Emily Henderson's Blog, page 3

Design Hot Take: Can Designers Stop Trying to Hide Everything Useful?

What came first: The TV or the designer hatred for the TV? Hello friends, and welcome to this week’s installment of Arlyn’s Curmudgeony Design Takedown. Today’s episode? My lack of tolerance for hiding the things in our homes that we need and very regularly use just because they aren’t “aesthetic.” That black remote control? ::Gasp:: The cable modem? MAKE THAT THING INVISIBLE INSIDE A RATTAN BOX STAT! I’m not mad at the desire to have utilitarian things that look nice and surprisingly displayable, but loving design and a beautiful room don’t have to also come with a degree from MacGyver University for how to disguise everything in sight to look like a vintage oil painting or woven basket.

For anyone reading this who is saying, “Arlyn, it’s all about reducing visual clutter,” to that I say: “Yes, I agree, but also, you probably only think that because you read it in an article I wrote a decade ago.” While I get anxiety spikes when things are out of place, cluttered, or untidy, I also prefer my home to work effortlessly without barriers I’ve created for myself in the name of Pretty. Cable management is one thing, but no one should have to sacrifice proper lighting (#TheBigLight) or being able to change the channel because a faux stack of books covering your cable box is blocking the signal.

Who are we doing this all for? Ourselves? Our visitors? We can’t bear to look at a thermostat? A doorbell chime box? Honestly, I think this all hit a fever pitch when images of homes, both by designers and amateurs alike, became a huge part of our everyday vernacular. As someone who has produced hundreds, if not thousands, of luxury home magazine features, I know how much is edited out because cords and light switches are as hated by art directors as they are by designers. This created an aesthetic culture where we all got used to seeing houses without functional things like outlets, and now assume we also need to find a way to Photoshop them out, except in real life. [Side story: I was watching an episode of House Hunters last night, and the featured homebuyer was a woman who made financial empowerment content for social media. She kept saying her home needed to be “aesthetic” and was hyper-focused on white countertops and black hardware because she claims it’s what she needed for her audience to see her as successful. My eyes are only just coming forward from the back of my head.]

Phew! Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, let’s explore all the “designer disguises” that I find mostly unnecessary, and no one should be pressured into thinking is necessary, either:

Designer Disguise #1: TVsi have fallen victim to making my tv “blend in” with a gallery wall in my bedroom (and now my living room). It’s not hidden by any means, but art sure does fill the wall around the flat panel nicely, at least. If anything, it kind of showcases it more than it hides it.

Let’s start with the most polarizing topic: The television. I’ve written on this specific subject in the past and got a ton of opposing feedback. Many agreed with me that a TV is not a thing that needs to be hidden. It’s a part of our lives, and just because it’s a “big black box” doesn’t mean it’s hideous and should be banished. Others brought up some good points about not liking the distraction, and that it’s helpful to put it away behind cabinetry or art or some other concoction when not in use to focus on other things like connecting with loved ones, reading, or conversation. I’ll accept that, because I know that we all have different lifestyles and media tolerances.

But more and more, it just feels like this thing that many of us use daily is some kind of smear on an otherwise beautiful space. Mind you, TVs are smaller and more inconspicuous than ever before. The freestanding furniture-like Sony set that graced my parents’ living room when I was a kid is a far cry from the flat panels of today, and yet we’re obsessed with faking people and ourselves that one simply does not exist in our living rooms.

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By far, my most pressing question to all of us here today, whether you’ve thought about hiding your TV or hate the idea, is as follows: Why are we putting so much pressure on ourselves for design/styling perfectionism? I know that our homes are our sanctuaries, and they should make us feel at peace. Visual clutter really can raise our anxiety levels, but are we jumping through performative hoops to make ourselves feel better, or because the Internet slash the design industry, the big “They,” told us we need to hide all these non-decorative things away from the world if we want to be perceived as having good taste, or better yet, chic (the highest podium finish of all the home style qualifies, evidently)?

Designer Disguise #2: Cable Boxes And Remotes

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It should come as no surprise that any accoutrement to the hideous television would also need to be shrouded in secrecy, concealed from our delicate eyes. Does the above basket solution look cleaner and tidier than the open crate with cables popping out of it? Yes, sure. A spaghetti-like knot of cords would inspire anyone to find a solution, but the sheer number of videos on the Internet dedicated to cutting holes in baskets and boxes to preserve a pristine shelfie or mantel is dizzying. As long as there isn’t a mess of long cords spiraling from it, collecting dust bunnies, a cable box, or some remotes even just set in a tray on a shelf or atop a book or two is good enough for me.

Designer Disguise #3: Kitchen Appliancesof course, em’s farmhouse kitchen is a literal dream, but it does feel like a “designer” kitchen can no longer include visible appliances, except a feature range.

I preface this section with the fact that I very much like the way a seamless kitchen with panel-ready appliances looks. But it’s such a funny thing that someone decided to think up one day. “How do we hide the very things in this space we need the most?” Refrigerator and freezer? Make them guess! Dishwasher? Just open drawers and cabinets until you find it. Obviously, the people who live in a home with this type of kitchen are familiar with and learn where everything is, so none of this is a real concern. However, let’s ponder for a moment the question I keep bringing up: Why are we even doing this?

Designer Disguise #4: Air Vents & Door Chimes

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To me, there is a difference between making something look better/sleeker, like good-looking air vents, for instance, and covering up something because you’ve been led to believe it’s ugly. I had this thought recently while reading the newsletter sent out by Apartment Therapy’s Design Director Danielle Blundell. She’s a longtime work peer whom I respect greatly, but in the latest email blast, a reader asked her for her advice on covering her doorbell chime box in her rental. In an attempt to provide a solution, she recommended putting a piece of art on a hinge to cover it up. Sure, that works, but it’s the kind of thing that reminds me of how it has felt to be in a mid- to plus-size body most of my adult life. So much guidance on how to dress your body to essentially cover yourself up as best you can to trick people into thinking you’re somehow thinner than you are, rather than nurturing a culture of acceptance and self-love. “Cover it up!” is the name of the game. Maybe the doorbell chime box is totally fine and can just…remain visible, hm?

Left to right: Nickel Door Chime | Knock Doorbells Steens Resonator Door Chime | Satin Brass Builder Chime Door Chime

I can get down with a replacement of a cheapo, white plastic chime with something more stately like the above, but hiding it away in shame is just not something I think we should be putting our energies into.

Designer Disguise #5: Any Kind Of Tech Interface

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A post shared by Abigail Sykes (@our.argonne.home)

I’ve written so many stories in my past (by request) for other outlets about how to hide your thermostat, your electrical boxes (sure, these are fairly ugly), and all those kinds of things. My answers were always along the lines of what Danielle suggested for the reader’s doorbell chime. It usually involves a hinge and a piece of art. It’s kind of the go-to. Sure, looking at a pretty piece of art is always going to be better than looking at a digital read-out, but for thermostats in particular, I urge you to leave them alone. After some research, it has come to my attention that they do not work as well at recording ambient temperature when the airflow is restricted, as it would be behind a canvas, etc. Meaning, the temperature control is hindered, and that’s a thermostat’s main purpose.

Designer Disguise #6: Cords & Outlets

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This one is funny to me. I think a tucked-away outlet inside a drawer is genius as a charging station, but as soon as we get into faux painting (above) or offset drawers that you need to keep open when the outlet is in use, that’s where you lose me. Not to take anything away from an artist or woodworker who could create something like the above—it’s very, very well done—but how scratched up will that be from outlet prongs not exactly meeting their entry points? Perhaps this is a prime example of form over function. There are many beautiful outlet covers out there. Do we really need to be playing hide-and-seek with them?

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The same applies to cords. As I’ve mentioned, I’m not against managing cables from becoming tangled messes. If you have the means and the will, running cables behind the walls is totally fine. But I have a secret to share: Your house will never be as cord-free as that professionally photographed and retouched home you admire because many, if not all, of the lamp cords and the like have been deleted from the final image. Let us embrace the reality of our homes, lamp cords and all.

Bonus Designer Disguise #7: Family Photosa way i’ve found to showcase simple, imperfect snapshots of my life and loved ones is these square prints, organized in a neat grid.

And finally, a little bonus, because I don’t necessarily think this is a “designer” thing more than it is a “styled and photographed magazine home” thing. From experience, many family photos are often removed from houses featured in print for privacy reasons, but do me a favor and take a look at all the gorgeous rooms you have saved in your bookmarks and Pinterest folders. How many of them have family photos? A little corner table with rows of petite frames with abuela, cousins, best friends’ babies? Gallery walls of non-descript or aesthetic abstract art, yes, but hallways full of mismatched frames with 4″x6″ prints are a thing of the past. I want to know who lives in a home when I see it. I want to see their life, their family, their memories. Find a way to display them in a way that feels tidy, if you must, but can we please start decorating with family photos again?

—

Friends, I’ve reached the end of my complaints. I love a beautiful home as much as the next person; after all, I’ve made my living writing about beautiful homes. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you, and all of that. But something I won’t do is just accept a bizarre status quo I don’t perfectly align with to salvage some illusion of having perfect taste and an even more pristine home. Release yourself from the need for flawlessness. Leave your remote on the coffee table. Print out that photo from your family vacation and put it on your console table. Have outlets you can see and use, and not have to hunt for. You deserve it.

Until next time…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Mel Burstin | Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: Mel’s Living Room Reveal

FINALLY! A Bathroom Remodel Plan For The Two 90s Bathrooms In Kaitlin’s Home

Well, I guess this is where I formally introduce myself to you, EHD readers! You’ve seen many photos I’ve taken, you’ve seen my basement, bedroom and living room makeovers that our girl, Emily, has so graciously helped us design, and you may have seen small bits of my face in some of the photos/videos from team retreats—I’m more of a behind-the-camera-gal than in front of it. While I’m not an official EHD employee, it’s been so fun to be a part of this team.

us! in todos santos, mexico last spring before sweet marlee joined the team. 

