Emily Henderson's Blog, page 71

Primary Bath Recap + A Layout Hiccup I Haven’t Shared Yet That Totally Freaked Me Out

Our beloved bathroom has been “done” for a good while and yet besides a few sneak peeks, I haven’t done a real show and tell. Why? Well, the huge windows (prior to window treatments) really highlighted the construction outside so we had to hold the photo/video until that was done…and then I reshot it because I didn’t like how I styled it. Also, I had to troubleshoot a more permanent change that I wanted to make (that I didn’t). But she is done, shot, and in the can. So over the next few days, we’ll recap where we are, where we came from, and get into some of the juicy details that I haven’t shared yet.

As a reminder, the floorplan on the left is how the house was arranged when we bought it and the one on the right is our current layout. So as you can see we kept it near the plumbing over in that corner, but completely reconfigured it all. It’s in the corner, on the first floor. If you are wondering why we didn’t flop the mudroom and the primary bath I have wondered that a million times. But now that we have these pigs and alpacas and the plunge pool, the mudroom is much closer to all of those dirty/wet things so PHEW.

As a reminder, we believe that the ’60s addition (the rectangle off of the main house) was then turned into some sort of adult foster care meeting center in the ’70s or ’80s. None of the finishes were in good enough shape to salvage.

Hiccup #1:

One of my favorite sayings in renovation is “Everything is a THING”. Meaning that every time you change one thing it has a domino effect. Very few changes don’t require you to think about other things. So as you can see in the above layout, we have the tub in front of a huge window, opposite the vanity. Great. But what you don’t know is that for a while we had a cabinet/bench under the east window with more storage. But as we got the cabinetry quote back and needed to cut the budget, we decided to skip it. No problem. But we didn’t catch that the room would be off balance.

Then after the whole space was framed out and we walked through we realized that the clearance between the shower corner and the tub itself was pretty narrow. Was it doable? Sure, but it was just so odd how tight it was there, but then have so much space on the other side. So we had three options:

Make the shower room less deep (which would make the toilet room also less deep) giving some of that space to the hallway. Our shower is definitely a good size, but not huge. Like, my brother already thinks it’s too small for him (it’s not, but I get it – it feels tight to him). For the record, I love the size of it – fits two people should that be your thing, but warms up easily whereas huge showers can take a while to warm up and can feel really exposing. It feels nice and intimate but no I didn’t want to go smaller. Move that HUGE window to the left (the tub would follow suit and remain centered). This was actually a doable option framing-wise but would require our engineer to re-submit plans to ensure that the sheer wall (the corner support) could still be solid enough. It’s a whole formula – you need enough corner support depending on how tall your ceiling is, how big your windows are, how big the house itself is, etc. Re-framing the window was a 2-day thing (and a couple of thousand dollars to be sure), but going through the engineering and permitting process again was a big “hell no” for us. Move the tub to the left, therefore having it not be centered in front of the window. NOT IDEAL, but since they hadn’t finished the rough plumbing nor tile floor it was definitely an option. Leave the clearance as-is (24″) and put something (like a piece of furniture) on the other side of the tub under the window to make the extra space there feel more intentional.

We ended up doing #3 – off-centering the tub in front of the window by cheating it back towards the other window. The rest of the options weren’t acceptable.

My hope was that once the floor tub faucet was in you wouldn’t notice the lack of symmetry anyway. We actually decided to move the floor faucet from directly behind the tub (centered on the tub and in front of the window) to the left of it. We, of course. thought about putting it to the right but that felt weird to walk into plumbing from the hallway. Now, if this window and tub moment was viewed straight on you would ABSOLUTELY notice how off-center it was, but since you never view it straight on (unless you are sitting on the vanity) my hope was that your eye wouldn’t clock it.

That’s all to say that while this is a nuanced and VERY specific situation, for those of you who have felt you were in an impossible “no perfect solution” scenario, you aren’t alone and this happens frequently in a renovation. There is no room for inflexibility and perfectionism in this process – you make the best choice and hope you don’t notice it later.

Now On To The Tile…

As you know I’ve got a real “formula” for many a room in my life – blue, white, wood, brass, and a LOT of natural light. Obviously, this isn’t strict, but for this room, I wanted airy simplicity. So for the tile, I wanted a field of blue on the floor and white on the walls. Sounds boring (and definitely on the simpler side) but now that I’ve been using and loving this bathroom for over a year I LOVE IT.

We worked with Pratt + Larson (a Portland tile company that can customize ANY tile color, shape, and has a million finishes). I wanted the floor to have visual movement and texture but not a busy pattern. So we chose these 1×6″ pencil tiles and installed them in a herringbone pattern with a brick-shaped running bond border.

We went with a blue grout that almost matched the tile but there are times (mostly when we are shooting the bathroom) that I wish I had done more of a contrast so you got more of a sense of the herringbone. But when the sunlight hits it, it’s SO PRETTY. It just doesn’t read that well on camera (which is a hilarious career problem).

The shower is the same colored tile, but in a 2×6 brick instead on the walls (and ceiling!!), mixed with a smaller scale hex on the floor. Fun fact – the walls and floor are the same “color” but because they are different shapes and therefore different dye lots, they are SLIGHTLY different (you can see the floor is a lot greener). This does NOT bother me at all and I didn’t notice it until my brother asked about it. Just a good reminder that dye lots are a real thing, especially in more handmade tile brands, which is why you always order at least 20% overage (and never throw away your extra) because the chance of it being the exact same again is not guaranteed.

A Second Hiccup…The Wall Tile

For the wall tile, I had this fantasy/idea of doing different-sized brick tiles (2×4, 2×6, 2×8) and creating a “random” pattern. The idea would be that your eye didn’t really figure it out until it did and it looked like a secret unexpected choice, but not a visible high risk. Great. We laid out the “pattern” so that the vertical grout lines wouldn’t be too close to each other and had it repeat every four rows. The above photo was taken when we were OOT so I didn’t catch that the vertical lines in SOME of the rows in fact were VERY close to each other (def not what I was going for). By the time I saw it the whole thing was installed and so my options were to rip it out or be ok with it. I chose the latter knowing that it was likely the fault of the concept and not the installers. Maybe the math didn’t line up? Or did LOL. I figured that since the grout was going to be white (and a very minimal grout line anyway) you wouldn’t notice. I think where they started it (on the side) affected the pattern and ultimately it lined up more than I had intended at certain points. The reveal is on Monday so you can see what you think of it.

The Vanity…

We customized the drawer part of the vanity with Unique Kitchens and Baths (I wrote about it here) and then had the base made by a local maker, Nate Dinihanian. I wanted this fun joinery! In retrospect, I think that UKB could have done it but I think we needed to get the cabinet order in asap as to not hold up the kitchen/mudroom so we decided to design the base later with a local maker.

I truly could NOT be happier with how it turned out (and look at that gorgeous grouted tile above – SO BEAUTIFUL).

Of course, almost three years ago, we chose all the plumbing and lighting fixtures (all Rejuvenation) which I wrote about here. In case you missed it here’s the mood board so you can see where we are headed.

not where the tub faucet ended up:)

I have to tell you about our medicine cabinets next (it’s a real thing) and then come back Monday to see how it all turned out. 🙂

*Pretty Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Primary Bath Recap + A Layout Hiccup I Haven’t Shared Yet That Totally Freaked Me Out appeared first on Emily Henderson.

