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12 Awesome Fashion Brands to Try If You Love Clothes But Also the Earth

I have always found fashion to be a source of individuality and self-expression. I remember on my first day of preschool, my mom insisted I wear a dress when all I wanted was to don my overalls and Tweety Bird T-shirt. As a result, I spent the entire morning crying while the rest of the kids were happily playing Simon Says. It was clear growing up that letting me wear what I wanted made me a more agreeable child. In fact, wearing what I want makes me a more agreeable adult. If I am feeling a bit off, the power of a good outfit can do wonders. (Please comment below if you are also one of these people. I would really love someone to validate me.)

Much similar to interior design, how you express your personal style is powerful. It’s art. But, as many of us know, the fashion industry is the second largest polluter in the world (behind oil) and a huge eco enemy. Some fast facts:

According to a study by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, it is responsible for one garbage truck of textiles wasted every second, and 92 MILLION TONS of solid waste dumped in landfills each year. This includes discarded clothes that consumers buy and get rid of (the average American discards 68 pounds a year), as well as unused fabrics and textiles from companies who make more than what they end up using.
In 2017, it was reported that in 2015 alone, the fashion industry consumed 79 billion cubic meters of water—enough to fill 32 million Olympic-size swimming pools and that figure is expected to increase by 50% by 2030. To put it into perspective, it takes 2,720 liters of water to make a single T-shirt.
The industry is the second biggest polluter of water, after the agriculture industry, polluting 17-20 percent of global fresh water.
The total greenhouse gas emissions from textile production currently stands at 1.2 billion tonnes which is more than those of all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

My own contribution to the problem comes to mind often as someone who seemingly came out of the womb drawn to the glamour of clothes. In my lifetime, I’ve discarded countless clothes, many of which were worn a handful of times only to be promptly stored in the back of my closet for years, before eventually meeting their fate at a local Goodwill, or perhaps more accurately, a local landfill. So, I will be the first to admit that when the topic of sustainability in fashion comes up, it only takes a few minutes before my head starts to spin. What exactly is sustainable fashion? Isn’t all fashion technically unsustainable because it produces so much waste? According to Green Strategy, there are seven forms of sustainable fashion, and ideally every time a new garment is produced, all forms of sustainability should be combined, but the industry has a long way to go. 

As individual consumers, just as it applies to design, buying vintage, second hand, and thrifted is the most sustainable option. Another solution I hear often is to simply buy less. The purchasing power of us as consumers is just that: power. So even (and perhaps, especially) in our non-purchases, we are exercising our power and taking action to shift the paradigm of the industry. That said, it is not lost on me that the financial ability to actively choose what you buy and in turn what companies you support is a privilege. For those of us that have the opportunity to exercise that privilege, being mindful is not just important, it is necessary. Our choices matter. I think it is common to think that someone else will fix the problem. It can feel as if the problem is so far removed from our daily lives, which makes it difficult to take action, meanwhile, so many parts of the world are witness to the negative impacts of the industry every day. 

Are you still with me? I know this is a tough subject, none of us are perfect, and the world is full of issues that deserve attention. I get it. But as trivial as the fashion industry can appear, the fact is that clothes are a part of our everyday. We live our lives in them and while it might seem daunting to reverse the impacts of the industry, shifting our habits as individuals is fathomable. Okay, so where do we start? How can we begin? By buying second hand (when possible). By purchasing quality pieces that will last over buying fast fashion in quantity. By supporting brands that recycle, reduce their waster waste, pay their employees livable wages, provide safe and fair working conditions, make efforts to carbon offset, and donate to sustainable charities. By buying from small businesses who treat people and the earth better, we take action to shift the practices of the industry.

Without further ado and before I talk (write?) your ears off (too late?), let’s get to the brands that are striving toward sustainability:

Everlane

What They’re Doing Right: Everlane is a brand that I stumbled upon via the constant efforts of Instagram to sell me things I don’t (really) need. A sponsored ad popped up and I took the bait. Turns out they are a really good company with practices focused on quality and economy. They source really good materials and factories to make timeless “basics” like Grade-A cashmere sweaters, Italian leather shoes, and Peruvian Pima tees. Their clothes are meant to be staples in your wardrobe with a long life. The factories they use are given a compliance audit to evaluate factors like fair wages, reasonable hours, and the environment. The best part?? They believe customers have a right to know how much their clothes cost to make—from materials to labor to transportation—and selling them at fair prices, minus the traditional retail markup. By doing so, they produce quality clothes that last at accessible prices, thus reducing the need to buy from the big guys.

In Our Cart: ’90s Cheeky Straight Jeans | The Double-Strap Block Heel | The Foldover Crossbody

ABLE

What They’re Doing Right: ABLE considers themselves a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty through providing economic opportunity for women. They are also doing something that is kind of revolutionary: publishing their employee’s wages (and not just the average, but their lowest paid). Here is a not so fun fact: the products we enjoy are most often made by women who are severely underpaid and can’t meet the basic needs of themselves or their children. So, ABLE is striving to be completely transparent about wages in hopes more companies will follow suit. By supporting brands that pay fair wages, we can begin to stop contributing to the inhumane practices of big corporations, who mass produce.

In Our Cart: Pamela Double Strap | Mini Tag Necklace | Chaltu Top Zip Crossbody

Kotn

What They’re Doing Right: Kotn’s namesake authentic Egyptian cotton is grown in only one place in the world, the Nile Delta. It is finer, softer, and more breathable than any other cotton. Apparently, since 2001, there has been a 95% decline in demand from big corporations that opted to go with cheaper options. SO, to help rebuild the industry from the inside, they work directly with cotton farming families in Egypt. Think of it as “farm-to-table, but for your clothes.” As a B-Corp certified company, their responsibly-run operation employs locals, securing their craft and their livelihood. By scrapping the middleman, they ensured a fair wage for them, and an honest price for the consumer. OH, and top it off they partnered with pro-literacy organizations on the ground in the Nile Delta to help end child labor practices.

In Our Cart: Essential Crew In White | Straight Leg Crop Pant | Undercoat In Camel

Whimsy & Row

What They’re Doing Right: Los Angeles-based company Whimsy & Row uses deadstock fabric (a.k.a. excess and leftover fabric) from other brands who buy more than they end up using. These are the fabrics that often get lost in a huge warehouse and eventually end up in landfills. Instead, they take these fabrics and turn them into lovely and classic silhouettes. Their styles are meant to be versatile, statement pieces in your wardrobe and are designed to last.

In Our Cart: Aleksandra Top in Baby Stripe | Jordan Jacket in Cream | Alyssa Bodysuit in Black

Vetta

What They’re Doing Right: Vetta makes capsule wardrobes, responsibly produced with fabrics that are sustainable, mostly Tencel or deadstock fabrics. At this point, I’m sure most of you know what a capsule wardrobe is, but in case you aren’t sure, it refers to a collection of a few essential, classic items that are meant to be super versatile and easily paired with other statement pieces (a cool vintage jacket, perhaps). Anyone can create their own capsule wardrobe, but Vetta makes it pretty dang easy with their timeless styles, many of which can be worn multiple ways or are convertible (like that cute white top up there). Also, their poly bags, tissue paper, and inserts are made from 100% recycled materials, and boxes are made from 90% recycled and 10% FSC certified materials.

In Our Cart: The Boxy Blouse | The Convertible Shirt Dress | Every Day Pant

Doen

What They’re Doing Right: Doen’s brand ideology focuses on embracing a fewer but better mentality in regards to consumption. They create quality, timeless pieces to ensure that they can be worn season after season, and let me tell you, their stuff is BEAUTIFUL. They believe clothing should not be viewed as disposable, so much so that they encourage secondhand sales of their clothes via resale and consignment retailers. (There are brands/designer that would never do this, and in fact some have been known to burn extra stock to maintain the exclusivity of their product. It sucks). Doen also uses 100% recyclable packaging and their eco-shippers include a minimum of 90% post-consumer content.

In Our Cart: Billie Jean Top | Henri Top | Myrtle Overall

Boyish Jeans

What They’re Doing Right: This may be upsetting to hear for the people out there who love denim (me). Traditionally, to make a SINGLE pair of jeans, 1,500 gallons of water are used. That is SO much water. Boyish jeans use 1/3 the amount of water and they recycle the water they do use so no water is polluted in the process. They work with factories that have fair, safe, and healthy working conditions and that suppliers meet their standards for social responsibility as well as safe, non-toxic, and better materials by auditing their factories with third-party auditing companies.

