Blog Feed

It’s been a while since we’ve done one of these posts, but July was an unexpectedly BIG shopping month for you all, so we thought we’d share our insider info. WHY? Well, because it’s fun and, as the Kyle Cook meme goes, “SUMMER. SHOULD. BE. FUN”. What we personally loved about this month was how home decor-focused it was, which isn’t always the case. Fashion tends to be an easier and quicker purchase. However, this month you can expect “new” standout brands, and some old favorites have come back. All in all, I’m just a big fan of seeing what other people are scooping up. Let me show you…

10. The Organic Modern Coffee Table

Aicha Single Coffee Table

To be honest, I couldn’t find where we linked this VERY awesome coffee table. But what I do know is that it’s sturdy, which makes it great for pets, kids, and clumsy adults:) It’s just the perfect style to freshen up a space without it feeling too trendy. It also comes in 4 other stains and colors.

9. Emily’s Whimsical Wood Frames

Glossy Beaded Bobbin Picture Frame

In the next spot are these incredibly cute picture frames that Emily bought for the farmhouse. Here’s what Emily had to say about them:

“The cutest wall frames for family photos (or any photos) from Etsy (and a long-time follower). Nothing makes me happier than ordering something from a small maker and finding out that they are a long-time reader/follower, so when I ordered these ADORABLE bobbin frames from Lily Field Studio (on Etsy), I was delighted to hear her response. I have a quick/fun partnership with Etsy (one of my favorite resources for shopping local/small/makers) so I’ll be featuring them more on social soon, but if you are wanting some elevated frames that are sweet, come in a lot of colors, are very high quality (lacquered, perfectly constructed) and with custom painted frame mattes, consider looking here. I LOVE them and wish I had ordered more big ones (just might) for up our stairway. Whimsical without being too “baby”. Thanks, Joanna! Also, follow her here!”

8. Emily’s Cool Summer Pull-On Shorts

Stripe Pull-On Linen & Cotton Shorts

These shorts were a huge hit! We get it because who doesn’t want a fun, easy-to-pull-on short for the summer? Oh, and they are currently 25% off! Here’s also what Em had to say about them:

“The shorts are pull-on, drawstring, patterned, and perfect for all your daytime occasions (I think you could even pair them with a t-shirt and blazer for casual Friday office days since they read trouser shorts, not pajamas). I’m wearing a medium, FYI.”

7. Clear Shelf Divider

The Container Store Clear Shelf Divider

Another mystery link, but a good one at that:) Late summer/early fall is like another “new year, new me” time (since school starts up again). Let’s just say organizing ramps back up. And if you have open shelves that could use a little structure, these dividers are great. I know if my sweaters are hidden in a box, I’m likely going to forget about them. This can solve that “out of sight, out of mind” issue:)

6. Em’s Favorite Romper

Meg Zip Front Romper

The EHD team was extremely excited and curious to try a Pistola romper because of how much Emily raves about them. We did a whole post about it, trying on a few different styles. Actually, #11 on the most purchased list was another romper we loved. So happy so many of you got your hands on one of these because they are truly awesome. Here’s what Em said about the red one that sold so well:

“I’ve worn the red one almost every day since I got it – oh, and it washes great, too. I don’t need to steam it, and they don’t wrinkle up in an annoying way. I have the denim version that drapes/falls really well, too.”

5. Colorful Storage Bins

Recycled Colour Crate

Told you organizing was heating up! But what the surprise was was that it was from Design Within Reach. It’s so fun to see a new home brand on the most purchased list. If you haven’t seen these cute little crates and are looking for some bins, boy, are they cute, come in a few different sizes, and great colors.

4. Emily’s Favorite Mattress

Sapira Chill®Hybrid Mattress

I have to say I wasn’t surprised to see this on the most purchased list this month. Emily is IN LOVE with this mattress. Originally, Leesa gifted one for Birdie’s room, but loved it so much that she ended up asking for one for herself (and Brian). Here’s what she said about it before she got hers:

“Honestly, I’m super jealous of this mattress. It is insanely soft and plush and is like sleeping on a cloud. The quilted topper lets you really sink in, but it’s still very supportive. If I were to buy a new mattress for me and Brian now, I would buy this one. A true surprise hit! So if you’re into sleeping on a cloud, this is your mattress. We have the “chill” version but haven’t noticed the cooling aspect, but love it regardless.”

In case you were curious about all of our mattress reviews, head here!

3. Em’s Sunroom Farmhouse Dining Table

When we first found the property/homestead we fell in LOVE with this 1850s carriage house but as the renovation of our house and yard went on and on (with all the financial stress that goes along with it) we went from our “We’ll have projects forever!” enthusiasm to “Omg…we are going to have have projects…forever” dread. I can only say that now that we are on the other side of it, and so very excited to start this 1850s carriage house – in a slow DIY way (as much as possible). Last week, I took you through the inside, so today I’m going to show you the outside of the house, as we first found it in 2019, and what it looks like now (in 2025, pre-renovation).

2019 – When We Fell In Love With The Property

I love that we were all naive and like, “THIS LOOKS AWESOME”. But really, it had so much potential. I totally forgot about the carport that was built (likely so people could park there and walk under the covered walkway to the back door. It wasn’t in good shape, as you can see.

You can see how the two buildings connect here – WOW, it’s just so different now. We kept most of the covered walkway (we had to remove the “turn,” disconnect it from the house because they forgot to take into account the roofline of the walkway when they designed the windows, and the view out the window was 1/2 of a roofline – so awkward).

