Emily Henderson's Blog, page 9

20 Summer Office Outfit Ideas You’ll Be Excited To Wear (Professional And Casual Options)

Last week, I went on a hike with a friend who was lamenting about trying to find good summer office clothes, or even just some good summer office outfit ideas. She works in a creative field, so it’s less blazers and slacks and more fun but modest, and yet it’s still been a struggle. Clearly, dressing a bit more conservatively is required in most workplaces, but also sweating to death is not what anyone wants. So I thought maybe some of you might also be struggling as well, since more jobs are requiring in-office attendance, and I could offer my online window shopping services. I created 20 outfit combos for both more formal workplaces and more casual workplaces. And don’t worry, I ran these all by my best friend, who has primarily worked in non-casual offices, and I got her stamp of approval. We spend A LOT of time working, and there’s no reason that you can’t look forward to dressing for the office. 

The “Professional” Looks

Left Combo: Blazer + Shorts + Top | Right Combo: Short-Sleeve Tailored Vest Top + Pinstripe Pant

Starting strong with a very affordable Old Navy short-suit combo paired with an airy white blouse from Everlane. The light oatmeal color is so pretty and summery while still looking professional. The shorts have a 5″ inseam, so they are on the longer side depending on how long your legs are:) While Emily didn’t try on this exact set, she did do an Old Navy try-on last year with similar pieces and loved them. What’s also great about the top is that it’s interesting and chic AND modest enough to wear without the blazer. Then for the combo on the right, I’m pretty in love with that short-sleeved vest top. It’s so refined yet cool! Gives a suit look, but much better for hot weather. It also comes in black. Then I wanted to pair it with a light-colored colored pant and these were extra perfect because of the subtle pinstripe that complements the white top. Throw a cute little pump heel on, and you are so set. Both of these combos are each under $200 total.

Left Combo: Belted Blazer + Tank Top + Ultra-Stretch Flare Pants | Right Combo: Belted Wrap Blouse + Stretch Linen Pants

I love a neutral look as much as the next person, but a little color and pattern never hurt anyone…especially in the summer! Let’s start with the combo to our left. When I saw that belted green gingham blazer, I knew I had to build an outfit around it (FYI it’s under $80). It’s so fun but not “too wild” and looks just as good open, which is why I included a fitted tank. I chose a more cropped tank because those navy pants are stretchy and super high waisted, so tucking in a long top probably isn’t going to look the best. I just think this is fun, but modern and gives “cool powerhouse”. That blazer would also be so cute with jeans and flats. Now, for a more loose-fitted look, I equally love both of the pieces in the look on the right. The top is just edgy enough with the double belts and modest enough with the capped sleeves. No jacket needed with this one. Oh, and how great are those blue and white striped pants? Fun, breezy, and office-approved.

Dickey Jacket + Pleated Midi Skirt

Ok, so this little short-sleeved blazer is the most expensive piece in this post, but it’s also MAJORLY discounted from its original price. Plus, it’s so good that I was practically forced (by my heart) to include it. And while you could easily pair it was a cute pair of trousers or jeans, I love the idea of mixing it with this airy midi skirt. It’s elevated, cool, and a little unexpected. One of my favorite of these summer office outfit ideas :)

Left Combo: Button-Up Shirt + Side-Stripe Pant | Right Combo: Denim Barrel Jacket + Button-Down Striped Shirt + High-Waisted Straight Trouser

These two lean the most casual of the professional looks, but still feel dressier to me, so here goes! First off, THOSE RED STRIPE PANTS. I’m obsessed. So chic, so comfy, and if you wanted the whole set, it does have a matching blazer. But if you want to keep the costs down, I love this cool, boxy button-up to pair with it. You will be the coolest-dressed person in your office for sure. You could pair this look with either a heel, a pretty sandal, or a sleek sneaker. It all depends on your office’s dress code. Then, for the look on the right, I really liked the mix of brown tones with a pop of blue to add some more excitement. Those trousers have a crazy high rating and are currently on sale for $28 (originally $40). I really love that jacket, and while summer is hot, the mornings can be chilly, so why not have a cute jacket on the way in:)

Onto our casual options!

The “Casual” Looks

Left Combo: Cocoon Blouse + Pintucked Wide Leg Pants | Right Combo: Ruched Tie T-Shirt + Patch Pocket Wide Leg Pants

Let me first say that if you haven’t checked out the Loft in a minute, may I suggest you take a peek, as both of the trousers above are from there. Cute, right!? They each have a little something fun about them. Caitlin told us that Loft was having an “Abercrombie-like” renaissance, and I have to agree. For the look on the left, I love the seam down the front of the legs. Just adds a simple pop. Plus, the color is beautiful, and paired with the cool, loose, denim-like striped top, it’s a slam dunk. Then, for the look on the right, the pants are really the showstoppers with those pockets, so a simple tee is a great pairing. But what is clearly special about this tee is the side ruching. Such a little detail that makes the whole piece.

Left Combo: Smocked Gingham Top + Extra High-Waisted Wide-Leg Trouser Pants | Right Combo: Tie Waist Shirt + Darted Barrel-Leg Jean

Ok, so most of the outfits going forward, I think are also just great summer outfits. Wear them to the office, wear them to brunch, or wherever else you fancy. For the outfit on the left, that wildly cute top is under $20. Yes, you read that right. It hugs all the right spots, while not being too revealing, and giving that wonderful loose fit around the waist. The jeans are also on a truly great sale ($25!!) and have such a fun high-waisted, wide-leg cut. An easy and non-boring outfit. Now, the look on the right screams “Emily Henderson”. That blouse is under $50 and so pretty — the color, the detailing, the cut. Then those are Em’s favorite barrel jeans that aren’t too “barrel-y”. The pockets and the little dart above the knees make them look so cool.

Way-Short Shirt + Cinched Crewneck Tank + The Cargo Curve Pant

Let’s layer a bit, shall we? First off, I know these lightweight cargo pants might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if you are looking to step outside your normal style a little, I think they are so great…and look extremely comfortable. Then, for a slightly more elevated tank, I really love this wine colored, cinched option. Flattering and modest. But if you want a little extra pattern and fun (or if you have a chilly office), I love this cropped striped button-up! Layer it over or wear it by itself, you have options.

Left Combo: Boxy Oxford + Side-Tie Top + Utility Barrel Pant | Right Combo: Cropped Cardigan + Vintage Stripe T-Shirt + Mid-Rise Relaxed Shorts

Oh, you knew I was going to include some striped tees. It’s EHD law. For the look on the left, it’s all in the details. That side-tie tank is so fun yet feels classic. Those jeans (from my go-to denim retailer, Everlane) are pretty standard until you get to that freaking cool seam at the calf. Throw on that boxy green Oxford, opened as a little jacket for a little warmth in the AC, and baby, you have a stylish little look. But if you want to lean more into that coastal, nautical style, then the combo on the right could be for you. A truly classic striped tee, CUTE long white shorts, and a little cardigan. What’s not to love?

Left Combo: Vest + Mid Rise UltraSoft Jeans | Right Combo: Fruit-Embroidered Top + Bermuda Shorts

This is where I got a little wild:) So not sure what’s come over me, but I am extremely into the look on the left. I used to dabble more into leopard years ago, but not until recently have I felt the urge to dip my toe back in. Emily and photographer Kaitlin have leopard denim, and they look so cool in them. So when I saw these ultra-soft jeans from Gap, I thought maybe it’s my time. But for a work outfit, I do think that pairing these pants with a more tailored top is a great contrast that elevates the whole look. This light pink vest is such a fun pop of color and makes me want this whole outfit even more. And since playfulness is the essence of these two looks, I really loved the idea of this vacation-inspired look on the right (that you could also very much wear on a summer vacation). Those striped shorts are amazing and a little fitted, which is great to pair with that slightly oversized fruit shirt. I mean, if you’ve been wanting to try out the fruit fashion trend, there isn’t a better time than now:)

The Dresses

Left: Pippa Dress | Right: Alexa Linen Maxi Shirt Dress

Since dresses are less of a combo situation, I thought I’d just add a few at the end. First up is that beautiful reddish coral dress from Sezane. You could wear it for almost any occasion, and it would be perfect. That side tie is so chic. It comes in other colors, too. Then the linen maxi with those sweet puff sleeves is also extremely versatile. Cute, modest, flattering, and looks so comfortable. It also comes in other colors and patterns.

Left: Poplin Tiered Maxi Dress | Right: The Melody Smocked Midi Dress

Quince really does have beautiful clothes for great prices, and the dress on the left is a perfect example of that. It’s under $70, comes in a ton of colors, and the cut would look amazing on anyone. Lastly, the sleeveless dress on the right is new from Madewell, and I love it. Again, great for summer because it’s sleeveless and breezy. The colors are chic, and the pattern makes it interesting. Big fan and would look perfect with a jean jacket:)

I truly hope these were helpful summer office outfit ideas, as we are officially in summer. That 90 weather is here but that doesn’t mean we have to suffer in office clothes we don’t love. I also think so many of these pieces can easily mix and match with each other so have fun if you are on the hunt.

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: I Tried On Everything At H&M And These Are My 9 Cute And Affordable Summer Outfits

Why You Should Choose Bigger Art (As Proven By A Beautiful Italian-Inspired New Build)

We are pretty selective when it comes to featuring house tours that aren’t our own makeovers. It’s not because they aren’t all great, but more that we want you to get an important takeaway. We have a good one today:) Caitlin and I were just talking about the problem with “bitsy” wall decor. There always a place for small art when it’s done in a really intentional way, but often, art that’s too little (or bitsy) looks a bit haphazard or cluttered when multiple are hung together…and probably a reason why you my feel that your space does feel “done” or “elevated”. It’s all about scale, people! You need more large scale art. So when we were pitched this STUNNING home tour, which we actually linked up last September, we thought it very much deserved another look and deep dive. The scale of the wall art chosen REALLY shows the power of larger art and perfectly illustrates what Caitlin and I talked about. Also, the internet moves on so fast, and when a home is this special, we want to slow it down a little and appreciate it.

You might be thinking, “Ya, of course we want bigger art, but it’s really expensive!” And to that I understand, but I also know that with a little creativity, you could make or find pieces that are larger (or you could also put a small piece in a much larger frame…see a little creativity).

