Emily Henderson's Blog, page 229

Everything You Need to Know About Designing A Dog-Friendly Home: Advice, Easy Hacks and Tons of Decor Recommendations From Our Readers

 

photo by Tessa Neustadt | from: The Design Milk Family Room Reveal

All dogs are perfect, but they aren’t always the best roommates. They shed, they climb on furniture, and if they’re an American Bulldog named Gus, they drool and lick themselves incessantly. But, as the proud mother of said bulldog, I know there are few joys greater than coming home to a 60 lb slobbery mess that wants to jump on me and lick my face as soon as I walk through the door. Yes, I am that kind of dog mom. I let my dog jump on me, lay on the couch, and sleep in our bed because he has me wrapped around his little paw. But as whipped as I may be, there is no denying that a dog in the home causes some challenges, design-wise.

As I coming to find out, designing a dog-friendly home requires thoughtful consideration and those who’ve lived through it are our best resource. So I did what anyone would do. I asked my boss to ask you, the real experts, how you keep your homes dog-friendly and clean. Now I’ve gathered the results and can’t wait to share all the tips and tricks. We’re talking best and worst fabrics, best cleaning products, easy hacks, and more. Let’s get to it:

The Best (& Prettiest) Dog-Friendly Sofas

Leather: I know there are people out there who live in “no dogs on the furniture” households. These people deserve this recognition and will likely announce themselves in the comment section (please do and please give me all the advice on how to accomplish this). The rest of us need something a little more foolproof than that. I was recently in the market for a new couch and because my life revolves around my dog, I had to ask what is recommended for dogs (specifically ones that shed a TON). I was told leather is the #1 recommended for dog owners which is no surprise. Leather is easy to wipe clean and hair isn’t going to stick to it. Obviously, real leather will hold up better to scratches, but faux leather is just as easy to clean – just not as durable. 

1.  2. Texada Sofa | 3. Hoxton Black Leather Sofa | 4. Leather Sofa | 5. Sven Charme Tan Sofa | 6. Brown Leather Modern Square Sofa

Tightly Woven Fabrics: If you aren’t into leather and want something cozier, have no fear. There are some woven fabrics out there that are very durable and stain-resistant. My research tells me the tighter the weave the better (think chenille and herringbone – fabrics with texture that will hide hair – but watch out if your dog is a digger as their nails can cause damage). Also, synthetic fabrics like microfibre are high on the pet (and kid) friendly list because they can be spot-cleaned with most carpet cleaners and pet hair is easier to remove with lint rollers and vacuums. If you are going for a woven fabric though, you might consider matching the fabric to your dog’s hair color as best you can unless you don’t mind seeing hair everywhere. And I mean everywhere.

1. Shelter Sofa | 2. Sven Birch Ivory Sofa | 3. Sloan Custom 3 Seat Sofa | 4. Ever Slipcover Sofa | 5. KIVIK Sofa | 6. Amherst Cobblestone Sofa

Velvet: About half of you swear by velvet and the other half will be calling me crazy in the comments section. We actually wrote a post about this last year, and we learned that synthetic velvet is more dog and kid-friendly because it holds up better to scratching and is easier to clean and keep hair-free. So, if you are in the market for velvet furniture go for synthetic or performance velvet for best results.

1. Mirage 75″ Sofa | 2. Calais Channel Tufted Sofa | 3. Olsen Sofa | 4. Rivet Aiden Tufted Mid Century Velvet Sofa | 5. Shelter Sofa | 6. Shelia Velvet 80″ Sofa

The Best & Most Stain Resistant Rugs:
photo by: Tessa Nuestadt | from: How We Styled Our Living Room To Sell 

Cowhide: I have a white cowhide rug and even between my wine spills and my dog’s occasional throw-up spells, it somehow remains stain free. This is no exaggeration when I say it is the easiest thing I’ve ever had the pleasure of cleaning (and I hate cleaning). If you get to the accident fast enough, a rag and some water will usually get the stain right out, but if it is a more stubborn stain laundry detergent works like magic. In my experience, even faux cowhide is easy to clean simply because the hairs are spread out far enough so you can scrub the hide and you can rub back and forth without worrying about damaging it. Emily also swears by cowhide rugs for messy kids and pets.

1. Palomino White/ Beige Cowhide Rug | 2. Carbon Loft Tan/White Cowhide Rug  3. Honey Cowhide Rug

Vintage Persian Rugs: If you’ve ever had a vintage Persian rug you know they can take a beating but what’s even better is their age and wear are a part of their charm. This makes accidents and scratches less of an issue and if it does stain, the intricate patterns do a good job of masking it. We know they are an investment but Emily and Sara vouch for the Persian rug stain-resistance and even though they are cat owners, I trust their judgment.