In Our Cart: The Kirby | The Tommy | The Cody

Christy Dawn

What They’re Doing Right: Christy Dawn is another company that exclusively uses deadstock fabric to create timeless pieces and their practices are rooted in creating quality pieces that will last. I am quite literally obsessed with their sophisticated Little House on the Prairie vibe and am dying to one day buy this dress. In order to create such gorgeous styles, they pay a premium for the most talented seamstresses in Los Angeles, all of whom are paid a competitive wage and receive health benefits.

In Our Cart: The Ida Skirt | The Penny Jumper | The Dawn Dress

Raven + Lily

What They’re Doing Right: Raven + Lily is a fair trade brand that specializes in uniquely beautiful leather bags, jewelry, and home accessories. They work with over 1,500 women artisans and give fair trade wages and access to safe jobs, sustainable incomes, healthcare, and other tools they need to thrive. I am very into their jewelry, which is surprisingly super affordable. I just bought this necklace and am really excited to wear it with my favorite black jumper. Oh, and you can feel good about your purchases because every purchase of a Raven + Lily product helps fund microloans to female entrepreneurs in partnership communities.

In Our Cart: Day Crossbody | Pom Blanket | Yami Backpack

Girlfriend Collective

What They’re Doing Right: Girlfriend Collective makes leggings, sports bras, and other workout clothes from recycled water bottles. Yep, this is a thing and it’s fantastic. If you go to their site they go into all the nitty gritty details of how the bottles are collected, broken down, and made into fabric. Also, they have a wide range of sizing (XXS-6XL) which has less to do with sustainability and more to do with inclusivity (which is SO important). A few of us here at EHD use their leggings exclusively and we love them.

In Our Cart: Lola Bra | LITE High-Rise Legging | High-Rise Run Short

VitaminA

What They’re Doing Right: I would be remiss if I didn’t mention VitaminA Swim. You all know that that suit right there is Emily’s favorite swimsuit she has ever bought. It is the swimsuit to end all swimsuits. So, not only do they do swimwear right, their sustainability efforts are impressive. Founder and designer Amahlia Stevens spent three years developing EcoLux, the first premium swim fabric made from recycled nylon fibers. In fact, all materials used are certified to meet the global Oeko-Tex standard for safe textiles and by partnering with One Planted Tree for every dollar donated, a tree is planted.

In Our Cart: Edie Bodysuit | Martinique Romper | Tash Tote

Rothy’s

What They’re Doing Right: Rothy’s is another brand that makes its product from recycled water bottles. Music to my ears. So far, they have repurposed 20 million water bottles, and counting. Their shoe boxes are strong enough to be shipped alone, which means no box-in-a-box shipping. Question: WHY DOESN’T EVERY COMPANY DO THIS? And for every mile they ship, they use Carbon Fund to offset the carbon emissions. Also, their vegan and biodegradable shoe boxes are made from 85% post-consumer recycled materials. Both the cards and the box are 100% recyclable, and the box is resealable so no tape is needed during the returns process. I felt like they were a good brand to end with because all that they are doing is seriously amazing and more sustainable than most.

In Our Cart: The Point | The Sneaker | The Loafer

Alright guys, we finally made it. But before I go, since we are talking about what we can do as individuals, I wanted to share a few tips on recycling clothing:

Instead of donating old clothes to Goodwill or Salvation Army, (which will likely end up in landfills simply because the sheer volume they receive is too much to sell) try selling your used clothes online.  This ensures your clothes will have a longer life. I use Depop, but there are also others like ThredUp that do much of the work for you. For more high end/designer pieces, you can send to The Real Real to sell for you. Selling your clothes directly to someone will always yield better results and will decrease the likelihood of it ending up in landfills.

You can also get together with friends and organize a clothing swap. Bring all your clothes you are planning on giving away and have your friends do the same. You will likely get some great additions to your wardrobe without spending any money OR producing any waste.

Okay, that is it, I promise. What are some other sustainable brands that you love? Do you have any other tips, tricks, or general tales to share? Tell me everything.

The post 12 Awesome Fashion Brands to Try If You Love Clothes But Also the Earth appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Some of the Weird Things I Bought Recently at the Flea Market (Pet Screws??)

A few weeks ago, I went to the Santa Monica Airport Outdoor Antique Market which I hadn’t been to in YEARS, mostly because Santa Monica is 20 miles away which is 2 hours in LA time. But it used to be curated and high end (and often expensive) but good. It’s changed, but I did find some things I brought home with me (you’ll see those—and others—here). Then I headed over to The Mart Collective antique mall in Venice (which is definitely curated, high end BUT SO GOOD) and snagged a few more things.

I’ve never been known to walk past a leather piggy bank. This time it’s a bull, I believe, but it’s a necessary accessory in anyone’s life.

It’s about six inches wide and so, so cute for either the kids or a styling “moment” on a bookshelf. You can’t tell from the photos, but the little brass lock on the back of the bull is actually a heart (and isn’t really a lock more than it just keeps the thing together).

Also, a “Pet Screw” makes me laugh. It’s the kind of “weird” that I used to buy before I thought I had to be more sophisticated and stopped buying things with a sense of humor. Growing up can be a dick.

And the blue bud vase is just the right size for setting atop a stack of pretty books or on its own on a console. It’s a lot shinier than it looks in these photos, which is actually a nice contrast to the exposed raw clay where the glaze didn’t reach.

I’m OBSESSED with that black pepper grinder—that’s right, the black ring twists and out comes your artisanal pepper. And that little covered dish might be for salt or jewelry on a nightstand. I don’t know it’s just a special little thing that I couldn’t pass up (there is carving up there). The pot was cheap ($7) and far more special than an average plant pot so I had to get it. I should call it a plant casket, more like because that delicate maidenhair fern will be lucky to survive through the spring (I’ll try, I promise).

That old man painting is SO GOOD. He’s in my color palette, but still whimsical and weird. We threw him in that frame but I miss seeing the texture of the paint so I’ll likely get him framed without glass (might do a DIY frame just on the sides of the board). He was NOT cheap, by the way ($125), but I so rarely find portraits that I think can be mixed into this house color-wise so I splurged.

Then we have what is clearly more of a theme today—three covered carved wood round boxes, but they are SO special and pretty and just GREAT styling props. We are shooting the book right now so we need extra props and these are great on nightstands, entries, coffee table, desks (though I’d say not all together to make them feel that much more special). The low flat one even has a mirror on top. It’s so sweet (and such a great gift).

The pouf is also a find. Part of the leather is damaged (it’s turned away from the camera so you won’t see that) but I don’t know…it gives it character. We talked about getting it repaired, but we also talked about just leaving it be/ripping off the tattered leather. That’s probably what we’ll do, to be honest, but I have a soft spot for tattered leather ottomans and will never say no until I’m drowning in a room full of tattered leather ottomans (stay tuned, though…I might be willing to part with this one soon. Keep an eye on my Instagram).

A tray and ANOTHER covered dish (it’s different I promise) are up in the bathroom right now. And yes, you can use an old perfume bottle for your Q-Tips. I’d doubt you’d get arrested.

If you guys are in LA and want some good vintage, this weekend is Downtown Modernism and it’s GREAT. I’ll be there early, probably out of there by 10 am but if you see me please say hi, but please don’t take my good stuff.

5 Outdoor Ideas & Hacks That’ll Instantly Add Style (& Save You Money)

While we were staging and styling a recent project for my next book (you’ve seen a few rooms of this sick house so far here and here), we noticed a lot of clever hacks and ideas in the backyard that seemed share-worthy. It’s those things that make you say “ooh, that’s a good idea.” So today, we’re walking you through 5 outdoor hacks, a.k.a. clever ideas, that you can steal for yourself.

1. Candle Chandelier

Okay how genius is this? Lighting without having to wire anything up. It’s basically a plank of wood, a handful of pillar candles, and chains attached to the beams of the patio roof. This version here uses metal hanging planters as the flat base to set the wood on, but you could absolutely hack with either just more of the same chain, some dowels or flat pieces of wood attached by hooks to the chain. We don’t suggest lighting this on a windy night for obvious reasons, though. Ha.

The drippier the candles get, the better they look. Vary your heights and widths to get that effortless, magical look, like this:

2. Distressed “Upholstered” Bench

Dining Chairs via Article

“Effortlessly cool” usually involves doing something that makes people go “huh? ohhh, I would have never done that/made that look good.” Kind of like this rough bench that’s nothing but weathered wood screwed together. Next to the vintage butcher block table, the terra-cotta tiles and the bistro chairs, it’s just one of those things that works in the coolest way possible.

