Emily Henderson's Blog, page 85

The 13 Best Mosquito Repellents (Including Kid-Friendly Stickers, All-Natural Sprays, And Beautiful Bistro Lights)

OMG. Someone, please invite me to join your bar trivia team. I KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT MOSQUITOS NOW. I know that bar trivia topics are usually centered around things like “culture” or “history” or “things that people could reasonably be expected to know about,” but MAN. This mosquito intel is GOLDEN. Did you know they’re attracted to the CO2 and heat you give off? Or that they’re more attracted to people drinking beer? Or that only female mosquitoes bite? Or that they’re super sensitive to garlic, to the point where one researcher couldn’t get mosquitoes to bite him because he’d been eating so much Italian food? (That’s a real thing that happened in a Duke biology lab.)

On that topic: you know what else mosquitoes don’t like? EVERYTHING ON THIS LIST. Last month, we put out an ask to the EHD audience – can anyone recommend mosquito control gear that’s actually effective? – and boy, did you deliver! Today I’m highlighting just a few of our favorite effective anti-mosquito picks, from bistro lights that prevent bites (who knew those existed?) to a few landscaping solutions that’ll turn your yard into a long-term no-bug-zone. And if you just want to throw $50 bucks at the problem and have it fixed immediately…well, we’ve got a recommendation for that, too. 🙂

Our Top Pick

Thermacell E-90

When you post a question on Instagram and get 16 immediate and simultaneous answers that say “Thermacell,” it’s a pretty great indication that you’ve landed on a great product. This rechargeable Thermacell E-90 protects about 300 square feet in still conditions (check out some more heavy-duty options here!) and boasts a battery life of 9 hours. You will need to stock up on refills – a 120-hour pack will run about $50 more bucks – but it’s worth it for protection that actually, you know, protects.

Aesthetically-Appealing Options

Amazon | Target | Wayfair

It’s a Thermacell…in the sky. (Full disclosure: this was actually my favorite option.) If you’re going to light your exterior, why not opt for lights that will also make you more comfortable? (And get this: you can turn off repellency when you don’t need it, so they’re totally functional year-round.) The refills are very affordable, too – just $12.99 will grab you 64oz worth, which is enough to refill a little more than a strand and a half of lights. If you’re a frequent entertainer (or if you just like sitting outside and enjoying some beautiful ambient light), this is absolutely the best mosquito repellant option for you!

50 Piece Citronella Tea Candles

I love these tea lights in particular – they’re super fairly priced (cheaper than Amazon!), cream-colored (not bright yellow!) and they have a perfect 4-hour burn time. I have found that these protect a pretty tiny radius – about 3 feet – but they also look so beautiful scattered around the hardscaping of a patio or yard! It’s a great way to create a mosquito barrier that won’t break the budget.

Bramble Damp-Rated Fan

Remember that tidbit about CO2 and heat? Fans keep the air circulating, which means less mosquito interest. There’s no need to splurge here – a box fan works just as well! – but if you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor oasis, our team is especially partial to the fans at Rejuvenation. (But whatever you do, make sure you’re only looking at options that are damp-rated and approved for covered outdoor usage!)

Budget-Friendly Fixes

Murphy’s Mosquito Repellant Incense | Madison James Flyaway Sticks

I gotta admit: these incense sticks are surprisingly effective. The Murphy’s smells of citronella, cedar, lemongrass, rosemary, and peppermint; the Madison James is a mix of geranium, Texas cedar, clove, and some secret family ingredients. Both brands have a burn time of around 2.5 hours and both cost about a dollar per stick, too. If you have a small outdoor space (like a balcony!), just one of these will keep you comfortable all night.

Chewy | Amazon

Mosquito dunks are dissolving tablets to be used in any standing water. They contain a natural bacteria, found in soil, that’s fatal for mosquitos but nontoxic to other wildlife. Each tablet works for about 30 days and can treat about 100 square feet of water, so they’re a great budget buy that you can grab for under $10! (Pro tip: break your dunk into smaller pieces for treating birdbaths, troughs, and tiny ponds!)

Sprays And Stickers

BuzzPatch Sticker

Parents, rejoice!!! You no longer need to chase your kid around the house in an attempt to get them to wear bug spray! These non-woven fabric stickers are coated with all-natural oils that repel mosquitos – AND THEY ACTUALLY WORK, for up to 72 hours (though they’re markedly more effective in the first 8 hours). Simply throw a few patches on – 4 is the recommended number for kids 6 and up…including parents 🙂 – and you’ll be good to go. I was genuinely BLOWN AWAY by these.

Kinfield Golden Hour Spray | Kinfield Golden Hour Wipes

Clean ingredients that smell like a nostalgic summer memory? SIGN ME UP. Kinfield was a new-to-me brand (thank you to those who recommended them!) and I’m so excited to pass them on – this DEET-free spray uses Indian Citronella, lemongrass, clove, and a liiiiitle bit of vanilla to keep the bugs at bay. And if the spray’s scent is too strong for your tastes, give their mosquito repellant wipes a try! (Similar ingredients, lighter scent. Perfect for stashing in the car, too!)

Sawyer Picaridin Repellant

If the all-natural products aren’t cutting it and you’re in need of something with a bit more bite (pun intended?), this Sawyer repellant is the best picaridin (like DEET, but nontoxic) option on the market. It protects for up to 12 hours against mosquitoes and ticks and up to 8 hours against other annoying critters, like flies and gnats. The only caveat is that it can leave your skin feeling a little greasy, but it’s a small price to pay for being bite-free!

Environmental Solutionsphotos by sara ligorria-tamp | from: our backyard makeover – the final reveal

As it turns out, we can use nature in our favor! If a summer filled with gardening sounds like fun to you, be sure to plant a bit of catnip, citronella, beautyberry, lemon balm, lavender, or marigolds around any of your favorite outdoor lounge spots. They’re beautiful (win) and mosquitos HATE the way each of these plants smell (double win!). A local gardening center can help advise. (And for the record: some of these aren’t safe for pets, so do your research if you have any furry friends who like to chow down on greenery!)

Outdoor Bat House

Never in my wildest dreams would I have EVER anticipated seeing so many testimonials from folks who say their bat houses totally annihilated their mosquito population. And since I wasn’t going to test it out in my apartment, I guess I’ll take them for their word? I did look into it, though, and bats can eat up to 7,000 bugs per night (again, ready to join your bar trivia team anytime), so they’re an extraordinary form of natural pest control if you have the space!

After The Bite

Amazon | Urban Outfitters

So you heeded none of my advice and got bit. WHAT NOW? Enter: these anti-itch patches, designed to soothe inflammation and stop the scratching. (Like a zit patch, but for your body.) Buyer be warned, these are INCREDIBLY sticky (in a good way, so they’re not coming off in the shower or pool; nor will you rip them off in a moment of itch-induced mania), so they’re best used for those super big, frustrating, monster bites.

Target | Amazon

It may take a few attempts to reach full efficacy (take it from experience!) but this thing ABSOLUTELY beats using your nails to make little X marks on all your annoying bites. (Why do we literally all do that?) Bug Bite Thing does take a little workshopping – maybe you need to hold it longer, or use it on the same bite more than once – but it’s also a cheap, awesome way to get insect residue from underneath your skin. (And it isn’t just for mosquitoes – it works on bites/stings from bees, wasps, ants, and more!)

Heat It – Smartphone Powered Bite Healer

This is – no joke – the most “holy crap, we’re living in the future” product on this list. Connect the Heat It to your iPhone (Android version here!), customize your heat level and duration, and slowly warm your itch away! The best part: it’s a one-time purchase and it doesn’t require any additional batteries, so you’ll be able to treat any future bites and discomfort with ease.

That brings us to the end of our EHD-approved mosquito control gear roundup…but I’m also only one gal, so I’m sure there are some great products and methods out there that I missed! Anyone wanna share their experience or recommendations with the class? We’re all ears. Have a great (and mosquito-free) weekend 🙂 xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Our Backyard Evolution – The Changes I Didn’t Tell You About And How The Trees Are Doing After The 2017 Massacre

The post The 13 Best Mosquito Repellents (Including Kid-Friendly Stickers, All-Natural Sprays, And Beautiful Bistro Lights) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The 4 New Farmhouse Living Room Layouts I Tried (+ The One I Liked The Most!)

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again – “comfortable” living rooms are the hardest rooms to nail. Give me a bedroom any day (symmetrical design with a singular purpose) or a formal “meant to be pretty” living room – that’s fine! But a comfortable, practical, usable, and yet beautiful everyday living room is a challenge. Then add in five doorways, two focal points, and needing it to be a pass-through space, and you have yourself a recipe for marriage counseling because you will be arranging re-arranging for years to come (Brian got to flex his guns and good attitude on today’s video:)). Of course, some houses are easier – you walk into an entry, and on your left or right is a contained room, with 2-3 uninterrupted walls so you can throw a sofa + two chairs and call it done, knowing you have a separate family room. But not this lovely lady – she is HARD. So let’s recap my needs/wants (which are all pretty intuitive, but here they are for the readers in the back):

Comfortable where almost every chair is desired. Not overly eclectic – on the simpler side (ha). I love eclectic design in photos, but for our real life which is really busy here, I want my eye to be able to settle easily in the room and not be overstimulated. The good news is that we don’t need to watch TV or necessarily need storage in here either. We are lucky that it’s big – but long is always a challenge and big living rooms are harder to design. When We Moved Inphotos by kaitlin green

We had that awesome Rejuvenation leather sofa and two swivel chairs (which weren’t the right scale tbh) and the Article sectional + pouf (no longer available). Throw in some random throws, an IKEA lamp, a table, and an awesome rug from Loloi and it was a good placeholder for a while as we figured out how we wanted to live in here. I liked some things about it, but y’all I could NOT find the long sofa of my dreams – as you now know from my earlier post. So far, there are 110+ sofas (not sectionals) out there that I liked enough to commit to. I searched on every vintage platform for two years, then as the shoot was approaching three months out I was like, “You need to commit” so I went to the big box options but then nothing could get here in time! I almost purchased like six vintage sectionals that would have shipped from across the country or world (so expensive), and then I would have to choose the fabric (unknown, and so expensive), then reupholstering (all around $5k), and most importantly the not knowing if they would actually be comfortable – all the unknowns made me feel super averse to risking it. I even thought about custom-making one. You’ll see what decision I made, below, but that’s all to say that there was and will never be one clear layout for this room which made purchasing the sofa very challenging.

