Emily Henderson's Blog, page 39

The Highlights of Summer 2024 (And Entering My 45th Year Around The Sun). Oregon FTW!!!

Summer 2024 is a wrap and we nailed some serious family moments together. We spent the majority of it in Oregon because you don’t live here year-round just to leave for the summer when it’s gloriously beautiful, lush, moderate, and green. And I’m so glad we did because we absolutely fell in love with living here in a way we hadn’t in previous summers.

I’m going to dump a lot of fun things real quick: horsetail falls with kids and friends (shout out to Annie and Derik), Sugarpine (YUM, exceeded high expectations), Round Lake day trip, weeks of my best friend’s 16-year-old son hired to play with the kids (where they informed me that “we’d listen to you more if you acted as cool as Jay” LOLOL). We ate at so MANY FOOD TRUCKS, played putt putt golf at Birdie Bar (with kids), and did so much biking…along with the raking of pig poop, pool time sessions with neighbors, and of course the $200 blow-up slide thing from Costco that became the real VIP of summer. The kids started to walk to froyo by themselves, stayed up til 10 (ahem, or 11) most nights and we binged Tommy Boy and Twilight. They are almost 9 and 11 and these magical years of parenting are everything people said they’d be.

Family Reunion In Idaho

My parents rented a huge house for the 33 of us – six kids, 14 grandkids, 2 great-grandkids, partners, the WORKS. My mom brought a ton of family heirlooms and we had a free-for-all bidding session (even the grandkids got old pocket knives or fun costume jewelry). My sister planned relay races and different competitive events. I brought craft stuff to make “reunion ornaments” (duh), each family put on a skit, and my parents did a fireside chat about our family history – it was real Mormon family camp stuff and it was wonderful. I would have been bawling seeing all six of my kids together (55 years of parenting!). There was so much loud fun, huge meals, camp songs, and all the younger grandkids/cousins played and played and played. There was even a proposal and she said yes! Sure, we’ve all made different choices but there was a really lovely connection of acceptance and love. I think we all left feeling very, very lucky (or blessed as they might say).

A Weekend Without The Kids

Brian and I have been together since we were 21 and boy have things changed in the last 24 years (three major city moves, 2 kids, some therapy, and ups and downs in careers). But we still like each other A LOT. Extended time together at home without distraction is impossibly rare so when Bob and Suz offered to take the kids for three nights we decided to pretend we were 25, promising to not fall into the easy trap of just having a dinner and marathoning a show. Some of the happiest days of our lives were when we lived in New York in our twenties and we would hop on our bikes and get lost for HOURS – just exploring, people-watching, popping into random joints in Coney Island for a drink or clam shacks in the Bronx. So when I pitched we do that – Portland edition – he enthusiastically agreed. The first full day we signed up for a bike and hike tour up the Columbia River Gorge. It was one of those organized activities with tourists from all over (we were the only ones from Portland, LOL). But being forced to “site see” really helped us familiarize ourselves with biking the scenic highway and now we know which waterfalls are worth bringing the kids back to (spoiler – Horsetail Falls FTW). It’s so gorgeous and we all know that moving your body in nature with someone you love is just good for the soul. We ate at Wonderlove (new food carts in Central Eastside) and that night went to Hele Pele for drinks (SO FUN) and Heavenly Creatures for delicious food (all on the east side – look at us!). The next day we left the house on our bikes at 10 am and didn’t return til 4:30. We biked to Slabtown, ate at Phuket (amazing) down through NW, the Pearl, downtown, waterfront all the way to Willamette Park then up the hill all the way home. It was a LOT and extremely hilly. I joked with my friends that it was a very crotch-heavy weekend (LOL). We talked about everything – big stuff, small stuff, kids, marriage, general happiness levels, careers, goals, future, retirement, etc. It was life-confirming. At the end of the day, in less than 10 years, it’s going to be us. But this really confirmed that despite all the nuttiness of our current kid-dominated life, we really really enjoy each other. Staying home without the kids is different than going on vacation – having your home to yourself, no bedtime routine, no morning routine, sleeping in your own bed. Being a tourist in Portland was so enriching and we were exhausted in the best way when we picked them up from the airport.

Treehouse Camping Resort + White Water Rafting

I hesitate to tell you where this is because it gets so booked out but I also don’t want to be a gatekeeper (and it would be weird not to give them love). We stayed at Out n’ About Treehouse Resort in Southern Oregon which was as magical as my friends had told me (we booked in April for August). 10 + cabins in the trees, ours was 35 feet off the ground. Cold swimming pool, ziplines, horses, swings, and delicious breakfasts. There are no amenities (it’s more like camping with toilets) which honestly added to the charm (but we’d probably bring our own bedding next time). There is a shared kitchen with thrifted pots/plates and even a stage for impromptu performances. We took a day trip and went on a guided white water rafting tour on the Klamath River which was the PERFECT introduction (the moms were nervous, thanks Travis). On our way down there we stayed at Baypoint Landing in Coos Bay which was pretty great, went dune buggy riding (scary, Elliot and I turned back immediately), hiked many pretty beaches in Coos Bay, and visited our childhood home. OH, and we spent 2 hours in the redwoods and now have vowed to go back – INCREDIBLE. Far surpassed all of our expectations.

Olivia Rodrigo Concert

Our entire family loves her and knows every single song so I knew it would be a good time, but I don’t think I predicted how special and emotional it would be for the four of us to be singing and dancing to the same music at the same time with tens of thousands of other people. I cried a lot (secretly) because I know that these years with our kids are so precious (only 10 left!). I just kept thinking how incredible it is that we live in a time where parents and kids love the same music, can go to concerts together, and that they still want to hang out with us (which I know will change). There is such a shared euphoria in singing with people you love and strangers (one of the reasons I want to go to a church). So yeah, Elliot was holding onto me most of the concert so she could see (standing on a chair) and I soaked up every single second. We had shitty seats, it didn’t matter. Just go to a concert with your kids (maybe even without friends so you get their attention), learn the lyrics beforehand so you can sing full out, and be prepared to make a core memory. (Imagine Dragons coming up soon which admittedly I like far less than Olivia Rodrigo but I will pretend, embrace, and sing as loud as they’ll let me).

August energy is HARD – I see now why all of Europe just takes it off. Trying to juggle wanting to be with kids and getting so behind on work, but the sun is out and you know the great long dark is right around the corner! But as I write this I’m feeling so much better and Brian and I are celebrating my bday early by doing a huge hike at Silver Falls and biking to the village with the kids for dinner. No one has more Big September Energy than this one (BSE?) and now that we are two days into school and we have some structure back I’m dreaming of soup and sweaters and romance novels and long walks with podcasts. Happy Labor Day weekend, y’all. I’ll be celebrating my 45th bday this weekend with my family and a bunch of friends by a lake with hopefully no cell phone service – just like god intended

The post The Highlights of Summer 2024 (And Entering My 45th Year Around The Sun). Oregon FTW!!! appeared first on Emily Henderson.

What Is Everyone Doing With All Their Kids’ Art? Arlyn Breaks Down 4 Solid Display (& Storage) Ideas

There’s an interesting dichotomy that has happened inside of me since becoming a mother: I love a beautiful, well-designed and intentional home, but I also want my kid to be a kid and not be too concerned with fitting her toys and life and art into an Instagram filter of “pretty.” I buy toys regardless of color scheme (i.e. I’m likely not spending 3x on something just because it’s blonde wood with neutral colors), we buy her clothes in bright, happy hues with mermaids and butterflies and ladybugs, and ::gasp:: her toys are visible in my living room literally all the time.

This is decidedly very undesigner-y of me, and I’m not mad at it for a second. The longer I write about interiors, work with design brands and content creators, and see deeper and deeper behind the curtain, the less I care about having the “perfect” home. I aim for a beautifully designed house but it needs to work for a family. That, or maybe it’s because I’m getting older, care less about what people think, and also I’m a tired mom of an energetic, creative toddler.

If you know me, you know my home is lived in. It’s pretty, but it’s always going to have a stack of papers on the dining console that needs tending to, and my pantry will have packaging from the store instead of everything being ideally decanted into see-through containers. So I’m approaching today’s topic with the same “let’s make this look better but not stress about it being overly innovative.”

Today, we’re tackling: kids’ art. Specifically, picking through some ideas for how to display it (or store it) to look great without feeling overly “daycare center.”

