Emily Henderson's Blog, page 269

Design Mistakes: How Not to Design a Boring Neutral Room

photo by tessa neustadt | from: mel’s living room reveal

***written by Arlyn Hernandez

We all know someone (heck, some of you might be that person) who is annoyingly effortless. You spend 2 hours getting ready for a night out with a friend trying to avoid looking like you crawled out of a dumpster, and just when you start feeling a little good about your vibe, nonchalantly catching glances of yourself in your rearview mirror on the drive over, you get to your meet up spot and realize you look like the Hamburglar compared to that person. How do they do it? Are your genes that much more garbage than theirs (thanks, mom)? Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s actually Maybelline? I’m not here to tell you how they do it, but what I am here to report is that your friend—the one who makes you think they just threw on some ol’ thing, tousled their hair and swiped on some Chapstick—is lying to you. Well, that is if your friend was a neutral room. THAT WAS A STRETCH, HUH? But for real, they relate. Keep reading, folks, because it’s about to get helpful.

Neutral/beige rooms aren’t as “effortless” as they look. In fact, they’re kind of an oxymoron in that most people go this route because it’s “easy”…beige goes with beige, after all, right? It’s not necessarily a difficult feat, but it’s not as simple as just buying everything in the same shade of off-white. There’s a reason beige gets a bad rap and is synonymous with lackluster or uninspired rooms. B is for beige…is for boring. Really good neutral rooms all share similar qualities, including the right balance of texture, tones and a sprinkling of je ne sais quoi (we’re about to dive deeper into all of that, promise).

In fact, when done right, it feels nearly masterful. I’m all for color, but some hue-deficient rooms are done so well that they can take your breath away. You envision what it would be like to live in a home that’s so visually light…I mean, just look at Mel’s previous apartment up there. She couldn’t possibly ever have a bad day in there right? Never once did she argue with her mom about posting a well-intentioned super unflattering photo of her on Facebook. In a room like this, bad photos don’t exist, so said fight would NEVER happen to begin with…

Let’s jump to the “tip” and “educate” portion of this blog post before I start making other unnecessary comparisons, shall we? So, the seven talking points to follow are key elements we pulled out of studying dozens and dozens of photos of successful neutral rooms.

1. Varied wood tones
image source | design by saaranha & vasconcelos

You’re going to notice that a common thread in all the rooms we’re showing you is variety, be that in tones of textiles, finishes and, for this point, wood. Successful neutral rooms need depth and complexity to be special, so picking everything in a matchy-matchy shade will fall flat (unless you have some other factors, which we’ll get into). Here, in this room I wish I could move right into at the very least for a long weekend, you’ll notice that there are both deeper rich tones (like the sweet chair in the background), middle shades from the coffee table, trays and rattan armchair, and some lighter finishes via the bench holding up the art.

2. Mixed shades of beige, white and other neutrals
image source | design by m. elle

Remember that time (45 seconds ago, depending on how fast you read) I mentioned varied tones of basically everything is crucial to a good neutral room? I was serious. This room by M. Elle works so well because of the subtle variations. The walls are a nice crisp white, then a few shades down are the sofa and armchair in a nice creamy hue. The wood tones of the shelving, coffee table and floors are all pretty similar (all which add some really nice warmth), but are separated by the toffee rug. Once that foundation is set, it’s easy to layer in all the extras that bring in some life (pillows, trays, decor, curtains, art…), and kept in a quiet palette, they just perfectly meld into the scheme like butter on a warm biscuit. It’s like the “no makeup” makeup look of interior design.

image source | design by tamara magel

The varied hues don’t even have to be that severely different, as showcased in this bedroom. The walls and bedding are a bit brighter than those buttery curtains that are just barely a shade lighter than the knit poufs, which are a touch lighter than the rug (it just has darker stripes throughout that tricks the eye a little).

3. A touch of black or metallic (or both)
image source | design by Alyssa Kapito

Look, a touch of black will ALWAYS be a welcomed addition to a room. It’s grounding, adds depth, draws the eye…it’s interior design panacea, and it absolutely has a place in a mostly beige room for all the same reasons. Here, in a room by Alyssa Kapito that feels like a deep breath personified, the painted black fireplace surround, the…tooth (??) stools and the peppering of matte black via lamps and vases help the eye to move around the rather one-note cream colors.

image source | design by erin fetherston and Consort

The home of Erin Fetherston has always given me palpitations. Mostly because it’s the type of room I could likely never put together because I swear up and down I only want to live in a home with lots of patterns and colors, but then in my heart of hearts, I realize maybe I don’t want that at all? I’m a very complex person who knows nothing about her own true desires. Actually, I’m polyamorous when it comes to interior design and would gladly take many aesthetic “wives” if I could, BUT back to why this room works. It has a lot of the elements we’ve already talked about (and will talk about): varied wood tones, texture, a touch of pattern and, last but not least a bit of black and brass. These provide much-needed contrast and tension in an otherwise quiet room and this is CRUCIAL to neutral spaces. Do I need to say it louder for the seats in the back? Write this one down.

image source | design by tamara magel

The same thing goes for this room in a home by Tamara Magel. The addition of the black door frames, pillows, coffee table frame and aged brass chandelier and sconces really add such richness and depth that would otherwise be absent here.

4. Interesting shapes and silhouettes
image source | design by emmanuel de bayser

Sure, this room screams I HAVE A TON OF EXPENDABLE INCOME TO BUY CUSTOM AND DESIGNER FURNISHINGS…AND SHEEP! But there are still everyday lessons to be pulled from the Berlin home of Emmanuel de Bayser. When your palette is this pared down, something has to provide visual intrigue. In this case, it’s the rounded and sculptural seating as well as that sinuous coffee table that makes your eyes buzz. It’s like a DING DING DING, this room is interesting. Now, you don’t need an entire room full of insanely expensive furniture, but try to bring in at least two or three things that break the monotony a bit, whether it’s a funky armchair or a super special grouping of side tables.

image source

While that last room was basically a work of art, this shot proves that you really need just a handful of “interesting” items to bring a neutral room to life. Here, that knot pillow, the zig-zaggy sconce and the rustic milking stool take a simple vignette to the next level.

5. Tons of texture
photo by sara tramp | from: brady’s living room refresh with the citizenry

When Brady refreshed his living room last year, he went way more beige and neutral than in his previous reveal. He kept it interesting by bringing in so much texture via the rug (which was already there), slipcovered sofa, and that chunky knit throw and pillows. They’re all in relatively the same shade, but it doesn’t feel stagnant because of all the other elements (black, metallics, wood).

image source | design by Erin Fetherston and Consort

This is such a simple, quiet space that I’ve loved since the moment I saw it. The mix of linen, mud cloth, rattan, caning and seagrass comes together in an insanely lovely and welcoming marriage.

image source | design by tamara magel

This is the third Tamara Magel room we’ve shown in this post, but well, she knows what she’s doing when it comes to neutrals. This shot sings because of the delicate balance of textures between the threading and wood of the dining chairs, the nubby rug, the plush animal skins (which I don’t suspect are faux, but really hope are at least vintage??), and the grain of the table top and ceilings. So quiet, yet it screams of success.

6. A subtle layer of soft color or a statement pattern (but just a little)
image by Alison Bernier | from: a warm scandi inspired house

When you have a pretty neutral backdrop, even the littlest bit of color and pattern will sing, like the Rebecca Atwood pillow and peach throw in Samantha Gluck’s living room.

image source | design by josh young design house

Excuse me while I have a bit of a fangirl moment over Josh Young’s Chicago apartment. It’s homes like his that make me want to cross over to the neutral side (though I know I say that but don’t fully mean it because I am who I am). There’s so much to look at here, but it doesn’t feel cluttered because of the soft, colorless palette. However, it’s those wild tiger-print pillows that take this from sophisticated and lovely to a bit edgier and…younger? Sometimes all it takes is a little out-of-the-box pattern, people.

7. Architectural interest certainly helps
image source | design by kerry vasquez

And finally, we get to something that is likely quite hard to help for most people, unless you plan on moving or renovating, and that’s architectural detail. Designer Kerry Vasquez’s LA home is such an effortlessly pretty study in neutrals, but let’s get real…the domed ceilings, original fireplace tile and woodwork (which you’re not seeing in this photo, but it’s there), add that much-needed sprinkle of character. This is not to say to run out and find a new place to live should you be paying rent or a mortgage in a detail-less tract home or basic apartment, BUT if you are so lucky as to live in a home with some original detailing or spectacular moldings/built-ins/ceilings/etc., remember that that’s nearly enough to carry an entire room without having to bring in a crayon box of color.