A More Eclectic Versionphotos by kaitlin green

Here we tried two more eclectic chairs which I liked in a way, but ultimately I really liked how we had it over Christmas where there was a sofa facing AWAY from the kitchen. It made your eye go straight over the back of the sofa and stare at the beautiful kitchen tile which is so stunning. Not sure that makes sense (and sorry there isn’t a proper photo) but imagine a sofa where the chaise and the vintage chair are above. It strangely made the room feel more separate in a really good way (which I hadn’t predicted). So we tried the leather sofa there, but because the dark brown island is right behind it visually, it didn’t work.

So I enlisted a strong hot man (Brian) and a videographer (Michael) to shoot a video where we in real time figure out our layout. We had a lot of players involved (meaning furniture pieces) because I’m a collector of beautiful things (and I have another house to furnish eventually on the property so I feel ok about buying, playing, and moving to another space should it not work).

The Players

1. Green Lulu and Georgia Sofa | 2. Soho Home Accent Chair | 3. Vintage Papa Bear Chair (similar) | 4. Rejuvenation Leather Sofa | 5. Our Custom Coffee Table | 6. Two Rejuvenation Swivel Chairs | 7. Brian’s Favorite Vintage Chair | 8. Vintage Chaise From Jayson Home

The rug is Amber Interiors for Loloi, the green dining chairs are Crate and Barrel, and don’t forget the cutest piano benches ever from Schoolhouse. All the lighting is, of course, Rejuvenation (chandelier, sunroom pendants, double sconce, and single sconce) and the window treatments are Decorview.

Ok, so we started with a blank slate (almost) and removed all options (out on the deck). Our video producer, Michael snapped photos as we went (we didn’t have time to set up a tripod of each version) so you get an idea, but you really should just watch this video:

To see the full (more detailed) video head to my YouTube!

Layout #1: Two Matching Sofa + Two Matching Accent Chairs

Two Green Lulu and Georgia Sofas | Two Rejuvenation Swivel Chairs

If I’m being honest, I really like this simplicity. In the video, you’ll get Brian’s reaction and I don’t disagree with him, but this sure is calm and cohesive. And styling can go FAR. But yes, this is super safe and looks too matchy (almost like it was staged). Ah, but look at that coffee table🙂

Layout #2: Two Matching (Perpendicular) + Two Matching Accent Chairs

Two Green Lulu and Georgia Sofas | Vintage Papa Bear Chair (similar) | Brian’s Favorite Vintage Chair

Hmmm. The perpendicular sofas could work, but not these sofas. Their arms were high so it really cut off the conversation. The chairs were ok, but not awesome.

Layout #3: Two Non-Matching Sofa + Two Non-Matching Accent Chairs

Green Lulu and Georgia Sofa | Rejuvenation Leather Sofa | Brian’s Favorite Vintage Chair | Soho Home Accent Chair

I had high, high hopes for this one, but it wasn’t a love connection. I love the Soho Home chair with the leather sofa so much. I don’t know, it just felt a little messy?

Layout #4: Two Matching Sofas + 1 Big Chair + 1 Accent Chair?

Two Green Lulu and Georgia Sofas | Soho Home Accent Chair | Brian’s Favorite Vintage Chair

So we tried this again and I really really really like the two sofas facing each other. The rest of the decor is not dialed in obviously (and I’m unsure if the sofas on the rug are ideal, which is not ideal). But it was just so cozy, inviting, comfortable, and had that simplicity that I desired. Again, you have to watch the video to fully get it – we focused on video content for this project so the photos don’t really represent the space.

I know I’m leaving you hanging (me, too). In the video, you’ll see what we decided (for now!) and I’ll have an update soon for you on how it turned out. Still a huge WIP and while I love the sofas + coffee table combo, now I’m unsure of other things in the room. We shot this room for Real Simple last Tuesday (June 5th) and I’m writing this post on Saturday (June 2nd) so by the time you read this so much will have been decided, including art, accessories, window treatments, etc. I can’t show you everything as I promised to keep some things secret til the magazine issue comes out, so STAY TUNED!!!

Resources:

Lighting and Outlets: Rejuvenation
Wood Flooring: Oregon White Oak by Zena Flooring
Windows and Doors: White oak, Aspen Casement by Sierra Pacific Windows
Window Treatments: Decorview
Skylights: Velux
Wall Color: Mantra by Sherwin-Williams
Paneling Color: Extra White by Sherwin-Williams

*Video by Michael Raines

The post The 4 New Farmhouse Living Room Layouts I Tried (+ The One I Liked The Most!) appeared first on Emily Henderson.

An Ex-Marketing Director Spills The Secrets To Scoring The Best Deal On Furniture

I’ve always been the type of person who proudly announces when she got a deal. “This shirt? Girl, I bought it for $2.99, down from $200!” So anytime I was able to share my inside knowledge of the retail industry with people I cared about to help them buy smart, I’d take the chance.

And guess what? I care about YOU ALL! After I left the EHD world, I spent three years as a brand marketing director for an online-only furniture company. It was a fun challenge for my brain to switch from editorial to marketing, and for a while, I thought it was my perfect job, though ultimately, I missed my writer roots (and opted to spend more time with my young daughter). However, I did learn A LOT, and I called some of the hardest-working people my peers. Oh, and of course the employee discount was pretty sweet. 

So now, I get to pass on all the juicy details I acquired along the way that hopefully no one will sue me over for sharing. So that you can make the best, most informed buying decisions on your furniture-buying journey. 

Note: All these “secrets” won’t apply to every single brand. Many direct-to-consumer stores play by different rules or produce their own pieces, which makes pricing, discounts, and all that jazz very different. But most big box stores or even medium-sized ones (IRL and online) have very similar practices to stay competitive. When one starts doing it, they all eventually start doing it. Oh, and this is very much for all you American readers, not anyone abroad. 

Before getting started, however, I did want to add a very important note about how stores price their goods. A “cheaper” price tag comes at a cost, not to you but often to the company’s employees. My previous employer didn’t have the lowest prices around, I’ll say that, but I was paid well, I had fairly good health insurance and dental and vision and life and short- and long-term disability. I had paid vacation and a good amount of sick days. They paid American craftsmen to make our sofas, rather than pennies on the dollar abroad. All of this is factored in when deciding on margins. How human are the humans being treated who are answering your emails and shipping your products? It can be very easy to forget when we want the biggest bang for our buck and the fastest delivery possible. I use and abuse places like Amazon far more than I’d like to admit, but even typing this out for myself is a good reminder to shop well and shop responsibly if you can (because yes, it’s a privilege to even consider any of this when shopping. I get that).

design by julie rose | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: one of emily’s best friends gets the cozy yet sophisticated bedroom makeover she really deservesInsider Secret #1: Sales, especially major holiday sales, don’t end when they say they’re ending. 

Ah, the ever-popular “false ending.” Here’s how it works: The website mentions an end date of say, June 1. They push that there are only a few more days…then hours…then minutes to save. You feel rushed. AGH! Gotta buy now to lock in that price. Maybe you make a decision you weren’t quite ready to make. Or maybe you turned to a credit card because you wouldn’t have the liquid assets for another few days. Guess what? I promise you, that BIG sale during a major holiday specifically, is probably going to still be live tomorrow for a few more days or up to a week or so. 

Here’s a list of the major “furniture” holidays, so you know when most likely the sales will be extended and also have the best discount:

February: President’s DayMay: Memorial DayJuly: 4th of JulySeptember: Labor DayNovember: Black Friday/Cyber Monday

Also, keep an eye out for things like anniversary or “friends & family” sales. Those are also usually landmark promotional periods to get extended. 

Oh, and if you guessed wrong, and the sale did in fact end (or you thought there might be an extension on the extensions—this isn’t happening, sorry—you can always reach out to customer service and see if they’ll honor the sales pricing from the day before. Some will, some won’t, but it’s worth an ask. 

Insider Secret #2: If you don’t see something you want…ask for it.

Let’s say you’re window shopping at a retailer you know has a made-to-order program. You’re not seeing the exact size you need, or maybe you don’t like the button tufting, or perhaps you’d prefer a bench cushion rather than three separate cushions…ask for it. Chances are, they can make it for you the way you want or need it to be for the same price or a small upcharge. 

It’s what I like to call the “secret menu.” We didn’t like to do it at my last company, but someone could even provide their own fabric or ask to see “off-menu” textile choices or colors, and it could be done. Don’t be afraid to reach out and get to know that customer service team. They are your best friend for getting to the finish line the way you were envisioning. 

design by ryann trombetti | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: ryann’s moto reveal: a moody multi-functional living and dining room with a lot of soulInsider Secret #3: Watch and learn…their sales cycle.

Unless we’re talking about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale or anything during Black Friday (non-affectionately referred to as BFCM in the biz), sales feel like a big SURPRISE as a consumer. But, trust me, they are not. Sales calendars are mapped out months (or more) in advance. My advice, if you have a little time to watch and wait, is to do just that: watch the sales over the course of at least three months, and take note of their highest discount tier (for furniture, it’s normally between 25% off and 35% off, btw) and then wait for that to come back around again. 

Insider Secret #4: Free shipping isn’t actually free. 

Some people know this, and some people look past it, but here’s an absolute truth: that “free shipping” the company you’re eyeing is touting; you’re already paying for it. It’s all rolled in. While it certainly makes it convenient, it’s super important to take the tally on final pricing across all the brands you’re considering shopping from. While one store might charge a flat rate of $199 as a shipping fee, others might charge by the piece, or not at all. See what it all adds up to and then make your decision, because sometimes the place without the free shipping will actually come in lower. 

And lowest? Well, that’s your mom-and-pop store, because they likely aren’t passing along shipping costs to you. They may be passing along other overhead, but if you do a bit of sleuthing to find out what factories are making the items you’re interested in purchasing, you may just be able to find the same piece locally. Because that’s right: That proprietary design you’ve coveted is likely not proprietary at all and one factory is supplying the same or very similar frames to multiple retailers, just under a different name. 

design by julie rose | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: a mid-century eclectic living room with kilz primer and paint – the dark room problem solvedInsider Secret #5: Google image search is your friend.

My dear, dear friends. If you are not using reverse Google image searching to make sure another store isn’t selling the same furniture or decor item (or really, anything in any category of retail), you need to start. Retailers “whitelist” the name of the products they sell—meaning, the vendor will provide a name such as the Arlyn Sideboard, but the consumer-facing brand you buy it from will change its name to the Evelyn Credenza so it feels unique to them. It’s not enough to search “Evelyn Credenza” to see if you can find it elsewhere; you need to use the plain product image on white. 

