nordstrom anniversary sale picks (and some favorite non sale pieces on my body)

Fashion & Beauty

Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Picks (And Some Favorite Non-Sale Pieces On My Body)

Drescription

Itried to sneak into the Nordstroms Anniversary sale before I was allowed to try things on to show you, but it was a mad house and I didn’t have a card (and then ran into The Daily Tay – I HAD NO IDEA SHE LIVED IN THE PNW!!) and got distracted. So I looked for stuff on sale, but honestly, what I was into was the expensive stuff that was now just less expensive, so I didn’t buy anything on sale. Instead, opting for some pretty dang cute, and mostly affordable pieces. Here are a few if you want to see (and then I rounded up some of the sale items I really liked, too). Also, you are about to see a lot of scarves on my head, it’s a thing for me right now…

This dress is a solid 9/10. It’s so comfortable, so drapey, so easy to wear – and for virtually every occasion (work, happy hour, grocery shopping, date night, even a walk and chat – just so easy). It has pockets and a loose waist that is still flattering because the sleeves are big. It’s a cute pattern, but not too loud. My only issue with it is that you need a bra that has straps that are pretty wide (or don’t mind showing off your bra strap – but maybe it’s a sign for me to get some new bras, good lord I go a LOOOONNNG time one the same three super supportive but not terribly beautiful bras). They didn’t have my size in stock, so I bought a size 6, but I think if I had sized down, it would have fit in an unflattering way because my boobs would have pulled up the waist, and it might have hugged or poofed in the wrong places. I think if you are smaller on top, then order your size, but for me, sizing up really worked here as it just drapes really nicely. It’s such an incredibly easy dress to wear, and I hope they make it in a lot of other subtle patterns.

This is a “new to me” look that I know is trendy (and admittedly cute). A linen set that is pretty affordable (skirt is $55 and top is $75, sold separately). As you know, I’m stupidly self-conscious about my arms/shoulders, so you may have never seen me in a tank top, but this cut (where it comes really close to the armpits) felt more flattering than most, de-emphasizing the areas that I have dumb sensitivities to. Preppy and cute, fun to wear, and comes in black and white, too. I can’t tell if I really will wear this enough to warrant keeping it, but if I had a job where I needed to be in an office or meetings with clients, this is perfect in the summer. The linen is thick, but not wrinkly AT ALL, and the skirt is flattering on its own. I’m wearing a small in both. OBSESSED with these jellies. They are so flattering (elongates my feet and legs) and extremely comfortable (feels like I’m wearing nothing). SIZE UP – I’m a solid size 7 shoe, but wearing an 8 here and can’t imagine going any smaller.

Ok, I was on the fence about keeping this (again, unsure I would wear enough to warrant adding it to my already full closet), but after seeing these photos, I’m pretty dang into the outfit. The top is super drapey and I felt flattering for how easy it is to wear, the shorts are tailored but still comfortable. I should have shown you the back because it is more open, which is my only issue. I asked my team what I was supposed to do here, and they said not to wear a bra and try those bra “cakes” instead. So now I want to do a roundup/review of bra “cakes” for larger ladies (and yet, how would we show them on the internet???). Again, the jellies are rad and I think the scarf and aviators are really working with the outfit, if I do say so myself (also trying to not damage my hair as much by styling it so thus the head scarves).

This blouse is a solid 10/10 if you don’t mind showing a bit of bra in the middle of the ties. For $65, I think it has a lot of detail (think Doen, but 1/10th the price) and is extremely easy to wear, without being too “pirate-y,” i.e., too much fabric. The longer Bermuda shorts were all I saw in New York (can’t say they are the most flattering – I’m a short-short lady, but I’m embracing the trend and starting to love them, although I love my Gap ones just as much as they are almost 1/3 the price). I think the trend with the bigger Bermuda shorts you are supposed to wear a tiny top (crop, tank, or square neck) and either flip flops, ballet flats, or Hokas, FYI. I don’t know – I want to write a whole post about how fashion is wack right now (New York was extremely uninspiring, TBH. I don’t know what is happening, but I felt like a tourist by just wearing an outfit.)

This looks boring, but these are two excellent staples. I was looking for a mid-weight cardigan to layer. Most are either too thin (won’t layer easily over my tops, which are admittedly voluminous) or too thick (too hot). This one is fantastic on its own, but has enough structure, weight, and room to layer on top. SIZE UP if you want to layer (I’m wearing a medium). 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.