Back in 2021, my family and I made the big move from the Eastside of Portland to the Westside for more space/more yard/slower lifestyle, etc. All the same reasons a lot of young parents move to the ‘burbs. Around that same time, a mutual friend of both Emily and I, Max Humphrey, introduced the two of us. The Hendersons’ rental house (while the farmhouse was being renovated) was in my neighborhood. Because we lived so close, Max thought Emily and I should be friends :) While she’s no longer up the street from me, she’s just a short 7-minute door-to-door drive away. It’s been a pretty great little partnership/friendship these past few years. 

Emily has given a little bit of a rundown of our home in previous reveals, but as a refresher, our home was built in 1962, and we are the second owners. The previous owners made a few (somewhat questionable) updates, likely in the 90s/early 2000s. But we still did a pretty large and necessary remodel when we moved in. We pretty much painted everything white to start, and slowly, with the help of Emily, have been adding in more color and character.

The Bathrooms

Though we made some pretty major changes early on, money and patience ran dry, and we were okay, or more like had to be okay, putting bathrooms on the back burner, knowing very well that someday they would need some serious love.

The Primary

Here’s what the primary bathroom looked like on the day we bought the house. And truly, before our contractors demo’d it a couple of weeks ago, it still looked pretty much exactly like this 4 years later! I had zero desire to do an “in the meantime” quick makeover. I didn’t want to replace hardware, paint the cabinets, hang a new towel bar–I didn’t want to waste a single dollar on bettering this space. (I’m the boring penny-pincher in my family, can you tell?) Honestly, aside from being small, it’s fine. Does the off-center light fixture, shower tile grout that never actually comes clean, and peeling linoleum flooring drive us insane? Of course. But our previous 1905 Eastside home had one small bathroom downstairs and off the kitchen, so an “en suite”, small as it is, felt and still feels very luxurious. I knew that once we saved up, our “someday” remodel would come eventually, so investing any time into this space felt unnecessary. 

Here are a few more photos before demo really started:

The Kids’

On the other side of our bathroom wall is my daughters’ bathroom–equally hideous and luxurious. I say luxurious, again, because I shared a very small bathroom with my parents and brother growing up, so what a treat it is for my daughters to have their own. This space has also not been touched in 4 years. Between bath times when my girls were little, playing nail salon, and doing the mad morning-dash to get off to school, I’ve actually spent a lot more time in this bathroom than my own. The urge to do a few of those small updates in this bathroom came… and then, eventually, dissipated. In the end, the linoleum is still the linoleum, and the off-center lighting will still be off-center. The time and resources for the small updates just didn’t make sense to me.

If it’s not super obvious from these photos, these bathrooms are tiny. Because it’s not financially an option to expand the overall footprint, the best we can do is make them more functional and more pretty. In comes Miss Henderson :) 

AllModern reached out to Emily about a partnership a few months ago, and we all felt like this could be the perfect opportunity to finally do some updating. They have a great selection of bathroom items, from vanities to lighting to plumbing–a bit of a one-stop shop. 

To be very honest with you, bathrooms stump me, design-wise. Everything feels (and is!) SO permanent. I had a hard time really knowing what I even wanted for our primary bathroom. I pulled images of so many amazing pieces from AllModern’s site, but couldn’t get a cohesive design going that felt like us. But then, late one night during a doom scroll, I saw my friend and incredible prop stylist/designer here in Portland, Karie Higgins, posted a photo of a beautiful bathroom with a BAINA towel in it. This led me to BAINA’s website, where I fell in love with the color scheme of one of their stack of towels, and the rest is history. 

Once I’d decided on colors I liked, everything else started to fall into place. I found this gorgeous white oak vanity and paired it with this medicine cabinet. 

I was also pretty sold on both the floors and the shower being blue square tile. I immediately pulled out all the samples I’d gathered when we redid our fireplace and ordered a bunch more. We eventually landed on this pretty light blue tile that Fireclay generously gifted. We’ll be using 2×2 squares on the floor and 4×4 squares in the shower. 

Here’s the moodboard I sent to Emily a couple of months ago. Honestly, I was just hoping she wouldn’t hate it—because by that point, I was completely sold on the whole thing. Good news: she loved it too.

Medicine Cabinet | Vanity | Tile | Checkered Towels | Striped Towels

Moving on to the kids’ bath… 

Making decisions for their bathroom felt a bit easier than for ours. We knew we didn’t want to go too “little girl” in here. My daughters are almost 5 and 8, so it would be pretty easy to get carried away and design for their ages now. We still wanted it to be fun, but hopefully, a bathroom they’ll enjoy when they’re in their teens, as well. 

We found this pretty vanity and paired it with a big built-in mirror/medicine cabinet. 
Fireclay was kind enough to gift us tile for both the primary bath and for our girls’ bathroom. We’re going with this gorgeous 2×2 creamy-colored square tile for the floor and will be doing a 4×4 pattern for the bathtub walls in this fun, warm yellow and pale pink. While the tile was ordered with the intention of doing a checkered pattern, we know I love checkered, I am wondering if a stripe would be pretty instead?

Medicine Cabinet | Vanity | Wall Tile (yellow and pink) | Floor Tile

Medicine Cabinet | Vanity | Wall Tile (yellow and pink) | Floor Tile

And, that’s where we stand today! Demo began a few weeks ago, and the crew (thanks, Afore!) is plugging along. Tile should be starting in the next week or so. Excited to share the finished product with you all in the coming weeks :)

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Kaitlin’s 70s Inspired, Colorful And Cool Living Room Revealed (Y’all, I’m So Jealous)

The Link Up: Em’s Gateway Fall Sweater, Caitlin’s Pottery Etsy Shop, And The Easiest Way To Clean Your Washing Machine

Happy Sunday, everyone. What feels like the end of summer is upon us, which always catches us a little off guard. With that said, we’ll be running into every swimmable body of water at least until Labor Day to soak up every last second. Does anyone have any last-minute fun summer plans?

This week’s house tour is “the epitome of Spanish architecture during Hollywood’s Golden Age” and was thoughtfully restored by Alexander Design. It’s the dreamiest California organic, MCM style, and you have to go see all of the details, especially the living room’s ceiling!

From Emily: This sweater felt like my gateway fall piece – chunky, layerable, classic, cropped with good details. And that cuff – she’s goooooood. It feels so high-quality and well-made. It took me a while to get into Abercrombie, but once I tried things on, I realized that many pieces are, in fact, for me.

From Caitlin: I’ve been on the hunt for some vintage or handmade kitchen ceramics – spice jars, cruets, all that jazz – and I stumbled upon the CUTEST sugar jar I’ve ever laid eyes on. (You can go peek. I’ll wait.) ISN’T THAT THE MOST DARLING LITTLE THING YOU’VE EVER SEEN? The houses! The trees! The scallops! The finishing! MY HEART IS EXPLODING. Don’t even get me started on the pitcher, the pour-over coffee maker,  or the Christmas mug. There’s something so endearing about these sweet pieces, you know? You can tell that human hands made them with love – they’re just too freakin’ cute. (PS. If you throw one of them in your cart for a few days, you’ll likely score a 30% off coupon code. It worked for me!)

From Jess: I know this top won’t be for everyone (and the sizing is less than inclusive, UGH), but it’s the only thing I’ve bought in the past couple of weeks, and I’m in love. This sheer mesh tank top is going to joyfully take me through the rest of this VERY hot weather (aka until November). With my black bralette, I can totally dress this up or down, oh, and it’s reversible! So I can choose between a high neck and a scoop. I got the graphite color because I wanted a softer tone. I found this brand through Instagram, I think, and haven’t tried anything else, but I’m definitely interested.

From Mallory: I finished my 1 month living room makeover (photos are being edited and everything is coming to you VERY soon) and initially I had planned to put up a gallery wall over the sofa but we started putting it up and realized we hated it…so 1 week prior to shooting I had to find something huge to go above the sofa that wasn’t 10 thousand bucks. WELL, I COULDN’T BELIEVE IT BUT I FOUND THE PERFECT THING. It’s this absolutely gorgeous tapestry from the coolest Etsy shop based in Australia (shoutout to the seller and dhl express international shipping because she made this thing show up in 3 days for only $40, which saved my living room shoot). Huge art is so hard to find, and I felt like this pricing was reasonable considering it comes with mounting hardware and takes up SO much space. Bye bye blank walls!! If you’re looking for a large tapestry for a fairly reasonable price in comparison to other tapestries and art this size, check this Etsy shop out!

From Arlyn: I’ve got a not-very-sexy but super useful product for you today: washing machine cleaner tablets. We don’t have a front loader, but our top loader still gets so musty and mildewy smelling. I often run vinegar or bleach cycles to try to squash that, but I find these Affresh pods work best. You just throw one in, run a hot water/heavy cleaning cycle, and boom, much cleaner and better-smelling machine. They also make these for garbage disposals and dishwashers.

From Marlee: The dreamiest summer scent! I picked up this perfume from a cute little shop last winter and recently rediscovered it after it got lost in one of my bajillion bags for months. This is like if vanilla went frolicking through the woods and then stumbled upon a magical beach at sunset…You know? Not only is the smell gorgeous, so is the packaging – it’s one of those items that I where every time I use it, it feels like the first time I took it out of its packaging. It never loses its novelty! It’s totally gender-neutral, not too sweet, not artificial-smelling, and I get so many compliments on it.

