Emily Henderson's Blog, page 62

7 Bathroom Trends For 2024 That Are Bold, Beautiful And Majorly Exciting

It’s that time of year again when design websites make grand proclamations about what they suspect will be “in” (and occasionally they also write about what’s “out”). It’s all very Project Runway, but the truth is, as much as I cringe at the idea of trends for the fleeting connotations they have particularly in this new TikTok era, the truth is I love picking up on similar threads in beautiful rooms. An exciting and unexpected detail that gets me excited and then OH! there it is again! Seeing a decorating concept, particularly one with as much permanence as a tile, vanity, or shower installation, gives us that little boost of confidence that it is in fact a good idea. Validation + $$$ spent = comfort.

Last week, my friend and colleague Jess tackled 2024 kitchen trends, and today, I’m delving into bathrooms. Some of the trends I spotted are less hardwired to the room (I’m looking at you, sink skirts) while others are transformative (mosaic floors, for one). All in all, it’s safe to say that traditional aesthetics including cottage chic and anything English- or old-world-inspired are still going quite strong and will continue to lean into bold colors, layered patterns, and daring moves that lean less all-white spa ambiance and more cozy, comfortable, and distinctive. And I have to say…I’m into it.

Pedestal Sink Skirts

This was the first trend I knew I’d include in my roundup because it’s everywhere right now. We’ve all watched Emily try to figure out where to put fabric skirts in the last year and she’s not the only one. I love this trend because it’s so easy to change up and walk away from if you change your mind. It’s just fabric attached to a sink basin. It’s not often a bathroom trend is so affordable or reversible.

design by ciara kenaston

Some people use it just for aesthetics, but it’s also a great solution to add a little hidden storage around a pedestal sink that typically has zero (I know this from experience). This buffalo check version is by Ciara Kenaston. You can’t see it in this photo but this room actually has two pedestal sinks with the same skirt, and looks very cute, in case you had a similar situation in your home.

design by jourdan fairchild | photo by stephanie berbec

If you haven’t been following design editor-turned-designer Jourdan Fairchild’s renovation of her North Carolina home, you still have time to quickly rectify that. Her most recent reveal was her daughters’ bathroom which had a cute vintage vibe to begin with. She went all in and I think it’s just darling. I’d be afraid of doing something like this so close to a toilet in a little boy’s bathroom (ahem, we can all imagine why) but also it’s fabric, is removable and easy to wash.

Deep Burgundy Color Palettes

I’ve been tracking deep berry shades of red for the last year (remember my obsession with mulberry?) and it’s undeniable that its favorite room is the bathroom. I find it works best in a smaller space since it packs a punch and it plays nice with so many other finishes including deep wood tones, dramatic marbling and vibrant brass.

design by anna knight interiors | photo by ryan mcdonald | styling by kimberly swedelius

I love the zellige tile in varying shades of burgundy in this bathroom by Anna Knight Interiors so much. It draws the eye, is unexpected but is the kind of color that makes you wonder why you never thought of it for your own space. Cool colors like blues and greens have held their tight grip on design in the last decade-plus, but warm tones are certifiably back and I believe will be around for quite a while.

design by anne mcdonald design | photo by wing ho/canary grey

Tile isn’t the only way rich oxbloods and burgundies are making their way into our bathing spaces. Vanities in the warm color, like the one here designed by Anne McDonald Design, are a wildly beautiful way to add gravitas and even a sense of history to an older home. I haven’t seen the hue used much in modern applications but I’m sure it would work as long as it’s paired with the right materials and colors. I’d err on the side of depth there like deep wood tones, darker stones, etc.

design by elisha kelly/our aesthetic abode

While not necessarily super modern, Elisha Kelly of Our Aesthetic Abode pulls off the color in her DIY bathroom that definitely reads more contemporary than Anne McDonald’s room. But the same elements are there: brass fixtures and hardware, dark oak mirrors, black hex floors, and then a bit of white (or light cream) to lessen the visual load.

In all the three photos above, the burgundy reads more like a neutral IMHO. If you wanted to amp things up, I’d layer in an additional color, maybe like a fleshy clay, pink, or even turquoise/peacock green.

Rich Wood Vanities

Painted, white and blonde wood vanities have had a long runway of being the most popular kids in bathroom design school, but more and more designers are opting for rich, dark wood tones instead. I think it’s an extension of all the highly traditional living spaces and architecture that we’ve seen over the last few years, not to mention everyone’s affinity for moody spaces. This wood finish sings in a bathroom that gets soft beautiful light because the sunlight catches all the subtle variations and the golden hues in the wood grain.

design by jessica helgerson interior design | photo by aaron leitz

There are few things Jessica Helgerson Interior Design can do wrong in my opinion. If you told me to imagine a bathroom with wall-to-wall dark wood paneling, dark wood trim on the ceiling, and a dark wood vanity, I’d first ask you when the demo team was arriving, but LOOK AT THIS BEAUTY. The Portland-based firm pulled this off effortlessly.

design and styling by hearth homes interiors | photo by public 311 design

Retrofitting an antique or vintage credenza, sideboard or dresser into a bathroom vanity is nothing new, but it works especially well for this design movement as many of these pieces are finished in a dark stain. I especially love the shape of the marble backsplash here that Hearth Homes Interiors chose with the wall-mount faucet. Something like this would be perfect in a powder bath where you want to make a statement but maybe don’t want to go all-in on a dramatic all-room tile or even wallpaper. It’s sweet and memorable.

design by corey lohmann design | photo by margaret rajic | styling by brandi devers

Dark wood vanities work particularly well with jewel tones, like the emerald green wall tile and sapphire blue floors in a space by Corey Lohmann Design. The dark ebony-like grain is so unique and adds a lot of movement to the fairly linear room (besides the rounded shower cut out, of course). That level of richness is hard to find in anything but a vanity material like this.

Mosaic Floors

Floors are the new status symbol in design. That’s right…I said it! And mosaic floors are back in a big way. A lot of what I’m seeing is very vintage-inspired (lots of small black and white penny tiles or hexes) but I’ve also encountered some more daring designs like the room below by Studio Laloc. Let’s take a look.

design by studio laloc

I’m smitten with the playful floral surprise at floor level here. Everything else has a lot of restraint and elegance and then bam! A mosaic stone floor with wonky white flowers. While I wouldn’t hate to see what it would look and feel like in a bolder color, I think it works especially well because it keeps with the neutral palette. That’s always a safer way to stretch your legs a little, step outside the box and try something new without things getting too wild.

design by meet west | photos by rett peek

Here are two bathrooms in the same house by Meet West. The floors are cousins, not twins and simply made from different colored small hex tiles. I wanted to show this to anyone considering a mosaic floor but they have multiple bathrooms to renovate and aren’t sure if you go with the same floor in both spaces, do something totally different or—like here—match the vibes but give each a unique design and colorway.

Plaster Walls (A.K.A. Tadelakt)

A lot of times, people think trends have to be something new, but really, it’s just something that’s repeated time and again in homes. One of the biggest trends across all rooms in home design is a plaster-like finish to walls (through Roman clay or even lime wash paint to give it the look of plaster). In the bathroom specifically, a type of plaster called tadelakt is used which is waterproof and I wrote about its emergence back in 2019 (check that out here). People like this treatment, I think, because it adds character without being overly ornate or heavy-handed like molding/trim work or wallpaper can be.

design by athena calderone | photo by adrian gaut

The queen of chic boutique design with Brooklyn vibes, Athena Calderone’s bathroom in her previous brownstone has beautiful plaster walls that ground the glossy porcelain tub and the traditional paneling. It also veers into cream territory which is a perfect partner to crisp whites often found in bathrooms.

design and photo by drew michael scott

You’d have to see the before of this room to believe that Drew Michael Scott (a.k.a. Lone Fox) didn’t demo out the subway tile that used to be on the walls in here. Instead, he plastered OVER the tile and the result is really lovely. I’m not sure of any implications of taking that approach, but it certainly seems like a cheat code to bathroom renovation I’ve never thought of.

architecture & design by grt architects | interior decoration by michael kirkland | photo by jason schmidt

GRT Architects are out here creating some of my most favorite contemporary rooms lately because they have so much soul, and color but are effortless. Not a thing too much or too little in the design, me thinks. This wet room has such a beautiful subtle shape to it that’s almost geometric but it feels welcoming and timeless because of the waterproof plaster finish.

Cabana Stripes In Tile

Some things simply are always on trend/in style, and stripes are one of those things. But for the sake of this article, I want to call out cabana stripes. It makes sense given the prevalence of checkerboard because if you think about it, a checkerboard pattern is just a cabana stripe that was broken up and shifted every few inches (did that make any sense to you because it did to me??). The look is bold and not for everyone but it definitely gives vacation beach getaway vibes and I’m all for that in the wasteland of monotony that happens this time of year.

design by heidi caillier | photo by harris kenjar

If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know there is no inspiration photo roundup post without a Heidi Caillier room. Here, she created vertical cabana stripes in the tub area using large square zellige tiles (which you know we all love for their variety and imperfect quality), and then horizontal stripes but in a much smaller zellige to shake things up. (Also, uh…the cabinetry skirt people!).

design by lizzie green/popix designs | photo by charlotte lea

Something I love about this tile application is that it can be created using two colors of a fairly simple tile. And don’t be afraid to mix it with a solid install of a similar shape tile with a different finish or color, too, like in this bathroom by Popix Designs.

design by anne mcdonald design | photo by wing ho/canary grey

Here’s a similar design by Anne Mcdonald Design using a slim subway tile in both black and white. Without the bold stripe here, sure the bathroom would have been fun (especially with that utility sink) but with the addition of the graphic punch, it’s unforgettable.

Bold Brass Shower Surrounds & Door Frames

Up until recently, making a shower frame or door disappear was the name of the game. But more and more, I’m seeing designers and home renovators flip the switch and make those features rather than ghosts. And no, I’m not talking about the shiny super yellow/brassy shower frames of the ’80s because…yuck. Today, they’re patinated and beautifully aged to feel luxe like something you’d see in a Manhattan penthouse.

design by coco & jack

A lot of the bathrooms I found with stately brass shower doors and surrounds were in very grand spaces, but I’m so glad I saw this room by Coco & Jack to share here because it proves the look can work even in a smaller bathroom suited for most of us who want a beautiful home but maybe don’t have Vanderbilt blood running through our veins.

And that’s it! There are so many things I could have included but these seven are some of the biggest things I’ve been seeing and getting excited about. The bathroom has defaulted to a monotonous space for too long in the name of “spa” and “Zen” and I don’t disagree there’s a place for that, but give me a mosaic floor and a pedestal skirt sink any day. Who’s with me?