Not everything is vendor-supplied and sold by multiple storefronts, but a lot is. In these cases, you’ll find that prices are all over the place. Some may be offering free shipping while others are not. Some might have higher price points to offset a discount. Others may just have to charge more for certain items to hit the margins their corporate headquarters require of them. And some sites are just weird money holes. If it looks shady, it is likely shady.

When we all used to just go into stores, we “shopped around” and that shouldn’t stop just because most of us are scrolling and clicking from our phones and laptops before adding to cart. Sometimes, the difference is hundreds of dollars. 

Insider Secret #6: Don’t be tricked by higher discount tiers.

This is very similar to my final advice where I discussed shipping: consider and compare the FINAL pricing across a few stores if you’re not totally settled yet on a specific piece. I won’t name names, but numerous companies have recently raised their prices by a certain percentage only to raise their minimum (or maximum) discount tiers to sound more alluring or be more competitive. By no means a new practice in retail, in fact, it’s pretty common. If you’re heading to the virtual checkout counter in the cloud during a promotional period, it’s fine…the total will be pretty similar regardless, but be mindful of this. If a brand you follow was always consistently at a 20% off discount, and suddenly they’re offering 30% consistently, chances are, those prices ticked up 8-10% to make up for it. 

It’s a game, but it does lead me to the next factoid…

design by ajai guyot | photo by ellie lillstrom | from: see how ajai transformed her client’s builder grade guest room -get ready for a ton of cozy design ideas & working-mom real talkInsider Secret #7: When prices go up, it’s not usually the brand just being “greedy.” 

I cannot speak for every company out there in existence; only the few I was made privy to inside operations. Surely there are “greedy” brands out there, but here’s the truth: so much goes into the cost of an item like a sofa. The factory crafting and supplying the product has to consider the cost of foam, the cost of dacron wrapping (for cushions), wood, fabric, transit, workmanship. A small uptick in each of those things can equal massive profit drops when pricing stays the same. 

And during the pandemic and then inflation, it was B.R.U.T.A.L. The cost of gas went up which meant shipping rates shot through the roof. Demand was at an all-time high for wood in the building industry, so the suppliers could just charge more for it. We’re seeing this everywhere, from eggs to your sectional to (what feels like) the air we breathe. 

design by velinda hellen | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: sara’s living room & dining room reveal

So there you have it. Nothing here is super hush-hush or unknown. It’s just a matter of keeping your eyes open and, most importantly, taking your time. Give yourself the runway to study up and make an informed choice if you’re buying new (there are a whole set of other rules and things to know if you’re buying second-hand). 

Please let me know if you have any questions or want me to clarify anything. I’m happy to share or answer what I’m able to. 

Shop smart, friends. Until next time… <3

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: A Modern and Organic Living Room Makeover

The post An Ex-Marketing Director Spills The Secrets To Scoring The Best Deal On Furniture appeared first on Emily Henderson.

I Designed My Forever Coffee Table With Two Local Makers And This Is How It Turned Out

I knew that I needed a really big coffee table and while they do exist on the market, the ones that I loved were in the thousands. Then I figured that if I were going to spend a chunk of change I’d rather work with a local maker on something unique and special. Plus I really wanted to create some joy and form relationships through the process (and learn a lot so I can share). So today I’ll walk you through the 2-month process that I enjoyed every second of. (Oh, and check out that sofa:))

Our Living Room (A Few Months Ago)

Swivel Chairs (from opening photo) | Rug | Sectional | Leather Pouf (similar) | Leather Sofa | Rattan Ottoman | Sconces | Chandelier | Black Side Table

In case you need a visual reference this is an older version of our living room, before we finalized placement and got some new pieces. But you get the idea – it’s big and it’s a pass-through space so organic shapes (or ovals) lend themselves to this much more. Now I could have gone a few different ways, but really wanted a huge dark live-edge table for the following reasons:
1. Because it would be very grounding – the centerpiece on a big dining table as it were.
2. It’s an organic shape that is neither round nor rectangular (so it’s a great contrast/addition to both of those typical furniture shapes).
3. Because it’s a literal tree root it can’t be mass manufactured the same way other materials can – this shape will never exist in another table and while I’m not obsessed with having something custom just for the sake of exclusivity, I also didn’t want to customize something that would then just get easily knocked off. Yes, live edge coffee tables have existed for decades and I’m not inventing the concept, but I like that the shape, species, and the age of the tree is really in charge of the design which inherently means that it’s non-duplicatable.
4. I’ve decided that I never get sick of high-quality wood, anything. Because of that fact, I feel ok investing further into it. Yes, there are great affordable versions of them on the market and I love those, too. But this shape just checks a ton of boxes for me.
5. It’s my woo-woo belief that everything has energy and living things specifically have a soul. It’s why I went with reclaimed wood in , and Zena wood flooring for this house. I want to make sure (when possible) that the wood that I bring into our house had a happy life as a tree and that the people who work on it (same with tile, which is why I love Pratt + Larson and Rejuvenation lighting) have happy lives, too. This one was old (and happy?) and fell in the ’70s in southern Oregon (so I was told). I wasn’t really interested in getting one from a “dealer” although honestly most trees in Oregon are pretty darn happy and have had good lives so I wasn’t concerned about that.

So I texted Purl, a local maker/artist in town who I love, and flagged it for him. I said, if you find a huge ideally reclaimed slab of wood, let me know – I’d be interested in a coffee table. After meeting Purl at the flea market last year I just knew that I wanted to collaborate with him somehow because his energy is incredible, playful, wildly creative/artistic and he is so prolific (I think he’s going to be a real art force, y’all). I feel incredibly grateful that at this point in my career, I can hire local makers and artists to do their thing to create works of art in our home.

A Few Weeks Later He Texted Me Photos:

He said the size was 46″ x 62″, reclaimed redwood that was clearly refinished in the 70s with the finish not in the best shape. It’s huge so it was probably a really old (and happy) tree. Part of me wanted to look for bigger, but with the deadline coming up I knew that this was probably big enough. So I asked Purl if he could refinish it to be less shiny/beat up and then make the hard edge more organic. He said absolutely and a week later sent through these photos.

Stripping, Sanding, Planing, And Shaping

SO BEAUTIFUL. He sanded and planed the wood and then softened that hard edge so that the whole table had a more organic shape. Yes. Yes. Yes. I didn’t need to see it at this point because I knew I wanted dark, rich wood. I sent him some reference photos of the stain color I wanted and he went for it.

First Coat Of Stainfirst layer of stain – too blotchy, not dark enough, and a little orange

The first coat brought out all the movement in the grain and we loved it, but immediately said, “Go darker”! We were hoping (and fairly confident) that a few more coats would even it out and pull down the orange.

A Visit To The Studioalmost done, I wanted it one coat darker

Purl and other artists work out of Past Lives Makerspace which was incredibly inspiring to tour. We went to see it in person and make sure that we agreed on which side was “up” and talked through base ideas. Purl suggested his friend, local Blacksmith and fellow studio mate, Billy to help us design it. At this point, I knew that I could take a simpler/less expensive route and just do a big chunky cross wooden base, but when Purl suggested doing some custom iron blacksmithing work I got really excited to learn what that meant.

I treated this like a proper commission (which I’ve never done before) where I gave my needs/wants and initial ideas, but I really wanted them to have creative freedom and not just dictate the design. So in addition to the refinishing, I hired Purl to oversee the art direction of the base and ensure that it came together on time.

These were Purl’s initial design sketches for the legs. To the right, he’s pointing to sculptor, Alberto Giacometti for inspo. On the left were different leg iterations, the first one too structured, the third too simple, so we landed somewhere closer to the middle.

Here’s an awesome early sketch by Purl that ended up looking pretty close to the final product. We knew we wanted to keep the coffee table low to emphasize that “grounding” feeling. We landed on 13” legs to go with the 2” thick slab. 15” feels like just the right height for the space. As a tip – coffee tables can be much higher of course, but when they are huge they should be low (IMO).

These were different leg samples we looked at with Billy. We considered the diameter of the legs – too thick felt weird and clunky, and too skinny didn’t feel substantial enough. We also debated whether we wanted the base of the feet more bell-shaped and whether the bell shape should be sharper or more rounded/curled up. Then we talked details, what shape we wanted the balls, more organic or more uniform, how many balls to put on each leg and the cross bars. Lots of ball talk. 

Then it was time to look at crossbars (or “stretchers,” as Purl called them). We discussed height and where the balls would land on the legs. We talked about actually crossing the bars but thought that would feel too busy and you wouldn’t see the craftmanship enough. We talked ball pattern (Do we go all the way across? Only have a few? Do the number of balls on the long crossbars match the ones on the shorter bars? Should the pattern be uniform throughout?). We also talked about how they should connect, discussed attaching with rivets but decided welding was better – it gave a more streamlined look and was less expensive/less work.

Then we came back for a third visit to approve the legs and figure out the spacing and placement of the legs/bars. The wood here represents the crossbar lengths. Nearing the final product here (and we were so excited), next up was one last stain, then sealing the wood, forging the legs and crossbars, sealing those, attaching the legs, then delivery. The timing was a little tricky because the sealant could take up to 12hrs to cure but these two worked so hard to meet our deadline.

Price/Hourly Breakdown:

So I don’t feel comfortable putting their hourly charge on the internet (that is up to them and could change at any point), but I thought it would be helpful to understand how much work goes into this kind of craftmanship (especially for a prototype, if they get hired to do more of these they said it would be faster as they’ve troubleshot a lot).

The slab itself was $600 (which was a very good price, FYI, so if you are working with a dealer expect higher, but if it’s more of a found/reclaimed/vintage piece like this you can get some deals like we did)Billy the Blacksmith put in 20 hours of workThe pipe materials cost $145Purl put in 15 hours in staining, sealing, and art directing Extra fees totaled $200

The total I paid was $3,650. This felt slightly higher than I had in my mind at the beginning, but honestly, we as consumers just tend to think things are easier and cheaper to make than they are, so I totally respected the amount of time and materials spent and feel honestly very grateful and proud of myself that I’m at a point in my career and life to support craftsmanship like this.

Wanna See My Forever Coffee Table??

There she is!!! Is she revolutionary? No! And it’s perfect and exactly what I wanted. It’s a stunning piece that everyone comments on the second they come in. It’s the perfect height and scale for the room (we thought we could have gone bigger at first, but it’s actually ideal). The deep dark finish of the top is exactly what I pictured, and the hand-forged legs are neither too simple nor too busy.

The edges just get me. They are so beautiful, sculptural, and truly mother nature’s work.

I love how it’s not a more contemporary white oak color, and instead creates this really rich depth in the room. It also hearkens to the ’60s and ’70s more with this finish (we left the shine on the edges) which I love so very very much. It’s not your grandma’s live edge table, but also it could be – it just feels super timeless and era-less.