Also From Marlee: Okay, maybe this is common knowledge, but I was recently put on to this stain remover bar that has absolutely changed my life. AND for less than $3! Huh?!? (Look for it at your local Ace!) Get an old toothbrush wet and scrub it on the bar, then scrub it into literally any stain – it even helped with an oil stain that had been on a sweatshirt for years (it didn’t go away completely, but much less noticeable)! This thing has made me become absolutely insufferable at Goodwill – the opportunities are endless when you know you can get that stain out at home…

From Gretchen: I’ve shared it before, and I’m more than happy to share it again…my Fenty Match Stix Contour Skinstick is the hardest-working item in my makeup kit. I don’t know what magic Rihanna put into this formula, but I know better than to question it. It is just so creamy, buildable, and blendable that it’s basically impossible to get wrong. I use this more as a bronzer, less of a “contour,” but slapping it on is just so quick and easy. I scribble some on my cheekbones, draw a couple of lines near my hairline, and hit each side of my nose with the lightest touch, before blending it all out with a big, fluffy brush. The color, Mocha, is perfection for me. The product sort of melts into my face, making my skin look so naturally tan and glowy. I’ve repurchased this Skinstick a solid three times because I can’t be without it, but trust me when I say it lasts me months and months. Ulta is doing a promotion through 8/23 with Fenty products; Spend $50 and get a free makeup bag. While I’d say grabbing two of these sticks to secure the gift bag would not be a mistake, I can also HIGHLY recommend the Fenty Cream Blush in Rosé Latte. Another super creamy, perfectly pigmented product that blends so well and gives your cheeks that perfect rosy tone.

Before you leave us today, we wanted to turn the attention to our friend Mark Weinberg. He was our incredible photographer on both of our Rugs USA shoots, and we couldn’t have asked for a more talented and kind person to work with. We just found out that he was diagnosed with a brain tumor. There is a GoFundMe to help pay for the surgery and recovery if you have any ability to donate. Thank you so much<3

Thanks for spending a little time with us today, and see you tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Styled by Getteline Rene | Photo by Mark Weinberg | From: It’s Here! Our First EHD Collection With Rugs USA (+ Why Now? And Why This?)

I Tried On All Your Favorite Trendy Jeans. Here Are My Thoughts…

We did a call-out for all your favorite trendy jeans, and so many of you suggested the same pairs over and over and over – it was quite compelling, and my team perked up. So while I was out of town, they ordered them in my size (don’t worry – we returned what I didn’t keep) and when I got home, they greeted me with a fun jean try-on. As we know, loose and baggy is still ruling supreme, skinny jeans being an immediate negative style indicator (controversial, I know, and a real bummer), and yet, as an apple-shaped lady, this is so challenging for me. It’s my dumb non-expert opinion that baggy jeans look best with smaller, more fitted tops (cropped or body suit preferred), playing with proportions, etc, but it’s just not what I’m comfortable in (both physically and not how I feel like I look best). For me, I’m not wearing a big boxy blousy top over big boxy baggy jeans, so I’m not having my moment, and that’s ok (I literally don’t take this stuff seriously, it’s just fun! But I’m not alone, it likely won’t be for long, and there are a few silhouettes that are actually working for me (the last one is my favorite). Here you go:

Quince – Bella Stretch

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

I’ve been skeptical about Quince, very curious how they are disrupting the market by likely duping other brands (who are likely duping the OG designers/makers, so… ) but the price point is crazy low and the quality seems to be very high. The verdict: I really loved how soft these were with the perfect amount of stretch, but not too stretchy that it felt like they’d lose their shape in hours. And for $50, I was like, wait, what? FIFTY DOLLARS?? They felt extremely high quality to me for that price.

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

I tried on both the 26 and 27 and kept the 26 (size down, I’m typically between a 27-28 depending on the week). The blue wash is really great, and the fit is mid-rise. I only kept three pairs of jeans, and this is one of them (three sounds like a lot, but you’ll see).

Pistola – Lennon High Rise Crop

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

Pistola has become a favorite brand for me, and I loved these jeans because I felt good in them. They are a slimmer cut but not “skinny” (I don’t think?). They are so comfortable, an easy wear and fit my lifestyle (which is very casual).

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

I probably wouldn’t tuck a shirt this far since they are higher rise and I’m shorter torsoed, but at this price point (a little over $100), I felt like they were a solid investment.

Mother – Hustler

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

A LOT of you said this was a favorite of yours (and admittedly looks so good with those shoes). These fit great, with the signature Mother Stretch, and the dark wash is certainly flattering.

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

With Mother, I always wore them post partum because they were so flattering and stretchy at the waist. “Bit of stretch, excellent quality, normal-sized pockets”. I really liked these and felt good in them (but was unsure that they are too “skinny”???).

La Ligne – Marilyn Mid-Rise Barrel

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

Admittedly, these are very cool – a lot of you sent this rec to me, and I hadn’t heard of them. They are dual-toned, the front being lighter than the back, and have a cool side seam and great tailoring. If I had a job in a big city that I had to go into an office for and look cool, I would 100% have kept these, but at this price point, I didn’t think I’d wear them enough to justify the cost.

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

The verdict: These are rad, but too much of an investment for my lifestyle! I didn’t keep them, but if you are looking to invest and want something really cool (that still looks polished), we all agreed these were rad.

AGOLDE – Fran Low Slung

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

Yeah, I liked these… The color is perfect, the wash is perfect, and the straight leg is still flattering. They are another pair that so many people swore by, but they are $$$. I didn’t keep them (they weren’t a “hell yes” at the time), but now that I’m staring at the photos, I’m really into them!!

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

Most people said to size down and wear high-waisted – I’m wearing my normal size, and if I had kept would likely have exchanged it for a smaller size. They are rad, but I just don’t love this baggy of a pant on me, and if it’s not a “hell yes” it’s a “no”. My younger team loved these BTW :)

AGOLDE – 90s Straight

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

I loved the wash on these (medium with some darker areas), but I didn’t know how to style the hem that came in really fast at the end (so I think you are supposed to just let it be awkward and baggy at the bottom?).

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

I love Agolde – a definite favorite denim brand when I want to splurge (and I love their shorts a ton). I think this is just a style preference, and I’m not loving this on me :) I also want to say fashion is very perplexing right now, and I’m not seeing a lot of people, even when we went to New York, who looked like they had a clear personal style. Just a lot of people “wearing clothes,” mostly athleisure (everywhere) or just baggy jeans and a square neck tank top (and socks). Brian and I talked about it a TON while we were there. I actually felt silly wearing an “outfit”. It’s almost like the tourists wore the outfits, and the locals just look like they put on clothes. I didn’t expect to see a bunch of Carrie Bradshaws everywhere, but we left super uninspired. So I think younger fashion is still leaning away from trying to look good, which I think does track with what we wore in the 90s??

J. Crew Factory – Wide Leg Crop

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

These were so cute for those who love wider legs, and the length is perfectly cropped. They are solidly tailored (and looked so cute with those shoes). A great light denim, with the right amount of stretch and a great price point.

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 27) | Shoes

I think these could totally be office jeans, too – they do have a raw hem, but they are clean otherwise, and the tailoring is great.

Old Navy – Barrel

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 4) | Shoes

For $30, I was super impressed with these. I think we have another year with barrel jeans (the good ones, maybe longer). This price point is solid, and these feel really high quality.

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 4) | Shoes

If you don’t want to invest too much into this trend, these (or the Madewell ones below) would be a great way in. You just can’t beat the price.

Madewell – Balloon Jeans

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

Ok, none of you recommended these, but I was recently at Madewell and they said that these are flying off the shelves – their new “balloon” pants. They feel more “barrel-light,” still with that rounded shape and slight tapering, but less exaggerated.

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

They are too high-waisted for me (and they are fitted at the waist, FYI), but curious what you guys think? Sorry, we didn’t steam them:)

Madewell – Low Slung Baggy

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 25) | Shoes

I really wanted to keep these – they are pretty dang cute! But they are so long that I would need to wear them with high heels and I just know that I don’t need them enough to spend the money because I don’t really wear jeans/high heels enough (again, I work from home so the only time I splurge on new clothes that are non-work from home clothes is for fancier shoots).

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 25) | Shoes

Definitely size down on these and wear heels or be ok with the Gumby look. I could also try the petite version because the waist, slight drop crotch, color, wash, and hem are all awesome.

Madewell – The Darted Barrel

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

While I’ve shown you these for months now, these are still my favorite barrel jeans that I think are flattering on those of us who don’t love a massive bottom. I have them in this wash (size 26) when I want to be a big slouchier, and also in the cream in a size 25 (which is fitted and feels cute).

Blouse | Necklace | Jeans (size 26) | Shoes

These are a 10/10 for me – comfortable, on trend, but still flattering and just so easy to wear without a crazy high price point.

So I kept the Quince, the Pistola, and the Old Navy – all of these felt like I’d wear them a lot (for my lifestyle) and weren’t too splurgy. But I am eyeing those low-slung Baggy Fran jeans now…Fashion is hard!!! I find that I get so stuck in my comfortable rut, and for the most part, I’m ok with it until I have the occasion or shoot where I want to show that I have a point of view – less about what is “in” and more about representing my personal style. I think moving away from NY and LA (and living in the suburbs … on a mini-farm…) has drained my daily desire to wear anything that isn’t comfortable and casual :) Or maybe that’s just getting older. Turning 46 in a couple weeks, folks … xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The 12 Fall Decor Collections We Are SO Excited About (+ Our Favorite Picks From Each)

There are so many things to love about fall, but as a design-obsessed person, I’m never not waiting with bated breath for the fall decor collections to drop. There’s often a cozy aesthetic with warm neutrals, but the shapes, the patterns, the new materials are always exciting to me. So since we haven’t really done a post like this in a while, we thought we’d share our favorite fall decor collections (so far) and 6 picks from each one. If nothing else, this post can serve as a feast for the eyes and inspiration. Let’s start with a real star in the “collections” game…

Lulu and Georgiaphotos via lulu and georgia

An EHD-favorite and for good reason. Lulu and Georgia toes the classic/trend-forward line pretty effortlessly if we do say so ourselves. Whenever they tease a new collection, we know we are going to be impressed and likely want one (or two) of everything. This collection was no different. If you are a neutral-toned lover who loves bold yet vintage-inspired shapes, then this is for you. Let me show you.