Now, let’s take a minute to enjoy this INCREDIBLE ceramic installation by the one and only Ben Medansky (remember when we shot his home?). The insane texture and modern aesthetic contrast in such a cool and beautiful way with the more “traditional” and “refined” design elements. Actually, the mix of the primitive bench with the modern stone pedestal table (we love pedestal tables:)), then the woven basket with the sculptural vase — perfect tension that gives off a sense of ease. But now imagine a gallery wall of a bunch of small pieces of art. Could it be pretty? Done well, of course. But likely it would look a little overwhelming. This one large piece lets your eye take a break.

Here you can see how the entry piece works with the living room piece, and boy, it’s awesome. That framed tapestry was probably not inexpensive, but I do think that with some DIY skills, someone could take inspiration from this and create a piece that’s in the same world. While it may take some time, search the internet, go to flea markets, and/or estate sales, and/or thrift stores, to find your own tapestry for a price you are willing to spend. Then you can either have it hang from something like a quilt hanger or even build your own frame. Here’s a post with other non-traditional framing options.

But what I really want to emphasize is the scale. It takes up almost the entire wall and looks insanely elevated. But you don’t have to choose a huge wall to do this. Remember the airplane photo from Emily’s best friend’s living room? The wall was much smaller, but the impact was similar.

I also don’t want you to think I am suggesting that you should only use HUGE pieces that fill up entire walls. Take this beautiful and colorful abstract over the fireplace. Wait, let me first gush over the style variation between the pieces in this home. They are unexpected together but work completely harmoniously. It’s a fun surprise around every corner! Ok, back to business. This piece isn’t huge, but the scale and boldness of color are perfect. If this painting were 25% smaller, it would look a little too bitsy. And if you want to know the art resource, they got this piece from Eneby Home:)

Another masterpiece, and I’m not just talking about the art. That wine-drenched room made my heart stop when I first saw it. Plus, the textures and shapes could not be more inviting. I imagine you feel completely transported when you are in there. Now, that piece of art is actually a tapestry that homeowner and designer, Pierce Jordan, got from his grandmother, who bought it in Paris in the 70s. What a dream! Again, something like this could easily live in your home with some vintage hunting. The added bonus is that you don’t have to pay for a frame. All you need is a cool rod.

I do want to point out that this, more detailed/ornate, rod works so well because it complements the darker wall color (aka doesn’t stand out too much), and there are a lot of other detailed vintage pieces in the space. If you have a super modern “new” room, with not a ton of intricate detailing, I’d suggest choosing a more modern and streamlined rod. There are always exceptions, but that’s a good rule of thumb.

Onto this unreal kitchen. This is actually a type of room where smaller pieces can be pretty perfect. But that also depends on wall space and ceiling height. If you have a large kitchen like this one with no upper cabinets, then I would go a little bigger like they did with the piece on the left. But can we also talk about the wall sconce? WOW. Those two wall decor pieces visually balance perfectly. The scales are complementary, and since they are different types of decor, I also love that they are hung at the same height. Of course, if there were a matching sconce, then that would also be hung at the same height, but if both sides had art, they would either need to be different sizes or orientations, OR one side could have something like two pieces stacked on top of each other. Symmetry works sometimes, but variation is where that visual interest lies.

Here’s a cute little side-by-side so you can really appreciate each piece (and don’t worry, you’ll get to see both of those other rooms in a minute).

Also, before we move on, I want to point out how two different styles of cabinet fronts were chosen for this kitchen. Another great example of mixing modern and traditional. You don’t see this too often, likely because this would be an expensive regret, but clearly, if done well, it’s incredibly awesome.

Another breathtaking room? Why, yes. Please come on in. This wallpaper is art in and of itself, so to hang art on it, that art needs to be able to stand up to it visually.

Also, as a reminder, this home is a NEW BUILD. I can only imagine how much it cost, but truly, what a masterful job.

Especially with a wallpaper with this kind of pattern scale, you probably aren’t going to want to cover it with an enormous piece of art. It’s too pretty! So do like Jordan and his team did, and choose a piece that is large enough and has a presence that can stand up to the paper. Here, I think they did a perfect job by choosing a bolder, thicker frame with a still life that has texture and is a darker version of the wallpaper’s color palette.

More stunning wallpaper, please. And this color palette is both moody and inviting! Peep the ceiling:) Such a great way to connect this room to the darker living room that’s across the entryway. But the art over the fireplace is a perfect medium to large size. The darkness of the painting with the pop of colors bounces off the wood paneling while also visually standing up to the bold wallpaper. It’s so good. I mean that 1750s mantel is also a piece of art. Swoon.

This wonderful pantry doesn’t necessarily warrant a chat about big art; I just wanted to make sure you got to see it. But those two pieces are awesome together. The color palettes are similar, but the styles are very different. Couldn’t love it more. That’s how to do it, people.

I know this home is not relatable to most of us (maybe someday!), but I truly think there are so many takeaways that anyone can find. Take these two pieces of art. Beautiful, simply framed, and not small but not huge. Also, they aren’t the same size. This is very important. Unless you are creating a grid, mix up those sizes. It’s going to look more interesting and intentional.

Need I say more?? Well, unless if you can’t, you should absolutely have a piece of art in your bathroom. It looks awesome over tile, too. See an example here:)

Couldn’t not include this bathroom. The detailing in that red travertine vanity is almost too good. I know that the mirror is on the smaller side, but doesn’t it feel so intentional? Plus, those larger linear flanking sconces really make the wall feel perfectly filled out.

I mean, sometimes all you need is a mirror:) But for me, the real star of the show is that floor!

Then, last but not least, here is an incredible special office. Every piece chosen is so special, but I’m sure you guessed that I am going to immediately talk about the art. I’m obsessed. The scale is clearly perfect. I love that it’s almost perfectly in line with the window. Also, how incredible does the height variation look? The pieces are different but talk effortlessly together, and the fact that the widths are the same, the frames are nearly identical, but the heights are varied…I’m dead. 1000/10.

I hope you were not only inspired by this home, but there were enough takeaways for you to be excited to mix up things in yours. Art should be fun, beautiful, and represent you. Maybe just go a little bigger:)

Love you, mean it.

MORE ART POST RESOURCES:

Affordable Large Scale Art & How To Get It In Your HomeOur New Favorite Large-Scale Art Solution (Why It Works & 8 of My Picks)Scared To Choose Art? We Showed Our Photographer How To Do It With Pretty And Affordable OptionsHow To Actually Make A Gallery Wall: Our No-Fail Formula We Use Every Time (+ Our Favorite Original Art Resources)How to Hang Art Correctly10 Online Sources You Might Not Know For Collecting Super Cool Art (Whether You Have $40 or $4,000) + A Quick Ask the Audience

*Designed by Shane & Pierce
**Photos by Michael P.H. Clifford

Critics Deemed Them “The Most Miraculous Works of Modern Art America Has Produced” – So Why Aren’t The Artists a Household Name?

First off Happy Juneteenth, everyone! It’s so important to recognize these extremely important days in our country’s history and also not forget how everyone’s rights were not given but instead fought hard for. So to honor this day of black American liberation, we wanted to repost what most have said is one of their top favorite posts on the site. Last year our wonderful Caitlin had been learning about quilting and the history of the Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers so she wrote this wonderful and educational post. If you haven’t read it you are in for a serious treat and if you have, may we invite you to another read to fill your design heart. We need to keep celebrating and honoring our black designers and craftsman. Please enjoy this offering.

Let’s play a game: how many modern American artists can you name? Think about it for a second. (I’ll wait.) Maybe you thought about Rothko, or Ruscha, or Warhol, or Walker. Maybe your mind exhausted its American options before wandering to a more international crowd – Matissa, Klee, Mondrian. All good guesses, of course, but not exactly the answer I’m looking for!

Would a hint help? I’m thinking of a centuries-old artist collective whose pieces have been heralded by the New York Times as “some of the most miraculous works of modern art America has produced.” Ray Eames, Jackson Pollock, and Vogue editor Diana Vreeland were all collectors, and the collective has gone on to launch collaborations with institutions like Target, Anthropologie, and even the USPS. Art critics have praised their masterful art pieces as being “so eye-poppingly gorgeous that it’s hard to know how to begin to account for them,” and their work is now in the permanent collection of more than 40 museums on 3 different continents.

Stumped? You may not be alone – which is why today, I’m taking over the blog to share the world and work of the Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers with you. If you’re not familiar, you’re in for a treat. (And if you are familiar, sit yourself back down – you know you’re in for a treat, too!)

‘broken star variation’ (c. 1925) by magdalene wilson | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Earlier this year, I picked up quilting. It started out of necessity – I couldn’t afford the bedding I’d been eyeing and decided to make it myself, emboldened by a moment of delirious self-confidence, a well-timed sale at JoAnn, and a beginner sewing class, in which I crafted the world’s ugliest pillow – but as it turns out, I love quilting. (Isn’t it great when that happens?)

So a few months ago, on the hunt for more knowledge, I turned to the library. There, I found this book by Modern Quilt Guild. Inside, two pieces by the Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers – a Housetop quilt by Nettie Jane Kennedy and a Bricklayer quilt by Loretta Pettway, both of which found a home at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston – stopped me in my tracks.

Meet the Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers‘blocks and stripes work clothes quilt (two-sided)’ (c. 1920s) by martha jane pettway | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

All of the quilts I’d seen previously were perfectly measured and ultra-precise, with stitching so neat that human handiwork was indiscernible from that of a machine. The art of each of these women from Gee’s Bend, however, left me moved. Their quilts were often created out of necessity – crafted from old dungarees, worn feed and flour sacks, hand-me-down fabric remnants, or other secondhand materials – and intended to keep their families comfortable and warm in homes that lacked running water, telephones, or electricity. “People are not really expressing enough love anymore,” Essie Pettway told the New York Times in 2018, “It’s at the center of what we do.“

And Miss Essie is right – the quilts really were an act of love. Every piece of fabric used was appreciated, and even visible stains or discoloration served as reminders of loved ones who often left nothing else behind. The quilt seen here by Missouri Pettway always makes me cry – it was sewn from the clothing of her husband, Nathaniel, after his death in 1941. “Mama say, ‘I going to take his work clothes, shape them into a quilt to remember him, and cover up under it for love,” her daughter Arlonzia shared. (It’s not pictured in this post because I’d be too busy sobbing to continue writing, obviously.)

