Emily Henderson's Blog, page 260

Reveal: A Budget and Rental-Friendly Living and Dining Room (With 80% Thrifted Finds)

Oh, I do love a reveal day. My childhood love of show-and-tell has turned into a real career obsession. I am so excited to show you the living room we designed for the Invitation Homes Make It Home Show House in Atlanta. After yesterday’s messy design fail post today feels like waking up from an “I lost my wallet in the airport” anxiety nightmare, only to wake up and realize that everything is not only fine but we are really, really happy with it. It’s almost entirely locally shopped, 80% vintage, pretty budget friendly, and yet still cool and interesting.

Large Black Vase | Round Mirror | Mobile via Antique Factory | Blush Table Lamp | Rattan-Wrapped Candleholder | Surf Shack Book | Stacked White Planter via Citizen Supply | Vintage Typewriter Table via Park West Vintage | Vintage Iron Coffee Table Base via Decades Antiques and Vintage | Vintage Lady Oil Painting via Highland Row Vintage | Ceiling Fan courtesy Schoolhouse

Since we didn’t have a homeowner, we got creative carte blanche. So to help us focus, we created a muse: someone whose style needs and wants we could channel. To make it easy, the EHD team—myself, Emily Bowser and Julie—volunteered to become the collective muse and designed it if we lived in Atlanta. When challenged with a budget, and only days of shopping locally, what would we buy for ourselves, our home? What would we put on the walls? What sofa would WE risk upholstering in JUST TWO DAYS??? We had SO much fun shopping for “ourselves,” and so it’s a real mix of styles, pieces and colors that, put together, we absolutely LOVE.

Alright. We like it. You get it.

Now, I’m going to walk you through what we did and what you guys can do whether you rent or own to turn your house into a home (which was the whole intention behind this show house…to create spaces that felt like “home” regardless of whether you’re a short-term or long-term renter, or even an owner).

First up…

The Color Palette:

We added life to this white space with the blue and clay palette and a broken stripe rug we sourced through Lulu and Georgia.

For renters, most homes that you lease, you can paint if you paint it back to the original color (though be sure to double check with your landlord as some leases have STRICT no-paint policies) so while it’s okay to paint, if you are fine with white, then I say stick with it and add color through your furniture and decor. We chose this clay and blue/turquoise combo, of which we haven’t done before but we LOVE. If you aren’t into this color combo and wondering where to start, then choose something that you love (a color you are comfortable being around all the time) and google “color wheel.” You’ll want to pick a color on or near the opposite side of the wheel to balance (orange—or in our case, clay—is a direct complement to blue). Then you pepper those colors evenly around the room. A trick to make sure you don’t end up having a room that looks like a kindergarten is to vary the hues a little. We didn’t go straight orange and blue here, but instead used the two colors as a guideline and slid around the color spectrum a little within those two areas.

Personal Art is the Best:

Vintage Sofa, Squiggle & Lady Print via Highland Row Vintage | Round Pillow | Green Lumbar Pillow | Striped Lumbar Cover | Clay Pillow | Pink Throw | Rug courtesy Lulu and Georgia | Blue Vase | Mint Side Table | Black Sconce | Vintage Magazine Holder Side Table via Park West Vintage | Wood Box & Floor Lamp via Decades Antiques and Vintage | Wall Display Box | White Frames | Black Float Frame

Art is probably the most difficult thing for people to commit to. There is a strange amount of pressure to have it represent us. While there are a lot of good online art options out there, too often we either don’t buy anything and the walls remain empty OR we buy something generic just to fill the walls.

We wanted to show people how they can create meaningful art by putting heirlooms, collectibles, or souvenirs into ready-made frames. If it’s two dimensional (paper) and special to you, MAKE IT ART.

We did vintage postcards (maybe your grandma is a hoarder?), vintage matchbooks (such a fun thing to start collecting on trips) or even records that mean a lot to you (assuming you don’t want to play them). It could be old love letters, a cocktail napkin from the night you were engaged, as well as Polaroids, photo strips, etc. The point is ANYTHING that is two-dimensional can be framed as art. Sure, you want to think about the color palette and whether you like it visually, but if you collect and search long enough, you can put together a gallery wall with anything you have. Remember that you don’t have to frame EVERYTHING. Just narrow down what works well together in any given space (and know that you can always use other framed mementos in other spaces).

