Emily Henderson's Blog, page 72

November 4, 2023

Emily’s Most “Universally” Loved Gift Guide Yet (Great Stuff Almost Everyone Loves, We Hope)

Ah… gift guide season. Y’all, I think gifts are pretty personal to the receiver, and I don’t know all of your friends and family well enough to know what they would like 🙂 So I look at this as a hopeful service (that is, of course, part of our business) to either help foster ideas OR recommend stuff I truly love. For this year, I put each piece through a specific test – would one of my 30 to 40-year-old friends AND one of my boomer moms like this? If the answer is yes or even a strong maybe then that’s a pretty darn solid gift option (mostly for women, Brian’s guide is coming next week). Many of these things I have personally and love, and more importantly have used FOR YEARS. Some are elevated basics, others are decor pieces that I think work so well in many houses (and immediately make a room look more stylish). I’m a terrible gift receiver because I buy myself the fun stuff that I want, but what I don’t buy myself often are things I don’t know I need, or something that solves a problem that I didn’t realize bothered me (or maybe I didn’t want to spend money on the solution). I truly hope this list helps spark some ideas if nothing else.

The Perfect Weekend Tote | 2. Multi-Pocket Canvas Market Tote | 3. Boat and Tote®

I have all three of these and they are EXCELLENT and I use them frequently. The large striped one is so good for holding a ton (snaps at the top, two different length handles for different uses) and looks the most stylish (I use this for kids’ sports on the weekend and design materials during the week). The farmers market bag is so good for making sure that your delicate fruits and veggies don’t get smooshed in a huge bag (each veggie gets a compartment). And if you want a bag that will hold up for DECADES, the classic L.L. Bean one is so strong and durable (and cool/strangely nostalgic). You can monogram that one, of course. We also use this one for sports, the boat, swimming, the beach – anything really. They are indestructible.

New Balance 327 Sneakers | 2. Saucony Shadow 6000 Sneakers

For better or worse, name brands are back, and having logo’d sneakers is what we are all wearing. I’m into it and love these two above. I hold a lot of loyalty to Nike of course, so don’t forget these two:

Nike Waffle One Vintage | 2. Nike Waffle Debut

Yes, the exposed waffle is in (a la ’70s vibes). None of these are “workout” shoes per se, just cool-looking shoes (and no offense to all of you who love the clunky cross trainers, but I find these far more flattering and elongating than chunky, heavier sneaker, FYI).

Marley Jacket | 2. Roselle Half-Zip Fleece | 3. Women’s Bean’s Sherpa Fleece Jacket

I’ve dove straight into fleece culture up here (Did anybody else where them in the early 2000s to go out? Like with jeans and heels or was that just PNW culture?). I have/love #2 and it’s a great shape and so soft. I want #1 (that collar is so cute) and #3 is a classic (just size up – this brand can be too fitted for my preference).

Classic Mini II | 2. UGG Tasman Slippers

Cheap slippers don’t last, but expensive slippers suck to buy for yourself – thus making them a great gift. And a fresh pair of Uggs is just WONDERFUL on Christmas morning. As an almost exclusive WFH person, I live in my Uggs and have the “mules” version for easy on and off, and the taller ones when it’s really cold and I want my ankles and calves to be as warm as possible.

Women’s Wicked Good Shearling-Lined Slides | 2. Women’s Wicked Good Slippers

I’m sure there are other excellent slipper brands, but these have great arch support, have a sole, are slip-resistant (and can be “shoe” enough to go get the mail or grab something from your car on non-rainy days), and yet they aren’t heavy. I’ve really bought into this brand and am always open to others, but kinda WHY? Also, I can wear them without socks and the fur hasn’t gotten disgusting with over a year of consistent use (I realize that’s gross, but I also appreciate that they make the fur durable to sweat).

Clean Elevation Legging

Vuori has got me. Not all their products look good on me, but these buttery soft leggings are what I prefer to live in most days (as you know by now). They are so incredibly soft and are not too thin (thick enough to hide bumps) nor too thick (not hot, constricted, and stuffy). And most importantly they have a wide waistband that doesn’t cut in even on my most bloated days. I’m between a 4-6 and I wear a medium, btw. I have them in patterns but the fabric feels slightly different (less heathered) so I prefer my black and navy blue versions.

Madison Varsity Pom Hat | 2. Cresta Rib Beanie

Cheap hats can be cute, but also pill or don’t hold their shape. I don’t have the Evereve one (but it has that perfect playful + classic vibe). I DO have that Varley one that I love and probably wouldn’t have thought to buy it had it not been for a partnership. But now that I own it, I find myself looking for it and only it every time I want to wear one. I have big hair and sometimes slimmer beanies just look a little dumb, but this is chunky enough and I think looks good on my noggin.

Unscented Totem Pillar Candle | 2. Bubble Cube Shaped Candle | 3. Unscented Totem Taper Candles (Set of 2)

What we all love about candles is that they are consumable, so even IF they aren’t their perfect style, they can melt down and the gift receiver doesn’t have to store them or find a place for them. These more sculptural candles are becoming more and more affordable. Love all of these and are way cooler than typical tapers or pillars.

Sway Candelabra | 2. Handmade Beech Wood Stack Candle Holders | 3. Balance Candle Holder

#1 is both extremely on-trend and totally classic. I literally don’t know a house that it wouldn’t work in (modern, traditional, contemporary, classic – it’s all the things). #2 are so pretty, hand-painted wood, and come in many colors (I love the natural and green personally). #3 might be more specific (comes in black too) but it’s very cool for how affordable it is so it could/might impress someone with good style.

Garden Mint | 2. No. 06 Neige de Printemps Candle

Admittedly I’m not as picky as many people with my scented candles (I usually have a gifting closet from brands and just light and use whatever I reach for first). But Sara treated it like her job/science so I asked her for the BEST smelling picks (which are also so pretty). She wrote a whole post about it years ago, too. So for the picky candle lover, I feel confident recommending these two.

Cast Iron Match Striker | 2. Candle Snuffer

I never knew I needed a tall candle snuffer til last year when I blew one out, getting the wax all over the art behind the candle. Now I use a snuffer and it’s not only kinda fun but obviously way less dangerous than blowing on them OR trying to pull down a candle from a mantel with liquid wax dripping everywhere. Oh, and having matches handy is ALWAYS nice, especially when they come in a cute striker🙂

Bon Wooden Tray | 2. Nonslip Rectangular Wood Tray

These might look boring, but y’all trays are a household NECESSITY. #1 is by Skagerak and they come in different sizes and stains. I have probably four of them total. Some are in bathrooms (on the toilet, on the vanity) the other larger ones are on the dining table (to. hold office stuff). The key to a good tray is SOME sort of design detail – #1 has it – the foot, the joinery, the high-quality grain. Just really good. #2 is a total classic and I think is best on almost all ottoman or coffee tables. It can lean more casual, less fancy – and can also be a bread server.

KHEM Studios Circle Serving Board | 2. Murphy Cutting Board | 3. Walnut Cutting Board

I don’t know one person who doesn’t like a pretty cutting board for cheese or function and one with a small design detail makes it feel special (and therefore giftable). All three of these are classic, pretty, look high-end, and can be both serving ware and used for chopping (I personally just keep my pretty boards for serving). I have had #3 for years and I’m very interested in buying #2.

Flores Ceramic Bowl | 2. Pearl Ceramic Serving Bowl

I don’t know one person who cooks who doesn’t like a nice classic, pretty salad or serving bowl (especially for guests). Both of these feel like they could mix with a lot of different decor/styles and occasions (and all seasons). I tend to not buy themed serving ware (fine I have one big pink for Easter and one red for Christmas), and instead just love having a lot of pretty things that work together. I endorse these two.

Food52 x Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer

I saw this on a gift guide last year “FOR SOUP LOVERS” and I immediately clicked on it and have since bought it. The case for this is as follows: When you need to heat up your extra soup and you don’t want to wait for the whole pot to warm up, but the microwave can be annoying. So just scoop a large cup into this little pot on the stove (induction, too!), and then since it’s so darn cute you don’t feel like a college student eating out of the pot at the table. I LOVE THIS. It would also be a great boxed gift with a soup cookbook and a cutting board/knife.

Hansa Vase | 2. Joaquin Bud Vase

Think nightstand, bathroom, next to the sink – anywhere want a little bit of color and life you can add a small bud vase with a foraged leaf or flower. These are great because the shape is interesting and the narrow mouth makes one flower good enough. Again – we have a bud vase in every bathroom and it’s just nice (we have dried flowers in ours).

Simple Oil & Vinegar Cruets | 2. Porcelain Butter Dish | 3. Scallop Edge Pinch Bowls (Set of 3)

Pretty oil/vinegar glass sets make me soooo happy, even these which are more affordable. If you want to up your game think about adding a nice bottle of oil and vinegar with them. #2 – As I’m writing this I’m realizing that a covered butter dish is in fact VERY specific and random. An average butter dish would be a legit bad gift, but a pretty one like this is such a lovely thing to display on your counter (if they like warm counter butter). Maybe gift this with a package of your favorite fancy butter?? And then #3 – tiny salt or appetizer bowls (think charcuterie plate where you need bowls for olives, fig butter, etc). I LOVE a pretty small bowl probably more than is normal.

Danish Grinder | 2. Peugeot Paris 7″ Natural Pepper Mill

I haven’t used #1 but I’ve had my eye on it forever. It’s such a pretty shape, could go with any style, and please note that there is both light wood and dark wood options. I truly wish I had purchased #2 for my kitchen because it’s so classic and WORKS very well. No one wants to buy themselves a $60 pepper mill, but yes, please I’ll take that as a gift (especially if you put it with some Jacobson salt and a pretty salt dish and spoon).

Maldon Salt | 2. Jacobsen Salt Co. Salt Sourced 8 Vial Set | 3. Flamingo Estate Heritage Extra Virgin Olive Oil

I love a gourmet cooking consumable. Listen, as a Portlander I love Jacobson salt (made here), but I ALSO really love Maldon so much. I think this is an excellent hostess gift for someone you might not know super well. No one hates delicious salt and olive oil (just give olive oil in a really pretty bottle like that one from Flamingo Estate:)).

Madera White Coffee Mug | 2. Handmade Fluted Ceramic Mug | 3. White Cloud Mug

While I have, and use these Target mugs for years every day, giving just one feels like an odd gift because it’s not super special. But these three all feel gift-worthy (homemade or design-forward) and I searched for a long time on Etsy to find them. Also no offense, but don’t give me a low wide mug – I like my coffee to stay HOT.

Laguiole ® Oak Steak Knives (Set of 6) | 2. Nancy Silverton Knives | 3. French 4-Piece Steak Knife Set

Maybe this is me just shopping, but we don’t have steak knives and haven’t for years (we have two that we share and pass around when people are over which is pretty cool!). I’m buying myself either #1 (classic) or #3. The #2 set was sent as a gift so I don’t have YEARS of experience vouching for it, but I have many Made-In pans and love them (they have induction pans, YAY!). They are the first knives that I’ve ever wanted to care for and not just throw in a drawer because they are so sharp and so pretty. The whole set is obviously a splurge and I think that the chef’s knife is the most universal. Get your winter soup skills ready!!

Rosewood Cheese Knive Set | 2. Shapeshifter Platter

Little things like beautiful cheese knives or a stunning platter aren’t also top priority when buying things for the home which is why it’s a great gift! I like to ere on the side of “simple but special” (DRINK!) and both of these absolutely make the cut. No cheese pun intended:)

Faux Fur 70″x55″ Throw Blanket | 2. Lanai

I have both of these and LOVE them. The faux fur is incredible (it’s so soft and luxe). I may be gifting these to family because I don’t know anyone in the PNW (or northern, high-altitude areas) that would not love the softest blanket ever. #2 is by Happy Habitat – a small company I’ve loved FOREVER and has a million different colors and styles of throws. So while that one up there might be style-specific, there are so many to choose from and it’s truly a maker I love. These types of throws will absolutely add to the design/style of your room (especially if you have a more basic sofa that you want to jazz up).