A cute scarf-style shirt that has a great structure (not flowy, more A-line) with a nice waistline that doesn’t cut in but stays put. I’m wearing a small. Then shout out to Emerson Fry for sending me that cute shirt. I dressed the skirt down with that graphic T, denim around my waist, and classic nude Havianas (which are having a moment, again – flip flops are just everywhere right now).

So that’s what I picked up in store and below are the pieces I really want from the actual sale:)

Is It Too Late to Cut Back Hydrangeas? Everything You Need to Know Before Risking Next Year’s Blooms

New wood hydrangeas can be cut in late fall to early spring; old wood types should only be cut right after blooming. Trimming old wood hydrangeas too late removes next year’s buds, so timing is key to avoid losing flowers. Pruning isn’t required, but helps shape the plant, boost growth, and prevent leggy, untidy stems. The abundant, round blooms of hydrangeas are a classic sight of summer. Their blue, pink, and purple flowers are a cheerful and reliable perennial that seems to quickly sprout out of nothing but bare sticks in spring. After the bloom season is over, you've probably seen gardeners cut hydrangeas all the way back to the ground; when is it too late to cut back hydrangeas? And do you need to cut hydrangeas back at all? Here's exactly what you need to know about when to cut back your hydrangeas and when it's too late to prune hydrangeas. The Best Time of Year to Prune Hydrangeas Most hydrangeas benefit from some pruning to help them keep their classic round, bushy shape, but not every hydrangea should be cut back all the way to the ground. It all depends on the type of hydrangea you have growing in your garden. Some hydrangeas are new wood hydrangeas: These bloom on new wood each season, and their buds won't form until spring, weeks ahead of their summer bloom season. Old wood hydrangeas actually produce their blooms seasons ahead of the iconic summer flowers. Those buds could first appear in fall or winter, meaning a hard prune could accidentally remove all of the potential blooms for the next summer. Want more gardening tips? Sign up for our free gardening newsletter for our best-growing tips, troubleshooting hacks, and more! New Wood Hydrangeas New wood hydrangeas include panicle (peegee) hydrangeas and smooth hydrangeas. Because these hydrangeas don't form their blooms until the spring—just before their summer flowering season—you have more flexibility in when you choose to prune. If you want to get rid of the old blooms and dead leaves during the winter, then that is a great time to cut back your hydrangeas ahead of the spring growing season. However, you can also wait until spring as long as you prune before the first summer buds appear. When you're pruning, you can cut as far as roughly a foot above the ground. However, be sure not to prune too close to the ground or you could end up damaging the plant. Old Wood Hydrangeas Old wood hydrangeas are much more finicky when it comes to pruning. These include oakleaf hydrangeas, climbing hydrangeas, and big leaf hydrangeas. Old wood hydrangeas bloom on old wood; rather than growing an entirely new shrub each year, they grow back on the same stems. Their buds begin to form in the late summer, nearly a year before their bloom season. This means your ideal time to prune is short-lived; prune your old wood hydrangeas right after summer's blooms have faded. Wait too long, and you could risk trimming off next year's blooms. Visual test To determine whether it's too late to prune your hydrangeas, make a small cut into a stem. If you see green, leave it be. If you see brown, cut it down. Why Do You Need to Prune Hydrangeas? Hydrangeas do not actually need to be pruned in terms of their own health and maintenance. For old wood hydrangeas, pruning helps to keep a more compact shape. If you don't prune them (and you don't have to), they'll grow taller each year. If you do not prune at all, the hydrangea will eventually become leggy, with woody stems reaching out in every direction. Blooms may also become smaller. Pruning new wood hydrangeas helps stimulate growth for the following season, as well as clean up the plant to keep it neat and tidy. Again, pruning is not necessary, but it will give your hydrangeas a more tailored look. How to Prune Hydrangeas Different hydrangeas have different requirements for how to prune, and, while there are some varieties have specific nuances around pruning, they can generally be split into old wood versus new wood. How to Prune Old Wood Hydrangeas Here's how to prune old wood hydrangeas in summer after the blooms have faded. Prune spent blooms: Remove any dried blooms to keep the plant looking tidy. Remove dead stems: Nick stems to see if they are alive (green inside) or dead (brown inside). Remove the dead stems. Prune for shape: The only time to remove stems with blooms is when you're pruning for shape to keep your hydrangea from getting too tall, leggy, or wide. How to Prune New Wood Hydrangeas Here's how to prune new wood hydrangeas ahead of their growth season in the spring. Remove dead branches: Remove any dead branches. These can be cut down to the ground. Prune for shape: New wood hydrangeas will grow back fully year after year, but you can also prune for shape with a light trimming. Prune back hard-to-encourage growth: If you want to encourage the largest blooms and most growth, prune back the hydrangea to just a foot off the ground. You might feel like you're pruning too far, but you're not—it will grow back.