It’s not pristine, it’s not fussy, in fact, it’s the complete opposite. Outside of this scene, it might look like it belongs in a back alley, awaiting trash day, but adding a nubby textured rug over it (i.e. skip any fancy, expensive upholstery), and boom, you have yourself an “upholstered” dining bench. It was SO easy honestly…it’s just a matter of taking a spare rug (something smaller like a 4×6 works) and throwing it on.

3. A DIY Makeshift “Fire Pit”

Gray Pillow via Serena & Lily | Throw via Lulu and Georgia

That “fire pit” up there is actually just a repurposed flea market find. It is a large iron cauldron that has rusted over and patinaed and now is a pretty rad pit. The hack here is to think outside the box with what you can use outside. Instead of seeking out a specific fire pit (which can be very expensive) either second hand or new, look around for something that’s large, deep and able to handle high temps and, well…fire.

The planters here (which, hot tip, can be found for SUPER cheap at places like estate sales) also create intimacy and a sense of a “room” without actually having to do hardcore in-ground gardening. You can go with either all the same plants in the same pot for a more modern look or go more “lived in” and eclectic with various sized pots and plantings. It adds a lot of warmth, texture and makes it feel like its own “enclosed” space for conversation and lounging.

4. Wired Tree Pendants

Chairs via Article | Pillow via Lulu and Georgia

Okay, this one takes a tad more effort than slapping some planters down, because it involves wiring and whatnot. Basically, William (the homeowner) hung a vintage iron pendant light from the tree over the firepit conversation area, which adds both serious charm and also light for after sunset. You could, of course, go the route of twinkle lights in the branches, but if you’re looking for something a little bit more simplified (because honestly, stringing lights in trees is not our idea of a Friday night well spent) or just unique, go on the hunt for something with some visual interest the next time you’re hunting down flea finds.

Once you have your light picked out, all you have to do is string it up and run an outdoor-safe wire or extension cord through the branches to your power source.

5. Use Pebbles to Cover Dirt or Bad Grass to Create “Zones”

Want to know the secret to a “magical” outdoor oasis that actually is just a coverup for dirt and/or bad grass? PEBBLES. William created zones in the backyard, which was just dirt prior, by laying out a barrier of larger rocks, then filling in with small smooth beach pebbles. It’s an instant solution that you don’t need to water, let grow in (like sod), and frankly, it looks pretty dreamy, don’t you think? Masonry, decking, grass…it’s all far more expensive than some bags of pebbles that you can get at your local hardware store like The Home Depot or Lowe’s.

Gray Vase via The Citizenry | Pillow via Louise Gray | Throw via The Citizenry

Make sure to put down a weed barrier before laying the rocks unless you’d rather spend your nights and weekends pulling weeds instead of actually enjoying your backyard. Oh, and another tip from this same sweet little area is the table and chairs. The base here is just a found piece of metal that has patinaed in the elements and the top is stone. The chairs are not specifically “outdoor” seats, but they’ve weathered nicely and frankly look pretty cool. I’m not suggesting just bringing anything from indoors out and letting it get destroyed by nature, but in California specifically, where it doesn’t rain often and there really isn’t any kind of “weather,” it’s a lot more sensible to do this. The soft goods like the throw and pillows, only come out when you need them.

This is probably not the last time you’ll hear about this house outside of my book because it was a goldmine of cool spaces and architectural details. Thank you again to William for letting us do our thing on your property, and call out in the comments what here you want to steal for your own home (or if you have other super easy, affordable ideas and hacks for outdoor spaces).

***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 5 Outdoor Ideas & Hacks That’ll Instantly Add Style (& Save You Money) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

A Controversial ’80s Trend is Back…We Think

image source | designed by mary featherston

I think it’s important to start off this post with you knowing that I do not have a conclusion about how I feel about this trend. Obviously, no trend is ever brand new and shells (like Chinoiserie) never really went “away.” Both Arlyn and I are from coastal areas and can attest to that very real fact. But shells all of a sudden started popping up in the cool Instagram accounts I following (what?!) and on my Pinterest feed (uh, oh). It was time to investigate and I did so with trepidation. I have become overtly aware that my general hesitation with a handful of the current trends (lilac, clear handbags, ’80s squiggle lines/Memphis, etc.) are due to the fact that they are almost all reimagined styles from my youth that I was never into. It must be the circle of life that about every 30 years, a “trend” comes back bigger and better or just more palatable to the modern era. So are modern shells next up to bat? And do we think they have staying power?

photo source | designed by deborah symond o’neil

I do want it also known that I love the beach. I have just never felt the need to bring it home with me. Okay, SURE I had one large shell in my room growing up that I was convinced echoed the peaceful sounds of ocean waves and probably Ariel’s voice when I held it up to my ear. BUT aside from that one, shells stayed at the beach where they belonged. But then, I think towards the end of last year, I watched an instastory of Manrepeller’s Leandra Medine Cohen about her upcoming shoe line that had me shook. Much to my immediate confusion (and if I’m totally honest, horror) some of them had shell detailing. Yes, the fashion trend-setting queen herself was wholeheartedly behind this rebirth. Once I saw that, I knew it was serious because fashion and decor are VERY linked in terms of trend predicting (a tip I got from Emily), it just takes a little while to trickle down. And now in April of 2019 good luck finding a major fashion retailer that isn’t carrying at least a handful of ultra-chic shell inspired accessories.

from top left (clockwise) 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

See what I mean? But let’s turn our focus back onto home decor. The photos I’m about to show you took me on a journey that now has me kiiiinda convinced that this trend is cool. Much like any “eclectic” trend, it’s about picking your moments. This way it stays chic, special and nothing like the “beach” themed home of your childhood vacations.

image source | designed by erika carlock

Definitely not your grandma’s beach house at all (no offense to grandmas here, FYI, we know they can be super stylish). It’s modern, Pop Art-y but certainly fun. I think the styling of this dresser is beautiful but when I started to see shell decor like this I thought not totally for me even though it does induce a surge of joy. How can a shell lamp not? But then I was seeing even more and I started to maybe sway…

image source | designed by autumn hachey design

This stunning home, designed by Autumn Hachey, is nothing if not cool. It’s a great balance of high-end modern trends and classic pieces. The shell pillow adds a total uniqueness to the space that makes it more playful than your average sofascape. But said accessory does invoke a rather “current” feel which depending on the person may not last you longer than a few years. That’s not to say she won’t love this pillow in her space forever. Regardless, the space is incredibly cool and really had me thinking differently about shell decor.

image source | designed by sara levitas

Here we have an even quieter shell moment from a tour The Design Files did of Sara Levitas’ rental home. It’s pretty darn cute, right? The shell shape is definitely reminiscent of the eighties but since it’s surrounded by greenery, solid dark toned accessories it feels cool and makes me want to know more about the homeowner. They feel fun people and who doesn’t like being around fun people. Maybe that’s something to consider…a cool shell accent = fun person.

image source | designed by john and juli baker

Speaking of fun and weird, Emily showed this photo of the Mjolk House above in her Mountain House Monday: How I am Planning on Bringing in the Weird post. If you are anti-shell still, fear not, Emily isn’t planning on a Beach Meets Mountain theme even though I would LOVE to see what she could come up with. However, my point with this photo is what we all noticed (aside from that killer chair) was the shell-framed mirror brought in sooo much personality and looks chic as hell. Maybe I’m convincing myself now…

image source | designed by julie carlson and justine hand

UPDATE: The shell is a string pull so it very much has a function. I still love it and think it adds the perfect does of personality. But I also think it still makes a case to just hang a pretty shell from the ceiling (no function needed) that adds texture, personality and a flawless contrasting style to the room.

image source | designed by eliza clark and tim trojian

This shell pendant had me on the verge of me saying, “nope tooooooo ’70s coastal.” My mom had something kinda similar from her Miami college days. It never went up in our house but I always thought my mom was crazy for keeping it. But with this one, since most everything else is so neutral and varied in style I think I’m kinda into it. I’m sure I made fun of my mom and most certainly now owe her an apology.

image source | styled by julia green and noël coughlan

Most of the photos above showcased either a “modern” shell in a neutral room or a natural shell in a neutral room. This one sports a large natural shell (VERY similar to my Little Mermaid one) in a very colorful modern space showing the versatility of styling with this trend.

image source | Designed by Mary Featherston

This photo of the famous but newly renovated Featherston House in Australia had me pretty much convinced that if I found the right shells and perfectly curated ocean debris that I could be persuaded to do something magnificent like that wall collection.

