Emily Henderson's Blog, page 258

The Ethically Made Shoe Brand My Feet Will Be Living In This Summer (+ All Our Favorite Picks)

There are few brands that I don’t have to think about, that I just know I like, and I tend to like all of their product. Nisolo is one of them. We discovered them a few years ago and like their shoes as well as their ethos (more on that in a sec). If you haven’t been able to tell from my “What I Wore” posts of Saturday’s past, on a day-to-day basis, I don’t like flashy shoes or a “statement shoe.” I’m on my feet so much that I need comfort and ease in a classic style. So as you can see below, I’ve been wearing Nisolo for a couple of years because I like them a lot:

So we were VERY happy when they reached out to partner on a post for shoes for the whole team. WE SAID YES. With our assignment clear and in hand (pick out our favorite summer shoes…easy), we quickly got to work. I already had some of my own personal favorites, and basically lived all winter in their Chelsea boots (which BTW are 40% off right now). Honestly—and I know LA doesn’t have “winter” or “weather” so take this with a grain of salt—were all pretty ready to leave behind our clunky and chunky boots we were clomping around in for the last few months. IT’S ALMOST SUMMER, PEOPLE. The time for reckless BBQ abandon, weekend trips to the lake and beach, so.many.weddings…you get it. Buh bye, boots, what’s up mules and slides and sandals.

You can only imagine the pure glee when you tell an office full of women (and our two shoe-loving guys): YOU GET SHOES AND YOU GET SHOES. EVERYONE GETS SHOES. Yeah…it was a good day…trumped only by the day the shoes actually arrived. Free shoes are one thing, but supporting and bringing attention to an awesome brand like Nisolo is really why we’re here today.

I briefly mentioned loving their ethos earlier in this post, but here’s a little more information for anyone who thinks they just make nice mules: Nisolo is a Certified B Corporation, meaning they follow the highest standards in terms of social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability to balance profit and purpose. As part of their environmental mission, they offset their carbon emissions with every product sold. Fun fact: they let us know that so far, they’ve protected 76,928 trees in the Peruvian Amazon, and 237 of those are directly from you guys (our readers) buying their product just this past year (since April 2018). Pretty cool.

Because the focus of this shoot was “summer,” we headed outdoors both around the buildings in our office ‘hood and to a park nearby that has amazing views of the city.

Now, let’s get into what you really want to see: What I (and everyone else) picked out, our “why,” and notes on fit to help you buy smarter and more efficiently:

Name: Emily

Shoe: Emma d’Orsay Oxford in Wheat

Why I Picked It: I believe in nude shoes because quite simply, they make your leg look longer which is widely known as flattering. And these are pointed and have enough edge to make them cool, but still so comfortable. I owned these in the black colorway before this shoot, so I knew I already liked these, but the wheat felt more summery.

Fit: These run a bit small. I’m a 7 and size up to 7.5 in these.

I also was able to pick out a second pair, and these James Oxfords in Almond fit my “nude + sensible + modernized classic” bill I aim to fill for my everyday shoes. Those are my feet on the top—no foot stand-in model needed this time (you can see them also in the lead image with Michael, Sara and Arlyn—I also have on the Simone Crossbody Shopper…did you know they made bags, too??).

We’ll get to the rest of those shoes up there right now, but before I do, I think I can say for everyone (they’ll back me up) that Nisolo makes a damn good shoe. They’re a bit pricier than what you’ll find at your standard department store, but they should be due to their production practices. Plus, like I said, they’re very high quality. I’ve attempted to run mine into the ground, battered by long days of being on set or construction sites, momming, flea market stomping. They’re still kickin’.

OH AND GUESS WHAT? They are offering all EHD readers 20% off most of the shoes you’ll see here today. Just make sure to click over from here and you should see a banner pop up with the code (EHD20) through July 18. Another great thing Nisolo is doing (that will also help with the cost) is their Soles4Souls partnership, which is a shoe reclamation project that collects shoes in any condition to be sent to micro-entrepreneurs in developing economies for them to refurbish and resell. It’s part of their commitment to “circular” fashion (as opposed to “fast” fashion which typically ends up in the landfill). Each donation earns a $30 credit to a purchase of $125 or more. They also have a generous referral program where you get $25 off for every friend you refer (they also get $25 off their first order…win-win).

Okay, handing this off to the team now…

Name: Veronica (far left)

Shoe: Mariella Mule in Black

Why I Picked It: I’ve been wanting mules for a long time and these are the perfect combination of simple and sophisticated. They are a great shoe for summer hangs during the day and night. Plus, the closed-toe is comfortable and still breathable.

Fit: I am usually a size 7 and I got a 7.5, but they are a little small, so I recommend going up a full size.

Name: Emily (Bowser, red head)

Shoe: Ama Mule in Woven Brown

Why I Picked It: I think if there is one thing that Emily Henderson has taught me that has changed my life the most, it is knowing the power of the nude mule, and that’s saying a lot. The woven style gives it a summery laid-back vibe while the color and shape make it super versatile. Plus, according to Nisolo, these are vegetable-tanned, which just means it’s a more sustainable leather dying process that uses natural dyes.

Fit: I am pretty solidly an 8.5 across brands and these were the perfect fit.

Name: Michael (tall guy)

Shoe: Calano Oxford in Brandy

Why I Picked It: Two words: Summer weddings. Summer is always a time for heading to friends and family weddings and celebrating LOVE. And while I go to celebrate love this summer, I wanted to have cool, sharp looking shoes while I’m there. These Calano oxfords are cool, classic but still modern and just all around good looking, effortless shoes. I can dress them up or down…I love them.

Fit: I am a tried-and-true 10.5, so that’s what I ordered. These are a little tight fit at first but I know since there are leather after a few wears, they’ll fit just right. I’m glad I ordered this size.

Name: Velinda (right)

Shoe: Serena Sandal in Black

Why I Picked It: I’m all about the capsule wardrobe and having classic pieces that can mix & match effortlessly. These shoes hit the mark, pairing with jeans, shorts, or dresses from night to day. Comfy? Check. Minimal, modern and stylish? Check. Check. And Check!

Fit: I’m usually an 8 and the Nisolo 8 fits beautifully.

Name: Ryann (left)

Shoe: Mariella Mule in Sand

Why I Picked It: I am not one to wear open-toed shoes so a good tan mule is my ideal summer shoe. I have been trying to add more quality, timeless pieces to my wardrobe lately and the Mariella mules were a perfect addition. I can wear them with dresses, shorts, pants, pretty much everything I own (and I do). The color is perfect and they are insanely comfortable.

Fit: I am usually a 9 but I sized up to 9.5. They are still a little snug so I probably could have gone up a full size.

Name: Jess (middle)

Shoe: Emma d’Orsay Oxford in Black

Why I Picked It: First off, I have been lusting after them since I saw them on Emily awhile back. I also really needed/wanted a cute pair of black flats that could easily go from work to hanging out with friends. These check all of my boxes. I feel very cool and stylish.

Mountain House Monday: The Exterior Update and Plan (or Lack Thereof)

In some not so shocking news, the renovation of the mountain house went over budget…by like five times. Someday, I’ll be ready to talk about it, but right now it’s safe to say that we aren’t splurging on the exterior like we thought we could, at least not yet. The fancy outdoor kitchen with wood-fired pizza oven and dining room pergola with a massive surround deck and masonry will not happen. So today, I’ll update you on what the original intent was and what we are still wanting to do. Plus, I have a few questions for you (regarding turf and hot tub plan – because Brian Henderson refuses to even entertain the thought of ditching the hot tub).

Here is an overhead plan Velinda drew out last summer with what we were originally thinking:

As you can see, the yard is shallow and wide but the lot is actually 1/4 of an acre. It’s just all on the side of the house. It feels so much smaller than it is, especially when you are looking out the new doors because the gate to the back property feels pretty close.

One thing you should know:

The kids have 50 acres of forest to play in outside that gate, beyond the backyard. It’s a family camp that we have access to wander in if we are respectful (and usually it’s empty). There are no bodies of waters or cars so we are getting THIS CLOSE to letting them go on their own with a walkie talkie and the rule that they have to stay together. I think by the time they are five and seven, they’ll be able to do it; they know it like the back of their hands now and it’s basically a dream come true for us as my house that we grew up in also backed up to thousands of acres of government land. THE POINT before you fall asleep: This yard does not need to check every box for them. We don’t need a playhouse or to add more landscaping or greenery for bug hunting. All the fort building and nature hiking will happen back there.