This Might Be The Perfect Rustic Bathroom – With An Easy Design Tip To Ensure It Feels Cozy

Welcome to the final and equally magical space in Anne and Richard’s Washington Coast home. If you missed the other three posts we covered the open-concept kitchen, dining and living room, the main suite, and lastly the lofted bunk rooms. It’s impossible to pick a favorite space so I will just say that this bathroom is also SO SPECIAL. Even just looking at the cropped photo above you get the design wind knocked out of you a bit. If a bathroom can be romantic this one might be the most.

The power of this copper tub is out of this world! It was purchased from Signature Hardware but this exact one is no longer in stock. It’s grand yet rustic and elegant yet simple. I didn’t know how much I’d love a copper tub but there’s some true love stuff happening over here. I also really appreciate that it isn’t hammered which isn’t always my personal favorite copper finish. This baby is smooth!

What I really love that Anne so perfectly does is nail the rustic elegant style in a really authentic way. It’s not showy or faux because each piece is thoughtfully found or built and is most likely vintage. Do you also see that door?? That is how to do rustic right. But as she said in the main suite post, her husband Richard is more traditional and you can see that incorporated in these beautiful floor tiles and plumbing fixtures.

One question I did have for Anne was, “Why did you decide to use a skinny piece of marble for the wall faucet instead of going the length of the tub?” She said, “It felt less ‘fancy’. I hope that makes sense. That was really the only reason. It is the same reason for the simple scones and the tiny mirror.”

That makes total sense to me. Scaling back on size for higher-end materials gives them an inherent sweetness rather than a bold luxury vibe. This is a hot tip for anyone designing a bathroom that wants a similar aesthetic!

I mean just LOOK AT THE INSIDE OF THAT TUB. Then add in a beautiful tree stump and you have the dream elegant, romantic, rustic bathroom:)

Emily had mentioned that Anne had her copper plumbing exposed in the ceiling so naturally I had to ask her why and this was her response: “This was due to the way the second floor is framed. There was no room to hide the plumbing. I embraced that fact and really like the bit of copper showing.”

I also really like that little bit! It ties in with the tub and just looks cool. Oh, and now you can see what she meant when she chose a small mirror and sconce so the room felt less “fancy”. 🙂

In case you were wondering about the black paint on the paneling, it’s also milk paint! Anne said they weren’t sure if it would hold up in a bathroom, so they had a coat of wax added. 

If you are also drooling over that PERFECT vintage vanity (do you see the corners and the claw feet?!) so am I! Anne told me that it’s an antique piece she stumbled across in the vintage section at Rejuvenation. They did have to reduce the size of the backsplash a little bit to fit between the windows, but otherwise, it was great. What a total design dream! 

Now, if you are a privacy curtain person, don’t worry because they have a very cute solution that we don’t see in these photos. Anne said, “For privacy, we hang antique table runners from tiny hooks in the windows. Super cute. Since we are mostly alone out here, I did not want permanent drapes.” That makes sense to me. Why block the view if you don’t have to?? 🙂

The final feature of this bathroom is that it connects to an outdoor shower. Yep, the perfect vacation home. But this was also a thoughtful decision for their friends. “This allows our friends who like to camp to use the bathroom without having to come into the house. It is also the shortest distance from the sauna.” (Quick! Notice that the wood of the door’s threshold matches the ceiling wood!)

It turns out that when an interior architect designs a house from the ground up, she thinks of everything:) Hope you enjoyed this house tour and we can’t thank Anne and Richard for sharing it with all of us.

Love you, mean it.

*Design by Anne De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
**Chief Lumberjack: Richard De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
***Styled by Emily Henderson (me!) and Emily Bowser
****Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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Design Challenge Accepted: How to Balance an Off-Center Window Above a Bed (Or Anywhere, Really)

What I’m about to write about is not an “ideal” design situation. In fact, it’s more of a “good enough” design solution. But the fact is, most of us are dealing with these “good enough” scenarios, aren’t we? The majority of you reading here did not custom-build your house with a furniture plan in place already to perfectly plan the placement of said furniture around things like windows and doors. We have all inherited architecture and floor plans, and we just make it work. 

Case in point: my current bedroom. No, not *this* bedroom. But the same one I wrote about earlier this month with the behemoth wall of sliding closet doors. 

Due to the unique combination of the floorplan of the room and the size of our furniture (read: huge king-sized bed, large nightstands), we can really only put the bed in one place: against the one large window. That window? It’s off-center to the wall, which makes my bed (which is centered on the wall) sit halfway on the window and halfway on the wall. It looks…kind of wild.

When we moved in, the landlord already had a (very dinky, wobbly) curtain rod in place that we just left up until we could figure out what we were doing here to make things look better. My side of the bed is on the part with the wall, so I put up my art and sconce the way I had it in my previous room prior to moving. My husband’s side is directly under the window, so it can’t accommodate the matching sconce.

Let me show you some pictures so you can get a sense of what I’m talking about:

Obviously, it’s not the worst thing I’ve ever seen but it’s also not the best. It feels very wonky, lopsided, and not intentional. To me, design should always feel intentional and this ain’t that.

So, I couldn’t help but wonder play around with some ideas for how to fix this knowing that others reading are likely dealing with something similar, whether in their bedroom, living rooms or just any space where your furniture doesn’t intentionally line up with a window. I cooked up five ideas, three of which I mocked up as a solution in my own room. After seeing them all, I’m very excited about two of them for myself. Shall we take a look? Let’s!

Option 1: Fake Your Window Width

Okay, so this is by far the easiest solution, even if it presents me with a few gut-wrenching problems. Because our window is very large (71″x74″), we have a lot of wiggle room to place curtains to make it LOOK like the window is in the center-ish of the bed. Basically, I’d add a longer curtain rod or ceiling track and mount that the same distance to the left as it is to the right of my bed (not the window). From there, add a few drapery panels that would cover the wall behind the headboard and just a sliver of the actual window. The key is to have the same weight of curtains on both sides and just a part of the window showing in the center.

The only problem that arises for me and me alone is I would no longer be able to have my beloved sconce above my nightstand. I LOVE these sconces and use mine often. Sure, I could replace it with a table lamp, but I really prefer to have surface area on my bedside table not eaten up by a lamp. Remember when I said this was a lesson in “good enough”? I guess some sacrifices have to be made for the greater good, huh?

The result is a stately window and drapery moment that would really help make our large bed and bedroom feel balanced and centered.

Option 2: Cover The Whole Wall In Draperies

This next option is for drama lovers only…and people with few allergies. A full wall of draperies = a full wall of dust BUT if you like the look, perhaps you can deal with the maintenance.

The below room is in the home of Sarah Sherman Samuel and wow what a look. The curtains not only cover the windows but also act as the texture and “paint”. Making sure you have enough pleating in your drapes is paramount to this looking more 5-star boutique hotel, less Motel 8. A ceiling track or pinch pleating will keep your drapes visually tidy, as well some curtain weights at the bottom.

The below image is a great example of how this can work in a much narrower, less grand room than Sarah Sherman Samuel’s. In fact, off-center window or not, the full wall of curtain panels is *the* moment in the small bedroom. Food for thought.

And look! You can see place art within the draperies! I’m actually not 100% sure how to do this…anyone have any ideas?

And here it is mocked up (poorly) in my bedroom. It’s a very large wall, so a neutral panel (probably white or ivory) would be best to not suffocate me mentally. I like the concept, but I’m not sure it’s totally right for me (achooo!).