Italian Velvet Pillow Cover | 2. Lumbar Faux Leather Channel Stitch Decorative Throw Pillow | 3. JH x Tensira Kendall Diamond Pillow

I also have both of these and love them for different reasons. The Rejuvenation velvet pillows are extremely soft, luxe, smooshy, and cozy. If you like a firm pillow their inserts aren’t for you (you can always buy the cover and have a stiffer insert), but I love their inserts as well. As you know I’ve used #2 on many a bed (one single pillow FTW), and recently put one each on our matching sofas which looks GREAT. So affordable, stylish, and timeless (I’ve loved these for five years now since we revealed the primary bedroom of the mountain house). If you want to splurge on a patterned pillow I love #3 (the whole collaboration is awesome).

Merrick Tasseled Cotton and Wool Area Rug | 2. Citra Grey Hand Knotted Wool Rug

As you’ve probably heard by now we just launched our first-ever EHD collection with Rugs USA! The first time I got this rug, The Merrick, into my home I fell in love with it and it reminded me for the millionth time how awesome and versatile a soft neutral rug is. So while this type of gift is more of a splurge, for someone looking for a truly great rug I can’t recommend these two more. The other rug (#2) is one we’ve used in SOOO MANY projects in all different styles. It’s more expensive than ours but definitely at 10/10 too.

Linen Duvet Cover Set | 2. Classic Percale Hardcore Sheet Bundle

It seems very controversial to love both Brooklinen AND Parachute, but I really, really do (for different reasons). I am a percale sheet lover through and through (tight weave, crisp) and both of these brands nail these. They are extremely soft (way softer than other low-end or high-end competitors if you ask me). I love Parachute’s soft colors so much (we have both the blue and rose on our bed) and I love Brooklinen’s very simple and subtle stripe and grid patterns so much (I don’t do all bright white sheets anymore, but don’t love dark sheets so a slight pattern or a soft pastel is my preference). We put the linen duvet up there (and it’s super popular) and I really love it visually, but being a linen sheet sleeper is very specific (Brian Henderson will change the sheets in the middle of the night if someone accidentally puts linen on ours – it’s a real thing). So if you don’t know that they love linen then go for a percale. But a luxe sheet set or duvet cover is an EXTREMELY good gift (not something you want to spend your own money on). I also really love the linen bedspread from Parachute – so pretty, heavy, and never needs steaming.

Mercado Floor Baskets | 2. Woven Maple Storage Basket

Know someone who cares about home style and design but might be on a budget? No one wants to buy themselves a beautiful laundry or blanket basket, but I get such joy out of both of these, visually. I have #1 (the low one) that holds our magazines and has for YEARS. Then #2 you can see versions of this wooden shaker basket all over my house (they aren’t good for toys or heavy things, more clothes/blankets).

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter

Once a year a product that comes highly recommended changes my routine permanently. I have worn the same seven makeup items for over a decade (NARS Orgasm blush, Armani Lunimous Silk foundation, MAC Eye Brow Styler in taupe, Clinique Chubby Stick lip gloss – I have lash extensions so I don’t put on eyeliner or mascara). I just don’t have the love (or need) to experiment on my face probably because I’m not skilled at self-application and I like a more natural look. Anyway, this highlighter is so good, year-round, especially on my cheeks. It sold out a ton the first year and I panicked and bought two backup bottles.

Caribou X Boot Chelsea | 2. Anaelle Thigh High Boots | 3. The Dimes Kitten-Heel Boot

I chose these three for very different reasons/functions/occasions. #1 is super stylish and yet totally waterproof (specifically great for wetter climates). I wear these every wet day when I still want to look cool. #2 is so beautiful – far over the knee which is the current “boot du jour,” but I think these will be “in” for decades. I feel very sexy and pretty in these (and they come in blue which I kinda regret not getting). #3 I have found myself wearing so frequently because they go with every length and width of pant (skinny, wide, boy, flare – all of them) and give a lift without being uncomfortable heels. They are also elongating and flattering.

Classic Chelsea Boot | 2. Heeled Chelsea Boot | 3. Hillary Croc Heeled Boot

I also want to always put Nisolo on this list because their boots are so well made, classic, comfortable long-lasting, and sustainable. I love their Chelsea and their heeled Chelsea a lot. Intentionally Blank is also another very cool more trendy boot brand (and they are long-time readers here and say that my early promotion helped their business take off, which made me feel so good and I love how they’ve blown up.

The Basketweave Mini Crossbody Tote | 2. Grande Fanny

I read in the news how the younger generations aren’t into large handbags, which I totally get. I obviously couldn’t have lived in New York without a big one, but I certainly opt for smaller if I don’t need a lot. I’m a huge Claire V. enthusiast (yes, they are still an “IT LA girl brand” and YES, they are splurgy), but the attention to detail and how long they last is so impressive and stylish. I was also really impressed with #1 that I recently got for a Madewell partnership (I got it in black, but meant to order that beautiful blue) and feel it’s a solid alternative that is still timeless. Just realized they are both woven leather, which I guess is a thing 🙂

The Transport Bucket Bag | 2. Eden Carryall

For those of us who have to bring our laptop on every errand/meeting, I need a larger more structured bag. The green bag is beautiful, understated but that color is so pretty and stylish. I have that black Parker Clay one (#2) for eight years and still use it (it’s not big enough for the largest laptops FYI). They are also a great company that I love to support.

Poche | 2. Kimberly

I recently dove into this trend (for the Taylor Swift concert) and am into it. I have #1 and use it for when I obviously don’t want a bigger bag (fits cell phone, credit card holder, keys, lipstick but that’s it). It makes any outfit look cooler IMHO. Then #2 I’m SO tempted to buy and I hear really good things! For how often I need to find my phone all day every day, inside and out, I think this is such a solid option (note that you don’t have to take it out to take a picture – that is KEY). I’m going to send the link to Brian to buy me for Christmas. It’s one of the few things on this list that I think I really could use/need.

Kindle Paperwhite | 2. Runner 60 Wireless Running Earbuds

I’m always trying to convert y’all from book to Kindle not because I don’t like physical books (I do!) but because the sheer convenience and nighttime reading ability of the digital book is life-changing. I was anti-Kindle too, now I don’t think I could live without it. Then for my headphones (remember I listen to no less than 10 hours of podcasts a week), these stay in my ears while cleaning/walking (I truly don’t understand the Apple earbuds obsession – those things fall out immediately and are so expensive!!) and the battery of these last for 3-4 hours (think a full Sunday clean session without having to recharge – and here’s a hack – I only have one in at a time because I like to hear my surroundings so I can get 6-7 hours out of a full charge). Do they look dorky? Sure! Do I care if I look dorky while I’m walking the dogs at 6 am in the pitch dark wearing a headlamp and a reflector vest? CLEARLY!

Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum Ampoule | 2. ExfoliKate™ Intensive Exfoliating Treatment

This Vitamin C and Hyaluronic Acid Serum was recommended to me by my MIL who has insanely beautiful skin. It’s amazing for my dry skin too. Also, I’ve been using ExfoliKate for years as an exfoliating mask and it’s a noticeable difference when done with it. I think they call it the “10-minute facial” or something super catchy like that. Plus, it’s bright green so it feels like it MUST be healthy for my face. I even “made” my staff try it I love it so much!

Red Light Face Mask | 2. Dyson Airstrait™ Straightener

The beauty industry has my number but I truly try to pick my indulgences that are actually effective. But I know myself and I won’t use anything daily if I don’t actually see/feel results. The Dyson Airstrait™ Straightener was a game changer for me with curly hair plus PNW humidity. It’s not perfect (I still have to dry my roots) but it smooths my hair LIKE CRAZY. And it claims no heat damage (but common sense tells me it’s still not great). I do not think this is for people with naturally tame or straight hair, but if you have naturally frizzy hair (hi, me) and have to blow it out, this blows it out so smoothly. Then the infrared mask – I’m a huge fan of the sauna blanket as you know (less so in the summer, but come Jan/Feb I HUNKER DOWN), but when I use this mask frequently I notice a difference in tone and clarity of my skin. It just looks happier. It’s not instantly transformative but with consistency, I have found my skin looks brighter and more even (and I’m hoping that it prevents more fine lining).

I feel like I could add to this forever and ever, but with pieces that you’ve heard me talk about for years, which feels redundant. These days I just have a lot of what I need (privileged) and if I add something it’s because it fills a gap (steak knives) or is really special (thigh-high boots, LOL) or something that’s vintage/custom. But I truly hope that some of these beautiful pieces at least spark some good ideas or give you confidence that while these might not be the newest in tech or fashion, they are solid, high-quality pieces that come very vetted by me and my team. I don’t believe a lot on the internet these days and I know you are going to be marketed LIKE CRAZY this next month – to the point of exhaustion (us, too). But I promise on the lives of my team that we will try really hard to recommend things that we truly love and use 🙂

In fact, Caitlin on my team reached out to many of our absolute favorite brands and asked them to be part of a special exclusive coupon code just for EHD readers of some of our favorite things. Some are just for a few days (because the discount is high) while others last the whole month. All VERY GOOD BRANDS. So if you aren’t part of our email list (that we don’t leak or sell, EVER) sign up to get the exclusive EHD discount. They are very very good. Happy gift shopping month 🙂

Opening Image Credits: Photography by Kaitlin Green

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Published on November 04, 2023 01:00

November 3, 2023

Our Favorite Scandi-Inspired Faux Christmas Trees (+ Pretty Garlands And Wreaths!)

I want to be clear that WE KNOW posting about Christmas a mere two days into November feels criminal. But the sad truth is that the good faux trees and greenery sell out SO FAST. We aren’t being hyperbolic, it’s just the truth. And I personally think this should be more of a thoughtful investment purchase rather than a last-minute panic one, right? Of course we all have different budgets but the one you buy should be your dream tree, the kind of tree you are really excited to put up every year. This dream tree and greenery should also make your life easier! One way of achieving that is going pre-lit. While I love decorating a tree, I DESPISE putting on lights. It’s likely because I want them a certain way and that certain way takes forever. Story of my life. So a pre-lit tree is the way to go if you are buying a faux tree, IMHO.

Now, in terms of style it’s no secret that the Scandi-Inspired Christmas tree look has become wildly popular and we love it too! Look at Emily’s faux Scandi tree in the photo above. It’s tall, not super filled out (which is great for hanging and showing off ornaments), and is simply just really pretty. So those are the type of trees we are focusing on today!

Since most of us buy trees based on height and style that’s what how I categorized them! It goes from tallest to smallest and then I added some really cute garland and wreath options at the end. If nothing else, I hope this at least alleviates some holiday decor stress come decorating time:)

Tall Trees – Height: 7′ to 9′

Faux Pre-Lit Woodland Fir: I hate to start out with probably my favorite but look at this stunner! Pre-lit, comes in both 7′ and 9′, with prices ranging from $498 – $748. Now that’s not what I call “pocket change” but if it’s within your budget I think this tree would stand the test of time.

7ft Pre-Lit Faux Pine Christmas Tree with Clear Lights: For a more budget-friendly tall option, we have a 7′ pre-lit cutie for $270. MUCH BETTER. Still more $$ than going to the tree lot but will be saving you money by the second year.

Faux Pre-Lit Snowy Norway Spruce: While I’ve also been a green tree gal myself, I am VERY into this flocked beauty. The shape is stunning and it’s a great height at 7′. Again, a little pricey at $478 but a special option if you are in the market.

Artificial Norwegian Spruce Tree: One of two non pre-lit tress I found and loved! Really love the shape (that skinny top third is KEY!), it has a 4.7/5 star rating and it’s a tall kid at 7.5′. So for $285 it’s not a bad deal for years of use.