HOT TIP: If you want a piece to take up more space, think about putting a small matchbook or Polaroid in a really large frame with a big mat. It’s a modern cool way to frame that gives it more importance.

HOT TIP #2: Putting three-dimensional items in Lucite or display boxes (we got the one above at IKEA) like we did with that vintage squiggle sculpture. This could be a pretty rock, feathers collected by kids, or a vintage button collection.

Since we didn’t actually collect these over time, we shopped beforehand on Etsy and then scoured the antique stores in Atlanta (most of this came from Highland Row Vintage). These do NOT have to be hallway art or relegated to a den. Mix them in with a couple of larger pieces (like that vintage painting we found) and it really looks like a curated collection.

Thrift Hard:

Vintage Leather Safari Chair via Decades Antiques and Vintage | Blue Side Table | Vintage Bookshelf and Vintage Wood Coasters via Highland Row Vintage | Round Stoneware Tray | Mint Vase | Bookends (via West Elm, not available online)

This is where you put on your “how can I make this random thrifted stuff cool” brain. We wanted to see what we could do with the time and budget limitations so thrifting and vintage shopping was crucial and we DID. We found the arched shelf at Highland Row Vintage ($95 + spray paint), the circus-elephant-drum-turned-coffee-table at Decades Antiques and Vintage ($165 + glass), black window bench at Decades Antiques and Vintage ($130), and two other side tables (the magazine table by the sofa was $27, the vintage typewriter table to the right of the fireplace was $115) all that same week as the install and upgraded with basic ideas (like spray paint and surfaces where necessary—i.e. the glass on the now coffee table).

Orange Abstract Print (via IKEA, not available online) | Vintage Picasso Poster via Highland Row Vintage | Vintage Black Bench via Kudzu | Curtains | White Ceramic Planter | Gray Planter | Plants via Citizen Supply | Mostly Plants Book | Terrain Book | New Kitchen Basics Book | Standing Mobile via Antique Factory

HOT TIP #3: Lean art in front of a window if it’s not giant and therefore doesn’t block too much light. It’s okay. Breaking the rules is fun. (If you plan on drawing the drapes, it’ll be a nightly annoyance, FYI, so think through how you plan on using the space before trying it…regardless, it’s just leaned art. No holes were made that need to be filled…just play around. The design police aren’t going to come knocking if it doesn’t work.)

Reupholster Risky (But Cool) Vintage Pieces:

Vintage Chairs via Highland Row Vintage | Side Table | White Planter via Citizen Supply | Birch Frame | Black and White Print (via IKEA, not available online)

We found these chairs for $325 for the set of two at Highland Row Vintage and reupholstered them for $800 (this was a RUSH job, so unless you need chairs in two days like we did, it should be far less) in a fabric that cost about $200 (we needed 12 yards). Altogether, the cost was just over $1,300 which, no is not CHEAP, but without the rush on the upholstery, would be a good price for totally unique chairs. (Also, for anyone local who is looking for an upholsterer, we used Antonio from 23 Upholstery; he doesn’t have a website but you can reach him at 678.993.6711.)

NOW, THE SOFA…

This beauty was found last minute at Highland Row Vintage and cost $650 in its original condition (we posted pictures of the before in yesterday’s intro post). Add the fabric (which had to be sourced from three different Joann’s because…#lastminute) for $500 and the RUSH upholstery cost of $850 and it equals = $2,000 (probably a few hundred less without the last-minute request for reupholstery). It’s definitely more than a major retailer but it’s way less than most vintage sofas on the market. While I think it’s amazing, the one thing I would change is to have the seat cushion innards be feather-wrapped foam, not just the stiff foam because it’s SO BOUNCY. My kids want a trampoline. This is probably not what they meant.

Do I want that sofa for the mountain house loft space? YES. I love it so very very very much. It has the exact level of uniqueness, simple lines and whimsy that makes my organs have a happy panic attack. This was a “HECK YES” since the first photo my team texted me earlier that week.