Option 3: Balance The Window With Art And/Or A Mirrordesign by jess bunge | styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the feel-good modern romantic bedroom makeover jess did for her dear friend (all thanks to the company store)

Okay, maybe THIS is actually the easiest option on the list. No extra panels, no extra-long rod, no Zyrtec loaded up in our bloodstream. Just. hang. art. Wait…should I just do this and move on? Since moving to California from Florida, I have avoided hanging anything directly above my head in bed. You know…earthquakes and such. I could potentially secure the art a bit better with earthquake-specific putty but then I worry it’ll rip the drywall off when I go to remove it eventually. That’s fashion, baby.

A few more similar examples from the world of Pinterest:

Annnnd…I’m really into this mocked-up in my own bedroom. Or is it just that I’m responding better to the clean, sharp Roman shade instead of the flowy drapes? Probably. But I do think in general it feels—you guessed it—intentional. The arrangement as a whole is weighted equally on both sides, between the mirror and the art on the left and the tree on the right. I’d have to relocate my peacock mirror to lighten the load on that side, but I’d be okay with that.

Annnnnd annnnnnd….my sconce can stay. (For anyone who is like “poor Charles, where is his sconce?”…he cares nothing about having a sconce, never turned it on at the old apartment, and is normally found in his natural habitat hunched under the covers trying to block the light of his phone from me in the dark while I’m trying to sleep.)

Option 4: Balance The Window With Shelving Or A Bookcase

I’m clutching my skull just looking at these (again, earthquakes) but if you don’t live on shakey grounds, I love the idea of adding a wall shelf or two and displaying some of your pretty beloved things like in the image below from A Beautiful Mess.

Here’s a similar concept from an Apartment Therapy House Tour. Just make sure the shelf is high enough that you don’t bonk your head on it when sitting up.

Option 5: Embrace The Asymmetry

I’ve mentioned intentional design a few times in this post, which leads me to option 5. The below image from Dabito of Old Brand New has been in my saved folder for a while mostly because I applaud his brazen design choice to *purposefully* hang his art off center to the bed underneath it. If you click the arrow on the image and scroll to the right, you’ll also notice he brought in a large branch clipping to fill the visual void.

While no, this isn’t a window, it is a reminder that symmetry is not the only way. And that off-centering things can actually be a design move to keep things interesting.

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A post shared by DABITO (@dabito)

Anyone out there have any other ideas they’ve employed in their own home to visually balance an off-center window? I’d love to hear it (and see it!). I hope this was helpful, and if not, at the very least, you enjoy a peek into my bedroom and my own personal design issues.

And as always, if there’s a small design conundrum you need help solving, let me know in the comments! Keep me employed with blog posts to write so my toddler can keep living in this home long enough for her mom (me) to solve all the decorating dilemmas that are present.

Your friend in design, Arlyn

The post Design Challenge Accepted: How to Balance an Off-Center Window Above a Bed (Or Anywhere, Really) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Bay House – Bunk Rooms That We Would Actually LOVE To Sleep In (Design Ideas For Days)

Now that you’ve been through the main parts of this incredibly special home designed and built by Emily’s design architects, Anne and Richard De Wolf of ARCIFORM, (the kitchen/dining/living room and the main suite) it’s time to see where the guests sleep! Yes, as you can see they are the most beautiful bunk beds maybe ever. But guess what? This is only one of two rooms (plus a bonus bed area and a sweet vintage-inspired bathroom!)

Quilts (vintage) | Striped Flannel Sheets | Quilted Shams (in Warm Brown and White) | Faux Leather Lumbar Pillow | Ball Pillow (similar)

Yes, I too would love nothing more at this moment, in the 90-degree heat, to be cozy on the Oregon coast in this bunk room, enjoying this unreal home. The contrast of the black walls and medium warm raw wood as well as the texture (the smooth painted sheen on the walls and the textured ceiling and frame) creates unbelievably good tension. It just gives it so much depth and interest don’t you think??

It also has to be said that Emily Henderson and Emily Bowser did an incredible job styling this room. Those vintage quilts are so good and perfectly handmade. Then paired with the striped, lighter-toned sheets gives an added pattern without fighting the quilt pattern (different scales). I also love that they chose quilted shams to mimic but not copy the quilts. Then for the throw pillows you simply can’t lose with that Target faux leather lumbar! It adds the perfect amount of depth and warmth. But we’re nothing if not whimsical so a ball pillow is a must.

Last thing! Did you notice how they used a mustard-colored sham on the top and a light neutral one on the bottom?? It’s fun, gives each bed its own identity (a must! ha), and there’s no need for any throw pillows on the top bunk since that’s where the deeper color is. It’s decor math.

But one crucial element that was put throughout the house were stained glass windows and doors (as you read about last week). If this home doesn’t make you RUN to your nearest architectural salvage yard or quickly hop on Craigslist or Etsy to grab some vintage stained glass pieces for your home I’m not sure what will. What sweetness and soul they bring. For whatever reason they just make a home so special and really homey. Plus they are just COOL.

Of course, this home was custom built so it’s likely a little easier to add them in when you are starting from scratch or remodeling. But anything is possible if you want it enough (or have enough funds if we’re being honest).

Table Lamp (vintage)

Look at the little built-in side table with the sweetest and most perfect vintage lamp. See how those simple pillows really make the look complete?

Art (vintage) | Pendant (vintage) | Sheepskin Pelt (similar)

Here is our last angle of this room before moving on to the next! The styling is so simple and sweet. With architectural interest like this, you don’t need much. But a plant is almost always a necessity in any room and this hanging guy adds that final touch to make the space come alive (that vintage pendant isn’t doing a bad job at that either:))

And because the walls are a statement in and of themselves, they didn’t need to add much art! Just enough to add some more color and movement. Oh, and a sheepskin pelt is always a good idea for maximum coziness.

Rug

Another bunk room because can you ever have enough in a vacation home? Maximum beds are key! If I can avoid an air mattress I am a grateful gal. My back hates them. But back to bunk room #2. I love that they didn’t do the same colors on the walls but still did a deeper tone than the ceiling! This is a great idea if you love wood to look like wood but want contrast.

Green Comforter and Sham | Lumbar Pillows (similar) | Throw Blankets (similar)

They also did a similar but different bunk frame arch. I really love when rooms in a house have their own look and yet clearly all belong in the same home.

Anne also chose another wonderful stained glass pair and since there aren’t any side tables they included industrial hardwired sconces. The way that the Emilys styled this bedding was also similar but different. Same base (Green Comforter and Sham) on both but different throws and lumbar pillows. A little more user-friendly method if you want a no-fail formula. It’s all the same except the add-ons which you can just choose slightly different versions of!

Now this little “room” made my heart jump out of my chest. The bedding looks nearly identical (okay this one is cuter) to my bed in the loft area of the vacation/company home my family had. It had my great-grandmother’s handmade quilt that looked almost exactly like that with handmade pillows my mom and I sewed together with vintage fabric we picked out. My mom was such a talented seamstress and I, well, I tried and regrettably lost interest. If I didn’t want to not ruin this beautiful post I would show you a picture.