Faux Balsam Fir Pre-Lit LED Christmas Tree with White Lights: Ok, back to a pre-lit option but look at those branches! Tall at 7.5′, great reviews but is a bit pricey at $699. But if you love it and use it for years, could be great for you.

Flocked Downswept Christmas Tree: I do have to say that Crate & Barrel truly have some beautiful faux options and this downswept looker is a perfect example. The flocking is on the lighter side which to me makes it look for natural, like you just brought it in from a snowy forest:) Also this tree comes in four different heights ranging from 3′-9′.

Faux Downswept Flocked Pine Christmas Tree: So while we are focusing on less “bushy” trees in this post, I really loved this one from CB2. A downswept tree might not be ideal for heavy ornaments (but look at the pretty decorated examples on the site), I think it’s SO BEAUTIFUL. It does come at a pretty penny ($799) but at least it’s also 7.5″ if you want to make this investment. Very “magical forest” energy:)

8′ Prelit Artificial Christmas Tree with Warm White LED Lights: This guy might be the deal of the day!! For an 8′, pre-lit, scandi-esque tree, it’s only $166! What?? Now there’s only one reveiw but it gave it 4 out of 5 stars.

8.5-ft Flocked Manchester Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree: Now this tree is nice and tall at 8.5′ and is on the slender side which is why it feels Scandi:) It also has the perfect amount of flocking if you ask me and is $522 (but on sale for $418 as I’m writing this post! I hope it still is when you are reading it.)

Prelit Norway Spruce: Another perfectly shaped beaut! Just wanted to give you one more great tall option before we move onto the medium size trees. This one comes in both, 7′ – 9′ and starts at $699.

Medium Tall Trees – Height: 5′ to 6′

5-ft Layered Washington Spruce Christmas Tree with 200 Clear Lights: If I had more storage this would be the one I would get for myself. 5′, pre-lit and under $200! I’ve converted to choosing smaller trees just because for this stage in life they are more manageable:)

6-ft North Carolina Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree with 350 Clear Lights: This one is a little on the full side but so cute with a great shape. And for 6′ it’s a nice price at $269.

6′ Faux Pencil Pine Christmas Tree: Ok, you might look at this and be thinking, “Jess, this isn’t a proper Christmas tree!” And I’d say, “yes, BUT”. As someone who has lived in teeny tiny apartments, an option like this would have be great and likely easy-ish to store in a closet. The height makes it feel more like a traditional tree at 6′ and the slenderness doesn’t take up a ton of room. A win-win for $249!

Short Trees – Height: 30″ to 4′

4′ Faux LED Mixed Pine Christmas Tree: I know this is the same price ($249) as the taller one above, but if you prefer a more traditional-looking Christmas tree this is A CUTE options. I mean give my a break! I really love it:)

Faux Spruce Christmas Tree in Ceramic Pot: Again, this is probably meant more for “tree accent moments” around the house or on the front porch, but for small home dwellers this is a great and very affordable tree option. Even the planter is cute! The sizing ranges from 12″ to 40″ maxing out at $60. Target also sells mini ornaments so this can really be a one stop shop.

Garlands

design by ginny macdonald | photo by tessa neustadt | from: at home with ginny for christmas

Ok, that’s it for the trees! Now let’s talk garland. The right garland, we believe, can really take your Christmas decor to the next level. It’s an added layer that can be simple but have high impact! Of course prices can range but there are lots of options. And while we love the look of a real green garland, they can be more of a mess with sap and shedding than trees. Trust us.

Snowy Faux Cedar Garland: Can a garland be romantic?? If so, this is it. Cedar is my personal favorite type of garland so adding that hint of “snow” really makes it SO special. In terms of price it’s $78 for a 78″ piece. It’s of course not, not an investment but it might just be perfect over your mantle.

Pre-Lit Faux Cedar Garland: Yep, cedar again but this one is pre-lit! You know I am very into that:) This pretty baby is 72″ for $88.

Faux Metallic Magnolia Garland: But maybe you’re less of a cedar person and want BIG VOLUME. If that’s the case then a magnolia garland is the way to go. This one is extra special because it has a gold metallic underside that gives you a little more glamour. It’s a little shorter than the others at 62″ and a little more at $119 but again, it’s going to be a bolder statement.

XL Cedar Christmas Garland: Ok yes, more cedar BUT this one is 180″ long!!!!! Not only that, it’s only $55. Plus it’s Studio McGee x Target so you know it’s going to be good:)

Artificial Cedar Garland: One more! And the most affordable one at that. Looks great and for 75″ it only costs $37. How can you beat it??

Wreaths

design by brady tolbert | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: brady’s holiday decor

While I technically haven’t taken my faux wreath off my front door since it went up in 2020 (it’s multi-seasonal, OK?!) I really really love some of these. I also loved that these are all fairly simple but look, dare I say, chic. Let’s adorn your door or fireplace…

Faux Cypress Christmas Wreath: I bet no one is surprised the first option is a classic cedar but that’s ok because look how beautiful this is!! Then add a beautiful velvet ribbon?? Perfection. It is however a bit of an investment at $129 for a 26″ diameter.

Sparse Pine Wreath: This one won’t be everyone’s taste but it sure is mine. I love the sparseness, the wildness, and the general uniqueness. 10/10. It is $79 as an FYI.

Oversized Fall Leaf Wreath: Now, we’re getting more affordable but staying little outside the box. At least I haven’t seen those types of leaves on Christmas wreaths that often, have you? And I love love that mustard yellow velvet skinny ribbon! For $50 at 30″, YES.

Christmas Wreath with Oranges: This one really reminded me of Arlyn’s wonderful living room that she decorated for Christmas back in 2019. She was all about the DIY dried orange slices and they looked perfect. This is a such a great and unique option for $40 at 26″.

Faux Cedar Wreath: Welp, this wreath might need to be added to my cart even with the slightly hefty price tag at $88. It’s cedar (check!) and in a burgundy color that I think was made for my home (CHECK!). It’s just so pretty, right??

Faux Cedar Swag: Maybe you aren’t a wreath person? No problem! This little swag for $58 is the perfect accent for a door or a doorway! Just maybe add a little ribbon and it will look so festive.

DONE! Hope this was helpful and that if you wanted to buy any faux greenery this year you can get exactly what you want.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Our Scandinavian (And Easy, Mess-Free) Holiday Living Room Reveal + How I Finally Figured Out My Biggest Styling Problem… And Solved It

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Published on November 03, 2023 01:00

Our Favorite Scandi-Inspired Faux Christmas Tress (+ Pretty Garlands And Wreaths!)

Tall Trees – Height: 7′ to 9′

Medium Tall Trees – Height: 5′ to 6′

6-ft North Carolina Spruce Artificial Christmas Tree with 350 Clear Lights: This one is a little on the full side but so cute with a great shape. And for 6′ it’s a nice price at $269.

Short Trees – Height: 30″ to 4′

Garlands

design by ginny macdonald | photo by tessa neustadt | from: at home with ginny for christmas

Pre-Lit Faux Cedar Garland: Yep, cedar again but this one is pre-lit! You know I am very into that:) This pretty baby is 72″ for $88.

XL Cedar Christmas Garland: Ok yes, more cedar BUT this one is 180″ long!!!!! Not only that, it’s only $55. Plus it’s Studio McGee x Target so you know it’s going to be good:)

Artificial Cedar Garland: One more! And the most affordable one at that. Looks great and for 75″ it only costs $37. How can you beat it??

Wreaths

design by brady tolbert | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: brady’s holiday decor

Sparse Pine Wreath: This one won’t be everyone’s taste but it sure is mine. I love the sparseness, the wildness, and the general uniqueness. 10/10. It is $79 as an FYI.

Faux Cedar Swag: Maybe you aren’t a wreath person? No problem! This little swag for $58 is the perfect accent for a door or a doorway! Just maybe add a little ribbon and it will look so festive.

DONE! Hope this was helpful and that if you wanted to buy any faux greenery this year you can get exactly what you want.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Our Scandinavian (And Easy, Mess-Free) Holiday Living Room Reveal + How I Finally Figured Out My Biggest Styling Problem… And Solved It

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Published on November 03, 2023 01:00

November 2, 2023

5 Colorful Bathroom Designs That Might Just Convince You To Go All-In On Green (Or Red, Or Yellow Or…)

Rooms in the house like bathrooms and kitchens feel like scary places to take chances with color. I totally get it. Tiles, cabinetry, fixtures…it’s fairly permanent stuff that you can’t just easily swap over when you tire of it. But just like I’ll always gravitate towards the jewel tones and pastels and boho prints in my closet, I can’t imagine a gorgeous burgundy vanity or gorgeous stretch of mustard yellow tile would ever be something I regret. Not everyone is as welcoming to color as I am, sure, but if your en suites and powder baths and jack-and-jills are in need of something new and neutrals aren’t cutting it for you anymore, then you’ve found the right post!

Just like I did with white kitchens, cherry kitchens, honey oak and espresso, I dreamed up five color palettes (with a little inspirational help from some drop-dead stunning rooms) and built real, usable moodboards around them to help you see how to pair shades and build a thrilling space. You deserve to wash your face and your frame somewhere you can’t wait to see in the morning.

Moodboard Rules

When I did this for kitchens, I always tried to explain a few things from the get-go. Here are a few things to remember or know going into this post:

The moodboards are representative of a color scheme and vibe. The bath faucet I picked on each is mostly just to showcase a metal finish that can be pulled for lighting, hardware, and other fixtures. Maybe I picked a yellow tile for the wall but your budget only allows for paint or wallpaper…that’s fine! Just find a similar paint color instead. That’s the gist! I’m not presenting an entire bathroom suite on my boards. You won’t find tubs or shower faucets or toilets or toilet paper holders. I mostly just wanted to tell a visual story that you could pull inspiration from. This post might be about bathrooms but, please, don’t forget any of these color stories would work in ANY room. Color is color is color. The same palette that works in your powder bath could work in a guest bedroom or even your kitchen. Don’t take my boards super literally, and dream a little!Colorful Bathroom Tips & Tricks

After studying colorful bathroom after colorful bathroom, I realized that the most successful spaces that felt colorful but not suffocating had 1-2 key colors (usually in the form of tile on the walls or floors), 1-2 accessory colors (in other tile, wallpaper or paint) and some tone of wood furniture via a stool, chair, or table. While I saw so many bathrooms that were predominantly white, even the addition of just one color through the vanity or a singular tile choice wasn’t enough to warrant me calling it “colorful.” One blue vanity does not a colorful bathroom make. And while these aren’t for everyone, I think they all do a good job of presenting color in a way that feels enticing, exciting, and not scary. Neutral is fine, but emerald green is better. 😉

Let’s get into some color palettes, shall we?

Sky Blue, Brick Red & Mustard

The Inspiration:

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A post shared by Nickey Kehoe (@nickeykehoe)

This will not be the last time you see a version of blue/yellow/red in this post, but this is the first iteration in the specific hues of sky blue, brick and…what color is that towel exactly? Brown mustard? Sure, let’s go with that. I mean what can I say? Primary colors work together for a reason, but we slide them around the spectrum just a bit to work for us and be more approachable. The sharp blue tile paired with the small-scale wallpaper caught my eye, and I love how they’re both given a bit of gravitas with the brick floor. Almost as if a tub doesn’t even belong here. Perhaps this used to be a study or…well, I suppose brick floors aren’t normally found in studies either. It’s a surprising element that works and feels oddly satisfying.

The Moodboard:

I wasn’t about to suggest brick for your bathroom floor so a terracotta-hued hex took the silver medal here. I wanted to find a tile in a brighter blue but then I found this more subdued grayish blue and it just looked so nice with everything else that I let it go. You can find the color you like best; it’ll likely still work with the other colors here just as well. This wallpaper print can be customized with whatever colors you want, this is the combo I picked. A black wood stool feels modern and fresh paired with the wavy mango wood wall shelf and the rattan front of the vanity. Throw in a vintage-inspired portrait, and you’ve got yourself a pulled-together, absolutely lovely space.