‘housetop single-block courthouse steps variation’ (c. 1945) by jennie pettway | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

So let’s get into it: let’s talk about Gee’s Bend, the women behind the art, and what the next century looks like. We’ll chat about how an isolated Alabama community developed an indigenous art style that rivals the Op Art greats, but we’ll also talk about why I take issue with some of the comparisons drawn. (And of course, there’s a little bit of drama, too.) I’ve been yappin’ to the EHD team about the Gee’s Bend Quiltmakers for weeks – sweet Gretch and Mal have already heard this soliloquy in person, delivered on our recent team trip – so are you ready?

An Introduction‘bricklayer’ (c. 1958) and ‘two-sided work-clothes quilt: bars and blocks’ (c. 1960) by loretta petway | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Buckle up: we’re heading back in time to Gee’s Bend, Alabama (government alias: Boykin, AL), a tiny town whose 305 residents and artists are direct descendants of once-enslaved cotton pickers. When the plantation-owning Gee Family accrued too much debt in the mid-1800s, they relinquished ownership of their 30-year-old plantation – including the lives of 98 enslaved people – to Mark H. Pettway, a small-town sheriff in North Carolina.

And I’m going to state the obvious: this guy, Mark H. Pettway, was awful. He transported his family and his belongings in a wagon train, while his enslaved workforce of 100 men, women, and children were forced to walk over 700 miles to their new homes in Alabama. (Many of the artists in Gee’s Bend still carry his last name today, and the art of 60 different Pettways has since been professionally documented. You’ll see much of their work here.)

‘blocks and strips’ (c. 1960) by delia bennett | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

After the Civil War, Boykin remained mostly unchanged. While enslaved people had technically been emancipated, the quiltmaker’s ancestors were forced to work as sharecroppers, a job that saddled their families with never-ending debts to the Pettway family.

But as cotton prices began to fall in the 1920s and 1930s, the land-owning farmers in the town of Gee’s Bend found themselves accruing debts of their own. So much debt, in fact, that a local merchant was able to foreclose on the entire town in 1932. Food. Livestock. Farm equipment. Tools. Heirlooms – all were gone in seconds. The remaining residents of Gee’s Bend – men and women who’d been moved there by force – were left destitute, by no fault of their own.

‘two sided quilt’ (c. 1960) and ‘nine-patch’ (c. 1970s) by deborah pettway young | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Enter: Franklin Roosevelt. (Seriously.) In 1937, the federal government purchased 10,000 acres of the former Pettway plantation and provided low-interest loans to the families of Gee’s Bend, which allowed residents to buy back the land formerly worked by their ancestors. As nearly 6 million Black Americans journeyed away from the South between 1916 and 1970, Gee’s Bend residents were able to stay in the place they’d come to call home and the shoots of a rich, multigenerational cultural quilt-making tradition began to blossom.

But remaining in Alabama was a double edged sword. Because of the remote location and lack of transportation, Gee’s Bend’s artists weren’t afforded the same opportunities received by their coastal and metropolitan counterparts. The first paved road into Gee’s Bend wasn’t laid until 1967; when car-less community members began taking the ferry to a nearby town where they could register to vote, authorities responded by suspending ferry service altogether. Gee’s Bend – a town surrounded by water on three sides – had been swiftly and intentionally isolated, again. (Ferry service wasn’t restored until 2006, nearly 40 years after it had been eliminated.)

An Exercise In Resilience ‘crazy quilt’ (c. 1967) by plummer t. pettway | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Once again, the community of Gee’s Bend had to figure out how to stay afloat – and this time, women took the lead. One day, in a small Baptist Church, more than 60 quiltmakers (and one Episcopal priest) from rural Alabama joined forces to found the Freedom Quilting Bee, the county’s first Black-owned business and one of the first Black women’s cooperatives in America.

The Bee began to sell quilts across the country and eventually landed major contracts with brands like Bloomingdales and Sears, inspiring a renewed nationwide interest in textile arts. 100 years after the first quilt had been stitched, Gees Bend was the quilt capitol of America…or at least, that’s how it should have gone down.

The Second Revival‘bars and blocks’ (undated) and ‘one patch’ (c. 1978) by flora moore | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

But it wasn’t meant to be: Bloomingdales dropped the Bee’s quilts (they were “too irregular” for the brand’s tastes); Sears had the artists producing nothing but corduroy pillow shams. Without the visibility and promotion from these larger retailers, the art from Gee’s Bend began to fade into the background. Art collectors returned to the world of paint and photography; consumers hopped on the next trend train. The quilting continued, but the fanfare subsided.

And this is also where the story starts to get a little messy (in my eyes, at least). We’re leaping forward to 1998 when William Arnett, a collector and purveyor of Black American art, stumbled upon a photo of a Gee’s Bend quilt by Annie Mae Young. After enlisting his son to help with the technical research – some things never change, parents! – he hoofed it to Alabama, unannounced, and began knocking on doors and buying up quilts. (“Soon the word spread through Gee’s Bend that there was a crazy white man in town paying good money for raggedy old quilts,” the Smithsonian jokes.)

‘housetop’ (c. 1970) by nellie mae abrams | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

A few years later, Arnett sees his opening: he learns of a last-minute exhibition cancellation at the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, and he convinces the curator (a friend, of course) to debut his collection of quilts from Boykin. The show, officially titled “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend,” opened in September 2002 to immediate critical acclaim. The response is glowing; the demand is instant. The quilts tour through every prestigious art museum in every major city in America.

“Imagine Matisse and Klee (if you think I’m wildly exaggerating, see the show) arising not from rarefied Europe, but from the caramel soil of the rural South in the form of women,” raved the New York Times’ art critic. But if this description gave you pause for an uncertain reason, you’re not alone – can we talk about it for a second?

‘bricklayer variation’ (c. 1970) by and ‘housetop with cross’ (c. 1970) by linda diane bennett | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Amelia Peck, the American Art curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, sums up my feelings towards the comparison in this 2018 book on Gee’s Bend: “It’s something like a party trick,” she writes, referring to the tendency of critics and museums to promote comparisons between esteemed painters and the Gee’s Bend quiltmakers. “That is, ‘Isn’t it amazing that these untutored rural women were able to make something almost as good as our favorite paintings of the late twentieth century?’”

In a later interview with the Met Museum, she explains further. “For a long time, critics compared graphic quilts to abstract art painted by men as an easy way to make sense of them and to make them into something more valuable than just a bed covering—more of a “real” work of art…earlier generations couldn’t see them as anything other than domestic. ‘Women’ and ‘domestic’ are uncomfortable categories for most classically trained art critics; a useful object made by women for the home that also happened to be beautiful was not considered art…the women of Gee’s Bend had an intentional vision: they were composing artworks by putting pieces of various fabrics together, no differently than the other artists in the show would compose a painting or an assemblage.”

‘blocks’ (c. 1975) by china pettway | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Peck’s words resonated strongly with me, and I hope they do with you, too. I’ve always been frustrated by the delineation between “art” and “craft” – so often, we lessen women’s cultural contributions and push female artists into obscurity. I’ll tell you one thing: these Alabama-based quiltmakers ARE artists. Full stop. And if their work had been painted by men instead of sewn by women, we all would have learned their names in Art History class.

Gee’s Bend is home to one of the richest, deepest, and longest-running American art traditions. If any other town in the country produced this many prolific painters, or sculptors, or photographers, it’d be front-page news – it’s time to start singing the Gee’s Bend praises a little more loudly, methinks. (Quilting has brought me so much fulfillment and joy and I just wish I had learned about the art form sooner, you know?)

‘lazy gal (bars)’ (c. 1975) and ‘housetop – four block variation’ (c. 2005) by arlonzia pettway | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

RANT OVER. Back on track! Following a successful museum debut, more than 50 Gee’s Benders came together to form the Gee’s Bend Quilters Collective, an organization designed to help the women sell and market their work. (And psst, it’s still active! As an added bonus, they also host quilting retreats! Should we all go?!)

The momentum kept rolling, too – in 2006, the U.S. Postal Service issued a series of commemorative postage stamps featuring quilts from Gee’s Bend, and demand for work was at an all-time high. Quilters signed licensing deals left and right, and their work was printed on tumblers, calendars, scarves, pet-safe rugs, and so much more (quilts even made their way onto VISA’s gift cards, if you can believe it).

Nothing Gold Can Stay‘housetop – fractured medallion variation’ (c. 1977) by rita mae pettway | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

If you’re reading this and wondering if these women ever catch a break, the answer is…no, they don’t. Do you remember William Arnett? You know – the art collector who showed up unannounced?

Well, in 2007, Arnett was sued by three Gee’s Bend women – including Annie Mae Young, the artist who sparked Arnett’s love of Boykin’s quilters – who alleged they weren’t properly compensated for their art. The lawsuit was quickly resolved and quietly settled out of court, but it begged a familiar question that we’re still kicking around today: are these artists being taken advantage of?

At the time, most quilters seemed happy with the arrangement Arnett had offered, and the other artists he represented were quick to defend him. “Martin Luther King got us out of the cotton patch; the Arnetts got us out from under the bedsprings and onto the museum walls,” quilter Nettie Young told the New York Times in 2007. “I don’t know what they sued for. They ain’t told me, and I ain’t asked them.” (I’d highly encourage reading the NYT’s lawsuit coverage – the topic is nuanced and I’d love to hear your take.)

‘my way’ (c. 2000) and ‘medallion’ (c. 2006) by louisiana p. bendolph | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

To that end, William Arnett is a really interesting character in this story. Sure, he made a career of bringing underrepresented artists to the masses – but he’s also done it in a way that worries his professional contacts in the art world. Arnett often bankrolled his own untrained artists – many of whom relied on him for income while waiting for their art careers to launch – but it can be hard to trust that he’s always had the purest intentions. Was he an ally who utilized every resource available to shine a light on the works of Black artists, or was he taking advantage of poor artists who lacked context?

“Curator, gallerist, advocate, promoter, patron — those are all categories that, in the art world, we try to keep barriers between,” Susan Krane, a museum curator, explained to the New Yorker. “My concerns were how he functioned as a patron with artists who were, by and large, poor…Bill was creating art history around these artists while functioning as a dealer and promoting exhibitions. If you’re a museum person, it raised every red flag you’re taught to pay attention to.“

‘work-clothes quilt’ (c. 2002) by mary lee bendolph | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

The suits didn’t stop Arnett, however. In 2010, he founded the Souls Grown Deep Foundation – a nonprofit organization dedicated to “promoting the work of Black artists from the American South and supporting their communities by fostering economic empowerment, racial and social justice, and educational advancement.”