But back to this nook. Those likely vintage brass light fixtures are SO perfect I almost can’t stand it. I love that they chose two different styles in the same finish. Another easy way to make a room feel more eclectic while still super cohesive. Then take a look at those extra large dried flowers. The scale of them makes them look so cool. That sweet pup is also really selling this space:)

Tile (similar)

We are now at the grand finale of the loft area with this very special bathroom. If you’ve been contemplating a bold patterned floor-to-wall tile, take this as your sign to do it! It looks so great. Who wouldn’t want to shower in here?? Or brush your teeth in the coolest green vintage vanity?? If you read my bathroom post last week you know I’m potentially looking for new vintage vanity legs…and these are very inspiring. Let’s use more vintage vanities in bathrooms (at least in guest or power bathrooms which don’t always need as much storage). Ah and look at that cute trash bin!

Look at the vintage details of the shower base! Both the vanity and this base help to soften the geometric lines of the tile in a really fun way. Then did you notice that one of the shower walls is a different tile? I mean why not?! It looks great and simply added another visual texture but in a light neutral so it’s not overpowering. Plus it’s the same tile that’s in the main suite. Big fan over here if you can’t tell.

So do you have a favorite space or design element yet? We still have one more very special room to show you later this week that we know you a going to love. It’s been so fun getting to show off Anne and Richard’s work! Until next time…

Love you, mean it.

*Design by Anne De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
**Chief Lumberjack: Richard De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
***Styled by Emily Henderson and Emily Bowser
****Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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The Link Up: The Weighted Vest That Has Made Em’s Walks Better, The Denim Dress Caitlin Wants Us All To Own, And Two Target Collections We Are EXCITED About

This week was a very heavy one for the world and left most of us feeling helpless, devastated, shocked, and utterly sad for all those affected – the children, the moms, the dads, everyone. So many innocent people. We don’t know how to talk about the terrorist attacks on Israel and the horrors put upon the Palestinian people and children. We are not journalists nor a news site but we are women who believe everyone has a right to protection and safety and we are devastated. It’s just so unimaginable. We won’t publish any discussion of this in the comments, we’ve seen too much division on the internet and don’t want to fuel more. We want to acknowledge that the world is not okay, even while we continue pre-planned design posts that can serve as a momentary distraction. Just know that we deeply care and are praying for all the innocent Jewish and Palestinian citizens suffering so unbelievably right now.

Here are this week’s links.

This week’s house tour is a postmodern vintage dream that also incorporates the most beautiful deep wood walls and accents. Just go look the THE TUB!!! We’re also pretty obsessed with the art arrangement on the bedroom wall. The whole house is a visual candy shop. GO ENJOY!

From Emily: I just took my walking game from a 7 to a 10 (with hills). As you know I’m a big walker (the two pups force this habit that has turned into my podcasting and alone morning time before kids get up). Sometimes I just want more, to get my sweat on even though I’m JUST walking. So I bought this 12lb weighted vest and hide it under another vest (that Free People one I love) or my parka when it’s cold and what was a normal walk is now more of a workout where I sweat a bit more and get some endorphins out. You definitely feel it when it comes to the hills. So for those of you trying to squeeze in a “workout” when you really just want to walk, you might like this. I LOVE IT (I also wear it to clean the house TBH but that sounds rather psychopathic).

From Jess: As I mentioned this past Friday, I am going to London in a few weeks!! And since the “cold weather” section of my closet is nearly nonexistent I wanted to find a few things. One top I bought that I am VERY excited about is this cream-colored mock neck longsleeved shirt that has a lime green contrast seam. The lime green adds just enough “fun” that makes me feel cool but not too much fun that it looks like I’m trying too hard to be trendy. 10/10! Then when I went online to find the link I also saw this sweater dress that I am very tempted to try. Now I’d be lying if I hadn’t poked around a couple of other stores too. This happy blue cardigan and this gray chic sweater are really London calling my name…stay tuned I guess:)

From Caitlin: I linked this long-sleeve denim dress up a few weeks ago in our fall dress roundup, but I just need to call it out again because it’s SO. DARN. CUTE! Temperatures are finally dropping again here in LA (kind of – there’s a 94-degree day currently looming on my 10-day forecast, but it’s balanced by a nice mix of cool nights!) and so it’s finally comfortable to break out my transitional pieces! This dress has been so easy to style and I’m getting WAY more wear out of it than I anticipated. It’s cute with sneakers, it’s cute with boots, and it’s easy to wear with an oversized sweater! The weight is perfect, I love the cut, I’m obsessed with the back, the sleeves are breezy and comfy, and I find myself turning to it constantly. It makes me wanna go take pictures in a pumpkin patch or apple orchard or something, you know? Hats off to the designer:)

Also From Caitlin: This isn’t a link, but more of a PSA: if it’s been a while since your last eye doctor appointment, you should make one!!! The checkups are important, even if your vision hasn’t changed. This week my doctor caught some stuff on a retinal scan that could have had huge implications for my sight in the future if it’d gone unnoticed and I’m SO THANKFUL that she did. So get those peepers checked if it’s been a minute since your last visit, okay????

Lone Fox just launched a very fun art print collection with Desenio and it was inspired by his love of vintage. Clearly, that’s right up our alley (and probably yours:)). Go check it out here!

From Arlyn: I used to be an avid perfume wearer. But between the pandemic/quarantine and having a baby, my body and scents have been quite the strangers. Recently, I’ve been trying to rediscover my personal style and with that came the desire to smell good again. Jo Malone’s Nectarine Blossom & Honey used to be my signature scent since I discovered it my senior year of college and I had the itch to buy it again. It’s the kind of cologne that’s fresh, sweet, not overly floral or fruity…the perfect day scent IMHO. Many times, I’ve been stopped by someone who had to know what I was wearing. It lasts all day and just a little spritz goes a very long way.  

Plastic Mixing Bowl Set with Lids | Silicone Mini Kitchen Utensil Set | Stainless Steel Measuring Spoons

Stainless Steel Food Chopper | Silicone Extra Large Baking Mat | Nonstick Aluminized Steel Mega Cookie Sheet

Did you see or hear that Target has a new cookware line?? It’s basically a more affordable Five Two if they are out of your budget. Lots of cute options if you are looking!

Fall Turkey Shaped Pillow | Cocktail Napkin Set of Fall Assorted Vegetables | Fall Vegetable Figural Serving Spoon & Fork Set

Assorted Fall Mushroom Appetizer Plates | Large Stoneware Fall Cabbage Serving Bowl | Printed Tablecloth Fall Flowers

Oh and another VERY FUN Target collaboration also just dropped – The John Derian Thanksgiving Collection. We are pretty obsessed with the total whimsy of it all that only John knows how to do. Both Emily and Mallory immediately said they wanted that beaded turkey pillow lol. The whole collection is out TODAY so go grab what you want because we expect this to sell out fast:) Um also did Caitlin not call the cabbageware plate trend???!

From Mallory: J. Crew has some SOLID jackets right now and I’m in the market!! This one looks so soft, but I’m also heavily into the lady jacket style like this and this. Which one is your fav?? I actually can’t decide on what to add to cart and they’re all on a hot sale!!!

From Gretchen: I’ve attempted to lock in a “signature scent” for forever, but shopping for perfume is so hard for me. I’m easily overwhelmed by the millions of options in store, terrible at discerning their smell differences enough to make a confident, worthwhile purchase (read: that stuff is $$$), so I usually end up buying the $10 body sprays from Target that last all of five seconds on my body or just forgo smelling nicer–not fun. Rarely do I work up the courage as I waft a passing stranger to say, “you smell delicious, what’re you wearing?”, hoping I’ll get some intel, but when my friend showed up the other day smelling INCREDIBLE, I couldn’t help but to hound her for answers. The holy grail? Black Opium by YSL– it is simply scent-sational!!! Vanilla-y without being overkill, the perfect amount of floral notes and if “warm and inviting” had a smell, it’d be this. I bought it immediately with no regret and am so thankful to my friend for doing the heavy lifting.