Are IKEA Kitchen Cabinets Worth The Savings??? A Very Honest Review One Year Later

If you’re anything like us, you’ve always been curious about IKEA cabinetry. I mean they look pretty in pictures but how do they hold up? How much do they really cost? Are they worth the savings? How comprehensive is IKEA’s cabinetry customer service? The list of questions goes on but today ALL of them will be answered now. Enter Amanda (a fellow blogger and past EHD contributor). She and her husband decided that they would cash in on the undeniable savings and go the IKEA route for their kitchen cabinetry. Today she is showing us her beautiful kitchen and giving us all the juice. Amanda, take it away…

 

Hello! I’m so honored to be sharing a post with you today about my experience using IKEA Kitchen Cabinets for our kitchen renovation. But first, let me properly introduce myself. I’m Amanda Holstein, a blogger turned interior designer specializing in Airbnbs and small businesses here in the Bay Area. 

Here’s my story: My husband and I bought our little 1960’s cabin in Mill Valley in 2017 and have spent the last few years renovating it from top to bottom. And since this was our first home and our first renovation, a lot of questions came up. Most of them ending with, “WTF are we doing?”. That was especially true when it came to the renovation of our kitchen. With a tight budget (thank you, very high Bay Area real estate prices), deciding where to splurge and where to save was a big part of the discussion. When we saw that IKEA was having a deal on kitchen cabinets (you’d get 30% back in the form of a gift card), we thought what the heck.

Since my husband will choose saving money over time any day, and I don’t quite have the patience for that, this was a fun one for our marriage.

It’s Time For Warmer, Pastel Inspired Gatherings with Target’s New Spring Collection

February – It’s the time of year, for most of you, where the romance of winter has waned (hard), and the holidays are over. So what’s next? Only the fantasy of spring, of course. I’m from Oregon (rains from November to April), lived in New York for 10 years (freezing from November ’til March) so despite living in LA (I don’t want to tell you what it’s like here), I still get it. This post is for those of you who:

A. Are ready to fantasize about your life in brighter, warmer days.

B. Are just realizing that the reason they call it a “spring break” is because if you don’t go on vacation to somewhere that resembles “spring” soon, you are going to break down and light your puffy, once-cozy sleeping bag coat on fire hoping that it provides much-needed heat. Or maybe…

C. Like easy styling hacks and entertaining tips, that involve (faux) flowers, wine, bright colors and a lot of affordable (and durable) Target pieces.

Or if you just like staring at pretty, inappropriately early seasonal photos, keep scrolling – we are here for that, too. Whatever your reason, we’re gonna tackle all of the above:

Embrace the Pastels and Flowers

It’s a simple theme that is highly effective at getting the message across. Just when I think I’m too cool for pastels (January Emily), I remember that there is truly so much happiness provoked by blues and pinks. Color makes me happy, it just does and often when I try to go ‘chic’ and too neutral I don’t feel the same level of positive energy (but that’s just me).

Let’s also not forgot the years of my blue and blush craze because it’s at least temporarily back for spring. There is no shame in my blue and pink game, and we used these colors all over the table, including textiles, plates, flowers.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE those melamine floral plates (yes, they are unbreakable!), and plan on snagging the small and large for backyard parties all spring and summer. Plus the contrast of the gingham patterned plates under them is almost too good.

Don’t Be Afraid of the Faux Flowers

Here’s my advice when it comes to choosing between real and faux flowers (plants or trees) – Faux is ultimately less expensive, less mess and lasts longer – It’s like choosing engineered stone over marble. Sure, we all love the real deal more but real marble is vigilant upkeep.  In the end, it’s a lifestyle choice.

I was hesitant before I saw these blossoms in person because I generally prefer real. I thought we’d style them in the background, opting for real on the table. But when no one was looking I put them on the table and we were like “oh shoooooot” because they looked so pretty. So here’s my case for them:

Spring blossoms are hard to come by, even in March or April, in a lot of the country. We are lucky here in LA, but I realize not everyone wants to go to the flower market at 5am (and they can be really expensive). THESE ARE SO EASY (and look so real).
They were tall which added drama without taking up much space, but the glass was simple and let table conversations easily happen, not blocking the eye-line.
They looked really real, were in a soft pretty color palette and their shape was manipulatable. We shaped them into really pretty sculptures on the table.

Stylists are generally against faux anything, but after the ease of faux garland and tree up at the mountain house over the holidays (versus the mess and expense of real), I’m going to the dark side when it makes sense for my lifestyle.