Your friend in (bold) design,

Arlyn

Opening Image Credits: Design by Anne McDonald Design / Photo by Wing Ho/Canary Grey

The post 7 Bathroom Trends For 2024 That Are Bold, Beautiful And Majorly Exciting appeared first on Emily Henderson.

My Brother’s “New Build” River House – Our Big 2024 Project

Three years ago we announced my brother’s family River House project – a new build on the Willamette in Portland and we are FINALLY in the “fun stages” to share. This project has been slow because the engineering of a house near a river that can flood is intense and they had to put like 20 pylons into the soil, going down 80 feet until they hit bedrock. But as my Mormon upbringing will remind us all – you need a firm foundation to build upon (not to mention it was required). And she’s a big house, so pouring the foundation, framing, and doing all the rough electrical, plumbing, and HVAC was a year process after the pylons were in. Most of this I wasn’t really a part of because my role is mostly in the rooms with partnerships that I negotiated (of course I weigh in on stuff as a sister too). That’s all to say I can take almost no credit for the structure itself and it turned out incredible thanks to… 

Who Is Involved?

Speaking of, JP Macy of Sierra Custom Construction (not pictured) is our contractor and a personal friend. We love him very much. JP, the engineer, and Annie Usher, the architect, deserve all the credit until “finishes” are involved (where Max and I came in). Annie did an incredible job laying out the house and maximizing the views and light. Some of the angles and ceilings are just so pretty!!! They did all the window plans without me (I was in Arrowhead) and while I gave my opinion on where the rooms should go via drawings,  Ken/Katie knew what they wanted. I will say that the lot of land is skinny and long so they had to go up and make accommodations for not being to be too wide or spread out. 

We started this project while I was living in Lake Arrowhead full time during lockdown and I didn’t have a team in Portland. I KNEW I wasn’t going to be able to do it well alone. So I reached out to my friend, the very talented Max Humphrey to see if he wanted to co-design it with me and introduced him to Ken and Katie to see if it was the right fit. 

It was so awesome having his expertise and experience on the project and I loved having his perspective (and learned a lot). Now that the farmhouse renovation is done I have more bandwidth so I’m finishing most of the rooms without Max (you also don’t need two designers to choose a side table and for the sake of speed, one actually does it faster). Starting about 3 months ago I took over since it’s my brother and I am on the hook for all the partnerships. We had a really easy conversation about it and we were both on the same page – that it didn’t make sense any longer to have two established designers decorate a room. He shares 50% credit in so many of the rooms and some of the best paint colors were chosen by him. Nothing but love and respect between us and I’m excited for him to come over now that even more is done. The only real reason I’m even mentioning it is that at times I might say “I chose” and at times “we chose” because I don’t want to assume he wants credit for something he had nothing to do with (and might not have chosen it:)). So while he and I did the bathroom hard finishes together, most of the decorating/style will be by me (and he might restyle if he doesn’t like how I did it, which is fine by all of it and part of the deal).

Why Haven’t We Been Blogging About It?

Well, mostly because designing two houses at the same time for our tiny team is already a stretch. But documenting both in a way that an audience can understand is so much more work than it looks like. From experience (and this is getting really inside baseball) most of the readers and followers aren’t interested in the construction phase – we see the numbers drop until it’s time for tile, color, paint, etc. So we try to customize the content to make it as compelling as possible and not just “drywall is going up” for months. It was framing for a whole year! A three-year project only gets interesting at the very beginning and near the end – and a new build of this scale and budget isn’t exactly relatable – less “problems” to solve or things that are interesting to debate. And mostly, if I’m being honest, I didn’t have the team up here or the creative bandwidth to manage documenting and publishing both at the same time. So we focused on the farmhouse for 2023 and this is our major 2024 project. My hope is that the social media following (which has to cut through so much noise) will not be confused where we are (farmhouse? mountain house? river house?) and be able to engage with the project if we are only doing one renovation.

How Does It Work With “Friends And Family” Projects? Is Your Brother Paying You??

Let’s cut to the juicy part. I’m not comfortable charging friends and family (because it would be a lot and then so much pressure on me to not disappoint and thus taint the relationship) and yet for the sake of preserving a healthy relationship and not creating resentments, I also don’t want to work for free (especially when they have a budget). In the past I’ve billed friends/family all my assistant’s time (unless a sponsor was covering it completely), but never my time. It’s crucial to be upfront and transparent about it all. So every “job” is on a case-by-case basis right now. For this one, we came to an agreement where I’ll pitch all the partnerships, promising to publicly document the project, with the hopes that the partners can pay my company for the time to create the content (known as deliverables). These deliverables will include photos (with usage rights), video integration (YouTube and reels), and a LOT of social media content creation, not to mention blog posts, crediting, linking in perpetuity. It’s not only a lot to create, but a lot of relationships to manage (thus having a full team and needing to get paid to cover their time, which is a lot). 

So I got real busy three years ago pitching my favorite design brands to a varying degree of partnership levels, with a lot of customized pitch decks. In some cases we are using the house as a show-house for the brand and in other cases we are just doing product placement in exchange for linking/crediting. Some want and pay for exclusivity to be in a room with no other competitors and others are just happy to be tagged, linked, and credited (PR awareness and sales). I charge my brother 30% of the retail cost of the “traded” piece, giving him essentially 70% off so hopefully at the end we’ll consider it a win/win but also who knows! 

Let me be very clear – NOTHING IS “FREE” or “GIFTED”. It’s not my birthday, these are not “presents” – these brands want something in return, as they should, and often what they want costs more to create than the price of the product. So then I have to estimate if the production costs make sense for the desired piece (and ideally we profit not just break even). It’s a lot of spreadsheet tracking work TBH (thank you Caitlin!), but I’ve been doing this for years so I have a pretty great gut instinct if it makes sense or not. Besides, every single thing in this house, every partnership was one that I went after and handpicked so nothing was a challenge to incorporate. We have to create content regardless so while some of the partnerships probably won’t make a dime, at a certain point when you have to take the picture anyway you want the dope lamp badly enough to make a deal and hope to make the money back on the back end.

Wait, What’s The “Back End”?

The “back end” is the unknown $$ that we bank on in the form of “blog posts”. The hope is that the process and reveal posts of the project will make money via ads and affiliate commissions. This is a huge personal risk for me and my brother, so we have to really be respectful, upfront, and transparent at all times to protect the relationship first. Trust is HUGE. He has to trust me that I’m going to make the house beautiful with the partners that I’ve selected and I have to trust him to pay me, LOL. There is, of course, a chance that I’ll spend more on photography, videography, social media production, and styling/design assistant than I’ll make via this system we’ve created, but it feels like a solid risk to take (and was my idea) and one I’m going in with eyes wide open. So far it is honestly really great, mostly because I know Ken and Katie’s style so well and we are pretty aligned on most decisions. Plus, neither of us is easily offended so if we don’t agree, no big deal and we find more options or just check the box and move forward. It’s been very, very fun and pretty seamless – the house is 15 minutes from me, it’s GORGEOUS which is really inspiring design-wise, and it’s fun to work with my brother. So yeah, that’s how it “works”  Every blog post makes revenue so the more we blog about this project the more revenue EHD can create, thus keeping us alive in the slow partnership months (Jan-June). So thank you so much for enduring the pop-up ads But the challenge is on us to make sure that we get eyeballs on these posts and that we make the rooms look sooooo good that people love and share.

When Will You Be Done?

Right now they are on tile and cabinetry so we are estimating they can move in by March (this has moved many times, of course). Our plan is to style and shoot the bathrooms and mudroom (anywhere that doesn’t require furniture and decor) in the spring and start rolling them out by the end of 2024, meanwhile decorating and furnishing the rest of the rooms with less of a deadline and with a lot of time to document. 

What Are The Biggest Challenges?

Honestly, the inspiration for it is our mountain house – They loved staying there and I certainly do, too. It’s just such an easy house to enjoy life in. But I obviously don’t want to design the same house twice! So I’m pushing it to be a more traditional cabin vibe and more color, wallpaper, and moments of risk/fun but it has to be what they want and what is appropriate to the contemporary style. Maybe I need to be a better pusher, but I’m risk-averse when it comes to hard finishes so we are actually on the same page. Remember my prediction post where I predicted that the “weird’ and “rebellious” are getting attention? Well, Katie and Ken don’t want weird, they want simple and high quality, so where we are taking risks (per usual) is in the decorative finishes, not the hard finishes (i.e. more in art, accessories, and furniture). I hate that I even think about that – knowing what is “in” and will “perform” so I try to push down those comparison thoughts because they aren’t useful or authentic. Like, we know that red is in, but red doesn’t belong in this house so I’m not going to push for it.

We are starting to draft all the posts now with what we feel is interesting about the process and then you’ll be up to speed on all the finishes soon, I promise

Resources So Far:
Paint by Sherwin-Williams
Tile by Ann Sacks
Wood Flooring by Stuga
Plumbing by Kohler

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post My Brother’s “New Build” River House – Our Big 2024 Project appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The Henderson’s Favorite Family Game, Caitlin’s Perfect Cozy Sweater, And A Great Face Wash For Sensitive Skin

Happy Sunday everyone! What a year this week has been. Hope everyone has been settling into 2024 nicely and is ready to cozy up to some links. Let’s just jump right in…

This week’s house tour is the highly anticipated reveal of Sarah Sherman Samuel’s showhouse! It’s always so cool to see what a designer will do when there are zero creative constraints as well as get to show off their own products. Go check out the amazing job Sarah and her team did.

From Emily: The game we played all holiday break (and often after dinner) is Blank Slate and it’s SO FUN (for us and the kids). Blank Slate is a word association game that is perfect for our kids’ level (we played with some slightly younger kids too). They are 8 and 10 BTW. You are given a word with a blank after it (think “School”) and then everyone has to fill in the blank with a word they think others will think of, but can’t be so obvious that literally everyone thinks of it (it’s a point system). So it might be “school BUS” or “school TEACHER”. It’s easy, and fun, and I like that the kids and grownups are honestly on the same level (it’s not about being extra clever, and no trivia is involved). Speaking of, I have “trivia performance game anxiety” and I’m SURE there is a term for it. It’s an actual pathology for me – I have now had two full-blown panic attacks (like had to leave parties crying, couldn’t breathe, and making such a massive scene) after playing Celebrity – TWICE (10 years apart, I thought I had gotten over it and I really didn’t). I have a really slow recall memory when I’m put on the spot but I almost know a lot and it’s made these games trigger massive anxiety. I clearly just opt out now, but if you have ever felt this way know that you are not alone (it’s especially bad around people I barely know who might follow the blog and think I know a lot or can perform really well or something). If you know the word for this type of performance anxiety (specific to games) please let me know. But Blank Slate does NOT give me anxiety – it’s easy and fun.