Upon its inception, Souls Grown Deep launched a multi-year campaign to transfer the majority of the works in its care – a number once estimated to be around 1,100 – to leading art museums worldwide. To date, the foundation has found permanent museum homes for over 500 of the pieces in its collection.

Back In Boykin‘lazy gal’ (c. 2005) and ‘small blocks’ (c. 2004) by nancy pettway | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

But back in Gee’s Bend – or Boykin, if we’re being formal – the residual effects of nationwide acclaim are hard to feel. “All of the publicity would be good if it would help build up our community. But the quilts are the only thing going on here. We need grants, we need help from the outside,” Nancy Pettway told the Associated Press almost 20 years ago.

And sadly, there’s still much to be done. In 2014, Wilcox County made headlines as the poorest county in America, while Boykin received special recognition as the poorest section of the county. Most quilters drive hours to get to and from their jobs, and government officials say they don’t have funds to finance any of the necessary or requested improvements to the town.

‘housetop variation’ (c. 2003) by lucy l. witherspoon | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

The Souls Grown Deep Foundation has a plan to turn things around, though, and they’re looking to another art-based town as a model. (They’re a pretty dynamic character in this story, don’t you think?)

The inspiration: Marfa, Texas. Much like Boykin, it’s a tiny town in a similarly remote location, tucked 3 hour drive from the nearest airport and 60 miles from the Mexican border. Founded in the 1880s as a railroad water stop, Marfa was transformed into a minimalist art mecca when artist Donald Judd moved to town, bought up a few buildings, and began installing a series of now-iconic art pieces. Marfa has since rebranded as a haven for artists and a must-see destination for, well, anyone with an Instagram account. (I mean, you’ve definitely seen the Prada Marfa store, right?)

But if Marfa – a hot, inaccessible, formerly-obscure desert town – can transform into a playground for the art world’s rich and famous…why not Gee’s Bend? Could Boykin be the next big hotspot for history buffs, craft enthusiasts, and modern art appreciators alike? It’s worth a shot. (The foundation is mindful of maintaining the culture of the small town, however: “There won’t be any G6s landing—this is a bus trip,” the president of Souls Grown Deep told Artnet in 2020.)

‘blocks and strips’ (c. 2004) and ‘strips (c. 1960s) by irene williams | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Another plan is on the docket, too: the artists in Gee’s Bend have collaborated with Nest, a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the art of handmade craft. The partnership is designed to make the quilts from Boykin more accessible, and the plan is already working – you can now buy quilts directly from several of Gee’s Bend finest artists on Etsy, and two third-generation quilters (Delia Thibodeaux and Caster Pettway) launched a Gee’s Bend collection with Target this past February.

Moving forward, the community hopes to build cultural centers, quilting hubs, marketplaces for local goods, community-run housing for tourists, and walking trails. In a conversation with Artnet, Mary Margaret Pettway revealed her dream for Gee’s Bend in 2030: “Virtually every house would have a marker, and people can go and tap their smartphones and pull up information about that quilter,” she said. “It would be something to see. We are living history.” (She’s right.)

‘blocks and strips’ (c. 2005) by loretta pettway bennett | photo by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

Just for the record, things are looking up in Boykin. In 2015, three Gee’s Bend quilters – Mary Lee Bendolph, Loretta Pettway, and Lucy Mingo – were named National Heritage Fellows by the National Endowment of the Arts. (About time!)

And in 2022, a renewed and reinvigorated Freedom Quilting Bee team launched the first annual Airing of the Quilts Festival – based on the classic, generations-old tradition, where quilters would hang their finished works outside – which has since drawn thousands of tourists and visitors to the tiny Alabama town. (This year’s event is on October 12, if anyone’s interested in making the trek. It’s actually pretty close to my birthday and I’ve never been to Alabama, so I’m eyeing the trip myself!)

‘my way’ (c. 2022) and ‘birds in flight variation (c. 2023) by caster pettway | photos by pitkin studio | via souls grown deep

WOW, THAT’S A LOT OF INFORMATION. You still with me?

I’ve just been charmed and moved by the poignant stories and inherent drive of these artists. The quilters started with so little – just a few scraps of fabric – but they developed a fresh, unexpected, and timeless visual vernacular that survived through slavery, through the antebellum South, through the Jim Crow era, and that continues to inspire today. Their use of color, pattern, and texture – it’s all masterful. The work is just as exciting and vibrant today as it was in the 1800s. If you have some time to spare today, take a moment to scroll through the visual archive here. I’ve shared 30 of my favorite pieces above, but there are so many more where that came from.

The women of Gee’s Bend inspired me to dive deeper into a hobby that’s introduced me to new friends, taught me new skills, gotten me off my phone, and given me permission to flex my creative muscles in ways I never would have expected. I think we could probably all learn a little something from them, you know? Happy Juneteenth. xx

PS. For more information on the Black quilting tradition in America – because you know it goes beyond Boykin, baby! – check out this piece by Shantay Robinson in . It’s a quick, smart read. You’ll love it – I promise.

Why We Chose A Clover Lawn Instead Of Grass (This Time)

I feel like I’m about to step into an opinion minefield today. Deciding to do a clover lawn in one area of the property has been oddly polarizing. I’m not an expert, so don’t use me as your sole point of research, but we did opt for a clover lawn instead of traditional turf this time, and today I’ll talk about why (and how I feel about it). I’ve wanted clover forever, but I was alone in the past. So many experts (both in person and online) think it’s a fantastic new alternative to lawns, and other experts in the field (LOL) say it will ruin your landscaping that you’ve just invested in. My typical approach (on anything) is to do a ton of research and then realize that, like everything, it’s nuanced, depends on a lot of things, and lands somewhere in the middle. I also generally try to listen to people with the most real-world experience in anything, and yet sometimes old-school folks don’t want to risk something new because they’ve been trained to hate it. With clover, apparently, farmers used to love it, then “big herbicide” demonized clover as a weed, and the rest is history. Four years ago, during phase 1, I proposed a clover lawn after being heavily influenced by commenters during our artificial turf conversation in Arrowhead (which I don’t regret for one second, btw – it absolutely made sense for the no-irrigation-allowed dry landscaping). Up here in Oregon, I was met by “Clover instead of grass? Are you nuts?” But I was uneducated (outside of internet searching) and outnumbered, so I didn’t fight for my clover lawn. Grass it was. And listen, grass lawns thrive in Oregon, we have a lot of rain, 8-9 months of the year, and many people don’t irrigate at all. I love our grass lawns, mixed a bit naturally with clover, and totally imperfect. Last weekend we had six families over for a full day BBQ that went until 11 pm, where 16 kids played ghosts in the graveyard, gymnastics, soccer, frisbee, and football for HOURS. Grass is best for this. Does it take a lot of water in the summer? Yep. But we invested in recommissioning our well, which is what we irrigate with. Could we have done a clover lawn instead? Maybe! But we recently seeded clover by the paddock, and today we are discussing it all. Keep reading to check it out.

What’s The Beef With Real Grass Lawns???

There is a new movement that is certainly against the traditional lawn. Like so many things right now, the loudest voices seem to be passionately against what most of us have deemed kinda normal, causing us to critically rethink it all. From what I’ve researched and learned, here are the points that seem to make sense to me:

Grass lawns are high maintenance (daily watering and weekly mowing).They create a monoculture (one species, not creating a biodiverse environment for bees and butterflies, and other native plants to thrive).They deplete resources (water).They are often treated with chemicals (fertilizers and herbicides – glyphosate from Roundup are seen to be universally known as AWFUL and possibly one of the worst demons to our environment and our bodies).

Oh, but then there’s the “no-lawn” movement, which is a mix of pea gravel, DG, and low-drought shrubs, which can look great in a front yard, but doesn’t make sense for a lot of families. Clover lawn versus a grass lawn felt like a real alternative. I’m sure in many areas, all the above points are very true (I’ve never been a “perfect green lawn” person, I’m from rural Oregon). But, the vibe of many of the articles can often be pretentious, as if those of us who want a lawn are just for “suburban show” – it’s not. For us, at least, so much life happens on lawns with young kids, and in Oregon, it thrives without extra water almost year-round. It is mostly set it and forget it. Or maybe we are just basic :)

Let’s Go Clover Lawns!

The hype towards having a clover lawn is this:

Low maintenance because it requires far less water and mowing than grass.Eco-friendly, using nitrogen that acts as a natural fertilizer in the soil.Attracts and feeds pollinators like bees and other beneficial insects.It is soft, cool, and pretty! I love the look of clover. In fact, I love the look of clover mixed with grass (so sue me). And in hot summers it’s way cooler on feet :)It is evergreen or semi-evergreen. Year-round without irrigation for the most part – it might go dormant in August, but otherwise requires very little once established.Super cheap – once the soil is prepped, it’s just seeds, which can be under $50.The Cons Of Clover:

This seems to be more anecdotal, but both a traditionally trained former landscaper of ours and our trusted maintenance guy, Domingo (who has been taking care of Oregon yards for 30 years), both painted a potential horror picture of intentionally using clover. They claimed clover lawns will take over everything – lawns, garden beds, and would choke out pretty shrubs and annuals. And when you have two experts with decades of different types of experience warning you not to do something, you listen, right? But what if they care about lawns in a way that I don’t? We like a more natural, rustic vibe. I don’t mind clover mixed in with our turf – in fact, I LIKE IT. We like overgrown and wild. We do NOT like manicured (I even hate when they edge the lawn, TBH). At the same time, we planted these gorgeous beds full of perennials that need to thrive!

P.S. This is our new area that I really don’t want to get ruined, and you can see the clover in the back just starting to grow.

Stage 2 Landscaping – We Went With A Clover Lawn (But Not At First)

As you know for stage 2 of our landscaping, we hired Dennis’ 7 Dees to redesign the area under the old sport court and to make the area by the barn and paddock simply better (and truly couldn’t have been happier). Eric sent through the design plan below:

We loved the original plan – a mix of flagstone, trees, shrubs, and perennials. But the $$$ numbers were higher than we wanted, and Brian and I panicked. We quickly prioritized our budget and deprioritized the area at the top, along the split rail fence by the barn. It just wasn’t that important to us. Sure, we didn’t want it to look like garbage, but that area in and of itself was going to cost $40k – demo, irrigation, a ton of stonework, planting, trees, shrubs, lighting, etc. Here’s what that area looked like before:

Every winter it was green, wild, and full of weeds (which we didn’t mind, TBH), and every summer it was so dry and ugly (which we did mind). But this area is more utility – it’s where Brian wheelbarrows the food to the animals, and kids stand on the fence to feed the animals. It didn’t need to be pretty, just better than it was.