As you can see, it had very old white paint and green trim (all the outbuildings had the same trim).

She was pretty CUTE. Classic lap siding, a big picture window, and an awkward second-floor window just sooooo close to that roofline (which we can only move if we move the bathroom “stalls” upstairs). Is it weird that I like the charm of the awkwardly placed window? The shed-style room on the right was added on likely decades after it was built, probably serving as a shed to the kitchen garden that lived inside the split rail fence.

She was rundown, of course, and no contractor would advise us to attempt to fix it unless they were an old house enthusiast like us. But I actually really loved the vibe.

Now, Summer 2025

A few years ago, we had the outbuildings painted white, just to clean them up (I think we paid $6k for the garages, this building, and the two barns – like no prep work, no sanding/priming, just lipstick on a pig situation). IT’S probably why no one really notices this house as they walk by – my friends were like “where is that house that was on your IG?” and I was like, “you’ve literally walked past it 100 times.”

So let’s talk through some of the details of the structure. That big sliding door is on a train track, and I guess it is original and super valuable. We aren’t sure what to do with it because it’s solid for sure, but when closed, it still allows for a lot of air to come through. I thought it was retrofitted in the 30s or so and wasn’t feeling too guilty about putting in a normal front door (or French doors), but now I’m conflicted. But that little bird house is definitely staying (on the left).

It’s a super basic, classic farmhouse. The lap siding is in OK condition (more on that after the inspection results next Thursday). The windows are wood, wonky, and in relatively ok/bad condition. The roof looks fine, but the inspection report has more insight. We’ll see…check out the siding below…

We aren’t sure what or where the front door should be – the one on the left (below) goes into our old prop house (which is a small room), so it feels natural that where this sliding door would be is the main entrance. But then it could be just boarded up and have the main entrance around the corner.

See how the roofline of the covered walkway dead ends into the house? That’s pne problem I know we’ll need to solve. Well, without water management (gutters), it’s made that corner all rotted out. So the siding and wood are likely needing to be replaced.

I have no idea why that pipe/hot water vent has fallen all crooked, FYI, but it feels appropriate. From a distance, the house looks in pretty good shape!!!

We are getting foundation quotes now (which is NOT in the best shape). But at least that little garden room has a cement foundation. Maybe there’s hope for it??

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1670" height="1114" src="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_Carriage-House_Exterior_2025_16-1.jpg&quot; alt="homestead" class="wp-image-378062" srcset="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_Carriage-House_Exterior_2025_16-1.jpg 1670w, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_Carriage-House_Exterior_2025_16-1-836×558.jpg 836w, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_Carriage-House_Exterior_2025_16-1-768×512.jpg 768w, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_Carriage-House_Exterior_2025_16-1-1536×1025.jpg 1536w, https://st

Now that our latest construction project is done (the garages) and until we start the next one (the carriage house), we have fewer trucks, cars, and equipment wreaking havoc on our property, which made me stare at our regrind driveway with fresh eyes. I just reread the original article, from three years ago, debating all the driveway options and unsure if we made the right decision. We compared concrete (too expensive), gravel (would wash away in rain), chipseal (would also wash away with rain), asphalt (cheapest but very black and new-construction-esque/wrong vibe), and regrind (compacted recycled asphalt with a layer of loose gravel on top). We chose regrind, which was $2k more than asphalt (done by our asphalt contractor). I left that last post on a cliff hanger – did we make the right $40k decision???? Three years later, let’s see.

Before – 2019

As a reminder, here’s how busted it was before – SUPER BUSTED. And I wish I knew the exact square footage of our driveway, but I’d say it’s around 1/4 of a mile (at least it feels that way when we take the trash cans to the street – so freaking long).

While I had hoped to not invest in the driveway (boring way to spend money), we had to and belabored the decision of what to do. Read the article where I break down all our options, with the pros and cons of each.

First Year Of Our Regrind Driveway – 2022

As a reminder, we wanted something that felt older, appropriate to a 120-year-old farm. Listen, however fancy our house has turned out, it still has a casual vibe, and we were (and still are) afraid that asphalt would not be the right choice, style-wise. And as a reminder, gravel would have washed away because we are on a hill and we live in the Pacific Northwest, where God blesses us with months of rain every year.

Our initial reaction was “it’s fine,” then months later, “it’s actually GREAT”. And since then, it’s honestly not something we ever think about. It’s just our driveway and I give zero attention to it. Listen, I barely know which of our two cars I drive (not joking, I have what the kids call “car blindness” where I get into the closest black SUV), so we all have the things we care about, and driveways aren’t one of mine.

Now, Our Regrind Driveway in 2025…3 Years Later

It looks mostly the same but dirtier and looser in parts. I just asked Brian what he thought of it now, and he said, “I don’t know – I guess it’s fine?”. That’s kind of how I feel. I still prefer the charm of the gravel sound under my feet. I love that it’s more rustic and not a harsh dark new color (or broken concrete). You can really beat it up without leaving a trace. I do fear that had we done asphalt, we would have to have it redone already since we deal with so many trucks here, likely damaging it.

Over time, some areas have gotten a tiny bit “bald” of loose gravel, but the compacted asphalt underneath is still there. I didn’t even notice it, to be honest, until I forced myself to look. I think it’s mostly the same, but I wouldn’t be shocked if the top layer of loose gravel is shaken up a bit.

My Official Verdict – Regrind Or Asphalt?