I love how Purl and Billy went “random” with the legs. Purl had a whole pattern planned, where he created different shapes and named them, then they repeated those shapes on all four crossbars.

This is Purl, to the left. You all should follow him. He spent 18 years on a commune where he learned and practiced every art form and medium known to man, and his knowledge of art history is so impressive. I personally would love to see him on the next season of “Making It” (that show is incredible FYI and one that our kids love just as much as us). I’m glad that I was able to hire him before he blows up as I feel confident that he will. 🙂

This is Billy who like most artists/makers isn’t terribly active on social, but he does have an account if you want to hire him. Both of them work out of Past Lives Makerspace with many other artists I’m excited to explore in the next few years.

A huge thanks to Purl (left) and Billy (right) for this piece of craftsmanship that I get to call my coffee table. We are SO HAPPY WITH IT. Consider the “Henderson family coffee table heirloom” box checked forever (well, unless our next living room is tiny 🙂 but it will stay in the family forever). It makes me extremely happy and proud that this blog (and all of you) can promote and grow someone else’s career and livelihood. While doing this is not in everyone’s budget (and I’m so glad that there are affordable versions of this one on the market), if you have the budget to support local makers/artists in your area and do something like this, I think it’s a wonderful way to use your design dough and honestly makes me feel better about my other inevitable consumption:) I personally feel that pieces that tell a story (including heirlooms, travel souvenirs, and vintage pieces) are what really create a home. xx

*Living Room Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post I Designed My Forever Coffee Table With Two Local Makers And This Is How It Turned Out appeared first on Emily Henderson.

All The Sofas I Considered For Our Living Room After Shopping For TWO FULL YEARS

Months ago I wanted to lay out the living room with a long sofa, a short sofa, and two chairs. But the room is big and I just couldn’t find my dream sofa. At one point Brian said that he actually feels sorry for our future sofa (or spoiler, sofas) because there is no way it was going to live up to the pressure I have put on it to be perfect. I’ve been shopping for this fantasy sofa for two years (probably longer) and I don’t think that what I wanted existed. And it’s not that what I want is so incredibly special, it’s the combination of elements that seems virtually impossible. I ended up landing on a different layout, negating a lot of the things I wrote in this post (started it months ago), but I like the information, and it’s a good lead-up to our final layout post!! So I wanted to bring you along my woeful process. This sofa search was intended for this layout – THE sofa facing the fireplace, flanked by a smaller sofa and two club chairs. Easy peasy.

While I am truly a huge fan of that Article sectional it’s not the right orientation for this room and it’s incredibly water damaged and stained. But that’s the layout I’m chasing.

So let’s walk you through why this long sofa is seemingly unattainable:

Length – she needs to be at least 108″ long. They exist, but not very many are readymade. Comfort – we need an 8 on the comfort scale. I refuse to torture myself again – both emotionally and physically by not having an extremely comfortable sofa in our living room. But you know what? All those dope-looking sofas on the internet that are streamlined, curvy and so beautiful? So few of them can stand up to this challenge. I’m outing them all right now. Dog friendly – My kids are old enough now to not really have to worry about them, but no matter how well we wash the paws off after a winter walk, the dogs will run around and hop on the sofa afterward. It doesn’t stain, but I don’t want to look at all the dirty paw prints in between cushion washing. “So do you want a sofa that hides your dirt so you don’t have to deal with it?” Yeah. I do. This means no mohair, no boucle, no light colors – doesn’t matter if it’s performance fabric, I don’t want to spend my weekends wiping them up. Remember performance fabric doesn’t repel or hide dirt, it just wipes up easier and doesn’t stain. I’ve shopped for a patterned fabric for months and months and months and nothing is right enough to invest in long term.Ideally, it would look good with the rug + leather sofa we already have – Now, of course, I could move them to other rooms (and spoiler, I do) but initially, I really liked both of them so I didn’t want to. The rug has a million blues in it and a little of “white dashes” which has made it extremely dog friendly and cozy. And the leather sofa is super classic and pretty (and the perfect color leather). But it’s tufted, which means that whatever we choose really shouldn’t be. Again, at this point, I’m willing to move this to another room if the most perfect tufted sofa came into existence. I’d like this sofa to be more “living room,” less “tv room” – Not formal per se, but we have a big sectional in the next room so ideally it would feel more elevated than that (I’m willing to give up on this requirement at this point). Special, editorial, not something I haven’t seen every single day on the internet – not because there is ANYTHING wrong with that, only because as a designer I want to create something new. Like a chef not wanting to cook from someone else’s recipe or an advertising exec not wanting to do a similar campaign to someone else. I wanted, ideally, something that tickles my eyeballs every time I see it. This is definitely the one requirement at this point that I am most likely going to have to give up (and have). Well, What Is Your Dream Sofa?

Thanks for asking. If I could snap my fingers what would I own? You know it because I’ve said this for YEARS. It’s from BDDW and it’s incredible – the perfect combination of cool, comfy, edgy, and classic. It’s also close to $30k. And the thing is that I’m kinda glad it is – it’s a work of art by a company that I’m obsessed with and admire so much. I don’t want it knocked off. I don’t want it ubiquitous. I look on 1stDibs all the time for a used one (nothing, ever). I have of course, in the past reached out to see about any press or marketing opportunity (it will be in a magazine! I’m a blogger! I’m also from Oregon!) and haven’t heard back. At this point, YOU BET I would partner up with them, drain the kid’s college savings, take a discount, and make payments. And hell, had I kept track and calculated the hours, weeks, months, and years I’ve tried to find an affordable version of this sofa and multiplied it by my hourly rate it would probably be over $30k at this point!!! But I can’t do it. The last time I was in New York, I went into BDDW and sat on it, we had a moment and what I realized is that it’s a bit too deep. I was relieved momentarily, thinking maybe my unicorn sofa is just a really awesome horse. But it’s not. I would put more pillows or customize it 2″ shallower. Anyway, the dream is dead and we are moving on (full disclosure if they reach out after this post I will have no scruples – I’d do what I could to lock down a discount for marketing/PR/photography usage purposes). And you know what? I think its unattainability, like a piece of art, is a huge factor in why it’s so valuable and why I’ve loved it for so many years. If you are rolling your eyes at the price, I get it – anybody able to spend that amount of money on a sofa is probably enjoying capitalism more than 99.9% of the rest of the country and if you let yourself think about it too long you will feel gross. But it’s similar to the Devil Wears Prada monologue about Cereleum blue. BDDW is (in my opinion) the tip-top of creativity + quality + art + style in the furniture/design world for decades now. Major retailers have been trying to knock them off for years, but nothing touches the real thing. Nothing. Have you seen the modern Delft tile? The art they curate? The tables and wingbacks? Everything they do is edgy, classic, AND totally timeless. HOW???????? I think the high quality and unattainability are what make it timeless – it’s not everywhere. You don’t get sick of looking at it and wanting it. I implore major retailers to stop trying to knock them off, please. Let’s collectively let some things be worth just admiring as art, shall we?

A Classic English Roll Arm

I LOVE this sofa. It only comes 84″ but we could have customized it (had I ordered it in time). But also I already had the rug and was worried that it wouldn’t match or clash or just be wrong. I think if I could go back in time I’d order two of these facing each other, but I didn’t have that thought until about a month ago and it was just too late. It’s a stunner, though.

Almost It – A Restored Antique

Last year I found this white sofa (above) on 1stDibs and immediately said, “That’s it. That’s our statement sofa”. I put it on my *very* working mood board and my whole future fell into place. It was at a vintage store in LA, a totally restored antique from France circa 1830, and yet those modern lines were so simple and special. And it was long enough!!! The problems were A. It was $18k and newly reupholstered. B. It was in white boucle so we’d have to reupholster it (nope, not for that price), and C. It didn’t look sink-in able. I could tell that it would be more bouncy and firm. And that’s fine for other people, but not us. I want to USE our living room and after making this mistake in the past I will not again let an uncomfortable sofa haunt me. Our sofa will be inviting and comfortable, not something people avoid sitting on.

So I reached out to Rosa Beltran, with her company Clad Home (I’m a huge fan of hers, btw) and we talked about custom designing something similar – adding a cushion on top. I trusted her eye for proportions and her expertise in ergonomics. But I just kept dropping the ball, so busy with everything else going on that by the time I reached out again to get it done it wouldn’t have gotten here in time. SAD!

Vintage + Reupholster????

Getting closer to the shoot I started having two options – Vintage (nearby) and reupholster or big box. I looked on 1stDibs, FB marketplace, Craigslist, and Chairish almost every day. I found many others that have made me excited, but none of them check all those boxes above. Besides, not being able to sit on them and actually test them out is a real problem when they would all be a fortune and the almost singular function of a sofa is to be sat on. But I go through and favorite anything I’m attracted to so that if I were to customize something I can look through what I like and get some insight.

This made me start to rethink the entire layout and opened a few doors – sofa-wise.

What About A Curved Sofa? A Semi-Circle?

I even considered moving out everything we have so that we could bring in one big curved sofa, but Caitlin reminded me that you can’t lay down on curved sofas. I hadn’t even thought about that! As I write this I’m stretched out on the chaise part of our Article sectional and don’t want to only be able to sit on the sofa – I want to have a loungeable option.

What About The Camaleonda? It’s Cool And Comfortable?

Ha. Jokes on all of us that this sofa is famously uncomfortable, not to mention unbelievably expensive. Yes, it’s knocked off now (all the more reason for me not to invest in the original), but I just wanted to quickly break that story – that this sofa is a wonderful hotel lobby sofa, a beautiful formal living room sofa for guests, but no, it’s not a family sofa. She is bouncy and you can’t really lie back. Trust me, “modular” is NOT always a good thing.

Two Vintage Sectionals I Was This Close To Buying

This one is so long and beautiful. But ultimately so expensive and felt too deep for everyday conversations. And now I don’t remember how much it was or where it was, but I’m sure it wasn’t cheap nor close to Portland.

This is a vintage Milo Baughman that once recovered could be cool (and was right size/scale) but the amount of work/time and money I’d have to pitch in with no guarantees that I’d nail it was too risky with my deadlines and all my other work. I got the quote to reupholster it, which was $5k not including fabric (nor the cost of the sofa and shipping). So we are talking over $10k for something I’m unsure about????

Lawson Fenning + Nicki Kehoe + Amber Interiors

Four months out, I also stalked some of my favorite brands. I love any and all things from these three brands. While they are all expensive (around $8k+ for sofas, probably closer to $12k) I trust their quality and timelessness. Unfortunately, even if I did want to spend that it was too late when I started shopping and we wouldn’t get the sofa in time to shoot. Way to go dummy.