Also From Gretchen: Speaking of good friends and great products, my very talented designer pals, Nimi Einstein and Zane Shapen, have recently launched a new fine furniture business, Shapen/Einstein. Together they’ve thoughtfully created their first product, the Tower Lamp–a unique tripod floor lamp that beautifully integrates high-quality components with carefully considered design. I was lucky enough to witness their early explorations back in February, when they were only just figuring out materials, and I can attest–these two are extremely dedicated to their craft! Hours upon hours have gone into honing and building this design, and it is truly a delight to see it come to life. Offered in two sizes and colorways, a limited run of their lamps are available for pre-order from now until November 13th.  Check out their website, give them a follow or be one of the first to own this stunning piece of functional art!

Thanks for stopping by, thank you for reading, and see y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Anne De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products | Styled by Emily Henderson and Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: The Home That Made Me Want To Hire ARCIFORM – See Their Open Concept Living Room/Kitchen Done Right

The post The Link Up: The Weighted Vest That Has Made Em’s Walks Better, The Denim Dress Caitlin Wants Us All To Own, And Two Target Collections We Are EXCITED About appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Elevated Fall Basics From The Earth’s Friendliest Brand

The other day I got to dress myself, neck to ankle, in extremely lovely cozy clothes from Pact, a fashion company that cares about the earth. We styled it all out for fall, with soft layers, thick textures, and all the pretty colors. Then bopped around our property and did all the “fall” things.

Sweater | Henley Shirt | Joggers

The white henley is one of my favorite basics here – super thin and easy to layer and drapes so well. The joggers bunch so well with taller ankle boots as you can see and are a great utilitarian vibe. The joggers are high-waisted FYI.

Sweater | Pants

For all of you loving the high-waisted, cropped wide-leg flare trend these pants have really great structure – meaning they flare out at your ankle in a really dramatic way. The sweater is one of my favorite pieces here – I’m wearing a medium and it’s oversized in a cute way and the stripe is nice, perfect for fall, and great for many many Zoom calls (trust me).

Pact also has a lot of elevated basics, like this below sweatshirt and these straight-legged trousers.

Zip Up Sweatshirt | Henley Shirt | Pants

The sweatshirt is boxy, cropped and wide, just like I like them and comes in a few colors.

Quarter-Zip Sweatshirt | Henley Shirt | Sweatpants

They have a lot of sets of clothes, which is something I’m very much gravitating towards (and I’m not alone). This quarter-zip is in a really pretty raspberry colorway, with matching sweats – making me feel pulled together (a great airport outfit).

Sweater | Striped Shirt | Corduroy Skirt

I’m also doing the corduroy trend and this skirt is so cute, easy to wear (boots! socks with loafers!), and another great cozy and oversized cardigan. The striped tee is great for layering and one that I’ve worn a few times since we shot this.

Romper

For all you one-piece romper folks this is a great one – cropped, zipper, tie around the waist, and more fitted than baggy.

These things can easily be dressed up and down, and go day to night so well (thus my love of them).

What I love about Pact is its intention of being so earth-friendly while making elevated long-lasting basics. Their pieces aren’t trendy and yet they aren’t expensive either. The packaging is sustainable and they even have a Give Back Box program where you put the clothes you want to donate in a box and slap a label on it. They have a lot of other styles and colors, and I generally wore a small (medium in some clothes) so it’s pretty true to size. Thanks to Pact for sponsoring this fun fall shoot. You can see all of my picks in one place, right here. xx

This post was sponsored by Pact but all words and opinions are all mine🙂

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Elevated Fall Basics From The Earth’s Friendliest Brand appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Traveling This Season?? Here’s How To Avoid Getting Bed Bugs (From Someone Who Knows)

PLEASE, for the love of whatever higher power (or moral code) you believe in, read this post if you are traveling this year. Yes, even within the US, and especially if you are going to a big city. Bed bugs are HORRIBLE, are hard to get rid of once they are in your home, and spread soooooo easily. Be a kind person to yourself and the people around you and at least do some of your own research if you don’t like any of the tips in this post. Everyone thanks you. I promise!

I understand that I may have had a slightly more unhinged response to the news that Paris was VERY infested with bed bugs during fashion week. That means fashion experts, models, and influencers from around the globe were frolicking around that beautiful city to then travel back home…potentially with some unwanted souvenirs. If precautions aren’t taken this could have a HUGE impact on a people. London is already having problems. Naturally, I immediately bought a mattress protector for my new wonderful mattress (I actually can’t believe I didn’t have one already). Y’all these bugs are literally out for our blood. To explain my panic, I was the victim of bed bugs twice while living in New York. TWICE. They were two years apart in two different apartments so they weren’t connected. COOL! What they did have in common, however, was that they robbed my roommate and I of our money and maybe more importantly…our sanity for months. The second time, my roommate didn’t believe me (or didn’t want to believe me) since I was the only one who was allergic to the bites (fun fact not everyone will get visible, itchy bites so you might have them even if you don’t see the bites. AGAIN, COOL!). That was until we hired a beagle to sniff them out (Yes, for $300 that is the real and main way people find out their bed bug fate. It might cost more now, I don’t know).

design by jess bunge | styled by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: moto reveal! how jess made her wfh office/living room totally multifunctional

Now, this isn’t a post about what to do if you have them in your home. If you are dealing with that I am truly so sorry. Calling your landlord or extermination ASAP is crucial. Also, please don’t put your infested things on the street without treating them. It will spread them and that’s a real crappy thing to do.

This is however a post about what to do when you get home (plus some tips while traveling). I got a lot of these tips from flight attendant, CiCi in the Sky, from TikTok but some I knew based on my past experiences. She’s great though and has a ton of useful travel tips. This is all especially top of mind since I am going to London next month which is exciting and now slightly terrifying. If you can’t tell those little monsters really did a number on me. SO because of that, I have already created a pretty detailed plan on how to make sure not a bug nor egg will enter my home. I love my things too much to have to possibly get rid of even one piece (another fun fact! according to one of my old exterminators, bed bugs can live in wood for up to six months without food (aka human or pet blood).

I want to make sure I say that while I have personally been through this hell a couple of times, I am not an expert or professional exterminator. Please do your own research too! This is just what I know will help to stop an infestation and keep me sane.

So What Am I Buying??Bounce Dryer Sheets

CiCi said to put Bounce dryer sheets in your suitcase to deter bugs from wanting to enter. I. AM.IN! That is wildly easy and I bought them when I went to Target earlier this week. She also said that you can use moth balls which don’t have my favorite smell and an essential oil spray like lavender which is one of my favorite smells. Honestly, I might do both! Spray my clothes with lavender spray and stick a bunch of dryer sheets in the suitcase. Isn’t anxiety fun???

Hot Shot Bed Bug Mattress & Luggage Treatment Kit

When I found this kit online I immediately hit add to cart! I remember using those strips during my last infestation and they worked great. This also calms my anxiety A LOT knowing I can hot box my sweet little suitcase with all the chemicals! When it comes to bed bugs I am PRO any chemical. I know that’s not ideal but these things are strong.