Keshan Nightstand | Montreal Velvet Pillow | Phaedra Floor Lamp

Take this nightstand. It has a classic feel, yet those legs and travertine top make it feel “now.” Plus, who doesn’t love a micro knob and TWO drawers? That beautiful bolster pillow definitely leans more “traditional” but also in a fresh way. I love that color combo, and it also comes in a lumbar and square. Now for that floor lamp! I don’t think I could love it more. It’s chunky but interesting, plays with materials like that dark bronze, and is just cool. It also comes in a table lamp version.

photo via lulu and georgia

Midora Coffee Table | Omero Flush Mount Light | Pamina Dining Chair

If I know anything from my own designing experience is that coffee table shopping is hard. So when there’s a great one out there, it needs to be recognized…like this one. It’s organic brutalism at its finest, but because the tones are lighter, it doesn’t feel too bulky. Then, if you’ve been reading my posts for a minute, you know I love vintage-inspired lighting and circle cut-outs. So that flush mount and dining chair are right up my style alley. How good is that cut-out?!

CB2

We’re always excited to see with CB2 is cooking up, too, and of course, we we very happy with their offering this fall:)

Marlon Warm White and Black Twisted Leather Round Throw Pillow | Fiora Hand-Knotted Light Brown New Zealand Wool Area Rug | Melrose Oak Side Table

We LOVE circle pillows and love it even more when brands do something a little extra special with them, like this twisted trim leather one. It’s so versatile style-wise and fun without being “too loud”. Then this rug felt like a really fun departure for them! It feels a little more in line with their Goop collabs of the past, and I am very excited by it. Moody, delicate, orante, yet still neutral. Oh, then these little side tables are simply perfect (sold separately, too). Modern shape with fun details on the feet, and in a light and super versatile wood tone. Give me more dark bronze accents!

Ciel Organic Cotton Sateen Green Ombre Shower Curtain | Duo Aged Brass Wall Sconce Taper Candle Holder | Felena Brown Handblown Glass Decorative Bowl

If you can believe it, that isn’t the only shower curtain on this list, which makes me extremely happy. Shower curtains should be beautiful! This one is more modern with the prettiest ombre (is ombre coming back??). It also comes in a warm-toned option. This next piece is perfect for those who want beautiful sconces but are either renting or can’t/don’t want to add junction boxes to their walls. This taper candle wall sconce is the perfect solution. I love those curves, it’d be like a sculpture on your wall, and it also comes in a darkened brass:) Oh, and I had to include this glass decorative bowl. It will look like you bought it from a cool, small maker abroad.

Crate and Barrel

Now, let’s talk about CB2’s older sibling.

Crossroads Oak Dining Side Chair | Etta Silk Wool Blend Throw Pillow | Figure Tadelakt Drink Table

After experiencing Emily’s dining chairs in her sunroom, I have full confidence in Crate’s dining chair game (not that I didn’t before:)). This chair not only has that very cool frame with interesting joinery, but that light tan velvety seat makes it feel even more luxurious/versatile. When I saw that pillow, not only did I love it, but I knew the EHD readers would too, ha. It’s blue but soft and heavily pattered in a vintage/graphic way. SO cute. But it does also come in two other colorways and a larger size, too. Then, a very easy way to inject a little playfulness is a fun drink table like this one. It’s definitely on the modern side, so for someone with a more traditional style, adding in a piece like this would instantly freshen things up. We love a little style contrasting.

Adriel Rushed Woven Dining Side Chair | Coveteur King Canopy Bed | Anneli Charging Nightstand

Yes, another dining chair because it was too good not to include. It’s modern and classic at the same time, and the texture of the woven material will bring any dining set up to life. Then I think most people dream of a canopy bed at least once in their lives, and this one might be the chicest one out there. It’s so beautiful yet so simple. No notes. Finally, this nightstand is not only stunning with that slight curve and inset double drawers, but it’s also a charging nightstand. There aren’t many really beautiful charging nightstands on the market, so I’m pumped this was a part of their fall drop.

Schoolhouse

Peggy Curio Cabinet | Yves Cast Metal Catch All | Ann Occasional Table

Get outta here with that INCREDIBLE curio cabinet. It’s typically a piece I only see as a vintage piece, so to see an updated, more modern version is so wonderful. I wish I needed this. Then this catchall is an extension of the Clare V collab they did. I love that new color so much. Oh, and how perfect is that end table? The shape and detailing are so amazing, and I love that the top is leather. Adds even more warmth and texture.

Eaton Side Table | Night Vista Framed Print by Melissa Lakey | Swell 20″ Flush Mount

While I love a lot of side table storage, this single, slightly floating drawer version is really getting me. It’s chic and simple, and I love it. This art print is also so special. The colors are incredibly inviting, and there’s so much movement. And what does Schoolhouse do well if not a utilitarian light, and that flush mount is an excellent example of that! It also comes in a light cream color.

West Elm

And as I hoped, West Elm continues to step it up.

Deco Blossom Shower Curtain | Nala Table Lamp | Norre Entryway Bench

This is the other shower curtain. A different style, but just as wonderful. That green is so good. What’s also so good I could cry is that table lamp. I am currently looking around my apartment, seeing if I could squeeze it in anywhere (the odds are against me). It honestly might be a contender for my favorite product of the year. Now the site says it’s a “green marble,” so not sure if it’s actually a light blue or not (I hope so). It also comes in a classic cream travertine color. Oh, now let’s chat about that awesome entry bench that doubles as storage. Yep, the top lifts up to help reduce any visual clutter. It could also go behind a sofa and look very cool.

Damien Spike Dip Bowl | Louis Table Lamp | Siobhan Oak Nightstand

I (and everyone here) are big proponents of the statement bowl (big or small). This cool dip bowl is, of course, food safe, but could also be a great catchall. I mean, it’s so cool! And bonus, it does have a “Halloween” vibe in case you like to use your everyday decor as holiday decor too:) Then the cute lamps just keep coming. Now, this IS a green lamp and I love it too. It’s simple but fun, and that slightly oversized shade makes it look very “I know a cool design piece when I see it.” Lastly, another truly great nightstand. It’s very “simple but special”, so versatile, and has those micro knobs we love. 10/10.

Sezane

Well, this was an exciting one when it hit my inbox. We love Sezane’s clothes and now also love their decor. They’ve had some on their site before, but I think they took this section down to revamp…until now:)

Tango Lamp | Linen and Velvet Canvas Cushion | Oval Tray

I mean, that is a GREAT lamp. Sculptural, interesting, and will give off a really pretty, soft glow. There is also an all white option. They also have a ton of great pillows. These velvet and linen ones are pretty special, though. Do I need them? MAYBE. And of course, we are always looking for a great tray, and this oval one is most definitely that. There’s even more on the site!

Chest of Drawers and Pair of Bedside Tables (vintage) | Set of 4 Flat Plates | Turquoise Blue Chair Art Print

Looking for vintage?? They now have that too. Look at that incredible bedroom set. The detailing! Normally, I’m not a fan of a matching set, but if it’s as good as this, I’m in. But back to their new things, how sweet are those plates? So whimsical and just a hint of a blue trim for a little color. And of course, I have to mention the art, like this wonderful blue chair print. They have both new and vintage, and it’s all good. Such a great new resource for great pieces.

Zara Home

Zara Home can’t keep doing this to me. I WANT IT ALL.

Painted Stoneware Tray | Swivel Accent Chair | Set of Stitching Cotton Napkins (Set of 4)

Starting off strong with this stoneware tray that I’m pretty positive I’m buying. I would happily hang that on my wall. Graphic and neutral. Did you also know that Zara sells furniture? I did buy a little stool that I love, which wasn’t very expensive, but I can’t say all of their furniture pieces are affordable. I can say, however, they all look very cool and chic, like this chair. Speaking of cool and chic, these cloth napkins are just so good. Those colors! I will also be adding those to cart.

Salt and Pepper Shaker Set  | Cotton Bedspread Squares | Shiny Matte Side Table

But don’t be fooled, Zara Home also does color. I adore this salt and pepper shaker set. It’s fun and very unexpected. A little sculpture for your table or kitchen. Then how amazing is that bedspread? I know it’s not for everyone, but if you love graphic patterns and rich color, my lord, this could be an amazing addition to your bedroom. Oh, and let’s not forget this incredibly fun side table. Another really great option if you are looking to add a little bit of a modern touch to your space, or to help you go full out. It’s up to you! The moral of the story is, don’t sleep on Zara Home.

H&M

Another brand to remember for great, affordable decor. Emily has shopped there for forever, I’ve shopped there, we all have shopped at, and love H&M Home.

Velvet Cushion Cover with Fringe | Fabric-Covered Table Lamp | 2-Pack Round Seat Cushions

This velvet fringe pillow cover is only $20! And looks like it could easily be from CB2. Also, that brown is so rich and beautiful, but it comes in cream and tan, too. Oh, an incredibly cool lamp for under $100? Yes, please! Another lamp I want but don’t have the space for. Then, if you want to add a little pattern to a bench or even your floor, I LOVE these striped round seat cushions. A black and brown combo is always so chic, but if you want color, they also come in a pink and maroon combo.

Metal-Framed Lounge Chair | Marble Serving Board | Patterned Wool-blend Throw

H&M doesn’t sell very much furniture, but after seeing this chair, I’m pretty excited to see more. They are also the best place for affordable marble stone pieces like this footed serving board. Perfect for the kitchen, a coffee table, a credenza, a desk, you name it! And a good throw for under $50 is not easy to come by. This one is pretty perfect. I know it’s particularly trendy right now, but man, I love a dark brown.

Rejuvenation

Lorna LED Pendant | Carol Hand-Knotted Rug | Fairfield Modular Shelving

The main collection drop that Rejuvenation just did was this beautiful lighting collection with Roll & Hill. This is the pendant, but there are so many incredible variations of it that you have to see. Rejuvenation also does rugs so well. Em has used them many times. I love this warm brick color with the gray-blue accents. Plus, I love a mini fringe:) And if you’re looking for a truly beautiful tall wall shelf, this one could be it. The ones on the market lean super modern, so I love that this one is more traditional.