Crate & Barrel – The Athena Sofa

This whole collection was a huge mouth and mic drop. I ordered the dining chairs and have been so extremely happy with them. And this sectional is incredible too. I have to think it’s heavily inspired by the ’70s designer that designed the mountain house sectional (the exact same lines) but y’all this one doesn’t fall apart!!!! Brian was still hesitant that it wouldn’t be that comfortable (tight seat and tight-backed sofas tend to not have as much give) but I could have gone for it. Crate & Barrel makes comfortable high-quality furniture, surely they designed this one to be super comfy? But without one to sit on we were hesitant. My other hesitations were that the green color that I loved was the same fabric as the dining chairs. Can you see them at the same time? Yes. Is that bad? I DON’T KNOW!!!! Part of me thinks maybe it’s just cohesive?? Unfortunately at this point, it’s ALSO too late, and wouldn’t get here til July.

The Other Athena Sofa

When I went to Crate to see the first one, I sat on this above sectional and it was EXCELLENT. Super long, beautiful, and extremely comfortable. But it only comes in white or a burnt orange (I happily gave my feedback about needing more color options haha).

Both of those couldn’t get here in time, so now we are down to custom making (I found a company here that could turn it around in three weeks should I design it quickly) or quick ship from a big box. This is also when I started opening up all layout options – sectional, two facing sofas, etc. I wouldn’t say I felt desperate, but yes, my options were dwindling by the day. So I started considering…

Article Sectional

Last year I got this sectional to replace the vintage one at the mountain house (because it fell apart all day every day) and I literally couldn’t have been more happy. We then used it (because I forced Kaitlin) for Kaitlin’s basement makeover and once again I was like, “MY GOD THIS IS GOOD”. But was a big corduroy sectional the right vibe for our living room? Again, we have a sectional in the room over, and is that fine? Maybe??!! And with Article, I could have gotten it in time, but Brian was like, “This just feels more like a family room sofa, not our living room sofa” and I knew he was right.

CB2 Sofa

We are clearly out of farmhouse territory now, I know. But I love this one and felt that two of these facing each other could be so simple and pretty, and let my art/accessories shine. I went to the store to sit on it and the wheat one was in stock but I didn’t love the color (but they are comfortable and have lovely lines) and the blue one was backordered til June. While it might have made it here in time, at this point I have to design the rest of the room around the sofa I choose, so it’s a domino effect. I couldn’t wait til a week before the shoot to get the sofa as it affected so many other decisions.

Maiden Home Sofa

I love this sofa for its simplicity and that pretty curve in the back. But I fear that I sofa this simple needs to be in mohair or something special, and after staring at their mohair samples for weeks (they are so pretty) I read the usage recommendations on the back and I fear that it’s too fragile for our pups paws and puke. Mohair isn’t as forgiving as velvet (not by a long shot), so that felt unwise.

Lulu And Georgia Sofa(s)

I love all things Lulu and Georgia and trust them a lot re quality and comfort. I LOVE Ginny’s sofa and Jess has it and vouches for it. I have also loved the more classic English sofa for years – it’s very pretty, simple, timeless, and looks so comfortable. They didn’t have a long version, but this is when I realized that maybe two facing sofas were the way to go. Or maybe I didn’t need as long as I think and I could bring the conversation area in a bit? So I stalked Chris Loves Julia as they have it and I looked at all the photos of them sitting on it. I honestly stared at how they sunk into it, leaned back on it, crowded on it with multiple kids and dogs, and felt confident that the comfort and ergonomic box was being checked. I ordered samples of both colors (a mossy green and a darker blue) and two months out from the shoot I placed the order (they do give me a press discount, but not fully traded).

So what did I choose???????? Well, come back tomorrow for one more HUGE living room piece to discuss, then we’ll get to all things layout:)

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: My Journey To FINALLY Choose A Wall Color For Our Living Room (And How I Feel Now That It’s Painted)

The post All The Sofas I Considered For Our Living Room After Shopping For TWO FULL YEARS appeared first on Emily Henderson.

The Link Up: The “Dorky” House Sandals Emily Won’t Take Off, Ryann’s Design-Forward Dog Bed, And The Swimsuit We Just Bought 3 More Of

Happy Sunday and happy Pride Month! Our beautiful queer community needs us more than ever to fight for their right to simply exist safely and joyfully. So while this month’s celebrations are without question amazing and incredibly fun, fighting against the countless deeply harmful laws needs to be front and center, not just this month but for as long as it takes. Safety and being yourself shouldn’t be a privilege, it needs to be a right.

design by ahmad abouzanat | photos by joe kramm

This week’s house tour is this stunning bathroom at the 2023 Kips Bay Show House New York designed by Ahmad AbouZanat (who is also a 2023 House Beautiful Next Waver!). When we saw this design we instantly fell in love with that dramatic, earthy color-blocked tile. Also, notice how the tile orientation changes on the side walls! A small shift that makes for a very cool moment. The whole space is both simple yet rich and we can’t wait to see more of Ahmad designs. Check out more photos here!

From Emily: I found the dorkiest (remember dorky is cool now) house shoes that I wear for all my household tasks (which are all day every day these days). I’m a massive winter slipper/house shoe fan, but what about the summer when our feetsies get warmsies? I can NOT walk around the house without arch support and due to my job I do a lot of walking. So I was in Hood River at a great outdoorsy store and tried on these Tevas which were successfully marketed as walking on clouds, so I tried them on and literally couldn’t not get them. They are a perfect mix between sneaker (supportive), house shoe, and sandal (waterproof). I’m trying to not wear them outside so I don’t track dirt inside, but they are obviously great as summer hiking sandals, too. I never knew how Oregonians hiked in sandals but now I do. These are just so supportive and comfortable. And again, I think their chunkiness is on that fence between dorky and cool – a fence I’m living on these days.

From Arlyn: I have the great fortune of now living within 10 minutes of Jess, which works out for me because she’s incredibly handy and I always have something for her to help me with around the new house. In exchange, I feed her and let her snuggle my daughter. It’s a very fair deal if I say so myself. Last weekend, I opted for my favorite lentil soup recipe, and while I know June isn’t exactly Souptember, a lentil soup is a go-to recipe for me year-round. This one got the crowd’s approval. Bonus points if you make your own stock from a half-eaten rotisserie chicken you found in the freezer the day prior. Bonus-bonus points if you serve it with your favorite roll.

Also from Arlyn: I’ve never been a runner, no matter how hard I’ve tried (which isn’t very hard) but I recently got into it to be more active and find a way to exercise with my one-year-old in tow, and the Hoka Clifton 8 running shoes have made a tremendous difference in how much impact I feel on my legs and body in general. After asking my community on Instagram to recommend some, these were far and away the top pick and I can see why. I picked a vibrant blue and orange but will likely also get them in black and white (or other colors) soon. They make asphalt feel like a springy treadmill, and hence, running is less painful, to me at least.

From Mallory: I love me a hardworking sandal that I can wear all day long in the summer, so I ordered these and I have VERY high hopes!! They’re Dr. Scholl’s but they’re actually…cute?? I had no idea that the foot doctor (if he even is a real doctor) made good-looking shoes but boy am I glad I learned. I’ve been wanting a good fisherman sandal for a while now, so when I found this pair for under $40, I immediately added them to my cart (I ordered the white pair but the black ones are cute too!) If you’re in the market, I thought I’d share these with you guys!!

From Caitlin: It’s time for my annual recommendation of my all-time favorite swimsuit: it’s this incredible shaping one that makes me feel super supported and confident (so much so that I literally keep the blue one in my car for swim emergencies. You know how secure you have to feel in a swimsuit to be ready and eager to change into one at a moment’s notice at any time? IT’S THAT GOOD). I also have this one in red for when I want to feel a little more Baywatch-y (and the support is AWESOME – I have an F cup and can confirm that it keeps the girls secure). They’ve launched a ton of new styles this year – some with full coverage and sleeves, and some that show a lot more skin – but I’m super excited about this square-necked version that looks really pretty and timeless! They carry sizes XS-4X with short, regular, and XL torso sizes, their website features models of all shapes and sizes (hooray!), and the suits are comfortable and easy to get into/out of by yourself (just to address one of my initial concerns). They sell out EVERY SUMMER – trust me, I am still sad that I missed out on the pink and green versions last year – so if this is interesting to you, be sure to grab one in early June BEFORE people start shopping for their 4th of July long weekend suits. If you’ve ever felt a little awkward or nervous in your swimsuit, I promise that these will help ease your mind a little!! Take it from your resident size 14 gal:) UPDATE! While Facetiming with Jess on Friday, she bought two and I bought ANOTHER ONE!

Also from Caitlin: OK WAIT. I cannot be the only person who is currently being bombarded with IG ads for this magic color-correcting cream that totally evens out your skin tone without makeup, right? I don’t want to be the dummy that goes into this with too-high expectations, but all the videos I’ve seen have been pretty shocking and transformative – does anyone have first-hand experience? Even the before-and-afters on the site are pretty noticeable! The reviews make it seem like maybe the color-correcting drops are a better call for me as a pale gal (a little more sheer, I guess?) but I would love any advice before I consider spending that much on a little tub of goo! PLEASE ADVISE?

Also Also From Caitlin: It’s 6 PM on Friday and I have reopened this post to add one more link because I am OBSESSED with this Architectural Digest piece about the Barbie set. Come to see the famous design elements, stay for the realization that filming caused an international shortage of hot pink paint. (Additional required reading, ICYMI: this Margot Robbie profile in Vogue; this Ryan Gosling profile in GQ – both have a ton of interesting movie tidbits!)

From Ryann: It is high time I talk about this dog bed. It is easily the most design-forward bed I have seen and it actually looks even better in person. It seriously looks like a Sherpa rug. The best part?! The cover is not only removable and machine washable but it’s also water and stain resistant. When my dog tracked mud into the house and on the bed, I washed the cover a few days later and it was good as new. It also should be noted that my dog is high maintenance when it comes to comfort, and he will sleep on this bed all day long. I am SO impressed with this product and can’t recommend it enough.