Emerald, Sage, Moss & Cream

The Inspiration:

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A post shared by Studio Giancarlo Valle (@studiogiancarlovalle)

I’m sorry but how chic is this space? I don’t know if it’s the unique dotting of white tile in a sea of emerald (with that great border!), the cream and sage walls, the thin black border around said walls—I LOVE this look— or that gorgeous robe that brings everything together. Giancarlo Valle is the master of interesting, storied yet modern yet layered yet not stuffy designs. It’s old-world but very “now” all at once…I don’t know how he does it.

The Moodboard:

While I could never replicate the effortless eclectic elegance of the original (architecture also plays a big role here), I think no matter the style of your home, you could make an emerald, sage, and cream palette work for you. A classic marble subway tile in the shower is timeless, as is a white porcelain pedestal sink. The floor is “the” moment here with a hex and diamond dark green and white pattern. I brought the sage in via this pretty paint color from Clare—try it on the walls, ceiling, or both! Moss towels cut through the cooler emerald with some yellow undertones to balance the brass and the warm wood stain of the etagere (for storage!). I had to try to bring in some blue like the robe in the original bathroom inspiration, and as it only needs a touch, I opted for this pretty soap pump which I own myself and love.

1. Metropolitan KS4463BX Two-Handle 3-Hole Deck Mount Widespread Bathroom Faucet | 2. Kenton 20″ Pedestal Sink | 3. White Carrara 3 in. x 6 in. x 9mm Polished Marble Subway Tile | 4. All The Sage | 5. Floor Tiles – Octagon 15 x 15 cm (5.91 x 5.91 in.) – Green/Black | 6. Chase Organic Cotton Warm White Bath Mat | 7. Classic Round Polished Chrome Bathroom Towel Hook | 8. 14″ Large Layered Art Deco Style White Glass Schoolhouse Flush Mount | 9. Wood & Cane Console Table | 10. Luxurious Cotton Diamond Textured Towel Set | 11. Smokey Glass Soap Pump Blue

Dusty Rose, Burgundy, Black & White

The Inspiration:

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A post shared by STUDIO DUGGAN (@studioduggan)

Red, red, ~~wiiinnneeee~~ baaatthhrroooom. And okay, maybe not “red” per see. But “dusty pink, dusty pink, wine” isn’t a song. Both the examples above are so fun and impactful in their own ways: the first photo is a little bit less heavy-handed with a tadelakt treatment on the walls (it’s waterproof!) while the second goes all-in. The trick here is mixing a deep berry-like burgundy and a mauve, dusty rose. The black and white, whether on the floor or via soft goods like curtains keeps things from reading overly kiddish. I love the richness some brass fixtures add to the tableau as well as the pop of green via a fresh little plant friend.

The Moodboard:

Both the inspiration shots employ trimwork/shiplap rather than tile to bring in the pinks, so I suggested a white panel and a pretty mauve to paint it, whether it goes on the walls or on a tub surround. A predominantly black floor felt a little too heavy for me, so I picked a floor tile that’s mainly white with charcoal stars. That same black and white is echoed in the shower curtain and in the rug (with a bit of red running through it), and I decided to break from the pinky pairing with some rust and taupe towels and a terra cotta planter to bring in some greenery.

Just All the Blues

The Inspiration:

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A post shared by domino (@dominomag)

Give me a room where one color is used in numerous tones literally EVERYWHERE, and I’ll never forsake it. I LOVE this technique. I always call it “Ode to ____” so this bathroom design is henceforth named “Ode to blue.” Honestly, this method is the best way to go about working with a space that already had tile, especially if you didn’t love it to begin with. It kicks it up 10 notches and makes it all feel (here’s my favorite word…) intentional. So many people have vintage bathrooms out there, and they’re just ripped out left and right. I’d KILL for a chance to work around a beautiful blue tile like this as long as it was in good shape. This homeowner color matched the vanity paint to the tile and then took it a handful of shades darker on the wall which feels so rich. (P.S. This beautiful home was shot by our very own Sara Ligorria-Tramp for the blog; check out the whole tour here.) Blue appears elsewhere in the stripe of the towel, the print of the shower curtain, and in—surprise!—a little turquoise in the rug. Round it out with a red-toned vintage chair and you’ve got yourself a bathroom with some quiet personality.

The Moodboard:

To start things off, I picked the same tile for the wall and floor, just varied the pattern. Herringbone below, subway tile above. Because this tile was already a deeper shade of blue, I went with a slightly brighter blue for the walls which gives it a colorblock feel. You could paint your own existing vanity or anything you had in mind (maybe a gorgeous vintage dresser???) the same color as the wall or match the tile. Some marble and brass throughout keeps the space feeling luxe rather than lackluster (you want contrast here and there since the blues have very little contrast). And OMG THAT CHAIR! It’s nearly identical to the one from the inspiration photo and I wish it were mine. Wait…maybe by the time you read this, it will be. #sorrynotsorry From there, just the finishing touches in a variety of patterns bring to life the one-note palette.

1. Nicoli 8 in. Widespread Double Handle Bathroom Faucet in Champagne Bronze | 2. Allen + Roth Lancashire 36-in Chambray Blue Undermount Single Sink Bathroom Vanity | | 3. Park Hill Blue 4×12 Polished Porcelain Tile | 4. Cornwall | 5. Park Hill Blue 4×12 Polished Porcelain Tile | 6. Sorrel Toile Shower Curtain | 7. Super-Plush Bath Towels in Striped Midnight Navy | 8. Luxury Bathroom Marble Shelf with Gold Brush Bracket | 9. Modern Overhang Swivel Vanity Mirror | 10. Victorian Caned Walnut Spindle Back Side Chair, ca 1870 | 11. Blue Ria Geometric Washable 4′ x 6′ Area Rug

Ochre, Blush & Denim

The Inspiration:

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A post shared by Lucy Sear-Barlow (@barlowandbarlow)

For my final color combo, I knew I wanted to try something with more warmth, specifically yellow. I’ve had this room by Barlow and Barlow bookmarked for a bit in my personal archive not necessarily because the design is something I’m drawn to, but because of the depth of hues that still feels light and friendly. If you recall, mustard and peachy pink were the main colors in my old bedroom and I loved them together so much. It felt happy and glowy in all the best ways. I also had a navy velvet glider chair, and all of those colors are essentially primary colors just shifted to make them feel less Mondrian/preschool. Red = blush, ochre = yellow, chambray = blue. Adding wicker, rattan and natural-toned wood is fresh and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

The Moodboard:

Okay, so like I mentioned, I didn’t attempt to recreate the vibes from the inspo photo, but rather pulled out the colors and textures and made something more playful but classic. I think a design like this would be so wonderful in a smaller kids’ bath or even a powder bath (pedestal sinks are pretty but uh…where do you store things?). I opted for polished nickel for the fixtures to stand out against the mustard tile for the wall, though brass would certainly also look great. I brought in the wicker and rattan via the mirror (love that wavy detail, don’t you?) and the tiny footstool which would be great next to a tub to hold a towel or two. You could certainly just pick a warm white for the walls, but this Dashes wallpaper from Chasing Paper really brought the palette together IMHO.

You know…every time I set out to put one of these color palette posts together, I think…I’ve got nothing left. There are no other color combinations, and every time, the world of color surprises me. I find myself falling in love with every single one of the moodboards, truthfully able to see them come to life in my own home in one way or another (if I weren’t a renter or needed to renovate).

As always, I hope you enjoyed this post and hearing my thought process for each scheme and moodboard. Turns out, I guess I have plenty more up my sleeve. 🙂

Your friend in (colorful) design, Arlyn

Opening Image Credits: Design by Max Humphrey and Beebe Skidmore | Photo by Kaitlin Green

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Published on November 02, 2023 01:00

November 1, 2023

It’s Here! Our First EHD Collection With Rugs USA (+ Why Now? And Why This?)

I can be pretty darn comfortable not taking huge creative swings (at times). It’s the easiest way to protect yourself from failing (especially publicly), but last year I decided to attempt to break the “pressure to perform perfectly” anxiety loop and commit to some creative risk-taking, realizing that the worst that could happen is just not that bad in the grand scheme of things. So today is a very exciting day – and I’m so proud of what Jess, myself, and the EHD and RugsUSA teams created. It’s the official launch day of my/our first product line and I’m so excited to show it to you (shot and styled throughout our farmhouse – which was so fun.)

And here’s a little video we did at the shoot! Just wait for the short ad to play:)

The Back Story…Why Did You Wait 15 Years For A Product Line?

Over the years I have been asked over and over: “When are you going to have a product line?” The easiest answer was that I wasn’t allowed to. I was in a long-term (9-year) relationship with a retail brand that contractually didn’t allow me to design and sell my own home product, focusing my efforts on selling their product, instead. It was a great partnership and I was never bummed by the limitation, not once (I was honestly slammed with work/kids so it was a welcomed excuse). And yes, companies pay a higher rate for this exclusivity (think athletes – if they are sponsored by Nike they can’t create their own competitor shoe).

But, that wasn’t the real reason, it was just a super easy excuse that shut down most conversations. The real reason after the contract expired, as it always is, was fear and insecurity. The emotional stress that comes with failure (I should know) and disappointing people (even worse) was too great of a risk to say “yes” at times. In my mind, after 15 years on the internet, the expectations would be too high, and there was no way to meet or exceed them (or so I told myself). And that seemed like a lot of time, stress, and resources towards something with unknown financial return. It just wasn’t a “hell yes”… for years…

Emily: Top + Skirt + Boots | Jess: Top (no longer available) + Pants (no longer available) | Shoes

So…Why Now?

The answer is really good alignment on all fronts – the right people (Hi Jess! and RugsUSA team), timing (farmhouse finally done), mental space, and product (I love rugs very much). I felt confident enough to challenge myself and my team, to try something new, and to stretch our creativity and marketing skills. And then the RugsUSA marketing and product teams were so incredible. Their recent launches of Lauren Leiss’ and Arvin Olano’s lines are so good – not just the product, but the photography and storytelling around them. So after my mid-life re-awakening last year, after a 2-year personal slump, I agreed to the meeting, and my typical hesitation was overwhelmed by a “let’s try it”…feeling…as long as Jess would do it with me 🙂 What I have learned about myself (and don’t love) is that I can commit to and drop many large balls if I’m creatively stretched/depleted, which can really disappoint many people. So I needed a partner in this, who would be there if/when I couldn’t (in every way). Jess was ready to take the lead, providing the creative, design, and professional support that I needed to feel confident enough to commit. Jess had recently shifted to Creative Director (7 years at EHD!!!) and with her eye for detail, the design market, and trends I knew that we’d make a good team (have you seen ? JAW DROPPINGLY GOOD for a “non-designer”). So we did this together – we designed a line we are both so proud of (and yes, every time you purchase a rug for your home, she benefits from it financially, too – it’s a real win/win for all).

And listen, if this co-designed rug line does well, GREAT and we’ll do more rugs along with lighting, furniture, textiles, etc (slowly and intentionally). And if it doesn’t do well, we get to learn, figure out why, process, regroup, and muster bravery together to try something else. This mindset has taken the pressure off of it all and helped me enjoy the process, not focusing on any future “success”. Learning how to launch a product line has been so interesting (to be fair the process with Rugs USA has been wonderful and seamless) and knowledge of these processes can only be gained by doing them. So regardless I/we feel lucky to be here, rain or shine. 🙂 BUT HOPEFULLY SO MUCH SHINE, Y’ALL LET’S GET INTO IT!

What’s The Inspiration Behind The Rug Line?