Repeat Design Elements—Over & Over:

Here’s what we repeated: Thin black metal (via the coffee table base, the bench, the lamps, the mirror, the vintage bookcase, vintage mobile). Warm wood and leather (vintage safari chair, objects, side table). Circles. Teal, terra cotta and even hits of yellow. Repeat themes and elements in different ways to make a space feel unique but cohesive. I suppose this is the recipe for the “effortless” look that we all want, but that is far from effortless. This is also how a room will look and feel balanced, cohesive and yet eclectic and unique. (FYI, that fan was courtesy of Schoolhouse and in a white, it doesn’t stand out too much; rather it blends into the ceiling but when your eye catches it, it’s at least cool and modern.)

Vintage Leather Safari Chair and Large-Scale Abstract Painting via Decades Antiques and Vintage | Clip Light via Antique Factory | Faux Suede Blue Box | Mixed Marble Round Box | Marble and Copper Dip Bowl | Misc. Wood Objects via Vintage Shops.

The space was shared with the dining nook so we dressed that out, too, working in the same theme and color scheme.

Chairs via Craigslist (similar via Etsy) | Table | Counter Stools courtesy Industry West | Curtain Rod | Curtains | Pendant | Vintage Tea Set via Park West Vintage | Black Vase | Faux Suede Tray

We found the dining chairs on Craigslist for $350 and paired it with the IKEA pedestal table. To repeat that teal from the living room, those awesome Industry West caned stools break up the neutrals over here. Of course, what makes that shot is the almost unthinkably small vintage black and white tea set that we picked up at Park West Vintage in Marietta.

As you can see, the same elements are repeated there—wood, black, white, and a combo of classic/streamlined and sculptural/vintage.

This job was incredibly fun. So stimulating. Challenging in the ways where you feel like you stretched as a person. I’m so proud of myself and my team (Emily B., Julie and Grace, who isn’t pictured here) for flying across the country, design blind, into a major deadline, full of fun, panic and ultimately style success.

Thank you Invitation Homes for being innovative and creative enough to come up with and seamlessly execute such a partnership. Being given creative freedom on all fronts makes this project so rewarding, for everyone involved. If you’re in the Atlanta area and want to see this room (and all the others, more info on that below), there’s a free open house tomorrow, Saturday, May 18 from 2 to 6 pm (register here) in Kennesaw. GO SEE IT. I won’t be there, as I’ve trekked back home, but you should still go if you can. 

Like I mentioned, there are other rooms in this Make It Home Show House designed by five other designers/bloggers that are also worth checking out. Here are all their Instagram accounts so you can follow along:

Kevin O’Gara of Thou Swell
Erin Marshall of Live Pretty on a Penny
Brittni Mehlhoff of Paper and Stitch
Brittany Hayes of Addison’s Wonderland
Rhoda Vickers of Southern Hospitality

Again, thank you Invitation Homes (and some of the other brands who donated product like Industry West, Lulu and Georgia and Schoolhouse). If you’re in the market for a pet-friendly, high-quality, updated home to lease in desirable neighborhoods, head to their site to see all the 17 markets they are in (they are literally all across the US from Atlanta and Tampa and the Carolinas to Minneapolis, Seattle and SoCal with 80,000+ properties). It’s a very cool concept, particularly as it seems to get harder and harder in some parts of the country to be a homeowner.

OH and if you’re not in Atlanta, you can always take a virtual tour of the home here and see more behind-the-scenes and exclusive footage from the show house on the Invitation Homes Instagram account.

***photography by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for EHD, art direction by me, design and styling assistance by Emily Bowser and Julie Rose

The post Reveal: A Budget and Rental-Friendly Living and Dining Room (With 80% Thrifted Finds) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Intro: We Finally Did a Showhouse (+ A Pretty Epic DIY Sofa Fail)

One of our top requested subjects is lease or renter ideas, i.e. how do you make a home feel like yours even when it may not be, without putting real resources into it? So when Invitation Homes reached out for us to makeover a room in their Make It Home Show House (in a lease-friendly way) in Atlanta, we said YES. We’ve been approached about doing showhouses before and likely will do at some point, but this seemed extra interesting to me because it was meant for approachable, budget-friendly design and decor ideas. So instead of shopping online and just having a bunch of awesome new stuff shipped, I tasked my team with coming up with “ideas” for you all—things like DIYs, thrifted upgrades, and just more fun and creative ideas in general. We didn’t have a client per se, there is no homeowner (yet), so we could kinda do whatever we wanted as long as it would work for a potential future family.