So, that’s how you build a really fantastic neutral room. Beige can be beautiful and interesting and full of character, and hopefully now you have the treasure map to that design bounty. Oh also, we want to keep working on Design Mistakes for you guys, so please share in the comments below what specific topics that we haven’t already covered you guys want to read about. We’re an open book!

The post Design Mistakes: How Not to Design a Boring Neutral Room appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Design Mistakes: How to Avoid “Basic B” Beige (& Pull Off the Perfect Neutral Room)

photo by tessa neustadt | from: mel’s living room reveal

***written by Arlyn Hernandez

We all know someone (heck, some of you might be that person) who is annoyingly effortless. You spend 2 hours getting ready for a night out with a friend trying to avoid looking like you crawled out of a dumpster, and just when you start feeling a little good about your vibe, nonchalantly catching glances of yourself in your rearview mirror on the drive over, you get to your meet up spot and realize you look like the Hamburglar compared to that person. How do they do it? Are your genes that much more garbage than theirs (thanks, mom)? Maybe she’s born with it, maybe it’s actually Maybelline? I’m not here to tell you how they do it, but what I am here to report is that your friend—the one who makes you think they just threw on some ol’ thing, tousled their hair and swiped on some Chapstick—is lying to you. Well, that is if your friend was a neutral room. THAT WAS A STRETCH, HUH? But for real, they relate. Keep reading, folks, because it’s about to get helpful.

Neutral/beige rooms aren’t as “effortless” as they look. In fact, they’re kind of an oxymoron in that most people go this route because it’s “easy”…beige goes with beige, after all, right? It’s not necessarily a difficult feat, but it’s not as simple as just buying everything in the same shade of off-white. There’s a reason beige gets a bad rap and is synonymous with lackluster or uninspired rooms. B is for beige…is for boring. Really good neutral rooms all share similar qualities, including the right balance of texture, tones and a sprinkling of je ne sais quoi (we’re about to dive deeper into all of that, promise).

In fact, when done right, it feels nearly masterful. I’m all for color, but some hue-deficient rooms are done so well that they can take your breath away. You envision what it would be like to live in a home that’s so visually light…I mean, just look at Mel’s previous apartment up there. She couldn’t possibly ever have a bad day in there right? Never once did she argue with her mom about posting a well-intentioned super unflattering photo of her on Facebook. In a room like this, bad photos don’t exist, so said fight would NEVER happen to begin with…

Let’s jump to the “tip” and “educate” portion of this blog post before I start making other unnecessary comparisons, shall we? So, the seven talking points to follow are key elements we pulled out of studying dozens and dozens of photos of successful neutral rooms.

1. Varied wood tones
image source | design by saaranha & vasconcelos

You’re going to notice that a common thread in all the rooms we’re showing you is variety, be that in tones of textiles, finishes and, for this point, wood. Successful neutral rooms need depth and complexity to be special, so picking everything in a matchy-matchy shade will fall flat (unless you have some other factors, which we’ll get into). Here, in this room I wish I could move right into at the very least for a long weekend, you’ll notice that there are both deeper rich tones (like the sweet chair in the background), middle shades from the coffee table, trays and rattan armchair, and some lighter finishes via the bench holding up the art.

2. Mixed shades of beige, white and other neutrals
image source | design by m. elle

Remember that time (45 seconds ago, depending on how fast you read) I mentioned varied tones of basically everything is crucial to a good neutral room? I was serious. This room by M. Elle works so well because of the subtle variations. The walls are a nice crisp white, then a few shades down are the sofa and armchair in a nice creamy hue. The wood tones of the shelving, coffee table and floors are all pretty similar (all which add some really nice warmth), but are separated by the toffee rug. Once that foundation is set, it’s easy to layer in all the extras that bring in some life (pillows, trays, decor, curtains, art…), and kept in a quiet palette, they just perfectly meld into the scheme like butter on a warm biscuit. It’s like the “no makeup” makeup look of interior design.

image source | design by tamara magel

The varied hues don’t even have to be that severely different, as showcased in this bedroom. The walls and bedding are a bit brighter than those buttery curtains that are just barely a shade lighter than the knit poufs, which are a touch lighter than the rug (it just has darker stripes throughout that tricks the eye a little).

3. A touch of black or metallic (or both)
image source | design by Alyssa Kapito

Look, a touch of black will ALWAYS be a welcomed addition to a room. It’s grounding, adds depth, draws the eye…it’s interior design panacea, and it absolutely has a place in a mostly beige room for all the same reasons. Here, in a room by Alyssa Kapito that feels like a deep breath personified, the painted black fireplace surround, the…tooth (??) stools and the peppering of matte black via lamps and vases help the eye to move around the rather one-note cream colors.

image source | design by erin fetherston and Consort

The home of Erin Fetherston has always given me palpitations. Mostly because it’s the type of room I could likely never put together because I swear up and down I only want to live in a home with lots of patterns and colors, but then in my heart of hearts, I realize maybe I don’t want that at all? I’m a very complex person who knows nothing about her own true desires. Actually, I’m polyamorous when it comes to interior design and would gladly take many aesthetic “wives” if I could, BUT back to why this room works. It has a lot of the elements we’ve already talked about (and will talk about): varied wood tones, texture, a touch of pattern and, last but not least a bit of black and brass. These provide much-needed contrast and tension in an otherwise quiet room and this is CRUCIAL to neutral spaces. Do I need to say it louder for the seats in the back? Write this one down.

image source | design by tamara magel

The same thing goes for this room in a home by Tamara Magel. The addition of the black door frames, pillows, coffee table frame and aged brass chandelier and sconces really add such richness and depth that would otherwise be absent here.

4. Interesting shapes and silhouettes
image source | design by emmanuel de bayser

Sure, this room screams I HAVE A TON OF EXPENDABLE INCOME TO BUY CUSTOM AND DESIGNER FURNISHINGS…AND SHEEP! But there are still everyday lessons to be pulled from the Berlin home of Emmanuel de Bayser. When your palette is this pared down, something has to provide visual intrigue. In this case, it’s the rounded and sculptural seating as well as that sinuous coffee table that makes your eyes buzz. It’s like a DING DING DING, this room is interesting. Now, you don’t need an entire room full of insanely expensive furniture, but try to bring in at least two or three things that break the monotony a bit, whether it’s a funky armchair or a super special grouping of side tables.

image source

While that last room was basically a work of art, this shot proves that you really need just a handful of “interesting” items to bring a neutral room to life. Here, that knot pillow, the zig-zaggy sconce and the rustic milking stool take a simple vignette to the next level.

5. Tons of texture
photo by sara tramp | from: brady’s living room refresh with the citizenry

When Brady refreshed his living room last year, he went way more beige and neutral than in his previous reveal. He kept it interesting by bringing in so much texture via the rug (which was already there), slipcovered sofa, and that chunky knit throw and pillows. They’re all in relatively the same shade, but it doesn’t feel stagnant because of all the other elements (black, metallics, wood).

image source | design by Erin Fetherston and Consort

This is such a simple, quiet space that I’ve loved since the moment I saw it. The mix of linen, mud cloth, rattan, caning and seagrass comes together in an insanely lovely and welcoming marriage.

image source | design by tamara magel

This is the third Tamara Magel room we’ve shown in this post, but well, she knows what she’s doing when it comes to neutrals. This shot sings because of the delicate balance of textures between the threading and wood of the dining chairs, the nubby rug, the plush animal skins (which I don’t suspect are faux, but really hope are at least vintage??), and the grain of the table top and ceilings. So quiet, yet it screams of success.

6. A subtle layer of soft color or a statement pattern (but just a little)
image by Alison Bernier | from: a warm scandi inspired house

When you have a pretty neutral backdrop, even the littlest bit of color and pattern will sing, like the Rebecca Atwood pillow and peach throw in Samantha Gluck’s living room.

image source | design by josh young design house

Excuse me while I have a bit of a fangirl moment over Josh Young’s Chicago apartment. It’s homes like his that make me want to cross over to the neutral side (though I know I say that but don’t fully mean it because I am who I am). There’s so much to look at here, but it doesn’t feel cluttered because of the soft, colorless palette. However, it’s those wild tiger-print pillows that take this from sophisticated and lovely to a bit edgier and…younger? Sometimes all it takes is a little out-of-the-box pattern, people.

7. Architectural interest certainly helps
image source | design by kerry vasquez

And finally, we get to something that is likely quite hard to help for most people, unless you plan on moving or renovating, and that’s architectural detail. Designer Kerry Vasquez’s LA home is such an effortlessly pretty study in neutrals, but let’s get real…the domed ceilings, original fireplace tile and woodwork (which you’re not seeing in this photo, but it’s there), add that much-needed sprinkle of character. This is not to say to run out and find a new place to live should you be paying rent or a mortgage in a detail-less track home or basic apartment, BUT if you are so luckily as to live in a home with some original detailing or spectacular moldings/built-ins/ceilings/etc., remember that that’s nearly enough to carry an entire room without having to bring in a crayon box of color.