Grey Portland Plaid Wool Area Rug | Denim Blazer | Top (similar) | Pants | Boots

Well, we really leaned into “Scandinavian Farmhouse” for this first launch. Think simple, warm neutrals, and blues in vintage-inspired Scandinavian patterns and textures that feel really transitional, cozy, and classic. We pinned vintage Scandi rugs and fabrics and sent through a lot of design details that we felt would be both special and universal.

Introducing… The “Portland”

Portland Plaid Wool Area Rug

We named the rugs based on locations (streets, cities) that meant something to us. The “Portland” is one of my favorites. It’s a large-scale plaid with chunky hand-sewn yarn stitching details (but so affordable and forgiving). This one is the perfect entry rug (don’t forget a rug pad, it’s woven), hallway runner, or just anywhere that you want to not see everyday life 🙂 It’s not busy, but it’s forgiving for kids and pets (my favorite formula).

Introducing…The “Merrick”

Merrick Tasseled Cotton and Wool Area Rug

This is my FAVORITE rug and I love it so much that I switched out or bedroom rug and enjoy this in there. The Merrick is a neutral with a broken stripe with multiple pile heights (some fluffy, some woven) and therefore has a lot of give, comfort, versatility, and looks high-end. I put it on a rug pad in the bedroom (memory foam FTW) and it’s SO comfy, cozy, and pretty. When we shot it here we didn’t have a rug pad, and when you add that cush, that extra layer, it becomes dreamy and almost like a flokati, but way more sophisticated (IMHO).

It’s so classic, easy to mix in, and has enough personality (with the black weave) but is so neutral and creamy. I think this is an excellent bedroom or office rug. It’s light enough to brighten a space and make it look bigger, but interesting enough to add to the design of the room.

Introducing…The “Rowena”

Rowena Checked Wool Area Rug

Please pretend you aren’t seeing the family room yet (the full reveal coming so SOON, but timing is what it is:)). We shot the Rowena in here and I admittedly did NOT think I would love a light rug in this cozy dark room (we have a dark rug in here which I had ordered far before this line came out). But it looks SO GOOD, too! It’s a check pattern but looks different depending on the direction it’s laid. The horizontal stripe is darker than the vertical stripe adding one more layer of dimension and interest (and making it look more high-end – those details are what set it apart).

This rug, the Rowena, is extremely comfortable, like the Merrick. The plush cream yarns are thick soft and cozy (and not too tightly crammed together), and the darker “stripes” add the texture/contrast that again, makes it more forgiving. We are working on some solids for our next launch because I love quiet rugs as well, but often if they don’t have enough color/texture/yarn variation they can show too much dust, hair, dirt, or stains. The point is, having some textural or yarn variation will make it more lifestyle/family-friendly.

We shot the Rowena in the living room, too and it also looked so good in there. It has so much texture and pattern but isn’t too bold or overly graphic.

Introducing…The “Oregon”

Blue Oregon Plaid Wool Area Rug | Button Up Shirt | Jeans | Clogs

Appropriately named, The Oregon, is another Scandi-inspired yarn-threaded large-scale plaid. This one (IMHO) is so good for high-traffic areas (entry, hallways, family, or playrooms). I really need to look up more synonyms for the word “forgiving,” because once again I can tell you this hides everyday wear and tear so much and cleans up so well. While I love a vintage Persian rug, for this exact reason, they can be so expensive and a more traditional vibe. This one is so affordable and more contemporary.

Introducing…The “Raleigh”

Raleigh Striped Jute Area Rug | Jumpsuit (similar) | Sandals

We have a TON of sisals in this collection, some of my favorite rugs, actually. Often sisals can kinda bore me, TBH and they aren’t exactly massaging your feet – they are inherently rough. But they are so good for utilitarian spaces, in a simple paired-back way. This rug, the Raleigh, as you can see has multiple colors and even a broken stripe pattern (it’s a thing with me, as you know:)). These have nothing if not texture, making them feel less precious – they don’t literally repel dirt, but it’s hard to see dirt on them as it doesn’t sink in like it can on wool or cotton rugs.

Introducing…”The Hillcrest”

Another favorite rug of mine, the “Hillcrest” (shout out to Bob and Suz) has such a pretty cotton weave within the sisal that creates the pattern. And since you are mixing a yarn in the sisal it’s much softer than a typical 100% sisal or jute rug. It’s a stripe, with an interesting vintage detail at both ends, making it feel more special and high-end (but still so affordable!).

Technically this was too big for our bathroom but I LOVE it in here (for the shoot we ordered a ton of rugs in different sizes and then shot them in as many rooms as we could). I love the warmth of the Hillcrest in here.

Introducing…”The Oregon”… Again!

Blue Oregon Plaid Wool Area Rug

While we were shooting for their website we also tried the Oregon in here (I wish I had ordered a 9×12 to put in our family room honestly, I LOVE this rug). I think it works better on a wood floor because it pops off more, but I still really liked it in our bathroom.

The Geneva & The Fountain

Left: Geneva Tasseled Jute Area Rug | Dress (similar) + Shoes (similar) | Right: Fountain Checked Wool Area Rug

We shot as many rugs as we could in as many rooms as we could – really trying to take advantage of the incredibly talented crew we had. After three days of intense shooting at our home, I remembered how much I love the collaborative energy of a big production like this. Everyone has the same common goal to tell a beautiful story with rugs in a home. It was so rewarding and inspiring. A huge shout out to the photographer, Mark Weinberg, our stylist, Getteline Rene, the RugsUSA marketing team – Alex, Ali, Paul, Tara, and a big crew of lighting grips, PAs, digital and photo assistants, and, of course, my team – Jess, Gretchen, and Kaitlin (who did all the reels and were INCREDIBLE).

Sweater (similar) | Pants | Clogs

I’m the only one in that photo, but so many talented people are involved in this process from the start. I’m talking weaving, to marketing, customer service, and the in-house RugsUSA design team that took our inspiration and interpreted them into fresh rugs for your home. Witnessing it all is such an incredible process that makes me more grateful for everything I own that has been thoughtfully designed.

Thanks To The Whole Crew

It was three days of so many people moving fast, capturing all the things for all the platforms, and rugs are NOT EASY to move. It’s not like shooting pillows or vases, so a huge thanks to the production assistants who never get public love, but sweat so hard moving these huge things from room to room, under beds and sofas, etc.

Thanks Jess for being my partner in this launch, I truly couldn’t have done it without you, and thanks to my team Caitlin, Mal, Gretchen, and of course, Kaitlin Greene for all your creativity, support, and genuine enthusiasm for this new venture. I’m very lucky to have all of you, and I hope all of YOU love these rugs as much as we do. You can see them all here. xx

Outfit in Opening Photo: Sweatshirt | Jeans

*Styled by Getteline Rene
**Photos by Mark Weinberg

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Published on November 01, 2023 01:00

October 31, 2023

Why Rashida Chose Blue Walls For Her First TWO Client Makeovers (+ What She Learned)

Hello EHD! Rashida here! It’s been a minute since I’ve written on the blog. For a little over a year now, I decided to add Interior Designer as one of my titles. What I thought would take me an extra few hours a week (how naive), has actually taken over most of my time. Although the schedule shift wasn’t what I planned for, creating a special haven that improves my clients’ well-being and their family’s well-being is truly the reward of this career. So with that being said, I wanted to show off two homes I’ve done. The first one is a feel-good makeover I did for a couple that really gives back to their community, so I wanted to do the same for them. The second is a design I did for a gentleman who loves to cook and entertain. These two clients are different, but there’s one theme shared across both designs, and that theme is BLUE (well, the color lol)!

Blue is no stranger to the EHD blog. In fact, I would go as far as to say, it’s a signature color here! But for me, I never actually used blue when designing. I’ve always admired the color but never had the opportunity to use it in my personal designs. After experimenting with different hues of blue, I’m finding it to be a versatile color that can be paired with other cool tones, or with hot fiery colors like red or orange.

Project One

In my feel-good makeover, I designed a living room for my friends. The challenge with their space was that the room was wide and narrow as well as a pass-through room. This meant there wasn’t much opportunity for furniture layout options. So, to maximize the space I decided to do a massive U-shaped modular sectional. I love a modular design because I get to configure pieces that work for the space I’m designing. We decided to go with the Homebody 6 seater sectional. In fact, we actually configured our own sofa with 4 seats and two ottomans to make the U shape. I preferred the two ottomans over the two end seats to keep the space more open. The ottoman is a place for my friends to put their feet up when it’s just them lounging on a day after work, but when they have dinner parties, guests can utilize the ottomans as seats. They love to relax with their dog Ziggy, so the seamless recliner (in one of the center seats) is perfect.

This sofa sectional is extremely comfortable. Even if you rest your back against the arms, it’s like a pillow! We chose the color Gloomy Day In, because we love it, but also because they have a dark-colored dog, and his hairs show up less (the pups take over our lives). Now that the anchor piece was in the room, it was time to finalize the remaining details. And the question that challenged my mind was, what paint color? I wanted a color that could hold the massive sectional. It needed to be bold, and also interesting enough to play up the gray sofa. And in came my grand idea to do indigo walls. Indigo to me is like a violet blue. It has hints of purple mixed with navy blue. It’s what makes navy blue more interesting. I chose the color Blue Gaspe by Benjamin Moore. You truly do gasp when you walk into their home and the depth of the color pulls you in. You crash on the sofa and feel like you’re under the midnight sky.

Now I must say that the color is much more appreciated in person. It’s one of those colors where it’s hard to capture the true hue on camera.

To warm things up a bit I added natural wood tones, brown and even black. They had overhead lighting but layering in secondary light is one of my favorite things to do. So I installed plug-in wall sconces that are wrapped in woven cords from Troy Lighting and a wide semi-flushmount brass light from Corbett Lighting.

Sconce

Semi-Flushmount Light

Project Two

Next up is my client’s home. We worked on four spaces: the kitchen, powder room, basement, and basement wet bar. He initially had a white kitchen that didn’t have a ton of cabinet storage. He wanted to add a pantry cabinet and a trash can cabinet. The problem was, I couldn’t find his exact cabinetry. The solution was to buy cabinet boxes for the new cabinetry areas and reface all the doors for a cohesive look. And since we were doing new cabinet doors, I suggested why not change the white to… you guessed it, BLUE. He was nervous, but after some convincing, we decided to go with Sherwin-Williams’s “In the Navy”. And let me tell you, the color is divine and completely transformed his home.

We bought in-stock, off-the-floor cabinets from The Home Depot, and just removed the doors. The new cabinet boxes provided pantry storage, pull-out trash can storage, and we ended up changing the whole upper cabinet layout as well. It was much cheaper to buy ready-made cabinets versus getting someone to build custom boxes. All the other cabinets we kept the same, and just tossed the doors. Switching out just the cabinet doors is not new for me. If you recall, I did it in my kitchen a few years ago. There are a few cabinet door companies that provide a custom product, and for my client’s space, we used cabinetdoors.com. The name speaks for itself!

Brass Cabinet Pulls | Brass Cabinet Knobs

To really ignite the blue cabinets, we replaced all the hardware with unlacquered brass knobs and pulls from Rejuvenation. And then we replaced all the lighting with new over-the-counter pendant lights and a new light over the dining table that sits off the kitchen. Both lights are from Hudson Valley Lighting.

Chandelier

For the powder room, my client had his heart set on the Bequia wallpaper by Malene Barnett exclusively sold at Lulu and Georgia. And of course, it’s BLUE again. We removed his current sink and added an all-black wall-mounted console sink.

Wallpaper | Sink

Now let’s move downstairs. My client has a collection of typewriters that he uses for his thank you cards, and he also has a collection of Thurgood Marshall photos. He loves to entertain and loves wine. I think he actually has a wine club. I immediately thought…let’s go with a speakeasy vibe.