Update: The Team EHD Hair Reveals

Well folks, we did it. We walked into The Harbor salon in Silver Lake Wednesday morning and walked out that afternoon feeling like different people. It’s shocking what a good cut and color can do to your day (and confidence). If you have no idea what I’m talking about then rewind back to this intro post. The briefer recap is this: A few of the braver EHD members in the office and I popped over to the brand new The Harbor salon for a hair transformations in exchange for sharing about our experience on the blog and social media. It was about as nerve-racking of a team building exercise as you could get. My only request was that whoever wanted in on the hair transformations had to be willing to get at least ONE big change (I excluded myself from this rule because I’m the boss and that’s what being the boss means). Keep reading to see who made what changes… Ai2a8951 The Harbor is a very sweet little salon in Silver Lake (aka very convenient for me), that also happens to be just as full of charm as it is full of very wonderful and talented hair magicians. It’s owned by Shanda Wallace (pictured above with me), and just opened its doors in July. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon Process Sara Julie In the end, four girls from the EHD office (and me) walked in with open minds and willing hair. Sara (on the left, EHD’s resident photographer) wanted to make a color change and was in good hands with Josh Miramontes and Ash Bazarjian. Julie (in the pink coat on the right, an EHD associate designer/project manager) worked with Rachel Hummel on her goal of a shorter length and darker color. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon Process Velinda Ryann 01 Velinda (our resident curly haired staff member, and an EHD design associate) had stylists Kat Cali and Darla Hawn as her dream team. And last but not least Ryann (our blog assistant) had stylists Kelly Walker and Lauren Payne in her corner while she went even shorter than she already went (in length, not height obviously). Ai2a9133 Isn’t that space so cute? It’s bright, open and minimal but has great little design pops all over. Those gold sconces are great, and they match the circular gold mirrors we all used to stare at ourselves. Floating stations keep things from feeling cluttered, and those big salon chairs are very comfortable for long stints of color processing. There are also little hanging planters along all the walls to keep things feeling fresh and alive. Like I said, minimal but very, VERY cute. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon Process 01 Sara underwent just about every coloring technique in the book from the looks of it. Those two guys spent a good amount of time just mixing up color, brushing it in, and foil wrapping her entire head. She didn’t seem to mind though and quickly admitted that having two talented men softly touching her head for 3 1/2 hours was a dream and made her feel like a very important person. Ai2a9057 Darla took Velinda’s hair from a medium brown to a darker, richer brown tone. We were all SHOCKED at how long Velinda’s hair got once it was wet and weighed down. You always hear about curly hair being unassumingly long, but seeing it in person was pretty eye-opening. So many of you in the last post brought up the concept of a dry cut for curly hair. Velinda got a little bit of both. They did some initial cutting on her damp curls and then went back in once it was completely dry to get the final shape perfected. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon Process 02 Ryann wanted to go even shorter than her already-above-the-shoulder cut (which, by the way, she did herself with the help of her boyfriend a few weeks ago…18 inches chopped off). She wanted something along the lines of Parisian page boy chic. She also got some depth and warmth put into her hair with the help of some toned glaze. Julie also went darker but in a much more dramatic way. She’d had light brown hair with additional highlights for years and was ready to go a little darker even than her natural color. But her stylist pointed out that as the color wore on her hair, it would start to naturally lighten in some areas, allowing her hairs natural highlights to add dimension. I2a9299 I worked with Shanda to reshape my hair, adjust the color, and tape in extensions. My hair just hasn’t been growing the way it used to, so I was ready to add some faux length and volume while I give my hair some TLC. Now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for…THE REVEALS. Ai2a9386 I LOVE my extensions. Having longer hair just feels like me. I think that maybe I just don’t have the time nor desire to style bob-length hair. I already know how to style my longer hair. I can throw it up in a cute pony, or quickly add some bounce to it with a curling iron… As a reminder here’s where I started, and what I was using as my inspiration: Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Before Inspiration Emily That was the inspiration, on the right. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon After Emily If only I could go back in time and keep that hair. I know you are thinking “Wait, what do you mean? You changed it after this?” YEP. It was too ashy for me and I’m used to brighter around my face. Honestly, I’m kinda nauseous about the whole thing because I feel like such an idiot. My hair DRINKS toner and now it’s been toned and retoned about five times and it looks nuts (check out stories to see what I’m talking about). So many people have DM’d me and I frankly don’t really want to even talk about it. But here’s the plan: I need to wash and wash and wash my hair to get out the variety of toners because it’s just too processed right now. So sorry, not really an “after” yet for me. I just wish I hadn’t changed it after Shanda first did it. This fine, porous blonde hair really can’t handle going darker just to go lighter again (without a TON of damaging bleach which I’m trying to wait on). I just want a time machine. But it’s okay. It’s just hair. Meanwhile, I’ll let the rest of the team elaborate on their looks… I2a9610 Sara I LOVE my new hair. I seriously smile so big every time I see myself in anything reflective these days. It’s new and different for me, but I don’t feel like I’m walking around with someone else’s head on my shoulders. I can dress it up with texture spray for an edgier look, or keep it sleek for something a little quieter and sunkissed. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Before Inspiration Sara My hair was completely untouched before Josh and Ash got their hands on it. It was shoulder length, medium brown, and fine (as in “not exciting,” but also a little thin and soft). I really wanted to try something I knew I couldn’t normally afford, but something that wouldn’t need too much upkeep afterward. My original inspiration photos didn’t include the one above of Lucy Hale, but the night before we went to the salon, I was scrolling through Pinterest, saw this photo, and knew it was the direction I wanted to go in. It was darker and more natural at the root, but way lighter at the bottom, with all of this depth and warmth. A lot of my friends wanted me to try the ‘pumpkin spice’ color I had proposed, but the guys let me know that would mean color maintenance. This option will allow my natural root to seamlessly grow in, while also going with more of a spiced blonde at the tips, rather than a cooler ice or ash tone. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon After Sara We only did one short round of bleaching, so my hair barely feels any different and I can’t see anything that’s setting my “split end” alarms off. I’m already using the Olaplex line, including the intensive hair mask, which so many people with bleached hair call “magic.” Ash also sent me home with some purple conditioner to try if I wanted to experiment with a cooler tone in my ends at any point (or if my blonde starting turning brassier than I wanted it to). I’m also so excited I can finally try Kristen Ess’ temporary rose gold hair tint. Josh gave me a super textured cut, which I love and works great with my typical “beach waves” style (the only thing I really know how to do). But I also can’t wait to experiment with new styles and looks (for example, my usual ’90s-esque matte mauve lipstick now looks horrifyingly try hard next to my blonde ends, so it’s time to try some new, brighter colors). Josh and Ash are my heroes. I2a9511 Julie I feel human again with this new hairstyle!!! After having the same locks on my head for over a decade, I felt stagnant in life. Getting something this drastic makes me feel brand new and mentally ready to accomplish some goals that have been lingering off to the side for a while now. It is amazing how something as simple as a hairstyle can give you a new lease on life. I guess it’s time to finally go to the DMV or go skydiving??? Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Before Inspiration Julie Rachel, my stylist, worked her magic on me (thank you again). As someone who has gone to the same stylist since the age of 11, I was hesitant to let someone else’s hands touch my hair but right away I felt so at ease with her maybe due to the fact that we bonded over both being born and raised in the valley. Yup, that’s right. I am a proud valley girl! I was so appreciative of her taking the time in our consult going over every detail of what I wanted done, from the exact color, type of dye and how it would grow out/fade over the next couple of months to the texture and length of my cut. We probably spent a good 15 minutes discussing it all. We decided on a brunette color 3 shades darker than my natural light brown hair using a demi hair dye which when it starts to fade will let those highlights come through again (making it easier to maintain). I had told her shoulders or shorter in terms of length and we decided on a lob which sounded perfect especially after the initial cut (I was still a little scared). Before getting to the color part, she started off with a dry cut just below my clavicle which was a good 3-4 inches shorter already. It was HAPPENING, no turning back now. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon After Julie I absolutely love how it turned out and I am still doing double takes every time I’m near a mirror. We ended up cutting off a total of 5-6 inches. I haven’t had my hair this short since I was 4 when I also had bangs, red glasses and, of course, a pink flowered jumper and matching hat…it was the early ’90s and I was VERY cool. Rachel even taught me how to achieve the coveted “bed-head-beach-waves-tousled-but-not-too-perfect” hair. So hands up emoji to her. The whole team was so sweet, they made little gift boxes for each of us with products specifically catered to our hair needs. I got and already used the Evo Haze styling powder the next day which helps to give a little more life to the roots and that piecey / textured feel on the ends. Thank you Rachel, my fellow valley girl, you are the best! VELINDA: I2a9501 I’ve had the chance to live with my new do for 48 whole hours, and it has taken all 48 to get used to glimpses of my new reflection. I immediately felt a refreshing excitement when they started slicing my hair into bangs. I mean it, they sliced…with a knife! (okay, a hair razor, but practically a sword). Darla (color) and Kat (cut) were my weapon-yielders and they BOTH HAD CURLY HAIR, which if you read post #1, you’ll know was a huge relief. Darla guided me through a color treatment that