Okay. Originally, we were going to get rid of the big bush (still want to), extend the deck and put a big outdoor kitchen on the other side to open up the space and, well, utilize it.

And, of course, we still want a fancy outdoor kitchen but it’s like a $50k expense and it’s not something we can spend right now. Besides, we want to spend the summer up there and see how we actually use the space. What do we really need???

Neither of us like the bark but boy do all of us love that fake stream/pond. It’s huge and so fun for the kids and the sound is just so peaceful even though it’s fake. My dad always built water features at our house and I had no idea that I picked up the obsession but the second that I saw this pond, I was like “this is the house.”

We originally wanted to replace the fence, but I don’t want to replace it with something cheap so once again we are looking at a $10k expense (at least). Thus, we are holding off on that for now, too.

This is the side of the house where we now have French doors coming out the downstairs guest room.

We thought about doing a bocce ball court but now aren’t convinced that people actually use them enough. More importantly, after debating for MONTHS about where to put the potential hot tub, we have realized that this is the best place. It’s totally unused and is a decent amount of square footage that is just sitting there.

But of course it’s not that easy. It’s sloped and you can’t put decking on dirt without pouring some cement (it’ll rot otherwise). So we could put a stone patio and plop a hot tub on top of that but that doesn’t sound too pretty. And not everything has to be pretty in life, but man, to spend $5k on something that is UGLY is a bummer.

Brian is against the pretty cedar tubs because they aren’t comfortable. He wants a big molded plastic thing. We haven’t started shopping yet, but I can already tell we aren’t on the same page. So that’s going to be fun!!

The main thing we are backing off of is extending the deck (around the tree) and creating a massive outdoor kitchen and dining area.

But we WANT to put in a hot tub and create a “room” for it for privacy—not in a tacky way, obviously, but something more like a wood-slatted wall or something chic and pretty.

I hate removing any greenery but we don’t use the space on the right side AT ALL because it feels closed off, so by removing the shrubs (and hopefully transplanting them), we can utilize more of the width of the yard. We are toying with an in-ground trampoline but I’d love to know your thoughts on them if you guys have them. I grew up with a trampoline (Mormon, duh) and I’m pretty sure we lived on that thing in the summer.

I’m very hesitant to do ANYTHING until we are confident we have the right plan. I don’t want to put down turf or pebbles and then find out that in order to put in the trampoline we have to level the whole thing. I don’t want to plant more shrubs around the perimeter until I know for sure where, say, the potential gas fire pit would go (we can’t have wood firepits up here).

But we are obviously not destitute and there is no RUSH on these things. It was cold up there this weekend but I opened the Marvin scenic doors so you can get a sense of the indoor/outdoor flow. It’s pretty magical.

My biggest question, and what Brian and I are debating the most about right now, is turf versus, well…anything else.

OH WE CAN’T PUT IN REAL GRASS. There is a law that was enacted in 2007 I believe that made it illegal to put in real grass due to water consumption. You can have it if you already had it, but you can’t put it in now. So up here, there is a combination of artificial turf or bark/mulch everywhere.

I personally fear that the turf will be jarringly fake, even though I’m not opposed to it in general. When debris falls all over it, it just looks messy and so obviously fake. I know there are good versions of it out there so I’d love your opinion.

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See, that looks pretty good!

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That’s a little too perfect, but at first glance, also pretty good.

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Here is what I’m hoping to convince him of (and I think it’s working): do a combination of pebbles, some stone paths and mulch in areas where there are shrubbery and greenery.

photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: 5 outdoor ideas & hacks that’ll instantly add style
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I could go this modern (below) but Brian can’t and admittedly it’s not as warm or inviting. It’s like it’s IMPOSSIBLE for me to be minimal and cold.

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So imagine if this was us, below, and instead of the cement it was pebbles.

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You get a combination of pathways, pebbles, and landscaping. Brian and I just went outside into the backyard (we came up this weekend for Mother’s Day) and we agreed that we could put in one patch of turf somewhere; something just big enough that if we wanted to lay around or picnic, we could. Maybe under the hammock area? And then we also need to relocate the firepit because it’s too close to our neighbors and our friends are too loud, too late to be near them.

So the plan? HA. The plan would be to come up with a plan over the summer as we spend more time up there and really figure out what we need/want and then where could it go. Meanwhile, we save for the execution of it. I know that I have to create some outdoor patio spaces for work by next spring so I suppose we’d like to start any sort of changes in the fall so we are ready for those photo shoots but I just want to enjoy NO CONSTRUCTION for the summer.

But I’d LOVE your thoughts on artificial turf versus hardscaping and if anyone knows of a nice looking purchasable hot tub so we can avoid doing something site-specific (and therefore custom and expensive) that would be lovely. I guess just any experience would be helpful, so please, please chime in in the comments. xx

 

The post Mountain House Monday: The Exterior Update and Plan (or Lack Thereof) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The BEST Casual Pant, Why A 6-Second Kiss Is Magic And The Only Met Gala Recap You’ll Need

photo source | design by sarah lavoine

Our little team might be on both coasts (Los Angeles and Atlanta) but fear not because we are still all together in spirit on today’s Link Up. Let’s just get to it, shall we?

Em and the Atlanta team listened to a Goop podcast episode while on one of their daily commutes on how to minimize stress and avoid burnout. Emily Nagoski, the woman who is Goop’s expert, calls out three secrets and two include a 20-second hug or a 6-second kiss. Honestly, that makes all of our hearts so happy. Ultimately, we need each other to truly become de-stressed. Simple and beautiful.

Modern Parisian design still makes our heart skip a beat and this house tour, designed by Sarah Lavoine, is no exception. We spotted it on Coco Kelly’s instagram and immediately had to know more. Here is the original article on Vogue Australia.

Arlyn is OBSESSED with these new, super easy-to-wear (not itchy) linen jogger pants from H&M (“ha, I don’t jog”). They come in a ton of colors. (She got black, but those are sold out in a lot of sizes online right now) and go up to a size 18. They’re just the right length for her 5’3” frame, and she knows she’ll be wearing these ALL summer.

Jess thinks most of us probably have a love-hate relationship with the term “self-care.” The concept can be easily clouded by the immense amount of products and treatments being shoved into our faces on a daily. But it is also SO important because if we aren’t good to ourselves and setting us up for success, how can we truly be of service to anyone else? She loved this article from ManRepeller because it gives six very simple, practical ways in which we can take care of our future self. Doing little (somewhat annoying) things in the present will make your future self feel supported and loved (by you) aka real self-care.

Veronica is coming at you guys with another eyeshadow palette that she adores! This one, Juvia’s Place The Warrior Eyeshadow Palette, has both matte and sparkly neutrals that can be for a bold look out on the town or an everyday office look.

This past week, Grace was reminded of one of her favorite podcast episodes of “This American Life” that involved a telephone booth. This one’s about a phone booth in Japan that people flock to in order to “call” their dead loved ones and it’s a tear-jerker. While kind of melancholy, it’s a feel-good kind of tear-jerker. There’s something about just talking things out that is very therapeutic (even if deep down you know there might not be anyone listening, but it feels like there is or you hope someone somehow is).

Michael loves this roll-on cologne, Imperial Crown One. It smells so good! He says he legit has one in his car right now and he puts some on before he goes anywhere. It’s also his secret weapon before dates. Ha.

As if we could link to any other Met Gala Recap…

Ryann got this jumpsuit for Christmas last year and it quickly became a staple in her wardrobe. She wears it once a week because it’s just so easy to wear and pairs with all of her shoes.

We Rounded Up All The Most “Worth It” Flea Markets By Region (i.e. Something For Everyone)

It’s no secret that Emily and the entire EHD team lives for a good flea market (understatement of the year around here). I mean, is there really anything better on a weekend morning than to nab a one-of-a-kind antique or vintage find in a pile of duds (before someone else gets to it)? Nah, don’t think so. It’s a thrill that keeps us coming back week after week, year after year. It’s addictive. (If you need a little refresher on how to haggle your way to a better deal, check out Emily’s tips here.)

And while we tend to think every flea market has treasure potential if you look closely and truly believe in your DIY abilities, summer markets undoubtedly hold the most promise. Why? Well, first off, there are just more of them, in general because everyone comes out of hibernation. Many markets also put on one-off jumbo events starting in May (through about September), which bring in more vendors and a larger selection of the good stuff.