We went with large format tiled floors, in the asphalt matte color. Then it was time to choose the paint color, and yes we went blue again. I loved the color Britannia Blue. It’s a moody shade of blue enhanced by a dark gray shade. The ceilings in his basement are less than 8 feet. So to distract the eye from the height, we painted everything that color. The ceiling, the walls, the doors, and all the trim.

Wall Color | Woven Roman Shade (in golden poppy) | B a t t e r y O p e r a t e d Sconce | Floor Tile

The camel color curved sofa, paired with Romare Bearden’s “The Fall of Troy” art he purchased at an estate sale really gives the blue-gray walls some interest.

Drapery | Tall Candlestick Holders (vintage) | Rug | Accent Chair

When I first saw the wet bar, the word “uneventful” came to mind. It was great that he had one in such a small basement, but you can tell it was an afterthought from the previous owners. Initially, I was going to do a deeper blue that went well with the blue-gray walls. But I felt that there was enough blue. I had reached my blue limit. I decided to go with wood-grained cabinets stained in black. These cabinets are actually from Ikea’s Lerhyttan collection. We did the top cabinet in a glass front and the complementing base cabinet. I encouraged my client to go with a bold countertop. This granite material is called “Black Rivers”. It has so much movement! Now, I wouldn’t use it in a large space like a kitchen, but it was perfect for this small wet bar. We also tripled the size of his wine fridge, added a faucet I found on Etsy that’s made in Morocco, and found a black hammered sink from Amazon. All the details pulled together created a luxurious area in his basement.

Faucet | Sink | B r a s s Pulls

I am so pleased with both blue spaces. Although blue is a cool tone, the depth of the color hugs you when you experience the space. It’s sophisticated and cozy! The blue tones pack punch and boldness but also provide a sense of calm. So don’t be afraid to use it. Pair the color with gray. Pair it with wood tones. Pair the color with orange tones. It’s such a versatile color that can take your space from uneventful and “safe” to a space that’s tailored and feels designer. So the next time you think about painting, try blue!

* Designs by Rashida Banks
**First Living Room Photos by Antwon Maxwell
*** Second Home Photos by Raul Rivero

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Published on October 31, 2023 01:00

October 30, 2023

THE BIG REVEAL: A Full Look Inside Mal’s 500 Sqft Resort-Like Hollywood Oasis

Does size really matter??? I’ll let you be the judge. Mal here, back to show ya the full tour of my 500 sqft studio apartment and how we maximized every inch. This really was a labor of love. I’m SO incredibly grateful to Em for the opportunity and to all of you EHD readers for your support along the way. Seriously, THANK YOU. This Makeover Takeover (MOTO) has allowed me to work with such incredible brands and make my first-ever adult apartment something really special!! This post is PACKED with space-planning ideas, renter-friendly hacks, and out-of-the “white box” decor ideas. I hope you can take something away from this and leave feeling inspired no matter the size of your home.

First, let’s remember where we started, yes? Welcome to my Hollywood, white box apartment on move-in day:

The Before

My boyfriend, Chase, and I had ZERO furniture upon move-in (like, not even a mattress or a bed), so we really had to build this from the ground up. After hundreds of renderings, Home Depot runs, and SO much trial and error, WE’RE HERE!!!

Alright gang…

MOVE. THAT. BUS.

The After

After all the blood, sweat, and tears I cannot believe my eyeballs are finally staring at these beautiful photos! This shot above is what you see when you first walk in (well, you enter into the kitchen but it’s all one room so this is the main view). The dining nook is one of the main stars of this space and is always the first thing people comment on when they walk in (all of the details are here if you want a step-by-step!). I wasn’t about to build a custom nook myself –– I have no garage or workspace for that and I don’t know how to operate any power tools, so I had to get crafty on how I could create this with ready-made/shippable options. The benches are the line benches from Design Within Reach and they have an incredible amount of storage in them, plus the quality is INSANE. I put a small and large size together to form the base of this nook and it’s absolutely perfect. Then I used a company called Stitchroom to create the custom cushions and they totally NAILED IT.

As I mentioned before, The Parker Palm Springs and the Sands Hotel were two of my main points of inspiration for this space, but I wanted to create a more pulled-back, neutral version that felt calming and livable. AKA I wanted to have the fun, bold style of Palm Springs Mid-Century Modern mixed with the coolness of California Casual.

mediocre iphone photography by me | left: pink cabana | right: norma’s

The huge pendant light in my dining nook is similar to the ones they have at The Pink Cabana at the Sands and Norma’s at the Parker (pictured above), so when I found this light-weight shade from World Market (not avail anymore but this and this are similar), I knew it was the perfect Palm Springs design addition and would constantly remind me of my favorite place on earth.

It also brings your eye upward (which is critical in a small space) and adds more light in this space (we have no overhead lighting anywhere in the main space which is a really cool design choice many apartment buildings do). Because this is a plug-in light, turning it on and off was always a “thing” because you had to reach down to the corner of the nook and switch it manually. That was until I found THIS –– watch this video to see how it works. It’s AWESOME. If you’re a renter, or if you just want it for your Christmas tree/decor, I highly recommend snagging it!

Let’s talk ENTERTAINING in a tiny space like this. The nook really made it possible for us to comfortably have people in our place (and believe it or not we’ve had 7+ people sit over here at one time before which would have never been possible pre-nook).

Now here’s me and Chase cheers-ing happily so you can see human beings in here for scale!!

Frank Sinatra Palm Springs Print | Palm Tree Print (similar) | Beach Prints by Gabe Sullivan | Freddy and Michael Print | Frames

I also have another living room layout hack that I’ll show you later when I get to the desk area below…you’ll be able to see can how we can fully use this “living room” when we entertain. Every single person asks me about that epic credenza, it’s from Industry West and it’s literally perfect in every way. The cane is SO great because we store our speakers and such in there and the sound still travels through, so I love not having to have all of those giant speakers out in the open. The grey rug is from Annie Selke and they accidentally sent through two which ended up being PERFECT because our space is awkwardly long, so we put both of the rugs next to each other, then layered this smaller striped flatweave rug on top so you don’t see the seam of the rugs. If you need a random rug size I HIGHLY recommend doing this –– it made our space feel so much bigger and cozier!

The gallery wall was one of the last elements I added to this space and it gave it so much flavor I can’t even tell you. I hung most of them with command strips (and they’ve held up for YEARS). The beachy art prints are by a local so-cal artist, Gabe Sullivan, that I met at the Sawdust Festival in Laguna Beach. His work perfectly captures so-cal beaches with a vintage flare –– and I found out that the print of the girl on the bottom right is Bing Crosby’s granddaughter! Then some of these photos I actually took myself, then edited them to be black and white, and printed/framed myself (the MCM S tahl House photo next to the two smaller prints below is one of my fine iPhone photography prints).

Vase | Sculptural Candles

Okay, how good is that $20 vase?? Bowser pulled it out and I immediately purchased one to live here on the dining table permanently. An easy money-saving tip I did to make this gallery wall uber affordable was to purchase a few frames in bulk and then orient them in different ways. I bought a 4-pack of 16×20 frames and hung some vertical and some horizontal, then spread them out around the gallery wall. Then for the rest of the frames, I purchased most of them from Target because they really are a steal over there!! Okay, now I’ll tell you about my “living room” layout hack.

Welcome to the desk area!! Okay here’s the layout hack…see this super cute Lulu and Georgia desk chair?? It’s super comfy and deep so you can sit in it for hours. The best part is when friends come over we swivel it around and then we turn to dining nook chair around to form a conversation area with the Article leather loveseat. We comfortably seat four this way which is a decent amount in this space, but I love this hack because otherwise we just wouldn’t have been able to have a living room or host people.

You can see a bit of the kitchen here, it honestly didn’t change much from the day we moved in, so check out the befores at the beginning of the post if you wanna see more of it. This apartment complex was designed by Commune, so we were lucky to be in such good hands with the finishes and overall design of this space.

Alright now let’s flip around and show you the bed area that you saw in the reflection of the mirror…

It’s like my own little boutique hotel room!! The other thing I didn’t mention about Palm Springs earlier that I really tried to take with me through this design was the idea that in the glory days of PS, the town was known as the Hollywood Oasis, where celebrities found equal amounts of sanctuary and play, outside of the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. This quickly became the mission statement of my design and I really think we pulled it off. I have all of the details of how I created this back wall over here if you’re looking for a more in-depth explanation. It was a loooong process with lots of trial and error, but MAN was the result worth it in the end!

I’ve always loved Annie Selke for their rugs but I was blown away when I realized they have such an incredible bedding selection. Since I wanted to incorporate a “hotel feel,” the crisp white bedding and comfy inserts were a must in making this space feel elevated, and BOY did their products deliver. Their pillow is my perfect pillow –– soft enough that it doesn’t crank your neck up too much but fluffy enough that it doesn’t feel like you’re sleeping with your head flat on the mattress.

Oh, and everyone always asks me where the closet is. It’s a fairly large closet on the right side of the bed (if you’re looking at the above photo) –– you can see the whole space here from this closet org challenge we did a while back –– it’s INCREDIBLY hard working since it’s our only closet and I have a lotta shoes!!

For the pendant lights, I took the shades from a Justina Blakeney x Target lamp (currently unavailable but these are similar!) and then I hot glued them to these pendant lights and added rechargeable battery-powered light bulbs. Also, these light bulbs are magnetic so they’re SO easy to snap on and off instead of having to full screw and unscrew them every time you have to charge them 🙂

The curtains are from Wovn Home which is an incredible brand that allows you to customize your curtains to the perfect size. We went with the blackout option and THANK GOD we did, our sleep is so much better because of them!! Also, the bed is from Modshop, we had them build 7″ legs on their Berlin bed so we could store items under it (this is a game changer if you need more storage!!) and then we requested black velvet fabric. They were SO awesome to work with and there’s nothing sexier than a black velvet bed. It was Chase’s only non-negotiable lol.

Now onto the bathroom…brace yourselves for some FUN wallpaper!!

Wallpaper | Towels | Artwork | Frame

Here’s my non-neutral moment for all you color lovers. The Cole and Son wallpaper really took it from basic, builder-grade white bathroom to a seductive, sultry surprise. Finding a wallpaper to work with this tan tile was difficult, but once I held this one up to the tan –– I knew it was the one!

And yes, that is the kitchen right outside the bathroom…it’s small space living what can I say?? Comparably, it’s a fairly large bathroom to the rest of the apartment and the walk-in shower is ginormous. We got so lucky with this!!

Vase | Artwork | Plastic Shampoo Bottles | Labels

Also, I decanted my shampoo and conditioner into these plastic bottles (it’s giving Aesop) and it made SUCH a difference with how the shower space looks on the day-to-day. It definitely feels more spa-like, so if you’re wanting to feel extra pampered in your shower routine, I highly recommend giving yourself this treat in life.

BEFORE AND AFTERS

THAT’S ALL FOLKS!! THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME!!! I had the absolute best time designing this space –– if you want to see even more you can check out my Instagram and TikTok where I have some more videos of it. Again, thank you thank you thank you to you all for being here and to Emily and my EHD fam for giving me this opportunity to do my Makeover Takeover! I love design!!!!!!!! I’ll see you guys in the comments xoxoxo

*Design by Mallory Wackerman
**Styled by Emily Bowser
***Photos by Veronica Crawford

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Published on October 30, 2023 01:00

October 29, 2023

The Link Up: Em’s “Tired Mom” Makeup Hack, The Puffer Jacket Gretchen Bought Based On Reader Recs, And An Affordable Gallery Wall Frame We Love

Happy Sunday everyone. We had a HUGE announcement on Friday over on Instagram in case you missed it. Much more on that soon. We also hope you loved Emily’s new bathroom as much as we do. It’s honestly even better in person if you can believe it. Ok, onto this week’s links:)

This week’s house tour is the loft apartment of our dreams. Owned by Orior’s creative director, Ciarán McGuigan, and his wife, and with design help from Orior’s head of design, Jean Morana, this Brooklyn loft is just so special. Filled with pieces by this own brand as well as handmade pieces from other artists, and of course, vintage to create a really cool yet not overly modern or industrial home. Go check it out and have fun drooling over all the glass lighting.