In case you read this and thought Jess convinced me, I LOVE SHELLS and how can I get my hands on some decor? Look no further than right here because I have curated some shoppable pieces to make your dreams come true.

1. Shell Pillow | 2. Shell-Shaped Plant Pot | 3. Seashell Wicker Catch-All | 4. Concha Shell Wall Hook | 5. Ariel Rococo Shell Chair | 6. Silver Clam Shell | 7. Trapezium Barrel Chair | 8. Clam Shell Soap Dish | 9. Clam Shell Floor Lamp

That’s all she wrote…on shells at least. I’m still pretty sure I won’t be diving head first into this trend in my current apartment but who knows for the future. Maybe some chic shells will make their way into my life and we will live happily ever after. I mean it’s just hard to feel sad around shells. But I am DYING to hear what you think. Do you love this newer take on shell decor? Does the idea of it make you cry? Do you think every house should have a minimum of 20 shells per room? Let us discuss (with respect) in the comments.

Seashells As Decor Are Back…We Think

image source | designed by mary featherston

I think it’s important to start off this post with you knowing that I do not have a conclusion about how I feel about this trend. Obviously, no trend is ever brand new and shells (like Chinoiserie) never really went “away.” Both Arlyn and I are from coastal areas and can attest to that very real fact. But shells all of a sudden started popping up in the cool Instagram accounts I following (what?!) and on my Pinterest feed (uh, oh). It was time to investigate and I did so with trepidation. I have become overtly aware that my general hesitation with a handful of the current trends (lilac, clear handbags, ’80s squiggle lines/Memphis, etc.) are due to the fact that they are almost all reimagined styles from my youth that I was never into. It must be the circle of life that about every 30 years, a “trend” comes back bigger and better or just more palatable to the modern era. So are modern shells next up to bat? And do we think they have staying power?

photo source | designed by deborah symond o’neil

I do want it also known that I love the beach. I have just never felt the need to bring it home with me. Okay, SURE I had one large shell in my room growing up that I was convinced echoed the peaceful sounds of ocean waves and probably Ariel’s voice when I held it up to my ear. BUT aside from that one, shells stayed at the beach where they belonged. But then, I think towards the end of last year, I watched an instastory of Manrepeller’s Leandra Medine Cohen about her upcoming shoe line that had me shook. Much to my immediate confusion (and if I’m totally honest, horror) some of them had shell detailing. Yes, the fashion trend-setting queen herself was wholeheartedly behind this rebirth. Once I saw that, I knew it was serious because fashion and decor are VERY linked in terms of trend predicting (a tip I got from Emily), it just takes a little while to trickle down. And now in April of 2019 good luck finding a major fashion retailer that isn’t carrying at least a handful of ultra-chic shell inspired accessories.

from top left (clockwise) 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

See what I mean? But let’s turn our focus back onto home decor. The photos I’m about to show you took me on a journey that now has me kiiiinda convinced that this trend is cool. Much like any “eclectic” trend, it’s about picking your moments. This way it stays chic, special and nothing like the “beach” themed home of your childhood vacations.

image source | designed by erika carlock

Definitely not your grandma’s beach house at all (no offense to grandmas here, FYI, we know they can be super stylish). It’s modern, Pop Art-y but certainly fun. I think the styling of this dresser is beautiful but when I started to see shell decor like this I thought not totally for me even though it does induce a surge of joy. How can a shell lamp not? But then I was seeing even more and I started to maybe sway…

image source | designed by autumn hachey design

This stunning home, designed by Autumn Hachey, is nothing if not cool. It’s a great balance of high-end modern trends and classic pieces. The shell pillow adds a total uniqueness to the space that makes it more playful than your average sofascape. But said accessory does invoke a rather “current” feel which depending on the person may not last you longer than a few years. That’s not to say she won’t love this pillow in her space forever. Regardless, the space is incredibly cool and really had me thinking differently about shell decor.

image source | designed by sara levitas

Here we have an even quieter shell moment from a tour The Design Files did of Sara Levitas’ rental home. It’s pretty darn cute, right? The shell shape is definitely reminiscent of the eighties but since it’s surrounded by greenery, solid dark toned accessories it feels cool and makes me want to know more about the homeowner. They feel fun people and who doesn’t like being around fun people. Maybe that’s something to consider…a cool shell accent = fun person.

image source | designed by john and juli baker

Speaking of fun and weird, Emily showed this photo of the Mjolk House above in her Mountain House Monday: How I am Planning on Bringing in the Weird post. If you are anti-shell still, fear not, Emily isn’t planning on a Beach Meets Mountain theme even though I would LOVE to see what she could come up with. However, my point with this photo is what we all noticed (aside from that killer chair) was the shell-framed mirror brought in sooo much personality and looks chic as hell. Maybe I’m convincing myself now…

image source | designed by julie carlson and justine hand

This photo makes me so happy and so confused at the same time. That hanging shell has no real function and yet makes the whole space. But then why not just hang a pretty shell from the ceiling that adds texture, personality and a flawless contrasting style to the room??

image source | designed by eliza clark and tim trojian

This shell pendant had me on the verge of me saying, “nope tooooooo ’70s coastal.” My mom had something kinda similar from her Miami college days. It never went up in our house but I always thought my mom was crazy for keeping it. But with this one, since most everything else is so neutral and varied in style I think I’m kinda into it. I’m sure I made fun of my mom and most certainly now owe her an apology.

image source | styled by julia green and noël coughlan

Most of the photos above showcased either a “modern” shell in a neutral room or a natural shell in a neutral room. This one sports a large natural shell (VERY similar to my Little Mermaid one) in a very colorful modern space showing the versatility of styling with this trend.

image source | Designed by Mary Featherston

This photo of the famous but newly renovated Featherston House in Australia had me pretty much convinced that if I found the right shells and perfectly curated ocean debris that I could be persuaded to do something magnificent like that wall collection.

In case you read this and thought Jess convinced me, I LOVE SHELLS and how can I get my hands on some decor? Look no further than right here because I have curated some shoppable pieces to make your dreams come true.

1. Shell Pillow | 2. Shell-Shaped Plant Pot | 3. Seashell Wicker Catch-All | 4. Concha Shell Wall Hook | 5. Ariel Rococo Shell Chair | 6. Silver Clam Shell | 7. Trapezium Barrel Chair | 8. Clam Shell Soap Dish | 9. Clam Shell Floor Lamp

That’s all she wrote…on shells at least. I’m still pretty sure I won’t be diving head first into this trend in my current apartment but who knows for the future. Maybe some chic shells will make their way into my life and we will live happily ever after. I mean it’s just hard to feel sad around shells. But I am DYING to hear what you think. Do you love this newer take on shell decor? Does the idea of it make you cry? Do you think every house should have a minimum of 20 shells per room? Let us discuss (with respect) in the comments.

15 of Our Absolute Favorite Go-To White & Gray Paint Colors

Designing a room is full of so.many.decisions. What furniture? What fabrics? What textiles? How and where do I hang this art? Who am I anymore? Don’t get me started on curtain selection. But, perhaps the most drawn out and treacherous decision to make is what color you’re putting on those fine walls of yours…especially if you’re going neutral. There are seemingly 1,000 shades of white alone, so yeah… We’ve done our fair share of wall painting around here, have tested dozens (probably more) of shades of white and gray and beyond, and we feel confident that these 15 are solid choices if you don’t even know where to start.

We did a similar post two years ago (you might remember it), but have since added a handful of new favorites that are actually tried-and-true by EHD. Before proceeding though, I’d be remiss if I didn’t implore you to test swatches in your own home, on numerous walls of the same room. The quality of light you get in your home could be different than any of the homes pictured here, so where a white might look crisp and pure in one room, it could also read totally green or beige or yellow in another. Please test before taking the color plunge, and observe the shades during different times of day to see how they interact with your sunlight. Sure, paint is relatively inexpensive as compared to other parts of the design process, but nothing strikes sheer horror, dismay and exhaustion in my heart (and maybe yours) more than the thought of REPAINTING after you’ve already gone through the trouble of moving out furniture, prepping, clean up and moving back in furniture. My back hurts just thinking about it.