They also come on those wreaths, which we simply hung with command strips and made us look like we were professionals (fine we are, but it was easy).

Layering and Mixing Patterns is the Key to Life (and Style)

Most of you who are here are less interested in the “fussy” and “formal,” so assuming you are aligned here is what I like to do:

Start with your tablecloth or runner. And here’s a good styling hack: We used what you might have thought is a “too small” tablecloth and put it on an angle, thus exposing the pretty wood underneath (adding texture, warmth, and depth), and showing off the pretty fringe of the tablecloth. I think this is a much more fresh, casual and “daytime” way to style a cloth and is one of my “go-to moves.”

Once you have the table cloth set, layer different patterned plates in the same color palette and theme. Or you can simply layer more “spring” plates on your basic whites for something easy that makes it feel special.

HOT TIP: Layer your napkin in between your plates and let it hang off the table. I realize that there are a million different ways to “style the napkin” but this is our favorite because it breaks up the line of the table, and doesn’t take up more room on the surface.

For the maximum amount of texture and style, bring any pillows outside (or to your dining room table) and pepper them on the chairs. This adds so much warmth, interest, texture, pattern and says “we are cozy, casual and fun people who aren’t afraid to rebel.” They do NOT need to match (see below). Just have them be within a cohesive color palette. And don’t be afraid to bring in a throw, too. We used square, rectangular, and round pillows and made sure that the patterns didn’t compete too much (i.e. putting the large floral near the busier stripe is good).

Honestly, the more the merrier because nothing gets you out of the winter blues faster than brunch food, wine, happy pillows, and throws. That’s why I also love having a “seating area zone” when I have a gathering. It’s another place for your friends to relax instead of clumping in one area (usually the kitchen, am I right?). Plus it’s another great excuse to bring in more pattern and texture to your overall space. Can I also just give a shout out to those awesome lanterns?? They are so good and the dark color also helps to ground the flowery, pastel textiles.

Ground the Pastels with Wood and Gold

Listen, if everything were white, pink and blue on your table it might be too much (and just not necessary). Use your normal flatware (could be silver, don’t worry), and cutting boards to bring in some wood to ground all the colors and pattern. Even a basket of bread would work, and would be more delicious.

Another great way to bring in some “wood warmth” is a bar cart (which also provides ample wine storage). It’s visually awesome, contrasts with the pastel party, and is crazy functional.

As a hardcore fan of the outdoor bar cart, this one from Opalhouse is great and says spring with its woven rattan details. Also, (as I spoke about just a second ago) you want “zones” so people don’t cluster in one area. This bar cart is a perfect “zone” for your friends to pour themselves a glass of wine. SO functional.

Add a Personalized Moment That Says “I Care Even Though It Only Took 2 Minutes”

Isn’t this “name card” so cute? And trust me when I say it was so incredibly easy that even Birdie could do it. Except for the fact that her penmanship is terrible and not photoshoot acceptable. Also, this is a great close up of my new favorite plates. This year may be dubbed “The Year Emily Henderson Used Floral Prints On Everything” because I am into them hard. But back to our little, easy DIY…

Here’s how we made the name cards:

We took the dried flowers from Target (yes, at many Targets they sell these!).
We wrote the name on a real leaf with a white sharpie.
Tied a flat and simple leaf from the yard to the flower with twine – and that’s it!

I really want to start doing things like this more when I have small parties because nothing (style-wise) puts a smile on my face faster than thoughtful little details. Plus with this little leaf DIY, it adds an additional texture and pop of color that livens it up even more. Win-win.

What is also a win is when your best friend’s dog comes over to crash your photoshoot because dogs are truly the best models and everyone loves dogs. Thanks, Boris.

So there you have it. Hopefully, this has taken you out of the winter slump and catapulted you right into spring planning. Cheers to warmer days, outdoor meals, and constant laughter about those freezing temperatures when your sleeping bag coat ruined any outfit you tried to put together. Target has once again nailed it with this spring line and seeing all of these amazing new products makes me a stupid amount of happy. So happy (almost) spring everyone. We are so close. xx