Regrind is still the best choice for us, even if we aren’t vocal Regrind enthusiasts. It’s just great, appropri

As a lover of all things pattern and color in interior design, I’m most often asked for decorating advice and help from the people in my life who have neutral homes. The most common complaint I get hit with that I’m enlisted to help solve is: How do I make my room interesting? It would be easy to tell them just to add some color or fun art or pattern, but that’s not really what they’re looking for. So, I did the work for those in my life and readers of this blog to unlock the one thing I think every *good* neutral room sports: quiet pattern. Look, I’m not here to try to convince anyone that they need to colorblock and pattern-drench their home in the name of “interesting;” rather, I’m here to help explore what makes a warm, welcoming, interesting room, whether that’s a colorful *or* neutral space.

For some reason, when designing with neutrals, non-professionals and enthusiasts tend to overlook how much impact can be added to their space with some pattern, all while not amping up the energy, the key is the “quiet” part of the equation.

So, what exactly is a quiet pattern? Well, it’s a pattern that isn’t loud (obviously). It’s either subtle and neutral in color or created simply out of texture rather than contrast. It can come into play through building materials (like the image from 1stDibs below), or via fabrics, textiles, and furnishings in a space.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by 1stDibs (@1stdibs)

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

Let’s take a look at this image above I found through the 1stDibs account. It was designed by Nina Farmer and is a perfect example of the magic of “quiet patterns.” It’s a room that feels so alive, so complex, yet devoid of any non-neutral colors from this vantage point besides the rust vase and the artwork. Interest comes through via the texture and “pattern” of the brick fireplace, the wall paneling, the edged rounded square on the surface of the coffee table, the neutral plaid on the sofa fabric, and even the heavy texture of the rug.

Here are a few more all-around examples, plucked from the EHD archive:

While that Nina Farmer image above was jam-packed with “quiet pattern,” sometimes, all you need is one or two injections of it to deliver a homey vibe to an otherwise stripped back room, like the Portland Project primary bedroom above. Without the hushed pattern of the bedspread (and even the speckling of the rug), it may have felt a bit too one-note.

Throwing it all the way back to the Sotheby’s Parisian suite for those that have been around for over a decade. There’s a lot of contrast in this black-and-white boudoir, which certainly helps, but the quiet pattern moments just bring it home, including the herringbone floor, the hushed design on the rug and other textiles, and even the marbling of the fireplace surround.

EHD alum Brady Tolbert is the kind of quiet pattern and interesting neutral rooms. Here in his previous living room, texture drives a lot of the interest, but the patterns created by said texture in the throw pillows and blanket bring in that movement and distinct punch that only pattern can deliver. The chevron of the shag rug, stripes of the side chair throw blanket and a few other details complete the story.

This bedroom by our stylist buddy Lea Johnson showcases some different quiet pattern moments to consider as well, including the pattern created by the table lamp, and even the fluting in the nightstand.

Alright, now that we’ve established what “quiet patterns” are and seen them in action in neutral rooms, let’s break down each element further and do a little shopping.

Quiet Pattern Detail #1: Rugs

One of the loudest ways to bring in quiet pattern (ha) is via a rug. It’s a large stretch of floor space that tends to be very grounding to a room. It can easily be a one-and-done situation if you don’t want to think too much about any other quiet pattern element in your room.

Happy Sunday, everyone. What a week at EHD, huh? First, the incredible tour of The Carly (where we got to have our EHD retreat:)), then Em’s reveal of the most beautiful garage doors we’ve ever seen, and rounding it out with a full tour of Jess’ dad’s DIY cabin in the woods. We promise to have just as much for you next week! But for now, here are this week’s links.

This week’s house tour is the home of Zilah Drahn. If you aren’t familiar with her name, we can promise you that you know her work. She is the owner and plant genius behind Plants and Spaces. Her Spanish colonial home is as creative and unique as you’d hope from someone who creates such beautiful plant designs. Check it out!!

From Emily: We are making a lot of subtle changes around here, rethinking how we’ve done things to essentially make them just BETTER, fresh, new, and fun. One of them is the newsletter, which was a daily email about what we were writing about that day, but like all things, it could feel stale and just robotic at times. So Mal has taken it over to make it more customized, interesting, and is experimenting a lot. There will be some bonus content in there as well!! We have a big launch in 2 weeks that we are VERY excited about, so please subscribe to the newsletter for a new experience that hopefully adds a lot of fun stuff and general design value. It’s a way to be reminded about that day’s article, but also to surface some special content or resurface some older posts that might be something we are all thinking about right now. Sign up here!!!

Also From Emily: Today, you are getting a bonus YouTube, with a ton of sneak peeks into the 1850 carriage house that we are starting to restore (it’s such a beast, you guys). We haven’t really blogged about it yet, but Gretchen and Marlee pulled together a fun BTS of me cleaning it out, showing you my Christmas hoard (amongst other hoards). Watch it here (and please like and subscribe – it means THE WORLD to us :))

Also From Emily: Hey Portland folks! Next Saturday (July 26th), there is a big local event with 32 makers/small businesses (some of my absolute favorites). Think Pigeon Toe Ceramics, Nik Nik Studio, Ace and Jig, with a bunch of vintage, food, music, and drinks. It’s 10-4 pm, at 424 N. Tillamook Street. I’m SO BUMMED I’m out of town (I think my kids would even like this one), so if you are in town, head over there next Saturday.