Bigger isn’t always better, though. The flea market near the town I grew up in in Georgia was MASSIVE but mainly sold diabetic socks, used pageant dresses, and expired beauty products, so—all great things if that’s what you’re looking for but not so great if you’re trying to decorate a house. Because these things can be hit or miss, we rounded up a list of the more promising markets in the country to help you gear up for the summer selling season. Of course, we haven’t been able to visit every market on this list, so we really focused our efforts on including those with the best reviews. We’ll keep this list updated, so let us know in the comments if there’s a great market in your neck of the woods that should be added to this roundup. (And don’t worry if it doesn’t have “flea market” in the name—if the event welcomes vendors selling goods at a variety of price points—not just high-end antiques—we think it’s fair game.)

Northeast
Brimfield Antique Show and Flea Market—Brimfield, Massachusetts

This is probably the east coast flea market in terms of sheer volume. Located just over an hour’s drive from Boston and about three hours from New York, Brimfield is said to be the largest outdoor show in the country, hosting 5,000+ of dealers hawking everything from thrift-store worthy scores to rare, high-end antiques.

Where: Route 20, GPS: 23 Main St., Brimfield, Massachusetts

When: May 14-19, July 9-14, and September 3-8. Hours vary, but most booths are open by 8 am (some far earlier) and wrap up around 5 pm.

Cost: Many of the shows are free, but some charge admission on the first day. Parking will run you up to $10 per day.

Take Note: Shop Tuesday-Friday, if you can. Saturdays are super busy and many dealers travel home on Sundays so there is less merchandise to pick from.

Brooklyn Flea—Brooklyn, New York

From vintage jewelry, apparel and records to handmade ceramics and mid-century Dutch furniture, you’re sure to find plenty of treasures at this very stylish market.

Where + When: Every Saturday at the Williamsburg Hotel (11 am to 6 pm) and every Sunday in Dumbo under the Manhattan Bridge (10 am to 5 pm), April through October. (From November through March, the market moves indoors to a single location.)

Cost: Free

Take Note: Instagram is the best way to keep up with what’s going on at the flea, from vendor news to concerts to closings. Find them at @bkflea.

The Providence Flea—Providence, Rhode Island

Conceived using the Brooklyn Flea as a model, this market features carefully selected wares from small-and-micro businesses. Think: hand-picked, homemade, handcrafted, and small batch. You won’t find anything mass produced or licensed here.

Where: Across from 345 South Water Street

When: Every Sunday from May 12 through September 29, 10 am to 4 pm (Note: closed September 15 due to a conflicting road race.)

Cost: Free admission and free on-street parking

Take Note: Come hungry/leave your diet at home because the market boasts 20+ of the state’s most popular food trucks and carts.

Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market—New Milford, Connecticut

When the market opened in 1976, the presence of 15 vendors was considered a “big” shopping day. Today, the event features over 500 vendors plus an ever-changing fleet of food trucks.

Where: 490 Danbury Road (Rte. 7/202)

When: Every Sunday from now through mid-December, 7am to 2pm, weather permitting. (You can pay extra to enter as early as 4:45 am if you’re hardcore.)

Cost: $2 for regular buyers; $20 for early buyers, $40 for super-early buyers

Take Note: If you’re a die-hard flea market-er, we definitely recommend getting there at 4:45 am.

Spence’s Bazaar—Dover, Delaware

Spence’s opened in 1933 as a livestock auction and in 1960, the stalls were converted into spaces for vendors (ah, commercialism). Today, the market is still owned and operated by the Spence family.

Where: 550 S. New St.

When: Tuesday and Friday, 7 am to 5 pm; Saturday 7 am to 3 pm

Cost: There’s no admission listed on their website, so assuming it’s free.

Take Note: Get there early for the best selection and be sure to check out the auction on Tuesdays and Fridays at 12:30 pm.

Southeast
Raleigh Flea Market—Raleigh, North Carolina

The market opened in 1971 with six tables and a handful of vendors. Today, it hosts over 600 vendors and spans six buildings and several acres so bring your sneakers. It’s said to boast the largest selection of antiques, jewelry and furniture in North Carolina.

Where: Historic State Fairgrounds, 1025 Blue Ridge Road

When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 9 am to 6 pm

Cost: Free admission and parking

Take Note: Arrive by 8 am for first picks and stay until vendors begin to pack up to find the best deals. Bring cash, especially $1s and $5s.

The Arlington Civitan Open Air Market—Arlington, Virginia

This smaller market features approximately 150 vendors. Find everything from books and records to furniture and home goods.

Where: Inside the I-66 parking garage at 15th and Quincy Street

When: Every first Saturday of the month from April through November, 7 am to 1 pm, rain or shine

Cost: Free

Take Note: Bring cash, it’s rare you’ll find a vendor who accepts cards or checks here.

The Fleur De Flea—Louisville, Kentucky

The market is on the small side, featuring 150 vendors selling antiques, vintage and handmade goods. You’ll also find food trucks, local craft beer, and Bourbon if you want to make a day of it.

Where & When: May 25, 9 am to 5 pm at Waterfront Park; July 20, 11 am to 9 pm at the 700 and 800 blocks of historic Market Street in downtown Louisville; August 31, 9 am to 5 pm at Waterfront Park

Cost: Free

Take Note: There’s an ATM on the property and many vendors take cards (yay!). Also, most vendors will deliver large items, you just have to ask. (Always music to our ears.)

Nashville Flea Market—Nashville, Tennessee

Named one of the top ten flea markets in the country, the Nashville market has been around since 1969 and features over 2,000 vendors.

Where: The Fairgrounds Nashville

When: 4th weekend of every month (except in December, it moves to the 3rd weekend). Friday 8 am to 5 pm, Saturday 7 am to 6 pm, Sunday 7 am to 4 pm, rain or shine

Cost: Free admission, $5 (cash) parking

Take Note: Typically, antique and vintage items are set up outside while newer wares can be found in the indoor booths.

127 Yard Sale

Known as the world’s longest yard sale, the 127 Yard Sale covers 690 miles from Addison, Michigan to Gadsden, Alabama. (We classified this one under Southeast since it covers mostly southern states.)

Where: Find a route map here.

When: August 1-4, vendors choose their own hours, but most are open by 8 am

Cost: Whatever you spend in gas

Take Note: If you want to travel the entire route, make a plan in advance for where you want to stop and stick to it. (It’s impossible to cover the entire route in four days if you visit every sale.) If you see signs pointing to yard sales off the main route, check them out. Most shoppers won’t want to veer off track, so there could be hidden gems waiting there just for you.

Midwest
Maxwell Street Market—Chicago, Illinois

Find everything from furniture and collectibles to the unexpected, like tools and tires. You’ll also find fresh produce at the market.

Where: 800 S. Desplaines Street

When: Every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm

Cost: Free admission and limited free parking available

Take Note: Come with an empty belly—the market has some of the best Mexican and Latin street food in Chicago.

Wright County Swapper’s Meet—South Haven, Minnesota

Minnesota’s largest seasonal outdoor market, averaging 400+ vendors on holiday weekends (though on normal weekends, it’s typically between 200 and 300 vendors).

Where: 13594 100th Street NW

When: Every Saturday in April through the end of October. Open holiday weekends Friday, Saturday and Sunday. No set hours, but vendors are typically ready to sell by sunrise and start leaving in the early afternoon.

Cost: Free admission and parking

Take Note: Visit often! Vendors change from week to week, so the sale is always changing.

Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market—Shipshewana, Indiana

Established in 1922, you can expect to find around 900 vendors at this popular market, but note, this is a weekday market, so not for the weekend warrior (mostly).

Where: 345 S Van Buren Street

When: Every Tuesday and Wednesday from May through September, 8 am to 4 pm. Special holiday openings include Memorial Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day, as well as two new weekend markets on June 14-15 and August 16-17, rain or shine.

Cost: Free admission and $3 parking

Take Note: On Wednesdays, there’s an auction specializing in architectural salvage, used furniture, and collectibles. You can preview the items up for grabs on Tuesdays.

Springfield Antique Show and Flea Market—Springfield, Ohio

The show features hundreds of vendors each month and up to 2,500 on three-day Extravaganza weekends. The fairground also has its own campground with RV hookups for the super committed.

Where: Clark County Fairgrounds

When: Summer dates are May 17-19; June 15-16; August 17-18; September 20-22. Hours vary depending on the event.