So, that’s how you build a really fantastic neutral room. Beige can be beautiful and interesting and full of character, and hopefully now you have the treasure map to that design bounty. Oh also, we want to keep working on Design Mistakes for you guys, so please share in the comments below what specific topics that we haven’t already covered you guys want to read about. We’re an open book!

The post Design Mistakes: How to Avoid “Basic B” Beige (& Pull Off the Perfect Neutral Room) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Budget Room: Designing an “Adult” Living & Dining Room, 3 Ways

photo by tessa neustadt | from: sara’s living room reveal

Hi y’all. Ryann here with our first budget series of the year. We’re calling this one “The Starter Apartment” and I hope you love it and if you don’t please be gentle in the comments (just kidding, you guys always are).

Being newer here at EHD as well as being the office “youngin,” Arlyn thought it fitting to ask me to lend my voice for this little ditty. Or maybe this is just her way of initiating me. Either way, we have lots to talk about because today we have a living and dining room roundup extravaganza. Let’s get into it, shall we?

A lot of you guys asked for us to bring back budget rooms in the new year, and as soon as that news trickled down to me, I couldn’t help but rejoice in how much I was going to benefit. This is certainly not a post all about me, but I am at the stage where I’m living without roommates for the first time so what goes in and out of my place is up to me and only me (just kidding, my boyfriend has a say, too). That said, we’ve been living in our apartment since May of last year with no dining table, an old couch that is starting to deteriorate, and no decor besides books stacked on the floor and a few plants.

Sure, I want the perfectly styled space that I think we ALL deserve, but I keep running into the same questions: Where do I start? What is worth splurging on? What even is my style? How do I attain what I envision my place looking like while staying within a reasonable budget? I needed answers and EHD came to the rescue. The fact that I get to contemplate this for my job? Well, it’s a privilege I don’t take lightly which is why I am so excited to share with you guys what I have learned.

So let’s talk. What exactly do we mean by starter apartment, anyway? The idea is that this would be your starter kit for your first “grown-up” apartment, whatever that means to you. It may not be your first apartment ever, so you can think of it as the first apartment you have real autonomy over, or maybe the first home you can relatively afford to put some care into. You went through the trouble of scouring countless renter’s websites and Craigslist to find it. You had a clear idea of what it would look like in your head, what the style would be, how you would make it YOURS. Now you’ve signed the lease and right away you can’t wait for your space to look like a spread in Architectural Digest. You picture yourself sipping coffee in your perfectly styled breakfast nook every morning, reveling at how adult you’ve become. 

The reality is furnishing your home, finding your style, and building an eclectic collection is tough. It is time-consuming. It is so (at times) frustrating. Decorating your first apartment is NOT instant gratification despite what we were all led to believe. It’s a lot of having to stare at pieces of furniture you absolutely hate. It takes a lot of patience (I know this from experience).

To make things a little easier for you, we created three “Get the Look” styles for your living and dining rooms (bedroom and bathroom are on tap for next week). Chances are, you aren’t starting with a completely blank room and likely won’t go out and buy one of these boards top to bottom IRL, but we wanted to present some inspiration for how to put together something that would be easily buildable style-wise over time. They’re all fairly neutral, but pretty different styles. Just add your own flair. Fair warning: you are going to want to lock your wallet in a safe somewhere until you finish this post and get your head straight. BUT before we get into that, a few tips to keep in mind to help with your budgeting needs:

Always check Craigslist for a specific item you have your eye on or even do general searches like “West Elm sofa” or “IKEA storage.” You’d be surprised how often you can find the same piece of furniture in great condition for far less than retail price. This probably seems like a given and you might be thinking “where have you been girl, that is EHD 101” but I think we are all guilty of forgetting this. It’s easy to get swept up in the buyitnowandhaveitshippedtomeimmediately mentality. So here is your friendly reminder to check Craigslist, Let Go, Facebook Marketplace (which I am just now learning is a great resource), etc etc.
Don’t be afraid to DIY. When you’re on a budget, get thrifty. YouTube is your friend and there are countless apartment hacks that aren’t scary or overwhelming. Even something as simple as adding a trim to really simple curtains can level up your living room.
Mixing and matching price points is good. A $10 vase next to a $2,000 sofa is perfectly acceptable and very common in EHD world. Pretty looks good next to pretty, no matter the price.
As hard as it may be, wait for a sale. Places like West Elm, Overstock, AllModern, Urban Outfitters regularly having great sales. So, if you’re not DYING for the piece or in DESPERATE need, maybe meditate on the purchase for a bit. Patience is a virtue, my friends.
Splurges happen and that’s okay. We all see things that set our hearts ablaze (as Arlyn would say). If splurging on a couch or a bookshelf is what you need to do to live your best life, GO FOR IT. It just might just mean you get a $50 armchair from the thrift store instead of a $150 one. Life is all about balance (am I sounding like a lifestyle guru yet?).
As always, a mixture of new and vintage (or upcycled) is key. Check your thrift stores and flea markets (and eBay) regularly for vintage pieces to layer in that element of soul that’s so important to an EHD room.
And finally, DON’T RUSH THE PROCESS. Taking the time to find special pieces will make your place feel more special and more genuinely you. You may be eating on a rolling cooler right now, but you won’t regret the wait once you find your dream coffee table.

Okay, get ready for three curated budget rooms (with final price tags) that will knock your socks off. Away we go…

Simplified Modern: $2,996

1. Side Table | 2. Table Lamp | 3. Sofa | 4. Floor Lamp | 5. Curtains | 6. Coffee Table | 7. Rug | 8. Box | 9. Tray | 10. Blue Pillow | 11. Lumbar Pillow | 12. Leather/Canvas Pillow | 13. Throw Blanket | 14. Accent Chair | 15. Wall Unit | 16. Pendant | 17. ‘Canter’s’ Print | 18. ‘Black 03’ Canvas Print | 19. Abstract Heads Print | 20. Dining Chair (set of 4) | 21. Wood Vase | 22. Dining Table | 23.Wine Glass (set of 4) | 24. Water Glass | 25. Bar Cart | 26. Decanter | 27. Bar Tool Set 

Talk about grown up am I right? That color palette really knows what it’s doing. It’s simple yet very sophisticated. It’s cool but with enough nuance in color and texture that it doesn’t seem cold. Truthfully, I wouldn’t expect myself to be drawn to this style as much as I am but there are A LOT of items in this bad boy that I am itching to buy.

First things first: That sofa. Those legs? That color? The shape?? GOODBYE. I almost bought it as soon as I laid eyes on it.  I only refrained because I have to consider I live with another human being and we agreed we would both have a say what lives in our apartment. Truth be told, it’s been a struggle for us to pull the trigger on a sofa but this one might be the one (especially at under $700). Speaking of “the one,” can we talk about the wall unit. I won’t lie. I want it so badly. It would fit perfectly in my space and would provide the added shelving I really need and finally a place for my TV to live (which is currently resting on a random console I got for free that is way too tall). I picture LOTS of drooping plants on that top shelf with a few books and a really unique vintage vase or figurine. So ADULT. 

I was surprised I was completely drawn in by that bar cart. Something about the matte black is so cool, and SO sophisticated. It says “I am hip” without trying hard. It’s functional and has this industrial flair that I am really into at the moment. That said, it’s a little pricy at $159 and unfortunately more than I see myself spending on a bar cart. However, I can also picture it in a kitchen as a little breakfast cart. I see myself having an espresso machine and toaster on top, a few mugs, a pretty tea towel, and small plates on the second shelf, maybe assorted teas and coffee stored on the bottom. Kind of like an open-faced, makeshift breakfast pantry. So maybe it would be worth it. I don’t know you guys, what do you think?

Cool Eclectic: $3,433

1. Side Table | 2. Table Lamp | 3. Sofa | 4. Floor Lamp | 5. Roman Shade | 6. Coffee Table | 7. Rug | 8. Rattan Tray | 9. Bud Vase | 10. Blue Pillow | 11. Faux Fur Throw Pillow | 12. White Pom Lumbar Pillow | 13. Yellow Lumbar Pillow | 14. Colorblock Throw | 15. Media Console | 16. Accent Chair | 17. Planter | 18. Printable Abstract Art (set of 2) | 19. Pendant | 20. ‘Brooklyn’ Print | 21. Dining Chair (set of 2) | 22. Candle Holder (set of 3) | 23. Dining Table | 24. Bar Cart | 25. Decanter | 26. Bar Tool Set | 27. Water Glass | 28. Wine Glass (set of 4)

Can someone please pass me my martini? But really though. If my apartment looked anything like this, I wouldn’t be surprised if a dirty martini became my drink of choice. The effortlessly put together vibe is palpable, in a good non-pretentious way. Like, if this were my apartment, I probably just wrote my first novel but it’s totally not a big deal. Not to mention those warm and bright colors juxtaposed with dark wood and leather accents keep it all casual with just enough edge.