From Mallory: Woah baby this facewash is THE BEST. It smells SO GOOD and is so gentle on my skin…plus it doesn’t make my eyes burn when I’m taking off eye makeup!! If you’re in the market for a new facewash I actually could not recommend it enough

Lulu and Georgia x Élan Byrd‌ just came out with another collection and it’s fantastic! Check out some of our favorites below:

Tempo Flatweave Jute Rug | Saguaro Table Lamp | Mosaic Pillow

The different broken stripe patterns are so good and we love the shape of that lamp.

From Arlyn: New year, new…dental hygiene routine? It took me years to hop aboard the electric toothbrush train, and I finally did in 2020 with the Oral-B Smart 3000 Toothbrush. The reason I’m only just now recommending it, nearly four years later is that I recently returned from a three-week trip over the holidays and didn’t have to bring the charging platform for my toothbrush. It stayed charged that whole time with brushing 2-3 (sometimes 4) times a day! That was my biggest thing before I switched over: not wanting to lug yet another charging cable with me everywhere I went, but nope…not necessary. Besides the month-long-plus battery life (iPhone could NEVER!), I like how effective it is but also simple. It has Bluetooth connectivity but like…what on earth for? Never used it, don’t think I’m missing anything. It just brushes really well (no cavities in years), has a red light that flashes if you’re brushing too hard, and pulses after the first and second minute to signal to you it’s time to switch mouth areas (I normally start on the bottom, wait for the buzz, move to the top, wait for the buzz, then finish up). Oh, and it’s great that all you have to replace is the small brush rather than the whole thing so yay for less waste.

From Caitlin: I grabbed this $64 classic striped half-zip pullover two weeks ago and I LOVE IT. I was in need of some nicer sweaters for an upcoming cold-weather trip (y’all will never believe where Brenda and I are headed on our annual mother-daughter trek!) and I love that this one is simultaneously cozy enough to keep me warm, light enough to layer, and special enough to dress up a plain pair of jeans. (The sleeves have a little extra volume towards the cuff and it’s a really nice detail!) I grabbed my normal size and had no qualms with the fit. Highly recommend if you’re also a fan of an affordable basic!

Also from Caitlin: Does anyone have any antique, vintage, or thrift store recommendations in Buenos Aires? Have two layovers in the city over the next few weeks and I’d love to check out a few spots around Palermo or Ezeiza!

From Gretchen: I’m slowly getting myself out of boxes and settled into my new space, but figuring out the best storage solutions for everything has been tricky. First of all, I am shocked at the amount of crap I managed to squeeze into my last place. I had that apartment’s organization pretty dialed, so it was easy to squirrel things away. In this place, I have plenty of storage, but it’s funky. My hall closet has built-in shelving on one side, but the shelves are so enormous that they end up creating tons of wasted space the minute I set anything down. At first, I was making it work with shelf risers I stole from my kitchen org pile, but they were clunky and didn’t span the width of the shelf how I wanted. I considered building a divider shelf across it, but I DO NOT need a project right now. So instead, I found these awesome temporary shelves that do exactly what I need them to and (bonus!) require no holes in the wall! They were ridiculously easy to install (>5 min), hold a decent amount of weight (2 pairs of shoes, in my case) and have totally doubled my shelving capacity! I can’t yet speak to the adhesive situation and whether or not it will come off easily—but that’s a problem for Future Gretch.

From Jess: The time finally came that I needed prescription sunglasses because apparently, I have some sun damage on my eyeballs (likely from my morning walks with zero sun protection because I don’t want to put on contacts with my normal sunglasses so I just wear my regular glasses to be able to see as I’m pretty nearsighted). Anyway, I got these from Warby Parker and really love them! Normally I’m a classic aviator gal but when I put these on I felt cool. I love that they are wider too which I think looks better with my face shape. They are on the trendy side but not so trendy that I won’t love them in a couple of years. 10/10 for Warby Parker once again.

Thanks for spending time with and see y’all Tuesday for an exciting update! xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Emily Henderson and ARCIFORM | Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Our Primary Bedroom Reveal! She’s Blue (Shocking), Calm, And Ready For A Full Show And Tell

The post The Link Up: The Henderson’s Favorite Family Game, Caitlin’s Perfect Cozy Sweater, And A Great Face Wash For Sensitive Skin appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Coziest/Easiest Chicken Soup That My Whole Family Eats (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, And A Grain-Free Option) + Is 2024 Or 2025 The Year Of My Soup Cookbook??

I’m in “hibernate and rejuvenate” mode after two months of social, physical, and emotional depletion. WELCOME TO THE NEW YEAR. While I’m not a chef or a food expert, I’m a busy mom who loves to throw a bunch of protein and vegetables in one pot and feed her family (while listening to podcasts and chopping while meditating). I like it when the house smells like onion, garlic, and chicken and it makes me feel really proud to shove nutrients into all our bodies (yes, often with a side of toast or grilled cheese for the kids who aren’t soup enthusiasts like me). This soup is soooooo easy, extremely cozy, and yes my kids really do like it (without the spinach because they are still little monsters who think “green means poison” which frankly I’m over, but I don’t have the nighttime battle energy and I don’t want to waste expensive produce so they win). It’s even better with jasmine rice or wide egg noodles, but I’m trying to be grain/gluten-free for a bit so I pull out my portion before adding rice noodles (you’ll see). This soup can be in the fridge for 2 days (not like this soup which can last for 4-5 days). It’s a crowd-pleaser January-March and if you are sick, add more broth and sip on it all day.

This is a last-minute post because I had a last-minute trip away and my brain hasn’t recovered, so I’m going to write out the directions real quick (also, it’s that easy):

Chop/dice a medium onion (yellow is best, white is great too), and saute in hot olive oil. I don’t know why the olive oil needs to be hot but that’s what they tell me. Add 2-3 cloves of garlic (I’m a garlic lover), 3 diced carrots (chopped evenly or roughly), and 3 chopped celery ribs. Add a bunch of salt and pepper (maybe 1/2 a teaspoon of each) and 1 FULL TBSP of Herb De Provence. Mix and sauté on medium heat for 6-8 minutes. This will seem like a lot of this spice (and it is) but it’s all you need (almost). Add one large raw chicken breast (sometimes I sear it to contain the moisture and add flavor to the veggies, sometimes I don’t – I don’t know what is better) and two boxes of broth (4 quarts). Pop a bay leaf or two and bring to a boil, then turn down to a simmer and cook the chicken (usually 12-15 minutes). Pull chicken out, let it rest (I often don’t, TBH), and then shred it with two forks. Pop it back in the pot, stir and you could eat it like this! DONE! OR these two options: FOR KID FRIENDLY – We often pull Brian and my portions out because we try to not eat a lot of grains when we are being super healthy and then we’ll throw in thin rice noodles for our 8 and 10-year-olds (I eat them too obviously, pretty often). Thin rice noodles are so great because they cook super fast. We couldn’t find any of the super thin ones so we bought this “rice noodle linguini” which took longer (4-6 minutes). I think the texture and flavor of normal egg noodles is better than these, but I like that it’s gluten-free (not grain-free) and the thin ones are crazy fast to cook (so look for those instead). FOR SUPER HEALTH FRIENDLY – For those who want to sneak more veggies into their diet we like to put spinach and frozen peas in the bottom of the individual bowls and ladle in the super hot broth/soup which will wilt the spinach and cook the peas (without them being soggy). If you put it in the pot it’s fine for night one but less good as leftovers on day three (and I like the peas to pop and feel fresh).

Y’all, I made this for my team while we were shooting this obviously and it was so cozy, easy, flavorful, and really hard to mess up. IT’S GOOD. Again, the only thing I would do differently is buy/find thin rice noodles. I also love to take fast readymade rice (Trader Joe’s jasmine is great) and steam it in the microwave and pop it in the bottom of the bowl then mix. I find rice just so GD comforting in a chicken soup.

Maybe this is the time when I announce to the universe that I would like to team up with a PNW chef or food influencer and do a soup-specific cookbook based on my obsessive/experience (either 2024 or 2025, I’m in no rush). I have a solid and fresh idea and an entertaining concept. I’m fearful about my bandwidth but I used to style so many food shoots when I was a stylist and it’s really, really fun…Anyway, I wouldn’t want to actually pretend to be a chef (I’m obviously not), thus finding the right partner that can help dial in the recipes. So there you go universe! Also, the visual recipe of today’s soup will be on IG grid and stories later today if you want to see it in action. Happy Souping:)

xx

E

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post The Coziest/Easiest Chicken Soup That My Whole Family Eats (Dairy-Free, Gluten-Free, And A Grain-Free Option) + Is 2024 Or 2025 The Year Of My Soup Cookbook?? appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Design Agony! Lighting For Low Ceilings (We Found 33 Perfect Options)

I’m working on so many projects right now and they all have ONE need in common – a wide, multi-bulb, semi-flush mount light fixture. And I’m happy to say that there isn’t a hole in the market and for once there are SO MANY to choose from. But since literally all of my projects need this I figured some of you might also (or might not even realize you needed this).

Here’s why:

Function: most older homes either don’t have or don’t want recessed lighting, but one bulb isn’t enough lighting (especially in the darker months up north).Scale: Having just one fixture in the middle of a big ceiling is just not that interesting and the scale of it can feel off if the room is on the bigger side.Interest and Impact: You don’t want to neglect the ceiling and lighting is such a good way to make a statement, but most older homes only have one junction box in the middle (so the option of multiple flush mounts, which is also a thing is not possible without a lot of work/cost).YET low ceilings…unless you have vaulted ceilings, you can’t fit a standard chandelier, thus the “low but wide” need, clocking most of these under 16″. Most of these below would work for an 8’ ceiling, and if it’s over a bed or coffee table you can drop it even more (probably no more than 18-24”).photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: moto reveal: jess’ kitchen

Hey everyone! It’s Jess and I’m now taking over this post. Emily did a lot of light fixture pinning but asked me to add in some more options as she had a lot on her plate this week. So if you have a low ceiling we are both here to help. Below are 33 vetted options that we think you’ll love! There’s something for everyone:) Let’s begin.

