Want Beautiful, Affordable Art? Want To Support Independent Artists? Need Help Finding the Perfect Piece? Boy, This Is The Post For You…

There’s this concept in startups about giving customers a “moment of delight” – like, remember the first time you called a car to pick you up after a fun night out and got home safely? Or the first night you had a delicious meal from your favorite restaurant delivered and you got to enjoy it in your PJs? It’s the thing that happens when you’re like, “wow, this is AWESOME. I’m so glad this thing exists and that I tried it out.”

That’s how I felt when I, in a design paralysis-induced panic amplified by a looming shoot deadline, reached out to Minted’s art styling service for help in designing my hallway’s gallery wall late last year. This is a free service they offer to ANYONE – you just text them a photo of your home along with a few details (dimensions and what kind of pieces you’re looking for, mainly) and their in-house experts will dig through their massive collection to help you pick work from independent artists that you’ll love. In case you missed it, this is where we landed on my wall…

Gallery Wall Left to Right: Sandstone Dunes 1 by Liz Taylor | Malena by Alex Roda | Tangerine by Emily Kariniemi | Roller Skates by Cristiane | you are seen by Alicia Schultz | Face Study I By Chelsea Petaja | Arches by Alaric Yanos | Falconer by Andrew McClintock | Squares by Alisa Galitsyna

MAN, DID I FEEL SEEN. (They usually render their selected pieces on your actual photo, but my stylists set mine up in this way – just against the paint color I had shared with them – because the hallway photos I sent in my rushed panic were #verybad.) And while the process couldn’t have been dreamier – they picked the sizes, frames, matting, orientation, and they added everything to my cart for a quick and simple checkout – I was most moved by their dedication to building the BEST home for independent art discovery on the internet.

Like, guys, I’ve worked in startups. (Maybe you have, too! If so, I think you’ll relate to the following.) It’s a constant juggling act of figuring out what to prioritize and where to grow your business – it speaks volumes to me that Minted was like, “hey, let’s staff up on folks who will make sure our customers have a delightful, easy, fun experience and so we can make sure that every piece of art on our site has a chance of being discovered and loved.” (Cause, like, they could have instead chosen to invest in lots of pizza parties, or weird branded swag, or in a team that pivots into hand-building barely-functional hardware products – those were my last startup’s personal kryptonites, at least.)

photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: caitlin’s long, dark hallway makeover

So that’s what I told the team from Minted on a recent Zoom call – I just really wanted them to know that I had a great experience and that they’d built such an incredible resource to discover affordable, beautiful art. I love that they’ve created a home where artists can make a living without the stress of trying to build a brand or a huge social following AND that Minted has invested in the tools to help us regular folks sort through their huge, fabulously-curated selection. Plus, more than 90% (!!!) of the artists on the site identify as female and a majority of artists are parents, too. Does it get better than this?

At this point, I’m sure the Minted team was like, “uh, who is pitching who here??? Did we switch jobs and companies??? What is happening???” but they were also VERY nice about it, and they tolerated my rambling for a SOLID five to eight minutes. When I finally stopped to take a breath, they hit me with the most exciting news yet: they had declared April 3rd as the first annual Independent Artist Day – a holiday that shockingly did not exist until RIGHT NOW – and they asked if we could leverage our platform to shine a light on a few of the incredible and talented artists on their website.

I don’t think I’ve ever said “yes” so quickly to a partnership offer in my life – I don’t think I even asked if they had a budget, I just wanted to help drive traffic to these creators!!! – so today, I’m SO excited for EHD to highlight a few of the pieces from Minted’s new Fearless Optimism Challenge. It’s a curated collection of artwork, home goods, and stationary all inspired by – you guessed it – a sense of fearless optimism. We picked 8 favorites that run the gamut for all types of decor style, but there’s still a whooooole bunch of other joy-inducing pieces available right here. But enough of my yammering (said you, reading through this post; said my internal monologue any time I open my mouth; and probably said the Minted team after our Zoom when I physically could not stop shouting unsolicited compliments at them) – CAN I SHOW YOU THE ART??? (If anything below strikes your fancy, you can grab 15% off – to celebrate Minted’s 15th anniversary – with code FIFTEEN.)