TSA-Approved Non-Toxic Bed Bug Spray

I did however buy this TSA-approved non-toxic spray that I will happily take with me to London to spray my suitcase down before I leave. I do need to check if I can spray it on my clothes…

Spray Bottle + Isopropyl Alcohol

If I can’t I will be making my Isopropyl Alcohol mix (60% alcohol and 40% water). CiCi talked about this in her video but I knew about it from my New York days when I asked my exterminator how he avoids getting bed bugs given that he worked with them every day. He said he used this alcohol spray on the bottom of his pants, the bottom of his jacket, the cuffs, and the collar. Then stripped down before he walked into his house and put those clothes straight into a hot wash and dry cycle. If it’s good enough for him it’s good enough for me! Just be careful with certain materials. I may have ruined my roommate’s faux leather jacket…WHOOPS!

Travel Steamer

If you can’t use the spray or put something in the washing machine you can always use a steamer! I got this travel one because it’s compact, lasts up to 10 minutes per steam, and has dual voltage for international travel. This will be perfect for the pieces I want to wear multiple times on the trip like my coats! But if you want more coverage/don’t want to have to refill the water as often, then you can get a bigger one like this. Just remember heat will kill them!

Travel Vacuum Sealer Storage Bags + Rechargeable Tiny Portable Ultra-Mini Air Pump

Loved this storage bag idea from CiCi! Just fill it up as you are finished with your clothes then seal them up so bugs have far less access to them! I also bought this little rechargeable, portable air pump that I will take with me too. That way I don’t have to use anyone’s vacuum machine in case there’s a bug. I will also put it nicely in its own ziplock. Can you tell I’m not taking any chances??

Trash Bags

Trash bags are just good to have! I will put them in my car so I can throw whatever I need into them. Just make sure to knot the actual bag part (not just the handles) to keep any creepy crawlies inside!

My Plan Of Action Once I Arrive And Hang Out In LondonSpray myself with the non-toxic spray (if safe) and my bag when I arrive at where I’m staying. (I’m staying with someone I know so I won’t be checking any mattresses…and I already asked if they had a mattress protector:))Spray or steam the bottom of my pants, shoes, cuffs, and collar every time I get back to where I’m staying each day.After I am done using a clothing item, I will put it in one of the vacuum-sealed bags.When I pack up to go home, I’ll vacuum them up with my portable deflator:) Spray my suitcase one more time and make sure I have fresh dryer sheets in it.My Plan Of Action Once I Arrive Home!Put everything I need ready to go in my car so I don’t need to go inside my apartment for anything (including laundry money and a new set of clothes!)Spray the outside of my bags down with bed bug spray.Put my suitcase and any other bags in the treatment kit bag I bought and take it to the laundry room (luckily it’s in my building’s driveway).Spray my clothes and shoes with bed bug spray or alcohol spray.Put all the clothes I can in the washing machine on high heat then in the dryer on high heat for at least 20 mins. Again, heat kills them!Change into new clothes that I prepped!Seal up the suitcase treatment bag with its bed bug pest strip as directed.Whatever clothing will get ruined in high heat put in a vacuumed-sealed bag then steam them individually. After that, put them in a new, sealed trash bag and take them to the dry cleaners. Be sure to let them know there MIGHT be bed bugs on the clothes for extra precaution. Go inside my apartment and try to relax knowing I did everything I could:)Do I Sound Crazy???

I promise I know that I do but at the same time, this plan is a small price to pay to not have to go through bed bugs again. And while you don’t need to do exactly what I’m doing, please have some kind of plan for your trip and return (Oh here is CiCi’s video on how to check a hotel room). It will help stop the spread and keep you sleeping tight and not letting any bed bugs bite. I mean I had to put that in somewhere:) Happy and safe travels!!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Design by Jess Bunge | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: The Feel-Good Modern Romantic Bedroom Makeover Jess Did For Her Dear Friend (All Thanks To The Company Store)

The post Traveling This Season?? Here’s How To Avoid Getting Bed Bugs (From Someone Who Knows) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

This Primary Suite Was Designed Around An Arched Stained Glass Window – See How They Made This New Room Feel Vintage

It’s hard not to immediately fall in love with this home’s open-concept kitchen/dining/living space but for me, this was the room, the main suite, that really took my breath away. The softness, the textures, the textiles! It all just feels like a deep exhale. If I didn’t need to eat I wouldn’t leave this room while staying here. It’s unpretentious yet is filled with so many special details. This view being maybe one of the biggest highlights…well until you see the other side:) Shall we??

First, let’s talk about this bed! I, of course, had to ask Anne (who co-owns ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products with her husband, Richard) where she got it from, assuming it was probably custom. I was wrong! She said, “The bed was a lucky find at the ‘Community Warehouse’ for $120.00. We purchased it way before the house was done, so were sleeping on this fancy bed frame in the middle of a construction zone for months. :)” WHAT?! That is why Slow and Steady usually wins the wildly cool and affordable vintage race. I also asked about the singular bracket on the top right bedpost to which Anne said was actually a curtain rod bracket to help with the wobbliness of the frame.

Striped Comforter | King Comforter and Sham Linen Set | Lumbar Pillow

Emily mentioned in yesterday’s post that she was kicking herself for not doing this white wall finish at the farmhouse. This awesome product is called General Finishes Water Based Milk Paint. Anne said she loves it and that it’s easy to apply (music to our ears!). What a beautiful way to add a wall color while still seeing the texture of the wood.

But let’s also take a minute to appreciate the bed styling! The warm gray and bright white look so beautiful together and feel like the Pacific Northwest Coast sky. That subtle strip adds some quiet interest and the bolder blue blankets give the whole look some more depth. It’s just stunning.

Does that lamp look familiar??? Does a basement guest room makeover ring a bell? But aside from that very cool lamp, let’s take a second to really appreciate that stained glass door! I confirmed with Anne that it was an exterior door in a previous life because there is clearly a mail slot. Do you also see that key?! Vintage is simply the best.

I had to put this photo in one more time because it’s too beautiful not to see it again. And it’s also a better angle of the stained glass door:)

Looking at these photos almost makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time when all you had and wanted was a good book, some candlelight, and a cozy bed. I also just really love how the Emilys styled that book stack with a candle on top:)

Oh, and how pretty is that contrast of the white walls and natural wood ceiling and floors? It makes it cozy instead of feeling too light and bright.

And HERE IT IS! The arched stained glass doorway. With something like this in a room, you really don’t need much else. This is what Anne said when I asked her about the process of finding all of the stained glass pieces for the house: “Bloomsbury Antiques in Portland is an importer of British Antiques and Architectural Salvage. I purchased all of the stained glass pieces from them and designed the doors and windows around what I found. The arched stained glass door with the arched window surround was a must-have for me, and I designed the spaces accordingly.”

It just gets better and better every time you look at it. Personally, I love that while it has so much personality, the design isn’t overly ornate making it a perfect fit for this home. Simple and special as we like to say over here:) But now let’s head into the actual bathroom…

Yep, even more beautiful! I love the four different materials used on the walls and floors – marble hex tile, zellige tile, white-washed wood paneling, and finally natural wood on the ceiling. They all work so harmoniously together yet add so much visually.

Now for a fun little cautionary tell from Anne: “Richard advised the entry to the shower not to have a curbless shower basin, as they tend to flood the space. I insisted. He was right, I should have figured out a curb for the space as we always have to squeegee the floors after we use the shower. On the plus side, the floors are always clean.”