1. Huxley Large | 2. Modern Flush Mount | 3. Alameda

Now, this first bunch is admittedly modern BUT also chic and versatile…if I do say so myself. The first one (aka #1) could not be simpler and yet more beautiful. With frosted blubs this would give off the prettiest light. Well, actually that goes for any frosted exposed bulb:) But this fixture also comes in black and starts at an 8″ drop with lots of height options. The middle light option I can personally vouch for because I owned it! It’s only 10″ tall but with a 32″ width. You can see it in action in the photos above. So while I didn’t have a low ceiling it was such a pretty fixture and now lives in my best friend’s house in New York who needed a short and wide light. It’s also not a bad price. Lastly, is another Park Studio gem and is pretty freaking cool. Definitely modern and has a starting height of 9″ and a width of 60″. WHAT?! If you have the budget, this is a very chic option that would give off great light.

1. Altona Barebulb Semi-Flush Mount | 2. Trio Chandelier | 3. Modern Flush Mount

Keeping on that simple, linear train (but with a twist), I love these three. The first option, from our beloved Rejuvenation, is beautiful, obviously, but with the wood accents feels a little warmer which is a nice option. However, it comes in three other colorways! It’s also only 15″ tall and has a 29″ width (I believe that’s minus the bulbs so you can add a couple more inches!). The second option is a real looker and BIG KID. It does have a minimum height of 18.5″ but a width of almost 52″. I also just love that brass tone. Lastly, we have a great slightly smaller option that only drops from the ceiling 8″ but is 24″ wide. It’s fun, clean, and also pretty affordable.

photo by tessa neustadt | from: eclectic traditional bedroom reveal

1. Renee Semi Flush | 2. Boccia Curved Shade Flush Mount Light | 3. Ashleigh Semi Flush

Want more bulbs? I’ve got you. All three of these have a much more vintage modern feel (and primarily MCM). Take our first light. It’s got those gorgeous large frosted blubs mixed with black and chrome for a very on-trend yet classic look. It’s only 15″ tall and has a width of 28″. It also has a lot of visual impact! It comes in black and brass if that’s more your style. Now I am pretty obsessed with #2 and it’s one that Em pinned first. It’s vintage-inspired, makes such a visual statement, and is honestly a great price! Also, it’s only 7.5″ tall but has a 34.5″ width! The last one on the right is the smallest of the group but is so classic (sorry, I know this section says it’s only large lights). This one comes in at 18″ tall and 20″ wide, so it’s great for a small to medium-sized room! Oh, and it also comes in chrome:)

photos by kaitlin green | from: farmhouse living room reveal

1. Jensen Black Metal Semi-Flushmount Light | 2. Stella TRIENNALE | 3. Brendle 3-Arm Semi-Flush Chandelier

But for those with large rooms, these three are awesome. I adore the perforated detail on the metal shades in the first one. I think this could work with SO different styles and the price is great. It’s also a wonderful height at 15.75″ and a 55″ width! Our middle child is pricey but man is it so beautiful. It’s a prime candidate for a low ceiling since it’s 9″ tall and 34 wide. It would give off A LOT of light when needed. Then lastly, we have an EHD favorite that is currently in TWO rooms at the farmhouse (living room, as shown above, and family room). Vintage-inspired, a quality we absolutely stand behind, and so pretty! It’s juuuust over 15″ tall and 40″ wide. And as you can see, Emily’s living room is not small and it works perfectly size-wise. This comes in brass and black:)

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a refresh of our favorite “child client’s” – bedroom 8 years later

1. Nouveau Aged Gold Three-Light Semi-Flush Mount with Opal Glass | 2. Jane 3 Light Semi-Flush Ceiling Light | 3. Tinsley Semi-Flushmount

So I know that width is a big part of Emily’s current lighting needs but I want to give a few more (literally three) slightly smaller options in case you need one for a smaller room. The first one is similar to one of the options above but it’s even shorter! This Parisian-inspired beaut comes in at 11″ tall and just over 25″ wide, which is a pretty good width if you ask me, especially for the price. The second is an even better price, is also wildly versatile stylistically, and is even SHORTER at 6″ tall and 24″ wide! It also comes in white. But if you want something that feels a bit more decorative I love #3. And get this…it’s only 4″ tall but is 33″ in diameter. So actually not that small after all:)

1. Decatur Chandelier | 2. Wilson Mid-Century White Metal Chandelier Light | 3. Raw Brass Semi Flush Ceiling Light

While typically we go for more ambient lighting for an overhead fixture, when you have a lot of bulbs in a single fixture you don’t have to worry about it not lighting the room properly. So let’s talk about the first one. I LOVE the patina and shape. Yes, it’s also vintage-inspired, as most of these are, but come on it’s good. The price is hefty but for that kind of patina, I’m not shocked. In terms of size, the minimum height is 16.5″ and the width is 42″! So if you love the general shape of #1 but want something more modern MCM (and a lower price tag), the second one is awesome. I love the materials and it still has that great shape. This one has a minimum height of 10.6″ and a width of 45.5″. Wow wow! Our last one doesn’t totally fit into this category but just ignore that. It’s so cute, small, and is a great price. At just over 6″ tall and 18.25″ wide, it’s a great option for the right size room.

photo by kaitlin green | from: the prettiest green and pink kitchen remodel that we completed in 7 weeks

1. Mid Century Linear Double Shade Chandelier | 2. Madera Linear Pendant | 3. Griffith Linear Suspension | 4. Andre White and Brass 2-Light Pendant | 5. Bicentric Sconce | 6. Ondu Dual Flush Mount

Ok, so now that the roundup has gotten larger I won’t write you a whole dissertation on these STUNNERS. However, I can’t get enough of these. Since these have shades you want to consider the light distribution. This means #2, #3, and #4 (which you can see in the photo above) are going to have much more directional/task lighting than the others where the bulbs are more exposed. But if your space doesn’t need to be completely illuminated in a big way, like in a dining room or kitchen, then any of these would work perfectly. But for real for real how CUTE is the little curve in #1??

1. DANNA Chandelier | 2. Hargrove 10 Chandelier | 3. Aston Chandelier | 4. HAVANA Chandelier | 5. Camryn XL Glass Globe Flush Mount | 6. FLUGBO | 7. COBE | 8. Kira Chandelier | 9. Glass Orb Ceiling Chandelier

I save the biggest and brightest (literally) for last. If you want more of a chandelier look despite those short ceilings look no further. None of these are taller than 18.25″ (and most at least a few inches under that). All of these are really special in their own ways and are going to give off awesome light! And while there’s no need to pick favorites #7 is undeniably incredible (and was another top Em pick) and honestly, I am quite taken with #9. Look at Target getting very chic! I’m a high/low girl what can I say:)

We truly hope this was helpful and that we saved you hours of searching the internet. That’s our job so you can sit back and relax. Happy light shopping.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Annie Segal and Marieke Ochtman of ASOM HOME | Styled by Velinda Hellen, Emily Bowser, and Julie Rose | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp for The New Design Rules | From: Tour This Eclectic Midcentury Modern House Designed by ASOM Home + 10 Approachable Design Tricks Anyone Can Do

The post Design Agony! Lighting For Low Ceilings (We Found 33 Perfect Options) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

3 Color Palettes To Try In Your Living Room to Refresh Your Blue Sofa

It’s been almost a decade since my heart first started beating for a cobalt blue velvet sofa. It’s been just short of five years since I made those sapphire dreams a reality with my Maxwell Sectional. The Internet tells me (at least based on how quickly it seems people redecorate) that it’s time to kick this baby to the curb in place of the colored sofa du jour, but yeah…I’m not going to do that. Don’t let TikTok make you think the lifespan of home decorating decisions lasts until the algorithm says there’s something new…48 hours later. Obviously, this is a gross exaggeration and no one is actually living their lives like this, but it sure does feel that way.

I still very much love my blue sofa. The cushions are a bit lumpy after far too many hours loafing around during a pandemic and the birth of my daughter who demanded we hold her for two hours at a time while napping (and nursing around the clock), but eh…no biggie. Have you seen the cost of, uh…everything lately?

If you’re of the same design school as me and hopped aboard the cobalt train a few years ago as many, many people did, you might be ready to shake things up a bit. So here’s the question: how do we make that sofa feel exciting again without turning your entire living room on its head? I’m going to attempt to answer that today. For you and for me.

My Original Living Room Designdesign and styling by arlyn hernandez | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: arlyn’s bright & happy rental living room makeover

First things first, let’s explore how we got here to begin with. I won’t go too in-depth into what led up to my original color palette of blue, neutrals and rust, but what I will reminisce on is how difficult it was to settle on because the inspiration out there was limited. It was either something really modern with mostly white and black accents, or eclectic with red vintage rugs and mid-century styling. I didn’t want either of those things. And frankly, I still don’t.

The other night, I hopped onto Pinterest and typed in “blue velvet sofa” and I kid you not, it spat back out at me three major style categories: modern, eclectic, vintage. UGH. There has to be something more, surely. Blue is a universal color that works with basically everything. Why is this mission in particular so hard to tackle, then?

I think because the cobalt blue of my particular sofa (not sure what you might be working with) yearns to be the star of the room. So it’s easy to pull back on any other colors or even patterns to not risk overloading your living space. I loved my old living room, I really did, but in my new space, without the beautiful architectural details, it needs more. A bright blue sofa in a mostly neutral room is just too boring for me. So I challenged myself to see what else I might be able to come up with. I had some ideas already in my head, but I knew in order to walk through them with you, I’d need to find some photos…

How I Hunt For Design Inspirationdesign and styling by arlyn hernandez | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: reveal: arlyn’s bright & happy rental living room makeover

One of my biggest tricks for finding design inspiration is to slightly alter what I’m looking for. Meaning, I rarely search “blue velvet sofa” when I’m stuck because chances are, I’ve already looked at everything in those results and still haven’t found what I’m looking for. Instead, I’ll try different rooms or categories that might have blue in them, like blue bathrooms and kitchens, blue armchairs, blue bedrooms, etc.

You’ll only see one inspiration photo below that contains a sofa, and that is the result of how I search. It’s a good way to see in what proportion a designer is using colors within a palette, what materials they are bringing in to round out the hues, what styles or aesthetics are calling to me.

Another thing I like to do is find an image (of whatever kind of space), then look up the designer and go look through their whole portfolio. If they’ve used bright blue in one space, chances are, they’ll know how to use it in another. And these breadcrumbs of ideas can lead to your next design ah-ha moment.

Try it, I promise, and let me know how it works for you. But let’s keep talking, so we can get to some colors for us all to try who live on Blue Sofa Avenue.

Inspiration Photos & Why They Work

Here’s a truth: I pulled from tons more images for the moodboards and palettes I put together below, but because of the way publishing on the Internet works, I could only run what I could find on Instagram. But fear not, because I think it’s still good and enough for you to get inspired. Shall we take a look?