But let’s talk some specifics. Starting with the sofa. I am really drawn to this one and it’s getting me into trouble (Geminis are notoriously indecisive and these options are not helping.) When I showed it to my boyfriend, his response was “I’d feel like Don Draper sitting on that thing” and I was like, YEAH. IT’S SO COOL. So MCM in the best possible way. It is pricey at $899 (way more than I honestly can see myself paying at the moment) so I may have to take my own advice and wait for a sale and/or commence some serious Craigslist trolling. Speaking of budgeting, if you glazed over those abstract prints LOOK AGAIN because you’re looking at two really cool pieces for $12 (they’re printables). A STEAL if I’ve ever seen one. And that coffee table? $169. After months of being in the market for a coffee table, I can say confidently you don’t find that price everywhere and you jump on it when you get the chance. Just saying.

Neutral Oasis: $3,294

1. Side Table | 2. Table Lamp Base | 3. Lamp Shade | 4. Sofa | 5. Floor Lamp | 6. Curtains | 7. Coffee Table | 8. Rug | 9. Striped Pillow | 10. Raw Edge Pillow | 11. Textured Lumbar Pillow | 12. Round Pillow | 13. Throw Blanket | 14. Tray | 15. Box | 16. Vase | 17. Media Console | 18. Accent Chair | 19. Pendant | 20. Printable Abstract Art | 21. ‘Read Between The Lines’ Canvas Wrapped Print | 22. Framed Canvas Neutral Wall Art | 23. Dining Chair | 24. Wooden Vase | 25. Dining Table | 26. Bar Cart | 27. Pitcher | 28. Bar Tool Set | 29. Wine Glass (set of 6) | 30. Water Glass

For the those of you who crave a warmer, more inviting space, this one is for you. This look is Cozy with a capital C. Those soft neutrals are enticing and so so yummy to the point where I just want to take a quick nap in this here. Add in that slight pop of color and INSANE media console and I am sold.

Speaking of the media console…be still my beating heart!! This is one of those pieces I just ache over. There is something so classic about it while still feeling contemporary. Like this piece invented the idea of media consoles altogether.

And that dining table coming in at $300 (on sale now for $195!) is making a strong case for farm tables I have to say. I usually lean towards more sleek mid-century dining tables like this one, but this table is bringing out my rustic side and I am not mad about it.

Of course, I will comment on the sofa because apparently, I’m obsessed with sofas now. This one is not really my style, but I have a feeling its comfortability level wins over everything. The cushions are down filled so I can only imagine what a dream it would be to sit on. Also, it’s quite bigger than the other two which makes it a real sofa rather than a love seat which may just make up for the price.

So there ya have it. Three looks for a living and dining area in three budgets. What do you guys think?! Are you into this series? Would you want to see more of these “Starter Apartment” pieces? Who here is finding themselves in the first stages of Adult Starter apartment-ing? What other spaces would you want this budget treatment done for? We’ll get to work!

The post Budget Room: Designing an “Adult” Living & Dining Room, 3 Ways appeared first on Emily Henderson.

All The Counter Stools I Considered (& Decided On…Sort of) for the Mountain House

image source

Welcome to “Mountain House Mondays” where yes, we talk current mountain house projects, design conundrums and generally “where we’re at” in the furniture/decor phase of this home. You guys asked for it, so what you are going to get is in-process decision making which sometimes (like today) might be messy. I’m hoping that you still gleam some information from the indecision and learn truly about the conundrums that even “experts” deal with on a day to day basis. Todays conundrum is the riveting stool debate. This post was finished on Friday with stools pretty much decided on, but over the weekend I’ve been up here and actually experiencing the house and now … well, you’ll see.

We are hoping to shoot the kitchen in mid-February (with a reveal end of month or beginning of March) and the only thing we are waiting on are the stools for both the island and peninsula. So, I thought I’d walk you through the process of how the EHD team chooses furniture for a particular space and how we narrowed it down to the two stools that we ended up choosing.

As a reminder, here is the layout of the kitchen.

The last time you probably heard from us about this kitchen, it looked a little different in terms of material (remember this?). So for a little clarity and context, we included the final materials in the board above so you can get a sense of the vibe (but we didn’t want to give it away).

So, since we need stools for two areas (like I said, peninsula in front and island, in the niddle), it’s made a little trickier because the material is not the same on both those spots. The island is a black stained reclaimed wood while the peninsula is a reclaimed beechwood (though both have a white quartz countertop). Now they can be the same stool, but I think it will be more interesting if they are not, and vintage isn’t really an option as “counter stools” weren’t really a thing until the last couple decades so most vintage stools are bar stools (for anyone wondering what the difference is, it’s a seat height difference; counter stools range from 24-29 inches in height seat to floor while bar stools range from 30-36 inches).

The problem with stools is the same problem with, well, EVERYTHING IN LIFE: finding something that is comfortable, beautiful and affordable is quite a challenge. I might even say you have to choose 2 generally and that getting all three is impossible. Hell, getting ‘comfortable’ and ‘stylish’ is already hard.

Here are a few points we had on our mind while the design team was doing research:

FUNCTION

Ideally, I’d keep it clean and not have stools with backs on them so they can tuck under the island but over the break as we were up there (and I was cooking all day every day), people kept me company at the island for hours and therefore having a back on them became a necessity. Ideally, they’d even be padded or be something where it would be easy to put a cushion on. So on the comfort level, I need these on the island to be at least a 6-7.

But I think the stools at the peninsula can be backless as they will get less use and I really want to keep the sightline clean from the living room. I think these are more the kind that people will hang out at, but not for hours just while making a drink or eating a snack. But if they could also have a cushion, or be comfortable then yes, GREAT.

STYLE

While the whole mountain house style is minimal and Scandinavian, I want to keep it relatively classic and not trendy. It’s a hard balance…comfort, stylish, cool but not trendy, timeless but not boring. But it seems fun to fantasize…so first I’d like to introduce you to my dream stools. Some of the most beautiful stools in the world.

1. Moreno Barstool | 2. Strel Stool | 3. Siro+ Bar Stool | 4. Oak Hiro Counter Height Stool | 5. Brown Leather and Oak Stool | 6. Black and Leather Counter Stool | 7. Spot Counter Stool | 8. Meru Counter Stool | 9. Leather and Wood Stool | 10. C603 Stool | 11. Tractor Counter Stool | 12. In Between SK7 Bar Stool

My dream front-runners are #1 (from Lawson-Fenning) and #2 (by BDDW).

When I saw those (#1, #2 and #4), I had a visceral reaction. Those lines are simple but stunning. They are unique but not loud. They are minimal but still warm. They are also all very expensive, weighing in at $1,200 for #1 and I’m not sure how much the BBDW ones are but likely over $1k each.

The reason the Lawson-Fenning pick made the list is that it looks SO comfortable but without being a generic upholstered stool or one that could be found at a slot machine in Vegas. But these are already an investment and I would want them in leather which would cost even more and then Julie realized that they are too tall to tuck under the island, which was the whole point. I kept them “on the list” because they do check most of the boxes (comfort, simple, unique). Am I tempted to actually go for any of these splurge-y stools? My heart says yes, my brain and wallet says no. Besides, there are SO MANY great stools out there at all price points.

So Julie basically put together a document of all the best stools that fall in the Scandinavian vibe, that would work for the house (and my budget). We divided it into counter stools with backs and without because again, I want the people around the island to have backs, while the peninsula doesn’t necessarily need to (although ideally there wouldn’t be any backs, visually). If you are thinking that maybe a low back would be the best option, I’ll warn you that last night, I sat at a bar that had a low back and it basically felt like it had no back so it’s kind of pointless with the false sense of security a real back gives you.

1. Lovell Counter Stool | 2. Anna Stool | 3. Slope Upholstered Counter Stool | 4. Black Windsor Stool | 5. Faith Bar Stool | 6. Pause Bar Stool | 7. Gray Upholstered Counter Stool | 8. Plymouth Bar Stool | 9. Mackinder Counter Stool | 10. Klein Counter Stool | 11. Upholstered Walnut Counter Stool | 12. Remnick Counter Stool

1. Wood and Metal Square Counter Stool | 2. Perch Bar Stool | 3. Origin Backless Counter Stools | 4. Revolver Counter Stool | 5. Tan Leather and Light Oak Stool | 6. Plato Counter Stool | 7. Wood and White Metal Counter Stool | 8. Trace Counter Stool | 9. Smoked Oak and Black Counter Stool | 10. Spin Counter Stool | 11. White Ash Stool | 12. Plato Counter Stool

To keep it easy and to speed up the process (with fewer questions), Julie included the lead time and the price on these when we went over them internally.