Beauford LED Table Lamp | Winchester Plate Shelf | Hudson Appliance Pull

A cordless little vintage-inspired lamp that can go anywhere in your home? Yes! It’s so sweet and also comes in two other finishes. Then, if you want to add more charm to your kitchen or dining area, look into a plate shelf like this one. It’s beautiful, functional, and a piece you’ll keep forever. Finally, they launched this dreamy appliance pull. It comes in 4 other finishes and, of course, has a drawer pull and matching knob.

Design Within Reach

If you caught our “What You Bought Last Month” post, then you know Design Within Reach was a big winner. So naturally, I thought, let’s see what’s new this fall with them…

F300 Lounge Chair | Tavolo a Dischi Dining Table | Danbury Dining Table

What I love about Design Within Reach is its range. First, you have this amazing futuristic chair by Pierre Paulin in 1965, then a 1963 dining table designed by Carlo De Carli and inspired by Eero Saarinen’s iconic Pedestal Table. The third piece is a totally different style in that it’s an interpretation of the classic farmhouse table by British designer Matthew Hilton this year. The pieces are special, classic, and high quality (which is reflected in their pricing).

New Canaan Low Bookshelf | Land Storage Credenza | Muecke Dining Table

These three pieces were all designed within the last year, but clearly are heirloom pieces. They all feel modern, yet if you told me they were designed decades ago, I’d believe you. I adore that dining table and hope to one day own something similar. The credenza is a masterpiece, and the low bookshelf is beautiful and versatile.

McGee & Co

Henrietta Bed | View of St Catherine’s Hill Near Guildford By Charles Claude Pyne | Heathcliff Bench

Well, if you want a beautiful modern traditional bed, then this McGee & Co. one might be perfect for you. The simplified but elegant shape is so pretty, and the tone of the fabric can work with so many great color palettes. Art can be another story. It’s not easy to find good AND affordable options. This one, while not cheap, is a great price for the size (but there’s a smaller option too for even less). You also want to make sure not all of your art pieces are vertical rectangles. Mix it up! And if you want a beautiful wood bench, here you go. Those bobbin-style legs are perfect.

Ashburn Marble End Table | Hortensia Wall Tapestry | Holloway Floor Lamp

For a side table that feels a little more “ornate” but still has clean lines, how great is this one? The curved legs and big ball lean a little more modern, and I love it. If, like me, you’ve dreamt of a beautiful wall tapestry, they really made a great vintage-inspired one. I tend to prefer ones that are primarily full of foliage, so you know I love this one. Lastly, this is such a good floor lamp. Traditional, clean, with just the right amount of detail. Plus, it’s going to give off a lot of pretty soft light.

Pottery Barn

Aldon Rectangular Coffee Table | Palermo Hanging Cachepot | Kona Single Wide Sink Vanity

Pottery Barn knows their buyer and always produces beautiful things…like this coffee table. I really like the added panel on the sides of the legs. It’s rustic, modern, and there are so many great pieces in this same collection. I then fell hard for that terra cotta hanging cachepot. To my understanding, they are meant for growing plants that are in their less pretty original pots and are watertight. This one comes in a cream and black color, too. And for those looking for a modern rustic sink vanity, I really love this one. It has both open and closed storage, is simple but not boring, and the sink/countertop are included.

Modern Farmhouse Tall Storage Cabinet | Parker Leather Task Floor Lamp | Summerville 4-Drawer Dresser

Storage is a HOT commodity, and this tall storage cabinet is a beautiful way to get your hands on more of it. Like most of Pottery Barn’s items, it’s clean and could go in a beach house, a farmhouse, or an apartment in Europe. This puppy is versatile and will (hopefully) make your life more organized. Now the floor lamp may look like you’ve seen it before, but that leather shade is such a game-changer. It adds so much warmth. Finally, that dresser gave me SUCH flashbacks to my childhood bedroom. I’m pretty sure I had something almost identical, which really makes me laugh. It’s a beautiful piece that would be amazing in a traditional-style home.

Room Service

And well, of all the fall decor collections we are actually the most excited about ours:)

Oscar | Baby Barb | Milo Sectional

Emily has already said, but Oscar is so comfortable. Well, she used the word sinkable, and that’s so true. We made sure they were all as comfortable as possible (while maintaining their shape), but if you want to melt into your sofa, that’s the one. Baby Barb and Barb were my true babies. They were inspired by a vintage chair I fell in love with, and now they can live in your home. They are also very comfortable. Milo (which comes in a sectional or sofa) is also so great and SO versatile. It’s a fairly classic shape, but those chunky feet make it feel special.

Barb | Suz | Alice

I also am so in love with the colors and fabrics. That blush color in person is stunning. The Suz (Mal’s baby) is such a wonderful Art Deco-inspired chair that swivels! Then we have our beautiful Alice that are heading into Emily’s home very soon:) I almost put all of the pieces in, but go to this post to check the rest out. It’s a total freaking dream to finally have launched these, and we just couldn’t be prouder.

There are, of course, more wonderful fall decor collections to come, but what do we think? Is this also your favorite “collection season”?

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo via Lulu and Georgia

Our Guest Cottage Inspection Report – WHAT IS WRONG WITH HER???

Ok, first off, yes, I think we are calling it The Guest Cottage now. Too many people were confused about “carriage house”, wondering where this is, why it is, what it is – and everyone gets “guest cottage,” aka on our property, but not where we live, and she is old. As a reminder, we hired Tom Island, Portland’s best and most likable and enthusiastic older home inspector (or any home), to tell us what is wrong with our guest cottage. He was the original inspector when we closed on the house, and we LOVED his level of experience, expertise, and enthusiasm about our vintage property (he’s a former builder, so just a wealth of knowledge). Now, I’d say that most of what he wrote on the inspection report wasn’t a huge surprise – everything needs to be fixed or replaced – like EVERYTHING, but we do have good news at the end!!!

WAIT, WATCH THE QUICK YOUTUBE!!!

Yes, you are going to get the inspection here, but it’s WAY more fun watching on YouTube. It’s quick and fun, I promise :)

Now for the written report. We just screengrabbed block by block with Tom’s notes in blue.

The Roofing

The roof doesn’t actually look bad from the outside on parts of it, but over the canning room, it really is and certainly leaks a lot. My hope would be to repair, not totally replace (naturally). So we’ll see.

On the inside, you can see mold growth and lead damage (and we felt it too in the winter). It was gnarly in here!!!

The Chimney

Non-functioning chimney should go – but what if we like how it looks? It appears his report says it’s unsafe, and “falling”. And yeah, no gutters, so we have a real water management problem.

The Siding

While these photos look bad, he told us in person that the siding really doesn’t need to be replaced. Besides the rotting, the wood is strong and sure, has some holes. Since it would be so expensive to fix ll of it, our hope is just to replace what HAS to be and repaint to match.

He’s very serious in the report, but in person, he was like “yes, it needs help, but this is such great old siding that we should just fix it. We would need to custom mill the wood to replace it, which is very expensive (he said either $150 a linear foot or $15 a linear foot – somehow my brain didn’t clock the decimal placement, lol).

The Windows

We all love old windows and wavy glass, but these are in bad shape. If they aren’t cracked or missing, the wood is totally broken or rotting.

My goal/plan would be to replace the windows where they are, not move or add. The house is nicely lit, and yes, I even love the awkward window on the second floor. We actually might reduce the windows in the canning room because the big one looks out to a tall fence 2 feet away (so it provides no light and is quite the eyesore). Plus, that might be the music room (Charlie is such a good drummer, if I can brag a bit about my son), so less glass, more insulation is probably better if we do that.

The Breezeway/Covered Walkway

I think what he is saying is that the whole thing really should be replaced (ARCIFORM also told us this over and over), but we were like, so what? It’s old and rickety? It’s not like our children sleep under it. The biggest issue is that the rain from it pours onto the siding, rotting out the house. So we will definitely make some adjustments to that, and sure, if we have to replace the whole thing, we wil,l but my goal would be to repair, not replace.

Ants!

We’ve got some friendly carpenter ants. I’m not sure if you demo this out first or get a pest control person on the job – we will figure it out.

The Plumbing

Tom didn’t know how old the plumbing was, but close to 100 years old. It’s rusted through and needs to be ripped out and replaced.

Yes, the sink does need replacing, LOL. BTW, it’s a Kohler sink! I forgot Kohler had been around that long!!

My favorite quote of the inspection: “Upstairs bathroom needs new toilet”. INDEED. That’s the hole in the floor. I don’t know when there was a toilet (maybe in the 1940s?) and when it was removed (or the more daunting question…why????). The shower is wood, likely because only the wealthy could afford tile at the time. As you can imagine, it didn’t hold up well, and I’m not even sure we are going to put in a shower up here, but if we do, should we make our own tile? Collect enough vintage??? METHINKS YES.

Yeah, he wasn’t impressed with the state of the pipes..it’s all got to goooooooo.

He thought the water heater was from the 80s, which made me think, did someone live here when I was a child??? Seems so much older than that!

The Electrical

Ok, so we think the house got knob and tube electricity in the 1920s or 1940s (Isn’t that wild? Less than 100 years ago, people in rural America didn’t have indoor lighting, and now our lives are outsourced to AI robots???? TECHNOLOGY IS UNFATHOMABLE). So there is some hodgepodge electrical from that time and then after.

You see, knob and tube (the exterior conduits on the ceiling – not really shown here) isn’t grounded or safe. So then in the 60s they added extension cords on the ceiling, you know, with a staple gun! Needless to say, all has to go, and the house has to be rewired. I’ll write more about this later as I learn about it, but I really don’t want to gut this house. My hope is that we can either just lift up certain boards (which I heard is a thing) or use pretty conduit for the basic light fixtures and outlets (also a thing). Or maybe it’s a combo. More on that later (also, HELP).