wouldn’t be high maintenance to maintain; a semi-permanent treatment that will slowly fade as my hair grows, preventing root lines. I’ll probably keep it dark though. I love it. Darla also kept some strands of my natural color to add subtle highlight and dimension. As a quick reminder, here was the before and one of the looks I was considering (but feared): Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Before Inspiration Velinda1 Kat, who had both curls and bangs (but wore it straight that day. Thanks a lot, KAT!) understood my concerns about bangs with curls…poofy ’80s/top-heavy mushroom hair. And she knew how to cut/style to avoid them. First, we took a look at what pieces of my hair “naturally wanted to be bangs.” We pinned those strands into a sort of faux-bang and took a look. Then, I made the final decision…sure, why not! (always best to wing such things last minute…y’know, things that’ll take three years to correct if you hate). Last Wednesday, all of your strong opinions bore revelation to the true issue at root of our divided country…curly bangs vs no bangs. One warning I carefully considered was that bangs with curls meant extra work. I think that CAN be true. Luckily, so far in my 48 hours of experience, it’s meant increased ease. My head took to bangs, and the new fringe needs NO help from styling. I can air dry and go, which means I found the four-leaf clover of forehead curl and can’t promise this will work at home. Even Darla and Kat said, “you almost never know how curls will take to bangs.” To be careful, Kat cut my “future bangs” extra long so she could see how the curls would behave. Then she let my hair air dry (w/slight help from a diffuser) and made final cut-edits while dry. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon After Velinda Between my re-shaped hair and my bi-annual, second-hand clothes-shopping trip w/my wife this week, I feel suddenly stylish. Feigning vogue is super fun and I promise to keep it up!…all month…maybe. At least now, when I return to my standard jeans and tee, I’ll be rocking locks with built-in style. The new look is SO different after a decade of same ‘ole, same ‘ole. It’s taken a bit to decide if I liked it out of pure shock alone, but it’s really grown on me. I can’t wait to play with new styling options (and straightening)! My wife, the most important person to have on the “pro-bang” side of the country, is obsessed! Ultimately, this isn’t anything I would have thought to do without the challenge/offer from Emily, but I’m pretty thrilled. I2a9571 Ryann Okay guys, here she is. The new NEW Ryann. And I have to say, I love this length on me. My stylist Kelly and I both agreed that my face shape longs for short hair. It just works. Though I love Rapunzel hair for many reasons—one being that I can throw it up in a messy bun and go about my day—I think short hair is my hairs’ calling. I know we all wanted short bangs for me, too, and I agreed, but ultimately Kelly and I decided to do subtle middle part bangs to start. Unfortunately, you can’t really tell in these photos (because I’m fidgety on camera and had tucked the bangs behind my ears) but she gave me curtain bangs which adds a lovely texture to this cut. Now that I have spent a few days with this hairstyle, I am definitely up to going full-on with the bangs. Maybe I will even do another solo salon day in my bathroom, who knows?? Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Before Inspiration Ryann Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon After Ryann Now let’s talk color. I left it to Sara to be #blondecurious, which in the end I did not regret. My hair has never been dyed so fear of damaging my poor virgin hair made me reconsider the blonde lifestyle. Instead, Lauren suggested we do a warm chestnut brown, which would make going lighter a possibility in the future. To be honest, I couldn’t get the Parisian inspiration photo out of my head (the one I was surprised many of you thought I should go for) so sticking with my dark roots just felt right. Emily Henderson The Harbor Salon Ehd Team Hair Transformations Salon Photo Booth Julie Velinda1 Don’t these darling women look great? To make sure everyone has their “hair selfie,” the salon has the cutest photo booth, which is perfect for snapping that new hair photo (this feels far less narcissistic somehow than the classic “driver’s seat selfie”…it’s never not awkward to sit in your car after a haircut taking photos of yourself awkwardly in the parking lot). Even if you don’t use the app they have provided, it’s the perfect light for a quick selfie or instastory. Plus, the back wall is covered in a very sweet LA themed illustrative wallpaper. I2a9426 There was a lot of hooping and hollering when the team made it back into the office later that day. Lots of “let me see, let me see” and head petting ensued (and okay, some hugging). We’re still trying to get used to the back of everyone’s heads (is it Julie or Sara? OH THE CHANGES) but all in good fun. Ai2a9195 Thank you again to the wonderful team at The Harbor salon that greeted us with enthusiasm and excitement bright and early last week. Your space is truly a delight. If you’re local to LA and looking for a new set of hands to tend to your hair, be sure to pay Shanda and her team a visit. Okay, now’s the time to hear from ALL OF YOU. You guys were SO engaged in our last post (in fact, some of you said you wished we had done the reveals right away instead of waiting a few days…sorry we just needed time to pull all the assets together), so we want to hear what everyone thinks of the final looks/reveals. Do you love them as much as all of Team EHD? Did anyone inspire you to shake up your own style and try something new? We’re all anxiously waiting to hear what you think.