So in today’s post, you are going to get a sneak into our messy creative process with a pretty EPIC DIY FAIL, while tomorrow, you’ll get the full reveal.

Here’s how it all went down:

The first step here (and for basically any room) is finding inspiration and gathering “good ideas,” things that people can go forth and make themselves. Emily B. wanted to create a DIY sofa. We have seen this floating around and thought that it was simple and we could do a version that would be easy to replicate. What I forgot is that A. We aren’t carpenters and B. The job is in Atlanta so we wouldn’t really be able to control, test, or troubleshoot it too much. But we took the risk because that’s what creative people do…ISN’T THAT HILARIOUS??

image source
image sources: left | right

But we were in Atlanta where the style is fairly traditional, not modern like this and we wanted to fit the style of the house. So we doubled down. We loved this inspiration shot, both the black stripe, the striped rug, the gallery wall, the sconce incorporated—and we loved that it was traditional, but with an edge.

image source | design by juniper home

But that wasn’t risky enough. We then thought that it’s been a while since we mixed a stripe with a floral. Again, since there was no real client and we were doing this as a “showhouse,” we wanted to do something more editorial.

So we went shopping and found a few combinations that, well, excited us:

Great. We drew up the sofa plan, booked a carpenter in Atlanta and with five days to spare, we overnighted the fabric to the upholsterer.

We knew that mixing striped with floral would be a risk, so we had the upholsterer sew all stripes and a solid option, in addition to mixing stripes and florals. Unfortunately, there was a bit of a breakdown in communication and he made two floral seats, no back cushion and doubled the size of the bolsters.

The whole thing looked hilarious. But Emily B. and Julie weren’t laughing and neither was I at the time…

Meanwhile, they kept shopping for the rest of the vintage pieces. We had looked on Chairish and Craigslist before we went and tried to get any vintage stores to send us pics of the pieces, but ultimately we knew that they just had to go early to find the pieces and figure out how to upgrade them, refinish, reupholster before the deadline. They got there a week early which meant that triggers had to be pulled almost immediately for any upholstery jobs.

Early on, they found this amazing vintage sofa:

But we had our genius and beautiful sofa coming, so we didn’t need this…

They went around and took a ton of photos at all the stores, essentially photographing anything that is awesome and sending it my way to upvote or down vote.

Julie and Bowser found two chairs for $300 and, well, thinking that we had the sofa locked down, they pulled the trigger. But, of course, they had to find enough yardage in a color that we LIKE, as well as an upholsterer who would turn them around in time. ALSO, ATLANTA HAS INSANE TRAFFIC AND “RUNNING AROUND TOWN” IS NOT REALLY A THING YOU CAN DO.

They also found a ton of awesome other pieces the could potentially work:

They also started to pull together our ideas for the personalized gallery wall which we wanted to end up being a wall of art from in and around Atlanta full of super unique things that are framed in readymade frames.

They were finding some great pieces, but on Friday afternoon, they saw the first iteration of the sofa and they started to panic, shielding me from the stress since I had a major shoot that day. Then on Saturday morning, after a huge commercial shoot at my house, I get a text from them that said, “we don’t think the DIY sofa will work.” They were obviously bummed to give me that news, but I appreciated the honesty because I wasn’t going to be there ’til Monday and we had to shoot this room on Wednesday so if there were any major changes (like say, a SOFA) we would need to do it ASAP. Sometimes, you have to make an uncomfortable call, but it’s sooooo much better than not making that call at all.

We played a game I often make us play called “staple-gun to your head” where I go around and ask people what they would do if they had a staple gun to their head and had to make the decision RIGHT NOW. We all unanimously said, “buy the awesome vintage sofa and reupholster it.”

So they had to find 20 yards of fabric (on a Sunday…most fabric stores are not open unless it’s big box like Joann’s) and get it upholstered by Tuesday. Cool, easy feat. Thank you for being stressed out for them…

See? It’s a messy process and yes we learned some lessons. We learned that we probably shouldn’t have tried to execute a major DIY that we’ve never done before, in another state, on a very tight deadline. It was too much of a risk. The base was actually totally fine and workable, it was just a miscommunication about the upholstery and if it had been in LA, we likely would have been able to catch it earlier and rectify it.