From Caitlin: Netflix? Hulu? Max? Peacock? NEVER HEARD OF THEM. This year, I became addicted to America’s best streaming service: PBS! I donated $60 – that’s just $5 a month – to my local station in exchange for Passport access, which allows me to stream the ENTIRE ACTIVE PBS LIBRARY at any time. The episodic programming is so good and smart – I’m partial to Amanpour & Co., News Hour, Nova, Antiques Roadshow (obviously), Space Time, Finding Your Roots, Check Please (I love watching the Philly edition – it makes me feel close to home!), Star Gazers, et. al. – and the documentary selection is unparalleled. (I adored this Ken Burns doc on the Shakers, which was recently recommended by the team at Reath Design.) While the rest of the media ecosystem feels loud, fragmented, or polarized, I always leave the PBS app feeling smarter, calmer, and happier (which are not words I’d associate with many other streaming experiences, ha). Here’s to apps designed to appeal to better angels! I LOVE YOU, PBS PASSPORT. (Added bonus: it’s never been a better time to support public broadcasting! I’m enjoying it while we still can!)

From Jess: As you read yesterday, I am in the woods at my dad’s cabin (though luckily NOT under the house, still insulating pipes). Anyway, being in the woods means I need bug spray…bad. My sweet, sweet blood makes me a prime target for mosquito bites. My dad told me about this apparently awesome all-natural mosquito repellent from a company called Skeeter Skat. He was out, but I ordered some because, of course, the LA mosquitoes are also obsessed with me. If it sounds like I’m bragging, I AM NOT. Excited to try this new repellent that’s also from a small business, which makes it even better.

Also From Jess: During this week’s market research, I found this incredible bowl/vase from H&M! It’s so unique, and if I had space for it, I would buy it in a second. Just had to share it<3

From Mallory: Introducing my sandals of the summer (and beyond). I’m absolutely obsessed with these shoes because I can easily slide into them without having to buckle (I get very irritated by buckles, tbh), and once they were fully broken in, they became SO comfortable. They’re super high quality and go with every single outfit. Highly recommend if you need some nice new summer shoes!

From Arlyn: Are you notoriously bad at remembering to take your vitamins? Then we are the same, you and me. I have a (locked) drawer in my kitchen dedicated to all our vitamins and supplements, and for whatever reason, it is so difficult for me to go in there every day. I’ve tried all the tricks. Setting reminders on my phone, moving the vitamins somewhere more convenient, and habit stacking so that I take them during a time I already do something else. It wasn’t until I got these from Perelel that something just clicked. I think it’s that all the pills come in one convenient little packet, so they’re super easy to grab and take on the go if I’m eating breakfast out. It’s so convenient, I haven’t missed a single day in three months. (For the record, I’m taking the Conception Support Pack, which is basically their prenatals, which my dietician suggested I take whether I’m trying to conceive or not).

From Marlee: The other week, Em posted an Instagram story asking for curly hair recs – one product that SO many people were raving about in her DMs was the Verb Ghost oil, especially for fine hair. I just emptied my 3rd bottle of the Ouai Hair oil (which I love, great if you like a jasmine-y scent), but I’m always down to test out new products, so I decided to give the Verb oil a whirl, and it’s GOOD. It’s super thick out of the bottle but doesn’t weigh down my hair at all. It also gives you so much shine without looking greasy/oily. It barely has any scent, which I don’t mind. I have a feeling I’ll be going back for more of this guy. Thanks to everyone out there for the rec!

From Veronica (Special Guest and EHD Alum!): My brother released his first book, and I am so incredibly proud of him! It is an action-packed SciFi novel based around an unknown species on Earth that was once admired, but over the last 30 years, has now become feared. Buckle up for a journey of discovery, friendship, and love. If you enjoy SciFi (or even if you don’t), pick up this book for your next read!

From Nick the Author: Hi friends! The Bright Highway has plenty of action, suspense, and drama much like other staples of the sci-fi genre, but it is fundamentally a story of otherness, tribalism, and mixed identity. I’m not sure how many of you share my biracial background, but The Bright Highway is sort of my love letter to the beauty of blended tribes, and I think that message is an increasingly important one today. For signed copies and special events, check out my website or follow along on Instagram. Happy reading!

From Gretchen: If you’re a devoted Sunday linkup reader, you may remember a few weeks ago I talked about my paddle board. And yes, I’m still digging it! But I do have a few complaints with it that I’m slowly working on making better. The first one is the hand pump that comes with it. It just sucks the fun out of the experience, exerting all your energy first to inflate it, and if you have the money to upgrade to electric, it’s a must, imo. But don’t make the same mistake I did–make sure it comes with the right valve adapter! If you go with the same Retrospec paddle board as me, go ahead and get the same brand pump and save yourself the trouble of finding out the cheaper version on Amazon won’t fit the valve hole. Next, if you plan on drinking and floating (like most of us), snag this awesome cupholder! It sticks to your board and loops through the bungee cords, keeping your can upright. Genius! But also, if you plan on drinking and floating…DON’T LOSE YOUR PHONE LIKE I JUST DID. I was out on the river and was suddenly flipped by a big boat wave. The board’s bungee cords held on to just about everything–except my precious iPhone. So now, I won’t let myself go back out there without this tethered phone holder, to MAKE SURE it stays strapped, even if I don’t.