Cost: $3 per adult for monthly shows and $10 for Extravaganza shows in May and September

Take Note: You’re most likely to get the best deals in September when dealers liquidate their stock for the winter.

Rogers Community Auction and Market—Rogers, Ohio

This market is open year-round and features over 1,600 indoor and outdoor vendor spaces.

Where: 45625 Street, Rt. 154

When: Fridays, 7:30 am until close

Cost: Free admission and parking

Take Note: While some vendors accept debit cards, the majority prefer cash.

Kane County Flea Market—Saint Charles, Illinois

“Best in the Midwest or Anywhere,” according to the market’s website. Sounds good to us (though seriously big claims)!

Where: Kane County Fairgrounds

When: Summer dates are June 1-2; July 6-7; August 3-4 and 31; September 1. Saturdays 12pm-5pm and Sundays 7am-4pm, rain or shine

Cost: $5 (children under 12 are free) and free parking

Take Note: Early buyer permits are available at Gate 2 during seller set-up on Saturdays from 8 am to noon.

Elkhorn Antique Flea Market— Elkhorn, Wisconsin

The market is held four times a year and features over 500 vendors.

Where: Walworth County Fairgrounds, 411 E Court Street

When: May 19, June 30, August 11, and September 29. 7 am to close, rain or shine

Cost: $7 and free parking

Take Note: Visit the outdoor vendors first, who usually have better prices. (Vendors pay a pretty penny for an indoor spot, so their prices are usually a bit higher.)

Northwest
Fremont Sunday Market—Seattle, Washington

The market is small—but good—and hosts over 100 local vendors every weekend.

Where: At the corner of 3411 Evanston Ave. North

When: Every Sunday, 10 am to 4 pm, rain or shine

Cost: Free, from what we can tell

Take Note: The website hasn’t been updated in a while—it’s best to keep up with market happenings on Instagram.

The Farm Chicks Vintage Fair—Spokane Valley, Washington

In 2002, fair founder Serena Thompson held her first sale in a friend’s barn. Today, that little event has moved to the Spokane County Fairgrounds and includes hundreds of vendors.

Where: Spokane County Fair and Expo Center

When: June 1, 9am-6pm and June 2, 9am-4pm

Cost: $8 per day or $10 for a weekend pass

Take Note: Tickets are available for purchase on Friday May 31, from 3 pm to 5 pm at the Spokane Fairgrounds ticket booth and throughout fair hours on June 1 and 2.

Portland Flea—Portland, Oregon

The market hosts 40+ local artists, curators, and makers each month. It’s a grab bag of home goods, fashion, and local goods that changes regularly so if you’re into the whole “local” thing (you probably wouldn’t live in Portland if you weren’t), this is your jam.

Where: Corner of SE Salmon and 6th Street

When: Last Sunday of the month, 11am-4pm, rain or shine

Cost: Free

Take Note: Most vendors accept debit cards.

South/Southwest
Urban Flea Market—Salt Lake City, Utah

The market started in 2011 and features mostly vintage and antique items.

Where: 400 West 700 South

When: Second Sunday of every month, 10 am to 4 pm

Cost: Free admission and parking

Take Note: Not much to report besides the usual: Come early for the good stuff.

Alameda Point Antiques Faire—Alameda, California

Named one of the best antiques shows in the nation, this event isn’t all high-price items, which is why we’re including it here.

Where: Alameda Point, 2900 Navy Way (at Maine Street)

When: First Sunday of every month, 9 am to 3 pm. (You can pay extra to enter as early as 7:30 am.)

Cost: $15 from 6 am to 7:30 am; $10 from 7:30 am to 9 am; and $5 from 9 am to 3 pm. Parking is free.

Take Note: Parked far away? Take the complimentary shuttle service to the market’s front entrance or to the Michaan’s Auctions Showroom on Todd Street once per hour.

Long Beach Antique Market—Long Beach, California

Spread out over 20 acres, there’s not much you won’t find at this much-loved market. (It’s been voted one of the top 10 flea markets in the U.S. time and time again.) It’s smaller and more manageable than the Rose Bowl, so you’re likely to have the stamina to see it all.

Where: Vet’s Stadium, 5000 E Lew Davis Street

When: Third Sunday of every month, 6:30 am to 2 pm, rain or shine. (You can pay extra to enter as early as 5:30 am.)

Cost: $12 from 5:30 am to 6:30 am and $7 from 6:30 am to 2 pm, free parking

Take Note: Make sure to get your hand stamped so you can leave for lunch or make a trip to your car to offload any treasures you picked up along the way (or bring a cart with you so you can keep your hands free).

Rose Bowl Flea Market—Pasadena, California

Emily and team have made their love of the Rose Bowl pretty clear over the years as evidenced here, here and here. Basically, it’s the LA flea market. Be prepared to spot many dressed down celebs amongst all the vintage goods. Clothing and home goods are mostly separate, so start in the section you are most looking to score in before all the good stuff goes.

Where: Rose Bowl Stadium, 1001 Rose Bowl Drive

When: Second Sunday of every month from 9 am to 4:30 pm.

Cost: $9 for general admission and free parking available (bring cash)

Take Note: Special rates are available for larger groups. A lot of vendors take Venmo or credit cards, but you’ll always get the best deal if you have cash in hand (and don’t be afraid to ask for a discount if you’re buying multiple pieces).

Topanga Vintage Market—Woodland Hills, California

Though fairly new to the flea market game (it opened in 2012), the Topanga Vintage Market is well-curated and on the small side, making it a more laidback shopping experience.

Where: Pierce College, Victory Blvd at Mason Ave.

When: 4th Sunday of every month. Summer hours are 7:30 am to 1:30 pm

Cost: $4 for adults; veterans and kids 12 and under are free, free parking

Take Note: You definitely want to hit this one early since it’s on the small-ish side.

Pasadena City College Flea Market—Pasadena, California

Over 400 vendors attend this market, selling everything from high-end antiques to yard sale-type finds.

Where: Pasadena City College parking lots along the East and West side of campus

When: First Sunday of every month, 8 am to 3 pm

Cost: Free

Take Note: All proceeds from the market go to support student scholarships.

First Monday Trade Days—Canton, Texas

Considered the largest flea market in the United States (wait, I thought Brimfield was?), this event spreads out over hundreds of acres and offers space for about 6,000 vendors. (Whoa!)

Where: 800 1st Monday Lane

When: May 30-June 2; June 27-30; August 1-4; August 29-September 1. Most vendors operate from 8 am to 5 pm.

Cost: Free admission and parking is $5 cash

Take Note: Crowds are smallest on Thursdays. Scooter, shopping cart and wagon rentals are available.

Original Roundtop Antiques Fair—Carmine, Texas

The EHD crew headed to Roundtop a few years ago and it’s definitely an event and destination. In their 50th year, this is definitely for antiques and vintage lovers. If you miss the fall market, there’s also one in spring (which just passed).

Where: GPS Location: 475 Texas Hwy 237 South, Carmine, Texas

When: September 30-October 5

Cost: $10 for general admission, $20 for VIP early shopping pass (advanced ticket sales online and cash tickets at the door)

Take Note: People come from far and wide for this market (designers, enthusiasts, etc.) so it’s not rare that hotels and Airbnbs will sell out fast. If you want to attend and don’t live in driving distance to make a day trip, plan ahead…and plan to stay a handful of days because there is that much to see (shopping, talks and more).

 

Phew! That’s a lot of flea markets. I know we didn’t touch EVERY state, but I hope there is something near enough to your neck of the woods that a weekend road trip to score some rad vintage or antique home goods would be worth it. Again, please throw in your favorites into the comments, and we’ll do our best to keep this updated so you can reference back whenever you’re feeling the flea market itch or have a free weekend this summer. Happy shopping!

The post We Rounded Up All The Most “Worth It” Flea Markets By Region (i.e. Something For Everyone) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

“Ugly Cry” Warning: Sara Gives Her Momma’s Living Room a Refresh for Mother’s Day

Mother’s day is upon us, and moms everywhere are patiently waiting their turn to, once again, have the day fall short of their most basic expectations. But not my mom, NOT THIS YEAR. This year I got it together and finally gave my mother the gift that she’s wanted most since the day I was born. Just kidding, she still hasn’t gotten a grandchild. But I DID give her something almost as good as a grandchild: a living room refresh that made her cry sweet tears of satisfaction.