Could this be the clover opportunity I’ve been waiting for?? So this time I relied heavily on Dennis’ 7 Dees to help us make our clover decision. They confirmed all of the above and gave us even more insight.

Clover changes throughout the year—lush and blooming in spring, thinner in summer, then rebounding in fall. (Fine by me!)They confirmed it needs reseeding every 2–3 years to stay dense (Easy! Especially since they are also our maintenance team, so they’ll stay on top of this) – P.S. More if there is harsh weather.Less ideal for heavy play zones without occasional mowing (true, which is why we also love having a traditional turf lawn for kids to play).Maintenance in Oregon is low:Watering: Needs only occasional water in dry spells after it’s established.Mowing: Optional—some mow every few weeks to manage blooms, others let it grow freely with minimal mowing (that’s us!).

DONE. We were into it. Let’s save some dough, make our yard look more natural, and feed those bees and soil at the same time.

The Process And What We Chose:

Eric and Dennis’ 7 Dees came back with this specific recommendation (because they are pros): “PT 755 Fleur de Lawn, a premium eco-lawn seed blend that includes micro-clover and a mix of flowering, low-growing species. It’s designed to be drought-tolerant, pollinator-friendly, and soft underfoot—perfect for areas where a traditional lawn might not make sense”. Sounded GREAT to me. This whole area cost $3k, whereas the original plan was obviously much much more.

Since we were hiring out for this, they did it professionally – demoing out the lawn, bringing in new/better soil, leveling it all for draining, soil, then waiting for spring to spread the seed. No irrigation. Our job would be to mist it daily for 10 minutes when it didn’t rain to establish the seeds (which was hard to remember, TBH). Here’s what it looks like 3 months in:

I LOVE IT. It makes me so happy. This is probably because I’m from rural Oregon and it just reminds me of my childhood. Here are a few things to keep in mind from the experts:

Maintenance in Oregon:

Watering: Needs only occasional irrigation in dry spells after it’s established.Mowing: Optional—some mow every few weeks to manage blooms, others let it grow freely with minimal mowingReseeding: Expect to overseed every couple of years, especially after high foot traffic or harsh weather.

Seasonal Care Rhythm:

Spring: Let it bloom and thrive with seasonal rains, mow down and allow grassier look to develop.Summer: drought tolerant clover will take over to compensate for lawn dieback. Irrigated as desired.Fall: With rain, it fills back in like a soft green carpet lawn look.Winter: It may thin or get mucky, but bounces back in spring.

Why Dennis’ 7 Dees Recommends It In Certain Projects:

“Clover and eco lawns aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, but they’re a great option for large, low-traffic areas where sustainability and simplicity matter. We’re always looking for ways to reduce inputs (water, fertilizer, labor) and support pollinators—this choice checks all those boxes while still feeling beautiful and thoughtful. It’s a ‘Design with nature, not against it’ approach.”

If you aren’t done talking about clover yet, here is more from our current account manager, Emily Smiley (how great is her name??):

“The great clover debate is real. Lawn purists say it’s weedy and wild; environmentalists say lawns are outdated, period. I say: know your goals and choose what serves your space best. Sometimes that’s a manicured lawn. Sometimes it’s a pollinator meadow. And sometimes, it’s a patch of clover that costs a fraction of traditional landscaping and makes your yard feel intentional. Clover isn’t perfect, but neither is turf. As a landscape designer and gardener, I believe in designing with nature; not against it. This specific choice softens the space, supports Natural Pollinators(!!) and reduces our environmental footprint without giving up on aesthetic beauty.”

“This isn’t a turf replacement—it’s a true eco-lawn that works with the seasons, not against them.”

So How Do We Feel About It?

I couldn’t be happier. BIG FAN. In some places, it’s taller? Other places it’s more like ground cover. I love how it looks soft and natural, bright green, and easy. Imperfect, wild, but not out of control, and just so appropriate for our space. It is taking over the boxwood a bit, which we can’t tell if we care about (we put in those shrubs after the clover as a ball barrier), so we might carve out a moat around those plants with mulch. Easy fix. All in all, we love it. Now, if we could just plant it in that brown paddock, without the alpacas and pigs eating it before it could grow (which would never happen – such pigs!).

*Photos by Kaitlin Green

Hidden Potential: Our Favorite Storage Sofas, Sectionals & Ottomans (A.K.A. Living Room Super Heroes)

There are few things in this divided, polarized world that nearly everyone agrees on, but having more storage than less in your home is probably one of them (I’d bet my armoire on it). When you’ve exhausted all your closets and cabinets and drawers…what then? Purge? Well, yeah, you should probably start there. But after that? Put storage in places you don’t expect. Like your sofa.

I’ve recently taken on task on around here of finding good-looking versions of typically not-so-charming furniture (like recliner sofas that don’t look like recliners, recliner chairs that don’t look like burka loungers, and standing desks that don’t look like a cubicle), and today, we’re talking storage sofas, sectionals and ottomans.

Now, this category of upholstery isn’t necessarily known for being, well, ugly, mostly because not that many brands or stores actually offer this. Having worked in the furniture industry, I can’t really tell you why not. It’s genius! I mean, all the space under your cushions and springs is there for the taking, but it sits ignored, begging to be put to good use. “Please, stuff me full of board games you play once a year, or seasonal blankets that are super comfy but not really all that attractive,” it beckons.

the modular sofa w/ storage from 7th avenue

One of my last photoshoots in my previous job at a sofa manufacturer was for our new line of storage upholstery (our beloved Sara Ligorria-Tramp actually shot it!). That company has since evaporated, but I’ll tell you. The team that was there styling and shooting were all dumbfounded that this isn’t more common. It’s not all sunshine, storage and rainbows, though. Here are a few things to know about storage seating before we explore some of the EHD-approved ones I found.

Storage sofas and sectionals may not be as comfortable as a standard sofa or sectional. Sadly, like with a sleeper sofa, seating that does double or triple duty has to comprise something, and that is typically the softness of the cushion. You’ll find that the seat is usually much firmer and doesn’t have that yummy sink-in feeling you might be looking for. This is because there is typically a thin platform right under the cushion rather than springs or webbing. Depending on how they’re built, they may not last as long. This point is painful considering many storage sofas and sectionals cost more than the standard sofa. Anytime you have an additional mechanism in furniture, it’s likely to eventually fail, or, at the very least, need maintenance. Get a warranty if one is offered.That super cool style you’ve been hoping for? Yeah, it’s not going to come with storage. You’ll likely find sofas with storage to be a bit boxier, which works now because that’s on trend, but in general, there are style limitations. Thankfully, you can often find these in some fun fabric offerings, so you’re able to push the boundaries a bit in that arena. The type of lift mechanism will greatly affect the price. When shopping, be sure to seek out information on how you’ll be able to open the storage compartment. Some sofas, typically those in lower price ranges, are fully manual, meaning you have to hold it up with one hand to ensure it stays open. Others (the better ones) have a hydraulic system, which both makes them easier to open, but also means they stay open hands-free. How Do Storage Sofa’s Function?

Ah, glad you (I) asked. There are a few things you’ll find if you do a deep dive, but I’ll summarize them here so you don’t have to.

Storage sectionals are more common than two- or three-seater sofas, especially if they are a sleeper. If you Google “storage sectional” or even “storage sofa,” I promise you’ll be met with more sleeper sofas than anything else. But, in sectionals, that chaise compartment is fairly easy to turn into a storage cubby because these typically come in two pieces. The “sofa” part clicks into the chaise, which is its own piece, so the manufacturer only has to alter the frame of that section, not the whole furnishing.

You’ll see them open up like this:

the riley 118″ velvet right storage sleeper sectional from articlethe span sleeper double storage sectional from burrow

And also like this (below), though this is far less common. I actually prefer the drawer style because no one has to move off the sofa to access whatever you’re stashing inside.

Furl is a UK brand heralded for their storage sofas and sectionals. They use drawers and even armrest compartments. And yes, you can arrange to get them shipped to the US.even ehd favorite sixpenny is in the storage game with their neva storage ottoman.

Of course, if you already have a sofa and you’re not in the market for a new one, there is still the option of a storage ottoman for you! Oftentimes, a full-size storage ottoman provides as much cubic space as a storage sectional, so it’s a great bang for your buck without having to sacrifice comfort. I really love the one from Sixpenny above because it’s sizable and opens up like a taco shell (two flaps fold up in the center) so you don’t have to worry about placing the top anywhere while reaching inside. That kind of design detail will cost you, though.

Before we get to the shopping, I wanted to call out something you’re likely to see on both sofas and sectionals: pull tabs. In my opinion, this are not attractive, and cheapen the look of a sofa. They are, of course, highly functional, and know that you can fairly easily tuck them under the cushion when you’re not doing any lifting.

Okay, let’s see what I found:

Sofas With Storage

While my first pick for a guest room or small apartment would be a sleeper sofa (you just can’t beat that kind of functionality!), second on my list is a storage sofa. I say guest room only because of comfort. You can certainly make a storage sofa your primary seating, but they *will* be firmer and not typically as deep (with 7th Avenue being one of the rare exceptions on both of those fronts).

Expect to pay from around $1,000 on the low end (think some cheapies on Wayfair, Amazon or Walmart), upwards of $3,000 to $4,000 for higher end brands. On average, I’d say they run about $1,500.

1. Marin Storage Sofa (86″) | 2. Hughes Sofa with Storage | 3. Oak Solid Wood Fabric Storage Sofa | 4. 3-Seat Modular Sofa w/ Storage (Each Seat) | 5. Riley 84″ Storage Sofa – Silver Light Blue | 6. Shasta Square Arm Storage Futon (87″) | 7. Mellow Storage Sofa | 8. Storato 100.5″ Sofa with Storage | 9. Harwood Armless Storage Sofa (75″)

West Elm actually has a wide selection of storage sofas, like their Marin in a traditional fully upholstered style, but also their Harwood, with a cool, of-the-moment wood base. The Harwood has drawers, while the Marin has storage under the cushions. Another contender with lots to choose from is Article. I included their Riley here, but search around their site for more if this one isn’t quite right for you. Joybird sells a very cute mid-century inspired silhouette (#2), and 7th Avenue’s modular sofa gives you the option to pick if you want storage in all three seats, or just one or two.