Thanks for stopping by and see y’all tomorrow. xx

Opening Image Credits: Architect: Beebe Skidmore | General Contractor: Owen Gabbert LLC | Design by Max Humphrey | Styled by Kate Webb of Rodeo Queen and Colleen Mote | Landscaping by Pistils Landscape Design | Photos by Kaitlin Green | From: The Most Magical (And Rentable) Retreat That My Best Friends Created: The Carly Tour

Now that we are about a month into summer, Marlee posed the question the other day, “What are everyone’s summer staples?” A big gab sesh started so naturally, we then thought that it was a pretty great blog post idea. So here we are! And much like a capsule wardrobe, it’s helpful to really pinpoint what types of pieces we gravitate towards and can wear with what we already own. It makes us better buyers and happier in the long run. No more “I’m sure I’ll find a place to wear this” and then never do. Each of us on the team has our own little style variations, so hopefully you’ll find some good inspo and/or pieces that will help you beat the heat. First up, our fearless leader…

Emily

Overall Summer Style:

I’m living casually per usual, but dialing in things that make me feel cute enough around town.

Great Flats – I’m still loving the Dolce Vita mesh leopard ballet flats – they strangely go with everything and are super flexible (not stiff, and therefore comfortable). The bright blue Nike sneakers are solid, and my new pointy clear jellies are strangely flattering and comfortable, and still loving these brown sandals from Anthropologie.
Jean Shorts (Multiple Lengths!) – We are all going baggier than we used to, and I’m still loving these Agolde shorties and the longer Gap Bermudas (I have in both white and light denim).
Blousy Tops – I really like the new one from Nordstroms I’m wearing in the opening shot. But my go-tos tend to be either Doen or Love Tomas (Emerson Fry). The delicate cotton is so breathable, and they are just so pretty and yet casual.
Head Scarves – I can not stop wearing scarves on my head, either as a triangle or a headband. Alex Mill, Madewell, and Urban Outfitters all have great ones. This one is super cute.
Aviator Sunglasses – I go mostly for knockoffs, but my last pair (Fetch) was from Consign Couture in Multnomah Village, where I sell a lot of my clothes, and I love them. These are great too!
Pearls – I like a light strand around my neck at all times – pops just the right way.
Patterned Dress – I’m sad my Evereve dress is sold out (snag it if it comes back), but this new Madewell one is FANTASTIC. Such a great drape, comfortable and versatile (and the pattern makes it so forgiving).
Baseball Hat – This hat (in the opener photo), from Anthro, is my new absolute favorite. It’s a trucker hat with mesh backing and is so cute (despite being a fake souvenir hat, which I think is hilarious – but it’s such a good hat that I ignore it).

Jess

Overall Summer Style:

Oversized Button Up – This has been a staple for me for many summers. What’s easier than throwing on an oversized button-up with some shorts, over a swimsuit, as a nighttime extra layer? It’s so versatile and effortless. Now, I got my first Frank & Eileen button-up as a surprise for Christmas, and it has been in heavy rotation ever since. It’s pretty perfect. Of course, that one is not all that budget-friendly, so here’s a great alternative for a fraction of the price.
Activewear Shorts – I’m new to the love of “activewear” pull-on shorts that Emily and likely many of you have been on for a minute. Remember this post Em wrote a few years ago? Well, I’m finally here and I am happy as a clam. It started with my new bright green Lululemon shorts and soon expanded. I love throwing those on with my Frank & Eileen button-up with my ballet jelly flats. It’s easy, casual, and a little fun. The other pair I bought is super similar to these (except these are a little less “activewear” and more “cute summer shorts”).
Jean Shorts – A jean short is a staple for many of us, so no shocker here. But to get specific, like Gretchen, I am a sucker for these Agolde Parker shorts. They are just the perfect fit, the perfect wash, and regardless of what my waistline has been (I’ve fluctuated a few sizes over the past few years), I’ve always felt confident in them. They do have a longer version if that’s more your preference. And speaking of longer jean shorts, these will also be in HEAVY rotation this summer and beyond.
Baseball Hat -Any ole regular baseball hat will do, but what I keep grabbing are my “local merch” ones. I got a great one when I was in Oaxaca from a cafe called Onnno that just says “Sándwich”. It’s fun, silly, and reminds me of my incredible trip with my friends. But there are also places like Altadena Beverage & Market that were thankfully able to reopen after the fire. They are selling these “Altadena” baseball hats, where 100% of the proceeds are going to fire victims. Just a small way to feel a little more connected to our communities and the businesses that we want to uplift. (Also, if you live close enough, Altadena Beverage & Market has the most incredible wine selection, a vast non-alcoholic spread, and a bunch of other delicious goodies and gifts.)
Jelly Ballet Flats – The true winner of the summer! I want to wear these shoes EVERYWHERE. I bought them in clear after seeing our photographer, Kaitlin, wear them on our retreat, and I haven’t looked back. They go with everything, are so easy to slip on, and are fun but cool at the same time. Ok, I’ve talked myself into it, and I need to get the red ones now.
Fun Tee – What can I say? I love a fun tee! I prefer either pretty fitted or fairly oversized. This “oranges” one is fitted and so cute (and those oranges sit ABOVE your boobs, in case you were wondering:))! I’ve gotten a ton of compliments on it. I know it’s not cheap, but it’s made from 100% deadstock cotton in Los Angeles by a women-run brand and sizes up to 3x. Happy to support these kinds of companies when I can.