My daughter is officially starting preschool in the next few weeks and I’m surprising myself by actually planning ahead of time before I’m drowning under a mountain of construction paper. Over the last few months, she’s gotten very into watercolors and finger paints and we already have a portion of a wall in her room covered with some of her creations (with a stack of thin canvases waiting to also be hung). She LOVES to see her art on the wall, so I want to honor her excitement by finding some new ways to display what she’s likely going to be bringing home from school, as well as the things we make together at home.

Here’s what we have so far:

To be frank, I slapped some crumbled-up papers on the wall with tape in some instances and small command strips in others. I’m open to framing things (I’ll show some examples below) but also kind of want to wait until I have a wide selection to choose from. I don’t really mind what’s happening here because it’s both loose and structured at the same time. I think if I kept adding down, up, and on the other wall behind the glider (and in other areas of her room not pictured here), it could actually get kind of cool? But I also don’t want it to feel overwhelming, cluttered and dusty, so it’s time to consider some options.

I did what I do first in a situation like this: Research what other people have done, because there’s nothing new under the sun, and likely someone has a great solution already that could work in my home. For the time being, I want to keep the art in my daughter’s bedroom (rather than all over the house) both for her to admire when she’s playing in there, and also because her walls are white and don’t have much going on with them.

Let’s see what I found…

Option #1: The Large Pinboarddesign and styling by emily henderson | photo by kaitlin green | from: birdie’s bedroom reveal!! designing with (not for) your kids, and how we exploded this room with color

There were a lot of inspiration photos in the pinboard camp, including the DIY version from Birdie’s room reveal at the farmhouse. I can see myself going the route of creating my own to custom fit a wall or two in Evelyn’s room, but also “now” me is confident in having the time to do it, but I know “later” me will be giving me serious side-eye. But let’s dream a little because “later” me still isn’t here to make faces and punt a project into next year.

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A post shared by Lauren Robbins Interiors + Shop (@laurenrobbinsinteriors)

I found this photo from Lauren Robbins Interiors in an Architectural Digest feature, and I instantly loved it! I’m not sure if what’s covering the pinboard is fabric or wallpaper, but I think it could be a great way to bring color and pattern into my toddler’s room without actually having to paint or wallpaper a wall.

Pinboard Pros:

Can customize to the right size and finish with cute fabric, felt or wallpaperCan easily swap out art as it comes inContains art in one organized spot

Pinboard Cons:

Push pins could maybe be a bad idea for a curious 2.5-year-old?Option #2: The Full Wall Cork Board

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A post shared by Tanya Lee Conroy (@florenceandhenri)

I have long loved the look of an entire wall of cork for the purpose of displaying art. It feels very “art studio” to me even though I’ve never been in an art studio that had a full wall of cork. ::shrugs:: I really liked the neatness of the display I found on Florence & Henri’s profile after doing a quick search for #kidsartideas. This would require art in all the same sizes, which I know is SO not feasible, but I still think even some pinned-up art in messy configurations would look better on cork than just taped to a white semi-gloss Swiss Coffee wall.

There is, however, the consideration that cork panels are actually way more expensive than you think they are going to be. Most offerings I have found so far are about $150 a roll which barely covers anything. I’m really not looking to spend $500+ on this, especially for a youngster’s room that very well may change sooner rather than later due to evolving interests.

Cork Wall Pros:

Has a definite “cool” factorNatural material that also has sound-dampening qualities!Lots of flexibility in how to actually display the artEasy to swap out art

Cork Wall Cons:

Again…push pins = bad idea for toddlers?Expensive if I want a full wall of coverageHow do I actually adhere it to the wall??Option #3: Organize The Chaos With Framing

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A post shared by Marian Louise Design (@marianlouisedesign)

While this is the sleekest option, of course, it’s the path I’m most hesitant to walk at the moment. I do very much like the look of a gallery wall (uh, have you seen my past room reveals?), but framing feels so permanent, and I know I’m in for a decade or so of take-home art projects and I only have so many walls in this home (or any home). I could maybe see myself doing a yearly or every few years swap out but ugh, “later” me is already tired and annoyed. Not to mention all the holes in the wall from hanging, and a grubby-handed kid who loves to touch the existing frames in her room.

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A post shared by Born & Bred Studio Interior Design (@bornandbredstudio)

I do love the decidedly eclectic artist vibe of something like the above from Born and Bred Studio but am I overdoing the gallery/salon wall? (Is that possible?) Another hold-up is the fact that the only wall in my daughter’s room that could handle something like this is too close to her sleeping area and being in an earthquake territory, this is an absolute NOPE. Earthquake hooks for art exist, but I just can’t take that risk. After a fairly scary and strong shake-up centered only a few miles from my home recently, I’m already looking at the ceiling-high gallery wall in my living room with new eyes…

Framed Gallery Wall Pros:

God, I love a gallery wallIt’s clean, tidy, and cool-lookingGreat for different areas of the home should the projects expand into our living spaces

Framed Gallery Wall Cons:

Not easy to swap out the artMight get expensive with all the framesEasy to procrastinate actually doing because of all the frame sizes needed (I know myself)Depending on where it goes, maybe not a sturdy, stable option for a young kidOption #4: Just Go Full Kids Art Studio

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A post shared by Artkive (@artkivebox)

I almost didn’t add this one because it’s a bit more all-encompassing than just how-to-hang art. But the all-in art studio vibe is very sweet and probably something I would have dreamed of having as a little girl. That and a mini library as I was a big reader (as is my girl). Though I’m not sure I have the space in my daughter’s room to dedicate a large stretch of wall to this (not to mention, we have white-ish carpet), I do recognize that being a little more loose and free but keeping some things structured and tidy is very much my speed. This art corner would still look sweet with the paintings and drawers on the wall unframed, I believe, though they certainly help.

Art Studio Pros:

Feels very kid-appropriate with a creative spiritSeems to be able to ebb and flow easily enough

Art Studio Cons:

Needs actual floor real estate to make happenProbably too messy for my daughter’s carpeted bedroomKids Art Display Product Options

Typically, shopping (or making) comes after the inspiration phase. And while I’m still not ready to pull out my payment method just yet, I did get some good ideas by also poking around product offerings for hanging, displaying, and storing. I’ve also seen a very simple, straightforward idea of just buying a few big 3-ring binders with clear sheet protectors to stash art in. That way, my girl (or anyone in the family) could always take it off the shelf and flip through it like a scrapbook. I think that would be a great landing place for things after they’re up on the wall for a little bit and ready to transition to something else. Just pop it into the binder and keep it moving!

Left to right: Magnetic Art Gallery, $79 at Pottery Barn | Art Display for Kids Artwork (48 Clips – 10ft Wire), $28 at Amazon | Rainbow Dot Art Cable, $59 at Pottery Barn

I really like these magnetic art holding strips from Pottery Barn. Each one is 36″ so I’d likely have to buy a few of them. A more affordable option is this wire and clip situation. I know they sell these at IKEA, Amazon, and beyond. Does anyone have any experience with these not being droopy in the middle, or does it hold tight without much slack? Another version of the cable is this sweet one with rainbow dot holders, which I know my girl would love, but it’s twice the price.

Left to right: Express Book, from $99 at Plum Print | Girl Friday Modern Acrylic Frame, $59 at West Elm | Americanflat Kids Art Frame Front Opening, $18 at Target

Plum Print is another “on-the-shelf” storage solution that looks really interesting, albeit pretty pricey. Here’s how it works: The company sends you a box to put all your kids’ art into and once received, they scan them all and create a book. The downside is you have to pay a return fee to get back your art, and the $99 starting price only includes 20 pages, with the option to add up to 250 pages at $2.50 a page (yikes!).

If I were to go the frame route, I do like the playful and modern nature of these acrylic ones from West Elm, though something more functional like this one I found at Target would probably be best. The front opens, so you can easily move art from the display to the storage pocket inside so it’s super easy to rotate things. Reviews are mixed across different sites selling the same product, so I’m unsure about the quality.