I’m joking. Moms apparently don’t need grand gestures of living room makeovers to feel loved and claim that the best gift of all is spending time with their kids (wild), but this was a very fun excuse to show my mom some serious appreciation and love for everything she’s ever done for me. What better way to bring two big parts of my life—my job and my family—together than to bring my work home with me? Just like I still bring my laundry home every week…

Here’s a quick background on my mom: She was born in Guatemala and immigrated to the United States when she was 10 years old. She’s known she wanted to be a teacher since she was 5, and she’s now been teaching for 33 years. That’s more years than I’ve been alive. And she’s spent all of them in either 2nd grade, 1st grade, or kindergarten. Mostly recently she’s also begun teaching the tiniest of humans in Pre-K. She’s always been a busy bee and social butterfly, so it fits that she spends her days with a class room of mini busy bees. If we’re at a party you can find her reading in the corner with a toddler or holding the nearest baby (the entire time, she doesn’t share). She’s a child whisperer, and I’m pretty sure it also makes her a literal saint.

She’s the bright, upbeat heart of our family. And I needed to give her a living room that matched.

My parents living room was decidedly not bright or upbeat a few months ago. They had wanted something bold and colorful and so it had been painted a deep red and gold for several years. However, most of their furniture was also dark wood and leather so the overall effect was heavy. And that didn’t really feel like my mom. Before we had even decided we were going to do “Makeover Takeover” or that I was going to get involved with any real sort of decorating, I convinced my parents to re-paint the living room White Dove by Benjamin Moore.

It instantly brought more light into their colonial style house, and my dad who had originally been on the fence about a white room was a convert. But even with the warm white paint (and a still yellow ceiling), my mom wasn’t convinced. She missed the color in that room. And I could tell my mom wasn’t happy with her white living room. I suggested we kick it up a few notches and makeover her entire living room. I thought she’d be thrilled. But just like with the white paint, she was hesitant. She didn’t want to lose all the pieces she loved and start over. So instead, I suggested a living room refresh. We’d change out a few key pieces she wasn’t attached to, but keep the ones she loved. And we’d work to bring in more of my parents accessories, art and photos that were living in closets and packed in boxes in the garage.

I won’t lie to you. It was a long process. It was occasionally painful. There were disagreements. There was frustration on both sides. There were several complaints about reframing art that had been framed back in 1995. But there was also a lot of time spent together, some very fun shopping trips, red wine spilled hilariously on a brand new white rug, and lots of new memories. According to Jess’ post last week, quality time really is the best gift you can give your loved ones and yourself.

Now let’s get into this room…

Originally, the layout was a bit different, with a loveseat facing the large stained glass tree window, two accent chairs facing the entryway, and the piano on the wall opposite the fireplace. This presented some walking path difficulties, but we’d just adapted over the years. We decided to change it up for the refresh and spent a whole Sunday afternoon just moving around furniture to find the best layout.

We settled on swapping where the accent chairs and a loveseat would go, and moving the piano to the wall nearest the entry. Now, there’s a huge walkway, and my dad doesn’t even have to lay a toe on their white rug to go through the room. And not having the back of a sofa be the first thing you see when you walk into the room made it feel just that much bigger.

That little accent table is hands down my mom’s favorite piece in this entire room. She saw it while we were shopping at Target and refused to leave it, even though I didn’t think it would work. In typical mom fashion, she proved me wrong, and she stills says “oh I love my little table” whenever she is in this room. If she could award “best daughter” to the table, I’m pretty sure it would take my place. The coffee table, on the other hand, used to be mine. It’s a vintage piece my dad refinished for me, but I didn’t have a place for it so now it’s happily living in their living room topped by a vintage painted tray, a past Christmas gift from my boyfriend Mac to my mom.

The wingback chairs are also new. The old ones my parents had were similar in shape but made of stocky dark wood and heavy dark leather. These wingbacks from Target are a lighter, more elegant version. But we wanted to bring some color to them so we took two pieces of Guatemalan textile my mom had and draped them down the middle, tucking their ends under the seat cushions to create a customized twist on an already pretty chair.

We debated what to put over the fireplace for a long time. My parents had a different piece of art there previously, but the framing on it felt dated and the colors didn’t really pop. My mom has a really large collection of embroidered textiles so we turned there for inspiration and ended up really loving this Hmong embroidery. It’s such a pretty blue, and it has little pops of bright colors all over. It felt perfect, so I got it framed and we never looked back.

The fireplace grate is another vintage hand-me-down, this time from Mac’s side of the family. This was in his grandfather’s home for years,  and now it’s happily found it’s way to it’s next home with my parents. It just fit with they style of their home so perfectly, it’s like it’s always been there.

The other new piece we got for the room is this loveseat from Article. It’s actually the smaller version of the same sofa I had in my own living room. My mom loved it so much that when it came time to pick out a new piece to go in here, there was no question what it would be. The smaller size fit perfectly, and my mom couldn’t be happier. The lighter, warmer caramel color leather is a much better tone than the dark brown loveseat that previously sat in the room.

That’s Fish, our 19-year-old cat (we got him when I was in 5th grade!). He’s tragically reaching the end of his time, but that doesn’t stop him from hopping up and getting cozy wherever the humans are. The pretty craftsman desk is a family heirloom from my dad’s side, and we’ve had it as long as I can remember. It’s never been used as a sitting desk, and always more of a console. In all honesty, the cat food dish usually lives under there. But the coolest part about this photo is that huge stained glass triptych of a tree, which my dad MADE. He also made the other two stained glass windows in the room. You go, dad.

My mom loves color. She wears some of the most colorful clothing of anybody I know. She always has a streak of electric blue or bright pink dyed into her hair. I mean, she is a Taurus after all (I have no idea what that says about her, but I’m sure at least a few of you are thinking “oh, that makes total sense”). Our house is actually known as the “fiesta house” on our block, as exemplified by the next room over. I didn’t want this room competing with that room and instead wanted it to be a bright space where the colorful accents my mom has could really pop.

The rug was hard to pick. Everything I wanted had a fair amount of blue (a byproduct of 4 years here at EHD), and everything my mom wanted had strong oranges and reds. When we found this one from Rugs Direct, we fell in love. The light color was a risk with my dad existing, sure, but you gotta risk it for the proverbial rug biscuit. Plus, the way it made the colors it did have pop was dreamy. It felt like the perfect compromise because it had a great mix of both blues and oranges, and even spoke to the colors in the next room over.

The next thing we did was hang a gallery wall. I learned later that my mom had been very skeptical of this plan. She wasn’t into the idea but decided to roll with it because of motherly love. There’s a happy ending to this story though because it ended up being her favorite part of the whole room (besides that tiny side table, of course). And it’s pretty disgustingly heartwarming to see our family history up on the wall every time we walk through the living room.

There are photos of my dad’s parents’ wedding, a photo my grandpa took here in America to send back to my grandma, mom and uncle still living in Guatemala that reads “To the three people I love most in this world” in his handwriting on the back, a polaroid of my parents in front of their very first house back in 1987, childhood art that my brother and I made, and more. I stayed up until 2 am the morning before this shoot hanging this wall, but the happy tears my mother cried made it all worth it (and definitely knocked my brother off his “favorite child” perch for a few weeks at least).

Another aspect of the room my mom had been pretty skeptical about when I first mentioned it was bringing a tree into the room. Emily’s been preaching the “indoor tree as living sculpture” mantra for years now and I am fully indoctrinated. My mom, on the other hand, hadn’t yet experienced it. But now she too has sipped from the sweet alluring punch bowl that is “indoor tree” and seen the light. My mom also has a serious green thumb so I knew that putting this friend in here wouldn’t be signing his death warrant. If he needs sun twice a week, you can be sure my mom is going to move that little guy out to her patio and let him tan.

The most important aspect of this whole room was making sure that it still felt like my parents. That it still retained their personality and touches. This was a chance to showcase all the beautiful things they’ve collected over their life together (like those bird textiles that we re-framed), and the pieces of my mom’s Guatemalan heritage that literally color so much of her life (see the Guatemalan textile pillow on the couch).

Getting to display all my dad’s old books, some of them from his dad’s childhood, and showcasing all the various crafts and art he’s collected from years of traveling as a camera operator all over the world, brought his personality into the room, too. It wasn’t just my mom, but a mix of both of them that made the room feel like home even with a fresh coat of paint and some new furniture. Everything still feels personal.