There can always be a silver lining:)

I also asked Anne if she had any thoughts or favorite things about the bathroom and I loved her answer:

“I personally like how I used the shower curtain hooks as towel hooks as well. I also like how the shower curtain protects the wood window in the shower.  I can open it to my heart’s content and not have to frost the glass for privacy. I have a hard time selling this detail to my clients. I just love it.”

That was a detail I’m embarrassed I didn’t catch at first! What a simple but cool way to play with curtain length and get the privacy you want. Win-win!

For the grand finale, we need to talk about this vanity. I knew almost immediately it was a custom job. Not only because it’s beautiful but it’s clearly not your average vanity. Lo and behold their company, Versatile Wood Products, built the assembly based on Anne’s design. According to Anne, “Richard wanted something a bit more classic (I am the one that likes the more rustic aesthetic) so I squeezed a little traditional into the corner for him. :)” See? Compromise can be really beautiful.

The last question I had was a technical one in case any of you wanted to achieve a similar look. I want to know about mounting a sconce directly onto a bathroom mirror. Was it expensive? Is it really complicated? Here was Anne’s answer: “Cutting the holes is not the costly part, it is the part where everything has to align perfectly and the electrician has to attach the light fixture onto the mirror glass while fitting all the wiring behind it.” Doesn’t sound impossible but you do want to make sure you have people you trust doing it…like most everything in a new build or renovation:)

Well, I hate to say goodbye and please stay as long as you want looking at this gorgeous room. Lord, knows I will. See you next week with more spaces!

Love you, mean it!

*Design by Anne De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
**Chief Lumberjack: Richard De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
***Styled by Emily Henderson and Emily Bowser
****Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post This Primary Suite Was Designed Around An Arched Stained Glass Window – See How They Made This New Room Feel Vintage appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Home That Made Me Want To Hire ARCIFORM – See Their Open Concept Living Room/Kitchen Done Right

This week we are revealing the most incredible house, built by the owners of the design/build company we hired for our farmhouse – ARCIFORM. This is the house that sold me on hiring them. They typically don’t do new builds (they specialize in restorations of more historic properties) but they built this from the ground up, using the trees that had fallen on the property after years of camping on the land. It’s on a bay in Southern Washington state and I had the pleasure of staying there twice (once with my family and once with my team to shoot). Anne, like a lot of interior architects, stopped at the styling so we had it in our deal that I would help them style and shoot it all out – bedding, pillows, vases, flowers, etc, in exchange for a discount on her design time. We shot this last year before I had my team up here in place and I flew up Sara to shoot it and Emily Bowser to help me style (it was a lot of schlepping and labor and fine, maybe I also wanted an excuse to hang out with my friends). So this week you are going to see the full reveal of this incredible house – the moodiest black bathroom I’ve ever seen, the pretty stained glass doors, and architecture that stops you in your tracks. While I had nothing to do with the design of this space, I am going to go through and call out what is so incredible about it, point out my favorite things and just generally show and tell.

When you first walk in the architecture is obviously STUNNING – it almost feels like it’s a secret industrial building that has always been here, but nope – it was designed and built by them from the ground up (over 10 years). Domino did an awesome story last week (we pitched the exclusive on their story) so head over there at the end if you want more information on how they built it (fun facts like the trees had to take two years just to dry out before they could use the lumber and Anne’s barn inspiration for the architecture).

All the details wowed me – the hinges on the secret doors under the stairs, the railing. And here you can see the same 12″ horizontal bead board idea that we stole for the farmhouse, but Anne used milk paint and I’m still kicking myself for not doing that (so you can see the grain underneath and just feels warmer). The flooring is incredible – a combination of unfinished Spruce and Hemlock…with a dash of Alder – was again chopped down by Richard or had fallen on the property. The wide plank is so pretty and is obviously patinating so well.

The island was custom-made by Versatile Wood Prodcuts, their sister company, who does high-end cabinetry and windows (DID YOU SEE THE WINDOWS IN THIS PLACE???). Anne is obviously a huge antiques collector so most of the furniture was sourced by her.

I loved her combination of marble on the island and a darker soapstone on the cabinetry by the range. We added that vintage painting of theirs (and you probably recognize a lot of our styling pieces from my prop house).

I LOVE this tiny little door. This goes into the pantry and was salvaged and refurbished. It has a back door to the outside that is bigger should you want more space to bring something in, but I think the scale of it is so quirky and cute.

Those chandeliers are so incredible – Anne has such a gift for taking risks and just mixing old-world antiques together. Please note all those stained glass windows – so incredible. The table was also made from fallen wood on the property.

The sheer volume/scale of the space is big, but because of the wood and the double-paned windows, it still feels really cozy. It gets really windy outside there, but inside you can’t hear it so being there during a storm (with the fireplace on) is so magical.

Please note the door within that huge window that was custom-built by Versatile Wood Products (the other company Anne and Richard own) – I wanted to steal this idea so badly and we tried to get it into the house, but didn’t make as much sense for us.

Anne laid it out so that the fireplace was in the middle of the great room, versus just serving the living area. When staying there you could see the benefit of this – you can see/feel the fire when in the kitchen, dining (where they play a lot of games), and living areas.

Bowser and I foraged for huge branches for this shoot (instead of flowers) and boy does it make the shot (the terracotta pot is an antique from Rejuvenation).

Anne used Idris White Zellige by Ann Sacks throughout many of the tiled areas which I truly never get tired of seeing when done appropriately (and super appropriate here). As you can see they used tinted plaster above the paneling which creates so much warmth.

Again, how incredible are those doors and windows? Not surprising as this is what Versatile specializes in, but they are just jaw-dropping.

Anne is originally from Germany and she and Richard met in their early twenties and started this company together, and I think her European aesthetic gives her such a fresh point of view. I just love the bravery and risk-taking in this house – and the attention to detail continues to impress me.

Here they are – Anne and Richard De Wolf (owners of ARCIFORM and Versatile). As I said at the beginning of the post, this week you’ll see more and more of this home that I can’t WAIT to show you/talk about. It’s so inspiring and I wish we all, as design enthusiasts, had the opportunity to actually experience these spaces in person.

There’s me, sweaty from styling all day – something I only do for my projects these days so it was so fun to work with Emily B. and bring some EHD styling to this gorgeous space. Come back tomorrow for their main suite. And if you are in the PNW and looking to hire a team to restore your older space (commercial or residential) this is the team 🙂

*Design by Anne De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
**Chief Lumberjack: Richard De Wolf of ARCIFORM and Versatile Wood Products
***Styled by Emily Henderson (me!) and Emily Bowser
****Photos by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

The post The Home That Made Me Want To Hire ARCIFORM – See Their Open Concept Living Room/Kitchen Done Right appeared first on Emily Henderson.

“Like Black Friday for Essentials”: Our 46 Prime Big Deal Day Picks (Org, Cleaning, Tech, Beauty, and More)

DON’T BELIEVE THE HYPE. Over the next two days, you are going to see a ton of digital hullabaloo over Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days sale (read: a new shopping holiday for October). And at first, I was selfishly excited – I love combing through sale spreadsheets! Sharing deals with y’all gives me a dopamine boost! – but after poring over the 150,000 items included in this sale, I gotta be honest: it’s pretty underwhelming. Sure, there are some splashy, show-stopping deals – half-priced Roombas, deeply-discounted Airpods, and the like – but the home offerings were fairly sparse or really specific (like a twin-sized air mattress shaped like a 1950s car. You know, in case you’re in the market.)