Left to right: Girl Friday Modern Cork Board – Large, $250 at West Elm | Natural Cork Roll 20 inches Wide, from $50 at Etsy | 24 x 36 Modern Linen Designer Pinboard, $175 at Etsy

And lastly, we’ve got some cork and pinboards. I do love the look of this large West Elm corkboard, but I’m fairly certain I’m not dropping $250 on it. The cork roll concept is still tops for me, but I might have to only do a small portion of her wall, since it’s $120 for the length I need for my ceiling heights in 20-inch wide sections. That’s…a lot of cork and a lot of money. I do love the linen of this pinboard I found on Etsy, but I feel like I can make it for far less and take some creative liberties with a fabric my daughter would love. It would have to be a small, tight print to come off more as visual texture/interest as not to compete with whatever is pinned up on it.

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Thanks for coming along on this journey with me. I don’t have a firm decision made (besides that binder idea that I think I’ll definitely employ as a long-term storage tactic) but will likely do a combination of custom pinboard with some wire hanging.

If you’ve had any luck with a way to handle kids’ art in your home (besides using the trash as your storage facility hahaha), please chime in! Any ideas or products are more than appreciated.

Until next time, friends…

Opening Image Credits: Design and Styling by Emily Henderson | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Birdie’s Bedroom Reveal!! Designing With (Not For) Your Kids, And How We Exploded This Room With Color

The post What Is Everyone Doing With All Their Kids’ Art? Arlyn Breaks Down 4 Solid Display (& Storage) Ideas appeared first on Emily Henderson.

You Asked, We Delivered! 5 Custom Curated, Fully Designed Affordable Traditional Living Rooms

We are so grateful for the number of you who responded to our EHD Reader Survey this year. So first off, THANK YOU! And as with each time we do this, we were a bit surprised by some of the responses. One being that the #1 most requested style was “traditional”. Don’t get us wrong, we also love traditional decor but we simply didn’t expect it to be SO popular. We also want to be responsive to the types of rooms and budgets that the majority of you would like us to focus on. So today we are trying to tackle those three things in one very fun (if I do say so myself) furniture comb post:) Old-school EHD is here!

Now, consider these “budget-conscious”. They aren’t the least expensive options on the market but you aren’t going to see a $700 coffee table on here either. We’re talking Target, Wayfair, Article, etc. I also wanted to cover the general spectrum of “modern traditional”. There are different styles, color palettes, and general vibes, but they are all traditional in a fresh way. I also did my best to make sure that the measurements made sense together in case you just wanted to add an entire look to cart. Ha. But of course, measure your space and consider the combo’s visual weight in your home. Then after all that have fun! Ok, let’s start…

Sectional | Rug | Coffee Table | Nesting Side Tables | Floor Lamp | Accent Chairs (Set of 2) | Wood Side Table

Dare I say, this may just be a perfect starting point for an incredible Nancy Meyers-esque living room. When I think of traditional style, with a hint of modern, this is the look that first pops into my head. Medium tones, carved wooden legs, soft curves, you get it. Then by adding small hits of black and modern accents, it makes the whole look feel fresh and that it belongs in 2024. This beautiful sectional is from Article. Look at that sloped arm! Very mindful. Very demure. Oh, and I chose that blue fabric because it feels a bit more “life-friendly” (but it’s a performance fabric so you’re double covered in that area). And while I haven’t had the pleasure of sitting on this particular sofa, I’ve sat on many other Article sofas and chairs and they have always been really comfortable. Plus, the reviews are good too:) Then to make the space feel warmer and cozier, I chose that awesome rug (under $500 for an 8×10). I love that the pattern is large scale but the softer colors don’t let it take over the room, it just adds to it. However, I would highly recommend a rug pad though for extra cushion. The coffee table is solid wood in the prettiest tone. Oh, and look at that rattan shelf! The carved legs aren’t overly ornate which was an intentional choice since I loved and wanted the Jenny Lind-inspired set of accent chairs (2 for under $500!) to be the star and not have them compete with each other. Since the chairs brought in that bold black tone, I wanted to balance it out with some thin, modern side nesting side tables. Then to balance the modernity of those black tables, I chose that modern wood side table which is meant to go in between the accent chairs. It’s all a delicate puzzle! But is a room ever complete without a little glam? Not over here at least:) That incredible gooseneck floor lamp (which is UNDER $100!) adds such a beautiful shape to the combo, the rattan shade talks to the rattan on the coffee table, and the gold adds the bling that was needed. Just add in your favorite pillows, art, throws, and decor pieces, and boy will you have a stunning living room!

Sofa | Rug | Coffee Table | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Accent Chair | Drink Table

Now, let’s get slightly moody and just a tad sexier, shall we? I mean a leather sofa is inherently sexy, right?! Well, ok, not all of them but this one is! You can’t go wrong with a tufted back in all cognac leather and this brand, Poly & Bark is a great one as well. Then to contrast not only the leather material but the exposed legs of the sofa, I chose this beautiful cream slipcovered accent chair. It also swivels! But this look is meant to be a bit moody which called for a dark rug and accent pieces. I adore this rug’s pattern and colors AND it’s washable (would also recommend a rug pad). Spills don’t have a chance with this combo! For the coffee table, I went a little more modern because I loved the shape of it so much. Plus, with the base being a dark metal but a little bronzey, it works with the sofa, rug, and gold accents. Also, with the top being white, it balances out the accent chair and lampshade and brings out the white in the rug. So ya, it’s pretty perfect. Speaking of the lamp and gold tones, I really liked how the lamp base and drink table added in that fun glam. The shapes are classic but definitely lean modern. That’s also why I chose a black side table for the sofa. It worked with the other modern shapes and spoke to the dark colors of the rug, coffee table, and stone piece on the drink table. I’m so happy with how this one turned out too!

Sofa | Rug | Coffee Table | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Accent Chair | Drink Table

Ready for a look that’s a little brighter and a lot more eclectic? Me too. A green sofa was A MUST for one of these looks and this one is a great affordable alternative to Emily’s in her farmhouse living room. Green is just one of those happy colors that can act as a neutral when used right. Ok, so yes, this green sofa has those traditional roll arms and beautifully turned feet with wheels. A perfect place to start. Then to add a fun but classic pattern, I knew our checked rug from our first Rugs USA line would be perfect. It’s so pretty in person and one of our bestsellers! I still would recommend a rug pad though for extra cushion:) Y’all we LOVE rug pads because we love maximum cushion under our feet. Then to keep it from feeling more modern than farmhouse, I chose that great coffee table (only $120!). The gold legs just warm the whole thing up, right? But then to ground everything (again, just a delicate puzzle) I really love that dark faux burl wood side table and brown velvet swivel accent chair. They add a beautiful visual texture and help to balance the olive green of the sofa. Then to finish it off, I chose two black metal accents in two different styles. The floor lamp is very modern traditional while the drink table is just modern:) There’s almost a perfect balance of traditional pieces and modern pieces which makes it a really fun and inviting combo. I loved playing with this one!

Sofa | Rug | Coffee Table | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Accent Chair | Drink Table

I hope you didn’t think I was looking down on a traditional style with a farmhouse lean in that last blurb. I wasn’t! The proof is in the pudding with this combo. A classic slipcovered sofa like this one is maybe the most inviting traditional sofa of them all. Doesn’t it look like you could just sink into it?? The reviews give it 4.7 stars with over 1,200 reviews and they LOVE how comfortable it is. Then to contrast but complement that plush sofa, I picked out this wonderful modern accent chair ($350!). Again, green is a perfect colorful neutral and the reviews are also really high with this one. But to bring in a little bit more of a rustic traditional feel, I added in this light wood coffee table with that great joinery and a natural-toned/lightly patterned rug. Adds in more softness just in time for me to add a grounding black turned wood pedestal side table, a black and gold floor lamp, and a modern “glam” drink table. But as you can see if you take a closer look, the side table and coffee table are both wooden and have a traditional style, the side table and the lamp both have black in them, and the lamp and drink table both have gold accents. Oh, and the drink’s table’s white base talks to the cream of the sofa. I hope that helped you see my thought process and didn’t just read as a long confusing sentence:) With some fun neutral ceramics, landscape paintings, and cute pillows, this combo would look great in so many different homes.