1. Cherry Blossom Wreath | 2. Ceramic Serving Bowl | 3. Oblong Serving Bowl | 4. Traditional White Wine Glasses (set of 4) | 5. Glass Clarte Tumblers (set of 4) | 6. Gingham Dinner Plate | 7. Floral Melamine Large Plate | 8. Globe String Lights | 9. Square Solid Pillow With Fringe | 10. Round Floral Pillow | 11. Compacta Pink Dry Stems | 12. 5pc Stainless Steel Izon Mirror Flatware Set Gold | 13. Wood Round Serving Board | 14. 20 pc Unscented Candle Set | 15. Check Table Throw | 16. 11″ Stoneware Floral Cake Stand | 17. Flower Petal Bowl | 18. 4pk Napkins Stripe Sour Cream Multi Stripe | 19. 4pk Hearth & Hand Cloth Napkins | 20. Mulberry 2pk Patio Chair | 21. Modern Wood Dining Table | 22. Modern Wood Dining Chair | 23. Cherry Blossom Arrangement | 24. Cylinder Glass Vase | 25. 6oz Porcelain Stripe Ramekin White | 26.Woven Stripe Pillow | 27. Outdoor Lumbar Pillow | 28. Chunky Knit Throw Blanket | 29. Floral Lumbar Pillow | 30. Floral Embroidered Square Pillow | 31. Faux Concrete Indoor/Outdoor Accent Table | 32. Britanna Patio Bar Cart Natural | 33. Small Metal Outdoor Lantern | 34. Metal Outdoor Lantern | 35. Fernhill Metal Patio Loveseat Linen

The post It’s Time For Warmer, Pastel Inspired Gatherings with Target’s New Spring Collection appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our First 2020 Feel Good Makeover Could Be You – Let’s Make Your Life Much Brighter

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Today we are announcing our first Feel Good makeover of 2020, and guess what? It’s a contest – the Brighten Up Any Room Design Giveaway – in partnership with Velux Skylights that YOU can win. We do these Feel Good Makeovers throughout the year for a variety of families (some with partnerships, some not), and I’m not sure I want to be doing anything else in my career other than these. Our goal is to find someone (one of you) who could use some brightening up, both in your physical space as well as emotionally/mentally. 

It’s no surprise that I LOVE my natural light and fresh air, so I’ll be transforming one room in one of your homes with a custom design refresh from me, including the installation of up to two VELUX No Leak Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights with solar-powered blinds. So maybe your bathroom needs some love, or your living room is in need of some new furniture (and natural light). Have a dark, dreary room in your home that you avoid? If you win, YOU CAN STOP IGNORING IT. 

I’ll be here (along with my wonderful team) to help realize the potential of one of your spaces… and whatever we come up with will be awash in sweet, sweet sunlight from overhead. If you’re already chomping at the bit to win your own set of skylights and a flash makeover, you can enter here. (And then come back and read on for some design inspiration.) 

Last year, my team brightened up the bedroom of our winners, Kristen and Raeann. Kristen was battling a rare form of genetic cancer and was spending a lot of time in bed, recovering from aggressive chemo. They were both long-time readers and the entire design and installation process with them was so touching and fulfilling. This was their space before and after. It was a transformation, to say the least.

reveal photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Myself and the design team, led by Julie and assisted by Emily B., transformed their bedroom by bringing in natural light and sky views, which made it the most comfortable bedroom for healing. (You can see the full reveal here.) Helping another family no matter what they need is the next goal, and we can’t wait to do it again.

Now for my thoughts and feelings on skylights in general, why I am a fan and where the heck you can put them. (There are more options than you’d think!)

I learned very early in my career as a prop stylist that for photography, natural light is truly the #1 element you need for a room (or shot) to look alive. But what happens if your house has a huge overhang that blocks sunlight? What if your window opens straight into another building? What if your windows only face north and you are in dire need of bringing some sweet, sweet sunlight inside? What if you’re in an interior room that doesn’t even have a window to begin with? Skylights to the rescue…

Skylights in a Bathroom
photos by sara ligorria-tramp |from: portland reveal: creating the dreamiest of master bathrooms

One of the most ideal places to use a skylight is in the bathroom. I love that you can put them in places where traditional windows can’t (or shouldn’t) go, like in showers. Showering with a skylight overhead is MAGIC. Velux’s skylights can also be opened via remote control to let out warm air (it rises, remember?), which prevents lingering humidity and brings in clean, fresh air. Plus, it’s great to have even more light throughout the day if you’re the type of person who applies makeup in your bathroom.

Skylights in a Kitchen
photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the reveal of the mountain house kitchen

Guys, you don’t have to sacrifice cabinet space for windows. Skylights are a no brainer for spaces where you desperately need wall space for functionality but don’t want to give up natural light. And just like in a bathroom, smells and moisture need to go somewhere, so a quick open of the skylight is ideal for releasing odors, steam, and sometimes, accidental smoke

Our First Feel Good Makeover Could Be You And Make Your Life Much Brighter

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Today we are announcing our first Feel Good makeover of 2020, and guess what? It’s a contest – the Brighten Up Any Room Design Giveaway – in partnership with Velux Skylights that YOU can win. We do these Feel Good Makeovers throughout the year for a variety of families (some with partnerships, some not), and I’m not sure I want to be doing anything else in my career other than these. Our goal is to find someone (one of you) who could use some brightening up, both in your physical space as well as emotionally/mentally. 