Typically, the design team will put all options on a sheet (in Photoshop or InDesign), print it out and I basically just X out the “no’s” first. Don’t get me wrong, in this instance, ALL of these are “yes’s”—just being considered on this list means we really like something about all of these. But we have to consider the finish (the peninsula is light wood and the island is black wood), and whether we want the stools to pop or go away. I definitely don’t want them to pop, though some contrast could be nice, but also since this house is to remain as airy and calm as possible, I do want to make sure I’m not adding contrast just for the sake of contrast. Tone on tone is definitely the quieter route.

Once we got down to the “maybe’s,” she put them on another board so we could see them together.

Honestly, I love all of these. Some of them were nixed simply because of budget or lead time. If they were my dream stool that we had to wait ’til March for, we might have, but I love so many of these that obsessing over one seemed silly.

Then it came down to what looks good together:

Originally I wanted the pair on the left, but we didn’t hear back about lead time on the stool and we are trying to move fast. Then Article came out with these stools (creating the pair on the right) which frankly do look more comfortable and have a roomier bum (with a pad!). So we ordered them to get here in time for the shoot and now the Finnish Design Shop stools are in stock and can get here in time (and we get a nice press discount).

The price difference between the Article stool and Finnish Design shop is about $80 each, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t that much. Stylistically the finnish stool looks better with the lostine stool … What do you guys think? If you had to pick a pair for the kitchen based on the materials I mentioned, what would you go with and why?

*Last minute Update: after spending the weekend up here with my friends i’m even MORE concerned about the need for comfort around the island. My girlfriends and I discussed how no one really wants to sit at a bar or island on stools without a back, for more than 20 minutes anyway.  Now I fear that the lostine stools should go at the peninsula (I already bought them, but we could return).

It really is a cruel cruel world that the elements that make something comfortable often make them less streamlined, bulkier, bigger, less sculptural. I’m tempted to go back to the drawing board and sacrifice a bit of that minimal scandy vibe to get more comfort. I now have 4 more that i’m contemplating that look comfortable and family friendly albeit less beautiful.

 

The post All The Counter Stools I Considered (& Decided On…Sort of) for the Mountain House appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: CBD, Our Favorite Shoes and a Good Happy Cry

Palisociety West Hollywood Longe

Hi everyone. Let’s have a check-in. How’s it going? How do you feel January went? What are the new February goals? What’s the hot gossip? Tell me everything. We have a BIG February ahead and are pretty excited to jump in. Hope you’re ready.

Soup Saturday: Fast & Simple Veggie-Packed Vegan Pho

We’re in what feels like the fifth month of 2019 and January is only just officially over. For real though, was that not the longest 31 days of everyone’s life? Maybe it was the post-holiday exhaustion, or the ramp up to a new year that is incredibly exhilarating (all those possibilities of the promises you make to yourself that you absolutely won’t break this year, again). Some of you might say it was all the souping, but don’t blame my skewed perception of time on this glorious brothy friend, okay?

And though #JanStewary is now in the rearview mirror—#FebStewary has a nice ring to it, still…thoughts?—we wanted to wrap things up with one final soup recipe because we just can’t quit you, soup.

For all of you in a straight up polar vortex who might want something warm and soothing in your bellies, we bring to you today a recipe that Sara cooked up (literally and figuratively). It’s a take on pho, but totally vegan, jam-packed with veggies and an insanely flavorful broth. Here, we went with seared tofu because frankly, it looked really pretty, but I’d probably veer left from “vegan” the next time I eat this and add chicken meatballs (like the ones from last week’s recipe) or very thinly sliced rare beef like you find in Vietnamese restaurants for variety.

Instead of the typical rice noodles, we upped the fiber quotient with zoodles (just zucchini put through a spiralizer, though Sara said ribbons made with a standard potato peeler would probably work just as well if you don’t have one of those fancy contraptions…or just get them pre-made at Trader Joes or Whole Foods). Rainbow carrots are just darn pretty, though regular orange carrots are also perfectly fine. And heck, if you want to swap the zoodles entirely for rice noodles, that would also be great. This is SUPER versatile and so easy.

Pho broth gets its deep yummy flavor from cooking for like 9 hours or DAYS, but man…that’s a lot of time, so we took a few shortcuts and while it’s not by any means authentic, it does the trick for sure.

[Recipe adapted from It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken]

Servings: 6

WHAT YOU NEED

For the Broth:

Vegetables

1 yellow onion, quartered
4 cloves garlic, roughly chopped

Herbs, Spices & Pantry Goods

3 whole star anise
3 whole cloves
1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced into coins
2 sticks of lemon grass, chopped into two-inch pieces
1 cinnamon stick
2 tablespoons coconut aminos (or soy sauce)
1 tablespoon fermented red chili paste

Liquids

2 L vegetable broth (8 cups)

For the Toppings (use whatever combo you like):

Fresh basil (thai basil if you can find it)
Fresh cilantro
Fresh mint
Fresh green onions
Mung bean sprouts
Hot peppers
Unsalted peanuts, lightly ground or finely chopped
Sautéed mushrooms
Sautéed tofu (or meat of choice)
Hot sauce
Lime wedges
1 package zucchini noodles (or 3 zucchinis, spiralized)
1/2 bag shredded rainbow carrots (or 3 carrots, shredded)
Hoisin sauce

HOW TO COOK IT

In a pan on medium heat, toast your cinnamon stick, star anise and cloves until fragrant to bring out the flavors, careful not to burn them. Pho broth is usually cooked over several hours (or even days) so to achieve it in a shorter amount of time, we want to get as much flavor out of our ingredients as possible.
In a large stockpot, add your broth, onion, garlic, lemongrass, garlic, toasted star anise, toasted whole cloves, and toasted cinnamon, to a large pot and bring to a simmer. Cover and let simmer for 20-30 minutes.
While the soup simmers, prepare your tofu and mushrooms (if that’s your topping of choice). Remove your tofu from its packaging and using a towel, gently press as much liquid as possible from it.
Slice your tofu into 1-inch squares OR 1/2 thick slices (as pictured). In a pan, add two tablespoons oil of your choice, along with one tablespoon chili paste. Heat over medium heat and add your tofu. Fry on all sides until golden brown all over. Remove and set aside to be used as toppings. Wipe out pan with a paper towel and put back on the stove for mushrooms.
Slice your mushrooms into coin-thick slices (or use pre-sliced mushrooms). In the same pan, add 1 tablespoon oil and heat. Add sliced mushrooms and 1 teaspoon chili paste, and sauté until mushrooms are tender. Set aside to be used as toppings.
To the simmered broth, add coconut aminos/soy sauce and chili paste, and taste. You can add more or less of aminos/soy sauce and chili paste depending on how salty or spicy you like your soup. Allow to simmer for 10 more minutes.
If you’re going to be serving all your soup at once, you can strain it now using a mesh spoon or cheesecloth to remove all the solid ingredients. If you’re going to eat only a little at a time, we prefer to leave the solid ingredients in the soup to continue adding flavor every time the soup is heated. Add a handful of zucchini noodles and shredded carrots to a bowl and ladle hot broth over top. Allow to sit for a minute to soften the fresh veggies just a touch, then load up with toppings and enjoy!

A few of you asked last week about the bowls we were using for these photos, and while some of them were no longer available, we did round up six favorite bowl and spoon favorites below. Quick note on soup bowls: The elusive perfect soup bowl can be tricky. It should be deep enough that things aren’t dangerously sloshing out of the bowl (2.5 inches is GREAT), but wide enough that you have room for varied toppings (7-8 inches is ideal). Plus, those dimensions hold a good helping of soup so you’re nice and full. These are not “soup course” sizes. These are “entree” sized bowls, just how we like it.