The Art: Azalea en Noir
The Artist: Catalina Somolinos of Frankfurt, Germany (@calilustre)
Get to Know Them: Catalina is a Spanish artist, currently living in Germany. She studied Architecture in Barcelona and works part-time as a piano teacher.
Where We’d Love To See It: Um, where WOULDN’T we like to see this? It’s the perfect balance of quiet and graphic – it’d be a great finishing touch in a neutral space or an awesome choice for toning down a bolder, busier room.

The Art: West Coast Backyard
The Artist: Evan Clark of Oakland, CA (@ineverdraw)
Get to Know Them: Evan is an illustrator from Michigan who loves eating pancakes.
Where We’d Love To See It: MY HOUSE. This may be my favorite piece from the collection – it’s verrrrry classic LA backyard. (And as we all know, I have a huge bias towards pinks/oranges/yellows.)

The Art: Bliss
The Artist: Sadye Sagov of Boston, MA
Get to Know Them: Sadye is an elementary school teacher and photographer living in Boston, MA. Looking through the lens has helped him learn to look closely appreciate the small details.
Where We’d Love To See It: Asked about this piece, he said, “What is more healing and blissful than floating weightless in a cool body of water on a hot summer day?” AND LIKE, YES. Agreed. Would loooove to see this scaled up and hanging in an entry or over a credenza in a cheery, modern dining room.

The Art: Beige Flower
The Artist: Alisa Galitsyna from Barcelona, Spain (@aliska_gal)
Get to Know Them: Alisa is a self-taught Ukrainian artist living in Spain. She finds inspiration in nature, architecture, the day-to-day, traveling, textiles, and interior spaces. Using and combining different techniques and themes, textures and color combinations, she creates abstracts, collages & patterns.
Where We’d Love To See It: Well, I’m a little biased because I already have one of Alisa’s pieces in my own home – this one! – but I can pretty confidently say that her work would shine anywhere. If you’re looking for abstract, organic, neutral-with-a-twist pieces…this is your gal.

The Art: In The Pink
The Artist: Erin McCluskey Wheeler of Richmond, CA (@erinmwheeler)
Get to Know Them: I am a collage artist and printmaker and use an assortment of painted and found papers to make my colorful abstract pieces. I am inspired by forms found in nature and often think of my abstract pieces as plant forms or landscapes.
Where We’d Love To See It: ANY MID-CENTURY DREAM HOUSE. Someone, please, let this piece bring a little color and texture to your organized, streamlined home. It’s so beautiful, right? That said, we loooove a collage at EHD (case in point: here and here) – they’re such a special and unexpected finishing touch.

The Art: After The Storm
The Artist: Ramnik Velji of Camarillo, CA
Get to Know Them: Ramnik grew up in Africa when nature was in its most pristine state. The memories of his youth are filled with spirited animals and a wildness that has been overcome by the modernity of today’s world. He hopes to share that lost grandeur through his artistic expression.
Where We’d Love To See It: If you’re looking to bring a little vintage-inspired soul to a space (or if you’re just jealous of all the seascapes that Em’s been posting on stories lately), Ramnik’s work is right up your alley. How charming and regal would this be in an office or study or library?

The Art: Peeking
The Artist: Paula Pecevich of Braintree, MA (@paula.pecevich)
Get to Know Them: Paula is a designer/illustrator with a degree in Graphic Design. If she’s not on my computer designing, she has paintbrushes or pencils in hand. Paula has an appreciation for great art, a love for typography, paper & color and feels blessed to create every day.
Where We’d Love To See It: This would be so, so, SO good in a gallery wall. I’d love to see it scaled up as an anchor piece, but it’d also be so fun as a little surprise in the uber-tiny 5″x7″ size – can you imagine your guests like, leaning in and being surprised by this little guy? LOVE.

The Art: Joy Comes In The Morning
The Artist: Sharise Williams of Bowie, MD (@31_artandapparel)
Get to Know Them: Sharise is a graphic designer and illustrator. Her work intertwines bold color, textures and patterns with uplifting and thoughtful messaging. She loves creating things that uplift and help women see themselves in a positive and powerful light.
Where We’d Love To See It: How good would this be in a room that’s covered in dark and moody paint or wood cladding? When creating this piece, Sharise said she “wanted to depict optimism in the form of coming from the darkness into the light. Letting the warmth of the light put a smile on her face.” It’d be so sweet to let it shine against an even bigger backdrop, you know?

In case that’s not enough art for ya today, here are a few more standout pieces we fell in love with while browsing the Fearless Optimism Collection. There’s something for everyone, right?