Sofa | Rug | Coffee Table | Side Table | Floor Lamp | Accent Chair | Drink Table

This last combo is a little specific:) It’s more MCM than true “traditional” but I think there are enough elements to satisfy both types of styles. Let’s start with that beautiful blue velvet sofa. The lines are clean and the wood base is simple but still a little fun. Then to contrast but complement the sofa, I chose that white boucle swivel chair. While the color is opposite the visual weight is much heavier than the sofa which is why it really works. Then to keep the warm wood theme going, I fell in love with that walnut coffee table and its woven shelf. It adds so much personality. I definitely wanted to make sure there was some kind of pattern so I chose that neutral checkered wool rug. It’s got A TON of thread variation so it’s not going to show life’s messes very easily which is always a plus! For the small accents, I loved how the floor lamp not only had a walnut wood accent to tie in with the sofa base and coffee table but the gold talks to the side table perfectly. Oh, and the side table has an adjustable height which is pretty cool. And finally, that drink table is just freaking cool and looks great with the other golds and white top tals to the accent chair and rug colors. If you love MCM but don’t want to go full Mad Men, this traditional twist could be just your answer:)

Ok! Was this helpful? Do you want more of these? Other rooms in traditional styles like bedrooms? Do you like the combos? Let’s chat!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Art Direction by Emily Henderson | Styling by Brady Tolbert and Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: How Target’s Fall Threshold Collection Nails the “Updated Classic” Trend

The post You Asked, We Delivered! 5 Custom Curated, Fully Designed Affordable Traditional Living Rooms appeared first on Emily Henderson.

A Gender Neutral Nursery Reveal Filled With Vintage And A Bold DIY You’ll LOVE

Who says that gender-neutral has to be boring?! This unique nursery is in the colorful home of Rebekah and Jonah Poppen, Rebekah is actually one of the stylists on my team! Rebekah and Jonah brought their beautiful baby boy home a couple short weeks ago, but Rebekah started designing the nursery long before that. They both knew when they bought their 1950s cottage that the room attached to the primary bedroom would make for the perfect nursery one day. Since moving in, this spare room has just been used for extra storage and their dog’s bedroom. They are excited to have the nursery just off of their bedroom until their little one grows to be about 18 months and will then move into their guest bedroom on the main level of the home. The rest of the home is filled with color and pattern so, naturally, the nursery would be no exception to this and the design was set before they knew the sex of their baby.

The star of the nursery is definitely the hand-painted stripes that are on the walls and ceiling! Rebekah looked for a wallpaper that would be the right colors and stripe thickness but just decided that painting it herself would be the best option to get what she was looking for. Since the walls are curved, she painted all the stripes by hand using a good ole’ tape measurer, level, pencil, and tape. 

*Her pro tip is that once you have the base painted and have added the tape, paint over the tape with the base color, this will ensure you get crisp and clean lines. This project only took a weekend and is a super DIY-friendly project.

Crib | Leopard Rug

For the color story, they wanted it to be bold and gender-neutral, like many of us, Rebekah doesn’t love the “pink is for girls and blue is for boys” stereotype. Instead, she selected colors that feel appropriate for baby but are also colors that she enjoys. The base cream color is Dimity by Farrow & Ball and is accompanied by Bamboozle by Farrow & Ball for the red stripes. I also love how she paired the red and cream with an unexpected green trim, which is Green Smoke by Farrow & Ball. She also painted the primary bedroom to match, minus the stripes, to make each room flow together but have a separate identity.

Hot Air Balloon Mobile

With the stripes as a bold base for the room, they wanted the rest of the room to have playful and whimsical touches, inspired by hot air balloons and leopards, a fun combination that taps into a child’s imagination. One of their favorite elements is the handmade hot air balloon mobile above the crib, an amazing Etsy find! Like me, Rebekah also loves hunting for vintage pieces and going thrifting, so she had been collecting a few items over the years to have in the nursery. This includes the brass hot air balloon, leopard artwork, and even the wood sculpture animals that you see on the bookcase. 

Pear Basket

Since the couple loves vintage things, there are only a few brand-new pieces in the room. The crib is new but nods to the antique Jenny Lind style (bonus! It can also be made into a toddler bed). The leopard rug is another bold element in the nursery, which perfectly complements the red stripes. All of the other furniture is vintage or second-hand! Both parents are particularly fond of the dresser as it was from Jonah’s grandmother who passed away this spring. The other vintage pieces include the bookcase (a $10 FBMP find!), the brass side table, and the gingham glider chair (another FBMP find for only $75).

Changing Pad

Layering texture in the nursery through a long muslin bed skirt for the crib, a wavy edge peg rack, and a pleated wall lamp that would soften the linear lines. In addition, they also wanted to bring in wood tones to complement all of the paint, which really gives the nursery a collected and cozy style. 

Pleated Wall Lamp | Black Out Roman Shade

This nursery is a perfect example of a gender-neutral nursery that is anything but boring. It makes me excited to see people taking risks with color and pattern in their homes and I think that a kid’s room or nursery is the perfect place to start!

Wishing them all the best and until next time!

Lea

*Design and Styled by Rebekah Poppen
**Photos courtesy Creekwoodhill

The post A Gender Neutral Nursery Reveal Filled With Vintage And A Bold DIY You’ll LOVE appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Em’s Favorite Parenting Advice Help, Arlyn’s Moth Hack, And A Newest Affordable Cardigan Sweater

Happy Sunday everyone! Emily is back from her incredible family road trip and she has already told us that we need to have a retreat at the treehouse they stayed in. Needless to say, we are in!! But back at it we are and ready to tackle the end of summer:) Ok, links!

This week’s house tour came to us via one of you guys! It was dropped in the comments and we all fell in love with the happy colors and whimsical details. Go check it out and we guarantee it will put a smile on your face.

From Emily: It’s back to school time and I go deep into advice seeking this time of year. My two favorite parenting follows have saved my sanity (truly one of the best gifts of social media). You probably know and love Dr. Becky for her practical, relatable, and totally empowering advice. We live by many of her principles in our house (and I even downloaded her chore guide and allowance guide which have been super helpful this summer). She really breaks down the “job” of being a parent so we can operationalize it and come at it with boundaries, empathy, and lots of emotion regulation. But a lot of people don’t know about Dr. Lisa Damour who specializes in tweens and teens (Dr. Becky has younger kids so her advice feels to be more elementary school age and younger). Lisa has a podcast, YouTube (video of the podcast), and does daily social advice videos that are SO HELPFUL. What really put her on the map is her book about raising teen girls, specifically, called Untangled. Her approach to teens is so respectful without being permissive and really celebrates what is so great about this stage of development while giving us SO MANY TOOLS to help guide/coach and communicate with them in hopes of having a healthy relationship. Both these experts have such digestible information and easy-to-remember mantras. My favorite current one from Dr. Becky goes like this: “Set boundaries, validate feelings, empathize with those feelings, then hold the boundary”. And from Lisa as we enter more of the tween years: “Restriction Without Connection = Rebellion”. But honestly, you simply have to follow both of them. I found Lisa when I googled “at what age is it appropriate for crop tops” in hopes of finding the clear answer of “13, lol” because we were in a massive crop top battle over here. She gave a lot of empowering advice that has helped us communicate about this and reduce the battles (because, no, I’m personally not into my almost 9-year-old wearing a crop top). Anyway – Lisa Damour and Dr. Becky  – FTW.

From Gretchen: I popped into CB2 to pick up a few things for an upcoming shoot and simply did not want to leave. Everything in that store is just sooo dreamy! And of course, a little spendy. BUT I saw quite a few things on sale as I bopped around, which meant that I could easily talk myself into leaving with a small little something (or somethings). I have a strong admiration for colored glassware and fell in love with these striking green mugs. I like just how delicate they are and the squared-off shape of the handle just works for me. I likely won’t use them as my everyday mug, but can’t wait to share a fun cup of coffee with a friend! Really I’m just excited to style them in my kitchen next to my growing colored glassware collection. I just know the color will really pop against the orangey-tone of my cabinets!

From Jess: It happened…against my best efforts, I purchased an Apple Watch. Well, I just started with a trainer for weight training and he really pushed for it and I have to say it is pretty nice to have for workout purposes. But in no world was I going to spend $300 for a new one. Instead, I got a refurbished one for $150 and it works great. Highly recommend it if you’re on the fence! I’m in the process of getting a new band so I’ll keep you posted on that:)

FIX IT FRIDAY ALERT!!!! Our next installment is a wildcard! Send Jess (jess@emilyhendersondesign.com) a picture/s and measurements, if needed for context, a spot or room in your home that needs some decor help. This isn’t for any reno questions, sorry! But if you need help picking out new bedding, some lights, or don’t know what to do with a blank wall that’s where Jess can help. Also, a budget is always helpful so that these suggestions could be actually doable for you:) Let’s have some fun!