Everyone is charmed by this stove, and I am, too, in theory. But it’s not like it’s cute (no offense, stove). Yes, it’s awesome that you can open it and heat it with wood burning inside of it, but it screams “I’m going to burn your house down,” and again, it’s not like it’s this cute “could have come from Downton Abbey” stove. Tom just said it needs cleaning out, but that stove isn’t staying. And no, neither is the asbestos.

The Foundation

The long and the short of it is that the entire foundation needs fixing, replacing, or just pouring in the first place.

The house was built over time, and some of the “rooms” had a tiny crawl space and others were just wood on dirt, and for others, a slab was poured. It all has to be dealt with. Does anyone know a hot foundation brand to work with? LOL.

Yeah, more foundation shame. They really cobbled together these houses, putting wood on a brick on a stone – like that weird TikTok trend where women are standing on a can of pickles on a box of something in a high heel?? That’s how this house was built.

Here’s the official diagnosis:

We weren’t surprised and yet totally bummed. We don’t know much, but we know that “need to replace foundation” sounded like tens of thousands (or more). And not something we can’t DIY. More on that soon.

SO WHAT IS THE GOOD NEWS????

Well, Tom actually said all the wood was in pretty great shape (and the house is like 100% wood). The posts and beams that hold the house up are strong (old growth FTW), and the flooring and ceiling wood are so long and clear (high quality). He was impressed with how strong the house was; she’s a 200-year-old Olympic athlete! WE don’t need to gut it and replace all the wood, just fix the foundation and everything else, but the structure can remain mostly intact (he thinks). Of course, we are hiring an engineer along with a foundation contractor and have to get it permitted, so praying that they don’t make us take off all the interior side or exterior siding to fix everything. Tom really didn’t think we needed to. Just spot repair as needed – not an overhaul. Of course, he said that about our main house here that we ended up gutting, but that’s because we had to open up the walls – it was actually a lot grosser in this house (drywall and plaster crumbling everywhere), besides the gorgeous windows. He even thinks that the flooring underneath the gross laminate asbestos flooring is really pretty long wood planks that could be salvaged.

A huge thanks to Tom Island for his report. If you are in Portland (or surrounding areas, he lives in the Willamette Valley) and want an inspector with a lot of house-building experience (and a lover of older homes), he’s really incredible. And his wife follows – Hi!! :)

*** Oh, and for those of you who reached out about restoration coaching, I haven’t gotten back to anyone yet!!! I’ve been so slammed traveling, then catching up, then traveling again with kids before summer is over. Still no update on the paranormal investigator, but I did get a home spiritual counselor that could be fun to talk to. We have an appointment at the Oregon Historical Society soon to hopefully better understand who lived here, when they built it, how it was used, what the neighborhood was like -anything :)

Opening Image Credits: Photos by Kaitlin Green | Left From: Before Exterior Tour | Right From: Before Interior Tour

Want To Paint Your Concrete Floor? Read This First (Here’s What We Did)

When we first started “fixing up the garages” (that’s a real understatement, I know), one of the few things that we knew we could salvage was the concrete floor of the first bay (where our prop shelves live). The second bay (where our sofas now live:)) would need to be poured because it was rotten wood + dirt. For most of the renovation, I was so budget-focused (this was not a budget project, mind you), I tried very hard not to spend more than needed. So I was like “just leave it concrete, maybe seal it, but that’s it”. No fancy epoxy or garage floor company for us. But then, of course, when it’s all done, the pine was on the walls, and it was so pretty, the gross rust-covered floor popped, and I changed my tune. So today I’ll show you what we did and why.

Ok, this was the OG prop storage garage and floor. I think the darkness was wet. We don’t know how old the concrete was, maybe 10-20 years, but it was FINE. Like, not incredible, but not worth demo-ing out and repouring. It had some cracks, and it wasn’t super level, but it was FINE.

See? For a garage, it was “ok”. Now, of course, when you are redoing a garage, you have so many other options – Epoxies, fancier finishes with flex, or even rubber squares? But all of them cost $5k + and it just wasn’t where we wanted to put any money.

This floor (in the other bay) had to be poured with new concrete. Now the reason I bring this up is because we actually treated the two differently – something I typically wouldn’t do, but it truly wasn’t important enough to me to spend the time and money. You’ll see.

So for the sofa bay, Ken poured new concrete. GREAT. It looked really pretty. And just needed to be sealed. We used a satin polyurethane that he just rolled on and called it a day.

But for the prop garage, which had a lot more stains and rust marks (and cracks), we decided that we needed more coverage. Something to cover the stains and make it look as fresh as possible.

But of course, we were in a rush. It was Thursday, and the IKEA task rabbits were coming on Tuesday to install the closets (that once installed couldn’t be moved). I did a dumb thing – I thought I was choosing a transparent stain from Sherwin-Williams and quickly chose a deep blue. But then I realized…

I actually chose a concrete paint that was opaque (aka not transparent, not a stain, a full paint color). Now I like the color, don’t get me wrong. But it was way too intense and jarring. I walked in and immediately called my brother (this was only one coat, thank goodness) and said, “I’m so sorry, I was wrong”.

We just wanted it to look like a clean garage floor appropriate gray cement color. But you can’t just choose “gray,” there are a lot of bad, cold, clinical-looking grays, and our garage is pretty! So we sampled many, taking into account the wood on the walls and the green of the cabinet fronts.

Left to Right: Mega Greige | Rushing River | Felted Wool | Elephant Ear | Illusive Green

You have to pretend the floor isn’t blue and that the color would connect the wood to the green cabinets. They are all neutrals and all warmer grays (a couple even taupier).

SW Mega Greige | SW Rushing River

SW Felted Wool | SW Elephant Ear

SW Illusive Green

And that there was the winner – Illusive Green. FTW! It had a slightly green undertone, which looked great with the cabinets and the wood, and yet was still super neutral, letting the cabinets be the star. And by the way, we used Sherwin-Williams color-match concrete paint. Two coats, and each took about 3-4 hours to dry (no long curing session).

I mean, sure, it just looks gray here, but I promise a bad gray could have looked flat, sad, depressing, and this gray does complement the green nicely.

It’s full coverage, and should be easy to clean. Super low maintenance and stuck really easily.

In that shot, you can see the undertones more, and how they complement the cabinets and wood. It was the cheapest option (besides just leaving it). My brother acid-washed it first just to clean it and get all the gunk up so that it would stick, and then the darker blue paint essentially just became a primer for this paint color. So that’s how we painted our concrete floor with . Non-spon, Ken has just become great friends with the crew at the local SW, so he was psyched to use the product they recommended. Thanks, Ken!!

Pretty Images by Kaitlin Green | From: My New Prop Garage Reveal – Including IKEA Shelving (Non-Spon) And A Lot Of Vintage Collections

7 Design Trends That Scream 2025, For Better Or For Worse (& How We Think They’ll Fare A Decade From Now)

In anticipation of the onslaught of 2026 design trend posts that will surely start appearing right after the calendar flips over to September, I thought it a good time to assess my own personal entries into the 2025 home style Hall of Fame before we all move on. What happened this year in decorating that, if you looked back in 10 years, would scream TWENTY TWENTY-FIVE? Now, I will say that there is nearly nothing that was born and has died in this year, besides TikTok trends like “Sardine Girl Summer” or the produce home decor trend that consumed the shelves of HomeGoods stores nationwide. Many of the things on this design trends list could also be very 2024 or even 2023, but the reason I’m including them now is because they seem to have reached an absolute fever pitch.

But first, my signature caveat: Everything pictured below is a room any of us here would be lucky to call home. They are all beautiful, most of which I proudly keep in my bookmarks because I love them. Just because they have been included here doesn’t mean I think they are destined for a life with a Scarlet 2025 emblazoned on them. They are not trendy in a bad way; they are not passé; they are simply illustrative of a trend I’m identifying. Not to mention that thumbtacking something to a specific year, in this case, labeling it “very 2025,” isn’t necessarily an insult. After all, finding things today that are so distinctly ’50s, ’70s, Art Deco, mid-century, Bauhaus…we celebrate that. The issue is when it’s all together in one room, particularly in a home where the styles simply do not jive. I’m adamant that our homes should not feel like we plucked every cool thing from all the people we follow online and put them together in one space.

One additional step in this exercise is to pull out the design crystal ball and assess how I think we may feel about them in a decade. Will they still feel fresh, or at the very least, attractive, welcoming, and interesting? Or perhaps that checkerboard we all keep plastering all over our homes will be akin to chicken wallpaper borders from the early ’90s or chevron rugs a la 2010. Instafluencer Chic, they’ll call it. Maybe, maybe not. Who’s to say, but it sure is fun to guess.

Trend #1: Checkerboard

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By far, the most all-consuming trend of the year and the last few years prior is checkerboard. It’s undeniable. Checkerboard has made its way onto our floors, walls, fabrics, and upholstery. It’s like Tom Hanks in the ’90s…freaking everywhere and in everything. It got us all good and didn’t miss a style. This alternating square fits into modern, traditional, and transitional homes.

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I find checkerboard particularly interesting in applications like the doorway border above by Studio Aida. Anytime a commonplace thing is used unexpectedly, it’s suddenly new and fresh again. That’s not to say I haven’t seen this kind of positioning, but it still excites me.

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Finch Studio, out of Germany, went full force with a color-blocked backroom complete with burlwood vanity and International Klein Blue details. It’s mighty and impressive, but certainly not something I’d call timeless. (“Timeless” is worth a whole other conversation, because who gets to decide what is considered “timeless” and why are we all chasing that, anyway? I’ll save that for another time, though.)

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There’s no place we saw checkerboard used more than on floors, greatly in part due to these peel-and-stick floor tiles that Chris Loves Julia designed for Wallpops. EVERYONE used them (I think even Mallory did in the new apartment she’s decorating), heck, even I reached out to them for my kitchen when I was working on it. The look really is beautiful, classic, and depending on the space it’s in, will probably look good for a very long time.