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

Well, well, well…I do believe this is the last bathroom of my brother’s river house, and likely the one that gets seen the most by guests. I have an order of favorites, for sure, but this one seems to be the reigning #1 (I’m partial to the primary myself, but perhaps that’s because I’m middle-aged and love an at-home spa experience – I mean, they have a sauna inside the bathroom). This one has a punch and a pattern, and a lot of green (go Ducks!). Green tiled bathrooms for the win. We chose the tile back when Max and I were both working on this project, and that man also loves a big green tile moment. I mean who doesn’t love a good green tiled bathroom. We worked with Ann Sacks, which has extremely good colors and really solid tile. Max felt really strongly about this tile and wanted it staggered as a 4″ square. I wanted it stacked as a rectangle, and somewhere along the line, it ended up staggered as a rectangle. I honestly don’t remember who is responsible for what anymore! But it turned out so great, and it’s pretty beloved in the home. A Big Pivot… I do remember that at one point, Ken and Max chose this big double faucet-ed wall-hung farm sink from Kohler that I objectively love, but as the house came together, it started to feel like it didn’t belong here. Katie felt the same. So with conflicting design visions, we looked for other options. We had to make decisions quickly as the subs were working hard on all the bathrooms at the same time. So we played around with what we had on hand, which was a leftover wall-hung drawer vanity (seen above) that felt oddly big. But that’s when Gretchen has the idea of using our leftover tile to tile a smaller version of that wall-hung vanity. So JP and his crews built a box for an inset sink, with the vision to tile overtop of it, keeping the look of the wall tile and running the same way. We taped it out, making sure that it worked with the plumbing that was already behind the tiled wall, while also ensuring that it was the right scale for this bathroom. It was a risk, and a last-minute one on the bathroom that the most people would see and near the end of a long project… We ordered the faucet from Kohler, and I was so relieved that it turned out pretty darn great. Still unexpected in the house, but now that it’s fully decorated, the pattern of the wallpaper and the colorful tile work so well together. The pendants were bought from Schoolhouse Electric – modern yet traditional and on the affordable side. On Choosing The Wallpaper This bathroom is big for a powder bath and dark (no natural light), and just painting felt a bit dead, so once again I was tasked with finding a wallpaper that was organic and fluid so that it contrasted against the linear brick tile, but not too traditional like most florals. As you know, I’m a massive fan of the Raphael pattern for this exact reason – it has this beautiful movement without it being too busy or bold. The large scale of it works so well with smaller tiles, and the white grout pulled so well with the white background. It also felt very Oregon to me – what with the trees and such. Yes, we see it a lot these days, but I enjoy seeing it every single time. The variation in the tile color is so pretty (with many shaky edges – so make sure you are up for that look). It’s just such a deep, rich green with a lot of high gloss texture. Can’t forget the toilet :) There was enough room for a little side table, which I was on the fence about, but the gap was big, so we added it, and it looked cute. I went to my inventory of art and found that I had two more of these MaryAnn Puls pieces (I had bought and framed a bunch for my team holiday present years ago, and had a couple left over). They felt like a sweet moment in here and brought in that hit of warmth with the wood that was echoed with the stool and the wooden arch sculptures (which I bought on Amazon, last minute, LOL). She’s pretty dang cute and a fun punch for guests upon arrival. Actually, my whole family is coming over tonight to Ken’s for a BBQ to get a full updated tour now that it’s all decorated, which I’m super excited about. Last bathroom done!!! Don’t worry, we still have like 6 more rooms to reveal (I love them all SOOO MUCH), so stay tuned. The river house project is truly never-ending :)