From Mallory:  I’m so dang hot right now that I keep buying sweaters and cozy things to manifest fall coming (it’s not working but I’m sure eventually it will because autumn comes every year). I told myself it’s time to cool it on buying sweaters but then I went to Target and found this cutie pie for only $35!! It’s ADORABLE, looks way more expensive than it is and it’s SOOOOOOOOOOOOO soft I’ve been lounging in it every night!!

From Caitlin: Are there any other Unstable fans in the house? It’s a Netflix series that follows an eccentric billionaire biotech founder, Ellis Dragon (played by Rob Lowe, who gives a performance that’ll thrill any Parks & Rec fan), whose hijinx continuously lands the business in hot water. The casting is incredible (Fleabag fans, you’ll be charmed by Sian Clifford’s role; Fred Armisen is a total scene-stealer; Lamorne Morris is a welcome addition to season 2!) and it’s a light, fun, breezy watch. You’ll LOVE binge-watching this one, I promise! (Here’s the season 1 trailer, if you’re on the fence.)

From Arlyn: File this one under “necessary” rather than a sexy way to spend your money. We’ve had such a big problem with pantry moths for the last several months and I thought it was enough to just throw out infected food items and wipe down my shelves a few times. The moths laughed in my face clearly because they kept coming back. After some research, I found these pantry moth traps that have worked great. It takes a few weeks to end the life cycle of the moths, but we’re almost there. I’ll be glad when I no longer have to put every single piece of food in a ziplock bag to keep the moths and larvae out (because they find their way into everything, even when it’s a closed package…must be moth magic).

Thanks for stopping by and see y’all tomorrow for a very fun reveal!! xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: THE BIG REVEAL: A Full Look Inside Mal’s 500 Sqft Resort-Like Hollywood Oasis

The post The Link Up: Em’s Favorite Parenting Advice Help, Arlyn’s Moth Hack, And A Newest Affordable Cardigan Sweater appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our Favorite Moisturizers To Combat The Dry Season – 6 Women, 6 Different Faces, Only What Works

One thing I feel most of us can agree on is the desire for hydrated skin. Sure, there are more important things in this world to think about but as we head into fall and then winter (dun, dun, duuuuunnnnnn), most of us are going to need to put some extra focus on moisturization. I myself have fairly dry skin but also have a bit of an issue with milia (those little white bumps that you can’t pop, DO NOT TRY). This means I need a decent amount of hydration but have to be careful about using oils (due to possible congestion/milia). Also, exfoliating is key but enough about me. Other gals on the team have totally different needs! So we decided to have a little dish sesh on what our favorite moisturizing products are that help make our faces feel their best. I mean moisturized skin is happy skin, right? Let’s get into it.

Emily

Skin Type: Very Dry

As you know I have very dry skin, but also smallish pores which sounds good but it often means that it’s hard to get the moisture inside. I have to gently exfoliate a lot (I love the Pixie pads) and then I slap my face with 1/2 a vial of this hyaluronic acid (and Vitamin C serum of the same brand) and let that soak in. I still love ExfoliKate because of the immediate results that I get (smooth, glowing, soft, etc) but I change the moisturizer that I put on top of my ISIDN often. I have sensitive skin and will break out if it’s too thick but it’s also dry and I want something so moist (clearly I need help and no I don’t go to a dermatologist, but probably could). Anyway, these capsules make my skin so happy.

Caitlin

Skin Type: Dry & Super Sensitive

Lazy, lizard-skinned gals, this one is for you: after years of trial and error, I’ve whittled down my routine to TWO STEPS. Step one: this gentle oil cleanser that simultaneously exfoliates and moisturizes – it’s extraordinary. Not stripping, naturally derived, and it can remove makeup, too! I keep mine in the shower and use a few pumps every time I’m in there.

Step two: this all-in-one serum that (actually) replaces EVERY OTHER PRODUCT. It’s pretty pricey (though you can grab the travel size for $20 now!) and the dropper needs improvement (it can be a little difficult to use), but otherwise, IT’S MAGIC. 100% natural, lightweight, moisturizing, brightening, skin-clearing – the chemist behind this deserves a medal. I throw it on damp skin 2x per day and the scaly, sensitive patches on my face have disappeared!

And I can’t say enough about these sheet masks – they’re Korean, recommended by my local skincare store (and I live in Koreatown, so I’m getting the good recs right from the source!), and they lock in moisture unlike any other mask I’ve ever tried. I love bringing them on flights, on girls’ nights, or just throwing one on as a special treat after one of those full-body super-showers:)

Arlyn

Skin Type: Is “Can’t Make Up Its Mind” a skin type? No? Okay then…combination. Oily in the T-zone, sometimes dry around my eyes and cheeks

In a shocking turn of events, my face has been so dry lately (a drastic change from the oil slick it tends to be in these swampy months). I had just reupped my normal everyday moisturizer so I didn’t want to buy another one and waste this one. Instead, I bought this wonderful rosehip oil to layer underneath my moisturizer and I really, really love it. My face feels so well hydrated, not the least bit greasy (even if I get a little heavy-handed) as it absorbs so fast, and it wears great under makeup. I use it day and night, and have also been rubbing it into my hair ends when needed as well as my cuticles. It’s lovely and super affordable!

When my face is acting normal, my everyday moisturizer on its own really really great. Blends in and absorbs super fast, leaves my fast feeling pretty well balanced (unless I’m using another product that is drying), doesn’t break me out, and works well for day or night. Oh, it’s also great under makeup since my skin actually absorbs it, rather than sitting on the skin surface like some others I’ve used.

Jess

Skin Type: Normal to Dry

I’ve now been using Dieux’s New Air Angel Collagen & Peptide Hydrating Gel Cream for almost two months and I have been SO happy with it. It feels so great going on the skin and doesn’t feel heavy at all. Sometimes with lighter gel creams they just don’t hydrate enough but for me, this has been just the right amount. I do plan on buying their Instant Angel Lipid-Rich Barrier Repair Cream with Ceramides, which is richer, for these upcoming dryer months when I know I’ll need it. So glad I finally tried this brand and plan on it being a keeper:)

If you are looking for a lighter, overnight mask, this mask from Youth to the People is great! I always love how my skin looks and feels when I wake up and it’s so easy to sleep in. It drys fast and just feels like a thickish moisturizer.

Then this is not a rec (yet) because I haven’t tried it but apparently this eye cream is great for people who deal with milia! Anyone have any thoughts or reviews? Please let me know!!

Mallory

Skin Type: Combination

I have combo skin (oily in the T-zone but dry everywhere else) and typically, I switch between 3 different moisturizers. If I’m feeling fancy I use this guy in the morning and then this guy at night. The Olay one has vitamin c and is so creamy and luxurious plus my makeup glides right over it. The Neutrogena one is VERY hydrating which I love for before bed and it makes your skin real dewy. If I’m feeling like I don’t wanna spend that much on lotion though/sometimes you just need an everyday bare necessity lotion and that’s this guy. Tried and true. CeraVe never does me wrong so I always travel with the small bottle of this:)

Gretchen

Skin Type: “Normal” but can definitely lean oily

For me, I like a moisturizer that gives me hydration without leaving me feeling greasy. This stuff from The Ordinary has been working great for me for a while now. It comes out pretty thick, and a little goes a long way, but once it’s on the skin it feels so smooth and light. I love that it comes in such a big tube at such a low price point. I haven’t had to repurchase yet, but won’t hesitate when the time comes!

We hope this quick little roundup of what we love/works for our skin helps!! If you have any moisturizers you love drop them in the comments (and if you could add your skin type that would be extra helpful:))

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: **Introducing** Our Farmhouse Primary Bathroom Reveal (FINALLY)

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Mini Design Trend Alert (That You’ll Keep Forever)!! Green Moroccan Tamegroute Pottery

You know that moment when something small takes your breath away for a quick second? Well, that’s how I felt when I saw the green ceramic candlestick holders on June Diane Raphael and Paul Scheer’s dining room table in Architectural Digest this past April. Immediately thought, “OH, I WANT THOSE” although truthfully in no world does my one-bedroom apartment need another candlestick holder or candelabra (I talk about my mild obsession here). Nonetheless, I knew I needed to keep an eye out because they were just special. Fast forward to me seeing variations of these green beauties on Jayson Home and then later featured in two homes designed by designers I LOVE and very much consider trendsetters. But here’s the thing, these special, beautiful, no-two-are-alike pieces are anything but new or “trendy”. Sure, they may have only come into focus for me this year but this kind of pottery has been around for centuries.