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Not so much checkerboard as gingham (or buffalo check), but still simply everywhere. Shower curtains, duvet covers, throw blankets, pillows. Checks are a wonderful bridge between other patterns, similar to stripes. They bring together disparate prints beautifully. And in the case of this bathroom, it adds a crispness to the storied tile and fixtures.

2035 Gut Check: I think it’s time to cool it a bit on checkerboard patterns. In 10 years, we’ll have been collectively obsessed with at least two or three other patterns, and checks will fall back into their place: Great for sprinkling around if they suit your style, but not itching to grow on everything like wild ivy on a brick wall.

Trend #2: Arches Everywhere

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I love an arch on a doorway and a room transition, but boy, have we seen everyone force their way into archland in their homes. The number of reels I’ve consumed where a content creator transformed their lame and boring squared-off passageways (this is a joke) into an arch rivals how often I’ve rewatched Gilmore Girls (a lot…not a joke). Arches are beautiful, they soften modern or basic architecture, but they are simply everywhere and on everything, such as furniture and…

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announcing sleeping nooks like this one (yes, it’s beautiful), and…

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as entrances to kitchen spaces, and…

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yup, even in pass-throughs like this one above. It’s certainly more interesting.

2035 Gut Check: Arches have been around since the ancient Romans, so this isn’t anything new. They absolutely belong in some, if not all, spaces, but the need to stop what we’re doing to find a way to hack our way to archways in our contemporary builder-grade homes…not so much. I predict that arches specifically on furniture are going to be fairly dated in just a few years.

Trend #3: Scalloped Edges & Wave Patterns

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Scalloped edging and detailing have exploded in the last year or two, and I get it. It’s very cute and feels really special when used sparingly. The yellow scalloped edge in this pantry (or possibly kitchen) by Salvesen Graham is undeniably charming.

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Though scalloping first became super popular in the late Renaissance, it’s most often associated with English cottage style (more on that below). It’s certainly striking on this little kitchen cart, in a space by Duet.

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My heart nearly stopped when I saw this closet border by Jasno Projekty, which makes me think that perhaps scalloping hasn’t reached its maximum exposure yet. Still, though, it’s synonymous en masse with 2025.

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A post shared by OWN LONDON (@own.london)

Apart from woodworking, this wave pattern got the most design mileage out of headboards. I considered DIYing something similar back in 2021 because you couldn’t really find them for sale (they were mostly custom designer pieces at that time, like the above by Own London), but now, this style is simply everywhere.

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A post shared by Patricia Bustos (@patricia_bustos)

Arches AND waves AND checkerboards! Patricia Bustos’ designs are wildly fun, and something I’d enjoy the heck out of at a boutique hotel or public space, but in my home, I prefer to avoid combining so many “now” styles for fear of time-stamping my rooms.

2035 Gut Check: I think if you have an actual cottage, or you do something incredibly custom and unique like that wood closet surround, the scallop will fade away fairly quickly. In a decade, we may find remnants of it in homes and think, “Remember when we were all doing that?”

Trend #4: Pattern Drenching & Color Drenching

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First came color drenching, then came pattern drenching. It’s maximalism at its core, and maybe a push back on all the quiet, warm neutral rooms we saw come to be last year and this year. Designers (like Emma Stevenson, above) have been doing this for decades, even centuries, but it hit the mainstream in 2025 big time. What used to be a mark of custom is not fairly easy to execute yourself, as companies sell fabrics and wallpapers in the same print.

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I mean…I LOVE to look at things like this House of Hackney explosion, but it’s not for everyone or even for most. It’s a showpiece, for sure.

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A post shared by 🏘 MARNI & SHANNON Vancouver Realtors (@marniandshannon)

This is a fun little twist on pattern-drenching, with a different motif on the ceiling, but a classic marker of the style is matching your drapes/window coverings to your wallpaper design, like in this sweet space I found on a realtor’s page that I’m fairly certain is by Sarah Sherman Samuel.

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A post shared by Gramophone Design Build (@gramophone_designbuild)

But let’s not forget the OG: color drenching. I still absolutely love it. Color drenching has a way of really just squeezing all the design potential out of a space. It feels purposeful, powerful, interesting, especially when done in an aubergine like this mudroom by Gramophone Design Build.

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Another heavy hitter from the Brownsone Boys. I find that color drenching can hide many sins of a space, though I’m not seeing any in this beautiful room.

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Wowza, that’s red! Another situation in which I pull tremendous inspiration and excitement, but it’s perhaps too impactful for my own eyes every day.

2035 Gut Check: I think color drenching has a longer shelf life than pattern drenching simply because it’s more adaptable for the common folk (non-design peeps) to implement. It’s hard to know what our spirits will need in a decade from now, maybe bright, happy spaces that aren’t intense color caves, so the verdict is still out on this. I’m leaning toward leaving this one in the 2020s, though.

Trend #5: Cottage Style

The absolute “it” style of the last few years, I’m also lumping in English Country into the general “cottage” labeling. While I think the style itself is a staple and not something that will disappear for those who truly love it (or, you know, live in the English countryside), I’m fixating on all the cutesy details we have started to see eek out of the look into homes that wear a different look. Think pleated fabric lampshades and fabric panels behind cabinet doors, pedestal sink skirts, and frilly fringes on pillows and draperies.

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Nothing feels like a warm hug and a cup of tea on a bad day quite like cottage detailing. Pleated fabric panels on cabinetry are something we’re seeing more and more of, so it likely still has some legs.

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A cabinet skirt is a cheap, easy, and fool-proof way to cover something in a kitchen but make it say “charming.”

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A post shared by Casa by Josephine Jenno (@casa_by_jj)

Flanges and ruffles on everything! Plates above the bed? Sure, why not! That’s kind of the beauty of cottage style: It feels like almost anything goes.

2035 Gut Check: As I said above, English style will forever and always have its place in this design world of ours, but in terms of the mainstream, I can already see us shifting. There’s been a ton of chatter around vintage Renaissance and a more glamorous, palatial thing happening.

Trend #6: Dark, Moody Color Palettes

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Moody rooms aren’t new, though moody and brown has come back in a big, BIG way. There will always be room for neutrals, but cool-toned neutrals and warm-toned neutrals always seem to flip-flop every 10 to 15 years.

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The Amber Interiors look has been going strong for the last eight to 10 years for sure, which I think has driven much of our softening on brown and warm neutrals in general.

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I don’t want to miss out on pointing out the obvious: Moody photography of rooms that may not be so dark in real life under standard sunlight conditions is on the rise, probably by the same lot that hates overhead lighting. (HAHAHAHA, I just had to poke fun at this as I’ve made clear where I stand on the subject.)

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I’m no stranger to a dark, romantic dining space, of course. I love it in certain areas to add drama or transition from a brighter, more open room. We could all use a little moody moment like this sexy nook I spotted on Architectural Digest.

2035 Gut Check: It’s really hard to gauge the longevity and lifespan of color trends because they are one of the easiest things to swap around in our homes and are a direct reflection of what we’re feeling in the zeitgeist. I recall a time back in the early aughts when yellow and gray were everything, and it was hard to imagine a time when it wouldn’t be, but in 10 years, we will likely be on to something new. (God, please don’t let it be gray yet again.)

Trend #7: Curved Furniture

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Ahh, the curved couch. Furniture seems to have lost all its edges as of 2022/2023, and the sinuous sofa is the queen bee. But it’s only a matter of time before we all realize they’re cool and all for occasional rooms, but not comfortable enough for our main living spaces.

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A post shared by Plaster & Patina | Alexandra Azat (@plasterandpatina)

Curved cabinetry has also become the cool girl in design school, from permanent installations in our kitchens to freestanding pieces like our dressers and nightstands. These have more staying power, in my opinion, because “comfort” isn’t one of the key barometers of its success.

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2035 Gut Check: To me, this one is easy: Curved furniture should enjoy its time in the limelight because it has an expiration date. Almost nothing will say 2025 more than a curved sofa or barrel chair, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Some of our things should be time capsules of eras past, don’t you think?

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OKAY! I had a lot to say here, clearly. And while I don’t like to make a habit of tearing down anyone’s design (I hope you can see I tried not to do that here), it is pretty freeing to just say what’s on my mind. The fun of design and decorating is that everything is not meant to be for everyone or every home. Trends come and go; that’s the very nature of them, so let’s make it okay to examine without taking anything away from their use in an otherwise gorgeous room.

I hope you had fun with this, because I did. Feel free to chime in on some other 2025 Hall of Famers and how you think they’ll fare in the next decade.

Until next time, my friends…

Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson and Max Humphrey | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Brother’s Beautiful Guest Bedroom – A Warm and Modern Retreat

The Sofas And Chairs We Nixed From Our Collection (And Why)

First off, thank you so much for all your support/kind words/orders on the launch of the Room Service sofa collection last week. We are so proud of the pieces, and many of you have already purchased (thank you, thank you). If you are in California and it was “unable to ship to your zip code”, I’m so sorry!!! It is now fixed (it was a site-wide tech issue – I was low-key FREAKING OUT, lol). And listen, the landing page doesn’t populate my favorite photos because I used too many props in the shots, so please don’t just look at the thumbnails – click in and see what they look like in a room. We weren’t able to shoot all colorways, so please excuse the renders until we can. Also, if you are concerned about stock issues and want to wait for a sale, yes, some are selling out, but they are made in America, and we think it would be just a matter of a couple of weeks to make them, so don’t give up or get discouraged. But that’s not why we are here. Today I’m showing you all the pieces that got to the end, and we even shot them, but we nixed them because we simply didn’t LOVE them enough. Since this was our first go at furniture design, we tried some things that just didn’t work, and I thought it would be fun to talk through why :)

The Bearcat

While we likely would have changed the name (I mean, we didn’t with the “Barb” so who knows:)), this chair just wasn’t special enough and it didn’t sit right (the back was too vertical). I think the arms were meant to be more pill-shaped, but even with that, it was just fine, but I wasn’t thrilled with it. For the launch, we wanted to be excited about each piece, to want to use them so badly that we already had places in mind for them.