1. Persevere | 2. Blue Rain | 3. Chin Up | 4. Radhaben and the Gold Coins | 5. Sand of Whispers | 6. The light 

1. Morchella Pillow | 2. Paper Flower Pillow | 3. Summer Breeze Pillow

This is where I’ll leave you. I think I’ve made my case for Minted – thoughts? (Can you tell I’m a huge fan? Did that come across here?) Again, you can grab 15% off site-wide – and 25% off Save the Dates! – through Monday, April 4th with code FIFTEEN. If you’re on the hunt for art, home goods, or stationary, there’s no better time to shop (and no better way to get funds straight into the hands of creatives). And if you need a little help navigating their awesome selection (you know, like I did), shoot a text to (415) 993-WALL for some fast and free expert guidance. Let’s celebrate some independent artists, spruce up our spaces, and make our houses feel more like home. CHEERS, FRIENDS. See ya down there. xx

Opening Photo Credits: Design by Jess Bunge | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Makeover Takeover: Jess’ Long Awaited (Small Space) Living Room Reveal

The post Want Beautiful, Affordable Art? Want To Support Independent Artists? Need Help Finding the Perfect Piece? Boy, This Is The Post For You… appeared first on Emily Henderson.

from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/where-to-buy-art-online-by-independent-artists

Ryann’s Bedroom Layout Design Agony: Can An Adult Bedroom Have A Bed In The Corner?

There is something about the design process that we don’t talk about much. It’s this thing where you spend a lot of time making one space beautiful and when it is finished you feel so happy and fulfilled. For a while. Then you start to look at the other spaces in your home that aren’t as beautiful and you begin to resent them. It eventually takes away from the beautiful spaces until you are forced to start the design process all over again. This, as you might have guessed, is where I am at with my bedroom. If you read my living room and dining room reveal, you might recall it took me about two years to finish. It was a long but worth it process and the result is a living and dining space my fiancé and I enjoy every day. In fact, we enjoy our living room and dining room so much that the bedroom has become a dreaded room we hate to look at. We want our bedroom to feel like our beautiful living and dining room, and the only way to do that is to dive headfirst into an exciting, nerve-wracking, inevitably long and tiresome, but ultimately fun design process. This is why you are here today and I hope you are ready to be introduced to a room that has given me more grief than I can properly describe. She is a challenging and hard-to-love room, so the best way to begin is with the top challenges we are facing. Ready? Here we go.

Challenge #1: The Bed Placement

My bedroom layout has been a high stake game of Tetris ever since we moved into this apartment. I am reluctant to admit this because this bedroom isn’t shaped like a trapezoid or anything crazy. It’s literally a rectangle. But for some reason (cough * lack of storage * cough), this room has been my Achilles heel for three years. Granted, the array of randomly collected furniture contributes to its downfall. None of the bedroom furniture we have was purchased for this room, most of it is second-hand (our dresser was a side of the road find), and it certainly shows. Our bedroom furniture belongs on the island of misfit toys. So for the past three years, I’ve been at odds with my bedroom with many of the battles taking place at 1 am in a furniture arranging frenzy. Here’s how it began:

here is the room when we first moved in, when we were bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. eventually, the space would see many many iterations…

Our initial bed placement was the obvious choice for this bedroom layout. The bed was under the window, facing the door of the room. We had two nightstands on each side, and the remaining furniture was arranged wherever it would fit. At that time we had two dressers, two nightstands, a filing cabinet, a chair stacked with books, and a floor mirror.

THE PROBLEM:

We needed more storage. For over a year, we started accumulating furniture so having a bed and two nightstands taking up the emptiest wall felt wasteful (the other three walls are encumbered with doors). As time went on, we would forgo one of the dressers, replace it with a clothing rack, and add a corner desk which complicated the layout even more. Eventually, some late-night furniture arranging turned into this somewhat puzzling version:

This choice was admittedly influenced by my very limited knowledge of Feng Shui. I heard that sleeping under the window is bad Feng Shui because it brings in negative chi (aka energy) that weakens your personal protection, thus causing interrupted sleep. I decided my terrible sleep couldn’t possibly have to do with any of my various bad sleeping habits (sleeping with the TV on, being on my phone in bed) and MUST be due to the direction of my bed. So to the other side of the room our bed went.