From Jess: I went camping last weekend with about 50 people so I grabbed my personalized Yeti insulated Wine Tumbler my cousin had made me for her bachelorette weekend (see above). First off, incredible gift. Not to knock other personalized bachelorette-themed gifts but…I’ve never really used any of them after the fact. This however was great for her weekend AND was the perfect reusable cup for camping (especially with a group) since it’s hard to lose track of! You can personalize all kinds of Yeti cups if you’d prefer having a handle or something bigger. Not a bad gift idea for an outdoorsy dad:)

Also From Jess: While I am most definitely biased, my dad wrote a pretty wonderful Father’s Day gift guide in case you missed it and need some ideas (and maybe a good cry:))

That’s it from us today! Have a beautiful rest of your weekend and see y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Design by Ahmad AbouZanat | Photo by Nick Sargent

The post The Link Up: The “Dorky” House Sandals Emily Won’t Take Off, Ryann’s Design-Forward Dog Bed, And The Swimsuit We Just Bought 3 More Of appeared first on Emily Henderson.

We All Needed Lightweight, Comfy Summer Pants And Found 10 That We Love

Usually around this time of year, I am anxiously searching for THE denim shorts that will change the course of my life. For whatever reason, shorts shopping feels like a competitive sport where I get to lose hundreds of dollars and end up disappointed. But not this year. This year, I am embracing–nay CHAMPIONING–summer pants. Here’s my pitch: as long as they are breathable and lightweight, they are just as comfortable as shorts, there are more styles to play around with, and they transition from day to night effortlessly. As an added bonus, pants offer more coverage and can protect from outdoor elements (bugs, UV rays, wandering eyes, etc etc). So while I am not throwing out all my dresses and shorts this summer, I am excited to rock pants unapologetically, like a 19th-century woman wearing them for the first time. Are you with me?? If so, here are some great picks that we want to add to cart and a few that we already have and love:

1. Pull On Full Length Linen Pantvia j. crew

Something about this shade of blue makes me swoon and I love the relaxed shape (I hate to admit it but I might be leaning into low/mid-rise pants…).

2. The Colette Cropped Wide-Leg Linen Pantsvia anthropologie

I am so thrilled that Anthropologie brought these pants back! I have them in a checkered green pattern and they are possibly the most comfortable pants I have ever put on. They come in 17 other patterns and colors too!

3. Crinkled Crepe Straight-Leg Crop Pantsvia madewell

From Caitlin: Hi, it’s me, ready to make you feel like you’re living inside a Nancy Meyers movie!!! I LOVE a flowy linen pant for summer and these are such a dream – they’re lightweight and breezy (a treat for when you want to feel cool but you don’t necessarily want your gams hanging out), the cut is great (straight down, even if you have bigger hips like me!), the price point rocks ($68 for pants that you’ll turn to all summer?), and you’ll waltz around feeling like Diane Keaton in the Hamptons. If you’re looking to try out this style without breaking the bank, highly recommend these (and the Farm Rio options below too, TBH – #4 and #7 look SO GOOD on Jess!!!).

4. Deep Blue High Waisted Pantsvia farm rio

From Jess: I have these pants in a rust/brown and am pretty devastated every time I need to wash them because that means I have to take them off:) They are cool, so comfortable, and I am very very tempted to get them in this blue. Also, the quality is so good.

5. Kinsale Italian Performance Linen Trouservia frank & eileen

Emily recently introduced all of us to this brand and it’s hard not to love. The price point is definitely on the higher side but according to Em, the quality can’t be beat. How timeless do these look?? And that raw hem gives them the perfect amount of “edge”. You’d be the coolest Nancy Meyers character on the beach:)

6. Women’s High-Rise Wide Leg Linen Pull On Pants

These are super affordable ($25!), comfortable, and come in a bunch of colors!

7. Lime Green Pantsvia neiman marcus | via farm rio

From Jess: Since I was hooked on my first pair of Farm Rio pants, I decided to try another style. Guess what?! I love them too. They aren’t as high-waisted if that’s what you want but they also don’t sit quite as low on me as on the model in the photo. I have them in black but look at that lime color! It’s so good!! I think I’m a Farm Rio pant gal for life.

8. Traveler Pantsvia anthropolgie

Oh, I really like these. They are made from stretch cotton and have an elastic waistband, but they look like flared jeans. LOVE.

9. Ingrid Fringe Trim Pantvia j. crew

You can pair these adorable fringe pants with a slim, cropped tank and a kitten heel for a super cute summer date night outfit. Also, what a perfect vacation pant.

10. High-Waisted Linen-Blend Wide-Leg Pantsvia old navy

These are affordable, linen, high-waisted, and easy to pull on. What more could you ask for? Oh, and to top it off over 2,500 people have rated these pants FIVE STARS!

That’s all from me, your resident pants-in-the-summer advocate. Let me know your thoughts and drop your favorite comfortable pants down below. xx

Opener Image Credit: Photo by Veronica Crawford | From: My First Foray Into Renting Clothes With Rent The Runway

The post We All Needed Lightweight, Comfy Summer Pants And Found 10 That We Love appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Cancel Your Weekend Plans: 6 DIY Projects to Transform The Look & Feel Of Your Home

I am what I like to call a “DIY-isher”. Most of my “DIY” projects have been with my dad but I have done some by myself like my balcony floor and new bench cabinet (not yet revealed but I LOVE it:)). Every time, once of course I’m in too deep, I curse the day I thought that project was a good idea. That is until it’s done and I feel like superwoman. Ha. So if you’re wondering whether or not I am pro DIYing, I am! There’s really nothing like making something with your own two hands (or four if you have a friend which I highly recommend:)). So today, I am bringing you some pretty special DIYs – ones that will undoubtedly have a HUGE impact in your home. While most of these are a little more involved, I, of course, made sure to include some beginner-friendly options too. Ready to be inspired? This way please…

Travertine Office Tablevia gina ciancio of style curator

In need of a BEAUTIFUL desk/table??? When I saw this DIY pop-up on my Instagram from Gina Ciancio of Style Curator, I immediately saved it. As someone who has her “office” in her living room, I know that finding a desk that doesn’t immediately scream, “DESK!” is a challenge. I’m embarrassed to say that it wasn’t until I started writing this that I realized my desk and Gina’s DIY have a very similar aesthetic. What can I say, I have a type.

Now, I know this may look pretty intimidating if you don’t consider yourself a DIYer. However, Gina did an incredible job breaking it down – so with determination and a couple of power tools, baby, you’ve got this!

To start Gina found these round side tables at Kmart, bought four, then stacked and glued them. For those of you in the US, Kmart in Australia is more like Target here. It’s really good, while Target is…not as good. Hopefully, Australian Targets have gotten better since I was living there but they are NOT what they are here. Anyway! Those tables were the perfect bases to give Gina the pillar base she wanted.

Note the 2x4s they help make the table tall enough to be the height she needed. Then note the wall mount to secure the end of the MDF tabletop! Since she wanted the table to be flush with the wall and have more stability, creating a ledge for the end of the table to sit on top of was key.

With the help of some screws and a power drill, everything is secure.

Then it’s time to trace your arch! You can use a ruler like she did, a string and pencil method, it’s up to you.

Now, it’s time to bust out your jigsaw to cut out your perfect arch and holes for your cords (a hole saw bit for your drill will also make this easier). I have this jig saw and it’s very user-friendly. An eclectic sander may also help out with smoothing those edges but not necessary since you are about to get those hands dirty:)

After some trial and error, Gina used primer and feather finish to give that organic concrete look.

Then how smart is this?! Since Gina didn’t have a tile cutter (like most of us), and her sheets of tile didn’t perfectly work with the height of the base, she used a travertine tile-like adhesive (like this one) to bridge the gap! Since it’s under the table you can hardly see it but it makes everything look beautiful and finished.

For the tiling process details, head to Gina’s post, but she makes it seem very doable! I think using tile sheets is key. Waaay less labor.

She then sanded the tabletop, painted it to her desired color, grouted between the tiled pillars as well as the space between the wall and the tabletop, then boom! A truly special and custom desk that cost a fraction of what something similar on the market would cost. Again, Gina’s post goes into more detail but I can’t thank her enough for letting me share this project with you on our site:)

Ok, so this beauty is very organic and neutral but if you love color this idea could totally still work! Just pick a colorful tile and a tabletop color that looks pretty with it. Or if you want to splurge a little, you could get a real piece of wood for the top. The sky’s the limit!

NO-SEW Canvas Scraps Collage Artvia brittni mehlhoff of paper & stitch

Ok, here’s a DIY that’s a little easier and requires zero tools! I promise anyone can do this one and you could even do it this weekend if you wanted.

We all know how expensive art can be. I think we’ve said it 109845738 times. And for good, handmade art, it’s absolutely understandable why it cost $$$. However, not all of us have that money, priced fairly or not. Enter this canvas scrape collage art by the very talented Brittni Mehlhoff of Paper & Stitch. She is no stranger to our DIY roundups because they are impossible not to love.

All you need are canvas (or fabric) scraps, some glue OR no-sew tape and an iron. See! Not hard or expensive! Brittni only spent $7.

First, you want to figure out the size you want and if you want to use a mat like she did. Brittni decided to paint her background canvas that pretty blue color (optional) for some contrast. Then she cut her other, nonpainted scrap pieces into the shapes she wanted and then simply attached them with no-sew tape and an iron. She does warn if you want to use fabric glue instead to make sure to not let it soak through the fabric. If you are handy with a needle, you could also attach these pieces with thread which would add more pretty texture. Choose your own adventure:)

All that’s left is placing your masterpiece in your frame and deciding where it should go!

One-Of-A-Kind Media Cabinetvia brit arnesen of brit dot design

Ok, ok, this one is pretty advanced but LOOK AT IT!! How could I not include this crazy special, one-of-a-kind credenza?? If you somehow don’t know or have yet to follow Brit Arnesen of Brit Dot Design then your day just got A LOT better. She is fearlessly creative, SO talented, and her designs only evoke joy. With this project, I am going to spare you with me trying to give a step-by-step as building a credenza is pretty involved unless you already know what you’re doing (or are really handy). So for those who do want to tackle a full-on cabinet, I included some process photos, but for those who are not able don’t worry, I’m going to talk through an alternative:)

Impressed? Me too. This is the origin story:

“I’d been wanting a larger cabinet for the extra storage and also to fill the space a bit better under the gallery wall where it was going to sit. I knew I wouldn’t be able to find anything big enough within my price range, so I decided to build one. I spent $70 on the legs, which I found on Etsy, and the knobs were $30 on Amazon. I bought two pieces of plywood for around $130. The paint, Olive Sprig by Pittsburgh Paint, was $10 or so for two samples (my 9-year-old daughter actually picked out the color) and the Rub ‘n Buff in Gold Leaf was around $7. In all, it cost around $250 for the supplies I didn’t already have on hand.”

I love that she chose fun legs (similar to these). If that was all she did (plus some cool hardware) this credenza would have been great.