It’s called Tamegroute pottery because they come from the town of Tamegroute, Morocco and their green glaze is not only unique to the area due to the region’s natural materials but the exact way of how they achieve it is also a secret passed down from father to son. The clay is also only collected from the Draa Valley in which holes are dug up because the surface material is too sandy. So ya, “special” is a very accurate way to describe them. I was able to take a quick trip to Marrakesh in 2019 and let’s just say I will be going back. We learned about so many amazing places that we were kinda devasted we had to leave. Tamegroute has been added to the list:)

Now, for a little explanation of how that beautiful green glaze is created a concoction “composed of kohl, copper, a dry rock plus a barley soup, all these ingredients are crushed and then kneaded.” Thank you to Tamegoute Ceramic for this piece of information! Nothing about this process is simple but the result creates a piece of art that will hopefully be passed down and cared for for generations! If I end up purchasing a piece you bet whoever ends up getting all of my things in the end will know its significance.

I hope that you are ready to fall in love with this pottery (unless you are already aware) because I think it’s impossible not to.

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A post shared by June Diane Raphael (@junediane)

If you click over to slide three, this was the photo that first got me. The shapes are unique but understated, the color has just enough pop to add some excitement to a room, and I just love that each one is individually made. This is the green I want in my home! Also, Lafayette Studio, who designed this home, did such a stunning job. Go look at the whole article!

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A post shared by Architectural Digest (@archdigest)

And here they are again, but this time EHD beloved designer, Heidi Caillier, decided to add another tone of green to this dining table, contrasting the very “traditional” style of the space. I love how they add to the space but they also feel like a cool surprise.

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A post shared by NINA FARMER (@ninafarmerinteriors)

Now, while candlestick holders and candelabras are at the core of this pottery, vases and sculptures are also a massive part. Nina Farmer (of which I am a big ole fangirl) not only used to an INCREDIBLE vase on the dining table, but if you scroll to the next shot you will see an unbelievable collection of pieces. They hit you square in the heart!

Moroccan art and design has had an insurmountable effect on the design world. Textiles to tiles to glassware to baskets, you name it. So it only makes sense that despite its ancient roots, Tamegroute pottery may be popping up on our feeds and in magazines more and more. Speaking of that, let’s get into some shoppable options. Even if you just want to window shop:)

Single Candlestick Holder | Moroccan Vintage Tamegroute Candlestick Holder (Set of 3)

If you loved the first two photos then these candlesticks are the same (well, similar:)) ones. I love the idea of buying a set like the one on the right so it’s more of a collection. Either way, you can’t lose! Just make sure to check the shipping costs since most of them are coming from overseas.

Small Abstract Candlestick Holder | Candle Holders | Vintage Tamegroute Candlestick Holder

If you’re looking for something with a different shape, may I suggest these more abstract ones? With these, they can clearly be used as intended, as candlestick holders, but they also can easily be displayed as ceramic sculptures. Anyone who comes into your home will undoubtedly comment on how special they are. That big one in the middle is calling my name!

Tamegroute Vase | Tamegroute Pottery Glaze Vase | Tamegroute Pottery Glazed Wide Mouth Vase

But as I said, candlesticks aren’t the only players in the game. LOOK AT THESE VASES! If you’re someone who prefers simpler lines then the handled vase could be your perfect match! But if you love a more unique, abstract look then the vase in the middle is for you. I truly believe there is something for everyone’s style.

Vintage Pedestal Fruit Bowl | Zohra Footed Bowl

We’ve got bowls too and if you know EHD you know we love a footed bowl. I love the pointed trim of the piece on the left as much as I love the simplicity of the lines on the bowl on the right.

If you click the links you’ll notice that nearly all of them take you to Etsy. I really tried to find the shops that say that they support the local community in Tamegroute. But then a few are from Jayson Home (as I mentioned in the beginning) who also work directly with craftsmen in Tamegroute.

Large Candle Holder | Zohra Pottery F

Ok, here are more spectacular pieces! I’m a bit at a loss for how to describe these adequately. If I had the dollars and space, that large beauty on the right would be coming home with me. I might keep saying that about each and every one of these. OOPS!

3 Arm Candle Holder | Green Tall Candle Holder | Moroccan Tamegroute Abstract Sculpture

As I researched more about these pieces, I realized that these ancient shapes have been “replicated” by many others. Don’t these pieces look a little familiar to new products on the market??? Well, now you know where they come from and support the communities who created them. That 3 Arm Candle Holder is the best!

Zohra Pottery B | Unique Moroccan Vintage Tamegroute Large Ceramic Vase

Thought I’d end with these gorgeous pieces. Any home would be lucky to have them:)

We’ve come to the end. I hope you either learned something, were inspired, or maybe got an extremely special new piece for your home. Heck, maybe all three! The more we learn about the history behind the art and other pieces we buy, the more meaningful it becomes.

Love you, mean it.

The post Mini Design Trend Alert (That You’ll Keep Forever)!! Green Moroccan Tamegroute Pottery appeared first on Emily Henderson.

3 Designer-Approved Ways To Make Your IKEA Sofa Look Expensive

Raise your hand if you’ve ever been blessed with a hand-me-down piece of furniture that you never really liked but definitely needed…!!! Sure, we’ve all had that “vintage in all the wrong ways” kind of piece, but today I’m going to show a little hack that made mine MUCH better. While I’ve had many hand-me-down furniture items, I’m specifically chatting about some hacks for the IKEA SODERHAMN sofa that my friend donated as a “for now” piece in my apartment. It’s a sofa we’ve all seen, know, and love (nice depth, sexy chrome legs, cute lil pillows) but it definitely has room for improvement since it screams “HI I’M FROM IKEA!” If you don’t have this exact sofa, don’t you worry darling because some of these hacks will likely work on many different sofas. Look sometimes you gotta put lipstick on a pig and call it a day. Here is said pig:

Now, I think we can all agree this has seen better days. A sofa should scream “Come sit on me and get cozy” but instead this one is giving “Weird Barbie”. It’s definitely that toy you played with too much but don’t want to get rid of because it’s sentimental. But just because she’s been through the wringer doesn’t mean we can’t give her her spark back! Now let’s talk about ways you can revive a piece like this back from the dead.

But hold up. Let’s back up a little because this whole “I’m gonna give this IKEA sofa a makeover” bit started when I saw this reel on Instagram and I felt SO inspired. That was until I clicked that link in bio and my dreams were shattered. My heart sank when I saw that these sofa covers were $500-$800 after tax and shipping (which is the same price as the sofa itself). Devastation struck but I also understand creating custom cushions and shipping them from Europe costs a pretty penny. Nonetheless, the sadness still crept in as I wept that my sofa could never be so luxurious as the ones on the internet…and then it hit me like a semi-truck speeding with a hungry driver. I remembered: hey! I’m a scrappy gal and if I could figure out how to DIY this headboard I could definitely figure out how to make this IKEA sectional sexy and skirted for less. So here’s what I did:

The Sofa Cover + Bed Skirt Hack

TADA! She’s pretty, no?! I ordered a SODERHAMN sofa cover. From my research, these covers generally cost around $175-$350, the one I ordered above was on the pricier end of that spectrum but the velvet tone is very pretty and not too saturated like some of the other covers on the market. But look, ordering a cover is not revolutionary, but have you ever ordered a BED SKIRT and then WRAPPED IT AROUND A SOFA?! This was where I got creative and I couldn’t believe how pretty it ended up looking! I found this tonal blue bed skirt for $16 and the queen size fit PERFECTLY around this two-seater sofa. The best part is since this sofa is so easy to take apart, you can take the back of the sofa off, wrap the bed skirt around (this is where the headboard straps of the bed skirt were, so no need to cut the bed skirt or do anything janky to it) and then put the back of the sofa back on and it just sits perfectly in place. The other reason why this works with this sofa is because the cushions are zippered into the base and there are no arms so the bed skirt’s elastic just snapped right into place and was super secure without having to glue it down or anything.