LOOK AT HOW HAPPY THAT MAMA IS. That is pure, unadulterated, mom JOY (that’s also my brother who forced into a clean shirt for this photo). So happy Mother’s Day to you, mom. You make everyone’s lives better everyday and deserve this happy room more than anyone else I know.

If you’re into any of this bright and happy look, check out the “Get The Look” board below. My mom has pretty good taste.

1. Yellow Oversize Chambray Pillow | 2. Blue Lumbar Pillow | 3. Striped Reversible Throw Pillow | 4. Red Stoneware Block Print Vase | 5. Leather Sofa | 6. Rug | 7. Candlestick Trio | 8. Gradvis Grey | 9. Water Hyacinth Beaded Woven Basket | 10. Tonsatta | 11. Blue Stoneware Block Print Vase | 12. 16×20 Wood Frame | 13. Wingback Chair | 14. Side Table | 15. Cactus Trio | 16. 5″x7″ Blue Stoneware Frame | 17. White Single Picture Matted Frame | 18. Gradvis Pink | 19. Wood Bud Vase | 20. Brass Tray | 21. Linen Textured Ceramic Small Lamp | 22. Stenbar | 23. Bench | 24. Dark Teal Ceramic Frame | 25. Blue Stoneware Textured Planter | 26. Brass Frame | 27. Hovsta Square | 28. Dalskarr Wood Frame | 29. White Ribba Frame | 30. Tall Blue Stoneware Block Print Vase | 31. Papaja | 32. Blue and White Decorative Block Print Canister | 33. Mint Green Ceramic Frame | 34. Sondrum | 35. Hovsta Light Wood

***photography and design by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for EHD

The post “Ugly Cry” Warning: Sara Gives Her Momma’s Living Room a Refresh for Mother’s Day appeared first on Emily Henderson.

120 Furniture Picks for the Ultimate Budget Dining Room

photo by zeke ruelas | from: ginny’s dining room reveal

A few weeks ago, Arlyn graced the internet with this post containing over 130 budget living room furniture picks and you guys, rightfully so, were very into it. Then Laurren, one of our contributors, lent us her market expertise with the outdoor furniture post and because, like many of you, we never tire of a good budget roundup, the team happily decided to keep them coming. You guys asked us (begged us?) for a dining roundup, so here we are. I’ll admit, I was a little startled and afraid when this was assigned to me. What I know about dining rooms is minimal, and what I know about decorating/styling them is even less. My experience has been more of trial and error, or perhaps more accurately it is a story of neglect.  [/caption]

photo by tessa neustadt | from: brady’s kitchen & breakfast nook reveal

When I started putting together my apartment, my dining area was put on the hold for a handful of reasons. One was that I had a blank slate (meaning I had zero furniture), so to assemble a room on a small budget was going to be tricky. I also did not want to repeat the mistakes of apartments past where rooms became a hodgepodge of furniture thrown together with no direction. Some of you might remember in one of my last appearances, I mentioned my apartment was lacking a dining table for over 6 months and it was for this very reason. Let’s call it design-block (that has to be a thing right?). Or, could it also be because my boyfriend and I somewhat shamefully enjoy many a’meals on our couch while watching Jeopardy? Maybe. (And yes, I watch Jeopardy. I am essentially 24 going on 50). In any case, I focused energy (and $$) on other parts of my apartment (living room, bedroom, etc.) because those were spaces I felt were more exciting to style and play around with. The dining room was my ugly step-child and received no attention. Then, I had an awakening, as you do when contemplating design decisions. The thing that occurred to me first is this: eating is an everyday occurrence so why not do it in a space that you love? There is certainly something to be said about sitting at a table, TV off, and enjoying a meal (and company). Am I an adult?? Yes, yes I am. And second, I realized it’s the place where you get to spend the most time with people you love, and should be apt to entertain (if you are into that sort of thing). I at least figured it’d certainly be nice to have a space where guests can actually sit and (ideally) enjoy a home cooked meal by yours truly. So, all of that is to say that I am happy to announce this girl is the owner of a dining table and SIX chairs (4 of which were bought for under $2 each at Goodwill, and yes I am bragging). 

photo by tessa neustadt | from: sylvia’s dining room makeover

I think we can agree that I am not an expert on dining rooms by any means, but I am well versed in starter/budget apartment-ing. So, once again we have a budget room roundup that is secretly helping me chip away at outfitting my apartment. Let’s get into it:

We always gab around the office (and on the blog) about finding the vintage pieces that really make a room, so we snuck in a few vintage/thrifted picks in each of the sections you are about to see, even if only to inspire some online scouring. As we all know, EHD rule #1 is no room is complete without a little vintage sprinkled in. But first, a word to the wise if I may be so bold: if you have apprehensions when buying online, try contacting the seller directly and ask for clarification, or more photos. Most of the time they are happy to oblige because selling to a REALLY interested customer makes for an easier transaction (on both ends).

1. Byfield Pedestal Dining Table | 2. 44″ Maston Dining Table | 3. 28″ Chaptico Marble Bistro Dining Table | 4. Tripod Dining Table | 5. Wynonna Mid-Century Modern Round Dining Table | 6. 28″ Emmond Mid-Century Dining Table | 7. Vintage Mid-Century Pink Faux Goat Skin Dining Table | 8. Docksta Table | 9. 42″ Clarksburg Cross Leg Wood Dining Table | 10. Emily Henderson.

A High-Impact & Actually “Doable” Lighting Trend We’re Seeing Everywhere

photo source | design by ashe leandro

What’s “trending” is a regular topic around EHD headquarters. Well, less “trend” and more “we’re seeing this and we’re loving (??) this.” Today, we’ve got something for you that’s not necessarily “new” but its constant presence is something we’ve absolutely taken notice of: Pendants. And yes, again, not a novel design concept, however what is new is their sneaky, almost total world domination. When Arlyn first told me she wanted me to talk on this topic (after buy-in/validation from Emily as well as the design team), I was hesitant because I wasn’t convinced this was a trend…at first. But she was right (of course) because ummm, where are the chandeliers all of a sudden?? Obviously, they aren’t gone from the design scene and there are still beautiful ones coming onto the market constantly but man oh man are pendants currently getting top billing in terms of ceiling fixtures. We used to see them mostly atop kitchen islands, maybe down a hallway, but right now, they are the new chandelier, being used over tables, in foyers and bedrooms.

photo source | design by jack ceglic and manuel fernandez-casteleiro

So now that they have perched proudly onto the Iron Throne (just trying to prove my social relevancy despite never actually seeing a GOT episode), we’re breaking down the types of pendants that have grabbed our attention: May we present the dramatic mini pendant, the VERY oversized pendant and the cool multi pendant. Yes, all three of these beauties have taken over our Instagrams, Pinterest pages and general lighting brain space. With these three types being quite opposites in many ways, it’s a trend for the masses or more so, a pendant for everyone. Are you curious to see which one you are??

The Baby Pendant
photo source | design by viktor korchinskyi

Ok, “baby pendant” might not be the actual term for this style (mini pendant feels more appropriate) but these very minimal, very delicate pendants are very “in” right now. They definitely have a Scandinavian feel to them but as I will show you in a mere second, have recently come out of their little shell and flawlessly transition into almost every kind of style.

photo source | design by olivia thebaut

What I love most about this style is its quiet drama. They are small (as you can see) but demand attention (also as you can see). You can’t help but to love their elegant yet unassuming charm. So often, we feel like we have to fill a space with dramatic moments, but sometimes what’s most dramatic is unexpected subtlety.

photo source

Their long cords are what really kick up the dope factor. In case you were curious, dope is the EHD term we use when something is extremely cool and or special. So yes, those long cords make these mini munchkins very dope. They simply wouldn’t have the same effect if the base of the fixture was close to the ceiling. This obviously requires you to have semi-tall ceilings because the last thing you want is to hit your head or try to look at your loved ones across your dinner table but instead be blinded by a light bulb.

photo source | design by tribe studio

As I originally stated, their ability to translate to any style is clear and is the actual best part of this trend. It’s not just for the super modern or super minimal. It can go traditional, coastal, mid-century modern, you name it. Plus this type of fixture lends to being both plug-in and hard wired. A real trend for all (renters, homeowners) if I do say so myself.