So, let’s take a look at the 15 shades of white and gray that we’ve stamped our seal of approval on. We also created a custom graphic down at the end of the post that you can pin and save for another time. Oh, and please share any of your no-fail, go-to neutral shades (and if you have any photos, please feel free to link them up in the comment).

Pure White by Sherwin-Williams
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: the portland master bedroom reveal
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: the reveal of the mountain house kitchen

In the master bedroom of the (as well as a handful of other spaces), we used Pure White from Sherwin-Williams and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a very neutral white. It’s not warm, it’s not cool, it’s crisp white with no undertones. Quick note: If you’re painting an existing room with a white like this one, be sure you’re also painting your moldings and baseboards because you already have might be warmer and come off looking dingy. Emily and the team liked it so much, they also used this color for the downstairs of the (including the kitchen which we recently revealed).

Oyster White by Sherwin-Williams
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: the portland project family room reveal

For many of the public living areas of the Portland house, we used Oyster White from Sherwin-Williams. It’s almost a touch taupe-y gray in comparison to the crisp white of the molding (Pure White from Sherwin-Williams) so it works really well in that sense. During the big open house event we did last summer, the most asked question of anything in the house was “What is this paint color?” It’s cozy and comforting but still white enough to not run too deep into gray territory.

Pointing by Farrow & Ball
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: jess’ small space living room reveal

The swatch online of Pointing looks SO warm and beige-y, but in person, it’s such a lovely warm yet neutral white. Jess used this in her living room and kitchen and was very happy with it. It’s warm enough that crisp white curtains pop against it, but looks very “white” against most other colors. Farrow & Ball paints tend to be more expensive than traditional hardware store brands, but the paint is VERY thick and super high quality with a wide range of finishes.

Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore (Michael’s house)
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: michael’s vintage-filled living room reveal

This is called “Decorator’s White” for a reason. A ton of decorators and designers use it (honestly). Michael picked it for his current home because it mixes really well with other neutrals but also pops of color. It’s calm yet bright and an “elevated” sophisticated white. Not too clinical, just a great backdrop for lots of styles.

Powdered Snow by Behr
image source

While Michael’s current home is Decorator’s White, he can’t stop singing the praises of the white in his previous home. He tested dozens of white paints before landing on this one and says it the perfect bright white (plus super affordable). It doesn’t go too warm or too buttery or too cold or blue. Just crisp, bright and cheery.

Swiss Coffee by Dunn-Edwards
photo by tessa neustadt for ehd | from: sara’s living room reveal

Sara says she didn’t actually pick this color in her old apartment (provided by the landlord) but she really liked it because it read white but warm without being the least bit yellow.

White Dove by Benjamin Moore
photo by zeke ruelas for ehd | from: silver lake hill’s living room reveal

We don’t have a recent photo of a room painted in White Dove, but I just painted my living room in the creamy white (which you’ll be seeing next month if all goes according to plan). It’s creamy and warm in the way that vanilla soft serve looks creamy without being beige-y. Like…it’s white, but not white. It’s the type of color you strangely just want to look at except it’s white, so you feel weird being kind of obsessed with it. Evidently, it was Benjamin Moore’s “Color of the Year” a few years back, if that says anything to you. But yeah, it works well for homes with more character (i.e. nothing super modern), and is warm without being the least bit yellow.

Super White by Benjamin Moore
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: how we styled the living room to sell

This was our go-to white for a while (used it in Emily’s old house as well as Brady’s kitchen). We still love it, FYI but have since turned to Pure White by Sherwin-Williams for recent projects. This color is great if you are looking for a modern clean color. It reflects light in such a pretty way and doesn’t have any cool tones that would make it go blue or warm tones that would make it yellow. It’s just really white.

White Diamond by Benjamin Moore
photo by zeke ruelas for ehd | from: introducing my living room – commonwealth

Another great white from homes of Emily’s past. This one was in the living room of her Commonwealth house, which she loved for the space. It’s a much cooler white that can read a little blue up next to true, pure whites, but she said in person it read really white. We have a lot of “warm” whites on this list, so if you’re looking for something not the least bit creamy, give this one a try.

Blackened by Farrow & Ball
photo by zeke ruelas for ehd | from: ginny’s living room reveal
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: how we shoot family photos, with framebridge

The design team of past and present has used Blackened both in Ginny’s living room as well as Emily’s entry and stairwell. This is a cool white that can sometimes read a little lavender (it has a slight hint of purple/red in it), so be careful and test it out but in the right room can pop against white trim so well.

Strong White by Farrow & Ball
photo by tessa neustadt for ehd | from: our modern english country kitchen reveal
photo by ryan liebe for ehd | from: my living room design, updated

This is a gorgeous taupe-y gray-white that Emily painted her cabinets (the perimeter, not the green island, obviously). She loved is so much she painted her living room walls and ceiling in the same color. The swatch online reads very beige, but it’s a lovely creamy grayish tone that can still read white enough in a large setting.

Gray Owl by Benjamin Moore
photo by sara ligorria-tramp for ehd | from: how we staged a home to sell with soul

We haven’t used this color in a while, that is until recently when the team was styling out the above project (see more of this sick house here). It’s a little creamier than other cooler grays, can sometimes read green (depending on your light), but, in general, is just such a nice color. It’s warm, cozy, not too dark, not too light, but definitely swatch test this one (as you should ALL paints before buying) to see what it does in your home.

Ammonite by Farrow & Ball
photo by tessa neustadt for ehd | from: my master bedroom reveal

From Emily: “My current master bedroom (and family room) in the above pictures is painted this color and if you are looking for the softest, lightest gray that is so warm but not taupe then this is for you. I love how subtle the color is all while bringing some different hues into the home besides white.”

Aloof Gray by Sherwin-Williams
photo by melissa oholendt for ehd | from: the curbly family dining room reveal

We used this light gray back when we did the Curbly’s dining room, but we still stand behind it. It has a teeny tiny more green to it so it’s a cooler gray that happens to look really nice with warm wood tones.

Pavilion Gray by Farrow & Ball
photo by zeke ruelas for ehd | from: brady’s living room reveal

We loved it two years ago when we wrote about it, and we still love it now. During Brady’s first living room iteration, he picked this color and it worked so nicely with the other warm neutrals he had going on. It’s a pretty soft gray that adds depth but still brightens up a room. Not too warm, not too cool, a good happy medium gray.

We wanted to put everything together in one place for you to be able to Pin out and save, but remember that these swatches are just screengrabs from online. Some of these look SO different than they do IRL here so just use these as a reference based on our descriptions, and like I said earlier, test, test, test.

1. White Dove | 2. Decorator’s White | 3. Powdered Snow | 4. Super White | 5. White Diamond | 6. Swiss Coffee | 7. Pointing | 8. Ammonite | 9. Blackened | 10. Pure White | 11. Oyster White | 12. Strong White | 13. Pavilion Gray | 14. Aloof Gray | 15. Gray Owl

The post 15 of Our Absolute Favorite Go-To White & Gray Paint Colors appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Decorating Can Be So Wasteful. Here’s One BIG Thing You Can Do To Help (+ a Ton of Good Resources)

photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for EHD | from: Michael’s Living Room Reveal

I’ve been buying used or thrifted since I was born and I generally prefer at least 1/2 of my pieces to be vintage (which is just a fancy form of second hand). But for every shoot, install, project we, of course, buy a lot of new pieces and with that comes an insane amount of packaging and often waste, plus the question of what to do with it after or what to do with the piece you’ve replaced it with? You’ve called us out on it in the past and I am truly trying to reduce waste. I look at the piles of boxes at my front door daily and hope HARD that they aren’t full of packing peanuts or styrofoam—not that that is the only culprit here, but it’s a big one for me and I know I’m guilty of contributing to it.

So to celebrate Earth Day today and help promote “responsible decorating” (should “conscious content creating” be a thing?) we wanted to share a combination of things I do in my own life as well as solutions we researched to help us even more. And look, this is not the end all be all. We know that. There are seemingly endless amounts of resources and research (often conflicting, honestly). We do not have all the answers (or even a fraction of them), so I’m turning to you guys to ask for companies/apps/organizations/ideas…anything you’ve found that has made the issue of reducing waste more doable and easier to accommodate into your everyday life. Honestly, sometimes I think things end up in the landfill simply due to a lack of information, so here’s what we’ve come up with, and we can’t wait to dig into the comments and see what you have to add.

But first: BUY SECOND-HAND, when possible.