Sectionals With Storage

Okay onward with sectionals. As I mentioned previously, many storage sectionals are also sleepers, so you’ll see some of those below. With few exceptions, the storage compartment lives under the chaise, though you’ll sometimes find them under seats as well if it’s modular. Compact sectionals with storage will cost you around $2,000, though you can find them cheaper (buy at your own risk). A high-quality storage sectional, especially if it has a sleeper component, comes with price tags around $4,000 to $6,000 (ouch).

1. Riley 118″ Velvet Right Storage Sleeper Sectional – Hale Ink | 2. Atmosphere Collection w/ Storage Seats | 3. Leigh 86″ Reversible Sleeper Storage Sectional – Napa Rust | 4. Oxford 90″ Pop-Up Platform Queen Sleeper w/ Right-Arm Storage Chaise | 5. Landry 84.5″ Reversible Storage Sectional – Silver Light Blue | 6. Member’s Mark Lindsey Modular Fabric Sofa with Storage Ottoman | 7. Macy 4 Seats Modular Sectional Sofa with Fully Removable Covers, Large Storage in Oat | 8. Axis 2-Piece Sectional Sofa with Storage Chaise Lounge | 9. Vati 90.5″ Left Storage Sectional – Buckler Ivory | 10. Jättebo 3.5-Seat Mod Sofa w/ Chaise ini Samsala Dark Yellow-Green | 11. Holt Sectional with Storage | 12. Span Sleeper Double Storage Sectional

Again, Article comes with options. Their large Riley is 118 inches, which works well for a spacious living room or basement. The Leigh and Landry are smaller (86 inches and 84.5 inches respectfully), so these would be better suited for a compact apartment or even a home office. I love the behemoth from Burrow, which features a hidden sleeper as well as two storage compartments, one under each chaise. The options from Crate & Barrel (#8) and Room & Board (#4) are on the pricier side, but my experience from both of those places is you’re buying long-lasting quality. Buy quality, and you only cry once, they say, right?

Ottomans with Storage

No need for a new sofa? We’ve got you with these storage ottomans. While not exactly hard to find, many of them do look the same, so I wanted to shop around for some other styles, colors and fabrics. You can find some decent options for just a few hundred bucks, or some more luxe materials and brands for about $1,000 (give or take).

1. Neva Round Storage Ottoman | 2. James Leather Rectangle Ottoman with Storage Option | 3. Onyxia Wooden Base Storage Ottoman | 4. Hayworth Storage Bench, Pinstripe | 5. Lind 48w 30d 16h Storage Ottoman | 6. Soho Storage Bench (58″) | 7. Evergreen Storage Ottoman | 8. Ames Storage Ottoman | 9. Stana Fabric Upholstered Ottoman Bench With Large Storage Space | 10. Bryonie Round Cocktail Ottoman with Storage | 11. Eli Storage Bench – Linen Prussian Blue | 12. Jesse Storage Rattan Coffee Table

I was pretty pleased with the selection of storage ottomans sold on One Kings Lane (#3, #4, #12), especially considering their prices. My favorite under $1,000 would have to be Pottery Barn’s Ames, which is also available in a smaller size, though that wavy Soho Home Eli Storage Bench is a close second. And of course, the Neva from Sixpenny is elite for comfort and how the top opens (like wings).

And here is where I leave you. As always, with any of my posts, I hope you learned something new, or found something to make your life at home easier, more functional, and better looking. Form and function can coexist, you just have to dig a little deeper.

Until next time, friends…

Check out the rest of these series:

You Asked, We Delivered: 21 Reclining Chairs That Don’t *Look* Like Recliners | 21 Not-Boring Standing Desks You’ll Want To Use In Your Home Office (Some You’d Never Believe Were Adjustable!) | Good Looking Reclining Sofas DO EXIST: Here’s What To Know About Them + 24 Of Our Favorites

*Opening image credits: The Metro Storage Sofa from Furl

A Modern Traditional Green Tiled Bathroom (With A Last Minute Sink Pivot)

Well, well, well…I do believe this is the last bathroom of my brother’s river house, and likely the one that gets seen the most by guests. I have an order of favorites, for sure, but this one seems to be the reigning #1 (I’m partial to the primary myself, but perhaps that’s because I’m middle-aged and love an at-home spa experience – I mean, they have a sauna inside the bathroom). This one has a punch and a pattern, and a lot of green (go Ducks!). Green tiled bathrooms for the win.

We chose the tile back when Max and I were both working on this project, and that man also loves a big green tile moment. I mean who doesn’t love a good green tiled bathroom. We worked with Ann Sacks, which has extremely good colors and really solid tile. Max felt really strongly about this tile and wanted it staggered as a 4″ square. I wanted it stacked as a rectangle, and somewhere along the line, it ended up staggered as a rectangle. I honestly don’t remember who is responsible for what anymore! But it turned out so great, and it’s pretty beloved in the home.

A Big Pivot…

I do remember that at one point, Ken and Max chose this big double faucet-ed wall-hung farm sink from Kohler that I objectively love, but as the house came together, it started to feel like it didn’t belong here. Katie felt the same. So with conflicting design visions, we looked for other options.

We had to make decisions quickly as the subs were working hard on all the bathrooms at the same time. So we played around with what we had on hand, which was a leftover wall-hung drawer vanity (seen above) that felt oddly big. But that’s when Gretchen has the idea of using our leftover tile to tile a smaller version of that wall-hung vanity.

So JP and his crews built a box for an inset sink, with the vision to tile overtop of it, keeping the look of the wall tile and running the same way. We taped it out, making sure that it worked with the plumbing that was already behind the tiled wall, while also ensuring that it was the right scale for this bathroom. It was a risk, and a last-minute one on the bathroom that the most people would see and near the end of a long project…

Tile (color: herbes) | Wallpaper | Faucet | Stone Ledge | Pendants | Mirror | Vase (similar) | Soap Dish | Wood Arch Objects

We ordered the faucet from Kohler, and I was so relieved that it turned out pretty darn great. Still unexpected in the house, but now that it’s fully decorated, the pattern of the wallpaper and the colorful tile work so well together. The pendants were bought from Schoolhouse Electric – modern yet traditional and on the affordable side.

On Choosing The Wallpaper

This bathroom is big for a powder bath and dark (no natural light), and just painting felt a bit dead, so once again I was tasked with finding a wallpaper that was organic and fluid so that it contrasted against the linear brick tile, but not too traditional like most florals. As you know, I’m a massive fan of the Raphael pattern for this exact reason – it has this beautiful movement without it being too busy or bold. The large scale of it works so well with smaller tiles, and the white grout pulled so well with the white background. It also felt very Oregon to me – what with the trees and such. Yes, we see it a lot these days, but I enjoy seeing it every single time.

Switchplate | Hand Towel | Hand Towel Holder | Woven Basket (similar) | Waffle Towel

The variation in the tile color is so pretty (with many shaky edges – so make sure you are up for that look). It’s just such a deep, rich green with a lot of high gloss texture.

Toilet

Can’t forget the toilet :) There was enough room for a little side table, which I was on the fence about, but the gap was big, so we added it, and it looked cute.

Art

I went to my inventory of art and found that I had two more of these MaryAnn Puls pieces (I had bought and framed a bunch for my team holiday present years ago, and had a couple left over). They felt like a sweet moment in here and brought in that hit of warmth with the wood that was echoed with the stool and the wooden arch sculptures (which I bought on Amazon, last minute, LOL).

Stool (similar) | Flooring

She’s pretty dang cute and a fun punch for guests upon arrival. Actually, my whole family is coming over tonight to Ken’s for a BBQ to get a full updated tour now that it’s all decorated, which I’m super excited about. Last bathroom done!!! Don’t worry, we still have like 6 more rooms to reveal (I love them all SOOO MUCH), so stay tuned. The river house project is truly never-ending :)

*Architect: Anne Usher
**General Contractor: JP Macy of Sierra Custom Construction
***Interior Designers: Emily Henderson (me!) and Max Humphrey
****Styling: Emily Henderson (me!)
*****Photos by Kaitlin Green

The Link Up: Em’s New Beloved Summer Reads, Marlee’s Summer Sweater, And Peel & Stick Floor Tiles We Highly Recommed

Hi everyone. While we will have our regularly schedule Link Up in a minute, we can’t start this week as we normally do with fun little team updates. As half of our team is in LA and all of us Americans, we want to reiterate that we love our city, our leadership has it under control, and that these raids are deeply hurting our community. They’re kidnapping food vendors and construction workers, mothers, fathers, and children. Not criminals. We love our country and our diversity makes us stronger and more beautiful. We have to protect it.

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This week’s house tour is a stunning kitchen and mudroom designed by Linda Boronka via deVOL kitchens. We were sent these photos via deVOL so we don’t have a link but how beautiful is it? That butler’s pantry is a dream!

From Emily: Watching what is happening in LA (and our country) has been EXTREMELY upsetting this week. Because I no longer live in LA and I’m deeply trying to not just get my “news” from social media (frankly I’ve barely been on social or the news all week due to our massive garage re-org – a massive privilege, obviously) so I’m really grateful that Cup of Jo wrote this post with a lot of simple breakdowns and ways to help. Yes, I also will read a lot of the typical news outlets, but really appreciate how this was broken down with a lot of resources.

Also From Emily: I recently read two books that are fantastic summer reads – Carley Fortune, One Golden Summer is a sweet, yet steamy MUST-READ that is charming, nostalgic, and 100% perfect lakeside reading. I love every single one of Carley’s books, and so happy for her publishing success (former romance editor, pivoted to be an author, and her books came out to extreme success). They are easy romance reads with great storytelling, dialogue, and 100% without anxiety. The love interest is always complicated, but nice/respectful/charming, and it’s just so easy to fall in love with her characters. I also finally finished God Of The Woods, which I really did like, but way better on vacation when you can really engage and devour on a beach. While it starts out gripping, it’s 6 different character POV and 3 timelines so you have to pay attention – it’s not a “10 minutes before bed” kind of book (it’s also a little unsettling so I mostly finished it via audio book while cleaning the house, opting for romance at night to help me go to sleep without anxiety). It’s about a summer camp where a child goes missing, then 15 years later, same camp, another one – both from the same family. I wouldn’t say it’s a thriller; it’s more of a mystery, and it’s very well done (more literary than domestic thriller), but it’s not easy to pick up and put down for a month like I did.