Honorable Mention – A flowy dress you can dress up-ish or down. This is a no-brainer, but I don’t own any that I can link up, but it had to be said in case you see me in the street in a flowy dress and think, “but that wasn’t on her summer staples list?!” <img src="https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/16.0.1/72×72/1f609.png&quot; alt="

Hi everyone! It’s me, Jess. In case you’ve missed my dad, Les’, boomer dad gift guides, he’s quickly become a beloved contributor here at EHD. And while I couldn’t be more biased, I honestly wasn’t surprised. He’s my favorite person, and getting to share him with you is simply the best. (Plus, he feels like a celebrity the day the posts go up, and it’s pretty cute, ha.) Today, however, he’s not sharing with you his specific yet truly helpful gift ideas, no. Today, he is showing you the cabin he and his girlfriend have poured their hearts (and probably some blood) into. This is a true DIY cabin, y’all. I finally got to see it for the first time this week, and while the photos are great (well, they’re “fine” because I only had my iPhone camera and very amateur skills), the warmth and coziness are practically overwhelming. So please enjoy my dad and his cabin in the woods.

So I decided to buy a cabin in the woods. Being an inner city boy from Chicago, it’s a big move. I knew nothing of the outdoors until COVID, when my girlfriend and I bought our Airstream. I somehow found peace in that endeavor. So now I have a cabin in the woods. It was built in 1920 and is on Forest Service land. I own the cabin but lease the land. That brings the price down dramatically (can’t argue with that). Anyway, this place looked more like the 1950s than the 1920s. Hated it, but we saw some potential. What I didn’t see was the amount of work needed to get it to our taste. I figured I could live old school. Well, not if you’re living with the girl I happen to be living with. Geez.  So, after a couple of months of hard work, I think we’re done (though I never know). 

The hardest part was the floors. Lorinda wanted to save the original floors. I thought it was worth a shot, but was skeptical. She said she would sand them down herself. Well, after peeling up the linoleum (which I kinda liked and saved a piece for my pantry wall), she and a girlfriend got to work. Two days later, they couldn’t move a muscle. By the way, a big shout-out to Cheryl, one of our best friends. As I looked at the original floor after they were done, I could see the ground below the house. Yikes! Then I stepped in and, with a buddy, laid down all fresh plywood and a new laminate wood floor. Three days later, I couldn’t move a goddamn muscle. Ha!  After that, the rest was easy.

Microwave | Toaster Oven | Electric Kettle (similar) | Sconce

Originally, there were two entries into the kitchen. Seemed unnecessary, and it was. We eliminated one by building a pantry and using the back side of that wall for the TV in the living room. I covered that backside with shiplap. We eliminated some cabinets in the living room and repurposed them in the pantry. One of them worked better upside down. My whole life, I have looked at things from an upside-down perspective. Strangely, it seems to serve me well, Ha!

Pendant | Shade | Faucet | Sink

I bought an 8-foot piece of 8 foot butcher block and made a new kitchen counter out of it. (with my son’s help) Dropped a new sink into it and Wallah! Looks like a new kitchen. We also bought an old butcher block to create a small island to prep food on. Works great and doesn’t take up any room.

Rattan Flush Mount

I left the appliances but built a dish rack to cover the side of the fridge. Now, when a bear looks into my window, he will not see a fridge. Yay, as that is what they look for when taking a peek. If they see a fridge, it’s dinner time. (Who knew!)

Lo had me install a shelf of her making on top of the fridge (really slick). She’s been luggin that piece of wood around since I met her. It now has a home. She then found the right height little log from our property to prop it up. The basket is where all of our kitchen paper goods – wax paper, aluminum foil, saran wrap, etc. Gotta get creative in a small kitchen.

Wall Mount Bookshelf

For some reason, the prior owner drywalled the entire joint. Not very “cabin-y” if you ask me. So I went out and bought some knotty pine tongue and groove and paneled a few of the walls. Lo stained it dark to match the floor and beams (Now I’m feeling like Davy Crockett). 

The water I cook with and bathe in is pulled from a stream behind the cabin. (Davey Crocket indeed). When I bought the place, it had no water filter. Jess and I installed a filter in the river this week. I feel better about it now. Probably her first time in waders.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1670" height="2227" data-id="377643" src="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_DIY-Cabin_Rustic_Wood-Paneling_House-Tour_7.jpg&quot; alt="" class="wp-image-377643" srcset="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_DIY-Cabin_Rustic_Wood-Paneling_House-Tour_7.jpg 1670w, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Emily-Henderson_DIY-Cabin_Rustic_Wood-Paneling_House-Tour_7-836×1115.jpg 836w, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/

I never thought I’d be this excited to show you the prettiest garage doors ever. When we finally agreed to invest in making our garages better, our goal was to make them functional, but we had very low expectations on how beautiful they would be. Our garages aren’t on a street where neighbors can see (only friends and our trusted FedEx guys would see them), they aren’t part of our curb appeal (not attached to the house), so our goal was “better and basic” (along with “dry, not disgusting, less spiders and mold,” and ultimately way less dangerous). But today we are talking specifically about the doors – what we now call the best garage doors ever. And because I clearly have a disorder where I can’t do anything simply or “without obsessing about how pretty it could be,” therefore I ended up choosing these pretty doors that make me so happy – far happier than predicted.

Before we get into the full post, here is a fun little video (just wait for the ad to play:))

The Before

Here is where we started 5 years ago. We knew we were lucky to have this huge garage at all (right?), but they weren’t in the best shape, and everything needed repair.

We ignored them for a couple of years, finally hiring the most affordable painter in town who was willing to just paint without any prep (a real literal lipstick on a pig situation) because they were such an eyesore after our house was finally done. But we knew they were not in good enough condition to invest in scraping and painting properly. The fresh coat kinda helped, but otherwise we didn’t touch them for another 3 years.