Palette to Try: Cobalt + Acorn/Apricot, White, Olive, Slate & Wine

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A post shared by Clella Design (@clelladesign)

Man do I love this shot from Clella Design. Immediately I’m taken by the juxtaposition of the dark slate-like navy next to the bright cobalt. The olive pillow balances the punch of the chair, a grasscloth with almondy orange undertones complements the blue, and a trickle of dark red (the stripe on the bed blanket) adds just a little something more to the palette. Oh, and the whites and creams keeps the space happy rather than moody.

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A post shared by Mirko Gentile (@akindofhome)

I keep coming back to this photo and honestly, it’s such a winner. There’s something enchanting to me about the pep of it while still feeling mature, cool, timeless but also a little bit retro. I’d believe you if you told me this is pulled from the 1950s, but also that it’s from right now. Again, white touches work to keep the dark olive, acorn-toned wood built-ins and bold blue in check from getting overly collegiate. Another dreamy spot from Clella Design.

Here’s what I put together from those (and about three other) photos. Pitting the navy with green undertones against the cobalt is daring but pays off in a really sophisticated way. Olive plays a supporting role, so I’d use it in less quantity than the blue, such as on a rug, in another piece of upholstery, maybe even on curtains. And my new favorite finishing touch? A deep burgundy, but just a touch. Don’t steal its magic by going overboard with it.

Palette to Try: Cobalt + Dusty Blue, Moss & Various Golden Yellows

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A post shared by Zoe Feldman (@zoefeldmandesign)

Here’s a dining room by Zoe Feldman Design. You might notice there is no cobalt here, BUT I stretched my mind a little to pull colors from here that I thought would work with it, particularly a good amount of dusty blue, yellow-toned woods, natural materials like rattan and burlwood, and even the flash of bright citrine from the light fixture.

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A post shared by Studio Shamshiri (@studioshamshiri)

Well, well, well…would you look at that. Another room I’m calling “inspiration” that doesn’t actually have the color in it that I’m trying to design around. Great work Arlyn. But for real, it’s the same as above. I just KNOW that bright blue would be SO cool married with an ashy blue like these tiles, the richness of oak, and a golden (nearly pea-green) yellow. Thanks, Studio Shamshiri for the beautiful room to dream from.

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A post shared by Bespoke Only (@bespokeonly)

I could move right into this stunning bedroom by Bespoke Only without changing a thing. It’s also where I got the idea to layer in some barely-mossy green into this blue and yellow color scheme. I can’t exactly tell what color that wall paneling is, but it registers sage to me, so I’m going with it!

I really love this one and I think it’s a good palette option for anyone who feels most comfortable in the blue/green realm, but needs a little shoulder shake to make it interesting. The lighter blue here could easily be the most predominant color (on walls, on curtains, on rugs, etc.) while the other coordinating shades would be accents.

Palette to Try: Cobalt + Olive (or Mint), Rose & Reds

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A post shared by Laura Normanton (@lauramnormanton)

The country kitchen is everything right now. And this one by Natasha James of Tasha Textiles has the kind of color play that doesn’t come naturally to most. I love the comfort of all the hues together, especially that terracotta and charcoal checkerboard floor. It’s an unexpected meeting point for the blue island and the mint cabinetry, don’t you think? In some spots it looks rosy, in others brick red, which inspired me to pull out both colors for my own palette.

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A post shared by Studio Shamshiri (@studioshamshiri)

A *very* different vibe, but just gorgeous. Whether you prefer the freshness of mint from the kitchen above or the earthiness of olive from the walls of this seating corner, they both still work when paired with a few shades of red/pink, a peppering of black and a neutral wood to balance it all. It’s hard to look away from this Studio Shamshiri room, and it’ll likely greatly inspire what I end up doing in my own home.

The two main color players here are blue and green, with the brick red and salmon-like rose coming in as pinch hitters. They’re critical, but not too showy. And don’t forget the black.

Putting The Palettes To Practice

Now it’s time to see these palettes put to real use with my favorite pastime: MOODBOARDS! I tried to use the colors in a similar proportion to how they were used in the inspiration photos but took a few creative liberties as one should. Honestly, I love ALL of these. I could happily step into any of them and keep on keepin’ on at home. Complex color palettes aren’t always easy to put together because they take some nuance. A tiny shift in color here, the right mix of pattern there. Are these perfect? No, of course not, but I think they pull off the color schemes well enough to be a launching pad of ideas for anyone interested.

Sectional | Rug | Media Console | Ottoman | Throw | Lamp | Curtain | Side Table | Floral Pillow | Round Pillow | Striped Lumbar | Checkered Pillow

I’m inclined to do a whole post on my gut guess that solid rugs are going to be huge in the coming years. Look, I love pattern, but with everyone using bold printed wallpapers and fun graphic textiles, a solid rug is needed to give the eye a break. They are so chic and give me serious Manhattan boutique hotel vibes. This one is near the top of my personal list of rugs to get, by Arvin Olano for Rugs USA. A burgundy striped upholstery ottoman brings in some movement, some playful pillows check the warm hues box, and wheat curtains complement a neutral wood media console.

Sectional | Rug | Media Console (IKEA Besta Door Fronts) | Coffee Table | Throw | Lamp | Lamp Shade | Curtain | Side Table | Floral Pillow | Velvet Lumbar Pillow | Square Pillow | Striped Bolster Pillow

This went a little more coastal than I originally intended, but I don’t hate it. It feels happy, light, and still fizzy…like a great salad paired with a Spindrift. I never thought I’d be comparing a room to lettuce and bubbly water, but here I am. There’s a lot of light, dusty blue here but all the shades are just a little different. It’s an “ode to blue” without feeling like THIS ROOM IS ALL BLUE. I love the playfulness Emily’s plaid rug (from her RugsUSA collab) brings to some of the more serious elements like the burlwood table and solid colorblocking of the velvet pillows. Same with the thick stripe of the lumbar which adds a touch of “circus”. Have some fun, okay? And the blue-washed console is just door fronts and a frame for an IKEA Besta unit from a company called Front Interiors that just started selling in the US. I’m highly considering it for my giant Besta that could use a refresh.

Sectional | Rug | Media Console | Coffee Table | Throw | Lamp | Curtain | Side Table | Cream Lumbar Pillow | Orange Print Pillow | Burgundy Pillow | Green Grid Lumbar Pillow

And last but certainly not least is this lovely number. There’s something about this moodboard that feels a little heavier than the others, so if you love a moodier vibe, this is the one for you. I’d LOVE to see all of this in a room with a wild wallpaper or even just the perfect shade of blue so the sofa and curtains kind of disappear. To lighten it up, I’d add in some more white maybe in an armchair or some other styling elements.

SO! Who’s absolutely pumped to go back to the drawing board on your blue sofa and make it feel like the star that it is again? I know I am. I texted all of these moodboards to Jess when I was wrapping up to make sure they felt different enough, and she was excited to hear how inspired I was feeling to work on my own living room. For the last year, it’s kind of been my whatever room but with a new rug, curtains, pillows and a tweak to my media console, I think I could really turn things around and make it feel brand new. And most importantly, help me to love my cobalt sofa for many more years to come.

See you next time!

Your friend in design (and all things color),

Arlyn

Opening Image Credits: Design and Styling by Arlyn Hernandez | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Reveal: Arlyn’s Bright & Happy Rental Living Room Makeover

The post 3 Color Palettes To Try In Your Living Room to Refresh Your Blue Sofa appeared first on Emily Henderson.

7 Kitchen Trends That Have Real Staying Power (Because They’re That Good)

As Em said in her design word prediction post yesterday, “trends” are coming and going faster than most of us can complete a mood board we’re happy with. So when it comes to kitchens, a room that is one of the hardest and most expensive to change, we have to be EXTRA careful not to hop on a trend unless it truly speaks to our design soul. That should always be the rule when we are designing but it’s easy to get excited by new ideas right?! Also painting a wall isn’t the same as changing out tile:) So knowing that we always try to sift through the trends to showcase the ones that are both undeniably “happening” AND have a long shelf life. This year we are of course still seeing beautifully saturated colorful kitchens with whimsical details carried over from 2023 but I found that a lot of the trends we’re seeing are evelated throwbacks. Wanna see??

Midcentury Modern Backsplash Tiles (Retro In The Best Way)design by meet west studio | photo by rett peek

I feel VERY strongly about the muted-toned midcentury modern backsplash tiles. Think texture, color variation from tile to tile, and primarily laid in a vertical orientation. Take this beautiful kitchen by Meet West Studio. Those linear greenish-brown tiles are the perfect contrast to those stunningly grained wood cabinets (something we’ll talk about later:)). And yet the tiles still have a handmade feel that brings in texture and movement. Plus brown continues to reign supreme in 2024.

design by heidi lachapelle interiors | photo by erin little

What a beautiful way to add some color to a kitchen! This midcentury blue/green color is neutral enough if you don’t want to go too bold but has the perfect amount of personality. What I love about this design in particular that Heidi Lachapelle Interiors created is that since the tile is in a nook it feels so intentional and you don’t miss it from the other walls in the space. I also want to say that I think this style of vertical MCM tile would look great in a new build and add a lot of soul which can be challenging. Just some food for thought:)

design by shapeless studio | photo by hagan hinshaw

But of course, not all MCM tile needs to be long and vertical. Take this incredible kitchen by Shapeless Studio where they took a zellige style square tile in classic warm MCM brown tones. The depth and personality it adds to an otherwise clean, modern design is so awesome. I think this also works so beautifully because of the tiled shelves and the fact that the tiles are also contained inside each nook. It keeps your eye relaxed and honestly just looks sick.

design by a1000xbetter | photo by michael p. h. clifford

Is it a trend piece without a feature from a 1000 x better?? Nope! So while this brown tile has a little less texture with less color variation, the stacked horizontal orientation and chocolaty brown make it a perfect fit for this trend. As I said, brown isn’t going anywhere and this kitchen does feel like the love child of MCM and 2024. The tonal design is pretty sexy if you ask me.