Top row: 55 oz Bowl (set of 3) + Stainless & Matte Black Spoon | Everyday Bowl + Matte Black Spoon | Matte Black Bowl + Wood & Stainless Spoon

Bottom row: Low Indigo Bowl + Rose Gold Spoon | Gray Soup Bowls (set of 4) + Soft Brass Spoon | Mint Bowl + Polished Brass Spoon

The post Soup Saturday: Fast & Simple Veggie-Packed Vegan Pho appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Back By Popular Demand: Our First Trolling Craiglist 2.0 City Picks

Blast from the past, anyone? TROLLING CRAIGSLIST IS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND. And by popular demand, we actually mean DEMAND. Any chance you guys had to ask us to bring this baby back, you took. Truthfully, I have no idea what even took us so long, but pish posh, no bother, here we are again. Digging through pages and pages of horrendous office furniture castoffs, chunky wood bed frames carved with baby angels, and the occasional gem. Emily Bowser, one of our stylists, is also insanely handy and loves a good furniture rehab/reenvisioning, so she volunteered to be our go-to Craigslist troller. Our plan is to do this once a month, on a Friday, and change cities each time. We’re starting with LA because well, it’s our backyard and had to scratch that itch for ourselves personally, but we promise to go somewhere more “challenging” next time (any suggestions welcome, though we have some ideas from the comments in this post).

I’m going to hand it off to Emily B. (who we just call Bowser to avoid confusion) now, who found some pretty great things, even if they need a little TLC. Take it away, Bowser:

Antique Oak Table with 4 chairs, $400: This is beautiful and functional (comes with 2 leaves!). Sure, it could stand for a sanding and the seats need reupholstering, but it’s a DIY I could handle on a Saturday morning and wouldn’t cost much.
Modern Floating Credenza, $250: It’s simple and I like it. Paint if you like, maybe just the doors? Although I hear that brown is having a moment. I’m into the minimalism and love that it’s off the floor and has lots of storage. Wait. Do I need this?
Vintage Trunks (Side Table/Coffee Table), $40: These trunks are an awesome scale and SO cheap! Sure, you could use them like the listing mentions as a side table or coffee table, but they’d also just be a pretty cool “installation” in a room as “art.”
Amazing Vintage Drafting Drawing Table with Flat Files, $1,800: This isn’t cheap, but it’s very cool. Use as a desk, sure, but what about as a kitchen island? Maybe with a vintage sink put in the left side with exposed pipes? I DON’T KNOW, JUST A THOUGHT.



Set of 2, Michel Arnoult Brazilian Sling Chair, $450: I feel like I would be so cool if I owned these and when people asked, I’d casually say, “Oh yeah, I found them on Craigslist or whatever.” They’re pricey, but not really for what you’re getting. Plus these seem sturdy…pieces you’ll likely have a very long time. $225 per chair is far better than you’d ever be able to score at full retail.
Mid-century Wider Wood Coffee Table, $60: Good shape, good price! Hard to see in this pic, but there’s some pretty detail in the wood. Would be great for a narrow living room.
Queen Size, Black Iron, 4-Post Bed Frame, $339: Dreaming of ways to achieve the look of the Portland master bedroom? Look no further! You could probably talk them down a little…I’d shoot for $300 here.
1800s Oak Drafting Chair, $175: Probably needed if you’re going to get that awesome drafting table (but if you’re not ready to drop $1,800 on that, this would be so cute styled against a wall with an offset piece of art, maybe a stack of books.



Tiger Oak Coffee Table, $350: I wish I didn’t love my coffee table because this one checks all the boxes for me: Over 100 years old, solid wood, and sort of weird. The price is also SO right, so right I wouldn’t even argue about it.
Fog & Morup Hammerborg MCM Spun Aluminum Light Pendant Lamp, $100: I love a hanging light to bring the eye up! I like how this one is simple while still having vintage charm (and other similar pieces from this designer can run 3, 4 or 5x the price). HURRY AND GET IT BEFORE I DO.
Rattan Chair, Set of Two, $275: All these need is a simple reupholstering of the two cushions and these guys are ready for your boho beach patio (or living room).
Arthur Umanoff Walnut Side Table Mid-Century Danish Modern, $250: $250 is more than I want to spend on a side table but, I mean, it’s Arthur Umanoff, it’s walnut, and more than that, it’s interesting (and reminds us of the table we used in the Portland foyer).



Mid-century King Headboard, $200: I don’t have a king bed, but man, if I did, I would be ALL over this. It’s solid wood but missing pieces to make it a platform bed. French cleat it to the wall, buy a cheap frame and call it a day.
Mid-century Brass Five Globe Table Lamp, $295: Put a dimmer on this thing, in an eclectic space, I’m in.
Custom-made Swivel Chair and Ottoman, $160
Great Wooden End Table, $100: I think this may be a situation where the bad photography is hiding the fact that this is a cool piece. It’s solid (“very, very heavy” apparently) and looks like it has cool patina with an interesting shape. I may or may not have already sent out an email inquiring about it for myself…

And there you go. Our very first 2019 version of Trolling Craigslist. Yes, we started with an easy pick, LA (but according to our analytics, a ton of you are local). DO NOT WORRY. As I said, we will be sure to spread the love, in “cool” cities and “non-cool” cities. We’re likely headed to the midwest next, but throw out some locations or types of pieces you’d be into us researching, and we’re on it! Have a great weekend (and let us know if you buy anything…oh, and if you do, when you get it home and have it all set up how you like, please do post a photo on Instagram with the #ehdweekendmakeover hashtag…we wanna see!).

The post Back By Popular Demand: Our First Trolling Craiglist 2.0 City Picks appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Ultimate Family-Friendly Media Room + Wet Bar

Welcome to the Portland project’s party central…the ground floor media room. It’s 540 square feet of family fun. We really thought about how to present this lady, trying to figure out how to make its reveal “editorial” but something about saying “how to design the ultimate entertaining space that’s as large as some people’s apartments” just didn’t feel right. Sure, there are takeaways here for anyone who has even 1/4 of the space (color palettes, how to slice up the areas, etc.) but I know this is a pretty aspirational room, and I didn’t want to sell it as anything but that. It would be like putting eyelash extensions and a matte red lip on a beaver and passing it off as a beauty queen. Wait, no…backwards? Because this is a beauty queen, not a beaver, so whatever the opposite of that would be. So, I thought it would be best just to show you this baby in a “look at this eye candy” way and walk you through the room. Ready?

This whole bottom floor felt like a bit of a waste when we got our hands on it. The home already had a pretty sizable garage, so a GIANT storage area (the bottom half of this floor plan) was itching, nay, crying out to be repurposed. Unless the new owners were somehow going to be an Amazon distribution center, it just didn’t make sense. We shifted the smaller bedroom down into the storage area (and where we also built out a laundry room area and moved the stairs), so that we could open that whole area up to be a kick-butt media room and wet bar. It ended up being 36 feet long by 15 feet wide, and the French doors open up to the backyard so it can feel really indoor/outdoor (you know, when it’s not raining in Portland).

The space above the mechanical/storage room is actually a little different, where we landed. It could have been one big closet (like in the floor plan), but we built-in a daybed nook on the right half, leaving the left half open to be used however the new owner wanted (for staging, we put in a games cabinet for board games and other fun family things).

We really wanted the vibe to feel casual yet sophisticated yet a little funky and special. Tall order, but I feel good about where we landed and how we got there. You know I love a bold wall color, so we brought the same shade from the powder room upstairs down here (Sherwin-Williams’ Waterloo) because it looked so, so good streaked with natural light. And because we didn’t want it to be too cave-like (which wouldn’t have been the worst thing, frankly), we designed a “feature ceiling” to draw the eye up and add in that little bit of “funky special” that was on the checklist.

Because I envisioned this being used as a family space, I wanted the color palette and textiles to be playful and not as serious as they were upstairs. A striped rug from Dash & Albert is subtle but adds a nice graphic punch (as does the black and white pillow on the armchair) and the throw pillows and blanket bring that bright but comfy pop with some earth tones (and of course, lots and lots of wood, because I can’t help myself and every room benefits from the warmth of wood).

Wanna see one of our favorite little details in this whole house? This was originally going to be a closet, but then we thought WAIT THIS SHOULD BE A BUILT IN DAYBED. Perfect for impromptu naps, as a reading/coloring corner, or a place to hide nooked into a corner talking to boys late at night (you know, for the teenagers…or grown women).

I think maybe a tree wallpaper or mural should be my calling card. Never leave a project without plastering some tree trunks up on a wall somewhere. I do very much love this soft blue paper by Sandberg mixed with the striped and graphic Schumacher fabric from the throw pillows. Altogether, it’s sweet but not saccharine. If you have a nook like this to work with, I say treat it like you would a powder room…have some fun, take some risks, it’s just a tiny little corner.

We made sure to build in some shelving to make this the ultimate reading nook (you need a place to set a drink, maybe glasses…other books). Plus, it doubles as a “nightstand” if you want to use it as an extra spot for a guest to sleep (it’s an actual twin-sized mattress in there covered with Schumacher’s Olympic fabric…Arlyn can attest because it’s where she slept—very comfortably she says—during the open house event this summer).