It’s no surprise that I LOVE my natural light and fresh air, so I’ll be transforming one room in one of your homes with a custom design refresh from me, including the installation of up to two VELUX No Leak Solar Powered “Fresh Air” Skylights with solar-powered blinds. So maybe your bathroom needs some love, or your living room is in need of some new furniture (and natural light). Have a dark, dreary room in your home that you avoid? If you win, YOU CAN STOP IGNORING IT. 

I’ll be here (along with my wonderful team) to help realize the potential of one of your spaces… and whatever we come up with will be awash in sweet, sweet sunlight from overhead. If you’re already chomping at the bit to win your own set of skylights and a flash makeover, you can enter here. (And then come back and read on for some design inspiration.) 

Last year, my team brightened up the bedroom of our winners, Kristen and Raeann. Kristen was battling a rare form of genetic cancer and was spending a lot of time in bed, recovering from aggressive chemo. They were both long-time readers and the entire design and installation process with them was so touching and fulfilling. This was their space before and after. It was a transformation, to say the least.

reveal photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: how we brightened up a room (and some deserving lives) with velux skylights

Myself and the design team, led by Julie and assisted by Emily B., transformed their bedroom by bringing in natural light and sky views, which made it the most comfortable bedroom for healing. (You can see the full reveal here.) Helping another family no matter what they need is the next goal, and we can’t wait to do it again.

Now for my thoughts and feelings on skylights in general, why I am a fan and where the heck you can put them. (There are more options than you’d think!)

I learned very early in my career as a prop stylist that for photography, natural light is truly the #1 element you need for a room (or shot) to look alive. But what happens if your house has a huge overhang that blocks sunlight? What if your window opens straight into another building? What if your windows only face north and you are in dire need of bringing some sweet, sweet sunlight inside? What if you’re in an interior room that doesn’t even have a window to begin with? Skylights to the rescue…

Skylights in a Bathroom
photos by sara ligorria-tramp |from: portland reveal: creating the dreamiest of master bathrooms

One of the most ideal places to use a skylight is in the bathroom. I love that you can put them in places where traditional windows can’t (or shouldn’t) go, like in showers. Showering with a skylight overhead is MAGIC. Velux’s skylights can also be opened via remote control to let out warm air (it rises, remember?), which prevents lingering humidity and brings in clean, fresh air. Plus, it’s great to have even more light throughout the day if you’re the type of person who applies makeup in your bathroom.

Skylights in a Kitchen
photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the reveal of the mountain house kitchen

Guys, you don’t have to sacrifice cabinet space for windows. Skylights are a no brainer for spaces where you desperately need wall space for functionality but don’t want to give up natural light. And just like in a bathroom, smells and moisture need to go somewhere, so a quick open of the skylight is ideal for releasing odors, steam, and sometimes, accidental smoke

The Link Up: A Soulful Home Tour Emily Loves, Jess’ Perfect $3 Planner & Caitlin’s New Favorite Grocery Delivery

home of keith mcnally, styled by sebastian sergeant | photo by paul raeside | via: architectural digest

Sundays are for sleeping in, time to binge a new show and of course, The Link Up. We hope the universe grants you all those things, and great news! You are a third of the way there. Let’s get to it:

Today’s home tour has Emily’s (and our) hearts pumping and it’s not just because it is dripping with “Eccentric English Grandma” vibes (see that lamp in the corner??). It is also the serene getaway home we all deserve, so if you want to fantasize about living on a farm in the lush English countryside, go check it out.

Recently, Julie had to give up her one cup of coffee for the day so to get her excited about drinking tea only, she has been looking into getting a stovetop kettle. This one from Food52 is not only beautiful and functional but on their site they say, “When your water comes to a boil, its melodic two-tone harmonic whistle is a far cry from the ear-splitting whine of a traditional kettle”. You bet she was sold on a well thought out design.

From Mallory: “I recently read this article and it shook me. Our generation is MUCH more inclusive and men are embracing gender equality a lot more which rocks, but why aren’t we all evenly sharing home tasks? Just some food for thought this Sunday :)”

From Veronica: “I went to a fitness expo over the weekend (I know, super LA), but I found this peanut butter powder that is now my new bff. I use it in my smoothies, or to dip apples in, and I feel healthier because it doesn’t have all the fat and oils that regular peanut butter has, yet it is still made from real peanuts.”