THE NEW PROBLEM:

Visually it was so uninspiring and weird. There was something so disorienting about walking into the bedroom and not seeing the bed right away. It felt like we were living in the upside down. Functionally, it was perhaps worse as the side of the bed near the closet was hard to get to and the far wall under the window always felt cramped and cluttered. The catch is that this felt like our only option because the corner workspace has become absolutely necessary for our lives. I work from home and Rocky has therapy clients that he sees over Zoom. So we’ve increasingly needed two workspaces, one in the living room and one in our only bedroom. If only there was a better way…

The Solution: The Bed Belongs In The Corner

design by vanessa alexander | photo by douglas friedman | via architectural digest

The idea of having a bed in the corner against the wall still feels very pre-teen. I’ve been under the impression that adult bedrooms require a bed in the center of the room, with two nightstands accompanying each side as the interior design gods intended. This idea was apparently branded into my brain because it wasn’t until a few days ago that I even entertained the idea of placing the bed in the corner against the wall. As soon as I thought of it, I realized it would open up the space tremendously but it brought up another design faux pas, or so I thought. If we put our bed in the corner of the room, it would be off-centered under a window which I thought couldn’t possibly be allowed. But then I remembered a very recent EHD project…

design by jess bunge for ehd | styling by emily bowser | photo by sara ligorria-tramp | from: the feel good modern romantic bedroom reveal

Jess designed this bedroom for a friend of hers, and in doing so disproved my previous notions about bedroom layouts. If you would have asked me a few months ago if your bed can block half your window I’d be like, “there are no rules but it’s probably not the best option!!” and I’d be so wrong. Sometimes, it absolutely is the best option, and as the bedroom above proves, it can also look very cool and interesting. So I did two things I thought were against adult bedroom etiquette and ended up with this:

Just like in the beloved game of Tetris, when you arrange shapes to fit just right, you end up with more space. But as I originally feared, a bed in the corner does feel very youthful. I can’t exactly articulate why, but I will say that it was difficult to find an inspiration photo of an adult bedroom with a bed in the corner. So that must mean something. The silver lining is it already feels better visually and spatially and hey, since when is youthfulness a bad thing??

Challenge #2: The Single Nightstand Conundrum

So it turns out when you rearrange your entire bedroom while your fiancé is at work, and then surprise him with an arrangement that means he no longer gets the luxury of a nightstand, they might be a little annoyed. Unfortunately for him, he had to admit this version is a 1000x better than our previous one, so he quickly got on board. His only complaint was about where to put his glasses and phone when he is ready to retire for the night. But luckily he is marrying a genius.

Solution: A Built-Out Ledge

Like many geniuses before me, I quickly decided we can build a shelf “headboard” so he has an area to put his items once it’s time for bed. I am notoriously *not* a DIYer, but this is a project I can get behind, especially if it can look anything like one of these:

design by malcolm simmons | photo by keyanna bowen | from: malcolm’s bedroom reveal is here

left: design by vanessa alexander of alexander design | photo by sam frost | via rue mag | right: design by emil eve architects | photo by mariell lind hansen | via dezeen

Now because of our layout, our shelf will not be a headboard in the traditional sense. Instead, I picture it aligning with the side of our bed, which can also act as a place to display art and various objects. Here’s how I imagine it:

With a ledge by his side, my fiancé will have an easy-access spot for his items, and I in turn win fiancé of the year. As an added bonus, I have a feeling this solution will simultaneously create a more mature bedroom ambiance too. There is something about a built-in DIY ledge that feels very Adult with a capital A. By the way, the dog that takes up half of the bed is 100% optional.

Challenge #3: Too Much furniture Not enough Storage

There is a world where I embrace a maximalist bedroom with so much furniture your eye doesn’t even know where to look next. It would be appropriate considering the amount of things both my fiancé and I have that need a place to live, but I can’t help but want a minimal, peaceful, organic feeling bedroom. A plethora of furniture, unfortunately, would not achieve this vibe. So with such little storage options what does one do?