Starting in January, we knew that we needed the storage soon because we wanted to start restoring the original carriage house on the property. We’d need the garages to be our future and permanent storage space for my vintage hoarding and any future product lines (not to mention life and holiday stuff). So we hired my brother’s brand-new company, Afore Construction, to fix them up, and new garage doors were a clear must.

I received multiple word-of-mouth recommendations for Ponderosa, a local (and experienced) garage door installer. I reached out and really loved their customer service, speed, communication style (fast and personal with easy text notifications), and variety of great door products. After telling Ken, the owner, that I wanted carriage-style doors, he suggested we work with a company called Clopay because they are meant to be the best garage doors, with a massive variety of customization and styles (ours are vintage style, but they certainly have very contemporary and modern as well). They range in price, as expected, and ours are more than average, but for our style of property (more historic and antique), we felt we needed to pick something that really aligned with the property. Turns out even though I promised myself “I didn’t care”, more focused on function and speed – turns out I always care, always.

I chose the Canyon Ridge Elements garage doors, and to get all specific about them (should you want to copy them exactly), they are low-maintenance, insulated steel garage doors with composite overlays. We chose Design 22 (how the diagonal lines are designed) with the SQ23 windows (size and configuration style) and had them all painted SW Dutch Tile Blue (they can match any Sherwin-Williams color).

My goodness, are they beautiful. Ponderosa installed them in one day – ONE DAY!! They arrived, a team of 3, and powered through without me having to do a thing. And they were extremely professional, knowledgeable, and just so impressive. 10/10 service. They texted their eta, and were so easy to communicate with, with everything being electronic (so not a lot of annoying contracts and paperwork at the end). They offer a 5-star service program which provides annual maintenance and has the quietest motor (and it’s oddly quiet, not something I thought I’d care about, but it’s really lovely). They are also very hard to break into with high-end steel and mechanisms, which is clearly important.

We added the faux handles and strappings in black to make them look more vintage, working with the farm design of the property. And we wanted windows on top to add natural light inside (and charm).

Sconce | Doors | Door Color | Plants

They had a lot of options for all of these elements, both in style and color (we chose the spear style strap). I literally couldn’t be happier with what we chose and how they turned out – they add such charm and are super high quality. And there is a slightly “faux” wood grain finish to the garage doors that adds a really nice texture, which I was SO relieved looked fantastic in person (I’m always nervous about faux anything, but this is not cheesy, just subtle and nice).

We chose to have each controlled separately, with individual codes, and inside, there are convenient buttons to open and close.

<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1670" height="2338" data-id="377336" src="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/EmilyHenderson-PropGarageReveal_KaitlinGreen-35-crop.jpg&quot; alt="" class="wp-image-377336" srcset="https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/EmilyHenderson-PropGarageReveal_KaitlinGreen-35-crop.jpg 1670w, https://stylebyemilyhenderson.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/EmilyHenderson-PropGarageReveal_KaitlinGreen-35-crop-836×1170.jpg 836w, https://stylebyem

Five and a half years ago, I wrote a post called “The New Classics: The Timeless Pieces That Will Always Be A Great Buy”. With the brains of me, Emily, and the rest of the team, we came up with a pretty awesome list, which spoiler alert…we still stand by! I mean that’s the whole point, right?? A classic means it’s a forever thing, and in our case, for these posts, a forever design piece. It’s basically what we try to do here every day. Sure, we love a design trend (even the really out there ones), but ultimately, we try to steer you and recommend things you’ll love forever. Hey, maybe even pieces you will want to pass down to your kids one day:) So, since it had been a little over half a decade, I thought it was high time to see if there was more to add to the list from your favorite design experts. I’m sure you can guess that answer was a resounding, YES. So let’s get into these new additions to the “new design classics” and why we think they deserve to be on this list (and maybe in your home:)). 

The Jewel Toned Solid Rug

Solid colored rugs have really gained some heavy traction over the past few years. The likes of all of our favorite high-end interior designers started to really lean into this look. We’ve used them more by way of our old rug line, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love this kind of rug so deeply.

Why Is This A Safe Bet?

Solids and jewel tones never go out of style. They’ve been around since the beginning of time. If you choose a good quality rug, in a color you love, it will be very hard to ever get tired of it. While we LOVE a great pattern, those can box in a design plan if you want to mix things up in a big way. Whereas solid rugs are there to support and don’t necessarily call as much attention to themselves. Basically, they are extremely versatile, especially if you choose a color you design most of the time. Add a little fringe for some added specialness, and you are so set…forever if you so choose.

1. Clio Solid Color Hand Loomed Wool Area Rug | 2. Chiltern Handmade Rug | 3. Henry Handloomed Wool Area Rug | 4. Arrel Speckled Wool-Blend Rug | 5. Henry Handloomed Wool Area Rug | 6. Greenwich Area Rug

All of these colors make my heart jump! I also feel as though they are neutral in essence. I’m sure some of you just did a spit take after reading that, but I stand by it. These are saturated, versatile, and frankly, stunning. I do want to point out the little fringe accent on #1, #3, and #5. It makes them a little “less serious,” but they remain completely sophisticated. I did add #6 in with that slight pattern (because it was so pretty), but the solid solids are what this classic is really about. But hey, rules are made to be broken sometimes, right?

The Knife Pleated Shade

I’m a little surprised this wasn’t on the last list, but maybe we needed a little more time to see if it had staying power…Dare I say it’s only gotten stronger?

Why Is This A Safe Bet?