But then, it clicked: Prime Big Deal Day (henceforth known as PBDD from here on out, FYI) isn’t supposed to be a huge sale on splurge-worthy pieces: it’s kind of like a Black Friday for essentials. Over the next two days, take a peek around your house. Do you need any toilet paper? Snacks? Toothpaste? Food storage bags? Because that’s ALL ON SALE right here through tomorrow, my pals. Saving a few bucks on the things you were planning to buy anyway is kind of nice, don’t you think? To that end, I’ve compiled 46 of the best PBDD deals for you (like, literally, for you – these are custom-tailored to EHD readers!). We have a few beauty favorites, some affordable org essentials, some cool tech, and even a gift idea for your TikTok-loving teen. Ready to see what’s actually worth the hype?

Beauty

1. Sunday Riley CEO Glow | 2. Viral Hair Dryer / Hot Air Brush | 3. COSRX Snail Mucin | 4. belif Aqua Bomb | 5. Waterpik Water Flosser | 6. Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask | 7. Mighty Pimple Patches | 8. Elemis Resurfacing Facial Pads | 9. Shark Flexstyle System (Airwrap Dupe!)

This is the one category where I’ll stand corrected: PBDD is crushing in the beauty department. Now is a great time to stock up on any cold-weather skin essentials, like my favorite rich moisturizer (the Aqua Bomb – I’ve recommended it here before!) or my new obsession, COSRX’s Snail Mucin (I can’t believe I slept on this product for so long!!!). The zit patches make a great stocking stuffer (I promise – Brenda refills my stash every Christmas!) and I know at least one person who wouldn’t hate to find a Shark Flexstyle under the tree this year (spoiler: it’s me). FYI, the makeup selection is also great – be sure to see if there’s a deal on your favorite products!

Daily Essentials

1. Steamer 2. Drinking Glasses with Glass Straws, Set of 4 | 3. Throw Pillow Inserts, Pack of 2 | 4. Baby Wipes, Pack of 920 | 5. Tempur-Adapt Memory Foam Mattress Topper | 6. Stanley Travel Mug

Alright – onwards to the non-sexy stuff that will make your day-to-day life just a little more comfortable. If you’re on the hunt for a steamer, this one is great! #2 and #6 would make great gifts (those glasses look so luxe in person!); #4 is a GREAT, super affordable idea for anyone heading to a baby shower in the next couple of weeks. I’m a sucker for those throw pillow inserts – they’re the ones I use! – and that mattress topper will make any bed feel WAY more comfortable (seriously – check the reviews!).

Tech

1. Kindle Oasis | 2. ecobee Smart Thermostat | 3. Samsung Frame | 4. Airpods Pro | 5. Roku Streambar | 6. Ring Video Doorbell, 8 Pieces

ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT. We’ve reached the aforementioned splashy deals! When it comes to entertainment, we love this Kindle (and here are some book recs from Em, if you’d like), the Frame TV (of course), and the Roku Streambar (there’s a lot of great original programming on Roku, too!). This is also the best price EVER for AirPods Pro, so you can feel good about bringing those home. 🙂 (And if you’d like to protect that home, might we suggest this Ring System or this smart thermostat?)

Cleaning

1. Little Green Machine | 2. Viral Cordless Cleaning Brush | 3. Self-Emptying Roomba | 4. 1000 Square Foot Air Purifier | 5. Electric Pressure Washer | 6. Four-Section Laundry Sorter

Y’all KNOW I’ll be singing the praises of the Little Green Machine until the day I die, right? (And it’s only $89 now – down from $125!) Other favorites: this cordless scrub brush that’s perfect for folks with mobility issues; a self-emptying Roomba (50% off!); an air purifier that can handle 1000 square feet; this easy-to-use pressure washer; and a rolling laundry cart with four separate sections.

Storage & Org

1 Non-Slip Hangers, Pack of 30 | 2. Under-Sink Storage | 3. Foldable Hyacinth Baskets | 4. Clear Stackable Lidded Bins, Set of 6 | 5. Vacuum Storage Bags | 6. Large Storage Bags

If you’re a long-time reader here, you may know that I looooove writing posts about storage and organization…so these deals, in particular, were kind of like my Super Bowl. It was hard to narrow it down, but these all stood out for specific reasons: the hangers are an essential; the under-sink storage can completely transform the functionality of your cabinets; those hyacinth baskets can fold flat (!!!!!); I love the lids on these 6 stackable bins (and the price, too, TBH); vacuum bags can be game-changing for small-space dwellers; the large storage bags are an AWESOME alternative to their plastic counterparts (and they’re much easier to store, long-term, to boot!).

Kitchen Basics

1. Cosori Air Fryer | 2. Rubbermaid Brilliance Containers, Set of 20 | 3. Digital Kitchen Scale | 4. All-Clad Cookware, Set of 5 | 5. Baking Mat, Set of 2 | 6. Vegetable Cutter

Let’s be real: there’s a high chance that you’re totally happy with your current kitchen tool setup! But in the chance you’re looking to upgrade, expand, or dive deeper, these are a few EHD-approved favorites. (We love the Rubbermaid Brilliance line and the affordable vegetable slicer, but I’ll actually be grabbing a kitchen scale for myself – this one is cheap AND good!)

Holiday Decor

1. 5 Foot Christmas Tree | 2. Staub Pumpkin Baking Dish | 3. Pre-Lit 9 Foot Garland | 4. Fairy Lights | 5. Holiday Curtain Lights | 6. 6.5 Foot Christmas Tree

If you need a cheap Christmas tree, RUN. DO NOT WALK. I have a good feeling that the selection is going to sell out quickly (and I mean, why wouldn’t it? They’re selling 6.5′ trees for $120 bucks!). My favorite sale item, however, are these INSANE festive curtain lights. You can program these to show anything from Halloween pumpkins to festive trees – they’re like the 2023 version of a LiteBrite (albeit an enormous one). If I had roommates, more frequent guests, or kids…I’d be adding these to my cart 🙂

Gifts

1 Breville Espresso Machine | 2. Indoor Hydroponic Garden | 3. Theragun | 4. Portable Mini JBL Speaker | 5. LED Strip Lights (For Your Tiktok Teen!) | 6. Folding Work Table

Last, but not least, I wanted to leave you with a few gift suggestions (you know, for those of you who are fiscally responsible enough to spread our your present-buying budget over a few months!). There’s an incredible deal on the Breville (although the price tag is still no joke!). For your gardening pal, might I suggest a sweet indoor garden? The Theragun is perfect for anyone who struggles with pain (or for your most active friend – maybe they’re the same person?). OBSESSED with this tiny JBL speaker – it sounds great and it’s simple to attach to any bag, belt loop, or keychain for those who love music on the go! The LED light strips are a great option for any parent or cool aunt to gift to kids and teens (and yeah, they still like these – just for the record!). Finally…what DIY-er wouldn’t appreciate a lightweight, foldable sawhorse for their next big home project?

THIS IS WHERE I LEAVE YOU (for today). Any PBDD thoughts? Any great steals that you’d like to share with the class? Pray tell 🙂 xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: All the What’s, Why’s & How Much’s of the Portland Kitchen (+ Big Reveal)

The post “Like Black Friday for Essentials”: Our 46 Prime Big Deal Day Picks (Org, Cleaning, Tech, Beauty, and More) appeared first on Emily Henderson.