Solution: A Shift Towards Storage Furniture

design by amhalise morga | photo by aaron bengochea | via domino

I have avoided a storage bed for too long. The bedroom of my dreams does not have a storage bed but then again, the bedroom of my dreams has multiple walk-in closets. So, I have recently warmed up to the idea of a storage bed and was surprised to find out they can fit my desired aesthetic quite well. A solid wood storage bed has a natural, bare-bones look about it and can help achieve a minimal vibe.

this isn’t a storage bed per se, but you get the idea
design by workstead | via ny times

The more I look, the more I love the storage bed aesthetic. It has a similar feeling to a mattress on the floor because of the platform with no legs but is more sophisticated because well, it’s not a mattress on the floor.

design by atelier vime | photo by genevieve lufkin | via cereal

design axel vervoordt | photo by rich stapleton | via cereal

A fancy trick to hiding a storage bed is to have your bedding fall all the way to the floor, which is something we very well may do. Luckily for us, this simple bedding trend aligns with the Wabi-Sabi Monastery Chic that (spoiler alert) we actually are going for in this room. Stay tuned for more on that, in another blog post, on another day. For now, I am so curious what you think about this new layout, and whether you believe adult bedrooms can have a bed in the corner? Sound off in the comments below. xx

Opener Image Credits: Design by Malcolm Simmons | Photo by Keyanna Bowen | From: Malcolm’s Bedroom Reveal Is Here… How He Found Healing Through Design + The Incredible DIYs That Transformed The Space

The post Ryann’s Bedroom Layout Design Agony: Can An Adult Bedroom Have A Bed In The Corner? appeared first on Emily Henderson.

from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/small-bedroom-layout-ideas

HGTV Designer, Francesca Grace, Made A Pretty Uncommon Design Choice… Wanna See What It Is And If You Would Do The Same??

Vintage and maximalist lovers, this one’s for you! Just kidding it’s for everyone because this house is pure design joy. Pattern, color, whimsy, the gang’s all here. I think it’s safe to say this home is filled with about 90% vintage and leans into color in a really fun but intentional way. Your eye is both excited yet not overwhelmed. This takes a lot of skill which the new HGTV designer of Fix My Flip, Francesca Grace, clearly has. She also made a pretty cool unexpected design choice in this 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 1100-square-foot Craftsman-style home that I can’t wait to show you…among all the other things I want to show so let’s dig in.

Every designer has a unique way of attempting different styles, so I needed to get her top tips on how to go maximalist:

“Don’t be afraid to mix different eras together. Whether it’s vintage, midcentury, a little bit of country chic, whatever your favorites are, throw them all together and I’m certain you’ll love the outcome, because everything in your space should speak to you. You’ll be surprised how well mixing different pieces together balances each other out, and if you don’t know already, balance is key. If one end of the room has a lot going on, don’t leave the other half bare. Plants are another great way to balance out your space.”

Much like Emily says, “pretty looks good next to pretty”. Mixing all sorts of vintage from different eras, as long as the materials and colors talk to each other, is a super-easy way to inject your home with a lot of *your* personality.

Here is Francesca’s awesome living room. The color pallet is fairly neutral with golds, corals, and whites from this angle (and dare I say a hint of chartreuse?). The colors keep it all cohesive while the actual pieces are everything from MCM, trendy 2022, victorian, etc. Also, each piece also has a fair amount of pattern and/or texture:)

See how the flowers on that Tiffany lamp match the color of the club chairs but speak to the pattern of the sofa on the other side of the room? That’s an example of visual balance.

Paint Color | Vintage Fringed Chair (similar) | Benni Ourain Checkered Rug

But then SUPRISE! There’s a dark teal accent wall that makes the room feel a bit more grounded as well as helps to tie in the other end of the room, the dining room.

Francesca is a clear color lover so I asked if she had a color palette philosophy:

“I would simply say to not be afraid of any color! Every hue can work in a space so long as you use it in the right way and with the right design choices. If you want to achieve a comfortable and restful aesthetic, as if you’re in a cabin surrounded by trees, go darker with your color choices to create a warmer and welcoming environment. If you’re someone who thrives in a city environment, try lighter and brighter colors to mimic the high-energy of the concrete jungle. You want to ensure your color choices match what you feel, or how you want to feel when you’re at home.”

Again the color palette is airtight! The wallpaper speaks to the pinks and florals of the living room and those hits of teal flowers tie in the accent wall. Speaking of the HOT TOPIC of accent walls, I asked Francesca, “do you have any rules about accent walls?” since she has a few of them in her home:

“Yes, don’t leave them white! They are the playground, the epicenter, the biggest statement that could be. Yes, art can help a white wall, but an accent wall should be covered with either your favorite color, or wallpaper. The accent wall is ‘where the party is’. Don’t be afraid to bring the party.”

So there are just a few white walls in her home but they feel intentional so that the whole room has a bit of visual breathing room. I really love that she kept the window wall white. First off, it has all of those beautiful widows to show off, and second, I think it highlights the other lighter tones in the room. That’s why it’s both bold and very maximalist yet easy on the eyes and not too overpowering.