From Emily: My “I’m so tired but my skin needs to look good” routine is happening more than I want it to these days. And listen, it’s hard to say that ONE THING is good for your skin when so many factors contribute to your skin health (lifestyle, diet, sleep, cold plunging:), etc. But even on the days when I wake up looking pretty darn tired, haggard, and uneven, this highlighter (Charlotte Tilbury) mixed with my Armani Luminous Silk foundation in shade 2) makes me look all glowy and dare I say healthy. Let’s call it my winter “tired mom” beauty hack. FYI the Sephora Savings Event fully starts on Tuesday unless you’re a rogue member:)

From Caitlin: AHH! Lemme put y’all onto a hair game-changer for lazy gals everywhere: this $40 thermal blowout brush. I’ve never been great at hair – I didn’t learn how to use a curling wand til 2019 and I still can’t use a traditional curling iron, TBH – but OH MY GOSH. This brush – think of it like a heated straightener-meets-round brush – HAS CHANGED THE GAME. I’m currently walking around my house with a bouncy blowout that took me MINUTES to accomplish (and nary a hairdryer in sight!). There is a bit of a learning curve (mainly where to place your hair – I kept getting it stuck in the handle during my first try, which again, may have just been because I’m so bad at hair tools) but once I figured out the process, it was quick and easy and my hair looks SO DANG GOOD. The layers are layering, folks!!! It literally looks like I just left a salon. AND IT WAS $40. AND I DID IT AT MY HOUSE. Bring on all the holiday photos!!!

From Gretchen: First, I need to issue a big, fat THANK YOU to all who commented on last week’s link up with recommendations for finding my perfect-puffy-matte-black-coat. There were so many good ones!! A few of you wrote that you have had luck with Quince, and there mayyyy have been some other items that accidentally fell into my cart, so I went ahead and bought that coat. Someone mentioned having found a great vegan coat at Noize, a brand I hadn’t yet heard of, and I thought a lot of their puffer coats looked like solid options–namely this one caught my eye. But I shopped around for a bit and instead found an awesome, non-puffer, double-breasted green coat that I just might have to snag! A couple of you mentioned Marmot and while I loved this coat, (which is on sale!) it’s a bit out of my price range, still. Then a bunch of you recommended Eddie Bauer! I found a rain jacket from them I really like the fit of (plus the fact that it’s on sale) so I’ll likely grab that for my less-cold, but still very wet Oregon days. They had another great puffer contender, so if the Quince coat doesn’t work out, I’ll probably head there for my next shot at puff-perfection! Thank you all, again, for the help!!

Also From Gretchen: My buys this week were a lot less outdoor-oriented. Lately, my at-home computer setup has been driving me nuts! Too many messy cords and a monitor mount I’ve fallen out of love with. My place is fairly old with outlets that are mostly two-prong so finding a power strip that doesn’t require a converter jutting out from the wall is tough. But I found an awesome one that not only works with my ancient outlets, but sits flat against the wall AND gives me 6 three-prong outlets! I also swapped my old monitor wall mount for this one (in white, a plus) that goes up and down so I can use it sitting or standing. I can’t wait to switch it all out!

From Mallory: If you’re looking for some last-minute Halloween candles (or just fall candles in general) these dripless ones are 4 for $8 and I’ve never seen a better deal in my life!! They’re on the skinnier side, but they’re so cute and would look great in a dining room or on a candelabra (which is where I use mine!)

From Jess: OK, so I know that I talked about a few sweaters I was thinking of getting for my London trip a couple of weeks ago (this one and this one) and I still might add to cart. But after getting recommended this more affordable brand, Urban Revivo, I fell deeply in love with this special cardigan and immediately purchased it. My god I love that gold button. Oh, these boots are also incredible too! Now the problem with this brand is that I believe they only go up to a size 12 WHICH SUCKS. But hopefully, with online mentions like this, they will get their act together and offer a much wider range of sizing. It’s just not hard to offer more sizes and it needs to be the standard. My favorite size-inclusive brand is Wray if anyone wants to check them out:)

Also From Jess: I know Em just talked about her makeup hack but I also have some makeup recs as one of my dear friends just helped me plan my makeup look for my brother’s wedding…and the Sephora Savings Event just started on Friday if you are a Rogue member. If you aren’t, it starts on Tuesday! I am tempted to give you ALL my recs but we’d be here all day. So here are some highlights. This Patrick Ta Matte Eyeshadow Palette is so GOOD. I love matte neutrals so it’s a dream for me and the color goes on beautifully. It also comes with two gel shadows which have been so fun to play with and I wouldn’t have purchased on their own (aka I would have been scared to try). It is pricey so this is a perfect time to buy if you are interested. Speaking of the great Mr. Ta, I also got his Precision Dual Ended Sculpting Brush. I love a two-fer and for a makeup novice like me makes “sculpting” easier. I bought it with this really beautiful bronzer in light medium (which I use the less fluffy side of the brush with).

Also Also From Jess: Ok, three more recs but all lip-related. I’ve loved the Sephora Collections Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick for a long time. This red (01 Always Red) is what made me a believer because it will stay on alllll night long. So when I needed a nude color I went straight to this section and found 120 Mystic Cloud. It’s so perfect (well I can only speak for my skin tone). My friend recommended I get a lip liner to go with it called “29 dressed to the 90s”. Then to top it off with a little gloss she recommended this pretty plumping serum. 10/10 lips! FYI the Sephora Collection is 30% off right now until 11/6:) The code for the entire event is TIMETOSAVE.

From Arlyn: IKEA is my usual go-to for frames as you just can’t beat that price. But recently, I feel like the quality has gone down. Has anyone else noticed the frame lifts away from the plexi in the middle when you hang them now? This has happened to me with numerous RIBBAs specifically, so maybe it’s just that line. Anyhow, I was going to hang some art and picked up this brass frame on Amazon randomly because the price was very good and the reviews were solid. And guys, it’s great! It was packed so well, has a tempered glass front rather than plexi, the brass is soft and pretty and it comes in a ton of sizes. Very happy with this purchase, for sure. (P.S. Please share if you have a good source for affordable frames!)

Also from Arlyn: I got the itch about two weeks ago to do yoga. It kind of came out of nowhere, as I’ve never been a regular practitioner of the exercise. But sometimes, that’s just how things happen, you know? After I put the baby to sleep, I went to my room, rolled out my yoga mat and hit up YouTube for a class. I immediately found Yoga with Adriene who was totally new to me but is evidently quite popular. On a whim, I watched the first video in her “Center” 30-Day Yoga Journey and LOVED IT. I came downstairs to my husband and told him I was going to do 30 days of yoga. He’s not a stranger to my random and sudden need to embark on something new, but by the time I got to day 3, he was on his own mat in our room joining me. We’re on day 11 now (I repeated days 0-3 for Charles) and I honestly look forward to it all day. It’s my time to unwind, center myself, and get in some exercise that doesn’t feel like I’m pounding the pavement. If you’re looking to get into something gentle but challenging, this is it. Do it with me and then hit me up to let me know how it’s going (find me on Instagram!).

Thanks for stopping by and see y’all tomorrow for Mal’s big reveal!

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

The post The Link Up: Em’s “Tired Mom” Makeup Hack, The Puffer Jacket Gretchen Bought Based On Reader Recs, And An Affordable Gallery Wall Frame We Love appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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Published on October 29, 2023 01:00

October 28, 2023

Making Life A Bit Cozier Right Now + Some Of My Favorite Things

Living in Southern California (pre-covid) I don’t think I had the extreme need to be cozy in the winter – the light and year-round sun just barely called for it. Then lockdown in the mountains changed everything, and now in Portland, when November rolls around I have my tools, my go-to things that make me and my house feel really cozy (which is an inherent mood boost to combat any potential SAD). So today I’m sharing a few things that could help your life feel cozier and take advantage of these short days and dark nights.

The Faux Fur Throw Blankets

styled by emily henderson and emily bowser | photo by steven Mcdonald | from: what’s next in fall decor from crate & barrel (spoiler: it’s real cozy) + my personal rules on designing with extreme comfort in mind

I have A LOT of blankets and while I know that “faux fur” isn’t as chic as a handmade woven wool blanket (I love both) during these months I want to feel like I’m being snuggled by 20 bunny rabbits at all times.

Crate & Barrel Faux Fur Throw Blanket

We (myself and the kids) have always loved these Target ones (see below) and I still do, but when doing this Crate & Barrel job this year I couldn’t believe how soft this new throw was. When I got home from the shoot I bought it for myself (and now fight with my kids over it). It’s splurgier but literally NO ONE will dislike this throw (thus making it a great gift, too).

photos by sara ligorria-tramp | from: our scandinavian (and easy, mess-free) holiday living room reveal + how I finally figured out my biggest styling problem… and solved it

Textured Faux Fur Reversible Throw Blanket

The Pillow

Italian Velvet Pillow Cover

I’m trying to figure out what makes these pillows more soft and cozy than others and I think it’s the silk velvet material and the down insert. They are SO cushy, not stiff (I hate when you bounce off a pillow that you want to sink into). These are splurgy but I can promise they are really soft and cuddle-able.

The Candles

Reflection Glass Candle | Ginger Black Tea Candle

I’ve been bathing to this Target scent for almost four years now and still love it. It’s definitely more year-round (not a fall or holiday scent) but the ritual of lighting it and the smell put me at ease immediately. The other one is also a Target candle and is beloved by Jess. This is what she had to say about it.

From Jess: This is by far my favorite candle of the moment. Are you ready?? Ginger Black Tea. It’s the perfect season transition candle because it’s light for the summer but still warming and cozy to get you gently prepared for fall. A total random find that now is in heavy rotation. O and it’s only $10. Dreams really do come true.

Thymes Frasier Fir Candle

Here’s another wonderful cult classic option that will absolutely get you into the holiday mood. Oh, and Sara is the president candle expert so she is the most trustworthy!

From Sara: If you’re looking for the perfect holiday candle, THIS is the one. There are a lot of “Frasier Fir” candles out there this time of year, but for me, none have compared to Thyme’s timeless scent. Brady had this burning in his apartment one year while we shot Christmas content. He’s always burning a good candle, but this one really got my attention. It’s fresh and the perfect replica of a woodsy Christmas tree covered in crisp snow, without being overpowering. Hot Tip: Get the white wax version, I’ve found that the colored wax versions don’t throw the scent as well.

The Mug (Coffee And Tea In General)

left: photo by sara ligorria-tramp, from: mountain house kitchen reveal | right: photo by kaitlin green, from: farmhouse pantry reveal

Nothing gets me out of bed more than the coffee that Brian makes and sets the night before (we love the Cuisinart Coffee Center 12 Cup you see above there). We are real coffee lovers and I truly am so baffled/impressed by anyone who has kicked this addition. Then around 11 am (latte) or 3 pm (tea) if I’m working from home in the winter I’ll take a break and make something that feels more indulgent. We bought that espresso maker last year and while I didn’t use it much during the summer, we are back to daily lattes for the whole team and it feels so luxurious and special (aka a mood booster). I usually have a cup of herbal tea at night in the bath, too. So many rituals in the winter, y’all.

Double-Wall Glass Latte Mugs | Matte Stoneware Mug

I love this glass mug for the lattes or tea, and then still opt for my coffee out of the Target mugs (they stay hot much longer than others I’ve found).

The Electric Kettle

Gooseneck Electric Water Kettle

Once my tea habit felt like something I wasn’t going to kick I bought an electric kettle to not have to deal with the stove (and to be able to leave extra water in, making tomorrow night’s tea easier). I truly don’t know why some of these are so expensive when my $30 one does the job of boiling water in under five minutes perfectly.