Buy used and vintage for all the things you feel comfortable. I usually stay in the furniture, lighting and rugs lanes for myself, but I used to buy curtains, throw pillows and dinnerware/glassware all from thrift stores. If you are scared of thrifting, I get it. Sometimes it can be, well, yes gross to some. I’m rather comfortable and I personally thrive in that environment but I know that it’s not for everyone. So opt for antique malls, vintage stores or flea markets that obviously tend to be less full of used socks.

If you are like me and often tied down by children and don’t have time to troll the valley thrifting but still want to deck out your home with cool/old weird, head to Etsy, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay and if you have more of a budget, Chairish. If you guys know ANY others that we are missing, please let me know.

This week, we’ll be rounding up, either on the blog or on social, new companies that are committed to reducing waste or giving back to the earth, so that we can purchase with pride (instead of guilt) from them.

So that’s the most obvious one about how to consume, but often our biggest problem is:

WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALL THIS LEFTOVER STUFF?

Old Furniture, decor & Appliances

The easiest thing to do with things like furniture and appliances that are still in okay shape is to donate to charitable organizations, duh. This was the big impetus for the rummage sale last year, one that we want to do again as it was such a win/win for us (a big purge for good!), the organization who profited and all the stuff went to a new home instead of a landfill. I wish I could do it quarterly and we are trying to figure out how to. Year round, I work with Pen + Napkin (local to LA) who will come and get any good furniture or decor that was for a shoot and they’ll use them in one of their projects, decorating for families transitioning out of homelessness. There are so many local organizations—at the mountain house, we donated all our appliances and cabinets/vanities/fixtures to the Boys & Girls Club so look up your local chapter. But you can also go old school and drop it off at your local Goodwill or thrift stores that fund shelters (like the San Fernando Rescue Mission).

You can also donate to Vietnam Veterans of America, where they’ll come get it from your doorstep, rain or shine. Schedule a pickup here. 

If they don’t service your area, check out Donation Town to see what will come pick up near you.

Another idea we read on a forum while during research is to call the theater departments of local schools or community centers to see if they could reuse because they tend to need this kind of stuff (whether it works or not) for set design, etc. It won’t save it from the landfill in the long run, but it extends its life by reusing, hence reducing.

There are also hauling companies that don’t just pick things up and take them straight to the dump. For instance, Junk King is an environmentally friendly rubbish clearance company that recycles, reuses or donates 60% of everything they haul. If they don’t service your area, a simple Google search of “environmentally friendly hauling company” should point you in the right direction.

Cardboard

Something I do regularly is reusing materials like cardboard with the kids to build forts and make crafts prior to recycling, and as long as no oil, liquids or food has come in contact with it, it can still be recycled for the most part. The good news, for anyone wondering what happens to recycled cardboard, according to Earth911, it just gets recycled and becomes more cardboard, and because it takes three tons of trees to make one ton of virgin cardboard, we definitely want to keep circulating and recycling our boxes and whatnot to save those trees. I REALLY hope that is true because cardboard is my #1 guilt when it comes to waste.

If the cardboard you have can’t be recycled (you can find out more about what can and cannot be recycled here), there might be other uses for it around your house. If you compost, cardboard can be used in your compost pile. It can also be used in the garden for things like lining garden beds for weed control.

Oh, and this won’t apply to most people reading this, but for the ones that it does apply it, it can make a big difference. If you’re a company (design or otherwise) that gets a lot of cardboard, you can work with a company like Roadrunner that sets you up with all the proper recycling receptacles, picks everything up and ensures they are sent to the proper facilities for recycling.

Packing Materials

For things like packing materials (peanuts, bubble wrap, air cushion bubble bags), there are a few things you can do:

Call a packing supply company (like UPS) to see if they’ll accept your CLEAN packing materials. If not, they might know what else you can do with them besides put them straight in the trash.
Call your local recycling center or EPS for drop-off locations for things like packing peanuts. I believe they even have a mail-back recycling program.

Here’s something we didn’t really know: some packing peanuts are actually compostable. A quick way to test is to put a few under your running faucet to see if the material breaks down (and also, I believe these are usually green in color to help you identify them…WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE JUST USE THOSE?). At this point, you can add them to your compost bin or even use them in planters to help water drainage.

If you’re a brand reading this, this is our outcry to please consider environmentally friendly packing materials and finding ways to offset your carbon footprint for transport and shipping. There are numerous sustainable options for packing materials now, like materials made from corn starch or sorghum, which can be composted. Companies like Dell, Crate & Barrel and Puma (among others) even use a fungus-based packing material developed by Ecovative design.

Excess Renovation Materials 

The renovation process, in general, is so wasteful. There are materials that are usually in decent shape that are just ripped out and trashed because they maybe don’t match the aesthetic you’re going for. If you’re demoing yourself, or even working with a crew, salvage as much as you can. You don’t have to rip apart cabinets and countertops or even windows…they can usually be removed and salvaged to be donated as long as there isn’t damage or mold (or hell, just put them in your garage or shed as garage org). Also, if you’ve ordered an excess amount of materials like wood or tiles, those can usually be donated to places like Habitat for Humanity, or any local design school. Another idea is just simply offering them up for free (or sell them if you want) online via Craigslists, 5mile, Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, etc. You’d be surprised what people are willing to take off your hands for their own smaller projects.

Extra Things You Can Do 

Even if we all do one or two of the things listed above regularly, it can make a big difference If you aren’t sure if something is recyclable or what to do with it (like old appliances, lightbulbs, paint, etc.), there’s an app from Earth911 called iRecycle you can download. It’s all broken up by category, so you just find what you’re trying to get rid of/recycle, and it finds local drop-off spots and recycling centers. Oh, and one thing we haven’t talked about yet is carbon emissions from shipping and whatnot, and there’s a site called Terrapass that takes donations and let’s you pay to offset your carbon footprint by funding projects like wind power, landfill gas capture and more (you can see a list of all their projects here). And they’re not the only ones. Carbonfund.org has a similar program, so it’s just a matter of doing your research to find a company you feel good about.

Ultimately, it’s both on the consumer and the retailer to step it up and try to reduce. We applaud companies that are attempting to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly both in the products they offer as well as top to bottom (from sourcing to production to final delivery). For instance, Etsy has recently vowed to offset 100% of the carbon emissions produced by their artisans.

Being a big consumer means that I have a bigger carbon footprint and a bigger responsibility to promote responsible ways to consume and donate. I suppose I also have a big voice, so please REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.

Happy birthday, Mother Earth. Hopefully, human beings and companies will wake up even more and treat you more with respect.

 

The post Decorating Can Be So Wasteful. Here’s One BIG Thing You Can Do To Help (+ a Ton of Good Resources) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Decorating Can Be So Wasteful. Here’s One BIG Thing You Can Do To Help (plus a ton of good tools)

photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for EHD | from: Michael’s Living Room Reveal

I’ve been buying used or thrifted since I was born and I generally prefer at least 1/2 of my pieces to be vintage (which is just a fancy form of second hand). But for every shoot, install, project we of course buy a lot of new pieces and with that comes an insane amount of packaging and often waste, plus the question of what to do with it after or what to do with the piece you’ve replaced it with? You’ve called us out on it in the past and I am truly trying to reduce any waste. I look at the piles of boxes at my front door daily and hope HARD that they aren’t full of packing peanuts or styrofoam – not that that is the only culprit here, but its a big one for me and I know I’m guilty of contributing to it.

So to celebrate earth day and help promote “responsible decorating” (should “concious content creating” be a thing?) we wanted to share a combination of things I do in my own life as well as solutions we researched to help us even more. And look, this is not the end all be all. We know that. There are seemingly endless amounts of resources and research (often conflicting, honestly). We do not have all the answers (or even a fraction of them), so I’m turning to you guys to ask for companies/apps/organizations/ideas…anything you’ve found that has made the issue of reducing waste more doable and easier to accommodate into your everyday life. Honestly, sometimes I think things end up in the landfill simply due to a lack of information, so here’s what we’ve come up with, and we can’t wait to dig into the comments and see what you have to add.

But first …. BUY SECOND-HAND, when possible.

Buy used and vintage for all the things you feel comfortable. I usually stay in the furniture, lighting and rugs lanes for myself, but I used to buy curtains, throw pillows and dinnerware/glassware all from thrift stores. If you are scared of thrifting, I get it. Sometimes it can be, well, yes gross to some. I’m rather comfortable and I personally thrive in that environment but I know that its not for everyone. so opt for antique malls, vintage stores or flea markets that obviously tend to be less full of used socks.