Here’s a little visual bed skirt step-by-step:

This is a very light room for a very dark sofa but imagine how cool this would look in a tonal blue moody little office, library, movie room…the possibilities are endless. If you had a sofa with say, arms, you could definitely do something similar to the above but you might need to cut the bed skirt to size and then sew, glue, staple, or fabric tape it. It might not be as easy or as seamless as a sofa without arms, but I genuinely believe this could be the ultimate hack to upgrading any boring old sofa!!

The Neutral Sofa Cover Hack

The hack above is so fun, but it definitely leans more traditional/eclectic in style. If you’re more of an organic modern, contemporary, and/or neutral sofa person here’s another option for you:

So upon doing research, I found out IKEA sells a bunch of sofa covers including this one which I’m a big fan of. While I do like the chrome legs on the SODERHAMN sectional, they’re very recognizable and can definitely scream “IKEA!”. That’s why I believe masking the legs of this sofa is what really breathes new life into it and this is EXHIBIT B…

I just love how streamlined and simple this is – especially when you don’t want your hand-me-down sofa to necessarily be the center of attention. I will say I had this cover on my sectional when a friend came over and she said, “omg this is my dream sofa where is it from” and she was SHOCKED to find out it was IKEA. I’m telling you – covering up those legs makes a difference! Speaking of legs…

A Simple Swap Of The Legs

If you don’t want to cover up your sofa legs with a skirt, another way to elevate this sofa is to just swap out the legs altogether. There are SO many different options available out there it’s incredible. Here are some I really loved:

Now obviously this is a photoshopped version but these legs are in fact real and they come in a bunch of different heights and sizes which rocks. If you’re on the taller side, this could be a good move to go with a higher leg because the IKEA SODERHAMN is relatively low to the ground. I love the look of these wood legs with the blue velvet cover – it kind of reminds me of Em’s blue sofa in her LA living room. Very elevated, classic, demure, and mindful (sorry, I had to throw in at least one TikTok reference here).

So there you have it! Make sure to check out our IG for a reel of this sofa hack if you want to see it in live action! Thanks everyone for reading all of this and I can’t wait to show you more of my apartment transformation journey! Hope this helps love you bye xx

The post 3 Designer-Approved Ways To Make Your IKEA Sofa Look Expensive appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Inside The Messy Design Process: Painting (Or Staining?) The Flex/Art Barn Floor

We are ALMOST done with what I’m calling the “art barn” but is really a flex space – kids for summer and playdates, me when I need to finish work because when I’m working in the sunroom the kids beg me for screentime and the dogs bark in my face like I’m their personal fetch concierge. Do we need this room? Nope. Do we love having it? YES. So far, this summer we’ve had three weeks where my best friend’s 16-year-old son (aka the “coolest person on the planet,” shout out to Jay) watched our kids and their friends, spending a lot of time out there making sculptures out of air dry clay, DIY stickers, and likely ample wrestling. It’s almost ready to shoot. It’s fine as-is, but with a simple pattern on the floor (and some sealant) it will be that much better/way more fun. It’s meant to be a creative space so why not??

What you have to remember is that we have upholstered cushions in vintage quilts (many quilt toppers that were falling apart) and then all the walls are clad in a basic pine. What you don’t know is that I have dreams (that will happen) of painting a Scandinavian-style flower mural on the outside of the barn. I wanted to do it this year but our summer was so busy and I “might” have totally overcommitted myself. Now the mural might need to wait til a week of non-rain (July? LOL). I’m trying hard to squeeze it in before November, but that’s all to say that there will be BIG color and BIG pattern on the outside of the barn. Then you walk in and see a green lounge-y sofa and all these vintage quilts, something less WILD on the floor will probably be best. Here are my thoughts:

I like the mono-chromaticness of all the pine. I just want it to look more finished and intentional. I’m obsessed with how this room is turning out and if I weren’t such a design enthusiast I would call it good enough. But I can see the potential and I’m not going to stunt this room. I’m going to go for it.

The Pattern Options

While I thought about doing a floor mural, since there is going to be a mural on the outside this should be quieter (that’s best for me, some personalities could handle more). I don’t want to do anything too trendy or “now” nor do I want to do something that will take two weeks to execute. So from the beginning, it was always going to be a combo of white-washed wood and raw wood – a simple pattern, sealed on top.

Off-Set Stripe?

An easy go-to is to use the current floorboards to lean into the pattern – a stripe, off-set stripe, or broken stripe. I mean, NO ONE likes a broken stripe more than me. Here are some ideas:

But these feel a little less interesting to me and also less classic (even though typically I think that stripes are the most classic).

A Diamond Callback?

The truth is I fell in love with doing an angled checkerboard pattern and it feels so right (and a fun call back to our sunroom) so no other pattern had a winning chance. I want to do this but with an unexpected border. And I think that the execution won’t take weeks – we just need to decide on the size, scale, and location and then tape off the non-stained squares after choosing a border – you KNOW I love a border. But the question is really about scale…

Oh, and Gretchen (who made these graphics, THANK YOU!) also showed a non-border option just so we could all see.

Here is the largest scale and I do like it. Plus, the fewer the diamonds the easier the prep, right??

Originally, I thought that a medium scale like this one would be best though. Not visually too much but has a bit more going on than the largest scale. Also, I’m really liking the border:)

Now, while I think the medium size will be best, I just wanted to see what the pattern would look like if we made the diamonds the size of the individual planks. A part of me thinks that could possibly be easier but also I’m not 100% sure that all the planks are the same size. All the things to consider:)

So while I’m a huge fan and will almost surely do the diamonds with a border, what do you all think? Stripes, Offset? Which scale of diamonds? Let me know what you think! xx

The post Inside The Messy Design Process: Painting (Or Staining?) The Flex/Art Barn Floor appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Can We All Stop Hating On Overhead/Ceiling Lights? Here’s Why We Actually *Kind Of* Love Them

Today’s post is not like my usual ones. If you’re a regular reader who recognizes my byline, you know I lean hard on the educational and the “make it work” content. But the other week, I had some friends over and one of them asked if they could dim the overhead lights in my living room while we watched a movie. I didn’t mind at all and actually had meant to do just that before we started, but it did get me thinking: Why does everyone suddenly have a vendetta against overhead lighting?

I’m not really on TikTok (and by “not really,” I mean, I just downloaded the app this last year and only open it when friends text me links). But even as someone off the platform, I know how much hatred #ceilinglights and #thebiglight are getting. A 10-second search of the hashtags I’ve seen circling Instagram leads me to the following captions:

DEATH TO THE OVER HEAD LIGHT!!

Why the Big Light Should Be Banned in Interior Design

Petition to Ban All Overhead Lighting

And while no one has ever accused TikTok of being hyperbolic (hahaha, yeah right), I just want to say, let’s all calm down. There are definitely merits to #thebiglight and I’m going to get into it today because I’m #teambiglight…mostly.

Growing up, my best friend Claudia did NOT like bright lights on in her bedroom, and I remember thinking how strange and emo that was. She’d huff and cringe when I’d come in and turn on the overheads, and she’d jump out of bed to turn them off and instead turn on her “mood lighting.” This consisted of rope lights along her metal tube bunk beds, a lamp on her desk and maybe, possibly, a lava lamp (though my memory could be making that up since I had a lava lamp and it’s hard to distinguish what’s what 20 years later). To this day, I still don’t think she turns on her overhead lights. That is her prerogative, of course. As it is yours if you’re a #smalllight, lamps-only type of dweller.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I love a decorative lamp, and task lighting works wonders for, well, completing tasks. My thorough evaluation of the famed Nancy Meyers aesthetic (read that here, it was a banger) uncovered a wildly generous use of the table lamp, giving those rooms an undeniable cozy quality. But it’s simply not enough for me.

Allow me to make my case for overhead lighting.

design & photos by malcolm simmons | from: malcolm’s diy-filled office reveal: how to lean into color and create a stimulating work from home spacePoint #1: How On Earth Do You See Anything Without It?

As someone about to turn 40 in the coming months, I fully recognize that my vision is showing its age. I recall rolling my teenage eyes at my middle-aged parents who had to use a flashlight to read a menu and hold it out an arm’s length from their face to make out the words, and as life would have it, karma has come to take its fee. I am now my parents in this scenario, and even with a current contacts prescription, I struggle with low lighting.