Meanwhile, our carpenter’s mother-in-law is taking it and using it so at least it didn’t go to waste.

I got there on Monday afternoon and the room was getting there. They had found SO many great pieces that actually looked good together. Art directing from afar is challenging but we are starting to get our groove and I really loved everything they had chosen. I felt like the chairs were a bit too small for the sofa so we rearranged them and realized that the room worked better, but that we needed another chair.

We spent the next day shopping and pulling it all together—which was fun but stressful. I love a last minute install, it’s kinda what stylists do and I was having serious Secrets From a Stylist flashbacks.

We aren’t the only ones doing this Make It Home Show House; there are five other designers/bloggers doing other rooms and this week, I’m here meeting them, doing a ton of press and tomorrow we are revealing our room. Follow along:

Kevin O’Gara of Thou Swell
Erin Marshall of Live Pretty on a Penny
Brittni Mehlhoff of Paper and Stitch
Brittany Hayes of Addison’s Wonderland
Rhoda Vickers of Southern Hospitality

So check out all their accounts to follow them along and yes, COME BACK TOMORROW for our big reveal. I leaked some sneak peeks on social but hopefully not so much that you don’t want to come back.

How do I like how it turned out? Am I happy with it? Come back, tomorrow folks. Meanwhile, if you are in the market for a house for lease (rent) or just want some general lease-friendly tips, head over to invitationhomes.com

See you tomorrow!

The post Intro: We Finally Did a Showhouse (+ A Pretty Epic DIY Sofa Fail) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Ultimate Budget Home: Rugs & Lighting Under $200, Art Under $100 and Decor Under $50

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

Moving into my first adult lady apartment all on my own was one of the most exciting times of my life. I remember daydreaming in the weeks leading up to the handing off of keys about how it would look and what life would be like there. And in my dreams, let me tell ya, it was good. Very Domino magazine 2006 with its ghost chairs and painted walls and fresh peonies. It was the kinda space where you made things other than grilled cheese sandwiches and offered friends glasses of wine without worrying whether they’d spill them on your white couch. My reality, however, was that I lived in a shoebox-sized apartment that could be viewed in its entirety from my bed, and my wallet was not there to support my vision, lol. (I also shared a wall with a falafel shop so there were smells, YAY!). So, like many 20-somethings at the mercy of hand-me-downs, the offhand IKEA purchase (which I totally thought was fancy because I bought it with, you know, actual money) and a strict “no paint” rental policy, the look I ended up with could be described, at best, as “cobbled together.” What I’m getting at here is that furnishing an apartment from scratch—whether it’s your first or you’re moving to a new city— is, well, hard. I wish I’d had a resource to know where to find the things I liked at a price I could afford because I spent a lot of time sitting on the floor. To hopefully save you from that same fate, Arlyn and Ryann have covered how to outfit your living room and dining area on a budget and today I’m here to talk rugs/art/lighting, etc.

Rugs Under $200

1. Los Altos Striped Dhurrie | 2. Navy Herringbone Cotton Flatwoven | 3. Woven Rug | 4. Gray Block Printed Cotton Flatweave | 5. Norcross Handwoven | 6. L’Baiet Nina Beige Oriental | 7. Wool-blend Rug | 8. Cut Diamond Printed | 9. Blue Moroccan Trellis Bosphorus | 10. Montauk Collection Handmade Flatweave | 11. Ariana Vintage Floral Trellis | 12. Latham Rigo Jute | 13. Keagan Gray | 14. Blue Chunky Loop Maui | 15. Templeton Gray | 16. Natural Hand Woven Jute with Wool Fringe Maui | 17. Medallion Loomed | 18. Sicily Blue | 19. Microplush Geo Knitted | 20. Navy Diamonds Cotton Trellis Flatwoven | 21. Tayler

Once you’ve got your basic furniture pieces into place and you’re ready to start peppering in some personality, rugs are the ideal place to start. Visually, they just take up a lot of space, so the color, pattern, and/or texture found there will serve as a jumping off point for the rest of the choices you’ll need to make. (They’re also just a great way to define different areas within a space.) The price you see here is mostly for 8x10s (give or take), so pretty sizeable. You really can’t go wrong with #14. It’s like the denim jacket of rugs—somehow it just goes with everything. I’m very into the price of #6, and #12 would be great on its own or layered under something with a bit more color, like that too-small vintage find you don’t know what to do with.