From Ryann: “When it isn’t summer I am in a constant state of wishing it was summer, so I always find myself shopping for clothes that are more appropriate for the warmer months. A few weeks ago I bought these shorts and I am SO happy I did. I never get tired of denim cutoffs (for example, before these I had the same ones for 5 years) so I felt these were a great purchase. They are also on sale (only $40!), made sustainably, and great quality. I cannot recommend them enough.”

From Sara: “I don’t have this, but I WANT THIS. I cook a lot (like almost every day I make dinner), and this thing looks like it could be a one-stop pan shop. It’s next up for fulfillment on my wishlist.”

Anyone else late to the 2020 planner game? Cool, so was Jess. She also finds that she never uses the daily section and just likes the month overview. So this year instead of spending at least $20 on a fancy planner, she went for this simple but cool monthly little fella. Guys, it’s $3!

From Caitlin: “I handle our partnerships here and am totally drinking MY OWN Kool-Aid. I was #EMfluenced (should I make that a thing?) to try out Imperfect Foods after hearing how much Em ACTUALLY liked it and I AM HOOKED. I like getting produce (I got avocados for like, THIRTY-FIVE CENTS EACH, Y’ALL) but I am also newly addicted to their house brand dried pineapple (the pineapples were rejects because they were too dark to sell in stores!) and Love Crunch in Dark Chocolate and Peanut Butter flavor. Plus, you can customize your box to fit your own budget AND you can pick a delivery time that works for you. I REALLY REALLY LIKE IT. #notsponsored”

There you have it, folks. Same place and time tomorrow? Great, we’ll see you then xx

The post The Link Up: A Soulful Home Tour Emily Loves, Jess’ Perfect $3 Planner & Caitlin’s New Favorite Grocery Delivery appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Sara’s Favorite $17 Vegan Cookbook, The Color Julie & Jess Can’t Stop Buying and Caitlin’s Dream Netflix Show

design by athena calderone | styled by colin king | photo by nicole franzen | via architectural digest

A short and sweet week it was (and for us, PACKED with shoots). But now that we are all about to embark on a full 5-day work week together let’s make that transition a little easier with this week’s link up…

From Emily: If you are a fan of Armchair Expert like all of us here, you know Monica Padman and Dax Shepard. Well Monica, and their other best friend, Jess, have a new podcast of their own about their love lives (well it’s a short series). It’s literally like sitting in the car with two good friends who are as willing to share as I am about all the juicy private stuff. For example: I was at a good part of an episode when I pulled up to Target, but I waited for the story to be over. I could have just pressed “paused” (it’s a podcast, not a radio show), but I was so riveted that I had to wait ’til that segment was over. And a quick vouch for Monica, we recently hung out and I can say that she (and her mom KB) are as lovely, normal, warm, funny and down to earth as they seem. I’m always interested in hearing about how “real” someone actually is, but I’m happy to report they are exactly who they seem (i.e. GREAT).

This past Friday morning felt like a bonus Christmas because right there on ArchitecturalDigest.com was Athena Calderone’s newly renovated Hamptons home. And just like her Brooklyn home, it’s stunning and we suggest you look at it ASAP. Also, can we talk about that rope ceiling???

In case you missed it, Emily wants everyone to stop what they are doing immediately and go look at Leanne Ford’s insanely cool new collection at Crate & Barrel. Emily and the entire team want basically everything. Congrats Leanne!

Since we are talking about all things design, Emily got to be a part of helping Apartment Therapy decide on their pattern of the year. Check it out!

From Sara: I recently got this cookbook in an effort to eat less animal products, while also making easy meals during our renovation. Last night I made the ratatouille and it was KILLER. We ate spread on thick slices of crusty toasted bread and I was in heaven. Tonight I’m going to be tossing the leftovers with pasta. Guys, this might be the best vegan cookbook I’ve come across.

From Mallory: Jess showed me this more affordable line by Jonathan Adler and it’s literally become the inspiration for my entire apartment. Plus it’s one of the only furniture brands my boyfriend and I both love everything about.

From Ryann: I’ve been spending my nights scouring the internet for really COOL vintage dining chairs. My goal is to mix and match and currently have my eyes set on this beauty for my first pick.

Julie got pretty inspired by Jess’ color trend post the other week and bought this cool mint jacket to put on her body.

Speaking of cool mint, Jess and her cousin were shopping last weekend and they both fell head over heels for this jumpsuit. It’s so freaking cute, flattering and perfect for spring with its short sleeves and pastel color.