From Marlee: I got this sweater from Madewell recently and I will be wearing it SO much this summer. It’s super lightweight and breathable, and the shape of it is perfect. It’s got a slight boatneck, but not so much that it falls off your shoulders, and it’s a tiny bit cropped. I wouldn’t say it’s oversized, but it has a loose fit – I ordered a small and would say it’s pretty true to size. It comes in a couple additional colors too.

From Gretchen: I have been livinggg for our super sunny, very hot, basically-it’s-already-summer weekends here in Portland. And I’ve been making a conscious effort to get my butt outside and on the water as much as I can. At the end of the season last year, I caved and bought my very own paddle board after borrowing from friends for various camping excursions and day trips. But until last weekend, I hadn’t had a chance to test it out. I’m happy to report it is awesome and convenient and SO MUCH FUN! It’s an inflatable paddle board which means it’s incredibly easy to tote around–made even easier with the carrying case/backpack it comes with! Everything fits inside–the paddle, the fins, the air pump and of course, the board. The only complaint I have is using the standard hand pump to inflate it… It really takes it out of you before you even get on the water. It works–it’s not impossible–it’s just very draining. So I think I’ll go ahead and snag an electric pump to really amplify my summer game.

Also From Gretchen: Speaking of summer, I’ve got to give a shout out to the other killer purchase I made this time last year–this super simple string bikini from Old Navy. Sadly, they no longer have the bright, cobalt blue color I bought it in, but they do offer it in some other cute patterns and colors (I’m tempted to snag the red when my sizing is back in stock). This suit is nothing ground breaking, but I love the string ties for their sizing flexibility and the shirring texture for its ability to camouflage a few of my lumps and bumps. I’m usually around a size 12 and prefer a size large in the top and matching bottoms. For being a “cheap” suit, it’s held up for me quite well through many washes and water adventures, it’s one I reach for often and best paired with a laying out, tanning sesh on my paddle board.

From Mallory: I finally started my vintage-turned-landlord-special kitchen makeover and man is it going to be a thing!! The apartment was built in the 1950s so it has a ton of charm (and original vintage tile!!), but don’t worry, my landlord made sure to give it 500 coats of white paint and install linoleum flooring to really tie the whole thing together. SO to start bringing the charm back I did 2 crazy things: the first was I bought a SMEG fridge (MAN, it was expensive but worth it also know A. my apartment is rent controlled and therefore needs a lot of updating which I budgeted for and B. the place didn’t come with a fridge so I get to bring it with me and keep it throughout my whole life). I ordered it through Wayfair and signed up for the $30 yearly membership and got $185 back per Caitlin’s recommendation so that was cool! It also came in 2 weeks which was crazy (and way faster than the other retailers I was looking at) and they delivered it white glove so shoutout to them. The second big thing I did was install peel and stick tile flooring. I snagged some tiles from the Chris loves Julia x Wallpops collection and was SO impressed with the quality – super heavy and feels way closer to real stone than I was expecting. I ordered the dark grey and the beige but I think the veining on the dark grey looked a bit more realistic than the lighter color so I went with that but I was very impressed with both! Plus at $16 per box these were a good “save” after my big “splurge.” If you’re in the market for some solid floor tiles definitely check them out.

From Arlyn: It’s been a very heavy week in Los Angeles (I mean, it feels like every week is heavy recently, but onward). In times like these, when very few things feel good, I have to dig into the small little joys in my life. One of those things? Finding a product at Trader Joe’s I thought was discontinued for the last year! Late last summer, I picked up this Sea Breeze Castille Hand Soap and instantly fell in love. It smells super luxe, far more than the $3.99 price tag. My sister came to visit and couldn’t wait to go home and buy it for herself. Except that I must have caught the tale end of the season for this soap (ha) because it was no longer on shelves by the time she returned home, or when I ran out and needed a restock. I spent the last year cruising the personal care shelves at TJ’s in case it happened to pop back up and today, IT DID! I’m stoked, and looking forward to a summer of fancy smelling fingers.

From Jess: I bought a pair of Lululemon bright green shorts a couple of weeks ago and I have to say I’ve been acting like a 5 year old that doesn’t want to take them off. They are extremely cute and extremely comfortable. They aren’t cheap which really sucks but I love them and the quality feels great. Oh, and they’re lined!

Also From Jess: If you’ve been to the Rose Bowl, you may have seen artist Bradley Baumkirchner (aka Studio B) and his joyful, mostly floral, paintings. He sells a lot of large scale pieces and they are originals too! My friend almost bought this awesome striped lemon piece but it was sold once she came back. Anyways just wanted to put him on your radar:)

From Caitlin: I’ve recommended my fair share of books over the past few years, but the one I’m about to share usurps them all: The Timeless Way of Building will genuinely change your life. I thought I was buying a book about creating classic architecture; instead, I found something far more profound. I’m struggling to condense my thoughts into a blurb – that’s how deeply this book moved me; I have literally told all of my friends about it – so I’ll just say that it is a must-read, especially for this design-loving audience. (And eventually, once you get past the profundity, you will learn how to build timelessly – check out some of the buildings created using Christopher Alexander’s method here.)

Thanks for stopping by, Happy Father’s Day, and don’t be afraid to use your voice. xx

Opening Image Credits: Photo courtesy of deVOL

I Tried On Everything At H&M And These Are My 9 Cute And Affordable Summer Outfits

Last Friday, I went to the mall (Pioneer Square to be specific) with the goal of finding some affordable summer outfits and play clothes, but instead, I basically tried on the entire store to find some things that I liked across a few categories (summer office clothes, too). I don’t take pics of what doesn’t work (a waste of time and would likely include some self-body shaming that is bad for everyone involved), so what you see here today is what I really really like and think passes a lot of tests. Now to remember, I’m more apple shaped (bigger boobs, smaller hips/legs) and right now I’m around a size 4 so I’ll indicate the size I’m wearing because sizes at stores right now are WILD and nothing is consistent across the board making it really hard to buy sight unseen.

Jean Jacket Size XS | Blouse Size S | Striped Pants Size S | Mules

A solid summer chore jacket – lightweight denim, huge pockets, easy fit to layer over. LOVED IT. But we are all here for the pants. I tried on every single wide-leg linen pant they had, and this is the only one that I felt like had a drape that didn’t read as pajamas. The cream and grey stripe is flattering and could be worn with flip flops or elevated a bit (but not too much). I want to wear these all summer when I don’t have self-tanner on my legs (which is never, LOL – this is my new at-home favorite and develops in TWO HOURS). I don’t want to hate on loose linen pants, but often I just feel a bit schlubby in them out of the house – not these!!

Top (+ similar) Size S | Shorts (similar) Size S | Mules

How cute is this set???? So great for park hangs, over a bathing suit, mall shopping – anywhere where you want to be cool and casual but not look boring. These have a GREAT fit for me with a nice boxy top with a rounded shirt hem (i.e., not straight across), and the shorts don’t hug, cut in, or gather in weird places. I wouldn’t typically wear this set with those Nisolo Mules (still a favorite pair for almost any occasion where I want to be comfortable with a heel for hours), but with flip flops, sneakers or even cute wedges, this yellow and white stripe allows me to enjoy this summer yellow trend without investing too much financially. Affordable summer outfit, check!

Blazer Size S | Blouse (+ similar) Size S | Shorts Size 4 | Mules

This is a fantastic summer suit if I had an office job. It’s linen and looks really high-end, but is so affordable! My lifestyle does not support me having a white suit set (although if I were headed to New York for work meetings, I would totally buy this). The blouse is easy and lightweight (not a total slam dunk, but cute enough).

Blazer Size XS | Top Size S | Skort Size 4 | Mules

Another one, but make it a skort! And cream (which I can do a bit better than bright white). I loved the cut of the jacket – strong shoulders that drape really well. The skort is pretty dang cute – skirt in the front, shorts in the back. And that ribbed tank top is pretty great – for $9.99, it comes in a few colors. Great to layer, not too see-through, or did it show my bits and bobs. I’m wearing a medium but would size down if I wanted it more fitted (it was loose as a medium).

Blazer Size XS | Top Size S | Skort Size 4 | Mules

Proof of skort :)

Blazer Size S | Blouse Size S | Shorts Size S | Mules

Likely my favorite of the work looks – these navy blue shorts are so cute and pairing them with the crisp white blazer felt pretty “me”. The shorts are formal enough that I think you could totally wear them to work (or anywhere, really). The linen blouse has cute ruffled sleeves and isn’t like doing anything new in this world, but if you need more airy white linen blouses, this one is great and affordable.

Shacket Size S | Pants Size 4 | Mules

Listen, I’m not a huge white denim wearer year-round or in the summer, but this set is SO CUTE. I bought the top enthusiastically because I have it in denim (wearing it right now actually) and it’s a solid shacket. In cream with the button and pocket detail is solid (and it’s lightweight, not a super thick heavy denim). The jeans were long on me and high-waisted – so I didn’t get them, but they were great if you like straight-legged high-waisted denim!

Shacket Size S | Top Size S | Shorts Size S | Mules

Oh! Here is the white denim shirt as a shacket with these awesome pull-on linen shorts. Again, I tried on many linen shorts and these were my fave by far. Cute, affordable, flare out a little bit (no hugging or cutting in at the waist).

Shacket Size S | Top Size S | Shorts Size 4 | Mules

I also really liked these shorts with the tie at the top. I think these pair best with a tank top tucked in, which I rarely do, so they aren’t for me, but my team agreed they were really good if you are into that look.

Button Up Size XS | Shorts Size S | Mules

The last two things, which admittedly don’t make the best outfit, but individually, the pieces are great. Baggier jean shorts with a drawstring/elastic waist (so comfy) that flair out a bit. Solid summer play shorts. Then the linen shirt is SO GOOD. Easy to wear, so breathable, forgiving/flattering stripe pattern, dress her up or down = solid summer shirt.

Where should I go next for affordable summer outfits and clothes????? I tried Mango (and failed) but haven’t been to Old Navy in a bit…Just say the word… Oh, and if any of these are sold out online, I would absolutely check your local H&M if you have one.