Table Lamps + Scones Under $200

1. Black Swiveling Wall Sconce With Wicker Shade | 2. Jane 7 in. 1-Light Adjustable Sconce | 3. Leggero Pole Wall Sconce | 4. 1-Light Natural Brass Sconce | 5. Double Loa Sconce with Peach Shades | 6. 1-Light Black Swing Arm Sconce | 7. Flush Mount Wall Lamp | 8. Jeffrey 25 in. Brass Wall Sconce | 9. Brava Antique Brass Down Light (set of 2) | 10. Camp Sconce | 11. Matte Gumball Sconce | 12. Metal and Wood Wall Sconce | 13. Bella Table Lamp | 14. Roar+Rabbit Figural Accent Light | 15. Marcella Mini Table Lamp | 16. Dome Modern Desk Lamp | 17. Olga Lamp Base | 18. 21 in. 2-Light Table Lamp | 19. Sarina Lantern Table Lamp | 20. Cupcakes and Cashmere Elemental Table Lamp | 21. Roxanne Moulin Table Lamp | 22. 18×12 Bamboo Table Lamp | 23. Denise 24.5” Table Lamp | 24. Chrislie Table Lamp | 25. Faux Wood Table Lamp | 26. White Marble Table Lamp With Black Linen Shade | 27. Vavda Table Lamp

We’re not saying all of these roundups are for people who rent apartments, but if you DO, you know the lighting can sometimes be…unfortunate. No overhead lighting, or just…not good stuff. Good news, all you need is a pretty lamp to fix your life. Also, whoa…lamps can be EXPENSIVE, even in the “budget” category. Most of these are $100ish or less, though we did go up to $200 for some of the sconces (both hardwired and plug-in). Hot renter tip: plug-in sconces are everything. Use them next to your bed, flanking a console or fireplace, in hallways (obviously, as long as there is an outlet nearby). I’m definitely a fan of the mushroom-y lamp. #13 is great but you can’t beat #2 in terms of price. I’m always drawn to anything woven, so #1 and #27 are winners for me, but I also can’t deny loving the simple, sculptural feel of #7 and #26.

Art Under $100

1. Organics Print | 2. Printable Abstract Water Color Print (set of 6) | 3. Moglea Print | 4. Crystal Palace No. 1 | 5. Woman’s Back Line | 6. Printable Abstract Print (set of 2) | 7. Framed Abstract Art | 8. Printable Geometric Print | 9. Yellow Flower Print | 10. Printable Indigo Abstract Print (set of 2) | 11. Printable Nude Abstract Print | 12. Rock In Style Print | 13. Minimal Line Drawing | 14. Printable Watercolor | 15. Brown Fruit Framed Print

Art is an important part of decorating any home (budget or high-end). It adds the soulfulness that makes a house a home. And in the case of a rental, it’s an especially good friend of those with a no-painting-allowed policy (been there, survived that). It’s also expensive, so, with that in mind, we focused our efforts on finding printable pieces that’ll hopefully make the cost of framing hurt a little less as well as some already-framed finds. The color palette of #1 feels very on-trend and fun, but I’m also into the simplicity of #7. When it comes to landscapes, vintage generally feels like the way to go, but there’s something really nice about #14. If you like the feel of a gallery wall but are unsure of what to hang with what, go with #2—these abstract watercolor prints come in a set of six.