RIVER HOUSE REVEAL: My Brother’s Primary Bedroom – How We Added Color While Keeping The Calm

Y’all, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I love designing a bedroom. Unlike a family room that has to act as a playroom, seating area, TV room with storage, etc, this room needs a singular function – sleep – (ahem), welcomes symmetry (less decisions!), and by nature of the space you don’t have a ton of options. This room was always meant to be calm, simple, white, and wood with huge windows (per the rest of the main spaces in the house) which lends itself easy to be designed. But the easy pitfall with more neutral rooms is that they can look boring (especially on the internet these days). So I needed to still honor the original intent (warm minimalism, focus on the views) while exerting some style and punch (new by-line?). And I LOVE how it turned out. But before you see it all decked out, let’s talk through the bones: The Bones – Flooring, Ceiling, Paint, Windows And Lighting The house was designed and laid out by Anne Usher, their architect. I love how she played with volume, light, the views, and didn’t just create a box. The triangular jut outs from the window seat are such a pretty architectural feature that you see immediately when you walk in. The wood flooring is Shell by Stuga, and the ceiling is also from Stuga, called Drift. If you are nervous about putting wood flooring on your walls or ceiling stay tuned for a blog post soon – we think if you do it right it looks AWESOME. The walls are the most perfect warm, but not too yellow white called Alabaster by Sherwin-Williams. It’s my new go-to white. Boy am I jealous that I had to learn my hard “not every white is equal” lesson in our house, but glad I did so that we chose the most perfect white here. The windows are by Marvin – white oak on the inside, black aluminum clad on the outside. The spotlights are from Rejuvenation and are so much prettier than recessed lighting (but less light, FYI so make sure you have other light sources). We also put in this fan which we still need to add an extender on (which came this week lol), so they’ll have that light source as well. It was a really simple space, as they all are when they are empty, and it was ready for some punch and style. Step on in… The Bed Wall Headboard | Bedframe | Rug | Nightstands | Lamp Base (vinage) | Pleated Shades | Sconces | Painting This room wasn’t as much of a challenge as other bedrooms I’ve done (layout wise), but the bed wall was more narrow and the room itself was more long, less square especially for a wider king bed. So when I started thinking about how to anchor this room, I wanted a bed/headboard that would be grounding enough to handle these high ceilings, to hold the wall with enough impact, add some color (but not in a super bold way), and frankly not look dinky and short but not be so big that you couldn’t fit proper nightstands. It was tight, TBH. So when I found this headboard from Article – wide, with channel tufting and the most beautiful green I designed the room around it. It could anchor the wall in a powerful way, and the right nightstands could tuck right inside. The headboard (and bed) from Article allowed us to casually float these rounded nightstands (which have storage – opens like a cabinet) and look good from all sides – which is important because if they are floating in front of the nightstand you’ll see the back as you walk in. This worked PERFECTLY and I love how the ribbing on the nightstands mimics the channel tufting on the bed (and the pleating on the lamps). We paired the headboard (that attaches to the wall with a big cleat) with the light oak platform bed from Article which is a move that I love to do – you don’t need a fully upholstered bed if the base contrasts enough and is pretty like this one. In fact, I’d argue that if you are on a budget get this headboard then use a basic base with a bed skirt – the headboard packs so much punch for the price. I love how the sconces flank the painting and take up more of the visual space above the bed, softening the shift between the horizontal headboard and vertical painting (plus they provide nice reading light). If you want a video tour the space HERE YA GO (just wait for the ad to play) The Most Beautiful Painting This painting by local Portland artist Charlie Salas Humera and is incredible. I was tipped off to his work last year (shout out to Purl!) and have been stalking him to see what I can buy for my house or convince my bro to buy. His use of color is incredible. When this came up on his stories I begged my brother and SIL to go see it in person – I knew I loved it, but it was an investment as good art should be and I needed them to love it, too. They did and bought it (support local good artist if you have the budget!) and my goodness does it make this room, color-wise, totally sing. The Lamps And Sconces I bought these vintage lamps when Charlie was a baby off Etsy, one of my first vintage splurges ever (I think they were $300 each). They are from Sweden and I’ve loved them for so long, and had no intention of using them here. We actually ordered these from West Elm that are so similar but they didn’t arrive in time, so I pulled these lamps from storage, ordered the pleated lampshades which did arrive in time. And while I wouldn’t put the two blues typically together, both colors are in the painting