Reveal Alert: The Color Trend We’re VERY Into (That You’ll Love, Too)

Remember that house we’ve been showing you (this backyard, this edgy basement office) over the last few weeks? It’s a killer home the production and design team staged and styled for Emily’s upcoming book project and today we’re showing you the master bedroom, which is a study in how to do moody yet modern (and also, one of my personal favorite spaces here). The wall color—French Beret by Benjamin Moore—was already there, selected by the homeowners Amanda and William Hunter (of William Hunter Collective), so the team really leaned in to create a luscious retreat with a tonal palette, lots of texture and hits of glam. We’re breaking down the seven things to keep in mind or try if you love this dark, cozy vibe, whether you want to use it in a bedroom, dining room or beyond.

Go tone-on-tone.

Let’s start with THE talking point about this particular room, but also moody rooms in general: for the greatest design impact (and to create something that reads very “editorial” and high-end), go for a tone-on-tone look. Note that this does not mean everything has to be the exact shade. In fact, you’ll want to vary them, but in this room, there’s an overarching punch-you-in-your-face, blue-on-everything moment happening here. It’s kept interesting and visually layered by playing with tones: dark inky navy blue headboard, cobalt and denim blue bedding, slate walls and matching millwork, blue-ish gray curtains. The lower the contrast, the moodier yet quieter it will feel. Let’s say we decided to do these same dark walls, but then pair them with bright white bedding and blonde wood furniture…that would be a very different story. Pretty, but not the subdued, quiet, straight-up dreamy vibe we have here. So, for that calm moody oasis aesthetic, pick a color and run with it on nearly everything.

Paint all doors, trim and woodwork/millwork.

Paint | Wardrobe Latches

The whole “paint the baseboard and trim the same color as the wall” movement is HUGE right now, and sure, maybe it’s a little trendy and in a few years will fizzle out (we hope not), but this is also clutch for moody rooms. With such a deep, pigmented color, is there anything else to do but slather it on every surface? It wouldn’t be right to have a bright white on the baseboards, doors and woodwork. For a truly uniform look, you’ll want to go with the same finish for both (or for something super dramatic, you can do a flat wall and a high-gloss trim, though the matte-on-matte is a bit more modern).

Vary it up with lots of texture.

Bed Base via Article | Headboard via Article

When you’re really working within a single color for your whole palette, it’s super crucial to vary up those textures so things don’t come off one-note. Here, we used linen on the curtains and duvet, velvet on the headboard, cotton on pillows, a textural quilt and a nubby low-pile patterned shag rug (all the bedding, by the way, was borrowed from The Platform Experiment, a staging company we teamed up with on this home to tap into their insane inventory of props). A good rule of thumb to follow is to pick at least three to four textures and fabrics in varying monochrome hues to nail that perfectly layered (but still tonal) aesthetic.

Keep wood tones rich and dark.

Rug via Lulu and Georgia | Nightstand via Lulu and Georgia | Sconce | Duvet via Lulu and Georgia | Tray via Lost & Found

This is not the time to go all light and Scandi. This is the time to fully lean into the richness you’ve already started building to really dial in the moodiness. You’ll want to stick to darker finishes (like walnut) but careful that they don’t lean too red or else you risk losing the more modern edge of this style. This nightstand that we borrowed from Lulu & Georgia has a few tones in it, sure, but they’re all more neutral (not too yellow, not too red), and the interesting shapes created by the drawer front creates more visual interest in a relatively simple piece. When you don’t have a ton of furniture in a room, finding pieces that feel special and different is clutch to “simple yet intriguing” so you don’t end up with “empty and flat.”

Brass is the perfect complement.

Honestly, there is no better metal finish than gold for the moody, sexy vibe (though matte black is a good runner up). You’ll want to stick to a darker aged or unlacquered brass instead of a brighter, shiny finish. Bring it in via lighting (like these sconces from Schoolhouse), frames, accessories, and curtain and cabinet hardware, though be sure to not go overboard. You don’t want EVERYTHING to be gleaming brass, but a few touches will really elevate and break through the darker tonal palette.

Paint the ceiling (or don’t).

Okay, so this one is purely preferential. Here, the ceiling was kept white, which draws the eye up and brings in a punch of brightness overhead, but there’s another winning option: painting the ceiling the same color as the walls for a truly cozy, cavernous (but in a good way) room. In my dining room (which I’m revealing in two weeks!), I opted to bring a dark color up the walls and onto the ceiling and I couldn’t love it anymore than I do.

Keep furnishings simple and pared back.

Chair via Lulu and Georgia | Throw via Serena & Lily

And finally—and we can’t say this enough, but the dark tonal color is the star of this room/style, so keeping furniture pared back and also streamlined is the key to not creating a space that feels overwhelming or suffocating. There are really only three furnishings here: bed, nightstands, chair. Boom, done. There isn’t much by way of “decor” or art, either; accessories were kept to a minimum, and there’s just one framed piece over the bed.

Because of the wall-to-wall built-in wardrobe, there’s no need for a dresser, but here’s a trick for everyone who doesn’t have custom woodwork that blends seamlessly into the wall: paint any larger pieces the same color. It’s actually a designer trick to get a cool, high-end vibe for a smaller space. You can try it on a bookcase or dresser (though keep some of the other casegoods their natural wood tones to vary things up and bring in warmth). Of course, you can totally skip this, too, and just go wood for all pieces.

We’re all pretty obsessed with this look (amazing job Velinda and Erik), especially because it’s rich, textural and luxurious but still modern and cool. It’s like a parfait of style…so many layers, all necessary to create a balanced, sweet treat.

What do you think? I know dark and moody isn’t for everyone (we also really dig bright and airy, so we get it), but is there any room in your home you’d be willing to try this aesthetic in? Bedroom? Powder room (easy), living room? Let’s hear it.

***photography by Sara Ligorria-Tramp  for EHD, produced and art directed by Emily Henderson, designed and styled with Velinda Hellen and Erik Staalberg

The post Reveal Alert: The Color Trend We’re VERY Into (That You’ll Love, Too) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Everything You Need to Know For How to Nail That Moody Room Look

Remember that house we’ve been showing you (this backyard, this edgy basement office) over the last few weeks? It’s a killer home the production and design team staged and styled for Emily’s upcoming book project and today we’re showing you the master bedroom, which is a study in how to do moody yet modern (and also, one of my personal favorite spaces here). The wall color—French Beret by Benjamin Moore—was already there, selected by the homeowners Amanda and William Hunter (of William Hunter Collective), so the team really leaned in to create a luscious retreat with a tonal palette, lots of texture and hits of glam. We’re breaking down the seven things to keep in mind or try if you love this dark, cozy vibe, whether you want to use it in a bedroom, dining room or beyond.

Go tone-on-tone.

Let’s start with THE talking point about this particular room, but also moody rooms in general: for the greatest design impact (and to create something that reads very “editorial” and high-end), go for a tone-on-tone look. Note that this does not mean everything has to be the exact shade. In fact, you’ll want to vary them, but in this room, there’s an overarching punch-you-in-your-face, blue-on-everything moment happening here. It’s kept interesting and visually layered by playing with tones: dark inky navy blue headboard, cobalt and denim blue bedding, slate walls and matching millwork, blue-ish gray curtains. The lower the contrast, the moodier yet quieter it will feel. Let’s say we decided to do these same dark walls, but then pair them with bright white bedding and blonde wood furniture…that would be a very different story. Pretty, but not the subdued, quiet, straight-up dreamy vibe we have here. So, for that calm moody oasis aesthetic, pick a color and run with it on nearly everything.

Paint all doors, trim and woodwork/millwork.

Paint | Wardrobe Latches

The whole “paint the baseboard and trim the same color as the wall” movement is HUGE right now, and sure, maybe it’s a little trendy and in a few years will fizzle out (we hope not), but this is also clutch for moody rooms. With such a deep, pigmented color, is there anything else to do but slather it on every surface? It wouldn’t be right to have a bright white on the baseboards, doors and woodwork. For a truly uniform look, you’ll want to go with the same finish for both (or for something super dramatic, you can do a flat wall and a high-gloss trim, though the matte-on-matte is a bit more modern).

Vary it up with lots of texture.

Bed Base via Article | Headboard via Article

When you’re really working within a single color for your whole palette, it’s super crucial to vary up those textures so things don’t come off one-note. Here, we used linen on the curtains and duvet, velvet on the headboard, cotton on pillows, a textural quilt and a nubby low-pile patterned shag rug (all the bedding, by the way, was borrowed from The Platform Experiment, a staging company we teamed up with on this home to tap into their insane inventory of props). A good rule of thumb to follow is to pick at least three to four textures and fabrics in varying monochrome hues to nail that perfectly layered (but still tonal) aesthetic.