But because Brit constantly outdoes herself, she designs a 3D “pattern” on her cabinet’s doors and it knocks everything out of the park.

So like most, if not all DIY projects, Brit did had to pivot with the design:

“This project involved a lot of trial and error, changing my mind, and adapting as things didn’t go as expected. Initially, I’d wanted to give the cabinet a two-toned wood look; but when some of the 1/4” overlay pieces splintered during cutting, I had to change course. One thing led to another from that point and I ended up with no natural wood at all! I almost gave up on the idea of the overlays altogether for that reason, but figured out a way to make them work instead. I’m actually really surprised (and relieved) I pulled it off!”

I’m so glad she stuck with the overlay because it really adds that “something extra special” for me.

Now again, if building a whole credenza really isn’t in your wheelhouse but you’ve also fallen in love with the project I have an idea. I think you could get an already build credenza like the BESTA from IKEA, add those cute legs, paint it using this IKEA painting guide, then add your own original design! If you want to design an overlay then you will need a jigsaw but clearly, it will pay off in the end. Don’t give up!

Bamboo Mat Artvia erena te paa

Following Erena Te Paa‘s account is like stepping into a beautiful mediation. If there’s a neutral-toned world that I’d want to live in it would be hers. Her DIYs are impossibly beautiful and chic and this one is no expectation. In terms of difficulty, I would say this is beginner/novice. It’s clearly more involved than the canvas art but doesn’t require power tools:)

This large piece of art is simply a second-hand bamboo mat attached to the back side of a picture frame! Check out her video to get a visual step-by-step. Here is a list of materials she used:

Back-side of an existing picture frame or alternatively a floating-style picture framePair of heavy-duty snipsBamboo floor mat – I purchased mine secondhand but you can also try searching these on Amazon – or alternatively try searching Bamboo bath mat or Bamboo placemat for a smaller versionClear-dry wood glueHeavy-duty wall mounting tape

Erena did also say that “sometimes the back side of a readymade art print has a recessed back which is what I used to lie the mat in. I did need to remove the hanging hardware first.” Finding new uses for used things is something I am trying a bit of in my own house so this gave me a huge boost of confidence to try!

Roman Clay How-Tovia lisa of lhk interiors

So if you’ve been on the internet (or maybe my specific algorithm), limewash has EXPLODED! I thought it was popular a few years ago but that was nothing compared to it now. FYI I am not against it. In fact, I love it too. In the right space, it’s so beautiful. But if you read this post, you know that there is a similar but different “paint” option that gives you a similar effect. Enter Roman clay. When I wrote my closet post, Lisa of LHK Interiors, graciously emailed me to chat about her experience and to give me some tips. Honestly, they are all so helpful that I’m going to give them all to you verbatim! But before we get into those, when I asked her why Roman clay over limewash she said, “I chose Roman clay over limewash because the person at Portola Paints told me it’s more forgiving than limewash.” That was the vibe I got when I went there too:) Essentially, it’s probably better for DIYers. Ok, now for all her tips:

First tip: DIY IT! It’s so expensive to outsource Roman clay because it is a lot of labor. For my bathroom and bedroom, I was quoted $7500 for my bedroom and $3000 for my bathroom. Hence, I decided to do it again. Roman clay is a budget-friendly way to add depth and dimension to any space and it really is so fun to do unless you have really high ceilings I would say source it out. Apply Roman Clay in small amounts using a spackle knife or putty knife. A plastic knife will give you a smoother finish. Start at one top corner and go straight across the wall. Or sometimes I would start in a 3×3 square and keep moving across and up and down. You always want to keep a wet edge where you finish and keep pulling the clay as thin as possible. A little goes a long way. I discovered sadly when I used a metal knife with my light-colored paint it left dark streaks on the wall. When I switched to a plastic knife it solved that. You can buy these spackle knives in any hardware store. The first coat will look CRAZY! You MUST trust the process because you’ll totally be doubting yourself or if you’re my husband, call a painter to fix what your wife did. Use sweeping motions when applying, going in different directions. I did a lot of motion from left to right, up down, u shape, upside U. There really is no wrong way – just play! The more you vary your strokes the more texture and depth the end result will be. Just don’t stop until you reach the end of the wall.Once you start applying Roman Clay on the wall you cannot stop. If you stop the remaining half of the wall will be a different color and you’ll see a line where you stopped.  So when you’re getting ready to start make sure you have enough time to go across the entire area in one shot. Do not go back and try to touch up an area that’s already dry because the new Roman clay you add will be a different color. The hardest part about applying it was cutting into the corner where the wall meet. Sometimes there would be gaps where the clay couldn’t reach so I would apply the color in my finger and blend it in. I would also suggest buying a corner sanding sponge (like this one) because the inner corner will be a bit rough to get smooth.I ended up doing three coats of Roman clay, sanding in between each coat to achieve the desired look I wanted. Since the main walls in the bathroom had Roman clay I wanted the trim to blend in with the walls.  I took the Roman clay and had it color-matched at the paint store and it blended in perfectly.

After reading her tips it made me feel much more confident…despite still needing to choose a color (long story). These were her parting words:

“After you’ve lived in your space for a while if you ever get anything on your wall, I discovered you can just sand off any marks that are made from everyday living, fingerprints, or even pencil/crayon marks from kids. 
Roman clay honestly is probably my favorite wall treatment! I’d apply it on all the walls in my home – it’s such a vibe. Once you do it, you will love it! Trust me! The labor will be worth it. It goes by much faster than you’d expect.”

The Most Budget-Friendly Limewashvia bronte lovelis

Just as I was prepping this post, I got an email from the talented and wonderful Bronte Lovelis (remember her amazing loft!?) about how she basically made her own limewash for $10. I’ll let her talk about it…

“I figured there had to be a DIY for this. I went to Home Depot to see what I could find. I ended up buying a $6 paint sample and decided to try mixing it with water to give my walls that limewash look. I experimented with different ratios and found the best was about 80% water and 20% paint. I’m super happy with how it came out. My open space finally feels cozy like I‘ve always wanted. This also has to be the cheapest DIY I’ve ever done! Literally under $10!”

I think it turned out so great! It definitely has more visible movement than a classic limewash paint or Roman clay so that’s the only thing to note if you want to try it yourself. But for $10 how can you beat it?!

Ok! That’s it for today. I really hope this sparked a little project for you because it’s almost annoying how rewarded completing a DIY project is. I also want to thank the six amazing designers that allowed me to share their incredible projects. Nothing but inspiration when it comes to you all. Have a great (and potentially project-filled) weekend!

For a few (read: A LOT) more DIY ideas head here and here!

Opening Image Credit: Design and Photo by Brit Arnesen of Brit Dot Design

The post Cancel Your Weekend Plans: 6 DIY Projects to Transform The Look & Feel Of Your Home appeared first on Emily Henderson.

Our Biggest Landscaping Splurges And How We Feel About Them

I’d like to open today’s post by repeating our favorite question when we have a renovation/remodeling conundrum – either when a mistake is made or when something turns out not like you want it to. It goes like this: “What are the options and how much will they cost?” We have found it to be the quickest way to solve any construction problem. One of those “conundrums” was our purchased trees. There were a few areas where we had planned on larger, more statement trees but once they were planted in the ground we did the fairly annoying/bratty thing of asking why they were so small. The obvious answer was that our team was trying to stick to a budget and bigger plants are more expensive. After exploring how long it would take them to get to the desired size, we realized it would be 5-10 years. OOF. If this house weren’t a show house for brands, essentially, we would wait – despite our own desires. But this house needs to get shot a lot and soon, and while we can wait for the smaller plants to grow into shrubs, we “need” these big anchor pieces to be larger.

The Kitchen Patio Dogwoodyardzen rendering

Near the kitchen patio, we wanted a large dogwood to help bridge the gap between the two structures – the covered walkway and the kitchen. Yardzen put it in their renders and while we knew that their renders were based on mature heights, when we saw the tree that was planted we felt we couldn’t wait the maybe 10 years before it got to full maturity (different dogwoods grow at different rates and I forget which one this is but it’s the slow one).

See? She was small and leafless so you could barely even see it. A quiet statement for sure:) We were able to move her to the side of the house which fits perfectly, don’t worry. Meanwhile, I went to a nursery called Big Trees Today where, as you can imagine, they have much BIGGER trees still growing in the ground at a much more mature height. To top it off, they are full service – they dig up, transport, install, and guarantee their trees for a year. Of course, this comes with a much higher price tag. The dogwood that we planted was probably $180 or so and transport/carrying of it is usually double or triple the cost of the plant (I believe that’s a common formula from landscapers). So let’s say that size tree cost us between $400- $500. The Big Trees Today cherry tree that we picked out was $2k (including planting/guaranteeing). It’s obviously a luxury to do this, but what you are buying is time. Our 5′ Dogwood wouldn’t reach this 15′ height for 10 years. So how much was it worth it to us per year to have it at that height now? When you think about it like that it becomes easier to justify (I also do this with skincare or expensive athleisure – break it down by how many days a year you’ll use it and you’ll find that at 50 cents a day it’s worth it! It’s a really dangerous mindset, TBH).

This is the cherry tree from Big Trees Today right after it was planted (fruitless, the Japanese version I think!), around 15′ feet tall (I believe). That was in April, and here she is now!

We couldn’t be happier.

Our Statement Oregon Native Red Oak

In the backyard, to break up all the grass, we had planned this gorgeous Oregon red oak – a native Tree that Cali (Studio-Campo) was so excited about. At maturity, it would look like this. With a swing!

But when we got it it was about 12′ (which sounds tall but compared to the scale of the backyard it was small).

It’s the tall one near our broken-down garages (and this is in a pot, so it would be about 20″ lower than that once in the ground). We considered nixing this one altogether and returning this tree and honestly, we probably could have, but we really wanted some shade in the summer (eventually) and I really wanted to break up the lawn from being so flat. So we looked to Big Trees Today for an alternative. I’m not sure y’all know, but I REALLY LIKE TREES.

installing the white oak tree from big trees today

It was definitely taller, but when leafless still not that statement. We also switched from an Oregon red oak to a white oak because it was much less. At first, the salesperson sent us a 25′ Oregon red oak for $10k and we almost bailed on the whole thing. This guy was $2k 🙂

Here it is now:

It’s super pretty. Still on the smaller side but better scaled for the house. Imagine if it were 1/2 that size! Lessons are being learned, folks. Also, I do not care for that perfect circle around the tree but they said that they wouldn’t guarantee the tree unless you let it breathe, like so. But yes, I want to go sprinkle wildflower seeds in that perfect circle asap! If you are wondering why we stopped the grass there it’s because that was the plan two years ago, but as more and more of the construction ruined some bushes that were over there we now are considering extending it. We just didn’t plan for irrigation over there so it’s a thing. We might wait until fall to plant some, so winter will establish their roots, and then try to hand water anything over there next summer. Don’t quote me on that, though. Just thinking out loud about how we don’t like where the grass cuts off as of now and we are working with Native Northwest on solutions.