so collectively I think it looks really curated and intentional. The second I placed the lamps Gretchen, Emily M. and I all gasped. It took the room next level. And while I wouldn’t sell these lamps to just anybody (I have a strange sentimental attachment to them as I remember the exact time, place and mood I was in when I ordered them and it was a very, very special time in our lives) having them at my brother’s house felt emotionally doable for me, LOL. I can still visit them! Creepy! The Rug – The Remy Rug In Green The rug is our new Remy rug, in green from our new Rugs USA collection that just launched last week and we LOVE this rug. It’s so soft, has texture variation, and a really beautiful rich color that is really forgiving. It’s wool, durable, and the graphic staggered rectangles are totally transitional – they can live in both modern/contemporary houses like this but is so simple that it can easily be in a more traditional home as well. The View This room has the most incredible views of the river and trees (which is why Anne faced the bed that way). The huge wood windows anchor the opposite wall and create the focal point of the room. We hired Decorview for motorized shades (hard-wired, during the construction process) and we chose a color that integrated well with the wood and is just warm and soft. The shades are room darkening (“blackout” but there is always a tiny light leak in the center) and you can even do top down/bottom up, meaning if you want privacy up to your chest you can control them to go from the bottom up to any point, allowing light to come in from the top. The Window Seat There are a hilarious amount of window seats in this house, all full of storage and done in a rift-sawn white oak. This one, if head by the sconce has the most beautiful views of the river and is where my bro claims he will be napping. We made them deep enough (30″) to be ample for napping (and in the kids’ rooms they can have friends sleep on them for sleepovers). I found the most incredible fabric at our local upholsterer (shout out to Alexander Matthews in Tigard). The fabric is from Pollack and is called Boxing Day. I love how the pattern (that is a soft, textured cut velvet) integrates so easily with the wood and yet still adds some pattern and punch. We could have done a solid over here but with the solid rug and headboard I really wanted to bring in a pattern somewhere and this is perfect. Opposite the bed, we have the most cozy and big chair and ottoman, the Abisko from Article. This corner needed a big guy (and yes, we thought about putting it facing the view, but ultimately they wanted it to face the TV which worked better for me, too) and the scale of this chair and its low profile is perfect. It also comes in a few other awesome colors. The chair is firm and so comfortable (not a sinking-in chair, but very ergonomic and easy to snuggle in (with a child) with a really generous ottoman. The side table is so graphic and cool (and functional and heavy). The lamp has a great tripod base and mixed finishes – both wood, black, and of course a fabric shade. The painting I bought at Urbanite by an artist unknown (if you know let me know!). Vase and pillow from Anthropologie, marble dish from Target, and throw from Article. The bedding is a mix of a bunch of brands we shopped from. Upon my advisement, Katie bought the sheets/pillowcases and duvet in ‘bone’ from Parachute which is a really warm neutral (their heathered percale is so buttery and my current favorite). For styling, we added the Garnet Hill green linen duvet, a Parachute blue quilt, a linen throw from Garnet Hill, velvet pillows from West Elm, and custom bolsters (that were originally made for their daughter’s window seat but look sooo good here). The whole bed looked so layered and cozy (and while I wanted a bench at the end of the bed, walking around another piece of furniture to get to the bathroom made less sense. As you can see up there, the bathroom is on the left with a pocket door (it’s so pretty, I can’t WAIT to show you – hopefully soon). We installed a Frame TV on an arm so they can watch TV in bed (this was a whole thing but a pretty good solution). I want to now go back and shoot a reel coming out and showing how it works. They had to put a huge cavity in the wall to house the arm, FYI. The whole room turned out so bright and cohesive, but simple and warm. I love it so much. No unnecessary clutter or opportunity for clutter. They are lucky enough to have a walk-in closet (behind the headboard wall, coming soon) storage drawers in the bench, and an additional reach-in closet so this room didn’t need a dresser and hopefully won’t have a lot of clothes mess. It’s ready for a cozy Saturday morning and simple relaxation. A huge thanks to Article who has been a partner of mine for years because I love and trust their quality and design. If you know me IRL you’ll hear me recommend them to anyone who wants high quality, without spending a ton and most things can come within weeks. I have found all of their upholstered pieces to be very comfortable and they have even added a ton more fabrics to choose from should you want custom colors on their sofas and chairs. I really appreciate how they are doing things in a very simple and thoughtful way, expanding their lines slowly, making sure that everything meets their standards and their customer service is excellent.