On the other side of the daybed nook wall is this inset area that would and could easily be a closet but we left it open and used it more as games central.

I highly recommend adding art and creating a “moment” on any horizontal surface you can get your hands on, so we brought in three pieces—the left two from MaryAnn Puls, and the embroidered piece by Annie O’Dorisio—and rounded it out with a brass “small” (as we call little decor pieces like that in the styling arena). I’m not sure what it’s for, but I’d like to imagine it’s a giant coaster that holds your beer while you open this beautiful Room & Board cabinet to grab one of the 438 available ping pong balls or prep for a riveting game of Bingo.

Speaking of ping pong, is this not THE most unnecessarily beautiful ping pong table you’ve ever seen? I mean, the net is LEATHER (as are the paddles…well, leather and wood). I’m sorry, I just can’t. If you’re on the market for an “artisan” games table and have a spare $6,000, I highly recommend this one from City Home for your home (no, seriously).

We are not entering the wet bar area of the room and I’m not afraid to admit that it’s so very beautiful.

It has all the essentials of a wet bar: wine/beverage fridge, ice maker, sink and faucet, easily cleanable hard surfaces (and the added bonus of a dishwasher, keep reading).

Can we take a moment to admire the detail of this sink and prep faucet by Kohler? We could have gone with a traditional sink here, but if you have the opportunity to do something a little extra special, why not? I went with the polished nickel here as I did the rest of the house, which I’m loving because it’s traditional but warm (unlike chrome that can feel very cold).

A beverage refrigerator with side-by-side compartments that have their own temperature control lets you keep “adult juice” in one at some fancy “perfect for rose or white wine or cabernet” temp I won’t pretend to know, and, well…more “adult juice” in the other…just in canned form…but extra cold! Or of course, a bunch of La Croix or sodas for the whole family.

A smaller dishwasher is perfect for a wet bar area, especially on a floor removed from the kitchen. It’s just roomy enough to throw in glasses, popcorn bowls, plates crusted over with pizza cheese…you know, typically family area things (this one holds 10 place settings). We went with a panel-ready option so the bottom cabinetry wasn’t just a line of stainless steel and we could show off that dreamy blue paint color.

And, of course, like a good tree mural, I can’t leave a room untouched by an ice maker, for all my icy cold water/beverage dreams. This compact guy makes 45 pounds of “restaurant quality” clear ice a day and I don’t know what that really means, but it sounds like you’d never have to make an emergency ice run mid-party again. Oh, and a pretty cool feature is the door is reversible, so you can decide to make it left or right opening, whichever feels best for your kitchenette or wet bar.

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A ledge made of the same material as the slab backsplash blends in but also keeps the counters more easily clear (where else will you put the pizza boxes, otherwise?).

And there you have it. The ultimate family party room from soup to nuts (TV to ping pong table?). We put together two Get the Looks, one with all the furniture and styling, and another for the wet bar with all the details of everything we used here. As always, we’d love to hear from you…any questions, comments, concerns, loves, hates (kidding, don’t hurt my feelings)…leave for us in the comments below and we’ll chat back!

1. Maxwell Custom Sectional Sofa | 2. Custom Drapery and Drapery Rod by Decorview | 3. Window by Milgard | 4. Hourglass Stool | 5. Tripod Coffee Table | 6. Woven Cotton Rug | 7. Floor Lamp by Rejuvenation | 8. Pender Charme Chair | 9. Metal Tray | 10. Ceramic Salt Cellar | 11. Ceramic Match Striker | 12. Lumbar Pillow Cover by Rejuvenation | 13. Canvas Pillow Cover | 14. Block Printed Pillows via Mantel | 15. Tweed Throw by Rejuvenation | 16. Stripe Pillow (fabric available here) | 17. Cotton Throw | 18. Sconce by Rejuvenation | 19. Media Console | 20. Coffee Table via The Good Mod | 21. Wood Containers by Thos. Moser | 22. Vase | 23. Abstract Art by MaryAnn Puls | 24. Abstract Art by MaryAnn Puls | 25. Abstract Art by MaryAnn Puls | 26. Embroidered Art by Annie O’Dorisio | 27. Ping Pong Table | 28. Glass Door Cabinet | 29. Wallpaper | 30. Faux Leather Storage Bin | 31. Lamp Shade | 32. Dipped Ceramic Small Lamp | 33. Abstract Art by MaryAnn Puls | 34. Abstract Art by Mary Ann Plus | 35. Abstract Art by Mary Ann Plus | 36. Zoila Fabric by Schumacher | 37. Rania Stripe Fabric by Schumacher | 38. Cusco Ikat Fabric by Schumacher | 39. Olympia Fabric by Schumacher | 40. Ribbed Sculptural Vase via Mantel (similar) | 41. Sculptural Vase via Mantel | 42. Wooden Chest via Aurora Mills | 43. Wood Flooring by Hallmark Floors | 44. Waterloo by Sherwin-Williams | 45. Pure White by Sherwin-Williams | 46. Baseboard by Metrie | 47. Window & Door Casing by Metrie

1. Faucet by Kohler | 2. Tile by Pratt & Larson | 3. Sink by Kohler | 4. Marble Countertop | 5. Abstract Art by MaryAnn Puls | 6. Abstract Art by MaryAnn Puls | 7. Vase | 8.  | 9. Textured Carafe | 10. Cabinet Maker | 11. Pull by Rejuvenation | 12. Knob by Rejuvenation | 13. Sconce by Rejuvenation | 14. Serving Bowl by Rejuvenation | 15. Napkins (set of 4) | 16. Marble Tray | 17. Ivory Knives (set of 6) | 18. Bronze Bottle Opener | 19. Wine Glasses (set of 4) | 20. Textured Lowball Glass | 21. Trapeze Glassware (set of 4) | 22. Beverage Fridge | 23. Ice Maker | 24. Dishwasher

***Photography by Sara Tramp for EHD

Design and styling by Emily Henderson and Brady Tolbert (and team). JP Macy of Sierra Custom Homes was the General Contractor, and Annie Usher and the architect.

The post The Ultimate Family-Friendly Media Room + Wet Bar appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Announcing…Book #2!!! (+ We Need Your Questions)

Over the weekend, I announced on my Instagram that I’m officially starting my second book. If you are like anyone in my family, you might be asking:

A. What took you so long?

B. Why are you adding this to your workload?

The answers are connected. For a few years, my publisher has been politely begging me for another book. Styled was a success so the natural thing to do next is another book. But my answer was always “Listen. I want to in theory but I have no time, too many young kids and more importantly no new ideas.” The amount of work/time/effort/resources/energy and ABSOLUTE PASSION it takes to write and publish a good book is unfathomable. Besides, I write every day! What do I have left in me???

So then why pitch another one? Why, masochistically, add this to my already very, very full plate?

Here’s how it went down: I was taking a shower on a Sunday morning, feeling so overwhelmed by the renovations of 2018 (mountain, Portland) and subsequently feeling really stupid about the mistakes that I had made (and had to pay to fix) and wishing so bad that I had one resource, ONE BOOK that I could reference instead of every single day googling “how do you design a _________.”

And I stopped. and said OH SH*T, THAT’S MY BOOK.

In that second, I knew I had to write it. I was the person that could transparently write an entire book about lessons, mistakes, rules and breaking them. How to do it, how to not do it, but in a way that really empowers and educates. Not because I’m a pro now, but precisely because I had to put myself through design school in the field, researching aggressively along the way, troubleshooting at every turn, making mistakes, trying to be perfect and reminding myself how boring “perfect” actually is. My hope is that this book will be the resource that I needed and wanted so desperately during the last few years. But don’t worry, I won’t be all floor plans and construction photos. It will still be beautiful (a la Styled) and done in a way that I think is really creative and fun. It all came to me that day. Almost ALL of it.

I wrote the 3-page pitch that day, sent it off on Monday and my editor said “This is exactly what the world needs from you; let’s do this,” which made me feel good. Three months later, my contract was signed and we are OFF.

I’m very excited. I have a pretty clear vision for it that I didn’t even really have with Styled and frankly, I’m just so excited to read this book.

I don’t want to put too much out there because frankly, I don’t want someone to steal my ideas, but I still want to know what you guys would want from a design book, and what you feel is missing out there. This book is more macro than Styled. It’s less about styling pillows (but obviously there will be beautifully styled pillows) and more pulled back, dealing with the things that are a bit more terrifying to commit to, those things that are more permanent that create nothing other than design exhaustion and absolute home anxiety.

Okay. I’ll say no more. Please send suggestions of some of your biggest questions, struggles, things you literally have no idea about in terms of renovation and design and heck, if they don’t make it into the book, we’ll log them as suggestions for the blog.