Keep wood tones rich and dark.

Rug via Lulu and Georgia | Nightstand via Lulu and Georgia | Sconce | Duvet via Lulu and Georgia | Tray via Lost & Found

This is not the time to go all light and Scandi. This is the time to fully lean into the richness you’ve already started building to really dial in the moodiness. You’ll want to stick to darker finishes (like walnut) but careful that they don’t lean too red or else you risk losing the more modern edge of this style. This nightstand that we borrowed from Lulu & Georgia has a few tones in it, sure, but they’re all more neutral (not too yellow, not too red), and the interesting shapes created by the drawer front creates more visual interest in a relatively simple piece. When you don’t have a ton of furniture in a room, finding pieces that feel special and different is clutch to “simple yet intriguing” so you don’t end up with “empty and flat.”

Brass is the perfect complement.

Honestly, there is no better metal finish than gold for the moody, sexy vibe (though matte black is a good runner up). You’ll want to stick to a darker aged or unlacquered brass instead of a brighter, shiny finish. Bring it in via lighting (like these sconces from Schoolhouse), frames, accessories, and curtain and cabinet hardware, though be sure to not go overboard. You don’t want EVERYTHING to be gleaming brass, but a few touches will really elevate and break through the darker tonal palette.

Paint the ceiling (or don’t).

Okay, so this one is purely preferential. Here, the ceiling was kept white, which draws the eye up and brings in a punch of brightness overhead, but there’s another winning option: painting the ceiling the same color as the walls for a truly cozy, cavernous (but in a good way) room. In my dining room (which I’m revealing in two weeks!), I opted to bring a dark color up the walls and onto the ceiling and I couldn’t love it anymore than I do.

Keep furnishings simple and pared back.

Chair via Lulu and Georgia | Throw via Serena & Lily

And finally—and we can’t say this enough, but the dark tonal color is the star of this room/style, so keeping furniture pared back and also streamlined is the key to not creating a space that feels overwhelming or suffocating. There are really only three furnishings here: bed, nightstands, chair. Boom, done. There isn’t much by way of “decor” or art, either; accessories were kept to a minimum, and there’s just one framed piece over the bed.

Because of the wall-to-wall built-in wardrobe, there’s no need for a dresser, but here’s a trick for everyone who doesn’t have custom woodwork that blends seamlessly into the wall: paint any larger pieces the same color. It’s actually a designer trick to get a cool, high-end vibe for a smaller space. You can try it on a bookcase or dresser (though keep some of the other casegoods their natural wood tones to vary things up and bring in warmth). Of course, you can totally skip this, too, and just go wood for all pieces.

We’re all pretty obsessed with this look (amazing job Velinda and Erik), especially because it’s rich, textural and luxurious but still modern and cool. It’s like a parfait of style…so many layers, all necessary to create a balanced, sweet treat.

What do you think? I know dark and moody isn’t for everyone (we also really dig bright and airy, so we get it), but is there any room in your home you’d be willing to try this aesthetic in? Bedroom? Powder room (easy), living room? Let’s hear it.

***photography by Sara Ligorria-Tramp  for EHD, produced and art directed by Emily Henderson, designed and styled with Velinda Hellen and Erik Staalberg

The post Everything You Need to Know For How to Nail That Moody Room Look appeared first on Emily Henderson.

My Updated LA Dining Room + My Dream Dining Chairs (Kinda)

We’ve done some updates in the dining room that I’m VERY happy with and it was time to share. Naturally, we aren’t done so this is not a reveal, just a fun process post.

Here’s what it used to look like:

Now to be fair, typically there are two chairs on the ends and four on the sides, but the chairs blocked the architecture of the table which is my favorite part.

(Above was before we reupholstered the chairs in Crypton fabric).

Now, I liked everything up there, but the arms of the chairs were getting so disgusting from the kids’ hands and I was having to clean them too often. They would clean up well, but it did become another job that I had to do. Plus, the chairs just felt so basic and while they were comfortable and simple, I knew they could be cooler. I’ve been chasing the “super stylish and comfortable” dining chair for years now and will likely never find that combination. Generally, it’s because I like the look of sculptural chairs which inherently are less comfortable than large-scale upholstered numbers.

I wasn’t looking to change them out, but I always have my eye out for cool, vintage, chairs that are still comfortable and work with the stools and the table.

I tried mixing them up with vintage wood chairs but it looked better in a photo than it did in real life (it just looked a bit messy and unintentional).

A while ago at the flea market, I spotted from afar, six upholstered Cherner armchairs and darted instantly towards them, knowing they were mine. I’ve wanted them since I was 25. In case you don’t know how rare that is, trust me it’s SO HARD TO FIND. You can find single Cherner chairs relatively easily, but finding SIX UPHOLSTERED ones and having them all be the armchair version (versus just the side chairs) is HUGE. Normally they’d be anywhere from $6k – $10k for a set on 1stdibs. They had just come out of the truck and as I was buying them so many people came over to the booth to ask about them and everyone was so bummed that I had snagged them. I couldn’t pay fast enough. They were still expensive, at $2,200 for the set, but like I said it’s such a steal and they are one of those things that we could eventually sell and even make money off if we needed to in the future.

Why do I love them so much? I suppose the beautiful line of the bentwood and the scale. They are simple (meaning that the eye has an easy job understanding them) but so unique. And because they are bentwood, I think they are hard to knock off so I won’t deal with them being everywhere (thank goodness). They are a classic and just so sculptural.

The downside: Due to their age they are super creaky…and no, they aren’t as comfortable as our old chairs but I think once there is new upholstery and padding, they will get closer.

Sitting in a creaky chair is more annoying than you might think and we TRY to ignore it but sometimes, if the kids are moving and shuffling around too much in them, I just want to snap “STOP MOVING!!!” It’s very confronting to know that you intentionally bought some expensive, uncomfortable, un-returnable, creaky chairs for your family.

But I’m REALLY REALLY hoping that I can get them upholstered and restored to be more comfortable (more padding) and not creaky.

There has GOT to be a way to reinforce them, right? If anyone knows anyone in the LA area who can restore these so they aren’t creaky, please let me know.

We also updated the table: A few months ago, we sanded off the stain on the top of the table, making it SO much prettier. Right now it isn’t sealed and while it does pick up some stains, it doesn’t bother me at all. The base is a bit darker and I like that, too. It’s a pretty light pine and I like it so much more than the more orange stain that was on it.

The light: We switched out the big pleated pendant for this triple pendant fixture that I got on Chairish (for $375).

The old one was kinda big and made it strangely hard to shoot. We were always trying to minimize it and avoid it so for a recent shoot I put in this one and I suppose I like the micro-pendants better and they still work so well with the other lighting in the kitchen.

So the question remains: How do we reupholster these Cherner chairs?

I actually secretly love this bright blue, but the fabric is in terrible condition.

image source

We could keep it classic with black leather or vinyl, but now that I’m used to a bright color on them, I might miss it!

image source | design by arent & pyke

I hadn’t thought about a brown or camel leather, but that could be really tonal and pretty.

image source | design by joan mcnamara
image source | design by marmol radziner

I could always go with a similar fabric that the chairs currently have in a bright blue, but this is a bit too bright for me…

image source | design by john maniscalco architecture

By the way, it was super hard to find any inspiration photos of colorful upholstery on the chairs. Are people not doing this?

image sources: top left | top right | bottom left | bottom right 

I suppose leather or vinyl will be the best choice with kids so I need to go shopping. I guess if there was a really beautiful slate blue leather I could see that looking good, but camel leather could be so pretty.

I’d love to hear your opinion: you see we really have the stools and the island color to work with, and I want to keep it classic and simple, not do any pattern or anything too dramatic.

Thoughts? And do you even like my creaky 60-year-old expensive “dream” chairs?? I’ve just wanted these for so long and I INSIST on making them work. Everytime I’m at my friend’s house (who is borrowing my old chairs until I want them back), I am jealous of how comfortable they are and I know that Brian is, so let’s hope the upholstery can add more foam and the restorer can reinforce the wood and get rid of all the squeaks and creaks…

***photography by Veronica Crawford for EHD

The post My Updated LA Dining Room + My Dream Dining Chairs (Kinda) appeared first on Emily Henderson.