Wallpaper | Vintage Floral Floor Lamp | Dining Table

When I asked her what were her favorite “unexpected” design choices she made in this house? Her second response was this:

“My second unexpected, yet magical, design choice I made was placing a vintage Tiffany pendant that has carousel horses surrounding it in my dining room. People may think it’s childish, but I think it resembles my personality and makes the room completely stand out.”

I think it’s so fun and special. But I’m pretty in love with it all. I also really like how this side of the room is more modern vintage and the living area is more “antique” vintage. However, it all just works because of the color palette and materials.

Credenza

That credenza is so sweet and beautifully contrasts the modern table and chairs. Plus notice how the frame is tonal with the wall. What’s cool, if you scroll back up to the photo of the entire wall, is that it looks like she very intentionally chose all gold or metallic frames for the living room and then chose this blue one to act as a zone signifier. What I mean is that our blue-framed blonde beauty “tells” you that you’re in a “different room”. Simple and smart:)

Wallpaper | Bistro Table | Rug

Ok, this kitchen is so sweet and pretty. Again, mixing lots of different eras/styles all the while choosing colors in these pieces that would speak to the neighboring rooms (she didn’t tell me this but I feel pretty confident it’s the reason:)). For example, in this shot, she picked wallpaper and chairs with red them to talk to the red on the wall in her bedroom.

How awesome are those art deco chairs that are upholstered in a sweet, small-scale floral fabric that works perfectly with the medium-scale floral wallpaper?

But let’s get into the bedroom and what about it was the most unexpected design choice she made…

Wallpaper | Headboard | Rug | Nightstands (she took off the legs:))

“Turning the so-called ‘Family Room’ into my dream primary bedroom is my favorite unexpected design choice. I always wanted a grand bedroom, and I didn’t want the small guest bedroom to be the primary bedroom. I figured, why not take over the largest room in the house.”

This is what we mean when we say “it’s your home, live in it how it best works for you”. Just because this room was labeled as a family room does not mean it needed to stay that way. Plus look how fun and beautiful it looks. That wallpaper that speaks to the pillows. The pillow color that speaks to the lamps and the nightstands. The pattern play. The headboard. The STAINED GLASS WINDOWS. Naturally, I had to ask specifically about the windows and if they are original:

“This is a mystery I have yet to solve. When I moved in, they were already existing. But they do not feel old enough to have been there since the 20s. I have looked everywhere on the web to try and figure it out, but I have had no luck.”

EHD Readers! If anyone has any theories, leave them in the comments.

I know you see that white wall but it’s the only white wall in the space which again I think was chosen likely for balance and airiness. Plus it has that very cool huge mirror so it doesn’t really clock as a plain white wall. Also…that bench is incredible.

Wall Mural | Coffee Table (similar)

There is also so much I love about the lounge side of her grand primary bedroom. But my favorite part is the two-toned painted trim. So simple, but adds so much visually. This is something I would absolutely do in my bedroom. I also love this huge mirror too. It’s ornate and awesome so it works beautifully with a vintage, maximalist style while making the room feel lighter (and bigger). Lastly, I want you to note the cowhide. It’s a great contrast in shape to the grid rug (which I also love). Another rectangle would have looked odd. Also, it helps to visually break up the coffee table and wood floors since they have similar tones. The dresser is also in that medium wood tone family but since the light-toned hide is there it moves your focus.

Wallpaper | Headboard | Lamp Base

I know this shot is a bit of a tease since it’s the only one we got for the guest room, but how incredible is that lamp and wallpaper combo? Fringed lampshades are trending and I’m not mad about it. I actually found one for my friend’s room makeover at an antique mall. I love the romantic vibes of the bed, nightstand, and lamp contrasting with the more pop floral wallpaper. It just looks exciting and is a very fun bedroom for a guest.

We’ve obviously seen many vintage finds in this house so I asked for her hot thrifting tips:

“Travel outside of a main city, if you can. Usually, the best finds are off the beaten path. When you go, don’t hold back – dig! The treasures are often hiding, so bring gloves if you’re afraid of getting dirty. Also, get creative with your finds. For example, old hardware can make for a cool key holder or towel holder in your bathroom. Think outside the box.”

Wallpaper | Flush Mount

Lastly, we have her sweet bathroom. I love that she still went bold with pattern but kept the colors very calming. Her version of an eclectic, vintage mini spa. Also, take note of that very cute towel hook!