But if you are like me and often tied down by children and don’t have time to troll the valley thrifting, but still want to deck out your home with cool/old weird head to Etsy, Craigslist, Facebook marketplace, Ebay and if you have more of a budget, Chairish. If you guys know ANY others that we are missing please let me know.

This week we’ll be rounding up, either on the blog or on social new companies that are committed to reducing waste or giving back to the earth, so that we can purchase with pride (instead of guilt) from them.

So thats the most obvious one about how to consume, but often our biggest problem is

WHAT DO WE DO WITH ALL THIS LEFTOVER STUFF????

Old Furniture, decor & Appliances

The easiest thing to do with things like furniture and appliances that are still in okay shape is to donate to charitable organizations, duh. This was the big impetus for the rummage sale last year, one that we want to do again as it was such a win/win for us (a big purge for good!), Pen the organization who profited and all the stuff went to a new home instead of a landfill. I wish I could do it quarterly and we are trying to figure out how to. Year round I work with Pen + Napkin (Local to LA) who will come and get any good furniture or decor that was for a shoot and they’ll use them in one of their projects, decorating for families transitioning out of homelessness. There are so many local organizations – at the mountain house we donated all our appliances and cabinets/vanities/fixtures to the Boys & Girls Club so look up your local chapter. But you can also go old school and drop it off at your local good will or thrift stores that fund shelters (like the San Fernando Rescue Mission )

You can also donate to Vientam Vetrans of America, where they’ll come get it from your doorstep, rain or shine. Schedule a pickup here. 

If they don’t service your area check out Donation Town, to see what will come pick up near you.

Another idea we read on a forum while during research is to call the theater departments of local schools or community centers to see if they could reuse because they tend to need this kind of stuff (whether it works or not) for set design, etc. It won’t save it from the landfill in the long run, but it extends its life by reusing, hence reducing.

There are also hauling companies that don’t just pick things up and take them straight to the dump. For instance, Junk King is an environmentally friendly rubbish clearance company that recycles, reuses or donates 60% of everything they haul. If they don’t service your area, a simple Google search of “environmentally friendly hauling company” should point you in the right direction.

Cardboard

Something I do regularly is reusing materials like cardboard with the kids to build forts and make crafts prior to recycling, and as long as no oil, liquids or food has come in contact with it, it can still be recycled for the most part. The good news, for anyone wondering what happens to recycled cardboard, according to Earth911, it just gets recycled and becomes more cardboard, and because it takes 3 tons of trees to make 1 ton of virgin cardboard, we definitely want to keep circulating and recycling our boxes and whatnot to save those trees. I REALLY hope that is true because cardboard is my #1 guilt when it comes to waste.

If the cardboard you have can’t be recycled (you can find out more about what can and cannot be recycled here), there might be other uses for it around your house. If you compost, cardboard can be used in your compost pile. It can also be used in the garden for things like lining garden beds for weed control.

Oh, and this won’t apply to most people reading this, but for the ones that it does apply it, it can make a big difference. If you’re a company (design or otherwise) that gets a lot of cardboard, you can work with a company like Roadrunner that sets you up with all the proper recycling receptacles, picks everything up and ensures they are sent to the proper facilities for recycling.

Packing Materials

For things like packing materials (peanuts, bubble wrap, air cushion bubble bags), there are a few things you can do:

Call a packing supply company (like UPS) to see if they’ll accept your CLEAN packing materials. If not, they might know what else you can do with them besides put them straight in the trash.
Call your local recycling center or EPS for drop-off locations for things like packing peanuts. I believe they even have a mail-back recycling program.

Here’s something we didn’t really know: some packing peanuts are actually compostable. A quick way to test is to put a few under your running faucet to see if the material breaks down (and also, I believe these are usually green in color to help you identify them…WHY DOESN’T EVERYONE JUST USE THOSE?). At this point, you can add them to your compost bin or even use them in planters to help water drainage.

If you’re a brand reading this, this is our outcry to please consider environmentally friendly packing materials and finding ways to offset your carbon footprint for transport and shipping. There are numerous sustainable options for packing materials now, like materials made from corn starch or sorghum, which can be composted. Companies like Dell, Crate & Barrel and Puma (among others) even use a fungus-based packing material developed by Ecovative design.

Excess Renovation Materials 

The renovation process, in general, is so wasteful. There are materials that are usually in decent shape that are just ripped out and trashed because they maybe don’t match the aesthetic you’re going for. If you’re demoing yourself, or even working with a crew, salvage as much as you can. You don’t have to rip apart cabinets and countertops or even windows…they can usually be removed and salvaged to be donated as long as there isn’t damage or mold (or hell, just put them in your garage or shed as garage org). Also, if you’ve ordered an excess amount of materials like wood or tiles, those can usually be donated to places like Habitat for Humanity, or any local design school. Another idea is just simply offering them up for free (or sell them if you want) online via Craigslists, 5mile, Nextdoor, Facebook Marketplace, etc. You’d be surprised what people are willing to take off your hands for their own smaller projects.

Extra Things You Can Do 

Even if we all do one or two of the things listed above regularly, it can make a big difference If you aren’t sure if something is recyclable or what to do with it (like old appliances, lightbulbs, paint, etc.), there’s an app from Earth911 called iRecycle you can download. It’s all broken up by category, so you just find what you’re trying to get rid of/recycle, and it finds local drop-off spots and recycling centers. Oh, and one thing we haven’t talked about yet is carbon emissions from shipping and whatnot, and there’s a site called Terrapass that takes donations and let’s you pay to offset your carbon footprint by funding projects like wind power, landfill gas capture and more (you can see a list of all their projects here). And they’re not the only ones. Carbonfund.org has a similar program, so it’s just a matter of doing your research to find a company you feel good about.

Ultimately, it’s both on the consumer and the retailer to step it up and try to reduce. We applaud companies that are attempting to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly both in the products they offer as well as top to bottom (from sourcing to production to final delivery). For instance, Etsy has recently vowed to offset 100% of the carbon emissions produced by their artisans.

Being a big consumer means that I have a bigger carbon footprint and a bigger responsibility to promote responsible ways to consumer and donate. I suppose I also have a big voice, so please REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE.

Happy birthday, mother earth. Hopefully human beings and companies will wake up even more and treat you more with respect.

 

The post Decorating Can Be So Wasteful. Here’s One BIG Thing You Can Do To Help (plus a ton of good tools) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Our Favorite House Tour This Week, Ridiculously Good Design & Holy Grail Skincare

We would be remiss to not say that this past week didn’t start off pretty heavy with the horrific burning of the Notre Dame Cathedral. It can feel as though ancient and historic structures are somehow off limits to disasters but as we were glued to our phones looking at the devastating photos, that is clearly not the case. Notre Dame means so much to so many and we are incredibly grateful no lives were lost but it doesn’t mean there isn’t a great sense of loss. So with yet another reminder to hold what really matters, our loved ones, close, let’s look forward and escape for a moment with this week’s EHD recommendations.

First off, let’s indulge in this happy, bright and family-focused home tour. The Design Files once again serves up a stunning home, filled with art and color. Those Australians (aka Kate Bell and landscape designer Adam Robinson) really know how to design a home and this beauty is no different. Please enjoy.

Keeping the design train chugging, Jess LOVES the Instagram account Où est le beau?. It features amazing, modern European design. They have a podcast but it’s in French which KILLS her because she knows zero French…time to learn Jess.

Julie never knew she wanted to attend a “supper club” until she saw this article on Domino about Resident which just opened in NYC. She will gladly accept an invitation.

NEW AMAZING OPENING ALERT: Emily’s friends, restauranteur Dustin Lancaster and designer Sally Breer, have opened another spectacular hotel/restaurant in Los Angeles, The Firehouse Hotel. She (and well the entire EHD team) are dying to check it out. For reference, they are the ones who created Hotel Covell…so yeah, it’s good.

Arlyn knows she’s totally late to this, but she’s newly OBSESSED with The OA on Netflix. It’s been one of those things that people have been telling her to watch for months (years?) and she’s kept putting off because committing to a new show can be so consuming, but man has this not disappointed. It’s totally trippy and new age-y and just so bizarre you spend half the show thinking “wait, what on earth is happening” but she’s addicted.