Veronica stumbled upon this Instagram account and just… wowowowow

From Caitlin: YOU NEED TO WATCH LOVE IS BLIND ON NETFLIX RIGHT NOW and then CAN WE PLEASE TALK ABOUT IT IN THE COMMENTS??? (Yes, the all caps are necessary because this is the best/worst show I have EVER seen. The Bachelor meets 90 Day Fiance meets Married at First Sight meets Bachelor in Paradise? ARE YOU KIDDING? PS. I wrote this link 8 DAYS early after watching just two episodes because I was so excited about what a good/bad mess this show is.)

Ok, happy Sunday everyone and see you tomorrow.

P.S. Don’t be too sad the weekend is almost over because we have a BIG and very EXCITING surprise for you bright and early;) 

The post The Link Up: Sara’s Favorite $17 Vegan Cookbook, The Color Julie & Jess Can’t Stop Buying and Caitlin’s Dream Netflix Show appeared first on Emily Henderson.

All The Questions Answered About How I Get My “Natural” Looking Spray Tan …

My team has heard me reference spray tanning for years and when we were brainstorming our lifestyle content for February, they all begged me to do a post about it because they are all curious and want try, but they are scared. So today I’m answering all their questions about how I get my “natural” spray tan in the middle of winter, for under 4 minutes and around $16. I’m not saying you should do this, nor encouraging the idea that tan skin is better than pale – no weird skin shaming here. But, like covering grays or straightening hair, it is something that some people do and even more people are curious about. And while it’s innately driven in a superficial (literally skin deep) way, I think most of us can relate to the confidence boost we get when we are looking healthy and pulled together – whatever that looks like to you. I’m an expert in it (the spray tan, not the “pulled together” look), so get ready because I’m about to drop some spray tan knowledge.

Let me walk you through it all …

WHAT IS A SPRAY TAN?

A spray-tan is a liquid formula with DHA that when sprayed evenly makes you look like you’ve been in the sun and you feel all glowy. There are many levels and tones and indeed you might want to experiment before say, your red carpet walk or your wedding. The same formula can also be in a lot of tanning lotions (we’ll get to that later).

There are two types of spray tans: “airbrush” and “booth”.

Airbrush means a real live person actually sprays you *naked* either in a pop-up booth in your home ($50 – $100 depending on where you live and level of experience) or at a salon ($60 – $80). It’s highly embarrassing but you will get a much longer-lasting tan that might look more natural and it’s, ahem, thorough. If you are in LA, I recommend Brittany from Be Bronze Studio.

A “booth” is literally a vertical booth that you stand in and nozzles go up and down and spray you evenly on your front and back. It is faster and more affordable – I have a $60/month membership at a non-fancy place and I go once a week (thus the $16 – it’s likely around $30 if you just buy one). It takes me between 4 – 7 minutes from start to finish (I know because I’ve timed myself SO MANY TIMES while I’ve made Brian wait in the car). There are two major brands of booths – Versa and Mystic. As I’m writing this I literally had no idea how much of an expert I am. I much prefer Versa because it’s more natural and much faster. There are typically 3 different levels of Versa that differ in intensity (and differ from booth to booth). I typically do level #2 bronze (the difference between bronze and clear is that they both give you a tan but ‘bronze’ gives you an immediate glow that will yes, get on your clothes and sheets, and clear doesn’t show up for 8 hours, but since I like instant gratification I get bronze).

What do I do before a spray tan? Any prep?

You want to be clean, but not crazy exfoliated because it won’t stick as well. Around the ankles and wrists it will stick more because those areas are less smooth for whatever reason. Ideally you shave the day before but I’ve shaven the day of one million times.
Don’t spray tan and then mani/pedi or get a blowout, or do anything that has to do with water or it will take the color off your hands/feet/calves and neck…
Do NOT get your first spray tan before an important event like a wedding. They can be uneven, too orange or too dark so test it out, go on yelp, ask for recommendations. For any special occasion, I get a custom airbrush done to guarantee that it’s a natural tone and it’s even (again, you have to make an appointment, it takes at least 20 minutes and costs about 4 times the cost of a booth in LA, otherwise I would do it all the time). They can even vary from booth to booth within the same brand so test out that particular booth first.
You need to wear a loose-fitting dress afterwards so it doesn’t stick to your body and rub off your tan (it also feels incredibly gross to put on tight skinny jeans after this – you are sticky and damp for hours). No combat boots either. Think flip flops or loose sneakers.

There I am the day before the shoot, consider this a “before”. Those are the four poses that you are supposed to do in the booth, and no I’m not psyched that I had to publish those on the internet. I also waited until my last spray tan was totally gone as you can see to do this post, which was QUITE the sacrifice.