And in case you missed some of our other summer fashion posts check these out:

30 CUTE Pull-On Shorts For Our Most Comfortable Spring/Summer YetThe 4 Active But CUTE Swimsuits I Bought To Play With My Kids On Spring Break (+ Our Favorite Past Swimsuit Posts)10 “Emily Henderson-Approved” Spring Blouses

Photos by Kaitlin Green

The Case For The Unassuming Backyard Picnic Table

While Caitlin writes hilarious posts against curved sofas, I’m over here doing the opposite and bringing awareness to an oft-dismissed piece of outdoor furniture. As the self-appointed PR ambassador for “big picnic tables,” I wanted to answer the 3-4 people who are curious why I like them so much. You see, the basic, pedestrian picnic table isn’t a typical designer move – no fancy wood grain, barely mixed finishes (silver screws could count?), neither trend forward nor extremely comfortable. They are literally everywhere you look – at public parks, churches, and schoolyards. And yet, they are so perfect for us and I don’t know of a solution that would work as well in our parklike backyard. So the question is: Why should I get a picnic table? Followed up with a round up of a few with different styles (some fancier, I promise).

They Work On Every Uneven Floor Surface

I believe it was 3 years ago when I bought my first picnic table (seen above). We had this pea gravel area in front of the mini-gym (near the mini-pool), and pea gravel is notoriously annoying for chair legs (they get stuck, hard to move each chair, off balance, and they look dumb/sloppy because they are never even). So it was a no-brainer – what table and chairs would work on such a precarious floor? An attached bench picnic table. I ordered these from Wayfair, and I remember they weren’t cheap ($750), which is admittedly a lot for a wood picnic table. But I liked the cleaner lines of the shape (see how they are finished all straight?), the tone of the wood, and how it was assembled. I ordered 2 so we could put them together for bigger kid parties.

They Sit Evenly On Flagstone

I moved two of them onto the flagstone landing pads that meander through our newly finished area in the backyard (thanks to Dennis’ 7 Dees) and LOVE THEM. Here, our flagstone is perfectly installed and very flat and even, but still it’s not like it’s a concrete pad – it was done organically for a reason. If we had dining legs, they would for sure get caught in the gaps, which would be annoying on a million levels. I love that these have attached benches that make them only have four wide points of contact on the floor.

Wait, I Have A Grassy Backyard! Can I Have A Picnic Table?

Yes! You too can enjoy the life around a picnic table. They also work GREAT on grass and are easy to move around, should you not want to ruin the grass underneath. I love them near a tree for shade (thus our huge trees from Big Trees Today nearby). I also love that they are easy to move – two people can easily transport them around the yard, should we all want to be closer to the trampoline or something. FURTHERMORE, for bigger dinner parties, we can put them into one long table on the grass in the evening, either with or without a gap in between. In conclusion (I feel like I’m writing a term paper in 7th grade), here is why I love picnic tables:

The vibe is casual, classic, and inviting, and says “all are welcome to sit here and enjoy a day in the park together”.They are affordable because a table + 6 chairs would be FAR more expensive.They age really nicely, should you leave them out year-round (like we do). If you buy pressure-treated wood or paint them with the right paint, you don’t need to cover them – they just live, and honestly, they create a nice-to-look-at wood sculpture (that might be a stretch, but it works for me).They work almost everywhere – flagstone, pea gravel, grass. I wouldn’t put them on a fancier back patio (they do make a space look instantly casual, so if that’s not a vibe you want, then yea,h they might not be for your space). I didn’t choose them for the kitchen patio, which is herringbone brick – but I think with a cute umbrella it could work there, too!They are extremely flexible – can be dressed up with a pretty table-scape, or just sit as-is with a potted plant in the center.They can be beaten up with food, crafting, science experiments, and feel less precious. Great crafting tables!They are a kid magnet – for whatever reason, kids love to sit around these and since we have like a billion kids playing here at all times, many multi-family bbqs, we can designate these tables for the kiddos, which they love.They look great pushed together – a big old farm table for charming dinner parties.You don’t need to store them – keep them out and use them year-round!

The Portland EHD team works out here at times, and while they don’t have back support or cushions, we find them perfectly comfortable for a few hours.

Dining Table | Benches

We also have this more high end version from Rejuvenation which I like a lot (that joinery is really sweet) but the detached benches do get wobbly on our flagstone and they made the benches less wide that the table which reduces the amount of people who can sit (thus the chairs on the end).

Listen, I don’t think this post is going to blow up the picnic table market, but the function + good vibes of this lowly classic outdoor table is one that I really think could work in other, even more elevated home yards. I personally think that the rustic versions are sweet (and some are so affordable – see below), but if you wanted to guarantee they’d be standing in 20 years, you could go for POLYWOOD, which comes in a few colors. We rounded up a few below, should you be in the market (and yes, you can totally paint the wood ones a pattern or a color should you want to make it look more fun, just research the right paint to leave out year-round).

1. Premium Picnic Table Kit | 2. Outdoor Grey Black Metal Rectangle Extension Table + Koro Outdoor Dining Bench | 3. Park Picnic Table | 4. Wood Patio Dining Set | 5. Hometown Picnic Table | 6. Sardis Outdoor Dining Table + Sardis Outdoor Bench

Our tables have grayed out a bit which we like and really do stand up to grime with some seasonal cleaning. Now head out to your backyard and see where you can put one of these charming little schoolhouse picnic tables :) And no, we don’t typically all sit on the same side, shoulder to shoulder :)

Photos by Kaitlin Green

Design Trend Alert! Breaking Down Regency Minimalism For Your Next Flea Market Trip

The time has come to unveil a “new” design trend for 2025. And boy, is it a pretty one. To be honest, this one has been sneaking up on us for a minute, and no, it’s not “fisherman core”. For me, let’s keep fish in the sea and add ornate light fixtures into our homes:) “Jess, did you just say something favorable towards an ornate decor item?” Yes, I did. While Emily (and the team) have nearly inspired a drinking game with the amount of times we say the phrase “simple but special”, this trend lightly flirts with luxury and heavy detailing. I call it Regency Minimalism. It’s deeply inspired by the ornate European decor of the past (hello vintage!) but done in a very minimalist way (this isn’t promoting a Versailles look). Honestly, I think with a few key pieces, this is a very achievable trend that a flea market could easily help with.

Now, one key factor that didn’t get its own section is that light colored walls are key to the airy element that is needed. It’s the same for most minimalist trends. Start with a light base and then add your decor from there. And sure, some pretty mouldings if possible:) Let’s dive in.

Glass Chandelier Lighting

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I figured I should start strong with Lenny Kravitz’s new Paris home. While every room in this carousel wouldn’t be classified under this trend, the first photo definitely does, and that’s heavily due to that incredible crystal chandelier and candelabras. Aside from those pieces, nothing else would really be considered “regency”. That’s the minimalism part. There are stunning other vintage pieces, but the restraint to not overdecorate and fill the room with highly ornate items gives it a sense of space, calm, and a touch of luxury.

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In these two examples, the rooms are beautifully designed, not overly colorful, and have a few modern touches (i.e., the sink in the bathroom and the stainless steel kitchen). But with the use of glass or crystal light fixtures, both spaces instantly look and feel more luxurious/old-world.

Now, vintage (or vintage-inspired) chandeliers range in price, but there are a ton of options if you love this look!

Ornate Carved Accent Pieces

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This is where things could be a little dicey for me, as I’ve never been a huge fan of overly ornate carved furniture. However, when used in small doses and sparingly, like these examples show, I can absolutely be in. FYI, if you love this type of furniture, then that’s wonderful. It’s just a personal preference, and I am more drawn to simple and cleaner lines. But how sweet is that little wall table? It looks like stone, which is stunning, and when paired with that modern bed and side table, it really shines, instead of overwhelms.

P.S. This was the space that was the final nail to confirm this trend for me

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So while this trend seems to still mostly be in Europe, more American designers like Amy Kehoe are also in on it. Take a look at the console table she used in this entry. Then Munich-based designer, Regina Hoefter, put this gorgeous colorful credenza and fringed stool in her small space apartment. The fact that she kept the walls light and fairly sparse creates a really beautiful balance.

Ornate Iron Lighting

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Crystal chandeliers aren’t the only lighting stars in town. Ornate metal/iron lights are also key to this trend. They are a little less “glam” at first look, but ultimately add so much detail and whimsy. Look at that three-light sconce above the fireplace. It’s so detailed, looks like the most chic flower in the world, but its dark tones balance perfectly with the other dark pieces in the space. This was designed by Nate Berkus’ longtime design partner, Lauren Buxbaum Gordon, so no surprise this is a perfect room with perfect vintage pieces. Then we have another Kehoe space on the right, and here the lighting is perfect too. The room overall is less “glam,” but the general feel and those light fixtures make a great version of Regency Minimalism.

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Here are two more examples. I love that with this trend, you can go more vintage gold and crystal or use beautifully curved dark metal fixtures to lean more organic. It’s just important to not overdecorate and choose your pieces very intentionally. Both are so chic.

Small Sparely Placed Art

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A major definer of this trend is wall art placement/size. As you’ll see in almost every example in this post, there isn’t a ton of art on the walls. Take this kitchen above, the art is placed on the higher side, and the pieces themselves are not all that large. They don’t fill up the wall really at all. Instead, the placement and size look and feel very intentional. It’s quiet.

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And the same goes for these two spaces. The art is smaller, more neutral, and pretty spread out, even for the “gallery wall”. I love how casual it’s supposed to look, even though the negative space is so purposeful. Choosing vintage art or original art seems to be pretty key. You need the soul and textures to come through to make up for the lack of size.

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The pieces here are a little larger, but again, there’s a lot of negative space in that the walls don’t have very many pieces. The ones over the door are also hung a little higher and not centered to the door. Intentionally “unintentional”. These pieces feel very much in line with the Recency-style art. I’m not an art historian, but in my little bit of research, they seem to be aligned:)

Wall Draping

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Remember when I said this trend has been sneaking up on us? Well, the romantic wall drape was a decor trend I called back in February in this post.

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The fabrics never seem to be patterned (or very subtly if they are), and it looks like a relatively easy DIY to make a pretty headboard, wall statement, whatever you want. A perfect way to cover up any wall eyesores. Just stick to lightweight fabrics so that they still feel airy and easy.

Try A Patterned Satin Headboard

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So while the wall fabric shouldn’t be patterned, if you want an upholstered headboard, I’m noticing more neutral satin floral fabrics being used. I think for the right space, it would look so chic! The shine is luxe, the florals give regency, and the colors are minimalist. I’m sure there will be concerns about how to clean, so it may not be right for everyone, but it is an option if you love this look:)

So that’s what I think 2025 is going to have in store for us, and let’s just say I really love it, and it may have very much inspired my bedroom design:) What do y’all think? Weigh in!

Love you, mean it.

Opening Image Credits: Photo by Tessa Neustadt | From: Staging My Dream Parisian Hotel Suite with Sothebys