Light Green Cabinets (We’re Talkin Mints And Sages)

I don’t know about you but mint green and light sage cabinetry have been everywhere I look. Let us not forget this kitchen that I have not been able to get out of my head since I first saw it. Didn’t know I was such a secret mint fan?? Maybe you will be too…

design by hive home | photo by amy bartlam

I dare you to not smile when you look at this kitchen by Hive Home. Now mint can be a tricky color because it can easily go youthful or shabby chic (not that there’s anything wrong with that). But in this kitchen, the cabinets are simple yet have just the right amount of detail (hello, cutouts!), and not having any uppers above the sink wall really makes the room feel sophisticated and open. I also can’t not talk about the floors. My heart be still! I think the large-scale yet neutral pattern of the wood floors paired with the colorful cabinets is a perfect balance and doesn’t put too much visual focus on either element. SO pretty.

left: design by barlow and barlow, photo by alicia waite | right: design by studio gemma, styled by montana valich, photo by jacqui turk

As shown above, it’s a wildly versatile color that can work in a bunch of different styles. I love the colorful pairing that Barlow and Barlow chose. It’s vibrant but not overwhelming and the stone beautifully picks up the greens and the pinks. Then the kitchen that Studio Gemma designed is far more on the soft, neutral side. See VERSATILE! I love how the concrete floors pick up on the light gray undertone of the green so beautifully. Then to add some depth she chose darker woods that are just perfect (and we’ll be talking about in a minute:)).

design by heidi caillier | photo by haris kenjar

So while this beautiful kitchen by Heidi Caillier isn’t exactly “mint” and is more sage, I still consider it in the same family. My, it’s stunning. These lighter green cabinets are a welcomed alternative to white or cream as they still feel soft but not completely neutral. Oh, and they’re also a little reprieve from the heavier dark green that’s been on top for the last 5+ years.

Special Accent Shelves (It’s All In The Details)design by studio gemma | styled by montana valich | photo by jacqui turk

Now, I’m not calling this trend “easy to do” but out of all of them today I do think it’s the most accessible if you aren’t looking to do a full kitchen remodel (but can incorporate if you are!). While last year we predicted A LOT of whimsy (and there sure was:)), this year I’m predicting more small special moments…like floating accent shelves (aka not cabinetry replacements, just a fun addition).

Take these one above. They add such a nice, unexpected moment and makes this kitchen feel unique. Not only do they contrast the mint cabinetry but the rounded stacked look is simply cool. So if you are working with a designer that has access to a fabricator this could be something to consider if you like it! But if you don’t have easy access to a fabricator, then plenty of readymade options are purchasable online. Etsy is a great resource for custom-sized pieces.

design by nina farmer interiors | photo by jared kuzia

This trend doesn’t have to be super modern. Take this design by one of my favorites Nina Farmer. The shelves are simple but are a bit more unique than your standard floating accent shelf. The sky is the limit when it comes to style, material, and even color options for this trend. If you love it, go for it and make it your own.

Inset Wall Display Cases – Show Off Your Goodsdesign by ursino interiors | styled by brittany albert | photo by nicole franzen

When I first saw this photo I fell deeeeeply in love with those tall inset display cabinets and immediately bookmarked it for my future home. What a beautiful way to show off your beautiful glassware that doesn’t take up too much real estate. It’s just so chic and for those of you doing gut renovations and have the space, I think it’s sooooo good.

design and photo by peony + honey

But if you want to make your display cabinet a bit more functional, see what Erika from Peony + Honey DIY’d in her kitchen. She took her existing pantry and customized it into this beautiful seethrough pantry. Who doesn’t love a bifold door??

design and photo by devol kitchens

Or you could add in an integrated display cabinet like this arched one in deVOL Kitchens showroom. It’s a way to add more storage for the pretty things you want to display without them taking up your main kitchen cabinet space. So again, if you have the space I think it’s a pretty good and beautiful idea. I’ll be very happy to see more of these special accents this year.

High Contrast Wood Grain Cabinets – The More Movement The Betterdesign by studio day | photo by taylor hall o’brien

Are wood cabinets a new idea? Ha, no. However, I have been noticing more and more that not only is wood cabinetry maybe taking the spotlight from painted cabinets but it’s wood cabinetry that has a high contrast wood grain pattern. Now, I’m not talking about the old-school mountain homes or log cabin kitchens. Look at that incredible kitchen by Studio Day above. It’s warm, playful, sophisticated, and in a small way nostalgic. While the circle cutout detail in the upper cabinets is such a fresh, cool detail, the grain of the wood is almost giving “elevated honey oak of the 80s/90s”. I truly love it so so much. Also, notice the use of silver instead of gold in the hardware;)

design by shapeless studio | photo by hagan hinshaw

This kitchen by Shapeless Studio is an perfect example of cabinetry that was panelled to enhance the grain variation.

design by heather cleveland design | photo by steven j magner

Now using large wood panels with lots of visible grain feels very 2024. That means this large wall piece that Heather Cleveland Design had installed is stunning and very on trend…but also timeless. I think it’s also fair to say that darker woods are becoming more and more popular. I say this as someone who was obsessed with white oak for a long time and now can’t get enough of walnut. No one is safe from powerful trend tides:)

design by house of rolison | styled by pride of place | photo by gavin cater

Here is another example but in yet another style. House of Rolison really nailed the “refined reclaimed wood” look. There is so much movement in the grain that it nearly acts like an art piece!

“Commercial Quaint” – The Rise Of Steel/Chrome Accentsdesign and photos by ajai guyot

This isn’t the first time I’ve called this trend. Back in 2022, I deemed that “metal kitchens” were on the rise. And while I wasn’t wrong (ha), it did take a bit more time to get into our homes. And in our homes it is! Take Ajai who coined her kitchen’s style as “Commercial Quaint”. She still wanted to keep to her soothing, cozy neutrals but instead of going for brass, she went silver, being inspired by commercial kitchens. So if you look at her beautiful kitchen (that she was able to remodel for UNDER $6,500!) her appliances, light and plumbing fixtures, and accessories are all silver. I think this trend will be one of the biggest this year.

design and photo by celia solf

Now, in Europe, this trend has been going on for a minute but as proven by Celia Solf’s effortlessly cool Italian kitchen it’s not slowing down. When mixed with wood and vintage accessories I really adore this style.

Flushmount Party ( Buh Bye Cans)design by alexander &co. | photo by anson smart

I have a feeling this one is still percolating because the multi-flush mount look is coming to replace canned lighting. Did you see Orlando’s progress photo of his kitchen?? And this version above by Alexander &Co. is stunning! Regardless of flush mounts or cans, just make sure you have enough light in your kitchen. Excited to see where this one is headed.

Honorable Mention – “Cluttered”/Lived-In Kitchens

Ok, this one has been more of something I’m seeing on TikTok so no photos here but it’s no surprise that maximalism is headed into the kitchen. But it’s more about small decor and kitchen tools rather than color and pattern. I’d say it’s more haphazard which is honestly kinda fun! Interested to see if this will get some editorial attention or not:)

Well, there you have it! Another annual kitchen trend report is in the books. Any thoughts? Any additions you feel really strongly about?? But of course, these are just fun to talk about and get inspired by because if you love your kitchen then it’s perfect as is. Next week, Arlyn is going to be tackling bathroom trends so stay tuned!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Studio Day | Photo by Taylor Hall O’Brien

The post 7 Kitchen Trends That Have Real Staying Power (Because They’re That Good) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

My 2024 Design World Predictions (And Hopes?)

It’s a big year. We have the election, Artificial Intelligence, Gen Alpha is coming for Gen Z, and TikTok is dominating whatever dumb thing is hot or not. I find that predictions are hard to separate from what we WANT to happen, but I put on my objectivity hat and we’ll only know in 2025 if I’m right. Here we go.

Untrained, Rebellious, And Weird Will Dominate Our Attention

Neutrals are less exciting to look at, and “modern farmhouse” (yes, including mine) is just not terribly visually desired anymore. The designers and spaces that are grabbing our attention are doing super unpredictable things, with way more of an artistic approach (think Reath Design and Beata Heuman). Bold color choices, and so much rule-breaking but almost in a way that dismisses rules in the first place. It reminds me a little bit of the early 2000s (yes, 20 years ago), when “styling” became a thing and we just did whatever the hell we wanted to and called it cool. Now, this doesn’t make me rethink anything major in our house (nor should you in yours), but as we start thinking about the other house on the property I want to use it much more as a creative laboratory and do some really fun stuff. I’m not sure that this will become mainstream as it is hard to execute well and if not done well it won’t have as much longevity and livability (The Studio McGee style home will still remain popular) but the attraction towards the “wild” is certainly pervading social media and it’s exciting to watch.

The “Uncomfortable” And “Impractical” Is Making A Strange Comeback

Again, people are *visually* sick of the practical and the boring (and I’m not one to talk, I have far too many “only look at” chairs, one being shaped like a literal wooden hand) and are making some impractical choices. Think tiled countertops, furniture with hard bases that definitely bruise shins, and hard office-style modular sofas (think the chiclet sofa). Am I into this? Of course not, but I understand the rejection of everything being so practical during the “peak comfort” years of 2020-2022. I’m seeing the younger generation (and other design renegades) opting for cool and throwing out practicality (or perhaps honestly just not fully knowing that they are opting out of practicality). Everyone wants a statement EVERYTHING and there is this rejection against timelessness (which goes along with the “doomsday opulence”). Warning: Be careful with impractical hard finishes in more classic style homes, it will date the house – but also, screw it, GO FOR IT!!!! But I also def want to be careful with timelessness and how long you ACTUALLY want to sit on that chiclet sofa.

Bold Colors Over Safe Neutrals

All of us who designed “safer” homes in the “California casual” style that ruled the last 10 years might be tempted to slap a coat of dark red on their kitchen cabinets. I’m so here for all of the colors. If you are wondering how much color to incorporate and are scared to do it wrong, I have a whole blog post planned on this (because I’m with you). I will say that I think we’ve reached peak “color drenching” – I know and think that there will always be the right room for it, but something to consider because when done wrong it looks like you didn’t want to take the time to mask off. I think that bold colors with another accent trim bold color will be everywhere.

AI Will Fool/Confuse Us, Take Some Of Our Jobs, But Also Maybe Help Us???

It’s here and not going anywhere so we need to figure out how to use it as a tool to help our lives, careers, and homes (hoping policies and regulators will keep us safe, obviously). The AI abilities are growing daily so to try to predict how it will affect us all in 2024 is hilarious. But here’s what I think – stand-out creativity can’t be AI’d, but generic “creative” work can be (and will) more and more (think AI blog posts for companies versus hiring a writer – not condoning, just predicting). Photos of homes will be AI’d to the point that we don’t know what is real or fake (thus increasing our dependence on truth and honesty from creators). My hope and prediction is that someone will develop an AI-driven app that will allow us all to plug in a photo of our room and try out new paint colors, new wallpapers, a new sofa, etc, in a way that looks really realistic, thus helping us make confident decisions. Of course, there are programs you can do that with but they are hard to learn and cumbersome (or so bad they don’t help). But boy am I excited for the day when I can see whether or not taking the paneling up to the ceiling in the living room (a hefty cost and decent construction) would solve my living room woes.