This is my and probably the whole team’s favorite style of shade (I didn’t officially ask them, but given their homes and past conversations, I feel ok with the assumption:)) Like I said, its popularity has only grown over the past 5+ years, and it’s used in so many different styles of lamp bases and homes. It’s cool, is a twist on a traditional pleat, and looks so clean. Plus, Emily has used this style of shade in countless rooms at this point, and usually, when she uses something over a long period of time, it’s absolutely a safe bet. This was a MUST on this round’s new design classics.

1. Louis Table Lamp | 2. Matin Table Lamp | 3. Flores Plug-In Sconce | 4. Callahan Floor Lamp | 5. Bianca Black Marble Table Lamp | 6. Ceramic Table Lamp

Well, I love them and narrowing them down was a challenge. I love that this style works on a super modern lamp like #2 and a far more traditional lamp like #4. But if you want to go more “glam” or “luxe”, #5 is perfect for you. There’s a knife pleated lamp for every style in any home. I promise!

P.S. Take a look at Emily’s side table lamps in her bedroom below:)

The Arched Headboard

It’s always surprising and fun when a simple shape finds a new, cool way to reinvent itself…like the arch. The arch TOOK over design around 2019. You could hardly find a designer, a design blog, a DIYer, or a design brand that wasn’t leaning in hard. Remember when Emily wrote this post about whether or not people should put arches into their homes? That was more in response to the craze of the time, but now that things have calmed down about “arches everywhere,” we are left with really great options that can make sense for our homes. Especially, in the headboard/bed department.

Why Is This A Safe Bet?

First and foremost, it’s a classic shape, so depending on how you decorate the bedroom you are using it in, it can feel timeless. Then, with most bedroom furniture being very square or rectangular, having a softer shape is such a welcome contrast. Plus, Emily Henderson designed an arch bed for her guest room (currently in her primary bedroom) for her eclectic but timeless farmhouse. I think it’s safe to say it’s a safe bet.

1. Arlo Upholstered Arched Bed | 2. Almelo Queen Velvet Headboard | 3. Upholstered Bed Frame | 4. Vaila Blue Queen Chenille Fabric Upholstered Arched Platform Bed | 5. Catania Queen Natural Wood Platform Bed With Arched Boucle Upholstered Headboard | 6. Danna Solid Wood Platform Bed with Arched Headboard

For the most classic feeling bed options, #1 and #6 are the best choices. The arches are slightly elongated, and the bases are super simple and traditional. For an arched headboard that’s a little more “now,” #2 is such a fun choice! You really can’t go wrong with any of these styles. 

The Modern Plaid Blanket

In our world where everything seems to be controversial no matter the topic, allow me to enter another talking point into the “I HATE that/I LOVE that!” conversation: Kitchen islands with tile surrounds. Tile is one of those things that we all accept and even adore when it’s somewhere we’ve grown accustomed to, such as floors or on our bathroom and kitchen walls. But put it somewhere other than that and all of a sudden, it’s a wild concept.

And while I’m not really a proponent of tile as a counter surface material for practical reasons (I had some in my previous kitchen and UGH all the crumbs that get stuck in the grout lines is such a hassle), it does have its merits elsewhere. Remember this post with a killer kitchen reveal from earlier this year where Jess explored tile in an unexpected spot—the vertical rise of the base of a kitchen banquette?

If you were a fan of that look, it’s not that far a leap to wrap an island in tile, is it? That said, it’s worth exploring the pros here:

• Affordable: You could make the base of the island in a fairly affordable wood or material since it would mostly be covered in tile.
• Low-maintenance: Tile is durable, easy to clean, and non-porous. It resists water, heat and stains.
• Colorful: Tile is an easy and dramatic way to add color and texture to a kitchen.
• Cool-looking: It makes you do a double take (and your friends and neighbors likely won’t have the same design treatment…don’t you want to be unique?!?).

Of course, no idea is without its cons. Between grout maintenance and the possibility of cracking or chipping of one of the tiles (total bummer), there’s also your home resale value to consider. A tiled kitchen island surround is a very niche look, and likely one that won’t be understood or appreciated by the masses. Anytime you put something in your home that’s distinct, you run the risk of it turning off future buyers if your goal is to sell down the line. Don’t let that stop you from putting your full self into a home design, but it is something you should keep in mind.

During my research of this tiled kitchen island trend and concept, I discovered that you’re likely to see one of three tile categories used to accomplish the design: Standard ceramic or porcelain 4″x4″ tiles, Zellige tiles of varying shapes and sizes, or a more custom looking decorative tile, all of which I think can look good in the right application. In general, though, the look leans contemporary with some exemptions for retro/mid-century vibes and even warm transitional designs. Let’s take a look.

Simple 4″x4″ Tiles

Regular readers may know that I’m quite the fan of the versatility (and affordability) of a classic 4″x4″ tile, though they have a fairly specific look that might not be right for every home. On an island, this type of tile definitely reads modern, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make it work with something warm or even a touch rustic.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Interior Architecture & Design Byron Bay (@whitewood.agency)

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

Maybe it’s the color of the tile, or that the white wall tile seamlessly transitions into the countertop which then is echoed on all surfaces of the island, but I love the look of this kitchen by Whitewood in New South Wales. It’s one of those things you’d never think to do, but once you see it somewhere else, it just might become a contender.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Architectural Digest (@archdigest)

//www.instagram.com/embed.js

One thing tile-surround kitchen islands do well is lean into a look. That cohesiveness of material between the walls and island (just like in the previous photo) is unbeatable for making a statement and bringing in so much intentionality. Granted, the grand architecture of this home designed by Years Studio (featured in Architectural Digest), helps support the very bold look.