I need a room to be fully awash in light. An even coating of lumens is my preferred style. That’s not to say it needs to be blinding white or blue-toned light. That would be ludicrous, but all the overhead lighting haters of the world swear that just because a light source is coming from higher than table height, it’s going to melt your flesh off of something. The home we live in currently is on a street with 100-year-old camphor trees and a few giant pines, which are unspeakably beautiful to experience when you’re outside but when you’re inside…it leaves much to be desired. It’s dim in here, and if I had to live all day with soft, cozy night-time appropriate lamps on and nothing else, I’d lose my mind (and yes, constant dim lighting truly affects my mental health).

I’ve seen some TikTok videos and Instagram Reels on the subject of people showing kitchens, living rooms, and beyond with their “big” lights on, then with them off and all their lamps on and I’m sorry but…it’s just too dark unless you know how to properly light a room (which involves layers and lighting types like ambient vs. task).

Point #2: I Have Too Much to Plug In to Add 10 Lamps Per Room Into the Mix (Don’t You??)

I know this one is fairly specific to me and my lifestyle, but I have to know: where you are getting all these outlets to plug in all of these lamps? In my last place, which was built in the 1930s, there were SO few outlets in every room. My bedroom had two outlets in total; our dining room had one, and our living room had a whopping three! We didn’t have much overhead lighting in that place and we spent our lives plugging and unplugging everything all day every day to accommodate lamps and everything else you need to run a modern life.

Where I live now has a surface area problem. I don’t have much space in my living room for side tables to hold lamps. Plus, none of my light switches downstairs actually operate an outlet, so I’d have to turn everything on (and off) manually. No. Sorry. Not doing it. Not when my canned lighting and pendants are *right there.* We thankfully have many more outlets in each room here, but even still, I have so many things to plug in: vacuum charger, wet vac, router, modem, TV, Firestick, Tonies music box, computer, computer monitor, phone chargers…etc.

design by emily henderson design | styling by brady tolbert with emily edith bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: how to design a pass-through room – reveal – the portland family roomPoint #3: Recessed Lights Are Not Evil (Sorry Interior Designers)

I’m going to say it: I’m bothered by interior designers who feel the need to make *everything* decorative. Some things can just be functional and integrated ceiling lights and overhead lights in general (like flush mounts, can lights, recessed lights and chandeliers) are extremely functional. I agree that they don’t fit every style of home. The same can lights I have in my townhome would have been ridiculous in my 1930s Mediterranean. FINE! But I would have still loved to have found a way to install more overhead lighting had I stayed in my previous home longer. There is a way to make this work in the home’s aesthetic, but again, saying a hard “no” to ceiling lights just because you don’t think they’re “pretty” is not something I can get on board with. Overhead lighting is not evil, it shouldn’t “be banned” (stop that, TikTok), and can be a crucial part of a home’s lighting plan.

Point #4: But You Need a Dimmer Switch

Even I, president of #teamceilinglight, agree with the fact that a dimmer switch is absolutely integral to a successful “big light.” I was rocking my daughter the other night in her glider, which is directly under one of the can lights in her bedroom. I had turned them on to full power and when I sat down, it did feel like a spotlight was on me and my two-year-old was interrogating me. It was a lot. For a moment, I thought “Oh no…maybe I get what all the fuss is about?” But then I just remembered I could turn down the dimmer a bit, and move on with my life with no need to post on the Internet about how much I hate ceiling lights (yet here I am on the Internet doing the exact opposite…irony).

And frankly, I believe that as many lamps and lights as possible should be on a dimmer because this is 2024 and we deserve to be able to customize and control our lighting any way we want. Cooking a meal and need to actually see the food you’re chopping? Crank those babies up. Having a dinner party and don’t want your guests to feel like they’re performing surgery at the table? Turn it down and set the mood. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, for goodness sakes.

Just as a quick aside, I started writing this article sitting next to my architecture-school-trained husband. I turned to him and asked: “What are your thoughts on overhead lights?” just to get a sense of his feelings, and after telling him that I was writing a piece on how some people out there abhor them, I got a guttural “What?!? No!” from him. Then, my sister who is visiting walked into the room I was working from, and I asked her the same question. She scrunched up her face and said “That’s literally all I use at home…but I have my dimmers.” I felt a bit vindicated.

design by julie rose for emily henderson design | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a mid-century eclectic living room with kilz primer and paint – the dark room problem solvedPoint #5: It’s Not “Surgical” If You Have the Right Lightbulbs

As I was taking a break from writing, I picked up my phone to do a little scrolling and immediately was met by a post from an Internet friend on this exact subject, but she fell on the opposite side of the conversation as me. The audio of her Reel made me laugh, but after reading the comments, I saw how many people also only use softly diffused task lighting rather than flip the switch to the overhead lights. Someone commented “Why do people need to see so bad? We’re not doing surgery here.” HA.

Look, I hear you…sort of. There are instances when overhead lighting is horrific. Like all those fluorescent tube lights that used to be in so many kitchens. I can still hear the flickering, clicking, and zapping. Or if the lightbulbs have the lumen power to light an airstrip. God, please, no. But warm white light is fine in my book with a lumen rating appropriate to the space and its function. Here’s what I found at The Home Depot (which was echoed in some other places, as well):

Workspace or garage: 8,000 to 10,000 lumensKitchen work areas: 7,000 to 8,000 lumensBathroom: 7,000 to 8,000 lumensHome office: 6,000 to 8,000 lumensDining room: 3,000 to 4,000 lumensKitchen: 3,000 to 4,000 lumensDining room: 3,000 to 4,000 lumensLiving room: 1,000 to 2,000 lumensBedroom: 1,000 to 2,000 lumensHallway: 500 to 1,000 lumens

As for how to get the correct “warmth,” you’ll want to go with either a 2,700 Kelvin rating if you like really warm light (what was often in incandescent bulbs) and 3,000 Kelvin if you prefer a soft warm white (my preference). Some lightbulbs even let you fully customize the temperature with an app so it’s *just* right.

Also, see point #4.

design by caitlin higgins | styled by emily edith bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: caitlin’s long, dark hallway makeoverPoint #6: Some Spaces *Need* Overhead Lighting

My last and final sticking point here is the following: What are all these overhead light haters doing in hallways? Stairwells? Kitchens? Bathrooms?!?!? Let me say it for the people at the back: SOME SPACES NEED CEILING LIGHTS! Are you placing little side tables on your stairs to hold a tiny lamp that you can’t even plug in because there’s no outlet? Are you lighting candles in your bathroom to put on your makeup? Using lantern light in your kitchen to check if your chicken is fully cooked?

—

If there’s a light switch, know that I’m using it. I thrive in well-lit spaces at all times of the day, and maybe I’m in the minority here, but I had to say my piece. If you’re team small light, please don’t take offense. You do you. Your house is your haven, but my house is my bright, overhead-lit haven, too.

Speaking of overhead lights, here are some beautiful ones I dug around for. Some I know have been used in previous EHD projects, others that have great reviews, and others that are a great deal. Most if not all of these should be dimmable, and come in a handful of other colors, and even Kelvin temperature ratings.

Bottom line: Don’t let the Internet bully you into thinking you’re uncouth if you’re opting for #TheBigLight. Take care friends!

1. Eastmoreland 4″ Fitter Semi-Flush Mount | 2. Siena Flush Mount in Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass – Small | 3. Paige 3-1/4″ Articulating Flat Cylinder Semi-Flush Mount in Polished Nickel | 4. White Drum Linen Shade 18″ Kids Flush Mount Ceiling Light | 5. Reel LED Flushmount | 6. Nello Light Sage and Olive Green Metal Saucer 18″ Kids Flush Mount Ceiling Light | 7. Hinkley Lighting Cedric 1 Light 5″ Wide Flush Mount Ceiling Fixture in Lacquered Brass | 8. Nordic Minimalist Cobblestone PE Lampshade LED Flush Mount Ceiling Light | 9. Modern Minimalist Round Spotlight Adjustable LED Flush Mount Ceiling Light | 10. Vaughan Dimmable LED Wall & Ceiling Flush Mount | 11. Recessed LED Ceiling Spot FLEXX Tiltable Square in Inox | 12. Cambridge 16″ Flush Mount in Polished Nickel

Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson Design | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: It’s Finally Here: The Reveal of the Mountain House Kitchen

The post Can We All Stop Hating On Overhead/Ceiling Lights? Here’s Why We Actually *Kind Of* Love Them appeared first on Emily Henderson.