The Sweatpants

Heathered Leggings | The Relaxed Pant

I have multiple recommendations here depending on the mood and what I feel like showing to the world. The Vuori Heathered Pants are my go-to leggings and I have them in three different colorways because I wear them so much. I wear them on walks, to yoga, and all day around the house when I’m not shooting. Size up – I wear a medium and it has a nice wide waistband that never cuts in. And then I recently started wearing Varley and their fabric is RIDICULOUSLY soft (some sort of trademark proprietary blend of which I’m a sucker for). These are baggy and more volumious so less flattering on my frame but I still love to wear them because they are loose and velvety soft on the inside. (These are the pants I’m wearing the in opening photo with the pink sweater).

The PJs

photos by kaitlin green | from: my journey to find the most comfortable pajama set ever – and i found them

Soft Lounge Sleep Set

From the PJs post: I’ve been dying to give Skims a try and they did NOT disappoint. Oh my goodness the fabric was ribbed and so soft, with stretch and still really drape-y (it’s weightier so it drapes really nicely). We decided that these were by far the most flattering. I mean, Kim Kardashian cares about looking good/sexy. I just wish I had ordered a medium. These fit but the waistband was just a bit too noticeable when I was wearing them (meaning I could feel it, even though they didn’t cut in). If you want to splurge on a pair that is super flattering in a subtle way, these would be my pick. They are a bit thicker (but not thick) than the rest of them but still really lightweight (they cling in places, but since they are thick enough you can’t see bumps underneath and so soft that the kids were begging to snuggle with me).

The All Day Slippers

Classic II Genuine Shearling Lined Short Boot | Classic II Genuine Shearling Lined Tall Boot | Wicked Good Slippers

I’ve been wearing a version of Uggs every day, all day since lockdown began, and I go through them faster than I should (every other year I need a new pair). I’ve had the tall boot (and love) and the medium. I also have the L.L. Bean slides (my current go-to). None are flattering, yet all are so cozy. I also need arch support and most slippers don’t cut it. These feel more like house shoes – I clean in them on the weekends and my feet don’t hurt.

Women’s Wicked Good Moccasins

Caitlin felt VERY passionately that her favorite slippers needed to be included too:)

From Caitlin: Oh, hey, I’ve had these slippers permanently attached to my feet since March 12, 2020, and I WILL NEVER TAKE THEM OFF. (Well, not these exact ones, but this style -while my mom started gifting me a new pair every Christmas in 2017 or 2018, the transition to working from home full time REALLY solidified their place in my daily wardrobe). They have super solid soles (so they’re great if you need to make a quick run outside to the garage or trash can), they’re toasty and soft (obviously, I mean…look at them), and the support is pretty unrivaled (in slippers that I’ve tried, at least). My favorite part is how well they conform to my foot, though – they mold perfectly to the shape of your arches and toes (so when I’m home in Delaware and I try to wear my mom’s, I can tell that they’re hers!). They’re not too hot in the summer, even in my 90-degree apartment, they never make my feet feel sweaty or uncomfortable, and they don’t smell bad despite me wearing them non-stop (like, 16 hours a day, 7 days a week when I’m home – I wish this was a joke, but it really isn’t). I know I’ve written about them on the blog before and I’ve highlighted them in every gift guide I’ve ever written, but THEY’RE UNBELIEVABLE. I literally will not walk barefoot in my apartment anymore and I’m thrilled to slide into them every time I come home, which has been awesome for keeping more floors a little cleaner. I WILL NOT STEER YOU WRONG, I SWEAR. If you only consider one of my recommendations in 2023, THIS IS THE ONE. I love them so, so, so much.

The Beanie

photo by kaitlin green

Cresta Ribbed Beanie

I’m picky about beanies, I think because I have a big face with perhaps extra face mass and a too-tight beanie just doesn’t look good. I find this one really flattering and SO cozy. I don’t know if I would have spent $80 on it from what it looked like online, but I had a partnership with Varley so I got to try it and then IMMEDIATELY lost it walking the pups two days later (I put it in my pocket when I got hot and fell out). I had to rebuy it because I liked it so much. Also P.S. I believe in wearing beanies inside in the winter.

The Cookbooks

I buy new cookbooks ALL THE TIME, and yet I mostly cook from these staples:

Eating w ell Soups | Clean Soups

Simply Real Health | Half Baked Harvest

Dinner in One | The First Mess

This year I added: The First Mess and Dinner in One which I’ve been going to a lot. Cozy food FTW. I do not enjoy recipes on my iPad or phone, I like a BOOK and until I find the right chef/food content creator to collaborate with on my soup cookbook I’ll continue to hone my skills using these. I have only made five recipes from Dinner in one, but I like it a lot and the First Mess is incredible vegetable-forward vegetarian food (not a lot of just potato and rice dishes). I always do a week of vegan eating when I want to reset and her recipes are DELICIOUS and extremely satisfying.

So these are my cozy recommendations now that we are really heading into the colder months. I truly feel passionately about them but I would, of course, love to hear any of your recs too. Drop them in the comments! xx

Opening Image Credit: Kaitlin Green

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Published on October 28, 2023 01:00

October 27, 2023

A Renter-Friendly Dining Nook That You Can Take From House To House

LOOK!! Another fun peek at my apartment before it goes live!! Today I’m showing you one of my favorite corners of my 500 sqft apartment (unstyled, of course, you’ll have to come back for the full reveal for all of the pretty pretty photos…aside from the one above!!). It’s my almost no-effort, renter-friendly DIY dining nook!! I see so many incredible custom, built-in dining nooks on Instagram and in design magazines, but I wanted to create one that’s renter-friendly that we can take with us and repurpose as we go house to house (because we won’t be in this studio apartment forever). This DIY is the complete opposite of my bed wall (which took LOTS of effort and many o’ days) and it maximized my small space SO much I can’t even tell you. I spend the majority of my time sitting at this nook whether it be working from home or hosting a dinner party (we’ve fit up to 7 people at this table before lol). It’s custom, cool, and hopefully, it inspires you to try something similar if you have an empty corner that’s in need of maximizing!!

Now I’d like to point out that this dining nook is on the splurgey side because I got to work with some INCREDIBLE brands that I wouldn’t have been able to work with if it wasn’t for this incredible job I’m so lucky to have. Because of this, I’m gonna link some more affordable options as well and some more budget DIY versions if you want to give this a stab in your own space for less cheddar. ALSO, note I have no space to cut wood/use a real saw/etc so this tutorial is a non-messy, fairly hands-off way to get a dining nook look in your apartment without custom-making a bench and whatnot. Plus it has storage. OKAY, ENOUGH SPOILERS LET’S JUST GET DOWN INTO THE NITTY GRITTY!!!!

First off, here’s the corner of my studio apartment I’m talking about today:

The Inspo

image via gracias madre

One of my fav spots in LA is Gracias Madre and when I first moved here we went for a bite to eat and immediately fell in love with the back cushions (peep them in the back of this photo above). The subtle grey pinstripe with the contrast of the cognac leather SPOKE to me. At the time we had no table to eat meals in our apartment, so we dreamt of bringing a version of this setup home. SPOILER: That’s exactly what we did and here’s how we did it!!!

Let’s get into the step-by-step on how I created this nook. It’s so easy you guys WATCH THIS!!! (just wait for the ad to play)

So the first thing I did was create a rendering (I love a Photoshop moment) so let me show you the vision:

Now let’s break down how it actually came to life:

Step One: Order The Base Benches (And Be Sure To Measure, Measure, Measure!!)

When shopping for base benches, I wanted to find something that A. Had storage B. Came in 2 different sizes (to be more square and not too long on one side) and C. Was sturdy enough to hold people and D. Looked cute, of course. The laundry list was long and the search took a while but once I found these Line benches from Design Within Reach I knew they were the PERFECT!!!!

I ordered one small and one large bench in black and the quality is insane. They have a ton of storage space (which is critical for my 500 sqft apartment that only has one closet) and a soft close (who doesn’t love a soft close). You may be thinking: wait, aren’t benches all different heights?? How did you know what height to get? Why yes Kathy, this is true. These benches are 15.5 inches high which is much lower than a dining chair should ideally be. That’s why I wanted to find cushions that were at least 3-4 inches thick and I knew I wanted them to have a comfy back cushion to match. I got LUCKY in finding the perfect company to create my cushions…which takes us to step two!!

Step Two: Order Cushions

After the benches arrived, I posted in our trusty Link Up asking for help on how to DIY custom cushions or where to find someone who could make them. The next day I received an incredible email from the lovely Taylor, who set me up with the company Stitchroom. Y’all this company is IT (just look at their work on their IG!!!) I was immediately blown away and was so lucky that they were able to create the perfect cushions with the leather straps already attached!! They sent me some incredible fabric choices and I ended up going with this Schumacher ticking stripe fabric (the one on the far left in the below photo):

And then for the leather straps, we went with the saddle color shown below. If you’re curious here were our options!

The next step was to figure out the size of the cushions. We wanted it to be comfortable and high enough where the bar wouldn’t hit you in the middle of your back, so we ended up going pretty high with the back cushions. I don’t regret it AT ALL because when you’re in this nook you really feel enveloped in it and it’s soooo cozy. If you’re curious about specific dimensions, I’ll attach the exact ones I sent to Stitchroom below!!

One thing I didn’t take into consideration beforehand was the seat depth – when you put the top cushions on it’s important to remember that you lose 4″ of your seat, so because of this we scooched our benches out from the wall a hair when we installed the cushions (which you don’t even notice) and it makes it a little easier to lean back and really get comfy. I also work from home in this spot and like to sit criss-cross-apple-sauce sometimes so having a deep seat here is really nice. It’s honestly been great having the freestanding benches so we have the flexibility to move everything around (just make sure if you’re a “build the bench into the wall type of person” that you remember that the cushions will make you lose seat depth!)

OKAY NEXT!

Step Three: Velcro The Bottom Cushions To The Base + Hang The Top Cushions

This is the easiest part honestly!! To start, I took some velcro and secured it to the bench and then matched it on the bottom of the cushion. It’s held up fairly well and makes it so the cushions don’t slip!

Then for the top, I found this $30 adjustable curtain rod from Target and hung up the top cushions with command strips (for a moment) to make sure the placement was all good to go. Once we were happy with the placement, I ordered these affordable U-shaped brackets to hang the curtain rods with. Now if you want to go custom and have someone cut down a black metal pole perfectly to size so it looks cleaner by all means be my guest!! I chose to go the easy and inexpensive route and I love the way it turned out. Note the pole is much skinnier than the hole for the bracket but literally no one notices and I don’t mind, but if you want to find one that fits perfectly that’s also great!! Just want to give you all the deets 🙂

And then finish it off with a fun gallery wall, a pendant light, a table, and a cool chair and this is what you’re left with!!

VOILA!!!! The best part about this is that I could copy and paste this into a lot of different apartments I move into throughout the years OR I could separate the benches and use one or two in an entryway, or at the base of a bed, etc. Then top cushions could be transformed into a headboard in the right space or I’m sure we could find another use for them. The main concept that I tried to stick to throughout this apartment is that everything is flexible and can move and grow with us (which is a concept everyone should take for big investment pieces!!) I’m excited to share more on how this mission was accomplished in this space in the reveal (coming Monday!!) but for now, drop any questions you might have in the comments and I’ll be there to answer them!! Thanks for coming along on this journey, I can’t wait to show you the rest of the space!!!

xoxo

Opening Image Credit: Design by Mallory Wackerman | Styled by Emily Bowser | Photo by Veronica Crawford

The post A Renter-Friendly Dining Nook That You Can Take From House To House appeared first on Emily Henderson.

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Published on October 27, 2023 01:00

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