Two More Trees

Before we went to the Big Trees Today nursery, we realized there were two more areas where we could really use an anchor tree that we hadn’t planned for – on the side of the house by the kitchen and in a corner by the pack porch. We all agreed that Japanese maples would thrive well in both areas, add a lot of seasonal color, much-needed height, and shape while the rest of the shrubs grow in. So before I went to BTT I had two of those on my list.

shopping for japanese maples at the nursery

Cole, the salesperson, helped me decide on the white variety of Japanese maples and he convinced me that Beni Mako was the way to go – I think for the color of the bark when not in bloom as well as the leaves when in bloom. These are about 8′ tall and 6′ wide and cost $1800 (again, including delivery and installation + their guarantee). I’ve bought Japanese maples many times before and they are always around $500 and much smaller, so honestly this didn’t feel overpriced. These things were already 7-10 years old so you are paying for the growing time where someone else has taken care of the plant. They grow very very slowly so they’ll get bigger, but over many years.

Here this one was in April right before spring really sprung in Portland. Below you can see how she is looking now.

Was It Worth It?

I think YES. Imagine if those two trees weren’t there – I think the architecture and scale of the house really needed some larger trees to soften everything. They provide immediate impact and help the whole property look less newly constructed.

It’s also strangely easier than I thought. While you obviously have to have the budget for it, we were impressed with their speedy service and you don’t have to have a landscape contractor hired if you are in need of a big statement tree that you feel like you can’t do yourself. Big thanks to Dan’l and the Native Northwest team for dealing with our impatience. It’s not my best personality trait, believe me (I’m sure you do). But for the sake of my job and photography, I think that these splurges were worth it – at least that’s what I’m telling myself!!!

Big Trees Today didn’t do any press trade or anything, FYI. I simply like them and how dedicated they are to growing beautiful trees. 🙂

*Design by Emily Henderson (me!), Studio Campo, and Native Northwest
**Pretty Progress Photos by Kaitlin Green

The post Our Biggest Landscaping Splurges And How We Feel About Them appeared first on Emily Henderson.

THE MUD IS GONE! A Farmhouse Exterior Update That Has Us Seeing The End Of The (Phase 1) Tunnel

It’s been a minute since I showed you what is happening on the property and today we are bridging that gap. Like many a renovation, we truly didn’t intend to bite off this much when we bought the property (“A fun fixer,” they said. “We’ll do most of it ourselves,” they insisted). At times it felt like more than what we could chew, and as we looked at how much we had left to eat we decided to shove the whole thing in our mouth, fingers pinching our nose to just get her done. We figured it would be one big bandaid to pull off instead of years of extended muddy construction. And as we approach the end, we are obviously so glad and grateful that we went for it. So today’s post is to catch you up, show you where we are at (as of last week) with the backyard, and then we are going to break down all the elements as they come to life in separate posts. Speaking of, spring has sprung and the weather in the PNW has been unbelievable – and y’all, Oregon can not be beat right now. Brian and I are absolutely loving almost every aspect of living here.

Let’s catch you up: Almost three years ago we hired Studio Campo to design the “farmstead” and hired Native Northwest as our landscape contractor to execute (a huge thanks to Dan’l, Scott, and his team for the execution of this during many, many, many rainy days with two fairly impatient clients inside). The construction started last August (I believe) and the scope just kept growing and growing so the project took a lot longer than any of us predicted, and yes, cost much more than we will ever want to admit out loud. Someday we might add it up (kinda like how I blogged about the Portland project loss years after), but for now, I’m going to stay comfortably in the state of denial and just try to enjoy and appreciate it all.

We’ve done so much!! The flagstone, irrigation, plants, Soake Pool, the “greenhouse”, the split-rail fence, the now smaller sports court, and a new driveway. It’s a lot – and we are equal parts grateful to be in this position and have this our home and excited to be done and able to enjoy it. As of this summer, we are going to be finished up to the edge of the sports court and the in the front just at the edge of the patio.

Does that mean there will be a phase 2? In some areas, yes (the orchard needs help to make the trees thrive), but I really hope not. There is half an acre full of blackberries, and then tons of pockets full of dense ivy/weeds/growth but those aren’t areas we need to use so until they have a purpose then no, we aren’t going to spend any time or resources there. We have more than enough as is…Also maintenance – EEEEKK.

The Evolution Of The “Backyard”

Four years ago, when we were still looking at this house before we bought it it looked like this:

It was pretty darn sweet. That’s Bear, their dog, who we spent three hours with while we fell swiftly in love with the property (and him). The big bushes were in front of the now back porch that opens to the backyard.

Here’s a better shot of it – this is right before the demo when they had taken out some of the vintage windows to repair (so that the demo crew didn’t, well, accidentally demolish them). But this gives you a better sense of the space/property.

Then a month later, halfway through the demo, we came up to visit. We were so naive to think that they could save and transplant all the plants, or reuse the brick. I know many of you will say how possible it is but that wasn’t the advice given to us nor our skillset. We tried, but the advice we got was that trying would cost far more and it wouldn’t work anyway. They said the same about the windows – but we all agreed that trying to save and reuse was worth it, even if it cost more than replacing (it was about the same, btw).

Move-In Week!!!

Here is what it looked like when we moved in – on a sunny day the dirt just looked like dirt, but as you can imagine it quickly turned to mud. I didn’t take many pictures of the mud – almost like how you only journal about your problems. But I found a few to give you a sense of what it was like for this last year.

But, like most renovations near the end, you kinda forget about some of the harder challenges – a remodeling amnesia that I think is a psychological tool our brain uses to help us do it again. I’m still processing some of the things that I learned (which per usual fall in the personal growth category for me) because I wasn’t the best version of myself during parts of this.

Almost Done – As Of Two Weeks Ago

It’s QUITE the transformation and unbelievably satisfying to see (even more so to live with every day). The grass is done, the plants are planted (small at first, exploding now) and the flagstone around the house is almost complete. All of you who have done landscaping projects in the past know that it takes 2-4 years before it looks like it was intended, but honestly, this looks AMAZING to me based on where we started. We really want this property to look natural and like it’s always been there, but y’all that is a challenge when you have to grade the entire thing to make sure that it drains right, and then put in fresh tiny little plants. So as of right now, it does look more professionally landscaped than it does a natural farmstead, but we hope that the vision (two summers from now) will come to life. I pushed hard for the grass to have little hills/mounds (or to be a clover lawn) but there were a lot of reasons to not do that from experts so we didn’t. Once all the wildflowers and ornamental grasses come up I think the whole space will be softened a lot.

The Soake pool is almost done, just in time for summer. I’ll give you a breakdown of the process soon, but essentially our Native Northwest crew was doing the whole property with a lot of moving parts, so despite having it in the ground in February there were a lot of other things to do (and we weren’t going to use it surrounded by dirt anyway). So we think it will be done by next week. Since this photo was taken the hardscape is almost finished and the pool motor/cover/filter/heater are being finished. GAH!!!

I just realized that since these photos, our split rail fence even went in (which makes a massive difference) = instant-charm.

That’s our “greenhouse” which is admittedly not exactly a sweet little greenhouse anymore – it’s really a “pool house”. I have a lot to tell you – like why did we build it? (to hide the mechanics of the pool and utilize extra windows). Why are the doors lower than the windows? (funny story and it’s changing) How big is it? What are you going to do with it? How much does adding a structure like this cost? Does it have HVAC, plumbing, and electrical? I’ll get to all of that, I promise.

Eventually, the ground cover in between the flagstone will cover the mulch and make it all look more natural. The green of the grass almost looks fake, but y’all, after a year of mud back here we couldn’t love a patch of green MORE. Dan’l and his team did such an excellent job of prepping, grading, and mixing soil/sand so that even on the rainiest multi-day storms, it isn’t soggy – it drains beautifully (Brian can’t stop talking about this – he’s a proud grass dad right now). Extra credit for those who notice the gutter on the front well house/shed in the back falling down… Speaking of wells, we got our well recommissioned and repaired, so soon we’ll be using well water for irrigation, which as you can imagine will be helpful in the summer on a property this size. It rained a ton this winter so everything is extremely green but you can’t plant this many new plants without proper irrigation or they will die, so we are very grateful to tie it into the well and eventually offset the cost of fixing the well (which wasn’t cheap). Once roots are established we can minimize the watering.

Imagine a split rail fence between the sports court and the “pool house” and pool area. There is pea gravel, plantings (mostly wild grasses and meadow-scaping), and garden beds happening.

That is Scott, our project manager (Kaitlin caught us in the middle of a meeting) where we realized that we had put the future split-rail fence too close to the flagstone (our fault as we booked the fence guys and didn’t update the plans). It’s fixed now and looks so awesome. So many moving parts.

Here are some satisfying befores:

Progress!

To be clear, this is after we demo’d out the OG sports court (which wasn’t the original plan but it was so cracked and in such disrepair that we had to). Then we repoured a pickleball sized.

The angle is the same as this one…

It’s extremely fun to see Cali, Dan’l, and our vision coming to life. Trying to make this highly renovated property look “natural” and like it’s always been there (ahem, with a plunge pool, I know) has been such a challenge. Honestly, we were very worried along the way that it was going to look too suburban and manicured. It’s perfectly and professionally executed, which I’m so grateful, and only time will tell how natural it will look, once it’s all grown in. We are soooo happy it’s close to done, I can’t even express it to you.

Brian and I are not the type of people to wait til things are done to have people over, so don’t worry – we have already spent many afternoons out here on the sports court with friends and families. We are planning the summer pickleball tournaments now.

More to come soon, but boy are we feeling grateful that we had the help we clearly needed to execute something that we would never have been able to do ourselves. This summer will be very different than last and we made the decision over dinner the other night to stop any construction on the other buildings until fall (at the earliest). The garages are falling down and the old 1850s home on the property needs, well, everything. But after three years of this project we are ready to just sit and enjoy it for a few months, give our checkbook a break, and have some quiet moments with our kids out here this summer (and besides, our alpacas aren’t going to adopt themselves :))

*Design by Emily Henderson (me!), Studio Campo, and Native Northwest
**Pretty Progress Photos by Kaitlin Green

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