What happens once in the spray tan room?

Put on your barrier cream on hands and feet (see IGTV on Instagram). Apply liberally, but if you want to do it perfectly google some videos. I’m not the best at it.
Put on your hairnet and make sure it’s not too far onto your forehead (true story – I had like a full 1/2 inch tan near my hairline on my whole face once for an entire day). In the winter, I usually put a hairnet on my face too, so that only a bit of it gets on my face. This can make it pretty uneven between my face and my chest, but I don’t love a super tan face in winter (or ever on me). I really just want a tan body, not an orange face.
Take off jewelry, at least your necklaces and bracelets (I leave my rings because I always have those on so those tan lines don’t matter).
Step on a towel or buy the little foam things to stand on or else the bottom of your feet will be orange for weeks.
Get into the booth – NAKED or with whatever clothes you want (but you’ll have SEVERE “tan” lines) .
Press button and wait for robot lady to tell you to move into the above four poses as the sprayer goes up and down 4 times. It then dries you on both sides.


What are the DOs and DONT’s after getting a spray tan?

You can’t take a shower for 8 hours – that’s the minimum amount of time for it to “activate”.
If you see it looking REALLY DARK then wash your face and chest. I think it sticks faster there and it can look dark and really unnatural. I usually don’t shower the next day because I like it to keep activating and get even darker, but you kinda stink and it’s pretty gross.
Most people shower the next morning but don’t scrub and don’t use a rag. Just let the water run and you’ll see the brown water of the bronzer go down the drain.
You should be careful about having sex for 8 hours, too. I’ve NEVER been in this situation before but I’ve heard from an airbrush person that if “certain liquids” get on it it will indeed take it off if under the 8 hours within that region. That “tan line” is harder to explain in a bathing suit the next day at the pool…
You should expect that it will get on your sheets, jammies, pillowcases, and towels. Mine always comes out, but I can’t vouch for your spray tan (it’s the same with most tanning lotions). I will say that if you like your sheets crisp white then you should likely need to bleach them, but again it’s not a huge problem for me.
You can go swimming, get a massage, sit in a hot tub, steam room, sauna but all those things will reduce how long it lasts. I tell you this because usually people spray tan before vacation, so just know the consequences of your fun

Trend Alert (?) Is The Accent Ceiling The New Accent Wall? + 5 Easy (and Budget-Friendly) Ways To Take Your Room To The Next Level

photo by richard powers | design by nikos moustroufis and isabel lopez-quesada | via architectural digest

There’s one particular design topic that has been pretty top of mind (pun accidentally intended) amongst Emily and the staff… and that topic is the accent ceiling. Is it a brand new idea? No. But why don’t we take advantage of them more? They are right there, above our little heads undervalued and underused. We are pretty passionate about putting a stop to this in 2020. To prove it, Julie has convinced Caitlin her dining room must have a wallpapered ceiling, Emily has been cooking up some great ceiling ideas for her kid’s shared room, and I am also thinking an accent ceiling wall would be killer way to make a design slash in my bed nook that wouldn’t dry up my funds. Guys, it’s a win-win-win!

There are a handful of ways you can approach this. You want to decide what is going to work best for you: Wallpaper or paint? Solid color or patterned? Applied moulding or plain and smooth? Overwhelmed? Relax, because today I am going to take you through all of your options, give you A TON of inspiration, and some extra little things to think about. Things are really looking up

Don’t Neglect Your Ceiling – 5 Easy (and Budget-Friendly) Ways To Take Your Room To The Next Level

photo by richard powers | design by nikos moustroufis and isabel lopez-quesada | via architectural digest

There’s one particular design topic that has been pretty top of mind (pun accidentally intended) amongst Emily and the staff… and that topic is the accent ceiling. Is it a brand new idea? No. But why don’t we take advantage of them more? They are right there, above our little heads undervalued and underused. We are pretty passionate about putting a stop to this in 2020. To prove it, Julie has convinced Caitlin her dining room must have a wallpapered ceiling, Emily has been cooking up some great ceiling ideas for her kid’s shared room, and I am also thinking an accent ceiling wall would be killer way to make a design slash in my bed nook that wouldn’t dry up my funds. Guys, it’s a win-win-win!

There are a handful of ways you can approach this. You want to decide what is going to work best for you: Wallpaper or paint? Solid color or patterned? Applied moulding or plain and smooth? Overwhelmed? Relax, because today I am going to take you through all of your options, give you A TON of inspiration, and some extra little things to think about. Things are really looking up