because it’s so bright and green (and perfect) that your eye doesn’t believe it’s real if it’s just a huge field of perfect primary green. Broken up with pathways, fire pits, boulders, decking, etc will help it look less fake. Shade and dappling are your friends. It’s my opinion that a dapple or shade makes it look more real than full sun. It just creates movement and a natural element. Not that you can add shade that easily, but if you are worried about it looking fake and you have a lot of shade know that the shade helps.

Now I know that many of you will never be on board with faux, but admittedly the second that the decision was “forced upon us” and more importantly the night that it was installed I was SO RELIEVED and secretly SO happy that this is our future. It would be like a doctor telling you to only wear Uggs or to start eating more french fries. The lack of maintenance of this grass really checks a huge box for us permanently despite it not always being my first style choice.

But We Still Rushed Some Things…

Jeff (our contractor) told us after we had booked everything that we were being hasty putting in artificial turf FIRST, that it’s like installing the carpet before you’ve painted the walls. Oh Jeff, don’t be so boring. I knew he was right but desperation for turf NOW was leading the hasty machine. So here is what we kinda rushed:

We still need to do some construction – like a new fence (Brian doesn’t agree but I want a pretty painted wood fence). So that will be a decent amount of construction near our pretty new grass. Whoops. We forgot about the trampoline. The Saturday after we installed the grass and our fire pit (how pretty is that fire pit!!) my workout tramp arrived. The kids jumped on it, so happy, and Brian and I looked at each other at the EXACT same time and said “oh shoooooooot”. The only place we could have put an in-ground tramp is where the firepit is – fully installed with natural gas. That was the original plan that we honestly just FORGOT about!!! So what I’d love from you is for you guys to say things like “our kids never use our tramp” or “it’s a waste of money and dangerous”‘. We might be able to put in an above-ground one (with the safety net) outside the guest room door but we ruined our chance to put it here. And you can’t really do it now because trying to patch the turf where the boulders are would look silly. WHOOPS. The design of the hot tub area was barely even thought about because we were so busy trying to coordinate the subcontractors and now we are locked into having the grass stop where it is, in a straight line. We’ll make it work, but it might not be the prettiest hot tub area ever. **Update: we found the last hot tub on sale in a 100-mile radius (like the last one left for MONTHS, none were arriving till late November) so we snagged it. Is it a pretty round cedar tub? HA NO. Brian Henderson would die without the ability to sit on faux marbled moulded plastic with hydrotherapy jets going into his armpits. But after researching I realized that the only BEAUTIFUL spas are custom/site-specific spas (built into a pool area with custom surrounds + very expensive) or are round cedar ones that you have to sit vertically in (Brian shakes his head in horror). So since I have to give up on “beautiful”, I’m opting for “affordable”, “fast” and “Not visually offensive??”. Cheers to low expectations! The fire pit area is pretty darn big and could have been smaller. There was some miscommunication and then boom, it was done.

The Organizational Products That Have Been EHD-Vetted (Room By Room)

Ok, so…the world’s on a BIG organizing kick right now. I think it’s probably 70% because of The Home Edit’s new Netflix show and 30% because it’s nice to have ONE. TINY. THING. that you can actually control in your life. Whatever the impetus, actually getting organized can be kind of annoying and overwhelming because there are about a billion bins and specialty products and like, how’s a person even supposed to know what’s good?!?!? 

And that’s where I come in. I was birthed and reared by the best lady in the universe, Brenda, who has been a lifelong advocate for the organizational bin and basket. For years, my mom would come to visit me in LA and by the end of her trip, I’d be a bit more organized — whether it was adjusting storage in my bathroom, figuring out under-sink bins, or sorting the miscellany in my closet, I learned THE WAYS OF HOME ORGANIZATION (should I trademark this???) from Brenda and from her mastery of The Container Store.

To that end, I’ve learned that there’s a lotta stuff out there that you actually don’t need, so I pulled the all-time best picks for 5 key areas in your home. As I was linking this post, I realized that every. single. item. also had a 5-star rating, so it’s not just me being biased — this is the certified GOOD STUFF. (PS. This is not sponsored. All honest reviews from your org pal over here who has spent years trying pretty much everything!) 

So since the weekend is kicking off and a whole bunch of this is available for pickup at a store near you… let’s get started with the best, most affordable storage and organization tools out there. YOU COULD BE IN A TOTALLY ORGANIZED HOME BY SUNDAY. Imagine that!!! Kicking it off with the heart of the home, your kitchen…

Kitchen

1. Baker’s Storage: There are SO MANY options out there for airtight baking containers, but this is the best choice for casual bakers. (I know, because I am a casual baker.) There are so many special details here — snap out levelers, flip-out spouts, dusting spoons, terra cotta inserts — and it’s a great price for six containers. (If you’re a more serious baker, they have a set of 10 for only $20 more.)

2. 5-Piece Modular Canister Set: Your search is over. After examining nearly every container option, this one came out as the winner. These don’t feel bulky or heavy, they’re easily stackable, and the size is perfect for actual consumption. (Sometimes I feel wary of food I decanted a while ago — this doesn’t happen here because they’re not jumbo and I can actually eat everything in a canister in a week or two.) They’re about half the price of the equivalent OXO product and while they lack that signature airtight button seal, I actually think the food tastes less plastic-y and I eat it fast enough that it’s never been an issue. 

3. Lazy Susan: There are a lot of clear acrylic lazy Susans out there. This is the best one AND it’s nearly 20% cheaper than a similar one that’s branded with the name of a certain organizational company with a new Netflix show. (No shade! Just love a deal over here.) 

4. Pet Food Containers: Did anyone else grow up with a big, round, plastic bin of dog food looming somewhere in the kitchen vicinity? This is an even better version of that — the wheels make it SO MUCH easier to manage and the locking clamp means that food will be safe from even the smartest of pups. This also could work for litter or garden soil or road salt or…you get it