As someone who has been known to take her time designing, I wanted to see how long it took to fully design this special home that is so personal to her:

“I have been in the house for nearly 2 years. And every day I create a new project for myself so I would say, it is still a work in progress. The overall furnishings were completed within the first year of moving in. I definitely had to be motivated to fully finish the wallpapering and painting, and to finally furnish both the front and back yards. I must say, it’s feeling close to done! My design style is a work in progress and is constantly evolving to reflect my mood.”

Well, maybe that’s the trick! Every day a little house project. Maybe we could do like month challenge and see how much progress we make?! Just throwing out ideas:) Anyway, it was so fun to see Francesca’s home and I can’t wait to check out her show!

Love you, mean it.

*Design by Francesca Grace
**Photos by Marisa Vitale

The post HGTV Designer, Francesca Grace, Made A Pretty Uncommon Design Choice… Wanna See What It Is And If You Would Do The Same?? appeared first on Emily Henderson.

from Emily Henderson https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/blog/uncommon-design-choices

My Recent Vintage/Thrifting Haul – A Peek Into Where The Farmhouse Decor Is Headed

There is nothing that beats the ‘I miss Lake Arrowhead’ blues on a rainy Oregon day more than vintage shopping in Portland. It’s good up here y’all and feels limitless. And while I’m still holding off on some major pieces of furniture to see how we live in the house, that doesn’t mean that I can’t buy things that I feel could likely work somewhere. I figure worst-case scenario, if they don’t work I’ll use them in other shoots + I’m supporting the local businesses. So the last two Fridays I’ve gone vintage shopping and here’s what I found…

Alright. I need to write a whole post about our powder room debate so you know properly what’s going on, but I’m debating this as the vanity base for the utility sink that we have to go into it. I was (and still might) have something custom-made based because I have the design already in my brain. But then I’m like, “just check the box, Emily, stop creating more work for yourself”. This would be more affordable but $600 + the cost of retrofitting would still add up. And this is a sweet pine piece but it’s not “freak-out worthy”. I would pop out the wood squares and do something more interesting there (metal grate and fabric maybe like I did in our old powder bath. Honestly, if it were $200 I think I would pull the trigger, but it’s just pretty expensive for how utilitarian and unimpressive it is. But at the same time, we have really cool things happening in the bath so this could just be a nicer calm moment! It’s a European pine “bar” with metal ice bins that pull out… I’ll do a post about it soon

Y’all know I didn’t NEED this trunk, but it checked a lot of boxes and I somehow have great ability to use trunks in multiple ways (nightstands, side tables, end of bed, etc). This one being the trifecta of warm finishes that I love – wood, leather, and brass, so it was an easy decision. Of course, later I realized that the “brass” was helped a bit with gold spray paint which is less ideal, but I’m thinking it’s a good nightstand in the guest room. So for $90 it felts like an ok enough risk.

I’m quilt hoarding hard right now. I now have two of these quilts that I’m not sure what to do with. They seem to be out of menswear fabric, and obviously have a more classic checkered pattern than a more decorative quilt. I keep fantasizing that I’ll upholster a headboard in it, but maybe it’s just an end of bed quilt. They are strangely “unhappy” for me and yet I love them – the colors are so good, in a grandpa sort of way.

GAH. Seeing this one again makes me want to go back and get it! Those colors are just so good but it is really busy which I’m trying to stay away from. Mmy ADHD brain wants me to get it, but my current healthier mental health state knows that I live better with less stimulus (less stuff, less clutter, less color, less pattern, etc – it’s quite the challenge). It’s a real struggle to keep this house “quiet” and “calm” because as you know there is a real maximalist inside of me, too. My quilt hoarding is getting out of control (and they aren’t cheap – that one was around $300) but looking at it again makes me wish I had snagged it.

The second I saw the quilt on the right I KNEW it was for me. It’s different calico blue fabrics, in triangles and squares. It has a LOT of age (I wish slightly less) but I know 100% that I’ll use it. It’s the most “Emily Henderson quilt” I’ve ever seen and is still relatively “quiet” in the blues and whites. Thank you, Annie (shop Wilma on Instagram) for your excellent picking skills.