Also, we are looking for homes that are interesting and have something special about them. It doesn’t have to be fancy, just special either in architecture or decor, with ideas that people can learn from. We’ll come in and style it out (for some houses, we are adding furniture, but most we are bringing a ton of accessories and pillows) and yes, you’ll have the chance to buy them (unless it happens to be something personal of mine that I can’t bear to sell). You’ll get a copy of the book (duh) and credit on the page of the book (different than Styled). You can be a designer, an architect, a dog walker—I don’t care, we just want pretty spaces, with good light and a lot of ideas that we think others should or could learn from. Some houses might be PERFECTLY designed and others show a good way that they broke the rule and why we all love it.

We went on a scouting mission throughout LA last week to some homes I knew could work for the book, and Sara snapped some shots from the day (you know I love a good sneak peek):

For house submissions (ideally in the greater LA or SoCal area…we’ve already had a ton of submissions elsewhere), email Velinda@emilyhendersondesign.com with the subject line EHD BOOK 2 HOUSE SUBMISSION + your name and location, with some shots of your home for consideration inside.

And leave all your book tip requests below. Tomorrow, we have a huge 8-hour brainstorming session to finalize the outline and I’d love to integrate as many of your requests that make sense so ASK AND COMMENT AWAY.

The post Announcing…Book #2!!! (+ We Need Your Questions) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Velinda’s Tiny Kitchen Makeover Takeover (With Tons of Smart Storage Hacks)

Velinda here again, welcoming you to my home. Sort of. I welcome you to the 400-square-foot tiny hobbit-home that my 980-square-foot bungalow sits above…likely the basement at one point. Revealing this “Makeover Takeover” as the introduction to my home is like skipping to read the final page of a novel. You’ve missed chapters. Here are the CliffsNotes:

In 2012, I called my mom and said “Guess what! I just bought a sh**hole!” The place was bank-owned and left unlocked, having sat on the market for months with no interested parties. Nobody wanted her and for good reason. She was neeeeeeeedy. The hobbit-home looked like this:

We found a contractor willing to teach us, help us and loan us tools. My mom, stepmom, 11- and 13-year-old step sisters (pro tip, child labor is cheap) and a couple of very good friends put on their construction hats (kidding…we couldn’t afford those) and made the house a home, or at least liveable-ish, at first. It’s taken YEARS to become truly comfortable and stylistically, it’s still mostly filled with decent Craigslist purchases I made in my mid 20s…but I love it! (Speaking of being comfortable, anyone want to donate a central heat and air unit to someone in need?).

Throughout the years, these lower 400 square feet have provided storage during endless construction, a getaway for roommates during years of co-living and even a private place for a friend of mine to shag a long-time crush. But now I’m all grown up (?) and it was time to clean this space and make it a welcoming place for my new mother-in-law, Nancy, to stay when she visits from Nebraska.

So, skimming all other chapters for now, let’s skip straight to the glass slipper fitting, the beast becoming the prince, the basement becoming a beauty:

I’m going to share a fantasy with you guys: Tiny. Home. Design. If I could find a way to make a living designing interiors for Airstreams and tiny homes, I’d ditch Emily YESTERDAY (secrets stay here). The standard kitchenette with only a microwave, mini-fridge and tiny sink sounded like no-fun. I wanted Nancy to do everything she could do in her own kitchen here, in under 50 square feet.

Besides worrying over function, style was of course priority. Since my house is a 1926 bungalow with a bit of Spanish flair, I wanted something classic with touches of rustic (which was hopefully achieved through styling)…pulled together in a modern way. These were inspirations:

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The very first thing I knew about this design was that I wanted a Smeg fridge. If the fridge was going to take up 20% of this kitchen, it HAD to be pretty! No appliance designer pulls off classic yet modern the way Smeg does. Being a European company, they offer several space-saving solutions. I chose the Fab28 because it was compact but still includes a freezer compartment. A tiny kitchen doesn’t have to have an itsy-bitsy refrigerator. This fridge is the sexiest appliance in my entire house and I’ll probably have to venture down to hug it now and then. I mean, how cute would this little guy be in an airstream?

When I renovated my upstairs kitchen in 2016, I was scratching plans (not to scale) on notebook paper trying to determine how to maximize function while fitting in standard sized cabinets. This nightmarish process sent me running for design school (100% true). Because who wants to Google when you can handover $20K to UCLA instead?!

For this tiny kitchen project, I found Cliq Studios, first because I was drawn in by the fact their site didn’t say “call for quote.” A phone call??? Aggghhhh! Pass the Xanax ;). I was able to shop and find the pricing right there, online. I was hooked. Turns out, Cliq Studios could’ve spared me that college fortune because their cabinet order comes with professional design plans, measuring and RENDERINGS. Even as a designer, having a specialist’s help was invaluable (thanks, Jayelynn!) because she was familiar enough with their products to get creative (we flipped a standard cabinet—the one holding the oven—upside down to provide a drawer for baking sheets). I can’t say enough good things about working with these guys! The only difficult part was choosing between their color options. I LOVE moody colors and they had several that were tempting, but I ultimately opted to keep the shade light to avoid further shrinking the already tiny space (which can happen with darker colors as they absorb light).

Speaking of using light to spatially trick the eye, I turned to Clé tile. Look how light bounces off that Zellige tile! I cheated here because we used the same tile on a floor in the Mountain House, but I’ve seen first hand how reflective yet classic these handmade tiles are. They’re subtle but not boring thanks to the organic variations that come from being handmade (shout out to my contractor, Pete at LA Doors & More, for not murdering me when he found out each tile is laid individually. Anyone in LA looking for an amazing contractor? He did everything except install the resilient Bedrosians Magnifica Basalto porcelain countertop slab, which I LOVE! For that, I thank Perry Masonry).

Keeping in theme with “light and reflective,” I chose nickel finishes, which I hadn’t used before but liked how timeless yet warm it felt. I found the knobs and pulls at Schoolhouse and loved the minimalistic details (like the hatching on the simple knob). I found the Rohl polished nickel faucet on eFaucets where I ended up also easily finding the sink, garbage disposal and accessories (polished nickel towel bar, cutting board etc).

The cutting board fits over the sink opening, adding to the limited surface space. There’s also a roll-over-the-sink drying rack for dishes to save the space on the countertops traditional drying racks can take up.

And now for the choice that I thought might cost me my job. I didn’t want the standard, mini-kitchen sink. I wanted something that’d fit a stock pot or dutch oven but still maximize counter space. So I turned a standard-sized sink sideways…meaning the drain isn’t centered. Uncouth, I know, but this utilized every inch allowed by the narrow 20” wide (yet 24” deep!!) base cabinet. PLUS, it maximized the storage space below by positioning the garbage disposal (which was one of my must-haves) off to one side instead of centering it, freeing up half the cabinet!

Note that a wall-mounted faucet allowed maximum space for the sink. I tried and tried and tried to also squeeze in a dishwasher drawer here (a great space-saving solution!), but would have had to sacrifice the garbage disposal and I care too much about our plumbing, so alas. But if any reader has ever pulled off that single-cabinet trifecta: kitchen sink, garbage disposal and dishwasher call me…I’ll marry you. (Disclaimer, I come with a wife…but a two-for-one deal!)

Utilizing vertical space for storage is a common small-space hack. But low ceilings add to the limitations of our tiny hobbit headquarters. That meant thinking even smaller. Instead of mounting pot racks, I used a towel bar mounted to the ceiling beside the range hood and a tie rack with S hooks on the exposed end of the cabinet for small, low-profile storage solutions. I also incorporated a magnetic knife strip above the cooktop to free up additional drawer/counter space.

The MVP of freeing up vertical space (and the detail that makes my minimalist heart drool) is the quarter-inch bracket-less open shelving. I found the maker, Shelfology, on Etsy…and boy are these guys detail-savvy! The shelves (I used their Tromso shelf system) are powder-coated metal and come in standard sizes or custom designs and can be made in any color (they’re linked in black in the below Get the Look, but I had mine made in white to blend in with the backsplash). They attach to wall studs and fit beneath drywall, so they have to go in during construction, but they are as sturdy as they are sleek! (The folks at Shelfology were kind enough to extend a promo code specific to EHD readers for $25 off $100 or more on the Tromso shelves, using code TROMSO25…expires March 31st).

I don’t cook, but I’ve heard rumors that a kitchen needs more than a microwave. Research suggests it also needs a convection oven for baking, a stove, a grill, a broiler, a speed oven and more. Basically, a lot of space-sucking contraptions I didn’t have room for. Oh, and a range hood/fan to keep the chef, who is generous enough to dedicate time to each of these machines, from suffocating in clouds of smoke (explain to me again why people enjoy this?