My other hope is that this “threat” makes us challenge our creativity and imagination and simply put produce non-AI-able designs. AI will be able to design a decent room by mining the internet for rules, finding products that “work together” and then putting them on a board, and honestly maybe that’s ok – I’m a big fan of accepting what we can’t stop and many people who can’t afford the luxury of design will have more AI design help. But it’s our job as creatives and design enthusiasts to do what they can’t, grow our imagination, push our creativity, and to me that is exciting. Maybe “simple but special” will no longer be my mantra. WHO AM I EVEN IN 2024?!

TikTok “Trend” Cycle Makes It Impossible To Know What Is In/Out (Permission To Stop Caring?)

The trends grow, explode and die so fast, so everything is kinda “in” and “out” at the same time. GOOD LUCK!! Sometimes they are ridiculous but they are all a thread in the cultural fabric that is fun to analyze and does say something about us and the times. Again, I think what does well on social media, what the algorithm feeds us, might not be where people actually want to live (think runway to ready-to-wear clothes). Just because celebrities aren’t wearing pants anymore, literally donning underwear and tights to events, doesn’t mean that normal people will. I love the good versions of it all, honestly, and love that we don’t have a mono-culture in the design world. But boy is it increasingly hard for brands and designers to track what to do next – what to make, who to try to sell it to, and what will “hit”. You can’t do it all and yet the sense I’m getting from the larger retailers is that they sure are trying. Still, most of the home goods buying power remains in the 35-50-year range (for obvious reasons), and yet what we want is so different than what Gen Z wants which is what dominates the headlines. So who do you sell to? I’m seeing some brands going after the Gen Z/alpha world assuming they are banking on future brand loyalty, but I’m so curious if that is working or if it’s just a desperate grab. A mature 50-thousand-foot view of it all tells us that it all doesn’t matter, that what we buy shouldn’t be based on marketing or trends, but it’s impossible to escape and yet still fun to think about. I just find the whole thing fascinating and I’m sure glad I’m not in marketing for a large company right now and instead will continue to have a flexible point of view that embraces all the good everywhere, without pressure to submit to it (hopefully).

This also solidifies the importance of personal style and having a distinct creative voice – something that often doesn’t really happen til you are in your mid-30s (IMHO). So what we are seeing is a lot of creativity and playing by a younger creative generation, but I think my generation – Older millennials/Gen X will do more of the watching and less of the consuming of these trends.

Craving Newness = Customizing EVERYTHING Will Become Easier And Will Explode In Popularity

Again, due to the ubiquity of the internet (which also provides design democratization that we love), we are all kinda sick of seeing the same thing and crave newness. This has been true since we came out of lockdown (2021) but I think it will continue to grow with most of us wanting something unique, something that represents our personalities that others don’t have (thus really disrupting the market). But historically “unique” isn’t scalable so how are entrepreneurs and design brands going to meet this need? Maybe this will be another AI innovation – where it’s easier to find or create the perfect broken stripe fabric that I haven’t seen before, or maybe it’s more on-the-ground flea market shopping (and live social media around it) because thrifting and vintage is so big right now. But I bet/hope that more Minted or Spoonflower brands will pop up. I don’t think this is necessarily going to be for the masses, but for design enthusiasts and people with more money and time, I see customization taking off this year even more.

Scandinavian Design Recedes, Euro “Wackiness” Is Prevailing, But Is Mid-Century Coming Back???

I will always love and prefer the simplicity of Scandinavian design, but right now we are seeing color/pattern and maximalism grabbing our attention. I say “grabbing attention” more than dominating because I’m unsure if it’s going to be mainstream, or if it’s just something we like to look at. I’m here for it and excited to add some eccentricities where it makes sense and still looks like “me”. While I will stand by the argument that the good of every decade and style is ALWAYS in, I do think that high-quality mid-century will be back soon (in contrast to all the feminine shapes of the last six years). So if you are just about to sell that Rosewood armoire from the 1960s maybe hang tight a bit.

People Are Going To Be Painting And Decorating EVERYTHING (Ceilings, Floors, Trim)

Pierre Yovanovitch painted the beams of this hotel’s ceiling in 2018 (which didn’t break the internet but I bookmarked it as something to try) and then Marco Zamora recently did his (but only after I bought a ton of washi tape to create a pattern on mine, which of course I didn’t post about but I swear it!!!). The point is we are taking surfaces that we typically would do something safe with and then doing something creative with them. Think unexpectedly shaped carpentry details, murals on ceilings, and painted patterns on doorways. I love this because paint is so reversible (well, can be unless you are like me and have a lot of paneling which makes it so much harder to repaint because you have to mask off and spray). Therefore I think our favorite paint brands with the best colors are going to boom this year. White is done, folks! Color EVERYWHERE is in!!

More Vintage In Mass Retailers

Vintage and thrifting are so huge right now because again, people want unique. So how do retailers compete?? One thing that has always endeared me to Rejuvenation is that they still sell vintage on their site, despite being owned by Williams-Sonoma. I know NOTHING about their business but I know that when I had the online vintage flea market the overhead to shoot, post, list, and ship was far greater than we made (thus the shutdown). It’s unscalable and the profit margin is slim to none. HOWEVER, when brands do this (including Urban Outfitters) it’s just cool and it endears us to them. It’s like this year’s “maker collaboration” (which I hope brands continue to do). It makes me want to do more in-person vintage markets or have a booth, just to explore that fun (without just hoarding it). I also hope that vintage dealers like my friend Annie of Shop Wilma get hired by these companies to consult, curate, or simply pick her brain/eye.

So to be clear – what is on social media is not necessarily what the masses want in their homes – is what the younger more social media generation of creators is publishing (because your job as a creative in your 20s is to GO FOR IT, experiment and do wacky shit!!). But the move to boldness and quirk is real and I’m VERY excited.

The post My 2024 Design World Predictions (And Hopes?) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our Primary Bedroom Reveal! She’s Blue (Shocking), Calm, And Ready For A Full Show And Tell

OKEE DOKEY. Today we are revealing our primary bedroom and quite possibly the least “farmhouse” room in the house. I mean, I love it, but there is almost nothing in here that Joanna Gaines herself would deem farmhouse-worthy. You are going to have to read the whole post to fully understand my feelings about this room (because they are highly nuanced, change daily, and I’m still rectifying it all). At the end, there is a list of what I would change if I could snap my fingers (and whether or not I will). But I will not start 2024 or this post by “yucking my own yum” (as we’ve taught the kids to say – it’s the PG version of “pissing in my own cheerios”). Besides, it’s just design and the longer I’m in this career/game/life the less attachment I have to my own successes and failures. Y’all, getting older is awesome for general perspective-making. Now, let’s get into it

Wall Color | Rice Paper Shade | Rug | Bench | Nightstands | Table Lamps | Art Above Bed | Sconces | Switch Plates

This room actually turned out pretty darn GREAT after much tweaking (and a big shout out to my favorite rug from our RugsUSA collection – the Merrick). It’s calm, cozy, high functional, and objectively well designed – it just turned out different than I had intended, although TBH I didn’t have a clear direction (thus the problem). It’s easy to keep neat/tidy (mostly thanks to the large closet down the hall – bless that closet) and on Sunday mornings I let the kids watch TV while I throw on the fire, read my romance novels, and feel so grateful that I have this beautiful, inviting, and cozy bedroom. And listen, the challenges were all self-imposed because this room is basically a new build so I also got to learn a lot. Win/win (kinda).

Bed (custom) | Bed Fabric | Round Pillow | Bolster | Linen Bed Covers | Throw Blanket (similar)

The bed, as you might have read, was custom-designed for the guest room (and works so perfectly in there) but a week before the Real Simple shoot the bed we ordered still hadn’t arrived. So we had them assemble this here (and liked it enough to keep it in this room). It’s a Rebecca Atwood tiny print fabric that has mauve, cream, and blue in it. And the arch works so perfectly with the reading sconces. The coverlets are from Parachute and they are GORGOUS. If I could give one note (and I like a note, it needs to be much bigger). We layered two so that it could cover over the pillows without showing the base. They are so pretty and feel like they’ve been washed a million times. Also, that long bolster pillow is the best and that round pillow on top, while being super hard and not exactly a head-resting pillow, looks pretty darn cool.

Plant Stand Sculptures | Lamp | Nightstand

A photoshoot can really light a fire under your ass. About 2 weeks before the shoot, I still hadn’t upgraded our nightstands (that were admittedly too tiny for the room). Due to procrastination, I didn’t have a million options to choose from that would have arrived here in time. Luckily these from Crate & Barrel were a great scale, were super simple, a mixed material (leather shelf), and checked all the boxes (except vintage, which is what I was waiting for and never really manifested). They are pretty darn great. The plant sculptures are from Lulu and Georgia, designed by Sarah Sherman Samuel (and y’all most of this I paid for FYI). Now admittedly the plants on those sculptures are giving much more of a Palm Beach vibe, which this house (and me) certainly are not, but I really like them!!!

Sconce | Accent Chair | Ottoman | Ball Pillow | Side Table | Wall Art

I love this shot so much. The chair and ottoman are from Crate & Barrel (and so comfy/cozy and on the lower side FYI). I LOVE its color/texture against the blue wall color so much. The articulating sconce from Rejuvenation is dope, and the art from Bonita Interiors is one of my favorites (and yes, I wish it were centered on that wall but then it would be in front of the light switch that we fully don’t need. Ha). Speaking of things we don’t need – we never use that door. It’s pretty though!!!! Whoops.

Fireplace | Fireplace Paint Color | TV | Blue Vase

The fireplace is pretty darn cozy and the TV above it (a Samsung Frame, obviously) gets use on the weekends when the kids dominate the family room with garbage and I fold clothes while binging my own garbage (but we don’t watch TV in here as a couple, strangely, like EVER). The fireplace is from Heat & Glo and is awesome. It works via remote and you can control the heat level and the flame height. It does make the room really warm so I only use it on cold days (or sometimes just for 15 minutes for a mood boost).

The Katy Skelton bench that I’ve had forever actually lives at the foot of the bed, but that area under the window looked super empty and off-balance without it. So for the shot, we shoved it there.

This is probably my favorite shot here. That warm taupe mohair against the dark blue, with the brass and our pretty rug popping in – it’s just so balanced and cozy. This is probably the best representation of the paint color – it has a lot of depth to it. Also, look closely and you might see an alpaca in the backyard:)

Window Treatm ents

The window treatments are so wonderful, both custom from Decorview. The shades are what we use daily and they are so easy and functional (you don’t have to pull them all the way, it’s a mechanical pulley system that is so smart – see on stories). But the shades didn’t feel like enough so we added these dramatic curtains and the whole room really came together after that. It’s a super dark navy blue that adds so much drama and depth. Thank you Decorview!!