Chandeliers & Pendants Under $200

1. Black Pendant Light | 2. Soso Tan and White Metal Pendant Light | 3. Utica 3-Light Sputnik Chandelier | 4. 3-Light Sputnik Chandelier | 5. Scarborough Concrete and Metal 1-Light Pendant | 6. Darin 4-Light Chandelier | 7. Teya Semi-Flush Pendant | 8. Round Bamboo and Rattan Pendant | 9. Akiva 1-Light Cone Pendant | 10. Brennon 1-Light Bell Pendant | 11. Phoebe Tiered Fringe Pendant | 12. Bitner 1-Light Dome Pendant | 13. Wood Pendant Light | 14. Two Tone Pendant | 15. Yearby 3-light Globe Chandelier | 16. Rochester 1-Light Bell Pendant | 17. Barnyard 1-Light 16 in. Warehouse Pendant | 18. Hearth & Hand Metal Chandelier Black | 19. Branches Black 3-Light Chandelier | 20. Shaded Pendant | 21. Fabric Geo Shade Pendant | 22. Knoxville 1-Light Geometric Pendant | 23. Plug-In Minimal Pendant Lamp | 24. Warnick 1-Light Globe Pendant

We understand the reluctance to replace hardwired fixtures in a rental, but it really does make such a difference (and isn’t that hard to do yourself as long as you do your research…that are hire someone from say, Taskrabbit to do it for you…you’d be surprised how inexpensive that could be). There’s a lot to love in this lighting roundup, and at under $200, the expense to have it installed is a little more justifiable. (I mean, #17 is $34!) I want to hang #5 in my imaginary desert house. #23 is a simple-but-striking twist on a simple globe pendant. I also love the idea of using two #20s in a bedroom to flank the bed.

Pillows & Throws Under $50

1. Artistic Weavers Cotton Throw | 2. Diamond Throw Pillow | 3. Textured Stripe Throw | 4. Washed Linen Cushion Cover | 5. Liana Fringe Throw Pillow | 6. Cotton Velvet Cushion Cover | 7. Stitched Stripe Throw | 8. Stellan Kilim Lumbar Pillow | 9. Charly Printed Eyelash Pillow | 10. Emeline Throw Pillow | 11. Bia Tassel Velvet Pillow | 12. Tassel Aria Throw Blanket | 13. Landscape Shapes Pillow | 14. West Village Cotton Throw | 15. Blue Stonewashed Embroidered Pillow | 16. Green Velvet Cushion Cover | 17. Black Melange Tassel Throw | 18. Cushion Cover with Fringe | 19. Bovina Throw | 20. Mud Cloth Pillow Cover | 21. Linen Cushion Cover

When choosing pillows and throws, take a look at your rug and art choices and stick to the color palette you find there. Make sure to balance out prints with a few solid options and you’re pretty much good to go. I love that #13 is playful but also pretty neutral at the same time, #16 looks way too luxe for the $10 price tag (what?!), and #12 and #19 look cozy enough to see me through many a Netflix marathon.

Accessories Under $50

1. Ceramic Footed Catch-All Dish | 2. Celestial Hyacinth Hanging Planter | 3. Large Earthenware Vase | 4. Metal Tray | 5. Metal Vase | 6. River Rock + Metal Sculpture | 7. Stoneware Serving Bowl | 8. Tall Burnt Coral Textured Ceramic Vase | 9. Marble Bookend | 10. Origami Vase | 11. Large Braided Rattan Tray | 12. Tall Stoneware Vase | 13. Raffia Tray Gray/White | 14. Stoneware Block Print Vase | 15. Fluted Plant Pot With Saucer | 16. Metal Candlestick | 17. Large Vase With Handles | 18. 3pc Glazed Terra Cotta Vase Set | 19. Stoneware Textured Vase | 20. Etched Terra Cotta Planter | 21. Ypperlig Vase | 22. Wood and Marble Paperweight | 23. Metal Planters (Set of 2) | 24. Clear Barcelona Vases

These are the little things that come together in the end to really round out a space. Pretty much every room, no matter the style, can benefit from pops of black (adds instant modernity and depth), and #7 (set it atop a stack of books), #12 and #17 are great options. I love that #3 looks like a vintage find (and also supports our recent thoughts that seashells are trending) while #1 and #18 look like they might be handmade.

Phew…that was a lot of products (132 if you were counting…I wasn’t) but I hope that there are tons here for you to pull from whether you’re decking out your first home or your 20th. Anything here catch your eye? The team is wrapping up this series soon (I think Arlyn might have a kitchen one up her sleeve for the next few weeks), but in terms of general roundups, as always, chime in if there are any specific roundups you’d love to see here.

The post The Ultimate Budget Home: Rugs & Lighting Under $200, Art Under $100 and Decor Under $50 appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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.