I LOVE this blanket. It’s a vintage train blanket (thus the ‘Pullman’ on it). The color is perfect. The pattern is simple and great. But I didn’t get it because it was over $300 and it was 100% wool which means that it was scratchy. I knew that it would look good in a shot (end of a bed, over the back of a sofa, upholstered on an ottoman) but it just felt super expensive for the impact it would have. I just wish it were like $120, not $300. It was HUGE, big enough even for a king-sized bed …

Every time I see this portrait I want it, but it just feels weird to buy and own it has no connection to the featured gentlemen. I love portraits of strange men, don’t get me wrong, but this one feels more important because he’s in a uniform (also it is over $400). But the colors! The frame! The dignity! He’s so handsome – I just wish it were someone in my lineage. That would be incredible.

Seriously regretting not buying these two pieces (both in the mid $100s, so not cheap but not crazy expensive). But the problem is that we’ve designed this house with so many windows that there isn’t that much room for art. And I have SO MUCH ART. I also don’t want a cluttered house so I can’t keep hoarding pieces that I really don’t think will get a spot on my walls. At the same time, I can see a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall in the media room – of moodier pieces like these. I also feel like these are both of Oregon so I do have a connection to them… might go back…

Really not pleased with that photo of me… but that mirror was so pretty. I might go back and snag it for Birdie’s room, and then paint it one of the pinks or purples she’s obsessed with. Y’all, Birdie’s room is going to be NUTS. I’m embracing her love of all things pink/purple/unicorn/flower/fairy and while it might look like a totally different house, I promised myself and her that I won’t restrain her too much. She is absolutely my daughter and I remember needing and loving color the way she does – I’m SO EXCITED.

As I keep repeating, I’m trying not to hoard more “stuff” but the weird vessel on the left was hard not to buy for $19. I’m picturing it with an odd sculptural branch floating out of it… The dude on the right was $49 so I skipped him, but had he been under $20 I would have snagged. One of the only problems with the farm is the amount of garage space – it’s NUTS. They were originally carriage houses for back in the day, but it allows me to feel like I can create more of an inventory of thrifted stuff… very, very dangerous.

Those were three lovelies that I snagged. Both the little dish (for pistachios, obviously) and the large enamel bowl have handles that take them from cute to cool in my book. I keep picturing that bowl full of my vegetable harvest once I get the garden going. It’s huge and was $60 so I felt good about it. I also make pretty darn epic summer salads and felt that it was perfect for that.

Now this gentleman was AWESOME which those chunky chrome tubular legs and that black leather. I was shocked at how comfortable it was (historically our sling chairs have not been and I’m not allowed to buy them anymore). This one is the right height – easy to get in and out of and the seat and back were very well proportioned. It was $2400 which is about $1k less than they are on 1stDibs, but still expensive. But it wasn’t the right vibe for our farm (I could have made it work, but Brian was a hard no).

I found the chair on the left on FB marketplace for $100 and it’s really heavy and solid. I’m starting to collect what I’m calling “project chairs” for me to play with some reupholstering ideas. Obviously, I’d totally change the fabric and knock the shine off the wood. This might live in the corner of a guest room or even in our closet… not sure, but I liked the channel tufting and I can see it in the vintage plaid that I have been hoarding – lots of grandpa vibes. The chair on the right was good at first glance, but it was very patinated vinyl and I didn’t love the square legs. But the proportions are good (I like the scale of the arms). Once I sat on it I knew it was a hard no as the springs were so loose, you immediately sunk to the bottom. All fixable problems, but for $150 it was not right.

This little bench would have been a fun reupholstery/refinishing project, too and something I could easily do with the kids. I keep fantasizing about our life once we move there, gardening, house projects, etc – Here’s to hoping that all my homestead dreams can come true while still being able to run the business

I certainly don’t need this but was so drawn to it. Once I showed it to Birdie she FREAKED OUT (which she does often if something has a lot of pink and flowers on it) so I might go back and grab it. It is $185 which is a lot for something you don’t know what you are going to do with. Curious if I could hang it in the corner as a pendant? Rig it into a side table? It’s an expensive risk but we both love it so much (and we aren’t in agreement with a lot of her commercial unicorn desires – so I want to lean into the vintage stuff we both love).

Lastly, I found these at Urbanite that are upholstered by a local maker. I then found her stuff on Facebook Marketplace and have reached out to do a couple of custom quilted mushrooms… Stay tuned

Obviously, there is nothing I love more than vintage shopping, and it’s incredibly pleasant to do in Oregon versus LA. Sure there is more in LA but it’s very expensive and the traffic makes it less pleasant (as traffic does). I hope you are enjoying it, because I sure am

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