Michael has been a huge Oprah fan since he was a kid watching her talk show. She genuinely inspires him to try and live his best life and be the best version of himself. She has a new book that just came out and he’s ordered it and can’t wait to read it. It’s called The Path Made Clear and it’s supposed to be fantastic. If you want to read it too…you can get it here.

Grace is our resident Shake Shack connoisseur (and probably the only one who watches Game of Thrones), but she thinks everyone should know that they recently release a GoT-themed burger called the Dracarys burger! It’s expensive, but if you’re near one of the select locations (check their site for the full listing), she asks that you please have one for her. Oh and TODAY is the last day for the burger! 

Velinda was gifted the best gift of all…dessert. Her friend from Scotland brought her Chrystal’s Scottish Shortbread Cubes and they’re abnormally delicious (she shared so we can also vouch).

Sara is listening to “The Big One” podcast about earthquake preparedness for west coasters. While no one wants to talk about earthquakes, being prepared is always a good idea.  

If Ryann could buy one thing this month, it would be these super chic flats that are made from recycled water bottles. (Also, stay tuned for a sustainable fashion post coming later this week.)

Mary Kay’s Timewise Miracle Set has SAVED. VERONICA’S. FACE. Her words, not ours as her face is always beautiful. “This face washing kit comes with a liquid face wash, a daytime moisturizer, a nighttime moisturizer and an anti-aging eye cream. Listen, I know what you’re thinking, ‘I’m not going to fall for a beauty pyramid scheme’ but this is THE. REAL. DEAL. I started using this product about a year ago and it’s cleared up my face tremendously. I never had intense acne or anything, but it has cleared up, and keeps away any unwanted blemishes as well as leaving my skin feeling clean with a glow to it. You can choose your skin’s preference, as well, such as Normal/Dry skin or Normal/Oily skin. I recommend washing with a washcloth or mechanical face brush, rather than your hands, to ensure you’re getting the cleanest wash possible.”

Arlyn wanted to shout out HER go-to moisturizer, Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Cream. She grappled with admitting that this is the one non-cruelty-free thing left in her medicine cabinet, but she’s actively searching for a comparable replacement. It’s kind of $$$ but she’s never been able to find anything that absorbs as quickly, is as hydrating without making her oily skin even oilier, and her makeup sits over it beautifully. It’s her holy grail…for now.

Julie bought a piece by the talented Jack Devereux, an artist based in Australia who creates beautiful continuous line drawings. You might see it in her upcoming MOTO.

Turns Out I’ve Been Blow Drying My Hair All Wrong—Here’s How to Get It Right

Turns out, I’ve been blowdrying my hair all wrong—and not only does it not look as good as it could, but I’ve been damaging it. I was recently at my friend Janine Jarman’s salon (Hairroin Los Angeles), complaining about how I can never make my hair look good on my own, and convinced that I’ll never learn, when she handed me the blow dryer and a brush and said “show me how you do it.” I did and she, horrified, said “I see…yeah. That is all wrong and now I understand why your hair is so damaged.”

She was actually relieved because this is a problem that we can solve.

To be fair my hair is a challenge and even she admits that. I used to have great long, natural looking blonde hair. Then I had two kids and proceeded to bleach and chop it and it’s never been the same. It’s curly (therefore frizzy and fuzzy) and broken (so I have to be gentle with it) and it’s actually only shoulder length so while I try to grow it out, I have extensions. It’s also naturally blonde, therefore fine. All of this makes it VERY hard for me to blow it out. The extensions are long and straight, my hair is short and curly. It’s awesome.

So to be clear, yes, I was doing it all wrong, but my hair is absolutely a challenge.

Here’s what I was doing wrong:

I was not using product, did not have the right brush or the right hairdryer (my good one broke a while ago and so Brian picked this cheap guy up at the drugstore).
I was blowing the wrong direction, therefore opening up my cuticle and CREATING frizz.
I was putting the dryer far too close to my hair while it was still really wet (more frizz and damage).
I had no real order and started in the wrong place.
I was doing it WAY too fast, creating more frizz.

Here’s what it looked like “before” when I was done. I mean, I don’t think it looks that bad, honestly, but does it look like I just stepped out of a salon? Uh, no. It was still a little wavy, a little frizzy, not that shiny. Good enough for everyday life, but yeah, nowhere near what a pro could do.

So yeah, the finished product, as you can see, is not great. Let’s move on to how you are SUPPOSED to do it:

1. First, towel dry as much as possible. There is no reason to damage your hair by going straight to the blow dryer with soaking wet hair. I hear that this hair towel is great and apparently reduces drying time 50%. (When Arlyn was reading through, she said she actually had that towel, and it indeed made her hair dry faster…though she said maybe by like 30% but she liked it because it was felt light and not like a big lumpy heavy towel that was always flopping around on the top of her head).

2. Next, you want to protect your hair with a product. It’s not like I haven’t tried this but I honestly didn’t know what do use for my hair, how much of it to use and at what point to put it in??? Janine gave me just a pea-sized amount of invisible oil primer and told me to work it all throughout the hair, evenly, while it is still damp. If you have hair like mine, using something that is heat protective is key. It will act as an SPF for your hair, and protect it from the sun and heat (and reduce frizz). I hate my hair feeling product heavy so at first, I resisted, but using this stuff really made a difference and my hair did not feel weighed down by product at all.

3. Use a gentle wet brush to brush out your hair. I was just using my other bristle brush and not being NEARLY as gentle as I should be. She recommended this one.

4. Then we added a conditioning straightening balm and applied it evenly throughout my hair (avoiding the scalp, because it will get greasy).

5. First big thing I learned: You HAVE to start with bangs. Why? Because they are the most important part and it’s best to do them at the beginning before your arms are tired, while you still have the patience and before they get too dry and frizzy. She recommended using this brush, then pull the bangs to one side and blow dry pointing the blow dryer down. Repeat the same motion on the other side.

6. For my hair, Janine told me to do a flat wrap where you use the forehead to help shape and bend bangs. When bangs are almost dry, use a large metal brush, which acts as a curling tool, and pull bangs forward in a circular motion for volume.

7. Before going into sections, rake through hair using hands and blow dry (always pointing downward) to help get rid of some more moisture so you are not spending a million years drying each section.

8. Then move to the crown using a bristle brush and roll the hair under and back using SO MUCH TENSION, while pointing the blow dryer downwards and towards the back of your head. Hot tip: Tension is the key to shiny and frizz-free hair.

9. As you go along, clip sections to cool. Janine told me to clip it like there is a pretend roller in there. This allows your hair to cool down in that smooth shape.

To be honest this is where I started to get REALLY ready for this to be over. It’s so much work and as Janine kept telling me “it’s not a race,” but I just wanted to be done. My arms were tired. I was tired. But I get it. If I take the time, a blowout can last 3 to 4 days so that 1/2 hour to 40 minutes it takes to do it properly is WORTH IT.

10. Once you give yourself a pep talk to keep going (you’ve got this), move to the side sections of your hair, making your way from front to back. We used the big boar bristle roller brush for smoothness, and then moved to the metal brush to add more style, curl and movement. Angle the brush tool the direction you want your hair to go (if you want your hair down and smooth, the brush will need to be curled under your hair, as opposed to just lose like in the top right photo above).

11. Repeat for the rest of the sections of your hair. Hot tip: the sections you work with should not be bigger than the tool you are using.

To give my hair a little movement, my normal routine is to add some curl with a curling iron until it looks nice and voluminous (I did this even when I was doing everything else so. wrong.) so that’s what we did here at the end. The finished product is a lot shinier, smoother and healthier looking. And look, NO FRIZZ. You may notice the exhaustion behind my eyes from the effort, but okay fine, it was worth it.

In case you forgot what MY technique looks like next to Janine’s expert advice, here’s a side by side of the first finished job next to the new and improved blowout:

I kept saying to everyone in the office “are you sure the before is bad enough?” and they all would politely just laugh and say “yeah, it’s convincing.”

So, what do you guys think? Did I succeed? Have I just become a woman who knows how to blow out her hair? I think so.

A HUGE thank you to Janine for taking the time to show me the tricks of the trade. She is the best and you can check out her salon here and shop ALL the products we used here (Janine was nice enough to extend a 20% discount with code “emstyled” for the full kit through the month of April. You’ll also get a free travel size product with any order).

Happy Saturday, folks. xx

***photography by Veronica Crawford for EHD

The post Turns Out I’ve Been Blow Drying My Hair All Wrong—Here’s How to Get It Right appeared first on Emily Henderson.