Picture Light (unavailable) | Mirror | Switch Plates | Planter Stand (similar) | Fluted Planter (similar)

This side of the room you’ve probably seen a ton during all my selfie fashion stories. The picture light, light switches, and the mirror are all from Rejuvenation (a large and lovely partner on this project). I only wish that I could magically move the sconce down because the space between the mirror and the sconce is more than I’d like. But it’s so not a big deal so it’s likely going to stay.

So, What Would You Change???

I’m going to be VERY picky here, and that’s ok (remember I’m the only one that can be offended and I’m not). I love every single thing in here, but are they all right in this home? Together? Maybe not. Here is what I’d change if I could snap my fingers:

Change the paint color to Eventide by Sherwin-Williams. I just painted a room in my brother’s house Eventide and it is SOOOO beautiful. I was instantly like, “Oh shoot, this is what our bedroom was meant to be”. I debated it originally in here but I feared it would be too gray. But once on all the walls it’s not – it’s so beautiful and happy (despite being a light really gray-blue). I love this color, Debonair, but again I think it is better in a room without 7 windows (most south-facing) bouncing light around a lot and perhaps making it more bold and intense than intended (like all paint colors, it is very specific to the light you get, the direction you face, the scenery outside, etc). When the skylights and windows are closed it’s my favorite color ever – so it would be incredible in a dark room. Will I do it? Maybe. And if I do I might consider repainting the trim and ceiling white (curious if the paint everywhere trend is going to subside soon). I do want to move this bed to the guest room and buy a less contemporary style bed in here – just to make it more classic. However, we are debating a sofa bed in the guest room so that the kids can use it as a den during the winter so not sure of the usage yet. I love this bed and it honestly all looks so good together in here and it doesn’t bother me at all, but if I could snap my fingers the room and the bed would be just a bit more timeless, less on-trend. Will I do it? Maybe. But no rush at all. Make the mirror taller or move the sconce down – basically reduce that space in between so they relate to each other better. Will I do it? Nah. I might order a larger more articulating sconce instead, but I don’t feel like hiring an electrician to move it down, then a painter to repaint. Too much work. Had I known I was going to paint the room a medium color I would have put in either pretty spotlights, black recessed lighting, or a J box so that the hanging paper sphere could actually be lit LOL (I don’t love the white cans in here). Will I change it? Nope. I don’t care that much. If I could go back in time I probably would have skipped the door – we just rarely use it. No harm in having it but just not necessary.

So that’s our bedroom reveal:) She’s pretty, cozy, and so comfortable and helping me hibernate during The Great Long Dark (aka the PNW winter). xx

Primary Bedroom Resources:

Wood Flooring: Oregon White Oak by Zena Flooring
Windows: White Oak, Aspen Casement by Sierra Pacific Windows
Roman Shades: Decorview
Drapery: Decorview
Fireplace: Slimline 7X with Tranquil Greige Refractory Brick by Heat & Glo
Blue Wall Color: Debonair by Sherwin-Williams
Current Fireplace Color:  Big Dipper by Sherwin-Williams
TV: Samsung
Skylights: Skylights with Room Darkening Shades by Velux Skylight
Lights and Switch Plates: Rejuvenation
Custom Bed: Raleigh Hills Upholstery
Bed Fabric: Rebecca Atwood
Nightstands: Crate & Barrel
Table Lamps: Crate & Barrel
Bench: Katy Skelton
Plant Stand Sculptures: Lulu & Georgia
Rug: Rugs USA x Emily Henderson
Accent Chair: Crate & Barrel
Ottoman: Crate & Barrel
Side Table: Article
Large Mirror: Rejuvenation

*Design by Emily Henderson and ARCIFORM
**Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Our Primary Bedroom Reveal! She’s Blue (Shocking), Calm, And Ready For A Full Show And Tell appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: Two New Cookbooks Em Is Diving Into, The Unbelievable Eye Cream Gretchen Gifted Her Mom, And Our Favorite New Target Pieces

Happy January everyone! We hope that you had as great of a holiday season as possible and that the start to the new year has been relatively smooth. We have a very exciting reveal tomorrow but before that, you better believe we have some great links this week. We don’t want to overhype but we are starting very strong this year:)

This week’s house tour not only is an explosion of happy color and handpainted murals that took weeks but our beloved Kaitlin Green photographed it!! Go check it out for instant happy feelings, great design, and beautiful photos:)

Williams-Sonoma Soup of the Day | The Chicken Soup Manifesto | EatingWell Soups | The First Mess Cookbook | Clean Soups | At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen

From Emily: I wanted to update you on two new soup cookbooks I got and have tried about two recipes from each (and loved them). First up is The Chicken Soup Manifesto a bit more text-heavy (I like more pictures:)) but the soups I made were really good. Then I also got the Williams-Sonoma Soup of the Day cookbook and it’s packed with great options but is definitely more “chowder-esque” which I’m not mad about. I’ve done two to three and was also happy with them. So aside from those, I linked all of my other absolute favorite books above if you are in need of some cooking inspo.

Speaking of cooking filling, healthy delicious meals that are easy to make, did you see Arlyn’s recipe post? There are seven truly delicious meals she has made and her whole family has loved (including her toddler). Jess also wanted to attest that Arlyn is SUCH a good cook so you should trust her:)

From Caitlin: Last night, I watched a season finale of a TV show that made me laugh until I wept. I didn’t even know a TV show could be that funny! But wait, there’s more: there are TWO WHOLE SEASONS for you to binge this month (if you haven’t already – it’s a few years old). The show in question? Detroiters, which stars Tim Robinson and Sam Richardson as two Detroit ad-men (and best friends) who make silly, hyper-specific, regional TV ads. The cast is stacked with comedy heavyweights (I love Tim Meadows as a lawyer who will “try his best” and Keegan-Michael Key as a furniture store owner – can’t spoil that storyline!) but more than anything, it’s just so earnest and endearing. It has all the friendship and heart of early Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis is a producer, and he also pops up throughout the show – I feel like that’ll convince some of you to watch :)) mixed with an unrelenting flurry of jokes (albeit PG-13 ones, so be mindful). IT’S SO GOOD. It’s not just me hyping this up, either – in a plea to keep the show on the air, Seth Meyers said “I can’t remember the last time I laughed this hard at a television show…If there was any theme to the show, it was friends who loved each other. It was just what I needed.” (But for real – I was laughing/crying all night to the season 1 finale. Bicken Bones!!!)

From Gretchen: For Christmas this year, I bought my mom something kind of controversial. Before she opened it, I prefaced with “Okay please don’t be offended”, and “I just thought this would be a fun experiment for us both!”. She asked me if it was Ozempic. Lol, no. It was something else I’ve been highly advertised–that really seemed too good to be true. It’s the Instant FIRMx Temporary Eye Tightener by Peter Thomas Roth. And holy wow did it work for her. We were shocked! I’m including her before and afters because the results are truly insane. I tried it on myself, but it didn’t really do squat. So I think it’s better for someone with more “mature” skin to really be effective. You might not believe she’s 70 when she’s wearing this! I swear there were no filters used at all. It doesn’t mix well with make-up unless it’s silicone-based, and it can sometimes leave a white residue, but she loves it regardless!

From Jess: The greatest Christmas gift I gave to myself was starting to listen to The Giggly Squad podcast. I’ve deemed it “important nonsense” because it’s made every day I’ve been listening funnier and sillier which dare I say most of us need more of. Actually, my one and only resolution so far is to devote more time this year to silliness because we all know this year is going to be a lot. So standup comedian/former college athlete, Hannah Berner and fashion influencer/former Limited Too model, Paige DeSorbo are best friends that met on a reality show back in 2017 and now talk/giggle about all things life, pop culture, reality TV, fashion trends, relationships, supporting women in the arts, women in STEM, etc. So join me and my two new friends and become a Giggler if you like fun. Relatable content.

Also From Jess: Target just dropped A LOT of new things so I had to show some of my favorites:)

Footed Marble Countertop Tray | Round Vertical Natural Weave Tray | Marble Rectangle Tray

If I needed another tray (which sadly I don’t) that footed marble guy would be in my car SO FAST. It’s perfect. But for a great coffee table tray or an entry table tray, that woven cutie is awesome. It has a great shape and higher edges for bigger items that need corralling. Lastly, the black marble tray is so pretty and is definitely on the more affordable side. Emily has had the white version for a long time and it still looks great. It’s just a timeless piece.

Wicker Dome Pendant with Opal Glass Ball Ceiling Light | Medium Ceramic Table Lamp | Solar LED Outdoor Orb and Globe String Lights with Plastic Rattan Woven Hoods

We know lights can get pricey so that pendant is such an affordable yet high-end-looking option. The size is great and I love the opal glass ball/wicker combo. Then that green ceramic lamp is neutral with a dash of personality. I think it’s so versatile. And while it’s still winter, those wicker string lights are making me VERY excited for spring. How can you not love them!?

Ceramic Curved Sculpture | Wing Arm Accent Chair | Tufted Geo Lumbar Throw Pillow

I’m in the process of searching for a new sculptural object and this one is great! I need something taller but I love this one if you are also looking. Then I actually saw this Studio McGee accent chair in-store and thought it was really cool. At first glance it’s traditional but then you see that the shape is a little wild which I love! It gives modern French vibes. And lastly, that is just a great throw pillow. I love the grid, the texture, and the color. But if you don’t love blue it comes in a few other options. Go check it all out:)

From Mallory: Want your hair to look incredible with absolutely 0 effort??? Well, my mom has always had her hair DIALED IN in the most effortless way…she’s the queen of hot rollers so I finally tried it out and my hair looked maybe the best it ever has without having to do a ton of work. Here’s what you do. You take the front two pieces, middle side pieces and then the piece in the back. Clip them up and do your makeup. When you’re done your hair will be SO voluminous and bouncy – I’m never going back. Thanks, mama!!!!

From Arlyn: I asked for this tool half apron from Santa Hubs this year and omg it’s already become my favorite thing. I was working on a flash makeover for my parents (stay tuned!) and I had everything I normally misplace and spend half my day looking for right at my waist and it was glorious! Hammer, nails, tape measure, tape, a pen…it’s amazing!!! If you do any crafts or DIY or things around the house, buy this immediately. Thank me later, friends!

See?! Not too bad, huh? OK, see you tomorrow! xx

Opening Images Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Mountain House Reveal: Our Light-Filled Neutral & Textural Living Room

The post The Link Up: Two New Cookbooks Em Is Diving Into, The Unbelievable Eye Cream Gretchen Gifted Her Mom, And Our Favorite New Target Pieces appeared first on Emily Henderson.