Of course, it doesn’t help that it’s a neutral that is on the more boring side, but all in all, it wasn’t a “hell yes,” so it was a no. I just felt that this chair could be sold in many other places (or a lot of places), falling into the “too generic” category for me. By the way, I think this one was originally designed by me with a dumb, rough sketch.

My whole thing is that if this chair were going to be $350, then it’s fine enough, but it wasn’t.

Bearcat is better in a velvet rust for sure.

The Bert

Oh Bert. I wanted to love you because he is COMFORTABLE. We designed these for my brother’s living room (to do a big sofa, a smaller sofa + 2 swivel chairs that could be turned to see the view). And Ken really liked Bert, actually.

But again, I just didn’t love it enough. The tone of the wood was too shiny – I didn’t like how they came off the chair, and yet couldn’t put my finger on how to make it better.

I agree that I could use this in many different rooms (and the scale of these was great – super generous), but they weren’t elegant enough for a living room (probably fine for a game room?).

The Bennett (Old Version)

Now, before you get too sad, this sofa was pretty great; we just redesigned it to be WAY better. I didn’t love how the front knife edge cushion popped up off the base. We could have solved it with more of a feather-style foam insert, but it would be a lot floppier. And our manufacturer was concerned that just too much room for error in the execution of that seam in this design (and remember, we are trying to keep these still on the more affordable end). I loved the cushions in the back. But we redesigned the seat cushions to be squared off and simpler.

Additionally, the middle seat wasn’t deep enough. The two chaises were, but the people in the middle were going to have to sit far too vertically for a TV watching sectional. I also didn’t love the foam in this one, and so our manufacturer re-did the foam recipe to be way more comfortable (not initially crazy sink-in-able, but soft and will hold its shape for years).

The base is so pretty and solid – pretty from the back, even. And those chunky arms make it so easy to lounge (or even set a glass on).

The new redesigned Bennett arrived last week (I flew down and approved the sample in person a month ago), and we JUST shot it at my brother’s house. It’s awesome. So comfortable, chunky, solid with fantastic proportions. This one is the most expensive, but you basically don’t need any other piece of furniture in your TV room – it’s massive! We are still selling the new version of the Bennett in this pretty “cub” velvet, a really soft green linen blend (great for kids and dog hair – that’s what my brother got!), and a blue velvet. Here is what the new one looks like:

That green linen blend is really soft (for linen), and it’s incredibly plop-in-able. The first version was too bouncy, and the cushions sprang up too much when you landed – all fixed. I was truly obsessed with the comfort of them all and how they “sat”. Read the first post where I go into detail and talk through the comfort levels (some are designed more for lounging, some more for conversation/sitting).

The Milo (The Rust Fabric)

Now, this one we just nixed this colorway in the Milo because we had a similar Otto in the same color (and same size). It felt a bit redundant, but I still really liked it.

We all really like this color (and it’s really soft), so who knows – if it becomes really popular, we’ll add more colors. Remember that the Milo is both a sofa and a sectional, and it comes in a few different colors in each.

I also think he has nice lines from the back :) No big seams and a nice step up to the back.

I hope this post helps you understand how much we cared about the design and comfort of this line of furniture. While we, of course, are not the manufacturer, we didn’t approve any samples that weren’t exactly what we thought they should be for the price. We designed these and have handed off the manufacturing to Sean and Clay’s team, who are executing our design. And by using Wayfair as the supplier/shipper, I hope you can get them fast without a big delivery fee (often free). Please let us know any questions in the comments!! xx

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The Link Up: Em’s New Favorite Shoe Combo, A Great Light Jacket, And A Bralette We Keep Buying

Happy Sunday, everyone! In case you missed it, we launched our sofa and chair line, Room Service by Emily Henderson. We are SO PROUD of it and couldn’t be more excited to hopefully see some of the pieces in your homes. So if you haven’t checked it out yet, here’s the blog post where Em breaks it all down, and here is the landing page to potentially purchase:) Ok, links?

This week’s house tour is a warm but elegant English cabin that any of us would happily cozy up in. It’s 300 years old and needed A LOT of love. And love it got, and now we get to enjoy looking at it! The blue room might be our favorite. You?

From Emily: I’m FINALLY really “gettin” the 90s cross-trainer shoe + crew sock combo trend and really loving it (and getting so many compliments). I think it was all about finding the exact pair of shoes that worked with my wardrobe and the socks that are the perfect height (I was going too tall, y’all!!). I bought these socks in person as a non-member at Fabletics (still on a huge sale, BTW), but they are the ones that I want to wear with every shoe now (I just stocked up). They are men’s, size medium, with the perfect black stripe, and like I said, the height is what I’ve been looking for (so many are too high, or ankle socks are too low). Then I bought these Nikes and I’ve been wearing them all day with shorts and on my super long walks. They aren’t the bright white that is trendier (I love those, but I like how these are softer for fall), and they’re extremely comfortable, giving me some height, and I just feel stylish in them. I’m also very into these (in mustard and blue), which are way more affordable. And if you aren’t quite into the chunky white cross-trainer trend, I also love these. I think it’s really brought up a whole new vibe, which I love (you’ll see in an upcoming pickleball fashion post).

Also From Emily: The two very quick, engrossing summer books I read last week on vacation. First, I finished Anabelle Monaghan’s newest, It’s A Love Story, which was an easy-to-read romance, with smart, empathetic characters (a bit of an enemy-to-lovers), Hollywood adjacent, and with a lot of family themes (but light, nothing too traumatic). It was a perfect warm, easy romance that was so enjoyable with a very likable leading man. Then I opened Broken Country, which was hard to put down and extremely engrossing. A love story and mystery about a dead farmer in England in the 60s, where we go back to find out what happened. A few twists and turns I didn’t see coming (and some middle-of-the-night anxiety – it does involve a child dying, which always makes me spiral), and a love triangle with two very tempting leading men. I was SO SAD that the story was over and that I had to leave the world of the characters. I’m now onto Atmosphere (it’s taking a second to get into) and last night started the Rebel Blue Ranch Series (based on Beach Reads and Bubbles’ enthusiastic recommendations – I need something light right now, TBH).

From Gretchen: I’ve been on a bit of an Old Navy kick. Last week, I linked up an easy, breezy plaid mini dress from them, and can confirm, I’ve been grabbing for it quite a bit since. But this week I picked up something slightly more *scandalous*, and I’m kind of obsessed. It’s this new Mesh Cami Bra. It’s see-through on purpose and offers virtually no additional support/lift for the girls, BUT I just love the fit and how it looks peeking out from my top or yes, on its own as a bit of a lingerie/sexy pajama top moment. I don’t tend to wear a lot of underwire in general because it’s just not comfortable for me, so I’m already used to a little less lift and support with my normal bras. While this doesn’t provide much lift, it does fit me great, and the way it sits on the chest area is pretty perfect. Usually, with a top like this, there’s a solid chance I might, you know, pop out of it. But this one stays totally put! In normal bras, I’m like a 36 C, and a size large in the mesh cami fit me best. I’ve been wearing it nonstop because I bought it in three colors: black, sea foam, and lilac.

From Marlee: Last week, you may have seen Caitlin’s glowing review of this $34 bralette… in her words, “MIRACULOUS.” Well, she got me quite curious, so I ordered one and I’ve gotta back her up on this – I’ve been on the hunt for a nude bralette for a while, so I tried this one out and this thing is so dang comfy. It’s buttery, stretchy in the right places, the straps don’t dig into my shoulders, and true to size – also very reasonably priced! But that’s not what I’m here to tell you about. While I was at it, I also ordered the matching boy shorts to go with it… If you like to sleep in your underwear, THESE ARE THE ONES! They’re so incredibly soft, no wedgies, stretchy, and they have perfect coverage IMO. I’m going to have to order a few more pairs so I can wear them every night.

From Arlyn: My family has lost SO MANY HOURS of sleep thanks to my toddler being allergic to mosquito bites and waking up numerous times a night, numerous nights in a row, begging for my anti-itch cream for her bites. The mosquitoes are on the prowl where we are, and even with repellent stickers and proper clothing, they just get her over and over again. I’ve ordered everything you can think of to help: two kinds of anti-itch patches, anti-itch creams, and finally, something that has worked so far: That Bug Bite Thing. Yup, that’s the actual name of the product. It’s a small doohickey that suctions out mosquito saliva to prevent extended itching or any reactions. The key is to use it right away after a bite. I tried it on myself after I got absolutely attacked on my legs last weekend, and by the evening, my bites were basically gone. GET IT!!!

From Mallory: I snagged the PERFECT summer to fall transition light jacket – it’s lightweight and is a classic style but with a balloon sleeve that gives the perfect amount of edge. I’m planning on pairing it with a mini skirt and knee-high brown boots, and I know this will be my end-of-summer go-to look!

From Jess: In case your lips are feeling a bit dry right now, I want to call out my most favorite lip balm/gloss I’ve ever owned. It’s THE MOST hydrating. While I, of course, put it on during the day, I make sure to apply before I go to bed so I can wake up with soft (and slightly plump) lips. I love the color Strawberry Sorbet, but they are all wonderful.

From Caitlin: Can someone be honest with me? I need to know: Is a Mason Pearson brush really all it’s cracked up to be? My thin, fine, kinda stringy, very grease-prone hair has made some incredible strides over the past few years – I used to wash my hair daily, but I can now go 5 days (!!!) between washes, thanks to a combo of this $9 shampoo brush and the dry shampoo I will use for the rest of my life – so I think I’m ready to invest in a keep-forever hairbrush to finish off my trifecta. But is it really worth it? Is it that much better at redistributing the oils? If you know literally anything about brushes, I’m dying to hear it. (I’m also eyeing this very cute version, which seems to be made from 100% boar bristle – is that better? – or this slightly-more-affordable dupe. Help!!!)

Thanks for hanging out with us for a little while today, and see you tomorrow! xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Announcing Our First Furniture Collection: ROOM SERVICE By Emily Henderson